As We Get Older!

I have heard many things about “As we get older”.    And I am now seeing a lot of these things happening as I get older.  One of them is loss.  The older I get the more loss I see.  There is not just older people either just people you know that seem to die young or old.

Of course we all expect to see our grandparents and parents go.  That is one of the hardest things.  My dad died when I was in my early 30’s  and then every now and then we would lose a friend or an uncle or two in a year.

I have started losing more and more friends.  And last year the very devastating loss of my mother.  So what does all this means.  It means that as I get older so does everyone around me and we are all approaching that age where people are dying at.

So what have I learned from this?  Well take good care of my health.  Be kind to others especially those you love their time may be soon and then they are gone.  It is too late to let them know how much you cared.      Because we never know when it is our time.

I also have learned that stress is  a big killer.  Every day I start my day now sitting outside listening to mother nature’s news cast for the day.  No TV. not even my music which I love and listen to all the time.  Music is medicine for the soul and mind and body.  But being outside sitting. listening, feeling the morning air at 5  or 6 am (or whatever time you get up will help start your day with calm and joy.  And hopefully more time to hang around with a good friend that just may not be around for long.   You may find something different that works better for you but keeping stress away from your life is critical.

Yes age does bring a lot to us, I just want to handle it with as much grace as I can and hopefully these old bones will take me  and my friends and family through to another day.  Thankfully I have discovered how to start my day right and I will be working on all the rest!   Have a Great Day!

 

To Our very special friend Chris V.  you will be missed and you most certainly will be remembered!

Life’s many roads and side streets!

I started this post about 4 times now and all going in different ways.  I was even thinking of giving up the blog all together since this last year my attendance to it has been so bad.  I have never been a daily blogger but so much has distracted me this last year and a half that all my writing has suffered.  Practice makes perfect but you have to do it to reach that.  And I am not a quitter so as I typed almost a whole page on it I realized I could not do that.

Then I started a page but it was a rant and I didn’t get too far when I realized that I didn’t want a negative post especially since I hadn’t been on for a while.    I always try to have positive posts unless it is something I feel is important enough to rant about.  As I deleted this page to start over I was lost in my head.  Where are my poems?  Where are my stories??   Why am I at that writer’s wall again or I should say still??

So, I started this yesterday, let’s see how far we get???? Lol!!!

I find that life has many roads and side streets to travel.  Some lead to nowhere, some lead to danger, some lead to wonderful things for us to see and experience.  It is our choice how we choose to react and learn from each turn we take.  And that is what many of the turn offs and side streets are for.  Learning!  It may be something we need to learn about ourselves or others but it is put there for that.  If we choose not to learn from it then it is our choice if the outcome isn’t what we wanted, we did choose it.  It takes some of us longer to remember that, and learn these lessons but bottom line is we make the choice.  Of course, there are circumstances that come that people cannot control such as illness, death, and other issues, but it is still our choice how we handle it.  I think this last year and a half this has been one of my lessons along with patience and letting go.  I think these are hard lessons but I see now I do have control to learn and grow from these lessons.   As I change the way I look at them I see the difference on how I handle them.  And  WORK is involved.   Work is a main tool in life.  If you don’t put in the work you won’t get very far.  I have always had good work ethics but I keep forgetting to apply it to all aspects in my life especially in myself on this journey of life and its many roads and side streets.  So I am rolling up my sleeves to dig in and do the work.

Now I came back to finish this morning and still not sure if this is what I wanted to write about when I got this in my mail I figured the timing was right:

“We can always choose to perceive things differently. You can focus on what’s wrong in your life, or you can focus on what’s right.”

– Marianne Williamson

I also want to thank all my followers who stick with me.  I really appreciate your support and patience.

To the bloggers out there who put out so many good posts and every day!  That is impressive!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAR

I am sharing this wonderful poem from friend.   He posts from what he calls his “front Porch”.    This hit me because I am going to my 50th class reunion this summer.  This poem took me back to that time when Viet Nam was going.  All of us from that era have  been touched by that war.  Either with someone who  died or some who came home so damaged. It was tragic.  My first published poem was in 68 about Viet Nam called “The Gun” it is on this blog somewhere in the back.  But Daron’s is more about the people mine was about the gun.  With all that is going on right now this sadly could be a real thing again.  WE DO NOT WANT WAR!!!   Daron’s poem shows how it touches everyone. He especially felt it.  Thank You Daron for reminding me of friends past and present who still live the trauma.  And Thank You for bringing this awareness to us all!!

 

WAR

(Dedicated to my Brother, Eric Schwartz, 1st Marines, Vietnam veteran)

Man was at war before he invented the wheel..

He’s fought with everything from stone to steel.

All through time he’s fought for space.

Wars to preserve his very race.

What troubles me is the standing truth

That the young must die so the old may rule,

That the debt is the lives of daughters and sons

Who must go to ground while still so young.

But war, I’m sure, does not seem so wise

When seen through a troubled mother’s eyes.

Is victory worth a victory won

When a father receives a medal in trade for his son?

War is nothing but a monstrous sin

When you see flames dripping from a child’s skin.

War today will never justify

Hope extinguished in the blink of an eye.

Our children die in a sea of green

For greed the worst that I’ve ever seen.

Humanity dies evermore each day

For we the people to our leaders lack the courage to say

Enough.

DB

3/29/2017

Semper fi

The Inaugural Rise & Thrive Breakfast By ENCOMPASS

Today I would like to promote an event coming up put on by a place close to my heart.  Encompass is a nonprofit organization here in North Bend that helps children and their families.  They serve North Bend, Snoqualmie, Issaquah, and Eastside communities.    They believe that from the start you teach a child to thrive , helping young children get the help they need early.  They know by starting young they are more prepared later on.    I have volunteered in several different places involving kids and I can say Encompass is awesome.   I have seen what they do and how they do it.  I cannot say enough of the love and care and effort they put in to show each child how important they are.  Each child is made to feel good about themselves and their achievements.

Encompass

“Serving the Snoqualmie Valley and Greater Eastside communities.”

Invites

Business people, and community leaders and friends, and family

To attend

The Inaugural Rise & Thrive Breakfast

By

ENCOMPASS

Tuesday, April 25^th from 7:30-9:00 am

At The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge (formerly TPC)

 

 “This unique opportunity will feature an engaging keynote speaker complimented by a delicious breakfast, and will bring together over 250 community leaders, educators, local businesses, and parents to help engage in our vision to create a community where ALL children thrive”

The Keynote speaker will be Bill Krueger, a former Mariner.  He is an active early intervention advocate.  The Pediatric Therapy Branch of Encompass specializes in early intervention.

Chris Cashman, a veteran of television and radio will be the Master of Ceremonies.

Kathy Lambert, King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert will be in attendance as Honorary Chair for this Flagship Event. 

For all the details please go to https://encompassnw.ejoinme.org/rise-and-thrive-2017

 

 

 

THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

Good Morning to you all.  This is  just a little random silly poem I typed this morning after another short night or is it a long night I am not sure.  But it is what comes out of not sleeping, lol.  I am sure most of you understand some sleepless nights and know your mind is pretty cloudy when you are half asleep or half awake either way.  Our brains really need sleep to function.    So I wish for all of you a good night sleep every night!

In the middle of the night it has been said

you won’t hear a sound as you lay in bed

but I find that it is not to be 

at least it is not the case for me

as I lay there I hear it all

every noise and creak in the wall

No matter what I do it is there

If I could sleep I would not care.

The house is dark and all are in bed

Some are so lucky they sleep like the dead

I lay there as the house speaks to me

Telling me about its history.

I toss and I turn wishing it to be quiet

I can already tell it is going to be a long night.

Pity Parties

Yes I have them too!  I have had a lot to deal with this year, and it was several things at once and yes I have had several really good pity parties.  I think it is good to have them once in a while and clean out all the left overs of the emotions that caused you to need the Pity Party  and after all I am a really good party thrower and hostess.  I do my best to make my quests feel comfortable and have fun and if it is a pity party they want, that’s what they get.  So of course I took full advantage of it.   I won’t go into the blah, blah, blah of it all but it is easy to get down and feel sorry for oneself  and hide out when these obstacles come up in your path.   I am fine and I will get thru as I always do.  Now it is easier because I have learned I don’t need to carry things around forever.(“No monkeys on my back”)  There are some things we cannot change.  And it is certainly no reason to use it as an excuse for not living and enjoying  a good life. But sometimes it takes something or someone to remind you.

I had a friend send me a response to an e-mail I sent her and I was so touched.  She didn’t tell me what to do or how to do it she just listened and offered to be there. (Thank you Mama C)    I saw the fog parting in my head and the cobwebs swept away and remembered again how lucky and blessed I am with a loving wonderful family and some awesome good friends along with my faith.  Yes some things in life are awful  Many things are unfair.  And there can be a lot of pain in people’s life.  And yes I think it is good to cry and let the tears wash away what they can.  But then it is time to remember what we do have and use that to lead us through this storm we may be in.  If we know we are doing the right thing and we focus on the good we do have we will be able to make it through the storm.  It may be something that can never go away or be taken back or will impact your way of life but it should and will become a distant memory filed into the lesson section of your brain if we let it.  Basically it is all lessons and  we learn how or how not to handle the issues we face.

So for now the Pity Party is done.  I am about celebrating all the good I have.   It will take time and work but I am ready for it!

Thank you to those of you who have helped me learn this!

THE BOOK SHOULD STAY

I have always been a what I call a hit and miss blogger.  I hit when I am on a good writing run and I miss when I am not.  This last few years so much has happened and going on that the misses are more than the hits.  I appreciate all of you who stick with me.  I am trying to get back into it again.  I have worked for three or four months trying to write a poem that doesn’t rhyme, lol,  I just haven’t been able to do it yet.  I want to put a book together of poetry so I am going through a lot of my poems and see which ones I want to use.  I am also editing them and rewriting some.  This will also help me editing.  Oh that is hard for me.  I have a story in verse I plan to try and get edited and out there.  It needs big time editing and an ending.  It is already over 50,000 words.   So I am going to practice on small things first.  I am still trying to write some new things too.  Some people seem to just put out the words so easily and steadily.  That is the amazing to me!

This first poem I am working on I published here about 3 years ago.  It has been changed for the better I hope.  Enjoy!

I am open to suggestions or comments as I post some of these if you care to.  After all the readers are usually the best judges!

THE BOOK SHOULD STAY

 

Opening windows here and there.

Opening screens everywhere.

Who would have thought the pen was dead?

Now we have laptops instead.

 

If that is not bad enough,

They want to replace books with that stuff.

No books you say, I think I might die.

And most people will ask, why?

 

There is no way they should take them away.

It is wrong I want to say.

Open a book anywhere you go,

There is always something you will want to know.

Books and their words should be here forever,

They help make people become very clever.

 

You cannot do this I stand up and shout!

There is more than reading that a book is about.

What happens when the machine battery dies or it breaks?

And it was decided that books, they would no longer make?  

All the wondrous words lost,

That will be at a very high cost.

Books are to be held in your hand.

To see the words that helps your mind expand.

T0 feel the texture of the book you hold,

Is what makes it a special experience so bold.

There is a feeling of holding it and the turning of the page,

Will it hold more wisdom than a wise sage?

To receive a book is truly a gift.

It certainly will give you a lift.

All the beautiful words they keep,

There is nothing like a good book to make you think deep.

Maybe an adventure into a foreign land,

Or a trip back in time unplanned.

Whatever it may be it opens your mind,

And tickles your senses with many adventures you will find.

 

It can be used as a tutor,

Sure you can read the book on a computer.

But a great experience is lost, and at such a high cost.

 So pick up a book today.

Hold it, read it and experience it in a new way.

You will appreciate its value and want books to stay.

For reading a good book is like a pleasant breeze.

It blows new thoughts into your head for you to seize.

That is what it takes for your mind to grow.

This helps you learn new things for you to know.

The Runaway Sleigh Christmas Special- A REVIEW

I loved the book! A real feel good, the girl wins and there is a happy ever after! Thank You Victoria!!

The Runaway Sleigh Christmas Special
By Victoria Bastedo

Reading is different for everyone. Everyone expects different things from a good book. Personally I want a book that makes me not want to stop reading it till it is done. I want to be kept guessing how it will end but not given the answer till the book is done. I want it to make me laugh and I want it to make me cry. To me a book that makes me laugh lifts my spirits and my mood and makes me believe I can do it! A good cry means the author touched me with real feelings. It means the characters where real inside and not just ink spilled on paper.
Author Victoria Bastedo covered all those items on my must for a good book. It had intrigue and love and family issues, secrets and lots of laughter and tears, yes there were tears. A young girl gets a job that gets her into all kinds of trouble, including physical injuries and well as wounded pride. But it brings her love something she didn’t count on. But she had to complete a mission for her mom and for herself. She had no information but a ring and a picture, not much for such an important question. But Ollie was just the girl to do it. And do it she does!

Other books by Victoria Bastedo
Dear Miklos
Green-Eyed Pursuit
Roots Entwine
Sunrise Meets the Star
Black Poodle Over Seven Hills

TIS THE SEASON!

Dear Santa,

I haven’t been too good about doing my blog as I should.  I am working at getting better.  For today I have taken a poem I wrote a year or so back using what I call my backward style.  Why,  who knows? lol!    This time I rewrote it as it came out.  No form or style just thoughts from the heart as the words lept to the paper they landed hard and in that spot they well stay!  I think you will get the point anyway!  I hope Dear Santa that makes up for being slack and this year I hope to be back.

PS: Ok! OK!  So I don’t have to sweep the floors, lol We are off to the kids house this year!

Thank You Santa!  And Sincerest Thank You to all my followers!

It was the day before Christmas and all through the house,

They were all asleep!

Except for mom, who had her headphones on to be quiet as a mouse,

she was busy listening to her music while her house she did sweep.
She started the cooking and was expecting her kids.
Excited and wanting to give them all kinds of gifts.
She wanted them to be happy, and have a good life.
Hoping it was filled with love and no strife.

She wished them love, health, happiness and joy.
Don’t forget laughter and yes,                                                                                                                   she would even give them a toy.
And to all her family and friends she wishes the same.                                                                 She sends good wishes for you of joy and                                                                                     happiness and health, and love.
And she prays to one up above,                                                                                                                  for those who are alone and sad.

So to Everyone Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah,                                                                         or Happy Holiday of your belief,                                                                                                             she hopes in your life, these things,                                                                                                        you all will have bringing you peace and relief.

Happy Holidays to All! That means Everyone!

I want to wish a Happy Holiday Season  to everyone!  That means what ever color, race, religion you are.  That means to the cooks, the maids, the CEO’s, the single parent, the kids EVERYONE!  Yes I usually say Merry Christmas but I mean no offence and I don’t think most people do it is just what many of us grew up with.  I believe in doing the right thing always but I  think this time of year is especially important to be nice to everyone.  And that means to the clerks in the stores with the long lines and the crowds.  Remember they are doing their job and it  is rough on them and when you get up to that counter and start yelling and complaining because your frustrated how do you think they feel!  Your server at the coffee shop is probably overwhelmed with the sudden rushes of people demanding coffee now so they can rush out to get gifts to spread the Xmas cheer while they bully their way through the stores.

How about the postmen and women and the UPS and Fed-Ex people, it isn’t their fault the package is late.  It isn’t their fault the roads are snowy or icy or crowded and they didn’t get to your house right at 1 pm or whatever.  How do you think they feel?    Maybe they have problems of their own and maybe they are trying to be nice to you and hide what they are going through.

During the holidays people who have problems suffer more.  Their problems seem worse. Because the holidays are supposed to be good and happy and they aren’t.   So why can’t we all be nice to each other.  If everyone just smiled and used basic manners saying Thank You and Please, and holding our impatience in someone’s day could be made so much better.    After all isn’t that what the Holidays are about???? Smiles and good feelings??? I think so.   Nothing else should matter except helping everyone enjoy them.

I have watched people rip through a store clerk over nothing.  Rudeness and bad manners are not acceptable to me at any time but during the Holidays when so many have so little and are so sad it is just wrong.

So I put out a challenge to everyone.  Please be kind to the clerks, the cleaners, the stock clerks, the people working in the restaurants, the other shoppers, to  every color and race and  your holiday will be better and so well theirs.  Is it so hard really to put on a smile??  If it is then maybe you need to be smiled at.  And maybe someone will make your day by a smile and a kind word.  If we all try maybe for this short time we could have Peace and Love and Joy for everyone.  Everyone deserves that.  Don’t forget the Police and Fireman , and Service Men and Women too, and all the people who are their for us always.

I want to Personally Thank all the clerks and workers out their that have to work in all this commotion.  I appreciate all your work and personally I have gotten many smiles and good service from you all.

I wish for you all a wonderful Holiday full of Joy, Love, Peace and lots and lots of laughter!