Most every work day for more than 11 years, I wrote a love note, poem or other inspirational thought, on a napkin – and tucked it in my husband, Marshal’s, lunch – a ritual of the heart. At the beginning of 2009, Marshal started typing them up. It became OUR ritual of the heart to share the Daily Napkin as a blog. Then, in October 2015, Marshal retired, so the whole dynamic changed. I took several months to re-evaluate and decide what I was going to do. The poetry of the napkin is now joined with my art and/or photography images. May you enjoy them. May they feed your spirit.
Do Be, Do Be, Do…
Did you ever notice... how it is, that what you dois exactly, exactly what is neededwhen you are doing from your beingwhen you are being and doing flows Let it go, relax, and beand as you do you'll see The world has waited so longfor you to be and...
Ah, Nuts!
Dreary grey morningcool and briskSquirrel runs by fast"Where are those nuts?" Time to hunker downTime to consider layersTime to bring out the teapot And, when the sun does come outthere are still glorious colorsawaiting our perusal
Connecting Threads
Interwoven passagestwined, twisted, knottedmidst straight warp Lives interlockedthe circle of sevenweaving the fabric of our lives All connectedthreads of love and griefanger and joyinspiration and exhalation Made of a clothYou and I...
Stalking the Wild
Urban hunting seasonhas come early this year• • •It's time to start stalkingwild and renegade feijoa -the uncivilized pineapple guava As cunning as any wild varmintthey hide amongst the bushes Like plump green Easter eggswaiting to be plucked and...
Ocean Memory
Within the conchthe memory of the oceansings out, alwaysThe symphony of the seanever forgotten...• • •With the conchwe clear the airwhile summoningancient wisdomhaunting our bonesocean memoryawakening, tinglingsalty water within our bodiesour symphonic instruments
Essence
Sunlight through the leavesreveals their bonestheir physical essence So, light through youreveals your essence You are abundance You are peace You are joy and bliss and all of you You are Love...
Cycling
In these times of big changethe fertile field of possibilitiesflourishes into full bloomabundant blossoming Even as the ground shadowsof Spirit give up final harvestprepared for fallow monthsand ready to rejuvenate Like Yin and Yangcycling aroundbearing...
Waves of Love
Until the last song is sungour voices rejoicein the expression of life As we ride the wavesof love and compassionin the ocean of life today Surf's up!
Joy Dance
Discontent stirs the potof humdrum day to day Heats it up somehowuntil we boil overwith new joy • • • Meanwhile, the stars riseand set each dayDancing their joy dance Whether or not we areexperiencing our storms of life
StarMan
Starman stands on the brink toes sunk into fertile soil Arms outstretched fingers tickling his beloved stars Above, below, around, through the twinkling light dances with its shadow self The Yin and Yang ever twining, ever spinning as Starman sees...
Little Squirrel
Little squirrel sat there(squatted actually) Staring at meas I stared at herCaught in a momentfor more than several Neither wishingto break the connectionor be the one who lostthe staring contest Finally, I had mercylooked away, broke the...
Ceremonial Gratitudes
Ceremonial gratitudesperformed with engaged heart Send out waves of lightand lots of love juice I am grateful for Spirit's presencein my life