Fall Food Pantry Porch Pumpkins

Autumn has arrived and so have the pumpkins.

Once again PUMPKINS HELPING PEOPLE has chosen to help feed the hungry by donating the proceeds of Fall pumpkin sales to the Canal Winchester Community Food Pantry. How awesome is that!

When a young lady knocked on my door to explain how PHP is helping my community I did not hesitate to purchase a pumpkin in support of my local food pantry. A few years back I found myself in need and the Canal Winchester Community Food Pantry fed me for a few weeks. I welcomed the opportunity to give a tidbit back.

Having no desire to carve a pumpkin, I had the young fellow who accompanied the young girl select a pumpkin from the truck for me. Then, I had him set it on my neighbor's front porch steps. I knew the children living there would have much more fun with the pumpkin than I. Besides, I can enjoy it from my front porch too!

If you live in Canal Winchester, Ohio then be sure to purchase your fall pumpkins from PUMPKINS HELPING PEOPLE just like me. No doubt you will get the same "Feel-Good" sense of satisfaction that I am feeling right now.

Sunny Susy Good Neighbors

A neighborhood is only as great as its residents. I am fortunate to be blessed by many good neighbors!

A couple of weeks ago when not feeling my best, one of my dearest friends dropped by with a bit of sunshine which instantly cheered me up. I knew just where I wanted to hang my Black-Eyed Susan Vine and had even bought the hook from which to hang it. Unfortunately, I am too short to reach up there to do so.

"Sunny Susy" now hangs on my front porch—thanks to my good (and tall) next-door neighbor!

I often tell others about my great neighbors and the great little things they do for me and my dog Valentino. Do you find yourself sharing good neighbor stories with others?

Sometimes saying "Thank you!" just isn't enough for the sweet little things our neighbors may do for us. Now we can give them an award for being one of the good things in our everyday lives.

Two flowers poised side-by-side on the Thunbergia vine sharing their red orange sunshine made for the perfect picture for the latest design by abitosunshine.

(Note: click the award below to read my Haiku.)

Sunny Susy Good Neighbor Award Wall Decal
by abitosunshine

Go ahead, share a bit of sunshine with your good neighbors! And, don't forget to be a busy body rather than being one of those neighborhood busybodies.

Disclosure: As a Zazzle associate and as an Amazon associate, I may earn income from links in this article. Thank you for supporting my poetry and prose.

Palm Sunday Skywriting

How appropriate the Palm Sunday sky view from my front porch today!

An airplane left its smoke trail of a cross against the clear blue sky. I share the view as well as the Haiku the plane's skywriting inspired.

PALM SUNDAY

©Ruth Cox

SUNDAY PASSOVER

JUST BLOWIN' SMOKE; SKYWRITING

A BIT O' SUNSHINE

Although I missed the Palm Sunday festivities with my church family today (I overslept.) I feel blessed by the view from my front porch.

Have you ever wondered how skywriting is done? Read more about it!

Ruth Cox is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

Bloom Where Planted Monday Musing

On our morning walks in the neighborhoood many a beautiful flower catches the eye of my dog and I. Well, maybe Valentino's nose!

This particular flowering bush, planted at the edge of a gravel parking place, seems to always say "bloom where planted" to me. But then I begin thinking of how my dog and I blossom just fine as a transplanted pair.

Capturing my dog Valentino standing before these beautiful flowers I just had to pen a poem in Haiku to go along with the picture. But of course, the picture poem then became one of our Dog Days of the Week from Dog Pawsitive Tidbits.

Blooming where planted
Beauty cultivated, or—
Blossoming transplant.
©Ruth Cox

Oh! If you know what this flower is, please let me know, for I haven't a clue. Thank you!

UPDATE: This appears to be a giant white hibiscus, not positive of which one, though, as there are so many varieties and colors of Hibiscus flowers.

We are attending the Inspire Me Monday Linky Party today at Mostly Blogging...Come grow with us!

Joyous Spring Crocus

As the hands of time are poised to spring forward an hour in the wee hours of the morn, I focus on the passionate purple and golden yellow crocus discovered on my neighborhood walk today. Ah—the joy of Spring grows near and dear!

My walk with my dog Valentino (whose nose made the crocus discovery for me while his focus was upon a scent trail of who knows what) assured me Spring truly is almost here. While I may not appreciate the loss of an hour as my clock springs ahead as I lay sleeping tonight, I am certainly delighted at the sight of the crocuses found blooming today.

To show and share my appreciation for this joyous sighting of crocus flowers, I penned a Haiku poem and created a picture postcard ... Enjoy!

Crocus in focus
Leaves a fallen mem'ry. Joy
Springs forth forever.

Joy of Spring Crocus Postcard by abitosunshine
Look at other Spring Postcards at zazzle.com

To me the crocus flower represents joy and passion in living. This first sighting of Spring crocuses has me appreciating the fact that my dog and I have survived our first winter in Ohio and we are both ready for the arrival of a spring in our step as we march forward ... Together. 

Meanings of Flowers

There is much to learn about flowers and their meanings, generally as well as personally.

Does the sighting of the first flowers of Spring mean something special to you?


Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and of Zazzle and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

Rosebud Timelessly Frozen

An ever-budding romance awaits those willing to walk through the doors of life and love.

Red Rosebud Frozen Postcard by abitosunshine
Create a postcard at Zazzle

Red Rosebud Frozen in Haiku...

Timelessly Frozen

Ever-Budding Romance. Life—

Unopened Portals

We can remain frozen in time as did the petals of this red rosebud in an early frost. Or, we can choose living and loving our way through the unopened portals to experience the fullness of these sacred gifts.

With today being Valentine's Day, I have chosen not to remain timelessly frozen. I choose to shake off the frost and push the door open to live a life of love. I will leave the door ajar so you can join me on this journey.

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and of Zazzle and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

Full Moon for Christmas 2015

Christmas Eve has been a pleasure. I spent the early evening in and about the house with my dog Valentino, my roommate, and my net friends.

Valentino took me for a walk shortly after the sun hid itself from our view. I glanced up at the darkening sky displaying a full moon on the rise, my cell phone camera capturing it nestled in the midst of bare branches of a nearby treetop.

Click image for a larger view of Full Moon Christmas 2015

Returning from our dog walk, I checked online to confirm ... Yes! A full moon for Christmas!

From my research I learned that it has been nearly forty years since we have been graced by a full moon on Christmas and that the next will be in the year 2034. I am sure glad I caught this one, in case I miss that one!

I read that this gift from nature is called a Full Cold Moon and is also referred to as the Full Long Nights Moon. But of course, my view of the moon and its names gave rise to a poem in Haiku form.

MERRY CHRISTMAS MOON

© Ruth Cox

Full, Cold, Long Nights Moon

Christmas Twenty-Fifteen; far

away from low sun.

Have yourself a warm and merry Christmas!

My sources of information? The Farmers' Almanac and NASA, of course!

Seasonal Sigh of Golden Leaves

An Autumn display of leaves covering the ground reminds us Spring and Summer are long gone and Winter is on its way.

On a recent walk in the neighborhood with my dog I enjoyed a golden sea of fallen leaves. I was absolutely amazed at how far-reaching the leaves of this tall maple tree were, covering the ground of two properties and the alley in between. And, the tree still had quite a few leaves remaining that would fall later in the season.

While this colorful display of nature was a gift to be taken in by the senses, its beauty also gave way to thoughts of many seasons of my life gone by. I admit to reminiscing a sorrowful moment or two of time gone by. Still, I embraced the fact that the season of youthful greenery would spring forth once again in the coming year.

I felt this the perfect picture of the golden leaves of life to turn into a greeting card for noteworthy thoughts to share with friends or family. Inside top of the note card is Haiku © Ruth Cox.

Fallen leaves of trees

Sigh shivery shades of green

Sprung in days of yore

Noteworthy Autumn Leaves Stationery Note Card by abitosunshine
Check out other note cards online at Zazzle.

Fear Not Living Dangerously

Shall we run and hide or shall we forge ahead to seek and find the truth hidden behind our lying eyes?

Sure. We can take an imaginary walk on a pathway of life and see that danger signs are visible. We can then take refugee in the known, thereby avoiding that bright red blaring sign and what may lie beyond it.

Or... We can choose to face our imagined fears head on. By choosing to be daring enough to go forward, perhaps living dangerously, we may find the true nature of our imagined danger.

Fear Not Live Dangerously Photo Print by abitosunshine
Print your own photo enlargements poster

Life choices are filled with complexities, real and imagined. At the ripe old age of sixty, I should have learned the difference by now. At the least, I should forge ahead to seek and find the truth of the matter.

I plan to do just that, by Daring and Doing!

Quotes to Live By

I often search for great quotes to live by and have even penned a few of my own to picture poem format on photo prints.

abitosunshine Quotoable Quotes
by Ruthi (Ruth Cox aka abitosunshine)

I submit my quotable quote articles to Michele Bergh in her weekly Quotography Link Up for others who create and share quotes on graphics. Come join us every Friday!


Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and of Zazzle and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

Quotable Quote On Inhumanity

Mankind's inhumane treatment of self and others as well as pets and animals is often seen as a tragic display, lacking in compassion.

As I gazed through old photos of my now deceased dog Tidbit, this thought tethered itself in my mind. However, in honor of her spirit, my thoughts were immediately untethered, just as our love for one another has always been.

INHUMANITY Quotable Quote by Ruth Cox aka abitosunshine

My girl now roams the heavens just as she did the earth — untethered by the inhumanity of man. We humans should be so lucky as this dog.

Perhaps you have a quotable quote to create and share. If so, tell its story in a blog post, then submit it to the Quotography Link Up!

Live For Today the Mindfulness Way

MINDFULNESS

In order for us to live for today we must set aside those thoughts and feelings of our past and future that lead us astray from the present moment.

I was reminded of this mindfulness truism today on my morning walk with my dog Valentino. My mind was a million miles away while he was dragging my body to and fro to places we need not go. As I began to focus my attention on our walk I was then able to enjoy our time together, as it should be.

Feeling Mindful Today

I find it encouraging what mine eyes can see when mind, body, and spirit are bundled together as one. Look! I did not miss the gift of this enlightening palm tree!

The Mindfulness Way Postcard by abitosunshine
Design Full color post cards at zazzle

Yes, setting aside my worries and woes, I am feeling mindful today. I am ready to accept the present for what it is, to live for the moment, to enjoy the gifts each day brings.

In putting mindfulness meditation into practice I am able to focus on feelings in the present moment. I am able to address, yet dismiss, my concerns for the future of my dog and my self, acknowledging past emotions but leaving them where they lay. (Perhaps buried like a dog bone to be dug up another day.)

The Mindful Poet

While on the topic of mindfulness, I would be remiss if I did not introduce you to my author friend, Susan Budig, the Mindful Poet. I've no doubt you will enjoy her collection of poetry as much as I.

For the 26-Week ABC Challenge of emotions, my feeling begins with the letter "M" — MINDFUL.

Read all about the ABC Challenge and join us here each week as we write and share our emotions from A to Z.

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and Zazzle and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

This is a blog hop.

Get the InLinkz code for your article.

Floral Scented Sip and Sing-Along

Sip on the scent and sound of musical finery in this floral scented song in haiku and charmed winery by abitosunshine.

Flowers in Haiku
©Ruth Cox

Floral scented song
Glass or bottle sarong, charmed
Sip-along lyrist


Charms for Bottles and Glassware
by abitosunshine

Bottle Blossoms Wine Glass Charms by abitosunshine

No doubt the offerings of poet and designer shall meet with our earth mother's approval on Earth Day as we link up with Noner Says for Wordless Wednesday.

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Zazzle and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

Gray Matters Of Mind

Sometimes a black and white picture paints a thousand shades of gray matter in a mind and spirit.


GRAY MATTERS OF MIND
©Ruth Cox

Black and white must
Leave room for gray
Matters of mind
Growing in gust
Trees of life sway
Sol spirits bind
The living trust
Mid an array
Of kith and kind.

I am linking this picture and poetry up with ABRACABADRA for Wordless Wednesday.

Creative Resolution of Old and New

A ray of sunshine today is found when yesterday's sorrow has drowned. 

And drown yesterday must — blown away in a gust of wind like fallen leaves on the ground. But of course, we all know the treasure of little girls and boys found buried in the pleasure of a pile of autumn leaves.

Therein lies the premise of my one resolution for the new year. Be it stormy weather inside or outside, Father Time spews, "Out with the old, in with the new."

Winged Isis Egyptian Goddess

No matter the stormy weather or the life crisis, and perhaps blessed by the goddess Isis...

I resolve to blow yesterday away with a sun ray every day by living within a sunshine state of mind, perchance creating something new out of yesterday's point of view.

Sunrise Of A New Year

I and my dog Valentino awoke before the rise of the sun this 5th day of the new year, 2015. While sky shed its darkness, dog led our way to the sea.

And what did we see? We saw nature creating serenity!

Right before my eyes the stormy weather of the past was drowning in the glistening sunrise slicing its way through the horizon, rising over the pier, all the sorrow of yesterday making way for a sea of waves of serenity like none other.

Here, my camera captured nature's view, and with a bit of creativity I penned a haiku of yesterday and today.

'Yesterday' Sunrise Haiku by Ruth Cox

Showing whence the sunrise came, I created a picture postcard for you too. (Click images for a larger view.)

Florida Sunshine State of Mind Postcards by abitosunshine
Design unique photo postcard at zazzle.com

Creative Every Day

In keeping with my New Year's resolution, I have accepted the Creative Every Day Challenge.

Consider yourself an everyday creative? Join the challenge at Creative Every Day!


Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an associate of Amazon.com and Zazzle.com and may earn sales commissions via purchases made through links on this article. Links herein may lead to 3rd party sites for which the author is not responsible.

Good Morning Sunrise at Sea

When saddened by the end of a day or a year, of good times or bad, or of love and loss, we need only look to nature for a reminder that endings are but new beginnings.

This decorative porcelain plate, designed by abitosunshine with the addition of Haiku poem by Ruth Cox, will be here to remind you to look at the dawning of each new day as a bright beginning.

Sunrise Yesterday Demise Porcelain Plates by abitosunshine
View other Sunrise Porcelain Plate at Zazzle.com

Photo of the sunrise over the pier was taken by me on a beach walk with my dog Tidbit in Carrabelle, Florida, along the Gulf of Mexico.


DISCLOSURE: Ruth Cox is a Zazzle store owner, designer, and associate as a means for earning online income through purchases made via product links in this article.

Tropical Treasure Palm Poems

Yesterday I clipped a portion of this up close and personal photo and posted it as a picture poem on the TSU social site with the promise of revealing the answer to my first guessing game today.

Visit My Guess the Picture Tsu Post
Click HERE to Join Tsu as Part of My Network

Florida palm trees bearing fruit are plentiful and I am fortunate to have discovered that one of my neighbor's palms produced a bounty of colorful fruit beneath their creamy and coral blooms. But of course, I placed this tropical treasure upon a postcard with a Haiku poem for you to share with your postal pals.

Tropical Treasure Palm Tree by abitosunshine

Create a Full color postcard with zazzle.com

Now you must excuse me, as I have a date with a pressure canner and some jelly jars!

   

DISCLOSURE: Ruth Cox is an associate of Amazon, Zazzle, and Tsu and may earn sales commissions as a result of outbound links in this article.