Winter Blues…

This is my least favorite time of year.  Mainly because of the bitter cold temps.  So cold that my eyes instantly tear up as I step outdoors and find it hard to properly breathe.  I still get my daily walks in although distance in miles turn into just blocks.   Walking with my back to the wind helps but why bother when there’s no enjoyment in the process. 

Sure, the landscape is beautiful!   But only with clean, virgin snow…falling down now as I blog…give it a few days and the soot covered piles are not so pleasing.  The havoc of  icy road conditions, stalled cars, school closings, all add to my frustration. 

So why all this negative attitude?!  Don’t know…just my prerogative, I guess.  My usual chipper disposition must be on vacation…someplace warm!

An hour of peace…

In midst of all the chaos we call ‘getting ready for the holidays’, what with the hustle-bustle of shopping, crowds, long lines, post-office deadlines, etc. etc. I find my need for solitude to be stronger than ever.  Actually, I crave it!  Don’t get me wrong, I cherish the time I spend with family, friends and others that bring joy into my life, I’m grateful in fact.  But, like the air we breathe, we take peacefulness for granted, until it’s  lacking.   As long as I can remember, I’ve always had this ‘need’ for quiet space…and I don’t mind it one bit!

This is where I end up.  A beautiful, quiet setting in nature…my private oasis.  Even in mid-December, I find much life here. 

‘Though on this day, the wind whistles loudly and the waves splash a little rougher at my feet.  But with my music, book, wooly scarf and mittens, and my ever present camera, I am content.

 

An hour later, the sky darkens, the wind picks up and the billowy clouds are shifting faster than I’ve ever seen.  Drats!  Time to pack up, before I blow away,  and say goodbye….

….next time I’ll be sure the check the forecast!  It was nice while it lasted…*sigh*  Back to the chaos….

First snowfall…

sunrise...

What is it about waking up and seeing that first snow of the season that makes my heart skip a beat?  The pure white everywhere I look…the sunlight bouncing off  the glistening landscape…the cold, biting air that stings my eyes…?  ALL of these reasons make me take a deep breath and just *sigh* from sunrise to sunset.   Enjoy your first snowfall…it lasts but a day.

sunset...

See You Next Fall…

 

A lover’s walk we take

Your hand tightly clasped in mine

No need to rush this journey

We have ’til end of time…

Farewell to Fall...

All the beautiful fall foliage have finally taken their leave of absence.  Scattered about from blustery winds or collected in heaps for the compost bin, they will now work themselves back into the soil for the next growing season.  I will miss their vibrant show of colors, especially this lovely shade of red.

Happy Thanksgiving!

!Rant WARNING!

Picture this!  Two days from now, I’ll be sitting at the end…I’m a lefty…of a huge makeshift table (that’s never quite big enough!), one cheek hanging off the bench (perfect position for a quick get-a-way!), and  anxiously waiting  for the whole dang turkey feast to be over! 

Yes, of course I know the purpose of this holiday  is the rejoicing of friends and family~giving  thanks to life’s blessing….BUT that’s for another post!

The problem with such a large gathering (26 at last count) is that the meal prep always end up taking longer than expected.  A 4pm sit-down usually ends up being a few hours delayed!  People start whining, tantrums are thrown…and I’m just talking about the adults here!  With 3 turkeys in the works this year, (yes, the bird should be completely thawed!) I guess I’ll have my choice of a cold plate.   Would you prefer cold mashed potatoes  or cream of spinach…yum!   Thank goodness I’m only in charge of desserts….I make a mean phone call…lol!

After eight+ hours of prepping and cooking,  the meal is devoured in 30 minutes!  The clinking of glasses and silverware will not  be heard over the raucous, all at once chatter of any and all subjects under the sun.  Hopefully, a fight over politics will not repeat this year…OY!   Throw in screams from the kiddie table and it’s a gathering like no other!    Don’t get me wrong….it’s great to see aunts, uncles, and cousins that we don’t often see,  BUT, it’s a good thing this large family reunion happens only once a year!

When the tryptophan kicks in and everyone is too lethargic to move….it’s usually me in the kitchen, with the mountain of dishes as all eyes are now glued  to the TV. Somewhere along the years, I’ve acquired the reputation of stacking  a mean dishwasher!  I guess it’s only fair…Hmph!  

Is this picture similar to your own family gathering?  Or are you fortunate enough to have a cordial, peaceful meal,  with a much more manageable crowd? 

And in all this craziness, as the migraine-induced-throb takes hold, I will long to get away…go someplace quiet and be alone!  It’s necessary…to keep my sanity through the rest of the evening.   With coffee and dessert still to come…imagine this crowd with the extra caffeine and sugar…I desperately need the break!

When the kitchen is cleaned and closed for the night, we slump off for the requisite sleepover but not necessarily a good night!  No, this reunion doesn’t end  Thursday evening.  We have to go through the whole ordeal all over again the next morning with a big family breakfast! 

I think I would rather fight the mad crowd at the local Mall on Black Friday.  Okay… maybe NOT!

Enjoy your Turkey Day…you know I won’t will!

How sweet it is…

Some days, His love wraps around me much more warmly than others.  Not because He doesn’t always provide it,  but because I get too busy in my so called life to feel it, appreciate it, honor it.  But today, His love came looking, calling my name loudly, and I feel totally blessed and worthy!

It’s a love I can see with my eyes, a love I can feel  deep in my soul,  a love I can almost touch with my own two hands, maybe even hear if I stay still long enough.  A love that can bring me to my knees~with tears of joy.

In case you’re wondering….I’m talking about our Heavenly Father above.  All these feelings brought about because of this view….

a gift from above...

How often do you feel His love?  I hope the answer is every day.  If not, what’s stopping you?  Tap into His power…it’s within you if you’d just learn to listen…carefully.

I Did It!

I remember this day well!  A hike to seek out the most amazing view witnessed by thousands before me!  A view definitely worth the extra legwork, the sun glare, the sweat, even shortness of breath!  I remember being extremely excited even though I am somewhat afraid of heights.  Climbing a ladder, no problem, but thousands of feet in elevation…that would be a challenge!  A personal goal, if you will.

With each step upward, I felt that much closer to achieving wellness of being.  Of course I was aware of my beautiful surroundings, who wouldn’t be, but, even more so, I became aware of my thoughts, my inner peace, my love of self.  I felt good!  This view is the reason why….

When you set goals for yourself, even a not-so-difficult one such as this hike, the greatest reward is knowing you did your best.  Gave it your all.  There will never be an “if only…” when I recall this special event.  No second guesses.  No tears of regret. 

At the end of the day, I felt a hundred times more powerful than I did the day before.  And this magnificent view, with all of Heaven’s positive energy, directed at me, instilled an even greater understand that GOD is alive and well…

The next goal for my body and spirit?  Running a Half Marathon.  Can I do it?  Absolutely!

Ponderings…

Wouldn’t it great if each and every one of us could say that our life, in this moment, is complete and we have no regrets, whatsoever.  That would be great, wouldn’t it? 

Recently, walking along the ocean’s edge,  this thought came about as I watched my fellow beach goers.  An older couple:  holding hands, talking, their laughter catching up with me, then passing.  I had to smile and feel joy for that private glimpse into their obvious state of  happiness.

A man jogging by.  A true beach lover I’m thinking…as he was barefoot!  No music to match his  pace, just the rhythm of the waves and his thoughts to keep him company:  Maybe regrets of a dead-end career?  A passionless marriage?  Though a total stranger, I only hoped that  good thoughts were running through his mind and that love was his in abundance.

Three teenage girls:  On their tummies, possibly skipping school to work on their tans…a sight that instantly took me back to my highschool cutting days.  All three wore earphones, two were texting…probably to each other!  I’m sure they were not thinking ‘woe-is-me’.  I shouted a silent ”Hey girlfriends!” and wished them a fun-filled day.

Then I came across this precious sight…

wonder what she's thinking....

Could a child this young have anything else on her mind, except living in the moment?   May she have deeper thoughts than we imagine?:  What’s on the other side of the ocean?  Who created those beautiful seagulls?  What is my purpose in this short life?  I think not, friends.   Sand squished between her toes…pure happiness!   A thoughtful parent bringing her here for the day…pure love!   The gift of warm sunshine, cool water, a bucket!…pure  fun!  Yes, her life in that moment, was complete. 

The whole world awaits you, little one…what more could you ask for? 

For  just a second there, I wanted to be this lucky little girl.

A beautiful sight…

Ever find yourself, out driving about, when something suddenly stops you in your tracks?  This ‘moment’ happens to me often.  Especially this time of year…FALL. 

I turned the corner, and this magnificent red maple, was the cause for my quick intake of breath.  I find beauty in  things most people would not even notice, much less stop, stare and get teary-eyed over.  That’s just me.

 

But how could I not?  Obviously,  Mother Nature was screaming ‘look at me…admire me!’ and I heard her loud and clear!  Would you have heard this call through the haze of daily distractions?  The tricky part was maneuvering back and sneaking into this yard for a photograph.  I hope the homeowners know how lucky they are to witness this beauty,  during  its brief time here. 

I, however, will enjoy it  much longer, as this image and the feelings it inspired, will stay in my heart forever…but that’s just me.

Too Old to Trick-Or-Treat?

click three times...

I say NEVER!  Yes, my kids are grown but I still LOVE Halloween!  What other holiday lets a grown woman wear any outrageous outfit and stuff her face with sweets?!?!   No other, I tell ya!! 

When my girls were little, I went all out with home-made costumes (which were not cheap!) and even decorated the house to the ninth!  But now, the youngest teenager is off doing her own thang, and it’s just me, still dressing up but staying in, passing out candy to the neighborhood trick-or-treaters.   I adore seeing the wee-ones in the latest super hero duds, and my all-time favorite, the Princesses!

Of course, you have the older, cooler crowd that shows up bearing nothing but a bored-like face and a pillowcase to collect their loot!  I hate that!  At the very least, dirty that face, don a red plastic nose, a hat!  Anything!  I feel gypped when they walk away with MY candy!   And they know to come here every year, too, since I pass out the ‘good stuff’!  Hmm…I should have a bowl of loser candy just for them! 

Harry Potter will still be popular but I’m betting to see a lot of Michael Jacksons too…maybe I should request a moon dance before letting them have a  grab at the candy.  What’s your favorite part of  Halloween?  As a ‘grown-up’, do you still dress up?  My costume this year?….I’m sure you can guess!  Now, just need to find myself a little Toto.