60, BUT, NOT READY TO BE PUT OUT TO PASTURE, YET!


60 But Not Ready For Pasture, Yet!
Well, that day has finally come, I’ve arrived at the dreaded number of 60.  I don’t feel any different, yet; however, I’ve felt myself being drawn to a new phase of my life for quite a while.  
There has been a lot of musing on my part about where my life is leading, especially with being out of work for the last 6 months with 2 surgeries, and another coming up in December.  As  have mentioned, I’m entering my bionic phase!
I do believe that most things happen for a reason, so perhaps I need to be still, or quiet more often.  This is not a one of my strong points!  Do you thing that the universe is sitting on me a bit to try to make me live in the “Now”?
That is food for thought.  Meanwhile, I am able to peck away at writing and to work on my crazy photo creations.  Wouldn’t that be a wonderful way to make a living?
I do miss seeing many of my friends.  Believe me, I do think of you all!  Peace be with you and yours and I hope we meet again! 
Have a wonderful week!  I leave you with a poem from the upcoming book; A Redhead Looks At 60.
Ciao!
Joan
Arise From Your Ashes

The dream is still alive and waiting

It waits for you to restore it to wholeness

And inhale life into the

Very lungs of hope, and

Deliver the kiss

To your sleeping beauty heart’s desire

The time has come to break into

The vault of your psyche and free

The urn of creativity thus turning

Life’s ashes into your personal vision

Come unearth your treasure

Stake your claim, rediscover your destiny

THE ALMOST BIONIC WOMAN!

MY NEW BIONIC LOOK!
Well, you have to admit, it has it’s possibilities!  Although, flesh can be more becoming.  
I have gone under the “knife”, and have an improved shoulder.  Now, I have to behave for a few weeks–drat!  Oh, and then we’ll do the other shoulder!
Honestly, it’s for the best.  I can’t keep trying to do “normal” stuff with a torn rotator cuff.  
But, I can use the left arm, and my right fingers–somewhat at first, then there will be improvement week by week.  I just want to do things for myself.  No stubbornness there!
Just so you know, I concocted this blog post pre-surgery.  I thought it would be fun to make bionic “me”.
Blessings to all of my friends!  Time will pass quickly and I’ll be back to “normal?”, soon.
Ciao!
Joan
Loving the Stranger Within

So how do I come to accept and love

This somewhat changed  and

Rearranged self?

First, I have to spend some one on one time

With me and myself

Get to know the old/new girl

Learn what inspires her

Secondly, I must exercise self-love

No matter what—

It is still my body, my flesh

This is how I look and it’s fine

Congratulations, Megan and Matt!

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WEDDING MEGAN AND MATT!
Today my cousin Megan weds the man of her dreams, and he weds the woman of his.  Here is there wedding poem, Cherish.

Have a marvelous day!

Joan
CHERISH

Here they are, two lovers

Serendipitously brought together by friends

She fell in love with Matt’s quirky sense of humor

And his steadfast loyalty and patience

He , in turn, loved Megan for her beauty,

Inside and out, for within radiated a kindness

That he had never experienced before

Today Megan and Matt begin the dance that joins man to woman

Before God, with loving friends and family surrounding

This day will they join hands and hearts with spoken vows,

Words that will weave them together into a tapestry of one

And seal that moment with the sweetest kiss

And a promise to love, and to cherish, forevermore

Then may their joy be shared as they face the congregation

For the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Colton

September 22, 2013

by, Joan Ellen Gage

I’m Falling Apart, and Other Stories!

STILL BROKEN?

Yes, it’s true; I am still out of work.  What is up with that?, you ask.  Well, I still have significantly reduced mobility in my neck.  It is better, as it was 5% and is now 20-25%.

The exciting news is that I have a torn rotator cuff in my right shoulder.  I don’t know how this happened.  I was doing a lot of upper body exercises and using giant rubber bands in PT.  The shoulder started to hurt more than usual.

Since I had a referral for the left shoulder over 2 years ago, I decided to have both shoulders looked at.  After all, I have time to do that.  Both shoulders have bone spurs–arthritis.  The right one turned out to have a tear.

So, I’m going to have surgery, and will be out the rest of the year.  I will stay positive, and hope for less painful shoulders, and more mobility, ultimately, in my neck.

The best part of having some time is I get to write and make crazy photos with Photoshop.  I have a new book nearing completion, and I’m trying to get it done before I lose most of my right arm usage.  It’s going to be a  very close deadline.

Enjoy the  poem below from the new book, A Redhead Looks At 60.

Have a blessed day,

Love,

Joan
iamjellen1953@gmail.com

Future Vision

I want to live in a society

Where varicose veins rock

And flabby thighs are sexy

Where the more chins you have

The more you are admired

I want to live in a society

Where moving up a size is envied

And throngs of women want to know

How did you do that?

I want to live in a society

Where the deeper the lines on your face

The handsomer the women look

And the grayer your hair is

The more enlightened you appear

But mostly, I want to live

In a society, where kindness abounds

Where you are accepted, loved

And treasured as you grow older

This is what we all deserve

Let us not judge one another harshly

And be who we were born to be—awesome—pass it on!

Thoughts on Running Away from the Circus. . .

O.K. what is this tomfoolery about running away from the circus?  What circus, well, maybe the working world as we know it. 

Sometimes things happen that interrupt our lives.  Things like, going in to surgery for a new neck and being told that your bone was soft and you would have to wear a collar for at least 6 to 8 weeks.  What happened to 2 to 3 weeks depending on how everything heals?  Well, there goes your occupation, just like that, for the present.

But, the most important thing in this life is being present, and there is no more being present than this.  I am embracing the new “embryo” bone graft etc. in my neck, that is healing there.  I am present in my lounge chair view of the world.  About 3:00 PM I get to thinking about taking a  what?  Yes, a nap, hee, hee!

Things will progress in the day’s ahead, I am not in control.  Somehow, I am O,K. with that, as amazing as it seems.

For now, I will underacheive and hope to get a NC visit in the near future if the Docs will release me to do so.

Peace Out!  Here is a quote from David Carradine:

“If you cannot be a poet, be the poem.”

Joan

P.S. Since I’m going circus, here is my sweet youngest Granddaughter, starring in one of her book’s creations!


 

SPRINGING AHEAD!

SPRINGING AHEAD!
Welcome friends!
A lovely spring day it is!  Happy Easter to all of my friends who are celebrating today.  I can hear the sounds of many very full and grumbling stomachs from all of the feasting!
Life is going along at a good clip, you might say that I am springing ahead!  At least I am springing forward, due to the time change.
I have just completed a children’s book for my lovely youngest Granddaughter, Trinity.  Her book was just published on Create Space, an Amazon company.  I should receive my books in a few days.
As many of may know, I love creating with photos.  This book, Trinity’s Adventures in Imagination, is a birthday gift for my Granddaughter.  I have photo-shopped Trinity into some wonderful scenes, and each photo has a rhyme to go with it.   I am hoping she loves the book!
Here are some blessings for you from John O’Donohue!
Enjoy!
Joan

John O'Donohue “For Equilibrium, a Blessing:

Like the joy of the sea coming home to shore,
May the relief of laughter rinse through your soul.

As the wind loves to call things to dance,
May your gravity by lightened by grace.

Like the dignity of moonlight restoring the earth,
May your thoughts incline with reverence and respect.

As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.

As silence smiles on the other side of what’s said,
May your sense of irony bring perspective.

As time remains free of all that it frames,
May your mind stay clear of all it names.

May your prayer of listening deepen enough
to hear in the depths the laughter of god.”
― John O’Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Ble

THE WINTER OF YOUR CONTENT


WINTER IN FLORIDA?
Yes, Winter is here, at the moment.  I am enjoying 50 degrees in the mornings; this is great for sleeping!  We are fortunate not to have had a freeze or frost, so the vegetation still looks marvelous!
I  am returning to writing with the help of Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban  Breathnach.  This book requires writing a gratitude journal and following a day- book’s recommendations for a year that highlights the simple joys of living and discovering your authentic self.
As  usual, I am struggling with living in the now; but I am doing better with my “program” in place.  I am coming off many months of gathering documents and taking my North Carolina Dental Hygiene Boards–which I passed–Yeah!  
So, I am discovering the winter of my content.  I am spending a little bit of time  being focused; albeit, a blurry focus at that!
Message today=be thankful for the blessings of winter, which allow us to pause a little more often and count these blessings! 
Here are some winter haiku’s by poet Charles de Lint,  to commemorate the recent full moon and to help you feel snug in the warmth of your nests!
Blessing and Great Joy!
Joan 

Winter Haiku

by Charles de Lint

Moonlight casts a pale
blue light on the snow, winter
perfect, cold and brisk
Moonlight rides like a
ghost across the midnight snow;
its song is silence

Happy Birthday Magnolia! You’re 50!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGNOLIA!
My darling dog is 8 years old today!  That translates to 50 in people years, so she is catching up to me!
Magnolia and I have been through a lot together, moving to central Florida, spending considerable time going  back and forth to North Carolina, and being by Rob’s and my side on a daily basis.
Today I honor “Maggie” in enriching my life with her playfulness and her unconditional love.
Here is the link for “our” video from my first book, Water Running Downhill!
Enjoy!
Joan

Keep Joy in Your Heart This Season!

HAVE A GENTLE AND JOYOUS HOLIDAY!
I wish all of my friends a joyous season.  May you be with loved ones, and if you are journeying may you be safe.
Enjoy this special time of year and don’t forget to keep joy in your heart and share it!
Blessings!  (And here’s and Irish one!)

Wishing you always…
Walls for the wind,
A roof for the rain
And tea beside the fire.
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire

EATING THE ELEPHANT ONE NIBBLE AT A TIME

 

 REALLY, AN ELEPHANT INSTEAD OF A TURKEY?  READ ON!

Well, here we are again, trying to maintain a slow and steady pace to the end of the year.  Meanwhile the magnetic draw of the coming holidays is is starting to tug on my heart strings.

I absolutely love the holidays!  Thanksgiving is such a warm, family centered time, with such marvelous comfort food.  I get “fat” bumps just thinking about it!

After the big gobble-gobble, the tilt-a-whirl keeps tilting and spinning, moving us faster and faster towards the end of the year.  I adore Christmas, it’s promise, and it’s loving attitudes.  I just wish that folks would try to act that way when driving, waiting in line, and shopping for that perfect gift.

Personally, I am already shopping.  I don’t give big gifts; I prefer the small inexpensive ones.  I like to give friends and co-workers something every year. So, I go to stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx,Ulta,  and Ross and look for collections of soaps, bath products, candles, etc.  I’ll even buy items during the year if I find a deal and squirrel them away.

I assemble these collections in bags from the dollar store or cellophane bread bags, with or without tissue paper tie a ribbon and add a tag and voila!   I can even get old fashioned and bake some small loaves of bread and give them away.  I started to do this, again, last year and promise myself I will this year, too.  I have to, I found some wrappers for the small loaves on sale at one of my favorite stores!

I guess the “moral” of the story is: don’t try to eat the elephant in one bite, just keep nibbling at it.  If we try to take things slowly, a step at a time, we can do this–without getting too crazed!

Have a lovely week!  Do something special for yourself, and smile at everyone–all will feel the joy!

Blessings to all!
 
Joan

An Old Irish Blessing
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

The Catharsis of Fall

North Carolina Fall 2012

I don’t know what wakes me up this time of year.  Maybe the trip to North Carolina and being jump started by the vivid colors of fall leaves.  Perhaps the October winds bring an exciting edge to living–that blast of cool air amid swirling leaves.  At any rate, I am definitely perked up and alive; my antennas  are up and responsive!

Color has long affected my moods.  Just as cool blues and earthy greens calm one’s senses, vivid color awakens us.  I have used color to start the creative process;  although, I am better at distracting myself than finding that “sweet spot” when creation starts.

At any rate, there is something about a change of season that brings new beginnings and expectations.  I believe that this is a normal phenomenon that we tend to overlook with the busyness of day to day life.

Let us start this day with reviewing our many blessings and kindnesses that we have received this year.  I know my list is long, starting as always with loved ones, family, and friends–there is nothing more precious to us.

So, embrace this and the coming Winter season.  Look forward to loving each day that comes, and loving yourself.  Remember, if you don’t put yourself first, no one will!

Please enjoy this poem from my latest effort, Embracing Your Inner Cheerleader, which  speaks to women regarding their inner awakenings!

Ciao!

Joan

 Eau de Women
Trying to make things happen with sheer will
Is a little like trying to jump-start an engine with a feather
Never-the-less, I am trying just that
Progress is slow; however there is progress
Even if that “change” is internal
And is recognized by myself and no-one else
Perhaps this is the secret revealed
Discovering a difference, an awakening within
A seed unfolding that I, myself, planted
From this seed, a flower grows
It is delicate, yet strong; gentle, yet bold
I feel this flower unfurling within me
Filling the body cavity with beauty, and purpose
I breathe deeply and inhale its heady perfume
Women– find your heart’s seed and nurture it
Keep it safe until you are ready to blossom
Feed it hope, cradle it with love,
And let the light of your heart’s desire awaken it
Let your joy happen


WE ROCK!
Good Morning!  Hope this finds you all well.  I have been doing enough “whining” lately.  So I am getting back to my role as your mid-life cheerleader, I thought that I would share some of my poetry from my eBook, Stranger in a Strange Skin.  
Have a wonderful and a blessed day!  Don’t forget to “root” for yourself!
Ciao!
Joan
A Woman for All Ages
Here is a shock for you
Not all of us are moms who have led a full live
And done it all, or executives
Who have crashed the glass ceiling,
Left, and found their “true calling”
Some of us have just been
Trying to make a living as worker bees
Who buried any creative or other need
For self-expression under a load
Of work and life
It happens and time passes
I swallowed the work ethic myth hook, line and sinker
I was the “perfect” employee—hard working
Taking a personal interest in my job
My Mary Poppins’ era; But, it left nothing for me
50 opened up my eyes
I still work hard, but now I work for me
First and foremost, I take care of myself
And my responsibilities to family
Then I take a little time for me
As time passes, we need to deal with
And understand what lessons each decade teaches us
Hopefully we learn and embrace the wisdom
From our experiences, in turn
These life lessons flesh out who
We are becoming and who we grow to be
We are unfinished works of art
The book not yet completed
The half-carved sculpture
To be unveiled by the universe
And not at a time of our choosing
So let the journey unfold
And may your story be told