Category Archives: Writing and Rhyming and devotions, Oh My

What Now?

It’s never too late to become who you want to be. I hope you live a life that you’re proud of, and if you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start over. —F. Scott Fitzgerald, author.

Well here we are in the first day of 2025. What can I say? So much bad news already! I think that our faith and hope are all we have to sustain us. No one knows what the future holds.

Each year for several years now, I have chosen a “word of the year.” This word symbolizes something with which I will enrich or change my life. I have used perseverance, kindness, etc. This year I feel more urgency to show my best self to my children, grands, and great-grands. I’ve lost so many friends and acquaintances this year—way too many!

With that in mind, I will make some changes in 2025—not resolutions—but intentions. I will try to refresh and downsize my living area so that there is less material for someone to clear if i don’t see the end of 2025. Not to be morbid, but to be loving and sensible. I want to be more composed and present a calming presence as much as I am able.

So, with that in mind, my word choice for 2025 is “serenity.” Not easy, but I can work on it. Once in the OR, a surgeon said I was a “cool one” after a stressful event was concluded successfully. I was not “cool” inside—my heart had hammered while I was administering drugs, blood etc. as part of my job.

And I am blessed with a great amount of “joy” in the midst of my everyday life. I thank God for that gift and no longer question why I can feel that way in the midst of world problems, personal struggles, etc. I accept it and think it will help with my peace and calm—my serenity.

Happy New Year!

These things make me happy: the tree that I will keep up for a few more days, two Christmas cacti finally with blooms and my amarylis that has 5 blooms and 5 more opening. Look for the joys.

Time Marches On

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower

Albert Camus

I haven’t written lately. I have missed it and I hope some of you have also. Here is a poem I wrote this morning:

It’s hard to accept 
that autumn is near,
With leaves splashed with color,
Days crisp and clear.

“The older I get,
the faster time goes.”
So said my mother,
In days long ago.

You stash Christmas ornaments,
Settle in for winter’s blast.
By the time you’ve gotten used to it.
It’s time to mow the grass!

it’s hard to stay in the moment,
Try to enjoy it as it appears.
Soon enough, now becomes then,
Suddenly days become years.

My New Book is Out!

I am excited to present my new children’s book, Belle and Benito –Living

and Learning in Italy.

Illustrated by Michele Katz who brings my words to life with her beautiful interpretations. This book is the second in a series of stories about two adorable cats who have rejoined their family in Italy after being left behind again. Join them as they adjust to a new country and discover that mischief has its price.

For children from two to eight years and sold on Amazon or through my email.

Look Forward to 2024

“There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”

C.S. Lewis, author
Another Christmas has come and gone,

I pray that the kindness and joy live on.

I don't do resolutions, instead I choose a word,

Something that resonates with me, striking a deep-souled chord.

This year the word is awareness--in both physical and spiritual ways.

I choose to be aware of "nudges", the glimmers God sends each day.

He doesn't spell it out for me, I have to stay awake.

To notice the rainbow at sunset or the light upon a lake.

In the past, accidents avoided and the scary nights survived,

All these things I remember and see them as lessons applied.

I thought back then, I was abandoned by God, left alone to cope.

As time went by, I realized it was God's presence that gave me hope.

The little spark that kept me trying,

 Even though I felt like crying, 

Helped to make me resilient and strong,

 Because God was with me all along!

As you can see, Miss B enjoys the moments as they occur,

Even the tie of my robe can have an effect–it raises her fur.

She uses my word, “aware” every minute.

Doesn’t miss a trick, if it’s happening, she’s in it!







	


	

			






	

		
Flower Garden
	


	
	

		

All the names I know from nurse:
Gardener’s garters, Shepherd’s purse;
Bachelor’s buttons, Lady’s smock,
And the Lady Hollyhock.

From: A Child’s Garden of Verses,
by Robert Louis Stevens

















That book of poems was in my house when I was a child and I got my first taste for poetry from it.The poem about a shadow has stayed with me my whole life, as have many others. “I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me, and what can be the use of him is more than I can see…” 





There is so much hate and evil around the world now and it is difficult not to dwell on it. We can pray, give money for relief, but for most of us, that is about all we can do! These are all God’s people so how can they have so little regard for human life? Some days, I look to little pockets of beauty and love to carry on.





Yesterday at Rooted Farmstead on Scott Road in Bellefonte, I experienced a sense of peace from the beauty surrounding me. Taking my time, and selecting just the right dahlia or straw flower for my container, were just the activities I needed! The sun, the fields full of every imaginable color, and the mild 70 degree temperature added up to a most enjoyable interlude in my day.   #poetry#love#faith#beauty#outdoors





Christie Holloway is the owner of Rooted Farmstead, a flower farm and agritourism destintation in Bellefonte. 

	


	

			






	

		
Reminders From My Cat
	


	
	

		



“Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose.”

Garrison Keillor (1942)





My cat reminds me about little things–how they are the important things.





Miss Bea is totally pleased with herself and her entire body while playing with a small plastic spring. She rolls this way and that and stretches to her full length to reach under the refrigerator to capture another hidden toy. If she doesn’t retrieve the toy, or convince me to get it–she gives up and moves on. Hmm, lesson there!





Although Beatrice (her full name) has been fed regularly since I adopted her, she always leaves a portion of food in her bowl. We should all save a little for a rainy day, right?





Bea is not afraid to ask for affection or anything else she wants. When she climbs onto my lap, I know right away that she needs “purred.” She is persistent until she achieves her goal. If a book is in my hand, she will forcefully try to replace the book with her head.





As adults, we don’t ask for what we want, but expect our loved ones and friends to know when we need help. Perhaps a cat can teach us something in this instance also. I’m not only thinking of physical needs but even material things. If your husband always buys “useful” gifts, why not tell your him that you would really love a special item you’ve admired?





A cat also lets you know when he/she is angry or hurt. Now I don’t suggest scratching or biting your friends when they hurt your feelings. But wouldn’t it clear the air to tell a person that what was said or done was unkind or hurtful?





To be clear, I’m not saying I have learned all these lessons–I’m working on them. 





Just a few fun thoughts for today. Have a purrrfect day.








	


	

			






	

		
It’s Not Easy to Be Present
	


	
	

		




“Take a deep breath. Get present in the moment and ask yourself what is important this very second.” Greg McKeown





When I chose presence as my word for 2023, I thought it would be a challenge. But I underestimated that challenge.





 I have always functioned well in the early morning.





I like to get up early and coffee is the first thought out of a sleep-dulled brain. One of the joys of retirement is the free time to sit, sip, and speculate. Newspapers are no longer delivered and that is unfortunate. A friend shares her paper–which comes in the mail–so yes, the news has already been aired the night before and that morning. The crossword is still enjoyable. For years I felt that I needed to finish that before starting any other projects. Without that paper arriving early, that habit went right out the window. 





So, I usually turn to Wordle and glance through some email… Already I’m not living in a state of “present”,  but veering off in different directions like a cat chasing a toy. Then it occurs to me that I haven’t had breakfast yet! I don’t have as many obligations these days, but I function better with some scheduling. Since stopping some of my volunteer work, this has been a struggle. A day when I have an appointment–even a dental one–gives me form and focus to the day. I will finish chores quickly because I need to be ready to leave. But when I come home, I feel like I’ve done something worthwhile already, and I don’t really want to start any big jobs. If I haven’t assigned  myself to query an agent with my book or some other specific task, I will be bouncing again between Instagram and the notes on my desk. 





See why I need to be more present? 









Photo by Nicole Queiroz on Pexels.com










































	


	

			






	

		
Downsizing, Revising, and Realizing that Less Can Be More
	


	
	

		

“For me, decluttering and downsizing has caused shifts in my thinking and my habits. I don’t have to declutter; I choose to declutter.” Lisa Shultz, Lighter Living: Declutter. Organize. Simplify.





    As to my downsizing, I started before it was truly needed. I moved to a small house after my husband died to be close to at least one of my kids. I went through an agonizing (at times) series of decisions to sell the house, land, excavating and farm equipment  and many antiques and possessions that it took 40 years to collect. That move was not the end, however and a couple moves later, I am in a small apartment that feels cozy. I have to declutter at times, for in such a small space, a few items lying around look like a small tornado swept through.





   I gave up a yard, a garden, perfect branches for bird feeders and acres to walk. But downsizing also opened up more time for the slowing down that is needed, and happens whether you’re ready or not. I live in a building with a multitude of older people from 55 years old and beyond. I would have been very lonely in my home in the country by now and probably unable to keep the fields cared for and the grass mowed. I miss the horses we had, but I miss them as enormous pets with enormous appetites and involving a lot of care.





   Things change and you must change with them. if you don’’t, you will stay on the elliptical motion of day to day chores that go on and on, and become more and more difficult. 





  The downsizing has been down shifting. At a slower pace, I’m excited by the report that two ducks were spotted out front by our fish pond. I dash out to take a picture. I once had a very large pond and barely noticed the ducks in my busy years of working and raising a family. I watch for hummingbirds to return and study the fields to spot a new bird. I have dozens of pictures of the beautiful sunsets I see from my living room.





   So life is very different these day—but it is still beautiful. Be kind to yourself, and to your neighbors. Upsize your living as you downsize your life.





     










A new couple in our neighborhood. Next plan—see where they have a nest!