life lyrics

I keep a running list of quotes that resonate with me. One day while reviewing, I realized there were a few that really described me, that feel like my life lyrics…

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember,

you have within you the strength, the patience, and the
passion to reach for the stars to change the world. - Harriet Tubman

I choose...to live so that which came to me

as seed goes to the next as blossom

and that which came to me as blossom, goes on as fruit. - Dawna Markova

You create your opportunities by asking for them. - Shakti Gawain

Let the beauty of what you love be what you do. - Rumi

Those who wander are not necessarily lost. - Kobi Yamada

Let your soul stand ajar, always ready to welcome the estatic experience. - Emily Dickinson

After ecstasy, the laundry. - Zen Koan

What are your life lyrics? Start taking note of words that speak your truth be they yours or from the mouths of others and…

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ps - artwork above was seen while shopping not produced by me.

constant comforts

Every so often I go to Barnes and Noble, head straight to the magazine section and stand far enough away so I can take a panoramic view of the entire area. It's only from a distance that I can truly appreciate the hundreds of titles available in every genre imaginable. I take time to take them in, allow covers to uncover whether or not I'll pick them out to investigate further. On one of these spontaneous forays, I found Bella Grace a relatively new publication that on touch and sight alone gorgeously inspires. Its pages are filled with content and pictures that stir yet soothe the soul and because of its specialness, I was moved to create a ritual for taking it in.

It was during a recent read that I realized my short getaways are not really about being on or near the water but rather in the water via soaking tubs in the bathrooms preferable claw footed ones. I came to this conclusion as I finished an article written by a woman who has to have a clothesline in the backyard of every home she lives in, a constant that brings such

comfort.

I miss deep tubs from past places I have lived that once filled with water, envelope my body allowing an exodus into the twilight of twinkling candles and silence. Perhaps there is a connection to being in the womb, a desire to go someplace familiar where I can totally escape all that is for just a little while. Maybe there's some link to a past life as none of the tubs in any of my homes had claw feet…to be continued.

I just returned home from a few days away to write uninterrupted. The spirits were on my side; for some reason I booked this trip with tub top of mind several months ago and thankfully my writing flowed beautifully. Before I left, I sent the following note to a few women in my life who are exploring new frontiers or are contemplating other options…

Our best work is still ahead of us, may we blossom brightly as we continue our bloom.

That was the sentiment I wrote to them brought forth by words I had previously penned as a reminder to myself…

A rosebud of a spirit rests within, blooming and growing.
My best work is still ahead of me, the best is indeed yet to come.

Très Bella!

What is your constant comfort? Find that peace if you don’t already know it and…

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this…

...past week brought warmer temperatures along with a sudden return of cold; what a shock it was to see snow falling furiously fast when just the day before it was over 60 degrees out! Throughout, I took time to walk, relished being in the sun, had an opportunity to get a glimpse of the behind the scenes areas of the National Zoo, marveled at creatures in the forest, went to a new to my taste buds restaurant, and snapped every place I happened to be, even during the out of nowhere mini blizzard!

...morning I am ensconced in a new hideaway location to rest and write which to my delight has a huge patio. Very much planned is being in a room that has a bathroom with a claw footed tub. I woke early, ran a bath with lightly scented salts, lit some candles, turned off the lights, turned on the sounds of my CALM APP, and lowered myself into a warm cocoon to recline, soak and meditate. Back in bed, snug in a robe waiting 'til room service starts (which is now) so I can order some green tea!

...message is just sayin' life truly is what we make it so enjoy to the fullest the pleasures it brings you and make sure to create some of your own. As you do, be sure to...

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soon

Snow fatigued, I set out in search of signs of spring and thankfully was not disappointed…

I wait with such anticipation the first daffodils and tulips, was happy to see that they will soon be in bloom so…

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slow flow

slow down and savor each moment as it happens

for when we rush,

we miss the nuances of the new

that shall never be again.

       - tina s. lassiter

and as you slow your flow…

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last glance

I don’t want to jinx the forecast however I have declared that snow season is DONE and with that, here are a few of my farewell to winter photographs taken last week when I decided to get out of the taxi during the storm and walk the last few blocks home.

Before I went in to get warm, I stood on the front stoop, turned my head to the sky, let the snowflakes lightly fall onto my cheeks and hoped that I was feeling the last of them; I love a snowfall, just don’t care for the aftermath!

Onward spring and…

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first glance

I probably say this every March when we spring ahead -- losing an hour of sleep takes a minute before I am able to adjust. This year is no different except last evening, after I sprung the clocks and my watches (of which I have too many) forward, I reclined on my sofa to rewind and noticed a blur of light peering through the curtains. I sprang up knowing; a moon distant in the sky was glowing round and full. Through this seemingly long winter with temperatures and weather that fluctuated erratically, I somehow missed the moon and now there she was before me. Happily, I grabbed the camera, slipped on a pair flip flops, rushed out onto the balcony in my robe to time stamp my first glance of the year. I stood at silent dark o’clock to absorb the rich fullness that, each time I see it no matter when or where, energizes me.

I woke this morning startled to hear church bells ringing in 7:00, an hour that usually finds me up moving about. Startled immediately shifted to a giddy relaxation of smiling contentment. Exhilarated, I snuggled back under covers that like seeing the moon last night bring comfort to my soul and spirit. And then I realized, springing ahead means we're that much closer to spring...now that's an adjustment I am more than ready to take on!

The moon is full, go take a look which will require you to…

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keep it clean

I successfully completed a cleanse eight months ago, which had a big impact on what I eat. Rarely does a week go by without me having at least one green smoothie a day, I miss them if I skip a few days. All has been well until recently when my taste buds strayed off the reservation in desperate search of satisfaction. They dabbled in old places only to find that they could no longer finish or had truly lost the desire for foods from the past. Sometimes they ate what they didn’t want anyway, bored with every bite, storing up unwanted calories as my brain asked why. And then the scale roped me with a whispering nudge that I needed to hear…

Bitter winter coldness and a fear of falling on my replaced hip forced me into an unusual hibernation. Now that spring is in sight, I’m feeling that I’d like to explore a cleaner way of eating to compliment my love of green smoothies. I do know how to cook, just need fresh ideas with guidance; I picked up Clean

Slate, a book of simple recipes some familiar with twists, others completely new, to get me in the saddle. Looking forward to not returning to the reservation but rather moving on to a better one so as I stock up to go…

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hurry spring!

While there are the moments when I think the winter is beautiful…

…right about now I think I speak for thousands when I say we have had enough!

Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...and...

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