Naked Came I

Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither.*  

An estate sale

My friend called to tell me about some wonderful sheets that she found at an estate sale near my house. As you probably know, good sheets are terribly expensive. Well worth the price as they last forever, but still a shock when first purchased.

Thinking that it would be great to find some inexpensive but nice sheets for my two adult sons and their families, I went to the estate sale. Continue reading “Naked Came I” →

Belle

Belle is an old dog of unknown heritage, beloved by my son.

He and Belle found each other in the months shortly after my husband/his father died. Continue reading “Belle” →

A Google Prompt

The pop up on my smartphone was timely.

“Reach out to a friend”  was the reminder from Google that I programmed a few months ago.  Continue reading “A Google Prompt” →

We have what we seek

 

IMG_20180916_222656.jpg
~Photo Lori Greer, Portland, Oregon, USA.~

We have what we seek. It is there all the time.  And if we slow down and be still, it will make itself known to us.  ~Thomas Merton* Continue reading “We have what we seek” →

Celebrate the positive

I think people need to celebrate the positive.

There are issues.

Let’s tackle them together as opposed to ‘he said, she said.’

And how do we get back to focusing on growth?

That is what everyone in this business wants.

~Maria Kaplowitz, 4A’s CEO, speaking to Ad Age.

You don’t have to be in the business world to do positive, good work.

In our instituations, government and social arenas, there is work to be done.

It’s easy to be sidelined by the negativity that seems so prevalent today.

I plan to keep my eye on the ball and move down the field.

Not in this country.

Leaving a gut wrenching exhibit on the treatment of Jews during World War II, I saw this sign.

IMG_20181104_124121-1.jpg
Photo Lori Greer in Portland on my Pixel phone…apologies for the slant.

The notion that what happened to the Jews of Ozeran, Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe can happen anywhere seems implausible.

Yet in our own country, we are now witnessing some of the the prescursors to those events in the denigration of minorities, lack of civil discourse, and assault on truth.

Undoubtedly, there are too many Americans of good will alive today to permit a slide into dictatorship any time soon; but perhaps in an era of great economic or climate upheaval, who knows what the future may hold?   from the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education.

My companion that day was a young Jewish man who was blissfully unaware of the Holocaust.  It was interesting and painful to experience his reaction to the exhibits.

I remember a Jewish man who was warning of these trends about ten years ago.  I dismissed him as paranoid.

Never in this country I thought.

I hope I am right.

Yet, hope alone is not enough.

It’s not that simple.

I can’t stand by and watch evil triump in my country or my world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t Blame Other People

Everything I have ever done as your Mother was out of love for you.

I made mistakes but they were unintentional.  

I have always wanted what was good and right for you.  

I am sorry if that was not enough.  I am sorry if I disappointed you.

I am sorry if I was not the Mother that you thought I should be.   

However, I know that I did my best. Continue reading “Don’t Blame Other People” →

Tell the truth.

I tell  little lies.

“Thank you for the lovely luncheon.  Yes, everything was good.” Continue reading “Tell the truth.” →

Old School…

IMAG0450 (1).jpg Fisher Paykel

Buying a new refrigerator/freezer a few months ago turned into a much bigger process that I expected.

I did research.  Consumer Reports.  On-line reviews.  Asked my friends.  Talked to salespeople.

I found evangelists who swore by certain brands and certain features.

Then again, I was solemnly warned against those same brands and features by others who recounted their tales of horror. Continue reading “Old School…” →

George H. W. Bush

George H. W. Bush’s Life Code*

  1. Tell the truth.
  2. Don’t blame people.
  3. Be strong.
  4. Do your best.
  5. Try hard.
  6. Forgive.
  7. Stay the course.

“That was, and is, the most American of creeds.” *

Seven Actions

There are seven actions. One for each day of the week.

I plan to think about one per day as part of my daily meditation to see how I can be a better person.

Thank you, President Bush, for your service to our country.

*The list and statement from the eulogy delivered by Jon Meacham, Bush biographer.

George H. W. Bush Funeral