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December 2010

Cricket's Thoughts

Those Breathless Moments

Reflecting back over 2010, my mind sees thousands of moments frozen in time.

Many of those moments left me breathless with a sense of serenity that cannot easily be explained. I couldn’t think of a better way to bring in the new year than by highlighting a few of those breathless moments for me.

My family

It had been years since all of my kids were photographed together, let alone all smiling (sort of) at the same time. This was a moment that will remain in my thoughts forever.

whispers from spirit

Every now and then, when I least expect it, these tiny whispers from Spirit show up in my life. For me they are reminders to live in the moment, right now.

Taylor

Taylor always has a way of making me smile. Moments like these make me remember how lucky I am to have her. Yeah, she is definitely the queen of the castle.

Fall Leaf

One of those moments when all the world goes quiet around me. I don’t hear traffic or see the mass of people. I just see the beauty of one lone leaf in front of me.

Rita's On The River

Trust me on this one. Rita’s On The River in San Antonio not only has the best Tex Mex anywhere, their margaritas will definitely leave you feeling a bit breathless. 🙂

Newborn Foot

Watching the birth of my granddaughter was a life changing moment in time for me.

Haley

This year I watched the youngest kid go through a zillion different styles and stages, but those times when she gets lost in the moment, will always take my breath away.

The Lemur

Quiet moments with the Lemur are so few and far between that it is pure magic when it happens. He drives me absolutely crazy but I adore him!

Dark Sunset

Stunningly beautiful sunsets will always be breathless moments for me.

Thank you for being a part of my life this year, and especially for allowing me to be a part of yours . . .

Cricket Walker

Cricket's Thoughts

A Square Peg

Through my eyes...

“No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did he would cease to be an artist.” (Oscar Wilde)

While I certainly don’t see myself as an artist (I can’t even draw a good stick man) I do think that I see the world around me a bit differently than others do.

It shows up in my photography and it shows up in my daily life as I seem to seek out ways to color outside the lines. As cliché as it sounds, I am pretty sure I was born a square peg in a world filled with round holes. I am learning to be okay with that…

Cricket Walker

Cricket's Thoughts

Enjoy The Ride!

Roller Coaster Ride

For a few years now, I have fought the notion that life is really just one great big roller coaster ride. I learned to almost hate the highs because I knew it meant the lows would be there shortly. I wanted there to be some sort of balance and I was more than willing to give up the incredible highs if it meant I wouldn’t have to face the lows.

It didn’t work though. Ya know why?

Because that just simply is not who I am.

I am passionate about everything around me, both the good and the bad.

And ya know what else?

I LIKE THAT ABOUT ME!

Fighting the roller coaster is a bit like trying to fight the huge waves when you are swimming down in the gulf. Every now and then you are going to get hit, and get hit hard! If you panic and fight it, you may very well drown. But if you relax and just be, you will find the wave bringing you right back up to the top.

Eventually you just finally figure out how to hang on and enjoy the ride!

Cricket Walker

Cricket's Thoughts

This Insane Feline

I Keep Telling You I Am A LEMUR!

The man explained the empty cage to me. It was for a cat who was in surgery for a torn claw. He had been with them for a while now, but was considered to be at the very end of the list when it came to adoptability.

His ears looked funny, and he had the personality of a cranky old man although he was really just an older kitten with a seriously bad attitude.

They named him Sharkey, which turned out to be pretty telling when it came to his temperament. It fit him (and his teeth) perfectly!

I wandered through all the picture perfect cats and kittens who were looking for a home, and not even one reached out to touch me. How is that even possible?

As I walked out the door I began to think that maybe Taylor really didn’t need a playmate, but I couldn’t get that crazy cat out of my mind.

Sight unseen, I knew I had to have him.

For the next several days I simply went about my business, my thoughts never far from that stupid cat. What in the heck did I need with a cranky cat with personality issues? Lord have mercy, I would be a fool to go back and see him, right?

Of course I had to go back. I had no choice.

My first glimpse of him had me agreeing he was kinda ugly, but in a cute sort of way. He stared at me with such evil eyes that I took a step or two back, but he never took his eyes off of me. The man let Sharkey out of his cage for a moment so that I could see how he would react. OMG! It was as if the Tasmanian Devil had been set loose!

American Curl

Over the next hour, I walked away from him three or more times. What on earth was I thinking of? No way in heck would I ever be able to handle this insane feline.

But I already knew, it was love at first site. I simply could not walk away from him.

He reminded me too much of me.

Bringing him home was a challenge in itself. I fully expected Taylor to adore him since she had never hissed a day in her life and seemed to accept anything that comes her way. Well except for birds. She is sure those are a treat from God created just for her.

Yup! You guessed it. Taylor didn’t just hate him. She flat out despised him.

Taylor Is NOT Happy

Oh gosh, what was I getting myself into?

Even after months of scratches and bites and watching his Lemur like antics, I am more in love with this crazy brat than ever. He has cost me hundred of dollars to the cuss jar and given me hours of smiles and laughter.

He fits right in around here and I would be lost without him.

And yes, slowly but surely he has begun to trust his adopted mama, but still delights in driving Taylor up the wall until she finally gives up and hides on the tall stool next to where I work. She may never like him, but she tolerates him. Now and then she simply slaps him across the face when she has had enough.

My Lil Lemur

We don’t call him Sharkey much anymore. Most of the time we just call him Lemur, a.k.a Deez Nutz. (Don’t ask…)

Cricket Walker

Cricket's Thoughts

Believe In The Impossible

Texas River

It took weeks to write them out one by one
Things I wished I would have done differently
Actions that could not be undone
Words I just couldn’t take back

The paper already worn with struggles and tears
Torn into a million tiny pieces and burned to ash

It was time to let them go
Time to release them to the river
flowing away from the depths of my soul

I stood staring into the starless sky
The lonely sound of the train whistle off in the distance
Waiting for new words that refused to come in the darkness
Wishes that refuse to be wished for even a moment
Yet somehow free from the chains of my past

And still, late at night
when all is quiet in the world
I still dream
I still believe in the impossible…

Cricket Walker