Happy birthday Sweet Jesus!

Your servant <3,
j
Happy birthday Sweet Jesus!
Your servant <3,
j
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years.
We’ve been all the way to the moon and back but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things, but not better things.
We’ve cleaned up the air but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more but learn less. We plan more but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits, and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.
A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.
Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart, and it doesn’t cost a cent.
Remember, to say, ‘I love you’ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.
— George Carlin, rest in eternal hilarity 1937 ~ 2008
Look Ma!! I made it to the finalists—actually, I am a winner! So utterly grateful to have been awarded this Special Commendation by a jury of distinguished academia and veteran journalists. Thank you to Ethnic Media Services and California Black Media. I am honored. And thank you eternally to Terria Smith, editor extraordinaire at News From Native California. And thank you to Marina Drummer, champion of civil liberties, formerly of the Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival and to Carly Tex, language whisperer.
The path of truth is not linear and the pen serves as a razor sharp machete for hacking the overgrown branches of falsehoods out of the way. May we all continue to write with courage and uphold the human race to accountability when the need rises.
Blessings and peace to all the Indigenous children, women, and men who suffered tremendous trauma and cruelty from forced removal from their families and punishment for speaking their Native language and practicing their tribal culture. And to all the Japanese Americans who were imprisoned at the concentration camps ironically built on tribal lands which, includes Manzanar National Historic Site in Owens Valley.
j
Hallelujah! Praise the Lord. Pass the butter.
Masks are still on, people are running for the COVID-19 vaccines. Moderna or Pfizer? That is the hot question right now…a new contender is on the horizon: Johnson & Johnson. One shot stop. Prefer that because I HATE needles. Won’t even watch it on movies and they love filming close-ups of it going into skin. WHY?
Where can I go so that I can stand in yet another long, long, long line? Trader Joe’s line is longer than the DMV’s.
Thinking about embracing my wisdom highlights (grey hair)—just thinking about it….don’t go all crazy on me. Ain’t ready to be a grandma!!
I have lost all three of my sweet, sweet pets in the last two years. The last to walk on the Rainbow Bridge was Oliver (Ollie) at 13 years old with diabetes – Friday the 13, 2020. Rest in peace, my furry friend. xoxoxo
Stay safe out there in the big wide world friends! To quote Diana Ross: “Reach out and touch someone’s hand”—-from six feet apart if you can. Love, j
My valiant shield maiden,
I never feared the darkness with you by my side
Your throaty 200 lb. growl threatened most demons and kept them at bay
Manners so proper, a true lady
you were something to behold.
For 12 years, you hid your business so
that I was spared with a bag in my hand.
Your spirit and muzzle so gentle and kind,
That the parakeet lived long after his escapade
in your mouth.
The butterflies were spared
because you only chased shadows.
But the murder of crows that descended
Soon discovered a caramel tornado with a powerful yell
Never mind you were only defending an empty dinner bowl.
The swaying palm fronds, the kites in the sky, the wind
and the hot air balloons—all shared your deep dislike.
How funny you were when it came to costumes, parties, and people,
Tactile was never close enough and your kisses were atypical. The cat licked me more than you.
How psychic you were when you were a pup,
to come my lap and place your oversized paw on my knee.
You made me look into your guileless brown eyes to see your quiet plea and rescue you from the cacophony.
How psychic you were as a maven to know when we suffered, so respectful you were…
I miss your intuitive, intelligent companionship,
your unconditional love
and your big brave heart.
See you at the gates of heaven, my canine love.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Shield maiden
REST IN PEACE
Shasta Daisy Ferris
October 31, 2020
July 12, 1941 ~ September 14, 2018
Dear Mom,
I hope where-ever you are, you’re in your favorite color, red, dancing to your favorite music: reggae. May your feet be young and your heart care-free. May you be light as a feather with the weight of pure gold and sparkling diamonds on your wrists, fingers and around your neck.
Afterward, your favorite dish: fresh jasmine rice (2 x a day)and a big, juicy steak. Salted, peppered, sliced red, ripe tomatoes on the side and of course, vinegar with chopped garlic soaking in it. You always loved a cold mango, over the sink with juice running down your chin and the flesh in your teeth. I will never forget your primal enjoyment at so simple a pleasure that it never made it to a plate. When everyone ordered chocolate, you preferred vanilla.
You were always the first one to say yes to Scrabble and had absolutely no strategy. You just wanted to keep the game moving which sometimes would take several hours. Card games were your weakness and you would spend your last cent on those damn machines…you were ruthless when you would take Dad’s last five when you secretly had a Benjamin hidden behind your mother’s photo in your wallet. I can’t remember if I ratted you out or maybe, John…or Laura.
You would rather play solitaire or shop than watch baseball. I’m glad we returned to the Philippines together to visit our ancestral lands. It’s a memory I revisit when I think of a magical place. You taught me never to fear anger. And what happens when you close your broken-heart to forgiveness. You taught me which road is the higher road.
I wish you all the free will in heaven. I wish you all my love. I wish that I had loved you more.
Happy, happy, happy Birthday! See you on the other side of that thin white veil ~ not ready yet, but someday.
Eternally yours, Jeanne xoxo
A collaboration between the Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival, the Owens Valley Paiute Shoshone Cultural Center and the Manzanar National Historic Site, made possible by a grant from the California Civil Liberties Education Program administered by the California State Library.
PLEASE JOIN US!! Blessings, J
Hope and renewal is visiting me in the garden. A reminder from nature that life is transformation and time is a season that continues despite human intervention.
With hope and faith, I look forward to the future through the lens of nature.
Be healthy, be kind to one another, and fly above the discord. xo, j