“Are You a Doctor?”

Sometimes I just have to laugh! Today, seemed to be my lucky day for being asked unusual questions in public and in private. I was standing at the register of the Dollar General, a bit distracted by my thoughts about writing this blog piece. My total for a mere 3 pounds of cat food and a bottle of bath soap was $14. As my payment was processing and the woman and I stood there waiting on the computer, the clerk...

From the Ends of the Earth

Rabbit holes and fox holesFrom deep within I come up for a moment of airAnd I call out to Him Hear my cry, O God;    listen to my prayer.From the ends of the earth I call to you,    I call as my heart grows faint;    lead me to the rock that is higher than I.For you have been my refuge,    a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.For you, God, have heard my...

Funeral For a Tree

Last week my son postponed his visit here by a day after learning that a great tree had fallen. He made the pilgrimage to see this massive 400-year-old white oak tree, and said that “lots of people have been trickling out all day paying their respects.” It is right that such a community landmark that has metaphorically seen so many humans come and go should be noticed when it finally comes down. This tree was not visited nor mourned by...

That’s Beautiful

Sometimes we behold something beautiful, and feel like we have to tell about it. Tonight, I’m listening to a Jewish-Bluegrass-Progressive-Indie-Folk Group (my descriptors, somewhat) I really like; their band is called Nefresh Mountain. This song is beautiful, for its musical simplicity and openness, and for its lyrics. I invite you to behold this simple, joyful, contemplative melody! Where Oh Where [Verse 1]Where oh where are the sweetest songsOf Miriam and her daughters?They were sung beside the seas and tidesSo still...

The Luxury of Surviving Today

Somewhere between (and inclusive of) that which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger and every possible bible verse that addresses hardships, sufferings, loss and survival (perseverance), is the thought that in a sense, literally/figuratively surviving today is a luxury that many people do not have. We brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out. Daily, there are those on this earth (and all that have gone before us) that literally won’t physically or otherwise survive today. These...

The Power of the Flower

(The following post is from my recent studio-newsletter blog and I thought I would share here as well.) __________ Below, I am going to show some recent flower preservations/creations I have done for three occasions (two funerals and a baby shower gift), and then below that, will be some of my personal musings about the power that flowers have (and their meanings), and lastly some derivative creative prints made from scans/photos of the original pieces that are available to order. Children are...

The Right Way

Is it possible to go the wrong way or to have gone the wrong way in the right manner? Yesterday (as in many days) I again noticed my lace curtains in the dining room were dingy and dusty at the top. I decided to remove and wash them, and then noticed how clouded my windows were, having a white film on them. I decided that since the curtains were down I should do this isolated betterment of just those windows/curtains...