In Honor of a Man and His Dream

Excerpt from Martin Luther King Jr. speech at Civil Rights March in Washington D.C., August 28, 1963:

Now, I say to you today my friends, 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.'

Photo source: "Martin Luther King Jr." from the National Archives and Records Administration NARA)

Predator

With cold calculation he watches, waits. Waiting for the object of his desire to make a mistake, any mistake. Only one seemingly insignificant slip of attention is all it takes, all he needs.

There it is! Quick like lightening, he is a wraith, singular in focus. His intent is clear---end this chase. With swift, sure reflexes the prize is won; he has his prey. He is beautiful in his power. He is deadly in his grace.

Is he man or is he beast?

Photo Source: "Der Steppenwolf" by Idea-Listic on Flickr and "Hawkeye" by jurvetson on Flickr, respectively

Tentative Beginnings

Robert Anthony once said:

Courage is simply the willingness to be afraid and act anyway.

Today's picture pretty much sums up how I'm feeling about this blog right now, but the quote is helping to give me perspective. Anyway, here's my stab at poetry...I'm hoping that someday I'll get better ;)

Though the distance is far
The path unclear
The steps uncertain
The dangers unknown

I am called forward
Heeding the siren call
Beckoning, calling
The sweet promise urges

So, I will take my first steps
Tentative and shaky and unsure
But somewhere I’ll find
The will to find my courage.

Photo source: "IMGP5206-LR01" by suneko on Flickr

Conversation Starter

Nothing scares me more than facing a crowd whether real or virtual. Will they accept me or turn away? Will they acknowledge me or ignore me? Umm, which is better?

Oh the agony, the uncertainty... Ahh, but there it is, the true crux of the situation---not knowing. Well, only one way to find out---stick out your hand (again, real or virtual) and say hello!

It's just a handshake, right? What's the worst that can happen?

Photo source: "Barack Works the Crowd" by Rusty Darbonne on Flickr

To Live or Do Nothing?

Robert Anthony suggests:

Live as though it were your last day on earth. Some day you will be right.

Photo source: "Portrait of an articulated skeleton on a bentwood chair" from the Powerhouse Museum Collection on Flickr

Hold still and let me look!

An aspiring dentist perhaps?

Photo source: "Excessive love" by suneko on Flickr

Here I come!

Quote from Carl Sandburg:

I’m an idealist. I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m on my way.

Photo source: "IMG_0343.jpg" by evanbdudley on Flickr

Darker Desires

According to Jean-Luc Godard:

Art attracts us only by what it reveals of our most secret self.

Photo source: "bound, black and white" by preciouskhyatt on Flickr

The Quiet Pitter-Patter of Rain

Originally posted on November 7, 2008 on a previous blog of mine:

My thoughts weighed heavily on my mind last night. As I waited for sleep to come, I slowly became aware of the soft, tinkling pitter-patters of the falling rain just outside our window, and my focus began to turn.

The varied soothing tones made it easy to imagine the path that the rain takes as it falls from the sky. It’s descent slows as it filters through the fingered branches of a tree just a few yards away, half it’s leaves barely holding on. From there the rain tumbles down onto the lush, succulent green leaves of a rhododendron bush–more like a tree as it’s highest leaves reach beyond 6 feet–that sits just beyond and to the side of our window. Finally nearing the end of its journey, the droplets trickle softly onto a garden bedding of river rocks and fresh fallen leaves before seeping into the ground.

Pulling back from my imaginings, I found myself soothed, my mind calm, my worries safely tucked away for the moment. With my husband’s reassuring presence next to me, I nestled deeper into the covers and drifted into dreams.

I’m not sure I succeeded but wanted to share the surreal feeling I got, considering that rain is a common occurrence in the Seattle area particularly in the midst of the fall season.

Could you hear the rhythm of the falling rain?

Photo source: "Fall in Rain 1" by *clairity* on Flickr

Knock, Knock…Is this thing on?

Hi there! I’m Neelie Meier and this blog will be my journal, my outlet to share personal thoughts, ideas, memories, and smiles.

I’m not sure who else will care about this stuff (other than my family, of course), but if others get something out of it, all the better. I’d certainly love to hear from my readers; there’s nothing like a good conversation to start new friendships. :)

Ok, that’s it for now. See ya later!

Photo source: "U87" by Tanki on Flickr