It's Poetry Friday, and Jama Rattigan is hosting HERE on her blog Jama' Alphabet Soup. The post will fill your heart with doughnutty dreams! Voodoo Doughnuts here I come! Thanks for hosting, Jama!
I also recommend that you find Jama's review of Blue by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond and Daniel Minter in her post last Tuesday. It perfectly fits Jama's love of "blue," and after reading it, you'll fall in love with "blue," too!
So, things seem very rough in our world right now with the recent weather disasters, the politics feeling even more bombastic as we near our elections, and the horrific conflicts in numerous places on earth. I want to help and believe I do what is possible for me at this time. I am grateful that three nephews and families survived Hurricane Helene with little damage except to their roads. Most importantly, they are okay! I've been in the Florida area where Hurricane Milton has hit, and I am feeling very sad for the people and their homes and businesses I have loved and visited. Closer to home, I am sorry for my son-in-law and his extended family who had to say goodbye to his father last week. It's been a fraught and worrisome week.
Saturday is my birthday! I chose to share this poem/song you'll find below because I love it, and hope it gives you some peace this week. I taught gifted students for many years and taught them this song, reminding them to be grateful for all gifts, including themselves!
Simple Gifts
'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we will not be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.
You can find out more about it, HERE, at the site of the Shaker Museum.
Then, hanging out on FB recently, THIS came up! It felt like my own special gift!
If you would like the gift of a poetry book from the used bookstore where I volunteer, send me an email with your address. Many wonderful books are sitting on the shelves, waiting to be read and loved!
Wishing everyone the gift of another of my favorite things, being outside!