A POETS POINT OF VIEW

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 04:21:18 GMT

So what are you longing for, may I ask thee,

A place where the waters flow so lush and so free.

A cabin or castle out on the coast,

A place that will welcome you of which you can boast.

No clocks and no calendars, no schedule to keep,

Wake up when you want or better still sleep deep.

Let go of your worries, sit back and relax,

eat candy and popcorn and yes Cracker Jacks.

How about on an island in a house without glass,

where the outdoors come indoors while you watch time pass.

Where beauty surrenders to the eyes that behold,

and for which if you had it you would pay with pure gold.

How about in a bedroom right out of a dream,

With bright colors that help you become so serene.

As you listen to music that is natural and pure

and you know in you heart this is what you came for.

There so much we can choose from I'm sure you agree,

and it's a wonderful feeling to feel safe and feel free.

In a land of abundance with plenty for all,

we have only to ask and God answers our call.

So God Bless the USA and everyone in it as this special Independancy Day arrives, and may we know how very lucky we are to be living in America. But most of God God Bless and be with our soldiers - male and female - as they so bravely serve their country and may they all come home safe and sound soon.

HAVE A HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY and stay safe.

Marlene

YOU AND ME IN CEDAR KEY AND LACY TOO

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:31:39 GMT

My husband, Lady Lacy and I took a ride up to Cedar Key. It's a quaint little fishing town with an artsy flair and yet it's historically well endowed. If you've never been there it's a must visit. Wonderful seafood with at least four or five restaurants sitting on the strip of rustic looking buildings that have Gulf front views. Cedar Key holds good memories for us as we have always enjoyed either driving up to spend an afternoon checking out this island and of course to enjoy a fresh seafood meal while watching the dolphins play and the pelicans and sea gulls scampering in to get the bait fish the fishermen didn't use or the parts of the fish they toss out to them as they are fileting the fish.

Cedar Key is about a two to two and half hour drive from our place and this time we came to take a look at what camping facilities they have. You can either take your chances or go take a look see and pick the one you like best, or best fits your needs and pocketbook. The campgrounds in their off season, which is now, summer, are quite reasonable. Since I seem to get over one thing and another thing pops up, we've decided it would be best not to go out of state this year, or if we did to go to the Smokey's instead of the Rocky Mountains. Better still there is a lot of Florida we haven't visited and believe me there's lots to see in Florida, plus having your own camper you can stay a week here and a week there and really appreciate the state you live in.

Oops, I've gotten a little off subject though haven't I?

Back to Cedar Key!

We first visited Cedar Key when the boys were teenagers. So much has changed since then. Back then there weren't that many hotels or condos one could rent but one year my oldest son and his wife, who where living in Texas at the time, flew their plan to Cedar Key and landed on a very interesting airstrip, water on both sided. You come in from the Gulf side and stop your plane before you get to the end. I remember this particular son taking Cedar Key on shortly after he got his private pilots license. Anyway that was a fun weekend as we had adjoining rooms on the second floor - suites you might say, and that always makes it nice when family is staying together somewhere. At bedtime you shut your doors and get some privacy but other then that everyone mingles and no one misses out on anything.

One of the things that make this island so unique is the rolling hills. It's a hilly island. I also love the old historical homes that have been renovated or spruced up, not taking away from their original designs, just bringing the town back to life so to speak. Many of these homes are now rentals, so I assume that a lot of folks bought them a vacation homes and turned them into an investment that pays the mortgage on their lovely homes.

They have a lot of art and seafood festivals here, and craft shows and I believe they even have a chili cookoff in the cooler weather.

We took Lacy with us and so when it came time to eat I went up and put in our order for grouper sandwich baskets because Fred had to stay with Lacy.

Have you ever noticed how many people stop to talk to you when you have a dog with you, or a child for that matter?

"Is she friendly?"

"Will she let us pet her?"

Lady Lacy is just taking in all the attention and everyone just loves her.

"I had a dog like that once or I have a golden retriver too."

Meanwhile, I'm sitting at the bar wating on our food and watching the dolphins surfacing and going under, most likely eating their meal too, but my husband is so occupied with Lady's admires and the conversations their having with him that he doesn't notice the dolphins. I come out with our wonderful smelling food and we find a bench to sit down on right where all the dolphin action is. Lacy lays down under the bench without even being told too and we chomp into these luscious sandwiches. Are you hungary yet? Don't worry we had water for Lacy and she got some of my food.

Some of the newer homes built on one of Cedar Keys main streets. They have a back view of the Gulf of Mexico.

This is Cedar Keys, I believe, only B&B. We haven't stayed there yet but it looks so inviting.

Believe it or not it's got this 400 year old live oak tree in it yard.

This is our beautiful Lady Lacy who took this trip with us. We try to take her with us a lot since we lost Mo, she's seems a bit lonely.

WHEN LIFE THROWS YOU A CURVE BALL

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:12:33 GMT

When life throws you a curve ball here's what you've gotta do,

with firm determination declare that it's not true.

Yes positive affirmations will keep your spirits high,

and soon you'll find no reason to sit around and cry.

Don't listen to the voices you hear inside you head,

for if you do you'll find it's true you might a well be dead.

As illness comes to greet you, believe you can be healed,

yes don't give up no matter what, no matter how you feel.

For what you thinks important and what you say is too,

and it can change so quickly what you see and what you do.

We haven't gotten to try out our camping rig yet because I've been sick. All these months I haven't posted wasn't because we were traveling around the countryside living our dream. You know what they say life happens while you making plans. I say, don't make plans, be spontanious. Just do it!

You know the old saying: "When it rains it pours." Well it did.

My sister Sandy who has been ill a very long time passed away in January. My mother had another stroke and heart attack in August of 2007. We spent a lot of time running the road up to Ohio and back and I was still trying to recover from my brain surgery and so all the stress took it's toll. It was going to doctors trying to find out what was wrong and then being given medication for this and that. I ended up in the hospital for Christmas and then again in Feburary. We finally found a wonderful doctor who was determined to find out what was wrong with me and fix it. During all this I was taking a product called Protonix for GERD and I was hospitalized with problems with my kidneys. In December there was nothing wrong with my kidneys but in Feburary there was. The biopsy of the kidneys basically showed that something was poisioning my kidneys and it was some type of drug or chemical or heavy metal and so since Protonix was the only thing different I was taken since Christmas we stopped the Protonix. I had lost my appetite during all this time and lost 40 pounds - from a size 12 to a size 6. Not a good way to lose it, believe me, having no appetite is pure you know what. It's been four weeks since I went off Protonixs and my creatine level is back to normal, Praise God. My doctor still keeps close tabs with blood work every two weeks and we have an appointment with a rheumatologist to rule out an autoimmune disease. All in all though I was on my way to kidney failure and Praise the Lord it has reversed itself. I call that a Miracle.

At Christmas time a friend sent me the following sheet of affirmations and I recorded them over and over in my own voice and would listen to them everynight as I was going to sleep. I believe help comes in all directions, shapes and sizes.

If you have or are in some kind of health crisis yourself you might want to give it a try.

IT IS NATURAL FOR MY BODY TO BE WELL.

EVEN IF I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO IN ORDER TO GET BETTER, MY BODY DOES.

I HAVE TRILLIONS OF CELLS WITH INDIVIDUAL CONSCIOUSNESS AND THEY KNOW HOW TO ACHIEVE THEIR INDIVIDUAL BALANCE.

WHEN THIS CONDITION BEGAN, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I KNOW NOW.

IF I HAD KNOWN WHAT I KNOW NOW, THIS CONDITION COULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN STARTED.

I DON'T NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE CAUSE OF THIS ILLNESS.

I DON'T NEED TO EXPLAIN HOW IT IS THAT I'M EXPERIENCING THIS ILLNESS.

IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT IT GOT STARTED, BECAUSE IT IS REVERSING ITS COURSE RIGHT NOW.

IT'S NATURAL THAT IT WOULD TAKE SOMETIME FOR MY BODY TO BEGIN TO ALIGN TO MY IMPROVED THOUGHTS OF WELL-BEING.

THERE IS NO HURRY ABOUT ANY OF THIS.

MY BODY KNOWS WHAT TO DO.

WELL-BEING IS NATURAL TO ME.

MY INNER BEING IS INTRICATELY AWARE OF MY PHYSICAL BODY.

MY CELLS ARE ASKING FOR WHAT THEY NEED IN ORDER TO THRIVE, AND SOURCE ENERGY(GOD) IS ANSWERING THOSE REQUEST.

I'M IN VERY GOOD HANDS.

I WILL RELAX NOW, TO ALLOW COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MY BODY AND MY SOURCE.

MY ONLY WORK IS TO RELAX AND BREATH.

I CAN DO THAT.

I CAN DO THAT EASILY.

Just lie there and enjoy the comfort of the mattress beneath you.

Focus on your breathing in and out as deeply as you can while remaining comfortable.

Do not force it. Do0 not try to make anything happen. There is nothing for you to do other than to relax and breath.

You will very likely begin to feel soft, gentle sensations in your body.

Smile and acknowledge that this is Source Energy specifically answering your cellular request. You are now feeling the healing process. Do nothing to try to help it or intensify it. Just relax and breathe and allow it.

Tags: Healing words and thoughts, Relax, Breath

I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES HOW ABOUT YOU?

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 03:16:26 GMT

THE MIRACLE HUNTER

By Clarence Edwin Flynn

"I'd like to see a miracle," he said,

"And then I might believe what I have read."

That very morning he had seen a tree

Standing in quiet, sturdy majesty;

A rainbow following a sudden shower,

A rosebud opening into a flower,

A line of cloud-peaks into ranges piled,

The wonder of the features of a child.

"I'd like to see a miracle, " he cried,

"Then I am sure I would be satisfied."

Yet he had gazed on aspiration's gleam,

And felt the inner challenge of a dream,

Ande seen love gladly lift a weight of care,

And faith win to the answer of a prayer,

Hard roads by patient consecration trod,

The fearless eyes of those who walk with God.

The first miracle in our consciousness is the transforming of the water of thought into the wine of thought, through intorducing into the consciousness some of the "angels of God," or true ideas.

---Charles Fillmore

Blessings to you,

Marlene

Tags: Miracles

BEAUTY AND GRACE

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:48:20 GMT

Oh such beauty, oh such grace,

kindness, sweetness, on their face.

Would you like to swim with them?

Touch them, hold them, understand,

what they feel and sense and see,

when they swim past you and me?

God created them for us and filled their hearts

with love and trust. We've been charged

to keep them safe, don't you think it's time.

The wonderful gentle Manatee.

Sea Turtle

CHANNEL SIDE - TAMPA

These are murals that are painted on the walls at Channel Side where the cruise ships dock and leave from. I appreciate good art and I just had to get some digital shots of them. Things change so fast in life these days one never knows what might be painted there the next time they make it down this way. I hope you enjoy them.

CAPON BRIDGE - WEST VIRGINIA

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 22:22:27 GMT

My Uncle Pete once owned this barn in Capon Bridge - he and a group of investors from DC purchased the land and were selling off tracks for homesites. Uncle Pete and his wife have both since passed away and now the property belongs to someone else. There was a really nice club house, which is now a church and Uncle Pete put up at least three Lindel Cedar homes on a few of the sites.

We first visited there in 1977 and stayed with my Aunt Mary and Uncle Glen who managed the lodge for Uncle Pete and lived in one of the Lindal Cedar Homes. .

That's the lodge the is now a church. You used to be able to walk right over to the Capon River but now people have biought up the land along the river, put up fences and have no trespassing signs.

This is my favorite. This belonged to my aunt who loved antiques and had this home full of them. It too was sold after she passed on and the people who own it now have done a wonderful job of sprucing it up. The Capon River is not to far behind this lovely home that has to be well over 100 years old.

We stopped in this area briefly on our way back from a trip to see where my son and his family are now living in October of this year. We were on our way back to Ohio due to my mother having another stroke. This year has been quite the year and no we haven't even had the chance to take our camper anywhere yet.

So, those of you who know me and used to frequent my journal when I wrote regularly, don't worry I'm okay and I'm still around. I try to get back to updating regularly.

Blessing to you all,

Marlene

CUMBERLAND FALLS STATE RESORT PARK

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 04:09:01 GMT

There's just something about a waterfall,

I'm sure you will agree.

The sounds of it as it pours forth where water spirits be.

If only we could see them dancing on the rocks,

If only we knew what they said when to our souls they talk.

There's just something mystifying and magic all around.

In the mist I see the angels though the do not make a sound.

Always moving, changing. lifting vapors up into the air,

then you feel the mist upon your face and your oh so glad your there.

Yes there's something about a waterfall that thrills me through and through.

There's something about a waterfall that feels like part of you.

Refreshing and inspiring this artwork of a God,

We stand there oh so silently why don't we just applaude?

There's this cool tree along the walkway to Cumberland falls, actually it's

right in front of the bathroom and we saw people climb in and have their

pictures taken. One couple even stopped me and asked if I would take

their picture. Of course I said yes, you know me and photo taking

opportunities, plus I'd never used one of those phones that take pictures,

they really take good photos don't they? Anyway, after taking theirs I

asked if they would mind taking ours. So we climbed inside this hollow

tree too and walla, that's the results.

Tags: Cumberland Falls

RESSURECTION FERN IN THE OLD OAK TREE

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 05:29:39 GMT

This is one of the two oak trees that are side-by-side behind my circle garden.

I call them the Twins, and yes they truly are massive.

The greenery growing up the tree is called Resurrection Fern and it is called this because when there isn't any rain it actually looks dead but as soon as we get rain it comes alive again.

Yes these are the bases of the twins. They may not look that big around but I suspect it would take at least four or five people to join hands to encompass them.

A great place to sit back, relax and enjoy the sunrise, sunset, oh heck it's very relaxing and soothing to be outside by the twins any time of the day.

The thankful heart....will find, in every hour,

some heavenly blessings.

Henry Ward Beecher

I believe that if we watch nature and notice all the little miracles that are occuring in nature moment by moment, day by day, etc. we can learn a lot about our ownselves and perhaps put some of what we see in nature into our own lives. Lfe is the greatest gift of all and during my 8 hour brain surgery I was told that all we have to do is enjoy our time here on earth. To be joyous and thankful for this gift. We can't know the time or the hour of our death so we must be brave and just keep moving forward from one moment to the next because without this moment now we can not arrive in the next moment. I believe that ressurection fern has a lot to teach us. Without water (sustance) it appears to die but it is not dead it is only waiting to be nourished and nourishment always seems to come at the right time to turn it into a green healthy fern. I believe we are that way too. It may not be time for us to physically die but we can be spiritually dead if we aren't getting spiritual food or if we aren't aware of how spirit works in our lives. We were to put God first and everything else second. It is said that God is our provider of both physical and spiritual food, and I believe that it's all about God, every single thing in this world is God including us to some extent. But I'll not go on and on here because I am having a hard time keeping my eyes open which means it's time for bed.

Tags: Ressurection Fern, Grandfather Oaks

THE WONDER OF IT ALL

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 05:15:17 GMT

Close up of the water bouncing off of a rock at the bottom of Cumberland Falls.

I've not experienced a waterfall quite like Cumberland Falls. Unlike Blackwater Falls in West Virginia and many of the other waterfalls we've been to there was no rushing waters pouring forth towards the point the falls drop creating the thundering roar on the rocks below. Perhaps it was the time of the year we were there - summer. Spring, which usually means the snow is melting, might have changed the scene and there may have even been some white water effects prior to the water dropping over the rocks, but I wouldn't know that for this was our first visit to Cumberland Falls in Corbin, KY.

This little guy was after little fish and these are the waters just before the falls. See no rushing waters and yet, because of the distance the water falls it was exciting.

I did find this little area of activity though.

And because I call this journal A Poet's Point of View we must have a little poetry:

I will not die an unlived Life.

I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire.

I choose to inhabit my days.

To allow my living to open me.

To make me less afraid, more accessible.

To loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise.

I choose to risk my significance.

To live so that which came to me as seed goes to the next as blossom.

And that which came to me as blossom goes to the next as fruit.

I have no idea who the autor is, this was sent to me by my daughter-in-law but wouldn't it be nice if one could make this their and actually live in such a way?

DINNER, BAYPORT AND PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 03:03:47 GMT

I was standing on the pier but I didn't see him there until I turned around.

With my camera in our hand I called out to my friends look over there.

I hoped that he would stay as I slowly walked his way where I sat down.

He did what I had asked, and I thank you God for that, you had him stay.

He was right in front of me as I sat there is such glee because I could.

Then some pictures I did take with the different moves he'd make, I was in awe.

Such a thrill it is to me to become a bird again while watching him.

I could feel him as myself as my thoughts began to melt and I was free.

Such an awesome world this is and how blessed we are to have such liberties.

I watched him boldly standing there and it seemed without a care for quite awhile,

As I pushed the button down he was lifting off the ground then he was gone.

Bayport Pier

The moon was up this evening way before the sun had a chance to set. We left before the sunset. This photo was taken on another evening . Bayport is a favorite spot for a lot of folks, it's almost like a meditation. Perhaps we'll never know why we are drawn to sunset and sunrises but I suspect it's something sort of spiritual. Perhaps we have no choice when spirit puts the thought into our mind to come, relax and watch Mother Natures wonders, after all there is no denying that we live in a most amazing world. Who else but God could have planned everything out so perfectly.

We had ran some errans this afternoon and after they were done knew we wanted to catch up with some friends of ours who had recently moved back from Utah. As chance had it they were heading out for dinner at Bayport Inn, all you can eat fish fry and asked if we wanted to join them. We've made a new rule since we've retired and that is to never turn down an invitation and especially one that involves fish. My Aunt Betty told me long ago that if you turn down too many invitations people will stop asking you and you'll end up sitting home alone. If you don't already have plans then why not spend time with others and I can say I agree.

Well it truly was all you can't eat cause they just kept bringing out more and more fish. Nothing wrong with this fish it was the best I've had in a long, long time. You better bet that we'll be doing that again and maybe we'll get our family to come along the next time. The last basket of fish they brought out we just couldn't finish and I don't think I've ever seen this before at an all you can eat, they brought us take home boxes. Someone just won my business.

When we left Bayport Inn we headed for the pier at Bayport.. The sun was extremely bright but it was breezy and cool and felt absolutely wonderful. Our friends had brought another couple with them and they were fun to be around too.

As we were starting to leave the pier I saw this Crane and you now have the results of this unexpected photo opportunity. There always seems to be some great photo opportunity here but birds are the best.

Such a nice visit, got to do that again soon.

Tags: Hooping Cranes, Bayport Inn and Pier