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.
Faith and Grace
at the beginningon a new dayripe with possibilitiesand deeply founded hopeFaith was bornof the heartin a moment which stood stillfor a momentcelebration... back to workbreathinguntilthe birth of GraceBlessings
Momma Bird
Momma bird sitsthe eye of peace upon mea pile of sticks and feathersbeneath hergentle sky peekingthrough the greenage aboveA gift of lovea piece of peacelaid out before me
Minstrel
As he strummed andplucked, the stringsresponded with asound that could becalled sublimeEach new phase of hisdevelopment in lifewas remarked inthe crafted words of hismindSing on, minstrel...
Wrinkles
I discovered long agothat my weaknessesand wrinkles in my life,my shadows, if you will,are the challengestoward glory --The purpose of my path...So, I'm loving all my wrinklesnowadays, embracing my fearsas I dance with sweet abandon --Surrender to the light
Change
Temporaryillusivethe only constant changeyet stillwe try to grab onmake it lastmake it stayrecord it for posterityOnly love enduresonly one is everalwaysNow
Greeness
Lush verdant greens fill the senseshealing hearts, soothing sightvelvet moss and delicate fernin silence listen to water's fallwearing away world wearinessplummeting babblemassaging the soulawakening now the quiet depthswithin
Dependable Sun
I'm so glad the sun is not fickleHe doesn't take a moment to contemplateGee, should I shine today?There's no doubt of self purpose thereDo I deserve to burn with a passion for life?For on sunny days, I love to let my bones warm,soaking up the warm raysand when the...
Mothers Day
on the surface of our motherin the cities built by manmany times it is so easyto forget from whence we camethough the voices whisperin our inner ear at timeswhen the silence helps us hearurgings so sublimeyet the honks and sirens blowingand the rush of day to daymay...
Walking
The walkers walkedin the crisp of morningbirds barely awakehush of night lingeringexhilaratedawakeningOn bright windy dayscats hiding outruffled fur hunkeringstirredexcitingIn the warm caress of eveningdogs on their leashesbusy days settlingconsoledrelaxingUnder moon...
The field
"Out beyond ideas of right andwrong -- there is a field..."---------------------------------------------in the field of infinite possibilitieswhere probable sproutsand flourishesnourished by sun and rainwind and wormthe deer dancedas we sang our visionsour truthour...
Treehopping
Running up the treelike a bear or even a monkeyI used the momentumto propel me to the heights---------------------------------------------There's not much else likeswaying in the treetopbreezes flickering the hairthe whole world waveringriding the windsailing...
Geranium
Geraniumscheerful and lavishblossoms of red and pinkwhite and red orangeexplodeafter gray days of rainthe heady aromaawakens images of comfortin grandmother's gardenBless the gracecalled geranium