It was all a blur…
until I looked closely.
I stopped and closed my eyes,
and I took a deep breath.
I exhaled slowly,
and then I opened my eyes.
And there it was…
I saw the beauty.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Musings
Smack in the Middle of Winter
Smack in the Middle of Winter
The sunrise was beautiful
that mid-February day
when Charlie and I went
on an early morning walk.
And the sun just shone brighter,
and the sky turned bluer,
and the air grew warmer,
until it reached a sunny 68 degrees!
A record was set that caused
the robins to sing and the breeze to gently whisper.
It encouraged the daffodils to pop out of the ground,
and the earth smelled like Spring.
Charlie snoozed on the porch,
and we opened the window
while we painted and pounded
wearing light t-shirts.
It was a beautiful Spring day…
smack in the middle of winter.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Predicting the Future
Predicting the future…
The best way
to predict your future
is to
Create it!
Hubby bought me this cute little signs years ago, and it now resides in Sweet Little C’s nursery in our home. I imagine us chatting in the coming years about all the things she will do and create and be!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Warmth
Warmth…
A crackling fire glowing in the fireplace,
A steaming bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup.
The eyes of your child when they know you are sad,
The hand of a friend whose always by your side.
The fur of your four-legged best friend whose always by your side,
A soft, chenille blanket from a special lady who goes by the name of Mom (II),
An unexpected text with a photo of your grandchild,
A handwritten letter in the mail from a favorite aunt.
The first sip of coffee on a cold winter morning,
A glass of red wine after a long day at work.
Favorite fuzzy slippers you accidentally wear out of the house,
A well-worn hoodie with threadbare elbows.
Memories from a special song,
A tight hug that lasts longer than a pat on the back.
The ringing of the phone at the same time every morning,
and the sound of a Dad whistling while he patiently waits.
An air kiss blown while rolling over in the middle of the night,
An “I love you” on the way out the door,
A smile that greets you when you enter the office,
The privilege of introducing your future daughter-in-law.
The distinct squeak of the door opening at the end of the day,
The comforting sound of a snore you’ve loved for 35 years.
Cheers & Warm Hugs,
Jodi
Misty Morning
Misty Morning – Mars, PA – January, 2017
Oh misty morning…
with your subtle and mellow beauty,
You are like a soft veil creating the illusion
of a world that is blemish and scar free.
You are a gentle beginning
to the realities of the day.
Oh misty morning…
will you please just stay?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
These Little Piggies
These Little Piggies
When I kiss them
and rub them
and tuck them in
her little jammies,
I think about
the first wobbly steps they will take and then the walks that will follow holding mommy’s or daddy’s hands and later with a beloved friend or pet or me.
I think about
the times she will stand tall and proud on them for important things she believes in.
I think about
the times when she will vehemently “put her foot down” about something important to her.
I think about
her skipping on a hopscotch game chalked on the pavement or into the house with her heart fluttering from her first kiss.
I think about
her jumping rope in the playground or jumping off a diving board or from a plane.
I think about
her dipping them in and splashing at the edge of a pond or kicking them in the vast ocean.
I think about
her marching in a band like her mommy and daddy or in an important protest that could change the world.
I think about
her putting them gingerly on top of her Daddy’s trusting, sturdy feet learning to dance.
I think about her slipping them gracefully into delicate ivory wedding shoes to dance with the love of her life.
But for now,
I just kiss them
and rub them
and tuck them in her little jammies.
And I am thankful
for these little piggies.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Reality
Abstract in Blues Purple & Gold 10×16 300 lb Arches Cold Press
“Reality is what we take to be true.
What we take to be true is what we believe.
What we believe is based upon our perceptions.
What we perceive depends on what we look for.
What we look for depends on what we think.
What we think depends on what we perceive.
What we perceive determines what we believe.
What we believe determines what we take to be true.
What we take to be true is our reality.”
– David Bohm
Abstract Watercolor done playing with products: BRUSHO Watercolor Crystals in Turquoise, Ultramarine Blue and Purple, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Iridescent Copper Plate Gold, Dr. Ph. Martin’s Bleedproof White, Winsor & Newton Iridescent Medium, Salt, & Saran Wrap.
Cozy
Cozy
Warm, crackling fire,
Soft blanket,
Brand-new fuzzy socks,
A favorite sweatshirt inside-out.
Broken-in space on the couch,
Smooshed pillows,
A furry four-legged friend,
A long-time love.
Dark red wine,
Creamy Godiva chocolate truffles,
Football playoffs,
Tender beef simmering in the crock pot.
Cold January Sundays
can be so cozy.
Cold January Sundays
can be the best.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Today I will choose to be kind
Today I will choose to be kind –
most especially and intentionally to those who are not.
I will remember how precious and fragile life is –
and seek to cherish the moments.
We may not remember days or weeks or months,
but we remember moments.
And life is made up of moments –
ones that bring joy…
And others that bring grief
and sadness and loss.
I will cherish those moments too
and allow myself to feel them.
For a heart that cannot grieve or feel sadness or loss
cannot also feel the fullness of joy and love and hope.
Today, and every day, I will seek to choose to be kind,
and I will also embrace the kindness of others.
For every moment
is what makes up a life.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Cherish the Moments
I am so fortunate to be surrounded by such wonderful friends. Earlier this week, my sweet Bubby, who lives two hours away, asked if I wanted to meet the GFC Gang halfway between our homes for a holiday lunch get-together.
Well – invite me to lunch… or coffee… or dinner… or whatever…. with friends, and I’m pretty much one to drop whatever task at hand is on my holiday staycation schedule and do it.
And so I did.
And before I left, I decided to see if my daughter-in-law and granddaughter wanted to join us. After all, among the many other things my Bubby and I share, we became first-time grandmas only five days apart several weeks ago when each of our eldest children (sons) blessed us with grandchildren.
My daughter-in-law (much like me), said “what time are you leaving?” and happily joined us.
Well – of course Bubby immediately called her daughter-in-law, and invited her and her grandson too.
How sweet to watch these two new moms so lovingly care for our new little loves. (Though our cute little “C” was not in the mood to pose. She wanted to sleep.)
What a joy it was to share this time together. The babies were passed around between all the ladies, and we sure enjoyed the snuggles and squiggles.
Until the phone rang – about halfway through lunch- with the sad, sad news of the passing of my brother, who is just 13 months younger than me.
The blessing in disguise is that I was surrounded with love…
surrounded with support…
allowed to process the shock, the grief, the anger, the sadness, the anxiety…
by being with some of the people
who have grown to become family to me,
who understand the circumstances,
who help make up for the family I’ve lost.
Friendship is truly a gift to cherish.
And I sure do cherish
these sweet special ladies.
I believe life is truly all about relationships.
Please take the time to cherish the ones you love,
the ones you call friends,
the moments you share.
Those moments can be taken away from you
in a blink…
in a moment.
Today is my birthday.
I am cherishing the moments.
I hope you will too.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 