Spring Surprises Popping Up.
Is anything more beautiful
that the bright pops of purple and yellow
that come in the Spring to brighten the brown and gray
and highlight the fresh new green?
Especially in unexpected places
on unexpected adventures
with people you love
on Sunday “rides.”
Spring is popping up.
Smell the air.
Listen to the sounds.
Look for the beauty!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
A Ghost in the Tree
(A bit of Silly… Poetry)
Do you agree
with me?
Do you see
a ghost in the tree?
On a carefree
walk of sightsee,
it caused a teeny
bit of anxiety.
But Charlie in his chivalry
helped me gain clarity
and guaranteed
it was but a tree.
Such pedigree
to disagree
and decree
it must be too much coffee.
It was a beauty.
Could it be
a chickadee
or chimpanzee?
Whoppee
and Yippee
for a tree designee
of imaginative jubilee!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This’ll be the Day.
This’ll be the day
I will seek and find
beautiful things
in humble places….
Things that have been there
all along,
but I didn’t take the time
to notice.
This’ll be the day
I will look in the mirror when I rise
and say, “Hello Beautiful”
instead of “Ugggghhhh!”
I will focus
on the things
I like about myself
instead of the things I don’t.
This’ll be the day
I consciously decide
to seek
simple moments to cherish.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
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
Front Yard, Mars, PA December, 2016
December snow
is the brightest snow.
It makes the sky bluer
and tree trunks browner.
December snow cleanses the earth
and also the soul.
It evokes memories
and fills us with anticipation.
December snow…
I love your Christmas spirit.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
The Weary World Rejoices
There are always bright, beautiful spots
if only you open your eyes
and believe in the magic.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS – See! Told ya! yep – another Christmas song running through my head!
Sammy the Elf – the Magic of Christmas
Long before the Official “Elf on the Shelf” was marketed (and got a bit out of control – but dang! Why didn’t I think to market it!?!), our family had an heirloom elf who came to visit during the magical month of December.
Sammy (we knew his name because it was written on his shirt) came to visit and watch over our boys to assure they were being good and deserving of Christmas gifts from Santa. He would move around the house every night, and the boys had so much fun waking up each morning trying to find him and see what he might have been up to the night before.
Sammy always left with Santa on his sleigh after Santa brought the boys’ gifts on Christmas eve, and he didn’t return until the following December 1st.
One important thing about Sammy was that he could not be touched by human hands – never – ever – or he would lose his “magic.” The boys never dared touch him. (He came with a note from Santa the first year telling us so.)
Though our Christmas tree has become a smaller, themed, and artificial version of the live cut trees of years past loaded with sentimental and handmade ornaments, the one thing I still put on our tree is Sammy.
Our boys still often reminisce when they see him, laughing at how they believed so strongly in him and his magic – yet still almost afraid to touch him…
Sammy is an heirloom Christmas “decoration” that was my Grandma’s, so I especially cherish him. She had what seemed like dozens of these tiny toy elves all over her home doing silly things at Christmas. She was such a character and had a great sense of humor, so her elves would be hanging from curtain rods and peeking over picture frames and sitting cross armed and legged in the strangest of places.
And then, it seemed for many years, these elves were impossible to find (especially when friends’ kids wanted an elf like Sammy!) – until “Elf on a Shelf” became the rage.
Our sweet Sammy is worn and thread-bare in many places, but he will always have a place of honor on our tree and in our home in December.
He reminds me of the magic of the season.
The magic of Christmas.
The magic of children and believing.
The magic of family memories –
my children and my own childhood.
It is indeed
the season of Magic!
Happy December!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
WordPress Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: It’s Not this Time of Year Without
Weeping Willow Tree, Conneaut Lake, October 2016
When the physical things of this world
blur and fade through the lens of our eyes,
A different kind of vision
grows stronger and clearer…
The ability to see the weeping
in the leaves of the willow tree,
The arms that extend and embrace
in its branches,
The foundation that centers and steadies
in its strong, solid trunk.
The weeping willow
is crystal clear
in our heart
and soul
and mind.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Life’s Curve Balls
They often sneak up or crash in on us,
and they can try to trick us up.
but if we know how to respond,
and if we ready ourselves for them…
they can result in home runs!
Embrace life’s curve balls.
Father’s Day makes me think of the curve balls life can throw us,
but it also reminds me of how special life can be
if we take that swing – in a leap of faith – and give it our all.
Happy Father’s Day Dad – What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life! ❤
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Yellow Asiatic Lily “Tiny Glow” – Mothers Day 2016
Tiny Glow
Your yellow is
bright and glowing
like sunshine and moonbeams.
Yet also
soft and buttery
like feathers and thick, creamy Chardonnay.
Your “Tiny Glow” is like the love
felt and expressed
in this beautiful gift
from a son to a mother.
Bright and glowing,
soft and buttery.
All in one,
and one to another.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 