“We all have our own life to pursue, our own kind of dream to be weaving. And we all have some power to make wishes come true, as long as we keep believing.” (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 while being different, being me… 🙂

( “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  🙂 ).. 🙂

Hello Diary,

The Thanksgiving holiday is approaching here on the prairie and I plan on having a relaxing holiday, I will not be Black Friday shopping…  🙂

A quiet time contemplating my tomorrows, browsing through the memories, some meditation, a glass of wine, a spot of tea, perhaps visiting friends, the Kindle is full of books so I am ready for a holiday here on the path…should you happen to visit, welcome… 🙂

 

I give thanks everyday…  🙂

Thanksgiving has arrived
Another year as gone bye,
Been busy chasing dreams
Living life..time did fly,

A time to contemplate the past
A time to give thanks...they say,
To relive treasured memories
Of each and every  passing day.

Thanks for letting me feel love
Be it joy, or be it heartache,
To know someone’s love
A treasured feeling their love did make.

Thanks for letting me live life
To explore, to follow one’s dream,
To seek out and live every adventure
Not enough time in the day... it did seem.

Thanks for letting me meet friends
To share thoughts of love, hope..perhaps a tear,
And by going down the path together in friendship
Doing away with hate, anger….and fear.

Thanks for giving me the courage
To follow my own path...to be me,
To not follow someone else’s path
To live my own….. reality.

Thanks for giving me an open mind
As I venture down the path... allowing me,
To gaze upon life’s treasures, large and small
That many others do not see.

Thanks for giving me an open heart
Able to love, understand and forgive,
And when I grow too old to dream
A place where my memories will live.

Yes, I have much to be thankful for
And every day the list gets longer... you see,
As I venture down the path least traveled
Searching for what destiny... has waiting for me.
                                   (Larry “Dutch” Woller)

“Life gives us brief moments with another, but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a lifetime, So live that your memories will be part of your happiness.” (Author Unknown) And I will be doing some giving here on the path also… 🙂

The gift of hope
Where children could follow their own dream, you see
Not to be denied by another’s ideology,
To follow the destiny of their own choice
Not to be hindered by another’s voice.

The gift of understanding
Not a world of race, color or gender
Nor closed minded ridicule or prejudice...you see,
But a world that respects another’s dream
And of what or who they wish to be.

The gift of freedom
One is free to boldly walk the lands, both far and near
To lives one’s life without suffering or fear,
Not to be accepted by belief, gender or race, you see
But by the love, understanding and knowledge of a spirit born free.

The gift of happiness
Not a world of sorrow or fear
But a world of hope and dreams, not sadness
A world  of eternal love and peace
A world of eternal happiness.

The gift of love
A world of  love that is without end
Through an eternity it will endure,
A love that knows no boundaries 
A love beautiful, caring and pure.
                   (Larry “Dutch” Woller)

Well, I had better close for now, a glass of wine awaits for my approval while venturing down memory lane… but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise… 🙂

Hope your path is paved with love and happiness and until we meet again..

May the love that you give
Always return to you,
That family and friends are many
And always remain true,
May your mind only know peace
No suffering or strife,
May your heart only know love and happiness
On your journey through life.
     (Larry “Dutch” Woller)

“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird, that cannot fly.” (Langston Hughes) 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 while being different, being me… 🙂

( “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  🙂 ).. 🙂

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)

Hello Diary,

Yes, a life without dreams is a life without purpose indeed and following ones dreams can be difficult at times… I know in the past I have championed listening to one’s heart and following ones dreams and I am not just saying things to hear myself talk… I have  witnessed life’s challenges while following my dreams and while the path may not have been smooth and I may have had to adjust my sails, I still followed my heart and dreams….  🙂

I grew up on a farm here on the prairies in the 1940’s, 1950’s and early 1960’s ( I am standing, my brother is sitting).. 🙂

Having had to deal with two world conflicts, wealth not being what it is today (there were no such thing as credit cards, etc.), knowledge and technology being what it was,  we, as a family,  did not have a great deal but I had my dreams, and I  followed them  through the good days and bad, through sickness and health.. Had to deal with polio, measles, smallpox and numerous other diseases… tornadoes, winter storms and other weather events  under rather primitive conditions compared today…  🙂

Did not have computers, etc. and our phone looked like this one, had to turn the handle to contact the operator and tell the operator who one wished to talk to, there were no texting… 🙂

The radio looked much like this one, spent most of our time listening to it, Mom who listen to the soap operas on the radio instead of watching… 🙂

Television was a rarity in the prairies and we finally got a tv when I were around 10 years old, it looked like this tv, the screen was about 10 inches square and we could get 3 channels that would come on the air at sunrise and go off the air at sunset… 🙂

I left the farm in the middle 1960’s and joined the USMC… I married the love of my life and with about a year and a half left in my tour, our son came into our life, two days after he were born I received orders to go to Vietnam, he was 3 weeks old when I left and I was a stranger… 🙂

I spent about 13 months in Vietnam where I were shot at and missed, s – – t on and hit but I returned home relatively unscathed and to my son I was still a stranger .. (that is me sitting on the ground).. 🙂

As a family we started to follow our dreams together, our daughter came into our lives to complete our family… 🙂

Together, through the good times and bad, we ventured down the path following our dreams, dealing with issues including the weather, a tornado occurred in 1996, the photo were taken about 2 blocks from our house, fortunately we suffered no severe damage.. 🙂

Knowledge and technology was improving, in 1997 we got on the internet with a dial-up computer with 10 megabytes of memory…. and we got a prototype of the future cell phones, it were called a bag phone, not always dependable and one still could not text.. 🙂

The kids scattered to the winds in search of their destinies, Kathy and I continued on down the path to follow our dreams together and in  the spring of 2015, after dealing with cancer, Kathy decided her time in the mortal world was done and her spirit left to follow her dreams and in December of 2015, at the age of 95, my Mom decided she should join Kathy… I continued on but not with a heavy heart but a heart filled with memories for when I grow to old to dream and the words I know that Kathy would say  to me..  🙂

When tomorrow starts without me
And I’m not here to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
Filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things 
We didn’t get to say.

I know how much you love me
As much as I love you,
And each time you think of me
I know you’ll miss me too.

When tomorrow starts without me
Don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me
I’m right there in your heart.
     (Alena Hakala Meadows)

I may have gotten a little long winded here but with today’s world in turmoil, etc. I have  been there and done that, have gotten knocked down and still got up and did not quit.. and YOU can do the same, if you have a open mind and follow your heart…  You can follow the advice of Steve Jobs and Annie..  🙂

“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 )

Or, that of Joel Brown and Rachel Platten… “The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible.” ( Joel Brown)… 🙂

Or that of Mary Kay Ash and Freedom Fry… “If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right” (Mary Kay Ash)… 🙂

Well, I had better quit rambling as there are dreams to follow and adventures await while I deal with life’s challenges… but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…  🙂

You can be a girl or boy on fire and follow your dreams but only if you want t0...  🙂    until we meet again..

May the love that you give
Always return to you,
That family and friends are many
And always remain true,
May your mind only know peace
No suffering or strife,
May your heart only know love and happiness
On your journey through life.
     (Larry “Dutch” Woller)

“The only thing that stands between you and your dream is the will to try and the belief that it is actually possible.” (Joel Brown) 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 while being different, being me… 🙂

( “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  🙂 ).. 🙂

With troubled times it is difficult to follow ones dreams but one must never give up and “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.”  (Roy T. Bennett )….  🙂

 

Time flies, and memories fade.
People change and new friendships are made.
Only the true remain forever at our side.
Eventually the disappointment and pain will subside.

It is all about the journey and what has yet to come.
Life is what you make of it; you are what you've become.
Life is too short to hold onto regrets.
Forgiveness is key even though you may never forget.

Cherish the good and remove the bad.
Some people don't realize till it's gone what they've had.
Moving on is a way of life.
There will always be obstacles, pain, and strife.

You must believe that you are strong enough to fight.
You have to believe in yourself to do what is right.
Always do for YOU no matter what you do,
Because in the end the only one who has your back is you.

Never be afraid to take a stand,
And always be willing to lend a helping hand.
A little bit goes a long way.
All it takes is a smile to brighten someone's day.

Your chance to live is now, so what are you waiting for?
The world is yours for the taking and so much more.
Endless possibilities are forever at your disposal.
The chance to live another day is life's golden proposal.

Never let anyone tear you down,
And never let anyone steal your shine and make you frown.
So will you sit in the shadows and let darkness win again?
Or will you rise up and make the light your friend?
                                                       (Hollianne Boucher)

Hello Diary, Sometimes, in today’s world, when one ventures down life’s path following one’s dreams, one may encounter troubled times, the path not so smooth and one could possibly use a friend or friends to lean on a bit… 🙂

So here on the path, with an open mind and a heart filled with dreams, the door is always open… so if you should happen to visit, welcome to my world, my friend… 🙂

Not just another day, dear friend
For in spite of time, distance or whatever,
If only in spirit, thought and dreams
We will be sharing the day together.

Together we live the hand that Fate has dealt us
To share thoughts of love, hope..perhaps a tear,
And by going down the path together in friendship
Doing away with hate, anger….and fear.

Not a friendship of race, color or gender
Nor of closed minded  prejudice...you see,
But a friendship that respects another’s dream
Of what or who they wish to be.

A friendship filled with hope and dreams
With  minds that are at peace,
Surrounded by love and happiness
That sooths the spirit, to say the least.

The warm sun reminds me of you, my friend
Whose beauty from within you do share,
Sharing sunshine, understanding and laughter
Sowing the seeds of  love and happiness in the air.

A special day and one to treasure
And not because of the calendar age, 
Because to the book of fond memories 
We will be adding another page

So, have a wonderful day, dear friend
Wishing you all the best, nothing less,
May today, every day, AND your heart
Be filled…...with love and happiness.
    (Larry “Dutch” Woller)

Well, I had better close for now, have dreams to follow, friends to meet and greet , adventures are waiting (not to mention leaves needed raking...sighhhhhh), but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…  

Hope your path is paved with love and happiness and until we meet again..

May the love that you give
Always return to you,
That family and friends are many
And always remain true,
May your mind only know peace
No suffering or strife,
May your heart only know love and happiness
On your journey through life.
     (Larry “Dutch” Woller)

Yes, on the path of life collecting memories and meeting friends while following dreams, care to join me, my friend..

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” ( Mother Teresa) 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 while being different, being me… 🙂

( “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 bit more about observers, I am a National Weather Service S.W.O.P observer (local, significant weather) and a Cooperative Observer (national, daily weather observations), there are many observers worldwide, there may be others that I am not aware of.. 🙂

There is also a national observer organization that works closely with the National Weather Service known as CoCoRahs (I am not a member of, similar to SWOP)… 🙂

And of course the W.O.W. (weather observer website), Met Office, U.K. home and away… 🙂

I watched that heavy door begin to close,
all the while the winds above me rose.
The years whisper and whistle back into my ear,
the memories haunted by sorrows and fear.

With a new day it finally dawned on me,
the past needed locking and I had the key.
Leave it behind, leap and fly away free,
let the winds of change blow and carry me.

Feel them lifting my wings now able to soar,
up to an open sky and caged no more.
Flying so fast to where no hurt can find,
a place of peace now inhabits my mind.

This heart full of courage never ceases to beat,
knowing my history is not destined to repeat.
Clear paths now lead me to a new destination,
for my life, my future and the next generation.
                                  (Kelly Deschler )

Hello Diary, I know that everyone cannot be a weather observer but there are small things that I do, that anyone can do within their lifestyle in some manner, to some degree… I use energy efficient light fixtures and do not turn them on unless I need them… reduce cost and impact on the environment.. 🙂

I also use energy efficient appliances which not only help to reduce cost but reduces the need for natural gas, fossil fuels and reduces the impact on the environment… 🙂

While I now not everything can be purchased online, I also do significant shopping online (about 95%), I have greater access to different shopping sites, more access to save money, allows more time to devout to other projects and reduces the use of fossil fuels and emissions… 🙂

I save correspondence that has at least one blank side… then during the winter doldrums, I will set down with a spot of tea and make notepads… the notepads reduces the need for a landfill, I do not have to purchase notepads thereby saving money and no one has to cut down a tree so I can use notes… once done, the paper gets shredded and then into my small compost bin which the earthworms love, ends up compost for my plants and backyard.. 🙂

And then there are my Kindles… I have two, one is a 7” Paperwhite which I take with me when I am traveling (on the left) and the other is a 7” Kindle Fire which I use at home, the Fire is in color, has more settings and speakers for audible… 🙂 I like books as well as another, but the Kindle does have many advantages.. the Ebooks are often less expensive than the paper… I do not have to worry about storage and damage to books ( I have my library downloaded on both Kindles with over 2000 books), I can access my entire library whenever and wherever I wish to and no once has to clear a forest so, on a gloomy Halloween night, I can sit with a cup of Earl Grey and read one of my favorite mystery/thrillers The Hound of the Baskervilles.. 🙂

Perhaps there are things one can do around the home that may seem small and insignificant but working together we can help create many more ripples and make a difference, but only if you want to… 🙂

And there are those who would ridicule me, make fun of me, look down upon me and even bar me from their world, but after observing how they think, feel and do, believe I would rather be different…  🙂

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. 
                                  ( Larry “Dutch” Woller )

And when I leave this mortal world, as all creatures will do, I will leave with a smile on my face and a happy heart knowing that I did what I could to help make this a better world for those who will remain after I leave, and I did it my way.. 🙂

Well, I had better close for not, adventures await along with the laundry and the sweeper.. But I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise… 🙂

Hope your world is a wonderful world and until we meet again..

May your spirit only know peace
May your heart only know love
May all your dreams come true
May your life’s journey be filled with happiness
And life is all that you wish for it to be….
                       (Larry “Dutch” Woller)