shades of joan

Best Shot Monday

     

                              (click for a close-up... of course!)

  "A Summer Story laced with pink, and prickly passion..." 

There are so many things for each of us that holler "Summer is here, Summer is here!"

For some it is the marking of the calendar... the day when the kids joyfully slam their locker doors and scream as school finally lets out for the summer. There's the Fourth of July, fireworks, and the first big backyard get together of the season, where there's a pig roasting on a spit and the kids sit sprawled in the grass sipping iced tea and seeing who can shuck their corn the fastest. 

There's the trip to the lake, and the week spent wrapped in Grandma's endless smile, baking apple and rhubarb pies... lazy days spent with Grandpa down at the old fishing hole with a coffee can full of night crawlers that you proudly dug up all by yourself... and the end of a long happy sunburnt day, where you sit cross legged on the cool tile of the kitchen floor, all barefoot, eyeballing the scab on your knee where you fell off your bike as you tried to ride the railroad tracks as if it were a tight rope.

There's walking barefoot in the tall grass that tickles and scrapes your legs, playing tag with the fireflies as night begins to fall and you wish you were a firefly too... there's caramel corn and ferris wheels, watermelon and lemonade... there's cotton candy skies and carnival cotton candy too... these are the magic moments of the season that are turned into memories that will carry us a lifetime.

 And today, as I walked the path I do each morning, I sat for a moment in the dewy grass, paused to tie my shoe, and it was then that the wonder of a newly sprouted pink and prickly thistle sent me spinning back in time, and rekindled the passion deep within me of all the magic that each and every summertime brings.  Happy Summer beautiful you, and may we always remember to remember... the little things.  xoxo

The Fab. Four - no. 13

 

 

" I'm walking on Sunshine... and don't it feel good! "

This weeks challenge from 'The Four' ...   (Four Canadians living in four diverse regions living four distinct lives. Connected by a love of photography, a desire for deeper expression, belief in the power of collaboration and heart's connection.)   Is... Sunshine

 Love you lovelies!!   xoxo

" The vehicle that carried me to you... and back again "

 

" When one of life's vehicles suddenly breaks down, and we're destined to put it out to pasture, may we never forget to look upon it every now and again and remember the vibrant places it took us and the vivid stories in which we shared."~

Oh how I do love rusty old things. Especially the rust of a much loved and lived in old car.  I was driving through my little town a while back and had to take a detour because of all the new construction that was going on (around me and within me I might quietly add).  I suddenly found myself down this tiny side street where I happened upon a grassy lot that was scattered with rusty and retired trucks and cars and buses too. I pulled over immediately and the fear of trespassing lasted but a second then vaporized completely when I remembered I had my camera in my bag. I felt such childlike glee as I took so many pictures of so many things, but it was this one particular car that took me home to you.

 

"Even when it no longer works, it's windows reflect the marvelous things it has seen"~

I stood in this unfamiliar place surrounded by things that felt so foreign to me, but somehow so familiar too. Color was everywhere, and the secret places were there too. I looked into windows that were broken and bare and was surprised to find tokens and tidbits that had been left behind just for me, and possibly you.

A tiny little bulb that once had lit the tail end of where we just had been, and a worn and rusted bumper that had protected us from being bumped around just a bit too hard. I ran my hand alongside her panels and curves and thought of all the marvelous places we had been, you and me and this vehicle that made three. And I did not feel melancholy or forlorn. Instead I felt comfort and warmth that through thick and thin you had journeyed with me in a vehicle of your own.

 I sat upon the grass that day and looked around at these beautiful old friends. Some had been retired long before I acquired mine, and some were older still, but the knowledge that seasons change and vehicles do too, left me hugging my knees as I realized that after a spell we all get a new vehicle to call our own, and to lead us back to one another. I'm still looking around for just the right vehicle to visit you in, but I know in my heart that whatever it may be, it will be big enough and inviting enough to hold laughter and joy, and kindred spirits that will share stories and love, and fondly look back upon their own vehicles of the past. I love you and your beautiful vehicle too. xoxo

Misty mornings and a Meme

 

" A Misty morning, does not signify a cloudy day"~ proverb

As Spring begins blossoming all around me, I find so many things blossoming within me as well. Every day I embrace little things that I commit to memory, things I  want to share with you here. But of course, before I have the opportunity to even get it down onto paper... something else comes along to take its place.

How wonderful it seems to feel so much bubbling up within me... so much better than the quiet empty places of the Winter I have recently tucked away. Tucked away lovingly of course, as even the quiet darkness is to be embraced, as it too, is such a vital part of who I am and of who I continue to become.

As I ponder these things, I find myself grateful that I have been tagged for a meme by our 'Resident Culinary Artist Extraordinaire'... the beautiful Rachel.  So without further ado, here is the 'meme of the moment'.

 

Q: What is your current obsession?

A: Awakening each day with the inquisitiveness of a child.

Q: What is the very last picture that you framed?

A: Weathered shutters with rusty hinges.

Q: What's for Dinner?

A: Shrimp Scampi... I think so anyways. lol.

Q: What was the last thing you bought?

A: Sigh, gas and groceries... not very glamorous eh?

Q: What are you listening to right now?

A: Pandora Radio

Q: Say something to the person who tagged you:

Hello beautiful Rachel you Culinary Goddess you. I have to tell you, every single time I turn on 'The Food Network' I have to smile broadly because I know it is only a matter of time before I turn on the TV and see you there.  Never lose sight of your Dream... ever. You are truly an inspiration.

Q: Favorite vacation spot?

A: No question about it, The Rosarito Beach Hotel in Baja Mexico... thank you honey!

Q: What are you reading right now?

A: "Old Friend from Far Away" by Natalie Goldberg

Q: What four words would you use to describe yourself?

A: 'Striving to be More'... or, 'Delving deeper every day'. 

Q: What is your current guilty pleasure?

A: Expensive, glossy, foreign Fashion/Photography magazines... sigh.

Q: What will be the first Spring thing you do?

A: Walk barefoot in our new grass that is so gloriously green, where the bunnies munch when the sun comes up, and the sun goes down.

Q: Where are you planning to travel next?

A: Probably New York... but wait, The Baltimore National Aquarium seems the perfect Spring excursion. Dolphins and Sea Turtles and Puffin, oh my!

Q: What was the best thing you ate or drank recently?

A: Oatmeal Raisin cookies with walnuts and chocolate chips... straight from the oven of course.

Q: What flower are you most anxious to see bloom this Spring?

A: Lilacs... hands down. Now if I could only find some Pussy Willows...

Q: What is your 'one favorite word' these days?

A: JOY... it has to be joy.

Rules of the meme: Respond and rework.  Answer the questions on your own blog; replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention; add one more question of your own. Tag eight other un-tagged people.

Let's see... in no particular order I tag, Jaime,  Linni,  Celeste,  Darlene,  Robin,  Relyn,  Megan,  and the oh so sweet Amy .  And if your name is not here, please know that you too are invited to play along!  (And to the beauties I have tagged, there is absolutely no pressure to play, I just wanted you know I am thinking of you all today.) ~ oxoxo

Nudging my spirit awake from hibernation... finally

 

"Come out of the circle of time, and into the circle of Love"  ~ Rumi

I awoke this morning, and looking out upon the grey and gloomy day, I realized I had hibernated quite enough for one winter. After being shut in, and more than just a bit shut down, I determined it was time to lace up my cross trainers and walk along the river's edge to make my way back to this place... this circle of love.

 

I walked quietly, reflecting on where I had been and on where I was going. I looked deeply into that liquid pool, the one reflecting the path that so many of us travel, and I saw that in many ways I had once again, come full circle.

For many years that revelation had me feeling frustrated and at a total loss as to what to do next. But at some point, as the years passed and the mistakes made were used as stepping stones of learning, I saw that once you were on the right path, coming full circle was actually a thing to be embraced.

Getting back to where we began, the place of being stripped naked like the barest of trees on a winters day, this is where we determined in our hearts that we are supposed to be. We have worked so very hard to shed so many misconceptions and lies, and it always amazes me when the frailty of  my spirit has me once again retreating, and feeling as if I am making no headway at all.

 I walked in silence along the river's edge, then turned off of the path as all of these thoughts swam before me. I walked with a renewed determination in my step until I reached a clearing where I was suddenly surrounded by the beauty of the winter woods.

 

I found a fallen tree, and without giving any thought to the fungus or the possible creepy crawly things that may be living there, I decided to sit for a while. I had no idea of how far I had walked, but that hardly mattered in light of  how incredible it felt to be there, without another human being for miles. I could have let my mind wander into dark directions... me in the woods alone, no cell service, no pepper spray... but all of those images seemed quite ridiculous. I was deep into what seemed like a bit of a vision quest, and fear just never entered into the equation. 

So, with my eyes closed and my heart open, I sat in stillness drinking in every sound that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. I heard a woodpecker diligently searching for his morning meal, and that made me smile, as I felt I was searching too.

I then heard an owl hoo-ing, and craned my neck to look in every direction, in the hopes that he was conversing with the woodpecker... do they do that? Do birds that aren't even remotely related 'talk' to one another?

I thought of how many times I had  been in situations conversing with someone I could not relate to... no easy feat. I wondered if it came more easily to animals not bound by so many complexities. Or perhaps unrelated species do not interact at all.

I sat for the longest time, with my elbows propped on my knees and my chin cupped in my hands. How incredibly beautiful everything sounded... the wood pecker, and the owl, and especially the wind as it danced amidst the trees.

 

I offhandedly wondered if the trees really do come alive when there is no one there to see... I thought of The Wizard of Oz, and more recently, of Prince Caspian. I smiled at these things as I stood up and turned to stretch, and almost laughed aloud when I saw the tangled and gnarled limbs growing helter skelter in the middle of the woods. It immediately reminded me of the jumble, the inner turmoil that so unnecessarily grips me, grips all of us at times. And in this light, everything was suddenly put into perspective.

I walked over and gently ran my hand over one limb and then another, almost like stroking one's arm. I felt tenderness and a connectedness... to this tree, these woods, this moment in time. Here I stood in the middle of nowhere, but somehow, I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

 

It was with a sense of deep peace that I made my way back through the woods and along the riverbed. After months of feeling somewhat disconnected, I finally had some insight as to where my emotional core had been hiding, and I viewed it much like a season of hibernation. 

I'm not exactly sure what that entails, but I know the pieces will all come together exactly when they are supposed to and not a moment sooner. And I am totally accepting of that, especially after the morning that was just shared with me.

   

So as I made my way back along the path I have walked countless times, I pondered the soon coming Spring and thought about the frogs that slumber at the bottom of the pond when life becomes a bit too harsh to bear... they hibernate too. But today, my season of hibernation comes to a close, as I come out of the circle of time... and come into the circle of Love.

                                       Happy Spring. xoxo

December Views day ten ...simply red love

  

  

  

On a rainy day I'm here to say " I Love You"    xoxo

December views day eight and nine

 

For two days it was me layed out on the couch, and this was the view through my rose colored glasses... 

It seems our dreamergirl was stuck there too. So I'm sending 'Get Well Wishes' to anyone who is not feeling quite up to snuff.   xoxoxo

December Views day seven... Sacred Sunday

    

* my childhood church

 

*my Parochial Elementary school

 

* my inner church... a Sunday stroll

December Views day six... silent Saturday

 

 

 

 

December Views day five... yellow

 

 

 

 

 

                    all of my favorite yellow...