The Three Amigo's

Meet the there Amigo's! They cuddle and snuggle with me nightly and guard me protectively! Kozmo on the right would be willing to lick a burglar to death after she barked a noisy announcement that someone is in the house. Ziggy, in the middle, would become growly and scared and Tina on the left would get all big eyed and freaky. All three do let me know when they hear something out of the ordinary late at night...usually one of the housemates coming in and trying to soften their steps as they quietly close the outside door...

On art and education....

I work for an assisted living facility where seniors live. I plan their daily activities and try to enthuse as much laughter and joy into their days as I possibly can. I am a their cheerleader and I am tired of the same old routines... bingo, uno, and paper hopscotch are just a few of the monotinous games we play over and over again. So, I have decided to undertake a program where we have partnered with an elementary summer school program. These students are between the ages of 5 and 10. They have visited with us twice now and we have encouraged their reading and writing and now we are on to art! We are hosting our first annual art show for these students and my residents are judging the show. It has been such a treat for me and the residents to see these fabulous works of art. Pics do not do the work justice. We have watercolors, collages, pottery, drawings and masks! The ribbon awards ceremony is tomorrow and I can't wait. The teacher has said the children are excited... my seniors are excited... it is a win, win situation! I love ART and what it brings out in others.

Here is a sneak peek at one of the winners and some of the other work!

Best of Show!

Pre -K and Kindergarten

Fifth Grade

Sharing my Photo's

Zinnia and Cardinal Vine

Cannas and small flying butterfly

Zinnias with butterfly

Zinnia

Butterfly Bush

I love taking pictures and using the sun to back light my plant photos. I just used natural sunlight taken at odd angles in order to create the "effects" I did border a few pics but did not use filters.. 

Who I Am

So after a few days of Mercury retrograde and communications being all haywire and such, I decided that everyone who reads my little blogspot needs to know that this blog represents only the tiniest fraction of who I am.

I blog when I have time (rarely) or feel moved to share. I journal much more with paper and pen than I share here. If you take this tiny part of me and try to psychoanalyze the whole of me, you'll be lacking the most of me and will only come up with a fraction of me.... gee, can I set that to music?

I am so much more than the few words I've shared here. People can only accurately describe what they perceive and experience. Perceptions differ in the light of the eyes that view them...

Just so you know, Mercury rules communications and when he retrogrades, these things do run amuk. He also rules moving parts and electronics so if things are fritzing, blame Mercury. It is not a good time to sign contracts or buy electronics. He will go direct on July 20 and the change will be a welcome relief as it always is when he's finished disrupting the universe!  

So, just in case any of you are wondering who I am, these are my personal perceptions of me and who I strive to be: I am laughter and light. I am joy. I am a big kid at heart. I am a lover of animals, nature, and art of all kinds. I am peace and understanding (unless I'm taking something too literal which does happen as has been brought to my attention again recently). I am stubborn, strong willed and independent (but learning to lean on others). Life is too short to be filled with worry, anxiety and fears. Of course I am human and I experience all of these emotions but then I let them slip through my fingers like tiny grains of sand as they serve no good purpose in my life that I can ascertain. 

Can we ever really know anyone from the few words they write and share openly? Only perhaps if we've been reading them for years.....

My shoes probably tell a lot more about who I am than my blog does so I thought I'd share my most favorite pair! My red, white and blue, flowery Dansko's! I have happy feet! Peace and Love to you all and I hope you survive Mercury retrograde with your communications intact!

Vacations....

It's that time of year when the notion of a vacation is looming in my mind. Where to go and what to do this year? I've been considering a variety of activities and places to go. Of course, the beach always looms large in my list of vacation destinations but I'm thinking maybe I need to do something a bit different this year and perhaps fly solo to another state or even country and just soak in a different culture completely. Hmmmm...... the possibilities are endless....thoughts anyone?

We cry....

I leaned in closer to catch what she was saying...her voice just a whisper in the chaotic day...
"I love you sweetheart" she said as she patted my hand. I responded in kind and gently squeezed her frail hand. She wiped silent tears from her face that she said were from joy not sorrow. "We cry when we're happy and we cry when we're sad" she told me. "Tears are the release we need sometimes to free our souls and make room for newer experiences. These are tears of joy because I know I am loved." What lessons this beloved little old soul has taught me!

"Will you think of me? When I'm gone?" she whispers. "Of course I will." I exclaim and it is true. Her impact on my life has been so great even though we've only known each other these few short years. I try to make her comfortable as she turns away from the position she was in. Her eyesight is failing but her hearing is strong as she catches me sniffling a bit. "Are you catching a cold sweetie?" she asks in that small, quiet voice. "Allergies" I mumbled not wanting her to see me in a moment of weakness. Not wanting to cry and share my tears at the thought of losing yet another precious person in my life to the ultimate reality of death...

Lean On Me

Lean on me....

Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow

But if we are wise
We know that there's
Always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you're not strong
All I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on

For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Someone to lean on.....

I've always appreciated this song...We all need someone sometimesjust to lean on....
Peace and Love