BRRRRRRRRRR...It's FALL!!

 The New Hope/Ivyland railroad takes the time to present FALL in all of her splendor at their station in New HopePA.  We saw an incredible variety of flowers, gourds and pumpkins/squash.  It was a day to celebrate - though isn't every day??  This was for being married to one another for 41 years...friends...understanding one another...fun...celebrating life

Some of these could definitely have gone into a contest for the biggest pumpkin - or the ugliest squash - all different colors and mottled - showed me the vast variety of individuality of each of the plants - just like us - all of basically the same genre BUT then expressing ourselves in such unique ways - hair - clothes - outlook - values...and without all of us, life wouldn't be complete - even the ones who are totally different in so many ways - takes longer to learn patience and understanding, widsom really, but it can happen IF the intention is clear!!

Love the philosophy of MIKSANG - it is so in keeping with my BE STILL and observe/notice all of the simplicity and beauty around you.  I saw this singular leaf sitting on the train step - outstanding in its field huh??  I was taking the picture and the conductor was standing there with a puzzled look on his face?!?  He couldn't understand why I was taking a picture of this leaf and not the whole train!!?!?  Each of us has our preferences and each of us sees life with such different perspectives.

Listen to the Adventure

The adventure is a healing journey with Madeleine Doherty. Every time I sit and listen to her journey and the music that has been generated from it all, I feel just a bit more uplifted and clear of purpose.  Last night a group of friends came together for a house party, great food, lots of laughter and music from Madeleine and Tara - the harp that is accompanying her on her US concerts this time around.  I can only speak for myself, but watching the faces of those around me, I think we all felt so uplifted, engaged and capturing the spirit of the evening and the music.  Madeleine is so transparent in sharing...where she has been...how fearful she was...and where she is now.  Her Living Notes CD takes me along every time - encouraging me to "fly away home" and 'just let go of the fears'.  By the time Rainbow Magic plays, I feel uplifted and ready to go out and dance in nature with the fairies!  It's special to hear about the Healing Harp program she coordinates in Ireland - and even more special that she has agreed to come to Cooper Hospital for a healing harp session.  Hope it all works - it will benefit so many people!!  Talking about synchronicities - I went to a harp concert three years or so ago at the Mullica Hill grange...and the connection began...just did...and will grow as the years continue to flow!!

A Spot of Teal... Supporting and Remembering

It's the third year now for A Spot of Teal - Laura created this quilt show when her sister had ovarian cancer - and her sister got up from her hospital bed to come to the first show.  She has passed now, but Laura continues the tribute and this was the third year for the show at the Williamstown Library.  It was small by quilt show standards but lovely.  There were more than 30 quilts in 5 categories.  Here are my friends Angela and Janice - they were both entrants - as they enjoyed the show and the variety of vendors!!

Friend Pat - an amazing quilter - entered Cindy's Flower Garden - all of these little bouquets were hand stitched with silk ribbon bought from a special vendor - Cindy - at a recent quilt show.  I actually have a close up of each flower piece - the details are...well...you can imagine.

My tribute and my story is about special people who take the time to honor, love and support what they care about - whether it is people, places or things.  Quilters are some of the very kindest people I count as friends.

Outstanding in Her Field!!

However you want to look at it, "she is outstanding in her field".  She is definitely one of the masses but unique in her individuality - uncommon and not like all of the rest. She expresses who she is in the way that works best for her~!  See we talk about looking at EVERYTHING as a photo op and here is the proof of the pudding.  Our garden is still producing these amazing tomatoes - or was until the temps are down in the 40s for the past few nights.  The last batch of baby tomatoes to come in gave me pause.  Bill put them in a big bowl and this is how they looked.  It rather gave me pause to think about life - who I am - and who I want to be.  For so many years, it has always felt right to be a pleaser and be one of the bunch.  As I age and aquire wisdom, I come to understand that this is NOT the way life is - being one of the gang is not being who I am and being who I am is like being a comfortable shoe - well worn but maintaining my unique identity.

HOW ABOUT YOU??  Stop and consider the stories of what you see.  Capture the synchronicities - and make us reall stories or tall tales about it all.  Why not?!?!?

Transitions...Change...and Joy

This past weekend was a class reunion for Wildwood High School.  I went as an adventure to see who I might know and what life had to offer.  The time gave me pause ...and a conversatioin with Bill when I got home...I found lots of people reliving their high school days...and realized that I was living in the present rather than remembering what was.  Different perspectives...different memories...different people.  What I did get to see was this really cool representation of the town that I grew up in - and backed by an awesome display of clouds!!  Came home with memories - a few little beach balls - great for squeezing for hand exercises...and the queset for a search to move forward.

 One of my wishes for the weekend was to head to Cape May Point to see the monarchs on their migratory route - and see I did, though not in the batches of hundreds that have been sighted.  I felt blessed with those I got to watch - just standing in the warm sun and being still as they gathered on the goldenrod to feast before beginning their next step in the journey.  Quite representative for me and my place right now.  Now that the Uptown Pitman Farm Market has come to a close, it's time to regroup and find what engagement life has to offer next.  While I was feeling sad about the disconnect, my dear friend Lillian, wrote this to me this morning - and I pass it on to you

"Knowing that joy is present in life may require the absence of it once in awhile. Do you think that i possibly true?  Do you think that makes it something more appreciated?  Do you think that motivates one to keep seeking it and not settling for less?  What thoughts to ponder as I go forward on October 5 to see what synchronicities the day will bring!!