"What a wonderful world".

While Mr. Gandhi Noodle (my daughter's big, black cat), lazily rolled over on a cozy, warm and thick rug draped over the bare, wooden floor of the main level of our 1.5 storey house, I peeped through the window thinking if I should or shouldn't brace myself to go outside and enjoy some brisk moment of fresh, crisp winter air...

after a moment of hesitation, I thought I should start "winterizing" myself 

by simply not thinking of how dreadful it is going to be when snow 

becomes a common scenery in the months to come.

So I grabbed my long winter coat, a pair of gloves, and a pair of winter boots, of course not forgetting to grab my camera just in case I stumble upon 

some "interesting subjects".

Today started  on a a frosty note as I have noticed 

some light snow on the ground and everything around me. 

Nature is even more beautiful to look at against the clear blue sky. 

Though the sun was out, I can feel the sharp, biting coldness of Minnesota's  early winter air. I saw a bird perched on a branch of my apple tree but not another shadow of any creatures around. I saw couple of red, feisty squirrels yesterday but none today.

Though winter is just a few blinks away, I would rather think that I will find some delights and surprises on simple things around me to keep me inspired in life.

It makes me smile to catch a glimpse of a frozen pink "Sweet Williams" flower in my garden as I inch my way back to the house. And as I end this post, I heard from the radio the song "Over the rainbow/What a wonderful world" (by Israel ‘IZ’ Kamakawiwo’ole on Unforgettable: The Standards Collection). Indeed, what a wonderful world we live in.

YOU!

Something to think about!

When I logged into my Facebook account today, I got this message posted on my wall from a good friend in college. It is long but worthy of your time to read so I thought I'd share it here for everyone else to read and share as well......

You were in my thoughts. I like to share this with you..Translated from the original in Chinese).
Because none of us have many years to live, and we can't take along anything when we go, so we don't have to be too thrifty...

Spend the money that should be spent, enjoy what should be enjoyed, donate what you are able to donate, but don't leave all to your children or grandchildren, for you don't want them to become parasites who are waiting for the day you will die!!

Don't worry about what will happen after we are gone, because when we return to dust, we will feel nothing about praises or criticisms. The time to enjoy the worldly life and your hard earned wealth will be over!

Don't worry too much about your children, for children will have their own destiny and should find their own way. Don't be your children's slave. Care for them, love them, give them gifts but also enjoy your money while you can. Life should have more to it than working from the cradle to the grave!!

Don't expect too much from your children. Caring children, though caring, would be too busy with their jobs and commitments to render much help.

Uncaring children may fight over your assets even when you are still alive, and wish for your early demise so they can inherit your properties and wealth.

Your children take for granted that they are rightful heirs to your wealth; but that you have no claims to their money.

50-year old like you, don't trade in your health for wealth by working yourself to an early grave anymore ....
Because your money may not be able to buy your health ....

When to stop making money, and how much is enough (hundred thousands, million, ten million)?

Out of thousand hectares of good farm land, you can consume only three quarts (of rice) daily; out of a thousand mansions, you only need eight square meters of space to rest at night.

So, as long as you have enough food and enough money to spend, that is good enough. You should live happily. Every family has its own problems.

Just do not compare with others for fame and social status and see whose children are doing better, etc., but challenge others for happiness, health, enjoyment, quality of life and longevity ....

Don't worry about things that you can't change because it doesn't help and it may spoil your health.

You have to create your own well-being and find your own place of happiness. As long as you are in good mood and good health, think about happy things, do happy things daily and have fun in doing, then you will pass your time happily every day.

One day passes without happiness, you will lose one day.
One day passes with happiness, and then you gain one day.

In good spirit, sickness will cure; in a happy spirit, sickness will cure faster; in high and happy spirits; sickness will never come.

With good mood, suitable amount of exercise, always in the sun, variety of foods, reasonable amount of vitamin and mineral intake, hopefully you will live another 20 or 30 years of healthy life of pleasure.

Above all, learn to cherish the goodness around .... and FRIENDS .... They all make you feel young and "wanted" .... without them you are surely to feel lost!!

Wishing you all the best.

Please share this with all your friends who are 50 plus and those who will be 50 plus after some time.

All the pretty flowers in fall

these are some of the

wild flowers that

bloomed in my garden

this summer which I planned

to expand next year.

Remembering Dad

A poem I wrote in 2008, as I was flying back home 

to pay my last respect to

 my father on his passing away 

another sunrise

another sunset

another day to come

time never learned

to wait for me

to come home

I said I would

I said if I could

come home to you

before you know it

I'd be home in a wink

but time never waited

for me to see your smile

fading away so quick

in a beat of my heart