Is there Room under your “Shroom?”
Is there a tiny space
for me to find rest?
A small space of shelter,
for respite and relief
from the scorching heat
of intense fiery words,
from the gusty winds
of critical opinions.
Is there a soft, comfortable place
where we can meet at peace?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
What’s Stopping You?
The best built,
longest lasting,
chained and locked gate
can’t block
the sun
from shining brightly through.
What’s
stopping
you?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Cherish the Moments.
Crispness in the air.
Leaves turning colors and falling.
Front porch sitting.
Taking time to breathe.
And relax.
And snuggle.
Neighbor dog visits.
Grandbabies giggle.
Swinging the heaviness of the day away.
Cherish the moments.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
After two very heavy-hearted days being riveted to the hearing of Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford and Brett Kavanaugh, a late Friday afternoon on the front porch swinging with one grandbaby while hubby held the other was just what was needed. The air turned crisp, Charlie rolled in the grass, the neighbor’s dog visited. And for just a moment….. the world was perfect. Cherish the moments!
Morning Glory and Thistle – Mars, PA – September, 2018
Tangled.
So often
our lives
get tangled.
Tangled up
in the
thistly thorns
That prick
and poke
and jab.
That sting
and hurt
and try to defeat.
But doesn’t
the morning glory’s bloom
outshine the thistle?
You
can
too!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
September Sunset, Butler, PA
When the clouds of life
try to block the
badass dazzling
bright light
of your beautiful soul,
Bust on through
and sparkle
and shine
and glow
wherever you can.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Weathered Barn along a Country Road in Western Pennsyvlania
Weathered.
The stories this weathered barn
could tell
are likely
more than we can imagine.
Much like the lines
on beautiful, weathered faces
we appreciate so much…
(until they are our own).
On a day like September 11th,
which in the U.S. has become known as 911,
we cherish weathered barns
and weathered faces.
Remembering and honoring those
who didn’t survive
the opportunity
to grow to become weathered.
Cherish the moments.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
A New Day.
Here it comes…
a new day.
Look around,
Listen to what it has to say,
Taste its flavors,
Touch its textures,
Breathe in its fragrance.
Experience all it has to offer,
and give it your best.
Don’t miss it…
It is one we’ve never seen before.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The World is our Oyster
As we grow older,
we sometimes wish
we were that beautiful young girl or boy we see
who looks so “effortlessly” attractive
in their skinny jeans and tank top
with skin that is tight and glowing
and hair that is long and soft and flowing.
They appear so confident and self-assured.
The world is their oyster.
When we are young,
we often can’t wait
to be those older girls or boys
who are able to choose what they do
and where they go
and make important decisions
and be independent.
They appear so confident and self-assured.
The world is their oyster.
When we are down or sad
we often think
everyone else
has it better
or easier
or is happier
or is smarter
They appear so confident and self-assured.
The world is their oyster.
But you know what?
Nothing is really quite like it seems.
Let’s try to own and like
whoever we are
at whatever stage
of life we are at.
Let’s try not to compare
our insides
to others’ outsides.
We are all kind of a mess.
The world is our oyster.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Make your own kind of beauty.
Create your own special art.
Make your own kind of happy.
Even if nobody else smiles along.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This work of reused, repurposed, recycled building materials is proudly and prominently displayed outside of Construction Junction – one of my favorite shopping spots in Pittsburgh. Construction Junction is a non-profit warehouse that supports and promotes conservation through the sale and reuse of donated used and surplus building materials. I visited this past Saturday with a friend when I snapped this photo. Then…. as so often happens, a favorite song came to mind. The song “Make Your Own Kind of Music” came into my head, and I made my own “Make Your Own Kind of Beauty/Art/Happy” lyrics.
Woodland River and Bridge 11×14 Watercolor
Rolling Down the River.
A rare landscape watercolor
I created of a river
in a wooded landscape
with a rusty old bridge
inspired by a photo shared with me
of the Clackamus River in Oregon.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
#mckinneyx2designs #etsy
the creative life in between 