Gratitude in the Snow

Yes, the practice of gratitude is especially important when the Universe connects us through the various attributes of Mother Nature.  On this day before we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the northeast United States, the wet snow falls...ok, dumps is more like it because it's coming down really fast.  Yet, I walk outside to feel the wetness as I raise my face and hands to the sky and Give Thanks for all that is NOW!

    “I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual. It is surprising how contented one can be with nothing definite — only a sense of existence. ”

 –Henry David Thoreau

Morning Has Broken

 

Yes, the last of Autumn has met the first dusting of snow from Old Man Winter, and every bit of 22 degrees was felt this glorious morn.  

TRIPLE C kind of morn.   CRISP, CLEAN AND CCCOLD!!!

How sweet to greet the sun and the moon at the same time, from my backwoods, with the last leaf on this tree clinging, clinging.  Oh, to live in the country!  Gratitude in abundance has rewarded me this fine day. 

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”   ~ Dalai Lama

Universal Language of The Setting Sun

My last sunset at Waikiki...awesome!

Since I have returned from my journey to the island paradise of Hawaii, I haven't fully retrieved all of the zillion photos I took on many devices during my stay with my "bruddah" and other family members.  And since I always enjoy the wonderful island shares from my new friend Cloudia of Comfort Spiral, I thought I would share a few of my own for Skywatch Friday.

Now, I have been to the islands before, long ago as a young girl with my Beautiful Kauai Island Mama.  I was strictly a tourist on that maiden voyage.  But this time, I connected in true Aloha Fashion with the island people who are my family.  The language, the music, the food, and of course the scenery will forever be embedded in my soul.  There is something quite spiritual about the peaceable kingdom that is Hawaii.  Including the current work of Pele, the Goddess of Fire who is spreading hot lava from Kilauea on the Big Island to ensure that her people stay grounded on this earth, as they tune in to the vibration of the Universe, connecting each and every one of them with cosmic joy that is shared by all living things.

“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.” ― Lao Tzu

The Aloha Spirit is alive and well.  We are all connected in this Universe.  Tune in and feel the peace and joy in abundance. 

Coming Home

Sunset at Waikiki

"Nothing is worth more than this day"

-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I have been absent from blogland, so that I may honor my Mother in a very unique way by carrying her heart and soul back to her island paradise of Hawaii.   It has been many years since she left the islands, before the commercialism and tourism took hold, and before Hawaii even became a state.  

It was wartime when she met my soldier father, married and started a family, and I have discovered that I have many family ties there among the many islands, though Kauai is her birthplace.  And it truly is paradise.  I even got to strum the ukulele on Waikiki Beach...

Meeting family for the first time and being so far away from home was abit overwhelming, since I made the 5000 mile journey all by my big, bad girl self.  But I must say, all the anxiety and worry was for nothing because it was an incredible trip, full of great joy.   And I am very happy to say that my island family members are so full of the true Aloha Spirit that has been a part of my own soul as well as my siblings', and even my own children.  They are beautiful people, so harmonious, and I am truly blessed at this stage of my life to discover an extended family so full of life and love.  I even have a lovely 13-year old hula dancer cousin.   

Even though Mama passed away many years ago, she was with me, and I know in my heart that she is happy and resting in peace.

Aloha O'e Mama...until we meet again...

LP/Vinyl Comeback

Going back in time...to the day when LP/Vinyl records were the only way to listen to jams is very gratifying.  (No, I'm not even going near the 8-track phase).  Especially since I saved most of my vinyl and still have a turntable to listen to them.

Not really using it in many years, I was quite amused when the youngest child came home after completing the first year of college with the above STEPPENWOLF album claiming it was a much deserved present to self...because it has BORN TO BE WILD on it!!!

Well, all I could do is smile, because it's what I used to listen to and it's not a bad album.  Though, as the mama, I could've done without the "born to be wild" comment.   

So, those of you of the age who may have a stash of vinyl in the basement, drag them out.  Vinyl is making a comeback, and there are many "record" stores popping up, especially in college towns.

I dragged out my Beatles, Traffic (Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys...yay), an awesome George Harrison (my fave Beatle) ALL THINGS MUST PASS...along with many, many others.  Seems I need a new needle for the turntable, though.

  

Incidently,

According to the Billboard Hot 100, who was the first ex-Beatle to have a number one hit in the U.S.?

George. George had the first number one hit in the U.S. with 1970s "My Sweet Lord." The song reached number one in December, 1970 and stayed there into January, 1971. George was hesitant to release this song as a single because of its obviously religious meaning. Eric Clapton plays acoustic guitar on the track, while Billy Preston plays piano, and Ringo plays drums.

Dig Eric Clapton, too!  And can't wait to see Dickey Betts (Allman Brothers fame) up at Bethel Woods(tock).  So tell me, all you vinyl heads from the past, what was (or still is) in your vinyl collection that you dug ruts into with the needle playing it over and over and over again???  DO TELL...

Dance, dance, dance...

 "Life is the dancer, and you are the dance".

~ Eckhart Tolle

Can I get a hula~la???

Memories

The Canadian Geese are back to the pond.  It is nice to see them after such a long winter.  Though, I often wonder...are these the very same ones who mated here last year?  Did they bring some strays?  Are the "extras", the goslings of last spring that have returned back to the nest with the folks?

Well after reading several pages of facts online, I believe the original pair has returned with the now grown goslings of several years. Some of them now old enough to mate.  This year I have spotted 7, and I only remember 5 from last year.

It's always great when the eggs hatch and those fuzzy little birds make their way out and about.  Fun to watch them cross the back country road, just following along to see if the grass is greener over there.

One thing I do know, is that they are a constant reminder, that some things will never change.  There will always be geese on the pond.  They may be generations older than the ones we first spotted when we first moved out into the sticks, but they always return.  And they stay for our natural enjoyment until is time for them to gather together with other flocks of geese, and head to a warmer climate for the long cold winters that the northeast provides.

Yes, it's nice to see a natural bond, without any of the human daily grind that some humans seem to thrive on...stress! 

The geese are there at the pond.  And that makes me smile:)

It's a beautiful day...even in the rain...enjoy!

Stop Thinking

Sometimes external forces try to breach the inner sanctum of Beingness producing angst and stress.
Take deep breaths, lie down in quiet solitude, close your eyes and listen to the beating of your heart. Just listen.  It will echo throughout your brain and resonate to the depths of your soul.

There is no room for angst, anger, hatred, or stress in the Body Temple.  It is your mind producing thoughts and dragging out emotional baggage that will disrupt the peaceable kingdom of your natural state of Being...your true authentic self.

Listen to the beating of your heart.  Its message is clear.  Release the negativity with your exhale.  Just let it go.  STOP THINKING!

LET THE ALOHA SPIRIT PREVAIL! 

And then continue on with the hula~la happy dance of life!

Strum on....

Glory of Spring

  Behold, my friends, the spring is come;

the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, 

and we shall soon see the results of their love!

~Sitting Bull

Springtime in all of her glory...rain, sun, loads of mud and clean up from the very long and very cold winter...it is a glorious time of year!  And as I meditate and practice gratitude on a daily basis, I can't help but wonder why some folks are just never, ever happy.  I got called into work on my day off...no big deal that I had other plans, it's a short day on a Saturday.   It didn't upset me.  I am grateful to have a job that I absolutely love!  Even though, I wanted to open up all the windows in the house, let in the fresh clean air of spring, dabble in the garden, walk the dog...it's all ok. I'm still happy!

When I have alone time...completely alone, I must be out of doors to commune with nature.  I wander around the woods, picking up sticks, acorn caps, perfectly rounded stones to add to my collection, and there are no thoughts racing through my head.  I am able to JUST BE!  Therein lies the beauty and the glory of spring...peace in abundance.

Yet, when coming into contact with people who have angst and anger, bitterness and resentment always at the ready to complain or moan about, I just have to shake my head.  They cannot disturb my peaceable kingdom.  I smile, I listen and I hope they can feel the light of love that I project outward.  They have a choice.  Yet they are so caught up in the "ego" of their own existence they fail to see their own light.   Some people are so ready to place blame and see fault and judge others, that they have no idea of their own beauty that lies beneath the surface of their own body temple.   

In truth we are all the same!

 Head out of doors and stop the babble in the brain, the incessant mind chatter.

Be still...listen to the silence of nature and tune it!

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. 

Make the NOW the primary focus of your life.”
― Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment 

 

Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!

Sitting Bull

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/sittingbul260496.html#q4plKBDJcRKrVA4q.99

Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!

Sitting Bull

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/s/sittingbul260496.html#q4plKBDJcRKrVA4q.99

Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!

Sitting Bull

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/spring.html#HUTfgQYBfkh0bEFo.99

Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!

Sitting Bull

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/spring.html#HUTfgQYBfkh0bEFo.99

Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love!

Sitting Bull

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/spring.html#HUTfgQYBfkh0bEFo.99

Out and About

Pileated Woodpecker

A bit blurry, but this guy was pecking his little heart out yesterday in my woods.  And boy could you hear it.  He is quite happy that the snow is melting away, too!  We might actually have spring here in the northeast, even though the snow is still piled up in places.  Some snow banks are still over 3 feet tall.  But today, after weekend flood watches due to the rain the entire weekend, the sun is shining bright!

When Mother Nature has so much to offer out of doors, it is a cosmic call from the Universe for all of us to get out there and tune in.  It was last Spring when the stars aligned and the message for my soul was as loud as this woodpecker... "AWAKEN TO YOUR TRUE AUTHENTIC SELF".  

I can't say the exact moment, but I can tell you this, it all became very clear to me.  My entire reason for being.  The meaning of life!  A profound moment indeed, and it didn't stop.  The floodgates opened and a dialogue began that has truly changed my whole life!  Anger was dislodged, forgiveness was bestowed upon others, and more importantly myself.  That one was a BIGGIE!  Fear disappeared...Courage stepped up, Compassion made way, and I am HAPPY!  Completely HAPPY! And it is always apparent with this constant smile that is on my face...night and day...day and night!  Even when external sources try to invade my peaceable kingdom with their dread...even when I witness behavior in public that is so ridiculous, or worse, I smile...and I can feel it travel throughout my body, and I breathe out and release the energy of my smile out to whomever may be in need of one.

Along with this great red-headed friend, the owls are back, and the Canadian geese have returned to the pond.  Recently we went to an area in Upstate New York where the Eagles make a regular stop along the Delaware River for the fresh running water, once the weather starts to break.  Though we only saw two eagles that day, and they were too far away for my little Canon sure shot, it was a terrific sight!  But you can see the Eagles through this LIVE feed at a different location at Duke Farms. Check this out...Eagle Cam.

 

 Upstate New York

Find time to dig into your own being.  You will find peace resides within.  You will also discover that stress does not rule your life.  Nor does anger, or spite, or hatred or rage...not even road rage!   Just SMILE BIG!  Make the time to experience Mother Nature in all of her glory.  That is when compassion and gratitude will enter if you open wide, and all negativity will be released out into the Universe to be transmuted into good positive vibrations!

GO FOR IT!  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Good Fences

From a gorgeous autumn...

To this...it's been a long, cold winter.

 The great thaw is underway.

The orchards are prepared and
getting ready to burst into all their glory!

Springtime is a time for renewal...a time to breathe deep and tap into the beauty of your own soul.  I grew up in the northeast, lived in the west, visited the south, but there is something so magical about the changing of seasons that I know I could never live anywhere else.

There is peace when you partake in the natural evolutionary process that is provided, as time moves on.  The birds and other wildlife know what time of year it is, and their instinct dictates the true course of nature.  

It is quite entertaining to watch the creatures come out from the drudges of the deep freeze, even though it is still brown and muddy with no real sign of botanical growth yet.  It's like a child visiting the playground for the first time...running here, flitting there.

Once again, I have great intentions for a fabulous garden, as I do every spring, even though living in the deep woods provides limited sunshine.  Container gardening is part of the landscape around here.

With the expertise of my friends Nina and Andrea who both have gardens you can swoon over and wander around, for hours on end, I am inspired to create a colorful landscape to attract butterflies, and hummingbirds, and of course, to save the honeybees.

Nina's at Two Crow Cottage Gardens

Andrea's of Indian Springs

my last spring's glory

I am hopeful that my crocuses, daffodils and tulips will peek out at me any day now.  Though it was a dreadful 8 degrees last night!  I believe with all my heart that the gorgeous irises and the lavender plants stored up all their energy for a terrific showcase of upcoming blooms.

And I will continue to evolve and be rejuvenated by the fresh air and the simple abundance that the universe provides me.  I am grateful!

And I'm linking up today with TexWisGirl for GOOD FENCES # 1!

Pop in to say aloha!

Hope Springs Eternal

 

Hope Springs Eternal (with the end of my store bought tulips)

The thermometer says 28, but those 40 mph winds tell a different story of that 28 degrees.
The weatherman says, 28, but it feels like 16...well yes, it does, and worse, as that cold wind blows right through to the bone.

But, last week we had this for one whole day...the beginnings of the great thaw!

I can see over the mountain of snow in my front yard now.

This muddy mess is frozen over again...but soon!

 There is no season such delight can bring
As summer, autumn, winter and the spring. ~William Browne

I, for one, love the changing of the seasons.  I am grateful for this cold, springy day and for the birds that are determined to declare it is indeed springtime.  They continue to sing their

glorious songs, as they are tuned in to the universal law of nature.  They know!!!

 WE ARE ALL CONNECTED...WE ARE ONE!  

SING...SING...SING!!! 

Deep Breaths

As it is finally time to "Spring" forward and turn our clocks ahead for Daylight Savings Time, the excitement of going out of doors for my meditation brings me GREAT JOY!  Of course, there is still a mountain of snow and ice that must go through it's springy transformation and create a tremendous amount of mud before I can actually go out into the woods to sit peacefully. 

 Until then, I will listen to the birds sing their glorious songs, 

for they know what time of year it is!

 

And I will continue to practice gratitude to stay in tune with my authentic self.  Consciousness and the ability to "JUST BE"  is the blessing of life.  Every human being has the ability to live a life of true peace, and sheer joy...that is what Divine Love is all about.  We are all connected in the Universe and we were all created from the same source... The scientists and religious theologians, while they may have different viewpoints on the topics of creation and evolution, we must work together to achieve the peaceful existence that was intended for all of us for our time on this earth. 

The truth is, we are all born of the same life source.  WE ARE ONE!

Warm at Heart

Just be...

The ice age continues to challenge us here in the Northeast United States, and I am warmed by the idea of being connected to the lovely people around the world who are experiencing their normal sunny and tropical temperatures.  Especially those lovely folks in Hawaii who are sending out their Aloha Spirit for me to tap into.  Strumming my ukulele helps with those vibes.

This monster icicle, that hangs off of the building in which I work was calling to me.  It is beautiful in its own right, and continues to grow; at least 12 feet as it is now!  It has such amazing texture with ridges and bumps and tiny little droplets at the ends.  If only the sun were shining to capture its true beauty. 

The snow continues to fall.

I was careful not to stand directly underneath it, but was so mesmerized by the life and character that is beaming from this sculpture of Mother Nature, that I just had to get up close and personal.  That the corner of the roof where it hangs hasn't broken off with all the weight, is a sign of a good and wholesome spirit that is embedded in this version of Water...the source of life.

 Yes, the beauty of Mother Nature has a story of warmth to express...from the heart directly to the soul! Tune in.  It's meaning is as clear as this ice...let all thoughts go and enjoy your true purpose of life!

  Awaken to your very own glory! Don't think...just be!!! 

Leaf Shadow

While wandering out and about after another snow dump, I came across this dangling maple leaf hanging on for dear life with the help of a friendly spider web.  It made me pause to think of the beautiful autumn that gave in to old man winter, which is providing yet more beauty for those of us who love to partake in the conversations out of doors with the universe.  

Now this snowy oak leaf, is quite strong in her own right, for as the torrential rains and high winds that always come through just when the autumnal colors have met their glorious peak, she held steadfast for the duration of her glory on the mighty oak branch...yes, a true cling-on, because we have had some nasty ice and snow here in the northeast. She is in tune with her high self!

And she has quite the vantage point from where she clings.  She knows where all the acorns are stashed, too.  The chipmunks and squirrels take no notice of her as she watches them skitter here and there making tracks in the snow as they keep busy with their winter meanderings.

Old man winter is here for now...we must be grateful for this day regardless of the weather.  It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!  Tune in...the universe is having a convo with all of us!  We are connected...and it's simply divine!!!

Aloha