Tag Archives: #emotional

Patriotism: From the Heart

It’s the season in which we are called upon to be patriotic.

It’s the 4th of July, or thanks to the quirks of the calendar, the long 4th weekend.

This year, like any other, our allegiance to this country and its democracy should come from the heart. I know it comes from mine.

There was a time when patriotism had a rhythm. And, of course, a rhyme.

George M. Cohan gave both to the songs he wrote to honor the USA; he waved the flag hard.

The myth of his being born on the 4th makes for good storytelling, but he is really the son of the 3rd.

Watching that myth unfold is an annual tradition in our house.

It is such a thrill to sing-along with Yankee Doodle Dandy.

A truly patriotic buzz runs over me as I belt out She’s a Grand Old Flag and harmonize to Over There.

Seeing Red!

I would never argue against a red but I lack the subtlety of eye to recognize Viva Magenta as much different from the CNN logo or some other vibrant red.

Pantone has selected Viva Magenta as the color of the year.

Having been in a printing-adjacent biz, I value their judgment. I am also certain that they have the discernment to differentiate one red from another. It can be a close call.

One of the pleasures of working on a printing project is getting to use a Pantone color swatch book. Mine was a prized possession.

So many colors, how do I choose just one?

Laying out the colors one atop the next is a sensual pleasure I remember vividly.

My riches

For years, my attempt at keeping a plant in my home ended in brown leaves and disappointment.

I have finally found a plant that, starting as a small cutting, has done nothing but thrive. I missed my watering schedule a couple of weeks ago. It started to droop. Uh oh, that’s it, I thought, this looks familiar.

A little remedial watering and back to our schedule, a hubby who greets the perky little thing and look where we are now.

Observations

If I could sketch or, paint or,
Build impressive sculptures,
My poetry would be in those.
I mean to say, poetry would 
Be superfluous for me if I had
Those other media to express
My vision of my world. I only
Have words. And I am grateful.
I observe and put it all in my
Words. Little thoughts or Hey
What's the big idea? crop up.
Often they stay around and I 
Can use them to build and
Shape what I have seen or
Done so you can feel it too.
I am sharing the bits and
The scenes, the drama or
The ordinary but beneath
It and out of all that is the
Sensation, the emotion, the
Wanting and the having of 
It all. Of the whole world.