Stain-glass Eyes

I near the stony beach on Lake Huron, filled with dormant, Canada geese.   They stand up, walk slowly first and show their early morning-laziness. When my feet hit the rocks off the grass They begin to run to the edge and fly across the water, rippled with small waves. They’re like a bunch of crotchety old ladies and Scroogely-old men. They bitch with honks, their comfort zone disrupted. I slip off my sandals when my feet touch the water throwing them far enough on the beach no groping waves can grab them and take them away. Ouch! Sharp stones on bare feet! My weight accommodates the torture. Only seconds of pain though. I dive into the cool, rippled water as pleasure surrounds my skin. It feels like I’ve draped a silky Kimono on my body, head to toe. Mom’s already halfway down the beach, head down, with her white baseball cap covering her hair. Her brilliant idea to make an early morning visit to the beach. She searches for ...

My sweet, kind, portable bicycle. White with baby blue lettering. A water bottle holder and three gears. It begs for some air in the back tire before we take off. Wants to show me the trail and make me exercise all in one. I agree to the adventure, but wear my cushioned bike shorts, just in case. I Love the Coasting! I’m glad to have water. “Why won’t you go into first gear?” I ask (a bit irritated) It stays stubborn until I coax it gently and consistently. Monarch butterflies fly by and with me. Green grasshoppers hop on the trail   as it dips and winds beside a mature forest. A doe with her twin fawn shows herself. Cautious. But her golden-orange coat gives her hiding spot away. The two wait for her to cross the road. They think they’re hidden. I wait, but their patience is much more instinctive than mine. Later a rabbit thinks it’s invisible, too. But, it’s in plain sight. Looking like a part of the short grass only not ...

“When it comes to understanding others,  we rarely tax our imaginations.”  Lawrence Hill “What religion do you practice?” a woman asked another. “I practice kindness,” was the reply. I am afraid after thousands of years in the development of religions, they’ve become complex social systems, not just belief systems.   Instead of going to visit the elders to learn right from wrong, modern society has schools, nurseries and communities constructed on various religions.   I wish it could be easier and more simplistic to talk about belief.   Not just one pre-designed for us, but one we have consciously designed to fit how we want to live our life and how we think we should treat others. Labels are more harmful than helpful.   I sometimes think they’re supposed to make things work more smoothly, but when I watch what they do in social groups I see them closing minds rather than opening them.   (Mine included) Being raised Cat...

“Who are you?   A distance voice questions me. Inner-Me shutters from the sound. No time to think.   If my reply isn’t instant it becomes relentless, “Who are you?!” The tone is clear. I feel its judgement. I cower in shame.   My insecurities awaken. I force myself to remember,  It’s me who gives it the key used to unlock my ear. The power I give away pushes me down. Bullies me into submission. I’ve ordained it Master! My willingness to yield to society’s norms, bar-lines and expectations, Places the crown neatly on its head. The instant it gains power,   My strength and convictions waiver. I feel silenced from my hesitation. The more I look outside myself for control,   The stronger my fear becomes, I sanction its invasiveness.   And slowly begins my suffocation. My inner voice hides, dormant, in the shadows. Me withholding has left it un-nurtured, neglected. Me, the only ear...

Riding in a car for more than 900 miles, with my son, Holden, is a memory I won’t forget. A wedding out East, for a close friend, Sonya, was all the motivation we needed to make this trip.  She is a lovely person.  Holden roomed with her while at the University of Michigan - they were music majors and co-conspirators! A Short Time for Holden and Sonya to Visit (and for Sonya to rub her tired feet) When Holden moved to Berlin, Germany, Sonya and I stayed in touch.  Holden conspired to have her take me for a Mother’s Day and birthday dinner in order to take his place, a couple of times.  I’ve never had a dull moment with Sonya.  Her conversation is engaging and she’s a genuine deal. Holden had five days to make this trip to the U.S., drive with me out East and return to Germany, so as not to miss teaching English to his young students.  I think he felt it was as worth it as I did. Ann Arbor Haircut Before Our Travels A Definite M...

The last two months I’ve been learning how to incorporate raw food as a new piece to improve my lifestyle.  It’s a big change, but since I’ve made so many over the last decade, it’s a relatively easy step toward healthy food choices.  I’ve already seen big trade-offs.  I feel better, I have more energy and I am less hungry during the day.   My friend, Gesche, in Denmark, made the first transition easy because she was already preparing and eating “raw” when I spent a month with her in April. I learned first-hand how to shop for ingredients, how to un-cook, how to organize the kitchen and how to dive in and not look back.  Food isn’t my favorite topic to write about.  I’ve fought with my low self-image and weight as long as I can remember. I am extremely defensive about anyone (but myself) telling me what I can and can’t put in my mouth. (whether it has any food value or not!)  I’m more likely to eat something if someone said not to, rat...

I have a very close friend getting a biopsy this morning.  She is a love.  I want her to not have to go through this stressful, painful time. Life gets us in unexpected positions all the time.  But, when it's a loved one, anger flares up in our minds and "It's NOT fair" seems to become a flashing neon light. There are a lot of things we have no control over.  We have to deal with them as they come. I'm sharing this article from U of M Health because this is something we might have some leverage on if we act instead of double-guessing our instincts. We might be the person to rush and defend another human being on our commute, on a train.  We might be called to rescue immigrants drowning in the ocean.  It may be as simple as keeping our door open to someone who needs a good listener.  But we can only be there if we take care of ourselves. http://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/brain-health/think-youre-having-a-stroke-every-minute-counts?utm_so...