Love in the Neighborhood

The Hood,
The thought occurred, afterward a long and lazy walk through my neighborhood with my beautiful and eager dogs, what exactly is a neighborhood anyway?
Can you count the times you have heard or read stories about someone's experience living in the hood.  I am not talking ghetto.  I am talking about real live neighborhoods.
It seems technology has impacted so many aspects of our life and I see how this has affected our little 29 home hood.  It use to be when our neighborhood treasurer and his wife collected the dues each month there was a connection to what was happening in the lives of the residents.
"Mr. Hill fell last week and is having a hard time getting around"....or "Susie's daughter is graduating from high school next week"...these were known facts throughout the neighborhood when conversation was made in passing.  This also prompted the "grapevine" method of everyone knowing who was in need or who needed congratulating!
Are these days gone???  Our association now has agreed to paying their dues online and so now, well, there's no grapevine(:
And then I ask, if I am to "love my neighbor as myself" how do I do that? Really, do I know my neighbor???  This stopped me in my tracks.
Honestly, how am I a good neighbor?  Well, I try to keep my dogs quite so they won't bother folks, and I try to keep my yard up and not looking like a jungle (although some may say it does).  I do try to have neighborhood picnics as president of the association but is that all I could be or do?
What about trying to keep the line of communication open and actually spend time getting to know my neighbors better and if they are in need?
I think that's a great idea, I think I will do it!  How about starting with a minimum of 5 neighbors?  What one thing can I learn about their lives, that maybe is different from mine?  Perhaps given the opportunity I may see life from a different perspective and then learn also something about myself?  Then maybe, once I know my neighbor, I may begin to love not only my neighbor but also love myself even more!

Solace in Earth

The rain falls gently upon the lush green landscape.  I sit by my window witnessing the sounds, taking in the fresh crisp clean moist mountain air.  All the colors unfold as Mother Earth is renewed.
Wild geese visit the stream nearby, robins sing and chick-a-dees too, look, look, the Earth is ripe for us to take part in it's dew.  We drink from her vessels, her blossoms abound, daffodils, crocuses, and tiny buds new.  It's early in the year we are alight, what is this springtime we are in with such delight?
Mother Earth is changing with each passing full moon, shall we continue to see her in this beauty we all have found?  I pray for her daily as we take from her girth and I take solace in her when needed from the world  I can't imagine a time where we will not sit with no one knowing where this is their place.  She has given us so much, NOTHING can take her place!

The birds are singing out my window,
What a lovely melody to hear.
A song of praise for a new day?
Or just a gift for little ole me?
Doesn't matter either way, it's all harmony.
In sync with the rhythm of all that is.
In a universe so vast,
A strong heartbeat I resonate with.
I'm so grateful for this gift!
I think I'll join in and sing my song,
Joy, joy, joy, thank you birdies, I am blessed!

Throughout the Ages

Experiencing Heaven on Earth

During these troubled times we are living in, which in essence is history repeating itself, I cannot help but wonder how or what the message is that we are being called on to see.  I believe there is always a larger force than me and my small world  in operation that has reason for events to occur in the manner in which they do.  I question what I may learn from these events and how I can become, or evolve into something other than I am in this journey called life.  A more evolved and better me.
What I am beginning to see, as with so many of the worldly events that occur throughout time, is how we are being called to action.  We are being called just as Dr. King voiced to take a look deep within ourselves.  Who are we really and are our actions in service to others a way to begin to see ourselves.
When we walk this earth without regard to the gifts we have been given, a lush green planet full of wonder and awe, rivers flowing, skies of blue, starry nights, rich soil and the abundance of food, and the love around us, we become stagnant.  Our souls are held in bondage, we cover up with all the layers of greed, and forget the abundance that is right in front of us.  We lack the freedom that is inherit within us and we forget to see and hear the beauty and sound of riches that surround us.  We become self-centered and feel lacking.  In that lack we become fearful.  Fear drives us further away from who we truly are and from each other.
The Celts in their wisdom identified the soul's need to flourish and recognized how our bodies which are made of clay walked the landscape to feed itself, the soul, through opening our senses to the rhythm of the life we feel, see, and hear.  That is why we have eyes, ears, and skin.  And that we find ourselves in the face of others to identify who we truly are.  When we become vulnerable, when we are willing to risk, when we are willing to look for the love we seek in each other knowing that each person is looking for the same, truly.
When my mind overpowers my heart and I operate out of anything other than the heart(Love) then I am in sin and away from my true self-my God self-Love. When Love overpowers my mind I experience heaven on earth!  I believe we all can inherit this earth, while not easy, with an open heart, we truly can walk more peacefully.

Raindrops At My Window

Raindrops At My Window

Raindrops are falling at my window,
this early morn in November.
I hear the rythm of its sound,
and my mind escapes the world around.
Yet I'm reminded winter harks and I must prepare,
for the rain turns to snow I'm aware.
The leaves are falling silently and life dies down,
returning to the earth and giving to the ground.
And in this stillness I do hear,
the pitter-patter of life so near.
Raindrops at my window,
a sweetness always to remember,
this early morn in November.

Sisters

Three Sisters Be

All along we all knew this time would not be for long,

but just a while to come together even for a day or two,

and we proved once again we were strong.

For once again to feel the love we've shared for so long,

to tap into that source of strength no others can see,

the awesomeness of 

 Three Sisters Be.

Our fellows at each our side they came too,

because they know a sister's love,

is a bond that cannot be broken in two.

To feel this love is somewhere to belong.

It's all a part of a long life shared, a dance, and a song,

it's heard throughout the land, the miles apart we live,

even sweeter than the taste of honey

and more than words can ever be spoken.

To be a part of 

Three Sisters Be

Is truly a gift indeed!

Waiting

Waiting for snowfall...

Waiting for light...

Waiting for spring....

all through the night.

Waiting for good news....

Waiting for sight...

Waiting for miracles...

something more bright.

Waiting for the darkness to fade away...

Waiting for the dawn of a new day...

I've been waiting and waiting...

for you Lord to show me the way.

Late Nights, Early Days

If there would be one question left for me at the end of my time it would be, why are my nights so late when the daylight begins so early?
You see it began long ago....likely in the womb of my mother.  I imagine she too had been daunted with the gift(?), or curse(?) of being a night owl.  I remember well as a little girl many times it seemed like magic that my mother would produce such incredible feats, such as making dresses for all us five girls, or getting all our clothes washed, and then to top it off she would have breakfast out just in time for school(not really on time but what the heck it sufficed to get us fed and on our way).  I just knew she  had elves stashed away somewhere and would sneak them out after our heads hit the sack.  Of course, that's why she always wanted us to go to bed so early!
Whether a curse or gift I suppose it is relative to our position in life.  I find often that it seems a curse in that I pay dearly in the cost of my health, not to mention my inability to function during the day at my best.
I used to believe that one of the reasons for wanting to stay up so late was sheer rebellion(from all those times I was made to go to bed at night).  Also I see it as time to myself!  I used to ask why then couldn't I go to bed early and get up early, well, you see my husband is an early riser and when I get up with him he likes to talk a lot.  I am not a talker in the mornings!  Pleeze!  Give me time to roll over and get some coffee!
So, why is it that I struggle to go to sleep at night earlier and rise with a fresh being?  No, it's not the end of my time but I still would like to know! Good night!

A poem for my dearest Chad's daughter and son.

MoonCycles

Time can be measured

with each heartbeat we hear,

Rhythmically-second by second, minute by minute,

hour by hour, and day by day.

And as days become months,

which are measured by the moon,

her pattern repeats itself

to the sound of our tune.

Each one anew, waxing into fullness,

waning to the next, then unseen,

unheard, a phase lasting half a breath,

cycling through, another heart beat,

another moon,

 and time escapes us all too soon.

And as the moon cycles through each life and breath does too,

passing over with a heartbeat

to begin anew.

by Janey Wood Kelly

Frozen Memories

Unbelievably cold this January day and two days ago even colder at 1 degrees F.  It is interesting to note how much the frozen landscape reflects our memories in time.  The running water in the creek has layers of ice capturing the water in time, frozen, standing still, yet all the while the underlying water continues to flow like that of our  mind and its memories but still connecting us to the here and now.  If only for a moment, stand still frozen in time.  Feel the breath as it moves in and out of your lungs, its coolness, and for a real treat stand outside and watch your breath, ahhh!  Winter, thank you for memories!

Ode To My Brother

          

 As with the river life continues far beyond what we can see;

And as the seasons change, so do we on our journey here.

The snow falls silently leaving a blanket that the sun warms

for the earths chance to reabsorb and carry back 

to the rivers from which it came.

And as we too spring forth with life, 

we carry with us the force of nature;

And so it is we too return to the river

to be carried on to the beyond of which we cannot see.

And it is there too where our life begins anew,

another season waiting its turn. 

                                                                           Love you Bro
                                                                                  RIP
                                                                   

CHANGES IN NOVEMBER

As never before do I remember the glorious beauty of November.  I'm not sure why I don't remember, except in time, just as in all the events of life unfolding, it is so difficult to hold the image so absolute that we can recall it with the same perfection.  I want to remember this November, to recall the events that have seemed so significant this go round.  When capturing the photo aside it was so difficult to really show how luminous and energetic the leaves were in the glistening sun that beautiful day in November.  What has been really interesting is that one week later in this month of November I was invited to a dear friend's celebration bonfire and it portrayed the EXACT fiery dance that those golden burnt orange leaves were displaying and I was in absolute awe, again!  November is a time to remember, so many changes that come into play as the leaves fall down, each one spiraling out of control with the blustery winds that seek to inform us of winter's coming.  Starting the day after Hallow's eve, a time of thanksgiving, a time of sharing in all the blessings received, and too as a reminder of the coming winter months that we hunker down with each other and take refuge from the storms.  The change of season, the change of time, longer nights and shorter days.  Another interesting phenomenon, the date 11.12.13, not something that happens each year, and the fact that I took notice:). I also have experienced some wisdom in the numbers of 111 and the meaning of seeing these numbers and why just now, in the 11th month of the year?  So many insights, so much to remember, that is why it is November!

"Go bravely into this world" unafraid,
 boldly, and beautifully. Strengthen
 your heart and mind. Live the way
 of the warrior princess, shielding
 your health, trekking lightly, and
 healing those on your path.  

Mystery Unfolds

Again, as life unfolds revealing truths that seem to "surpass understanding" there are moments of clarity, like that being described as a "twinkling of the eye", or to that of witnessing a starlit night and the magic that appears when a star shooting across the sky like a flash of lightening, it's not there and then it is, quickly without warning, but watching in awe, we are the observer of one's own self, glimpsing or witnessing our own flight into a knowing, seeing ourselves transition, discovering something that we never fully realized or could grasp previously even if we tried.  We never knew ourselves at this depth, an enlightenment, something so deep, such as knowing a love we never dreamed of, or experienced thus far, or just knowing how connected we really are to others and this universe.  Realizing in our tiny little worlds that we are not alone and that of our selves we are so small and much of what we do really has no meaning, but in these moments of truth we realize just how magnificent and how important we have come to be in this world even when we are standing alone in our realization of our beauty, our wonder, and mystery.

Time Fly's!

So effortlessly do the days go past without a hint of what the next day brings, because just like the wind, which has it's own path to follow and a change in direction without our command, do we succomb to what is.  Many folks say "time is not on our side" but I beg to differ.  We are given each twenty-four hours to fill however we may choose, and while I may not always "choose" conscientiously or wisely, I am still in charge of my thoughts and actions.  However, like the wind, I may change my direction at any time.  There is nothing that keeps me from taking hold of this moment and filling it with my desires, although if chosen wisely, I may "decide" to drift a while and consciously "let go" of any expected outcomes and live in the moment, and therefore, "live longer more beautifully" any time I choose.

Time Out, Having Fun!

In the course of life there are times, if we take the time, to play and have fun, and if we are lucky we can just be fun whether playing or not!  Really it only depends on the frame of mind we are in.  Personally, I would just like to "be"fun without playing at all.  There are reminders everywhere of how we can 'be" this.  This morning I was sitting on the pot and as usual my little chinese "Chewie" short for Chewbacca, opened the door and came in to wait on his beloved master to finish her business and he accidentally fell over after he non-chalantly sat on the edge of a bath rug. He rolled over with some surprise but then just sat there perplexed and I found this to be hilariously funny! And I thought how simple a thing to get to tickled about and how even while there was no one else around to share in the laughter, I realized how these are the times when I am reminded of how to "be" fun in life!

Listening Quietly

The gifts we are given each time we listen are there for the taking.  Even in the hustle and bustle when we quieten ourselves we can hear the voice within.  Sometimes I am so amazed at the messages I am given and I am so glad that I have learned to sit...in the moment.  I can count the times, one just recently, where the gift of another's voice came upon my ability to follow the direction I was given to hear that which was sought.  In sorrow or grief, or loneliness, feeling powerless, not knowing which direction to take, or not knowing the answers, if I will sit in silence and remain open to the voice within I am always directed or given the answers for which I do not always know the question  at the time, but later I  know what it is that was asked.  It is this wisdom that comes as we grow in years that makes our lives so much more beautiful each day we live longer and more abundantly!

Reflecting on A Life So Blessed

There are often times we look back through the days and years of our time here on Earth and realize how blessed we are with the many lives we are surrounded by.  And while time marches on, as I am realizing now how soon the colder weather will soon arrive, we can bide our time in the process of reliving the moments that keep us young and alive with wonder.  Reviewing some of the photos taken this past summer and, oh, yes, the ones my son the cameraman videoed of mmm...well, our little Shinese puppy humping the pillows, I can laugh and smile and restore my youthful soul and appearance (you know those tiny little lines around the mouth and eyes)....Yes, let's have more of these times and experience total bliss while we are ever so grateful!

Newbie

Now up for half the night getting this online so I will exit with this to keep in mind.  Keep up the chin and until next time, sleep well o' beautious one, fore to rest is the cure for all that ails you! And when did we need science to tell us so? Check out The Wiley Protocol. She has some insight about sleep and what she calls rhythm. Nite Now!