Words from the Heart

This year, the combination of rainy evenings and warm sunny days has created a rainforest effect in my garden.  The lushness of the green immediately soothes me on hectic days.  The sound of water running into our tiny pond, where frogs serenade us in the early evening, melts away the stress of hectic days. I must admit, I am having a difficult time keeping up with the weeding this year.  With all the warmth and rain, it seems things grow overnight.  But, there is a good side to this.  Weeding is meditative.   What amazes me, is that I can feel all stressed because I need to finish this or that, but, if I give myself permission to go weed for a bit, I find that my mind empties, leaving me with space to see what I need to do and how to do it.   In addition, I have come to realize that having a garden - planting, harvesting, weeding, and pruning - connects me with the seasons and the various phases of the moon.  Being connected to N...

As we come to the end of this month of Love, I want to give thanks to our four-legged, winged, and scaly friends. It appears that humans have a need to give and receive Love. We are one of a few species that recognizes the beautiful Spirits of other species. We have pets which become for us as much family as our blood relations. This past week, our beloved Molly returned to the Creator. She lived thirteen years with Roger (the last six with me). She was our friend in ways only those who have a pet can understand. She knew when Roger was sick and would comfort him. When he was very ill with the stenosis in his neck, she would come get me. She would get miffed when we would go out together (Roger and I) and only one of us returned home. When the other finally came home, we would find Molly sitting at the door waiting for us like an perturbed parent. She would look at us, sigh and walk away as if to say sarcastically, "Nice of you to come home!" We spoiled Molly these l...

This is my most special Valentines. It is to those who have inspired, enlightened, instructed, nurtured and supported my through this amazing medium we so fondly call "The Web." I have not met most of these dear Hearts who have connected with me over the past year or so. Yet, they are as dear to me as those friends and family I am able to hold close each day. I have linked their websites to their names, so that you might also share in their warmth and wisdom. Please visit their sites, consider it my gift to you! To Janet Fellow educator, Blogger extraordinare and hope-filled Spirit...Thank you for brightening this little corner of the world with your presence. To Miruh Fellow Spirit on the path, Wise friend...Your words of wisdom and hope affirm for me that we are all connected. Thank you for the Light you shine. To Linni Mother, Artist, Fellow traveler on the path...your words, your photos, your wisdom touched my soul each time I visit your site. Thank you for being su...

There is a quote by an unknown author that states, " Some people walk into our lives and quietly go... others stay for a while and leave footprints in our hearts... and we are never the same..." Thanks to my first class of students in an English as a Second Language program back several years ago (around 15 years!!!), my life changed forever. My First Class - Exchange Students from Spain Not only did my students then, and those that followed in their footsteps, open my eyes to my desire to teach, they also helped me recognize the fact that one person can make a difference. I had three classes of exchange students back in the 90's, I also was blessed to have several exchange students live with my family for a full year.These are some of their pictures. Sarah, my German daughter - from the second class More Students from the Second ESL Class Third class of ESL Students Patty - my Guatemalan Daughter Pablo, my Argentinian Son and My Four Daughters My Swiss Daughter (in denim...

It is not often that I watch a film that resonates with my heart and soul, so, when it happens, I want to shout from the highest mountains to let all know. My highest mountain is this blog. Hear me shout! Whaledreamers ! I watched this beautifully crafted documentary last night, becoming overwhelmed with emotion. Kim Kindersley directs this epic about indigenous peoples (in particular an endangered indigenous group from Australia, the Mirning) around the world who gather to share their connections to the whales and dolphins. If you have ever hoped for Peace in the world, connecting all peoples at the very center of our many beliefs, this film is a must see! Julian Lennon, as the producer, continues the legacy of Peacemaker handed down to him by his father. Among the last slides of the film it states, "The people of the world are awakening. We are the ones we have been waiting for...Do something, anything...The Time is Now!" From my highest mountain I shout! Peace! We ...

Have you ever walked into a place and felt like you knew it? Have you gone anywhere "new" and thought, "This looks just like..."? Obviously, when those who first came to this country settled here, they must have felt this kind of connection. They made it obvious for future generations by naming places after those in the Old World. Hence, "New" England, "New" Hampshire, etc. I have found in my travels that there are also connections which happen on a smaller scale. Little snapshots of time and space that mirror another. For example: Where was this taken? Beacon Hill...London...D.C.??? It could be any of those places, but... How about this little gem? Ok, so the American flag might give this away as being here in the States, but, it could be in France, Spain or even South America. The point is, these images remind us of other places far from where these photos were taken. Won't keep you in the dark any longer, these two photos are of pl...