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!

 

  

In the Now

1.  This lovely fence photo is before the rains came and helped put out the massive ridge fire.   It has been raining for days, and days.  And anyway, I LOVE THE RAIN!

2.  The baby little is graduating from college, 1 year early saving me a boatload of moola, and has already landed a job!  TALK ABOUT BEING BLESSED!

3.  A good friend of mine and her hubby, with their 3 young children packed up their entire house in 24 hours, and moved far away for a his job.  I CAN'T IMAGINE PACKING AN ENTIRE HOUSE IN 24 HOURS...YIKES!

4.  Someone gifted me a gorgeous purple orchid that is thriving on my desk!  I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVEN'T KILLED IT YET! 

5.  This Mother's Day is my oldest daughter's birthday.  How fitting, because she was the first one to make me a MOM!   I CELEBRATE MOTHER'S DAY ON MY CHILDREN'S BIRTHDAYS!  YEP, 3 MOTHER'S DAYS FOR ME!  And on Mother's Day, I honor my own Mother.

Living in the NOW, on this rainy day!

Linking up today with GOOD FENCES  and NANCY for Random 5 .

Pop in for a visit!

                  

                                                                                                                     

 

The Glory of Autumn

Autumn is my favorite season...ok, for the record, whatever season I am in is my favorite.  Yes, that is what living a mindful life is all about.  Even the one that graces us with the beautiful white stuff as it falls so peacefully (dumps is more like it) to the ground like these colored leaves that let go as they sail away with the gentle breezes that blow...or fall to the ground and become mingled with the acorns as the squirrels skitter here and there stocking up for my next fave season to come.

folks enjoying fishing in Autumn on the Delaware River

 

But until then, the glorious colors and that bounty of fall, which includes pumpkins, gourds, beautiful mums, and wonderful, wonderful apples, is something to look forward to.  It is sad to think that some folks have never experienced the full blown beauty of Mother Nature at this time of year.  

Yes, be mindful of this moment.  Wherever you are.  And enjoy it in all of its glory!

With Much Aloha...

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!

Winter In The Big Woods

A winter trek with the dog can turn into quite an interesting adventure.  Cold and windy as it was, it was peaceful in the woods.  The further back you go, you pick up the sounds of the running water that has not completely frozen over.  And what Labrador doesn't love water...cold or not?

Goofy dog had no idea that he'd be walking home with icicles hanging off of him.  Wish I could've let him off his leash, but there were wild turkeys out and about.  And he would be long gone chasing them..he's not one to give up.

Turkey tracks look like little arrows pointing the way...until you get to the whole flock of prints....then you don't know which way to go...round and round we go!  Aren't they cool?

 

Yes, lots to see in the BIG WOODS.

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

Linking up for my first Mosaic Monday

Clarity

Dewdrops taken with Samsung Galaxy S3

1.  A new day dawns, leaving dewdrops on the tips of the still green blades of grass.  It is a simple JOY as the Universe continues its conversation with me and reaches into the depths of my soul to keep me in tune.

This one taken with Canon PowerShot A3300

2.  The cosmic energy that flows through the atmosphere is very powerful if you are attuned and open to receive it in all of its positive glory.

 

The Shawankgunk Ridge provides a vantage point for a fantastic view in the fall.

Slip into a pair of Nike sneaks and hit the trails.

3.  There is much peace in Mother Nature for the seeker. 

 

 4.  The colors of Autumn are a message of transformation...there is an alteration taking place.  I like to think of it as a renewal, for this is the time that Mother Nature takes hold and preserves all the goodness & beauty that was bestowed upon us through Spring, into Summer until now, as she prepares for rest and renewal.

The Journey within...

5.  It is a glorious day!!!  I am in a complete and peaceful state of 

JUST BEING!!! 

Won't you join me?

 

Joining Nancy at A Rural Journal for Random 5 Friday!!! 

Stop by to say "hi"!