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.
Hopeful Kites
Pitching our dreamsto the winds o’er the cliffsAbove the valleyof the unknownThey fluttered and flappedas they fell into the updraftOur hopeful strings attachedthey rose like colorful kiteson the warm breezesof our breathGlistening, sparkling in the sunlightglowing...
Peace with Surrender
I lift my eyesto the pale blue skiesAnd with a big sighI let go of it allAhhh – such peacecomes with surrender
Miracle of Life
Everyone of usstarts off in lifewith at least two miraclesunder our beltTwo and countingEvery day after thatthat we continue to breatheis another miracleMay today and everydayhere on out be miraculousbeyond your sweetest dreamsCelebrate the miracle of you...
The Bumpy Road
Traveling on the bumpy roadof Happy DestinyI came upona sleeping rhinocerosharboring a sweet dream smilein a most un-rhinoceros wayI’ve heard of letting sleeping dogs lieand I’ve seen an elephant in the roomStill, what’s the proper procedurewhen rhino’s dream?
Empty the Shoe
A rock in the shoethrows off the gaitMisaligned by paincauses peace to waitIt only takes a moment to empty the shoe…
Unfolding Moment
Becoming a human being…A process of unfoldmentthat is always self-fulfilledIn every momentlike a lotus prophecy
Sweet Spirit
Feather-lightThe touch upon my memoryAnd as sweetAs a newborn anythingRemembering the loveIn my heartFor Spirit
Elder’s Journey
As the old manlooked at the “problem”once again with the eyes of a childAll of creationcircled aroundto facilitatethe moment’s miracle• • • The elder instills wisdomStill withineven as the busy mindmonkeys around with knowledge
Structure of Eclectic Joy
The festive colors mixedwaving like flagsawakened visual excitementLayers of green and multi-flowersstacked and interspersedas if dozens of gypsy wagonswere somehow captured and coagulatedvertically into one riotous and celebratorystructure of eclectic joy• • • I...
Another Day
Oh Joy!Another completionAnother beginningWith but a tiny rest betweenThe days – the dazeThey keep arrivingThe variation in flavor onlyThe endless wavesOn a seashore of loveCommence once and everOver and overMay as well dig bare toesInto wet sandAnd lick salty lips in...
Curious Attention
The object of their attentionwas tiptoeing past themas if they couldn’t see itThinking “If I don’t look at them,they won’t see me.”They watched with curiousity…
Perfect Stick
Mourning Dovesat on the compost pileMoving her head to and froinspecting the sticks sticking outShe’d grab first oneand then another tight in her beakOnly to drop and hopto another sectionFinally, with chest puffed upshe’d found the perfect stickFlying off with it to...