New Year's Eve 2014

CHAMPAGNE & GRATITUDE

Small literary journals and faith-filled publications are
mostly a labor of love--for editors and contributors.
On this last day of 2014, I wish to send out a shout
of appreciation to some careful, caring editors: 

Martin Lammon

Rosemary Deen            

Megan Jones

Jacque Day

Phoebe Bosche

Lois Dorschel

Christopher Heffron

Anthony Harris

Rose Marie Berger

Becca J.R. Lachman

Br. Paul Quenon

Cynthia Brackett Vincent

Virginia Howard 

Anna Leahy

Florence Homolka

Julie Wakeman-Linn

Bronwen McShea

You might want to check out these publications:

Arts and Letters, Thema, Perceptions, Sojourners,

Section8, Commonweal, Healing Muse, Camas,

The Potomac Review, Broad River Review,

Owen Wister Review, Raven Chronicles,

Lalitamba, Off The Coast, Ellipsis, New Madrid,

St. Anthony Messenger, The Aurorean, TAB, and

Stone Highway.

Blessings to all in 2015

 

Monday, December 29th 2014

ATTITUDE

Sometimes our face betrays our attitude, 

other times it is our voice or posture.

Do you ever watch these indicators before

approaching someone new?

Maybe there is a lady who is waiting in a 

line next to you. Maybe she is holding a

small dog and you catch the eye twinkle in 

that small furry face. 

You and the lady begin a conversation. 

Amen. . .  

and thanks be to God for all His creatures,

which lead us to Love.

Christmas 2014

O Holy Night . . . 

For the Christian world this is the night that
Love and Hope entered our weary world.

Love has a way of spreading good will to all--no matter

their belief. And so tonight is about Love.

May we all feel it wherever we are. 

Merry Christmas!

Saturday 12-6-14

TREES

Maybe you will agree that it is time for a poem. . .

Today we celebrate the birthday of a poet who

made trees the center of his much quoted poem: 

TREES

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast; 

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray; 

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair; 

Upon whose bosom snow has lain; 
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree. 

                              Joyce Kilmer

                                  © Poetry

                                       August 1913

Thanksgiving 2014

Make us truly grateful . . . 

The List:

________________

________________

________________

And God Bless those thoughtful people 

who speak their gratitude

with flowers.

November 23, 2014

Feast of Christ The King

To set our hearts and minds in a place to celebrate

 this special day, here is something beautiful for

contemplation (with thanks to Vance Perry):

How Great Thou Art - HD - Barbershop Multitrack - YouTube

“In the twilight of life we will be judged on our love for, closeness to and tenderness towards our brothers and sisters.  Upon this will depend our entry into, or exclusion from, the kingdom of God . . .”
                                                    -Pope Francis                                                       Nov 23, 2014

The King of the Universe comes to meet us. . . 

even when we are stalled in downtown traffic. 

We need only let Him into the flow.

November 18th 2014

ORANGE

Have you been out and about looking for

items to complete your Thanksgiving Day

meal?

Yes . . . then this won't come as a surprise:

Our time of year to give thanks has

been usurped by the commercial call

of black Friday. 

Before grace and blessings shared, before

turkey and pumpkin pie, we are overtaken

with ads.

To everything there is a season. . .

So here's to orange.

                 Bravo to the creative hands 

                 that produced this unique

                 pumpkin face. (No name was

                 given.) Congratulations!

And from long ago . . .

Apples Fall, But Oranges

This is fall.

I would like to write

A poem about apples.

Jonathans, Romans, and Gravensteins.

Only apples can only be apples.

But those oranges

In the next rack – oh orange:

Sunset

Bonnet in the rain

Flowered hillside

Work crew on a crane.

So many things

Without a proper name.

Orange, hurray!

You take my teeth and tongue

To say.

                            -Kathleen Gunton

©1983 The Christian Science Monitor

Peace & Blessings To All

         

                                                    

November 15th 2014

Georgia O'Keeffe

A great artist of the 20th Century 

was born on this day in 1887.

She was a painter & illustrator who became

known for her work in natural forms.

Georgia O'Keeffe was awarded the National 

Medal of Art by President Reagan in 1985.

In 1996, the U.S. Postal Service came out 

with her "Red Poppy" on a commemorative 

stamp. The 15-stamp sheet included a quote:

"Nobody sees a flower, really--it is so small--we haven't time,and to see take time, like to havea friend takes time."                           -Georgia O'Keeffe

Thank you!

  Georgia

Today might be a good day to think about

the art/artist that has inspired you in your own

work.

And for other birth days . . .have a joyous

celebration. And if your name is Robert 

have an extra special day!

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Veterans Day 2014

Today we honor all who have served
in the U.S. Armed Forces.

From big cities to small towns we salute
them; and for their dedication and bravery
we ask God to bless and protect them. 

Let our flag represent your heart today.

November 10, 2014

Are We There Yet . . .?

"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness"

Thank you John Keats for your poem--and for

reminding us that we too have seasons in our

individual life.

What season are you in? Begin a poem today

and look deep within for the words.

The West Coast may have a cooler note

to the days this week--while much of the

U.S. may suffer an Arctic Freeze.

The days are short; life is short. Let us fill

each day, each season with Love. 

Wednesday, Oct 29th 2014

If A Cat . . .

Has ever stroked your heart with its purr--

then you will celebrate that little gift today.

To all who celebrate in other ways today--

like birthdays-- Hurrah! and enjoy.

Tuesday, Oct 28th 2014

"Liberty Enlightening The World"

Steel & 

Copper 

& Hope

With torch

& Tablet . . .

On October 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland

dedicated the Statue of Liberty.

"Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

by Emma Lazarus, New York City, 1883

Emma's poem is much longer but these
are the words that often bring a lump in
our throat and a tug at our heart.

Maybe you will someday see this beacon of hope
in the dark early hours of a rainy morning as your
ship enters New York harbor.
Maybe you will find new words . . .

Sunday, Oct 26th 2014

SMILE
A friend sends you a YouTube video and says, "Watch
this. It will make you smile."
It does and so you pass it along.
As it happens today is Priesthood Sunday. A day to
recognize & thank those who wear the collar and the calling;
those who have left much of what our world has to offer--
in order that they might serve the Lord and his people.
We thank God for sending these good priests--and we
pray for the priests who have done harm, remembering
the stern warning for anyone who hurts a child.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/viral-video/11184127/Priests-surprise-dance-off-is-a-YouTube-sensation.html

Enjoy this video and the interview that follows.

Let yourself smile today in thanks for all the 

good and generous people who walk through

your life.

                                                         

                                                                Blessed are they who serve.

Friday, Oct 17th 2014

Prison Angel

We all know and celebrate our earthly birthday, 

but one day " though we do not know the hour"

we shall celebrate our heavenly birthday.

Today is the first anniversary of that day for

Mother Antonia Brenner, the Prison Angel.

For thirty years she lived in a Tijuana prison

giving the light and laughter of her beautiful

soul to the prisoners there--and the guards.

She is now a rose in God's garden. 

                   Enjoy the following visit with Mother Antonia. 

                        Many of her loving sisters, daughters,

                    and sons call on her daily to put in a good 

                             word for them with the Lord.

Breakfast With Mother Antonia Video 1 of 5

Monday, September 15th 2014

Calling Fall

You speak to a friend in CT and she says,

"It's been raining." A neighbor arrives back

in CA from the Midwest and tells you "we

had to wear gloves to stay warm."

Pumpkins are proudly displayed at all the

stores . . . 

We're calling on the season of Fall to give

us some indication that it is indeed on the way.

An image 

with a hint!

Do you hear it in the air? Yes, we are ready.

Roger Williams - Autumn Leaves ( Piano )

Sunday, September 7th 2014

Looking To See

Everyone in California is looking for rain.
Tropical storm Norbert arrives--and clouds
tell the story. Little if any rain in the forecast.
Still you go out to photograph hope.

What you don't see are the eyes upon you!

                                                               almost under foot

                                        What are we looking for and what are we missing ?

"I look; morning to night I am never done with looking."  -Mary Oliver

Friday, September 5th 2014

International Charity Day

To honor Mother Teresa of Calcutta on the
anniversary of her death (or birth into Heaven),
the United Nations declared September 5th to
be International Charity Day.

Mother Teresa cared

for the poor and the sick.

Today we ask ourselves:

Where does charity fit 

       into my life?

          ILLUMINANT

(Mother Teresa of Calcutta)

The picture does not steal
Your soul, it illumines.
A lake of gold light
Carries you into a corner
Of the chapel. Bare feet and Bible
Are all we see beyond
The blue and white sari. A quiet
Rembrandt in state of prayer.
Your strong ankles, apparent
All the years they have worn,
Now anointed with nard.
The refectory table is happy
Your life feeds us
More than food.

-Kathleen Gunton

© 2003 Time Of Singing

September 2nd 2014

Celia Thaxter (1835-1894)

Do you ever choose a book at random from the shelf and then recall its special place in your heart?

Such is the case with An Island Garden (pub. 1894)by Celia Thaxter, an American writer/poet.

She lived on Appledore Island, the largest of the Isles of Shoals. The guests at her
father's hotel (Appledore House) included
 writers: Emerson, Hawthorne & Longfellow.

She once said, "I am fully & intensely aware that
plants are conscious of love and respond to it
as they do nothing else."

This dahlia fell

in Portland, OR.

With still so much beauty . . . Do you feel it?

"Like the musician, the painter, the poet, and the rest, the true lover of flowers is born, not made."  -Celia Thaxter

Saturday August 30th 2014

FAMILY

      "I sustain myself with the love of family."
                                              -Maya Angelou

                                     The Blessing of Family

                 Family before you, after you, surrounding you.

                                 Are we grateful for the gift?

     This Labor Day weekend might be a wonderful opportunity to

     tell someone in your family that you love and appreciate them.

Wednesday August 27th 2014

National Just Because Day

This day's celebration began sometime 

in the 1950's. Maybe you recall back then

hearing a parent say, "Just because."

Today, you get to be the just because person.
They say you can do (or say) whatever you
want with only Just Because Day as your reason.

Maybe the birds of the air have such a day also.

   Just because the orange peel was there I took it.

        Here's a beautiful thought we might consider:

          "It seems I was called for this:            To glorify things            Just because they are."

                                       -Czelaw Milosz

Tuesday August 26th 2014

Scent & Summer

Soon summer scents will be gone.
Maybe some families went to Hawaii on vacation.
When you arrive on the Islands, there is a flower you
learn of very quickly by its heavenly scent: Plumeria
You will never forget its citrus sweet scent.

If you live in a warm climate you may try and grow this
plant. Here's a reminder: Do not overwater! Or as one
gardener said, "Don't kill 'um with kindness!"

Save your kindness for the handmade leis you may present
to someone on a special occasion  . . .

and enjoy the scent of all flowers each day!

Monday August 25th 2014

Sharing

Sometimes we need to share our sadness
with the world. 

"While I thought that I was learning how to live,

 I have been learning how to die."

                                   -Leonardo da Vinci

When a good person

leaves this world for 

his Eternal life . . . 

For all your generosity &

laughter--

       Rest In Peace,

         Tony Julik

Sunday August 24th 2014

Earthquakes

"The earth takes a deep breath.  The ground coughs."

                                     - Kathleen Gunton

                    Monody In Time Of Disaster

 Dear people of Napa, California 

you are in our thoughts & prayers.

 

  

"We don't think of earthquakes 

  until after an earthquake." 

Friday, August 22nd 2014

Knowing Nature By Name

Do you ever capture an image
of something in nature
and then find yourself hunting for its name?

Some writers are amazing in their knowledge of nature.

May Sarton was one such writer. Open any of her

journals or collections of poetry and you will be in awe.

 AT SEVENTY (A Joural):

August 22, 1982

 "Queen Anne's Lace,  every  kind of  goldenrod, 

black-eyes Susans . . .I enjoyed the long drive 

from York to Orono"

Mystery?

Time to head out to a favorite Nursery--May the help be eager to educate. 

Learn the name of one new plant or tree this week.You will feel closer to that which you love, right?

Thursday, August 21, 2014

X. J. Kennedy

"I am one of the endangered species:
people who still write in meter and rime."
                                         X. J. Kennedy

Born in 1929 on this day,  X. J. Kennedy is also
famous for his children's poems. He aimed to
"give kids good poems that they like."

"Crocs paddle round their jungle pool
  Like pickles in a barrel."
                               from  "Crocodile"

                                                                                                                         

Do you have stories 

about the books you own?

Where & When you purchased it?

Books can remind us of our history. . .

But it might take a poet's birthday to remind us.

 

August 20th 2014

Stories & History

On this day in 1940 Winston Churchill spoke
to the House of Commons in England while
the Battle of Britain was being fought.

"Never in the field of human conflict was 

so much owed by so many to so few."   

                                   -Winston Churchill

                                  

                     John J. J. Niven,   Royal Air Force  1940

                           Mentor (to this photographer) 1990's

                                     R.I.P  (1911-2000)

       Do you have a special photo given to you along with a story?

              That first-hand story is gold for future generations.

         "If stories come to you, care for them."                                                     -Barry Lopez

         " The universe is made of stories, not atoms." 

                                                      -Muriel Rukeyser

Maybe today make the effort to collect a story from someone who has

been on this earth  for over 60 years. Look! those people with

stories are everywhere--even in your very own family.

Tuesday, August 19th 2014

World Photo Day 2014

Today we celebrate that day in 1839 when
photography as we know it came into being.
The process found its patent 175 years ago.

Maybe today you took your camera out and came upon
a new landscape or person or animal. May it be that you
were happily clicking. Now you're heavy into the process --
making a picture to share.

  Idyllwild, CA

August 19, 2014

"You don't make a photograph just with a camera.You bring to the act of photography all the picturesyou have seen, the books you have read, the musicyou have heard, the people you have loved."                                                          -Ansel Adams

Monday August 18th 2014

Mountains

The first ascent of Mt. Whitney (CA) took
place on this day in 1873.

We won't all climb a physical mountain in our
lifetime, but we all have our private mountains.
The ones that make us a better person.

Mt. Shasta is actually a volcano in the Cascade Range of CA.
Like Mt. Whitney, Mt. Shasta is also over 14,000 feet.
Which is more famous?
Does it Matter?
Our mountain will not be the same as our neighbor's. So why
are we always so anxious to compare? 

"After climbing a great hill, one only finds that

 there are many more hills to climb.   

                                                -Nelson Mandela

Also on this date in 1920: 

Congress ratified the 19th Amendment,

granting women the right to vote.

That  mountain's name was Equality and we still

have further to go!

August 15th 2014

The Mother of God

Today we celebrate the Feast of the
Assumption of the Virgin Mary also known
as the Feast of  the Dormition ( falling asleep)
of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The beautiful scene of Mary arriving in heaven,
body and soul, has been imagined by many
artists and writers through the ages.

  

             Photo: Santa Clara University

A Jesuit priest who taught at Fordham University

wrote a beautiful poem about Mary's Assumption.

It appears in his book, Mint By Night (1938).

Here are a few memorable lines from the poem:

Mary's Assumption

There was silence in Heaven as Mary entered in

    For even Gabriel had not forseen

The glory of a soul immune from sin  . . .

Among the motherless in heaven there was a hush

    To hear the way a mother laughs and speaks . . . 

                               -Alfred Barrett, S.J.  (1906-1985)

Hail Mary, full of grace, pray for us!

 

Tuesday August 12th 2014

Depression

"A grief without a pang, void,
dark and drear,
Which finds no natural outlet,
no relief
In word, or sigh, or tear."
     
                -Samuel Taylor Coleridge

This world has

lost a generous

man who made

us laugh, giving 

us relief from

our troubles.

         Thank you
      Robin Williams
       

August 10th 2014

Super Moon

Are you looking to the skies this evening?
A Super Moon is riding low enough to
capture--maybe.

You drive through the streets looking for a unique
angle: a building, a statue, a hill.  You hope to create
the perfect image. Feeling you've missed another
opportunity you return home. When you step onto
your front porch, the picture you might have missed
is right in front of you through the trees.

Home is where everything super begins,  you say

quietly to yourself -- and to the man in the moon.

August 9th 2104

Book Lovers & Walden

Yes. Today is National Book Lovers Day.
Maybe you are celebrating with your favorite
book and some special quiet time to dream
and recall all the wonderful adventures that
books have brought you.

On this day in 1854 Walden by Henry David Thoreau
was published. (If you don't own the book, you
can read a digital copy online--free.)

"In short, I am convinced, both by faith and
experience, that to maintain one's self on
this earth is not a hardship but a pastime,
if we will live simply and wisely . . .   

                                              from Walden

O Henry . . . not enough of us heard you.

August 7th & 8th 2014

Lighthouses

Before leaving Alaska and August 7th . . .
National Lighthouse Day was established
in 1789 when Congress passed legislation
giving the Federal government charge of
lighthouses.

The waters of

      Alaska.

August 8th was the birth day of poet Sara Teasdale.

She was born in 1884 and died in 1933.

Can you relate to these lines?

"I found more joy in sorrow

Than you could find in joy."

                       from "The Answer"  

                            Oct. 1915

Monday August 4th 2014

Cool Weather

You've been to Alaska numerous times and
now all you can think of is the cool summer
weather of our 49th State.

Alaska was purchased from Russia in 1867
for less that 2 cents per acre.

Beautiful

Mendenhall

Glacier

"Like music and art, love of nature is a
common language that can transcend
political or social boundaries.
                         (Pres.) Jimmy Carter

Enjoy something today that is really cool.!

Sunday August 3rd 2014

Explorer

On this day in 1492 Christopher Columbus set
sail for the first time.
His ships included The Nina, The Pinta, and the
Santa Maria.

In May of this year a team of archaeologists
discovered what they
believe to be the Santa Maria.
Time will tell.

Meanwhile . . . 

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking
new landscapes, but in having new eyes."     
                                                       -Marcel Proust

Saturday August 2nd 2014

SUMMER CAMP

Did you ever attend summer camp?

Do you go camping as a family?

"Come to the woods, for here is rest."
                                       -John Muir

Hurry and relax--back to school shopping
is just around an August corner.

Friday August 1st 2014

On Your Journey

We all know where Jesus had to go on His Journey.

Do we ever think about where we are
on our own journey? and who are the
special people sent to help us on the
road?
Parents, teachers, friends, nuns and
priests, fellow workers . . . our gratitude
list would fill pages.

Maybe think of one person each day and thank God
for that person.   (Thank you dear Lord for Father T.S.)

Today is the Feast Day of St. Alphonsus Liguori, founder
of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.
The Redemptorists, as they are known today.

Speak to God often of your plans,
your troubles, your fears--
of everything that concerns you.   -Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Thursday July 31st 2014

Bluebird

Bluebirds symbolize happiness 

in many cultures.

Someone needs one today . . . 

     Here it is--just for you--carry it
     on your shoulder, as the song says.

      Happy last day of July 2014.

Wednesday July 30th 2014

Water Fun

This is the season of water fun. . . 

(Sunset Blvd is not having water fun today.)

People and pipes get old--enjoy 

the gift of water while you can.

Caution: CA is in a drought 
so use water already there 
for you.

        Thanks J.G.

Tuesday July 29th 2014

ANYTHING WILL DO

To smile about! 

Now you feel better--
even if you are being stared  down
by a little critter in a creek bed.

Happy to report that over 100 images 

have now appeared on this blog.  

Thank you for taking the time to view them!

Busy months for writing/traveling ahead.

There may be fewer posts, but know

I am grateful when you drop by for a 

look/see visit.

                                k.g.

Monday July 28th 2014

Gerard Manley Hopkins. S.J.

The priest-poet was born this day in 1844.
A leading Victorian poet, very few poems
of his were published in his lifetime.

"The Holy Ghost over the bent World broods
with warm breast and with ah! bright wings."
                                    "God's Grandeur" (1918)

"Nature is never spent, said Hopkins.

                       . . . but sometimes cats are.

"What I do is me,  for that I came."  

                  -Gerard Manly Hopkins

A great answer for cats--or poets trying to explain why they write poetry.

Would you agree?