A single rose...
"A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world." -Leo Buscaglia
The Cow with the Big Brown Eyes in the Bluebonnets
"If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian."
- Paul McCartney
This particular cow was the one who led me to be vegetarian.
It has been a long journey, and I started gradually as I was brought up to be a meat eater, as most of us were.
But why would I want to harm this beautiful animal? Do I really need to kill to survive?
And the answer is... NO!
To read of my journey:
http://theinquisitiveeye.zenfolio.com/blog/2014/3/my-quest-to-be-vegetarian
When you think positive...
Words to live by...
"The best part of life is just not surviving, but thriving with passion and compassion and humor and style and generosity and kindness."
In memory of Maya Angelou... 1928-2014
A perfect world?
On May 13, 2006, Steven Pinker received the American Humanist Association's Humanist of the Year award for his contributions to public understanding of human evolution.
"The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and Empathy - and Why They Matter" by Marc Bekoff
Definitely a good read!
Blue in the garden...
Blue is the universal color of peace, so it is no surprise that blue flowers calm worries and represent peace.
On Friendship...
May you always know peace, love and laughter... Thank you
Birds...
"When birds burp, it must taste like bugs."
On being kind...
Have we forgotten how to be kind to one another?
National Compliment Day
1/24/2014
Today, I would like to honor my friend and previous nurse co-worker, Joyce, for her kind and caring attitude and support.
04:16AM she sent me an e-mail while getting ready to go to work, saying that she would be there for me to insert a special IV line,
as that is her specialty and there is no one I would feel more comfortable having do it. You have made my day and I will never forget you for it.
She has gone above and beyond to promote support and understanding in my time of need. After all, that is what nurses do... or should I say, some nurses.
Unfortunately, I have met a couple along the way with little empathy or caring but it is nurses like Joyce
who make me extra proud to be a part of the nursing profession because that's what nursing is all about.
She not only will do my procedure but also enlightened me about options as well as insurance coverage. No one else took the time to explain all of that to me.
Medical care today is very complicated and to have a nurse advocate is the best!
So... in celebration of National Compliment Day, pass a compliment along to a deserving person. It just might make their day!
Thank you Joyce... from the bottom of my heart!
In celebration and remembrance...
A profound quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.
Peace
"Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Just Another Game?
"If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children."
Mahatma Gandhi
To read more about "Just Another Game", please go to:
http://theinquisitiveeye.zenfolio.com/blog/2013/12/just-another-game
Nature
Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.
Cat Man
"The greatness of a nation can be judged by how it's animals are treated."
Mahatma Gandhi
To read about this kind, gentle soul I have dubbed "Cat Man", go to:
http://theinquisitiveeye.zenfolio.com/blog/2013/11/cat-man
A pessimist, an optimist and a realist...
I do love this quote and find it to be so true.
On Empathy
“Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?”
- Henry David Thoreau
This was recently sent to me and I found it to be profoundly true.
I experienced and lived this every day of my life as a nurse and was so humbled to be a part of so many lives through the good times and the bad.
http://www.wimp.com/seehearts/
If only we lived in a kinder, gentler world where compassion and empathy for our fellow man superceded all else,
where we set aside the anger and hatred and worked together for a better more peaceful world filled with love and caring.
I suppose I'm a dreamer.
It can only happen one person at a time. I wish that time was now.
Please pass this on...
I met a new friend...
It was nearly a week ago that I met a new friend at the farmers' market. I had never been to this market before and thought I would check it out and of course I took my camera along.
The temperature that day was about 100° and the sweat was dripping down my face. There were a couple food trucks and I decided to get a bite to eat before heading home.
There was a gal sitting in the shade at a table that had an empty chair and I asked if I might sit there, was it saved? She smiled and indicated that it was not taken.
Before long we started to chat and laugh and shared stories. It was a most delightful lunch. We exchanged information and promised to stay in touch.
As I was heading on my way, I saw her with a popsicle she had just bought and went over and snapped a photo and with that she said... "Pick out a popsicle... my treat!"
I thanked her and promised to pass on the favor to someone I might meet.
So we again sought out a bit of shade and enjoyed our popsicles and chatted some more.
And yes, we have stayed in touch and today she sent me this beautiful quote and wished me a good weekend.
Thanks so much to my Swiss Miss and look forward to more fun times together!
Leave a trail...
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Peace
“Man is now able to soar into outer space and reach up to the moon; but he is not moral enough to live at peace with his neighbor!”
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba quotes (Indian Spiritual leader, b.1926)
World Humanist Day
Humanism
In celebration of World Humanist Day... June 21, 2013
"Humanism is a philosophy of joyous service for the greater good of all humanity, of application of new ideas of scientific progress for the benefit of all."
- Linus Pauling
Gracias Miguel...
I had spent the morning at the Dallas Arboretum shooting flowers and bugs. The heat of summer is upon us and though I wanted to do the rest of the garden, my body could not do it.
My joints ached and I was a bit lightheaded in the heat, so I called it a day and went to my favorite little spot to eat... Zuzu's for Tex-Mex.
I can always count on a good meal and friendly service and they always ask about how Lucy is doing.
They were so good to my "special friend" Lucy when she visited.
I no sooner sat down and this fella who serves the food and cleans the tables comes over to me and we begin to chat
and I must have said something about it being difficult getting old and not being able to do what I used to do.
And with that he said...
"The body can get old but never the heart. It always stays young."
I thought to myself... what a beautiful thing to say. This special moment caught me off guard and it brought tears to my eyes.
And what is your name I asked. Miguel. (I was embarrassed to never have known as he is always there whenever I visit.)
I thanked him for the lovely remark and told him... it made my day (and it did!)
We talked some more and I was particularly struck by his upbeat attitude and his zest for life.
He understands about how short and how precious life is. I told him I am a retired nurse.
He then told me he visited with his friend who is very ill in the hospital and that all of the nurses were so good to him and his friend.
It made me feel proud that they treated them so well and I was sad for his friend.
I wrote down what Miguel said because I knew I wanted to pair it with a photo and I chose this photo that was taken in a Mexican market in San Miguel.
Thank you Miguel for your heartfelt sentiments. You will never know how much that meant to me.
Art...
"In art, the hand can never execute anything higer than the heart can imagine." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Life...
"Life is not a problem to be solved... but a mystery to be lived." -words of a forgotten yogi
Happy Mother's Day
"Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever." - author unknown
Evil...
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke
My Heart...
"Come live in my heart and pay no rent." - Samuel Lover
Friendship
"The language of friendship is not words but meanings." - Henry David Thoreau
Peace and Love
"If someone thinks that peace and love are just a cliche that must have been left behind in the 60's, that's a problem.
Peace and love are eternal." - John Lennon
Peace
"Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace." - Albert Schweitzer