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.
Double Rainbow
From the new vantage pointon the riseas we approached the rest of the dayin chatty conversationand non-vehement argumentsthere appeared the double rich rainbowso clear and colorfulour mouths were stilled in aweHow is it my heart remainsbeating steady in my chest,as...
Burrowing Owls
Out past the wild fieldwhere the mustard bloomsand the crows flyin the back fortyof the huge empty parking lotThere are the owlsquietly standing in ones and twoswatching the sunsetwith silent reverenceguarding their burrowsin islands of dirtFull of quiet dignityas...
Past Moment
You were thereon the stoop by the laundry linegrinning with accomplishmentresting for a momenton the bubble of completionjust before stepping outin new directions...For me, there will always bethat momenteven though trillions of momentshave been each relishedin their...
Springs Happiness
Pink explosions everywhereand spackles of greenish whitesquirrels waking upto skitter and playswollen river recedingbrown, skirted by brilliant greeneveryone happyto be aliveAh, Spring!
Singular Moment
Remarkablylife went onebbing and flowinginterspersed with encountersof the human kind and not soas if that singular momentwas but a tiny dotand not the supernovaI had perceived...tragedyillusiveenlightenmentepiphany
Tokens for Peace
In gratitude,we willknow deep peace...At the wellof understandingnear the wallof prejudiceThere sat an ancient womanher cupped hand outstretched"Lay your tokens here, " she said,"of fear and anger and pride.You may drink deeply then,once you've laid them aside."
Daily Dalliance
A dalliance a dayjust gazing at the sunearly morning ritualstanding on the earthbreezes kissing cheeksGratitudesgrateful for the gift of lifegrateful for this daygrateful for the warmth of sunand his loving lightgrateful for my mother earthand the strength she does...
Summer daze
The smell of new mown grasslike watermelon freshawakens memoriesthe sun warming bonesants tickling on their trekcarrying bits of thingsyet no implementsthe energy of earthpalpable and nurturingthe music of bugs and birdsthe salty taste of hot days
Prosperity of the Soul
More than enougheverything filledoverflowingjoy, peace, lovebliss evenever running overabundance of spiritprosperity of the soulblessingsfor all
Encounter of the Bear Kind
In the light of the quarter moonas stars snuggledin the crisp velvet skyyet again, I encounteredthe big black dogfrom across the wayPrickly pines leaned in to hearwhat I would say"Go home, Smokey" was allthe bear turned slowlygrunted and lumbered awayLeft standing...
Fire in My Bones
Many cold wet daysthe winds blowcounter to my thoughtsyet there is the firein the center of my hearthsparking new ideaswarming my bonesburning passion for lifeon even the darkest night
Doorstep of My Soul
As I risein the morningbeforethe early dawnwakingeven before the birdsI find the peacemy whole day soughtwaitingon the doorstepof my soul