Thought for the Day

Each choice we make causes a ripple effect in our lives. When things happen to us, it is the reaction we choose that can create the difference between the sorrows of our past and the joy in our future.

Something I've been thinking about alot this week.

We Need to Remedy This Someday

I was reading one of the blogs that I frequent, Posie Gets Cozy, and she had a really funny one today, called Friday Morning Thoughts on Remodeling Stuff. She made me realize the quirky things we have in our houses that we don't think anything about, until it is brought to our attention...embarrassingly.
We have lived in our house for 16 years and still have to wedge the apron hanging near the door to keep it latched. We think nothing of it until guests come and we have to tell them how to keep the door closed...embarrassing.
Or like when we go to the basement to wash the clothes. We wind ourselves down the narrow, cluttered basement stairs through the chaos of boxes that are head high full of stuff that we keep but really don't need..well, KennyRogersLookAlike thinks he does...and the thing is he doesn't even know what is really in them...I'm sure there is not hidden treasure. However, if I move a box ever so slightly...uh.. he knows it! I know I could become a tight rope walker pretty easily now since I know just how to keep my balance heel to toe toting a basket of laundry on my head in the dark. Then the next trick that I perform is screwing the light bulb in over the washer so I can see just how much room I don't have to open the dryer door which I have become very adept at holding open with my knee while I stretch into the washer and dislodge the damp clothes that have spun tight against the tub. You are probably thinking...why don't they get rid of that stuff or put in a light switch...guess it comes to our mind while we are doing the homely tasks but then it quickly goes out of the mind when we emerge back through the apron latched door into the world of light switches and calming decorated rooms.

The Edges of the Wind

A reminiscent warm zephyr is blowing ~feels almost like autumn~the way the leaves are tumbling and scattering around my feet~brown, crispy leaves, not many, just enough to let me know Mother Nature is changing the colors of her wardrobe. The greens are losing their dark, vibrant tint and rusty colors are peeking in among the fading pinks and yellows. October warmth yet void of chill~but I can feel the cooling warmth on the edges of the wind.

We Dance...It's In Our Blood

I have had more traveling and family time crammed into this hot summer than I have ever in my life I think! From Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine. Doesn't matter if it was a wedding or a family reunion, doesn't matter how old the people are..10 to 92..or what country they are from..the USA, the Netherlands, Lebanon ..they all love to dance! It was a dancing summer! Best way to keep your mind clear!

Moon Spells and Thoughts

I have to say, I've had a tremendous summer...full of happiness and travel...full of family! Even though my working days were reduced down to 3 days from 4 1/2, it afforded me the travel and contemplation time. And that is a good thing to concentrate on when one is a little anxious about the future. Every thing works out for the good, I believe that, and so on this evening under the full moon I will work out a few wishes under the silvery light and burn them to the good ancient moon.

Write To Your Favorite Authors

People have the notion that Indiana can be a boring state... and I suppose after you have lived the high life somewhere in the world beyond with an unlimited budget it could seem that way. But I refuse to let myself creep into that mind set..sometimes you have to look at what is right in front of your face...or more like it..into the faces of your friends and books that you read on the subject of Indiana...or any state or country in which you live.
I have a wonderful collection of books about Indiana and I read them over and over again. Some are not about Indiana at all but written by Indiana authors. And I strongly feel when a book or musician impacts your life you should write a letter or an email to that creator to let them know how much their work meant to you. I do that very thing and it is so rewarding. The internet is a magical means of communication where people actually respond to you almost instantly. The wonderful feeling that you have after you have enjoyed these books spills onto the authors and makes them feel wonderful too. I don't think we show appreciation enough so that has been my mission for the past year and a half.
I just wrote about my friend who wrote "Wind Chimes and Promises" Phyllis Adair and the all day and nite 'lunch' we had.
I just received a postcard announcing a book that my dear friends' daughter and niece Becky Bowles has written and is available now. It is called Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow~the true story of her grandparents, Herb and Dee Sweet and the Acorn Farm Camp. They started America's first day camp right here in Indiana with the unusual talent for stimulating kid's natural curiosity and creativity. A quick call to my friends to order the book through them will be done shortly
I reread for the 12th time a book I bought back in 1983 called "If You Don't Outdie Me"..the legacy of Brown County, Indiana recording the observation encounters between the photojournalist Frank Hohenberger and the local folk culture of that charming rustic county which bred an artist colony. The author is Dillon Bustin and at the time he wrote and compiled the photographs and unpublished diary notes of Hohenberger, he lived in Bloomington,Indiana. I finished reading the book again and felt compelled to look him up via the magical internet, wrote him and he said he was touched by my note and even though he lives in Boston now, he longs to move back to Story, Indiana.
Another prolific Indiana writer is James Alexander Thom. He has written many, many historical national bestseller books and lives about an hour and half from my house in the southern hill country of Indiana. One novel in particular is "Follow the River" based on the true ordeal of Mary Ingles who was kidnapped by Shawnee Indians from her Virginia settlement in 1755, survived the bloody massacre, escaped and walked and crawled a thousand miles following the rushing Ohio river as her guide. This book in particular hits my heart because I have read of my ancestors who were also in this or a similar invasion of the same time frame and didn't survive. Mr. Thom and I currently correspond frequently. His wife Dark Rain, of the Shawnee Nation, United Remnant Band is also an author. I think these authors are truly delighted to hear from their readers..they know the books sell but to hear a handwritten appreciative word~that warms their heart and yours. Unfortunately, I can't write to James Whitcomb Riley or Booth Tarkington or Cole Porter.

My Summer Friend

My Darling Madame Praying Mantis grew up...She still wants to hang with me where ever I sit! I called her name and she looked at me...she knew she was getting her picture taken. She's used to that.