Grounded

I made many plans

I packed my summer full

I was ready with adventures

Be it at a familiar or unknown locale

 

I’d see the little ones

At our annual meeting place

Starting at the usual sofas

Where we sit and wait

For their plane to land

And pretend not to know

When the little feet approach

We’d hug and kiss

And giggle and share stories

Then off we’d enter

The magical kingdoms

Where we experience

The scariest rides

The prettiest princesses

The very best musicals

The most fun games

The finest restaurants

The coolest animations

We’d share the best vodka

Brought from the heart of Texas

Read pictured stories from the iPad

While snuggling in bed

Eat the tasty beef jerky

Made in Virginia

We’d be exhausted

By the time we say goodbye

But how exhilarating

The few days together would have been

 

I’d stand so close

To the bears of Katmai

That a long camera lens I won’t need

To capture their noses

 

I’d marvel at the beauty

Of famous Glacier in Montana

The weather had turned chilly

To welcome hot chocolate drinks on our hikes

 

Summer is now soon over

And Summer did not deliver

Invisible strings of matter

Have become the authority

To withhold activities

Once I thought were under my control

I am grounded

By a force that caused tears to shed

Plans to unravel

Hearts to break

Through it all

We found silver linings in our lives

At the same time

We’ll find a way to break the strings

Stop the tears

Make new plans

Mend our hearts

On My Walk

On my walk today

Fireflies light the way

Rain drops start to fall

Breeze eases the heat

Though could be ominous

Of the storm to come

I enjoy my walk

Next to my honey

It’s therapeutic

To be with nature

On my walk today

Rabbit hops away

Fawn stays ‘cross the creek

Water flows gently

Birds sing their stories

Summer insects chirp

Nestled in wild grass

Flowers are still fresh

My feet march lightly

I breathe the warm air

Am grateful for the chance

To walk in the dusk

Daily Walk Collages - Set 2

We marked the 100th day of our Covid19 daily walk yesterday. So grateful for the parks at all levels, country, district, regional, state, federal. 

Oh Jenifer

Oh Jenifer I heard your calls

You were alluring, I was drawn

You surely would add to the story

Of paths well taken, of lives fully lived

My journey had taken me thus far

And I wanted to walk with you

‘Til the end of this day

Softly, gently you showed me the way

I was so sure the route would be easy

I was as carefree as could be

Oh Jenifer what did happen

To a promise of a fabulous stay

I thought there would be an interlude

Something to sweeten my dreams by

I found myself wandering about in confusion

Without knowing when you had left my side

I didn’t know whether I should march on

Or return to you for a sign of clarity

My legs covered more miles than I meant to do

In the end I realized you had led me astray

Oh Jenifer I’d found my way

Without going back to search for you

I hope to be more prepared

When my name is ever called again

I should be armed with maps and compasses

So always I know how to get out

Of the woods and of the many Jenifers

However hauntingly beautiful they may be

If by chance someday we’ll meet again

I hope to not lose you half way through the Jenifer Loop Trail

Collage #54

It’s six months away

But never too early

To think about Christmas

I hope Christmas won’t close

As Mama’s cardio cinemas

For that will be too sad

Santa’s got to ride his sleigh

And go down the many chimneys

He’ll just have to wear a mask

Like Milli and me

We will watch for you, Santa

And wave to you from afar

We love to hear your laugh

Ho Ho Ho rung through the land

I hope you’ll never be furloughed

The job of bringing joy and laughter

To boys and girls, big and small

Is forever essential

I’ll say

I hope Christmas won’t close

Hope

There is a thing called Hope

That I pray will never die

Hope is a gift

That will help us survive

When we think we’re drowning

Hope lets us feel alive

When darkness descends

Hope tells us the light will soon arrive

Hope pulls us from despair

When we think we are beyond repair

Hope holds us up

Proud and strong

Hope guides us along

On a road filled with challenges

Hope keeps us going

To a future full of promises

We’ll find the words

And shall be heard

We’ll spread the kindness

For a better world to come

When we call for Hope

We know we are not alone

Come stand by Hope

And together we’ll conquer stormy fears

Daily Walk Collages

During the past months, many people have created their own 100-day challenges. We have not. However, what did not start out as an intended challenge for us has become a routine that we would not want to break. We plan to keep at it as long as we can. If it was an 100-day challenge, we just passed the mid-way mark.

For the last 50 days we have faithfully taken a walk each day. Our walk averages to be about two hours in duration. We have explored new trails and new parks that we did not know exist. We have a better appreciation of nature and are grateful for the opportunity to slow down, explore, and learn.