Turn, Turn, Turn

"To every thing, turn, turn, turn.

There is a season, turn, turn, turn.

And a time to every purpose under heaven.

A time to gain, a time to lose.

A time to rend, a time to sew.

A time for love, a time for hate.

A time for peace...I swear it's not too late."

Lyrics inspired by Ecclesiastes, sung by The Byrds

A time to gain, a time to lose. Really? Even where weight is concerned? Hmmm...interesting thought. Very interesting thought. One that I can't imagine the author had in mind, but one that I seem to be pondering nonetheless. Think about it. Our society is obsessed with 'before and after' photos. This obsession seems to suggest demand that we get our acts together, choose a solution to our given problem, achieve success and then never look back, shrink back or falter ever again. Though I understand the idea behind the 'before and after' and understand the need to get/stay motivated when facing challenges, I've decided that I'm only ever going to call photos "during" photos. 

For example...here I am during this stage of my life. And here I am (a few months/years later) during this other stage of my life. Because when you get right down to it...life is one gigantic "during"!! As long as we are alive, we're in the 'during' stage. The wold keeps turning, seasons come and go, and, if we're lucky, we get to live through the ups and downs that come with many voyages around the sun. And, for my purposes here today, many ups and downs where the ol' scale is concerned. As I get older, I'm learning that I don't want to look back at old photos that feature my rounder self, and discount that person. Or chalk her up to "the before" gal. That would literally place most of my children's growing up years in the "to be ashamed of" category. And that just doesn't work for me. I loved those years! And my children sure as heck loved the rounder me....so I'm learning to love that me too. Even though I might not have been good at the self-love and acceptance thing back in the day, I am determined to give myself that gift retroactively!

If you've visited here much, you know that I adore the 'in between' seasons. Those times when mother nature is gently leading us from one season to the next. Take the simple branch in the photo I'm sharing today. I see a dried flower ~ a flower that faded two seasons ago and somehow hung on during the winter ~ sharing a branch with the new growth of spring! I find great peace and comfort as I study this one simple branch. Before and after existing together. Showing us "during" ... and asking us to accept each stage, each turn of season. Asking us to find the beauty in this one day, this one in-between moment.

What about you? What helps you to endure the 'during'?
What gives you the courage to love and be kind to yourself through all of life's stages?

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Kathy for

Song-ography

and with the commutity that is

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Black & White Wednesday ~ Pods

These are Rose of Sharon pods.

The seeds inside remind me a bit of sunflowers.

Like me, these seeds are trying to break free

and find a new home!!

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Black & White Wednesday ~ That Barn

So...do you remember that time you were house hunting, and you visited a house with a big ol' barn out back? You know, that time you toured a house built in 1810 ... a house with bones. Real. Good. Bones. And real wood. And original fireplaces, banisters and doorknobs. And... a big ol' barn out back.

You don't remember that?

Oh, that's right. That was me. Not you.
I'm the one who visited that gorgeous old house.

And wandered through the big ol' barn. And pictured my future grand-kids playing in this old barn office - this picture perfect room with wooden shelving all around and the cutest wall paper you'll ever find.

I'm the one that ooohed and ahhhed over all the wood. There was so much wood - scrumptious, weathered wood - everywhere. I'm the one that got immediately attached to this centuries old house with a big ol' barn out back....

But don't worry. I'm also the one that stood out in the frigid air and gazed up at the moon and came in for a landing. I looked down and, in fact, my feet were back on the ground.

As cool as this place might have been in my dreamy imagination...it just wasn't the place for us. Nope. We set out to simplify. Not to add hours and years of work to our lives. Not to get in over our heads financially. Nope. Simplify. That's our goal and we're sticking to it. Happily. Resolutely.

But it was nice to let our imaginations soar for a day or two.
I sure hope someone with lots of love to give finds this property and breathes life back into this beautiful home. It's longing to be loved.

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Black & White Wednesdays ~ A Dog's Life

"Just lead a dog's life
What a life, that's good enough for me
That's good enough for me!"
Elvis Presley

Meet Catie and Carly.

These lovely black labs live at the Copley Plaza in Boston.

How's that for a charmed life?!!?

Arguably Boston's most famous dog, Catie Copley was originally trained as a guide dog with the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind in New York. Nowadays, she's a passionate Red Sox fan, sausage connoisseur, and star of two popular children's books.

Carly Copley was adopted by The Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel from the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Sweet as can be, Carly enjoys catching rides on the hotel's bellcarts and following her "big sister" Catie around the lobby.

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Black & White Wednesday ~ Frozen

Leaves.

Ice.

Light.

Water.

Art.

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Black & White Wednesday ~ Winter Berries

A winter bird and her berries.

Horn Pond, Woburn, MA

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Black & White Wednesday ~ Silent Night

"Silent night, holy night,

All is calm, all is bright."

Wishing all who celebrate

a Merry and wonder-full Christmas!

Joining Kathy, Kim & 

Wednesdays Aroung the World

O Christmas Tree....

Here's the story of my Christmas tree.

Settle in.

It's a good one!

Several years ago, when my daughter got married,

she wanted all the ornaments we had given her growing up.

So, of course, we gave them to her...and I boxed up her brother's ornaments

so they'd be ready for him if he wanted them some day.

Since then I've been at a bit of a loss.

Changing my tree from year to year,

trying to find a new theme that fits us.

Something that we can treasure,

that will be worthy of sharing our holiday for years to come.

I'm proud to introduce our 'forever' tree.

 It all started with this ornament, 31 Christmases ago.

The love birds.

This ornament adorned our first tree,

and since then our children have watched us exchange a little smooch 

each year as we hang it amidst the lights.

 And here we are today.

Settled happily atop the tree,

with our empty nest perched behind us,

we're looking out over the times and places that have built our life together.

 He's from Oregon.

Oregon feels like home and summers and family.

 I'm from Philadelphia.

There I find my roots, history, childhood and family memories.

 Then there's our beloved Paris.

The city of their childhood.

And Boston...the city we now call home.

We do love this town!

 This tree holds photo memories.

Some from the Christmas mornings we shared.

 And many from the Christmas eve readings of 'Twas the Night...

 I've collected ornaments from almost all of the places we've travelled through the years.

Whether it was an African Safari, a week in Florida or a weekend in New Hampshire,

I'm building a collection of our travels.

And, may I just say, it has brought me so much joy!!

I love the ornaments I've found

{I mean did you see those Santa's dressed up as Paris and Philadelphia? Well, I have eight of them!}

And I am loving this trip down memory lane!

Ever since we had the privilege to live over seas for more than a decade,

I have considered myself a citizen of the world.

So, right next to the love birds at the top of the tree is this globe.

And those three simple words,

"Peace on Earth"

...well this is our wish.

At Christmas and all throughout the year.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Such pleasure do you bring me!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Such pleasure do you bring me!

For every year this Christmas tree,

Brings to us such joy and glee.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

Such pleasure do you bring me!

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree,

You'll ever be unchanging!

A symbol of goodwill and love

You'll ever be unchanging

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Black & White Wednesday ~ Down Town

Christmas lights.

City lights.

The old brownstones of Boston's Back Bay.

And the well loved Prudential tower peeking out from behind the homes.

Picturesque...no matter which way you turn your head.

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Black & White Wednesday ~ Holiday Season

Frosty mornings.

And lights that twinkle against the night sky.

Me thinks that winter

{and the holidays}

are truly upon us.

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Black & White Wednesdays ~ Seeds

may the seeds of 

love

joy

peace

patience

kindness

goodness

faithfulness

gentleness

and 

self control

break free from the pain, rubble and fear
set sail on the winds of hope
and plant themselves in the hearts of people everywhere

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Beautiful

The stage was set. Just one grand piano stood silhouetted against a glowing blue back drop. The actress, in the role of Carole King, took the bench and began to play. It took just a few notes, and the whole theatre knew the melody. She played for a bit, then turned to the audience and said,

"Life sometimes goes the way you want,

sometimes it doesn't.

And sometimes, when it doesn't,

you find something beautiful."

For the next two hours, we were invited into the world of the young singer-songwriter. We learned of her ups and downs ~ of her insecurities and early struggles. We watched her give birth to her music. Music that is, to me, so very beloved. Part of the very fabric of my life. I learned so much about her and was brought back to those earliest years of my life...through sight, sound and dizzying emotion.

At the very end of the show, we see Carole about to take the stage at Carnegie Hall for the first time. And joy abounds as she performs "Beautiful!" There was so much joy in the theatre last week when I saw the play, and, I can only imagine, so much joy as she sang this for the first time in Carnegie Hall over four decades ago. 

Timeless. Inspirational. Personal. Full of light and determination. 

Here's where I catch myself. I laugh at myself. I can spend hours with the weeds, looking beyond their scruffy exterior and focusing {literally} on all their beauty. Like these, my favorite 'puff balls.' Each no larger than my thumbnail. As each plumed seed loosens from the plant and sets sail on the autumn breeze, a tiny, sunflower-like treat is exposed. I see so much! I return and return with my camera because the more I focus, the more I see the layers of 'beautiful.' When I hear Ms. King's lyrics, I'm reminded that I can bless myself with that same gift I seem to bestow effortlessly on these simple weeds. Or, truth be told, on just about everyone and everything except myself! 

It's my choice. To wake up each day, put a smile on my face, and give away as much love as I can.

After all, aren't we truly as beautiful as we feel?

"You've got to get up every morning

With a smile on your face

And show the world all the love in your heart

Then people gonna treat you better

You're gonna find, yes you will

That you're beautiful

You're beautiful

You're beautiful as you feel"

Carole King

Joining Kathy for
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Black & White Wednesday ~ Cascade

At a time of year when most leaves are falling, it seems odd to single out this tree.

But oh my, what a beauty! 

Her heart shaped leaves seemed to be attached just so...dangling like a perfectly-poised-pinterest-inspired-heart themed decoration. Each leaf was a little treasure...but oh, to lift my eyes and stand under the cascading limbs still full, still dripping with goodness.

It's a type of "weeping tree" I'm told...
but I have to say its leaves and branches brought only joy
to this wandering heart.

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Black & White Wednesday ~ State House

I had to do an errand for my boss in the city today and found myself in a building right behind the Massachusetts State House. Because most government paper work/licensing involves a fair bit of waiting, I was able to wander for a few minutes outside. My timing couldn't have been more perfect! The morning rains were ending, and the sun took advantage of the breaks in the cloud cover to highlight the beautiful gold dome. I love the historic architecture in my home town. This building was designed by Charles Bulfinch and completed in 1798. The offices of the Governor and the state legislature currently occupy these hallowed halls. Between all the down town, worker bee foot traffic and the buss loads of tourists, it was a bustling place. Such a stately, beautiful old landmark!

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