Discouragement only comes when we think today's reality will never change. Ask the clouds about that!

I understand these berries are poisonous to humans, rather like the Detainee Bills passed by the U.S. House and Senate this week. Only those bills are not only poisonous to human beings, but to habeas corpus, due process of law, the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Geneva Conventions, and the international reputation of this country.

Can you imagine how sweet it is to live for 40 years with a man who plays the piano by ear?

We savor these crystal clear autumn days because we know they will not last. What would happen if we savored every moment of every day? Wouldn't our lives be touched by eternity?

Autumn offers hints and whispers before it finally appears in all its splendor. Unfortunately, warmakers do the same. We should never be taken by surprise when their hints and whispers are replaced by the sound of bombs.

When a country is led by men and women who have not experienced war either as a soldier or civilian, it becomes all too easy for them to believe their own propaganda.

If world leaders would make music together, do you think there would be wars?

Public opposition to America's war on Iraq is no longer a minority opinion. So when are we going to start mobilizing against Bush's obvious threats of war against Iran? What are we waiting for?

News reports based on half-truths are as empty as this tree...and even more likely to fall in the next strong wind.

On this last full day of summer, let us bring to mind all that we have learned over these past months.

Do we tuck our heads under our wings and remain silent in the face of lies and injustices, or do we speak out for truth and justice no matter what the cost?

When was the last time you laughed out loud at a tree?

I see the boats under sail, feel the wind in my face, hear the splash of waves against the shore, smell seaweed floating in the water, and taste the spray on my tongue. I close my eyes and it is 1950. I've just celebrated my eighth birthday.

I am sitting on the deck of our sailboat, Harem, with my legs hanging down on either side of the bow. My bare feet are being splashed as we cut through the brackish waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Wind blows my strawberry-blond curls back from my face, and I hang on tight to the forestay as we dip and rise on the waves. I sing "You are my sunshine" at the top of my lungs confident that no one can hear my voice over the sound of the sails whipping in the wind.

Oh my. The power of five senses to carry us back in time!

Why do we have so much trouble getting along with people who are different from us? Wouldn't this painting be a bore if its shapes and colors were all the same?

America is in the midst of a clash of ideologies having nothing to do with Islam and Christianity and everything to do with who we are as a people.

Things are not always as they seem. Even a duck can have roots and branches.

Sometimes we forget that one person is worth more than all the buildings in the world.

We can always find common ground on which to meet, but only if we listen to what the so-called "other" has to say.

The path to peace requires shadow and light to give it depth. It is we who wish it were all light.

I don't care if men walked on the moon, it will always be full of mystery.

This gaggle of geese was still flying north, but all too soon they'll turn around and head south. I'm not ready to see them go.

Do you, like I, already feel nostalgic for summer? It can be hot, we can still be swimming outdoors, but it doesn't matter. We all know that autumn begins the Tuesday after Labor Day.

We are all feathers afloat on the tides of life; we just don't always realize it.

A September rose opens its heart to the sun.

People are so interesting. Isn't it strange that we don't stop everything and ask to hear their stories?

Music, art and dance. What could be better than this?

What would our world be like if everyone had a job they loved?

May all our world's children be held safe.

If we lived our lives like a music jam--listening closely to one another, improvising sounds that would enhance the sounds of those around us, allowing our companions to have their moments to shine--wouldn't our world be a better place?

If we look up, the wonders we see will astonish us. Hope is like that.