Yellow Rose

John's Gratitude

2007-05-08T07:04:00.000-07:00

My Yellow Rose

You have ever been my Yellow Rose.

From the first day that we met, you have brought beauty into my life.

Your eyes so bright, your smile so soft,

And your winsome laugh could warm even the coldest of days.

You decorated each day with your creativity.

Your tremendous energy and spontaneity transformed

What might have been a mundane life into a daily adventure of fun and laughter.

You were a true lady. Modest and gracious; delicate, yet strong.

Your strength of spirit never wavered in crisis.

You ever and always amazed me.

How I have loved you, and I always will.

You have been my spice of life for twenty-seven years.

I will miss gazing into your sparkling green eyes.

I will miss your wit, your heart, your spirit, and your brightness.

I will miss your passion for learning,

And how you would share with me each new discovery.

I will miss your heart-stopping beauty.

I will miss you My Love, my everlasting love.

I commit you now to the Savior we worship together.

In His hands you will rest, until I am able to follow you there.

Wait for me my love.I will be looking first for you, my Yellow Rose.

Dear Tammy,Please also post my deepest gratitude to the entire ODB community. Helen loved you all! I am reading the comments, which are a salve to my sorrow. God bless you all.

John, Helen's husband of 27yrs, will be reading this to Helen at her service and wanted me to share his Yellow Rose.

One Last Deep Breath

2007-05-07T10:07:00.000-07:00

Helen has lost her battle with ALS. She passed, surrounded by her loving family on May 5th. Her family read her blog so if you would like to leave your condolences I'm sure they will get them. She loved this club and writing haiku. You all supported her by giving her a voice and I know she would have thanked you.

Wrapped in angel wings

soul lifted up to heaven

yellow rose is home

I will miss you Helen!

Love always, Tammy

SPRING

2007-04-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

season of winter
becomes spring blossom by blossom
as the frost is slain

BREATHING - HAIKU

2007-03-19T17:46:00.000-07:00

Since my lungs are getting weaker because of ALS, I sleep with a Bi-Pap machine which helps my lungs exhale.

My breathing is slow
all I get is a thin stream of it
I inhale anyway.

MY DNA

2007-03-17T18:01:00.000-07:00

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Life

2007-03-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

I am often asked how I am doing. My stock answer is ‘as well as can be expected, under the circumstances.’ The truth is, I’m never sure which part of the question to answer. Life has a kaleidoscopic quality – something beautiful one minute followed by something different the next. Constantly changing, never precisely repeatable – a captivating swirl of events, memories, and emotions. What I’ve noticed this year is that thoughts, events, and emotions swirl by so fast that I don’t have a chance to settle in to a single, enduring reaction to the whole experience. I think I’m glad for that, even though it’s tiring to swing through such a wide array of emotions several times each day. Sometimes I wish desperately for a different reality; sometimes I realize how extremely lucky I have been.

One Deep Breath - "Mud" Haiku

2007-03-05T12:32:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! This is Tammy from The Daily Warrior and I wanted to let everyone know that Helen has been adjusting to some big changes in her life due to her ALS. She is struggling with her speech and typing. She wants you to know that she reads your haiku each week and it means alot to her to be part of One Deep Breath. She is having very hard days and I know you will keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

She fights for her life
feeling alone in the mire
we can lift her up

wilting flower

2007-03-03T16:07:00.000-08:00

This is what and how I think everyday since I can no longer use my once loud voice to express my feelings aloud. Behind the facsade of hope, my smile, is a wilting flower. The same flower that inspires others to live, love, and laugh is slowly losing her petals and once vibrant color. My roots are drying up. I get an occasional sprinkle but it doesn't seem to reach the depth of my soul.

2007-02-26T11:09:00.000-08:00

The color of red
fields of tulips blossoming
in the springtime

One Deep Breath - "Spices Fib"

2007-02-19T20:30:00.000-08:00

dried
black
pepper
staple spice
heat to any dish
custom of fine cookery

Shelter

2007-02-12T11:55:00.000-08:00

Wednesday I go into the hospital for a feeding tube and my breathing capacity is 39% so things could be dangerous. This Haiku is to express that the Lord will be my shelter during this difficult time.

Peace in the time of storm
Oh Lord, You are my shelter
Embraced by Your love

Dusk/ Twilight

2007-02-05T13:29:00.000-08:00

Slowly over the earth
twilight brings her curtain down
and pins it with stars

Roots/Connection

2007-01-29T17:42:00.000-08:00

Under the thick brush
smelling the sweet fragrance
the wild flower yields

Happy Birthday Mom

2007-01-28T19:23:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad 1950

My beautiful Mother would have been 79 years old today. The Lord took her at 55 years young. Love You Mom

HOPE

2007-01-28T16:48:00.000-08:00

With every breath
I will chase hope
until it denies me

2007-01-20T16:37:00.000-08:00

Reflections

2007-01-15T17:47:00.000-08:00

A mirror to the soul .
Echoing a past forgotten,
Hidden deep within ...

I am back

2007-01-13T16:32:00.000-08:00

I am now in Cold Colorado and doing better. Thank you for the prayers and concern this last few weeks. Getting into a routine but miss my Grandchildrens laughter and my warm home in Nevada. Wish I could type better to tell of the awful treatment I had in Nevada. What a nightmare and without family members interventon I wouldn't be here now. My computer is up and running so I can get back to the blogging. Happy New Year.

Needed Prayer for Helen

2007-01-02T15:57:00.000-08:00

Flames of hope
prayers lifted to God
time reflects

Helen is in the hospital but she is feeling better. She will be relocating to Colorado tomorrow to get better care for her ALS. She has progressed in the last three months but she remains a fighter. Please keep Helen in your thoughts and prayers, so she may continue to inspire us all.

I did this haiku for Helen...hurry back!

Love,
Tammy

I have been tagged

2006-12-19T18:40:00.000-08:00

"The Rules:The player of this game starts with "3 things he/ she would love to get for Christmas" and also has to list "3 things he/ she definitely does not want to get for Christmas".

Then he/she tags 5 friends and list their names. The ones who get tagged need to write on their blogs about their Christmas wishes, as well as state this rule clearly, then tag 5 more victims. And the one who tags need to leave a comment that says "you've been Christmas tagged!" in their comments and tell them to read your blog."

THINGS I WOULD LIKE FOR CHRISTMAS:
1.A cure for ALS!!!
2. To find some help in our home-
3. My daughter to be out of pain

THINGS I DON'T WANT FOR CHRISTMAS:
1. Bad weather
2.No colds or flu
3.To stay in Iraq

I am tagging Michelle, Kris Ann,Katie,Ruth,and Kristin

Snow in Las Vegas

2006-12-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

2006-12-19T06:13:00.000-08:00

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Storms - The Poetry

2006-12-19T05:43:00.000-08:00

Lightning curls, flickers
then sweet, hard raindrops
to wet the needy earth

2006-12-14T05:48:00.000-08:00

Container - The Poetry

2006-12-11T06:58:00.000-08:00

keepsake forever
timeless message in the bottle
speaking to the heart

Set me Free

2006-12-08T08:26:00.000-08:00

It hasn't always been this way
I remember brighter days
Before the dark ones came
and wrapped my body in chains

Set me free of the chains holding me
Is anybody out there hearing me?
Set me free

Morning breaks another day
Finds me crying in the rain
All alone
Jesus, rescue me

As God passes by
He looks straight through my eyes
The darkness goes away

All Power on Heaven and earth belong to me

I am free

(Casting Crowns)

Legacy - The Poetry

2006-11-27T16:43:00.000-08:00

The one of my choice
You're my shining example
I've copied you Mom

Come to Your Senses - The Poetry

2006-11-20T12:32:00.000-08:00

A wild tapping noise
The wind was rattling the forest
Shaking limb against limb

A HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY RECIPE

2006-11-14T21:01:00.000-08:00

2 CUPS LOVE
2 CUPS LOYALTY
4 QUARTS FAITH
5 SPOONS HOPE
1 CUP FRIENDSHIP
1 BARREL LAUGHTER

2 SPOONS TENDERNESS
3 CUPS FORGIVENESS
A TOUCH OF UNDERSTANDING.
1 LARGE BUNCH OF SMILES
3 PINTS CONSIDERATION
FOR OTHERS.

TAKE LOVE AND LOYALTY,
MIX THOROUGHLY WITH FAITH
BLEND WITH TENDERNESS, FORGIVENESS,
AND UNDERSTANDING.
ADD HOPE, FRIENDSHIP AND ABUNDANT LAUGHTER.
TOP FREELY WITH SMILES
AND CONSIDERATION FOR OTHERS.
BAKE WITH BRIGHT SUNSHINE,
SERVE DAILY IN GENEROUS HELPINGS.

Friends & Companions - The Poetry

2006-11-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

An inspiration,
Someone who lends a helping hand,
special in my heart

Thank you!

2006-11-10T07:49:00.000-08:00

Thankful

2006-11-09T08:40:00.000-08:00

Three years ago today I was packing and getting ready to move into this home. I would have never even imagined that immediately following this move I would start to have symptoms of this disease. I don’t think anyone can be prepared for diminished capacities . There is nothing as powerful as experiencing these losses. I have lost the ability to walk, drive a car, get to the bathroom , bath myself, get out of my bed, eat and drink normally. With each loss, come new arrangements, new changes in roles inside and outside the family, new feelings of grief. Often, each loss brings a whole series of new feelings to be processed. Restrictions on my mobility has taught me that I have to inhibit my impulses. Now I have to inhibit my impulses and do what’s possible for me and what’s not. I have always been very agile, very quick, really going after the physical things I wanted. I can’t do this anymore. If I only knew what the future held for me I would have done so many things differently. Don't we all feel that? What I am trying to say here is enjoy every beautiful day we have and be thankful for the things that I used to take advantage of such as walking, brushing your teeth, writing a check or note. I am so thankful that I can still use the computer, able to see and hear, and breathe. Be Thankful for every day. I know we hear this all of the time but when these things are taken away from you, I really understand the meaning of being ThankFul.

Hand Feeding Hummingbirds

2006-11-04T21:48:00.000-08:00

Something I have never seen before, nor ever even heard of. This lady lives in a Hummingbird fly zone. As they migrated, about 20 of them were in her yard. Just for a lark, she took the little red dish and filled it with sugar water and these are the results.

(Photographs © 2006 Sam & Abigail Alfano)

So Glad our Troops have a Sense of Humor

2006-11-02T07:20:00.000-08:00

One Deep Breath - "Unseen"

2006-10-30T06:34:00.000-08:00

"Unseen" - The Poetry/Haiku

Hidden in the loch
swims in the deep dark water
a legend unseen

Weekend at the Grand Canyon

2006-10-29T14:52:00.000-08:00

We are at the beautiful Grand Canyon for my first look in 10 years with my family. It is a late cool fall afternoon and hardly crowded. I am sitting in my power wheelchair creeping up to the edge of the Grand Canyon where there is a small fence to keep people from falling into the abyss. I am trying to get safely close so that I can see better since a lot of the areas of lookout is inaccessible by wheelchair. I am now looking at the canyon with my family and what is this , a man is squeezing in front of me blocking my view without even excusing himself! Hello, you are blocking a view of someone that was here first and in a wheelchair! What is wrong with people?
Anyway, still had a beautiful day at the Grand Canyon. No picture can ever show its beauty, and majesty.

Christmas Countdown

2006-10-25T06:09:00.000-07:00

Mystery (Yugen) - The Poetry

2006-10-23T06:47:00.000-07:00

overgrowth of weeds
the fog lures with a whisper
beyond the worn fence

Love you

2006-10-22T06:16:00.000-07:00

I want to thank my husband of 26 and 3/4 years of loving and taking care of me. When I was first diagnosed with ALS 2 years ago I only showed a slight limp in my walk. Now I can hardly eat, nor walk or get myself up from a chair or toliet and cannot move myself in bed. The nights are hardest for both of us with me waking up every hour asking to be moved to the only 2 positions that I can sleep. Every night my beloved Husband gets up with every call and adjusts me and covers me up and adjusts the thermostat, since I am either too cold or hot, and gives me a drink. What a blessing. He takes care of me all day and runs the household, cooks, and works. If I didn"t have him I would be in a nursing home with nurses that smell of cigarettes, and I am sure they wouldn't come for ever call I made. Their would be indifferance and carelessness from some caretakers and this would be a nightmare for me. You see as I get worse I will become paralyzed by not being able to move, but I can still feel pain and discomfort on my body and my mind will be all intact. I will not lose any of my mental abilities.

I am so thankful I have a Husband that will and can take care of me through this awful nightmare we both are dealing with. Thank you sweetie and I love you more than I can express! .... suffering is made bearable by feeling your Love!!!

Simple Pleasures

2006-10-15T19:21:00.000-07:00

Smell of the rich earth
in the cool morning air
after a hard rain.

Check out more haiku at One Deep Breath here

Creepy Advertisements from the Last Century

2006-10-13T06:24:00.000-07:00

Countryside Haiku

2006-10-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

Harvest Moon reflects

over the countryside

winter is not far behind.

See other countrysides at "One Deep Breath"
here

Moon

2006-10-08T09:37:00.000-07:00

Did you see the beautiful Harvest Moon this weekend? It was so large and bright coming up over the desert Mtns. that it did not look real. It was breathtaking.

2006-10-07T18:45:00.000-07:00

Countdown to Christmas
Can't Wait?

How long 'til Christmas?
78 Days
3 Hours
26 Minutes

...But who's counting?

Sweet Serenity (Books) - The Poetry

2006-10-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

Words onto pages
until you have created
stories of wonder

Ghost of Past

2006-10-02T06:59:00.000-07:00

I made a mistake.

I moved away.

I left Denver for Las Vegas 6 years ago and built a new life.

I am now terminally ill and live in a city with inadequate medical care, and isolated from my family.
Except for my Aunt and my brother - the rest of my family is scattered emotionally if not physically from me . And each year, the realization has sunk in a bit more.

This is something I must let go, so that what I want doesn't tarnish what I have. It was incredibly unrealistic and selfish of me to think that the old life would wait for me. That time hadn't marched on everywhere.

Funny

2006-09-30T12:59:00.000-07:00

Queen for the Day

2006-09-30T06:51:00.000-07:00

Thank you for all of the Birthday Greeting! I had a nice birthday and was treated like a Queen. We left early for brunch at the new Wynn Casino on the strip, then after a half an hour of trying to get me onto the toliet to pee, we went to the Fashion Show Mall on the strip. Watched a fashion show and window shopped, since it is so hard to get my big wheelchair into these stores. I met a Man named Avi that was in a wheelchair. He approached me because I have a Kick ALS sticker on the back of my wheelchair and told me that he has ALS too. I asked for his e mail address and he is quite a go getter. He has started a foundation to help find a cure. You can watch a video of him on the web site. He was traveling with a beautiful woman companion that he said was a friend. They were visiting Vegas for a couple of days. Look up his web site. akremer@prize4life.org

I received a new portable scanner to use on my computer so I can put my old photos onto my photo program. I received books, videos, flowers and a lovely white cake. It was a nice day.

Blessed to have another year

2006-09-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

I have survived another year with ALS and my birthday is Friday. I was reflecting on my past wonderful birthdays I have had in my 53 years. I remember the year I came home after working out in a aerobics class and walked into my home filled with family and friends for a surprise party. I remember on my 40th birthday, I came down in the morning to 40 Roses and 40 Balloons. I remember when I was young it was always the day that I could pick what I wanted to eat for dinner ,spaghetti and meatballs Yummy! One Birthday when we were living in Colorado my husband and I went on a beautiful drive over Trail Ridge to see the Autumn colors and what a glorious day it was with clear blue skies, crisp air. One year I climbed the largest 14,000ft Mountain in Colorado on my birthday and it snowed on us coming down. The beauty of that day is forever imprinted into my mind. I have been so blessed to have a family that Loves me and has given me such Joy in my life.

One Deep Breath- Windows & Doorways

2006-09-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

Life ever changing
glimpses of my surroundings
through small squares of light

See other haiku here

Be thankful for each day!

2006-09-23T06:40:00.000-07:00

It has been 2 years ago this week I found out that I have ALS. When I found out I was in Houston, Tx Medical Center scheduled for surgery on the 22nd of September for peripheral nerve palsy. This was a diagnosis because of me dragging my right foot. I was going to have a very famous surgeon do a procedure to repair the nerve. The day before surgery I had all of the pre-ob appts. such as EKG, blood work etc. After a full morning of tests my husband and I had a break for a nice lunch and then one more appt. for a EMG to find where the nerve was damaged. This was my last appt. at 2:00 and then to the Drs office for the final review before surgery.. I had no idea that the Dr appt would turn my world upside down forever. When the Dr. came in to talk with me he wouldn't look at me and he looked upset. He told me that he had been on the phone with Drs all afternoon regarding my EMG results and that it showed I have ALS and he could not do surgery. I felt this is a joke right? I started to cry and felt I was in a dream. I had only heard of ALS these last few months and knew it was a fatal disease.

When I received this diagnosis, 2 years ago, I was only tripping on my right foot and still an independent working Mom and Grandmother. It has been the roughest 2 years of my life. Now I am in a wheelchair full time, can barely talk or eat. I cannot use my right hand anymore, cannot drive a car,write my name, move myself in bed, bath, and the lists goes on and on. Each loss is devastating. I can still use a computer with one weak left hand. I am thankful that I have had 2 years more of my life to watch my Grandchildren grow, to be able to see Alaska again and I can still see a Sunrise and Sunset. I am forever hopeful that there one day will be a cure for his devastating disease. Be thankful for every day.

This was quote was in my email from my daughter.
In the confrontation between the river and the rock, the river always wins, not through strength, but by perserverance... Never give up!
- Anonymous

Blessing for the day

2006-09-21T08:56:00.000-07:00

Lord make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light,
and where there is sadness, joy."
~ St. Francis of Assisi

Delicious Autumn

2006-09-17T19:34:00.000-07:00

The Vibrant colors
greet me along the worn path
walking in the Mist

Check it out!

2006-09-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

WOW!

The following is a picture taken of camels in the desert. It is considered one of the best pictures of the year (2005). Look closely, the camels are the little white lines in the picture. The black you see is just the shadows!

Poetry Thursday- Favorite Poem

2006-09-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

Blizzards were blowing everywhere
Throughout the land.
A candle burned upon the table,
A candle burned.

As midgets in the summer fly
Towards a flame,
The snowflakes from the yard swarmed to
The window pane.

And, on the glass, bright snowy rings
And arrows formed.
A candle burned upon the table,
A candle burned.

And on the white illumined ceiling
Shadow were cast,
As arms and legs and destinies
Fatefully crossed.

Two slippers fell on to the floor
With a light sound,
And waxen tears dripped from the candle
On to a gown.

No object in the misty whiteness
Could be discerned.
A candle burned upon the table,
A candle burned.

A mild draught coming from the corner
Blew on the candle,
Seduction's heat raised two wings crosswise
As might an angel.

It snowed and snowed that February
All through the land.
A candle burned upon the table,
A candle burned.

Boris Pasternak 1942

One Deep Breath "Emotion" Tanka

2006-09-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

In a desert parched
I'm not dried out at this time
Sit still and listen
In time I will hear answers
what to seek and where to yield

Tanka are written in a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable structure (or short, long, short, long, long) and include a "pivotal image", cotemplation and emotion. They are also more lyrical and literary than haiku. Like haiku they are simple and often reflect nature. Check out the links below to learn more about tanka - the oldest form of Japanese poetry from which haiku originated.

Quote

2006-09-10T09:07:00.000-07:00

It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Silver Lined Clouds

2006-09-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

It's nighttime
I see your face in the stars
I feel your gentleness
with the swaying of the leaves
It's nighttime
cold and dark
but the moon warms my heart
with the thought that we will
be together again soon

by Susan Schutz

Last night I got up for awhile and I looked through the high window I have in our Living Room and I saw Silverlined clouds from the full Moon. Unbelievably beautiful.

Control

2006-09-09T05:30:00.000-07:00

I have been always in control of situations in my life until this disease, When I gained weight I was in control to lose it and when I was sick with bad allergies I could control my environment and take medicine to help me feel better. I took control of a bad situation for my 2 young children and myself with a bad early marriage and went to school to be able to support my young family and get out of the marriage. I took control of taking care of my parents during their illnesses. I took control of the situation when my 3 year old niece was kidnapped out of her own home and was able to get help to find her after 2 weeks of terror. Now that I have found out I have ALS everything is out of control. I have to remember that none of us are ever really in control that wih one situation our whole lives can change. Only God is in control and I have to let go and trust.

First Drafts

2006-09-08T05:05:00.000-07:00

Yourself: Sick
Your partner: Caretaker
Your hair: blonde
Your Mother: well-intentioned
Your Father: Funny
Your favorite Item: computer
Your dream last night:scary
Your favorite Drink: water
Your Dream Home: handicapped
The Room You Are In: beautiful
Your fear: alone
Where you Want to be in Ten Years?: home
Who you hung out with last night: Grandkids
What You're Not: healthy
Your Best Friend: daughter
One of Your Wish List Items: walk again
Your Gender: female
The Last Thing You Did: posted
What You Are Wearing: PJ's
Your favorite weather: Fall
Your favorite Book?:Bible
Last thing you ate?: applesauce
Your Life: Stressful
Your mood: calm
The last person you talked to on the phone: Michelle
Who are you thinking about right now?: No one

Beep

2006-09-07T06:05:00.000-07:00

Beep...Beep...Beep in my head and I was dreaming what is this noise. I woke up and realized Dang..the smoke alarm is beeping, the battery must be gone and it is in the middle of the night. Now we have 12 foot ceilings and it isn't going to be easy to fix this. My husband wants to ignore it but he can sleep through anything, my older son wakes up with the sound and proceeds to get the tallest ladder out of the garage and puts a new battery in and the beeping stops. Ever wonder why do these smoke alarm batteries go off in the night?. In all of the years having homes with these type of alarms that are attached to the wiring in the house, when the battery goes dead , it is in the middle of the night and you hear beep.. beep.. which is so loud in the stillness of the night. I remember a couple of years ago, before I was stricken with ALS, I was alone in our home and my husband was away on business. Beep...Beep... in the middle of the night, 2:00 a.m. precisely, and I found it was the alarm in the highest part of the house in the kitchen entry. It was so loud and I knew I wasn't going to sleep until I fixed it. We had no ladder at the time to reach it so I am in my PJ's hanging over the top of the kitchen cabinet trying to get the cover off to replace the battery. After some scary moments and good balancing I fixed it and afterward I thought , I could have fallen and hurt myself and no one would have known until hours later. So when my husband got home he changed all the batteries because if one goes they all start to go at the same time. I guess this is why we are suppose to check the batteries on daylight savings time. Otherwise in the middle of the night we will hear beep....beep...beep.......

Poetry Thursday - Blue

2006-09-06T18:05:00.000-07:00

Blue Moon
You saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own

Blue Moon
You know just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer
for Someone I really could care for
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will hold
I heard somebody whisper please adore me
And when I looked to the Moon it turned to gold

Blue Moon
Now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue Moon

Solitude

2006-09-04T20:30:00.000-07:00

The early morning
So thankful for the silence
My soul is refreshed

A Sleepsong to my Grandchildren

2006-09-03T08:27:00.000-07:00

Lay down your head
And I'll sing you a lullaby
And I'll sing you to sleep
And I'll sing you tomorrow
Bless you with love
For the road that you go
May you sail fair
To the far fields of fortune
With diamonds and pearls
At your head and your feet
And may you need never
To banish misfortune
May you find kindness
In all that you meet
May there always be angels
To watch over you
To guard you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you
Safe from all harm
And may you bring happiness
And be loved in return
To the end your days
Now fall of to sleep
I'm not meaning to keep you
I'll just sit for awhile
And sing

Strength

2006-09-02T07:53:00.000-07:00

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." . . . You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Feeling Blue

2006-09-01T06:33:00.000-07:00

Feeling Blue this morning. I love the early mornings and now that I am unable to bath or dress myself I arise early and sit by myself and wait for the others to wake up.. so I was bored and looked up the word Blue in wikipedia and it said:
A clear sky on a sunny day appears blue because of Rayleigh scattering of the light from the Sun.
Large quantities of water appear blue because red light around 750 nm is absorbed as an overtone of the O-H stretching vibration. I feel thankful now I can still see the color blue.

Faces of humanity

2006-08-29T18:10:00.000-07:00

Such devastation
suddenly our lives are changed
by rising waters

2006-08-27T06:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday is History
Tomorrow is a Mystery
Today is a Gift that is why they call it the Present

Love Books

2006-08-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

I love to read them, smell them, look at them. What a joy they give me in my life.

Thought for the Day

2006-08-24T14:57:00.001-07:00

Women were born to create… in creating she becomes herself, accomplishes her destiny. Her whole life is only an initiation into creative power. To create is not merely to produce a work… it is to give out ones own individuality
Jeanne De Vietinghoff

Some Good Advice

2006-08-24T14:34:00.000-07:00

* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.
* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was
probably worth it.
* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you
won't have a leg to stand on.
* Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
* Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
* When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world
to one person.
* We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and
some are dull, Some have weird names , and all are different colors, but
they all have to live in the same box.
* A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

2006-08-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

It official Pluto is not a planet anymore! The Scientists have offically said that it is automatically disqualified because its oblong orbit overlaps with Neptune’s. It is classified as a dwarf Planet. Bummer :(

Crestone Peak

2006-08-23T06:38:00.000-07:00

I used to climb 14,000 ft. mountains before I was stricken with this awful disease (ALS). My Brother John still climbs them and took this amazing picture on top of Crestone Peak.

Poetry Thursday- "Time"

2006-08-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.

One Deep Breath- "The Sound of Music"

2006-08-21T19:31:00.000-07:00

Underneath the stars
the concert in the red rocks
sounds somehow sweeter

Meaning of a Dream

2006-08-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have a dream that really sticks with you because it was so real to you, well I had a strange one last night. I have a Aunt Ruth that is like a special sister to me.. She has always been there for me and we have gone through alot together in our lifes. She lives in the Mtns of Colorado at 9500 ft in a home that her and her husband built 30 yrs ago and is a familier memory for our family of Birthday parties, New Years Eve Parties etc. The home is located on the side of the Mtn looking East with a million dollar view of the Mtns valleys and Colorado Plains.

My dream starts out with my family up at the house for some gathering and it is almost evening. I look out the side door overlooking their property where I see 2 wolves running across the woods. I yell for everyone to come see and turn around and the wolfs are on the deck looking at me through the door. This startles me and I turn around to run and fall down the stairs into their lower level yelling to my Aunt Ruth I'm falling! This was such a real dream that I really thought I saw some wolves and was falling into a void. What does this dream mean? I am going through so many losses now almost daily and maybe it means that I am running from the things that I fear and seek refuge at a familiar place that means Love and Security.

The Storm

2006-08-20T06:34:00.000-07:00

I was sure by now, God You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

by Mark Hall

Nurturing

2006-08-18T21:21:00.000-07:00

Nurturing my Soul,Mind,Body, and Spirit

Nurture Soul by Prayer and Reading

Nurture Soul by Exercise and Eating

Nurture Soul by Writing, Painting

A Sunset Poem

2006-08-18T20:58:00.000-07:00

The Sun went behind the Mountains, peak above peak, red and flamed against a blue sky.
Isabella Bird

Rainbows

2006-08-18T20:45:00.000-07:00

Beyond the clouds behind the rain, there are a thousand Rainbows.

We Need Sleep

2006-08-16T05:28:00.000-07:00

ZZzzzzzzzzzzz
My husband is wondering why I want to get up at 4:30am ( even though our whole married life I have gotten up then ) because he now has to help me out of bed. I was trying to get back to sleep but I cannot move anything except my hands,toes and mouth, I am laying on a bed that is turned on its wrong side to help me have a harder bed and my back is killing me, ( the bed is only 1 yr old too), I am lying on a wrong pillow that is flat (how that happened I don't know) The pillow is wet from my drooling since I can't move my head and I have a ear plug that was in my ear, stuck in my hair and now I am hearing my husband snoring.................... and he is wondering why I want to get up at 4:30a.m.

Seriously though my husband of 26 years now has to take care of me full time and work and take care of the house. He gets up with me every time at night ,which can be every hour at night, and never complains. Just wish we both could get a good night rest!! ZZZZzzzzzzz.......

A Beautiful Day

2006-08-13T20:15:00.000-07:00

Whew!
What a strange Sunday. Woke up feeling good for the 1st time in a week (I have ALS) and decided to go to Church. It was a Beautiful clear warm day and the service was uplifting with good music and a good sermon. J and I went to a lovely lunch where everything was cooked perfect and tasted wonderful and then J gets a phone call from Son In Law and everything goes crazy. Our daughter is in the emergency room for a weird ichy rash all over her body and they are treating her with Benadrl by IV "Can we come get the Grandkids". Of course, we rush to get the hungry, and bored, Grandchildren and off to our friendly KFC for them to have something to eat. Now I have been in my wheelchair since 9:00am and it is now 1:00 and I haven't gone pee yet because it is so hard to get into bathrooms for me,so as we pull up to the drive thru J's stomach starts to cramp and he needs to get home fast. We get the meals and rush home. I need help getting out of the car, the kids are hungry and it is Hot, I have to pee which I can't do without J's assistance and J needs to get to the bathroom now. Yikes!!!!! What a nightmare after having such a nice morning. All worked out though, and my daughter came home drugged and the kids are swimming all afternoon, so the day turned out nice.

Alaska

2006-08-12T15:52:00.000-07:00