Copyright
©Jane H. Johann
Ray & Alice Shaw Ranch, Tomball, Texas,
November , 2016.

     …dedicated to Pat

the Spring green has taken a nap

life has been walked…lived…loved

each step bringing forth more color…

displaying its glory for what seems a moment in time…

the autumn leaf falls…the red treasure is gathered

carrying her heart deep into life

patiently present

Copyright
©Jane H. Johann
Ray & Alice Shaw Ranch, Tomball, Texas,
November , 2016.

the tumbleweed is dancing across the red clay road

moss clothes the aged oak tree

intricately weaving its way

as one gives purpose to the other

deep within, the secret of life lives

carrying her heart deep into life

patiently present

Copyright
©Jane H. Johann
Ray & Alice Shaw Ranch, Tomball, Texas,
November , 2016.

wisps of words move across the azure skies

moving as silent as a whisper

serenity cloaks the day passed

while the donkey’s bray punctuates the stardust

breaking the silence of the evening

carrying her heart deep into life

patiently present

Copyright
©Jane H. Johann
Ray & Alice Shaw Ranch, Tomball, Texas,
November , 2016.

each day the unexpected can occur

we only need to be open and prepared

Copyright
©Jane H. Johann, 2016
“Black-crowned Night-Heron” Whatcom Creek, Bellingham, WA

This was to be published January 2, 2017…I forgot to push the PUBLISH button!  Now I fear I have already tripped over my New Year’s Resolution to publish once a day! Whoa is me!

Copyright
©Jane H. Johann, January 2, 2017
“The Butter Dish”

“Please pass the butter dish, thank you,” requested Mom.

And so the dish was passed from one to the other down the table

Hand to hand, as it traveled down the line–

Eleven hands the glass dish had to pass through–

Roger took a pat of it,

Then Bobby had a dab,

Ronald took a scoop,

Claude a half a knife full,

Diane a teaspoon,

Barb just a little,

Jane a bit more.

Billy a spoonful,

Mary took a lick with her finger.

and, last but not least,

Jenny, the baby, grabbed what was left of the stick, devoured it one quick slight of the hand to the mouth, cheeks puffed out!

Until at last the butter dish arrived in front of the person who requested it,

With only a slight trace of butter remaining…

The butter dish could tell many a tale…

Copyright, 01/01/2017
©Jane H. Johann; Palmyra, WI

may good thoughts guide me

may I do kind deeds for others

may I give more

may I ask for less

may I always see the good in the other

may I trust and hope

may I be a bit more compassionate

may I be a bit more forgiving

may I bless others with life-giving moments

as we dance into the New Year of 2017

                                        *

 Thank you each for affirming me with your likes, your sharing, your comments, your thoughts and questions, this past year!

 Blessings to you all!

“Billy, did you brush your teeth?”  T-h-a-t was Billy’s Mom. “No, Mom, I forgot” Well, what boy might not forget to brush his teeth when his Mom had just promised that…

Source: Billy G’s Christmas Tree

Pat, the author of Billy G’s Christmas Tree, is a relatively new writer to WordPress.  Please welcome her by going to her blog page and read her delightful Christmas story, that has a message for any age! 

Please travel with your computer fingers to RVPatLivingYoung’s site to read this story and leave your comments!  A great Christmas story!  Thank you!  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

LINK:     https://rvpatlivingyoung.com/2016/12/14/billy-gs-christmas-tree

Freedom With Writing Presents:

Sincerely,
Jacob Jans

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2508 Park St, Bellingham WA 98225

the shoelace belongs to the shoe

tied to it, you might say

the lover belongs to the fool

accepting whatever comes that day

the spoke  belongs to the wheel

running in circles every which way

the moss belongs to the tree

stretching and climbing in play

Copyright
©Jane H. Johann, 2016
“Lichen near Mossyrock, WA”

the stars belong to the night

guiding light to the distant cay

  …dedicated

to 

Pat Brow Priebe

Copyright
©Jane H. Johann, Lake Michigan,
Kenosha, WI. September 2016; “Presence.”

she carries her heart deep into life–

patiently present…

there for the other…

what more could one ask of a friend?

Copyright
©Jane H. Johann, 2016
Blades of Grass Series #1

the blades of grass

whisper their hellos 

and drink in the morning mist

thirsting for every bit of life

before the demise of the summer warmth 

as the long quiet of winter ensues…

Copyright
©Jane H. Johann, 2016
Blades of Grass Series #2

“…I was something that lay under the sun and felt it, like the pumpkins, and I did not want to be anything more. I was entirely happy. Perhaps we feel like that when we die and become a part of something entire, whether it is  sun and air, or goodness and knowledge.”  MY ANTONIA by Willa Cather, P.18, c.1918

the waves of dried grass

drink in the cloudburst of rain

for far too long they have endured the heat of the sun’s rays

for far too long the blades reached out in a tall, stately stature

waiting on command for recognition of their need

when, at last, the rain drops quenched their thirst

giving them strength to go green again

and live in hope

it took patience and strength to wait

it took patience and strength not to allow itself burn in rage

it took patience and strength to open itself to possibilities

the grass did for itself what it could

extending its roots down into the soil and  drawing the droplets upward

the grass stood its ground

and did not leave for vacation

perhaps it was the solidarity of the blade formation that gave it strength

what gives nature the resilience to grow again and again?

“Clouds of Flight” Photo Credit: Jane H. Johann, near Palmyra, WI. Sept. 12, 2015