“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 🙂 )..

There are many who gauge their wealth by their bank account, but here on the path we follow the dreams in our heart and take in the wonders of life and are richer by far!.. 🙂

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 watch each one twinkle
Basking in the suns glow.

I have nature’s painting
Priceless, a portrait of the sky,
Impossible to duplicate
Though many did try.

Each bloom of the red rose
A ruby, one of a kind,
And with 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 rich dreamer I’ll stay,
Till the rivers run dry
And the four winds blow away.

(Larry “Dutch” Woller)

Hello Diary,

Work is done, a quiet morning to contemplate one’s dreams and what tomorrow may bring…. 🙂

The dream of hope
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 dream 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 dream of freedom
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 dream 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 dream of love
A 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…perhaps turn some dreams into reality “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) but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise… 🙂

“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 )…

“When we begin to build walls of prejudice, hatred, pride, and self-indulgence around ourselves, we are more surely imprisoned than any prisoner behind concrete walls and iron bars.” (Mother Angelica) 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 🙂 )..

One of the problems in today’s world with conflicts is the desire for wealth.. not only does the desire create anger, suffering and hate…but also is the justification for one to pass judgement and ridicule on another…

Not here on the path for “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched– they must be felt with the heart.” (Helen Keller)…

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 )

And “It is not the image without, but the love within that matters” (Author Unknown)…

Hello Diary,

Another problem today is with beliefs/ideologies… the problem being certain elements of world’s societies/ideologies have become closed minded, denying change (with change being the law of life) and refusing to accept another as to who they are or what they believe, that closed minded ideology has created problems….
There was a time when there were no organizations, leaders, books, etc… there were no churches, mosques, etc…. there were no Christians, Muslims, Jews, etc…..yet people did believe in something… they were not told what or how to believe, their beliefs came from the heart, they believed what they wished to believe, with love…. and for the most part, no matter the belief, they did so in harmony….

Well, the universe knows I am not into religion (I do meditate) but my cathedral is my 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 )

The sky is the ceiling and impossible to duplicate with a paint brush (photo taken last year)…

The backyard residents, the birds are my choir (photo taken last year)…..

Like the world’s societies they are different yet sing in perfect harmony, a choir second to none… I also are not told what or how to believe, sooooooooo this ole born again heathen ventures into the “cathedral” (outdoors in the summer, indoors in the winter) for meditation (photo taken last year)..

And I listen to my heart… “Don’t be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart.” (Roy T. Bennett)… 🙂

So, Diary, should you find yourself confused, in doubt, perhaps you need to find your quiet “Cathedral” and listen to your heart…and, you might wish to take the advice of the Seekers and do what many have done in history’s past no matter what you wish to believe…. 🙂

Well, I had better close for now as “Everyday I have two choices, either to venture into the light, follow one’s dreams and live life, or stay in the shadows, the darkness and never know happiness…” (Larry “Dutch” Woller) so it is down the path I shall go… but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…. 🙂

At night, while thinking of my dream “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), I look for my favorite star… 🙂

“As my world is in a constant state of change, today my world will change, my future world will still be a mystery and yesterday’s world will become history and a memory…” (Larry “Dutch” Woller) 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 🙂 )

I gaze upon mortals of the universe with a smile and a chuckle while they are attempting to gain material wealth.. I am far wealthier than they can hope to be…. 🙂

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 watch each one twinkle
Basking in the suns glow.

I have nature’s painting
Priceless, a portrait of the sky,
Impossible to duplicate
Though many did try.

Each bloom of the red rose
A ruby, one of a kind,
And with 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 rich dreamer I’ll stay,
Till the rivers run dry
And the four winds…..all blow away.

(Larry “Dutch” Woller )

Again, here on the path it is a wonderful world indeed!!.. 🙂

Hello Diary,

Taking a break in the activities of starting new adventures and preparing for change… thought I would share a few thoughts… I have been ask how I acquired the nickname of “Dutch” so I thought I would share the memory of how it began…
First off, I am of German/Dutch ancestry.. In the middle 1800’s this area of the prairies were settled by German/Dutch settlers and I were born and raised on a farm here 1940’s to 1960’s….

I am standing between my Father and sister, the cornstalk is another story.. 🙂 over time this part of the prairie affectionately became known as “Dutch Flats”…My mother and Grandmother could speak English, High German (the German language) and Low German which were a slang version of German.. Telephone wise we had a party line of 12 people and it was not unusual to pick up the phone and hear someone talking.. There were those on the line who would like to eavesdrop on conversations, and Mom and Grandma would normally use English but if they suspected someone was listening they would switch to Low German as they were the only people on the line that could speak Low German… 🙂

In 1965 (while a member of the USMC) I were sent to South Vietnam as part of a observer team of the 12th Marine Regiment…

(My son was born September 28, 1965, I received orders on September 30, 1965..had 2 1/2 weeks to get my family and all our possessions back to the prairies, when I left my son wasn’t able to see clearly yet, I were a stranger.. I returned Christmas Eve 1966, he was near 15 months old and I were still a stranger).. I saw first hand that conflicts accomplish nothing, only pain and suffering..

Anyway.. While I was there, the USO..

Had set up a pen pal program for the military personal in Vietnam.. If you wish to put your name on a list, the USO would post it back in the USA and anyone who wished to write to the soldiers, etc could do so… well, I got a letter from the Woods family (Mom, Dad, daughter and son) who lived in Rock Island, Illinois USA.. We wrote letters back and forth and one day the children decided I needed a nickname.. And because I were German/Dutch ancestry, grew up in “Dutch Flats” and my middle initial was “D”, they gave me the nickname of “Dutch”.. And they started addressing my letters; SGT Larry “Dutch” Woller…
The members of the Regiment inquired about it and I explained it to them and in time members of the Regiment would call me Dutch and it stayed with me… that is how I got the nickname “Dutch”… 🙂 I had the good fortune to meet the Woods family on two occasions and did communicate from time to time, but as the way of all things, they moved from Rock Island and over time lost touch with them, but thanks for the memories..

“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).

Alas, I must move on also, new adventures await me..so will close the book of memories fir now.. But I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…

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, you see
So down the path least traveled I will venture, with spirit born free
( Larry “Dutch” Woller )

And “There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stopped the story.” (Frank Herbert) so this is not goodbye for..

“As my world is in a constant state of change, tomorrow my world will change, my future world will still be a mystery and today’s world will become history and a memory…” (Larry “Dutch” Woller) 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 🙂 )

There are those that dream of success and the wealth it brings but I am far wealthier than they will ever be… 🙂

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,
And 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 )

Hello Diary,

It is a quiet, cool Sunday morning after three to four days of rain… so far the creatures have not lined up in the street two by two but do have some water in the fields… 🙂

Setting here with a spot of tea while watching the sun rise and memories of friends of the past came to mind… friends I met in cyberspace since 1999… we would share a great deal over time about our worlds and the world in general… we never met or heard each others voices… one very good friend were June Clark… our paths crossed in 2005, she lived in Skendleby, England… she were a distant cousin to Elizabeth Barrett Browning and in years past June would write poems and articles under the name Chris Clark….

I penned some thoughts at her passing (that could apply to anyone I suppose)…

June
A friend and I parted today
June was her precious name,
Our eyes never met, voice never heard
But a dear friend just the same.

There is sorrow as I write this
A sadness in this heart of mine,
But knowing she’s free, suffer will she no more
All sorrow and sadness will heal… over time.

There will be happiness and joy
For dear June, this I know,
As she at last joins her loved ones
And to a place of peace and love they will go.

And knowing this I will be happy
Precious memories, to come back whenever,
For like love, memories are everlasting
From now…….. to the 12th of Never.
(penned by Larry Woller 2014)

The one topic of conversation June and I shared and had in common were war and conflict… she, of course, dealt with WWI and WWII… I dealt with Vietnam (that is me sitting on the ground 12th Marine Regiment Vietnam 1965-1966)..

We both (and everyone else) agreed that all war and conflict brought about were death, suffering, hate and anger, never solved anything… there are elements of world’s society that have not evolved a great deal since homo sapiens discovered the “club”… 🙂 “The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom”. Isaac Asimov

But June and I, along with a fellow by the name of Martin Luther King, Jr. have hope and a dream… that one day the young people of this world will use the technology to learn and understand and grow to accept one another using the power of love and there will truly be “peace on earth and good will towards men”…. 🙂

I peer out my window
At a world..cold and bleak,
A world of conflict, anger and hate
Mortals are suffering as I speak.

But we have a dream
Martin, June and I,
That one day there will be peace
No more mortals will die.

And there is hope
Of a world filled with love one day,
A wish that could come true
For hope is the last to die…they say.

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

So I peer out the window
Not with sadness, fear or sorrows
But a heart filled with a dream
Of all the peace and love filled tomorrows.
(Larry “Dutch” Woller)

Well, I had better close… venture on down the path, eagerly awaiting what tomorrows adventures may bring… but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…

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

“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

Keep a dream in your pocket and a song in your heart;
Keep the lamp of your learnin’ burnin’ bright.
Keep your eye on your horizon and a smile on your face
As you travel down the highway of your life.

Don’t listen to those voices that say it can’t be done;
They build walls where there was never one before.
No, there’s nothing that can stop you, nothing that can drag you down,
If you keep lookin’ for that ever-open door.

[Chorus:]
So if you follow your dream to the end of the road,
Taking care not to let it fade away (not fade away),
If you follow your dream and you follow it well,
It will lead you to the promise of a bright, shiny day.

Well, imagine if Columbus had not dreamt the world was round,
And Armstrong had not walked upon the moon,
If John and Paul never wrote a song for “Yesterday,”
If all of them had given up too soon.

Yes, they were always taking chances, looking for the answers
That took the whole world to higher ground.

[Chorus]

Keep a dream in your pocket,
Keep a dream in your heart.
Keep your dream forever;
Don’t let it fade away.

Keep a dream in your pocket,
Keep a dream in your heart.
Keep your dream forever;
Don’t let it fade away.

“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

“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… 🙂

Life without the internet on the path least traveled….

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..

(No nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 ).

“You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Goodness knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.” E.B. White

“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”.. William Penn..

Hello Diary,

Well, Diary, internet is fixed and I have returned (is that moaning and groaning I hear????.. )… life, and the heart, continued on without technology…… 🙂 it is the end of the week again, time is moving on, especially if one is like me and “over the hill and picking up speed”… 🙂

Over the week, ventured out into the gardens for a bit… observed a swallow tail butterfly had stopped for a snack before continuing on its journey…

Saw some activity nearby with some bees and other insects… a hosta was in full bloom and had the attention of the backyard insects…

Also observed some mushrooms growing near a stump…

I am reasonably certain that these mushrooms are not for human consumption but there are backyard creatures that do consume them… I do not use chemicals on the yard, plants, etc so they are safe for all my friends in the gardens and yard… I also use a electric mower…

I use it to decrease the dependency on fossil fuel and to decrease releasing chemicals, etc into the atmosphere.. There are plenty of folks that talk about it but I make every attempt to do it… may not make much of an impact but I will go to my grave knowing I tried… 🙂

Also talked a bit about pets and nostalgia … we had two, both Jack Russell terriers.. they were like family.. My late wife and Miss Daisy….

They were joined at the hip… 🙂 Miss Daisy passed away in 2014 (20 years)…. My shadow were little Bree…

You see her with me at the Walmart with her favorite meal, popcorn chicken… I got her when she were 6 months old and I was her fourth owner… like me, she were different… 🙂 she passed away in 2017 (17 years)…

Well, I had better quit rambling on and close, life is calling and I had better see what it has in store for me…. 🙂

Life Is Now….

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)

But I shall return again one day, fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise…. 🙂

One final thought… “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.” and my friends can count on me… why one would ask? because that is what friends are for… 🙂

Just being me on the path least traveled

Hello Diary,
It is a Saturday morning, a fine day but unfortunately no internet… however, as Jean de La Bruyere would say; “no road is too long for him who advances slowly and does not hurry, and no attainment is beyond his reach who equips himself with patience to achieve it.”

So using my phone, will not be the usual, but will share a few brief thoughts… Sundays I usually contemplate my tomorrow’s…in history’s past I penned some thoughts…

Just Color Me A Free Spirit

I’m just a free spirit
Open mind and heart is all I’ll be,
Don’t need much money
Being rich is not for me.

I have a pocket full of dreams
My fate, has yet to be told,
As I said from safe harbor
While watching my destiny unfold

I am not in a “box”
No social chains, you’ll see,
As down the path least traveled
Adventure waits for me.

Not interested in a “image”
Reality is my forte,
I am who I am, leaving no stone unturned
Exploring life each and every day.

Waking up to a world born free
With creatures in their daily rush,
Pursuing their own destiny’s
Before sunset brings the evening hush.

The morning air smells clean and freshman
As I awake, it always brings a smile,
Can hear the sound of a distant train
That will travel many a mile.

Yes, just color me a free spirit
For most social grace’s I won’t fit,
Society wouldn’t approve anyway
And frankly, I won’t lose sleep over it.

(Larry “Dutch” Woller)

“I am free born and free bred, where I acknowledge no man as my superior, except for his own worth, or as my inferior, except for his own demerit” Theodore Roosevelt

Sad to say I have to close now, but I shall return again one day, Fate (and the internet) willin’ and the creeks don’t rise….

May be midweek before internet returns, but we will meet again 🙂

Https://.be/Hsm_Vm6ytk

A pocket full of dreams and being a free spirit on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..

(No nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring 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

Hello Diary,

A foggy, rainy day to be had, staying indoors for the most part working on projects and chores… have laundry in the washer so thought I would pop in and leave a few thoughts… near the end of the week and my “to do” list is getting larger… 🙂 I did manage to clean and blanche the beans and got them ready for the freezer…

Put them on a cookie sheet and put in the freezer so they would not stick together, got them out this morning and put in a bag…

Put in the freezer and ready for when I need green beans… ventured out this morning (around 4 AM, still dark) to collect data from my weather instruments when I saw a spider had his “ambush” set up….

It is a good thing I had a flashlight and were watching for spiders or I would have walked into the web… 🙂 after it became daylight I went back out and seen that the spider had taken the web down….

I will have to be alert tomorrow morning for who knows where the spider will set up the next “ambush”… 🙂

I believe the last time I popped in I chatted a bit about Hope… well, today will pen some thoughts about being oneself and happiness… “It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.” (Agnes Repplier )

One day in history’s past, I sat down with a spot of tea (green tea with a bit of honey) and contemplated the path I should take to be myself and know happiness (which is why I took the path least traveled)… and I agreed with John Rohn; “Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.” (Jim Rohn)

Of course, the ever present social and religious ideologies sometimes will put pressure on oneself while one tries to live the life they wish to… I had thought about that when the words from two people came to mind Robert Frost; “Never be bullied into silence, never allow yourself to be made a victim, accept no one’s definition of your life, define yourself”… (Robert Frost)…

And, of course, Eleanor Roosevelt; “You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realize how seldom they do”.. (Eleanor Roosevelt)…. Well, armed with resolve I ventured forth making subtle changes, tweaking this and that, experimenting, etc… soon people were looking at me somewhat confused and perplexed… 🙂 “When someone tells you “you’ve changed”, it might be because you have stopped living your life their way”.. (John Pence)

Knowing who I am and wish to be “Confidence is knowing who you are and not changing it a bit because of someone’s version of reality is not your reality.” (Shannon L. Alder ) and armed with dreams in my pocket, a open mind and heart, own down the path I ventured… some years back I penned some thoughts about it actually… 🙂

Just Color Me A Free Spirit….

I’m just a free spirit
Independent is all I’ll ever be,
Don’t need much money
Being rich is not for me.

I have a pocket full of dreams
My fate, has yet to be told,
As I sail from safe harbor
While watching my destiny unfold.

I am not in a “box”
No social chains, you’ll see,
As down the path least traveled
Adventure waits for me.

Not interested in a “image”
Reality is my forte,
I am who I am, leaving no stone unturned
Exploring life each and every day.

Waking up to a world born free
With creatures in their daily rush,
Pursuing their own destinies
Before sunset brings, the evening hush.

The morning air smells clean and fresh
As I awake, it always brings a smile,
Can hear the sound of a distant train
That will travel many a mile.

Yes…just color me a free spirit
For most social graces I do not fit,
Society wouldn’t approve anyway
And frankly, I won’t lose any sleep over it.

(penned by Larry “Dutch” Woller, )

Well, better take my dreams and attitude on down the path least traveled, that life I have been sharing thoughts about is calling, but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise… 🙂

The Seekers have some thoughts about keeping ones dream in their pocket also… 🙂

Working on a new ending and high hopes on the path least traveled…

Diary of the journey on the path least traveled..

(No nominations please, just sharing thoughts while exploring life 🙂 ).

“Bad things do happen, how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have– life itself. “ Walter Anderson

“No one can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending” Maria Robinson

“You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last chapter.”

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.” Jimi Hendrix

Hello Diary,

It is the beginning of the week again, time keeps moving along, with or without me… 🙂 the weather will be a bit iffy, but still have projects, chores and errands to deal with, the mundane side of life… 🙂 have a photo of another sunset…

And speaking of photos, heard a loud chirping sound and saw a little House Wren in the neighborhood..

Not doubt giving me some pointers about taking care of the backyard… 🙂 and speaking of the backyard, one of the project/tasks to do is dealing with the first batch of green beans…

Will have to blanche them and get them ready for the freezer… they will taste pretty good when Ole Man Winter comes calling… 🙂

As I venture through the universe, I notice there a some who have to deal with the adversity of illness, of different types and degrees… it can be challenging at times, but the best medicine is a positive attitude and high hope… I am no stranger to the adversity of illness either…

My late wife was dealing with a back pain in her lower back for near a year, going to doctor, chiropractor, taking medication, etc x-ray showing little… in the fall of 2012 it kept getting worse and they finally decided on a MRI and a small tumor was found near the base of her spine and eating away at the spine… well, surgery were required and they had to put pins in the back to support the spine… the tumor was sent to the Mayo Clinic for evaluation… the tumor was determined to be malignant and after 2-3 weeks of tests, scans, etc it was determined that she had an aggressive form of Stage 4 Lung Cancer… a positive attitude, reinforced with hope, were put in place and the battle was on..

To keep a long story (and journey) short, she lost the battle but won the war when she passed away in March of 2015 (we would have been married 51 years in July 2015)… I remember the Chaplain coming into her room and he ask her if she had a religion, she said “No”, he then ask her if she believed in the hereafter and she said “Yes”, he said “good, it’s what is in the heart that is important, not a name above the door”… positive attitude and hope were there to the last heartbeat even when we said our “byes” (I never say goodbye because it sounds too much like forever)… 🙂

After battling a number of illnesses herself but refusing to give up, my Mom (at the age of 95) passed away in December 2015…

So to all (and everyone in your life), stay positive and even though some days will be diamonds and other days stone, put your trust in your heart and hope and they guide you through it all… 🙂

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)

As for me, well, I have some arthritis of the spine and other minor growing old issues… I no longer are a young lad with a life ahead of him, my clock is ticking down and I could say my life is behind me and I am just hanging around to see how it all ends, but that is not true, one can do a lot of living in a seconds time… “If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.” Isaac Asimov… 🙂

Oh, yesterdays over my shoulder
So I can’t look back for too long
There’s just too much to see, waiting in front of me
And I know that I just can’t go wrong. (Jimmy Buffet)

So it is in down the path I go, challenging thunderstorms and overcoming adversity.. why one would ask?.. Because I can… 🙂

It Is Down The Path Least Traveled I Shall Go..

It is down the path least traveled I shall go
To a rainbow filled horizon I venture,
To seek, to learn, know peace, to enjoy life
A path filled with wonderful adventure.

A place where one is accepted as who they are
A spirit kindled to life, when mortal born,
A being coming from the depths within
And not subject to ridicule and scorn.

A place where I know freedom of thought and being
I am what I am, don’t you see,
Neither this one, neither that one, but all the above
In a mortal world, a free spirit, that’s me.

I do not travel the path alone, you see
There are memories and spirits to behold,
Those that share… the joy and sadness
As I gather more memories, down that least traveled road.

So how long will my journey be, one would ask
Will I see the end of the path…ever?
The answer, I believe, lies on the horizon
Somewhere past… the 12th of Never….

So I shall bring my ramblings to an end
For there is one fact that I do know,
To reach the horizon, the 12th of Never
It’s down the path least traveled I must go!
(penned by Larry “Dutch” Woller )

Well, I had better close for now, I woke up on the green side of the grass, have approximately 2,793,000 seconds before it is time to go to bed, a lot of living yet to do so I had better get on with it… but I shall return again one day, Fate be willin’ and the creeks don’t rise..

I believe that Frank and the gang have some more thoughts about High Hopes… 🙂