In his book, Catching Whimsey, Bob Goff told about the time he and his wife, “Sweet Maria,” bought his father-in-law’s decrepit old wooden wagon. They bought it so they could restore it to mint condition. I related to Bob Goff’s story because I have friends who have an old wooden wagon in their yard. It has been a part of their family for two or three generations. They treasure it and have restored it to mint condition.
But, in the case of Bob & Maria Goff, after buying sandpaper and paint and nuts and bolts and the tools needed to get started on their immense reconstruction project, there was a huge storm. A hundred-foot tree fell on the wagon. Bob Goff wrote, “We had plenty of firewood that winter, about a hundred feet of tree and one priceless wagon’s worth.”
So what does this have to do with WHIMSEY? Well, ya gotta know Bob Goff! Whimsey is his favorite word!! And in his “Faith Step” at the bottom of the page, he cautions us, “Don’t let today’s challenges break you, and don’t live in fear that a tree might fall on you. Live a life so full of love and whimsey people will think you are made of the stuff.”
Yesterday I attended a meeting at the EllingHouse in Virginia City, MT where our Montana Poet Laureate, Chris La Tray presented his poetry.
My post yesterday told you a little about him. I went expecting to be inspired. I was not disappointed.
He shared his history and read poems from his books. I bought the “One Sentence Journal” and my friends, Ann & John, bought his book of Haiku & Haibun (which they let me borrow for a few days).
Chris explained that Haiku does not have to strictly adhere to a syllabic count of 5-7-5 because after all, it often is translated from its origin in Japanese… and so, of course, the English version won’t have the same number of syllables. But it does have those same tell-tale three lines.
My favorite from his haiku collection was the one that got a hearty laugh last night, just as he told us it tickles the fancy of school children when he shares it with them. Shows you where my maturity level is, right? Or maybe it is reminiscent of finding our puppy’s mess in the house – ah, house training is such a challenge!
bare feet skilled at finding cat puke in the dark
Mike Gibbons wrote the preface to Chris’ #2 book. In his commentary he said, “… take your time with this book, these seasonal discoveries in American haiku form. Spare and compact poems are best consumed slowly, thoughtfully, just like the Buddhist tradition they sprang from, snapshots – bird tracks on snow.”
I like that… “bird tracks on snow.” Do you relate?
In both of his books, Chris La Tray separates the writing into the four seasons. This one would be in the winter section, of course.
fresh snow and ice the bleary party-goer turns for home
Haibun is a poetic form that includes a prelude in prose followed by a haiku. Here is one of my favorites from HIs book #2.
“A visit to Walden Pond with swimming. The trees surrounding the pond are red and gold and green and every shade in between. Leafy reflections ripple across the surface of the water. I feel no less reverent for having visited before. In the year’s final quarter it remains hot and humid, and the beach is populated with swimmers. Who am I to resist?”
face down the naturalist writes our world
This “naturalist” is a proud member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. He lives near Missoula, Montana. His writing reflects his Native American background, his love of nature, his talent in the art of short-form poetry, and as one reviewer said, “his humor, sensitivity and clear eye for ‘what is’…” (Holly Wren Spaulding).
I thank the Whites for inviting me and allowing me to share this delightful evening with them. I’m gonna go now and curl up with his “One-Sentence Journal.” See ya later.
Sometimes life just gets too serious. When I feel like I need a break from that serious stuff, I tune in to FaceBook… but only the places there that bring me joy. Here is one of them… try it out! It’s a place for CRANKY OLD LADIES If clicking on that title didn’t take you there, try this link:
The word for today is PEACE. In a world of chaos, dear Lord, Let there be peace on earth. Let me be an instrument of that peace.
We may not be able to control What everyone else on earth does, But we can control what we do. Are you determined to be a peacemaker?
I want to be a peacemaker. In spite of the chaos in this world, I want to make peace where I am. That may be all I can control.
And I can pray to our Father in Heaven, “Let there be peace on earth! Place the message of peace In the hearts of today’s rulers.”
“Lord. I know you have overcome the world. I know you also have given man free will. Lord, place common sense and compassion In the wills of those who are waging war!
Let there be peace on earth!! And help me find peace in my little corner of it!”
As St. Francis of Assisi prayed, “Make me a Channel of Your Peace.” I love Susan Boyle’s voice singing that prayer. Take a minute to listen to it… and internalize it!
To find peace in my place in the world, I may have to turn off some of the news. I MAY HAVE TO SHARPEN MY SENSE OF HUMOR, And pass some chuckles on to my friends!
Just once, I want a username and password prompt to say CLOSE ENOUGH.
I may have to find reasons to laugh In spite of the sadness and devastation. I may have to look for reasons to laugh, Reasons to pass along a sense of optimism.
I want to be a realistic optimist! The pessimist complains about the wind The optimist expects the wind to change The realist adjust his sails
What will you do today to add peace to your little corner of the world? I am looking for the peace of editing this post and getting rid of the oversized font! What’s happening??
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.
But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
As a senior woman who has enjoyed eight decades of life on this earth (8+ and still counting) , I am here to tell you that women all over the world need to be celebrated every day … not just one day a year!
I mean, gosh, where would the guys be if it weren’t for us gals in the kitchen? They’d be hurting, that’s for sure!
That’s not to say all the guys are stupid. No, I didn’t say that! Heck, my daughter would be in a world of hurt if she lived without her husband! He’s got the kitchen! Her apartment doesn’t even have a hot plate!
And in addition to the kitchen, he has the wine cellar! Not too dumb, that guy! Let’s celebrate International Women who know how to pick ‘em!!
And how about International Women who keep all their marbles intact while managing to find their phone, keys, and glasses before heading out for their executive board meetings?
Now, don’t get me wrong – – – I’m not saying you have to be beautiful on the outside to be a celebrated woman. But, it helps to shed your caterpillar skin and learn to fly! Even if you stay earth-bound, you can fly from one multi-task to another, right? There’s something quite gorgeous about what all those celebrated international women can get done!!
I don’t know what that had to do with International Women’s Day, but it made me laugh 😹 And I guess that’s one thing all us ladies can agree on, right? Laughter is great medicine – and we need more of it in this world!
And we need more compassion. More hand holding. More understanding. More reaching out in love 😻
Who’s some “international Woman” that you appreciate today? I love all those who’ve got us covered with their love and laughter and far-reaching kindness.
I just have to pass this along today. It gave me more than a few LOLs😂 and chuckles. I needed that this morning. It’s more than a little zany!! Have a great week my friends.
What are those divine gifts? Do you have them memorized? Are they yours – living fruits in you?
Each day as I walk down the circular staircase from my sanctuary, I repeat my 12 step program:
Thank You, God, for the 1) Love, 2) Joy, and 3) Peace that are mine!
Give me help, God, with these Fruits of the Spirit that I need help to exhibit: 4) Patience, 5) Kindness, 6) Goodness, 7) Faithfulness (which brings blessings). 8) Gentleness, and 9) Self-control.
Help me 10) live humbly with an attitude of gratitude and 11) a response of generosity, forgiveness, 12) Obedience and Integrity.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
When you pray daily Asking God to give you fruits, Trust, my friends, He will!
Be fruity!
Oh, and don’t forget to keep smiling, my friends. Fruity people are happy folks!! Be a fruitcake!
Happy and content is how God created us. Let’s claim that idea!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today. See ya tomorrow (God willing) – Hugs!
If you’re happy and you know it, you can be a little fruity like Jack Hartmann and sing along with this song for all kids and young at heart!
Written
on October 13, 2023