School's Out!

"School's out for summer!

School's out forever!"

Alice Cooper

This year it seems that wherever I turn my head

I see a friend's child or a family member graduating.

So I've been busy crafting cards.

Choosing school colors

and motifs

and investing a little bit of love into each scrap of paper.

Wish I could see them all walk

and hug each parent...

such milestones are to be commemorated!

Seems it's graduation day for a blogging friend too.

We say farewell to our ever-inspiring Song-ography link up.

I refuse to think that we're saying farewell to our hostess and her blog.

Perhaps a brief "au-revoir" as she re-groups.

I'm choosing to believe that her next blog chapter will be even more

inspirational than her first.

It has been so fun to "see" song lyrics through each others' photos ~ 

A practice that I'm sure will continue for those of us devoted to Song-ography!

Joining Kathy one last time!

i went out in search of ....

RHODODENDRONS!!

And, oh boy, did I find them!

Believe it or not, these are the late bloomers ~

there were so many more that had already bloomed and faded.

But these waited for my visit,

and I happily lost myself in their beauty!

the flowers that bloom in the spring

tra la

breathe promise of merry sunshine

as we merrily dance and we sing,

tra la

we welcome the hope that they bring

tra la

of a summer of roses and wine

of a summer of roses and wine

and that's what we mean when we say that a thing

is welcome as flowers that bloom in the spring

tra la la la la

tra la la la la

the flowers that bloom in the spring

{from the Mikado}

Joining Kathy for

Song-ography

Raindrops

"Raindrops keep fallin' on my head...

...nothing's bothering me!"

B. J. Thomas

Who knew how fun skylights could be??!?

Joining Kathy for

Song-ography

Humble and Kind

First of all, I LOVE this song.

It softens my heart every time.

I'm often teary by the end of it...

not weepy, just good teary.

Keep it simple.

Boil it down.

Sing your truth.

These are lyrics I wish that I'd written.

This morning,

this is what I was looking at while eating my breakfast.

When I first saw this house back in February,

there was snow on the ground.

But I knew.

I could feel it.

I knew that waking up here would feel as peaceful as waking up in my tent

on a sunny morning in a wooded campsite.

And it does.

Rain or shine.

But most especially when the sun is shining.

Before I knew it,

there were tears falling across my cheeks.

You see, my husband and I have had a bit of a nomadic life.

Which was a life we chose, for reasons that were important to us.

But for almost a decade we've been dreaming of this house.

Of this space.

We've dreamt of a gathering place.

A quiet place.

A chosen place.

I think we've been dreaming of this place.

And it's hard to explain how hard my husband has worked these past ten years.

It's a story - a good story - for another time.

It's an especially good story now that we're living this chapter.

It's an especially good story because he would never tell it about himself....

Maybe the reason I love this song so much

is that it brings him to my mind.

"Don't take for granted the love this life gives you,

When you get where you're goin'

Don't forget - turn back around

and help the next one in line.

Always stay humble and kind."

Joining Kathy for
Song-ography

Follow the Sun

"But tomorrow may rain, so I'll follow the sun."

The Beatles

In case you were wondering how we're feeling about all the windows

and ALL THE FANTASTIC LIGHT we have

in this new house...

we love it.

And so does a certain puppy.

He basically spent the weekend following the sun from hot spot to hot spot.

Happiness is, after all, a warm puppy.

Joining Kathy for

Song-ography

It's Now or Never!

"It's my life

And it's now or never

I ain't gonna live forever

I just want to live while I'm alive.

It's my life."

Bon Jovi


Sometimes a good "kick" out of the comfort zone
is all it takes.
When the landlord decided to sell our rental,
we didn't fully believe 
that we were ready to take
the home-ownership plunge.
Good thing we got the boot
and had to take a leap of faith.
The flight wasn't completely smooth,
but the landing has been delightful!

Truth be told,
this one leap
has filled me up and has me looking
for that next big jump!




Joining Kathy for
Song-ography

Love That Dirty Water

"Well I love that dirty water

Oh, Boston, you're my home"

Dropkick Murphies

Yesterday I shared about the thing I've loved the most about our current home...

Today I think I'll share the strangest thing about the move we're making this weekend.

We will no longer be living in Massachusetts.

Let that sink in a minute. 

I will no longer be a Massachusetts resident.
I will have a New Hampshire license. And New Hampshire plates.
Yes, I will have a New Hampshire address!!

None of this is bad, mind you ~ it's just kind of hard to wrap my head around. I'm looking forward to new discoveries. Of course. And my husband really likes "their" state motto ~ Live Free or Die. {I can say "their" for a few more days...then it will be "our" state motto} See. Weird. At least I think it's weird. 

Now, we will be right on the MA border in a town FULL of people that commute to Boston every day for work. So I am being told that it's still OK to call myself a Bostonian. Which is a good thing. Because this city, as you know, has my heart. Truth is the new house is hardly any further from down town Boston than where we live now.......it's just that pesky "in an entirely different state thing" that has me a bit, well, nervous. 

Whatever the case....here we go! Off to a town where we don't know anyone. Yet. To finally "settle down" in a home that our friendly bankers will soon allow us to say we "own" ... Yup. My head is spinning! 

When all is said and done, there is one thing I know.
When the moving dust has settled, I will {happily} call New Hampshire my home state.

But Boston will always be My Home Town.

Sharing with Kathy for
Song-ography

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?

Sharing today's post with

Kathy for

Song-ography

and with the commutity that is

Communal Global

{Good Random Fun} Week 10

Sigh.

Yesterday's FUN was all about

sorting

boxing

organizing

and sorting some more.

I spent hours in my scrapbook room.

And, truth be told, got a whole lot accomplished.

But my, oh my...the waves of nostalgia weren't ripple-like.

No.

Tidal waves of nostalgia washed over me.

Here are just a few of my RANDOM finds...

 {my brother's soccer album and medals from high school}

 {so many precious cards from our kids}

 {these goofy photos taken by two bored kids one Christmas Eve...waiting can be so hard!}

 {my father's baby book ~ with notes in my grandmother's hand}

 {my grandparent's wedding keepsake album!! Atlantic City and New York...1929}

 {my parents' wedding memories...including telegrams from the day}

And memories from this house.

The postcard I mailed when we moved in.

My son's graduation announcement.

Memories.

GOOD memories.

As I worked in my basement yesterday,

I felt so much gratitude for our seven years in this lovely little house.

I have shared hours and days with dear friends

around tables in my workshop space.

Time spent laughing and crying,

sharing and caring

for each other...

and for the memories that make us and our families who they are.

When Ed Sheeran's song came on, I'm not gonna lie..

I lost it just a wee bit...

"We keep this love in a photograph

We made these memories ofr ourselves

Where our eyes are never closing

Hearts are never broken

And time's forever frozen still"

Linking up with Tamar

and Kathy

Hello

Such a beauty.
Such a cutie-pie!
This is one of my favorite photos of my daughter.
It was taken on a sunny day at Fontainebleau ~ a beautiful chateau not too far from Paris ~ over 20 years ago!

We shared such very special years in France ~ years that she and I look back on with extreme tenderness. We love the memories of the city itself. Mostly, I think, we love the memories of our years spent together there. Those precious, childhood years. There's just nothing like them! If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times...the joy of motherhood has been my greatest joy. I am profoundly grateful to have shared this child's journey with her...and I look forward to {some day} sharing in her journey when she becomes a 'mommy' herself!



Joining Kathy for Song-ography

I Couldn't Resist

"I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier

I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist, like it doesn't exist

I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night,

feel my tears as they dry

I'm gonna swing from the chandelier,

from the chandelier."

{Sia}

I just couldn't resist.

When Kathy posted this song for her Tuesday link-up,

I had to follow suit with these photos from the

Copley Plaza hotel.

Though the crowd at my husband's annual work gala

doesn't have a chandelier swinging person among them,

the hotel surely has many choices of beautiful old light fixtures

that would entice anyone with a hankering to fly!

And, I confess, I am probably the least likely of them all

to take to the ceiling.

Though I do try to,

as they say,

"live in the moment"

it must be said...I am a planner.

And I'd really love to know what tomorrow will bring.

Oh well.

Swinger or not,

these beauties are a treat for the eyes!

Joining Kathy for

Song-ography

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.

Join in and share your
Black & White photos!

I'm also linking up with
Song-ography
and
Wednesdays Around the World

Gather Your Strength

It was the first Saturday in January.

The yoga studio was very still. Sun was streaming in through the front window and we were a small group of three. One sweet teacher and two of her {favorite} beginners. There was warmth. A warmth that came not only from those sun beams, but the warmth of sangha.  A warmth created because we were a mutually supportive group of practitioners. Because we gave each other a sense of community and belonging. And of acceptance.

Midway through our time together, there was some rustling and chirping in the tree right outside the studio. Three bluebirds had come to join us. Perched only for a bit, they added energy, support and - yes - even a bit of magic - to our practice on that ordinary Saturday morning. As our spirits accepted this sweet serenade of encouragement, our confidence grew and our bodies found a wee bit more strength.

These past few days, as I've shared the sense of weakness and worry that seems to be accompanying me on our current house-hunting journey, many {many} bluebirds have flocked to the tree that's right outside the window of my heart. And I hear you rustling and singing to me - lending your support along the way. Each text, email, blog note, hug and phone call make a difference.

Thank you - to all of my bluebirds. You help me to gather my strength and rise up.

Joining Kathy for Song-ography
and linking to
Wednesdays Around the World

Walk on By

"Walking man walk.

Walk on by my door.

Well, any other man stops and talks but not the walking man.

He's the walking man,

born to walk,

walk on walking man.

Well now, would he have wings to fly?

Would he be free?

Golden wings against the sky,

Walking man, walk on by.

So long, walking man."

James Taylor

As I was calling out to my little grand puppy during my Sunday wanderings,

a gentleman happened by.

He's an older gentleman,

always walks with a stick

and comes to the pond no matter the weather.

I've seen him many times before..

this Walking Man.

He's not one to nod or smile or share the polite "hello"

as he crosses your path.

Always moving...not in a grouchy way...

Just seems to be on a solitary journey though the woods.

Well, on Sunday,

as I was trying to get Max to mind me,

to follow me along the path that leads away from the pond,

the walking man passed us by.

And as he passed he said,

"Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

He never missed a step,

didn't pause or try and catch my eye.

Just shared this thought and kept on walking.

It's a funny thing.

I've made a few mistakes with people close to me these past few days.

A financial error that's caused a bit of trouble.

I stuck my nose in somewhere it didn't belong.

Nothing earth shattering, just enough to make me feel awful about what I did.

And I have the hardest time letting myself off the hook...

I tend to hold on to mistakes long after others have accepted an apology and offered forgiveness.

My "pond time" often helps me to let go, to catch my breath again and forgive myself.

It's a funny thing.

I wasn't really feeling it on Sunday. The letting go.

And then I heard those words...

So, thank you, Walking Man.

Whoever you are.

I'll do my best to hold on to that thought.

Sharing with Kathy and Friends

and Joining in with

Wednesdays Around the World

remember, this life is in color...

oh oh oh oh

well this life is in color

today feels like no other

and the darkest grays

the sun bursts, the clouds break

oh oh oh oh

well this is life in motion

and just when i couldn't run this race, no

the sun bursts, clouds break

this life is in color

one republic

it's a gray day

i'm gray today

one of those days when it feels like

life is dragging me along

like it or not

the french have a saying

"metro, boulot, dodo"

and when i'm in full on eeyore mode

my life can feel this way

oh, my head knows all the arguments against

and the blessings truly are abundant

and i will fight to find beauty in the little things

but, just for a moment,

i'll put it out there...

i'm gray today

i'm gray and waiting for the clouds to break....

Joining Kathy today

Oh, I'll be free....

"Look up here, I'm in heaven

I've got scars that can't be seen

I've got drama can't be stolen

Everybody knows me now...

This way or no way

You know I'll be free

Just like that bluebird,

Now ain't that just like me?

Oh, I'll be free

Just like that bluebird

Oh, I'll be free

Ain't that just like me?"
David Bowie

Lazarus

Linking up with Kathy

This is the New Year

"Say everything you've always wanted,

Be not afraid of who you really are."
A Great Big World

Hmmm...

food for thought.

I don't think I'll ever ever ever

be able to say everything I've always wanted.

My mind works overtime.

Has more thoughts, ideas, opinions, commentaries

and stories

than anyone could ever have time to tell.

I can, however, decide to say the important stuff.

To not shrink back.

Mostly,

I want to

ALWAYS EXPRESS

the positive stuff.

To tell people they are loved.

Cherished.

To express the gratitude that fills my heart!

Yes.

Most of all I want to shout out all the good stuff.

As far as not being afraid of who I really am?

Well.

That's a good one.

A really good thought.

A thought I'll carry with me across this old wooden bridge, 

through my favorite woods

and back into my real life.

No.

More.

Fear.

Sharing with Kathy

And so...this is Christmas!

From the decorations...

...to the over stuffed stockings....

...from the gifts to the games...

....from the movies, to the naps...to the puppy cuddles!

It was a great three-day Christmas celebration!

And so...

{without permission from Mr. Lennon}

here's a tiny edit to one of my favorite holiday tunes.

"So, this was Christmas

And what have we done?

Another year over,

A new one's gonna come...

And so this was Christmas,

We sure did have fun...

With the near and the dear ones,

The old and the young!

'Twas a very merry Christmas...

Here's to a happy New Year!

Let's hope it's a good one

Without any fear."

Joining Tamar, Judith and Kathy 

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