wrapping up:::

:::the first of many creative days & eves

so much to create, so much to share, so much to write, so much unknowing & thread following & new discoveries/universes/paths & patience & hope & aspirations & desires & joy in this whole process

i've felt like i was getting ready to leap off of something these last few months.  not a bridge, more like a diving board

and though i thought i'd dive in head first today, instead i'd say i dipped my toes in the water. it felt unfamiliar and good all at the same time.

with the universe full of ideas buzzing around in my head it was a way to be gentle with myself.

easing in, following my intuition, and continuing to do what feels right.

grateful.

the loveliest

romance.

how lucky they were : )

peace:::

Wherever you find yourself at this very moment, I wish you peace.

hello sweet autumn:::

she has been taking me to this orchard for 2o some odd years.
before, there were apples, helicopter rides, apple pie, caramel apples, hot apple cider, apple crisp, candy, chaos, hikes, horse rides, people laughing, people running, people picking apples and eating them too.
did i mention lots of people? and apples?
now, the place is nearly empty.
the trees, ripe with fruit, stand in a whole lot of silence.
lots of apples, few people.
end of another era.
thank goodness sweet autumn is just beginning.
looking forward to things yet to come...

things to see while in hawaii:

cerulean
turquoise
azure
cobalt
indigo
sapphire
ultramarine
cerise
copper
coral
crimson
dahlia
chestnut
garnet
salmon
scarlet
henna
chartreuse
veridian
willow
lime
malachite
jade
moss
olive
peacock
pine
spinach
sea
burnt sienna
umber
cocoa
rust
cinnamon
brick
terracotta
sepia
ochre
amber
gold
saffron
charcoal
onyx
raven
slate
ivory
opal
mother-of-pearl

i'm excited : )

observing bits of the world

Last week, I was standing in line at the check-out of a grocery store and I noticed that the woman in front of me was scanning the magazine rack.
I saw her focus on one,
literally put her hands on her hips,
and proceed to move them slowly and ever-so-slightly up and down.
Then quickly, she snatched up what she was looking at and threw it on the conveyor belt of groceries. I couldn't see which magazine she had picked, but I knew that somewhere on its cover it read "how to lose 50 lbs in just 3 days!".
I made a special point to note the angle she was looking, and when I got close enough to see, my suspicions were confirmed. It was something about a quick fix to a skinny body.
I had a painful moment as I stood there waiting my turn.
I was sad for all of us who feel we are not what we should be because so many places that we go, that's what they're telling us.

I didn't like seeing that.

So, then I saw this (unrelated and yet related on a completely different level):

Tonight, I met up with a wonderful friend for dinner and as I was walking through the cozy neighborhood back to my car, I noticed a yard that only had a few random sections of lawn mowed, not even a particularly large lawn mind you.
Curious, I looked through the rest of the yard for visible clues as to what was more important that finishing the one task before moving to the next.
Again, I got my answer. In this yard was also a table, set with some dishes and two glasses of wine.
How much lovelier does it get?
Whoever was mowing stopped when s/he realized that that was obviously less important than sitting down to dine with the one s/he loved. Where were they now that they had their wine poured and their table set? Well, I know what I'm hoping, but I'll let you finish the story the way you see fit.

And so, that is what I am choosing to see.

What are you choosing to see these days?

My Mother:::

My Beautiful Mother turns 60 in 2 days!!!

She is phenomenal. Loved by so many. A rock. Easy-going. Loves life. Radiates happiness and warmth.

60. I think an occasion such as this calls for some dancing.

Happy birthday, Deborah Kay. I love you more than words.