The Time We're In, A Mash Up

 

My sister sent me this LINK also. Go there to make sense of what I am saying here. It's instagram, so I didn't know how to import it here.

While I thought at first that the instagram post was just humorous, before it even came to an end...there was a certain bittersweet quality to it. How we all wish to go back to a simpler time. Yet, here I am writing my personal thoughts (my diary) for all the world to see. That one just keeps feeling weird to me, yet I continue. Huh. 

At any rate, the news of the world, the news of anything has me shifting from bitter (sad, angry) to sweet, again and again, and often a mixture of both. At least I'm able to keep my humor alive too.

I think I'd like to escape to this kind of place! And I know which one I'd choose on most days. haha

I love how the pages in the GLUE BOOKS just fall into being. It is very freeing. I'm appreciating how even in the ease and fun of this new form of creativity, I'm able to see some connections to other parts of life. Of course I am. I mean, really...even without trying, deeper meanings come through. I couldn't stop myself if I tried, real hard! haha Wild.

Today quotes keep popping into my head, as they relate to myself and others. Playing with words is always a fulfilling thing to do. Playing with images, colors...just playing are all such good forms of self-care.

If you've lost focus, 

just sit down and be still.

Take the idea and 

rock it to and fro.

Keep some of it

and throw some away,

and it will renew itself.

You need do no more.

~Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Online weather reports it will be 90° today and 61° tonight. Then were set up for 80° 's - 90° 's until the 31st of March. April first = rain? We'll see! This porch thermometer is very old and sits in direct sun much of the day. I'm not so sure it's accurate at all, but perhaps it's close enough. However, in some moments it really does reflect a "feels like" temperature! Kinda like the whole 'wind chill factor' - but with intense sunshine!

Where are you landing these days?

 

May you find the bitter not too harsh

May you find the sweet mind-numbingly sweet 🙂

May you shift and swing with ease

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

Life and Suffering

 

Life and suffering. Lightness and darkness. To engage in both is to live a full life. We can not have one without the other.

Today felt like this. It felt like this full circle, this completeness.

It was a day to go to our local VA Facility. I am always stilled into observance when we go to a VA Facility. I know I have mentioned this in the past, because it leaves such an impact. Today was no different. It was busy where we waited by the pharmacy and the prosthetics department. Mostly men in varying states of slow demise and pride. Hats proclaim their war, their era...their rank. T-shirts announce their values and opinions.

It was busy there today. Men (mostly) moving back and forth with broken bodies and the tools to help them continue in their lives. A plethora of walkers, canes and scooters...oxygen on the go and and abundance of pouch styles or plastic bags to carry what they need. An elder with bright blue eyes uses a rubber band to keep his wallet shut. A senior with a spine, which has begun to furl closed, in opposition to the ferns which unfurl in the Spring. He sits hunched over, his walker close to his knees, where he can maneuver his belongings. He wears his battered Korean War hat, sergeant stripes and Purple Heart patches hanging on for dear life. He appears spent...old, until another Vet sits down next to him and their conversation brings him to life. It is only then that his friendliness and humor are witnessed. Another, much younger Vet limps along pushing his walker, which is weighed down with bags and a backpack. His face wears the exhaustion of his life, his pace tells the tale.

It was busy there today.

On the return trip home, we finally get back to O'Melveny Park, after many weeks of wanting to. There is life and death there as well. The creek flows and babbles loudly, while the hawks call out their plaintive cry...crows click and call and chase, circling in close to the hawks. Bullies of the sky or coyote tricksters or merely birds doing their thing with no connection to our anthropomorphic thoughts.

A few airplanes and a helicopter fly over, but otherwise it is quiet and still. Visiting humans spaced far apart and not in the way of one another.

Old growth trees with numerous lemons or tangerines, an abundant number of bumps, lumps and ripples. Rocks from another time rise up from the earth before tumbling down the green hillsides. A shock of brightness in the mid-day sun.

Bare bones reaching for the sky, new buds barely seen.

One Eucalyptus, trunk full of warts, reaching skyward and reaching for its neighbor. Holding hands I claim, fighting over the sky, says he.

The trees are ancient looking in places and filled with new greens in the sunlight elsewhere. But they are all quiet today, no breeze stirs them...they stand as a landing spot to the many songbirds. While much is happening...much living and growing...they are not busy. They are peaceful companions after the busyness and noise of the VA Facility.

We stroll, sit, pause and breathe...we look and listen and chat quietly together. 

A lone turkey vulture circles as we head back to our daily life. We take it slow. At this stage, there is no hurry.

Later in the afternoon, another conversation with someone arrises. We touched on life and death and the necessity of both in one's life. For without one, can we appreciate the other?

Late in the day, while doing some research, I came across this poem from an old memorial program. It seemed so fitting for not only the conversation I'd just had, but for the day I'd had as well. Spending time with the Vets and the Trees...the people and in nature...living my life the best way I know how.

To the Living

To the living – 

Death is a wound. Its name is grief. 

Its companion is loneliness. 

Whenever it comes – whatever its guise, 

Even when there are no tears – 

Death is a wound. 

But death belongs to life – 

as night belongs to day 

as darkness belongs to light – 

as shadows belong to substance – 

As the fallen leaf to the tree, Death belongs to life. 

It is not our purpose to live forever. 

It is only our purpose to live. 

It is no added merit that a person lives long. 

It is of merit only that one’s life is good. 

-From Gates of Awe

How do you embrace both the darkness and the light?

 

May you hold it all side-by-side

May you engage and embrace with the world around you

May you live a good life

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2026

In the Face of Everything

UPDATE NOTE: We are still fine. My sister along with so, so many are still evacuated. Today there was more wind than yesterday. It seems the little fires that have popped up are getting knocked down very quickly.

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO ALL WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD AND HELPED

As Fred Rogers taught us...Look for the Helpers.

In the face of so much unease, hard times and more predicted for the near future, it is important to remember that there are so many Good People...so many doing the next, best, right thing.

In appreciation of their hard work, strong character and honest intentions...

THANK YOU

President Biden MAKES HISTORY With TWO New National Monuments in California!

LINK 27:42 minutes

You can read more about Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands National Monument at these two links and many more, which can easily be searched for.

Then I checked in on the fires, from the perspective of this White House meeting, below.

I was touched by the seriousness, completeness and professional manner in which each person conducted themselves. The probing questions, the instant communication of pertinent facts, which they had at hand...the transparency in the face of this huge crisis and the humanity reflected in their words and voices.

THANK YOU 

President Biden TAKES ACTION on Los Angeles Wildfires with Top Officials!

LINK 25:58 minutes

I pulled out the little loom and some yarns with a particular intention. Now that I've begun though, I'm not sure where this will move to. I'll just let it evolve of course.

It will be a small hanging like the last one. I have a found, long rusty nail to hang it from. I actually took this photo with the loom upside-down from how it will hang. The thin area of blue (so far) is sky, the bigger woven section is the Pacific ocean, earth/sand and growth.

What have you been up to? What do you want to get back to? How do you move forward when stuck in the current moment, the story of right now? 

May you do things you love 

May you come up with solutions to move you forward

May you enjoy the feeling of creativity

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2025 

#goodenough

Minor Annoyances

WE ARE FINE @ THE TIME OF THIS POST

9:07 PM: I'm watching the "Breaking News" on a new fire. Upgraded to a first alarm, updated 9 minutes ago. 25 MPH winds, sustained. Gusts @ 44MPH - been gusting nonstop for the last few hours over Ventura County. All of these fire field notes will be irrelevant within minutes.

We just drove by there the other day when we went to La Conchita to gift the quilt. We reminisced about the local Harley store there, where he bought his beloved bike all of those years ago.

Plus, a whole new perspective on the clearing of the wash near city park. Was that brush dry enough to burn? Mmmm....

🤞

Live Coverage: Latest on Southern California fires as region braces for more powerful winds

LINK
 

No evacuations or structures threatened at this time. Not predicted.

9:43PM: When you're up tracking a fire...you learn new things. The Ventura area is under a PDS Warning. I had no idea this term existed. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WE ARE FINE @ THE TIME OF THIS POST

NOTHING IMMEDIATELY ON OUR HORIZON, ASIDE FROM BIG WIND

A boring update (thank goodnes for boring, eh?)

Greetings all. Over the past days, we have been notified that our power may get shut off. 

So far we've been fine and have had power continuously. 

Today's warning is that it is "likely" that our power will get shut off. You've seen them before, but the photo above shows the string of power towers behind our building. So, I imagine the threat to be quite real if they are to start a fire.

------So, if I don't respond, that may be why------

I ran out today to pick up a few non-perishable food items and to stop by our local California Automobile Club office. It turns out they stopped printing the "Tour Book" a year ago. Supposedly, they could not keep it properly updated. Everything is online now. I have used those Tour Books for my whole adult life. Another tradition and useful tool, gone.

Minor Annoyance

I wonder which straw will break the camels back and I will be forced to get a smartphone?

Minor Annoyance

I still am happy without one, but I can see the usefulness of them.

Anyway, for now we have power and no fires nearby.

People were out and about...racing around in the wind...driving as awful as always. Cutting other drivers off and basically being d.u.m.b. 

As I watch a car cut in and out of two lanes of traffic, I think what's your hurry? Where's the fire? - and I'm reminded that that old cliche could be a real truth here. Even if I doubt it, and feel that they are just being rude...one never knows, eh?

Minor Annoyance

I had to call about the gift card we got, that stopped working after one use - with more than half the money still on it. Supposedly they will send me a replacement in 7-10 days. 

Minor Annoyance

An appointment needs to be rescheduled when we can drive in without fear of not getting back home again...a 'taking care of business' call needs to be made to address other important stuff.

I'm not in the mood for those calls...

They feel like a Minor Annoyance, even if necessary.

Minor Annoyance

     Minor Annoyance

          Minor Annoyance...

 

WE ARE FINE

What feels truly important? What does one do with the minor annoyances? 

May you live your life as best you can

May you recognize what you can, need to, want to do and do that

May you also be okay with flip-flopping around in certain moments 

xo

Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2025 

#goodenough

Scaling Back

 *Fire Update Note: We are still fine, no new fires near us, sister still evacuated. Hanging in and hoping for the best when the winds are slated to pick up on Monday. Fingers crossed.

...It's Tuesday 1/21/25 now and it has been windy, my asthma tells me so.

Thanks to Dee in a comment over at Grace's recently, I've been learning about the Sheldrick Trust Organization and elephants. Thank you both.

Christmas Eve with Rescued Orphan Elephants in Nairobi | Sheldrick Trust

LINK 11:22 minutes

While I watched this one, I couldn't help but notice the gentle care he took in his introductions of the elephants. He seemed to know each individual intimately. His fondness and accepting of each one as they are felt precious to me. That level of care that every being deserves.

This reminded me of my years working with young children, babies in particular. It reminded me of how intimately I knew these children in my care...how they ate or liked to sleep (one of my babies, now a Freshman at NYU, liked to sleep with his blanket pulled up under his arms & his feet uncovered)...how their budding language sounded - knowing what the sounds they made meant and how many words they had learned...how they played or problem solved or solved conflicts. I knew what made them laugh and what calmed them. What they were beginning to love and how to connect with them.

I knew all of these things deeply and with love.

I also knew other things, not just about the children themselves, but about their school world and how it functioned.

I knew about adults...about families and team members and supervisors.

Now, I've scaled back and won't be doing these things.

I will be doing other things instead.

EVERYDAY & THEN SOME
Wipe noses
Change diapers and sign off on it
Engage with children based on their interests
Wash hands with children Wash own hands Appropriately put on/take off food/diaper/nose wiping gloves
Put on and take off jackets, shoes, socks, hats...placing them with each child's personal belongings Support the children through problem solving or conflict resolution moments Participate in all scheduled family events, prepare children for said events
Change wet/soiled clothes
Clean tables, before and after meals Clean children's chairs Sweep/clean floors after meals Sweep floors, clean up spills as needed
Wash dishes Clean and maintain all classroom areas, including storage areas
Change sheets/sanitize beds Do all laundry (pre-rinse, wash, dry, fold and put away)
Prepare and feed children meals/bottles/water cups, and sign off on it Work with families regarding children's food preferences, eating issues or families' requests (temperature of bottle, most desired bottling position, size of food pieces, reflux or other specific conditions) Document all meals/bottles for each individual child and sign off on it
Read, sing and talk with children Interact appropriately with children during play Professionally observe children  Work with team members to plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum based on the children and the center practices and policies and company curriculum plans
Restock all classroom supplies and request more if supplies are low Prepare sanitizing solutions as needed
Sit down on (floor, small adult chairs, short benches, adult rocking chairs) Stand up again from (floor, small adult chairs, short benches, adult rocking chairs) Walk Stand Move equipment Lift and carry equipment and materials from one location to another Lift and carry infants and toddlers from one location to another, as needed
Clean and sanitize inside/outside toys
Attend meetings (with staff, administration or families)
Complete documentation for children's portfolios Prepare and install classroom documentation
Complete compliance trainings Participate in staff inservice days Participate in center surveys Participate in miscellaneous classroom and center-wide special days or activities
Pick up toys
Check and clean yard (sweep, check for webs and harmful insects (i.e. wasps/bees), check for choking hazards, check for animal droppings)
Update all of children's paperwork, check expiration dates on all diaper creams, sunscreens etc. Check that children's personal items are labeled, reapply as needed Alert families as to their child's individual supplies (diapers, creams, extra clothes etc.) and put away when supplies are brought in to replenish their cubbies
Clean up directly after particular activities (i.e. art, sensory play)
Interact with families, especially daily at drop off and pick up times
Interact with co-workers (classroom/center wide) Interact with administration Comfort children Build bonds with children Authentically support children's individual & unique development across all developmental domains Intentionally work to build a strong, healthy, engaging classroom community Take photos/video Upload photos/video Use photos/video for documentation Respond to needs, requests or requirements from administration  Go outside (practicing all safety procedures and taking an iPad, sign-in/out clipboard , water cups backpack, walkie-talkie, along with the children) Come inside (practicing all safety procedures and taking iPad sign-in/out clipboard, water cups backpack, walkie-talkie, along with the children) Develop traditions and routines to best support the children during transitions Stay updated on changes to all safety and daily procedures and practices  Use the iPad throughout the day to track children/staff movement (including when moving from one location to another with children or for one's own breaks and lunch, record all of children's basic care needs, take and share daily photos with families, record daily documentation Discuss children's needs, likes and development Plan together to meet children's needs, likes and development Take out materials Put away materials Notice changes in children & note changes in children Support families Build bridges with families to best support them and their children Work with outside therapists and other professionals to identify and support children with and without (not yet identified) specific diagnoses Create and use specific documentation tools (i.e. individual children's language development, challenging behaviors, developmental delays etc.) Create and use tools to support substitutes and other teachers not permanently assigned to the classroom  Mentor substitutes and other teachers not permanently assigned to the classroom Provide care and comfort to children during times of illness or injury Collaborate, support and build strong working relationships with co-workers, at all times Fill out occurrence reports and report information to administration and families Participate in incident follow-up with administration and licensing, as needed Track and work with parents to authorize family menu choices for their child Use children's appropriate placemats at each meal Update allergy information as needed Work with team to alert all to any changes in allergy or feeding needs Work with team to alert all to any specific daily requests by families Keep children safe Participate in safety drills Implement first aid as needed Participate in incoming/outgoing phone calls with families and administration  Be aware of and maintain appropriate/legal/policy driven ratios at all times Move staff, request staff as needed for ratios Reflect/act on materials needed for classroom and alert administration Implement/document personal goals Meet with Lead and administration for reviews Fill in or cover breaks as needed Switch hours as needed for center/classroom coverage Work early/late, if approved, for center/classroom coverage Fill in or cover breaks for staff meetings in other classrooms, as needed Create classroom documentation Track and work with administration to guarantee children are given their medicines, as needed   Help children in getting to sleep and waking up as needed for each individual child Apply all prescribed and family requested creams, lotions, sunscreens etc. to each individual child, sign off on application Move through multi-step process to open and close the classrooms and yards each morning/evening Repete February 9, 2014 (updated 10/2024, 1/2025) What have you known deep in your bones? Do you currently use that learning and skill? What other things do you do? What else have you learned? May you hold or let go the things you've known and may your bones be okay with that May you learn new things May you always care for yourself and others xo Photos by NAE @pomegranatetrail ©2025  #goodenough