Tag Archives: birthday

I Love You in Three Languages

I Love You in Three Languages

Strolling down Les Champs-Elysées
shivering in the rain, hands entwined
as pigeons alight on cold marble statues
wandering through majestic halls of Le Louvre
awed by the beauty of Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo
climbing a thousand iron stairs on La Tour Eiffel
sharing a gentle kiss on top of the world
scent of lilac rises from Jardin de Tuileries
as we sip fine Bordeaux at the sidewalk cafe
your eyes meet mine, and my heart melts.

Je t’aime, mon amour…

Walking through dark Colosseum dungeons,
echoing footsteps in the cool, dank tunnels
exploring the lush ruins of Palatine Hill
ducks splashing in sparkling pools and fountains
pushing through teeming masses of Vatican City
breath taken away in hushed, reverent gold halls
maneuvering steep cobblestone stairs of Positano
the sweet aroma of lemon trees fills the veranda
as we sip fine Chianti overlooking turquoise sea
your eyes meet mine, and my spirit soars.

Ti amo, amore mio …

Climbing up the steep ridge to our place of solitude
settling into Adirondack chairs in verdant fields
stoking the fire, flames burning orange and gold
the strawberry moon glows from its perch overhead
as the catbird cries out from their maple tree nest
the sun descends into the embrace of purple mountains
hues of tangerine and pink reflecting in puffy clouds
the perfume of honeysuckle floats in the cool air
as we sip fine Cabernet beneath the twinkling stars
your hand touches mine, and my soul is at peace.

I love you forever, my love…

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2024
June 22, 2024

Hello and Happy Saturday! I want to thank everyone for your kind, heartfelt messages on my birthday this week (June 20). I am still going through all my comments on Facebook and responding individually. I had to work a long day on my birthday, but I was off the day before for Juneteenth holiday. I went up to Maryland to Mom’s house, visited with all my siblings, and a handful of nieces, nephews and their kids. It was such a wonderful birthday gift for me!

So far this month has been quite difficult, with the devastating death of my cousin, seeing my elderly relatives and missing my kids and grandkids. My impending birthday didn’t help the mood, as I sometimes feel a bit melancholy about getting older. I let myself feel those feelings (better to let them out and not stuff them), then breathe deep, and move forward.

I am very blessed with family, health, a good job, comfortable home, and surrounded by the beauty of nature. But most of all, I’m blessed by having my husband Dan in my life. He’s my soulmate and the love of my life. We’ve been so many places together — including Paris and Rome – but by far, our favorite place to be is at home with each other. Dan is a compassionate, patient, generous, caring man, and he totally “gets” me. So this poem is dedicated to him. I am so glad we met all those years ago in Oklahoma! Who would have ever known the direction both of our paths would take, and that friends and fate would bring us together. I’m so grateful and blessed. I love you forever, my love!

Xoxo,
Colleen

Mood: Feeling Old
Inspiration: “When I’m Sixty Four” by The Beatles

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 51.15 – Paris or Rome??
Hard Bonus: Say something in French, Italian or both languages
Easy Bonus: Include a bottle of fine wine (Bordeaux, Chianti, Cabernet)

Chase Away the Blues

Chase Away the Blues

Cold morning, sun is breaking
I’m tired, my knees are aching
big stretch, I drag out of bed
clearing cobwebs from my head.

Feel like fifty shades of black
trying to get my mojo back
chock full of mixed emotions
putting the wheels in motion.

Time to chase away the blues
lacing up my running shoes
time to chase away the blues.

Slow pace, body awakens
soon all my doubts are shaken
lungs fill and burn with crisp air
run beneath the sun’s warm glare.

Freed from anxiety’s chains
new blood pulses through my veins
deep within peace and calm spread
set to face the day ahead.

Time to chase away the blues
lacing up my running shoes
time to chase away the blues.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2024
April 27, 2024

Good Saturday morning, everyone! This song was inspired by the rhythm and stanza structure of Radiohead’s song “Let Down.” It reflects my mood of the week, feeling a bit down, tired and blue after the grandkids left on Monday. I was determined to get back into my exercise routine, and I managed to log a 6 mile run twice this week. I prefer late afternoon or evening running to morning running. (If you know me, it is because I am not a morning person LOL!) Plus with my work schedule, morning workouts are impossible. No matter how I feel when I start a run, I always end up feeling fantastic afterwards. I prefer to run alone, as it is my escape time, my “ME” time. I listen to my running playlist, get lost in the beauty of our nature trail around the lake, and release all my stress and anxiety. It is magical.

We had a whirlwind visit from the nuggets this past week, but it was so much fun. I am admittedly exhausted, as they are nonstop fun and energy! We visited a few wineries with Katie and Brenton last Thursday, the kids enjoyed running free and feeding the ducks at Doukenie Winery. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. We took them to dinner at the Country Club and sat outside, right beside an open grass area where they ran and played with some other children. Then we had them solo for the weekend when Katie and Brenton went to a wedding in Richmond. Some of the highlights included playing in the basement with Katie’s old toys,  Chik-Fil-A, my niece’s 18th birthday party, a visit with Nanny Keller, a trip to City Park (my favorite childhood park), swinging and sliding boards, Snow Cones, a crazy ride home full of giggles and Pringles, visiting the cats at Otium, ice cream at Gruto’s, and playing in the pink snow (fallen cherry blossoms). I cherish this time with them, it was so memorable!

I was so busy, focused on being in the moment and enjoying them, that I never even posted one picture of their visit until this morning. I’ve got some catching up to do. They left on Monday morning, and I was back to work an hour later, with a hectic pace continuing the rest of the week. This Nanny Bee is feeling tired, but very blessed and grateful. Life is wonderful! Enjoy your weekend!

Xoxo,
Colleen

Mood: Re-energized
Inspiration: “Let Down” by Radiohead

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 42.15 – Putting the Wheels in Motion
Hard Bonus: Incorporate a movie in which one of the Wayans Brothers appeared (“Fifty Shades of Black”; “New Blood”)
Easy Bonus: Include running shoes