Category: AMAZe

simply a moment | 11.15. 21…

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Normally on the 15th of the month, I aim to document and share a moment from the day. It occurred to me today that only on the 15th of November can I share the day’s moment/s at the time closest to when I was born: circa 7:42 pm.

Today is/was my birthday; I’ve had many trips around the sun and looking forward to many more. The story goes that when I was born, my father had not left the hospital more than ten minutes, out to get a burger, thinking that it’d yet be a while before I made my grand entrance. Hah! Fooled him!

I had a grand day filled with well wishes and my favorite eats: pizza (this time Panera’s flatbread), salad and of course, Prosecco… all topped off with a couple pieces of delicious lemon ( my fave flavor) cookies. I am filled not only with good food but more importantly, the well wishes of Family and Friends, far and near.

Before I leave, enjoy this photo from today: this Japanese Maple, probably close to 34 years old, is exceptionally beautiful this year. Sorry, the goodies are all gone…they were indeed delish.

Cheers~

thoughts on my 2019 word …

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As I, on the cusp of closing out this year’s experience with one little word, contemplate the myriad choices that have presented themselves over these last couple months of 2019, I’m struck with the small dictionary of words I’ve amassed over the past nine, ten, (eleven?) years. Begin. Complete. Document. Chronicle. etc.

My 2019 word: habit is one that I’ve toyed with perhaps all my life. Both the making and the breaking. As is my habit – pun intended – whenever I embark on a new adventure, I do a lot of research, shopping, trying a variety of approaches and experiences. Some might describe that as being attracted to bright shiny objects and in a way, I agree – tho’ I like to think of it as experimentation. This year was no different. Always, my aim/goal is to find the path of least resistance; as a result I think I often tire sooner than I should… mainly because I’ve not quite settled in/on a path, routine, etc. I guess one could easily describe those actions as “my habit” and thus, the raison d être for my having a lot of unfinished projects lurking in my closets… Having said all that, I’m surprised I get outta bed in the mornings <smile>.

My focus on habit for 2019 results in my affirming what I have always known: ideas and possibilities have the habit of grabbing my attention. It is who I am.

Because the year is coming to an end doesn’t mean that my focus on habit will end. I shall continue to keep the word and my actions at the forefront as I embrace my 2020 word, which,  I think as I write this post, will be _ _ _ _ _ _*

Do stop over to Juliann’s post re: her 2019 word!

Cheers~

*To be revealed next week; stay tuned!

welcome july …

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~sunrise today 7:03 am~

Welcome July! You arrived complete with sunshine and delightful temperatures. It’s been a real treat to greet you with the deck doors wide open!

This morning not only started a new month with a new calendar entry but also, a new Scribbles journal. It felt so good to “open it and begin journaling, again, for the first time.” I have big staycation plans for the summer months, ending with the arrival of the autumnal equinox. But more on that down the road. First, a look at this past month, June:

You will note quite a few photos of flowers: Spring – and now Summer – was especially gorgeous, a result of all the rain we had. Trees and shrubbery are fuller and a lusher green; les fleurs, more abundant and vibrant. I’m even convinced the sky is bluer – when it is blue!

  • #1 and #14: two excursions to Zeke’s, my neighborhood coffee roaster/shop ~ warm enough to sit out!
  • #2 and #4 from Kayla’s and my trip to the new Apple Carnegie library…
  • Swans – # 7 and #25 – are this summer’s Journal Club animal spirit guide; seems that everywhere I look these days I see the swan image. My subconscious brain at work‽
  • # 8 – flowers in  are an example of thread painting with a sewing machine; I saw them on a pillow at Target. The picture reminds me that I plan to try the technique this summer, just for fun…
  •  # 9 – friends, Margaret and Ed, have a sweet new rescue dog: Hannah; I got to meet her for the first time…
  •  #11 captures sunlight streaming through a wooded area…
  • # 15 and #16  – are from Chris’ 5th birthday party  at the Climbing Zone. He decided not to climb, tho’ he gave it a try; niece Kayla did make it to the top!
  • #17 – June’s full Strawberry moon – a stock photo coupled with a web article I read; unfortunately, the sky was cloudy so I didn’t get to see the moon in real life…
  • #19 – I thought the tree was interesting; not sure how it lost all its leaves but it made for a different photo of #blueskyblooms – or not!
  • #20 – a delicious Caprese mini pizza, without onion, made by friend Hilary for me! Onions and I don’t get along. I discovered that the blurry photo was the result of my camera lens needing to be cleaned!
  • #23 – Norman all dressed up for Men’s Recognition Day at church…
  •  # 26 and #27 – sunset and a sunrise shadow…
  • #30 – #blueskyblooms  of a Crepe Myrtle; they are quite luscious this year, tho’ the photo doesn’t give justice.

And that’s a wrap for June 2019 and this post. Hoping your July is off to a fantastic start, as is mine. Looking forward to spending July with you!

Cheers~

PS. Oops! #1 was taken outside the Clarice Performing Arts Center; I was waiting for friends to arrive and sitting outside with a glass of wine before the concert!

habit quest| february 2019…

Published on by Honoré16 Comments

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(sunrise  ~ 6:36 am)

Today, Morning Solitude and Quiet Time, extended  beyond noon. T’wasn’t in the plan but it just felt like the right thing to do on this last Tuesday of February.  I was busy reading, thinking and plotting –  focused on  my 2018 word: habit … and also becoming acquainted with the latest iOS for my Apple iPhone and iPad. I am not one to rush to install those upgrades…I usually wait til the kinks are worked out. I took several selfies and looking at them using the “LIVE” feature had me howling. Kinda creepy…but fun! That, however, wasn’t contributing to my focus for the day: zeroing in on [those] daily activities that translate into healthy habits that are good for me and help me fulfill creative urges and experiments.

Not that I’ve not known this for probably all my adult, at least, life: habits are hard to make and break! Be that as it may, I shall press on… and one day, someday, I’ll have succeeded in accomplishing my quest. Watch this space. Are you working on making or breaking a habit?

Joining Juliann and others for a monthly word update, here!

Cheers~

 

a word or two…

Published on by Honoré14 Comments

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This photo is of my youngest grand niece, Kayla, circa age 4. Today, she celebrates her 18th birthday!  A family gathering  for dinner at Maggiano‘s was planned; she wanted to celebrate on the actual date. Hey, one only turns 18 once. Well, as luck would have it, today’s weather forecast is calling for rain, snow, cold – courtesy of the Polar Vortex –  to begin around PM rush hour traffic. So, she cancelled and will reschedule. Of course! We all  applaud her for her graciousness in handling her disappointment.  We are all disappointed. Looking at the variations of her name, its meaning and synonyms, I have to say her mother picked the best name for this young woman; she’s going far! Adulting is hard work and I think, know that she will meet the challenge with aplomb!

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Speaking of words: according to quora, the OED – Oxford English Dictionary – second edition contains 171,476 words in current use, and 47,156 obsolete words. The number count varies due to a variety of factors… In my craft and sewing studios are wooden words that have been my guides and touchstones, my one little word/s, over the past nine years… This year’s word, in some ways, has been elusive; it sort of misses a bit of intrigue, verve.  I keep trying out (other) words and find myself coming back to one – habit: Design. Action. Practice.

There are some habits in my repertoire I want to grow, strengthen, refine, cultivate,  curate, and others I am determined to jettison. Watch this space…

Join(ing) Juliann and others on the last Tuesday of the month in sharing our experiences with our word/s. Have you chosen a one little word – OLW- for 2019?

Cheers~

on playing the piano…

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I’ve always enjoyed piano music, especially classic. For sure, Mozart is my favorite composer. Any/Every time I hear his work, I am stopped in my tracks, transformed somewhere else. As a child, I aspired to play an instrument and in 4th-5th grades, chose to learn the piano.  Well, that was short-lived: I never did. Why? Because a) I didn’t practice and b) never bothered to learn the bass cleft. Kinda necessary to play the piano or any instrument, I imagine. You think?

On Friday, during my Journal Club session, I was introduced to a new pianist :  Ludivoco Einaudi and his piece: Walk. I am listening to it now, as I write this post …and I invite you to click on this link. It is hauntingly beautiful and a visual as well as an auditory experience. There is quite the library of videos of his performances.

I am so grateful that I have a new companion to accompany me on my walks, when I journal  and during other mindful moments.

Peace~

3 on thursday|11.15.18 …

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We went to bed last night, fully expecting today’s “snow forecast” to be a flake or two and then, life as usual. As an old margerine/butter ad touted: “it’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.”  Yep, we have snow…and cold…and rain…and there are still 36 days til the Winter Solstice arrives!

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Today’s weather has been fit for neither man nor beast but out we went ~ for Norman had several medical appointments.  We arrived home,  grateful for warmth , being dry and not having to go out again!

Photo on 11-15-18 at 3.12 PM

…and I get a chance to play with my birthday* present: an Amazon Echo! Thanks Norman!

Hope the weather in your corner of the world is warmer and drier.

Cheers~

  • Yep – today is my birthday

capturing me…

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(Me multi-tasking: participating in one of today’s sessions on my iPad, taking a photo with my iPhone and drafting this post!)

One of my creative pursuits involves capturing my life “memories and moments, my stories on this planet via words+photos:

  • I capture stories  in my journals, on this blog..
  • I participate in online classes, forums and groups … all which are designed to both encourage and instruct…
  • I use ( tho’ rarely) social media, primarily Instagram…
  • I make scrapbook layouts, such as those I shared in my  Collecting October 2018 post…
  • I belong to two scrapbooking membership groups. Both sponsor group activities that engage and inspire their membership, provide for instruction and most importantly, incentive, inspiration and opportunity  for members to meet online via their sites, chat, and thanks to today’s technology: gatherings online.  These platforms, such as Zoom, enable us to see, talk, create, share, offer one another assistance, in real time! 

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This weekend, one group is celebrating its 10th Anniversary. We’re having a three day, almost round-the-clock live (and being recorded) event. I am grateful that I am a member of this group, have the time and the resources – WiFi, computer; iPad; – to join the festivities with the community. So far, it’s been not only fun and instructive but also inspirational – made possible by today’s Internet technology. Around the world in less than a half second!

We’re on a break.. enough time for me to take a brisk walk on this very sunny, windy autumn day. TBC…

Cheers~

 

on gratitude and writing…

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This morning, during MSQT – morning solitude and quiet time – I thought a lot about gratitude and writing. In a way, they are synonymous to me. I can’t seem to think about /express one without the other.

MSQT begins when I go downstairs and set up my space/place at the table: I pull my Raskog book cart close to the table, take the lamp off  and set it on the table. Next, set placemats out: one is for my journal, the other, my tea  mug and water glass; both sit on a small tray. Finally, I arrange other paraphernalia: pens; my journal; my iPad and iPhone, plugging which ever one might need a charge into the outlet on the lamp; and the book/s I’m currently reading. I then boil water (in the microwave) for tea and fix myself a glass of ice-cold water. When the water is boiled, I take the mug to the table, sit, plop in my tea bag and breathe for 4-5 minutes. Once that’s done, I am ready to write.

My daily journal entry always begins with the date, time, a “brief weather report” in the form of a graphic: a cloud or sun or snowflake. Next I write a bit about the day before, today’s upcoming agenda, my thoughts, feelings, plans, ideas, surroundings, memories, and gratitudes.

I find that I enjoy the physical act of writing, of making letters, forming sentences, expressing thoughts, ideas, feelings, describing my surroundings, anticipating and/or relishing my experiences. I also read – generally a book that helps me explore a current or long-time interest, poetry, or an essay. Most often, books by writers on the practice of writing. Hard work.

I write, not because I want to publish – anything beyond a blog post – but because it fills my soul …and for that, I am grateful.

What fills your soul?

Cheers~