Lion, Pittsburgh Zoo, October 2017
To Roar or Not to Roar.
Even if you have
the ability to ROAR,
It is important
to discern
when it is best
to remain silent.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
To Roar or Not to Roar
Nature
All in One Day
All in One Day.
All in one day
from sunrise to sunset.
Invigoration on a cool, brisk early morning walk
chatting with a friend and accompanied by a faithful, furry companion.
Fulfillment baking a batch of pumpkin spice and chocolate chip cookies
to stash away and pull out to share with guests or to surprise a weary delivery person.
Accomplishment in completing important, but mundane household chores
like sweeping and washing and drying and folding.
Replenishment of soul and spirit by taking a short break to
relax in the unexpected warmth of the Autumn sunshine.
Memories brought back of people and circumstances from long ago
while traveling on roads that always take me back to that place and time.
Celebration of hard work and commitment at an appreciation event
for co-workers and friends and their families at the local zoo.
Giddiness choosing gifts that will teach and will comfort
and will bring joy to a cherished grandchild.
Comfort and love sharing it all with the one who knows me best
and still loves me anyway.
Reflection and a glass of wine to consider
the goodness and the blessings…. all in one day.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Reach High
Reach High.
Reach high,
for stars
lie hidden
in your soul.
Dream deep,
for every dream
precedes
the goal.
-Pamela Vaull Starr
Are you reaching?
Are you stretching?
Are you seeking?
those stars that lie hidden in your soul?
those dreams that make you smile?
those dreams that bring you joy?
Keep reaching.
Keep dreaming.
Create your joy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The Flowers of Fall
The flowers of Fall
are the beautiful leaves
that in the summer
produced the forest’s shade.
The emerald and olive and mossy greens
turn to persimmon and crimson and gold.
The joy of Autumn
is in the cool, crisp breeze.
that carries the memory
of warmth and life and growth.
A breath of air inhaled
full of brisk, invigorating possibilities.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Autumn’s Grand Decree
Autumn’s Grand Decree.
The old dogwood tree
whose blossoms caused glee
when bursting open in Spring
cannot compare
to the colorful majesty
of Autumn’s grand decree.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Always be Yourself… Unless you can be a Flamingo
Flamingo Pond at the National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA
Advice from a Flamingo.
Wade into life.
Stand tall.
Stand out in a crowd.
Hang out with your flock.
Find the right balance.
Keep your beak clean.
Show off your true colors.
Even the pinkest of flamingos starts out gray.
Don’t be afraid to get your feet wet.
Always be yourself!
Unless you can be a flamingo….
then be a flamingo!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
*Inspired by YourTrueNature
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s…Birdly!
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s… Birdly!
Hubby and I made a little visit this past weekend to the National Aviary located in our beautiful city of Pittsburgh.
It’s pretty awesome having America’s only independent indoor nonprofit zoo dedicated exclusively to birds in our own “backyard” with a diverse collection of more than 500 birds representing more than 150 species from around the world, many of them threatened or endangered in the wild.
And guess what? We’ve never visited it before this past weekend!
Bird lovers that we have become….. meet some of our new friends.
I wish I could remember their names and species, but maybe some of you are better at identifying. I simply found them fascinating and beautiful.
The eagle took my breath away.
But wait….. what is this rare bird?
It’s Hubby as a virtual reality eagle flying over New York City on BIRDLY!
Have you ever dreamed of flying like a bird? BIRDLY has made that possible, and we were able to experience it on our recent visit.
The exhilarating flight simulation experience allows you to fly like a bird while lying on the simulator chest down, flapping your arms using hinged wings, and controlling your direction and speed while a fan simulates headwinds. Motors and actuators tilt and dip your body in response. The sensory-motor coupling essentially tricks the brain, so between the motion, wind, sound and visuals, you are effectively flying!
For me it was exciting and terrifying at the same time. Biggest ninny poo poo of all time, I am deathly afraid of heights. But I wasn’t going to let that stop me. It is clearly safe, and oh what a feeling of freedom it was!
So yep – got to experience flying like a bird this past weekend! I’d say that’s a check off the ole’ bucket list for sure! Hubby was so busy telling me how to flap my wings, he didn’t think to take a picture. Does that surprise anyone that knows him!?!?
He really was trying to help me as I was…. [ahem]… let’s say the “most vocal” of all the flyers that afternoon…
If you get a chance, do visit the National Aviary and take a flight on Birdly where you can “Fly Like an Eagle.”
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This Past Week
This past week I received a surprise bouquet of flowers
from a generous friend named Gary
who grows the most beautiful dahlias.
This past week I also learned I lost a dear blogging friend
whose name was Terry from his beautiful husband named Gary
after I spoke to him just the day before sharing my love and admiration.
This past week I worked and I played and I laughed and I cried
in determination and freedom and joy and in sorrow
for family and friends both cherished in my life and those I have lost.
Tomorrow is Labor Day in the United States.
A day set aside to honor the American labor movement and the contributions
workers have made towards the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of our country.
I think about Gary laboring over the beautiful flowers he planted.
I think about Terry laboring to breathe when I spoke to him the day before he died.
I think about Gary laboring to get through the days following the death of his love.
I think about those who labor to provide comforting care to hospice patients.
I think about those who labor in hospitals and emergency rooms and trauma centers.
I think about those who labor to protect our country’s freedom.
I am grateful for a weekend of respite
and the opportunity to work
this past week.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Be Soft
The Softness of Early Morning – Mars, PA August, 2017
Be Soft.
Don’t let the havoc
make you hard.
Don’t let the hurt
make you hate.
Don’t let the struggles
steal your joy.
Don’t let the bitterness
steal your sweetness.
Be kind.
Give love freely.
Be soft.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The Right Path
Backyard Path – Mars, PA August 2017
The Right Path.
If it was done with kindness,
It it was filled with love,
If it took humility and courage,
If it made you laugh,
If it made you jump out of bed in the morning,
If it brought tears of joy to your eyes,
If it caused a lump in your throat,
If it made you sweat,
If it required sacrifice…
You are likely on the right path.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 