Sunset over Lake Ontario, Rochester, NY – August, 2019
Cherish the Moments.
As the sun sets
and closes another day,
collect moments
to cherish as memories
on this page…
in this chapter.
For this time…
in this season.
For every day may not be good,
but there is something good in every day.
Find it.
Hold on to it.
Cherish the moments.
Treasure the memories.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Cherish the Moments.
When the day is done,
take some time to reflect on the things
that made it special.
Remember the moments
that brought you joy
or made you smile or laugh.
Close your eyes
and savor those thoughts,
knowing tomorrow will surely bring challenges,
but also realizing there will be
new moments to cherish –
even if you have to search really hard.
And tomorrow will bring another sunset
and more opportunity to reflect,
and the hope of getting to do it all again.
Cherish the moments…
for the moments
are what make up a life.
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
Take Flight.
Take flight
above
the turquoise sea,
amidst
the pink and golden
sky.
Stretch
your wings
and soar so high,
let
freedom
guide your heart.
Embrace
the feelings
that you get
when you are
creating
art.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Just some words and feelings that came to mind when looking at this 5-minute practice painting I did one day experimenting with techniques.
What did I do? I dropped in some granulating colors – lunar black and quinacridone gold to a wash of alizarin crimson. I then splashed in some creamy white gouache to create a soft, but dramatic sunset sky. I scraped in some flying sea gulls with a couple simple scrapes of a palette knife. I blended cobalt teal with a dab of prussian blue and splashed in some more creamy white gouache. I then splashed some drops of water from a mister bottle and dropped in just a couple flakes of sea salt. I then walked away and waited for the magic to happen…. (the hardest part of all).
A Snowy Stroll at Sunset – January, 2018 – Mars PA
What We Would Miss.
If we didn’t go out
to explore
or saunter
or simply to
unwind,
think of
all the
things we
would
miss.
Walking
isn’t always
just about
the exercise
for our body.
It can
also be
a break
for our
mind.
An opportunity
to commune
spiritually
with oneself
and nature.
If I didn’t allow
myself
the gift
to get out
and walk,
this
one
beautiful
moment
in
time…
Look
what
I would
have
missed.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Winter Sunset, Mars, PA – January 2018 – “Happy Endings”
Happy Endings.
The magical beauty
of a sunset
at the end of the day…
no matter how hard
or cold or uncomfortable
the day…
renews my faith
in the possibility
of happy endings.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Sunset, Mars, PA – Autumn 2017
Every Sunset.
May every sunrise
fill you with hope.
And every sunset
bring you peace.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
To Notice the Last Glow of Light.
To feel the softness,
and experience the gentle breeze,
to notice the last glow of light shining through…
Even amidst the things that choked you,
the experiences that broke you,
the storms that turned your world upside down…
These are the blessings of life,
that give us the strength,
and give us grace…
To be courageous,
and brave,
to persevere and to grow….
Into the confident beauty
we were meant to be
and share with the world.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
At least once.
As the sun sets,
and this one day ends…
can I look back and say
that at least once…
I was kind to someone,
I let someone be kind to me.
I was strong,
I was gentle.
I smiled and laughed,
I made someone smile and laugh.
I knew when to talk,
I knew when to listen.
I learned something,
I taught something.
I did something for someone,
I did something for me.
I told someone “I love you.”
I remembered to love myself.
As the sun sets,
and this one day ends.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
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
the creative life in between 