Tonight I will share Mary Oliver’s poem entitled Gethsemane. I believe she describes this night better than I can. Gethsemane Mary Oliver The grass never sleeps.Or the roses.Nor does the lily have a secret eye that shuts until morning. Jesus said, wait with me. But the disciples slept. The cricket has such splendid fringe on…

I spent more than a few Friday nights in the drive-in theater in Bonham, Texas in my teenage years. Yes, I was there with my boyfriend, Sam, and I would be less than honest if I said that we ever saw more than half of any movie. There was something so private – despite having…

Today is the 10th birthday of my beloved oldest grandchild Luna Isabella Pacheco Beaty. She is in 4th grade in a dual immersion program in Spanish and English and is an avid artist, reader, writer, and filmmaker. She also is quick-witted and the first to tease me about my “terrible” accent when I try to…

Today, I spent several hours finishing up my book that will be printed by StoryWorth. This was a gift given to me by Sarah, Gregorio, and the kids for my birthday last year and I have been edging up to the deadline of getting it completed. However, as of today, I have a completed book…

“You’re mother lied to you. That’s the truth.” Those were the first words my father said when he came to see me in the hospital. Thanks, Dad. I appreciate your sensitivity. Why was I in the hospital you might ask? I was having a delicate brain operation to remove a tumor. I had been suffering from…

Sometimes money is not what it’s cracked up to be. I have met some of the poorest rich people and some of the richest poor people. An external focus seems to be the key. Self-absorption does not a lovely person make. An example of a poverty-stricken rich man was someone I had the occasion to…

My son-in-law Ron makes this dish without greens or jalapenos and serves the roasted sweet potatoes on a flour tortilla with feta cheese and freshly grated cabbage. He calls his dish sweet potato tacos and I could eat them all day. I think the addition of greens, pickled jalapenos, and brine could deepen the delicious…

“This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.” -Alan W. Watts I believe this quote from Alan W. Watts is the absolute truth. The operative words are “engaged,” “here and now,”…

Consistency is a trait I value. I grew up in a home where people were not always consistent, so knowing what to expect on a day-to-day basis is something I find comforting. When I was growing up, there was a certain consistency to life: Lorene arrived every weekday at 8:30 without fail, she was consistent….

Lyla Gabriella Pacheco Beaty turned four today and I am very happy to celebrate her life in a few photos tonight. She is a darling little girl with a big smile, lots of energy, and a sharp mind. She is also one of those kids who likes to dance around a room, stay close to…