To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.

~ Oscar Wilde

Northern Shoveler, Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Arizona 2013

We are born twice, the second time by the strength of our own courage.

~ Heidegger

Cruz the Mountain Lion, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona 2015

Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee.

~ Michel de Montaigne

Crater Lake National Park, Oregon 2008

I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life.

~ Louise Hay

Incoming Tide, Lincoln City, Oregon 2018

It ain’t what they call you, it’s what you answer to.

~ W.C. Fields

Eight-spotted Skimmer, Lincoln City, Oregon 2018

And every day, the world will drag you by the hand, yelling, “This is important! And this is important! And this is important! And this! And this!” And each day, it’s up to you to yank your hand back, put it on your heart and say, “No. This is what’s important.”

~ Iain Thomas

Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, California 2008

If the only prayer you say in your whole life is “thank you,” that would suffice.

~ Meister Eckhart

Yellow-headed Blackbird, Klamath Falls, Oregon 2008

What a wonderful life I’ve had! I only wish I’d realized it sooner.

~ Colette

Sun – Clouds – Surf, Lincoln City, Oregon 2018

It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.

~ Seneca

Flannelbush Flower, Point Reyes National Seashore, California 2008

Bad decisions make great stories.

~ Anonymous

Bison Rubbing on Sign, National Bison Range, Charlo, Montana 2008