The most astounding fact about the Universe.

My Saturday column has created a wonderful buzz in my small town. I love getting your comments and emails! What is most interesting is how each one of you are "Saving the World" in your own ways.

You talk about kindness...bouquets of flowers...smiles...writing...cooking...

well, the list goes on and on.

The discussions have taken place at my dining room table, at the Spring Expo, and in the home of Carolyn and Elten.

On Saturday evening several of us were invited to a dinner party. We viewed a spectacular sunset out their windows overlooking the prairie. After dinner we gathered in the living room for Carolyn's events. With a fire going and friends circled around me, I was asked to read my column. Following that we watched the above video and then went out into the night air to view the sky. With the moon beginning to wane, the sky was brilliant with stars and planets. I hope you have been watching Venus and Mars this past month. Simply spectacular.

We all came back into the house with quiet reverence and awe.

Saving the world means saving ourselves as well.

night of moonless glow

glittering drops of stardust

illuminates souls



Art Out My Window

This photo was taken in Indianapolis last fall. I was driving to Ellen's and actually had to pull into a subdivision to get the shot. I didn't have time to put down my window or get out of the car. By the time I did so, the rainbow was faded and gone.

When my father was alive he would always tell me that we carry our rainbows with us and that we are the pot of gold. His words of wisdom have carried me through many trials in this life and continue to do so.

I miss him every day, especially when it rains and poetry fills my heart as it does today. Thank you to my daddy, I wish you were here with me today.

Saving the world one story at a time!

Click here for this week's column on How To Save the World!

As always, thank you for reading my blog. I know leaving a comment appears to be difficult, but give it a try, I would love to hear from you!
Lou Ann

Writer's group and saving the world..

I started a writer's group this past Autumn for writer's in my northern Indiana area. There are five of us who are committed to this cause and meet twice a month to share our thoughts, writings, postings, etc.

We bring quotes and books and even writing contests to the group. Not everyone is wanting to be published, and we all have our own goals.

The wine was low, the night late when I simply said, "Writers can save the world."
There was silence and then Stephen began to laugh. "No one can save the world," he said, "not even writers."

I started thinking about his comment. Are my glasses so rose colored that I think that writers, poets, artists, dreamers of dreams can save the world?

I have always thought that artists are more in tune to sunsets and foggy mornings. Or is it just me and the way I look at life?

Is the way I look at life the reason I write...or do I write because I look at life the way I do?

A few years ago I took my own hobo train trip across country. What I attempted to find out was whether hobos became writers or did writers become hobos? The question was left unanswered.

For now, I can dream that my blog, my columns, my way of thinking will somehow save the world...or maybe it will just save me?

Poetry Passage

This early morning by candlelight I read this poem to Matthew and Jonah. It is from a compilation of poems by Josette Frank with paintings by Thomas Locker.

The book is called Snow Towards Evening, and this is the March poem.

Mountain Brook

Because of the steepness,

the streamlet runs white,

narrow and broken

as lightning by night.

Because of the rocks,

it leaps this way and that,

fresh as a flower,

quick as a cat.

Written by Elizabeth Coatsworth

Whereas I do not have a mountain brook or a stream or even a rivulet of water, March is in the air here in northern Indiana. My neighbor saw his first robin yesterday, and my bird feeders are full of birds flying in and out as if I am a local diner on their way to somewhere!

Here is also a lovely rendition of the Lady of Shallot.

Art Out my Window...

Snow falls and swirls out my window as I sit in the studio hammering out words by the dozens. When March arrives I always wonder about each snowfall whether it will be the last one of the year. Thinking as I do, I appreciate each snowflake the drapes my still-asleep garden. Will this be the last or next week will I ask the same question? I think the answer lies in the wonderment of life thinking that everything has a first and a last. It is up to us to appreciate each moment.

My quote comes from writer, Matthew Brown. He is a contributing writer for Acres. Thank you for letting me quote this lovely piece, Matthew.

The photo, Art Out my Window, is through my  dining room window art. I decorate my windows with stained glass and prisms. Enjoy.

Utter Stillness Rules These Woods

Beyond the window

a white appears as if from fog,

a white containing its own light.

Outside every tree, every branch

and each dry weed is frosted

with a condensation of snow;

seeds that cling to the ash

are now glass ornaments,

more than ornaments.

It's as though the waters themselves

had stood up as trees

filled with light.

Matthew Brown

Dr. Seuss, we thank you...

Just click here for this week's column!

Here is this week's column, an open letter to Dr. Seuss. (A note for all of you regular blog readers, this is a different from yesterday's post!)

After seeing all the news the past couple of days on the tornado devastations, this column is so appropriate.

As always, thank you for reading.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss....

Dear Dr. Seuss,

Happy Birthday! I know these wishes are being sent up like sky rockets and balloons today in blogs, on Facebook and in elementary schools where children are dressed in characters and eating green eggs and ham, but nonetheless, here are mine.

What can I say to you on your birthday that you haven't been told? I think the world is in a bit of a topsy turvy dilemma. You best know these politics, don't you? The Republicans and Democrats...the same old story. You would think we all would have learned by now.

Gas prices are higher, but then again, I am of the thought that it will help out small towns as we struggle to survive. My little town of Angola? Oh, thanks for asking. We have had a major revitalization project the past couple of years so things are looking good. Still much to worry about...our small theatres, vacated store fronts, and we still don't have bike racks. Hmmm...

The books you wrote? They are still on my library shelves, although they have moved houses with me a few times. They are a bit worn out from over use. Your books have passed through decades of children...my own children, grandchildren and all the children I taught in between.

Lots of schools have dress up day today? Did you ever think that would happen?
Oh, and the big news? Your book, The Lorax, is a motion picture and is in theatres everywhere starting today. I am going to see it tonight with my little grandsons. We are very excited.

We are striving to take care of the environment as you have shown us in your books, and we are trying to keep peace on earth, but wow, that seems to be always difficult.

So, thanks to you for dedicating your life to writing for children and adults around the world. We still love you. I'll check in again next year to let you know how things are going. Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Sadie Hawkins Day!

For more information on why we have Leap Year, click here!

This is Leap Year and today, to be more exact, is Sadie Hawkins Day.

In my high school, the girls could hardly wait for that day. That was the day that you could ask the boys to go to the dance or the movies or dance with you or even more!  We decorated our high school gym with hearts and crepe paper strung from basket to basket. Dan was my high school throb at the time, so he was the one to receive my affections (which weren't much!) It was exciting to ask him to the dance and to be brave enough to actually to that. (It is hard to believe, but I was a bit shy, really!)

Women now are much more independent so this day might go completely unnoticed as we carry on with our life today, but then again....

Happy Sadie Hawkins day, and be brave all my girl friends, just be brave!

Poetry Passage

Yesterday was a sweet warm day. I hung out laundry, filled the feeders, and longed to be out all day as I occasionally (OK, really a lot) looked out my studio window. However, with a big project on the table, I am enjoying this late winter from my windows.

Today's poetry is just a sample of the sounds I heard while being outside for the brief time yesterday. Sometimes a few minutes is enough if we listen with our heart.

Bird song

Church bells

Soft wind

Dogs barking

Rivulets of water slowly flowing

Laundry flapping

A simple moment



Art Out My Window

This week I am featuring art out of my college roommate's window! Sally Schenkel first posted these lovely photos on Facebook and I loved the view out her window in Huntington, Indiana. She appears to have a great camera as well (I won't mention the kind, although I can say it is not a Nikon D40!)

Sally was my roommie for two years at Ball State a few years ago, or as Matthew always says about my past...when the world was new.

My mom always wanted me to get a part time job, and I can only tell you that the stories surrounding my job searches (getting jobs and leaving jobs) are all woven into my stories. They are hilarious tales and most involve Sally as well!

I often tell the story of the time I tried out for Charlie the Cardinal. The deal was that Ball State would pay you an income and you would get to go to the games free!

All my friends went with me to the try-outs in one of the gyms. I was not the only "Charlie" to try out. I did notice, however, that every one else had a routine with music. I had not thought of a routine. I just thought I would walk out with the head on and get the job!

When it was my turn, I put the large and very heavy head on my shoulders and walked out into the gym. I couldn't even see, let alone find the try out area. Someone had to lead me out. When I got to the table of judges, they asked if I had music. Of course I did not. I really didn't know what to do so I just stood there for a moment trying to keep my balance and keep the Cardinal head on my head. Finally I began jumping up and down, flapping my arms as if they were wings and shouting through some small orifice in the head, "Eeeee--eeeee--owowowow---eeeeee-eeeeee-----owowowow." I think I did this for at least five minutes or so it seemed.

When I was finally done, I was sweating all over from wearing that giant, hot head and from jumping up and down. I couldn't find my friends at first, but I could hear them. They were laughing so hard they had fallen out of the bleachers and were on the floor balled up with laughter and tears.

Needless to say, I did not get the job as Charlie the Cardinal.

Here are Sally's photos for Art Out My Window...dedicated to years gone by and yet to come.

Thanks Sally!

The lovely female cardinal at Sally's feeder.

What a great photo this is of the male cardinal.

My weekend in the Twin Cities!

Click here for the story of my whirlwind visit!

As always, thank you for reading my blog! I appreciate you! Here are photos from the trip!

Here is the outside of the Fitzgerald. As you can see, it was  beautiful weekend!

This is the famous Mickey's dinner close by the Fitzgerald. It was featured in the Prairie Home Companion film a few years ago!

Our steady diet for the trip! Bottoms up!

This is just one of the ice sculptures in St. Paul. This particular artist was from Dallas, Texas!

Again,outside of the Fitzgerald.

I took this photo just minutes before the show started!
This is the set for the Prairie Home Companion.

Throwing my hat at the Mary Tyler Moore statue in Minneapolis!

Here is Kathy tossing her hat as well!

"Follow the Heron Home"

This is one of my favorite artists, Karine Polwart, singing "Follow the Heron Home." I first heard this sung on Ocracoke Island by singer Rick Lee, and I have loved it ever since. Rick set up his keyboard in the corner of Philip's small house. As the evening wore on, it appeared to be his turn to perform. With his eyes closed, and so much emotion in his voice, he sang this song. I cried all the way through it.

My guitar teacher has actually written it down for me to learn, but alas, we all know how the guitar playing seems to go.

So on this snowy Friday,  enjoy the music of Karine Polwart.