Howdy Neighbors!

I was thinking today about how pig-headed I am, and how I come by it naturally! Everyone in my family is getting more and more set in their ways–including yours truly!

Although this trait can be tough for others to deal with, it is something that keeps us going and going–like the Energizer bunny. We are stronger for this stubbornness. Here is a poem from my future book called Waiting for the Rest of Your Life. Enjoy!

Willow You?

I began my life passively

Or, so I thought

Not that one could discount

The hard-headed stubbornness

That runs like a deep vein of gold

In the granite rock of the genetic

Makeup of my family tree

But, as the years have rolled by

It has become apparent that

Control issues are key in relationships

As they have been in mine

Many of us are stronger willed

And try to impose this on others

These are the righteous ones

Trying to bend the weaker to them

Like a young flexible sapling

Some will snap like twigs and are finished

Others bounce back unbent

Defiant in the face of such control

Resilience bouncing the back upright

Not giving in, not giving up– No, Never!

Be true, be the tree

That will not bend

To you and me

I was perched on my front porch this morning, when I happened to think that I was “enthroned” on that white wicker chair. All of a sudden, my spine got straighter, my attitude changed, and I felt like I was a queen surveying her subjects. It was a wonderful feeling. I think you should try it!
As you imagine your queenliness, you will notice your mood change. I definitely felt more grateful and lady-like.
Why don’t we treat ourselves like the regal beings we were meant to be? Self-love and self-respect start right here, with number one (and that is a capital One!).
Think about how you can do something for yourself today. It doesn’t need to cost anything; just give yourself a few minutes to have that cup of tea and relax. Or give yourself a manicure (or treat yourself to one), pedicure, bubble bathe, whatever! Just do it.
Love yourself and you will have more love to spread around!

Aloha!

Joan

GOING TO THE MOUNTAINS!

Helloooo!
We are off to the mountains of western North Carolina, today! I will be breathing some fresh, cool air, and listening to the birds sing. A little quiet is a rare thing for me. If I can find it! This is the only way to refresh and realign my spirit. Writing usually follows this.
Take a moment for yourself to breathe deep and to clear your mind of the congestion of modern life. May you have a wonderful day! May your spirits soar!

Joan

It’s Friday! Let’s Celebrate the Women We Are!

Ladies,
Did you have a good week? Are you ready for the weekend?
I know I am! Women work so hard and are sometimes so unappreciated. I wanted to make your day, today. So enjoy the poem and remember to take some time to pat your self on the back!
Ciao!
Joan

Wooman
Women carry a heavy
burden
Most of us balance
Outside employment and
Home (more work!)
Maybe child-rearing completes
The load, all done at the expense of
Self
We juggle our universe while
Multi-talking, cooking
Car-pooling, shopping
Laundering, errand running
Homework instructing
House cleaning, gardening
Etcetera, etcetera
And get this:
Society dictates that
We maintain our savvy and our good looks
During these amazing feats
(We usually pull this off!)
And, amazingly enough
We are still expected to have
Sex, be sexy, and stay awake
Ironically,
Even though we function
On a daily basis
As CEO’s and their staff
We still can’t have
A woman President yet
Go Figure!

Happy Mother’s Day!

This is a wonderful time to acknowledge our mothers, our surrogate mothers, mentors, and the mother within us all! Today we should celebrate women and their role in keeping mankind alive. I really believe that is something that we are hard-wired to do–protect the species! So far we have done it, although it gets harder all of the time.

I want to pay my respects to my wonderful mother. She loved us and tried to do the right thing by us. We did not have much; but, we always had clothing, food, shelter, and love.

My mother is and always has been beautiful to me. She has a generous nature and a fun-loving side that sometimes gets a little silly–(I definitely fall into that category also!).

On this day and every day, I wish for happiness for my mom. May she continue to see beauty in nature, and love in others.

Here is a poem for women to honor all of us today. It will be featured in my next book, which is called Waiting for the Rest of your Life.

CUM FORTE

In decades past and present

It has been made known to women

That it is a man’s world

Men still rule in some dark areas

Of the world, often by force

The victims of violence

Are most often women and children

Statistics document this truth

Fear can be a powerful weapon

But it is a weapon of cowardice

Women are amazing beings

Inch by inch we have made progress

We have been fighting battles with

Our bodies and with our intellect

Women will not give up, or give in

We have come too far for that

Together, all women weave the

Fabric that supports all of mankind

Come share the power

Of sisterhood, of womenhood

Reach out to others and

Hold them up, so they will not fall

There is strength in our numbers

And we will carry on cum forte

Bless us every one!

Joan

Good Day to All!

What does that phrase mean to you? Obviously, it is a wish for the good will of others, that they may have a pleasant day. But, do we put any effort into that ourselves?

We probably do not expend much time designing a amenable day or give a thought to doing that. Consider the possibility that this design is possible.

Spend a few minutes before bedtime to lay out a tentative plan for the next day. Organize what you will need to do, including what you will be wearing, and pack a lunch or some snacks.

Leave yourself a little buffer time during the day to stretch, meditate, or call a friend. Say something unexpectedly nice to others, and for yourself.

If we give ourselves time to be in the “now” and not obsess about what is going to happen, we can reduce stress. Here are five principles for appreciating your life from inspirational speaker, Mike Robbins:

1) Be grateful–focus on your blessings

2) Choose positive thoughts and feelings

3) Use positive words

4) Acknowledge others

5) Appreciate yourself***(we really need to do this!)

Take some baby steps towards enjoying your life!

Here is another poem from my book, Water Running Downhill!

EXIST-STANCE

Meditate on this
If you do not make an effort
To live in the moment
You will not truly
Live

To always plan
For “Tomorrow Land”
Ignoring the boring minutia
You will never exist
In today

To chase after
What may be
One loses
The ability
To be

Go get-um ladies! Remember, women rule!


Have you found your joy?

In this age of running around trying to keep our heads above water, have we given any thought to creating joy in our lives? Yes, it sounds like a luxury; but, maybe it should be a necessity?

First we have to figure out what joy means to us, personally. So, make a list. Include some very simple ideas, like being still and listening to bird song, or immersing oneself in music and a cup of tea.

If we give ourselves a few minutes of joyful time, we could appreciate the little things and learn to make more time for them. Joy will begat joy!

Here is a poem I wrote from Water Running Downhill! Peace out!

Joan

STATE OF GRACE

I send this message
Out to you
Grasp it
Let it define you
Live it
Take it to heart

The revelation is that
This is the moment
The present, and
Nothing else exists
Be here
Seize the “now”

Be your bliss
And therefore
You shall be
Blessed

Dancing Forth!

Good Day to All!

I do feel that there is a spring awakening afoot in my writer’s soul. Do you feel it too? It is similar to the feeling that I get in the new year, the one that makes us write resolutions.

It is high time for me to get out there. I get so wrapped up in the day to day mundane of working, cooking, laundry, cleaning–yuck! None of that inspires me!

Last week, I went to Coffee with the Poets, in Hayesville, North Carolina. They had several wonderful poets who read. The featured writer was a witty young 87 years old, a Mrs. Dorothy Spiegel.

This is for the poets:

I could feel them in the room, today

Spirits free and laughing

Unfettered by their particular ages

All of them appeared to me

As young women (and a couple of young men)

And they danced, they danced

Let us all have the courage to take a chance and dance!

Just take that first step!

Enjoy the day!

Joan


Greetings Friends!
Welcome to joan’s zone!
It is spring and the birds are nesting. I was in Western North Carolina last week. We had snow–on no! However, it melted and did not seem to jeopardize the new blossoms.
Please join me in celebrating the end of winter and the spring of new beginnings.
Ciao!
Joan
Here is a spring poem that I wrote two years ago for a book I call Naturescapes.
***************************************************************************************
SPRING FORTH

Brilliant multi-hued
Easter egg shades
Illuminate and complete
The transformation
From stark winter bare
To the richly adorned
Newly verdant landscape

Spring awakens and
Brings forth
Sleepy bulbs from
Their cozy winter beds
Nodding and stretching
They unfold their
Many-colored heads

from Naturescapes
by
Joan Ellen Gage