Musings

The Day After the Day After

/ Jodi / 23 Comments

day-after-cold

The Day After the Day After

I had planned on being productive
(well maybe that’s a lie)
the day after the day after Christmas,
but the cough persisted and my nose wouldn’t dry.

So after a cold, but sunny stroll with Charlie
(a long time in coming)
and a steamy, dreamy longer-than-normal shower,
I still didn’t feel very becoming.

A makeshift bowl of chicken soup I made
from leftover noodles and carrot sticks chopped,
a tall ginger ale with a straw,
then I plopped.

A few more episodes
of Gilmore Girls sounded just right
for the day after the day after…
a peaceful delight.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Classics

/ Jodi / 43 Comments

red-chevelle

Things that are Classic…
a short list…

Red sports cars, Red Woolrich flannel, Red lipstick
Converse tennis shoes, Peep toe pumps, Timberland Boots
Ray ban sunglasses, Blue blazers, Black dresses
Levi’s jeans, Heather grey hoodies, crisp white cotton shirts
Cashmere, Herringbone, Houndstooth
Diamonds, Pearls, Mood rings
Chanel, Armani, Dior
Aerosmith, Beatles, Elton John
Chocolate chip cookies, Apple pie, Birthday cake
Champagne, Martinis, Cabernet Sauvignon
Monet, Picasso, Van Gough
Kindness, Honor, Grace
Smiles, Hugs, I love you’s

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

#Nostalgia
#Local

 

 

Rise, Shine, Kick Butt

/ Jodi / 40 Comments

rise

This weekend, I:

  • sipped coffee before the sun rose from a beautiful surprise mug I found in my mailbox filled with “hugs” from one of the sweetest girls in the world
  • was an Assistant to an awesome DJ (that happens to be my first-born son), and took requests for songs I’ve never heard of, but danced in my seat to
  • sewed something pink and soft and secret that I can’t wait to share
  • sampled yummy wedding brunch food for one of the cutest couples in the universe
  • enjoyed a Pittsburgh Steelers victory and Fantasy Football lead
  • painted too many things that went in the trash while indulging in the Entertainment Network’s Red Carpet special for the Emmy’s
  • received a surprise phone call from a sweet friend I haven’t talked to in a while
  • watched the Emmy’s while sipping red wine
  • felt extremely grateful.

Now it’s Monday.
Time to Rise, Shine, and Kick Butt!

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Got my head in the clouds

/ Jodi / 43 Comments

morning-clouds-driveway

September Morning Clouds, Mars, PA

Although a clear
azure blue sky
on a bright sunny summer day
is divine…

puffy,
cottony,
drifting clouds
truly clamour for my attention.

Without them,
the sky it quite plain,
flat,
usual,
and really rather ordinary.

But when the clouds decorate the sky,
the world is fancy,
it’s round and full and fluffy,
it’s different and unique and unusual
it’s EXTRAordinary.

So go ahead,
get your head up in the clouds.
It’s not a bad place to be
after all.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Alleys In Between

/ Jodi / 33 Comments

alley marietta georgia

Alley at Marietta Square, Marietta, Georgia

On a recent visit to Atlanta, Georgia,
I visited the quaint town of Marietta.

Marietta Square
was so lovely.

Quaint little shoppes
with names like Lizards and Lollipops

where hubby and I giggled over stuffed pink owls
and old-fashioned toys,

and shared our excitement
for the upcoming birth of our first grandchild

while sipping peach tea
and frozen lemonade.

And I strolled through the most beautiful art museum
where local artisans displayed their heart and passion and craft

with the only criterion for this annual Metro Montage juried exhibition
being American citizenship,

but where I saw art that touched my heart even deeper
than the beautiful Monets

I had the privilege of viewing
at the Atlanta High Museum of Art only the day before.

The antique shoppes drew me in
with their charm and smell and nostalgia.

And we traversed the railroad track
envisioning the hustle and bustle

of the train station
that once was

where kisses and hugs
and waves goodbye

were followed by tears of joy and sorrow,
and dreams were created and shattered.

But the things that drew me in most
were the alley ways

where real life
happens.

Where shoppe owners
and restaurant chefs
and museum directors
do what they need to do

so we can enjoy
the things they have to share.

It’s that “in-between stuff”
that always draws me in.

The lives, the stories,
the struggles, the triumphs.

The day-to-day moments
that make it all real,

that make it all charming,
that make it all worth cherishing.

The in between alleys
that create our lives.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Two Possibilities

/ Jodi / 36 Comments

morning dew on the window

Two possibilities exist:

either we are alone in the Universe

or we are not.

Both are equally terrifying.

-Arthur C. Clark

Deep thought to ponder isn’t it?

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

A Beautiful Hello

/ Jodi / 31 Comments

summer phlox

I smiled at you,
and I said “hello.”

You smiled back,
and we both continued on our way.

When we crossed paths again
in the next aisle of our local supermarket

you stopped me,
and you looked directly into my eyes,

and you told me
I was the most beautiful person you have ever seen.

I looked back at you
more than dumbfounded.

I am clearly not the most beautiful person
even in the supermarket that day

let alone being bestowed such an honor
as the most beautiful ever.

I told you
I am sure you are mistaken.

You said, “Oh no,”
I’ve seen many.

I’ve lived a lot of years,
and I have seen my fair share of people.

These days, I rarely encounter
anyone who even notices me passing by their way

let alone one who looks me in the eyes and smiles
and genuinely greets me.

You are the most beautiful person
I have ever seen.

I will never forget you
though many years have passed.

My skin is becoming more like I remember
thinking yours was.

You made my day.
You made my week.

Heck – let’s face it –
You made my year – maybe two.

I am still far from the most beautiful,
but you made me realize

beauty is so much more
than the physical appearance.

You – sweet, gentle man
may be the most beautiful person I have ever seen.

You impacted me so deeply
and so profoundly.

You taught me a lesson
I have carried with me through my life.

A lesson that has carried me through times
of darkness and doubt.

Beauty can take on many forms
and be seen through different lenses.

Sometimes beauty is a simple, sincere
“hello.”

 

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Reflecting…

/ Jodi / 41 Comments
Geneva on the Lake Rocks at Sunset 07 2016

Geneva on the Lake, OH – Rocks at Sunset – Summer 2016

Reflecting on the day
And contemplating life

A kaleidoscope of color
Evoking variegated memories

Discovering along the way
Acquiescent acceptance

Sometimes distancing ourselves
to ultimately save ourselves

Healing comes in waves
Crashing, splashing, breaking

Sometimes hitting the rocks
Other times reflecting the light

Remembering to pause
Remembering to cherish

Time spent reflecting
Time spent sharing

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

 

 

 

Around the Bend

/ Jodi / 49 Comments
Foggy Morning Railroad Tracks - Mars, PA - August, 2016

Foggy Morning Railroad Tracks – Mars, PA – August, 2016

When the fog is so thick
you can’t see round the bend,

do you take a chance
or allow a dead end?

Our minds can get foggy too,
and we don’t see as clearly as we usually do.

The intriguing thing, though,
is if we take a slow go

with thoughtful steps in confident faith,
we might be surprised at what awaits.

Go forward my friend
around the bend.

The further you go,
the clearer you’ll grow.

Cherish all the moments.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

34 Years Ago…

/ Jodi / 129 Comments

34

34 years ago
on April 3, 1982,
a 19 year-old girl
said “I do”
to a 23 year-old boy.

They didn’t know
how quickly time would fly
creating a life together
experiencing love together
raising a family together
growing old together.

Today, a 53 year-old girl smiles
at a 57 year-old boy
whose eyes still twinkle
when she gives him a winkle.

 
One of aging’s most precious gifts
is our eyes growing bleary
causing us to look with our hearts
at those we love
and see the beauty
that radiates from within.

We don’t see the wrinkles.
We just see the twinkles
that can only be viewed
from the experience
of a lifelong love.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi