A month to remember

(Image Source: Bing)

March did turn out to be quite an interesting month, not only weather wise (we've had very warm days as well as snow)  but also full of important events. My mother's passing, an incredible full moon,  frantic planning to re-open the Purple Caravan and begin the renovations/additions, and now to make this month even more memorable, our dear, sweet daughter Adriana is engaged! 

Adriana met Mitch while they were both attending the university. After five years of being inseparable he finally "popped" the question. The wedding will be October 7, 2012. We couldn't be happier for them, we truly believe they are great together.

A wedding on the horizon and already our home's energy has changed. Tons of magazines are already piling up, lists and plans are being made. We are hoping to find (soon) what we feel are the most difficult: the banquet hall and of course, the gown. Needless to say, we will be busy for a while.

My dear Abby can feel the excitement and is acting "nuttier" than usual, but she is a good girl and has patiently allowed me to take this photo sporting her new Spring bonnet :0) I love her!

Due to all these events I had been unable to thank my dear friend Rosa Phoenix for giving me this:

Thank you Rosa!!

According to the rules of this Award I must share seven things about myself.

Here they go:

1- I can't stand people who constantly praise themselves.

2- When amongst strangers, I may seem a bit aloof.

3- I never really knew the love one can feel for a dog until I got Abby. I had heard about it but the actual experience can't be described!

4- I love the sound of water, whether it's a fountain, a bubbling brook, or rain falling on a tin roof.

5- I adore foggy days. Give me fog and all at once I feel am a mystical creature, mysterious and elusive :0)

6- I love, love Peter Sellers. No matter how many times I watch his movies I will laugh until my sides hurt.

7- I am not interested in celebrities or their lifestyle, nor do I care about designer names or tags at all.

 Answering seven questions is easy, the tricky part is choosing who will get it next! So, as I've done in the past, I dedicate this Award to everyone. Your Blogs are not only Stylish, but they are simply perfect. So, please don't be shy, just grab the button, have fun, and pass it on! After all, that's what Blogging is all about, right?

I must go now, have a hairdresser's appointment  (I hate sitting there but one must pay the price of beauty :=)

Love and light, always...

Moon Child

(Image Source: http://www.redbubble.com/people/micklyn)

I step outside with a heavy heart, worried about another possible war. So lost in my thoughts it takes me a couple of minutes to notice the extraordinary light illuminating the garden. Then I remember, tonight's the night when the Moon would be at it's fullest. 

I look up and there she was, the grand dame, the royal queen of the sky. It's beauty takes my breath away. Something warm and wonderful wraps itself around my shoulders. I can feel the magic and I cry.  

Oblivious to the troubles of the world and just for a little while, the Moon and I become one...

Happy St. Patrick's Day



(Image Source:  Weheartit.com)

"May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day,

May songbird serenade you every step along the way,

May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue,

And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through."

Irish Blessing

Beautiful, isn't it?

Thank you

(Image Source: Weheartit.com)

I want to thank you, dear friends, for reaching out and touching my heart during this difficult time. Your sweet and thoughtful comments are, and will always be cherished.

I've spent the week going for walks with Abby, pondering, reminiscing. It has done me good. I feel better, stronger. Spring is almost here, during my walks I've come across tiny green leaves peeking through the sidewalk cracks. They are timid as they feel their way.  They are preparing for that special moment when everything will explode with color. Old Man Winter is waking up. He is getting ready to pack his bags and visit other parts of this world.

I find an anchoring force in Nature. The fact that no matter what happens, the circle of Seasons will not stop. Summer will follow Spring, Winter will bring snow. Our hearts may sing or cry, we may  have money troubles or not, we may live or die, but Life itself goes on.

It's hard to feel sorry for oneself when there's so much more sorrow in other people's hearts. I came across this photo and everything fell into the right perspective...

(Image Source: Bing)

Looking at this it's hard to imagine that the sun will shine again in Japan, and that it's people will go on, re-build and someday be able to see and enjoy the beauty of the Seasons.

Love and light....always,

Tears in the rain



For the past few years I've seen the slow journey of her mind try to leave her body. Her once watchful, alert eyes became vague, dreamy. Her once sure, determined steps became unsteady.  Her once clear voice became a whisper. Her once commanding, forceful attitude shifted, she was directed, supervised. I've watched this once beautiful woman shrivel, fade, evaporate, until she became a fragile shell. 

My mother passed away. In the still of the night, as she laid peacefully sleeping.  Her body has finally joined her mind.

The quiet lingering hope I've always carried that someday things would change between us can no longer live. On this rainy, dark morning, I grieve not only her death, but the death of the mother/daughter relationship I wish we'd had but never did.

I love you Mom

1923-2011

A treasure in the attic

(Image Source: Weheartit.com)

Days are flying by, scattering all around like multi-colored glass beads slipping off a string.  I hurry about and try to catch them but I like the sound they make, so I stop a while just to hear them fall...

March has arrived. We are bracing ourselves to face it's typical unpredictable character. Anything can happen in March. Mild days...one last Winter storm (hopefully not!)

My  daughter and I have been busy trying to get the house ready for Spring. We've made numerous trips to the local charity shop, this time not to shop but to donate :0) It was during one of the "sorting through" that she found something she had written while at the University.  A free style exercise for her English class.  They were asked to write about anything, non-stop for five minutes without paying attention to grammar or spelling. She handed me the paper and with the typical carefree spirit of the very young said: "Not sure if you'd like to keep this." This is what she wrote:

"Mom, I see you in the shaded garden holding a glass of white wine. You’re wearing a t-shirt and sweat pants but your hair and makeup are immaculate and flawless. I see your face genuinely light up as you stand to hug and kiss me.

Under the afternoon’s dying sun I see your hair turn different colors: brown, caramel, amber. I feel the love as you embrace me and your hair smells like a blend of vanilla and roses. You smile as you ask me to sit on the swing with you so we can talk. As you go on about the squirrels and the beautiful birds you’ve come across today, I see so much of myself in your face!

Your olive skin and wide brown eyes, your curly hair gracefully touching your shoulders. I see a young child hidden inside a woman’s body. How could it be that at your age you still love and get so thrilled about fairies, dolls, and critters so much? We are so different in this sense, and yet, it is something I’ll never forget about you. I think this is precisely why you were never just my mother when I was a child, you were my best friend.

As we sit here on this beautiful golden Autumn afternoon I still see my best friend in the whole entire world, and I smile as you ramble on telling me about the most incredible fairy door you’ve just bought for the garden…"

Do I want to keep it?! Only a girl who never had a child could ask that question :0)  It's funny how sometimes we go through the motions, we follow routines which, while they make us feel anchored, could become too familiar, almost boring. One longs for a "shaking" some excitement, some awakening from the everyday slumber. Well, I'm awake now :0) It's touching to know that in spite of the routine and noneventful sailing, I was "interesting enough" to be the subject in my daughter's English lesson.

There was a lot of old, dusty, useless things in our attic, but amidst the mess and disarray I found a treasure I'll cherish forever.

Before I go, I want to thank those who left understanding and supportive comments on my last Post. Nice to know I'm not alone in this experience :0)

Hugs and wishes for a fabulous weekend.  Be happy!