spotted red cocoons meander on leafy greens welcome lady bugs

Healing In Hawaii, the hula girls sway in the tepid breezes under the palm trees. I know you are not like those women who have bronzed, perfectly shaped bodies, but I know your skin cries out for crystalline blue water. You abandon the rigidness of city life, wade out of the last five painful years, the water tickling your ankles, splashing your knees. You abandon yourself, your arms beating like pelican wings. Smiling, you immerse yourself in the ocean’s warm water, rinsing the smell of our sadness out of you. You stand, so refreshed, shaking the drops off your wrinkled body. Your eyes focus on the line of the aquatic horizon. You see heaven’s paradise and dive into the ocean like a dolphin.

Duplo People The children play with the Duplo people. It is a fun and educational exercise for them. They learn that people are different, have different jobs and look at life differently. Maybe adults ought to play with the Duplo people and revisit the lessons they learned as children. Eileen Sateriale

Paper Mache Moon A curious student reaches for a paper mache moon to open possibilities. What will she discover? The world beyond hers is infinite. The reflection warming her hands is making her consider her future. She could discover something that no one else ever knew about. The paper mache moon is more than just a classroom object. Eileen Sateriale EM��

three bridled horses gallop in the pounding surf wild nature delight

Harriet Tubman, the Female Moses Born a nineteenth century slave, destined to work the fields on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Harriet Tubman saw the injustice done to her people by cruel, heartless slave masters. She was outraged that they were forced to work from sunup to sundown always at the mercy of this peculiar institution. The dream she had was that no man or woman would be unwillingly forced to work for another. Like Moses in the Bible, she took up the call to escape. She led the enslaved Negroes to northern free states by way of the Underground Railroad under the dark of night. Unlike the Biblical character, she was a Negress; a slave, a woman; less than a second class citizen. But she never let the consequences of her actions deter her from her mission. She risked her own life to help others. For many slaves who were caught escaping were put to death and this sister knew that. Hundreds of slaves escaped to freedom because of the vision and action of this brave woman. by Eileen Sateriale

Rowing Rowing, rowing, rowing Keeping rowing. The dolphin is catching up to us. Let’s keep ahead of the dolphin! by Eileen Sateriale

One Magenta Flower The young girl holds the magneta flower as she walks down the center aisle of the church. It is confirmation day. She is going to become an adult in the eyes of the church. She still is young and naïve but she is thinking of a life beyond childhood. She looks at the flower and thinks of her future. Some things she will be her decision, others will be God’s. 

International Women’s Day Women have come a long way. and today, March 8, 2018, women all over the world will celebrate. For all over the world, women have struggled to achieve what they have today. They now have opportunities that they didn’t have in the past. They have the right to vote, educational opportunities, good health care, and many other things. Let all women proclaim success on International Women’s Day. by Eileen Sateriale

With this Ring Two beings, two separate karmas, two different backgrounds, become one intertwined existence. They won't go back to who they were. They will put aside prejudices for the sake of harmony and growth. They will be humble as they learn and understand each other. They will stay together like limestone rocks and eventually become marble; smooth, polished, colorful and inseparable. They profess a love that is an example to all. Their message is to learn from one another, putting aside prejudices and understanding those who are different. by Eileen Sateriale

A Marked-up Bible A woman with pen in hand reads her Bible The page is open to the book of Psalms. There are her markings all over the page. The author, King David lived in a different time. A simple, harsh life where people worked hard to survive. She reads Psalm 22 A hymn of Thanksgiving. As she reads she picks up her pen. Curious. Her thoughts. Wisdom of bygone days still read and pondered today. by Eileen Sateriale

Mother’s Love You are the love of my life. I protect you from others. I want you free from strife. I am happy to be your mother. by Eileen Sateriale

good job, everyone. A lot of ways to interpret this picture.

Crossing Alaska The Alaskans of the Copper Valley lived a hearty, outdoor, Indian life. They tended the terrain for centuries defying harsh weather and climate strife. These Indians knew how to work the land. They banded together; man, woman and child. They lived in underground houses while moose, antelope and reindeer roamed wild. For most people, Alaska was too far north; a laughing stock; William Seward’s folly. The dark, frigid, arctic days of winter made existence difficult and melancholy. Summer hikers and tourists visited as well as school teachers on break. They’d camp in the Denali Preserve, under spindly trees they’d fish the lakes. But scientists and engineers discovered oil in the massive forty-ninth state. They built the Trans-Alaska pipeline to bring fuel to the lower forty-eight. From Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, an ugly eyesore crossed the region. Which changed the way of life for native creatures and Indian legions. The frozen land became polluted. The wilderness, an oil coated abyss. With poisoned ponds killing the fish, the ecological balance became amiss. Because populated states needed energy and built the pipeline to harness the oil, the life the native Alaskans knew before was forever and permanently spoiled. 

Three Ballerinas Let’s stretch out our arms and kick up our heels. All different, all the same, hands up, hands out. The music plays, everyone sways, we all jump, we all move. All different, all the same, arms up, arms out. Deep breaths, hearts pumping All different all the same, hands up, hands out. All together. As we sway to the music, healthy exercise gets our muscles working while oxygen clears our brains. All different, all the same, hands up, hands out. Collectively we contribute to each other’s emotional health. Arms up, arms out, reach out, touch each other. All different, all the same, hands up, hands out. Arms up, arms out, reach out, touch each other. All different, all the same. Three ballerinas. 

Gyula She wandered into the medieval castle where centuries ago, monks used to pray. It was devastated by war and now she wonders about the past life. Are there ghosts in the wall that can tell the story?

Beautiful, Cynthia.

Daydream It is a mild autumn day. The leaves have fallen A gentle wind dissipates The smell of burning leaves. A perfect day to lie down on a bench and daydream. No more days when pressures of the work-a-day world did not permit a stroll on an autumn afternoon.

Items Found on the Road A handful of white daisies and a latch key lie on a piece of wood that fell off the tree. The March wind blows branches off trees. The owner of the flowers too shy to approach his infatuation and give her the flowers. The key to unlock a possibility and happiness sits on the pavement.

Safe Lagoon The protection of the safe lagoon allows swimmers to bath safely while enjoying nature’s wonders. Gilligan and the castaways were safe.