Be True to Yourself....

There is something that sits way down deep inside that rises up each morning to greet me. It is holy; it is the one and only sacred gene in my body. It is mine to protect and keep safe for it confirms me. It’s no secret; I wear it, I speak it, I dwell within it. What is your one holy treasure that sustains you day after day?

Let Your Life Speak

Have you ever found yourself reading a book with such enjoyment, hanging onto every word at times or coming across phrases that you go back and re-read, feeling the sacredness of the impact it is having on you? Have you ever read the last word in a book not knowing you were on the last page? I did just that with the book “Let Your Life Speak” by Parker J. Palmer.

I am so sad to come to the end of this book. I looked at the cover and turned it over to read the back again like we so often do after finishing a good book and I am left feeling as though I just said good-bye to someone, wanting to shout out, "Wait! One more kiss, just one more hug."

There is only one thing left for me to do. I shall open up to the first page and begin again. Thank You Parker J. Palmer.

Such an Empowering Thought...

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our dark that frightens us. We ask
Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We are meant to shine, as children do.
We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us, it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others." Marianne Williamson

My Grandsons...Oliver and Joseph Botch

"The world is as many times new as there are children in our lives."
Robert Brault

Poet's Cottage

Henry David Thoreau wrote in a cabin on Walden Pond,
George Bernard Shaw wrote in what he called
his Writing Hut that he built at the bottom of his
garden.
I write in my casita that I call A Poet's Cottage.
It's surrounded by Shamrock plants, Geraniums and
Ferns, birds that fly from branch to branch singing on
the big tree in the courtyard, and lots of morning
sunlight. What more could a writer ask for?

"Style is not how you write...


It is how you do not write like anyone else."
Charles Ghigna

May I always be....

the kind of person Murphy thinks I am...

My garden was green from the emerald dew,
left over from the morning mist.
The clouds left shamrocks and lilacs too,
the world was blessed with a kiss.
Barbara Botch
"Isle of Dreams"

Busy Writing.... hold all my calls..


But you can always put Ollie through....

Just Sayin.....

Is there anyone out there who wants to lose just one or two pounds, maybe three or four at the most?
I have a great dish for you and it's really good...
Baby Bok choy
Leek
Napa Cabbage
Hot Pepper ( I like the Anaheim pepper)
Shitake Mushrooms, or sometimes I buy the pkg. of sliced Portabellos.
I cut everything up in big pieces and put it in the wok or a big frying pan on the stove. Add some Olive oil and a little Soy sauce.
I hit it hard with lots of spices, cover it and let it steam.
While a lot of women are known for buying a new pair of shoes everytime they go shopping, I buy a new spice. I'm starting to add Thai seasonings to my cooking and my latest find is the Thai Green Curry Paste oh and Hoisin Sauce. Both can be found in any of the grocery stores in the International /Asian section.
I've found that if I add this dish a couple of times a week for lunch or dinner and crank up the exercise routine, I can pretty much eat anything else I want.
Move over Rachael Ray !

Prayer, Zumba and the Meaning of Life

The other day I was taken by surprise when a friend asked me if I prayed; she wondered if I got down on my knees at night like we did when we were little girls. I have to say as surprising as her question was, it was nice to think about that again. I do remember getting down on my knees as a youngster. Even into my teens I would kneel next to my bed, close my eyes and say my prayers. I told her that actually, I find myself praying when I’m in the car driving by myself or sometimes when I’m out for a good power walk. I guess I pray pretty much through out the whole day, I told her. As a matter of fact, her question reminded me of that very morning while in Zumba class. I looked in the mirror at one point and was quite surprised at how well I was moving to the music. I realized how good I felt. I looked healthy. The whole experience was very energizing and I silently said to God, Thank you for this body you gave me, it’s gotten older but it still takes me where I need to go, I liked the haircut and color I had just gotten the day before and when I stopped to catch my breath, I thanked Him for the cold water I remembered to bring. Why shouldn’t we say our prayers or put our intentions out there to God and the Universe when we’re walking or dancing, exercising or playing tennis. I don’t think He minds a bit, maybe even appreciates a shimmy or the twist, or puckering our lips with an attitude to the music. I wouldn’t be surprised if He actually prefers it to the memorized words we prayed as children. I think a lot of folks are looking at their lives now more than ever, that’s why sometimes questions like that come up. I think women and men alike are thinking about what they’re doing; who they’ve become and just basically where they fit in with the big picture of life. I welcome conversation like this. So in closing I devote today’s message to the Man who gave me everything, who takes care of all the details and keeps me going in the right direction. Actually every moment deserves a prayer.

Because of You

As St. Patrick's Day approaches, I honor anyone who is of Irish Heart. I especially celebrate my family.. The McGinn's and The McGrath's.
Here's to you and everyone you love, I am.... Because of you.

The Gift of Time

What will you do with all the time you've been given?

Great gift idea !

With Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day and Poetry Month just around the corner, why not give a copy of Poet's Crossing as a gift. Email barbara@poetscrossing.net for details.

The Spirit of New Years

Every year at this time, I sit down at my desk and write up a long list of goals; everything from lose five pounds to learn how to speak French. Today I walked into the room where I write and caught something from the corner of my eye.
Hanging on the wall, was my personal mission statement. I wrote it two years ago. It’s hung there all this time and for whatever reason, jumped out at me today.
So simple
So meaningful.
No number of goals could hold a candle to the soul of what I had created and written. There is only one goal and that is to live my purpose. I believe there is a point to our life, a theme and if celebrated, could extend out and maybe even in a small way change the world.
We must remember who we are and that we were born to enjoy the fruits of this wonderful life. This year I will give myself everything I want and that is only two things. I will spend more time with my Grandson and I will finish the book I’ve been writing for much too long
The Mission Statement I wrote goes as follows:
To leave a rich legacy of poetry,
love and compassion for my family –
through writing and time spent with them.
Give yourself the gift of who you are and live the life of your dreams, it is after all, our true inheritance.