It has been quite awhile!

It has been almost a year since I have blogged here.  I have been through so much:  I am divorced, moved, have bought a house twice, and am restarting my life.  My daughter was very ill and my beloved Sparky died in my hospice care at 23 years of age.  I am trying to keep my eyes on the horizon, and after getting through all this, I am able to focus again on the big picture.  Yesterday I committed myself to run a half-marathon in January.  I have been swimming again and feeling the best I can each day.  I am watching my daughter growing through her own new challenges and working my way through terribly delightful relationship issues.  Most of all, I am attempting to stay present; in the now.  The joy of our lives is that we can, at any moment trade our perspective in and begin anew.  Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, and after the recent oil spill, still the fine folks in New Orleans continue to persevere.  Today, despite losses I still mourn, I embrace this life and strive to see the beauty that surrounds me in those around me and in the beautiful country I drive through.  I am going to start my poetry blog and continue hospice4animals, and yes, even this inner landscape blog....to life, to new beginnings, and to all those who have the courage to pick themselves up and start again, one day at a time! xxxjme

To my dear friend Georgia Ross continued

So, I finally called you.  Dear Georgia your phone was disconnected. I sent a positive prayer to you, and called the mobile number.  You told me your house burned in a fire on Thanksgiving day and you lost your cats.  You had not yet recovered from Katrina, the Hurticane.  You are an artiste extraordinaire and since 1989 you have worked on each and every corner of that house.  Every where you looked a beautiful composition delighted the eye; a picture just so above an antique bench and a vase on the floor; everywhere in that house, each element carefully chosen to complete the aesthetic.  It all appeared casual, but it was clear to me an artist touch was everywhere, each vision like a beautiful still life; super real and whimsical just like your own paintings.  And much of it now gone. You said you were putting one foot in front of the other and doing what you needed to do.  I am so proud of you; honored to be your friend.  You are a strong woman; maybe the strongest I know.  You are resolute, firm in your faith you walk your walk and talk the talk.  No Lip service; you are seeing this through with strict faith in your beliefs.  I admire you.