The Way It Should Always Be

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PUPS!!! So many sweet pups on the boardwalk today! They brought me such joy, filled my heart all up with good things. There were two Lilahs; a Motley; Aspen with her human, Ash, ; Gypsy; my old friend, Daisy, with her buddy, Melody; Akira, who danced down the boardwalk; and my old friend, Baker – who came bounding down the boardwalk to greet me.

The bay was beautiful today, too – blue and shiny, with fog on one side, and the Canadian Coastals on the other.

The road above Taylor Dock to Fairhaven was closed because of construction, so I went up one block to by-pass the blocked street and then came down into Fairhaven from above. I felt Cafe Blue calling to me – I haven’t been there for a while and was missing the welcoming vibe. Cafe Blue has always been packed full of people when I’ve been there, so I mentally prepared myself for that. I figured if I couldn’t find a place to sit, I’d just get a coffee to go and take it with me on my walk back to my car.

Cafe Blue WAS packed again today, but, cosmically, as soon as I got done giving my order and started looking for a table, one opened up! It was a table for four and I felt kind of greedy sitting there – so I put myself in the corner of the table, ready to offer the rest of the table to whoever was looking for a place to sit.

My coffee arrived and I settled into the space, closed my eyes for a minute and just let myself absorb the joy around me. When I opened my eyes I saw a couple of young women who looked like they were looking for a place to sit. I offered them the open seats at my table and they sat there until the table next to mine opened up for them. One of the women, Elena, had cool rings on every finger, and I asked her about them. She said the one on her thumb had been made by her grandma, and the other rings were ones she’d mostly found in shops around Bellingham – rings with art and cool quartz and tiger’s eye rocks. I told her I love rocks, too, and reached for my amber necklace to show it off to her – and then I realized I’d forgotten to wear it today. Elena laughed and said that happens to her, too – just when she wants to show off something, she doesn’t have it with her.

I enjoy the feeling of community I always feel in the Cafe Blue – strangers smiling at each other, sharing tables, becoming friends. That’s the way it should always be.

I Smiled the Whole Way Home

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Fred’s was full of Seahawks fever today. They’ve got this big screen tv set up in the middle of the store with a comfy chair in front of it. Highlights from Seahawks games are playing on the screen, and every time I passed the TV, I stopped to watch for a moment – Bobo catching a touchdown pass; Smith-Njigba running the ball in for six points. So fun!

Today there was a man seated in the comfy chair, watching the highlights with a smile on his face. I recognized him as the man who worked in the big bookstore in the Cascade Mall maybe 30 or 35 years ago. We exchanged smiles and greetings and watched the highlights together for a bit.

There were so many sweet toddlers in Fred’s today – and, being the grandmother of a toddler, I find myself wanting to exchange smiles with each and every sweet one of them. Such joy!

I ran into an old teaching colleague, Rob, at Fred’s. I tailgated him with my cart until he finally turned around to see who was behind him, and then his face lit up in recognition. He smiled and asked how I was doing. I said, “You know…” I asked him how he was doing and he said, “Same.” We gave each other a hug and wished each other a good day and exchanged one more smile before we moved on.

There was a young man in the store – early thirties maybe – and we kept passing each other in the produce section. Every time we’d pass each other, we’d smile. And this young man’s smile was so genuine and kind that I got a sudden image of what he would have looked like as a smiling toddler – and that put a grin on my face.

After I was done with my shopping, I went to the in-store Starbucks to get myself something to drink. There were a couple people waiting in line in front of me. I saw that the barista was manning the counter all by herself – busily whipping up coffees for the people who’d already ordered. And I came to a decision. I leaned into the people in front of me – a woman of maybe my age and a younger woman with a young child in her cart – and I said that I wanted to buy their drinks for them – that way the barista would only have to ring up one transaction.

The younger woman, Kelsey, said she’d feel guilty letting me pay, but the woman of about my age, Shelly, knew that I really wanted to do this for them, and convinced Kelsey to agree to my offer. By this time another young woman had gotten behind us, and I said I wanted to take care of her, too. She initially resisted, but eventually gave in and let me buy for her. I told them that I really needed to do this for MYSELF today.

And so when it was our turn, I stepped up and ordered two cake pops (one each for the younger women’s children), an iced caramel macchiato for Kelsey, and a “senior coffee” for Shelly to bring to her husband, and a hot caramel macchiato for myself. Everyone thanked me, and Shelly said she was going to be sure to “pay it forward” later in the day. It’s amazing how much joy I got from connecting with those women.

There were more smiles as I exited Fred’s with my cart and drink – a customer smiled and motioned for me to go ahead of him; a Fred’s employee who was walking out of the store in front of me, turned around and offered a big smile; another employee smiled and wished me a good day. These little exchanges – these little kindness in life are powerful, my friends.

I smiled the whole way home.

I walk with Love along the way,
And O, it is a holy day;
No more I suffer cruel fear,
I feel God’s presence with me here;
The joy that none can take away
Is mine; I walk with Love today.
– Christian Science Hymnal #139

I’m Glad I Got Out of Bed to See Them

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I’ll be honest, my friends, I had a hard time getting out of bed this morning. A message from a friend finally got me moving. “C’mon, Karen!” I said to myself. “Let’s go!”

I decided to go into La Conner to pay my monthly cable bill. Jeri was in the office today – it’s always good to see her smiling face. I paid my bill and then walked through the town, down the boardwalk, and to the Calico Cupboard for lunch. Along the way I took photos of the Valentines on display, and a little kingfisher that was chittering and chattering, diving and darting among the boats. I love kingfishers! I tried to snap some photos – but I wasn’t quick enough to get any really good pictures of him.

As always, the service and food at the Calico Cupboard was great. I ate my pesto focaccia scramble and drank my coca, while I scrolled through my phone and read my messages. And, after I paid, I gathered up my stuff and headed back to my car. I passed by the La Conner Retirement Inn and waved to the balcony where Mom used to wave to me. I felt her smile on me.

I got to my car and headed out of La Conner. When I got to Best Road I surprised myself by turning right instead of left. Apparently, I wanted to go to Fir Island. And it was on Fir Island that I found swan magic. There was a field of them there, grazing on the grass in front of the Fir Island Lutheran Church and a red barn. Perfect!

I communed with the swans for about ten minutes, snapping photos and absorbing their unperturbed peace.

I really needed the swans today, and the kingfisher, and the cheery Valentine decor. I’m glad I got out of bed to see them.

Husband Says

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Scotty’s favorite poem in my new book, A Smile from the Cosmos:

Husband Says

“Haikus confuse me.
Too often they make no sense.
Hand me the pliers.”
– Karen Molenaar Terrell

Well, this is cool! There is a bookstore in Minneapolis that’s selling my book online: https://www.magersandquinn.com/…/SMILE-FROM…/29025340

And the Amazon link: Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Smile-Cosmos-Poetry…/dp/B0GHQBQZ9G/

The Cosmos Sent Me Hector Today

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A couple weeks ago, when I was hanging out with Canadians at Peace Arch Park with my TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS sign, I saw someone with a familiar face grinning at me from the middle lane, and waving at me exuberantly. “Is that Hector?” I asked myself. But, “Nah, that can’t be Hector – what would Hector be doing here?” Hector is a former student of mine. I knew he now worked and lived in Seattle. It seemed far-fetched that I would run into my old student at the border to Canada. But a little later I got a text message from him, telling me that it HAD been him! How cool is that?!

Hector had messaged me out of the blue back in 2024 and we’d met at the Burlington Whidbey’s for coffee to get caught up – it had been such a blast to see him again! We’d met at Whidbey’s again in the spring of 2025 – and, again, that time with my old student had brought me such joy. So when Hector messaged me a couple weeks ago, it seemed natural for us to meet, again, at Whidbey’s in Burlington. And today was the day!

It was so good to see Hector again! Hector is one of those people who sends out ripples of joy wherever he goes. When I was Hector’s high school teacher our conversations were centered around academics – math, science, language arts, social studies, art – as a contract teacher at the alternative high school, I’d had the opportunity to teach ALL those subjects to my students. But, other than in religious studies courses, I’d always been careful about talking about God-stuff with my students.

But now that Hector is no longer my student, it seems like ALL of our conversations are centered around God-stuff – on God’s love and direction in our lives. Hector had an experience a few years ago that was profound for him. He felt God’s love in a way he’d never known before, and it was transformative for him. When he talks about this experience, and his journey since then, his whole face lights up with the joy of it.

He talks about forgiveness – how he’s come to realize that once you forgive someone you can’t take it back – it’s not like a commercial transaction – you can’t take it back and get a refund on it. He talks about the grace of receiving gifts. Today Hector bought my coffee for me – and that was weird for me – I’m used to being the one to buy coffee for other people – but the gift of the coffee was presented with such joy, how could I not receive it with joy? Hector said that God’s like that, too – God gifts us gifts, whether we think we’re worthy or not – and how can we NOT accept those gifts? Talking to young Hector is like talking to a spiritual Master.

Hector inspires me.

Once again, the Cosmos sent me exactly what I needed today. The Cosmos sent me Hector.

Find It! Celebrate It! Share It!

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My dear Humoristian hooligans –
There is still joy in this world. There is still beauty. There is still love.
Your mission today:
Find it! Celebrate it! Share it!
Karen

I set a mission for my fellow Humoristian hooligans to find joy, beauty, and love today, and then I went in search of these things myself. And I found them!

I roused myself from my comfy chair and went to the courthouse for the noon rally. I got there early and there was only one other person holding down the corner. He told me his name was Christian, this was the first time he’d been to a rally, and he’d walked all the way from the college to be there. He told me he was autistic. I told him I was proud of him for being there.

I’d come all decked out in my Seahawks paraphernalia today. This came in handy. At one point a man, stopped in front of me in his truck, gave my TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS sign a thumbs down. I grinned and revealed my Seahawks shirt and yelled, “Seahawks?” to him. He laughed and gave me a thumbs up . As he drove through the intersection we smiled and waved at each other. A man and woman gave me a thumbs up for my sign, and then when I showed them my Seahawks shirt they gave me a DOUBLE thumbs up. A sheriff’s deputy waved to me and gave me a thumbs up as he turned to go to the sheriff’s office.

The support and love the community showed to us today gave me hope for our world.

By the time I left, the corners were packed with people and signs. I told Christian to look at what he’d started. He smiled and said it was great to see so many people there.

On the way home I went though West Mount Vernon and then through Bay View and down the hill into the valley. And this is when I found the murmuration of snow geese. It was inspiring to watch these beautiful birds winging together in perfect harmony.

And now we’re driving home from the Illuminight celebration on the Mount Vernon revetment. The celebration was so fun! I bought an illuminary ball from Travis and Summer, the owners of Tr-Dee Arts; officers, there to keep everyone safe, allowed me to take their picture (I explained I’m a boomer and so it’s going to end up on Facebook, of course – oh, and I’m a Karen, too. They laughed at that.); I met Lyle, who’d made her very own illuminary with a simple paper bag; Tieron let me take a picture of him holding his instrument – he was going to be a part of one of the musical acts tonight; and the La Venture Middle School Marimba Band was fantastic! They played with such irrepressible joy! I had the cosmic good fortune to find myself standing next to Erik, the father of one of the marimba players, and I had tears in my eyes when I told him how much I’d needed that music tonight.

Beauty, joy, love!

You can find my video of today’s snow geese sighting at this Youtube link: https://youtu.be/rHAiIz7S2u8
And another one: https://youtu.be/_MFor8r-2hY

January 24

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January 24

Today was split into two parts – the “before” and the “after.”

In the “before” I drove into town to see if I could find a little bedside lamp for our spare bedroom. I thought I’d stop by Pat’s New and Used – I hadn’t been there for years and I wondered if my former student, Rod, was still connected to it. His family had owned the old Pat’s New and Used, I remembered. So I stopped by to see what I could see. It was amazing in there! – full of nostalgia and fun, useful things and cheerfully whimsical things. I found a little lamp right away and set it on the counter, and then just explored for a while.

When I came back to the counter, I asked the clerk if Rod still was part of Pat’s New and Used, and she told me he was! Then she led me back through the aisles and outside and called out to him. Rod came out from behind some machinery and I asked him if he remembered me. He smiled and said he did – he said I was “Mrs. Terrell” – he recognized my voice and smile and mannerisms. I’d had Rod in class probably 37 or 38 years ago and it’s an understatement to say that I’ve changed a little since then – so it was very cool that he still remembered me. Rod and I chatted and laughed together for a while and then I asked him if I could get his picture, and this is when I realized I’d left my cellphone at home. So Rod kindly took our photo with his cellphone. (See our pic below.)

It was so fun to see Rod again, and I was so excited about finding my new little lamp. I came home all full of gratitude about the gifts Life gives us.

Then I checked my FB messages. I learned about the murder in Minnesota this morning. All the joy of the morning got sucked out of me.

The rest of the day was my “after.”

I had to go back into town to get some gas and buy groceries. Usually I walk into Fred’s with a smile on my face, wondering who I’m going to run into in there, and what magic I’ll find. But today I walked in feeling emotionally shattered. I wandered the aisles, shocked and numb. I exchanged a smile with another man who had the same look I probably had on my face – he looked like he was in mourning.

But when I got to the produce section I found a moment of joy – a cart went by with a toddler sitting in it, and I found myself smiling at the wee one, coaxing a smile back from him. His innocence, his unaffected happiness in getting a smile, and returning it to me – was magic. It’s amazing how a small thing like a smile from a baby can bring us out of the depths, isn’t it?

I found the things I wanted. Summoned a smile for the cashier – I love the people who work at Fred’s – filled my tank with gas, and started the drive home.

Following my intuition, I ended up taking a side road on the way home, and found myself gazing at a field of swans. I pulled over and got out of the car and started snapping pictures. The swans didn’t seem scared of me at all. They glanced up to see what was watching them, trusted I was harmless, and then went back to grazing. It was so peaceful there with the swans. Another moment of joy.

As I was about to get back on Chuckanut, I impulsively turned into the Otter Beans espresso stand. The baristas there always lift me up with their kindness. Danielle was manning the shop today. She asked me how I was, and I was honest with her about how I was feeling. There were no other customers there right then, and Danielle and I had a good chat for about ten minutes – talking to Danielle was like talking with a life coach. I told her I always find joy at the Otter Beans, and she told me that I had just brought HER joy by telling her that. Then she reminded me that for all the evil we see happening in the world, there’s always good, too – and she reminded me to look for that.

Just about then, Scotty suddenly appeared next to me. He was on his way home from his errands, too, and had seen me at Otter Beans. It always makes my heart happy when I see my husband unexpectedly. More joy!

I got home. Made myself some peanut butter and honey toast. Put on the 1987 version of *Adventures in Babysitting* and watched a babysitter conquer the forces of evil. I found this weirdly inspiring.

At 7:00, like other people around the nation, Scott and I lit a candle in tribute to Alex Pretti, an American hero.

And thus ended another day in the U.S.A.

Go Seahawks! Also – TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS!

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Go Seahawks! Also yay to TRUTH JUSTICE and KINDNESS.

When I drove by the courthouse just before noon, there was only one sign-holder there. I honked in support, then I parked my car and pulled out my TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS sign to join him on the corner. Dylan had started back to his bike by the time I got out of my car, but when he saw me, he turned around and came back to join me on the corner.

Dylan was so fun! I think what had brought him to the courthouse with his sign was the same thing that had brought me today – the murders in Minnesota. But, in spite of the fact that we were drawn there by tragedy, Dylan was one of those people it’s easy to laugh with, too.

I’d worn my Seahawks shirt today, and I found that when people looked grumpy at seeing my TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS sign, all I had to do was reveal my Seahawks shirt and yell “Go Seahawks!” and they’d start laughing and give me the thumbs up. Dylan said I should have had “Go Seahawks!” on the other side of my TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS sign and then I could just flip it back and forth, depending on our audience. 😃

Not long after Dylan and I joined forces on the corner, another sign-bearer joined us: my FB friend, Tele. Now we were three! I introduced Dylan and Tele to each other and we got a group photo. Dylan had to leave to get to work then, but just about the time Dylan left, we were joined by Teri. And then Kelsey joined us. I introduced myself as the Karen in the group – because every group needs one – and we had fun putting our names together: Tele, Teri, Kelsey, and Karen. I love alliteration.

I’d been parked for an hour by then, in a spot that was limited to an hour, and it was time for me to go. But I so enjoyed connecting with Dylan and the two Ts and the other K.

I drove to Fred’s with the idea of getting a mocha and maybe a pastry. Sitting outside the store was a man, holding a sign for help. I asked him if I could get him a coffee and he said that would be nice. I asked him what kind he’d like and he said a mocha would be good.

The store was full of Seahawks fans – blue and green everywhere. I’m glad I’d worn my Seahawks shirt today.

Just inside the store was a rack of little pies on sale for 50 cents each. I got two of those – one for the man outside, and one for myself – and then ordered two mochas from the baristas.

I brought the man his mocha and asked him if he liked pies – which he did. He thanked me for the pie and mocha, and said, “God bless.” And I wished him well.

And now I’m home, watching the Broncos and Patriots do battle in the snow. Pretty soon the Seahawks will take to the field in Seattle.

Go Seahawks! Also TRUTH JUSTICE KINDNESS!

New Book of Poetry: A Smile from the Cosmos

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Here are my offerings today, culled from my newly-published book of poetry, A Smile from the Cosmos.

We have just a tiny scrap of existence here
– a miniscule piece of eternity –
to love and learn and live
and leave something good behind.
Let’s not waste it on nothings.
– Karen Molenaar Terrell

Quotes from *Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures* for “These Latter Days”

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Several friends have reached out to ask me if I have any thoughts about how Mary Baker Eddy might have responded to our current conflicts. What would she have thought about all that’s going on right now in our nation and our world?

I think it might be helpful to remember that Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) lived through tumultuous times, too. When she was born, slavery was still legal in this country, and by the time she died women still didn’t have the right to vote. During her lifetime there was the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, the Teapot Dome Scandal, the Trail of Tears, the assassinations of presidents Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley, and the arrival of “Yellow Journalism.” Tensions were building around the world at the time of her death, and within just a few years after she died, WWI began. I don’t think she’d be surprised by anything that’s happening today. In fact, I believe she was preparing us to meet the challenges of today with her work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.

Below, I’m going to type in 15 quotes from Science and Health that have been helpful to me as I’ve prayed about current events. These are quotes that bolster my courage, give me guidance in my actions and words, and give me hope. I jotted down these quotes as I was reading through the book a year ago, and I didn’t put down page numbers. I’ll leave that to you.


1) “Mortals must find refuge in Truth in order to escape the error of these latter days.”

2) “Tyranny, intolerance, and bloodshed, wherever found, arise from the belief that the infinite is formed after the pattern of mortal personality, passion, and impulse.”

3) “Error or any kind cannot hide from the law of God.”

4) “Though error hides behind a lie and excuses guilt, guilt cannot forever be concealed. Truth, through her eternal laws, unveils error. Truth causes sin to betray itself…Even the disposition to excuse guilt or to conceal it is punished. The avoidance of justice and denial of Truth tend to perpetuate sin, invoke crime, jeopardize self-control, and mock divine mercy.”

5) “Covering iniquity will prevent prosperity and the ultimate triumph of any cause.”

6) “Ignorance, subtlety, or false charity does not forever conceal error; evil will in time disclose and punish itself.”

7) “It requires courage to utter truth; for the higher Truth lifts her voice, the louder will error scream, until its inarticulate sound is forever silence in oblivion.”

8 ) “Neither sympathy nor society should ever tempt us to cherish error in any form, and certainly we should not be error’s advocate.”

9) “Obedience to Truth gives man power and strength.”

10) “Truth, Life, and Love are the only legitimate and eternal demands on man.”

11) “Your influence for good depends upon the weight you throw into the right scale. The good you do and embody gives you the only power obtainable.”

12) “No power can withstand divine Love.”
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13) “Christian Scientists must live under the constant pressure of the apostolic command to come out from the material world and be separate. They must renounce aggression, oppression, and the pride of power. Christianity, with the crown of Love upon her brow, must be their queen of life.”

14) “At all times and under all circumstances, overcome evil with good.”

15) “Love must triumph over hate.”

And okay, I’ve got to bring in one more:

“During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check. They will aid in the ejection of error. They will maintain law and order, and cheerfully await the certainty of ultimate perfection.”
Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 97