Protecting Moments

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a href="https://wonderenstroopwafels.com">I was glad yesterday to spend an hour in a huge tulip field about an half an hour drive my house. I felt like I was in Europe. It has changed so much, since the last time I was there. I wanted the excercise, but it was a bit overwhelming. Probably, as it was more then 85 degrees and not a cloud in sight. And, then the thought of not remembering a shade hat or sunscreen. I was surprised to see the cutest little pink shed with freshly baked stroopwafels for sale. I loved the way it was decorated with a chandlier and hot air balloons. They had about a dozen decorated stroopwafels with different toppings. I had a chocolate mint one. It was delicious. When I walked the legnth of the field I noticed the building of the windmill in process. I was really happy to see a sign on the way out. There will be a Winter Wonderland this holiday season of 2024. And, it showed a picture with Christmas lights on a windmill. So, I think it will be completed by then. At one point I heard a little girl (not even school age) exclaim: "Daddy we have to take a picture with all of us!" He let out a big sigh (it really was hot). She replied with: "We have to protect this moment". I had to look up and see and hear the conversation. But, there wasn't one. They all got into a position for a selfie. Have you ever heard this expression before? I had not. I LOVE it! I always admired young people as prescious. But, to admire time as something that is prescious and we have to protect it is priceless. I really am starting to look at each day as this. I have to make the most of it, but I also have to protect it. I can't just let it go without feeling like I am making the most of it. The only different way I am looking at it, is rest is just as important as anything. I am putting a value on rest, and not feeling as if it is being lazy. I rested a lot the last few months. And, it really felt good to get outside and enjoy the day. And, to protect the moments. Quote of the day: "An inch of time is an inch of gold, but you can’t buy that inch of time with an inch of gold.” — Chinese Proverb Song of the day: "My Days" written by Ingrid Michaelson sung by Joy Woods in The Notebook now on Broadway

Living Limitless

I wrote about the Secret Garden yesterday. I planned on spending the day at home before working. Starting the day with the usual painting in my journal Listening to the song "My Day". I started to realize how limited I am making the days I work. Just hanging around the house and saving my energy. Then when I figured out some timing I realized I could visit a tearoom in Tuckerton on my way to Long Beach Island where I am working. I found my key to happiness. It gave me more energy! I walked around an antique store and the wharf. The best was finding the tearoom and deciding to go back to the Stewarts root beer I had passed by. The prices were right, the 50's music was loud and the fountain root beer was perfect! I will definitely go back there again There is a ferry that goes to Beach Haven on LBI. That would be fun to go there someday. I am watching and learning to make improvements on my lifestyle. I will be sharing lessons learned of how I am still growing. This makes me feel younger. Lesson learned: Don't set limits on yourself. Quote of the day: There is no key to happiness; the door is always open Mother Teresa Song of the day: Secret Garden by Bruce Springsteen

The Secret Garden

Would it surprise you to learn I had to buy Taylor Swift's new record in vinyl form? It is clear vinyl. I am intrigued by Taylor. I think she is very talented. I think what I like most about her is she values history. And, uses it over and over again in her writing. She also talks about the secret garden of her mind. And, how she uses it to overcome being in places that she hates. I first saw something different about her at the Grammy's. She looked comfortable ALONE. She was focused looking UP at the winners. You could see admiration in her expression. The year she dressed in a totally floral dress was my favorite. And, what I really liked was she was DIFFERENT. She was young, fresh and CONFIDENT. I loved her enthusiam at the last Grammys, exclaiming she made a new album. Again, another Artist totally a juxtaposition of themselves. She describes herself as tortured, and I totally get it. I am waiting to play the actual vinyl. I am enjoying watching each and every video in the morning right now. Since, I started sleeping well again. I don't feel the need to write as much. But, when I do write, I have been enjoying trying to make it rhyme or have some kind of rhythm. It takes more thought. And, mostly I like to write about flowers or my pink tree. It is how I like to think lately. So, I can't help to relate to her song "I hate it here". I don't hate it here. But, I definitely feel I go to a place in my brain to make life better for myself. I am a strong believer in paying attention to the beauty around us. Last year on May 1st I attended a gathering to honor Tasha Tudor and the book "The Secret Garden". She illustrated my favorite version of the book written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This year I am really looking forward to two things: A book crawl visiting local bookstores. And, the other is Brick Garden Club's House Tour and the theme is "The Secret Garden". I bought the book "Unearthing the Secret Garden" by Marta McDowell at last year's book crawl. It is about the plants and places that inspired Frances Hodgson Burnett. On instagram I follow a lot of Artists. One of the Artists was talking about the same song and it's references to the Secret Garden. I was relating about how thankful she was. But, then at end she said she is the great great grandaughter of Frances Hodgson Burnett. Wow! I couldn't help but wake up this morning to hear the song. Quote of the day: “If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” — Frances Hodgson Burnett Song of the Day: I Hate It Here by Taylor Swift

Walking In Circles

One of the best things that came out of 2023 was the discovery of Labyrinths. One day I came upon one at Mad Lavender in New Jersey. And,the other was at Omega Institute in New York. I had written how it made me laugh when I got to the middle. So, now, when I am going on a day trip I look on a map of the 85 Labyrinth locations in New Jersey. Last week was the second one I visited in the Princeton area. This was the longest one. It took me a total of about fifteen minutes to walk the whole thing. It really helped as the flowers are starting to bloom. And, I love the sounds of the birds singing. Which brings me to what subject matter I want to start painting. I have an app that identifies the birds I hear. I am so surprised by not seeing these birds, and just hearing them. So, I am painting pictures of the birds I have never seen before. So, when I do see one, I will know exactly what kind of bird it is. Then, I hope to have my camera with me to photograph them. I am back to work, and yesterday when I walked to my car. There are signs all over, this estate is next to a wildlife refuge. But, the only bird I heard was a red-winged blackbird. I was working on Bonnet Island. I was able to photograph some of the garden in the back of the estate. I will post a reel of it on my instagram today. Quote of the day: With a labyrinth, you make a choice to go in - and once you've chosen, around and around you go. But you always find your way to the center. Jeff Bridges Song of the day: Flowers The Talking Heads

Dream

World turns black and white "Pictures in an empty room Your love starts fallin' down Better change your tune Yeah, you reach for the golden ring Reach for the sky Baby, just spread your wings And get higher and higher Straight up we'll climb We'll get higher and higher Leave it all behind Run, run, run away Like a train runnin' off the track Got the truth bein' left behind Fall between the cracks Standin' on broken dreams Never losin' sight, ah Well, just spread your wings We'll get higher and higher Straight up we'll climb We'll get higher and higher Leave it all behind So baby, dry your eyes Save all the tears you've cried Oh, that's what dreams are made of 'Cause we belong In a world that must be strong Oh, that's what dreams are made of Yeah, we'll get higher and higher Straight up we'll climb Higher and higher Leave it all behind Oh, we'll get higher and higher Who knows what we'll find? So baby, dry your eyes Save all the tears you've cried Oh, that's what dreams are made of Oh baby, we belong In a world that must be strong Oh, that's what dreams are made of And in the end On dreams we will depend 'Cause that's what love is made of". Lyrics from Dreams by Van Halen Today is a good day. I painted my pink tree to this song. I love using the beat of the drums to paint each bud. I have always found music to be my savior in good times and bad. I have to admit not working the last five months was hard on my optimism. I was sinking. I became more quiet. I didn't want to paint or write as much. But, today I woke up to something totally out of my hands, with a good outcome. I was starting to doubt my stregnth, my faith and feeling pretty hopeless. And, the last few weeks I just let go of a lot of worry. I am still going through some things I am worried about. It is different, now. I feel like I am spreading my wings again. But, this time realizing I do have different seasons to my mood and feelings. And, that is alright. It is part of growing. Realizing nothing is permanent....NOTHING!!! That is a big one! Yes, nothing is black and white, there is a grey area in almost everything. And, just being accepting of everything. But, also taking action on what I can do, within my means,to make things be and feel better. I love this song, and seeing Valerie Bertinelli lately really struck a chord. She shares her crying and new love in her life, and it is very heartfelt. It made me feel very optimistic. And, of course, positive outcomes don't hurt either. If you are going through "something". Just keep on keeping on. Everything changes, revolves, evolves, grows....nothing really stays the same. Life would be really dull if it did. Quote of the day: "Oh baby, we belong In a world that must be strong Oh, that's what dreams are made of" Song of the day: Dreams by Van Halen

Paper Source

I would have never opened a store if I didn't work at Paper Source in Princeton, NJ. I would have never owned an envelope liner kit for this challenge if I didn't work there. I would not have visited Boston, Chicago or Kansas City for a week training in seven of their stores if it wasn't that store. It is called the butterfly effect. And, in all things in my life I feel grateful for any opportunities life has brought me. I followed closely during Covid when this company was under scrunity. And, now it is owned by Barnes and Noble. Ugh, the romance I have with brick and mortar stores, continually is challenged. But, it was great to visit the new location in Princeton. I always loved the windows are handmade. Loved when we opened, there were sunflowers. I did one of the prompts of the challenge to make a liner from a used calender page. I forgot how fun this can be. I have so many supplies I have been wanting to use. Calligraphy pens, ink and wax for seals. I will continue post to in instagram for the next month of the challenge. Quote of the day: Gretchen Rubin: “It's about living in the moment and appreciating the smallest things. Surrounding yourself with the things that inspire you and letting go of the obsessions that want to take over your mind. It is a daily struggle sometimes and hard work but happiness begins with your own attitude and how you look at the world.” Song of the day: My Baby Wrote Me a Letter Talk about an opportunity. I was there for this performance. I love all the local musicians on stage. I believe it was one of Bobby Bandiera's shows and we were lucky to have some special guests show up. This was also the year Joe Cocker passed. And, all I could think was this is how the Jersey Shore is blessed with music to get us through. I think it may have been a Sandy relief show.

Dejeuner

I worked in Princeton for a year in 2009 at Paper Source. The thing I remember the most, is driving through the town to get parking. And, thinking this is the most European influenced town. The University itself makes you feel like a different time and place. The trees are large and old. And, most restaurants have outdoor seating. More towns are like this since Covid. But, most of the places to eat are like French Cafes. It is ALWAYS busy with strong foot traffic. I decided to eat at Chez Alice. A cute little French bakery, which also serves lunch. The decor each time I go there, gets better and better. I will share a little reel in instagram. My little trip to Princeton this week was also a little celebration of my lifestyle and triumphs. I always knew I was an emotional eater. It has been a challenge the last forty years. But, I have to say I am more in control of what I eat then ever. During Lent I even finally tried the "Magic Leek Soup" from the book: "French Women Don't Get Fat" by Mireille Guiliano. And, I now know what I can do a few times a year to lose a couple of pounds, as needed. It is so nice not to be in a weight watchers frame of mind any more. And, just enjoy my way of eating again. I think that is what helped my sleeping patterns, also. For the first time in fifty years I can eat at the same time each day. My job's schedules have changed every week. Each day being different, bringing uncertain times and places to eat. These are little things to celebrate. But, they are big at the same time. I am trying to look at aging in a positive way, but sometimes it is hard. The title of this post is french for lunch. So, I will be trying to go to you tube and learn some french words each day. My next post will be about Paper Source, and the letter writing campaign for the month of April. Quote of the Day: “French women typically think about good things to eat. American women typically worry about bad things to eat.” ― Mireille Guiliano, French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure Song of the Day: Melody Gardot c'est magnafique Melody was an Art student in Philadelphia in 2003 and was hit while riding a bicycle. She has found her fame in Paris, France as a singer/songwriter

Favorite Pastimes

It's been about a year now, since I left working fulltime. I bought some books to read, because I wanted to read again. I also was getting a lot of suggested reading from my writing classes. I have been thinking about getting audible for years. I was so glad I did. I was back to my old self, with concentration enough to get through a couple of books a week again. Through this Music Heals program I wanted to read Suleika Jaouad's Book of Two Kingdoms. It is a really intense book about her battle with Cancer starting at the age of 23. It included starting a relationship with Jon Batiste, who she originally met in band camp. And, my favorite part was when she was in recovery Jon and a group of musicians came and played "When the Saints Come Marching In" in her hospital room. The movie on Netflix "American Symphony" also continues their journey. The second book was Jonathan Biss's Unquiet: My Life with Beethoven. This was very short and I loved because it included his piano playing of Beethoven. And, the third book I am about halfway through is Imagine Me Gone by Adam Haslett. This is a fictional book about a family of five. The father suffers from mental illness, and the story is told from the wife, father and children's perspective. I wasn't thrilled with the subject matter. But, the one son starts talking about disco music, and the story comes alive. I went to a book club meeting presented by the same group Music Heals through Princeton University Concerts. It was interesting, and loved hearing everyone's opinions about the books. I also was able to see the embrodery exhibit. That night there was a zoom call including the authors. And, a live performance at the University will follow on April 24th. This was such a great experience for me. Because, if you have been reading me, you would know how much music influences me. And, yes it is helping me heal. The song "Butterfly" by Jon Batiste is the one that came along last year, that swept me off my feet. It is sad, but uplifting at the same time. And, the conclusion to get me through any type of grief is what all of these books conclude. Sometimes, there are no answers, just the curiosity of what the future will bring. And, we just have to find the things that carry us through. And, there is no doubt, music heals. Quote of the day: Suleika Jaouad “Melissa painted self-portraits from bed; I wrote self-portraits from bed. Watercolors and words were the drugs we preferred for our pain. We were learning that sometimes the only way to endure suffering is to transform it into art.” Song of the day: Michelle Obama and Jon Batiste talking about Music and Healing Also, what came from the Book Club is about the connections, which can be made through music. Sharing more on Instagram stories this morning of the embroidery with wings to lift us up and help us rise! And, even the sound of the songbird can be the music that heals. No words needed.

Brave

Life is teaching me how brave I have to be, even in retirement. I really thought I would have more control of my life. Decision making would become easier. I am not learning the hard way. I am enjoying the process But, the hardest lesson I learned this past year is I don't have control over anything. And my motto has always been if the going gets tough, the tough gets going The problem is I am a softy, a sentimental, sensitive, multi-faceted soft human being. Who just so happens to want to be as strong and brilliant as a diamond. Luckily, I took a complete day for myself in Princeton yesterday I had one day with interaction with others, viewing an exhibition I am part of, visiting my favorite stores, eating lunch in a french tea room, going to a movie and walking a labyrinth. I am going to share pictures in my stories each day this week. Today I am going to talk about bravery. The day before this I went to Sight and Sound Theater and witnessed the Spectacular story of Daniel. A story of being brave enough to speak your truth, facing the consequences, and in the end being triumphant. Each experience in Princeton, all in different ways gave me the same message. Basically, on a path I have taken naturally, I am learning to trust myself. And, most of all speak up for myself. Speak UP is a powerful message for a person who is naturally quiet It does not come easy for me. It is easier to write about it. Because, when I talk about the hard things, I can't hide my emotions. To break it down in parts, I am going to talk about the embroidery project first. So, I would consider myself living in isolation, presently. I am alone. It has been an adjustment. Writing my blog has helped me immensely processing my thoughts. Since, I spent the last five months not working. I had not only time to think, but to feel. Something I was deeply afraid of, but instinctly knew I needed at the same time. When the embroidery project came in February it involved two zoom calls and a visit to Princeton Campus to pick up a free embroidery kit. The first zoom call ended with the words " all entries will be exhibited". What an opportunity,I immediately thought. So, to see all the entries yesterday was very exciting for me. I couldn't wait to see what the others did and share it on instagram. What happened during this project was: I felt I found my voice. As each embroidery unfolded ( I made five and have four ready to start again, when I feel like it) the time I was spending felt like I was talking to someone. Like, they were going to read it, and relate. And, maybe even call them to action, also. One of the best feelings I experienced during this time in my life. I am very thankful for these groups who have come together. The Princeton University Concerts, The Princeton Public Library and Interwoven Stories by Diane Weymar. Also, Suleika Jaouad Batiste who wrote about the project in her weekly substacks: The Isolation Journal. Quote of the day: "Say what you want to say". from the song brave. But, also said by Diane Weymar on the zoom call who started "Interwoven Stories", who I follow daily on instagram. Song of the Day: Brave Words by Sara Bareilles and Jack Antonoff