finding-my-bliss

Yoga Buddy Love

2012-02-15T21:00:00.000Z

for my yoga buddy Sue

xxx

Knit one Purl one

2012-02-14T15:46:00.001Z

Knit one purl one,

divide the knit stitch by knitting

twice into that same stitch,

you now have three stitches instead of two,

continue in this way until you have

24 stitches

a shawl
or

a new baby

a mended ankle!

Does anyone have the pattern for a mended mind?

My girl is back in hospital, I'm sad!

Pond Blessing

2012-02-09T12:14:00.003Z

Today I have a little more

hop in my hop!

a little more spring in my step,

I can actually move around better in my cast.

I even managed some light chores stood on one leg!

What is giving me added Joy is the prospect

of the sun's return, for this year we

will be witnessing brand new life forming!

Our pond's first season of growth

and with the sun's help

we're hoping for an abundance of

wildlife to find it's way here.

The National Trust will be planting

wild flower and grasses,

we hope some winged creatures will take

a fancy to our pond too,

maybe even a swan!

We are planning a little initiation ceremony

for the spring equinox, kind of a blessing on the pond.

A few candles set afloat on the water

that sort of thing, if anyone has any

more suggestions to make

this special I would be

over-Joyed

to hear from you.

Sending over to the
Joy gatherer
Meri's Musings

Intuiting under The Full Snow Moon

2012-02-07T15:09:00.003Z

I'm participating in Jamie Ridler's once a month Full Moon Dreamboards. This is one of my all-time favourite activities, it takes me away from myself into the world of my dreams. I find myself diving into a deeply therapeutic experience.

The motivational message this month from Jamie is ~

"Sometimes we bury our dreams and desires deep within, as though hiding them under layers and layers of snow. Protecting them. Protecting ourselves. Waiting until the time is right for them to grow. Now is the time to tune into your heart, to let your intuition and your dreamboard express and reveal the dreams that are hidden inside you. Let the creative process take you below the surface, beneath the layers of safety and protection, guiding you to the innermost dreams sparkling in your soul".

I decided on a photo collage this time, having fractured my ankle and not daring to venture out in the snow to find fresh paper collage materials, I quickly went through my entire library of pics and chose intuitively, feeling my way forward rather than aesthetically selecting ~

So what dreams and desires came to the surface?

Roads and travel seem to draw me, not particularly holiday destinations but more a getting away. The red window calls to me as an escape route. Same with the bottom digital image I created, I was thinking about Rapunzel's escape from the tower by means of her long locks. My desire for peace and quiet shows in the solitary snow tree, but I also yearn for music and activity in my life.

My deepest desire though is to be loved, as a father loves his baby, but I remind myself I have to love myself first!

If you haven't assembled a Dreamboard before I would eagerly urge you to do one now, especially if you are feeling the winter blues!

Then join the community of dreamers over at ~

Jamie Ridler Studios

Restrained not Broken

2012-02-05T16:34:00.001Z

Sometimes life

throws a restraining

order on you,

you feel like a trapped tiger
wanting to escape,

but the thing with restraint the more
you try to wriggle out of it
the tighter the restraint
becomes.

Acceptance of the situation means
stilling yourself, biding your time,
seeing the beauty that exists even when
boundaries are erected around you.
"Nothing stays the same, this too will pass"
~~~
'Restrained not Broken'

Sending to
.
Postcards from Paradise

Recuerda mi Corazon

.
&
.
Soul Songs
Path of Divine Love

Haiku my Heart #51 Cartwheeling

2012-02-03T13:12:00.001Z

Since I am pot-bound, not able to venture out without aid,
I sit in the sunshine window with my camera
and imagine the day I'll be free to
cartwheel before the sun!
.
Cartwheeling is probably a little optimistic,
but the feeling will be the same!

Haiku my Heart, a place to share poetry
and a friendly hello ~> ~>

Recuerda mi Corazon

The Joy of Rising

2012-02-01T17:01:00.001Z

Abstract wilting moments

call for complete immersion

into the essence

of life sustaining sap

where broken petals

rise refreshed,

anew.

Haiku my Heart #50

2012-01-27T10:21:00.002Z

Had no idea!

I heard it on the grapevine!

be well, Rebecca

I have been away from Bloglandia,

had a nasty accident whilst walking my boys (dogs), fractured my ankle

and whisked away by helicopter to hospital, so I didn't
know of Rebecca's pain. I take heart though that the
'circle of friends' are there for her
and me too!

for haiku poetry visit

Recuerda mi Corazon

Windows

2012-01-18T12:48:00.001Z

Wandering back to a time

when windows were portals for dreaming....

life was rosy, each day an adventure....

huge classroom windows were always
more interesting than maths....

Miss would say I was a dreamer....
I was, still am....

Dreaming is deemed a wonderful occupation these days....
Bohemian Twilight
Susan Piver

I dreamed I could be a tool, a proponent for love..........
Namaste

Spiritual Sunday #6 ~Thou Art my Saviour

2012-01-15T20:03:00.001Z

After grappling for a while with the same

old problems I decided

there was nothing else for it

but to turn my attention to the light,

knowing I would

soon find some distraction.

This is what caught my attention,

something about the image made me think

of spirituality, I imagined there

to be a church and steeple.

As I was feeling

in need of some self healing, nurturing

I turned my attention inward

and created what I needed out of that

very same image it was a Picnik!

Haiku my Heart #49 ~ Numbers

2012-01-13T12:18:00.006Z

After yoga yesterday we discussed significant numbers,
today being Friday 13th,
unlucky for some they say!
On the other hand
the year 2012

is said to be an auspicious year,

The Chinese Year of the Golden Dragon,

taking place only once every 60 years.

It also happens to be a leap year so

that means the possibility

of climbing my same old staircase

an extra time this year!

The number 300 is significant too

this being my

300th post!

whilst yesterday the 12th was

my blog birthday

2 years!

So what do these numbers all amount to?

Can I count on them to calculate my life?

Or are they just markers of time,

as illusory as my shadows?

shadows behind me

light always falls to the front

illuminates now

sending to

Postcards from Paradise

Recuerda mi Corazon

BTW this is my 49th Haiku

I'm sure this is a significant number! ;~)

PS I'm really getting into this numbers thing,

apparently 7 is the perfect number

according to some bible scholars

so my haiku being 7 x 7

must be perfectly

perfect!

ha ha

Joyful Reflection

2012-01-12T18:40:00.000Z

Ring that bell Joy of Joys!

Beyond the laundry line silhouettes,

through the undergrowth,

the first pink and blue sky
reflected in our very own pond,
Joyful beginnings....

Must send to
Share the Joy Thursday
Meri's Musings

Photographica #1

2012-01-10T22:49:00.000Z

Head in the Clouds

This is what I have named my little creation,

my intuitive digital escape, for this is

what it is something to take me away

from my immediate cares.

I suppose you could say my

blog has become a kind of digital journal,

expressing innermost feelings visually.

Tomorrow my blog may morph into something else,

but today I'm happy experimenting with

my photographs

pushing the boundaries further.

This was the original image.

Spiritual Sunday #5 ~ Hungry

2012-01-08T12:31:00.003Z

"a fish is soon satiated with his water,

he who lacks his daily bread,

for him the day is very long"

~ Rumi

Sending to Postcards from Paradise
Recuerda mi Corazon

Haiku my Heart #48 Towards Hope

2012-01-06T10:28:00.000Z

With wings stretched out wide

soaring towards gathering light

the home shores of Hope

For more haiku poetry visit ~

Recuerda mi Corazon

Packing Away 2011

2012-01-05T15:43:00.003Z

... a little sad today

packing away 2011...

taking down the last vestiges ...

time to move on,

live in new moments,

finding

JOY

NOW

Joy list:

waves now lap the shore of my newly excavated pond, glistening in the sunlight, looks like my own ocean!
baby fox continues to grow in the womb
my crochet shawl is growing too
beautiful possibilities ~ 2012

Sharing the Joy over at

Meri's Musings

Feeling the Light

2012-01-03T18:17:00.001Z

"Faith is the bird that feels the light

when the dawn is still dark"

Rabindranath Tagore

You're Worth It!

2012-01-02T17:28:00.001Z

“You yourself,

as much as anybody in the entire universe,

deserve your love and affection.”

- Buddha

Blooming Friendships

2012-01-01T10:41:00.001Z

A tiny seed is tucked away

somewhere on distant soil,

finding its way there not by

some migrating bird

but

flying on the wings of friendship,

soon the sun will turn her

attention to the work of warming

and

my little seed will surely be

aroused by its tender care,

to find a route through

this tough exterior terrain of life

so it may bloom too on distant shores,

as a reminder of all the beauty we share.

Here's to all Blooming Friendships

2012

Sending to Postcards from Paradise

Recuerda mi Corazon

Haiku my Heart #47 ~ Time?

2011-12-30T19:18:00.001Z

Twenty eleven

steadily ticking away

still the time is now!

Now is " beyond the constraint of linear time"

for it has no bounds, unbounded

what will be done with Now?

linking to

Haiku my Heart

Recuerda mi Corazon

Service ~ 'It's a Pleasure'

2011-12-29T19:56:00.002Z

'Joy'

What brings me joy this Thursday, 29 December 2011?

Honestly?

Something really simple.

Yet profound on the subject of service ~

"Service makes you tingle with aliveness.... is deeply creative, generative, and yes risky, because it means you share your heart." Jennifer Louden

This subject is one of several brilliantly written articles currently to be found over at Susan Piver made me 'tingle' with Joy when I read it!

Oh yes, the other great Joy today as you will have noticed ~ playing with my blog ~ all new for a while ;~)

New year's intention ~

'Share more of my Heart'

sending my Joy to

~
Meri's Musings

A call for healing ...

2011-12-27T20:47:00.005Z

As daylight arrives

and the sun shines so brilliantly

lighting up

each jewel-like

wonder of creation

my heart starts to sink into darkness

as our petal fades .... I'm reaching for healing light

to strengthen and restore her ....

Waiting...

2011-12-18T17:05:00.001Z

Wishing you all Season's Greetings

Sending to

Postcards from Paradise

Recuerda mi Corazon

Haiku my Heart #46 ~ Diminishing Returns

2011-12-16T09:21:00.004Z

light diminishing

drawing one down to darkness,

yet colours emerge

Peering into the Essence of Mary #12

2011-12-12T14:59:00.002Z

Self Portrait Collage

Finally at the end of my Mary creating days!

I will be putting my pencils & paints away for awhile,

sitting back and savouring every detail of

this Mary adventure, it has been

hard work but fun.

Most importantly it has been a getting to know,

to experience the essence of all

you Mary lovers here,

I am grateful for all your

various contributions and

gracious comments of mine.

Thank You

Sue

'Virgin a Day'

Recuerda mi Corazon

Virgins, Creativity & Gratitude #11

2011-12-11T11:59:00.001Z

My Sunday's Delight

Catching hold on Mary's Train

Sweet Light Infusion

'Virgin a Day'

Recuerda mi Corazon

Virgins, Creativity & Gratitude #10

2011-12-10T11:33:00.000Z

I had a dream

that I would walk

in heavenly places

alongside Mary,

and her companions singing....

'Virgin a Day'

Recuerda mi Corazon

Haiku for Virgins, Creativity & Gratitude #9

2011-12-09T11:48:00.003Z

Painterly Mary

may I delight for all-time

in your flouncing skirts

in whatever light I find you!

I thought I'd get the paints out,

they have been in a dark cupboard.

In this case not actually paint but

water based dye and rub-on metallic for those interested,

photo taken in two different artificial lights.

For Haiku my Heart

'Virgin a Day'

Recuerda mi Corazon

Virgins, Creativity & Gratitude #8

2011-12-08T15:43:00.000Z

The transformative powers of Mary,

Picasa & Picnik

using 'effects'

are mind boggling,

the possibilities are endless,

I'm having so much fun,

finding it hard to distract myself!

Grateful for the miracle of digitization.

Intention ~ Practice Detachment! ;~)

'Virgin a Day'

Recuerda mi Corazon

Virgins, Creativity & Gratitude #7

2011-12-07T15:11:00.003Z

This has been a surreal journey

of dizzying heights, I'm seeing Mary

from every angle in all her

beauteous forms.

Thinking on Mary and the glitter

of the season as I leafed through

some magazines I couldn't

resist the temptation to tear a few pages

for my favourite art-form collage.

Day 7 contribution ~

Collage Mary, Queen of the Heavens

It also happens to be my sister's wedding anniversary,

we are out celebrating tonight,
I dedicate this collage to Dallas who was a

beauty queen herself once,
and still is!

Grateful for sister love.

'Virgin a Day'

Recuerda mi Corazon

Virgins, Creativity & Gratitude #6

2011-12-06T21:08:00.001Z

I have a secret,

a secret Joy that I have

been keeping to myself

for the last few weeks, today my

thoughts are golden!

I'm preparing to post and waiting

anxiously for the go-ahead,

to let you know that whilst

I have been posting

all these mother

and child

posts

our own little bundle of Joy is in the making

my boy James and lovely Karen

are to be parents!

Grateful for the magical miracle that takes

place secretly and silently

within the feminine.

"I will give thanks to you because

I have been so amazingly and miraculously made.

Your works are miraculous,

and my soul is fully aware of this."

Psalm 139:14 God's Word translation 1995

'Virgin a Day'

Recuerda mi Corazon

Virgins, Creativity & Gratitude #5

2011-12-05T16:08:00.001Z

What a day we've had,

sunshine, rain and snow!

Its been a day of contrasts

first bright light, next the sky as dark as doomsday,

the sun throwing sultry beams of light my way.

I love it! Needless to say I could

not put my camera down!

The day rather suits my Mary I think

kinda sultry with a luminous feel.

I think I will call her

'Snow Mary'

Grateful for the invigorating elements,

feeling a part of it all, the cycle of life, I am ~

'Awestruck'
.
'Virgin a Day'

Recuerda mi Corazon

Virgins, Creativity & Gratitude #4

2011-12-04T19:24:00.001Z

Sunday morning,

and my world is at peace,
my love, my daughter, my boys all at ~

I'm up early with Mary on my mind,

thinking on our days together
and my simple wishes
for you.

<~ Peace ~>

'Virgin a Day'

Recuerda mi Corazon

Virgins, Creativity & Gratitude #3

2011-12-03T21:42:00.001Z

steamed window drawing

steamed window drawing in golden light

Digitally enhanced

steamed window drawing

in golden light.

Grateful for golden moments of lightheartedness

and all those who inspire them.

Intention: Focus on lightheartedness after dark,

especially at the weekend!

'Virgin a Day'

Recuerda mi Corazon

Haiku for Virgins, Creativity & Gratitude #2

2011-12-02T09:37:00.005Z

Yesterday's 'intention' ~ seek 'simple solutions'
~>~>~>

same Virgin new light,

rainbow's aura surrounds them,

all wrapped in softness

lead, cardboard, natural reflected light

I'm enhancing my Virgins

as the days unfold,

a different light

a different layer maybe,

we'll see what the moments bring!

I'm grateful for all soft souls who
enhance my life and make me feel loved
in this sometimes harsh world.

Intention: Seek to reflect soft mother love.

'Virgin a Day'

Recuerda mi Corazon

Virgins, Creativity & Gratitude #1

2011-12-01T19:10:00.001Z

lead on cardboard

Today marks the second series of

'Virgin a Day'

hosted by Rebecca over at

Recuerda mi Corazon

Having exhausted my visual Virgin

references last year I thought I might try to

create my own virgins this time,

a tall order I know,

a challenge even, but I have faith!

I have set my intention to create

one Virgin per day

X 12

It's been years since I picked up a pencil

to just draw, I had forgotten how

satisfying this can be.

What came up from this drawing?

~>~>~>

'Simplicity'

Yes I'm grateful for coming to

appreciate the beauty of simple

in a complex world.

Intention: Seek out simple solutions.

Visit more Virgins

Recuerda mi Corazon

Morning has Broken

2011-11-27T08:35:00.006Z

Yesterday the black dog came to visit me,

the same black dog who

used to visit Winston Churchill.

When my daughter came around, she could

see the black dog had turned up too and

that I was completely at his mercy.

She made her leave with

a simple kiss and goodbye,

"hope he goes soon",

I nodded in agreement.

For when he's around he completely

demands my attention and there's

no shaking him loose!

On retiring I sternly told the black dog

I didn't understand the reason for his visit

and that I thought I had sat with

him for long enough

and to be gone in

the morning!

***

I've not seen him so far, this morning

thank goodness

!!!

It is the beginning of a brand new day,

I am grateful for each day of my life...

I was at a funeral on Friday,

to say we'd anticipated a sad day

all turned out most beautifully....

my favourite hymn was sung

'Morning has Broken'

On this brand new day I'm sitting here

tapping the keys with the white dog

on my desk top being so very

appreciative....

sending to
Postcards from Paradise
Recuerda mi Corazon
straight form life!

Haiku my Heart #45 ~ Light for the Journey

2011-11-25T07:48:00.005Z

alight with spirit

journeying to distant parts

for Thanksgiving joy

Visit
Recuerda mi Corazon

for more haiku poetry

Fox at the Door

2011-11-22T22:18:00.003Z

Fox is bemused
peering through the glass door,

being drawn by the light from afar,

she'd felt safe in her own wood world

of goings on she never noticed the glow before.

Things being different now

for her goings on have been rudely interrupted,

she sees another existence in the light,

and she wonders about the animals inside,

similar creatures walking on all fours

but not the same.

I feel so sorry for her,
she seems out on a limb, and it's clear
she wants to belong standing her ground
with piercing eye contact, returning
again and again.

My heart goes out to dear fox,

I want to take her into the house of love,

tame her and sit her at the table of plenty,

but I can't I must shut the door of my tender affection,

for she is a creature of the wild.

I console myself... like all wild creatures

she'll find her way home, her place,
for her wild instincts are deep inside
and must be honoured.

Week's Bliss List ~

2011-11-20T12:16:00.001Z

best of british

season's first bauble

last of the summer wine

love light

beautiful life ...

sending to
Postcards from Paradise
Recuerda mi Corazon

For Cinda
xxx

Haiku my Heart #45 ~ Home Comforts

2011-11-18T13:49:00.002Z

The fox was rumbled,

ground moved from under his feet,

he's looking for home!

Coming back from hospital in the dark

we were confronted by a fox

on our bridge in the headlights.

This is unusual for they usually stay in the woods

a good way behind the house,

now a new landscape is being formed

making way for the pond

his habitat has been disturbed.

What does home mean to you?

I think of Joe Spadoman returning

home from hospital, how comforting

home must feel for him today!

Recently my married son said of home:

"home is wherever Karen and Isla (dog) are,

whether that's at my house

or in the back of my camper van".

This was lovely to hear

from my youngest son,

baby of the family now a man

honouring his wife in this way!

Then there is the 'home' we have

made here on-line, it feels just like going home

returning week upon week

to the familiar to say hello to everyone,

knowing it is a place to just be,

a place of acceptance and love.

They say 'home is where the heart is',

I must say there is plenty of heart here!

Haiku my Heart

Recuerda mi Corazon

The Circle of Friends

2011-11-16T10:51:00.002Z

I've had this image for sometime,

it touches me deep inside,

I didn't know how I would use it, until today.

Today I learned that one of the 'circle of friends'
Joe Spadoman

has been taken into hospital suffering a heart attack,

he is being cared for by those who know medically,

he now is waiting for his own body to respond.

I for my part am joining in with the
'circle of friends' in sending

'healing energy Joe's way, this is my belief.

The circle of friends is a strong circle,
each one may have a different faith,

or come from a different culture,
that doesn't matter because we

all believe in each other,
Joe alluded to this
himself many times.

Joining the 'circle',
feeling the love and compassion
of each one is very strengthening
we become solid

'as rock'.

Please join the circle of friends with me
sending strengthening wishes
to Joe over at
~

Recuerda mi Corazon

Abstract Distract

2011-11-14T12:50:00.003Z

There has been sad news,

two deaths in my family this week,

not close family but nevertheless close enough.

Light therapy is a wonderful thing,

absorbing the colours, reflections and shapes.

Contemplating the words.

I love text and in particular this new text toy,

part of Picnik editing suite via Picasa,

the colour combinations

are endless using

the drop-down menu

selecting

'difference'.

What a difference a little light therapy makes!

xxx

Moody - Me?

2011-11-12T17:33:00.009Z

You know I'm one for these

moody sunset images

don't you?

This is not just any old sunset view though!

It's the most beautiful sunset view ever?

The beginning of our very own pond,

not only will it be a haven

for wildlife,

but a saver of domestic animals too!

Foxes

I mean us.
This pond will be an overflow area

for when our stream floods and hopefully

it will fill this bowl and not our home!

Actually it is quite exciting,
I dare not think about it too much,
it's huge, takes almost all of our field.
The National Trust are paying for it as part of a
larger flood defense project, but the pond is
situated on our property, we would have
never been able to afford anything like this.
The possibilities are endless, we
could float a boat on it!

Haiku my Heart #44 Soft Soul

2011-11-11T10:48:00.002Z

when winds of change howl

all need a place of safety

and a soft soul mate

Visit

Recuerda mi Corazon

for more soft soul company!

A Delivery!

2011-11-08T15:28:00.000Z

The day started out murky

not much of a day for taking pics

but we had a most beautiful vision

on our doorstep this morning

a delivery ...

we have been waiting almost 12 years

for this day, the machine you see

is going to dig us out of trouble ....

We live on a flood plain,

we didn't know that

when we started to build our cottage

from a pile of ancient stones!

The authority that sold us the property

didn't know either,

our cottage forms part of a historic estate,

it is thought to be the original cobbler's cottage

serving Hardwick Hall.

We sit beside a stream that feeds

an old historic mill, now renovated and milling flour,

during heavy rainfall or melting snow

the stream floods and sometimes

enters our cottage

to a depth of three feet.

We have not been in a position financially

to resolve this, but the

National Trust has gained

funding to try and remedy the problem

for us and nearby properties.

This is great news for us because

we would like to move somewhere smaller

and so now this makes our property viable for sale!

Sunday's Story

2011-11-06T18:15:00.000Z

Today's been a happy day

my girl is a little

better,

we had lunch out,

we've all been in a bit of a haze

for the last couple of weeks ....

mists are clearing now though,

she'll be coming home from hospital for good soon.

Thanks for all your well wishes.

xxx

Sending to

Postcards from Paradise

Recuerda mi Corazon

Haiku my Heart #43 ~ Haiku Therapy

2011-11-04T14:56:00.002Z

It's been an eventful few weeks

happy mingled with sad,

I'm learning to just be with it all.

Today is Haiku my Heart poetry day

hosted by Rebecca

over at

Recuerda mi Corazon

Haiku has become a weekly treat, a kind of

therapy for me on Friday.

The Therapy Begins

~>~>~>

I'm going to my picture file as I write

to see which image stands out and speaks to me,

after that I know the words

will just tumble out!

~>~>~>~>~>

Life is a journey,

the grass is not always green,

I'm checking my stride!

I've had this image for ages,

a window reflection caught in a poster,

it captured my attention whilst out shopping

I knew it had a hidden meaning!

I'll Never Forget ....

2011-11-01T11:41:00.001Z

Mixed media art

in honour of the 'special ones'

gone before.

William my father, called me his little buddy,

loved by all for his wicked sense of humour,

his roguish ways, generous spirit,

not a day goes by that

I don't think about

his parting night,

the glint in

his eye said

'I love you little buddy'.

*****

Beautiful Alice my mother,

doting mother,

always there to say

'there there'

she loved Roses chocolates,

ground coffee on Sunday

and totally in love

with my dad.

*****

Eric special friend,

a big cuddly bear of a man,

aware of his spiritual need,

caring and comforting, always in my heart.

Must be with God

he talked about him endlessly

and, his lovely wife Freda

remembered fondly

forever.

Joining in with friends, honouring those gone before ~

Dia-de-los-Muertos

Rebecca

Recuerda mi Corazon

Stephanie

Mango Studio

Monday

2011-10-31T08:42:00.000Z

Haiku my Heart #42 - Shine on

2011-10-28T12:01:00.000+01:00

t'was just a sparkle

peeping through the blacks and grey

it filled my whole eye ....

My daughter's car stands motionless on our drive,

she is in hospital with severe stress symptoms.

It has been a dark week,

yesterday I noticed a sparkle reflecting
off of her car through my window.

She's been rattling up and down the motorway

for the last year everyday to

the job she loves and is fighting hard to keep.

The car had so many rattles, now fixed by my love,

it's washed, polished and resting-up

waiting for her return.

For more haiku poetry
Visit
Recuerda mi Corazon

... and some days ...

2011-10-24T20:56:00.003+01:00

Somedays

2011-10-23T19:05:00.001+01:00

Needs Must!

2011-10-20T08:23:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I posted about being

Needy!

I had a good night's sleep

for me only waking up twice constitutes a good night,

this morning I'm still feeling a need,

but there's been a slight shift ~>

my need is to focus on

~>~>~>

on gratitude

JOY

~> ~>~>

the joy of capturing light

in every moment

I walk this planet

However it manifests!

I hope you are able to capture

some light, gratitude & JOY

it certainly fills a need!

Visit
Meri's Musings
Share the Joy Thursday

Needy...

2011-10-19T17:05:00.003+01:00

Our boy is scared ~

scared of bumps in the road,

rain pattering on the windows,

he's scared of his own shadow!

No matter how I try to cuddle him,
he's on full alert for any bad happening!

From time to time these tendencies show up in me too,
I don't know why but I feel vulnerable,
I see monsters looming up,
I'm jumpy, even frightened
and definitely needy!

Needy seems to have bad connotations in this world,
like some dreaded disease to be avoided!
Yet aren't we all needy at some time or other?
'No man is an island' so they say,
we all need someone
sometimes.

Even if it's just a smile, a friendly face to say 'there there'.
This image sent through the post for a local exhibition
really soothed me in such a time of need,
I've had it for a while now, I think the artist
really captured something special here!
All the little handmade figures
seem to be looking down saying
"we're here for you, you are not alone".

Much like my blogging buddies really!

Image credit - Edwina Bridgeman - Procession

Inspiration taken from folk festivals

Travelling Exhibition 2010

Remembering....

2011-10-16T18:35:00.002+01:00

I'm remembering the ones

close to my heart

always,

but especially for the next few weeks
along with
Rebecca and Stephanie
for
Dia-de-los-Muertos

Checking Out!

2011-10-04T10:52:00.000+01:00

Celeste Calls Again

I must follow

C U SOON

xxx

'Letting Go & Learning Retreat'

2011-10-03T20:39:00.007+01:00

Unpacking my bag I could still smell the

old stone farmhouse on my towel

now nostalgia,
a memory,
albeit only a day ago...

just three nights before I was anxious
all would turn out as I'd planned
for the last three months....
needn't have worried though
everything exceeded all I'd hoped for....

A well wisher reminded me to
learn from the experience,
I did

'The Letting Go and Learning Retreat'

Trusting that all would just 'be'....

I set my intention

not to try and control....

I just stood back and watched

how this group of women blended together,

it was amazing,

everything just flowed from a spirit of giving

on everyone's part,

all had something special
to share....

from a relaxing foot massage

to good food

and companionship

we shared wide open spaces

a tree hug

also solitude at times

all-in-all

a very magical experience!

Haiku my Heart #41 ~ Simple Eye

2011-09-30T14:08:00.001+01:00

bedazzled by life?

keeping the eye simple helps

and good grounding friends!

The sun is shining and

I'm sat here in my towel drying off,
in 55 mins I will be
heading for a country farmhouse in the
High Peak Derbyshire
for my
'Letting Go Yoga & Art Retreat',
but before I do I must post my haiku!

Will visit you all when I return!

Thanks to all who wished me well.

for more haiku poetry
Visit
Recuerda mi Corazon

The Joy of Looking Back

2011-09-29T08:30:00.005+01:00

Ocean flashing kingfisher blue

poppy silhouettes, pink perfect hue

dandelions parachute, warm summer breeze

this has to be paradise, let me stay, please.

A post in the waiting, the days have rolled by

and now we're breathing autumn air

I can look back and sigh!

JOY

I'm feeling a bit tentative today

tomorrow I lead my

'Letting Go Yoga & Art Retreat'

first time ever!

'wish me luck'

Linking to Share the Joy Thursday

Meri's Musing

Spiritual Sunday #4 ~ Processing 'my' Truth

2011-09-25T12:53:00.006+01:00

I had a visitation yesterday,

ghosts from the past came by my way,

they beckoned me
"return through the door",

a door I'd closed and bolted before!

They said life's
safe and secure in this room,

being momentarily tempted back to the
'cocoon'

I stopped myself sharply in my own track,

I know no use in looking back.

That residence has a price way too high,

abandon my truth, my own heart deny!
.
(do you see my little heart hanging in the balance up there in this image?)

Yesterday I became unhinged for a while,

after a former religious acquaintance called

wanting me to return to
a way of life that I had rejected.

We all have our own mental anguishes,

from time to time these old ghosts revisit and

I have to put mine to bed once more

in order to continue down the path of my truth,

the path that has a heart without the price tag of

'restricted freedom of thought'.
(the expression thereof!)

Linking with Postcards from Paradise
@
Recuerda mi Corazon

Haiku my Heart #40 The Loop

2011-09-23T10:34:00.003+01:00

Rose resides with rust

entwined in life's sweet cycle

I jump in the loop!

More haiku poetry
@
Recuerda mi Corazon

Focusing on the Red!

2011-09-21T18:10:00.001+01:00

Bella's Prompt over at

52 Photo's Project -
'Time to share Red'

I don't take much prompting for this delight!

In-fact my love and I share a

drop most nights!

Share your Red

over

52 Photos Project

Shine On!

2011-09-20T18:13:00.004+01:00

When days are grey and doubt clouds hover

I have an escape route ->->

where golden lanterns hang
to light the way ->->

and friends pop along to say ->->

sometimes if you wait.....

they'll really shine

and so the day just turns out fine....

Sometimes all it takes is one little comment

on the end of someone's post to

brighten an otherwise grey day!

->->->

'shine on'

Ready and Waiting!

2011-09-18T07:50:00.002+01:00

I'm so ready for you -

you howling winds

you dashing rain

Mr Frost

and

Snowman

Coming from the land of grey, grey skies

Bring it on do your best!

I'm prepared I have my

new UGG boots!

well perhaps

fake!

But so SNUG boots!

So bring it on I'm going to kick your

BUTT!

Haiku my Heart # 39 Linked

2011-09-16T13:00:00.000+01:00

haiku hearts meet

here on Friday

for a linking of spirit,

join in the fun

visit

Recuerda mi Corazon

Reflecting Peace

2011-09-15T20:30:00.002+01:00

Joy

reflecting

peacefully

at the end of the day.

Visit
Meri's Musings
Share the Joy Thursday

Dreaming under the Full Corn Moon

2011-09-12T19:28:00.005+01:00

Jamie Ridler says ~

"The practice of creating a dreamboard

each month is a great way of tapping into

the shifting tides in the natural world as well as in your life.

Today we’re celebrating the

Full Corn Moon

the beginning of harvest season,

a celebration of the fruits of golden summer

and a preparation for what is to come".

My Dreamboard

Oh yes I totally agree!

As per normal I consulted Jamie's dreamboard post

to view the details of this month's full moon

and get in the 'zone', 'tuned in'.

Having done that, the magazines came out next,

I didn't have any new ones since last time, so I recycled!

It's amazing when you think you have exhausted that glossy,

new images and words pop out at you!

Having selected, cut and ripped, I decided not to .

glue my findings into a collage,

I just arranged them,

on the table.

Next I photographed them and proceeded to

process and add a little colour

using Picnik.

Here's my interpretation of this intuitive creation:

Blogging Angel Support - far right

One angel living on the continent of Australia - far top left

A window of opportunity - centre

I take this to mean my imminent ~

'LETTING GO'

YOGA & ART RETREAT

I will be leading on this at

the end of the month ~

There will be an intuitive photo walk - centre

followed by

Reflexology and massage - centre

I must pay

ATTENTION

centre

to prepare for a relaxing and creative weekend.

Last not least, I must remember to 'be' ideally with Grace'

which happens to be my adopted name for the year! - bottom writing

for more dreamboards under this

Full Corn Moon

visit

Jamie Ridler Studios

Weather Checking Dog

2011-09-11T18:10:00.001+01:00

This boy is fearful,

yes, fearful of his own shadow.

Today for example has been one of those

rainy off and on days,

I had a lovely time in the garden,

between showers,

but when I go indoors Dougal's sat hiding

in a dark place under the stairs!

The thing is he is too intelligent
for his own good.
He knows that a grey sky

means rain is imminent,

he associates rain with thunder,

thunder is a nasty banging experience.

Of late he has spent much of his time gazing

through the window checking for

changes in the sky!

On a positive note we experienced

some spectacular light changes today.

Off to see an animal behaviourist tomorrow!
Wishing you all a good week.
x

PS I'm remembering the day too
with all you folk over the pond.
~~~Peace~~~

Haiku my Heart #38 ~ Sgraffito-ing

2011-09-09T14:15:00.002+01:00

Crazy mixed up world,

there is nothing else for it,

eat, drink, be merry

or engage in a little sgraffito

new dance? something like that ~ check it out!

check out other hearty posts

Recuerda mi Corazon

My Bedroom

2011-09-07T20:52:00.006+01:00

Bella over at 52 Photos Project asks
"where's your quiet place?"

Yes this is my quiet place,

my retreat, my sanctuary, my bedroom.

Share your quiet place
@

52 Photos Project

Spiritual Sunday #3 Postcards from Paradise

2011-09-04T20:17:00.001+01:00

does the sun always shine

in paradise?

not always, but the feeling is golden...

is paradise cloud free?

and pain-free?

not necessarily...

clouds and pain may sit side by side,
but when you are with the ones you love
it can still feel like paradise!

wishing you all a happy week
x

Sending to Postcards from Pardise
@
Recuerda mi Corazon

Ensō Continuum ~ August Break

2011-08-30T08:34:00.003+01:00

focusing through the little eyelet,

seeing the old with

'fresh eyes'

contemplating the 'now'

What if, again ~ Spiritual Sunday #2

2011-08-28T17:12:00.008+01:00

Synchronicity would have it

that my little eyelet explorations
(see previous here)

were manifesting at the same time

I happened across
a post about the
ensō

by
Lola
@
Buddhatropolis

In Zen Buddhist painting,

ensō

(Japanese word meaning circle)

symbolizes a moment when

the mind is free to simply let the

body/spirit create.

The ensō drawing or painting
is used for daily meditation practice.

It made sense,

this was happening
in my moments of awarness,

I was co-creating with the ensō
my mark making was not paint, led or charcoal,
but the lens of my camera.

I am fully in the moment with my image making,

for this reason it has taken on

new meaning for me,

kind of spiritual

when using the symbolic ensō,

focusing through

'my little eyelet'.

~ The Spiral Way ~

The way of the mystic is not a linear path. We do not slay dragons one after the other, proceeding in a clear chronological line towards fulfilment.

Neither is the mystic way a circle a despairing and closed circuit in which we return again and again to the same experiences.

Rather, the way of the mystic is the spiral way - circular, but with ever-changing vistas. On the spiral way, we may visit old scenes, grapple with old dragons. But each time we return, we do so as different people and from a different place; the experience is not the same. 'I am here again, but I have never been here before.' The mystic may often say things like that on the spiral way.

Oh - instead of slaying old dragons, they just view them differently.

This excerpt was taken from

The One-Minute-Mystic

written by

Simon Parke

Linked to

Postcards from Paradise

Recuerda mi Corazon

Will be posting more ensō inspired images next week

why not join me it's great fun?

Haiku my Heart #37 ~ Persistence

2011-08-26T15:22:00.002+01:00

Holding true balance

through life's turbulent ocean,

ebbs and flows in waves.

I have read, and I'm inclined to agree

the occasions of perfect balance

are few, and not held for long.

My yoga practice bears this out,
persistence is the answer!

Visit
Recuerda mi Corazon
for
more
haiku poetry

52 Photos Project #1

2011-08-24T15:46:00.001+01:00

Joining in the fun

52 photos project

Prompt

Silhouette or profile dark against light

My début contribution.

thanks for the invite Deb,

and

for the hosting Bella

What If ? ~ August Break

2011-08-23T17:00:00.003+01:00

What would happen if....

I viewed the spectra through
this little eyelet?

would new vistas open up?

new worlds appear for me to explore?
will this lead somewhere else?

to be continued.....

Haiku my Heart #36 Pleats of Care

2011-08-19T11:54:00.001+01:00

Each mindful moment
pushing the smoothing iron,
forming pleats of care.

Memories of mother as sparked off by
Rebecca's flower,
visit and see
Recuerda mi Corazon

Sheer Joy

2011-08-18T07:32:00.001+01:00

Halcyon days

of pure 'Monet' moments,

breathing in beauty,

drenched in light,

tissue thin petals,

sweet sassy stamens,

seductive poppy

how you delight.

The purest joy I know
is when I'm totally in the moments
with my camera

Share the Joy Thursday

Meri's Musings

Light Years ~ August Break

2011-08-17T10:47:00.010+01:00

Same Couple

walking on the same trail of

ten thousand footsteps,

same view,

but different with each step and moment.

Light on the ascent.

Light on the descent.

It does seem that light reflects

more beautifully on the descent!

August Break

2011-08-16T12:56:00.002+01:00

One Way Street -> -> ->

Are we going the right way?

Wash Day Blues ~ August Break

2011-08-15T09:52:00.001+01:00

When I'm in my 'Bliss Bubble'

I can re-colour my world

as the need rises,

whatever the weather,
'have a nice day'!

Full Sturgeon Moon Dreamboard

2011-08-14T09:57:00.008+01:00

I've been playing with
Jamie Ridler & Co

collaging my intuition

under the Sturgeon Full Moon

Diving beneath the surface

waiting to see what my intuition came

up with, I selected, cut, ripped,
assembled & glued

I hadn't realised until yesterday

it was the Sturgeon Full Moon,

strangely enough I've been seeing fish for awhile,

on waking my eyes were drawn to
one fish eye gazing at me in my
knotty pine skirting board

and

did you notice the fish in my new header?

This all seems a bit fishy ;~)
Jamie asks
" “Intuition, what insight do you have into dreams?
What messages are stirring and asking to be seen?

This is a deeply intuitive time. "

So looking into my dreams I see:

I'm ready & steady

to give inspiration,

I believe in

you & me

that we are amazing women.

That we have fruity juicy lips for kissing

and

funky shoes for travelling to

Paris & USA

oh and last but not least,

as the ballerina reminds me to be

Graceful

'Grace' my adopted name for this year!

Sending to

Postcards from Paradise

Recuerda mi Corazon

Haiku my Heart #35 Peace

2011-08-12T11:12:00.000+01:00

As tears of sorrow

fall on green and pleasant land,

let's magnify peace.

This is my prayer as my country is bewildered

by mindless acts of violence.

Haiku my Heart

Recuerda mi Corazon

Joy Spots ~ August Break

2011-08-11T07:46:00.006+01:00

time to reflect over tea

on crow's redundant TV aerial perch

refreshing rain for the garden

miracle of macro

a bit of pink fluff

oh, and a pair of big strong boots to rely on,

my love's of course!

Linking with

Share the Joy Thursday

Meri's Musings

Same Vessel ~ Pushing Boundaries ~ August Break

2011-08-10T10:53:00.005+01:00

'Push it a bit more' tutor would say,

pushing your art on produces amazing things.

When you think that's it, you can always turn it into something else,

the possibilities are infinite!

I view my photography as a pushing the boundaries kind or art. It's not so much

about technical achievement, although I'm not knocking skill, but for me it's more

to do with experimenting and exploring my feelings through random images.

Same Vessel, Reflecting Deeper ~ August Break

2011-08-09T11:58:00.002+01:00

taking time

to reflect longer,

looking deeper,

revealing different perspectives,

the insight amazes,

views not seen before,

I'm "loving the every detail of life"
as quoted by

Mon
@
Bohemian Twilight
See Mon's delicious 'easy peachy' recipe today!

SOOC

Favourite Pastime ~ August Break

2011-08-08T11:46:00.003+01:00

Playing

with

light

ment

One vessel, many reflections,

similar, but not quite
the same.

Like life really!
SOOC
(straight out of the camera, no artificial additives or colouring ;~)

Spiritual Sunday #1 Getting a Grip on Time ~

2011-08-07T13:02:00.010+01:00

time slips through fingers

whilst heart matters are balanced

and secured in light....

Sending to Postcards from Paradise

Recuerda mi Corazon

Haiku my Heart #34 ~ Poppy Fields Forever

2011-08-05T09:14:00.001+01:00

summer addiction,

poppy fields, my love, and me

opium trailing...

Saturday 6 August is our wedding anniversary
too many years to recount!

Haiku my Heart
Hosted by Rebecca Brooks
@
Recuerda mi Corazon

Stages of Joy

2011-08-04T08:03:00.002+01:00

SATIATED

INTOXICATED

ILLUMINATED

EXHAUSTED

JOY

More JOY to be found

Meri's Musings

Gifts for the Heart

2011-08-03T11:14:00.002+01:00

a bench to dream of azure blue

a soft sand boy faithful and true

these treasures found along the way

a friendly smile, something to say...

Sweet Nectar Search

2011-07-25T17:56:00.000+01:00

If I feel okay tomorrow

I'm off with my honey

in search of

sweet nectar!

Won't be back to haiku with you,

but will send postcards

from paradise!

Postcards from Paradise #14 ~ I want to be there!

2011-07-23T21:43:00.004+01:00

Whilst I'm flu-bound

I thought a little

digi-doodling

might ease my acute awareness that

the sound reverberates through the trees

and the beat of the drum circle.....

sigh......... dream on...........

linked to
Postcards from Paradise
Recuerda mi Corazon

Haiku my Heart #33 ~ Lessons for Grace

2011-07-22T08:29:00.006+01:00

What the bird told me....

about both pleasure and pain,

like petals and thorns

the rootstock's the same,

to contemplate sweet pickings,

there is a need to beware,

thorns have sharp edges,

handle petals with great care.

'dedicated to all blossoming relationships'

Visit

Recuerda mi Corazon

'an immersion of the heart'

PS ~ my syllable sums have gone a bit awry here,

hey ho, I never was good at maths,

and I have flu ;~)

Little Pops of Joy

2011-07-21T08:50:00.006+01:00

JOY

A GARDEN

FULL

POPPIES.

AND

MY POPPY PICTURE

ON PLEXIGLASS

ARRIVING

Knowing friends are safe!

More Joyful Posts
@
Meri's Musings ~ Share the Joy Thursday

What's in a Name?

2011-07-19T20:25:00.005+01:00

Isn't it funny,

I was feeling a bit chilled sat here,

I have a flu bug/virus just now,

I was thinking I need

my long, comfy cardigan to warm me,

voilà
my love walks in with the said

long, comfy cardigan.

I've had more 'synchronicity' today ~

At the beginning of the year I chose the name

'Grace'

as my adopted name for the year,

knowing there would be challenges ahead,

family matters that would call

for me to be Grace-full!

I met the challenge and felt

I had lived up to my

new name for the most-part.

Recently, my memory lapsed and I almost

forgot about my new name,

I returned to the old pattern,

I returned to the little self

not my new
Graceful Self.

I spent a couple hours there ruminating

with the little self on how I was feeling today,

how hurt I was, that I had been overlooked.

Whilst blog hopping

I came across something

that I had synchronised with earlier in the year,
when I was thinking about my new name,

and again
voilà

it happened, just what I needed!

Kathryn Antyr
Collage Diva

was posting about
Grace again for
the second time this year,
what timely advice ~

'Offer kindness to those who are undeserving'

Through the arterial veins of this blogging network
there is much synchronisation at work,
what a beautiful place to 'be'.

Postcards from Paradise #13 ~ Quiet Contemplation

2011-07-17T17:34:00.001+01:00

Rainy days,

quiet contemplation, sitting with stillness,

wondering about the journey.....

It's okay to sit, to be quiet, not to push with anything, waiting for the sap to rise....

Visit
Recuerda mi Corazon
for other
Postcards from Paradise Journeys