Totally Positive...Totally Affirming!!

Let me tell you who this is - her name is Jeannie and she is so totally special - warmth, compassion, affirming, and an excellent yoga instructor besides!  Late in the Spring, a friend recommended that I go to the Senior Center for Yoga.  I decided to go and meet the instructor.  Found out that I couldn't make her class in the morning (was going to Meditation) but started going to her class at Kennedy Hospital in the afternoon.  It was a huge class - more than 25 older women - Photoschmoozer included!!  Yet one thing I noticed is the personal comments and touches that Jeannie always had to offer the class.  Now I have chosen Yoga rather than meditation on Monday morning and we have develop a nice group - maybe half a dozen of us.  Jeannie even went to Kripala this summer to study Yoga for seniors with some researchers from Duke University.  Aren't we the lucky ones??  A few weeks ago, she and I listened to The Journey (http://www.ijlife.com/ , code MM99) and she was totally captivated.  Today she used part of it in class.  The part that is so very special to me though is about Photoschmoozer - Jeannie came to my Birthday celebration last week and spent a looooooooong time studying all of the pictures - and there are plenty.  Today she went on and on talking about my gift and my eye - I said it before and I will close with the same thought again - I am wealthy with the affirmations and compliments about my work.  Thank you world!!!

66 and Celebrating! Photoschmoozer steps out!!!

 LIFE is a celebration and each year as my birthday come about, I know that I have so much to be thankful for...and so many 'riches' in my life from my family, friends and what I love doing in life!!  This year, I decided to have a show at the McCowan Library in Pitman - a celebration of me and my art - and to have a grand opening!!  It was a special time!!  I always have a special thanks to 'my guy' for all of his love and support - Bill is always there for me - hey 40 years and counting!!  And the flowers from Jon made us feel like he was in the room with us!!

 This year TonyZony came into my life with The Journey (http://www.ijlife.com/, code MM99)  I listen to this very special CD - meditation and body relaxation- but so much more - a way to be still (my favorite Photoschmoozer theme) and discover so much about self!! It's so much about life and inner awareness.   Conni~Joi, Spirit of Joi - is also traveling on her life's journey and will soon be launching a song called The River - written by Tony and performed by her.  They came to celebrate with JOI!!  She is so talented in so many ways and has been striving to recognize and realize all of her gifts!

Here is some of the display that I created for the celebration and for the public.  I have come to realize that one is wealthy with the affirmations and compliments for my work.  I see, I create and I bring JOY to people's lives.  If/when they choose to take some home for their walls - well - that is good too!!  The show will be hanging for at least a month - and then I am beginning to think of another!! 

LIFE is so meant to be lived each and every day!  Hmmmmm I wonder what today will bring - another pink sky for daybreak - sunshine - love - yoga - and the spontaneous joy that comes from life's surprises - remember I call them synchronicities - be awake, be aware and pay attention!!

Photoschmoozer steps out!!!

Just a few days ago, the birthday celebrations began!  Why not celebrate LIFE and all of the years that I have lived with total love and appreciation for all of my gifts.  This day was lunch with my dear friend Allison - during the conversation, she reminded me of what I had done for us for DARE to AFFIRM - first of all, created the concept - then began the dance - and even did the shoes!!  Yep, I painted these and took the picture with my incredible striped toe socks?!?  Why remember this and why now?  Well Photoschmoozer is stepping out!!  I have hung a Photography exhibit at the McCowan Library in Pitman and have invited everyone to celebrate with me - an opening night catered affair!  Yeah for me!!  Yeah for Life!!  yeah for Friends and Family!  Just Yeah!!!

Patience and a Bit of Perfection!!

I like to think that Photoschmoozer is all about people and their stories.  Though I still favor those and know that they add ZEST to my life, lately, I have been focusing on the gifts from nature.  Today is no different.  Bill and I went to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA for their annual chrysanthemum show.  The whole conservatory is filled with mums of all colors, sizes and shapes.  The one that is awesome is the one giant plant with a zillion blossoms.  This year it is 1101 or something close to that.  Last year, it was just under 1000.  No matter huh because how much time and patience it takes (17 months) to take one plant and grow and groom and prune and plan for this magnificent display to occur.  The volunteer - my people story for the day - saw our interest and came right over with his stories about how the tree was grown and then transported to the conservatory.  It takes many people a long time to do this!  We also learned that the grounds we walk through at Longwood is less than half of the acreage that they own and use for growing/production!!  So - it takes time, patience and skill - just as our living life does!!!  Please remember this lesson and be patient with yourself and those around you.  It's my life challenge!!

Then there is outside with the lush colors of Mother Nature still in evidence to gift us!  Today what fascinated me was the sizes and shapes of the trees.  Talk about time and patience - the trees are huge, some gnarled, some with trunks so large we couldn't wrap our arms around them together - but all as a gift for us to remind us of the awesomeness of life!!  Now, as the dusk came, the little twinkly lights in all of the trees came alive in all of their colors to be yet another candy feast for the eyes.

New Beginnings in Life's Adventures

LABYRINTH

The labyrinth is a walking meditation.  Aside from Grace Cathedral, in San Francisco, my introduction to this world, one of my favorites is the one at the Episcopal Church in Lewes, DE.  At the beginning of a 'friend' time at the DE beach, and the beginning of my birthday celebrations (never one day!!), this was my choice.  My question going in was about relationships - how to let them be and let them grow.  The leaves on the labyrinth were some answers for this day.  Some of the path is covered/obscured by the crunchy leaves - and at other spaces, the way was totally clear.  Parallel that to life and it's a simple answer in patience.  Let the wind blow and let the decisions come as they will.

DAYBREAK

Still on the quest, and peaceful to listen and learn, spirit woke me at 5:45 the next morning.  I knew I needed to go out to the balcony to watch the sunrise. (The night before, we sat there and watched the full moon on the ocean!!)  The sky had bands of color but where was the sun?!?  Lesson learned - before the sun comes up, the day breaks (just like the sky colors after the sun goes down below the horizon!)  The colors in the sky were awesome - the birds began to wake up and a few fisherman came to the beach.  Then the sky gradually became totally pale - and then...sunrise!!  What a total gift!!

SUNRISE

About half an hour after my daybreak experience, I saw the red ball on the horizon and sat, listening to The Journey and meditating as I watched the sun gradually come up higher in the sky.  My birthday is a gift and I celebrate in anticipation every year.  I look for the special gifts I am offered - and totally live in gratitude for them!!  This time, I have gratitude not only for The Universe and the gifts we are given, but also for the friends in my life.  My friend Annee and I spent such beautiful time enjoying one another's company and all of the beauty around us - as well as sharing some great meals and terrific conversation!!  Thanks!!

Celebrating Another Year of Life!!

This morning I awoke thinking about Photoschmoozer, life and photography.  I wondered how long it had been since I first met Bob Reid and joined his photography class at Gloucester County college.  I was amused when I thought it was about 3 years and then thought about this photo - I did this for a self-portrait when I took the class - and that was when I was celebrating turning 60!!  Now, for my 65th I had a drum circle celebration at Bus Stop Music Cafe and now for my 66th - welcome in Social Security - I am going to have a Photography exhibit at the Pitman library.  I am planning a "Meet the Artist" Celebration and what a perfect time for it - 11/21~~  Another fantastic birthday celebration!!  Happy Days Martie!!  You Go Girl!!!   Hmmmm wonder what I would do for a self-portrait today - 6 years later?  Hmmmmmmmmmm.......

Sunsets Light Up the Sky -

Yesterday was one of those days when it was time to distance myself from the world - to be still - walk - watch - and reflect.  For weeks I have been wanting to go to East Point Light House on the Delaware Bay and that I did.  I have been rather emotional and sitting in the sand by the water is totally soothing!  The sun's shining helped a bunch too.  At sunset, I talked to a woman who was there with her phone taking pictures - asked where she was from and she said Pitman!!  As we talked more, she remembered I took pictures of the awesome clematis she had growing in her yard!!  We talked...and talked...and were still for the 'light show'.  Then as I was about to leave and had started the car, I took one more look - the low headlights from my car just provided a magnificent lighting for the final picture of the day.  It's like the saying that tells you to take pictures and then turn around because the best one might just be there!!

This is MY HORSE!!

This is a funny story - no, not the horse and the setting but something that happened last night!  There was a Coach bag bingo fundraiser in Pitman and I set up my photography for sale.  What a crowd and how fascinating to see the groups coming in with their trays of sandwiches and snacks - they gather a group of friends and come and play bingo!  Is this related - well maybe not but at one point a woman was looking at my cards and said, "This is my horse!"  She recognized the setting and the horse.  They no longer board the horses there, but this was definitely the spot!  It's been a few years since I took the picture while out driving in the country!  Now she asked if I would come and take pictures of the other three horses too.  She bought the three cards I had and said "Isn't it funny that the owner has to buy pictures of her own horse!"  One of the best stories of the evening!!

Awesome Blossoms!!

Last weekend I decided to go to the Whole Life Expo in King of Prussia.  Snow was predicted but I just knew there would be synchronicities and healing experiences at the event - so off I went!!  The event was huge - well over a hundred vendors of all sorts.  Since I am traveling on "The Journey" and meditating with that CD, I wondered who might appreciate knowing about it. Well I found several other individuals who were also selling Journey CDs and magazines.  Opportunities for affiliation - possible - and always opportunities to offer the new Journey series of my photography. (Stay tuned for more info).  I was sitting so I could get a healing for my feet with a powerful energy device, and right in the next booth was Dr. Sha's work.  I discovered his Power Healing book months ago and now had the opportunity to have Master Allen sing me the Love, Peace and Harmony channeled work.  I bought the CD and have been playing it quietly for about a week now.  Yesterday, I could see how my Christmas cactus have responded - no others in the house are doing the same thing.  Awesome!  To me, the flowers and I are feeling powerful effects!!

Love, Peace and Harmony

Last Saturday, I went to an Expo in Ft. Washington, PA filled with health, healing and some truly amazing people who have their messages to share with the world.  I was gifted with several healings - one a computer/sounds for getting in touch with the Divine.  Another, a device where I rested my feet and energy was sent through it with special pulses. (sorry for the lack of technicality on these - just the way it is!!).  Then as I was walking about, I saw a woman standing and looking about.  She came up to me and asked if I knew Doreen Virtue.  I said, "Sure, isn't she speaking soon?"  She said yes and showed me a ticket.  My comment, "I can't afford the $50 right now."  She said that she was giving me the ticket!!  OMG - My Mom always taught me to say thank you - and that I did.  Two hours later, I left the auditorium with a clear message, LET GO AND LET GOD!!  I am always writing here about synchronicities - awake and aware and they keep happening.  Another story later about the title of this blog -

Spread Your Wings and FLY!!

Crossing the Bridge Well Traveled!