bright patches...

The Patchwork Quilt

Life isn't given to us all of a piece,
It's more like a patchwork quilt -
Each hour and minute a patch to fit in
To the pattern that's being built.

With some patches light - and some patches dark,
And some that seem ever so dull -
But if we were given to set some apart,
We'd hardly know which to cull.

For it takes the dark patches to set off the light,
And the dull to show up the gay -
And, somehow, the pattern just wouldn't be right
If we took any part away.

No, life isn't given us all of a piece,
But in patches of hours to use,
That each can work out his pattern of life
To whatever design he might choose.

-- Helen Lowrie Marshall

Sure As Spring

Each year, just about the time it seems winter refuses to exit, a little gift appears in my back yard signaling that spring is a sure thing.

The blooms on this tree pop open, diverting my attention from the barren branches of other trees and plantings there.

One day soon, the wind will rise and a little blizzard of tiny pink petals will swirl to the ground in one corner of the yard. Although I'm always sad to see the petals fall, there is an eventual unveiling of rich green buds as leaves emerge from the branches, hinting that summer soon will follow.

My Staff

I am one of those very fortunate people whose employer is forward-thinking enough to allow me to work from my home.

My line of work requires that I have a staff -- a security guard and an assistant.

Allow me to introduce my fierce and loyal security guard, Snickerdoodle, on the left. He is always alert and wound like a spring, ready to take on the challenge of any threat.

My assistant, Didi, is pictured on the right. She is a little exotic, and her wardrobe is immaculate, but she tends to lack focus and frequently doesn't rise to the demanding detail of the job.

Oh, well ... as long as I don't catch her filing her nails ....