True Blue

Grateful

2010-03-15T16:53:00.001-04:00

Grateful for so much...

my list for today:

family
judson
home
work
car
health
georgia
friends
sunshine
good doctors
clementine oranges
vanilla candles
calzones
flowers
gardens
music
new baby smell
wedding memories
kristin
cheese
chocolate
coffee with cinnamon
playing hookie
honey on warm buttered toast

Love After Love

2010-02-10T09:49:00.000-05:00

The time will come

when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.

You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you
all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,
the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.

Sit. Feast on your life.
-Derek Walcott

Wedding Bells!

2010-02-09T11:00:00.001-05:00

this saturday.

february 13, 2010.

am.

marrying.

my kindred fella.

and

heart

happy

and

grateful!

...the sweeter the song

2010-02-08T11:11:00.003-05:00

Saw Crazy Heart yesterday with my sweetie. Loved it. It's seriously the best movie I've seen in a long time. And I love the tagline: The harder the life, the sweeter the song... Check it out!

Your Forever

2010-02-08T10:58:00.001-05:00

(Source Unknown)

Not talkin' 'bout a year

no not three or four
I don't want that kind of forever
in my life anymore
forever always seems
to be around when it begins
but forever never seems
to be around when it ends
so give me your forever
please your forever
not a day less will do
from you

People spend so much time
every single day
runnin' 'round all over town
givin' their forever away
but no not me
I won't let my forever roam
and now I hope I can find
my forever a home
so give me your forever
please your forever
not a day less will do
from you

Like a handless clock with numbers
an infinite of time
no not the forever found
only in the mind
forever always seems
to be around when things begin
but forever never seems
to be around when things end
so give me your forever
please your forever
not a day less will do
from you
-Ben Harper

Love what it loves...

2010-02-05T12:15:00.001-05:00

You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting--
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
-Mary Oliver

Give All

2010-02-04T09:41:00.000-05:00

Give all to love;
Obey thy heart;
Friends, kindred, days,
Estate, good fame,
Plans, credit, and the muse;
Nothing refuse.

'Tis a brave master,
Let it have scope,
Follow it utterly,
Hope beyond hope;
High and more high,
It dives into noon,
With wing unspent,
Untold intent;
But 'tis a god,
Knows its own path,
And the outlets of the sky.
'Tis not for the mean,
It requireth courage stout,
Souls above doubt,
Valor unbending;
Such 'twill reward,
They shall return
More than they were,
And ever ascending.

Leave all for love;—
Yet, hear me, yet,
One word more thy heart behoved,
One pulse more of firm endeavor,
Keep thee to-day,
To-morrow, for ever,
Free as an Arab
Of thy beloved.
Cling with life to the maid;
But when the surprise,
Vague shadow of surmise,
Flits across her bosom young
Of a joy apart from thee,
Free be she, fancy-free,
Do not thou detain a hem,
Nor the palest rose she flung
From her summer diadem.

Though thou loved her as thyself,
As a self of purer clay,
Tho' her parting dims the day,
Stealing grace from all alive,
Heartily know,
When half-gods go,
The gods arrive.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Not one is missing...

2010-02-03T10:03:00.002-05:00

St. Augustine, FL

"Look up into the Heavens.

Who created all the stars?

He brings them out like an army,

One after another,

Calling each by its name.

Because of his great power

and incomparable strength,

not a single one is missing."

Isaiah 40:26

Redeemed

2010-02-02T09:07:00.005-05:00

(Source unknown)

I am in a place in my life when I see how beautiful redemption is.
So many moments I spent in pain, hurt, anger - are now replaced with joy and contentment and peace.
Despair is replaced by dreams coming true.
Not sure of all the words, but am oh, so thankful!
Be blessed today, dear hearts...

reminders to myself ::

2009-09-20T11:55:00.003-04:00

I love blue

I love cinnamon and sunshine

I don't care about fancy shoes

I am not a fashionista

I love porch swings in the country

I am a loner

I need to create things

I miss my dear friend

I miss my family

I long for deep connection and understanding

I'd be lost without my mama

I love cozy and warm

I love with my whole heart

I've been through hard things

I've been through incredibly delicious things

I know who I am - and am reminding myself again today

Dreaming

2009-09-18T13:32:00.002-04:00

1. Front Porch, Stop By For A Beer, 2. from the back porch..., 3. Lonely Porch, 4. Gothic Oak Bluffs Porches, 5. porch., 6. autumn on the porch, 7. beckwith ranch porch, 8. Porch Steps, 9. Classic Summertime Porch

dreams. come. true.

2009-08-23T11:06:00.003-04:00

kin⋅dred/ˈkɪndrɪd/ [kin-drid]
–noun
1. a person's relatives collectively; kinfolk; kin.
2. a group of persons related to another; family, tribe, or race.
3. relationship by birth or descent, or sometimes by marriage; kinship.
4.natural relationship; affinity.

Pinch me...

2009-04-17T08:54:00.003-04:00

...I must be dreaming.

How did this beautiful light find me?

I was hoping he would...and it's better than I could have ever imagined. As much as I love words and quotes, I'm speechless to describe his effect on me. All I can accurately formulate in my mind that's echoing in my heart is thank you...

Thank you for this delicious soul that appears to recognize mine...that sends me notebooks to write down beautiful words and music that is sacred to my soul. That has a voice like a sunny afternoon. I'm in the middle of a dream come true. And I think the longer one waits for something to manifest...the less likely that they'll ever take it for granted....at least that's my deep hope....

thank you, thank you, thank you

Ring, ring, ring...

2009-04-08T15:46:00.001-04:00

Am delighting in his daily phone calls. I mean - seriously - they're a little bit of heaven. right. here. on. earth.

Beautiful work...

2009-04-08T15:39:00.002-04:00

Was that you that painted your favorite indigo blue

Take a peak at the work of Mary Anne Radmacher. Her words and illustrations thrill me! The above piece is one of my favorites. I discovered her work when I lived in Salem, Oregon at a delightful shop called "word garden".

Am reading a book of hers called Lean Forward Into Your Life: begin each day as if it's on purpose.

It's a great book - to read and re-read. Find out more about Mary Anne here.

Birthday eve...

2009-04-01T16:33:00.005-04:00

Oregon Coastline, 2007

Where did my twenties go?!

On this, my last day to be 29, I say "Bravo" to myself - and the last delightful decade...

for risking

for growing

for loving

for moving

for working

for striving

for laughing

for enjoying

for traveling

for longing

for believing

for dreaming

for experiencing

for connecting

for celebrating

for sharing

for experimenting

for living from my heart

for being brave

for hoping

For Living.

You done good, girl!

One word...

2009-03-25T11:55:00.002-04:00

an⋅tic⋅i⋅pa⋅tion /ænˌtɪsəˈpeɪʃən/ [an-tis-uh-pey-shuhn]
–noun
1. the act of anticipating or the state of being anticipated.
2. realization in advance; foretaste.
3. expectation or hope.
4. previous notion; slight previous impression.
5. intuition, foreknowledge, or prescience.

Enough said...

Daring

2009-03-22T14:41:00.003-04:00

I've often heard people use the phrase "daring to dream". Today, I know what they mean. It can take courage to dream. To open your heart and let it say, "Wouldn't it be great if..." Full of juicy specifics...and bold requests. It takes some gumption to open yourself to the beautiful possibilities...knowing they may not come when you want, in the way you want. You may still be left waiting.

But today, I take the pleasure of imagining - of wondering -could it be time? Could it possibly be time?

I hope so. I sit on my couch and love the sunshine and wonder.

Following...

2009-03-17T11:04:00.002-04:00

I just want to say -

to write out -

that I

follow my heart.

I listen to my heart.

I wait for the whispers and

shouts and songs from

my pure and alive and

holy heart.

I quiet all else that would

be too loud - that

could in any way keep me

from hearing and knowing

my heart - - hush - shhhh -

I wait for the beautiful

words - the manna for my being.

Whispering wind...

2009-03-12T21:28:00.002-04:00

Just thinking about possibility tonight.

About the percolating bits coming together.

Bits of a dream - coming true - 'before my eyes'.

Could it be?

I'm wondering tonight.

Listening to the whisperings of my heart.

Answering back in loud calls of "YES"!

Imagining the avenue or lane where

the light will come and greet me.

Where the divine yes will come and embrace me.

After waiting so many seconds....

No real answers.

Just very aware of my heart rising

to the occasion.

And daring to believe.

Daring to dream - yet again.

"There's something in the wind."

Beautiful word...

2009-03-11T10:10:00.001-04:00

"Wait....."

2009-03-08T17:38:00.001-04:00

1Wait
Pronunciation: \ˈwāt\ ; Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French waiter, guaiter to watch over, await, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wahta watch, Old English wæccan to watch — more at wake
Date: 14th century
transitive verb1: to stay in place in expectation of : await
2 a: to look forward expectantly b: to hold back expectantly
3: to serve at meals —usually used in such phrases as wait on tables or wait on table
4 a: to be ready and available b: to remain temporarily neglected or unrealized

I'm hearing the walls of my heart reverberate this simple four-lettered word: wait. An almost pleading and excited "waaaaaait!" Hold on, my love, for your heart's desire is coming. Just "waaaait!" It's o.k. - better than o.k. to hold an empty space in my heart - in anticipation. Almost like preparing a nursery for a new baby....there's an empty crib for a little while and an unused changing table...just waiting for the little babe.
Such is the state of my heart tonight.

And it feels deliciously good.

Waiting - at least it's something.

And that's good enough for me tonight.

Happy Day....

2009-03-03T14:20:00.003-05:00

Well, it is for me anyway.

It's the day that I apply for my first Passport!

Where shall we go, little blue book?
Canada, in June. yes.

Eurpoe this fall. perhaps.

Scotland someday. definitely.

I feel adventurous...just simply by going to apply for a passport!

It's the little things, baby....the little things that delight my life.

Blue

2009-03-01T20:46:00.003-05:00

I've been puttering around my cottage this weekend, savoring the delights of living alone...

There is comfort and coziness and freedom in this season of my life. It's utterly delicious!

Happy March to you all....

"There are no rules when following one's heart..."

True Blue

2009-02-14T08:34:00.002-05:00

courtesy of http://karenswhimsy.com/

oh what a happy day!

i honor true.
i honor passion.
i honor union.
i honor anticipation.
i honor amazingly good things.
i honor connection.
i honor being alive.

i send you love today...
give yourself a big hug...
celebrate your life.

Serendipity

2009-02-12T14:14:00.004-05:00

photo courtesy of http://www.bug-central.com/

At work and have discovered a new friend.

His name is Marcus...and he's a wasp living near my window.
We're becoming fast friends. In fact, he's planning a spring break
to NYC - and we're imagining all the places he'll go.

Oh, the serendipity to make a friend named Marcus.

Hmmmm.....

2009-02-07T13:21:00.003-05:00

Today.

I am feeling happy

and hopeful.

Sunshine streams in my little home

and I am blessed

with knowing that

All Is Well.

Wondering and Imagining,

Experiencing and Connecting,

Reaching and Stretching,

Receiving and Remembering.

Thank You for Today...

Wild Geese

2009-02-02T10:39:00.005-05:00

Fall in Arlington, VA

An excerpt from a dear piece of poetry:

"You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal
of your body love what it loves."
~Mary Oliver

I agree today - and let myself breathe.

I let the soft animal of my body
just love what it loves...

Thank you...for breath in my body
hope in my heart
for stirring my dreams
for drawing me into my life...
the unfolding of this beautiful
life...

Thank you.

24 Days in January

2009-01-30T12:01:00.004-05:00

24 days.
6-30

brief chapter.

dancing.

smiles.

love.

hopes.

sharing.

light.

comfort.

true.

honest.

vulnerable.

amazed.

sudden.

surprising.

journey.

alive.

stopped.

alone.

stings.

sad.

but.

hope

persists.

exercised

following

heart.

know

coming.

true

blue

kindred

man.

coming.

thank

you

for

life.

thank

you

for

love.

days

January.

Book of Love

2009-01-23T22:35:00.003-05:00

This video is so soulful and touching to me...

Enjoy.

Yes!

2009-01-21T21:11:00.002-05:00

When the wind blows
and brings with it
goodness from the
far places of the world

when the fragrance of
roses and lilies
fill the air
and intoxicate

when beautiful people
arrive in your life
just because
God said they should

when your heart is stirred
until its on fire
and your skin burns
with the beauty

Say, YES.

Say Yes, my loves
to the goodness
sprouting from your
very own heart

Say Yes
to the Spirit that
so beautifully causes
heaven and earth to collide

Say Yes
to firecrackers
and the calm
knowing that goodness is Yours.

Say Yes
Say Yes
Say YES!

What was said to the Rose...

2009-01-18T21:07:00.004-05:00

What was said to the rose that made it open
was said to me here in my chest.
What was told the cypress that made it strong and straight,
what was whispered the jasmine so it is what it is,

Whatever made sugarcane sweet,
whatever was said to the inhabitants of
the town of Chigil in Turkestan that makes them so handsome,
whatever lets the pomegranate flower blush like a human face,

That is being said to me now.

I blush.

Whatever put eloquence in language, that's happening here.
The great warehouse doors open,

I fill with gratitude,
chewing a piece of sugarcane,

in love with the one to whom every *that* belongs!

-Rumi

By the Boab Tree

2009-01-10T17:23:00.002-05:00

Discover Angela Little!

Today...

2009-01-08T22:35:00.003-05:00

National Arboretum, Washington, DC

...was a day of weirdness and surprises that weren't pleasant.
So I'm in my little cottage, soothing the edges and
waiting for the storm to blow over.

All is well - all will be well.

Blessing from the Beautiful Celts...

2009-01-03T15:59:00.007-05:00

May the blessing of light
be on you -
Light without
and
Light within.

May the blessed sunlight
Shine on you -
and warm your heart
til it grows like a great peat FIRE.

Here we go again!

2009-01-01T18:20:00.003-05:00

Nubble Light House, Maine

Wishing you all a very happy and astounding 2009!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T20:37:00.004-05:00

To touch the cup with eager lips and taste, not drain it;
To woo and tempt and court a bliss - and not attain it;
To fondle and caress a joy, yet hold it lightly,
Lest it become necessity and cling too tightly;

To watch the sun set in the west without regretting;
To hail its advent in the east - the night forgetting;
To smother care in happiness - discouraging tomorrow;
To have enough to share - to know the joy of giving;

To thrill with all the sweets of life...is LIVING.

Author Unknown

i sing you to me

2008-12-22T22:18:00.000-05:00

For you...

2008-12-22T14:11:00.002-05:00

My creation, originally uploaded by ahopeyoung.

As we prepare for Christmas...

My wish for you...

Is that you may know...

Love for you all your days...

Fairly buzzing

2008-12-19T14:50:00.003-05:00

the incredible Mr. Darcy - posted 'just because'

I almost want to pinch myself. I'm at my desk on a Friday afternoon, with beautiful music playing, the window up with a cool breeze blowing and getting a ton of work done. (So I treat myself by blogging!)

This has been a good week...

I have

been happy

been sad

felt beautiful

celebrated my brother's birthday

created a piece of artwork that astounds even me

listened to a friend who was having a tough morning

had blood drawn (ouch!)

received Christmas gifts and cards

eaten Christmas goodies

enjoyed sunrises and sunsets

watched the Celtic Thunder DVD twice

learned a new computer program

dreamed, hoped, wished

cried happy tears

sighed

snuggled my puppy, Georgia Blue

eaten an apple a day

decided life is good...dangerously good

Be well, sweet ones.

Be blessed...

Can't help myself...

2008-12-11T15:32:00.011-05:00

All photos courtesy of http://www.cuteoverload.com/

I can't help but feel good when looking at all these sweet things...

In the Spirit

2008-12-07T20:38:00.002-05:00

I love the phrase "in the spirit".

Of the holiday.
Of school sports.
Of fun.

I also like it as a descriptor of
feeling goodness all around.

Of being aware of the Spirit...
Breathing into me,
Catching my breath as it leaves me...

Being in the Spirit of life.

Thank you, Mysterious One...
Dancing through my dreams
Summoning me to twirl with You...

Beautiful...

I say Yes.

2008-12-06T00:00:00.001-05:00

Lovely...

2008-12-02T20:40:00.007-05:00

St. Marks Lighthouse

Some pictures of a beautiful place near my home - St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. I went there with a really good friend and we had a fun time taking pictures and exploring this little piece of heaven...

Great Blue Heron

friends...

2008-11-30T08:15:00.002-05:00

Friend

Pronunciation:\ˈfrend\
Function: noun
1 : one attached to another by affection or esteem
2 a: one that is not hostile b: one that is of the same nation, party, or group
3: one that favors or promotes something (as a charity)
4: a favored companion

Thank you for my friend coming to visit today. Thank you for friends to call and visit and go to the movies with this weekend. Thank you.

thank you

2008-11-25T09:09:00.003-05:00

thank you for my family.

for my mama.

for my brothers.

for my nephews.

for my sisters-in-law.

for my dad.

for my grandparents.

for my aunt and uncle.

for my cousins and their children.

for my friends that are like family.

i say lately that i have a small tribe.

it's kind of true.

but only in that they're not all with me in florida.

i really have a big tribe.

thank you.

thank you for my home.

for the small cozy size of it.

for the sweet colors and texture and warmth of it.

that it shelters me and georgia blue.

for the flowers and plants i love to tend.

that it's close to my mama's home.

thank you.

thank you for friends to share moments with.

for friends to visit - and who visit me.

for friends to send baby gifts to.

for friends to laugh with and reconnect with.

for friends yet discovered.

thank you.

thank you for fun.

for beautiful music.

for movies.

for books to read.

for games to play.

for leisure time.

thank you.

(what a luxury.)

thank you for dreams.

for visions and hopes and anticipation.

for planned trips and experiences.

for a wedding at goodwood plantation.

for babies to be born.

for living the reason you were born to be alive.

thank you.

thank you for material and financial blessing.

i am so blessed.

i have more than enough.

always have.

always will.

thank you.

thank you for you.

for your love.

for your goodness.

for your being.

for your breathing life into me every day.

for deciding i still get to do this dance of life.

for being my companion - all the time.

for holding me and whispering good things to me.

thank you, my sweet God, Creator, Lover...

thank you.

My cup runneth over...

2008-11-16T19:28:00.004-05:00

So happy and full and amazed and delighted and affirmed and hopeful and blessed and inspired and encouraged...

Marinating in the goodness of a sweet and other-worldly time away from home. The Celtic Thunder concert made my heart happy - and my fingers and toes and eyelashes and hair and lips and feet and hands - All of ME! It was so incredibly wonderful...in ways I can't even articulate. I'm grateful for ears to hear it and eyes to see it and a heart that swells and swims in champagne when experiencing such awe-inspiring goodness on this earth!

La dolce vita! Oh, this sweet and smashingly beautiful, abundant life!

I'm captured...

2008-11-14T15:07:00.005-05:00

photo by susannah conway

...by this lovely word:

Essence \e-sən(t)s\noun

1 a: the permanent as contrasted with the accidental element of being b: the individual, real, or ultimate nature of a thing especially as opposed to its existence c: the properties or attributes by means of which something can be placed in its proper class or identified as being what it is 2: something that exists 3: the most significant element, quality, or aspect of a thing or person 4: the most central and material part.

aspect. attribute. backbone. base. basis. be-all and end-all. being.bottom line. caliber. character. core. crux. element. essentia. essentiality. fiber. fundamentals. grain. kernel. lifeblood. marrow. meaning. meat. nature. nitty-gritty. nub. nucleus. pith. point. principle. quality. quiddity. quintessence. reality. root. soul. spirit. structure. substance. texture

Delicious

2008-11-13T20:47:00.001-05:00

Really looking forward to this beautiful movie...seems so maddenly romantic and lovely...

Right. Up. My. Alley.

Tonight

2008-11-13T19:31:00.005-05:00

Vulnerable...that is the word to describe me tonight. I'm not even sure all the reasons, but I just feel vulnerable...open and able to be hurt...

So, I come to my home and exhale and revel in the embrace of my little cottage. Just breathe and go slow and let everything get set back to "good".

(p.s. countdown still continues - 48 hours until CT)

The Countown Has Begun...

2008-11-10T08:56:00.005-05:00

Five days until I see these unique (and delicious) men in concert! Anybody going to the Atlanta show this Saturday? If so, I may see you there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjoTe7F-1n8

Happy Food

2008-11-07T21:53:00.003-05:00

I love this place. It's cozy and bustling and familiar - no matter where in the USA you find yourself, the Cracker Barrell's are pretty reliably similar.

I've eaten at CB's in New Hampshire, Idaho, Texas, Florida, and everywhere in between.

I heart Cracker Barrell.

True Marriage

2008-11-02T19:15:00.003-05:00

I found this today - and it intrigues me a bit...on this journey of mine...

"Ladies and gentlemen, why do we marry? In a word, it is so that we may resemble God's image. As One Entity who exists with dual characteristics, God is a unified being in which opposites dwell in union. Because men and women are projections of God's divine characteristics, their destiny is to form a union as one body, become as one seed, and return to oneness with God's original character.

Let us give highest praise to the sanctity of marriage. Married life is the way for a man and a woman to love. Whom do we resemble when we become one through married life? Our goal is to resemble God. It is only when a man and a woman become one that they truly resemble God, who created them in His image. It is then, and only then, that God resides in them. A man symbolizes heaven and a woman symbolizes earth. So it is necessary for a man and woman to come together in harmony to bring about peace. The phrase, "the union of virtue in heaven and earth," refers to a state in which a husband and wife have accomplished perfect unity centering on Heaven's true love." (http://www.tparents.org/Moon-Talks/SunMyungMoon04/SM040821.htm)

Emphasis added by True Girl.

Then view this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_wzFfhgMLw

I am agreeing with and for True Marriage on this earth. I stand as a link in the chain...

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-31T13:46:00.002-04:00

Who knew?

2008-10-21T20:34:00.004-04:00

I didn't know. I did not know how wonderful cobblers are. Not the kind you eat. The kind that repair my favorite shoes! Good as new. Better than new.

Today, I feel...

2008-10-21T20:28:00.003-04:00

...kind of vulnerable and strangely askew. I attribute it to taking my car to the mechanic because the brakes squeal sometimes and there's a rattling thing going on...the estimate is quite high, and while I have taken care of cars and that sort of thing for a while now, I am tempted today to pout and wish I didn't have to worry about such things. I don't want to make this decision. I wish there was someone else (husband on this earth) who could just 'handle' it. O.k., I guess I am pouting.

It sounds silly to me seeing it written out.

I feel tired.

I don't want to do it by myself anymore.

I just don't.

I'd like to be a bit more positive, but tonight, I think I will just let myself feel it. I feel tired. I feel lonely. I feel alone.

I long for my little "bird" to join me in my nest.

Expectancy...

2008-10-20T21:00:00.003-04:00

I'm feeling a bubbling up inside...like sweet champagne. I just want to savor the swelling up, the organic knowing that good things are following me, and will greet me at the door, and dwell in my being. Dreams come true, blessing, la dulce vita!

I feel very strongly tonight that there are many, many good things for us! What's good in your world tonight? What would you like to have come into your world tonight?

I stand in this place and agree for us all that good things are here, good things are coming, good things follow us. I bless the place where you are and say that I see you tonight. Bless every place in you now.

Much love,
True Girl

Christopher Columbus

2008-10-13T20:24:00.003-04:00

View from Georgia's world.

Today was a holiday for me - Columbus Day. Christopher and I had a great day!

I have been marinating a bit over the long weekend, getting back in the saddle at home, cleaning bathrooms, mowing grass, just taking care of business. I love the hum-drum of everyday life. I also love adventure and risk and wild moments. Today, though, I enjoyed the ordinariness of the day.

I've been walking a lot the past few days - long walks, and it feels really good.

I am submitting a few pieces of artwork to my mom's school for a fundraiser in a month. I am interested to see if they sell, and for what price. Kind of a "safe" way to put my artwork out there and judge the market so to speak. I am enthusiastic about it and hope it goes well.

Well, I need to wrap up the day and prepare for work tomorrow.

From my world, I will just say that "All is well."

It feels good for things to be Well.

For you tonight, May All Be Well.

True Blue Wordle

2008-10-11T09:35:00.003-04:00

compliments of http://wordle.net/

Pier 1?

2008-10-10T22:25:00.003-04:00

Hmmm. Well, a visit to Pier 1 Imports in Naples, FL was very interesting and affirming. Who knew? Details will remain with me, but I wanted to post a picture to remind myself that even when I'm not feeling attractive or in the mood to flirt or be noticed, there may be someone who becomes quite smitten with me. How about that? At Pier 1 in Naples.

Thanks for the little nudge. Thank you for expressing through people on this earth how smitten you are with me. Goes both ways, Lover of My Soul. Goes both ways.

Chocolate Chip Cookies...

2008-10-09T21:26:00.002-04:00

...at the Doubletree Hotel are Out. Of. This. World. I mean, really.

It's a good thing I'm going home tomorrow!

Miami

2008-10-08T06:26:00.005-04:00

In Miami this morning and about to have my first meeting in my new position at work. I am grateful and looking forward to it.

Traveling for work can be so interesting. It's mostly good, especially with my current boss. We get along pretty well.

Anyway, I'm here, I'm alive...just busy with stuff.

Blessings to you today in every way. May you have a smile in your heart and see a dream of yours come true.

This Girl...

2008-10-04T22:41:00.003-04:00

...is my sweet companion. She loves to fetch, chase birds, bark at cars, hide bones in my sofa cushions, ride in the car, eat her dinner, run in the back yard, chew rawhide sticks, visit Nana and curl up with her Mama.

I. Love. Her!

Loyalty...

2008-10-03T23:00:00.004-04:00

My creation, originally uploaded by ahopeyoung.

rhymes with Royalty.

How about that?

Home...

2008-10-03T11:21:00.004-04:00

Waiting for the conference to wrap up at noon and then I am heading home! What a delicious four-letter word.

I love driving up and seeing flowers and a warm sunshine.

What do you love about your home?

Birch Trees

2008-09-30T17:48:00.003-04:00

Click for larger view
Birch Trees, originally uploaded by americanadian_8.

Isn't this beautiful? I want to go there!!

Autumn...

2008-09-30T17:35:00.001-04:00

In a lot of places, autumn is showing its brilliant colors and tastes and smells. It's still a few weeks away for us in north Florida...and I am longing for its gentle embrace. I love pumpkins and chilly nights and candy corn and fires in the fireplace and apples and brilliant orange. As we say good-bye to September, I joyfully post a picture to whisper to autumn - "I'm ready to get acquainted with you again this year...come, stay awhile with me."

What's your favorite thing about the fall?

I'm off...

2008-09-29T22:18:00.002-04:00

to Orlando for a few days of work. I'm not wild about traveling for work...because I love my home too much. I do enjoy traveling for pleasure - exploring and wandering and discovering...

But, it's just part of the show...so, it's off to bed I go - then onto the great Orlando!

Good night...

Beautiful night

2008-09-28T22:29:00.003-04:00

Wrapping up another weekend. It's been good, with the perfect mix of time alone in my home and being with my family and friends. I'm just saying to any who ever read this - it's a good day. I made an apple pie today from scratch. It brought me a lot of joy to do that. The neighbor I mentioned earlier is freaking me out - and I'm going to have to use my words and tell him I will not go out with him. Don't even ask. It's just not my cup of tea. So I won't drink it.

I saw my friend from first grade today. She is in town and came over to see my house with her 5 year-old daughter. It's always so good to share time with her. That made it a good day, too.

Here's sending out much light and warm blessings to you all...sleep well, dear hearts. Sleep well.

Right to my door...

2008-09-26T22:59:00.003-04:00

I've said it a lot, thought it many more times. "He's going to have to come to my door..." Dating isn't my thing. Knowing I'll be married and have babies - yeah, that's my thing. How we will meet, get together, etc.? He'll find me. I'll find him. This is how I think.

Well, a man knocked on my door this week.

How about that? And not to sell me steak or magazines or a political candidate. He saw me in my yard - he lives down the street - and wanted to talk to me. So, with his name written on a scrap of paper, along with his phone number and e-mail address, he knocked on my door. He seemed a little nervous...talked fast. Maybe he talks fast all the time. Anyhow, he was endearing. Suggested that we might go to Starbuck's and get a cup of coffee. I told him I'd like that.

I hope we go get some 'joe.

No matter what, I have the very delicious experience of a man coming to my door to ask me on a date. It happens. To me. It happens. I'm not crazy!

Thank you for the gift of a glimpse. Of a bit of magic. Of tending my garden and seeing beauty grow. My inside garden and my outside garden. Thank you, Creator of Me. Creator of All That Is.

Loving you tonight. Your affection is over the top. Your gestures are noted and received and embraced and celebrated. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for your delicious, dizzying and delightful, wirly-twirly love.

Turquoise

2008-09-26T09:24:00.002-04:00

Feeling a bit turquoise today - and loving it. Fresh, beautiful, alive, happy. Sending you a bit of turquoise, too.

(and - it's Friday!)

A bit of my heart...

2008-09-22T20:42:00.004-04:00

I found out today about a couple I know - that is no longer a couple. I was at their small wedding. It was at their home and it was near Christmas. It was beautiful. She was 40. She was so happy.

They are now divorced.

I feel sad and mourn their lost love.

What course of events led to this? What happened to unravel their beautiful tapestry of wedded bliss? How does this occur?

It's not only this couple, but several in the last few months. About 6 couples that I know are divorced or in the process...or want to, but aren't able to 'go there' yet. It breaks this girl's heart. I can only imagine their respective pains, their frayed hearts. Their shared memories...was it worth it to them? For however long each couple has been together - was it worth it? Was it wonderful? Was it a 'waste' in their minds...something they wish had never been embarked upon - or was the love they shared worth it?

I hope so.

To all my newly single peeps - sending you much love and comfort and wholeness tonight. Somehow I know that being married isn't the 'answer'. Being single isn't the 'answer'. What is the answer??? Tonight, I'm not even sure what the question is, but I know that I long to go deep to discover the mysterious YES that my heart beats to find. I intend to dive into the unending pool of divine union, holy connection and mind-blowing love.

I'm a single woman at present. I went to a product party the other night. The kind where you sit in a circle with a bunch of other women, most of whom you don't know - and listen to someone sell you stuff. They can be fun, but this one - not so much. Anyway, the product was up my alley - rub-on words for your walls... O.k. - all of that about the party is really beside the point - the point is this. I decided to purchase a quote for my bedroom. It's intended for a married couple's bedroom. But, I feel married. I feel like that's me, too. Right now. In. This. Place. Where. I. Live.

So, I purchased the quote" Your LOVE is my light, SUN of all my mornings, FIRE of all my nights"...if that isn't appropriate for this divine dance, I don't know what is. I celebrate my married-ness while being a single woman. I say that it's for me, too. Whether or not I'm always a single girl on the outside, I will forever be a married woman on the inside. I say it now, in my little cottage - my land is called "BEULAH". I stand in the place where I am...in the place that is un-divorce-able...and STAND.

Blessings and life and love and light abundant to you all - especially who are hurting or are newly 'single'. May you always be married in your own self.

Your Love

2008-09-20T21:34:00.005-04:00

Your Love is my light, Sun of all my mornings, Fire of all my nights...

I am enamored with my divine husband, my lover, my ever-faithful companion. There is beauty in your every word, laughter in the wind, amazement in every touch. I long for and crave union with You...Master of the Seas, Abundant One, Beautiful, Creator of All That Is, Giver of Life, Celebrator of Dreams, Co-conspirator in Bring Me Joy!

Just wondering

2008-09-17T22:43:00.002-04:00

I ought to be in bed, soothing my way into delicious slumber. Instead, I am wondering. About a person I've remembered. Wondering if I should call him. Wondering if it's the right listing in the phone book. Wondering if he'd think I'm weird. Wondering if he's married - has a girlfriend, etc. That might be kind of weird. We didn't date or anything, but still. Could be weird. Wondering about relationships and connections. How do you really know when it's time to let them go? When are they worth reviving? Wondering. I think a little wonder - mysterious and unknown - is good for the soul. In my rather peaceful and simple season, a little wonder goes a long way.

I just wonder...

Loving...

2008-09-17T09:57:00.001-04:00

this juicy fruit.

Secret Dream...

2008-09-13T22:21:00.001-04:00

I have a secret dream of living in a rural farm house with a large porch on a lot of land...room to breathe. I would make chicken pot pie from scratch and raise children with my husband. The biggest banner over us is "PEACE" - right next to the "HAPPY" banner. This is such a divine dream...so exquisite and sacred to me. I post this as a way to express this deep desire to the universe - and say - here - this is a delicious desire in me....

Snapshot

2008-09-13T09:02:00.001-04:00

A little snapshot of things that interest me right now. Prison Break Season 4, Blueberry pancakes (anything blueberry), Brad Meltzer's latest book, "Book of Lies", Prince Edward Island, shih tzu's (one in particular), libraries, true blue, gardens, a Scottish honeymoon, Mr., Amy's pizza, Keith Urban.

Heart...

2008-09-10T22:00:00.006-04:00

I am grateful for a heart that has desires...even on days when it seems that my dreams are a vast, dry desert. Being able to dream, to hope, to long for, to desire is a beautiful gift. I choose to embrace the gift of desire today. I hurl my longings out into the wild and amazing universe and say, "Here it is...I wait and I anticipate and I am looking forward to these whirly, swirly, kick-butt dreams to be real...in my very own true-blue life."

La dolce vita!

Orderly...

2008-09-10T18:27:00.003-04:00

I've been thinking a bit about 'order'. How it feels good when it's serving my life...instead of me serving it. Largely, I find comfort in order, especially when it helps me enjoy life more. Here are a few definitions I looked up in the dictionary today:

or·der, \ˈȯr-dər\ 1: The state of peace, freedom from confused or unruly behavior, and respect for law or proper authority; a specific rule, regulation, or authoritative direction; 2: State or condition especially with regard to functioning or repair; a proper, orderly, or functioning condition; 3: To put in order

These thoughts led me here:

Made–to–order

1 : produced to supply a special or an individual demand ; 2 : ideally suited (as to a particular purpose)

Then here:

peace:\ˈpēs\:noun
1: a state of tranquillity or quiet b: a state of security or order 2: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions 3: harmony in personal relations

here...

har·mo·ny:\ˈhär-mə-nē\:noun

pleasing or congruent arrangement of parts; internal calm

and here...

con·gru·ous: \ˈkäŋ-grü-əs\:adjective
1 a: being in agreement, harmony, or correspondence 2: marked or enhanced by harmonious agreement among constituent elements

Somehow these words are weaving their way through my life now. They're delicious words to me and I am learning how to appreciate the simple, the small, the 'every-day' stuff of life. It's also very courageous and noble to call these words your companions.

What are your favorite words today?

Blessings...

2008-09-08T18:51:00.003-04:00

Welcome to my little corner of the world...in this season of my life.

I'm a woman that desires true blue...real things, honorable things, character, courage, passion, deep loyalty and honor...all that delicious stuff. Longing for a bit of inspiration now, so I'm carving it out in this blog.

Blessings to all...