Author: debbieburton.blog

Debbie Burton is a children's author and award winning poet. Her books, "Buddy the Beagle on Blueberry Street," "Return to Blueberry Street," and "Truckload of Trouble." (Elk Lake) are available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

The Power of Lists

Have you ever stopped to think about how many lists there are in the world? I’ll begin by listing a few of them.

  • to-do-list
  • reading list
  • guest list
  • wait list
  • class list
  • wish list
  • bucket list
  • grocery list
  • packing list
  • FBI most wanted list….

This week I’m packing for a trip, so I made a list of everything I want to take with me. This method is not entirely fool-proof, but it helps. I wonder about people who literally, “fly by the seat of their pants,” and wait until the last minute to pack. Making a list is not for them. I’ve had experiences with family members who don’t pack enough clothes, and are forced to visit gift stores when they need a clean shirt.

A list helps me remember things. As I age, writing things down gives me a sense of security and organization. Yes, I’m one of those people who makes a weekly menu and writes down all of the items I need from the grocery. One time I lost my grocery list at the store. A feeling of panic flooded my mind and I wondered how I could function. After taking a deep breath, I realized I usually need the same staples every time I shop. Strolling through each aisle stimulated my memory. “Ok… cereal, fruit, milk, bread, turkey… (I think we’ll survive.)”

What about to-do-lists? Do you enjoy a sense of accomplishment as you complete each task and check it off the list? Too often I write too many tasks and need to carry them over to the next day, or maybe even the next week. Making and keeping lists can be time consuming and leave you depressed if you don’t accomplish what you set out to do.

What’s the point of having your whole day crossed out before you go to bed? Extend that to crossing out weeks, months, years, and even your whole life. To-do-lists are mostly for boring, unpleasant tasks that no one really wants to do. Some of the most memorable moments of our lives happen in between the entries on our list. Who writes down, “eat ice cream today,” or “sit on the front porch and enjoy the sunset?”

Speaking of enjoying life, many people write bucket lists which include exotic places to visit and adventurous activities. I’m curious, do most people write their bucket list in one sitting, or do they continually add to it? For the unimaginative, see the 55 Best Bucket List Ideas to Help you Live your Life to the Fullest.  

According to psychotherapist Karen Balumba-Bennett, people who are intentional about writing down their goals are more likely to reach them. Some bucket list ideas require time, money, and travel but there are plenty of simple things you can accomplish at home. By the way, I noticed one idea on the list is “watch the sunrise.”

Bucket lists should facilitate getting more out of life and not fulfilling duties. Balumba-Bennett believes in allowing yourself the flexibility to alter your list from year to year if your goals change. A bucket list is a way to reward yourself by doing what you really want to do.

My suitcase is packed, and I’m ready to check off another bucket list item. Vacation is calling…

Silence

Silence can mean many things

Appropriate in an elevator,

But deafening after a quarrel

Maybe we are fearful to speak

Or have nothing to say,

The truth is some thoughts

Are better left unsaid.

We avoid silence,

Yet travel miles to pursue it

God is a friend to silence*

Be still and listen.

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is a friend of silence. —Mother Teresa

Bees, Busyness, and the Bible

“Hello, how are you?”

“Busier than I’d like to be.”

Is this your response when you meet a friend? Everyone’s busy. In fact, our culture becomes busier every day. We’ve become a nation of multitaskers who find it difficult to wait at a stoplight without looking at our phones.

I have been busy for most of my life. Mastering the ability to multitask helped me survive the demands of my day. As an elementary teacher, I became a pro at taking attendance, listening to morning announcements, and monitoring the students simultaneously. When I arrived home from work, I helped my kids with their homework while preparing dinner. On Sunday mornings, after I sang with the worship team, I raced to help with children’s church. Sadly, I had linked my self-importance to my level of activity. The thought of too many blank spaces on my calendar made me feel unneeded. I was beyond busy…and eventually I burned out.

Retirement ushered in a major lifestyle change for me. After considering several creative interests, I decided to pursue one hobby—writing. I also decided to cut back on my volunteer work. In this season of my life, my old self tries to make me feel guilty about how happy I am.

Is all busyness bad?

Bees are busy. They work all day flitting from flower to flower collecting pollen in order to fulfill God’s plan for their lives. I’ve never seen a stressed out bee. Like the bees, each one of us has God-given talents which He purposed for us to use. When we stray from our destiny, we flounder.

“The busyness that’s bad is not the busyness of work, but the business that works hard at the wrong things.”

—Kevin DeYoung, author of Crazy Busy.

In addition to working hard at the wrong thing, we can work for the wrong reason. In my case, compliments from others about “what a good job I was doing” encouraged me to work harder, and take on my more responsibilities. I was trying to please man more than God.

A familiar story comes to mind from Scripture. Jesus came to visit Mary and Martha. Upon his arrival, Martha was “distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” She complained about Mary not helping her.

Jesus answered, “Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.” Luke 10:41,42 (NIV)

Was Martha working hard at the wrong thing? Was she working for the wrong reason? Either way, Martha had not chosen what Jesus thought was best. She busied herself with what she thought was important, instead of asking Jesus what he might want her to do. As a result, she became stressed out and resented her sister.

Have you noticed when we involve ourselves in God’s plan for our lives, we are happier, and more at peace? Work becomes a joy. Is that why the bees seem so content, buzzing while they work?

I confess I have not completely overcome my struggle with busyness. I want to tune into God’s plan and act upon the “one thing” which is needed instead of multitasking. How about you?  

Leaping Lizards!

“Ugh! Another lizard entered the house.” I pulled our sliding glass door shut, but it was too late. Herb and I live on the first floor of our apartment building, and every time we open the patio door, we invite the natural world inside.

Welcome to Florida, the epicenter of nonnative reptiles. I recognized our new guest as a brown anole. According to the University of Florida, this type of lizard hitched a ride on a shipment of cargo originating from Cuba during the late 1800’s.

Due to Florida’s warm and moist climate, the invasion of the brown anoles has expanded to every county of the peninsula. They are most common in areas dominated by humans. The little lizards can be found in school yards, gas stations, grocery stores and suburban neighborhood yards. People frequently see them on the ground and perched on tree trunks, fences, and the walls of buildings.

Our little invader jumped into Buddy’s dog bed which gave me an opportunity for a photo.

Isn’t he cute? I think I’ll name him Fred. My usual way of dealing with a lizard is to pick it up in a light-weight towel and release the animal outside. Unfortunately Fred was so fearful, the second I dropped the towel over him, he escaped. After ten minutes of chasing him around our apartment, I gave up.

The next morning, I spotted Fred on the floor between our sofa and end table.

I felt like he was taunting me, bobbing his head and doing little push ups with his upper body. Herb is usually able to grasp these guys with his bare hands. Fred was different. He was the fastest lizard we’d ever seen. A regular Houdini, who flattened his little body enough to slide under the couch.

When Herb and I inched the sofa away from the wall, Fred raced to the other side of the room. The chase began anew whenever we glimpsed him outside of his sofa hideout. Once we opened the patio door and tried to shoo him outside. He would have none of it. What can you do with animal who apparently has a death wish?

I read that anoles can live for a month without food but they can only live three days without water. Why was Fred still alive one week after entering our home? We could only imagine he was sneaking into the shower to lap up whatever moisture might be available.

After ten days Fred disappeared. He no longer came out from under the sofa to greet us. Someday we’ll find his dried up remains under a piece of furniture. What really killed Fred? Curiosity? Fear? Stupidity?

Not to worry. Brown anoles breed during the summer and a female lays one egg every one to two weeks. The eggs hatch about one month later. There will be plenty of Fred Juniors to carry on their invasion.

Are You a Dog Mom?

Someone finally came up with a national day I can celebrate. This Saturday, May 11 is National Dog Mom’s Day. Casey and Leigh Isaacson registered the second Saturday in May to celebrate and thank all the dog moms who work hard to love and support their pets. Casey and Leigh also founded Dig, the dog person’s dating app, as a way for dog lovers to find a compatible date.

Did you know people who love dogs have specific personality traits? For that reason, dog people would have more in common with other dog people. Deciding whether or not to date someone based upon their pet, seems like an idea which has some merit.

So what type of person loves dogs? According to a 2010 study performed by the American Psychological Association dog lovers are extroverted, positive, and agreeable. On the other hand, cat lovers tend to be more introverted, curious, and creative. And snake lovers? Well, they are extremely independent.

Think about it. People usually adopt a dog because they are attracted to the breed and believe the animal would make a good addition to their family. Dog lovers like to exercise, so they enjoy taking their dog for frequent walks. Dog lovers also like to chat with other dog lovers who are out and about. Since most dogs are pack animals, they don’t mind stopping to make friends with another dog.

A few days ago we took our dog, Buddy, to a Beagle Meet Up in a local dog park. We kept Buddy on his leash due to his age and mobility issues. Even though he couldn’t romp with the younger dogs, that didn’t stop him from interacting with them.

Buddy howled and the friendly beagles gathered around to welcome him. After the initial meet and greet butt sniffing behavior was complete, the dogs accepted him into their pack. I’m sure they recognized he was a senior because they treated him with respect. The experience was quite positive. At the Beagle Meet Up dogs and owners enjoy socializing with one another. ( By the way, people who own beagles are emotionally stable.) The Orlando Beagles meet at Lake Druid Park on the first and third Saturday of the month at 9 a.m.

Arroo, to all of you dog moms! You are disciplined, have a strong sense of duty, and are good planners. You are energetic and have a great sense of humor. Keep it up, dog moms. Fido appreciates everything you do.

Does your pet reflect your personality? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear from you.

The Serious Cereus

Buzzards glide in the cloudless sky

Rock squirrels hurry on the ground

Shadowed by the prickly pear,

The Cereus makes no sound.

This lazy cactus leans upon

Support from kindly neighbors

Waiting for the perfect time

To begin its covert labors.

Once a year the sunset beckons—

And Cereus buds unfold

Their delicate white petals

With centers of soft gold.

A fragrance like vanilla

Spills forth from every core

Luring a local sphinx moth

To pollinate…before…

The first light of the morning

Forever shuts each flower

Without complaint or question,

They meet their final hour.

The secret of the Cereus

Revealed one moonlit night

Fulfill the Maker’s purpose

Inside the span of life.

Buzzards glide in the cloudless sky

Rock squirrels hurry on the ground

Life resumes in the desert heat

But the Cereus makes no sound.

Dear Reader,

“The Serious Cereus” is a revision of a poem which first appeared on my blog entitled “The Secret of the Cereus” in 2016. Check it out. I include much more information about this interesting cactus.

Quiet Time

Here I am Lord

ready to begin my day.

I confess you were not first in my routine,

never are.

First, the daily weigh-in,

before I consumed a bowl of cheerios with blueberries.

Then facebook

beckoned my attention.

I gave my friends the “likes” they deserved

before settling in my easy chair with my second cup of coffee.

After scanning a few Bible verses

and writing my requests in my “prayer journal,”

I thought I’d fulfilled my duty

and meandered outdoors for a walk.

Here at the pond

suddenly I see

in order to hear from you, I must listen.

Here I am Lord,

ready to begin our day.

I’m an Old Dog

Here I lie, in the bed I’ve made

Sunken from many naps

I chase squirrels in my dreams

And remember romps through the park with my master.

I’ve slowed down

My face, now gray with age,

My eyes are dim, and my hearing slight

But my heart is tuned to my family,

Who have met my needs these many years.

Our story began years ago

When my humans appeared at the beagle rescue…

We connected.

I think they were looking for someone like me.

Together we visit outdoor markets

Where delightful smells fill the air

And strangers love to rub my ears

Somehow everyone knows my name…

Buddy the Beagle on Blueberry Street.

Message from a Brook

Come closer, daughter

My bank has the perfect boulder waiting for you

You will find rest

When you let my endless burble speak to your busy mind

Breathe…

Lay your worries down

Give them to me

I will carry them to the depths of the sea.

I bring life to all I touch

From the towering silver maple to the tiny striped minnow

All are nourished by my abilities.

See the lush thicket?

Each fern knows me well

Rooted in my abundance,

Their lacy fronds

beam with contentment.

I am a channel of resources

An open frequency

Yet you seldom tune me in.

Come near, daughter, and sit awhile.

Dear Reader,

Hopefully my latest poem will inspire you to get outside and allow the natural world to speak to you. I want to do just that! Look for another post next week which celebrates National Poetry Month.

Exercise in OO

Sue jumped out of bed, she knew what to do.

She pulled on her jeans and shouted, “yahoo!”

“I’ve got the day off, so I’ll visit to the zoo.”

The gates had just opened, the visitors few.

“Hello,” Sue smiled to the grounds-keeping crew.

“You do a great job, this place looks brand new.”

Inside the birdhouse Sue’s interest grew.

High overhead her feathered friends flew.

A rainbow of colors, some red, and some blue.

Then a strange voice rose above every coo.

“Hello pretty lady, how do you do?”

Sue parted the foliage, only to view.

Perched on a limb sat a fat cock-a-too.

Dear Reader,

I had fun writing this poem. After finishing “Exercise in OO” I realized there are countless possibilities poets have at their disposal. Poetry can be serious or fun. I tapped into the idea from a resource: “5-Minute Daily Writing Prompts” by Tarn Wilson. Begin by listing all the words you can think of which contain the same vowel sound. (This is very easy if you have a rhyming dictionary.) Then you start putting the words into lines to create a poem.

By the way, April is National Poetry month. Look for another poem from me next week.