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About Niki Flow

.♡ I feel the world and want to help heal the world. When I listen, I learn. ♡. If you enjoyed my writing, you may enjoy Sara Michele O'Sullivan's (former pen name) first book, "Elanthian Love Songs—A Bard's Tale," available on Amazon. I hope you're having a beautiful day. ♡

Gems 4.166

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

4.166

Photo “Coneflower” contributed by Cord X.  Thank you!

I loved this quote today and read a little about Theodore Roethke.  He was a poet who lived in the 20th Century.  Some of his poems were for children.   I searched but didn’t find the poem that contains this line.  So, I decided to write my own.

The idea of flowers keeping light inside their roots captured my imagination.  I think that we humans keep the light in our “roots” in our own way, too.  We keep the light in our memories.  We share the light through our creativity.

Fairy Light

 

To keep the light as flowers do

Deep in their roots to save ’til night

Then, in the garden before dawn,

Release it into fairy light;

 

To blend it gently with the dew,

To catch the first rays of the sun

That warm each blade of grass, each leaf

‘Til every drop of light is gone;

 

To watch it rise, a shimmering,

The new sun’s rays now amplify,

Then almost imperceptibly,

Release it to the waiting sky.

 

My light holds memories of you;

In outstretched hands, my heart’s bijou.

 

Niki Flow

 

Thank you Cord, for sharing this beautiful photo, today’s light-filled gem.

♡. under1000skies
☼ A “Giftivism” Initiative ☼
We are photographers,
writers, artists & advocates
serving and connecting
homeless creatives.

 

Gems 4.165

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

4.165

Painting by Jonny Linder, Pixabay

“I happen to be privileged enough to be in on the fact that we have been visited on this planet, and the UFO phenomenon is real.”  –Edgar Mitchell, USN, Apollo 14 Astronaut

 

I Want to Believe

I wasn’t looking for the opposite of “we are alone in the universe.” I found this quote by accident today.   I was surprised to learn that the person saying this was a United States Navy Astronaut and the Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 14.   I found the interview above, which is a clip of a longer interview.  I used to love the TV show “X-Files,” but I was also content with not knowing.  Now, though — hmm!  What do you think?

I found my way to Mitchell’s quote while searching for the perfect quote to highlight one of our artists’ photos of a flower which I also need to identify.  Still haven’t found either answer. Actually, maybe you can help with that. =)

Two Questions

  1.  Can you identify this flower?
  2. Can you think of an inspirational quote that would go well with this photo?
Cord X

Photo Copyright Cord X. Used with permission.  Thank you! ♡

Formerly-Homeless Creatives

In the past year, both our top contributing, formerly-homeless creatives Cord X and John have found shelter and work and are safe.   I’m so grateful and filled with joy when I think of this.  Shelter and safety are essential to just normal, everyday function.  For years, these two fine men not only functioned without it but contributed beautiful creations to share with us here.

Thank you so much Johnny and Cord!

♡. under1000skies
☼ A “Giftivism” Initiative ☼
We are photographers,
writers, artists & advocates
serving and connecting
homeless creatives.

Gems 4.164

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

4.164b

Art “I♥Worf” by Niki Flow

“Tell the people you love, ‘I love you’ often because life is short.  But shout it at them in Klingon because life is also confusing and terrifying.”  -unknown Trekkie

Further clarification:

As there is no verb in Klingon that directly translates the general English verb love, one must find a more specific translation. What nuance of meaning is desired?

I do the opposite of hating or detesting you: qamuSHa’

I intensely like you: qaparHa’qu’

I completely or perfectly care about you: qaSaHchu’

You are my loved one: bangwI’ SoH

I experience romantic/aggressive feelings toward you: SoHvaD parmaq vISIQ

You’re wonderful: bIDun

…The “correct” translation depends on the situation.

Alan Anderson, Professional Klingon Speaker, Quora

Gems 4.163

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

Gems 4.163

Photo “Milky Way” by Wiki Images, Pixabay

If you know any homeless artists who would like their poems, photos or art featured on under1000skies, on our social media accounts and through our email list, please pass on our information. Thank you!

We’re also always gratefully accepting photos, art, poems or quotes or any Gems anyone might want to share. Special thanks today and always to everyone who has shared these so generously over the years since we began.

Have a great weekend.

♡. under1000skies
☼ A “Giftivism” Initiative ☼
We are photographers,
writers, artists & advocates
serving and connecting
homeless creatives.

 

Gems 4.161

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

4.160

Photo “Beach, North Sea” by Kordi Vahle, Pixabay

The quoted verse is from “Being Kind” by Empty Hands Music.

 

Empty Hands

One of the co-creators of Empty Hands Music is Nimo Patel.  I am grateful and honored to count Nimo among our friends. My husband and I got to meet Nimo after his concert in DC a few yeas ago.  So much love. It shines through his words, his smile, his hugs and every note he sings.

Years ago in Los Angeles, Nimo was a successful and wealthy rap artist with record sales and music videos.  Then, everything changed.  In 2014, Nimo gave a TEDTalk about his transformation.  It began with a choice to go from outward seeking to — nothing.

There were three steps and four lessons in this nothing:

Continue reading →

Gems 4.160

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

4.160 Benjamin

On January 8, 2016, we featured the photo above, “Gems 2.4.”  It was taken by my son Ben in Taos, NM the summer before.  We featured several of Ben’s photos that week.  That day, January 8th, Ben wrote a a comment:

benarcher on  said: Love how you’re using all these 🙂 I’m glad to see my photos actually used for something instead of just taking up space. These gems would be good on the walls
On March 2, 2016, Ben disappeared.

Continue reading →

Gems 4.158

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

Gems 4.158

Photo by Free-Photos, Pixabay

If you know any homeless artists who would like their poems, photos or art featured on under1000skies, on our social media accounts and through our email list, please pass on our information. Thank you!

Have a great weekend.

♡. under1000skies
☼ A “Giftivism” Initiative ☼
We are photographers,
writers, artists & advocates
serving and connecting
homeless creatives.

Gems 4.157

I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
Here’s another light-filled ¤ Gem ¤

Gems 4.157

Photo by Mabel Amber, Pixabay.

Special thanks today to every single person who has liked our posts, followed our blog, or left comments; to all who have contributed photos, quotes, poems, and stories; and to every single person who has helped so much over the years with ideas, inspiration, support, time and love.

I’m grateful for you, every day.

♡. under1000skies
☼ A “Giftivism” Initiative ☼
We are photographers,
writers, artists & advocates
serving and connecting
homeless creatives.