Pic of the Day

The Things I Love

The Things I Love 

By Scottie McKenzie Frasier

A butterfly dancing in the sunlight,
A bird singing to his mate,
The whispering pines,
The restless sea,
The gigantic mountains,
A stately tree,
The rain upon the roof,
The sun at early dawn,
A boy with rod and hook,
The babble of a shady brook,
A woman with her smiling babe,
A man whose eyes are kind and wise,
Youth that is eager and unafraid—
When all is said, I do love best
A little home where love abides,
And where there’s kindness, peace, and rest.

About the Poem

There is something deeply comforting about a poem like this. In a world that often feels loud, hurried, and divided, The Things I Love reminds us to slow down and notice the beauty around us. It is a poem built not on grand declarations or dramatic moments, but on quiet joys: sunlight, rain on the roof, birdsong, mountains, kindness, peace, and home.

What strikes me most is that the poem’s final conclusion is not about wealth, fame, or achievement. After listing all the wonders of nature and humanity, the poet says that what he loves best is “a little home where love abides.” That line feels especially meaningful today. Many of us spend our lives searching for acceptance, safety, and belonging. For LGBTQ+ people in particular, “home” is not always something we are automatically given. Sometimes we have to create it ourselves. Sometimes home is a partner, a group of friends, a chosen family, a quiet apartment, a beloved pet curled beside us, or simply a place where we can finally be ourselves without fear.

The poem also quietly celebrates gentleness. A “man whose eyes are kind and wise.” “Youth that is eager and unafraid.” “Kindness, peace, and rest.” These are not values our culture often prioritizes, yet they are among the things that truly sustain us. Kindness matters. Peace matters. Love matters.

As I read this poem, I think about the little things that make life meaningful: the first cup of coffee in the morning, sunlight through the window, the sound of rain at night, a cat insisting it is breakfast time, a conversation with someone who understands you, and the comfort of knowing there is a place where you belong. Those are the things that endure long after the noise of the world fades away.

The Things I Love is a simple lyric poem that celebrates the beauty of everyday life and the comfort found in love, kindness, and home. Rather than focusing on dramatic emotion, the poem gently catalogs moments from nature and ordinary human experience before arriving at its central truth: that peace and love shared in a home are among life’s greatest blessings.

Its quiet sincerity and accessible imagery give the poem a timeless, reflective quality.

About the Poet

Scottie McKenzie Frasier, born on September 7, 1884, in Talladega, Alabama, was a poet, editor, and lecturer. As a suffrage activist, she cofounded the Dothan Equal Suffrage Association in 1912. McKenzie Frasier authored several poetry collections, including Things that Are Mine (Steen Hinrichsen, 1922) and Fagot of Fancy* (Progressive Publishers, 1920). She died on November 21, 1964.

* The title Fagot of Fancy by Scottie McKenzie Frasier is using the older spelling “fagot,” which in this context does not carry the modern slur meaning. Instead, it comes from the older English and French word meaning “a bundle of sticks” or “a bundle gathered together.”  

The word fancy in early twentieth-century literary language often referred to imagination, poetic thought, whimsy, or creative inspiration—not merely liking something.  

In other words, Fagot of Fancy is a poetic, somewhat old-fashioned title suggesting a gathered bundle of imaginative pieces, much like tying together small branches into one bundle. It would have sounded literary and evocative in 1920 when the collection was published.  

Ironically, because the word later evolved into a derogatory slang term in the twentieth century, modern readers often do a double take when they encounter the title today. But in Frasier’s era, the title would have been understood in its older, literary sense.

Pic of the Day

Monday Morning Mood

I really just want to go back to bed. Unfortunately, work has other plans.

I’d call in sick, except I hate calling in sick on Mondays, and besides, I’m not actually sick—just sleepy and tired. I did not sleep well at all last night. It took me forever to fall asleep, and once I finally did, I woke up several times throughout the night. Even ignoring Isabella trying to convince me that breakfast should happen at an unreasonable hour, I still stayed in bed until 5:00 this morning. Honestly, I wish I were still there, warm under the covers and drifting back to sleep.

Instead, I’m sitting here with a cup of coffee, trying to convince myself that being awake is a good idea. Hopefully, the caffeine will eventually do its job and I’ll start feeling human again. Until then, I suppose I’ll just ease into the week the best I can.

Here’s hoping Monday is gentle on all of us.

Pic of the Day

Speech Seasoned with Salt

“Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.”

— Colossians 4:5–6

For many LGBTQ+ Christians, words have often been weapons rather than blessings. Some of us grew up hearing careless comments, harsh sermons, or so-called “truth” spoken without grace. Others learned to stay silent because we feared what might happen if we spoke honestly about who we are. Words matter. They can wound deeply, but they can also heal, encourage, and remind someone that they are loved by God.

In this passage, Paul reminds believers that our speech should be “gracious, seasoned with salt.” Salt preserves, enhances, and gives flavor. Paul is not calling Christians to be cruel, sarcastic, or self-righteous. Instead, he is urging us to speak with wisdom, kindness, sincerity, and depth. Our words should reflect the love of Christ, not the bitterness of the world.

That message feels especially important today. LGBTQ+ people know what it is like to encounter speech that tears down rather than builds up. Yet Scripture repeatedly calls us toward another way.

Ephesians 4:29 reminds us:

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.”

And in Proverbs 16:24 we read:

“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

As LGBTQ+ Christians, we have an opportunity to embody this kind of grace-filled speech in a world that often thrives on outrage and cruelty. That does not mean remaining silent in the face of injustice. Jesus Himself spoke boldly against hypocrisy and oppression. But even truth can be spoken with compassion and wisdom rather than hatred.

In fact, Jesus says in Matthew 5:13:

“You are the salt of the earth.”

Salt changes the flavor of whatever it touches. When we speak with kindness, authenticity, and love, we bear witness to the presence of Christ in our lives. Sometimes the most powerful testimony is not an argument won, but a gracious word spoken at the right moment.

There will always be voices that seek to shame, condemn, or divide. We do not have to answer hatred with hatred. We can answer with dignity. With wisdom. With truth wrapped in grace.

May our words never become bland, empty, or cruel. Instead, may they be seasoned with the salt of compassion, honesty, and Christlike love.

Pic of the Day

Moment of Zen: Relaxing by the Pool

Pic of the Day

TGIF

It’s finally Friday, and thankfully, it’s also a work from home Friday. After a long week, I’m looking forward to a quieter day with a cup of coffee nearby and a chance to work through a few projects without the usual interruptions. Nothing too stressful, just catching up on some things that need to get done and easing into the weekend at a slower pace.

Honestly, these kinds of Fridays are always appreciated. It’s nice to have a day where I can focus, stay comfortable, and not worry about commuting or running from one thing to another. Hopefully, by the end of the day, I’ll have a few projects checked off my list and can fully settle into the weekend.

I hope all of you have a wonderful Friday and an even better weekend!