Photo Credit: n. h. Bourne; C.2014
beauty is in the seed
dancing love stalks
delightfully laughing with transparency
Wishes for LIFE…dedicated to a faithful friend
Category Archives: Gratitude
You are a Crystal Being…for Stephanie
Whirlwind
You are a crystal being
held tenderly by a loving God
Out of Love you were fashioned
Out of Love you grew
Out of Love you are
In your darkest moments
Sit quietly and return to your Center
and bask in the LOVE of God
All that surrounds us
is illusion
We exist only in LOVE
It is in LOVE that we find ourselves
In the depth of the notes
Your music rings out the true you
crystalline quarter notes
staccato plays…carrying you home
to the restful Love…
You are a Crystal Being
Held tenderly by a Loving God
the Quiet of God’s Love
Fir (Photo credit: mickydelfavero)
“to BE…for this Yahweh created all” Wisdom 1:14
sitting under the fir tree
in the quiet of the snow
you feel the cool breeze
softly the winds blow
its quiet message
travels to your heart
forget the human scrimmage
of God’s LOVE you are a part
you are breathing love
and that is ALL that matters
crystallize the dove
and join the peaceful drummers
News from Lara, my daughter who is in Togo, West Africa, as a Peace Corps Worker
laraintogo.blogspot.com/2013/08/au-revoir-kpalime.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LaraInTogo+%28Lara+in+Togo%29
au revoir kpalime
August 20, 2013
It is difficult to articulate this experience. It is like being born all over again. When I came to Togo I knew very little French and not another person. In two months, I have three families: my Tsevie family, my Kpalime family, and my Peace Corps family. I went from feeling completely vulnerable and alone to being surrounded by love, encouragement, and friendship from seemingly complete strangers. I didn’t know how to do or say anything and was away from everything I understood, but found a sense of belonging. It’s impossible to avoid being overly sentimental about such an experience. To be only eleven weeks away from feeling completely isolated, to this, is strange, confusing, and wonderful.
To say the least, it has all been unexpected. When I first committed to the Peace Corps I thought of it as an individual journey; in reality, it is anything but. I was thinking more about what I would do than who I would meet.
Tonight my Kpalime family told me that this is my home. So although I am leaving in two days, I am welcome here always and am a part of their family.
I talked to my sister who studies in Accra about how we both want to travel and experience the world. We both understood the difference of hearing about the rest of the world and actually seeing it.
We also shared how in the end it is important to be with family. We shared the difficulty of wanting to go on an adventure but the need and desire to one day return. We talked about how our mom will miss us when she returns to university and I go to post, but it is something we have to do. It all comes back to family. I thought about my own family and how I need to explore my curiousities about the world but part of me deeply wants to be with them. How eventually I will after I see this and that. It’s funny how my sister here and I are so alike when at first glance the differences were all I could see.
The day after tomorrow I move to my post. I found out I won’t have internet connection unless I travel to another village; thus, my blogging and what have you will be infrequent. I am excited, nervous, hopeful, worried, and everything else all at once.
The good news is, is that I know if I work hard everything will be alright. I just have to keep on moving forward because eventually wonderful and unexpected things happen. The key is to keep moving. It’s not always easy – sometimes it is insanely hot, people laugh at my attempts to speak local or French, and I walk to chants of ‘yovo.’ Other times, in class students won’t understand my accent or way of explaining things; or I will be missing the conveniance of just about everything back home: running water, a refridgerator, McDonalds – you name it. But with all that is bad there is good.
My post is a perfect fit. There is a lot of work to do and I have a lot of great counterparts to work with. The major goals are to improve English literacy, teaching strategies, and community attitudes towards gender. However, the last volunteer left me an awesome guide to numerous community and regional projects – so my hands will be full. I am excited.
After teaching in Kpalime for the past three weeks I can’t wait to be in a classroom again. It’s the best feeling in the world to see kids excited about learning and to feed their curiousities. I am really looking forward to getting to know my students and serve as a mentor. We have a saying here for teaching “It’s better to be a guide on the side, than a sage on the stage.” And I really do feel it’s not only better but something I really want to be. Sometimes all people need to do great things is encouragement and direction.
To close, I am in love with Togo. It’s not just how beautiful the mountains and palm trees are; or the warm weather or pate rouge; it’s the hospitality to strangers, the way they say hello to everyone they pass on the street, and the way a silly American can find home here in a few short weeks (it’s eleven to be exact, 95 more to go).
The only frustration is my inability to express myself here. I want to say more than merci beaucoup or akpe kaka, but as of now, I cannot. One day soon.
Effervescent You…dedicated to Judy Mayer
who is this woman
you may ask
she is one
who has made giving her task
*
see her scurrying to the door
of a neighbor in her apartment block
carrying a birthday card
or some uniquely styled pair of socks
*
she has been blessed
it is true
but her blessings she shares
with me and you
*
Her adventures carry her far
students in distant schools
benefit from paper and pens
and her giving too
*
she travels the world but forgets you not
as Russia or the Panama Canal
finds it ways to the dining room wall
showing slides of the people’s locale
*
the nursing home residents
share in her joyous song
as their eyes feast on the view
and the ethnic food that belongs
*
Judy doesn’t stop there
but continues her giving
driving the Madison Zoo train
cheering all in thanksgiving
*
uniquely free
and so giving it is true
thinking of delightful ways
to bring a smile or two
*
she may be volunteering
at Olbrich Botanical Garden
engineering the tram
or referring to the tropical banyan
*
then on to Monday
another day of living
at the Habitat for Humanity
she is giving
*
Perhaps some Wednesday evening
You will hear her respond
as she works the phones
for the charity telethons
*
accepting donations
late into the night
always there helping
comforting those in plight
*
it may be a free vacation
to a mother of three
or helping with car payments
for forty years we see
*
an angel she is
and freely she gives
an example for all
and how we might live
*
a balance of living and giving
brings joy to many and herself
a balance of living and giving
is an open shelf
*
a quiet, joyful soul
with a twinkle in her eye
her presence in your life
will leave you with a delightful sigh
love is the beginning and the constant…Happy Holidays to YOU each!
Everything you see has its roots in the unseen world.
The forms may change,
yet the essence remains the same. RUMI
Timeline Photos
tiptoe dance within the womb
carefully carried nine months
prior to bloom
wrapped in love delight
immersed in silent calm
growing strong before the flight
appear to the brilliance of energy
we venture forth
encountering light…mystified ecstatically
the first breath…glorified
opening our beings to life
furthering the essence of LOVE’s yuletide
early morning light
early morning light
tenderly comes into our day
softly encouraging us
to welcome our stay
sunshine,morning,sunny (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
whimsically entering
Mother Earth’s realm
touching flowers and grass
daintily taking the helm
Thank you, Ami Fidèle, for the Liebster Blog Award!
I’ m happy and grateful to have been nominated for the Liebster Blog Award 05/2013/01 by Ami Fidèle 
As usual there are several rules in accepting the Liebster Award– they are:
1. Accept the award, post the picture of the Liebster Award on the top of your post and say who nominated you for the award and list their blog site.
2. List 11 random facts about yourself.
3. Nominate 11 other bloggers for the Liebster Award and list their blog sites.
4. Notify the bloggers of their award.
5.Ask the award winners 11 questions to answer when they accept their Liebster Award.
6. Answer the questions left for you by the blogger who gave you the award.
My Nominations of 11 other bloggers for the Liebster Award and their blog sites:
[Please note: The chronological order has nothing to do with beauty–or wonder—each are BEAUTIFUL in their own way and should all be #1 ! I just wanted to be sure to follow the rules and award 11, so I numbered them! (smile)]
1. http://tuesdayswithlaurie.com Laurie’s blog offers helpful understandings of who you are and how to BE your best self as well as stories of the heart.
*
2. http://simonmussell.com Simon presents to us deep reflections about how we live, why we live, what we live, and how we can live better…choices.
*
*
3. http://daylighttune.wordpress.com Yoshiko and Hikari Yori have jointly written a beautiful blog of insightful reflections of daily life and the presence of Jesus in their lives by a husband and wife.
4. http://beebeesworld.wordpress.com Beebee is a versatile blogger, who writes poetry and weaves her family’s experiences in and our of her lovely postings! She writes about nature and real life. She is also a photographer with a keen eye for the subtleties of life.
5. http://sachemspeaks.wordpress.com This dear author, Sachem, shares with us his Native American heritage, specifically the Eastern Woodland American Traditional Native People. The stories he speaks of are so beautiful and take my heart to a simple way to live life, close to Mother Earth and to the heart of people. It also speaks of the harsh history of our ancestors and the horrible treatment of his people. This blog will give you an honest perspective into the lives of Sachem’s people and could only lead us all to more respect for the Native Americans and help us to all love one another.
6. http://davesjourneyandadventure.wordpress.com David Eugene’s blog provides useful information about healthy vegetables, nature and the world! He travels and is engaged in life…very interesting blog!
7. http://victoria-writes.com/ Victoria is an aspiring author for Young Adult literature (if I understood the YA correctly!) who is on the way to great success. Her blog is refreshing to read and her mood is light, ambitious and happy! Her joy is felt in her words and her determination is to be admired!
8. http://seraphim6.me This is a delightful blog of writing and photography, and in the author’s own words, “having fun.”
*
*
*
9. http://secret-cities.com/ OR http://inherit-the-earth.com Kieran Meeke presents a traveler’s heart’s delight without leaving the comfort of your home. He is the author of several sites and is a travel writer and editor….what more could we ask for?! The London blog presents us with photographs and a bit of history with each. The “Inherit the Earth” blog takes us to Africa, Australia, the Middle East—everywhere on the globe! Enjoy!
10. http://personsofpassion.wordpress.com This woman writes with such passion and heartfelt sensitivity towards so many! Her writings and poetry are beautiful and penetrate deep into your heart!
11. http://themovingsilent.wordpress.com Karzan Kardozi is a sensitive writer and photographer from Iraq. The first story of his that caught me deeply was Thalassemia: Shadow of Death. This story moved me because of the sensitivity in which it was written about the family that he came to know over time and the suffering of the family from the generic disease. Karzan writes with his heart! Karzan’s main focus is on films and cinema–his reviews are so interesting to read! But even more profound that all that he writes, is the documentary that he is working on and that should be known around the world: Halabja Documentary: Nasrin’s Story.
11 questions from me to respond to with your acceptance of the Liebster Award (or choose 5 of the 11):
1. What is the first thing you do in the morning?
2. What is your best quality and draw us a portrait of yourself in writing or a poem.
3. Which is your favorite meal of the day…breakfast? lunch? dinner? and describe it.
4. What do you enjoy most in life?
5. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
6. What do you “see” when you write? What is the your writing process?
7. Why are you a blogger?
8. What is the most important lesson you have learned in your life?
9. What is your greatest fear and how do you work through it?
10. If you could meet any person in the world, who would it be and why?
11. What do you imagine life to be like after death?
11 random facts about myself
1. I like coffee…5 cups throughout the day…even in the evening! I never drink decaffeinated coffee–because if one is going to drink coffee, then I feel it is coffee that must be drunk.
2. I am a gardener and only discovered it by accident! I began with one flower garden and now I have seven! No one told me about the weeds or the mosquitoes!
3. I once played Canasta for hours on end with my older sister, Barbara. She would beat me every time with a concealed hand, and me with a handful of half the deck! I miss not having her to play the game with.
4. When I was young, I would climb fully grown cedar trees to the highest branch and enjoy the freedom of the wind!
5. I doodle when I am listening to lectures—I am listening–I think it keeps me more focused than if I sat still and only appeared to be listening.I think I listen more than those who give that appearance! LOL
6. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day…and I enjoy morning coffee with a veggie omelet. If I only had breakfast each day, I would be content. Then I think of how many people in the world have nothing…it saddens me.
7. Recycling is very important to me and I get very upset with people who litter the environment. I am very concerned about Mother Earth.
8. I am totally against “Fracking!” It is going to ruin the 4 water basins that lie under the USA. Fracking ruins groundwater! It is so WRONG and is Corporations again who care nothing about Mother Earth or any of us. Without water, we are all dead.
9. I love to laugh! And look for opportunities to make others happy…I smile even if I am sad…and soon I am happy. What else can I do?
10. I wear socks to bed…my feet get cold…
11. I love chocolate…I guess everyone does! A day without a piece of chocolate, it like a day without breath!
Response to the questions left to me by Ami Fidele
1. Why do you write?I write to give voice to my feelings that are otherwise left unspoken. I write as a way to BE with others…to offer the best of myself…to offer my real self to others.
2. Do you play an instrument? If so, which one?I play the piano a little…not even to perform for anyone…but I love to play to amuse myself…and to soften my heart. I had three piano teachers…each five years apart…and each for only a year…the piano teachers kept leaving the countryside!
3. In what style do you prefer writing?I have no preference…the poetic form contributes to me being more succinct…and it leaves me happier, I guess. Essays allow me to vent…lol.
4. What music is playing on your speakers right now? I do not have any music on…just the silence of the day…sometimes I play music–Bach, Chopin, Susan Boyle, Adell, the Bee Gees, John Denver, Neil Diamond, the Beatles, Yanni, Nanny Mouskouri,
5. Do you think in pictures when you write? Great question! I will have to pay attention—I never thought of that—I “see” the person or idea in front of me…I “see” groups of words in my brain…clusters of feelings overpower me and the words just flow out (sometimes–lol) I think I am a spatial, visual thinker. Often when I am speaking, I look off into the empty space to gather my thoughts—I do not know WHY, but it works…even though, many people think I am not paying attention to them, I am…I just need to gather my thoughts “out there.”
6. What’s your writing process like? My feelings overwhelm me, as I am quite sensitive to my environment and the words of others…a gift but difficult at times also. When a particular idea attracts me, I cannot wait to get to the keyboard and it just pours out of me…then I return and make the grammatical corrections, etc (that is the difficult task and boring)…
7. Among your work, do you have favorite poem? If so which one and why? I guess this response is the same as the one I have for books…I did memorize STOPPING BY THE WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING by Robert Frost—maybe that says something about being a favorite??? I love the first snowfall…the change of scenery that nature provides us…I love some time alone…I need it…and this is a “quiet” poem…and choice is involved in it–a choice to keep the promises…
8. What’s your favorite book and why? Different authors speak to me at different moments in my life. So the favorites continually change!
9. What season of the year is your favorite? I am fortunate to be in a climate of 4 seasons—I love each one for what it offers—I cannot say I love one more than the other!
10. Should you write to/about a specific person do your give the poem to them or do prefer to you keep it? When I write for someone in particular, I give it to them, ninety-nine per cent of the time.
11. Instead writing, what other art form can you imagine yourself expressing yourself through or already do express yourself through? I express myself very well in my oil paintings! I love to work in that medium! The colors are so rich and vibrant and I totally lose myself when I am painting—I become one with the brush or my hands…sometimes I use my hands to paint…lol.
Not Only My Heart — I Gave Him the Sky
a beautiful love story…real and deep…gifts of the heart…a real Knowing of one another…
Dank je wel, Patty van http://petitemagique.wordpress.com voor de “Semper Fidelis Award”!
Received from Patty of http://petitemagique.wordpress.com
May 20, 2013
Patty of http://petitemagique.wordpress.com created this award, and she wrote: “… because I wanted to do something special for my friends on WordPress.” Thank you, Patty, for this beautiful award and the extra special effort you invoked to create this beautiful, personalized award! You are so sweet! I am so touched by the uniqueness of your creation! You certainly took an important idea–love crystals–from my poems and crafted an exquisite award. I am so honored and touched by your insight and thoughtfulness!
This description was written by Patty of http://petitemagique.wordpress.com: Semper Fidelis is Latin and means Always Loyal. Loyalty means the world to me. I am very loyal myself, but I’ve got major trust issues as well. And I think trust is very important if you are sharing so much of yourself with people you meet through the internet. So I am working on that! 
Why the wolves? Because wolves have very strong ties with their pack. Like a family or a great group of friends. And I just love them! This award stands for the loyalty and love between friends.
The Rules:
- Add the Semper Fidelis Award logo somewhere on your blog.
- Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.
- Nominate 5 bloggers who’s loyalty and friendship you value and you consider being part of your ‘pack of wolves’ on WordPress.
- Post something special for each one of your nominees and dedicate it to them. This can be a quote, saying, poem, picture, anything you think that would fit that person.
- Let the nominees know that you’ve nominated them.
I am very grateful to Patty of http://petitemagique.wordpress.com for her award to me!
My pack of wolves are:
* Celestine: http://readingpleasure@wordpress.com
I have nominated you for the SEMPER FIDELIS AWARD! I think the following should enable you to find the image of the award:
http://petitemagique.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/semper-fidelis-award.jpg
Celestine is the Queen of Haiku from the country of Ghana, on the West coast of Africa. She is now published! Celestine has a gentle heart that is filled with warmth and joy…reflected in her writings and her dear correspondence with me. I am so happy to know her! When I read the quote below, I thought of Celestine, because she is a courageous woman. She believes in her writing and she always goes forward. She finds a way to succeed!
*
*Gyslaine: http://lgyslaine.wordpress.com
I have nominated you for the SEMPER FIDELIS AWARD! I think the following should enable you to find the image of the award:
http://petitemagique.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/semper-fidelis-award.jpg
Gyslaine is a beautiful poet from France, whose gentle words have healed me. This quote makes me think of her because despite challenges in her life, she goes forward and towards life. She inspires me to do the same:
“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”
― Anaïs Nin
*
* M Murali Mohan: http://advocatemmmohan@wordpress.com AND http://advocatemmmohanaksharaalu.wordpress.com
I have nominated you for the SEMPER FIDELIS AWARD! I think the following should enable you to find the image of the award:
http://petitemagique.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/semper-fidelis-award.jpg
M Murali Mohan, from India, cares about all of us! He shares his knowledge of the law on his blog. He shares his understanding of human life. He shares the deep wisdom of his beliefs. He is always a faithful reader of my writings–this encourages me so much to keep writing…and gives me purpose to live.
“Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being.”
― Albert Schweitzer
― Albert Schweitzer
*
* Paul: http://poesypluspolemics.com
I have nominated you for the SEMPER FIDELIS AWARD! I think the following should enable you to find the image of the award:
http://petitemagique.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/semper-fidelis-award.jpg
Paul hails from the East Coast of the USA. His poetry delves into many different topics –it is profound! He encourages me by reading my blog. Seeing his icon there makes all the difference to my day of writing. He has taught me to write because it is important for me to express myself…not to impress my readers. He has taught me to write for myself through his own example.
“Independence is my happiness, and I view things as they are, without regard to place or person; my country is the world, and my religion is to do good.”
― Thomas Paine, Rights of Man
― Thomas Paine, Rights of Man
*
* Shaun: http://prayingforoneday.wordpress.com
I have nominated you for the SEMPER FIDELIS AWARD! I think the following should enable you to find the image of the award:
http://petitemagique.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/semper-fidelis-award.jpg
Shaun, a writer from Scotland, is a man who faces each day with courage despite the constant pain his body gives him. He is a brave man, caring husband to his wife and a wise father to his children. He thinks deeply about the world and all of us in it. He goes beyond the walls of his home and is open to all people and encourages us along the way to keep writing, to continue to be our best selves, and to never ever give up.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”
― Hunter S. Thompson
― Hunter S. Thompson
*
* Rebecca Budd: http://clanmother.wordpress.com …. http://chasingart.com/ ….http://takingthekitchen.com/
I have nominated you for the SEMPER FIDELIS AWARD! I think the following should enable you to find the image of the award:
http://petitemagique.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/semper-fidelis-award.jpg
Clanmother, from Vancouver, impresses me because her blog shows that she appreciates the beauty of the world in which she has found herself. Her blog is filled with the beauty of so many artists –she appreciates the creativity she finds around herself. Her writing moves me to think beyond myself and her presence is often found on my blogs, giving my writing her confirmation…which is so encouraging to me. She seems to be a person who is constantly engaged with life and goes forward into it with joy. Recently, she jumped into recycling and is asking us to join in her conversation about sharing food with each other in her blog, “taking the kitchen.” Her openness to transitions in life encourages me to go forward in my own life.
“Life gives us choices. You either grab on with both hands and just go for it, or you sit on the sidelines.”
― Christine Feehan, Night Game
― Christine Feehan, Night Game
*
* Sheri DeGrom http://sheridegrom.wordpress.com
I have nominated you for the SEMPER FIDELIS AWARD! I think the following should enable you to find the image of the award:
http://petitemagique.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/semper-fidelis-award.jpg
Sheri, from the USA, is a woman who goes the extra mile…hundred miles…thousands of miles! When I read of her support to her husband and how she bravely fights for him and his health…how she willing faces those who would deny him help…I see her inner strength and unconditional love for the man she married. She is a woman of great determination and courage. In between all of that, she still takes time to read others’ blogs and give her comments…all of which takes precious time. Sheri is a person who genuinely cares about all of us.
Life must be lived and curiosity kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.
*
Patty: http://petitemagique.wordpress.com
YES—you have just been nominated for the award you created! I have nominated you for the SEMPER FIDELIS AWARD! I think the following should enable you to find the image of the award:
http://petitemagique.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/semper-fidelis-award.jpg
Patty, from Holland, impresses me because she is herself in her writing and on her blog. When she is happy, we know it. When she is struggling, we know it. She is fully human and is not afraid to be who she is…she writes who she is. Patty’s total honesty encourages me to be honest in my writing. On top of all that, as busy as she is, working on her new publication, her triology on dragons…she still has time to visit and encourage me in my writing. She also is my sister of the universe–Patty encourages me to be strong and to continue to live each day! Patty lives the quote despite any obstacles in her way–and helps me to do the same!
Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.
Footprints of Thoughts 
You must be logged in to post a comment.