Words from my Mother

My mother was brilliant.
She would say the biggest
blessing is to have PEACE.

Peace encompasses it all.
Good health.
Good cheer.
Quiet.
Rest.

May you welcome peace into your
home and workplace during the
coming year.

 

Me, Dulce, Mother

The Portuguese Riviera, Pismo Beach

In the village were I was born and the town were I grew up,
Portuguese men would gather in the public square.

A  bit of gossip, football (soccer) talk, and
work drama. camaraderie, an opportunity to hear your
language spoken.  It was lovely to see a group
of men gathered as we walked along the Pismo
Beach pier. 

The breaking of the waves, the smell of the ocean,
and the sound of seagulls.  All familiar comforts.

Mr. Lee and I suffer loads of criticism
for doing everything with our kids.  What will
you ever do once the kids are grown and gone?

Here's the thing, we all ready have two grown
children, and our children are still our greatest joy.
Mr. Lee and I are best friends so not to worry
we have plenty to talk about and even MORE
in common.

My mother, she was so wise, used to say
the best part of life is when your children
are small but you don't realize it until they are
grown.

My parents, like us, had two sets of children,
With 12 years between the first set of 3 and the last
set of 2.  Eighteen years between the oldest and the youngest.
Yes indeed my parents were brilliant.

Craft Worry out of your Life

Worry does not empty tomorrow
of its sorrow, it empties
today of its strength.

                      - Corrie ten Boom

My sister,  Mericia, would advise: "If  your husband invites
you to go some where, even if the house is a mess, close
the front door and go."

I encourage you to do the same.

Me and You Vintage

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry
rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.

                                                   -Rabindranath Tagore


What a blessing to have lived this long.
To understand the sentiment behind the words.

To have loved and lost.  To have witnessed strength
and faith through suffering.  To be the custodian
of healthy charming children.  To acknowledge the
blessings of our daily life.
   

Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls;
the most massive characters are seared with scars.
Khalil Gibran

I am convinced, to know the height of joy, we
must experience the depth of anguish.

Above all things strive for peace and comfort in your home.

Collecting Vintage

It is a token of healthy and gentle characteristics when women of high
thoughts and accomplishments love to sew; especially
as they are never more at home with their own hearts while so
occupied.

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Beyond Fear

I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life -
and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to.

Georgia O'Keeffe

My attention is captivated by
vines of science fiction flowers.
Thousands of tourist have wanted by
these vines without a thought but they gave me pause.



I recall  moments of sheer panic during
my very early years as an undergrad.


There were words I wanted to speak.
Questions I needed to ask.
Yet, my HEART pounded rapidly.
My ability to speak lost.



Never ever give up.
Never ever let the fear paralyze
your spirit.
Press on.