sherreefotos

This serene scene is from this morning's sunrise over the mighty Mississippi River.  Such power to look so peaceful.... boy... it's mind boggling!  These two Canadian geese were just swimming around like it was a little pond.  They didn't let all the debris from recent rains bother them. There are not only logs, but trees floating down the river.  They dodged a few branches and swam peacefully down the shoreline.  Maybe we should learn from them:  even though there are obstacles, and "logs" in our way.... just move on in an orderly fashion, keep paddling, and eventually everything will work out for the best.     Enjoy today. Tomorrow isn't here yet.

Sunset can evoke many emotions. When trauma and loss have entered your life, sunset often becomes the beginning of a long, emotional night. When a person is happy, and sharing life with another, sunset is a beautiful occasion. But when facing sunset alone, it often brings on panic, and tears. With the next sunset you witness try thinking of others that you know who are facing the sunset and the night alone. Keep them in your prayers. Faith and love will carry you through this tough time. Sunset, darkness and night are only temporary, but can feel like an eternity.  

Sitting on a back porch, or a front porch, or any porch at all, and resting your bones, and your brain, can be an exhilarating experience.  When is the last time you just sat.  Sat and thought. Or, sat and didn't think?  Clearing out our gray matter is so important. It allows new material to filter in, new thoughts and ideas.  Try it.  Soon.  You will get a whole other perspective of life.  Hopefully a renewed energy for living.

Sideways View    Do you ever have those times when things just get kinda "cross-eyed" in your head?  It sometimes happens when we least expect it. The day can start out just fine, and before you know it.... everything heads south. Some of the symptoms are:  impatience,  ill temper,  confusion, misunderstandings, or simply "stupid" thoughts. I had one of these kind of days this week.  I won't even acknowledge the day it was... that isn't important.  What's worthy of noting is that most of a day was "lost" to unintelligible thinking.  Now, just to clarify, I had attended the funeral of a man I had known since I was a kid.  He lived a full, Christian life, friend to all he met.  The eulogy was excellent and fitting.  However,  my mind chose to dwell on the "death" part of life, instead of the celebration of life itself.  In the past few years I have been, unfortunately, widowed... twice.   The good fortune of this: ...

Life changes. Tragedies. Trauma. But, I am still here. Moving forward. The photo in this entry is part of a letter to my family, kind of explaining "who I am" now. Their concern is for my happiness, and I sincerely appreciate that, and their love for me.  In recent years of going through illnesses and deaths of those close to me, I have gained a renewed vision of Life.  I am more accepting of the unknown in life. I am willing to take the chance at "love": be it simple friendships, or something more.  Some say, don't move too fast, take your time. Some say, get out, do all you can.   Well, I sort of combine the two.  Alone time is important, but also I need the comfort and warmth of others in my life. What is thrown at me now is simply, "added into" the mix.  I do not "fret" over trivialities. Don't get angry. Don't worry. I am grateful for time spent with family and "old" friends. I am equally accepting of "new" re...

It is so cold out today. I'm stayin' inside. Doing some mundane chores.  How is your life?  Mundane or exciting?  Warm or Cold?  Humans have the option of staying out in the cold, or warming up inside.  I'm talking about a True warm:  nice warm feeling you get when you know God loves you.  Hanging out with friends (like the birds on this line) can be a fun thing. Or like today with wind chills about 11 degrees... it can be a Cold existence. Do you know if your friends are "warmed" by God? Do they have Him in their life, or do they exist "out in the cold".  Don't interpret that I mean a person has to be a religious fanatic.... sometimes I see that as "attention getting" for that person, not for God.  I'm talking about a true love of God, a sincere belief in "Life" and this world in which we live by caring for others.  Do you show your zest for life?  Sure there are many rocks (sometimes boulders) in the road we travel.  Get o...

The hard reality of this building is sort of like life. It is there. Some days sunshine and clouds are reflected, and some days nothing but cold and drizzle turn it into a gray blob.  This beautiful mirrored structure withstands it all. Look at yourself. Are you a "mirrored structure" and reflect only the feelings you are surrounded with? Or do you dig deeper and pull yourself up to your highest standards, rising above the drizzle of "ordinary"?  Each of us has capabilities we have not yet tapped. We each think, 'well, now, I'm doing pretty good in my situation'.  This type of thinking will get you just there: right where you are now, no further.  Why not strive to be the best you can be?  Don't be a blob. Snap out of your reverie and plunge full ahead in life.  If you don't do the driving... life will pass you by quickly and mercilessly.