One Purpose of Art ~

March 14, 2026

Art is the means we have of undoing the damage of haste.

Theodore Roethke

Theodore Huebner Roethke was an American poet. He is regarded as one of the most accomplished and influential poets of his generation, having won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1954. Wikipedia

Cherry Blossoms & Snow

March 14, 2026

I told them twice

I told them nice

but they ignore

my yearly advice

to wait till Spring

their faces, show!

brave fools, they are

my cherry blossoms…

but lovely, yes, amid March snow ~

~ Cale

(photo is of backyard, fence between us & townhouses east)

Hope with Confidence, Wait Expectantly

March 14, 2026

Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear Him [and worship Him with awe-inspired reverence and obedience],

On those who hope [confidently] in His compassion and lovingkindness,

To rescue their lives from death

And keep them alive in famine.

We wait [expectantly] for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield.

For in Him our heart rejoices,

Because we trust [lean on, rely on, and are confident] in His holy name.

Let Your [steadfast] lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,

In proportion as we have hoped in You.

Psalm 33:18-22 Amplified Bible

Miracles

March 13, 2026

But a miracle is a miracle–the sign of God.

Boris Pasternak

I don’t know about other people, but just about everyday I receive a miracle–they might seem small to some, but to me they’re Grande-size…I know I’m a beloved daughter of the true and HUGE GOD!

~ Cale

Boris Leonidovich Pasternak was a Russian and Soviet poet, novelist, and literary translator. Composed in 1917, Pasternak’s first book of poems, My Sister, Life, was published in Berlin in 1922 and soon became an important collection in the Russian language. Wikipedia

Steadfast, Confident Heart❤

March 13, 2026

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident!

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises [to You]!

I will praise and give thanks to You, O Lord, among the people;

I will sing praises to You among the nations.

For Your faithfulness

 and lovingkindness are great, 

reaching to the heavens,

And Your truth to the clouds.

Be exalted above the heavens, O God;

Let Your glory and majesty be over all the earth.

Psalm 57:7, 9-11, Amplified Bible

Don’t Do This…

March 12, 2026

We crucify ourselves between two thieves: regret for yesterday and fear of tomorrow.

Fulton Oursler

Charles Fulton Oursler Sr. was an American journalist, playwright, editor and writer. Writing as Anthony Abbot, he was an author of mysteries and detective fiction. His son was the journalist and author Will Oursler. Wikipedia

Ten Things of Thankful ~

March 12, 2026

(my back yard cherry blossoms)

https://tenthingsofthankful.blogspot.com/

Hello!😊 

I’m thankful that we still don’t have snow or ice in the courtyard of the little community where I live–just blessed rain–even though the forecasts keep “threatening/warning/teasing”, scaring everyone one I know.  (“Those people” who think I’m bonkers–still wearing shorts & t-shirts and going barefoot.)

The cherry blossoms are hardy and certainly crazy, or merely nonchalant–blooming without a care in the world, despite nights of still-cold-winter…they’re beautiful, with pink that lights the gray.

I’m ever and always grateful for the Lord’s most bountiful provisions–I seem to live the the life of the Bible widow whose oil and flour never ran out: which allows me to cook and bake for friends who still have to work for a living…it makes me so happy.

I’m thankful for the palpable Presence of the Lord–what joy it is to have His companionship, along with His promises and reassurances throughout His Word.

I’m blessed and grateful to also have God’s gift of sisters (though not related).  They’re all doing pretty well this week–other than a virus here and there; one cheerfully half-way through chemo; the others working around our common aches and pains, and annoying stutters of memory.

I’m mostly blown away by how good my life is at this stage–I never believed it would be worth living this long–but my life is full.  The days are no longer so burdened, blackened by depression and anxiety the way they used to be.  Some days are tricky, sure–but most are rich with interests that pass the hours.

It’s been wonderful to let go of the self-imposed obligations of blogging for a bit–I’m thankful for a rest, and the treasure box of quotations I can post while not writing everyday.

I’m very grateful to the blogging world–so many wonderful people mingling for a moment or two.  We can share a laugh, or a prayer need–as though we were simply talking over the fence.

And I mustn’t leave out my caregiver–she continues to be a 5-star shopper, and amazingly fast!  (Her b’day is next week and I’ve planned a little party–with a gift and my delish “Black Magic Chocolate Cake”.  I even found a YouTube of “Happy Birthday” sung in Russian–she’ll be so surprised!)

One last thing: my “furry nieces” downstairs still welcome my daily visits.  They apparently think they’re “guard cats” (or maybe they’re just nosey); perched in the windowsill, they’ve got invisible SWAT gear, lazer glare eyes trained for anyone suspicious.  I didn’t believe it till I heard it myself–Gracie actually growls at potential ne’er-do-well humans–yes, GROWLS, like a dog!

Oh, lest I forget something truly important, their “mom”–my nabe–has just introduced me to microwave popcorn…that’s worth a Gratitude–can I get a Hallelujah? Amen!

See you again soon,

~ Cale💖

 

Let Worries Float Away (6SS)

March 12, 2026

Oh yes, it’s that time again–more 6-sentence stories rolling in from all parts: east & west, north & south!  Get ’em while they’re hot!  Every week our hostess with the mostest, Denise, serves up a fine prompt word, and away we go…frantically carving a story which is only allowed 6 sentences (thus, many of us are grateful for the grace of St Denise…if our sentences “run-on” long, she doesn’t use a red pencil to discipline us).

Here’s the link for info, and to meet the crowd of talented writers–just do it–you, too, can write 6 sentences!  The prompt this week is FLOAT!

https://girlieontheedge1.wordpress.com/2026/03/11/its-thursdays-six-sentence-story-blog-hop-62/

~♥~

“I’m thinking of changing my name,” Lorelei said, refilling Judd’s coffee cup–he looked at her, wondering what could possibly come next; she smiled like the Cheshire cat and he asked innocently, “first or last”—which made her giggle, “first, silly–remember that guy who sat next to me in English class, never really talked to me, but called me ‘Zelda’–I like the sound…like Zelda Fitzgerald.”

Judd aligned his thoughts carefully; he vaguely recalled the story about her classmate (whom he would never have met, as he was 20 yrs their senior)–a lad naturally smitten with her, but oddly reticent.

“Love, Zelda Fitzgerald was a very unhappy woman–not a good name–Lorelei is the one dearest to my heart, keep it”; a last swallow of coffee, and he stood–“I’ll be back soon, just a couple errands”; he kissed her twice and was out the door before she could request his itinerary.

~~~~~

Richard greeted him warmly at the church office door–“hey, Judd–what brings you to church on a weekday?”–and nodded when Judd asked if he had time to talk.

Judd sat in the offered chair, rubbed the furrows from his brow and began telling the pastor some of his and Lorelei’s history, followed by their recent drive to the entrance of Birchwick Cliff–the warning signs, his concerns about the town’s backstory, Lorelei’s vulnerabilities and fascination with Richard’s experiences; when he paused, sighing, Richard leaned forward to speak:  “Judd, the sensationalism surrounding the town is foolishness and inaccurate–there was no cult behind the misfortunes I wrote about; people who lived there, and others, got caught up in their own suspicions and fears–it can happen in any small town.

“Now, let me float a solution past you: I’d be happy to give you and Lorelei a personal tour, and answer any questions–I’m an open book; there are no ghosts, nor inherent evils–and I’ll check out those signs at the gate…they must be left over from last Halloween’s festivities–if your schedule’s fairly open we can set a date, and lunch is on me.”

~ Cale