Category Archives: Life

Oct19

stuck.

Posted on October 19, 2021 by beth

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while shopping at target recently

i found myself in a long, slow, self-checkout line

behind a family of three-

a tired after a long day looking mother

a perky tween daughter

and a high-energy young son

who was clearly bored and restless.

needing to create something to do

the young son

somehow found a way to

push his head through the middle of the skeleton wreath

that they were waiting to purchase.

due to the crazy universal law of

‘on is easier than off’

he could not get it

back over his head to take it off again.

first he tried to get it off himself,

then his sister joined in,

when she heard his yelping

mom turned around, sighed, put her things down, and proceeded to help

looking at her wits end

as they patiently worked their way toward the front of the snaking line

continuing to struggle with the skeleton wreath removal project.

when they finally were in the front

mom asked the store clerk if she could scan the wreath while he was still wearing it

and deal with getting it off after they purchased it

she got the go ahead, scanned it on his neck, along with all her other items

and moved out of line.

employees quickly jumped in to help

with one holding his ears flat,

another tilting the wreath in a variety of positions,

his mother putting lotion on his face

moving his head up and down,

and his sister trying to keep him calm.

when they were finally able to free his head from the wreath

he stopped crying

mom quietly pushed her cart out of the store

her son carrying the wreath

his sister holding his hand

looking like they were all more than ready to head home.

—

“there is no panic like the panic when you momentarily feel

when you get your hand or head stuck in something.”

-peter kay

Oct18

deeply.

Posted on October 18, 2021 by beth

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“that we find a crystal or a poppy beautiful means that we are less alone,

that we are more deeply inserted into existence than the course of a single life would lead us to believe.”

-john berger

—

anna scripps whitcomb conservatory, belle isle, detroit, michigan

Oct15

fruit salad.

Posted on October 15, 2021 by beth

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the kinder each brought in fruit, chopped it, stirred it, and ate something new when it was all mixed together.

—

“instead of trying to blend in and be like everyone else,

be proud of and celebrate your unique differences and qualities.

a fruit salad is delicious precisely because each fruit maintains its own flavor.”

-sean covey

Oct14

to say the least.

Posted on October 14, 2021 by beth

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life.

—

“i am a minimalist. i like saying the most with the least.”

-bob newhart

Oct12

tranquil.

Posted on October 12, 2021 by beth

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tranquility can be found most everywhere

—

‘peace is liberty in tranquillity.”

-marcus tullius cicero

Oct11

indigenous people.

Posted on October 11, 2021 by beth

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According to the United Nations, there are currently more than 370 million Indigenous people spread across 70 countries worldwide. In total, they belong to some 5,000 different Indigenous groups and speak more than 4,000 languages. Many of these groups have distinct social, economic, and political systems, as well as distinct culture and beliefs. Sadly, they are often marginalized or directly threatened by more dominant powers in society — despite having been the original inhabitants of the land they occupy.

Indigenous peoples often have a strong attachment, understanding, and respect for their native lands, be it the great plains of the United States, the Canadian prairies, or the Amazon rainforest. This connection is frequently apparent in the wise words of Indigenous leaders both past and present. Today, with many Indigenous communities on the frontlines of the battle to protect our natural world, this wisdom is perhaps more important than ever.

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“Even though you and I are in different boats,

you in your boat and we in our canoe,

we share the same River of Life.

What befalls me, befalls you.”

-Oren Lyons, Onandaga Nation Chief

and member of the Indigenous Peoples of the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations

—

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. On October 8th, 2021 President Joe Biden signed a presidential proclamation declaring October 11th to be a national holiday.

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– credits: Penobscot History Museum, United Nations