Silliness

I don't know about you
but I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed with our world lately
in a country where we're pretty darn good at being unbreakable
it seems things are a bit shaky.
So how do we change that?


"Sprinkle life with a little silliness."

Turn off the news.

Invite your friends over for a glass of wine and a good read

for National Relaxation Day

which was on Tuesday.

"I remember a friend of mine
 years ago who taped a sign to his refrigerator.

"There's a dream dreaming us."

If you try to think what that means

it makes your mind silly,

but that silliness is good."

Natalie Goldberg

If you're lucky you'll dream that dream in living full color!

Feeling blue or out of sorts?
Well then,

Celebrate you and go to a spa!
Or better yet, have a spa party. 

Really,

"It's okay to be absurd, ridiculous, and down right irrational

at times;

silliness is sweet syrup that helps us

swallow the bitter pills of life."

Richelle E. Goodrich

Take a walk!

"Play around.

Dive into absurdity and write.

Take chances.

You will succeed if you are fearless of failure."

Natalie Goldberg

Mini-golf is way better than 18 holes,
 on a gigantic course right?!
Oh yeah.

Dirt on your knees is always a sign of great fun

playing!

(In the dirt!)

Make your best funny smile,

show your cute little tongue or

just smile!

Outdoor movies are the best!

Always a Yogi the Bear cartoon first.

Hurry up take your seat the movie will begin in two minutes.

Of course not everyone wants to see the movie when they

can sip wine!

Look for the heart in everything. It's there.

Silly is as silly does
but in your heart of hearts

let your sunshine and silliness sing wildly!

Enjoy your evening and the weekend is almost here!

Everything Has Purpose. Really.

All you need is love.

Really.
Stop and look.
Look at things others don't bother to see.


Saint Paul, Minnesota
The renovations are finished.
Our Minnesota Capital Grand Opening has arrived.

"In a gentle way, you can shake the world."

Mahatma Gandhi

The raising of America begins today.

Hopefully our children of today,
 will someday soon improve our government for tomorrow.

"War is what happens when language fails."
Margaret Atwood

"War does not determine who is right.
only who is left."

Yep. Really. Why fight when you can plant new seeds?
Farmers can grow anything, so can we.

Focus on those things others take for granted.
There lies the powerful source for imagination
that leads to creativity. 

and growth of things.

"Do I dare Disturb the universe?"
T.S. Eliot

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong

and think of what could go right.

Or maybe even sideways.

One kind word can change someone's entire day.

Sometimes, you just need to push a little harder.

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose."

Robert Bryne

I read the following quote by John Lennon the other day and it truly resonates with much of the goings on in the world today. What do you think?

"Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives.

I think we're being run by maniacs, for maniacal ends.

And I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that."

That's what's insane about it."

John Lennon, BBC-TV London 1968.

Yep, 1968.

All you need is love sing along here.

Yes, we can catch up and create a world where we all get along

and accept each other's differences, without anger and raging war.

"The future rewards those who press on.

I/we don't have time to feel sorry for myself.

I/we don't have time to complain.

I'm/we're going to press on.

Down the right path we'll keep walking."

President Obama

Enjoy your week, 

and keep those 

who are lost/need comfort/a friendly smile

 in your prayers,

 and take good care of you.

You Never Know

"You never know ahead of time

what something's really going to be like."

Katherine Paterson

Our lives are open stories waiting to be lived.

"A story (like life) is open ended.

A story invites you into it

to make your own meaning."
(So does your life)

Katherine Paterson
and Me

A town is much like this.

So are poems.

"It is better to have a meaningful life

and make a difference

than to merely have a long life."

Bryant H. McGill

"To understand the journey

you have to do the walking."

Bryant McGill

"Every positive thought is a silent prayer

which will change your life."

Bryant McGill

"The worst bullies you will ever 
encounter in your life
are your own thoughts."
Bryant H. McGill



Lyra learned that lesson on Monday, her first day back to school.

You never know ahead of time just how
 things will be,
so never fret over what you think it will be.

Be positive, look forward and let it all fall into place.
My words Saturday evening as I put her on the airplane
(she flew by herself this time)
She conquered her flight 
wonderfully
and her worries over her first day back to school this year
was senseless.
This is going to be the best year ever!

Freeing Elements and Critters

Freeing Elements 
and hello
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
on Sunday.

"Hungry man, reach for a book:

It is a weapon."

Bertolt Brecht

Even better, ride a horse.

"The one thing that you have 

that nobody else has is you.

You are the best you, ever!

Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision.

Sometimes, you just have to be the decor!
Making the world a better place.

So write and draw and build and play

 and dance and live as only you can."

Neil Gaiman

Hello, my name is Elvis 
I'm only the cutest Alpaca of eight months old, right?

Every life is complicated.

Every mind a kingdom

of unmapped mysteries.

Dean Koontz

Explore everyday!

"No object is mysterious.

The mystery is in your eye."

Elizabeth Bowen

Meet Rex, but you best brush up on your 
Dutch if you wish to speak with this wonderful pup!

Rex get this bad guy!

No bars are gonna hold me back. Watch and see!

"Unhappy the land

that is in need of heroes."

Bertolt Brecht

Elvis we love you!

Look at his adorable Miniature Australian Shepherd
at the Delta ticket counter, getting ready to fly with his family.

Summer vacation is over for Lyra, she starts school on Monday!

We all, and Minnesota are going to miss you until you return again.

Why Not

Why not catch a bloom?

"Why not?" is a slogan for an interesting life.

Mason Cooley
and a busy summer at hand!

Why not grab your pole?

"He who has a why to live

can bear with 

almost any how."

Friedrich Nietzsche

Why not share the coolest water tower ever?
And watch their reactions.

Why not enjoy your summer

with jest and gusto

before the winds of winter blow in, right?

"No one is useless

in this world who lightens

the burden of another."

Charles Dickens

Why not stay out after dark?

Why not live by those words!

Why not,

"Join the caravan of those who have

turned their faces to the sun."

"Might even raise just a little sand"

(Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child)

and shape it into Yogi Bear!

"When the power of love,

overcomes the love of power;

There will be peace."

Jimi Hendrix

Excuse me while I kiss the sky!"

Jimi Hendrix

Why are babies born?

Why not I ask?

Because,

"A baby is born with a need to love

and never outgrows it."

Frank A. Clark

Karina with her brother Jack 7 years ago!

On Monday she turned 7!

"If you can find a path with no obstacles

it probably doesn't lead anywhere."

Frank A. Clark

Why not climb that mountain?

"We climb mountains so that we may see the world;

not so the world may see us."

David McCullough 

Another fun trip to our favorite Yogi Bear in Wisconsin!
It's the why we love our lives!