A Little Birdie Told Me

I went shopping for the first time in a VERY long time. Tried on dresses for a wedding in November.( I didn't find anything to buy ) When I was store manager for April Cornell I had to wear her clothes. Every season I would get some clothes for free. I now have a beautiful wardrobe. Believe it or not. One of things that drove me crazy with Vera Bradley was I could only wear solids. And, I definitely dress like how I feel. And, that made me feel boring and really quite sad. So, now I am back to being able to wear all of my April Cornell clothes again. I just needed some shoes after I retired. I wanted something comfortable. I started looking at the Birdie website. I really couldn't afford these shoes. But, like a little bird, they kept calling my name. I waited for a really long time to push the button. I hate doing returns if something doesn't fit from the internet. And, I don't think they are sold in stores. After, seeing what was in the stores when I went shopping, I will buy them again. When they came in the mail, I was SO happy. I slipped one on, feeling like Cinderella. Please fit....please fit I thought. And, they did. Please be comfortable when I walk. Please be comfortable when my feet swell after a day on my feet. And, they were all of the above. That's why I thought I would share this with you all. You can save $30, if you want to purchase them. And, then I will save $30, when I go to get my next pair. I am thinking about having a VLOG. A you tube channel. So I don't share so much on social media. But, I am still in the thinking stages. I want to travel next year, and document it. And, little things like comfortable shoes are a big part of it. Maybe, I have been watching too much "Emily in Paris". I just want to market everything. But, this might be our future. I don't know what it is. But, I definitely have a little birdie in my ear. It says try it, you have nothing to lose. Todays Quote: Be like the bird who, pausing in her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing she hath wings. Share this Quote Victor Hugo Song of the day: Billy Eilish Birds of a Feather

Flowers

Miley Cyrus's song "Flowers" struck a chord with me. But, I always thought I could buy myself flowers. My mom would always ask if she saw flowers if I bought them? I usually said yes. And, she would always say the same thing. Why didn't I ever think of that? But, she was always on a budget, since she didn't work outside the home. Now, I am even in a luckier place, because sometimes I can bring flowers home from events I work. And, I am very mindfully picking perenial plants to plant. I am about to trim the lavender I planted last year. But, I still see butterflies and bees enjoying it. So, I'll wait until it is a little cooler out. I still can't believe I planted six-one gallon plants in this heat this week. But, that is what is pictured. Next year I will try to grow sunflowers again. I'll start them inside, and transplant them in the Spring. This heat really made me stay inside more then I have ever have in my life. I am looking forward to the cooler weather on it's way tomorrow. Quote of the day: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow” - Audrey Hepburn Song of the day: Miley Cyrus "Flowers"

Badlands

It's hard to feel peaceful this morning, with the attempt to hurt an elected President who served our country for four years. It's hard to quiet our questions of our society acting out. And, what this means for the future. It's important to pay attention to all that is going on around us. But, at the very same time, we have to be sure we can live the day to day normally. I wanted to post about how embroidery, quotes and music has helped me get through each day. And, today I will focus on the song Badlands by Bruce Springsteen. It was written in the late seventies . It was the most anticipated album "Darkness on the Edge of Town". And, I can truly say it was a life changer for me. I listened to it a lot, back then. It made me feel angry. It made me feel I wanted to pump my fist in the air. It wasn't until I saw it LIVE. I could sing along, fist pump and literally yell the words: "It ain't no sin to be glad you are alive". I think it has to do with feeling a certain way. I was releasing pent up feelings of anger and rage. Not for me. But, for our state of affairs in the late 70's. The worries we were carrying. The economic insecurities of the gas crisis and high interest rates. The voices of women wanting to be heard. Yes, I was only seventeen. But, when I was at the first concert in the Meadowlands, married for a few years, and owning a home in 1985. During the Born in the USA tour I was yelling those lyrics. So, loud I lost my voice. But, it was a release that felt SO good. And, I have to say taking a needle and thread. And, poking holes in a piece of beautiful material makes me feel the same way. I am not yelling or screaming to get my point across. But, spending some time with something that has helped me along the way. It is very satisfying. I want to make more, and that is the only reason I am selling them. And, to make my mark by sharing them with someone who might appreciate it. Quote of the day: “I’m very concerned that our society is much more concerned with information than wonder, in noise rather than silence. How do we encourage reflection? … Oh my, this is a noisy world.” Mister Rogers taken from Maria Shriver's Sunday Paper's email today Song of the day: Badlands by Bruce Springsteen If you would like to purchase this embroidery it is on auction on Ebay for the next week.

The Hill We Climb

I am finally feeling more myself again. More then anything, the feeling of hopefulness is what makes me feel normal. I believe my daily practices of writing and watercolor painting show that feeling the most. When I don't feel hopeful. Thoughts of "who cares" and "what does this matter" cloud my thoughts. It is close to four years ago, since Amanda Gorman recited her inaugural poem "The Hill We Climb". I was still married, but alone watching this speech. No one to exclaim "this is brilliant" to. She melted my heart at a time it was turning to stone. She filled me with an excitement for the future. I have a copy of the book and read it from time to time. I read it again the morning after the debate. It makes me feel powerful and full of hope. Books can do that. Another person Thich Nhat Hanh a zen buddhist gives me the feeling of hope and peace. His words are wise. Watching his brush work on you tube influenced my daily practice. It is a great feeling to use a brush to write out words. It makes me feel they are even more powerful. Most of all summer was escaping me. It was hard not to be doing what I normally enjoy during the summer. And, even though this weather is brutal. I am looking forward to enjoying it every day. We all have some kind of hill to climb. So, my hope for all is to enjoy each day to the fullest with peace of mind, free of worry. Quote of the day: The new dawn breaks as we free it. For there is always light. If only we are brave enough to see it. If only we are brave enough to BE it. Amanda Gorman Song of the day: People Have the Power Patty Smith

Freebird

I love New Years and the Fourth of July. Not only for celebrating, but for goal setting. I am so glad the attention I have put into Ebay, has worked out so far this month. The picture above is for a marketing campaign I hope to carry through the first half of the month. And, the second half I hope to do a Christmas in July campaign. And, have all of my Christmas listings up for Christmas 2024. August, I hope to start listing my dad's post card collection. And, maybe even try to sell the peace stone cards I made. I have been disappointed with the post cards sales I have tried for the last year. But, I did sell 2 this morning. Which is prompting me now to try again. I was able to figure out how to use a marketing design app on my laptop. And, the cloud now works with my phone sending me photos again. So, I can also do a whole blog post, again each week, from my lap top. This was one of my biggest frustrations. And, it is nice when something just seems to work out in my favor. This week I will be trying to get a one minute video into my shop on Ebay. This all depends on my computer and phone being in sync again. I was able to put a video in a music box listing. This is my link to my store if you want to see what I am talking about.

Auction is now LIVE in my Ebay store! Quote of the Day: “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” ― Henry David Thoreau Song of the Day: Summer of Sorcery Steven Van Zandt

Happy July 1st!

Happy half year mark! How are you doing with your goals for 2024? How about your word, if you picked one? My word is radiate. My year was full of ups and downs. But, I definitely feel a pull for rising up in this last part of the year. I started meditating every day again. I started with Finding Your Flow with Oprah and Deepak. And, now I am on Attracting Your Energy with Oprah and Deepak. And, these are the perfect way for me to start each day. If I was to be asked right now what I would like to radiate most? It would be Peace, mostly peace of mind. And, to my surprise I have found peace at home. I keep my days very quiet, and I don't run away from it any more. Summers were always about taking time by the pool or ocean. And, this year it is just about catching up again. Still, find myself with never ending paper work. Whether it is preparation for doctor appointments, health care paper work, and now medicare. I also was planning on some big vacations. But, some things came up around the house, I must take care of first. So, for peace of mind my writing is going to be on the back burner for awhile. Until, I take care of all of these priorities. I went to see the play "Beautiful" yesterday, about the life of Carole King. And, decided to greet each morning with the song "Beautiful". So, my goals for the rest of the year is to feel beautiful and make my house beautiful. Quote of the day: “I still believe that everyone is beautiful in some way and by seeing the beauty in others we make ourselves more beautiful.” — Carole King Song of the Day: Beautiful by Carole King