Happy Birthday MOM...We Remember

Today is Mom's birthday! We remember and honor her for who she was, the life she gave us, and the strengths that we received from her. There were challenges, but in all of our memories, it is special to remember with gratitude the gifts of a lifetime that made us who we are today!! Thanks MOM. We love you.

Stumbling on Happiness

Driving home from Delaware the other day from a great work/play day with my friend Peggy, I looked up ahead and knew I had to slow down for an icy patch on the road.  Strange because it was a cold and sunny day and there was no other ice or snow anywhere.  WOW was I ever glad I had to go slow and take my time, because as the title says, I once again 'stumbled onto happiness'.  Just to my left there was a small stream and just a few small trees just loaded with thick chunks of ice.  At the end of the day, the light was pretty special too and the glows it cast on the icicles, made them magical.   Since I discovered The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin http://www.happiness-project.com/ a few days ago, I have been planning my own Happiness project.  Gretchen mentions Dan Gilbert's book, Stumbling on Happiness, and I decided to go and find it.  Hey, this is NOT rambling - there is a purpose to what I am writing.  Right on the shelf next to his book, I found Wayne Dyer's The Power of Intention and brought it home too.  After all, it's about co-creating your world your way, and if that doesn't fit into the Happiness Project, well, what does?!?  Now, there is a connection to the books, the project, PhotoSchmoozer and the ice photos.  Wayne Dyer talks about The Power of Intention and his definitions just so aptly describe how I felt about the ice hanging from the low trees:

• A sense of the possible
• A sense of awe
• A sense of humility
• A sense of knowing
• A sense of belonging

I was awed and humbled by the beauty of nature and the knowing that these gifts are there for us all the time - in the world that we are all one with - anytime we stop and just look.  I wanted to flag down all of those drivers who sped past me, but then I thought that they had to discover their own happiness and awe and sense of the possible- each in his or her own way.
So I stopped and got out - I saw wonder and I share my thoughts with all of you!
I know that Happiness and Intention are a big part of my 2010 plan.  Let the adventure continue.

What Life is All About!!

Last night at the stroke of midnight, I definitely had an AHA of what my life is all about...I was sitting on the couch with my husband and the phone rang and Jon called from Japan.  It's all about family and love and caring.  Who could ask for anything more?!?  OK...continued health and healing too!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!

May we continue to respect, appreciate, love and value everyone in our lives - those we know and those we are yet to meet!!

Better Late than Never!!!

What is this man thinking???

This is Anthony Asbury, the chef at the 'former' Cafe Lula on Broadway in Pitman.  FORMER??  Yes, as of December 30, 2009, the doors of the restaurant have been closed and the amazingly wonderful food served for 16 months is no longer a reality.  Maybe not for long.  We can only hope that negotiations for a new location are successful and 2010 will open

new doors for Cafe Lula still in Pitman!!

We were looking for a special place to ring in the New Year, 2010 and went in to Cafe Lula to make reservations (embarrassed to say we had never taken the time to eat there in 16 months!!)  We found out that in just a few hours, there would no longer be service here so we promptly made a reservation for that night.  My comment is "Better Late than Never".  It was a totally awesome all around experience from the warm husky British greeting from Louise, better know as Lula to the bright spirit of Anthony and the fantastic service from the adorable Amanda.  We were delighted!  Needless to say, the food and the easy companionship from our fellow diners at close by tables, added to the ambience.  The Harvest Soup, Short Ribs, Lamb chops and perfectly cooked vegetables AND the last piece of an amazing carrot cake. 

We met the couple from Cherry Hill who just got back from a cruise, were successful Weight Watchers 'losers' and were absolutely passionate about dancing.  Then there was the family who was just gifted with the family house in Woodbury Heights - they were renting in Pitman until the house was renovated.  They had discovered Lula's and were regulars.  In fact, the place was crowded with regulars all here to wish the couple well.  The atmosphere was charming - curtains, flowers, and "It's a Wonderful Life" projected onto the back wall.

PhotoSchmoozer is all about dancing with life and affirming people.  This is yet another experience where we had an unplanned and 'perfect' event.  Let's hope that we hear from them soon and can make reservations for opening night in Pitman!!

Discoveries for a New Year!!

I have been struggling a lot this year trying to decide where to focus my energies with the blog/s I write - though inconsistently. How to make a choice and what to do was my dilemma until today. What happened? The other day, I was spending time with my new friend Peggy - personally and professionally. We are working on a project and getting to know one another. WE have discovered that we are in each other's lives for blessings and lessons. For me, I decided a few days earlier to focus on people and their hands - expressions of their individuality. When I saw Peggy take out the lotion to soften her hands, it came clear. Here is my new project and DARE to AFFIRM and PHOTO SCHMOOZER are NOT two separate entities!! See, DARE to AFFIRM is what I totally believe about people and the dance of relationships - valuing and affirming them and "catching them doing something right" and PHOTO SCHMOOZER is the person who makes it happen. What an AHA moment. So this is to say that from now on, my blog will be http://photoschmoozer.blogspot.com and I won't write any more on this one! Phew - what a relief. Come visit.

Reach Out and Touch Someone!!

On Christmas Day, I returned to Pitman Manor with Bill and my sister, Lisa. We were invited to visit with the residents on the 2nd and 3rd floors - those who were more incapacitated than our Ladies drumming group but as much in need of the beat of the rhythms of relationships. When we stepped out of the elevator, there were about 15 sets of eyes, each watching us in some way, wondering who we were and why we were there. Planning ahead, I took a CD player and CDs with different kinds of music as well as my Native American drum and some other percussion instruments. Scrap the plans for a group drumming session - remember I said to be adaptable!?! In fact, scrap the plans for a group anything. What happened was a unique connection with each person sitting and waiting. I was undaunted by a nurse's comment that 'they won't respond to you' and brought my heartfelt spirit of belief and compassion to the forefront.
Through talking and gentle touching, sometimes stroking a hand and sometimes a touch on the shoulder, we connected with each person in her own unique way. One woman said to me, "I have never drummed before." That was after she had just stared into my eyes for a long time. Words coming out of her mouth were a surprise but valued! Two things really affected me in very positive ways:
1. Most of the people looked directly into my eyes - I felt like there was a silent soul connection though they could not use their voices/words.
2. I was awed by the character of every one of their hands. Some were gnarled or twisted; some had blue veins or sores; but all were soft and willing to be touched. I realized that I have been taking pictures of shoes for quite awhile and now it is time to focus on HANDS. Here is yet another expression of the uniqueness of individuals. I intend to post more often on this blog and focus on people and their hands - the character of them and what they are doing. Then I looked in My Pictures and realized I have already begun! Let the adventure continue. It's fun to have a focus and a purpose for a project!!

Community of Caring with Drums!!

Sharing...and caring...and building community! It's not about 'stuff' but about being with people that brings a joyful spirit to our hearts. It all started out innocently enough with my being gifted with a purple drum. I let it sit until the time was right and I NEEDED to explore my own rhythms and connect with others to build community. I started out with a drumming workshop. The flyer for this event came into the hands of the Activity Coordinator at Pitman Manor, an assisted living and nursing home. "Would you like to come and drum with the Ladies' Group?" I responded with "Sure, it could be fun!!" One of my drumming friends, Katie, joined me and we went with no expectations. I've learned over the years that plans must be flexible and I must be adaptable. So we shared and we learned so much! Our little group ranged in age from 85 to 103!! Fascinating to me to hear the stories about living in Pitman for 103 years - what was and what is now. We had a grand time shaking and beating and singing too! I always use the term FACILITATOR with my experiences because I have as much to learn as to share. Carrol, the Activities Director, asked how long I had been doing this - "Oh today is my first". "WOW, you are a natural!" We all need affirmations for what we do and I so appreciated the comments. We have begun to talk about becoming 'regulars' there - considering the possiblities of making drums, inviting the men and planning how we can get others involved!! See, I put it out there to the Universe that I wanted to build community in Pitman. Did I know how it would happen? Nope...and that is the blessing. When you are still and watch for the synchronicities, they come - not always as you might have expected, but they always come!!

Blessings for the New Year!!

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hoshanah, in the Year 5770 began last Friday evening with song and prayers and an openness to reflecting on the year past, asking for forgiveness and then ending with Yom Kippur where we ask to be inscribed in the book of life!! Our wish to all of our friends is a Peaceful, Healthy and Happy New Year filled with contentment, compassion and gratitude for who we are and the gifts we are given.
Saturday afternoon we strolled through Brookside Gardens in MD with sister Lisa, niece Rebecca and friend Elizabeth. Gifts right there! When I go out in the beauty of nature, I go slowly, am still and just watch. What a gift I received that day!! This butterfly flew around me and then landed in a bush right near me and did not move for the longest time except to gently flutter her wings. It gave me pause and lots of opportunities to watch. She was at least 4 inches in diameter and just a special gift. To me, it signified my emergence from the cocoon of what was and the entrance into the world of what could be!! Sharing this with all of my friends who have lived and grown with me is special and I thank you for listening.
If I, as PhotoSchmoozer had not been out walking slowly with my camera, there would have been no way to share...but there was!!

Joy and Lightness in the Garden

The monarch only lays its eggs on milkweed and that is planted in the garden (imported from Delaware years ago with my 'buddy' Jill). This year, as I am out and about and still in the garden that is our gift, I quietly watched the monarchs. Yes, we are gifted with several of them and their yellow and black swallowtail relatives as well.
Their message to me is EMERGE and float gently on the breezes - partake of the sweetness that life offers and know that all is well in the world. Just BELIEVE and be still. Walk softly and just BE!! It's a lesson for PhotoSchmoozer ...and for the world. Peace friends.

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!!

Morning in Our Garden

Today I needed to go out into the garden and BE STILL. I have been hearing so many stories about people not being kind to one another, not taking the time to listen and try to understand differences (close to home and in the bigger scheme of world affairs) that I knew the garden was the place to offer me the peace and serenity to REALLY appreciate and value the gifts that are all around us IF ONLY we take time to stop and see them. I disovered over 20 varieties of flowers. I paused when I realized this and put life in perspective. This morning, I awoke with some of those same angry feelings and decided to make a collage that would bring me back to the garden and the beauty and simplicity that can be.
It's a lesson to be learned and right in my own back yard. Everyone and Everything has beauty, value and worth. Take the time to see it and honor it and then tell someone else about their value to you. While you are at it, don't forget to stop and appreciate your own value!!

Feasting at the Road Kill Cafe!!

Coming home from my visit with Rita, I was about to turn into the driveway and found that we had an uninvited guest who was in the neighborhood feasting at the 'road kill cafe'! Sad to say, I did not have the camera in the car for immediate photo ops and gratification, but asked him to stay around while I ran in for it! That he did. I was able to sit quietly and watch as he tried to go back out time and again for more feasting in between cars driving by. The neighbor's dog barking chased him away as well, but he did come back a few more times and enjoyed the taste of the rabbit which by this time was totally covered by flies and had quite a pungent odor!! My lesson - never leave home without the camera because you never know who could stop by!!

Becoming ONE and at PEACE!!

Yes, today it is all about ME!

Barbara Martie Wogan Mollenhauer

And you ask why?? Yesterday I spent time with my first friend and neighbor in Pitman, Rita. We talked about past, present and future. The joys of who we are and what we were still 'looking for'. How to take the best and move forward with it. Rita remembered me as Barbara - the persona/name I used for the first 50 years of my life. Then in a change of life moment, well actually not so impulsive, I legally became Martie. I thought that the Barbara person who was not accepted by lots of others because of her enthusiasm, spontaneity, sensitivity and feelings would be more complete as Martie - a softer, more gentle being. For the past 13 years, I have still struggled with some of the same issues. Rita got me to stop and reflect that 'little Barbara' is very much a part of me and so is Martie. It is the name I was born with and now it is time to ACCEPT both of their identities and merge them as one so I can truly love and accept ME and be the person that I have always meant to be. So...the next steps in the journey begin!!

I went out into the world to see what the day would bring, and the synchronicities that always come to me - camera or not - provide such amazement. So Catch Them Doing Something Right applies to me too!! How about that. If we don't start with ourselves, how can we be there for others?!?

I'm So Cute!!

Meet Tamisa Brooks! PhotoSchmoozer did at the Zero to Three Birth to Three Institute in Washington, DC this week and was totally drawn into her spirit, positive energy and of course, her cuteness! Why do I say this? Monday night, the planning staff of the Early Head Start National Resource Center at Zero to Three had a dinner together to celebrate their hard work in planning the event that was to open the following morning. After a wonderful buffet of quality healthy food, Lillian Sugarman, the 'fearless leader' of the group, invited each person to step to the mike and introduce him/herself and share ONE THING about themselves. When Tamisa's turn came, she got up there and said, "I AM CUTE and this summer I intend to be even more cute." When I later introduced myself and shared my 'photoschmoozing' activity, she said, You can do me. So, never pass up an invitation!! Thursday morning, I found Tamisa doing what she does best - organizing and networking and making people feel welcome. She was in charge of the exhibits, the drawings and making people feel great when they were winners! I see her as a greeter, a front person and total cheer!
As we talked, Tamisa wanted to share some of the summer plans for herself and her 9 year old daughter, Chandler. First, let's hear about Chandler. She is off to Patterson,NJ to spend the summer with Auntie Tasha. This woman gathers nieces and nephews and offers them a fascinating summer. She interviews the children to see who they are and where they will fit. She asked Chandler, "Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?" Chandler responded, "I see myself growing. I have a lot of ideas and suggestions of what we can do this summer." Auntie Tasha 'hired' her on the spot to be the manager of the kids! Amazing!!
Then there is Tamisa. She is extremely family oriented and is looking to get married and have more children as part of her life plan but for now "Nothing is going on but the rent!" Her plans for the summer while Chandler is away - first of all to be even more cute, then take time to get to know herself a lot more and to go out and explore more because she is usually a homebody.
WOW - admire these girls and their spirit of living their lives. Just WOW!!