“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” (Maria Robinson) on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..just letting the heart do the talking while the fingers do the walking… 🙂

( “I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” , no nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 )

Ole Man Winter or not, for the residents here on the path, a touch of spring is in the air in spirit… 🙂

I’m watching the sun come up
With a spot of tea in my hand,
Thoughts passing like a gentle breeze
As I gaze upon the land.

Thinking about my garden
As I watch the squirrels at play,
Will this be a good year?
With nature being kind…day by day.?

Or will it be like last year
A struggle both day and night,
Hoping for a better day
With every morning’s light.

Love is in the air
Carried by a gentle breeze,
In the notes of a birds song
As the melody,..genlty,.. drifts through the trees.

The time has come to make ready
To plan and to prepare,
Even though it’s cool outside
A taste of spring, and love, is in the air!

Or is it just me…………..
(Larry “Dutch” Woller, )

Hello Diary,

It is a Tuesday and the sun is shining… fortunate to not have any severe storms over the weekend but did have wind speeds near Category 1 Hurricane winds… but that too did pass and even though ole Man Winter is still in town, the residents of the path are thinking spring.. have seen a few migratory birds, a small flock of geese, and residents here preparing for spring and to follow their dreams… 🙂

The squirrels have been out and about in numbers…

And chasing each other, using the backyard as an obstacle course… 🙂

However, not everyone was in full spring spirit… remember our lovebirds, Diary?..

Well, this morning the number one priority were waiting for the sun to come up to get warm, no time for amore (don’t you just hate it when that happens.. 🙂 )….

While on the subject of love and following ones dreams, I have been cruising cyberspace and the news and it appears there are those, unfortunately, who are having a difficult time dealing with change and following their dreams… well, following ones dreams and living life is not always easy.. “Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. But it’s not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way. The real test is not whether you avoid this failure, because you won’t. it’s whether you let it harden or shame you into inaction, or whether you learn from it; whether you choose to persevere.” – Barack Obama

Perhaps sometimes “One cannot cherish success unless one has known failure, one cannot cherish happiness unless one has known sorrow, one cannot cherish love unless one has known heartache.”
(Larry “Dutch” Woller)

Well, when life appears to be at the darkest, remembers some words from Maya Angelou; “I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.” (Maya Angelou) and “No matter the pain or suffering, it is always better if it’s a burden shared by two, instead of a weight carried by one alone”… (Larry “Dutch” Woller)

Or, if one has a belief (religious or otherwise) there is a saying; “ God promised you a safe landing, he did not say the journey was going to be a smooth one”….

And it is especially difficult when one is confronted by those with a closed mind and heart… just remember “One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.” (Michael J. Fox).. And remember this “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” ― Bernard M. Baruch

Listen to your heart, follow your dreams and “When you are truly inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project… your mind transcends its limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world! Then those dormant forces, faculties and talents inside you become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” Patanjali “

Well, I had better venture on down the path.. have some dreams of my own and destiny is out there somewhere waiting for me… but I shall return again one day, Diary, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…

Remember Dairy, the road of life may be a bit bumpy but don’t let others determine your life for “It is not easy to find happiness within ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.” (Agnes Repplier) so always listen to your heart and “Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird, that cannot fly.” ( Langston Hughes )

Have Only Just Begun On The Path Least Traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..just letting the heart do the talking while the fingers do the walking… 🙂

( “I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” , no nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 )

Contemplate and Wonder…

A peaceful Friday Morning, watching the sun arise
Thoughts abound, while sipping on a spot of tea,
While taking in Nature’s outdoor portrait
Contemplating, on what Fate may have instore for me.

Change is slowly coming, it whispers in the winds
The door is slowly closing on history,
With a new awakening with the mind and spirit
But the future is still shrouded in mystery.

With the freedom of being different, in many ways
No social shackles do this mortal wear,
Do welcome change with open mind and spirit
No fear, no worry or dread do I bear.

Does change stop at mortal death, one wonders
Or does it go on forever and ever,
Will I ask the same at another time and place
Somewhere past the 12th of Never?

Will thought and spirit continue
When, as in all things, one’s time comes to an end?
Or does all things cease to be when
To the grave, the mortal body Fate does send.

Alas, but must deal with the present, this Friday
So now will store thoughts and musings yet to be told,
For it’s down the path least traveled I do venture
To search and hopefully find….what life, and destiny, may behold.

( Larry “Dutch” Woller )

Hello Diary,

It’s a Friday morning, end of the week… and it were a busy week.. mutli-tasking this morning but taking the time to stop the world and share a few thoughts… it were a calm, cloudy, foggy morning waiting for the sun to rise…

Unfortunately it is the “lull before the storm” as there are the possibility of strong to severe thunderstorms Saturday afternoon and evening…

Sooooooooooooooo, change of plans for the weekend and decided to do the cooking today…

I’m cooking in one room and typing in another…clever, eh?.. 🙂 while checking the weather I briefly browsed the news of the world.. it seems there is a world element who will stop at nothing to ridicule one’s dignity, one’s beliefs, one’s dreams simply because one is different.. “One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.” Michael J. Fox

A world element that will not hesitate to say a falsehood in an effort to impose their ideology on another.. “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” ― Mark Twain….. and unfortunately there are the faithful followers that will take it as the truth…

A tongue can accuse and carry bad news
The seeds of distrust, it can sow,
So unless you know the truth, that it is not hearsay
Be careful of stones that you throw.
(Larry “Dutch” Woller )

Well, here on the path it is being independent, open minded, open heart, free thinking, understanding.. to put it in one word; “different”.. 🙂

“I have a greater peace of mind by being straightforward and truthful about myself, with open heart and mind, knowing the outcome being uncertain, rather than to wake up tomorrow morning and have to deal with a falsehood I told yesterday.” (Larry “Dutch” Woller )

“Never say I love you
If you really don’t care,
Never talk about feelings
If they really aren’t there.

Never hold my hand
If your going to break my heart
Never say your going to
If you don’t plan to start.

Never look into my eyes
If all you do is lie
Never say hello
If you really mean goodbye.

If you really mean forever
Then say you will try,
If not, then never say forever
Cause forever makes me cry
(Author Unknown)

Well, had better close.. life is calling, adventures lie ahead so need to set sail with eyes to the horizon and a dream in my heart.. But I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise… 🙂

In spite of the closed minded, the deniers of this world, with love, compassion and understanding here on the path least traveled we’ve only just begun to follow our dreams and live life.. 🙂

We’ve only just begun to live
White lace and promises
A kiss for luck and we’re on our way
(We’ve only begun)

Before the risin’ sun, we fly
So many roads to choose
We’ll start out walkin’ and learn to run
(And yes, we’ve just begun)

Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watching the signs along the way
Talkin’ it over, just the two of us
Workin’ together day to day
Together

And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We’ll find a place where there’s room to grow
(And yes, we’ve just begun)

Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watching the signs along the way
Talkin’ it over, just the two of us
Workin’ together day to day
Together
Together

And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We’ll find a place where there’s room to grow
And yes, we’ve just begun

“The one who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone, is likely to find himself in places no one has ever been.” (Francis Phillip Wernig) on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..just letting the heart do the talking while the fingers do the walking… 🙂

( “I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” , no nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 )

“Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone’s face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come.” Henri Nouwen

Destiny sits upon the morning horizon
Always in site, but never clear
And as I travel along the road I have chosen
Destiny remains forever in place
Sitting upon the morning horizon

But as the years pass
And the road spans the distance
Between yesterday and tomorrow
I know my destiny will arrive

For time alone will close the gap
So yesterday becomes dust filled memories
And the horizon of tomorrow
Will be the road of today

For then, there will be no yesterday or tomorrow, only today
And when that day arrives
I will find peace and be complete
For I will be one with my destiny

(Favi F)

Hello Diary,

Well, it is a Tuesday morning, somewhat gloomy out weather wise.. another winter storm approaching perhaps with some snow and ice making getting around outdoors somewhat difficult.. making preparations for that possibility and plans to start dusting/cleaning of the house… for now, have a spot of tea and taking a break with those activities and popped in to share a few thoughts..

Dairy, in the past I have shared thought about many things that concern living my life, my way and I thought I would share a few thoughts about a somewhat delicate subject for some; religious ideology… 🙂 now, here on the path, everyone has a right to believe however and whatever they wish.. my thoughts are mine alone, for me and do not ridicule or impose on others…

I have been ask why I am not into religion… these are my observations; 1. there is a element in world’s societies that make today’s religion far to restrictive in thought.. they preach peace on earth goodwill to man but in reality practice fear and conflict to impose their ideology on others… 2. there is a element in religious leadership that use religion for their own personal gains, they are self proclaimed prophets and what they preach is their own ideology… 3. the leadership, and a element of their followers, will ridicule and condemn those who beliefs, dreams and hopes are different, even within their own religion… 4. there are a element in religious societies that create a image, they profess to believe when in fact they do not… these are just a few examples, keeping it brief… 🙂

Now, writing speak of Jesus, Mohammed and others… and the fact of the matter is “official” religion was adopted decades after their deaths… sooooooooooo, before religion what did people do, one would ask?.. Well, they went about their daily lives, living together with others, believing what they wished, when they wished, where they wished.. one does not need religion to believe in something… one does not need a prophet or a building of brick, mortar and fancy windows to have faith in something..

A few days before my late wife’s passing, a Chaplain visited her in her room… he ask her “Mrs. Woller, do you have a religion?”, her reply was “No”… he then ask “Mrs. Woller, do you believe in the hereafter?”.. she said “Yes”.. he then said “Good!.. It is what is in the heart that matters, not the name above a door”… 🙂 here on the path one believes or does not believe whatever one wishes, not something determined by someone else… 🙂

Soooooooooo, if one wishes to contemplate/believe one’s destiny here, the “church” is the backyard.. the roof is the skies above..

The carpet is a bed of flowers…

There are no pews, one can sit and meditate wherever one wishes comfortably…

The ushers are Attila…

And those rebellious knuckleheaded squirrels…

They are a little rough around the edges but they keep practicing… 🙂 the choir are the birds.. One is the bluejay (in the feeder)..

The robin…

The little wren..

The dove…

Who could forget the little sparrow…

And other birds too numerous to mention… sooooooooooo, no ornate windows, wonderful paintings or other artifacts for this “church”.. no polished autos or Sunday’s best wearing apparel here… but I am wealthier by far than they hope to be… I have a open mind, open heart and;

I’m far richer than the rich
Wealthier than the wealthy by far,
I have gold in the sun
I have silver in the star.

I have dreams that I follow
That are more precious than gold,
As I venture through life
Eagerly watching, the dreams unfold.

I have diamonds, too many to count
With each new fallen snow,
As I see each one sparkle
While basking in the suns glow.

The mornings bring nature’s painting
Priceless, a portrait of the sky,
Impossible to duplicate
Even though many did try.

Each bloom of the red rose
A ruby, one of a kind,
With the bloom of the white rose
A pearl comes to mind.

Money have I little
But wealth I have got,
But I don’t fit in with
The wealthy and rich lot.

But I’m not going to change
A wealthy dreamer I’ll stay,
Until the rivers, they all run dry
Until the four winds, they all blow away.

(Larry “Dutch” Woller )

Now, I hope for those that are among the faithful, that do have a religion (or not) all the best, their life is all that they wish for it to be and their beliefs come true… the only advice I will give them is to follow their heart… 🙂

Well, this ole heathen had better close for now.. Destiny is waiting for me and I had better see what it wants.. But I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise… 🙂

One more thing, Diary.. I believe there is a saying “God promised you a safe landing, he did not say the journey would be a smooth one”… sooooooooo, if that journey starts to get a little rough, perhaps you should just listen to your heart and follow the advice of the Seekers… 🙂

Speak to the sky when ever things go wrong
and you know you’re not talkin’ to the air, to the air
and the world will look better from up there

Speak to the sky ’cause things can get ya down
and you know when you’re talkin’ to the Lord, to the Lord
the world will look better than before

And if I stumble and it seems that I am blind
or if the road I’m on seems awful hard to find
and though my conversation doesn’t always rhyme
I always try to find some time to …….

Speak to the sky and tell you how I feel
and to know sometimes what I say ain’t right
It’s all right
cause I speak to the sky every night

Speak to the sky when ever things go wrong
and you know you’re not talkin’ to the air, to the air
and the world will look better from up there
and the world will look better from up there
and the world will look better from up there

“No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending” (Maria Robinson) on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..just letting the heart do the talking while the fingers do the walking… 🙂

( “I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” , no nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 )

I awoke one morning, alone, in history’s past..
Left with a heart full of memories, a decision to make,
Confronted with two paths to my destiny..
Heart and mind to decide which one to take.

Take the one most traveled, the logical safe choice…
The one chosen by the multitudes..the human race,
Like sheep, following a path determined by another…
No self identity, all bearing the same face.

A most traveled path whose direction is chosen by a few
The rest to follow, ever so blind,
Their destiny not chosen by their own hand
Their fate determined, by a closed mind.

The other path less traveled, mysterious and unknown
Where one can be different, like me I confess,
Without fear of ridicule, bigotry  and hate
A path filled with love… and happiness.

A path less traveled where one can follow ones dreams
An open mind to see what others do not,
To live a life guided by one’s heart
While the other path one cannot.

Decision made, with eyes on the horizon
It’s down the path least traveled I do venture,
Excitement fills the air, a smile on the face
Looking forward to a great adventure.

My fate will be unknown, what lies ahead unsure
I do not know…. what my destiny will be,
But one thing will be certain, written in stone
I shall venture down that path …..being “ME“.
          (penned by Larry “Dutch” Woller)

Hello Diary,

It is a Sunday morning, a gloomy wintry Sunday Morning….

Fortunately have a more pleasant environment than some folks on this “third rock from the sun”… 🙂 here it is a day of planning and contemplating and thought I would take a break in the activities and share a few thoughts…

I have my dreams as like everyone else do and it has come to my attention in history’s past that there are those that could use some help realizing their dreams, especially the children… I do what I can.. 🙂 “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” -Mother Teresa

This is about the children… never mind the gender, race, being different or physical imperfections, they are people too and they have their dreams… “To me there is no picture so beautiful as smiling, bright-eyed, happy children; no music so sweet as their clear and ringing laughter.” P. T. Barnum

Soooooooooooooo, again I checked out the ole piggy bank… “I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.”

Valentines day I, along with others, sent a Valentines Day card to a child…

Not only did a child receive a card knowing someone cared, my name also provided 10 meals to those who were hungry… “When a friend is in trouble, don’t annoy the friend by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it.”

The local foodbank will be holding a Prom Benefit for the hungry and one was ask to vote for queen and king….

The vote were in the form of a donation, all the funds to provide meals for the hungry… I voted for Denise, by the way… 🙂 “When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.” Helder Camara

There is this school in another part of the world, “Project WHY Okhla Centre which runs  after-school support for 350 children from the nearby underprivileged communities. Some of the teachers  established this centre 14 years ago, at the site of a dustbin. The teachers at the Project Why Okhla Centre do not wear capes, but they’re heroes all the same… “Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with.” ― Brodi Ashton,

Those children have dreams also, and I (along with others) helped as best I can, hopefully those children will realize their dreams one day… “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” ― Roy T. Bennett

And I received some pleasant news from the Cunningham Children’s Home, a young lady is realizing her dreams and preparing for college….

“There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.”– Douglas H. Everett

Well, that is enough rambling for one day… I have my own dreams to contemplate and follow so I better venture on down the path… neither sleet, nor rain, nor gloom of night will stand in my way as my eyes are on the horizon looking for that elusive rainbow… 🙂 but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…

I have a dream…“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” Stephen Grellet

“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird, that cannot fly.” Langston Hughes

Valentines Day is every day on the path least traveled….

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..just letting the heart do the talking while the fingers do the walking… 🙂

( “I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” , no nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 )

Thoughts Of You, My Friend

The garden roses are red
The backyard violets are blue,
Brightness, delicacy, and warmth to behold
That starts me to think of you!

Your beauty, inside and out
That brightens the darkest skies,
Can feel the glowing warmth
Of your lovely, soft, eyes!

Your lovely soft hands
Used with passionate gentleness
Delicate nimble fingers
With a touch of tenderness

And there are your thoughts
That I cherish and treasure,
That I value so highly
They are beyond measure!

One who ventures ever forward
Facing life without dread or fear,
Yet not letting go of the precious past
Holding on to all that is dear,

A few thoughts of you, my friend
Coming from the heart
Thoughts that will never end
Even though in life, we may part.

(penned by Larry “Dutch” Woller, )

Hello Diary,

Today it is “officially” Valentines Day, but here on the path every day is Valentines Day… 🙂 neither rain, nor sleet nor gloom of night, not weather, climate.. not about gender, race or ideology.. no social pressure but all above love from the heart between beings and it will not be denied… 🙂

“Love knows no bounds or time, love is the spirit of the heart, love is the life support of hope, love is the force behind compassion, love is the foundation for true friendships, relationships….without love, life is barren and cold and has no meaning”…. (Larry “Dutch” Woller)

“Love is the expansion of two natures in such fashion that each include the other, each is enriched by the other.” Felix Adler

To Love YOU..

To Love you is to daydream of you often, think of you so much, to speak of you proudly, and miss you terribly when we are apart.
To Love you is to cherish the warmth of your arms, the sweetness of your kiss, the friendliness of your smile, the loving sound in your voice, and the happiness we share……
To Love you is to never forget the adversity we have overcome, the tears we have shed, the plans we have made, the problems we have solved, and the pain of separation.
To Love you is to remember joyfully the days we made memorable, the moments that will live forever in our hearts,
The dreams we hope for, the caress and touches of love, and the exhilaration of love that fills our hearts.
To Love you is to need you, want you, hold you, and know you as no one else can.
To Love you is to realize that life without you would be no life at all……..
(Author Unknown)

Whispering world, a sigh of sighs,
The ebb and the flow of the ocean tides.
One breath, one word may end or may start
Hope has a place in a lover’s heart.
Look to love and you may dream,
And if it should leave then give it wings.
But if such a love is meant to be;
Hope is home, and the heart is free.
( Enya)

A bouquet of flowers from my garden,
Their beauty need not be told,
Their fragrance is soothing and lovely
A pleasant scent for one to behold.

They remind me of you, my dear friend
Whose beauty from within you do share,
Sharing sunshine, understanding and laughter
Sowing the seeds of love and happiness in the air.

This bouquet was picked for you
For coming into my world, my dear friend,
For giving sunshine, laughter, love and happiness
For which I know will never end.
(Penned by Larry “Dutch” Woller )

It’s evening here all is serene
Waiting for the sandman, my love,
Thoughts of you fill my mind and heart
While gazing at stars above.

Trying to find the elusive words
That will allow this mortal to say,
In a thousand ways that I Love You
And will always do so each and every day.

Thoughts of you are in my mind
My spirit yea my very heart,
Can’t find all the words I’m looking for
Don’t even know where to start.

So this will have to do, my love
For now it’s the best I can do,
To tell you from the bottom of my heart
How much that I love you!

A love that is without end
Through an eternity it will endure,
A love so wonderfully right
Beautiful and pure.

And know this, my beloved
As I did, from the very start,
Your love will be locked forever
Inside this country boys heart!

(penned by Larry “Dutch” Woller )

Well, I had better close.. adventure, rainbows, dreams all lie ahead soooooooooooooo it is HI HO HI HO on down the path I go.. But I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise… 🙂

Napoli isn’t the only place this happens… now where is that pizza… 🙂

In Napoli where love is king
When boy meets girl here’s what they say

When the moon hits your eye
Like a big pizza pie that’s amore
When the world seems to shine
Like you’ve had too much wine that’s amore

Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling
And you’ll sing, “Vita bella”
Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay
Like a gay tarantella

When the stars make you drool
Just like a pasta fazool that’s amore
When you dance down the street
With a cloud at your feet you’re in love

When you walk in a dream
But you know you’re not dreaming signore
Scuzza me, but you see
Back in old Napoli that’s amore

When the moon hits you eye
Like a big pizza pie that’s amore
When the world seems to shine
Like you’ve had too much wine that’s amore

Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling
And you’ll sing, “Vita bella”
Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay
Like a gay tarantella, lucky fella

When the stars make you drool
Just like a pasta fazool that’s amore
When you dance down the street
With a cloud at your feet you’re in love

When you walk in a dream
But you know you’re not dreaming signore
Scuzza me, but you see
Back in old Napoli that’s amore
Amore that’s amore

“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.” (Louisa May Alcott) on the path least traveled..

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..just letting the heart do the talking while the fingers do the walking… 🙂

( “I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” , no nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 )

Everything is beautiful in it’s own way.
Like the starry summer night, or a snow-covered winter’s day.
And everybody’s beautiful in their own way.
Under God’s heaven, the world’s gonna find the way.

There is none so blind as he who will not see.
We must not close our minds; we must let our thoughts be free.
For every hour that passes by, we know the world gets a little bit older.
It’s time to realize that beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.

We shouldn’t care about the length of his hair, or the color of his skin.
Don’t worry about what shows from without, but the love that lives within.
And we’re gonna get it all together now; everything gonna work out fine.
Just take a little time to look on the good side my friend,
And straighten it out in your mind.
(Ray Stevens)

“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, the man who at best knows achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Hello Diary,

Well, it is a Tuesday morning and it seems that nature is having a difficult time deciding on what kind of weather is appropriate this time of year… 🙂 today is basically a rain event….

Of course, rain and melted snow is not good when the ground is frozen… 🙂

Later they are forecasting the possibility of more snow and maybe 45 mile per hour wind… the other side of the coin, Sunday was a snow event…. 🙂

Anyway, taking a break from working with Nature with the weather and thought I would leave a few thoughts before venturing on down the path… one might ask what one does on a snowy Sunday… well, still dealing with health, one of the things I do is bake…. here is two loaves of bread…

By doing this I accomplish three things at least; 1. I don’t have to venture to the store often to get what bread I do eat, 2. with it being just me, I do not have to worry about waste of spoiled bread and 3. I can control to some degree what is in the bread… clever eh?… 🙂

While still on the subject of health, in the past I have made mention of my finger nails… they are brittle and break easily, especially when outdoors in the garden and yard… after a few years of experimenting, decided on acrylics to protect the nails and have decent looking hands… to cut expense and do what is best for me, I set up my own nail salon… 🙂

Soooooooooooo, on Sunday I sit down and remove the old acrylics, clean and apply minerals to the nails…

Let dry and then I apply the acrylics that I have pre-made…

I have gained knowledge over the last few years while helping my late wife deal with her health issues (cancer) and helping other people with their issues… taking care of oneself (mentally and physically) and doing what needs to be done to be healthy top priority, irregardless of the mindset of others…. 🙂 in the summer time when I am outdoors enjoying the gardens and backyard, for arms, legs etc I use Banana Boat…

And for face and lips I use a sunscreen for the face and lip gloss….

I know a number of people (including family members) who are having serious health issues because they did not take care of themselves and left their health to chance.. It doesn’t take a great deal, one just has to develop the determination, and routine, to do it… 🙂 and why do I wear earrings, one would ask…

Because I can…. 🙂 “Until you value yourself, you won’t value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.” ~ M. Scott Peck

Well, I have rambled on enough about health and how I deal with life’s issues so I best close for now and live that life!.. 🙂 “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming; “Wow! What a ride!” (Hunter S. Thompson) but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…

Well, today the spirit is happy, am physically as healthy as possible at this time, woke up on the green side of the grass not under it so able to pursue my dreams, soooooooooooooooooo no matter the weather one could call today a zip-a-dee-do-dah day!.. 🙂

“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” – (Michel Angelo) on the path least traveled..

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..just letting the heart do the talking while the fingers do the walking… 🙂

( “I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” , no nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 )

A Not So Secret Garden

I live in a not so secret garden
Along the path least traveled,
Quite unlike the other world
A world that has become unraveled.

A garden of peace and harmony
Being different does not matter here,
All creatures, big and small, living together
Unlike the other world, they do not live in fear.

Together we live the hand that Fate has dealt us
Not sure, or dwell, on our final destiny,
But live to enjoy the moment, the hour, the day
That is what life is about, don’t you see.

So into the not so secret garden I will venture
Along the path least traveled,
To find love, understanding, to follow one’s dreams
Unlike the other world unraveled.

(Larry “Dutch” Woller )

“Everyday on the path least traveled brings adventure and change, that change presents a challenge (mentally and physically) as to how to accept it and deal with it, generates an excitement about being “me” while exploring the universe, living a second of time and looking forward to what the next second of time brings, looking forward to living life and doing it my way.” (Larry “Dutch” Woller )

Hello Diary,

Well, it is a Friday morning, the end of a week with uncertain weather… yesterday (Thursday) morning looked like this, springtime, foggy, rainy and temperature around 56 degrees F…

Well, this morning looked like this, sunny with a few clouds…

Unfortunately the temperature were 13.1 degrees F, had 40 mile per hour wind and the wind chill (what it felt like to the skin) were a –7.5 degrees F below zero… sighhhhhhhhh but this too shall pass… 🙂 moving on Diary, I were ask how do I relax, how do I have some ME time, leaving the universe to its own devices for a period of time… I have a number of ways to relax (as long as I follow my dreams I am always happy.. 🙂 )… one method is I color….

I use images that are detailed and instead of using crayons, I use colored pencils… my newest masterpiece.. 🙂

Of course I concentrate on detail and work on it with the same thoughts as if it were a painting…. I do paint some but coloring is easier to transport and use… I also have a puzzle that I work on from time to time….

It is referred to as a “shaped puzzle”… unlike most puzzles that have a straight edge with corners, this puzzle does not… the shape of the dog, the flowers, etc establish the edge of the puzzle, there is no beginning or end… 🙂 I also do Tai-Chi…

Not only does Tai-Chi help me to relax, it also helps with maintaining balance and exercise… I also do meditation, here I am sitting in a chair (sometimes I set in the yoga position)…

I have a little MP3 player with earphones and listen to quiet, relaxing music while concentrating on my breathing… currently doing 5-10 minutes and usually in the evening after the meal… and I have my Kindle…

I have two actually… one Kindle is my “library” and has over a 1000 books downloaded on the Kindle.. The Kindle that I read with only has the books that I plan to read in the near future so I do not have to browse through all those books… 🙂

I also write poetry when the mood is right… 🙂

And that pretty much is some of the methods I use to relax… the main thing is to shut out the universe for a time, set ones own pace and method and be happy while relaxing… don’t do it because one has to but because one wants to…. 🙂

Well, better close for now… been busy preparing for the next round of winter and between that and all this writing, I need to relax for a time… 🙂 but I shall return again one day, Diary, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…

Do not let those voices intimidate and drown your dreams, do not let those voices bring about self-doubt.. Be true to yourself, never let go of your dreams and follow Elaine Maxwell’s belief; “My will shall shape the future. Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man’s doing but my own. I am the force; I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze.. My choice; my responsibility; win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny”. Elaine Maxwell

“I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn” on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..just letting the heart do the talking while the fingers do the walking… 🙂

( “I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” , no nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 )

Diary, “I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart and mind, I usually make the right decision” and “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Journey of Self Discovery…

What I am
Who I want to be
Am I just a stranger in this dinosaur world,
or my is existence limited to rest ,eat and pee.

Every day is a new day ,
I try to discover myself,
The identity crisis lulls over me,
In calm, yet monstrous glee,
Failing to find what exactly constitutes my being.

One day I want to be a doctor,
Other day an engineer,
Or even a scientist,
The society decides my ambition,
What career to pursue is guided by secure future norms,
They say I have a lunatics mind,
Persuade my mother to put some sense into me.

Enough is said,
I my setting on a journey of my own,
The mistakes I make shall be mine,
The regrets shall be my defined,
Its fall or rise,
Time will play a key role,

As Frost said,
I have an option of two paths ahead of me,
One pre decided by my ancestors,
less risky and challenging,
Other of my own,
I decide to take the less traveled one,
To mark on journey of my own.
(Illahi Bedi)

Hello Diary,

Well, it is a Tuesday morning… somewhat quiet, foggy and cool… without winter white or spring green a rather bleak looking day… 🙂

But change is in the winds, another storm approaching from the west, should be rain…

But the temperature will be close enough I am preparing for possible ice… I have learned to prepare for the worst and then should it happen, I am ready… I have learned a good many things over time… 🙂

I have learned that building ones life is like building a house…. “A house that is built with patience, understanding and love will withstand the strongest winds of difficulties and conflict , a house built with a closed mind, insincerity and haste will collapse in a mere breeze of discontent.” (Larry “Dutch” Woller )

I have learned that life is like the Boston Marathon… one does not just start running but take the time to prepare for the event, to set ones goals.. “Any piece of knowledge I acquire today has a value at this moment exactly proportioned to my skill to deal with it. Tomorrow, when I know more, I will recall that piece of knowledge and use it better. “ (Mark van Doren) and that speed is not important but to follow ones goals to the finish line..

I have learned to accept one as to how one’s spirit believes who/what they are, avoid social labels…

“I believe gender is a spectrum, and I fall somewhere between Channing Tatum and Winnie the Pooh.” ( Stephen Colbert)

I have learned that there is a element of world’s society that will stop at nothing to prevent one from following one’s dreams, to be what and whom one wishes to be… I have learned never to allow those voices to intimidate one to quit living one’s life, to follow one’s dream…

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road your trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and its turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When they might have won, had they stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victors cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when your hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit!
(Wade Watts)

I have learned that as long as one tries to live up to the expectations of others instead of being true to oneself, one will never be free…. “Becoming free is learning about yourself; the scared and the insecure, the brilliant and the bold. Embrace both and the journey is yours and yours alone. No longer are you following another’s directions and your path and purpose will present themselves. Only then might you find another wandering soul doing the same thing, who can walk with you but on their own journey. All of a sudden you might find a shared passion and a wrinkled map on the trail that makes sense.” (Riitta Klint)

I have learned that while a many cherish their material wealth, I am more wealthy than they will ever be…

A Wealthy Dreamer Am I…

I’m far richer than the rich
Wealthier than the wealthy by far,
I have gold in the sun
I have silver in the star.

I have dreams that I follow
That are more precious than gold,
As I venture through life
Eagerly watching, the dreams unfold.

I have diamonds, too many to count
With each new fallen snow,
As I see each one sparkle
While basking in the suns glow.

The mornings bring nature’s painting
Priceless, a portrait of the sky,
Impossible to duplicate
Even though many did try.

Each bloom of the red rose
A ruby, one of a kind,
With the bloom of the white rose
A pearl comes to mind.

Money have I little
But wealth I have got,
But I don’t fit in with
The wealthy and rich lot.

But I’m not going to change
A wealthy dreamer I’ll stay,
Until the rivers, they all run dry
Until the four winds, they all blow away.

(Larry “Dutch” Woller 8-10-2018)

I have learned that sometimes I tend to ramble on so I had better close for now (is that cheering I hear? 🙂 ).. I have some more learning to do for as a teacher once told me “the day I need not gather anymore knowledge was the day of my funeral”… 🙂 but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…

Well, I am not sure how much more time destiny has planned for me in this mortal world, but however long it may be I have learned to follow my heart and to live my life my way… 🙂

“The greatest challenge in life is to be our own person and accept that being different is a blessing and not a curse”.. (Kilroy Oldster) on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..just letting the heart do the talking while the fingers do the walking… 🙂

( “I do not do, say or write something to been seen or heard… I do, say or write something because it needed to be done, said or written…” , no nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 )

In spite of all the negative thinking, closed minded mortals in the universe attempting to impose their ideology on another mortal, there is always hope…

HOPE IS

Hope is a feather floating in a bright blue sky
Hope is that sparkle that shines in your eyes.
Hope is a butterfly fluttering on the wind
Hope is good times spent with family and friends.

Hope is a newborn baby’s cry
Hope is a Mother’s lullaby.
Hope is the rainbow after a rain
Hope is the harvest of golden grain.

Hope is the light that keeps darkness at bay
Hope is the breeze on a hot summer day.
Hope is ever present and free of cost
Hope is the last thing ever lost.

Hope is staying positive when the going gets tough
Hope is seeking help when you feel you’ve had enough.
Hope is recovery from simmering sorrow
Hope is believing in a brighter tomorrow.

Linda Hotger

Hello Diary,

It is a quiet Sunday morning, the “polar express” had left town Friday… the polar express left this scene in its wake…

But we survived … Phil, the ground hog, says it will be a early spring.. of course it may be wishful thinking on his part also… 🙂 it did feel a bit like spring this morning with the warm-up this weekend…

Now, when I say warm-up, I mean 40F degrees instead of –16F degrees below zero … 🙂 not ready to think about getting into the garden yet… 🙂 did get some sunshine this morning and as I were walking through the house, I glanced at the dresser and “HORRORS”, I need to dust… 😦

Well, after studying the issue briefly, decided to file the thought under “spring cleaning” and take the advice of Rose Milligan… 🙂

Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better
to paint a picture, or write a letter,
bake a cake, or plant a seed.
Ponder the difference between want and need.

Dust if you must, but there is not much time,
with rivers to swim and mountains to climb!
Music to hear, and books to read,
friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must, but the world’s out there
with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,
a flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
this day will not come round again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
old age will come and it’s not kind.
And when you go, and go you must,
you, yourself, will make more dust!

(Rose Milligan)

While technology has been a great thing, unfortunately it has given a certain element of world society a voice..it is a closed minded voice that will not hesitate to attempt to ridicule or humiliate another because another does not think or believe as they do….. a closed minded voice that will stop at nothing to try to prevent another from following one’s heart and realizing one’s dreams… after listening to the closed minded social voice, the question arises; follow the crowd and surrender to the crowds ideology or venture down the path alone?.. well, as Robert Frost said “ I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” I chose Mr. Frost’s thinking, and followed MY heart down the path least traveled and it has made all the difference…

Of course, in doing so I am looked upon as being different but I am okay with that… “If being different is what is wrong, I’d rather not be right, and I’d want to finish living, doing the different fight” (Vincen Tabatha) …. so on down the path I go being different and enjoying it… 🙂

I’d Like To Be Different Instead…

And why do I wish to be different, you may ask,
The freedom to choose, to explore, to learn a lot,
Dictated to by a prophet chained to a myth…. NOT
Maybe so everyone can shout and point at me,
And say, “Hey, he’s different”, don’t you see.

My mind is clear and open, gathering knowledge every day
My spirit is young, adventuresome and floating free,
Not confined by those social chains, no box, no mold for me
I am what I am, I am me, what I wish to be,
Perhaps that makes me different, don’t you see.

So my heart’s compass is pointed to the horizon
Sails set full, safe harbor fading in the distance, a faint glow to eye it seems
And with a pocket full of memories, on the horizon are my dreams
On down the path least traveled I will venture, with spirit free
Why the path least traveled?..well, I’m different, don’t you see.

(Penned by Larry “Dutch” Woller )

Or, as Mr. Jobs expressed it..

“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living the result of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinion drown your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary” Steve Jobs

Well, I had better quit rambling and close for now… a relaxing Sunday being different before the new week arrives with more challenges and adventures… but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…. 🙂

Remember, Diary, do not fall victim to the closed minded mortals who try to ridicule, belittle, intimidate or say hurtful things about you or to you… they are miserable mortals trying to bring you down to their level… stay true to yourself and be yourself… for you are one of a kind and unforgettable… 🙂