Moment #4

Familiar. Favorites. Exploration. Acceptance. Happiness. Comfort. Welcoming. Warm. Natural. Culture. Art. Nostalgia. Laughter. Hospitality. Gatherings. Friendships. Simple. Earthy. Soulful. Picturesque. Easygoing. Yesteryear. Energized. Music. Repose. Heritage. Family. Love.

Meeting up with my cousin on Main Street. Combing through boxes of free books setting on a table outside of her church. Free. Beautifully Illustrated. Most like new.  A cook book filled with healthy meals, A poignant novel, a photography journal, and one on creating a beautiful life. Treasured finds tucked to my chest. A donation tucked in the box. Taking a walk along the railroad tracks & selfies to capture the moment. Exploring the quaint Vintage and Reloved shops along the way for hidden gems. Unearthing a comfy gray sweatshirt, a coffee mug with a red bird in a Swedish design, and an artsy box of matches. ❤️

A trip to Taft farms to visit the rescue animals. Always an essential stop.  The old rabbit that reminds me of Ollie...the white horse whose 4O+, still grazing in the pasture. Crazy rooster friend fighting his way to take center stage for a photo, and the donkey's competing for a bit of attention.

Pausing to breathe it all in...a beautiful day, a wonderful breeze, white fluffy clouds and a John Deere tractor to complete the scene. Purching a melon handpicked by the owner, a 1/2 dozen white peaches and a sparkling water to go. ❤️

An old chicken coop being converted into a home. 20+ years of doing it themselves. Living in a small section. Holding off the move until completion. Repurposed original materials and other supplies. Master skills. Attention to details. Imagination and creativity. An aesthetic wonderland. My Stepdad's friends, that have become mine. An open invite to stop by any time. Gathering on their deck, family and friends. Stories and laughter. Catching up. Simple. Easygoing. Kindred spirits. ❤️

Sitting at the table with Dad,  thumbing through old black & white photos. 

Listening to stories of my Grandma and Grandpa & Dad's youth. His pets. His firsts. Serving in the Air Force. Munching on bites of fresh muskmelon cut in chunks. Seeing life through the eyes of my Grandma behind the lens of her camera. ❤️

The local farmers market on Saturday. Being welcomed back home by one of the vendors. Old folksy tunes being sang solo as she strums her guitar. 

Later a trip to the top of the mountain to visit a child hood friend. More like a sister. Her Mom who was my babysitter, and her sister. My Dad capturing a moment. A clear view of the town below. Sharing some memories. Making more. ❤️

From my journal:

'Make sure you have a couple of people you can get super real with, who push you to be the best version of yourself, but don't try to take over. They won't tell you what to do, but will remind you of who you are becoming.'

Journey toward authenticity and fulfillment. Be willing to acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them. 

Perspective matters. 

"The inharminous situation comes from some inharmony within you."

'Greatness isn't rated on strength, wealth, or intelligence: it is about humility and childlike faith.'

Nourish your inner being. 

Work with yourself rather than against. Stop using others opinions and improve your opinions of yourself. 

"Everyone has an opinion; few have an experience they can directly tie to the opinion."

'You cannot force the external to be what you are not.'

"You can't see the stars without the darkness."

"Find out who you are and what you like, not trying to become what you think. Others would like best."

'Don't let fear call the shots in your life. Floor it with your faith!'

"When you can't win by being better, you can win by being different."

Be well....

xoxo

💝

"Your nervous system heals in stillness.

Your gut health heals in gentleness. 

Your hormones heal in nourishment. 

You can't heal a body you hate. 

You can't obsess your way to health. 

You can't shame your way to wellness. 

Showing your body, some Grace and compassion is the deepest of medicines."

~Dr. Will Cole~

Moments #3

"I planned for us to go for an overnight stay in Maine. Is that OK with you?" 

Ummmm.... "ABSOLUTELY! "

So many moments etched in my memory.

Beautiful. Simple. Connecting. Present. Powerful . Force. Expansion. Space. Nature. Comforting. Nourishing. Organic. New. Restorative. Energizing. Grounding. Meditative. Open. Light. Joyful Healing. Entertaining. Real. Change. Harmonious. Gratitude. Special. Flow.

Moments:

Finally arriving at our destination. The first breath of ocean air. A break in the rain, and a leisurely walk along the beach. Homes dotted along the shoreline. Picking out our favorites. The two most shabby get chosen. Weathered, but cute. Unmatching shingles and a front porch. Humble. Welcoming. Cozy. 

A girl walking her shaggy dog, pulling it from the waters edge. Losing her footing, and landing in the sand. Brushing it off, but slightly deflated. 

A chill in the air, a blonde haired boy with a tank top and shorts, running barefoot dodging the waves. Tagged by one he didn't see coming. Enjoying it all. Uninhibited. 

Climbing back in the truck in time for rain to return and the tide to move in. A handful of beach stones in warm browns and blacks for my collection back home.❤️

A drive through the tiny village of Kennebunkport.Hoards of people making the most of a rainy day outing. One available parking spot for a compact car only. Maybe next time.❤️

Up at 4 AM. Hustling to make two coffees to go. Pulling on sweatshirts and ball caps. The Robin singing in the rain. A short drive to the beach to catch the sunrise. Another optimist pulling up to park beside us. Waves crashing on the shore. A dense fog curtaining the sun.

Maybe next time. On to breakfast at a local cafe. Hot coffee in blue stoneware mugs. 

Alan Jackson singing "Remember When" in the background. Suspended in the moment.❤️

A slow crawl through winding village streets. Quaint homes blanketed in heavy fog. A light house up on an island to itself. My first. A massive gull, barely visible through the thick air, finishing off his catch for the day atop the dark oval rock. Pink and white flowers juxtaposing black rock, gray sea and air so thick you can wear. 

Beach wave hair.  ❤️ 

Be well....

xoxo

💝

" Look with wonder at that which is before you."

"Collect beautiful moments."

Moments #2

I have wanted to blog..to share. Equally , I have wanted to step back and recalibrate. Refocus. My blog is a place to let go. Write. Receive. Record, and process. My journal is it's fuel. 

The pages are filling fast. The blog is the sifted version. The nuggets.  The moments captured. The place to reflect and sit with gratitude and appreciation for my life. The struggles. The growth. A place to connect with the memories of that time. That season. That chapter. I feel like I am on the cusp of another chapter, change, or season. I have found a great peace in my faith, my family and my friends. I have been disciplined. Teachable. Open and willing. 

Life is always uncertain. Fear is normal. I could go there. Easily. Fear. Doubt. Insecurity. It's familiar. It's predictable. But there's always an inner tug pulling me up. Forward.Higher. 

Ignoring it only causes me to struggle greatly. Surrending and letting go sets me free.

I read this quote this morning, as the blue jay squawked at me from the branch above. (Symbolic of truth, communication, loyalty, perseverance, and overcoming challenges.)

"When you own your true energy, the earth itself will breathe a long, deep sigh....of relief."

I will be breathing with her. 

Moments ❤️

My Dad, my stepdad, his MG. Meeting up at a car show. Hugs. Chats. Community. Music. Americana . "My Wish" coming over speakers in the background. The 3 of us connected in a circle. An ache. "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother". ....a lump in my throat. A momentary visit back in time. A little girl. Dad playing a cassette. "My favorite." That song. Surreal. Father's Day.❤️

An impromptu hike. Meeting half way to join me on my traditional first day visit. Her first time to see the Falls. Decades for him. A great pause to take in all the beauty. Selfies. A Scarlet Tanager landing in a maple tree. My first. Symbolic of joy, passion and a vibrant, active spirit. Hope and transformation. Pursing desires. New beginnings. Warmth, happiness, renewal. 

An orange octopus resting in the gravel. Imagination. Curious minds. A gift of the unexpected.❤️

Taking the time to let life in. Giving myself massive doses of Love. Acceptance. Comfort and nature. 

'Simplicity is nature's default position.'

No agenda. Minimal planning. Going with the flow. Spontaneous.Uncomplicated. Organic. Refreshing.  The dove is coo-ing in the distance. Healing. Love. Life.

Be well ...

xoxo

💓

"We grow where we are loved."

"A man sees the world what he carries in his heart."

~Goethe~

"But ask the animals and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; 

or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,

or let the fish in the sea inform you.

Which of all of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."

Job 12: 7-10