Category Archives: Life Lessons

day 27

a little nonsense because…why not? 

don’t forget to zig
it may lead you to zagging
and moments of zen

~kat

Give Me Routine Any Day

There is a certain comfort to be found in routine. Like the seasons follow one another, or the sun and the moon move east to west in the sky, we can depend on routine. When chaos bursts onto the scene and life’s happenings interrupt the peace and tranquility of normalcy, I crave predictable, boring routine. There is only so much excitement a body can take. 

Today was a typical Monday with an early wake up call. I don’t even need an alarm clock. My body knows the routine. After a quick walk with my pup, treats and breakfast for the critters under our roof and a handful of peanuts for the crows and bluejays outside, I pour a generous dollop of sweet cream into a mug, add an earl grey tea bag and wait for the tea kettle to sing. The hiss of the water and soft tumbling sound of bubbles bursting against the aluminum wall of the teapot is the perfect time to pause. This morning I did just that. I poured  hot water to the rim of my mug and took advantage of another moment while the tea steeped.

I waited, I breathed, I took in my surroundings…sunlight streaming through the cactus plant hanging over the sink, my dog, with her belly full of food snoring softly under the dining room table, and one of my cats purring loudly as she nudged her head into my ankles and weaved between them, wrapping her tail around my shins. 

In that moment no one in my world had just died, there were no weird bird flu’s looming, and society wasn’t losing its mind.  In that routine moment, in my kitchen, on a Monday, I do believe I experienced a glimmer. 

As I have mentioned over the past several weeks, there are glimmers everywhere. Even in the boring routine of a Monday morning, we don’t have to try to find glimmers. They have a way of finding us. 

Peace, Steaming Earl Grey Tea with Sweet Cream, and Glimmers to you!

~kat


day 25

So life happens…and death. We don’t get to plan what fate has in store for us. My daughters’ father is dying. The when, we don’t know except that it is imminent. He’s on a ventilator and his organs are shutting down. So my girls have headed to the hospital to be together with him. And I keep vigil for them in my heart, sending my love and prayers and encouragement via text and phone calls. Mustering up my glimmering best since it is not my place to be there in person, but they know that I am with them in spirit.

Their dad and I parted ways over thirty years ago when I ended our tumultuous marriage fraught with abuse and his infidelity. The years mellowed us both as our girls grew up, got married and started families of their own. We actually managed to be civil at their weddings, births, and other milestone events. And I had thought that I had made peace with any and all goodbyes that needed to be said to him.

It’s strange a thing when death draws near. The atmosphere seems to shift. I suppose I needed one more goodbye…and so I did what I do. I wrote about it. RIP PBC.


so strange, the thinning veil

i would have planned
a great goodbye
if I had known
your time was nigh
we’d share a beer
remembering
the twists and turns
that life can bring
but death descends
collects his due
in just a blink
the best of you
we’re left behind
no guide or clue
to let us know
what we should do
they tell me you
can hear me still
goodbye old friend
until…until…

~kat

day 24

the note

i received a note
‘thinking of you, just because’
it meant everything

~kat

When Glimmers Become Opportunities

Today I received a message on my phone  from a friend who wanted me to know they were thinking about me. It was lovely at the moment. I texted them a “heart” emoji and thanked them. Little did I know that today would soon develop into a difficult day, with a relative in hospital battling for their life. But because of that little note first thing this morning I felt supported to face whatever comes, because my friend took the time to let me know they’re thinking of me. It helped me realize that I am not alone. 

Never underestimate the power of simple gestures of kindness. As I go about my day to day, occasionally my mind drifts to thoughts of a friend, a loved one, an acquaintance. Normally, I might sit in that memory for a moment or two enjoying the thought of that someone, before diving back into whatever it was I was doing before being interrupted. But I realized something this morning. In these troubled times, it is more important than ever for us, for me, to be intentional about these random mind glimmers. Instead of simmering in the thought of someone, reach out to them. Send a note, a meme, an emoji, call them. It is so easy to do these days when everyone has a smart phone. We never know what the day might bring but we have the power to connect with each other and perhaps lighten someone’s load just because we took a moment to let them know they’re not alone. 

Join me, won’t you in this kindness movement. When those memory glimmers invade your thoughts let that person know. It may mean everything to them, like, as I discovered my friend’s note meant to me this morning. 

Peace, love, kindness, and glimmers to you!

~kat


day 22

but first…

you can do better
you can be kind to others
but start with yourself

~kat

I took a moment for me today. It’s not something I do regularly or easily. With responsibilities and work taking up most of my time, moments are rare. Today was super busy, not to mention how crazy the world is. But I took a moment. I stood outside and gazed at the stars in the sky and breathed a sigh. Sometimes we need to be intentional, creating our own glimmers, with a little help from the cosmos. From stars that most likely no longer exist but for a remnant of flickering light. Shining, dare I say, glimmering just for me and my moment.

Peace, love, and glimmers to you. 

~kat


Day 21

sister fawn 

a fawn came to call
tendering moments of peace
quelling the chaos

~kat

Yesterday was everything and worse than I had expected. Just one day, and already people are suffering. I purposely didn’t watch the events as they unfolded on TV, intent on not being counted amongst those tuning in…numbers being all these monsters care about. But I caught up on the fallout in snippets. I’m so sad for the innocents, so mad for the blatant lies and vile disrespect for outgoing and past leaders, appalled and outraged that the criminals from the coup in 2020 have been given a get out of jail free card. Set free to render retribution and continue their violent rage-filled assault on our country. It is beyond horrible.

But in the midst of my despair, a visitor came calling just outside the window of my room. Folklore tells us when a fawn crosses one’s path, she is a messenger of peace, innocence, and the purity of new beginnings. A call to step forward, leaving behind the worries of the past, to step forward with optimism, to trust one’s intuition and inner wisdom.

After reading this, I paused to breathe. It is all noise, what we’re witnessing. Extremism on steroids to feed the bloodlust of ignorant followers. Just as the fawn shared a gentle moment with me, (a beautiful glimmer, if you will), I can move forward in gentleness and kindness to those who suffer. It’s a good reminder.

Peace, love, kindness, and glimmers to you!

~kat