Feb 09

Poetry by Laura Ding-Edwards

The Tetons

The Mountain Poem

If the mountain seems too big today then climb a hill instead
if the morning brings you sadness it’s okay to stay in bed
if the day ahead weighs heavy and your plans feel like a curse
there’s no shame in re-arranging don’t make yourself feel worse
if a shower stings like needles and a bath feels like you’ll drown
if you haven’t washed your hair for days don’t throw away your crown
a day is not a lifetime a rest is not defeat
don’t think of it as failure just a quiet kind retreat
it’s okay to take a moment from an anxious fractured mind
the world will not stop turning while you get realigned
the mountain will still be there when you want to try again
so climb it in your own time and love yourself til then

Poem by Laura Ding-Edwards
Author and artist, Laura lives in rural Herefordshire. Her poetry book The Mountain was released in October 2019.  I discovered her Mountain poem posted on a Facebook support group that I follow. Although the poem does not specifically refer to Parkinson’s disease, I found line after line resonating with my chronic disease journey. My favorite thought is “a rest is not defeat…..just a quiet kind retreat.” Laura can be contacted at https://www.facebook.com/RainbirdRoots/

Photograph by Linda A. Mohr
Joe and I visited the Grand Teton National Park in 2018. The spectcular snow capped mountain peaks are awe-inspiring. Yes, the Teton Mountains will be there whenever I want to return!

Blessings!
Linda

Dec 25

Merry Christmas Greeting

Heart to Heart

My sister Donna and I are postcard collectors. She likes Christmas, Easter, patriotic and presidential themes. I look for cats on cards during our treasure hunting jaunts. Categorized as ephemera, postcards typically are paper-based and printed for a short-term purpose. They are not expected to be kept, cherished or collected. This Christmas postcard was hand-delivered to Mrs Widmeier and written in pencil by May Kelsay. The  divided card was typical circa 1907-1915. Dated  Dec. 25, 1912, it has been kept for 107 years. Perhaps the card was even cherished! Now it is part of Donna’s collection.

Postcard Courtesy of Donna Donald’s Collection

The tranquil rural scene, paint brush sky and holly berry branch transport me in a split second to long ago memorable Christmas gatherings with my grandparents and parents.

In 2009 after mother passed away, my  siblings Donna, Larry, Steve and sister-in-law Judy and I continued the traditional get-together where we grew up and Steve now lives. We added a few twists such as reindeer antlers, gigantic eyewear for photo shoots, fun-filled stockings and baked Alaska. A tradition that remained was decorating the twelve-foot tree adorned with mother’s impressive collection of red and gold ornaments. No bows, no tinsel, just beautiful ornaments and white lights.

Since 2009, I have missed one country Christmas in 2015. This year will make the second time as Mr. Parkinson’s agenda kept me from traveling. I will sadly miss everyone, kitties included. Joe reminded me when I had to cancel the flight that things change. Oh, he is right!

But I also know “what will never change is our cherished time together and our heartfelt love for one another.”

Merry Christmas!

Blessings,
Linda

 

Nov 28

10th Annual ABCs of Gratitude 2019

I cannot be in this breathtaking scene and be unhappy. Omni Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC

In 2010, I created my first ABCs of Gratitude list.  I look forward to this project every November. The simple yet thought-provoking exercise is a unique way to reflect on the year. I label a sheet of paper A through Z and  fill in with blessings.

According to Ingrid King gratitude is a wonderful way to raise your vibration and shift your energy. The vibration of gratitude is a powerful force. It can shift your mood and your thoughts from a place of scarcity to a place of abundance. Wayne Dyer believed that if you get to a place of gratitude you will experience peace. Be in a state of gratitude for everything because there is something to learn in everything. Be grateful even for the pain because there are lessons to be learned.

In keeping with my annual Thanksgiving month tradition, my 2019  blessings are listed below. I always compare my list to prior years. Some years have more peaks, and other years have more valleys. But, I always find 26 blessings.

My ABCs of Gratitude for 2019

Auction…Midwest country the best

Biltmore Estate…tea and 63 Christmas trees

Elegance

Crossnore…sponsor 7 children at Crossnore School & Children’s Home

DAR…school committee state award

Exercise…Parkinson’s meds

Friends…long leisurely lunch visits

Grove Park Inn…stay in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Room

Heaven Sent Anthology…Rose and the Six Kittens

Book Cover

Interview…Davis Phinney Parkinson’s Ambassador

July… Missouri Vacation

Kice…summer visit with my 7th & 8th grade teacher

Teacher and Student

Love…of family, friends and Joe

Micanopy…historic Florida “antiques” town

Nine-Years-Old…birthday siblings

Grace

Chauncey

Okun MD…movement disorder specialist

Pink Boxing Gloves…KitKat is my name

Wanna Fight?

Quiet Time…read, reflect, rest

Rock Steady Boxing…trainer Shanda

Sixty-Nine…birthday party at Teapots & Treasures

A specialty–Orange Cake

Tent House…termites be gone

University of FL…movement disorder center of excellence

Victoria Vacation…sister Donna

The Two Sisters

Writing…profiling creative people with Parkinson’s

Artist Michele Keir-Rhode Island

X-rays…Dr. Cohn

Yoga Class…balance benefit

Zone Out…when being creative

What are  you thankful for today and for this year?

Blessings!
Linda

Nov 22

Where’s the Ground Turkey?

I think the next best thing to solving a problem is finding some humor in it. ~ Frank A. Clark

 

I am eating breakfast at the dining table. Glancing into the kitchen, I notice the stack of cans.

“Did you put the ground turkey in the freezer or refrigerator yesterday,” I call out to Joe.

“What made you think of that?”

“I am going to make turkey chili today and just planning ahead.”

“Well, I thought you were handling the chili.”

“I took the cans of tomatoes, sauce and beans out of the grocery bag yesterday.  I did not unpack the turkey.”

I hear the freezer door open and close a few seconds later. Then Joe rummages through the refrigerator drawers. He does not find the turkey. I go to the kitchen.

“Maybe it was left at the store. Sometimes the cashier puts meat in plastic and sets aside and no one sees it,” I suggest.

Joe had packed the two bags of groceries. “Lesson learned. Have to pay attention every moment!” he says in exasperation. He turns his attention to the pantry and scans the shelves. I am quiet. But anything is possible—especially in this household! My housekeeper told me she once left Windex inside a client’s refrigerator. They called her, wondering why?

“Maybe I put it in the wrong cart.” I speculate. “But you were right behind me with the cart while I selected the turkey. Then we went to seafood counter next. The receipt will tell us.”

Joe retrieves the receipt. The ground turkey made it to the cashier, $4.95.

“Not the first time this has ever happened. Publix won’t give you a hard time. Hey this is a don’t sweat the small stuff moment!”

But I know he will go to the store immediately. He is aggravated with himself. I open the refrigerator door. The ground turkey package is on top of a carton of eggs. Joe returns to the kitchen in disbelief! We chuckle that it took the two of us to find the turkey.

“Someday, they will take us away together!” I burst out laughing.

Blessings!
Linda