At the End of the Day

The story we tell ourselves 

at the end of a day can be 

our saving grace. 

Where was the bright spot 

in the day just passed? 

That one flicker that filled 

a moment or an hour 

with joy and excitement 

to feel the goodness of others 

or the warmth of the sun after a rain

or the broad smile of the girl at the till.

Yes they pass as each moment passes, 

but the memory remains to shine 

in darkened corners at the end of the day.

“At the end of the day, give up your worries 

and give thanks for the journey.

~ Ben Vereen, actor

Where Did it Go?

Where is the bright spot? 

Did it pass by too quickly ~ 

snagged on 

the back of my mind. 

A snap of the fingers. 

The flick of a light switch.

Quick as a hummingbird. 

The smile of a passerby. 

All things that 

lighten my step and 

ease my load.

“When every day seems the same, it is because we have stopped 

noticing the good things that appear in our lives.”

~ Paul Coehlo, poet

Nicely Done!

Nicely done!

Said with a smile 

when a task is complete 

with ease and efficiency

but it is those tasks done 

with steady on until the end

that definitely deserve a smile

and those little two words:

Nicely done!

“You just can’t beat the person who never gives up.”

~ Babe Ruth

(1895 ~ 1948)

Cheer and Charm ~ A Tiny Story

Cheer and Charm were twins. Two little guys with shiny brown curls and big twinkling brown eyes. When Cheer was caught taking cookies from the cookie jar, Charm would just smooth the way with their mom and they both got more cookies. Both of them had smiles that melted the grumpiest of people. You know, those people who’s hearts are stuffed in their back pockets. Cheer and Charm were quite a team, getting away with all the mischief that five year olds could think of. But when it came to a bird with a broken wing, a cat all scruffed up from living outside too long, anyone in need of a five year old’s hug they turned all their sweetness on them. They could find homes or shelter for any of them, by bringing them home to their mom. “She always knows what to do. You know, the phone numbers for helping.” So inside a smile and a laugh, might be someone with a soft squishy heart that dials down their excitement to help.

“You will discover that you have two hands, One is for 

helping yourself and the other is for helping others.”

~ Audrey Hepburn

To Smile, To Nod

Deigning to 

say hello, 

to nod, 

to smile just because. 

Because I don’t know you 

and you don’t know me. 

Wrong this is, for we do know 

each other as fellow humans 

deserving of kindness. 

It may be a day when only 

my smile and nod 

is the only kindness in a bleak day.

It is a kindness 

    to say hello, 

      to smile just because.

“It was sweet and lovely, that smile, perhaps the more so because 

it wasn’t complicated by much in the way of thought.”

~ Stephen King, The Green Mile

Piano

My fingers miss the worn ivories where memory tingles 

 

with a lilt, a swell or scattered tinkle on the keyboard.

A sweet memory replayed 

when piano music ripples 

from the turntable. My fingers play silently & I smile.

“The piano is a mirror to the soul; 

it expresses what you are feeling at the moment”

~ Alicia Keys, singer, songwriter, pianist

In a Moment

Kindness ~ 

as easy as a breath, 

as simple as a smile

graces any life 

in a moment.

“How do we change the world? 

One random act of kindness at a time.”

~ Morgan Freeman

Seasonal Rotation

The sun came ‘round today, 

certain it was just for me,

I called out ‘You’re back!’

grateful for its happy smile.

“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state 

of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring”

~ George Santayana

(1863 - 1952)

On an Afternoon Walk ~ Bright Blooms

Bright blooms ~ decoration

for a sombre setting,

brought a smile to my face.

“The nature of a Flower is to bloom.”

~ Alice Walker

Heart Beats

A reflex reaches my smile

When I see a baby smile

or hear a baby’s gurgle

When I see a baby’s yawn

When soft fingers touch mine

or tiny toes peek from a wrap, 

my heart beats with joy.

“Sometimes the littlest things take up the most room in your heart.”

~ Winnie the Pooh

On an Afternoon Walk - A Spring Blossom

As I walked

skirting lakes of melting snow

careful of remaining ice packs

sun beaming warm and bright,

spring flowers came to mind ~

wouldn’t that be lovely?

just one flower amid browning

snow and rivulets of water

 ~ and there it was!

a brilliant yellow smile

brave and cheerful!

“Blossom by blossom the spring begins.”

~ Algernon Charles Swinburne

 

February Theme Come Early ~ CONFIDENCE

"Just Learning"
Water colour from 2006

Confidence was new…….

Obsessing over…….

Never more……

Finding the way…..

Intimacy came slowly….

Depth was a quality….

Everyday chores……

Needing something……

Entering into…..

**Wednesday is the next episode of Situationally Theirs. February’s theme has come early to accommodate both a new theme and this ongoing story.

“Public opinion is a weak tyrant compare with our own private opinion,”

~ Henry David Thoreau

By the Fireplace ~ A Cat’s Tale

As you can see, I’m quite comfortable. And it’s about time. The windows haven’t been opened for a very long time. When she opens the door to the outside, I just shake my paws and turn away. Fire has always frightened me ~ and yes I do know what fire is. It’s to be avoided at all costs. I don’t have the most handsome tail in the world, but I do not want it burned off. So I watched what flickered like fire and was awfully warm. But it never went anywhere so I watched it carefully for long time. For a while I would just sit and watch it to be certain. Now, I just lay down and doze. When I get too hot, there are all manner of comfortable places for me. I’m certain they are all for me, even though she thinks she should sit in one of my places.

By the way, do you think my human speak is improving? Please don’t tell her if it is. She thinks I don’t know what she’s talking about. And don’t tell her that she makes absolutely no sense when she’s trying to mimic me. 

I'm off now ~ getting too warm here by the fireplace so I’m going to find one of my other beds.

A cat improves a garden wall in sunshine, and the hearth in foul weather.”

~ Judith Merkle Riley (1942 - 2010)