Tonight,
in the deep, dark hours
when all is quiet around me . . .
my husband
asleep in the bed,
cats curled up
waiting.
The dim glow from my string of tiny lights
giving softer versions of daytime’s colours . . .
shades of purple and green grey
and a small reflection
from my glass of brandy,
a funny, little hand-blown open globe
my step son brought from Denmark.
My eyes
like this kind of dark,
and rest their sharpness,
finding beauty and comfort
in the lesser light,
sensuous and fragrant from old patchouli
still embedded in the fabric of my curtains
and ancient sofa in front of the window
where a candle always burns,
inviting in
all that is good.
Papers,
push pins,
scissors and ink cartridges
can all wait until tomorrow . . .
so can the letter I’ve started writing.
All is well . . .
I go back
to join my husband and cats
in our warm winter’s bed.
Good Night. ♥
To my dear father who I had the chance to visit today; being with him was deep joy, as iI have not seen him for several weeks. I could only be with him this one day for the moment being, and it was just beauty to be together. We could be outside for a little walk or two and while I was moving him in his wheelchair in Spring´s sunshine we both were silent often, connected with inner warmth and love for each other while just letting in the beauty of the changes in nature and air around. To offer my loving attention to all I am grateful for and to love and be grateful. That there has been a car given, and for my life and for all life. Thank you to you all.
I am grateful,
dear Ose,
for you having these special times with your father.
They will mean more and more
over the years.
Blessings on the time you have. ♥
Well, in this part of the world, spring is springing, and it’s easy to take notice of all the things coming back to life. The grape vines, the creekside Willows, and the Buckeye trees have started to bud. These are just the things I notices yesterday. Weeds have sprung up overnight in my little yard and the giant Rosemary is in full bloom with beautiful little blue flowers.
thank you for your beautiful visual description of early signs of spring – I had to look up Buckeye trees – looks like they have a walnut type nut?
per search
Pacific Horticulture | California Buckeye: A Tree for All …
The California buckeye
(Aesculus californica) is a native, drought-deciduous tree featuring large, shiny brown nuts (seeds) in the fall that are highly toxic in their raw state. While poisonous to humans, causing symptoms like paralysis, Indigenous groups historically used extensive leaching to make them edible
Coming back to drop a link now that I have read this Mary Oliver poem on this very topic.
Just Around the House, Early in the Morning
Though I have been scorned for it
let me never be afraid to use the word beautiful.
For within is the shining leaf
and the blossoms of the geranium at the window.
And the eyes of the happy puppy as he wakes.
The colors of the old and beloved afghan lying
by itself, on the couch, in the morning sun.
The hummingbird’s nest perched now in a
corner of the bookshelf, in front of so many
books of so many colors.
The two poached eggs. The buttered toast.
The ream of brand-new paper just opened,
white as a block of snow.
The typewriter humming, ready to go.
I’ve really enjoyed Lora Kim Joyner’s reflections on the poems and learning about her work as an avian conservationist just through the medium of her thoughts on Mary Oliver’s poems as she relates them to where she is and what she’s experiencing. The blog is 16 years old and still so interesting and such a gift.
Your reflection,
dear Barb,
is so perfectly perfect,
even with two versions of the same poem.
Thank you for introducing me to this blog . . .
I will visit it again. ♥
I’m at the second day of a conference. I stayed in a hotel that gives me the chance to walk along an urban trail to the college campus where we’re meeting. Walking back last night, I paid attention to the buds on the tips of the bushes along the way. I’ll do that again this morning and look for other signs of spring.
The conference is giving me a lot of new information, and my brain is making connections between this and other work i’m doing. People coming together and sharing ideas and energy create beauty in that room. The conference is organized by people working on developing a full inventory of sidewalks in our state and the need for accessibility improvements. Having that data can help us focus our investments and also give people the routing information they need to have an accessible pathway to their destination. A world that’s accessible for everyone, regardless of disability, would be beautiful indeed.
I’m at the second day of a conference. I stayed in a hotel that gives me the chance to walk along an urban trail to the college campus where we’re meeting. Walking back last night.I paid attention to the buds on the tips of the bushes along the way. I’ll do that again this morning and look for other signs of spring.
The conference is giving me a lot of new information, and my brain is making connections between this and other work i’m doing. People coming together and sharing ideas and energy create beauty in that room. The conference is organized by people working on developing a full inventory of sidewalks in our state and the need for accessibility improvements. Having that data can help us focus our investments and also give people the routing information they need to have an accessible pathway to their destination. A world that’s accessible for everyone, regardless of disability, would be beautiful indeed.
Flocks of birds are overhead, heading south. Some have stopped at my bird feeder. I hear birds chirping on my walk. Something I haven’t heard for the last few months. The cycle of the seasons…Spring on its way.
I get to go for a trail run today. I will pay attention to the movements of my body, the sounds and sensations of breath, the crunch stones and dirt underfoot, the domes of the hills surrounding me, the blue sky.
I have loved teddy bears since I was a little girl. Now, I live with Loc, and his mom gave me a few teddy bears, too. There is an orange teddy bear that only has one eye. Mom and I tried to find him a matching eye, but we haven’t found one yet. Well, that’s okay. He is okay with just one beautiful eye. I am okay with being a visually impaired person. The important thing is that we are not beautiful because of our eyes. He is beautiful in how he can comfort me with his soft fur. I am beautiful because my heart cares for others even when I feel down. Happy Friday to our community of kindness and wisdom! 🐻
So lovely, your Teddy and your being and your being with your Teddy. Embracing the so called imperfect and your heart just loves . Such a beautiful heart, dear Ngoc. Your tenderness touches me and your speaking about it is so heartwarming. Thank you, dear Ngoc.
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Tonight,
in the deep, dark hours
when all is quiet around me . . .
my husband
asleep in the bed,
cats curled up
waiting.
The dim glow from my string of tiny lights
giving softer versions of daytime’s colours . . .
shades of purple and green grey
and a small reflection
from my glass of brandy,
a funny, little hand-blown open globe
my step son brought from Denmark.
My eyes
like this kind of dark,
and rest their sharpness,
finding beauty and comfort
in the lesser light,
sensuous and fragrant from old patchouli
still embedded in the fabric of my curtains
and ancient sofa in front of the window
where a candle always burns,
inviting in
all that is good.
Papers,
push pins,
scissors and ink cartridges
can all wait until tomorrow . . .
so can the letter I’ve started writing.
All is well . . .
I go back
to join my husband and cats
in our warm winter’s bed.
Good Night. ♥
Good Night to you also.
♥
The Love in all of your beautiful posts. Thank you dearly, dear friends.
To my dear father who I had the chance to visit today; being with him was deep joy, as iI have not seen him for several weeks. I could only be with him this one day for the moment being, and it was just beauty to be together. We could be outside for a little walk or two and while I was moving him in his wheelchair in Spring´s sunshine we both were silent often, connected with inner warmth and love for each other while just letting in the beauty of the changes in nature and air around. To offer my loving attention to all I am grateful for and to love and be grateful. That there has been a car given, and for my life and for all life. Thank you to you all.
I am grateful,
dear Ose,
for you having these special times with your father.
They will mean more and more
over the years.
Blessings on the time you have. ♥
Thank you, dear Sparrow, for your being here with me and us.
I’m happy for you, Ose, that you had such a lovely visit! ♥️
We have had abundant sunshine for 2 days melting some of the snow. I SO ready for spring my favorite season 🌺🌹
I try to be mindful of all that I am around. When I can pay attention to my surroundings, I can see all of the beauty that is around me.
Thank you, so true 🙏
It is a beautiful sunny day in the Pacific Northwest. What a treat!
It’s good to hear from you, Linda!
Beautiful weather is amazingly uplifting.
I love a sunny day!☀️☀️☀️
Well, in this part of the world, spring is springing, and it’s easy to take notice of all the things coming back to life. The grape vines, the creekside Willows, and the Buckeye trees have started to bud. These are just the things I notices yesterday. Weeds have sprung up overnight in my little yard and the giant Rosemary is in full bloom with beautiful little blue flowers.
thank you for your beautiful visual description of early signs of spring – I had to look up Buckeye trees – looks like they have a walnut type nut?
per search
Pacific Horticulture | California Buckeye: A Tree for All …
The California buckeye
(Aesculus californica) is a native, drought-deciduous tree featuring large, shiny brown nuts (seeds) in the fall that are highly toxic in their raw state. While poisonous to humans, causing symptoms like paralysis, Indigenous groups historically used extensive leaching to make them edible
That sounds beautiful, Charlie!
Coming back to drop a link now that I have read this Mary Oliver poem on this very topic.
Just Around the House, Early in the Morning
Though I have been scorned for it
let me never be afraid to use the word beautiful.
For within is the shining leaf
and the blossoms of the geranium at the window.
And the eyes of the happy puppy as he wakes.
The colors of the old and beloved afghan lying
by itself, on the couch, in the morning sun.
The hummingbird’s nest perched now in a
corner of the bookshelf, in front of so many
books of so many colors.
The two poached eggs. The buttered toast.
The ream of brand-new paper just opened,
white as a block of snow.
The typewriter humming, ready to go.
I first read it at this site I’ve been reading my way through day by day by day.
https://yearsrisingmaryoliver.blogspot.com/2011/02/just-around-house-early-in-morning.html
I spotted what felt like a couple of errors and so found a second online version to check; the version above is from this one https://poetrying.wordpress.com/2018/02/04/just-around-the-house-early-in-the-morning-mary-oliver/. I’ve been enjoying the thoughts shared with each poem at the first site so I wanted to include that link.
Thank you for the link Barb – I passed it on to my daughter – my environmental nature loving one
I’ve really enjoyed Lora Kim Joyner’s reflections on the poems and learning about her work as an avian conservationist just through the medium of her thoughts on Mary Oliver’s poems as she relates them to where she is and what she’s experiencing. The blog is 16 years old and still so interesting and such a gift.
Your reflection,
dear Barb,
is so perfectly perfect,
even with two versions of the same poem.
Thank you for introducing me to this blog . . .
I will visit it again. ♥
I’m at the second day of a conference. I stayed in a hotel that gives me the chance to walk along an urban trail to the college campus where we’re meeting. Walking back last night, I paid attention to the buds on the tips of the bushes along the way. I’ll do that again this morning and look for other signs of spring.
The conference is giving me a lot of new information, and my brain is making connections between this and other work i’m doing. People coming together and sharing ideas and energy create beauty in that room. The conference is organized by people working on developing a full inventory of sidewalks in our state and the need for accessibility improvements. Having that data can help us focus our investments and also give people the routing information they need to have an accessible pathway to their destination. A world that’s accessible for everyone, regardless of disability, would be beautiful indeed.
Yesterday afternoon I was very excited to learn that Streetsblog featured this data project in an article. Streetsblog runs a lot of great articles on the world of active transportation that I work in so that was a fan moment. https://usa.streetsblog.org/2026/02/24/map-every-sidewalk-in-your-state-ai-google-maps?utm_source=streetsblog-usa.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=tuesday-8217-s-newsletter
That is great- so important!
Second that!
I’m at the second day of a conference. I stayed in a hotel that gives me the chance to walk along an urban trail to the college campus where we’re meeting. Walking back last night.I paid attention to the buds on the tips of the bushes along the way. I’ll do that again this morning and look for other signs of spring.
The conference is giving me a lot of new information, and my brain is making connections between this and other work i’m doing. People coming together and sharing ideas and energy create beauty in that room. The conference is organized by people working on developing a full inventory of sidewalks in our state and the need for accessibility improvements. Having that data can help us focus our investments and also give people the routing information they need to have an accessible pathway to their destination. A world that’s accessible for everyone, regardless of disability, would be beautiful indeed.
Yesterday afternoon I was very excited to learn that Streetsblog featured this data project in an article. Streetsblog runs a lot of great articles on the world of active transportation that I work in so that was a fan moment. https://usa.streetsblog.org/2026/02/24/map-every-sidewalk-in-your-state-ai-google-maps?utm_source=streetsblog-usa.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=tuesday-8217-s-newsletter
My attention will be focused on the beautiful face and words of a friend with whom I am having lunch.
A road trip is before me seeing cattle in the fields and hawks and other winged ones perched on posts. Have a cozy weekend to all! ☮️💕
Thank you, dear Carla! Wishing you a lovely sunday, too.
Flocks of birds are overhead, heading south. Some have stopped at my bird feeder. I hear birds chirping on my walk. Something I haven’t heard for the last few months. The cycle of the seasons…Spring on its way.
I get to go for a trail run today. I will pay attention to the movements of my body, the sounds and sensations of breath, the crunch stones and dirt underfoot, the domes of the hills surrounding me, the blue sky.
I have loved teddy bears since I was a little girl. Now, I live with Loc, and his mom gave me a few teddy bears, too. There is an orange teddy bear that only has one eye. Mom and I tried to find him a matching eye, but we haven’t found one yet. Well, that’s okay. He is okay with just one beautiful eye. I am okay with being a visually impaired person. The important thing is that we are not beautiful because of our eyes. He is beautiful in how he can comfort me with his soft fur. I am beautiful because my heart cares for others even when I feel down. Happy Friday to our community of kindness and wisdom! 🐻
So lovely, your Teddy and your being and your being with your Teddy. Embracing the so called imperfect and your heart just loves . Such a beautiful heart, dear Ngoc. Your tenderness touches me and your speaking about it is so heartwarming. Thank you, dear Ngoc.
You are indeed beautiful, NGOC and so is your Teddy Bear. Thank you for filling my mind with beauty and my heart with joy.
Happy Friday to you too, Ngoc!
My Ngoc, ,I see your collection of teddy bears.