Thursday, October 30, 2014

Six Word Fridays ~ Trick


"We are all cups, constantly and
quietly being filled. The trick is
knowing how to tip ourselves over
and let the beautiful stuff out."
Ray Bradbury


Funny, isn't it? Seems that when
"stuff" spills out, it's often not
the most beautiful bits of all
the many pieces stored up inside.

Funny, isn't it? Seems that we
often feel much more "emptied out"
than filled up...makes me wonder
what blessings we've forgotten to count.

Funny...I watch young moms and
I remember the joys, the smiles
and the sparkling moments. The exhaustion's
long gone, the fears weren't realized...
one giggle between a mom and
child and I'm brought right back
to the wonder of it all.

Funny, isn't it? Seems like there
really is a trick to learn.
Could it be that an awareness
of the filling - of that everyday,
constant and quiet filling - will help
us live in wonder right here?
Right now! ...and teach us how
to let out the beautiful stuff.

   


My Memory Art six word fridays
Please join in the Friday fun!
Caption a photo, share a poem
or tell a story. Just remember,
only six words in each line!

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Black & White Wednesday ~ Walden Pond


"If a man does not keep pace with his companions,
perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.
Let him step to the music which he hears,
however measured or far away."
Henry David Thoreau





My Memory Art
Link up here and share your 
Black & White photos!
I'm also linking up with 

Monday, October 27, 2014

Magical Maple


Somewhere there's a maple tree
that caught the afternoon sun and 
cast a spell on me.
Lured me near.
On my way to the leafy carpet laid out beneath her branches
I read an important looking sign
which said that I was standing on the site
of Paul Revere's capture.
I glanced from the sign,
to the tree...
to my feet and back to the tree.
Was this tree here that night?
Did she hear the "One if by land, Two if by sea" warning?
I wondered.


As I wondered,
I wandered under the branches
and soon found myself lying on the ground with the leaves.

This was my quintessential fall moment.

the leaves
the light
the colors
the fresh air and musty leaf smell
a bit of history
and
of course
my camera












Joining Tamar for
The Good. The Random. The Fun.
and Kat for her
Writer's Workshop

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Afternoon at Walden Pond



Yesterday was such a perfect fall day...sunshine and pumpkin spice kissed the treetops.


Bathed in warmth, families played, couples walked and loners wandered.


Bold leaves held silly bugs....camouflaged and looking cute.


This photographer chose to focus on the many little details of the changing scenery....


....and watched in awe as the camera turned the backdrop into a wonderful watercolor!


Joining with

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Six Word Fridays ~ Never


Another step, a sideways glance...Nature's
wonders never fail to surprise me.



My Memory Art six word fridays
Please join in the Friday fun!
Caption a photo, share a poem
or tell a story. Just remember,
only six words in each line!

Raindrops


these raindrops were not on roses


and I found no whiskers
or kittens


but after I got caught in the rain
last weekend


the raindrops and wet leaves
quickly became
a few of my favorite things






Joining Kim for

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Black & White Wednesday ~ Answer?


the answer my friend is blowin' in the wind
the answer is blowin' in the wind
{bob dylan}



My Memory Art
Join us here and share your
Black & White images!
I'm also linking up with Communal Global

Monday, October 20, 2014

Hangin' On!


Three months ago I wrote this post that was inspired by the lyrics to
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac.
I shared about a few things I learned climbing Smith Rock in central Oregon.
I also wrote this about that climb.
I shared about what a milestone moment that was for me - 
the accomplishment of a goal that had long been a dream.

Well, yesterday I climbed another mountain.
This climb was a bit higher.
The trail was just a bit longer.
And getting to "the top" 
{we didn't make it all the way to the summit - but almost!}
was both beautiful and inspiring.


HOWEVER...
the trails that we took were
SO MUCH HARDER
than anything I'd ever attempted before!
Very rocky.
Full of leaves...often slippery leaves...
and a fair bit of mud and water.
As we were climbing,
I kept repeating to myself,
"I know this is good for me...I know this is good for me."
I grabbed hold of any random root, or tree branch or solid rock that might help to pull me up.
On the way down those same roots acted as footholds
and the trees were there to lean on so I wouldn't slip or fall.
I was as moody as the overcast day,
and had to really fight to just keep moving forward.
A day that began as a fun-fall-bucket-list kind of day
asked so much more of me than I had anticipated.


I'm about six months into a wellness journey.
A journey that has been filled with victory, beauty and inspiration.
I've even inspired myself once or twice!
But it is just that.
A journey.
It's not a destination, or a summit or a short-term fix for what ails me.
It's a life long journey.
And I "get that" now in ways I never have before.
As I made my way down the mountain,
I smiled
{yes, there was some smiling!}
as I leaned into a sturdy tree.
Or slid on my bum down the side of a steep rock.
Or handed my husband my camera bag to put in his backpack.
Or reached out to take his hand as he helped me navigate our descent.
Yes...
the inside-of-my-heart smile grew larger
as each muscle and joint grew more and more tired.

Though this journey is mine.
All mine.
Of my choosing and by my will...
though this journey is
MINE
one thing is crystal clear.
I am not alone.
I have the support of a fantastic group of health care professionals.
I have the encouragement of family and friends.
And I have the hand of my 
patient
steady
sure-footed
rock
of a husband.
Always there to keep me going.

Although yesterday was very different and much harder than I had anticipated,
I'm still going to file it as wonderful.

"Oh, it's such a perfect day
I'm glad I spent it with you
Oh such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on
You just keep me hanging on"
Lou Reed





Linking up with friends for
The Good. The Random. The Fun.
and
Song-ogrphy

Sunday, October 19, 2014

{ healthy } Fall Deliciousness


With a chop, a boil and a blend,
I whipped up my new absolute favorite thing.
Maybe ever.
Who knew I liked butternut squash?
Not me!
Who knew one could make a creamy, delicious soup with NO dairy, gluten or sugar?
Not me!


Fortunately for me,
I have a wonderful nutritionist...
She loves creating healthy recipes and menus
like I love photos, paper and storytelling.
As she's inspired me
and taught me to re-think most everything in my life where food is concerned,
she's also become a dear friend.


With her encouragement,
I cooked up a large pot of this yummy soup on Monday ~
Served it with a side salad of spinach, avocado and roasted pumpkin seeds ~
and had plenty left over for the week.
The soup stays fresh, well blended and re-heats really well!


I hope you enjoy Anna's Butternut Squash soup as much as I did!

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

- 32 ounces cut up butternut squash
- 16 ounces water or gluten free veggie stock
- 2 medium onions chopped
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 2 TBS pure maple syrup
- Sea salt to taste
- *1/2 cup coconut milk

In a large pot over high heat combine squash broth/water, and onion  Cover and bring to a boil. Add cinnamon, nutmeg and maple syrup. Allow to boil with cover off for 5 minutes. Put cover back on and simmer on low for 30 minutes. Check to see that veggies are fork tender. Working in batches, add half of contents into blender. In order to vent, remove the small top of the blender cover (it is a good idea to place a dish towel over opening to avoid a mess). Blend until smooth and creamy. Salt to taste. Place back into pot and simmer over low heat to re-warm.

*If you are feeling creative, you can add 1/2 cup coconut milk to soup once all pureed and back in pot warming.

{find more of Anna's gluten-free recipes here}



Linking up with

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Autumn Fairy Tale





Just a family of four enjoying fall on the pond.



Joining Eileen for

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Six Word Fridays ~ Leave


In this place I always find
the strength to leave cares behind.



My Memory Art six word fridays
Please join in the Friday fun!
Caption a photo, share a poem
or tell a story. Just remember,
only six words in each line!

Oh, the Reds...


I don't know about you,
but I need things in my life that
{quite literally}
stop me in my tracks.


So many of our moments are filled with
people
and
things
and responsibilities...
all of which can be so good and valuable.
Even the best of the many blessings in our lives
can keep us racing around from one
place and one moment to the next.


So when I find those things that slow me down ~
that stop me,
move me
and
ask me to catch my breath ~
I've learned to listen.
And linger.


Autumn is full of these
{stop me in my tracks}
moments.
So if I'm late to meet you somewhere,
it's probably because I'm
standing
{or, perhaps, even sitting}
somewhere
breathing in the colors of the season!



Joining Kim for
Little Things Thursday
and Kat for her
Writer's Workshop