When Pandora first received the jar (not a box) that her husband asked her to watch, She had no intention of opening itIn fact, she hardly listened when he asked her becauseThe kids were screaming, and dinner needed to be madeSo, there was no premeditated plan on her partTo do what she didShe was too…

At Mass this week, your name was read from our parish’s Chantry Book,commemorating the anniversary of your death, May 3, 2004.Every year when I hear “George Biggers Leatherwood” called out, I sigh and think, “I miss you, Brother.”I miss your chuckle, your smile, your sense of humorYour ability to cut right through any b.s. and…

Why do I love the pine forest? Filtered sunshine, moss-covered ground.Birdsong tweets and warbles, a woodpecker’s rapping.With peace as my food and drink, what else would I need to aid me?

I wasn’t happy with your decisionBut I will admit I respected you for itI see you standing against that gray wallA blue Dodger’s cap on your headYour sunglasses in your handThat look of resolve on your faceI’m going, and it’s for the best, you said.I looked up the track when I heard the train whistleReached…

I’m surrounded, the old woman sighed, by unexpected experiences, far and wide Not only is my dear cat sickbut my kitchen drain is oh so thickClogged like mud in a bog with sounds reminiscent of a large bull frog To make matters worse, I must declareMy husband’s curses, he doesn’t spareNo more damned expenses, he…

You are sincereA person who is trustworthyYou have perspectiveA person who can see a bigger picture You are decentA person who values kindness and generosityYou are honestA person who speaks the truth as you see itYou have a good sense of humor A person who doesn’t take life, yourself, or me too seriously You are…

My Grandmother’s heartSo full of life, wisdom, powerHelping her family, community, herselfLive better, push past barriers, honor connectionsEncouraging engagement, hope, and fullnessMy Grandmother’s heartSo full, wise, and powerfulFlows into our present time To reach and teach meHow to live a meaningful life

I wish I were you, the flower vasesaid to the door stop. You have an immediate function, no doubt about it, while I have to wait and see if anyone will use me for what I’m meant to do.You are used daily – sometimes hourly – and you must feel important to have such a…

As I wander through the groveGreen leaves shine on every treeHobbit, Gollum, and Skinny Fingers jade stand tall Montrose and Prickly Pear cacti stretch their arms wideUp hops a grasshopperTwo or three lizards lounge nearby I half-expect to see a leprechaun pop up with a shamrock in handPeter Pan fly by in his green garb…

The bentwood rocker is brown with ageIts thin wooden arms where human arms have rested is lighter than the rest of the wood. The back has five wooden rungsThe seat is woven rushThe chair is sturdy enough to hold a grown manBut more comfortable for a small womanThe rockers have just the right amount of…