Perfect Peace, Love and Contentment!!

It was a perfect Saturday at Camp Jam in the Pines in Monroeville, NJ.  I felt like we had stepped back in time as we were surrounded by so many people who were wearing their tie dyed long skirts, flowers in their hair, sporting beards and were totally chilled out.  My comment, "If you are uptight, you had better leave because this was no place for you!!  We joined the crowd, set up our chairs, listened to music and people watched!  Food was organic and vegetarian and outstanding.  The vendors were from Woodstock, NY and knew how to put the black bean toastie together on a grill fired by propane tank!  We got into the 'nothing' frame of mind, though without the beer or other mellowing agents that were around us!!  No problem. The sunshine did it for us!!  Mid afternoon,  as I was walking barefoot through the grass, I saw the perfect picture of love, peace and contentment - the 'poster children' for the event and here they are.  We almost made it until the end...Caravan of Thieves, Infamous Stringdusters and New Riders of the Purple Sage - like Jerry Garcia was back again in the 60s!! 

The Sweet Sounds of Rhythms and Relationships!!

It's always about serendipity and being in the right place at the right time!!  Years ago, maryi and I and a small group of women drmmed at full moon time at the 'farm'.  We lost touch over the years, but I still kept drumming in my head and heart though I didn't exercise the hands.  A few years ago, One Spirit book club had a kit with a hand drum, book and CD by Christine Stevens, music therapist and Remo Drum company's music director.  I bought it!!  Everything came alive.  Then I read The Healing Power of the Drum and invited Robert Lawrence Friedman, the author, to do a drum circle/workshop in Pitman last October - full moon and our anniversary.  After that, some drumming at the farm and in our living room - more drums and more connections.  I was invited to Pitman Manor to drum with the senior citizens women's group.  We went back again Christmas Day to drum with those more involved.  It was a pleasure to see so many show their spirit through their eyes or a brief smile as I placed a drum mallet in their hands and encouraged them to try!  I saw my sister, Lisa, do the same thing (twins born 9 years apart).  The story continues as Carol, the activities director at the Manor invited me to her house for a Christmas Eve open house. There, a young man, Aubrey, had a ceramin doumbek and I totally loved its 'sweet' sound.  I looked around and finally discovered Full Circle Drums - Ishmael and Patra, on a mountain top near Santa Barbara, CA. What you see is what I got!!  Ishmael offered to send me pictures of 5 drums he had just made that were not yet on their web-site.  http://www.fullcircledrums.com/  and I could have first choice.  I chose Spiral Mandala.  Now I am going to a drum circle tomorrow in Baltimore, MD with Jonathan Murray and another next week near home (more about that after it is over!)  In September, Conni-Joi and I will be spending 3 days with Remo,Christine Stevens and Barry Bittman,MD, for a Health Rhythms training.  (See the Remo web-site for more details about the Princeton, NJ training 9/9-11)  After that...the world is wide open and you can be sure you will hear about Spirit of Joi: Rhythms and Relationships for fun, healing and self-discovery.  Keep reading and invite us to drum with you or your group.  Life is full of spirited, energetic like minded souls and I LOVE IT!!  Join our circle or do you have one of your own?  Share that with us     catchthemright@aol.com  

Life is too fragile to not live, love, laugh, dance and DRUM!!

U of PA Seniors Celebrate THE END!!

Yesterday I met my sister, Lisa, at the Union League in Philadelphia.  She had stayed at their Inn and was in town for a ULI event.  As I was driving through town to find a parking lot, I started seeing these HUGE groups of  students dressed in yellow Sesame Street t-shirts.  Once I found Lisa, we were sitting on the front 'porch' of the Union League, rocking away, and a group of kids posed on the step. Being the ever curious Photoschmoozer that I am, I had to find out what was going on!!  Here is what I discovered...Sunday is their graduation, so en masse, they decided to go from Second Street all the way back to their campus on a BAR HOP!!  Oh to be  young and energetic and celebratory.  What's next for them?  Didn't matter yesterday as they walked and laughed and stopped and drank. They were living in the present moment!!

Now here is the funny part of the conversation!  After I noticed the definite individuality of their shirt designs, I looked down on an arm and saw ALL of this writing!  Of course, I had to ask about that as well.  Seems it is her agenda for the day with the names and addresses of the bars they are going to!  Live and Learn.  If you don't ask, you don't find out.  Wonder why Mom always challenged me on that and said I asked too many questions.  Funny, I am working with someone now who says the same thing.  Soon that relationship will be over and I will be off with Young spirited, bright, creative and curious friends and colleagues.  Won't have it any other way from now on!!  Life is too short not to be lived to the fullest!!

Ducks in a Row!!

Years ago, I worked with Sydelle and any time we sat down to plan, she always talked about 'getting our ducks in a row'.  She always had great intentions and then the planning turned to working at a fast pace to get something done.  My task was to come in after and truly work to 'get the ducks in a row'.  When I was sitting at the lake yesterday watching the families that are hatching and growing strong there, I thought of her and our work together.  (OK, I know they are geese, but close enough because there was a mallard family as well!!)  Then I thought about my life now and all of the healing and transitions that are happening - sometimes at what feels like warp speed!!  I suppose I am refelcting and quietly planning and striving to get my ducks in a row.  The challenge of it all is to BE STILL (my favorite words but not always my favorite practice in reality) and allow events and experiences to flow.  I've been having a 'mind dilemma' yet when I sat still under my healing tree and later at the lake, the solution became so simple and clear.  Maybe we all need to pay attention to how we are guided and not think that we are totally responsible for outcomes!  How about that for a beautiful insight?!?  Try it; life could be a lot simpler and more peaceful.

Totally by Chance!!

Talk about synchronicities and incidents occurring by chance!?!  Here is a 'perfect' example!  I was quietly sitting in my rocking chair on the front porch the other day watching the debris falling from the roof as Ron and crew finished the final clean up.  All of  sudden this 2x4 fell down and STOOD STRAIGHT UP IN THE GROUND!!  Lucky for me to see this.  I looked across the street and the neighbor was out for his hourly smoke.  We just waved and laughed at this!  Could it happen if planned?  NO way!!  I went down the steps and the guys were standing up on the roof and laughing too!   The hole is still in the lawn, left when they took the board out of the ground!  It's the simple things in life that can bring humor and joy.  Pay attention!!

Tip Top Teamwork!!

Today I am still on the Teamwork topic.  A few days ago, it was the children playing in the sandbox in Central Park, Manhattan. Today it is about a group of guys working together on the roof of our house!  They had to strip it to the bare bones to prepare to put the new roof on.  Now, as it their life depended on it, and it does in some ways, these guys were there for one another.  Not only did they appear to work well together, but they definitely lived the meaning of teamwork - Together Everyone Achieves More.  Some tore off, some did the plywood and some others did the shingles.  They each has strengths and used them effectively.  It's been less than a week and it will soon be finished.  No easy challenge since we have a three story house with lots of steep roof pieces and peaks.  Even for those of us who don't engage in physical labor like these guys, we can learn a few lessons - know your strengths, respect your fellow workers and get in there together to get the job done!  It's about discovering strengths which leads to cooperation and collaboration.  Maybe someday child care, Head Start and related fields will really step up and do the same!!  It would be a blessing and we would all benefit!!

Pay Attention to Your Words: They Have Meaning!!

Yesterday I was talking with Conni-Joi and sharing the fun I am having weaving the web of collaboration in Delaware and New Jersey.  I can begin to see how many strands are  integrating for the good of infants, toddlers, families and staff.  She was fascinated by my words and asked, "Have you ever looked at the Spider as your Power Animal?"  No I had not but now I have and WOW are the messages I discovered ever so meaningful!!  Listen...The spider is a Weaver and she is creating a delicate, magical tapestry!  Weaving is joining separate strands of fabric into an integrated pattern and Spider (ME!!) is the master weaver!  She has the ability to see our lives as a whole  and live in a more integrated way.  Her web is not an entanglement but a network of roads to travel.  Spider is associated with the spiral, the symbol of Universal energy.  Through her we realize that we are all connected to life and all we have is the infinite NOW!  Can you imagine this wonderful message started with sharing a few simple words with a friend!  Who could say that life is not  meaningful!!  Stop, be still and pay attention.  There are always messages and lessons to be learned!!!  PS Now we are approaching May and my countdown is at 147 days!!!

Crops in Our Own Back Yard

OK - the backyard crop is NOT enough for us to open a farm market in our front yard BUT it is enough for Farmer Bill to harvest and for us to eat and thoroughly enjoy.  On a whim a few years back, we brought home a few asparagus plants and found them a home in the garden.  They grew!!  As tasty as they are, is as much fun as they are to photograph after the crop has been harvested.  They have wonderful feathery 'leaves' and bright red berries.  IF you live in NJ, head out now to find yourself some wonderful Jersey asparagus.  You won't be disappointed!! 

Playing in the Sandbox

It was a really HOT day in Central Park in New York City and PhotoSchmoozer was there with the Gloucester County Photography group for a day of photo ops!  What could we see?  What would we share?  My focus (no pun intended) is on relationships and especially those with and among children.  How fortunate to get to a shady spot and see this group playing together.  Lucky to have a zoom so I wouldn't bother them, I stood outside the fenced in area and was STILL and watched.  They used their words, they used one another's shovels and buckets, they all decided to remove their shoes and they watched one another.  There was no sand throwing, grabbing or otherwise out of sorts behaviors. Lately, as I have beeen 'playing in the sandbox' with big people through my work and volunteer efforts, I keep thinking back to the children in the park and wondering when children lost the sharing and become so much more about their own interests.  I have been working a lot with collaborative efforts and wonder why these big people can't sit in the sandbox and play well together?!?  Is it about funding, self interests, and a lack of realization that we are all working toward the same goals?  Is it about needing to use power to be right and control others? Is it forgetting that times are challenging and IF we all played well in the sandbox and shared our toys, there would actually be more for everyone?!?  I wouldn't point fingers or name names, but I do have my child-like wishes that people would stop, watch, and reflect on the mission that we are ALL about and share their toys!! 

IVY and ELLIE!! Too Sweet!!

A few months ago, Allison showed me a stuffed elephant she had bought for her friend who was going through chemotheraphy.  It made me laugh when I squeezed the foot and listened to her singing!  No, I don't remember the song, but it was lively.  A few weeks ago, I knew I had to purge more 'stuff' and the elephant needed a new home.  My friend, Heather, in Nebraska has a four year old and I have decided to somewhat adopt them as the daughter/granddaughter I would love to have - so I thought about finding a new home for the elephant.  I packed her up for mailing and sent her winging to a new home.  I also wrote a note with one of my greeting cards using my photos - gosh people love those!!  This one had a pair of pink cowgirl boots. I thought Ivy would like them!  Turns out she has a pair of the boots, named the elephant "Ellie" and it's her best friend.  In fact, she often sleeps with her.  Yesterday Heather took pictures of Ivy and Ellie and sent them to me.  Today I share them with you.  She is a charmer - so full of energy and imagination - a free spirit that many of us long to be.  I hope to go and meet her in person so we can dance together and sprinkle fairy dust all around us.  Make a wish...you never know when it will come true!!  My Guardian Angel, Filaree is such a spirit and everyday, I can feel her coming more alive in ME!!  Just the other day, someone said, "Martie you are such a free spirit!"  Ah to believe other people's perceptions.  Every day a little bit more - Believe and your wishes can come true!!

                                 

Stand Up and Be Counted!!

A few weeks ago, Allison and I spent a day with folks at Read Aloud Delaware conference connecting, presenting and visiting with old friends.  Our workshops were about Capturing the Senses in a Literacy Rich Environment and of course with Infants and Toddlers.  As Allison said the other day, "We are the infant/toddler experts!"  Feels so right!  Now we have to get people to pay attention to the uniqueness of those years.  It will come.  But yes, I am digressing.  I've been told that my mind wanders but then it comes back to task!  As we talked about neurons and firing connections through experiences, we decided that a tangerine would be a great way for a hands on activity!  So we brought bags of tangerines (lucky for us, there were only 25 in each group).  As we talked about  a sense, we talked about how the simplilcity of the tangerine could be used to see, hear, smell, touch and taste.  As we got to the touch and taste pieces, we encouraged everyone to peel theirs and live the experiences. As I began peeling, I got the 'message' to keep the skin intact and that I did!  Comments about creativity came my way.  So I thought, "What if I kept this and dried it out?"  That I did and as it took form, it reminded me of a person - maybe I will create a doll.  Today I took it out to the garden for a photo op and this is what I am sharing with you.  Remember I always talk about capturing the moment??  Well, here's another cool example of how the peel became a doll person!!  What can you do to create something fun out of the ordinary and unexpected!?!  Give it a try!!

Spirit of JOI!! Rhythms and Relationships

NOTHING IS BY ACCIDENT!!  A few months ago, I went to a drumming workshop in Mullica Hill.  I did not take the time to make my own Native American drum since Bill had just come home after surgery, but I did choose to buy one from the teacher.  I digress - so what else is new??  There were about 8 drums in one corner of the room and I went to sit with them and quietly listen to decide which one was talking with me!  Right there with me were several gentle souls who listened to the sounds and took part in my decision making.  One of these people was Conni-Joi and she is a Joi!!  Now the amazing fact is that she lives a few blocks from us!!  It's unusual for me to go somewhere and connect with someone who lives in my town and even on my 'side' of the town.  Since then we have been walking - this picture was from one day recently at Betty Park by Alcyon Lake in Pitman - talking, cooking and sharing energy and healing.  Now we have joined a CSA =- organic vegetables weekly and will build our relationship on healthy living and healthy cooking.  Maybe someday - you will have to wait to hear about this - we might expand our activities to reach out in healiing ways to our world!!  For now, we live the simple way and share quiet experiences - music, drumming, and especially love of nature!  OK Mom, so I continue to talk to everyone and once again, I show that it is necessary because you never know!!

Look Up! Look Up! What Do You See??

Sunday was special in so many ways!  DARE to AFFIRM is all about RESPECT and when I got a postcard for a show with the same name - Respect - a Woman's Journey, well...I knew I had to go. It was Allison's birthday and I decided the perfect treat would be an adventure to Philadelphia for lunch, the show and whatever else presented itself to us.  Waking up to perfect weather was the first gift of the day!  Going out to play with a friend was the second.  Our intention was to laugh and have FUN and that we did.  It was lunch at Famous 4th Street Deli - funny though - PhotoSchmoozer forgot to take a picture of the GIANT piece of cake we had - layers and layers of banana cream, chocolate and cake!  It was enough for the entire birthday party!!  Then we had to walk it off by strolling down South Street.  One of the lessons learned there is to look around, look down and look UP!  That's why the giant ant is on this blog.  It was 'crawling' across the top of a building!  There used to be a shop called Zipperhead and these ants are left over on the building.  IF I had just people watched or walked straight along with a focused purpose, I would have missed this and so many other murals and signs.  Just a lesson to all of you...stop where you are and look all around to see what is really present in your world.  You will be so totally surprised!

 Yet another surprise!  These friends were travelling up the side of the building to go and visit their friend at the top. What a celebration was to occur!!  See I said that you had to look all over!!

Everyone Celebrates FUN!!!

Everyone celebrates something!  What about YOU!?!?!  As PhotoSchmoozer travels out and about and talks to lots of people, I hear that some celebrate opening their eyes in the morning, getting out of bed and just being thankful for being alive!!  Others celebrate LIFE in a big way; the seasons; phases of the moon; family and on and on.  In spite of the war and destruction, we all need time to be mindful of what is special to each of us.  This week, my family and I went to celebrate Passover with our 87 year old uncle and his son (another story, another time!) I met a 94 year old woman in the grocery store yesterday who had her 'macaroni' and meatballs cooked and ready for a celebration with her children and grandchildren and maybe some great grandchildren too -15.  She will have everyone at her house for holildays until she can no longer do it!  What a role model.  I talked with her in my favorite produce section.  My mom always wondered WHY I talked to everyone.  I know WHY!?!  Do you?  If you don't engage, you might miss some of life's most wonderful stories and lessons.  Then, driving home from a massage yesterday, I had to pull over and capture this giant celebration!  Thanks to those who took the time to brighten up our world!!  It's never ending and I for one, celebrate having a LOVE OF PEOPLE and a JOY for relationships.