Play for Me - Small Stone - 3

 on a cloudy day after rain

strumming on the deck

singing for his supper

songs of love and loss

small stone

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Peace and Love Abide with You

March was hectic with record snowfall and company.

We had family visiting over their spring breaks from school.

The push/pull of the seasons continues.

April is sometimes mild and sometimes chilly.

Snow continues to fall, but melt is underway.

The dirt road where I normally walk is a muddy mess.

Winter still dominates at high altitude.

It often grips the landscape through May.

I got a new "smart" sports watch this week.

I didn't want one that I could use as a phone or camera.

I did want one that has great battery life and has navigation tools for hiking/biking.

I also wanted a wrist heart rate monitor.

Unfortunately, the Garmin Instinct is smarter than I am, so it took me hours to set it up.

Today, the watch and I went on the Rec Path to walk 5 miles.

I walked - the watch told me many things (some of which I didn't need to know).

It was a sunny, blue-sky day with temps 10-15 degrees above freezing.

As usual, I smiled most of the way.

even Kachina and the Eagle were smiling

Did you know that just the act of smiling is very beneficial to your health?

(Smiling and Health)

I always start the day by looking at myself in the mirror and smiling.

I smile at random people, and they return the favor.

A smile is like a yawn - the brain automatically responds to a smile with a smile.

When I pass people, I bless them by thinking, "May peace and love abide with you."

I do this for animals, too.

the Blue River is free from ice and snow at some places

Today, beside people smiles, I received a smile from a large Malamute dog.

(Perhaps he sensed my blessing...)

I've been doing a lot of reading about new brain research.

I'm watching podcasts on brain/heart/gut connections.

I hope to share some of the things I'm learning in future posts.

I'd encourage you to smile more often.

See if your attitude doesn't change.

I bet you'll feel more positive about your life.

I think it will help you find One Good Thing.

May Peace and Love abide with you.

One Good Thing

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Small Stone - Photos with Stories

A blog friend just joined a photography club and wrote this to me:

"I’m finding it to be just a bunch of old men droning on about f stops and hyper focal stuff."

I smile because I relate. Oh, I've had my share of classes and manuals and great instructors. I'm grateful for that background. I know that many (most) professional photographers and a lot of amateurs are intrigued by the science of photography, the craft of it. I can talk f stops, too, but several years ago, I realized that what I really want to do with my photography is tell stories. I like to write stories, and I like my photos to tell stories. 

A photo of mine doesn't necessarily have to be excellent or a piece of creative genius for me to love it. Sometimes it's just a feeling I have when I see a scene and point the lens. I like to shoot landscapes, but if I can capture people candidly, I've found those pictures often speak to me. However, I'm not comfortable with shooting street photography that may invade the privacy of others. I like capturing people whose identity is masked in my photos. I break this rule, of course, with family. I love natural light. I like feeling the camera in my hand. I like scenes that are spontaneous rather than planned. I don't organize scenes or people for optimum outcome. 

I like a little real life scruffiness in the photo. The story behind the photo I'm sharing is this:

Bob and I were in the van driving for groceries. Suddenly, the air was black with birds. They floated and wheeled in the sky, forming patterns that changed rapidly as they flew. I reached for my iPhone and snapped as we were moving. It was an amazing sight, and I didn't capture it well with that photo. But, the sky and the clouds and the blobby sun shining on those birds make me feel excited, so I'm sharing that photo today. And that's my story...

Judge Not...

What does it mean to be non-judgemental?

The brain, left to its own devices, is judgemental. 

We judge good/bad, right/wrong, fair/unfair.  

We have biases and often act on them immediately.

Larimer Square, Denver - Christmas Eve.

For many years, I've practiced delaying opinion.

Careful listening and observation are positive practices.

In the moment, I try to see nuance.

I attempt to get a clear picture of reality with an awareness that lacks bias.

I try to understand others' ideas and behaviors rather than leap to preset judgements.

However, I often fail and fall back on my old ways of thinking/behaving.

It's definitely difficult to suspend judgement.

Bob outside Union Station, Denver

So, as I say goodbye to 2017, I'm determined to renew my efforts.

I'm not perfect, and I hope others won't judge me too harshly.

Likewise, I hope to moderate my rush to judgement.

I'd like my opinions to be formed with a contemplative mind.

In today's ever-changing world, I owe myself the ability to adapt.

Leaping to judgement stymies adaptation.

I don't want to remain mired in old thought processes and behaviors.

Antique sled on our front porch in Breckenridge - old even when I used it as a girl.

In 2018, I hope to 

pause more,

listen carefully,

see clearly,

and

slow my judgmental mind.

I hope for mindfulness and peace that calm the spirit.

I wish the same for you.

My first day of skiing in December 2017 - Peak 9, Breckenridge Ski Area

Happy New Year from Barb!

A fresh start is my One Good Thing today.

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Wabi-Sabi Day

I find an old friend at the back of my closet.

The fabric is soft from many washings.

A little roomy but so forgiving.

The color is mottled like the twilight sky.

Perfection!

In the worn jeans, I walk beside the Blue River.

Colors are muted.

I'm quiet, too.

My thoughts reflect back to me.

The river dances and sings its song.

As in life, I cross bridges when I come to them.

I see both sides of the issue.

Changing constantly, yet steadfast.

The water sweeps by as I watch the flow.

I'm part of the ongoing stream.

The jeans, the river, and Barb, definitely wabi-sabi, though perhaps not quite in fashion.

We are old friends - one good thing.

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Wishing You Many Good Things

I wander through
a river of stones
searching for life's
infinite possibilities

September snow in dry river bed, Burro Trail, Breckenridge, CO

I started this blog in January, 2011, to participate with other writers around the world in creating "small stones" which are brief, focused observations about daily life. In each subsequent January, I've done daily posts of small stones while also posting once a week or more in other months. The title of the blog is its goal - to find and report on One good Thing (and sometimes on more than one). 

Recently, I've decided that two blogs are more than I can handle. I intend to make One Good Thing private in about a week's time. I know that some people just stop posting and let their blogs in the public domain, but I've heard stories about theft of content as well as actual piracy of inactive blogs by spammers, so I've decided to close One Good Thing to the public. It will remain for my family to read if they so desire.

I want to thank all who have commented here the past several years. I've enjoyed getting to know you - many of you are writers/photographers who also participated in the small stone challenge.

I believe that good things are infinite and are waiting for us to find them. 

Wishing you an abundance of all good things!

I'll continue to post on my blog, Live and Learn.

Perhaps some of you will visit me there.

Thank You for your friendship,

Barb

Fundamentally the Same

asked about my hobbies when I was a little girl

I'd reply that I liked to read and to write

nothing has changed much

in all these years

art installation, Denver Botanic Garden

I wonder if we are mostly formed

even as children

following our life paths

to conclusion

though people think they change

possibly they remain the same

as their childhood selves

think about your own life

are you so different as an adult

than the child you once were

a fun app called Waterlogue allows me to change my photos to watercolors

however, they aren't fundamentally changed, are they?

Attitude Adjustment

I woke this morning thinking about the importance of attitude.

Attitudes are formed from life experiences and from expectations

set in place from childhood.

Confidence hinges on attitude.

Happiness depends on attitude.

Resilience relies on attitude.

Attitude affects performance.

Well-being or dis-ease are influenced by attitude.

Attitude determines how life is perceived and evaluated.

I can be negative or positive - the choice is mine to make.

I can close mind and heart against all that isn't "true" or "right."

Or, I can open mind and heart to understand and appreciate nuances.

My attitude is the only thing in life that is totally under my control.

If I'm having a "bad" day - my choice.

If I feel frustrated, angry, bitter - my choice.

If I judge harshly - my choice.

If I hate - my choice.

(The opposites are also true.)

I believe it's possible to alter attitude,

but it takes mindfulness and willingness to change.

Attitude begs me to ask the question,

"Why am I thinking, feeling, acting in a particular way?"

Moment by moment,

life demands adjustment.

Attitude determines responses 

to life's changing drama.

Snow adds whimsy to Yarrow which will soon be buried under white.

Nature hinges on change and adjustment.

The cycle demands adaptation.

Finding One Good Thing depends on your focus, your perception, your judgement.

Have you thought about your attitude lately?

Do you think it needs an adjustment?

Purpose and Focus

icicles on wild roses

sitting by the fire

typing with cold fingers

wind throwing snow pellets

rattling the windowpanes

perhaps a cup of tea

steam rising to my face

warmth leaking into my hands

is in order

more snow now than when this photo

of my husband was taken last week

we are able to cross country ski

John Deere is busy plowing

I'm participating in 21 Days of Gratitude

the first two sessions covered

purpose and focus

we all have a special purpose

sometimes we lose it

needing to find it once again

focus on the present moment

is still my struggle

but 

I'm slowly improving

 which is One Good Thing

be gentle with yourself - as I will be with myself

Remembering Good Things

Snow and stillness...

The remodeling is nearing completion.

Sunlight and blowing snow filter through Spooky Woods as I walk.

Nature yields her gems.

A mama moose and her calf pay a visit.

I remember many good things.

Running Wild - Morning Glories - They Grow on You

Remember the story of Jack and his Beanstalk?

Well, my magic beans are Morning Glory seeds.

I threw a few in the dirt beside the house in Denver several years ago.

I had no idea they're so prolific.

Each spring, I yank tiny tendrils when they appear.

Every summer, the vines multiply.

Late this season, they overtook the Nasturtium.

They scaled the climbing rose.

Spiral threads reach toward the roof.

Pink and purple flowers peek jauntily through my windows.

They've turned my narrow side garden into a jungle.

They're uncontainable:

Glories of the Morning

Here's what I've learned:

I'm not going to win this battle.

I'm starting to marvel at their tenacity and perseverance.

I think maybe I'm even enjoying them!

They're starting to grow on me.

Be Safe...

I planned to tell you there was snow on the high peaks this week.

But now this instead:

I left early as is my habit to exercise before breakfast.

I noticed what seemed to be scrapes through the pine needles blanketing the trail.

I examined a few but couldn't decide what had made them.

A bear?

I'd seen bear tracks in the mud earlier in the week.

I became more alert but kept climbing.

My purpose with this exercise is to raise my heart rate.

I bring it up by running and lower it again by walking.

It's a good way to strengthen the heart.

Suddenly, I heard a noise and saw movement above me on the trail.

My adrenalin rising, I realized that it was just a little boy.

I surprised him as he surprised me.

About 7 years old, dressed in a navy blue sweat shirt, he focused on the trail.

I could tell he was wary - what child doesn't know not to trust a stranger?

In a cheery (I hoped) voice, I quietly asked, "How are you this morning?"

As he passed me, eyes still averted, he answered shyly, "Fine."

It was then I noticed someone following him.

Oh - a parent, I thought. 

But no.

It was a duplicate little dark-haired boy in blue who may have been 10.

This boy was headed straight for me, pulled by an energetic Lab puppy.

I knelt and held my hands out to the puppy who wriggled a greeting.

"You have a new puppy!" I enthused.

"Yes."

But, I could tell this older child was also frightened of me.

I pointed the puppy's black sausage body down the trail toward the younger child.

His attention diverted, the puppy immediately began pulling big brother down the trail.

I suddenly realized that the scrapes I'd seen earlier

were from the puppy bracing as he lunged on the leash. 

I watched the three of them disappear around a curve.

Moving upward again, I expected to come upon their slowpoke parent.

Nobody appeared.

I began to worry.

What were 2 little boys and a puppy doing alone on the trail?

 It was early and too far from habitation.

Off the main trail there are many minor trails.

People are constantly getting lost on them.

My house is at the bottom of one of the minor trails.

Adults often appear in my back yard needing directions.

As I kept moving and thinking, I couldn't conceive of parents

allowing these young children to wander this far by themselves on the trail.

I wouldn't trust that my own grandchildren

who have navigated the trails with me for years

could find their way back home alone.

Children of this age have no sense of direction.

I became more and more uneasy.

I began to think of my own childhood.

I was a latchkey kid. 

I roamed in what I now realize were remote and dangerous locations.

But, I wouldn't want my grandchildren to take the same chances.

What the heck were these boys doing with a small puppy so far from supervision?

I turned around and started downward.

I visualized the children and the dog and silently implored,

"Be safe."

"Be safe."

"Be safe."

For good measure, I thought of each of my grandchildren, too.

"Be safe."

I never found the children.

I'm sure they ended up back where they started.

Perhaps there was hot cocoa.

Maybe they retold their adventure.

Would they mention a white-haired lady?

I cannot get them out of my mind.

Tonight, I'll watch the news.

I'll hope there is no mention of missing children and a lost puppy.

May the safety of children be my One Good Thing today.

Goodbye Journals

We're having some remodeling done.

Lots of discarding and housecleaning is happening. 

My journals covering 20+ years are (were) stored in boxes.

At certain points in my life, I wrote 2 pages a day in black ink on lined notebook paper.

Lots of the pages were written during my 30's, 40's, and beginning 50's. 

I've been fluctuating about what to do with those stacks of notebooks. 

I spent a bit of time over the past year randomly reading through them.

A few days ago, I spent hours destroying them.

Thoughts of my grandchildren finding them after I'm dead helped me decide. 

At first, I fed the handwritten pages slowly into the shredder to determine if I would vacillate.

Hours later, the shredder was jammed and over-heated.

That's when the frenzy started!

I began hand-tearing and scissoring as fast as I could.

Finally - the job was finished! 

I felt nothing but relief. 

The next morning, when my son called, I mentioned an incident from his childhood

 that I'd read during shredding.

His voice got a smile in it - he remembered the scene well - a happy memory.

So, I realized that though the journals are gone,

for those who matter, the memories remain.

Life goes on.

No regrets.

(That's One Good Thing) 

Sunflower Days

morning in the city

alley cruising on garbage day

scavenger man nods and smiles

me working up a sweat

him all business

sentry of sunflowers

keeping watch

One Good Thing - a sunflower day

Spending time in Denver over the Labor Day weekend, I rise early to exercise before heat bears down on the city. A Latino man in a white pickup is out early, too. I "meet" him several times as I run my route. He enters and exits the alleys, looking for cast-offs left behind garages and on curbs. We "recognize" each other in passing. 

A sunflower morning unfolds for us both.

(iPhone 5 photo edited with Snapseed and Titlefx)

A Reminder (to self)

Each day, a new beginning.

Linger in beauty.

(Find it everywhere.)

Rejoice in small wonders.

Sanctuary awaits.

Be aware:

One Good Thing

Possibilities

Last night I heard water running off the eaves.

Getting out of bed to investigate, I saw that the windows

of the Great Room were rain-spattered.

Rain and not snow!

Thank Goodness!

June 1, 2013 - ski trails melting - finally!

Spring has come to the high country at last.

I attended 2 school promotions the past 2 weeks.

My former student from 20 years ago now has young children of her own.

Originally from El Salvador, I met her and taught her English at Colorado Mountain College.

I helped her study for the General Education Diploma.

Finally, I became her tutor as she worked toward earning an associate degree at CMC.

After graduation, she became a US citizen.

My husband gave her away in marriage 11 years ago.

So many years have passed.

Today, it is her children I encourage.

Preschool "Graduation" - Kindergarten here he comes!

I am blessed to see another generation of children striving to better themselves.

My student and her daughter who will enter 6th grade at Middle School next session.

Happy smiles this spring.

Endless possibilities.

It's What I Make of It

I woke in darkness and thought,

"Today I'm 69."

I knew the alarm hadn't awakened me, so I dozed awhile longer.

When I finally opened my eyes again, the power was off.

I looked outside and realized why:

A foot of wet snow had fallen overnight.

I overslept - something I never do. 

Of course, this particular morning I had an early appointment. 

The fox watched silently as I rushed out the door to drive into town. 

Perhaps it came to say "Happy Birthday, Barb."

The mountain was nearly obscured by low hanging clouds.

Droplets of moisture and snow bombs fell onto my head as I entered the building.

Guess who I visited on the morning of my 69th birthday -

Yep, I had a 2 hour appointment to prep for a crown.

My long-time dentist is also the mayor of Breckenridge.

I asked him where the balloons, the cake, and the friends were hiding -

he said I'd have to settle for some novacaine and drilling instead.

Now, I'm in Denver where a loud thunderstorm just passed through.

Bob is preparing me a crab feast for my birthday dinner.

Snow, pain-free dentistry, and my husband cooking dinner - 

this may be my best birthday ever!

Surely, it's a birthday I won't forget!

On Monday, I leave on a Girlfriends' Vacation to AZ.

Today, for me, find one good thing  and pass it on.