A reflective blog since 2017
The Apples in My Orchard
Did You Know?
Did you know that I also write on Medium.com? I have been a writer there since 2022. My address page can be found at: https://carollabuzzetta.medium.com/
Medium is a membership platform, but I can share with a friend link, too.
Formal Education
My background is varied. I earned a BSN from Alfred University in New York, a Master's in Child Health from SUNY Buffalo, and another Master's from UW- Steven's Point in Natural Resources, with an emphasis on Environmental Education.
What do I write about?
I write about life. You will find my articles focus on travel, education, community involvement, gardening, and sometimes parenting, although those days are mostly behind me now. I value honesty and transparency, as well as education, service, & creativity.
My friend gave me a book of poetry last month. It is entitled To Bless This Space Between Us (2007) by John O’Donohue.
Wikipedia has this to say:John O’Donohue (1 January 1956 – 4 January 2008) was an Irish poet, author, priest, and Hegelian philosopher. He was a native Irish speaker,[1] and as an author is best known for popularising Celtic spirituality
This poet was new to me. He was raised in the Connemara area of Ireland, which we had the good fortune to visit in 2024.
After being recognized for his literary prowess and activism, he left the priesthood in 2000. An important connection I have to this poet is his environmental activism, which helped to preserve a landscape called The Burren near Connemara. It is a karst landscape that is both unusual and beautiful.
Unfortunately, O’Donohue died in 2008, at the early age of 52. But his words live on. While searching for poem to share, I found this one (see inset for the full poem) which struck a cord with me due to the political situation we find ourselves in the United States with a leader who is not leading.
While I am not through the book, I am keeping it at my bedside for when I need inspiration, soothing words, or just kind thoughts. I’m grateful to my friend for this gift, which is just one of many – both tangible and intangible – she has given me over the years. Thank you, Cathy.
I’ll leave you with this brief reading of another of O’Donohue’s poems.
Poetry Friday is hosted this week by Jan at Bookseedstudio. Please visit her page to be blessed with more insightful and beautiful poetry, the gift of words. Thanks for hosting, Jan.
O’Donohue’s blessings are a gift to the soul. Thanks for sharing. I wish the leader of this country could understand even one of those lines, just one, and things would be better.
Thank you, Margaret. I’ve had the chance to read more of the book, and I agree. I also agree that if our leader has only one of the characteristics in that poem, all of our live’s would be better. Thanks for stopping by!
Carol, the poem you share from the former priest, John O’Donohue, just takes my breath away as it describes a leader I know intimately, my public interest law prof. hubby, Paolo Annino. It’s encouraging to feel that in years ahead, We The People will find & select a leader in our Nation with these ideals, as I felt Jimmy Carter represented; I always keep Hope. I appreciate this post very much!
Thanks Jan. You have an intimate take living with a lawyer who understands all the injustices taking place. Jimmy Carter was a good man. And, yes, we must always keep hope alive.
O’Donohue’s blessings are a gift to the soul. Thanks for sharing. I wish the leader of this country could understand even one of those lines, just one, and things would be better.
Thank you, Margaret. I’ve had the chance to read more of the book, and I agree. I also agree that if our leader has only one of the characteristics in that poem, all of our live’s would be better. Thanks for stopping by!
Carol, the poem you share from the former priest, John O’Donohue, just takes my breath away as it describes a leader I know intimately, my public interest law prof. hubby, Paolo Annino. It’s encouraging to feel that in years ahead, We The People will find & select a leader in our Nation with these ideals, as I felt Jimmy Carter represented; I always keep Hope. I appreciate this post very much!
Thanks Jan. You have an intimate take living with a lawyer who understands all the injustices taking place. Jimmy Carter was a good man. And, yes, we must always keep hope alive.