All I need...

Miss Columbia

I am like most of you...absolutely paralyzed when grief comes to our world. I know it comes daily, but when it is foremost in the news, I am unmovable. My friends know this about me, and try to coax me out of my anxiety.

It is good to grieve. We must do it. We must cry as that is how we remain human.

I was glued to the television set yesterday as were most of you until my sister called asking to meet me in Fort Wayne for a movie. "No," I replied, "it seems so wrong."

And it did seem wrong to me. How dare I see a movie...eat popcorn...chat about the family with grief so rampant in our world? But then I changed my mind. It would be good to sit side by side with my sister who understands me so well. It would be good to laugh with her and share popcorn. So I did.

I drove home slowly watching for deer as it is that time of year. When I pulled in to my town I knew I would have to go to Miss Columbia. I think she is often my Holy Ground. I pulled into a parking spot, got out of the car, and spent time thinking. The sky grew dark and full of color. Luckily I had my camera and snapped a shot. I got to thinking about her. She is our Eiffel Tower...our Rockefeller Center...our Mount Rushmore.

It isn't much really in the scheme of the world. We have a small town, a few shops, some nice schools, some old houses...

But it is what we have, and it is where I feel safe and secure. It is where I don't lock my house or my car. It is where friends are free to gather at my house any time of day when I am home or not. It is where I come at night to put on the kettle and live my simple life.

I am so grateful for this simple life...not much, but all I need.

Until tomorrow.

To Paris With Love...

I visited you a few years ago. There were four of us...all women. We stayed for ten days attending concerts, touring museums, and falling in love with you.

We traveled to Monet's gardens, rode the Ferris wheel, and drank your sweet wine.

Nights found us on small boats on the Seine River and up into the Eiffel Tower to see Paris at night. Never once were we afraid...never once.

I will come back to Paris, and I will not be afraid. 

We, who have seen your lights, will see them again.

In the meantime, we lift you up in prayers, in thoughts, and in our conversations with our friends. 

Lou Ann

Diwali Festival at Trine University!

Last night Jonah I attended the Diwali Festival at Trine University. 

We had so much fun listening to the stories, watching the dances, and

sampling the food. I hope this becomes a yearly event. Special

thanks to Mari McHenry for all her work with the

international students.

Happy Festival!!

The last rose of summer...

I picked this rose on Saturday for my guests. They arrived before I had a chance to get out to the garden, but I told them it would be waiting for them in their room.

After they left I brought the rose downstairs little knowing it would be the last rose of summer. With two heavy frosts the past two nights, the other remaining roses are gone.

So, I ask the question. Do we know when we will see the last rose? The last leaf? The last great love of our lives?  I think the answer is no to all the questions. Perhaps we should hold on to what we have and enjoy it before it too slips off the branch and gone for the season or forever.

Just some thoughts for this Monday morning. Enjoy this haiku today as you go about your day contemplating these thoughts.

veils of Autumn's frost

covered my amber maple

winter is knocking

Until tomorrow

After an election it can get rather quiet...

After an election it can get rather quiet - KPCNews: Kpcnews

Here is the link to this week's column. As always, enjoy, and thank you for reading. Just click on the above KPC link!

I took this photo early this morning (Sunday, November 8) from my balcony window. It was a gorgeous sunrise with the waning crescent moon.

Are there things you want to know about Edgar A. Poe? Well, here it is!!

Poets and photos of beauty....

Last night my good friend and poet, Michael Czarnecki, came for a three day visit. He arrived late last night just as the wind shifted and I was just coming in from a long and fun day.

We sat at the table talking about poetry and life and all the things that really matter. He gifted me with two of his newest books, Morning Mist and wild voices come when they will. These books I will greatly treasure. 

Tonight I am hosting a house concert for Michael. My group of "salon" friends has certainly exceeded the limits in this old house. I think we will be wall to wall enthusiasts for the potluck and the readings that will follow. I have always wanted my house to become a salon for artists...perhaps I am on my way.

Michael and I talked about the beauty of the world. In following up with that conversation here are a few photos taken by my friend, Tyler Moore. Tyler is a wonderful photographer who lives just around the corner. These photos were taken less than a mile from my house at Fox Lake. Enjoy that last few glimpses into Autumn.

Lou Ann