I Was Just Thinking

Within You

"Everything in the Universe is within you.
Ask all from yourself." -Rumi

Finding Your Eternity

 "We don't need words
said the stars
We  shine silently
together
for centuries."


"You must live in the present,
launch yourself on every wave,
find your eternity in each moment." -Henry David Thoreau

Happy Day After Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day Party 2015

Our Annual family Thanksgiving party held at my brother Randy's home. Here's a little slideshow of the  festivities:
 

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Wishing Everyone a Very, Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 "Freedom from Want" Norman Rockwell

 "In all things give thanks."
1 Thessalonians 5:18

When Cooking a Thanksgiving Turkey

It's all about the baste!

Many Ways To Say I LOVE YOU

"There are a million different way to say

"I love you" 

"Put your seat belt on"
"Watch your step"
"Did you eat?"
"Get some rest"

You just have to listen.

from Sun-gazing.com

Begin Anew

Champagne and French Music

" There should be this little
Champagne truck that drives
around the neighborhood in
the evening playing French music.
And we would hear it 
and run out with our money
and stand on the pavement
waiting for it.  Like an ice cream
truck, you know, but with
Champagne."

Not You!

"You can't make everyone happy. 
You are not Pizza!"

In Light Of These Times

Keeping Quiet
by Pablo Neruda
Now we will count to twelve
and we will all keep still.
For once on the face of the earth,
let’s not speak in any language;
let’s stop for a second,
and not move our arms so much.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines;
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
Fishermen in the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would not look at his hurt hands.
Those who prepare green wars,
wars with gas, wars with fire,
victories with no survivors,
would put on clean clothes
and walk about with their brothers
in the shade, doing nothing.
What I want should not be confused
with total inactivity.
Life is what it is about;
I want no truck with death.
If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death.
Perhaps the earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive.
Now I’ll count up to twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.

Wisdom

At the end of his talk someone from the audience asked the Dalai Lama, "Why didn't you fight back against the Chinese?" The Dalai Lama looked down, swung his feet just a bit, then looked back up at us and said with a gentle smile, "Well, war is obsolete, you know." Then, after a few moments, his face grave, he said, "Of course the mind can rationalize fighting back ... but the heart, the heart would never understand. Then you would be divided in yourself, the heart and the mind, and the war would be inside you."

A Conversation Between A Father and His Son

A father and son have the most precious conversation during an interview by french media at the scene of the Bataclan attacks which took place November 13, 2015.

The translation follows

Interviewer to child: Do you understand what happened? Do you understand why the people did that?

Child: yes,

Bad guys are not very nice. And…we have to be really careful because we have to change houses.

Father: Oh no, don’t worry, we don’t need to move out.  France is our home.

Child: But there’s bad guys daddy

Father: Yes, but there’s bad guys everywhere.

Child:    They have guns, they can shoot us because they’re really really mean daddy.

Father: It’s okay,  they might have guns but we have flowers

Child: But flowers don’t do anything , they’re for, they’re for…

Father: Of course they do, look everyone is putting flowers. It’s to fight against guns.

Child: It’s to protect? And the candles too?

Father: It’s to remember the people that are gone yesterday.

Child: The flowers and the candles are here to protect us

Father: Yes

Interviewer to child: Do you feel better now?

Child: Yes, I feel better.

On Some Nights

 "On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio.” HunterThompson

Natalie and Bradley's Wedding

On Friday November 13th, 2015 our friends Marisel and Gary's daughter, Natalie married Bradley Robideaux.  We were honored to be among the many guests in attendance. It was a beautiful, clear and warm November evening. The bride was stunning and the groom handsome. A perfect night to celebrate. Here is a little slide show of the memorable evening.

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Let the Music Play On

"The music in my heart I bore,
Long after it was heard no more." -William Wordsworth

Italian Study Sessions With the Tre Stagioni

My friends Mitra, Marion and I meet twice monthly to study Italian together. We call ourselves the "Tre Stagioni". (Three seasons).  We take turns hosting the study sessions at our homes.  These are in addition to our twice monthly actual italian classes with other friends and our teacher Luisa.  In November Mitra hosted.

We always have a great time!

My dear friends,  Mitra and Marion

 Mitra is a great cook

Always a happy cheery time with my "Tre Stagioni!'

My Friend Jo Grandma To Be

My friend Jo's daughter in law, Courtney, is expecting a baby in January. This will be Jo's first grandchild.  This past Saturday I attended a lovely baby shower for Courtney and the baby.  Always fun to celebrate something so special for a friend.

That's Courtney in the middle with her mom to the left. We can hardly wait to meet the baby in January!

 Beautiful scented hand made soaps for the guests.

All the many friends gathered together to celebrate our friend Jo's  upcoming role as grandma.
That's Jo second from the right next to me.

 This beautiful cake was made by Jo's sister.

Auntie to be  Tara ( Jo's daughter) flew in from Missouri to be at the shower. Jo's sister to the right of me

 What a wonderful celebration!  Boy or Girl???? Well we will have to wait til January to find out!