The Butterfly Wrestler

< 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 t

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 growin

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

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

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

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

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: &

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

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