The Big 4-0!

At


age


20...










And


age


40!






There's

something

to

be

said






for

A
G
I
N
G
!









Happy Birthday
on
The Big 4-0!

Another Icy Morn

My

neighbors

think

I'm

crazy,





crouching

in

the

roadside

ditch,





peering

beside

culverts,







watching

the

water

flow







on

Another

Icy

Morn.


Here's to exercising with Dan's dog Along Life's Road.
Sorry, it's not easy to wave and keep a firm grip on the leash.

Grown Up

He's so calm.


You look handsome.


He so CUTE!


These are a few responses Noah received today from a cashier, his former kindergarten teacher and two seventh-grade girls as he donned his first pair of glasses after school and at tonight's school concert.

At last week's examination, the eye doctor had said, "(Noah) looked out the window at fuzzy tree branches. I held up a couple lenses for him to look through and he smiled: It's clear! His vision is 20/70 – a no brainer. He needs glasses."



What's
Noah's
response?




I

feel

Grown Up!

1, 2, 3, Slide

"I don't want your advice," Noah whined, head down as he slumped into a chair, frustrated with the gutter ball he'd thrown for the umpteenth time.

(Mom had insisted this eight-year-
old bowl without bumpers, offering stepping and hand-
positioning lessons with some success.)

"Can I have quarter?" Noah asked looking at the vending machines for consolation. Dad dug in his wallet and pulled out a dollar, saying: "See if you can get change."

Noah returned handing back one quarter and showing off his mouthful of gum balls.


Meanwhile Aaron aired his hands, lifted out his ball and chided us to watch his

(in a very screechy, high voice)

"SWEET skills." Translation: a few strikes, some spares and several gutter balls.

Dan bent his knees, hunched with his ball close to his mouth and focused on the pins before scampering up to release his tries at speeds of 20 mph... compared to the rest of ours at 9-15 mph.

Aah... how modern-day technology brings novice bowlers into the leagues of televised professionals.

Bing! Bang! Boom! Dan shot his fingers towards the floor – "Happy Gilmore" style as he "one up-ed" the boys with a strike.

During the
manly competition
of the third game,

Isaac came
off the bench
and into his own –

showing brother Aaron

hows its done

versus

talking it all up.


At the mention
of a "Game Four,"
Mom put
her foot down.

Time to

1,2,3 Slide

into the restaurant
for supper.

Too mushy to ski. Too risky to ice fish. Too wet to hike or picnic. That's why we bowled this Spring Break!

Spring Scenes

A young bald eagle takes flight after seeking its morning meal in the marshy meadow-
land.


Trumpeter swans
seek refuge
along the
flowing creek
while waiting
for their
nesting pond
to thaw.



Sharing scene's of Spring's First official day – here Along Life's Road.

March Morning amidst Minnesota's Moorlands

Clarity of Living

Deep within my flesh
lies an inner drivenness


to connect

to create

to share.





My husband complains about that need. His qualm? The concern that with "productivity," quantity impedes quality.

Each day my mind seeks a puzzle


to ponder

to resolve

to release.


My husband grumbles about that desire. His qualm? The concern that one's time should yield something to rub between one's fingers and thumb.



How my spirit
longs to be


satisfied

content

at peace.





My husband advises: Distractedness results from too much "creativity." Pare down and find Joy, Peace and Clarity of Living.