WE WILL NEVER FORGET...

 

WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER SEPTEMBER 11 IN OUR COMMUNITY!!!

PEACE BE WITH YOU

 

In these crazy days of COVID, please do take time to enjoy all that surrounds

you by MOTHER NATURE herself...who BTW is in cahoots with GOD!!!  

TUNE IN, FRIENDS! 

AND BE SAFE OUT THERE!!!

 

WE GOT THIS PEOPLE...STAY SAFE!

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

It's a brand new year...a brand new decade!

And for all of the times that I have chosen a word to try and help me through a new year, a focus on something that was important...there's always an excuse, right?

Well, afterall they were just words...

And since I have chosen the word "simplify" many times, without much success, I have a new way of looking at it.

The baby "little" (not so little) has left the nest, and the empty nest syndrome is quite wonderful.  Hubby and I have done our best duties in the best role of our lives...parents!  

All 3 littles, college educated, and thankfully all gainfully employed...WITH BENEFITS!  WHEW!

However, seeing them all on the homefront for the swift holiday season, I am left with "what do I do now?"  

Hubby and I took a stroll just before midnight on New Year's Eve, walking through our lovely woods with cool rescue dog, and standing back and looking at our wonderful home all lit up for the holidays, it occurred to me, that since we bought the house and moved in 16 years ago, we never even finished the renovations that were started on it by the previous owner.

Private college got in the way financially with that goal.  And then, little #2, and #3 set off to college in due time, too.  

So, here we were standing back enjoying the view of our lit up house on the eve of 2020, and it hit me...

HOME...

For that is what I told each of my littles when they flew the coup.  

HOME IS WHERE MOM IS!  

I even bought myself a little plaque that says that...and made sure they all could see it.

(I even removed the one from Aunt Barbi that said...

"No husband has ever been shot while doing the dishes!")

Feeling abit lost without all the hustle and bustle, I decided it was time to finish the house...but first I have to unload all of their belongings that they left behind.  And they all got notice...

ANYTHING LEFT BEHIND is fair game!  

Now, I am not talking about the "treasures", you know, the hand written scribbles and art work, and even some of their fancy little baby clothes.  

I am talking about all the crap that they dumped when they graduated college and didn't apparently need anymore!  

Thankfully, the fancy boots and clothes have been re-claimed...some even by ME!  

And that's where that little word HOME leads ME...

TO ME...  afterall, ME is in the word HOME!  

So, my focus now is on the HOME...AND IN THE HOME IT IS FINALLY ME TIME!!!  

YAY!  GO ME!  

Stay tuned!!!  

 

 

ROOTS AND WINGS

As little #3 has left the nest...my heart aches...and my soul is silent...

MIRROR IMAGE

TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR.

REALLY LOOK...

LOOK DEEP INTO YOUR OWN EYES...

EMPTY YOUR BRAIN, 

DON'T THINK ABOUT WHERE YOU HAVE TO GO, 

WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO TODAY, WHO YOU HAVE TO SEE...

WHAT IS OR WHAT IS NOT IN THE FRIDGE...

JUST TAKE A LOOK IN THE MIRROR...

YOU SHOULD SEE A PERFECT IMAGE...

THE EPITOME OF CREATION!!!

FOR EACH OF US WAS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.

PERFECT IN HIS IMAGE.

COMPLETE WITH FLAWS, DEFECTS AND ALL!!!

PERFECT!!!

TO EACH HIS OWN!!!  

LET IT BE!

IT IS SO!

 

  

 

TUNE IN FOLKS

 

 

TIME FLIES

Whether we're having fun or not...

So, LET'S JUST HAVE SOME FUN!!!  

Springtime came in like a LION for sure...and has remained a

LION right up until this past weekend when the sun finally came out and the temperatures rose above 70 degrees!  

Old man winter makes many cranky...as does politics!

And it sure is getting old.  The great divide that is apparent in the news media could surely use a makeover.  

So if something is making you cranky, get out there and perform a 

RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS! 

That is what we need more of...it surely does make a difference, not only for the recipient, but for your very own soul. 

TO EACH HIS OWN...

Make someone's day special.

Do not wreak havoc, just because someone disagrees with you.

Smile at all you meet...it may be the light they need to get by. 

 Donate to a food pantry.

SHINE YOUR LIGHT!  

ITS MESSAGE IS LOVE...

AND LOVE IS WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS MORE OF....

TGIF!!!

This is an old photo...but this is how the day started out today. 

And even though the sun is shining now...

16 degrees overnight is coming with more snow on the way next week!!!  

Thinking about Hawaii now, for sure!!!  

ALOOOOOHA!  

 

 

FEED THE BIRDS

Gathering pine cones from Two Crow Cottage, (home of Happy Herbs Soap) is something that I do regularly.  But this time, I gathered a few with a friend in mind...Ursula.

For we had just received word that she had passed.  She fought a good fight.  And with the help of Dear Sweet Nina, she lived her last days to the very fullest.  

I made these 3 bird feeders knowing that Ursula loved it at Two Crow Cottage, where there are many, many birds...not just crows.

1 for Ursula, 1 for Nina and 1 for myself, to remind me just how precious life is. 

And in the frigid temps of the northeast, with snow and ice and all that old man winter brings...the birds are grateful, and Ursula is smiling down.  

RIP Ursula...

BELIEVE

HERE'S WISHING THE VERY BEST TO ONE AND ALL FOR 2019... 

SPREAD JOY!!! 

TIS THE SEASON

LET IT SNOW...LET IT SNOW...LET IT SNOW...

In this day and age of "out of control political correctness", perhaps we can just dig in to our own spiritual practice for the holiday season, and spread GREAT JOY!!!

Now, it does not matter to me if you celebrate CHRISTMAS or not, but the reason for the season is all about the birth of Jesus Christ.  So, just LET IT BE! For I will not accept your infiltration of my own PEACEABLE KINGDOM, which includes GOD!!!  IT IS MY RIGHT...

Our community is full of Jehovah's Witnesses, who do not celebrate Christmas.  That is their right.  We've had to make adjustments in the school district so as not to offend those families, but what about the majority of Christians in the school who celebrate Christmas and the Jewish families who celebrate Hanukkah?  We also have Muslims in our community, who are free to practice their own beliefs.    Yes, they are also accommodated..

TO EACH HIS OWN...I shared Hanukkah with friends, and I am a Christian.  They are not offended in any way by my "MERRY CHRISTMAS" decorations and choice of CHRISTMAS CAROLS...and yes, "BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE" is one of them.  Again...LET IT BE!

TO EACH HIS OWN...

So why is it that some are banning the use of that song because it hints of sexual misconduct...blah, blah, blah.  IT'S A CHRISTMAS SONG!  And "what's in that drink" back in that day and age merely meant it was alcohol...not a date rape drug.  LET IT BE! 

And one of the BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIES is A CHRISTMAS STORY.  Funny for all...and poor Ralphie who gets bullied learns a good lesson.  AND NO HE DOESN'T SHOOT HIS EYE OUT WITH THAT RED RIDER BB GUN!  LET IT BE...

If the bleeding hearts think that is a "bad" movie, then why do they support all that sex, drugs and rock and rap crap in all the HOLLYWOOD movies?

TIS THE SEASON TO SPREAD GREAT JOY AND LOVE IN ABUNDANCE...YOUR REWARD FOR DOING SUCH A SIMPLE THING WILL BE QUITE APPARENT AS YOU GO ABOUT YOUR DAY WITH A SMILE ON YOUR FACE AND A JINGLE IN YOUR STEP, AND YES...

GREAT JOY IN YOUR OWN HEART!!!

JUST DO IT!!!  FA LA LA...AND ALL THAT JAZZ! 

DELICIOUS AUTUMN

I wish I knew where the time goes...and so quickly it goes at that!  Yet, here I sit in the midst of my fave season, and because of soooo much rain, I have not had a chance to witness any spectacular Fall Foliage...above photo is an oldie!

And as the seasons change, I am reminded that change is good!  There are many things that I would like to change...mostly on the homefront.  Yes, I'd like to paint the house a different color...and I would like to change the layout of my bedroom...and of course, I would like to change the current climate of division into one of unity and harmony!!!  

I am only one person, but I will continue to engage responsibly in a positive dialogue and shine light wherever possible.  In this day and age of such turmoil and utter chaos among humans, all in the name of "politics" it is the perfect time for each of us to take a good long look in the mirror to see who is responsible for making change...

WE ARE ALL HUMAN...AND BE-ING IS THE WHOLE POINT OF OUR EXISTENCE HERE ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH!  

TO EACH HIS OWN...LET IT BE!!!

And if you have nothing nice to say to someone, 

PLEASE just smile:) and say nothing at all!  

PEACE BE WITH YOU!!!

Opportunities

"When one door closes, another opens: but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."

~ Alexander Graham Bell 

Many opportunities in life have passed us by because we are not paying attention to the grand scheme of things.  We've all had to face those bummers along the way, and some of them are very harsh realities.  And we can wallow in self-pity endlessly, wondering all the while...WHY ME???  And gee, what did I ever do to deserve this???

However, the grand plan for each and every one of us is to rise above the "woe is me" moments in life and exercise the very free will of choice that was bestowed upon us by our creator.
 

Yes dammit...grab that key of dreams and aspirations...and open that door to what awaits, as you step away from the past and right into what God has intended for you and your life on this Earth.  And know this...He can't do it for you...He cannot intervene without an invitation, it is up to you...so open wide and let the light and love of the Divine guide you through that door to your true destiny! 

  

 Always, always give thanks...

 And always, always know that YOU ARE LOVED!!! 

Matthew 7:7

 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; 

knock, and it shall be opened unto you...

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. Alexander Graham Bell
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/alexander_graham_bell_409116

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/alexander_graham_bell_409116

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. Alexander Graham Bell
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/alexander_graham_bell_409116

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. Alexander Graham Bell
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/alexander_graham_bell_409116

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. Alexander Graham Bell
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/alexander_graham_bell_409116

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. Alexander Graham Bell
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/alexander_graham_bell_409116

When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. Alexander Graham Bell
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/alexander_graham_bell_409116

The Light Within ALL of Us!

 

Food for thought...

When the soul awakens unto itself, it is a GLORIOUS event...with a capital "G".  A walk on air type of event.  

Now, it doesn't just magically occur in anyone...BUT, it can happen to everyone!!!  

Step away from the ego.  For it seeks to control and overpower external forces.  Reach out to others. Be kind and caring to everyone...even complete strangers.  They too, are humans...be-ing!

In this day and age of such angst, division and turmoil and for the sake of all of humanity, I encourage everyone to go within and search for your very own true self...THE SOUL!  

For when the ego dissipates and merges with the soul, the true authentic self is exposed and is allowed to emerge...with a smile:) BIG, BOLD and BEAUTIFUL!

Shine your light so bright that those in darkness may see!  And hey, why not even sing...

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine..." 

That my friends is God's purpose for all of humanity.  It is so.

Seek and ye shall find!!!  

And may Peace be with you...always! 

 

Love in Spring

Well, even though Old Man Winter has been so clingy, 

SPRING has finally SPRUNG!  

It has been an especially wonderful coming of Spring, with all the kiddies coming home to visit with their significant "others".  

Yes, LOVE IS IN THE AIR, allright!  

And Mom and Dad are very happy and proud of our 3 children!

It is not always easy to stand quietly on the sidelines as our children go off into the world and make those inevitable poor choices at times, but as parents we all know that is how they learn and grow.

Of course, we also know that the more we push, the further they run!  My children have heard it so many times...

"MOTHER KNOWS BEST", yet I will never say to them...

"I TOLD YOU SO!" 

So at this stage of all of our lives,

I can honestly say that we are blessed!

Trials and tribulations along the way, including some life threatening illnesses, have made each and every one of us stronger, and have brought us closer to the Light and Source of Love Divine!

It's a glorious feeling!

LOVE IS ALL THERE IS!

 

Walking in Beauty

It has been an incredible week with Mother Nature.  And I embrace it all...the snow, the ice...the mud from the 72 degree day right in the middle of it all, and then back to another freezing rain, snow, ice to end this glorious week!  TGIF, that is for sure! 

This card from the Native Spirit deck by Denise Linn, fell out at me today as I was organizing my very messy desk and sitting down to tea.

This card speaks of the Native American tradition of very simply walking in beauty.  In the Navajo tradition it is called, "hozho naasha" and it means being in balance with a natural way of life!

How perfect! Because Mother Nature provides us with the perfect backdrop in order to tune in to the very spirit of the natural world around us on this great Earth.  And for me, I love it all.  Nothing is more spiritual and peaceful to me than to be out of doors in the softly falling snow, or a gentle rain knowing that these natural events are nurturing all that is LIFE!

So, on this day, tune into the beauty around you.  Take a look in the mirror and note the beauty of your very own self!  Create beauty around you...in your home, at work.  Spread beauty to everyone you meet along the way with a sweet and genuine smile and a very simple greeting of "HELLO".
It may just be the very spark that they need to get them through this BEAUTIFUL DAY!

Lovely stained glass crow feathers from Judie!

Yes, WALK IN BEAUTY...negativity has no place there!  

And if you find a feather, pick it up..it was placed in your path for you to find!

Thanks for stopping by!  Aloha!

 

  

LOVE is all there is!

This lovely, textured Valentine comes to me from the wonderful Deborah of Temenos of the Blessing Light.

Hope you will pop in to visit her, and her beautiful message of "Self-Love".  

Here's wishing one and all an ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS day full of LOVE and GREAT JOY! 

Always know that YOU ARE LOVED!  

 

SOAR in 2018!!!

This holiday season, has been such a whirlwind...and I really enjoyed every bit of it!  It just comes and goes all too quickly.  And while I was busy on the home front making sure that every little thing was festive and bright for family and friends, I was not able to focus on anything related to the coming of a New Year...2018!  

In the past I have chosen a word that reflected my spirit at the time the New Year rolled around.  I'm not big on resolutions, but a word to guide me throughout the year has been a somewhat grounding force.  This year, a word did not present itself to me, leading me into a bit of a fog...like this old photograph I took years ago. 

I was out and about in the frigid temps of the northeast freeze on New Year's day running the dog around through the woods, and really tuning into the quiet stillness that Mother Nature provided for the day.  I was tapped into the natural sounds of the creaking trees as they blew in the high winds, for that day the Native Spirit oracle card that chose me was ANCIENT FOREST.

I was breathing in the crisp, clean and very cold air, for the Spirit of Air is what keeps us universally connected to one another.  Yet, a word never did present itself to me...that is until this very morning while looking out my windows into my woods...and it hit me!!!

SOAR

 

That is my entire purpose...to SOAR!  Each and every day, I have opportunities, and many choices.  I have many new ideas and projects on the horizon that will allow me to do just that!!!  

S pirit

O rganize

A nalyze

R ealize

And there it is...I will reach...and I will achieve...and I will fulfill all the many dreams that have not been allowed to come to fruition because of the detours and distractions that take place when I am not paying attention to my soul! 

  It's all so clear to me now...ONWARD 2018!!!

With Love and Peace and Great JOY in abundance to one and all!