The Butterfly Circus, an incredible short film

"So Far, So Good...."

Thought for the Day

And, as frustrating as the interruptions can be....I do love and appreciate this moment in time, when they're still nesting at home with me... :D

sunrise on the way to work

Had to take some pics on the way to work. One of the good things about living in the high desert is the sky. Lucky for me, I had the handy camara-phone.... :)

Virtual Visit Challenge

Lucy has challenged us to undertake a photo tour of where We blog the most. Now, usually you would find me at my desk; however, since our other computer crashed, the teen and the tween now must share my desktop to do their school. This is in a tiny office with stacks of books and papers...just picture the absent minded professor look. :) Therefore, I now am sitting in my second choice area, our den (note TalkingBear's 'Don't Wake the Bear Sign :D)
....and, the more I sit in here, the better I think it is. The sofa is much more comfortable, and when I'm stuck on what to write next, I can always check to see if the rugby is on. :)

Pangur Ban, a doodle in the margin

Pangur Ban

I and Pangur Ban my cat,
Tis a like task we are at:
Hunting mice is his delight,
Hunting words I sit all night.

Better far than praise of men
Tis to sit with book and pen;
Pangur bears me no ill will,
He too plies his simple skill.

Tis a merry thing to see
At our tasks how glad are we,
When at home we sit and find
Entertainment to our mind.

Oftentimes a mouse will stray
In the hero Pangur's way;
Oftentimes my keen thought set
Takes a meaning in its net.

'Gainst the wall he sets his eye
Full and fierce and sharp and sly;
'Gainst the wall of knowledge I
All my little wisdom try.

When a mouse darts from its den
O how glad is Pangur then!
O what gladness do I prove
When I solve the doubts I love!

So in peace our tasks we ply,
Pangur Ban, my cat, and I;
In our arts we find our bliss,
I have mine and he has his.

Practice every day has made
Pangur perfect in his trade;
I get wisdom day and night
Turning darkness into light.


I came across this fun poem in the third book of Nancy Farmer's trilogy, The Sea of Trolls. Her footnote reads: "Written by an unknown eighth-century Irish monk in the margins of a manuscript, when he was supposed to be copying the Bible. Translated by Robin Flower in the Irish Tradition, Oxford University Press, London, 1947." I had to laugh at that. How human nature really has not changed much over the centuries. How many times have you been carried away on a whimsy of creation when you should have Been Working!! And, how many times has this whimsy led to some fun creative writing, a new concept discovered, a problem solved? Even Thomas Edison used naps for his problem solving! Hmmm, is there such a thing as creative avoidance...such as writing this post instead of starting my college paper?! Is it time for a nap??!! :D

What is your latest, creative, doodle in the margin? Will I catch you snoozing?

Photo credit

Thought for the Day: Grace

With the start of the New Year, I didn't really make any resolutions. If anything, I've just been moved to be thankful; and, think of the grace that has been given me: By God, by family and friends over the years. Perhaps that's a lesson in of itself, or the best resolution to be made, to be more 'grace' giving. Someone once said to me: 'Grace is getting what we don't deserve, Mercy is not getting what we deserve'.

“God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that can be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish one from the other”
-Reinhold Niebuhr (American theologian, 1892-1971)

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone be found boasting. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
-Ephesians 2:8-10

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
-John Newton

What are you thankful for today?

You just gotta love their expressions