Doors 4-18-2000

Doors that welcome, doors that warn

Doors that shelter from the storm

Doors to enter or return

Doors of life our lessons learned

Some with flowers growing near

Others locked, unwelcome here

Some you knock or ring a bell

Some there is no way in hell

Some are weathered, some are new

Some I held open for you

Doors of exit, doors of yore

Doors to open ever more

Doors of sorrow, doors of glee

Doors still standing tauntingly

A Friend Is A Friend 12-29-1999

Being a friend is not a spectator sport
It's laughing and crying, mutual support

It's the ups and the downs, it's shadows and light
It's the person you know that will hold on tight

A friend is a friend and ever will be
A friend is a friend a reflection of me

Menopausal Moments 2-10-2000

Menopausal moments, it's hot in here! 
Hormones taunting, "the end is near" 
Hot flashes that seem to last for days 
My Mother confirms, I'm in that stage 

Gravity is working on this body of mine
Aging daily like a dry sweet wine 
My joints are cracking, my muscles ache
The joys of womanhood, the masquerade 

I'm still just a kid, and always will be
But you can't tell just by looking at me
My hair is graying, but not my heart
The hell with nature, I'll end where I start

Empty Nest 8/1/2000

An empty nest
I must confess
Is quieter you see
We're all alone
This place, our home
Just my husband and me

November Rain 7-17-1999

The storm clouds come and shadow me
I long for shelter a safe place to be
I struggle I try I run out of breath
Peace come quickly bring me death

Just then it rains and cleanses my heart
The wonder the joy a new day to start
The storm passes quickly the thunder fades
I hold you and whisper "I'll love you always"

Enchanted 8-02-2000

Just beyond the stars, my spirit waits for you
Above the horizon, where the light beams thru
As I wait and wonder, how long it might be
I bask in the light of the love that set me free

Looking at the colours, enchanted by the shine
I thank God above, he put your heart in mine

The Journey 10-06-1999

Memories tumbled with time
Emotions intertwined
Where yesterdays abound
Lost love forever found
Curving, tangled days
Younger, carefree ways

So many paths to choose
And where to leave these blues
That they could not be found
Nor turn my head around
Walking thru the haze
My heart my soul ablaze

Softened thru the years
Remembering - bitter tears
Accepting my own path
Thru joy, hope or wrath
Older - head is bowed
Learning life out loud

Poster please

A long, long time ago (April of 2016) we went on a road trip to see my granddaughter in a figure skating competition. The road trip included me (Doodle Bug the Aunt or ant), my hubby Mark, his niece Summer, her daughter Autumn (AKA Jelly Bean) and my BFF, Marilyn. We had some "slug bug" shenanigans and in general the conversation moved at about 35 LPH (laughs per hour). I had an idea to take the highlights of conversations that day and make it into a poster or book. After some conversation on the down low her Mother suggested Autumn needed art for her walls.

The first concept

Had to "tool up" for the occasion.

Do not be afraid of a blank piece of paper. 

Just start somewhere and make changes as you go. 

That's me with the pencil. You know, the Ant. 

:)

I take whatever time I need. No need to rush.

Step back and enjoy the progress made so far.

A closer look and slug bug!

On the road trip, Autumn started calling me doodle bug and I called her jelly bean.

Started to come together.

Added "secret messages" that glow in the dark on the white frame.

Let the watercolors relax for a few days then framed it up.

Invited Autumn and her Mom over for some root beer and . . .

It was a great day.

<3

Be a donor of kindness

We are all God's children. Our souls (like love) has no gender, no race, no rage. Be a donor and mentor of kindness. One can make a difference. Love is kind (and comes in all colors). 

HUGS (Humans Utilizing Gifts Successfully).

The Tree of Me

The tree of me has many rings
Each has seen a million things
From my very first sprout
Through the seasons of drought
The rings show my age
As each turns a page

In a season of growth
Up or down I did both
My reach to branch out
The root of my doubts
The wind and the rain
The winters the pain

The growth the scars
Sometimes bazaar
The colors the clouds
Growing out loud
Dancing with glee
The tree of me

Fare Whether

Feathers of a bird, stay with the herd Tarred and feathered, we stick together Lions and tigers and swears, oh my Our flight paths criss and cross in the sky The bulls, the lambs the great I am The poets, the jocks, the river swam United divided, prodded and poked 2017, choked or stoked