FALLing Fast for Autumn!

November!  Can you believe it?  I have been enjoying every minute of Autumn in Central NY and yesterday was no exception.  Head in curlers (yes, I do that occasionally-ha) and a kerchief to cover them, I took my little Lilly Chihuahua to Hoopes Park in Auburn, NY.

 I have been walking in this park since I was a teen and this day I was remembering when I skated with my Bill on the pond when frozen so long ago when dating...

 The fountain now silent for the winter...

 The beautiful Gazebo with the wonderful colors of Fall all around...

 The little stone bridge over a small stream...

 And of course the many Mallard ducks that reside here year round were basking in the Autumn sun.

I love the stones that line the pond and all the beautiful leaves on the many species of trees!  I pick some up, some Oak leaves as I have always done when walking with my little children so many years ago....

Oddly, I do not remember the twisted trunk of this tree.



 And I take home my treasures to draw later on and photogragh them on my lace tablecloth.  I am at peace.
 I passed an older couple more than once going around the Pond and I observed them perching on different benches as they walked hugging and holding hands... I asked were they "still in love?" or "new" in love?" And the woman answered, "still in love." And the man added, "isn't that wonderful?"  They were like my Bill and me and though Bill is gone from the earth now, I am still in love...♥♥♥

My wild heart to yours...

 

  Kerrie

Poetry for Lovers

I HAVE BEEN SO THRILLED WITH THE RESPONSES TO MY LAST POEM!  I must tell you I hesitated to post it because I felt it was so personalized and lo and behold, many of you could identify with it completely!!  Thank you so much for all of your wonderful visits and comments about the poem and the bird photos.  You all have made my day for sure and encouraged me to share more.

The boy in the
picture is the boy
of my "youth, so
fair."

           Whenever You're Away
        by ©Kerrie O'Hearn Marquart
              (written September 1992)

Whenever you're away from me
Something aches inside
I can't wait to touch your work-worn hands
And hug your face all tanned.

There is something so special between you and me
We have never been able to explain it
We only know it grows stronger still
With every year and every minute.

Remember when you left the stoop
To run and buy me flowers?
I love you as I loved you then
Only more with every hour

So tend to all your worldly things
That keep us far apart
Then rush home to the one who loves
And holds you in her heart.

This was written at a time when my husband's job took him far away from home, sometimes overnight or for a few days.  I would always miss him dearly and could never wait for his return.  When my children were little, I used to make up songs to sing to them about Daddy's coming home!  And in later years even though he was only gone for the work day, I still missed him and could not wait until I saw or heard his truck in the driveway.  We both have held this feeling of excitement for each other and we say it is our one blessing having found each other.  We find that never taking each other for granted, saying thank you, being considerate of each other's feelings mixed with lots of love, hugs and hand holding, is the recipe for our love's longevity after 51 yrs. counting our year of dating. My granddaughter recently asked her mother how do you know you are really in love?  I wrote to her and told her that you will not have to ask when you know he or she is THE ONE.  You will feel emotions you have never felt before both mental and physical.  Not everyone can have "love at first site" as we truly did, but I am convinced that true relationships feel an instant bonding upon meeting in one respect or another.  Bless all of you who are fortunate enough to share a blessed union as we have.  And to those who have not found love yet, do not settle, hold out for the REAL thing!  Humble thanks and love from

♥♥♥

Where did our Youth go?

Where did our Youth Go?
     ©Kerrie O'Hearn Marquart
(Written in 1980's Category, "Love and Marriage"

Where did our Youth go
All that was of you and me?
When summers bronzed our skin
And bleached your hair
Where birds flew overhead
In a field of wildflowers
And two horses were tied near.

Where is that slender twosome
Too much in love to even eat
When kisses sweet kept us
Til we met again that week.

Remember kissing on the steps
Because I was so short
And how we hated to say good night
Whenever we used to court?

The evenings we spent at the lake
The moonlight on waves, the wood fire
And your brother racing by in the car
Acting like a detective for hire!

We made each other promises
And dreamed many dreams
And some of them have come true
But we continue to plan and dream.

Were we ever really that young, 20 and 18?
Was my waist ever so tiny
Were you really that lean?
Gosh, it was wonderful
Being in love with love and you
Hugging and holding each other
Our hearts pounding as they still do!

You were my only sweetheart
And I was your only girl.
It means a lot to us now
As the rest of our lives unfurl.

And I love each line in your face
And every gray strand of your hair
And in my heart you still remain
The boy of my youth so fair.
     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~