A tree, alone, like me

A Saturday in September

This was a very good day.

What I did on my summer vacation.....HoChunk Powwow .....Labor Day 2010

This video doesn't give the experience justice. There is something so spiritual about this place. I just wanted to share it with you.

Fallen

I read somewhere that you should forgive yourself for every mistake you make, every five years. You are not the same person you were then, and you know that the more mature you, would have known better. I have decided to take that advise and fly with it.

When I think back to all of the funny things that I have done, and all of the situations I have found myself in, I could crawl in a hole and fade to black. WOW!!! Now though, I will never have to think about those things again. I forgive myself. I have learned, oh yes, baby, I have learned my lesson.

To begin anew, to start fresh, everyday, that is the gift of life. I hope when I look in the mirror tomorrow I see a better me. I hope that all of the scars of past mistakes, do not occlude the bright shining light that is me. The fresh forgiven me. Yes, I know that in the religious sense that I should not have carried that stuff around for the past thirty years. I have been brought up to believe that if you just pray for salvation and forgiveness you can have a life of peace and eternal happiness. But I have always had my doubts about that theory. For one thing, I can ask all I want, but if I don't even think I am worthy of a fresh start, why should God, right?

It is all about forgiveness. I might be my worst critic, I hope so, really. So I will start, today, to forgive myself. Jane, you get a fresh start, from here on it is up to you to do the right thing by others and to yourself. Step up and do it, good. As for the rest of it, my relationship with God, I will have to work on that as well. I can't really say that I have the answers, there. I am a work in progress, as I have said many times.

Jackson Co. Fair, Black River Falls, WI. A memory in the making.

A small county fair is a joy to behold. Farmers gather together and show off their best pigs, cows, sheep, chickens, pies, cakes, artwork, hard work. Just to be among them is a gift. I can't say I have any idea what it takes to raise a farm animal, or a crop of anything. I do have respect for those who choose to work the land and to keep those skills sharp for the rest of us.

I am also very fond of the midway. The mini doughnuts, the corn dogs, and the cheese curds, are worth thinking about even in the midst of winter. And the rides. Lining up to get tickets to ride the ferris wheel.Or maybe the merry go round. Hot, crowed, hopeful, that is what makes it worth the wait.

Simplicity

One of the fondest memories I have of my childhood was laying on the floor, a ray of sunshine was streaming through a window above me, and dust was floating down like jewels. I was in heaven, just looking at the glistening dust, shimmering in the sunshine. I don't remember how old I was, or who was with me, or what I had for dinner that day, nothing mattered but that ray of sunshine. That moment has followed me, and whenever I feel overwhelmed I think back to it. It reminds me to take time to look at the wonders around me.

Time is a precious gift. How we spend it, who we share it with, is of utmost importance. I can honestly say I have spent the last year enjoying and celebrating my relationship with my family. Jerry and I have really enjoyed each other this summer. Tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. I have been blessed with a unique and loving family.

Keeping it simple, that is my mission statement.