My favorite shade of blue
is a flower picked
on a brisk Autumn day
by a sweet little girl
who found this gem
amidst the orange and brown and red and yellow.
She picked it
and handed it to me
with a heart of gold
that dreams of rainbows
and finds the beauty
in moments shared.
This is family.
This is love.
This is my favorite shade of blue.
I love you Ella!
You are my favorite shade of love.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
A gift to be cherished
like a rare and perfect gem
the glow of Autumn’s
final exhibition
against a backdrop
of molten sapphire
Glistening in the sunshine
the tree beckoned me
Breathing in deeply
I savored the golden glow
An Indian Summer afternoon
walk and respite
to warm my heart and soul.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Sidewalk Storm Drain Grate, Warehouse District, New Orleans, LA
No beginning…
No end.
Infinitely intertwining the past, the present, and the future,
the physical and the spiritual…
all plants and animals and minerals.
Eternally merged…
Continuously connected.
Life.
I recently captured this close-up photo of a storm drain grate on a sidewalk in the Warehouse District of New Orleans. It was beautiful! So much lovely architecture and structural elements in NOLA! It reminded me of the Celtic Knot and the inter-connectivity it represents. This week’s WordPress Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge is ‘Connected’. I had to share this photo.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Nothing is ordinary…
so don’t try to be.
Be your own kind of EXTRAordinary…
it’s the best recipe.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Wishing you the freshness of morning dew,
the promise of bursting buds,
beauty and goodness in your surroundings and in your soul,
with colors as rich as the purple Rose of Sharon.
Moments to be cherished,
memories to be embraced,
a full life discovered…
at life in between.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Queen Anne’s Lace
in a vase
on the patio by the door.
Sweet memories of summers past
and a Grandma I did so adore.
She could make bouquets from weeds,
bring life to seeds,
make soup from bones,
and homemade ice cream cones.
We played Old Maid
while we drank lemonade
or sipped on root beer
or cream soda floats.
We would sing and laugh on the side porch swing
making up words to our favorite songs.
She would tell me sweet stories of her life and her past
while we dreamed of the future and who would be part of the cast.
We’d watch the morning glories close
while the moon flowers arose.
They were perfectly entwined
in an ornate grate
which bordered the slope
and the colorful splendor
of the portulaca flower bed
I will always remember.
Oh how I hope
that I can someday be
the kind of grandma
she was to me.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Male Rose Breasted Grosbeak, Mars, PA
So elegant in your tuxedo
with your bold and bright red tie.
You sing such sweet melodies
as you spread your wings and fly.
You grace us with your beauty
as you come to eat some seed.
We put it there to nourish you,
but it is our hearts that you feed.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The showers beat down,
the wind blows strong.
We drip and wilt –
all tousled about.
But afterwards…
we are refreshed
and renewed.
We are given new life.
We are nourished and vibrant and ready to grow.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Don’t fence me in…
Don’t make me stay inside “the lines.”
I must break free
to really be me.
True love… true freedom… true creativity… true thoughts… true peace
can only be achieved when they are chosen.
Let me choose.
Don’t fence me in.
On my way home yesterday afternoon, I took a different route. I was looking at the sights of the tall grass along side the road and stopped to take a photo. When I was done, I caught sight of this fence post with its broken wire rope on the other side of the road, and it kind of took my breath away. All I could think was, “Don’t fence me in,” and I took this shot.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
When you feel that cleaning or laundry or household chores
come before time with family or friends…
Let it bee.
When anxiety or worry steals the joy
of the moment you are in…
Let it bee.
When you think that your parenting
falls short of the “super” mom or dad next door…
Let it bee.
When your dinner is burnt or undercooked or less than gourmet,
but your family is gathered around the table anyway…
Let it bee.
When you look in the mirror and critique what you see,
thinking you are too big or too little or too this or too that,
but you have a loved one that thinks you are the bee’s knees…
Let it bee.
Let it bee, Let it bee, Let it bee, Let it bee…..
Whisper words of wisdom…
Let it be.
Bee Happy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS – The WINNER of the Thanks a Latte Card this week is Paul from My Cluttered Attic! Hubby chose #17, and that’s you buddy! Send me your address to mckinneyjodi@gmail.com, and the card will be on its way. Enjoy writing a funny note to a friend you’d like to thank while sipping a triple shot latte.
PSSSSSS – I know just who I am going to send this watercolor card to- a brand new bee keeper who I think is the bee’s knees!
the creative life in between 