On the Road Again...

It's been a looooooooong week and photography and truly being still with Nature - though always important - was replaced by the inner workings of surgical centers, waiting rooms, and hospital care.  Yesterday, Bill came home and our lives could return to 'normalcy' IT there is truly such a concept in reality?!?  I woke up with him beside me in our bed, looked out the window at the brilliant sunshine and colors and just knew that I had to go out and BE STILL.    I just decided to get in the car and explore.  I found this one tree and just sat with it for a long time.  It had everything I could possibly want:
   Concepts of Color, Trees, Leaves, Branches, Light, Sky...it's all good and it is all right in front of us when we stop and just see.  We don't have to label it, we just have to see it.  
   First I saw the whole tree and then I began to really get closer and look at all of it in sections.  The top was vivid red - and there were so many other colors showing themselves. 

 What truly fascinated me was the strength of the tree supported by all of its branches.  It took me back to this past week - the tree as metaphor - I needed strength and courage - maybe some bright colors too - to support Bill in the surgery and healing process.  I have a strong central trunk but this tree made me truly reflect on all of the branches in our lives that help support us.  Our son and daughter in law were present with phone calls and pictures of our baby for healing - can you believe he is already 100 days old.  My siblings and so many friends were all right there too.  Just made me think that although our trunk is strong - all of the other branches are what surround us and support us.  So it's the tree in nature...and so much more.  I have always been fascinated by trees - now with the color - yet also in all of the seasons with their bare nakedness - exposed to the elements yet standing strong and then after rest, growing again.  It's all a part of the life cycle.  Bill is sleeping a lot now and I realize that it too is his rest and an important part of his healing process.

Peace, Love and Healing

Every year at this time, I realize that I tend to go within - to truly be still and to reflect on life as it is...and as I wish it to be.  Today a friend posted this on Facebook and I thought that it was my wishes for the New Year for myself and the world - my immediate family and friends as well as those on the periphery or those that I don't know yet. 
   I sit here this morning with the window wide open, the cool breezes gently caressing me and the birds singing their good morning.  It is not every day that I wake with a feeling of peacefulness and it feels wonderful!  Yesterday I sincerely allowed life to flow as it would and it was just perfect!
   I have decided that there are a few 'best' ways to achieve this peace.  One is that when my mind starts to chatter and create situations that make me feel less than ok, I pause and send LOVINGINGKINDNESS meditation to those who bring me troubled thoughts - may they be safe, may they be happy, may they be health, may they share love and compassion, may they be at peace.  Life is too short to hold any kind of animosity toward another fellow human being.  I just count my blessings - family and especially our new grandson...special friends...and self - an amazing character full of love and compassion!! 
  

Today friend Bob posted a piece by photographer Tony Sweet
   Here is the link...truly gave me pause...and peace...and self awareness!!
      http://tonysweet.com/2013/09/01/finding-voice/
  Lately my camera and I have been quiet - within - resting and reflective.  I have allowed myself to know that this is OK...that Fall is my time for transition - Mother Nature's as well - a time to purge, cleanse, allow some of the old to 'die' and make room for the new.

THE PRECIOUS PRESENT!!

It's all about the GIFT OF THE PRECIOUS PRESENT!  I put up this picture of a present wrapped so beautifully - NOT with 'stuff' and material things, but with love, caring and compassion.  I have learned the gift of TODAY in so many ways and just continue to open to GRATITUDE and recognizing what we have -

Two weeks ago, my dear friend was buried - she was not ready to leave the Earth plane - or so we thought...Yesterday our friend's son was buried - same funeral parlor - synchronicities abound!  Was he ready to die at such a young age? We don't know for sure...

Last week, I came home from an adventure on the BUS - not at all my intention, but an adventure never the less and I did arrive home safely - even if it was days after I was to be here - BUT I AM HERE!!

Last night we had an election for President ...some folks are into anger and rage and hurtful comments and my prayer is that they realize that TODAY is our gift and a time to begin healing for the good of everyone!!

So many lessons learned from all of it - TODAY is the best gift we are given - the PRECIOUS PRESENT - life is too short and tenuous to be filled with grief, anger or mistrust - it is to be filled with love and compassion - acceptance and understanding.  Because one feels 'different' and maybe threatened or insecure, it's no reason to be unkind to another fellow human being.  Just not kind and truly hurtful!!  When someone reaches out their hearts to you, open your arms and be welcoming!!  It doesn't cost a cent BUT lots of authenticity and caring!!

Goldie, Madeleine and Friends - Healing Happens!!

Healing happens...it just does!!  We can facilitate, look for the synchronicities and invite others to participate, but in the final event, it is those who are meant to be there who come!  Last night was no exception.  Madeleine Doherty has become more than a person playing the harp at a concert - that was three years ago.  Now, she is just a gentle spirit, a compassionate and giving person, and an inspiration and friend to many.  Last weekend was 'full of Madeleine' yet I knew it was not over - I wanted to visit more and invite her energy, along with Goldie the harp to our home.  That I did.  Someone asked how I pulled it off?  Didn't- just did and guess that is how I do things.  I want something to happen, put it out to the Universe and it manifests!!  I invited many people - so many were full of obligations, but seven needed to be together and we were!

Meet the group:  Sonja, Megan, Jane, June, Conni~Joi, Toni, Martie and Madeleine - there is light in this picture - yes from the lamps but also from the inner glow that was showing so naturally from everyone!  After everyone left, I turned off the lights and sat in meditation for about 20 minutes with the energy from the evening that has remained in the house.  So we have started something new - House Parties with Madeleine!!

http://www.madeleinedoherty.ie/index.html

Please visit and know more about Madeleine

Be Gracious and ACCEPT the Gifts of Life!!

Years ago, Bill and I set off for one of our adventures in our Cocoon, though a bigger version of the first 18' hi-lo we journeyed in for 90 days all over the US a few years before.  This time we decided on the Canadian Maritime provinces - New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI. How is this factoid related to a collage of shoes??  Look at the next to last row and the third picture in.  We were walking at the Lobster Festival in Sheddiac, New Brunswick and I saw a young girl walking toward me with MISMATCHED SHOELACES.  As my dream is always to go out into the world mismatched (still a challenge, even as an evolving free spirit), I stopped her and asked if I could take a picture of her shoes.  She gave me an amused and amazed look but said, "Sure".  There it all began.  In my collection now, I have over 1000 pictures of people and their shoes.  WHY?  and what does this have to do with ACCEPTANCE??  Everything on several levels.  First, when sister, Lisa, and I were in New England a few years back, I was taking pictures of shoes and bare feet and she started thinking how they represented diversity.  Then I got to the thought of Unity...and Diversity.  I realized that most everyone wore shoe coverings of some sort (or bare skin, sometimes adorned with gems and bangles) and that made us all the same in some way.  The differences came in what we wear and why we choose what we do.  Sometimes it is for comfort - sometimes for appearance - and maybe because they are the only ones we have?!?  So we must accept each person for his/her unique individuality of expression.
   Now take it a step further in my story about acceptance.  My feet were hurting - bunions and hammer toes and I decided to have surgery. (If I had it to do over again, maybe I would have opted for larger wider shoes and stopped at that!)  I found a surgeon, had the surgery and the resulting screws in my feet and then lived the healing process.  Two years later - the doctor said that everyone healed at individual rates - there is still numbness and lack of healing.  I am wondering now if there are severed tendons as a result of the operation.  A neurologist is helping me see where the neuropathy is coming from.  Might be the operation and might just be something with the nerves in the lower back.  Next week will offer more puzzle pieces in place as we review the results of the MRI on the lower back.  OK Martie - get to the point!!  ACCEPTANCE.  I have to learn that the doctor did the best he could, though not a perfect operation and IF the numbness comes from the surgery, maybe, just maybe, I will have to accept it and live with it.  Time will tell - and yes, it is all connected.  Fancy shoes for some...numb toes and wide plain shoes for others.  Gratitude that I have my feet and can walk - maybe slower, but I can do it and for this I am thankful!!

DRUMMING FOR COMMUNITY BUILDING

Drumming has been an attraction to me for quite a few years though I have not actively pursued it. Now I can wait no longer. The hubby bought me a conga drum a few years back for my birthday present - purple of course!! Then I began to get a few books and CDs and 'jump' slowly into the water. Then I read a book by Robert Lawrence Friedman - THE HEALING POWER OF THE DRUM - and could wait no longer. I wanted to drum for finding my natural rhythms, building community and bringing more peace and balance into my life.
I called Robert to see where I could attend one of his workshops. When there was no place, I took a GIANT LEAP OF FAITH and asked him what he would charge to come to Pitman. NOW we are READY to meet and greet, play and heal. Sunday October 4 from 1-3, people will come together at the Ground House for a workshop. It's exciting and I know a new path of adventure and discovery for me!! I've lived here for so many years and now am beginning to feel more and more that it is 'my town'. It took PhotoSchmoozer's being out and about to make this happen!! Once more, I have paid attention to my intuition and done what feels right to me!! YEAH Martie the PhotoSchmoozer!!

In My Own Little World

It's been a long time. A few days after I wrote the last blog about adventuring in Kensington section of Philadelphia with 'the gang', I opted for surgery! Yes, it was by choice if you can consider that getting rid of pain is a choice. The right foot was looking funny and then skewed the spine and the rest of the body. My doctor said "I was an interesting woman" and proceeded to tell me all of the things going on with my toes that made this so. Lucky you...this is about photography and seeing - not my medical ills!! So I am now the lucky owner of straight toes (though I won't know that for days yet til we go back for a check up) and this big ugly black open toed boot that is my faithful companion for six weeks. I am confined...and not champing at the bit like I thought I might. I almost find it relaxing to sit upstairs in the recliner with my foot up on a bunch of pillows.

But wait!!! This is about the PhotoSchmoozer and seeing. What can I do if I can't go out and about?!? Well...simple my photography friends...stay in and within and see what is right in the world around me. There are windows to the outside and amazing little wonderful things right here in this room that have lots of meaning. My niece Rebecca found some cute little duckies at the local hobby shop, so there too are photo ops. Then there are all of my 'chatchkas', goddess statues...the choices are infinite. In the days to come, I will share some of those. For today...me healing in my chair. As the New Year approaches, I can be filled with gratitude - a foot on the way to healing, a great new job and wonderful family and friends who nurture and care. Happy Days and always be still to just look around you. It is amazing.