GRATITUDE... It's essential.
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Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. - Brian Tracy -
I am extremely grateful for having been able to fulfill my dream of owning land out in the middle 0f glorious nowhere.
In 2005, my dream of The T-Square Ranch came true.
Progress on the ranch has been slow-going, well...actually no-going at times.
However, we will make progress. I have to believe that we will.
We know what we want now, and where we want it. The right people are in place.
It will come together, because my vision of the T-Square Ranch is now complete.
Just need that one last prayer answered. Please and thank you!
Until then, just knowing it is there is enough.
"The Road To Heaven" Photo copyright Karen Dale Trask 2005
I am extremely grateful for having been able to fulfill my dream of owning land out in the middle 0f glorious nowhere.
In 2005, my dream of The T-Square Ranch came true.
Progress on the ranch has been slow-going, well...actually no-going at times.
However, we will make progress. I have to believe that we will.
We know what we want now, and where we want it. The right people are in place.
It will come together, because my vision of the T-Square Ranch is now complete.
Just need that one last prayer answered. Please and thank you!
Until then, just knowing it is there is enough.
"The Road To Heaven" Photo copyright Karen Dale Trask 2005
Because I said I would...
St. Jude's Novena
May the sacred heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus pray for us, St. Jude worker of miracles pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless pray for us.
Say this prayer nine times a day, by the eighth day your prayer should be answered. Say it for nine days. Publication must be promised. Thank you, St. Jude.
Disclaimer: The original directions stated that, by the eighth day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. However, I must be truthful and say that while I've said this prayer several times during my life, I've not always received what I've asked for, nor whatever I did receive came in that exact eight day period.
Per the Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need." And for all the blessings that I have received when I have evoked this prayer, while not the exact thing I may have asked for, (and I've learned that being specific is also essential!) I am extremely appreciative and grateful.
While it did not work the most recent time that I evoked the prayer, I do hope that if someone reading this does say this Novena per the directions, that it will work for you. However, please try not to be terribly disappointed if it does not. God works his miracles in his own way, on his own terms. All we can do is hope, and pray!
Photo Copyright Karen Dale Stefaniak 1972
St. Jude's Novena
May the sacred heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus pray for us, St. Jude worker of miracles pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless pray for us.
Say this prayer nine times a day, by the eighth day your prayer should be answered. Say it for nine days. Publication must be promised. Thank you, St. Jude.
Disclaimer: The original directions stated that, by the eighth day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. However, I must be truthful and say that while I've said this prayer several times during my life, I've not always received what I've asked for, nor whatever I did receive came in that exact eight day period.
Per the Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones, "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need." And for all the blessings that I have received when I have evoked this prayer, while not the exact thing I may have asked for, (and I've learned that being specific is also essential!) I am extremely appreciative and grateful.
While it did not work the most recent time that I evoked the prayer, I do hope that if someone reading this does say this Novena per the directions, that it will work for you. However, please try not to be terribly disappointed if it does not. God works his miracles in his own way, on his own terms. All we can do is hope, and pray!
Photo Copyright Karen Dale Stefaniak 1972
One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child. - Carl Jung-
This photo was taken at the edge of one of the staircases in Whitmore Bolles Elementary School, in Dearborn, Michigan. I cherish the memories and friends whom I walked those halls with, between the ages of 5 and 12, and especially some of those same classmates whom I'm still in touch with today.
Many people might say that the image would be better if I had made sure that I squared up the window frame in my view-finder. I was simply capturing a moment, a special place from my youth, as I relived the many memories of coming around that corner, from Mrs. Lampe's fourth grade classroom, and heading down the stairs to the cafeteria.
I am grateful for being able to accept my less-than-perfect attempts, as well as other people's less than perfect actions, which I've experienced throughout my life.
Photo copyright Karen Dale Trask 2002
This photo was taken at the edge of one of the staircases in Whitmore Bolles Elementary School, in Dearborn, Michigan. I cherish the memories and friends whom I walked those halls with, between the ages of 5 and 12, and especially some of those same classmates whom I'm still in touch with today.
Many people might say that the image would be better if I had made sure that I squared up the window frame in my view-finder. I was simply capturing a moment, a special place from my youth, as I relived the many memories of coming around that corner, from Mrs. Lampe's fourth grade classroom, and heading down the stairs to the cafeteria.
I am grateful for being able to accept my less-than-perfect attempts, as well as other people's less than perfect actions, which I've experienced throughout my life.
Photo copyright Karen Dale Trask 2002
Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.
- John Milton -
I am grateful for growing up in Dearborn, Michigan and having The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village (now known as The Henry Ford) in my backyard. It was in the Henry Ford Museum that I captured this image when classmate, Dennis Hudson and I were roaming the halls in search of images for a photography class assignment.
I'm grateful for having been in the right place at the right time.
Photo copyright Karen Dale Stefaniak 1973
- John Milton -
I am grateful for growing up in Dearborn, Michigan and having The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village (now known as The Henry Ford) in my backyard. It was in the Henry Ford Museum that I captured this image when classmate, Dennis Hudson and I were roaming the halls in search of images for a photography class assignment.
I'm grateful for having been in the right place at the right time.
Photo copyright Karen Dale Stefaniak 1973
Wherever I have knocked, a door has opened. Wherever I have wandered, a path has appeared.
~Alice Walker, In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens
I took a photo of this lovely path, which looks to be deep in a forest, however it was a small trail that separated a subdivision and a parkway. I can still feel and hear the leaves rustling beneath my feet, as if it were yesterday, while I went searching for a cat named Percy. He apparently preferred the surroundings to me and a car ride home. I can only hope his adventure was a good one in this lovely place.
Photo Copyright Karen Dale Stefaniak 1974
~Alice Walker, In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens
I took a photo of this lovely path, which looks to be deep in a forest, however it was a small trail that separated a subdivision and a parkway. I can still feel and hear the leaves rustling beneath my feet, as if it were yesterday, while I went searching for a cat named Percy. He apparently preferred the surroundings to me and a car ride home. I can only hope his adventure was a good one in this lovely place.
Photo Copyright Karen Dale Stefaniak 1974
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” - Marcel Proust -
Both of my parents loved flowers and they loved to garden. We had a lot of peonie bushes, roses and iris growing around my backyard when I was a child. Tucked away in a corner grew a small patch of Lily of the Valley, my birthflower. About ten years ago when I visited my childhood home, that little patch of Lily of the Valley was still growing there. It made me very happy to see that no one had tried to irradicate it. All the subsequent owners of the house had just let it be.
I am grateful for all the people who have come into my life, each one different in their own unique way. Some people simply pass through, while some folks, like the Lily of the Valley, with me since my childhood are still in my life. All of us, with our similarities and unique differences make our way through life, coming and going, providing support, friendship, and kindness along the way. I am grateful to everyone who has come into my life, especially those who have helped me to blossom and grow.
Photo Copyright Karen Dale Trask 2012
Both of my parents loved flowers and they loved to garden. We had a lot of peonie bushes, roses and iris growing around my backyard when I was a child. Tucked away in a corner grew a small patch of Lily of the Valley, my birthflower. About ten years ago when I visited my childhood home, that little patch of Lily of the Valley was still growing there. It made me very happy to see that no one had tried to irradicate it. All the subsequent owners of the house had just let it be.
I am grateful for all the people who have come into my life, each one different in their own unique way. Some people simply pass through, while some folks, like the Lily of the Valley, with me since my childhood are still in my life. All of us, with our similarities and unique differences make our way through life, coming and going, providing support, friendship, and kindness along the way. I am grateful to everyone who has come into my life, especially those who have helped me to blossom and grow.
Photo Copyright Karen Dale Trask 2012
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~Unknown ~
To say I have had an interesting life would be an understatement. One could describe it as a roller coaster ride, and having only been on an actual man-made roller coaster twice in my life, I for one can only say that I've never been fond of them. And many times in my life I haven't been terribly fond of being here either. But I pushed on, I persevered, I took each new day as it came, and was most often thankful when it passed. And all those days got me to today, with all of the lessons learned, and hopefully not forgotten so as to not repeat any mistakes I feel I may have made, or something I wished I could have a "do-over" on. You just have to remember to take the time to do it right the first time. Take the time. To think, to pray, to put yourself in the other person's shoes. Take the time to feel and most of all take the time to be thankful for anything and everything, good, bad or not so wonderful that got you to this moment. There was a reason for it, there was a plan.
The photo above is of a sculpture I created back in the 1980's. I cannot take credit for the composition, however, that belongs to Ann Schutte. I was merely recreating a portion of the composition in a different medium. I did tweak the composition slightly, added the arrows, I believe. I titled the piece. "Look Up", because I am always grateful for the moon and the stars and the celestial beings that guide my way.
To quote Jimmy Buffet..."I don't know where I'm going, I don't know where I've been, there may be no exit, but hell...I'm going in!"
In memory of Robin Williams. I hope you have found peace on the other side. I will be forever grateful for your humor and your insight.
Photo and sculpture Copyright Karen Dale Stefaniak 1984
To say I have had an interesting life would be an understatement. One could describe it as a roller coaster ride, and having only been on an actual man-made roller coaster twice in my life, I for one can only say that I've never been fond of them. And many times in my life I haven't been terribly fond of being here either. But I pushed on, I persevered, I took each new day as it came, and was most often thankful when it passed. And all those days got me to today, with all of the lessons learned, and hopefully not forgotten so as to not repeat any mistakes I feel I may have made, or something I wished I could have a "do-over" on. You just have to remember to take the time to do it right the first time. Take the time. To think, to pray, to put yourself in the other person's shoes. Take the time to feel and most of all take the time to be thankful for anything and everything, good, bad or not so wonderful that got you to this moment. There was a reason for it, there was a plan.
The photo above is of a sculpture I created back in the 1980's. I cannot take credit for the composition, however, that belongs to Ann Schutte. I was merely recreating a portion of the composition in a different medium. I did tweak the composition slightly, added the arrows, I believe. I titled the piece. "Look Up", because I am always grateful for the moon and the stars and the celestial beings that guide my way.
To quote Jimmy Buffet..."I don't know where I'm going, I don't know where I've been, there may be no exit, but hell...I'm going in!"
In memory of Robin Williams. I hope you have found peace on the other side. I will be forever grateful for your humor and your insight.
Photo and sculpture Copyright Karen Dale Stefaniak 1984
Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.
~Henry Ward Beecher
I took the picture of this tiny flower, literally each bloom is no larger than the fingernail on my pinkie finger, as I was walking through my yard one morning. I had just received a new camera, and wasn't sure of the settings, so I just snapped away at all the little blossoms in the yard. It wasn't until I loaded the images onto my computer could I see the remarkable detail of each petal. I am grateful for my camera, and the ability it has to capture the detail of such a tiny flower. I am grateful to have the ability to walk, and to bend and to kneel in the manner that I do to be able to capture those tiny miracles that come forth from the ground. And I am grateful everyday for my sight to be able to see the beauty of the world all around me.
Straw Flowers photo copyright 2012 Karen Dale Trask
~Henry Ward Beecher
I took the picture of this tiny flower, literally each bloom is no larger than the fingernail on my pinkie finger, as I was walking through my yard one morning. I had just received a new camera, and wasn't sure of the settings, so I just snapped away at all the little blossoms in the yard. It wasn't until I loaded the images onto my computer could I see the remarkable detail of each petal. I am grateful for my camera, and the ability it has to capture the detail of such a tiny flower. I am grateful to have the ability to walk, and to bend and to kneel in the manner that I do to be able to capture those tiny miracles that come forth from the ground. And I am grateful everyday for my sight to be able to see the beauty of the world all around me.
Straw Flowers photo copyright 2012 Karen Dale Trask
One small crack does not mean that you are broken, it just means you were put to the test and you didn't fall apart.
~ Linda Poindexter ~
I took this image while walking around Northville, Michigan with a classmate. It had a stillness, yet movement, and well, the hardness that is rock. I know what it is like to be between a rock and a hard place. Sometimes unpleasant, yet sometimes there is a feeling of security. And sometimes there is that feeling that there is no other way to go but up, one foot and one hand-hold upon a very secure surface. It doesn't get better than rock in most cases. It's been around...forever, and can stand the test of time. Even if there are cracks in the surface. The cracks can be looked at as pathways to the unknown, unexpected, and possibly the unrealized. Sometimes a crack in one's facade will be the place where one's light can truly shine through.
Photo Copyright 2002 Karen Dale Trask
~ Linda Poindexter ~
I took this image while walking around Northville, Michigan with a classmate. It had a stillness, yet movement, and well, the hardness that is rock. I know what it is like to be between a rock and a hard place. Sometimes unpleasant, yet sometimes there is a feeling of security. And sometimes there is that feeling that there is no other way to go but up, one foot and one hand-hold upon a very secure surface. It doesn't get better than rock in most cases. It's been around...forever, and can stand the test of time. Even if there are cracks in the surface. The cracks can be looked at as pathways to the unknown, unexpected, and possibly the unrealized. Sometimes a crack in one's facade will be the place where one's light can truly shine through.
Photo Copyright 2002 Karen Dale Trask
What is now proved, was only once imagined.
~William Blake~
I am grateful for having been given patience and perseverance to see my dreams through. While it only took a lifetime, but seemed so much longer, I was able to go through a metamorphosis, at which time I was given the abilities and blessings to make it all happen.
Over the hill, and on the backside of life now, I can see how far I've come. And as I grow each day older, I cling to the spirit that got me to today. I can now see from this perspective how things came together just as they were supposed to.
And I wouldn't change a thing.
In The Autumn of My Life Photograph Copyright Karen Dale Trask 2013
~William Blake~
I am grateful for having been given patience and perseverance to see my dreams through. While it only took a lifetime, but seemed so much longer, I was able to go through a metamorphosis, at which time I was given the abilities and blessings to make it all happen.
Over the hill, and on the backside of life now, I can see how far I've come. And as I grow each day older, I cling to the spirit that got me to today. I can now see from this perspective how things came together just as they were supposed to.
And I wouldn't change a thing.
In The Autumn of My Life Photograph Copyright Karen Dale Trask 2013
“Although time seems to fly, it never travels faster than one day at a time. Each day is a new opportunity to live your life to the fullest. In each waking day, you will find scores of blessings and opportunities for positive change. Do not let your TODAY be stolen by the unchangeable past or the indefinite future! Today is a new day!”
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
Each day I make a list of things I want to accomplish. If I accomplish those things in any given day or a time period that I set for myself, I give myself a pat on the back. If I don't, I also don't beat myself up about not getting them accomplished. Those things I have not yet accomplished simply go at the top of the next list. And life goes on.
Grandfather's Watch Photo Copyright Karen Dale Stefaniak 1976
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
Each day I make a list of things I want to accomplish. If I accomplish those things in any given day or a time period that I set for myself, I give myself a pat on the back. If I don't, I also don't beat myself up about not getting them accomplished. Those things I have not yet accomplished simply go at the top of the next list. And life goes on.
Grandfather's Watch Photo Copyright Karen Dale Stefaniak 1976
“Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.” ― Mary Anne Radmacher
My today's always turn into tomorrows. Tomorrow is once again here, so I will sit down to write. To finish a story started, or to flesh out a new idea for another novel. Possibly not for long, possibly for hours. Despite the negative reviews on my writing, and all the typos I still find in my work, I simply correct the typos and continue to write.
I greatly appreciate those half-dozen people who like and continue to read my work. I will keep you always and forever in a very special place in my heart. I have not given up on me, and am grateful to those six readers who haven't given up on me either.
Your encouragement is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
A Secret Within Photograph Copyright Karen Dale Trask 2010
My today's always turn into tomorrows. Tomorrow is once again here, so I will sit down to write. To finish a story started, or to flesh out a new idea for another novel. Possibly not for long, possibly for hours. Despite the negative reviews on my writing, and all the typos I still find in my work, I simply correct the typos and continue to write.
I greatly appreciate those half-dozen people who like and continue to read my work. I will keep you always and forever in a very special place in my heart. I have not given up on me, and am grateful to those six readers who haven't given up on me either.
Your encouragement is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
A Secret Within Photograph Copyright Karen Dale Trask 2010
Dear Santa, and the Powers That Be...
All I want for Christmas is to have a log cabin and other buildings at the T-Square Ranch as soon as possible. Even to have one building up by the end of 2015 would be most appreciated. Please and thank you. Until then, I'll continue to dream, because as experience has shown me, my dreams do have a way of coming true...eventually. You just have to believe.
Merry Christmas to all!
All I want for Christmas is to have a log cabin and other buildings at the T-Square Ranch as soon as possible. Even to have one building up by the end of 2015 would be most appreciated. Please and thank you. Until then, I'll continue to dream, because as experience has shown me, my dreams do have a way of coming true...eventually. You just have to believe.
Merry Christmas to all!
GRATEFUL FOR MY READERS,
MY SUPPORTERS, MY FRIENDS...
Being a creative person is not necessarily easy or fun at times. It takes endurance and perseverance. Heaven only knows I've wanted to throw in the towel many times when it came to my writing. I could be drawing, I could be painting, I could be designing something for the ranch. But then something captures my interest. A photo, an object, a comment, an experience...something enters my mind that I believe I can build a paranormal suspense novel around.
And so I build the outline, and perhaps file it away, or put away the manuscript I'm currently working on to flesh out the story that might eventually get published, even read...or it might not.
Every year I tell myself that this is the last year I'll put something up on Smashwords as my sales numbers and ranking are well, nothing I can quit my day job for. However, as easily as I talk myself into that thought of this being my last year to publish anything, I talk myself out of it because someone will make a comment about how they liked my work.
I am grateful for those people who know how to say the right thing at the right time; who will overlook my typos, or be brave enough to tell me about them, so that I can be the best author I can be.
I am grateful that there is a platform such as Smashwords so that I may get the thoughts out of my head and into the e-readers around the world.
I am grateful for people who love to read, and who happen upon my titles.
I am grateful to the Universe and the Powers That Be for giving me those nudges when I need them most to just keep going, and keep writing.
And thank you to my dear friend Martha for coming up with the yearly slogan of...
SEE THE UNSEEN IN 2015! Which could very well mean me, or less typos in my work, or maybe another ghost or two! And yes, Martha, I can probably write a story around that, and probably will!
Happy New Year Everyone!
MY SUPPORTERS, MY FRIENDS...
Being a creative person is not necessarily easy or fun at times. It takes endurance and perseverance. Heaven only knows I've wanted to throw in the towel many times when it came to my writing. I could be drawing, I could be painting, I could be designing something for the ranch. But then something captures my interest. A photo, an object, a comment, an experience...something enters my mind that I believe I can build a paranormal suspense novel around.
And so I build the outline, and perhaps file it away, or put away the manuscript I'm currently working on to flesh out the story that might eventually get published, even read...or it might not.
Every year I tell myself that this is the last year I'll put something up on Smashwords as my sales numbers and ranking are well, nothing I can quit my day job for. However, as easily as I talk myself into that thought of this being my last year to publish anything, I talk myself out of it because someone will make a comment about how they liked my work.
I am grateful for those people who know how to say the right thing at the right time; who will overlook my typos, or be brave enough to tell me about them, so that I can be the best author I can be.
I am grateful that there is a platform such as Smashwords so that I may get the thoughts out of my head and into the e-readers around the world.
I am grateful for people who love to read, and who happen upon my titles.
I am grateful to the Universe and the Powers That Be for giving me those nudges when I need them most to just keep going, and keep writing.
And thank you to my dear friend Martha for coming up with the yearly slogan of...
SEE THE UNSEEN IN 2015! Which could very well mean me, or less typos in my work, or maybe another ghost or two! And yes, Martha, I can probably write a story around that, and probably will!
Happy New Year Everyone!
Remember to acknowledge the tiny details of your life, as well as the things and people who made an impression on you.
Whether it is a good or bad impression, I acknowledge and am grateful to those people who make me think as well as feel compelled to express myself, be it through my art, writing or photography.
Northville Impressions Copyright Karen Dale Trask 2002
Whether it is a good or bad impression, I acknowledge and am grateful to those people who make me think as well as feel compelled to express myself, be it through my art, writing or photography.
Northville Impressions Copyright Karen Dale Trask 2002
How Do I Heal My Emotional Wounds?
I give myself a hug. Daily.
I count my blessings, and am grateful for all things, the good and the bad. Daily.
I ask for forgiveness to whom ever I have wounded emotionally during my life. Daily.
In regards to the bad, I tell myself to let go and move on.
I visualize the wounds, and visualize them healing. I am not ashamed of the scars I carry. It's easier to do this on some days than on others.
On the other days, I just give myself a little longer hug.
I appreciate being a Gemini, I know my "other" will have my back, as I do theirs.
I am never alone.
I love myself, and I believe in a higher power who believes in me.
Photo Copyright Karen Dale Trask 2012
I give myself a hug. Daily.
I count my blessings, and am grateful for all things, the good and the bad. Daily.
I ask for forgiveness to whom ever I have wounded emotionally during my life. Daily.
In regards to the bad, I tell myself to let go and move on.
I visualize the wounds, and visualize them healing. I am not ashamed of the scars I carry. It's easier to do this on some days than on others.
On the other days, I just give myself a little longer hug.
I appreciate being a Gemini, I know my "other" will have my back, as I do theirs.
I am never alone.
I love myself, and I believe in a higher power who believes in me.
Photo Copyright Karen Dale Trask 2012
The Big 6-0h no it can't be!
Yet...yes, I have made it to 60!!!
I hope that the Powers That Be continue to watch over me
and keep me safe.
Always. All ways.
Forever grateful!
Being 60 isn't so bad,
because I'm only 10 in my head.
Yet...yes, I have made it to 60!!!
I hope that the Powers That Be continue to watch over me
and keep me safe.
Always. All ways.
Forever grateful!
Being 60 isn't so bad,
because I'm only 10 in my head.