Sunday, March 31, 2013

Laugh and Be Happy



“Cheerfulness is the very flower of health." Proverb

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Sincere Apologies





"I sit on a man's back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means -- except by getting off his back."
LEO TOLSTOY, What Then Must We Do

Friday, March 29, 2013

Appreciating What Your Real Needs Are



"Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like."  -  Will Rogers


Thursday, March 28, 2013

A Lovely Morning Tea by the Sea

My daughter Aria was visiting us for four days, March 22-26. On the morning of her last day in Long Beach my friend Mitra invited us for morning tea. We sat on her patio which has a stunning view of the blue Pacific. The table was set beautifully with lovely flowers, fresh fruit and a selections of goodies along with tea and coffee.




My friendship with Mitra began through our mutual love of the italian language. We met in our italian class and have become close friends over the years. We meet at least four times a month for italian class and for our private study sessions together.

A few summers ago   Mitra was spending a summer study session in   Florence, Italy where Aria was living.  They were able to meet  spend some happy times together that summer.  This was such a nice reunion  for both of them and so kind of Mitra to plan this delightful morning tea to for us.


We were all so happy that my sister, Jocelyn, was also able to join us.


After tea Mitra had a surprise gift for Aria.

Mitra explained that when she saw these embroidered towels she immediately thought of Aria's upcoming wedding in June and wanted her to have them. They are so cute!

"They fell in love"

                                                          "They got married."


                                                         "They lived happily ever after."


   Thank you Mitra for all the love and thoughtfulness you put into making this last day of Aria's visit so nice. It was a very lovely morning tea by the sea.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Love's Philosophy






by Percy Bysshe Shelley

The fountains mingle with the river,
And the rivers with the ocean;
The winds of heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In another's being mingle--
Why not I with thine?
See, the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower could be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;--
What are all these kissings worth,
If thou kiss not me?

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

What's Happening With You



“Some people make things happen, some watch things happen, while others wonder what has happened”

Monday, March 25, 2013

Sunday, March 24, 2013

The Things That Give You Joy





"We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry." - E.B. White



Saturday, March 23, 2013

Let Us Love



"Let us love with urgency of dying and the innocence of the newborn.
Let us love with the abandon of adolescence and the certainty of adulthood.
Let us love generously and openly taking all risks -
For as we have been loved, we must love in return,
And in the love that redeems us, we open our hands and hearts gathering a bouquet to offer to heaven."
 - Katherine Mary Krsak

Friday, March 22, 2013

Finding My Way




"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I’ve ended up where I needed to be."
– Douglas Adams

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Gestures




Greeting the Divine Spirit
Bowing

by Madisyn Taylor

Bowing has the quality of consciously evoking spirit and conveys a sense of reverence for the people involved.

Bowing is a universal gesture of respect and reverence. In many cultures, it is the predominant form of social greeting, and most religions incorporate it into their rituals of worship. In many cases, bowing signifies not only respect but also an acknowledgment of the shared divinity between the bower and the recipient. Bowing can also be a turning in toward our own divinity when we bow our heads in prayer, contemplation, or meditation. Bows range in form from a slight forward nod of the head to a full body prostration on the ground, and range in meaning from a simple greeting to a complete giving over of the self to the divine. 

If you have ever bowed or been on the receiving end of a bow, you know that it is different from a handshake or a hug. Bowing has the quality of consciously evoking spirit and conveys a sense of reverence for the people involved. The word “Namaste,” which accompanies bowing in yoga, actually translates as “The divine spirit in me acknowledges the divine spirit in you.” When we greet one another with this kind of awareness, we can’t help but be more conscious that we are deeply connected to one another and to everyone, because this divine spirit resides in all of us.

There are simple bows and complicated bows, and subtle variations carry different meanings depending upon where you are, who you are, and a number of other factors. But we can all practice bowing by simply bringing our two hands together in prayer and pressing the thumb side of our hands lightly into our chests. Keeping a long spine, simply bend your head gently down so that you are looking at the tops of your fingers. Close your eyes and breathe consciously, paying homage to your spirit, the same spirit that resides within all of humanity. 

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Too Many Options

Me Halloween c.1970's

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Permanent Imprints




"No love, no friendship can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever."- Francois Muriac

Monday, March 18, 2013

What We Ought To Do



"We ought to do good to others as simply as a horse runs, or a bee makes honey, or a vine bears grapes season after season without thinking of the grapes it has borne." - Marcus Aurelius

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Compassion, Empathy, Grace



"There is nobility in compassion, a beauty in empathy, a grace in forgiveness."
-John Connolly

Friday, March 15, 2013

In Your Own Way

 


In a gentle way, you can shake the world.

- Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Kindness Mission






"The full measure of a man is
not to be found in the man himself,
but in the colors and textures that
come alive in others because of him."
- Albert Schweitzer

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

A Winter Walk



"In winter we lead a more inward life. Our hearts are warm and merry, like cottages under drifts, whose windows and doors are half concealed, but from whose chimneys the smoke cheerfully ascends."- Henry David Thoreau "A Winter Walk"

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Happy Times with the Family

Any time spent with my family is a good time. Last night my cousin Nancy was in town and I was invited to dinner at my aunt and uncle's house to join in a belated birthday celebration for  her.  It was a happy time spent with my cousins and my aunt and uncle.

Here's my cousin Nancy, the birthday girl herself!

Here's Stefanie with her grandma Mabel.

and Stefanie with her mom, Peggy

Any time I am able to spend with my wonderful Auntie Mabel is a great time. She's my mom's only living sister. We all treasure her presence in our lives so much.

Cousin Dave arrives with the wine!

 
Here's my cousin Ann busy cooking up some delicious food.  She made:
Shrimp and scallops with fresh basil.

Creamy mashed potatoes

steamed asparagus

My uncle had been busy outside bbq'ing yummy steaks.


Time to eat!

After dinner it's Presents for Nancy!






Ann was sure busy. She also baked a delicious
lemon meringue pie!


My uncle and aunt with their three daughters.

Wonderful to be a part of this celebration gathering to say,
 "Happy Birthday Nancy!"


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