Laine's Blog, Thinking Out Loud

Are You Real?

 

Mom, is that a real lizard?

 

 

 

 

 

A little levity!

Reposted from LainesBlog September 2012

©LaineQuinn2023

Mom, is that a real lizard?

 

 

 

 

 

A little levity!

Reposted from LainesBlog September 2012

©LaineQuinn2023

If Life Is But a Dream...

 

 

 

If life is "but a dream,"

then the paradox is

that the only way to realize the Dream,

is to

WAKE UP!

 

 

 

 

 

Spanish moss hanging from the trees in Blue Spring State Park, Florida.

Reprinted from my first year blogging, September, 2012

©LaineQuinn 2023

 

If life is "but a dream,"

then the paradox is

that the only way to realize the Dream,

is to

WAKE UP!

 

 

 

 

 

Spanish moss hanging from the trees in Blue Spring State Park, Florida.

Reprinted from my first year blogging, September, 2012

©LaineQuinn 2023

Time...

 

 

 

As I grow older and and can glimpse the end of my days,

there seems to be more time

or time is more expansive somehow.

Although the weeks zoom past with the years,

the present moment is huge! 

 

You realize that you don't have to be in a hurry all the time.

That there is time. That that's all there is is time!

 

Time to smell the roses or listen to a friend - really listen;

time to tend the garden of your soul and spirit,

time for love.

 

Of course, this can happen at any age,

learning to take a step back,

take a beat

and pay close attention.

 

It's grand when we can master this even a little!

 

 

 

 

A rose is a rose!

©Laine Quinn 2023

 

 

 

The Fruits of Summer...

 

 

Delicious sweet watermelon.

A gift from the gods.

(And a friend,

and a farmer in North Carolina!)

Thanks to all, and

to sun and rain and earth,

and to seeds that are so willing to grow.

 

Enjoying the fruits of summer.

 

 

 

 

 

Reposted from Laine's Blog, July 2014

©LaineQuinn2023

 

Delicious sweet watermelon.

A gift from the gods.

(And a friend,

and a farmer in North Carolina!)

Thanks to all, and

to sun and rain and earth,

and to seeds that are so willing to grow.

 

Enjoying the fruits of summer.

 

 

 

 

 

Reposted from Laine's Blog, July 2014

©LaineQuinn2023

A Welcome Ordinariness...

 

 

Friends, paddling along together through life's currents.

It's a calm evening and mild in between the storms and troubles.

There's peace and quiet and a kind of welcome ordinariness,

a rightness about things.

 

All's well.

 

 

 

 

Reprinted from LainesBlog May 2013

Two Pelicans in the quiet evening, St. Augustine

©Laine Quinn 2023

 

 

Friends, paddling along together through life's currents.

It's a calm evening and mild in between the storms and troubles.

There's peace and quiet and a kind of welcome ordinariness,

a rightness about things.

 

All's well.

 

 

 

 

Reprinted from LainesBlog May 2013

Two Pelicans in the quiet evening, St. Augustine

©Laine Quinn 2023

 

A Welcome Ordinariness...

 

 

Friends, paddling along together through life's currents.

It's a calm evening and mild in between the storms and troubles.

There's peace and quiet and a kind of welcome ordinariness,

a rightness about things.

 

All's well.

 

 

 

 

Reprinted from LainesBlog May 2013

Two Pelicans in the quiet evening, St. Augustine

©Laine Quinn 2023

 

 

Friends, paddling along together through life's currents.

It's a calm evening and mild in between the storms and troubles.

There's peace and quiet and a kind of welcome ordinariness,

a rightness about things.

 

All's well.

 

 

 

 

Reprinted from LainesBlog May 2013

Two Pelicans in the quiet evening, St. Augustine

©Laine Quinn 2023

 

Hibiscus...

 

 

Hibiscus, the state flower of Hawaii was once commonly called good night at noon

because it blossoms for only a short time!

I like that, "good night at noon!"

Some days are like that.

 

 

 

 

 

From the book Garden Flower Folklore by Laura C. Martin

Blog post from Laine's Blog, May 2012, with permission!

©Laine Quinn 2023

 

 

Make Good Trouble...

 

You Don't Have to Choose Between Happiness and Being Informed

 

We are living in an amazingly beautiful world and when you focus on that more than on the bad news of the day,

you begin to see that as confused and crazy as our civilization is

the world is crazy beautiful!

 

Her beauty is so much vaster and more ancient than all the conceptual dis-information that has been heaped upon the human experience.

You start to find joy in real things. 

The thundering majesty of nature.

That spark of authenticity in people's eyes. The crackle of magic at the water's edge.

Something as simple as a Morning Glory catching the light just right can renew your faith in the universe.

And you learn to live from there.

 

You settle into an understanding that while the suffering and abuses of our world are very real and of immense consequence,

the fact that there is anything at all is immensely more significant than any of our tiny human problems.

The fact that we get to live in these bodies and inhabit these brains and move around on this amazing planet

and perceive it and think thoughts about it is a much, much bigger deal than any of our difficulties.

 

 

So, go ahead and "make good trouble"

but don't forget to see and hear and wonder at all the beauty behind your eyes and in your own back yard!

 

 

 

 

This Blog is mostly from a posting by Caitlin Johnstone on May 12, 2023 and edited and used with her blanket permission to share her work.

I thank her for her bravery and honesty and generosity!

And her husband Tim Foley.

Photos of Morning Glory by Laine!

 

 

 

Clinging Vines...

 

Delicate clinging vines - this is a time when clinging is good.

Good for the vine and the wall benefits too, aesthetically.

Is clinging ever good for us? We humans?

Holding on to that good or bad feeling - joy or anger?

 

Being in the moment is preferred, but if you have to cling,

cling to the things that become more beautiful with your clinging,

like a baby's smile or the best day ever in the water with the  boogie board.

It makes you more beautiful to do that!

 

 

 

 

Clinging vine and wall found in Old St. Augustine, Florida.

(This post is from October 4th, 2011, the first week of Laine's Blog.) 

©LaineQuinn 2023

 

Treasure Enough...

 

 

 

When we have long departed from this beautiful blue/green planet,

will we one day long for a glimpse of a new leaf in springtime,

missing the seasons and colors of Earth?

 

Perhaps that depends on the treasures that we find on the other side.

 

For now, a new green leaf in springtime is treasure enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reprinted from LainesBlog, February, 2013

©LaineQuinn 2023

 

When we have long departed from this beautiful blue/green planet,

will we one day long for a glimpse of a new leaf in springtime,

missing the seasons and colors of Earth?

 

Perhaps that depends on the treasures that we find on the other side.

 

For now, a new green leaf in springtime is treasure enough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reprinted from LainesBlog, February, 2013

©LaineQuinn 2023

In Sync...

 

These two pelicans, flying and diving together in the shallow waters of Tampa Bay, 

in time to their own music -

Reminded me of the two humpback whales dining together off Cape Cod,

and the pilot whales, cruising in perfect harmony.

 

Occasionally humans can, without a word, step together harmoniously to the shared music of life.

It's great fun when it happens,

and like the dance instructor said,

"Don't worry if you misstep, it's part of the fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reprinted from LainesBlog February 2013.

©LaineQuinn2023

 

These two pelicans, flying and diving together in the shallow waters of Tampa Bay, 

in time to their own music -

Reminded me of the two humpback whales dining together off Cape Cod,

and the pilot whales, cruising in perfect harmony.

 

Occasionally humans can, without a word, step together harmoniously to the shared music of life.

It's great fun when it happens,

and like the dance instructor said,

"Don't worry if you misstep, it's part of the fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reprinted from LainesBlog February 2013.

©LaineQuinn2023

 

Meow!

Curiouser and curiouser!

 

 

 

 

 

Mural of Cat in Baltimore, Remington neighborhood. Sensa the cat on the rail and watching the fish!

©LaineQuinn2022

Light...

 

Here comes the sun!

 

 

 

 

Gratitude...

 

 

Sincere, unapologetic gratitude

goes a long way towards

opening our hearts.

 

And there is lots to be grateful for,

lots!

 

 

 

 

 

Maple tree in Baltimore.

©LaineQuinn2022

Yesterday...

 

The beauty around us 

No matter where you are

 There is beauty around you!

 

 

 

 

The Inlet St. Augustine

©LaineQuinn 2022

Shedding...

 

 

Like snakes, lizards shed their skin.

This one is in the middle of that shedding,

frozen almost, not moving.

 

It must be a difficult process,

making them vulnerable,

like us when we go through changes -

shedding the layers of our defenses,

opening up to the world and love!

 

When I was much younger

I used to take vacation days from myself!

I would pretend to be the person that I really wanted to be!

 

It has taken most of my life

to shed the things that were in the way of my being that person.

But here I am, most days,

the person I always wanted to be!

 

(Too bad I couldn't get new skin too!)

 

 

 

 

 

©LaineQuinn 2022

 

Why Not?

 

 

Life longing for itself...

 

 

 

 

Quote from Sweet Honey on the Rocks quoting Kahlil Gibran.

Tadpoles, 2 generations, life goes on and on - no matter what the humans are doing!

Birds, bees, bugs, frogs,squirrells - all of it!

And Why not?

 

©LaineQuinn 2022

That Light...

 

 

The way the light catches the sails

at a certain time of day...

it's irresistible,

delicious,

wonderful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Schooner Freedom returning to safe harbor.

©LaineQuinn 2022

 

 

 

A Thing Among Others...

 

 

I am a thing

among other things.

 

That line from the book The Alphabet of Grace,

seemed to me to equalize everything.

 

Me, the lizard, the leaf, you-

We are all just here,

doing what we do

with all of the rest of nature and things!

 

Why be so serious?

Relax.

Enjoy!

 

You are just a thing

among other things!

 

No better

and no worse either!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Book by Frederick Buechner.

Photo of lizard on a thing, at the edge of the garden, in St. Augustine Florida.

© 2021 Laine Quinn

Parts reprinted from Laine's Blog!

Boogie Boarding!

 

 

Sea oats in the breeze

Sun getting ready to set

One more wave - no two!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vilano Beach, July 2022

©2022 LaineQuinn 

 

 

What's Up is Down...

 

What's up is down!

 

And what's down is up!

 

 

It stretches the mind...

 

 

 

Reflections

©LaineQuinn2022

 

Missing Photo

 

Unfortunately, Monday, there was no photograph of the snails as I moved them into the grass and continued walking the dog.

 

So, to make up for it, here are another photo for you to enjoy!

 

 

A tiny frog, just graduated from the tadpole pond!

 

 

 

 

 

©LaineQuinn2022

 

 

 

 

Kindness...

 

Try not to resist an urge toward kindness -

kindness and compassion-

especially towards those closest to you.

 

Kindness has a way of smoothing the edges and easing the way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lucy the cat spreading the love!

©LaineQuinn 2022

Golden Sun...

 

 

There are songs that we sang forever

and perhaps never noticed the poetry of the lyrics,

like this line:

..a drop of golden sun.

From which song?

?

 

 

 

 

Thanks to J.M. Akers - The song is from "The Sound Of Music", ...do a dear a female dear, ray - a drop of golden sun!

Reprinted from June 2013 from LainesBlog

©LaineQuinn

Flowers...

 

"...flowering plants were revolutionary in their appearance on the earth

some two hundred million years ago,

are dominant on land from the arctic to the tropics,

and are crucial to our survival."

 

Since reading those lines in Rebecca Solnit's book, Orwell's Roses,

I haven't been able to look at a flower without a deep sense of wonder

and gratitude!

 

Without flowers and their seeds,

birds and humans would not have evolved.

Period!

 

Without flowers and their seeds,

birds and humans would disappear from the earth.

 

Amen!

 

 

 

 

Quote from Orwell's Roses by Rebecca Solnit

Flowers from Baltimore and St. Augustine, Mums, Lilies, Hibiscus

©LaineQuinn 2022

 

 

 

Rock Solid...

 

 

This solid chair, situated in a garden beneath a huge live oak tree is made up of trillions of bouncing molecules,

just like you and me.

Sometimes we feel as grounded as a boulder.

Other times scattered as the northern lights.

Most days fall somewhere in between.

 

Having unshakable faith that life is unfolding exactly as it is meant to do is difficult at times,

but worth whatever effort it might take to arrive there.

So, sit, and be grateful for who you are, no less than the moon and stars and the mighty oaks.

 

 

 

 

 

Photograph taken at the Cummer Museum and Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida

Reprinted from LainesBlog, January 4, 2012

©LaineQuinn2022

 

This solid chair, situated in a garden beneath a huge live oak tree is made up of trillions of bouncing molecules,

just like you and me.

Sometimes we feel as grounded as a boulder.

Other times scattered as the northern lights.

Most days fall somewhere in between.

 

Having unshakable faith that life is unfolding exactly as it is meant to do is difficult at times,

but worth whatever effort it might take to arrive there.

So, sit, and be grateful for who you are, no less than the moon and stars and the mighty oaks.

 

 

 

 

 

Photograph taken at the Cummer Museum and Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida

What Comes Next...

 

 

Collectively it is time that we imagine a better world.

No matter what happens in the next months or years,

it is time to put our minds on better things.

 Call it the power of positive thinking,

of visualizing,

of collective prayer -

it all works and can change the world.

 

Psychopathic leaders of politics and industry - be warned -

it is time for the Human takeover of our world.

Time to imagine a world where we live harmoniously with the earth,

harmoniously with each other - near and far,

harmoniously with all creatures -great and small.

A world in partnership.

A world of compassion and love and generosity.

 

If it fits in your mind,

it fits in your world.

 

We are more than what we can imagine.

 

Collectively it's time to imagine

what comes after -

to dream big and have faith in the human heart,

in the human desire for connection.

 

 

 

 

Photo of Park in Godollo Hungary, outside Budapest.

Reprinted from Laine's Blog, October 2020

©LaineQuinn2022

Peace of Mind...

 

 

An old Spring House in San Miguel, Mexico -

a reminder to be grounded -

in our friendship with ourselves,

with nature,

with each other.

 Grounded in uncertainty, and upheaval,

and accepting the times we find ourselves in.

Grounded in whatever way you get grounded,

for your very own peace of mind.

 

 

 

 

 

Reprinted from LainesBlog October 20, 2020.

©LaineQuinn 2022

What If?

 

 

What if you are here on this beautiful, physical, gravity based planet,

simply because you want to be here?

 

You like a challenge!

 

 

 

 

 

Reprinted from LainesBlog 

©LaineQuinn 2022

 

What if you are here on this beautiful, physical, gravity based planet,

simply because you want to be here?

 

You like a challenge!

 

 

 

 

 

Reprinted from LainesBlog 

©LaineQuinn 2022

The Language of Love...

 

 

Resembling luminescent jewels,

the colors of the ocean at sunset

on a calm evening,

raise the spirit,

like the sails of a great ship filling with a welcome breeze.

 

Filling the heart with Love!

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

 

 

St. Augustine Beach, 2.10.14.

Reprinted from Laine's blog, 2014, with additions!

©LaineQuinn2022

More Pelicans...

 

 

Landing gear down...

Check.

 

 

Landing gear up...

 

 

Check.

 

These Brown Pelicans, up close enough to see the accordion wings against the sky,

are proof positive that we live in a very beautiful, complex,

and fascinating world.

 

You are clear for takeoff!

 

 

 

Saint Augustine Beach Pier, once again hosting the people who fish and the birds who love them.

Reprinted from LainesBlog, February 2015

©LaineQuinn 2022