a perfect day

yesterday we were greeted with the loveliest of snowfalls. huge delicate flakes floating from above. it was truly a winter wonderland. we were all giddy with excitement - reminded of winters up north and returned to childhood memories of building snowmen and endless hours of unabashed fun. we were overwhelmed by nature's beauty. the quince is blooming in our garden and the vivid pink flowers held their own to the weight of the snow and literally glowed against the bright white. but as quickly as it came, it went. only the most steadfast of snowmen remain standing. the daffodils can happily stand up straight again.

and following the glory of yesterday came today, when a friend and I went on a little road trip. the sky was crisp and clear. the wind was brisk and clean. we stopped for coffee along the way and couldn't resist sharing a slice of the lemon meringue pie (okay ... so it was only 10 am, but we deserved a treat for surviving the blizzard of '010). no reason. no purpose. just happy to be out-and-about. enjoying the day together.

such is the beauty of friendship. we never run out of things to talk about. we share the same opinions and ideals. we see splendor in the world. we complain (note to self: concentrate on being more positive). we agree to disagree. we laugh. we learn. we comfort. we support. we reflect on the past. we savor the present. we contemplate the future. life can be complicated, friendship is simple. forgiving. fresh. pure.

somewhere I read that friendship is a cornerstone of true and simple joy. I am blessed to lead a loving and happy life. my friends complete me.

'oh, what a perfect day. I'm glad I spent it with you.'

tlc

yesterday I hurt my back and have been laid up these past two days. I am embarrassed to admit that I was doing no more than brushing my teeth (ahhh, that precarious leaning over the sink is a dangerous thing). I was so frustrated as I have been exercising and trying to be in better shape, stronger body and mind, to avoid these little setbacks. but all that did me no good as I was felled by the noble toothbrush.

I have to admit that although I have not enjoyed the back spasms and pain, I have relished in the laziness of the weekend. and in the tender loving care of my dear husband. I have watched movie after movie, taken naps, delighted in the warmth of the beloved heating pad (off set by the chill of the frozen bag of peas). and been waited on hand and foot (and lower back) by my dear spouse.

so despite a little lost time, some minor inconvenience of tasks not done and a bit of pain, it has been a lovely weekend. we have spent the hours together. chatting or in silence. isn't it strange how odd moments and circumstance are a great reassurance of love?

i am truly blessed.

lower case

nothing moves the soul and enlightens the spirit like poetry. I love the beauty of words. well spoken. beautifully written. thoughtfully expressed.

I am especially fond of ee cummings. his words are designed into beautiful shapes. set in motion by emotion. simple. solid. fun. whimiscal. sincere.

two years ago when our daughter married, she asked me to do a reading at the wedding. I found the perfect thing to say through the words of cummings.

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) i am never without it (anywhere I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear no fate (for you are my fate my sweet) i want no other world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and its you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you.
here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than the soul can hope or the mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that is keeping the stars apart.
i carry your heart
(i carry it in my heart)

every word was a piece of my heart.

true love

continuing (or so it seems) on my 'matters of the heart' series this week, I have to share a segment from the CBS Sunday Morning show this past Valentines Day.

I love Ben Stein. he speaks from the heart. is witty. handsome in a quirky way. and always has something interesting and honest to say.

so I hope you'll enjoy his commentary entitled 'Life, Love and Four Paws' (my apologies for technical difficulties ... if the right segment doesn't appear, just click on the Ben Stein video in the right column - I don't know how to exactly capture the right piece). Chaz and I whole heartily agree.

wag more. bark less.

one little word

'love is a friendship set to music.' these days I keep a song in my heart all the time. and why not. life is good. I am surrounded by love and I thank God for that. we should celebrate each day. every moment.

emotion is a powerful thing. it makes our hearts pound and our thoughts race. sometimes so loud you'd think all the world could hear. sorrow. loneliness. emptiness. passion. enchantment. hope. adoration. joy. desire. ... all summed up in a single syllable. love.

while words sometime escape me. I find that I can communicate through a look. a touch. a hug. a kiss. and I find comfort. satisfaction. peace in sharing.

there's a lot of love out there and inside here. and a lot of happiness to give and receive.

indulge yourself. don't put it off another minute. don't hesitate. don't procrastinate. open your mind. open your heart. just do it. love.

happy valentines day ♥

and it's only wednesday

I may be jumping the gun, but i've had a very good week. poised on the edge of perfect (i'd push it over the edge but it lost a few points for a frustrating meeting on Monday). it's one of those weeks that makes you count your blessings and realize what a big wide wonderful challenging surprising joyful loving world is out there.

it is a week where I found peace in an unexpected place. solace in a conversation. confidence in developing skills. hope in continuing prayer. beauty in friendship.
it is a week where I saw my first daffodil of the season.
it is a week where I got through my exercise routine without stopping.
it is a week where I felt helpless to comfort a friend.
it is a week where I laughed. cried. whined. dined. drank champagne. ate strawberries. walked. talked. hugged. loved.

just thinkin' about tomorrow.

smile smile smile

in my last post I mentioned that one of those bubbles in my head was to be more positive. positivity breeds success. tonight I came home from a meeting where not everyone held to my optimistic views. I'm feeling the need to vent so please allow me a few minutes on blogging soapbox.

hello people. want to be happier? try these simple steps.

1. accept reality. things will not always go your way.
2. take responsibility. others are not always to blame for your situation.
3. be polite. you will get no where by insulting others.
4. be considerate. it is never just 'all about you'.
5. be tactful. choose your words wisely.
6. share. there is no 'I' in teamwork.
7. respect others. you will earn respect in return.
8. encourage cooperation. compromise always beats stubbornness.
9. keep a good attitude. don't let negativity get to you.
10. be thankful. hope springs eternal.

while I left the meeting shaking with frustration. I left the meeting with positive thoughts about my behavior. I stayed focused. I offered solutions.

on the downside, I used the word 'poop-head' to describe a certain attendee and fantasized several times about reaching across the table to give him a good slap upside the head!

baby steps.