Old Man #Photography

Old man, take a look at my life…

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I’m a lot like you…

I need someone to love me…

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…the whole day through.

Ah, one look in my eyes and you can tell that’s true..

 

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Old man, take a look at my life,

I’m a lot like you were…..

Seeing these moss- bearded ancient trees brought to mind an old favorite song of mine. You are amazing, Mr Young.
*Beauty, courtesy of Mother Nature and the tender care of Florida Sugar Mill Gardens friends..

Angels I Have Known

There are times I feel as though I have been to the summit of Life’s perfection and others when I swear I have plummeted to the bowels of its darkest pit. My heart knows the truth, however, which is that this life has been so blessed. I have known great sorrows and tremendous joys in these nearly 60 years. Did you hear me say that? 60, as in 6-0. Six decades, 3,120 weeks, some 21,900 days. I won’t count the moments because the only moment that counts is this one. But you get the point.

The one certainty in all of my life has been the presence of a power that has guided, protected and comforted me. For the sake of commonality I like to think of them as angels, angels being in this instance those souls working under the guidance of Love. Sometimes we pray for help and angels appear, but more often than not these entities have shown up in my life when I least expected and sometimes did not even realize until they had passed through.

I want to spend some of the last months of my 6th decade remembering and honoring those precious Warriors of Light, the gentle spirits who watched over, patiently encouraged and guided me, laughed and cried with me, and saved me from my most fearful shadow monsters.

I have had Debbie on my mind these last weeks, missing her voice, her gentle unassuming wisdom and total non judgmental love. We met online through a spiritual web site. Both of us had lost very dear loved ones and although we shared similar religious histories, we both had come to a greater understanding of the Creator’s presence in our lives. From the first email she sent to me privately in 1999 until the day she passed away in 2016, I felt as though we were soul mates and had known one another long before we came intto this life. In a friendship that spanned over 15 years, we only shared actual physical space on three occasions, but we communicated nearly every day during most of those years which included hours of heartfelt phone sessions. She and her husband were angels to me and my family. I still can’t believe she is no longer here with us, but her presence and influence was so profound that I always feel her with me.

Many rungs on my ladder upward to higher understanding were reached because she helped me up.  And held me up. That’s what loving friends do. They don’t ask why you are angry, don’t try to reason things out and fix them for you, or set limits on their support. Friends just say, “I’m sorry you are in pain. Do you need anything from me?” That kind of friendship is so hard to come by, but I have been so blessed in my life to know many of these people, some related and others related through spirit.

Debbie liked to say that Life was a school where we all come to learn and to earn our wings and graduate. I believe the wings that carried her into this world were even more magnifcient when they carried her home.

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What I wouldn’t give for one more hour with you, my dear friend. You introduced me to so many beautiful things. A Course in Miracles, The Four Agreements, Enya, Sarah Brightman, Josh Groban, Elizabeth Kubler Ross, my favorite Chandrika soap, the lovely Naples beaches, sharing food all around the table with family-and to think we met because of Bruce Moen and his Afterlife Knowledge site. Not surprisingly, my Angel of a husband found that site for me due to my continued struggle over losing my Mom 16 years earlier and being unable to make peace with the loss. I hope you found each other over there. You and she have so much in common.

This one is for you, dear friend.

Thank you for helping me to accept that I am as God created me. I will never forget.

Time and Again/#1LinerWednesday

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Adrift on a sea of velvet dreams-

soft, pink memories that fade

in the harsh light of reality.

I wander through the hallows

of the forgotten, where moments

sharp as cut diamonds tempt my

hopeful heart, whisper my name-

beckoning, taunting, haunting,

cruel, heartless passion!

Tis a lonely journey,

wheel of life an endless round,

seeking love that won’t be found,

that cannot hear

the beat of a tender heart.

Over and around, up

and down. In and out

and round about.

So, even if there be no end

what can be lost if thus a friend

is made along the way?

What more to say?

Better, then, to have a friend

and not impassioned story end,

than wrapped in deep desire

to sink writhing in its mire

without friendship’s  warm

embrace to fan the fire.

Can you see me?

Can you feel me

like a whisper,

as a prayer,

a breath,

regret?

 

Cheryl KP

Copyright Words and photo 2019

 

 

 

Oh Bother..

Don’t miss the magic, the treasure, the wisdom, the heartbeat that is Pooh.

“Christopher Robin, what day is it?”

”Why, it’s Today, Pooh.”

”Oh, my very favorite day.”

A bit of Pooh will soothe the soul.

The best kind of gift is the one you give away,

and the best kind of doors are always open!

 

Affirmative, Captain #SoCS

We need to get this straight. I will affirm here and now that I have felt less than inspired in the last week. I’m working on the novel-still…maybe forever..but really loving the progress. It is just not something one can easily do at the end of a work day or week, popping from pragmatic, ordered thinking into fanatstical dreaming reality.

Affirmative, Captain.

I mean I usually can, but lately the world has just felt so…heavy. I affirm I am not a fan of old Man Winter. And I love men in general. Just not sadistsic, self indulgent, harsh and cold troublemaking men. Just why Mother Nature has him in her circle is beyond me. But then, taste in friends is always quite subjective isn’t it? It takes all kinds of people to make a world. If we were all alike we would either be hugely bored or constantly fighting ourselves.

 

I affirm that life is wearying at times, and when I was younger I held older people in the highest regard, seeking their wisdom, understanding and encouragement. For the most part I am exposed to situations in which older people are viewed and treated as outdated, stupid or at best uninformed, and gulity of some heinous crime of destruction that most of them are completely unaware. Perhaps the crime is just being older than 30. I thank God each day my children are not this way.

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When I was in the Christian church growing up, we were taught to always put yourself in others’ shoes, to empathize and express compassion. There was a humbleness in being a child of God. I suppose there has always been a double edged sword aspect to religion..any of them, just as there is duality of spirit within each of us. I just know that I would rather stand quietly alone, with my hand in His, than stand with a mob of angry, accusatory, self righteous finger pointers whose main goal is to be the best, the biggest and the chosen. Since when did being a Christian become a popularity contest?

I affirm that God’s greatest gifts exist all around us, that peace can be found in the tiniest miracle of life, that entertainment is free in Mother Nature if you just take a moment to breathe and to feel her presence. Soul healing does not exist in a book or a prayer. It is in your own hands, the ones given to you in this life. Perhaps we should stop shouting, ”God, save us!”

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Maybe it’s time to whisper, “God help us to save ourselves.” We have to stop making our own messes then blaming everyone else for them,  which includes..

No, honey, the devil did not make you do it. We all have a choice and the light and dark exists in every one of us.

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affirm that when I love someone it is forever, even if you choose to cast me aside. Anyone who has ever found a place in my heart will remain there forever, and my family means more to me than anything. If they hurt, I hurt. When they are in pain, it is mine. When they are happy, my world is perfect. I know no other way.

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I love the friends I have made here, in this magical realm of blogging, where like minds can meet and feel less alone, share ideas and laughs. We all do such a wonderful job of encouraging, lifting one another up and being there. Thank you to any and all who have done this for me. And if you feel like a beer check out Dan’s frozen corner of the world. Now, he has some Winter tales…

I affirm that I am ready for Spring, budding flowers, buzzing insects and balmy breezes. Meanwhile, we can always dream..in fact I must insist that you dream with me, or we might not see her face again!

 

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What do you see when you step outside?

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Thanks to Linda Hill and her #SoCS prompt, ‘affirm’.

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In All Things/#Inspiration

God called to me today,

”Get up, come out and play!”

 

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The Earth is there with open arms

to dazzle with her mystic charms..

lead on!

 

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Her stewards once of flesh and bone

now rest as dust and ash

immortalized in bronze and stone,

their histories shared for cash

 

 

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Can you hear me?

came the whisper

from the shadow dancing light.

 

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Can you feel me?

Yes! My spirit called to life

as my wounded soul took flight.

 

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Touch me, heal me, fill me.

Let me carry you inside

like jewels of bright eternity

that anyone who touches me

Be comforted when thus to see

your reflection in my eyes.

 

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Angels walk this world

their feathered wings unfurled

as gentle hands that guide us on

and words our kinship leans upon.

 

I thank heaven for these gifts

And free!

 

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Today the Creator smiled at me!

 

CKP copyright words and images

2018

Always a Day Late/#SoCS

Yep, that’s me most often.  When it comes to my creative endeavors and meeting deadlines for prompts, I am not as dedicated as my Mussel Loving friend Dan of No Facilities .  He meets all deadlines with ‘i’s’ dotted and ‘t’s’ crossed, with humor and nice photos.

I am more aptly categorized as scattered and prone to whimsy when it comes to sharing those things that I do for fun. I have often been asked why, since I enjoy doing so many things creatively, I don’t do ‘such and such’ as a business.  For me, to focus all my energy on one particular pastime would steal the joy from it and also possibly prohibit me from doing those other things I love so much.  I guess maybe I am akin to the bees and butterflies I love to photograph so much, flitting from bloom to bloom and drinking in the sweetness each has to offer, but not lingering long enough to miss another possibility.

So, for #ThursdayDoors I am late, but sliding in to home base for the #SoCS prompt by our host Linda Hill

Forgive me for not being more present on WP lately but I have definitely spent the last week enjoying life’s  precious offerings so that I could share them with you, my precious friends in the blogging world. I am hoping your #Free48 is filled with many precious moments.  Hugs!

 

 

 

Last Saturday’s adventure led us to Sope Creek National Park in Marietta, Georgia.  I was so thrilled to be in the shadows of the woods, dip my toes in the cool water and breathe softly with Mother Nature. Precious indeed.

 

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My art time is also precious to me, though it takes me much longer to complete a piece than most folks. Still working on my devilish mermaid who loves her Old Fashioned made with Angel’s Envy.  😉

 

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Finding moments to whip up energy bites can be a challenge too, but I never regret the time spent.  Yummy!

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Friday fun with a friend!
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We found tiny doors! Love #Tinydoorsatl
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Great Mexican lunch at #minero at #PonceCityMarket

 

 

And, when you say it often enough, someone finally obliges!!

 

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Now, here’s another favorite hymn from my days in Sunday services as a child

 

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Constant

I’m sorry about not delivering a #Free48 post today and I promise to catch up. The truth is I didn’t sleep well last night. I have several family members and dear friends who are struggling with health issues and they are weighing heavily on my heart.

I dreamed of one friend , a silly sort of dream, that I will try to unravel on my own; but at some point I was shown yellow roses. I know I receive all kinds of dream messages and this one was clear. Since the little birds decided to get up at 4 am and serenade me, I thought of one of my favorite hymns, one that always gave me peace and hope.

It was also one of my mother’s very favorites. This is for anyone out there who feels alone and is struggling with pain or sorrow. You are never, ever alone. Just reach out with your heart.

 

 

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One of my little friends. She may not be a sparrow, but she seems pretty confident that someone is taking care of things.

 

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Rose, yellow The yellow rose is the omen of connection and friendship between people and you….

We all need to love one another, no matter the time, distance or energy that passes  between us.  Have a beautiful, healing week everyone. Pass it on.

Hugs!

Beautiful/#Free48-So Far/#SoCs

So far, so peaceful. After a long, busy work week I am very happy to welcome this #Free48. And so far it looks promising. First, there was no alarm, and now I am enjoying a nice cup of coffee with ‘The Doctor’, the sun is out and hubby did most of the tough cleaning for us during the week. Toss a bit of exploration and some creative time in there and I couldn’t ask for more.

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Well….maybe a visit from our little buddy. I found the shots from her near stowaway excursion with us. 😀

Okay, get your ‘awwwws’ ready.

 

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After having my head down fiddling with coat, gloves, purse, etc, I looked up and nearly screamed until I realized who it was. Let me tell you, guys, she owns her special-ness.

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“Bird! Squirrel! Blowing leaf!”

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Hey, where you guys goin’? Maybe I wanna go too. Didya’ ever think about that, huh?

Today’s post brought to you by Linda Hill’s #SoCS prompt.

Check out her blog and today’s post for other great Saturday tales of how the blogging community is.

And no time jumping…so far. 😉

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