…its cold. its been a long winter. more snow and more cold then usual. more bad news on the media ….but when i am awaken to the wind chimes that is all I hear. almost like a reminder; to pause. pause long enough to take a break from thoughts that waste time and energy…2 resources that are clearly at a premium.

the wind chimes produce a wonderful melody, each time they play it is unique. never to be repeated. impossible to duplicate.  like the moments in our day.

… a delightful event last nite…Jazz at Mills Pond House. Young and old musicians alike jamming in a beautiful old mansion here on the North Shore. …a perfect recession mentality buster… free, different, great atmosphere, & inspiring.

send along your recession buster idea.

I stretched the seat belt across his lap…and as we both heard the click, he reached up and gently put his hand on my cheek as we look deep into eachothers eyes; no words were needed. Times had indeed changed.

For years he was seemingly larger then life. All knowing, all protecting and very strong in everyway.  I knew my place and never crossed the line. (well…rarely anyway About 12 years ago I got very brave and learned I had a voice that he did infact want to hear.

Over the last decade our relationship has grown into a mutual respect and wonderful friendship that I am eternally grateful for…. crossing all previously drawn virtual lines.
The last 12 months however…I think it is he who looks at me as being a bit larger then life, my energy, my thoughts and my actions as I begin to take my position as a “grownup”.
Although he seems to question his existence in its current state he continues to provide strength to me in a different way…. as I see myself  beginning to exhibit qualities of patience and strength I never knew I had.
Ironically…I have not really felt like a grown up until recently….as my parents really begin to age and need mine and my siblings help.  The calls and cries go beyond how to find something on the internet or inquires on my visit schedule.
Visits where sharing dinners out and sunshine by the bay have turned into sorting through papers, bank and doctors visits. Doing household chores and securing where one can until the next sibling can make it down.

So many songs and biblical references to life being a circle…they are true. As we continue around there are opportunities that we can’t plan or imagine.  I am learning to take each for what they are and each day as it comes.
As I was relaying my recent visit with my folks to a friend I was reminded about the “golden nuggets” that life presents ….there are so many…we just need to open our eyes and our hearts abit more…so we can see them and feel them.
My visits I know won’t go on forever, but the golden nuggets we shared will always be with me.

Some ideas for extending the ‘golden nuggets…comment with your ideas to!
Give your parents a chronicle to fill out:
•    A wonderful series of books where your parents can write to your children…
called Grandmother or Grandfather RemembersGrandparents remember (available for both Grandma and Grandpa)
•    Take lots of pictures and videos
•    Listen

Each season brings strength to the next…truly a circle…a line without end.  As the December Solstice arrived Monday I celebrated with a walk in the incredible silence outdoors thinking about the circle and the connected world. The barren yet snow covered tree branches provided a glimpse into a special winter world gifted to us only in the winter months providing opportunities for new perspectives.
Many of us have been guided by calendars of quarterly reports at the end of each 3 month period. We often look to the approaching day with dread, or minimally some sense of anxiety.  In direct contrast the quarterly celestial events of the solstices and equinoxes provide us by their very nature a sense of renewal and time of reflection in a more positive light.
As the cold winter days lie ahead, I know one day soon the crocus will surprise  as they poke their magnificent blooms above the snow drifts.  The glittering snowflakes will turn to rain and bring a new spring.
But for now, it is the season of giving. A season marked by opportunities to reunite with friends , family and even yourself. And this year in particular a season to note what really is important. (Start your new years list early at www.blist.com) Some other seasonal ideas….

• Simmer some cider and spice
• Curl up and read a good book
• Write an old fashioned note to a friend and mail it by the USPS
• Cut snowflakes out of the scrap paper you have lying around (use as gift tags or hang in your window.)
• Grab your galoshes and head outside to look through the wonderful window of winter

“Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together.”

(attributed to Vesta M. Kelly)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

….the wind is really blowing and it looks brutally cold outside so I decided to indulge myself indoors today….hot chocolate, a blazing fire and one of those “old fashioned” cd players.

All settled in reaching for the Sunday paper I realized apparently no one wanted to venture out of my house today. Being the tech junkie that I am I positioned my laptop and keyed in to read the paper ‘online’. Not even remotely similar to spreading the multitude of sections out, flipping pages, blackened finger tips…..the experience of relaxing and reading the paper may not be for  digital natives (Mark Prensky)  but I am surely missing it! Reading hard copy without all the hyperlinks takes me back a bit to a slower pace and a connection with the printed word and enjoying the textures of paper. It keeps me from hopping around from one subject to the next as I treat my senses to the aroma of burning logs while I sip hot chocolate.

Peripherally last night I caught some sparkles outside my window…and when I turned fully …it was so enchanting. The dark night sky served up a perfect backdrop for our official first snowfall. The flakes sparkled in the darkness as they slowly made there way down from the sky. In total contrast to today, I hurried to get outside and listen to the unique quiet only a snowfall can bring.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better” – Albert Einstein

• Is a Kindle on your wish list this holiday season?
• Checkout goodreads.com …seems like books are here to stay!
• Make some cut out snowflakes today….and if you dare…bundle up and make a snowman…even if the kids are all grown!

The tapestry of foliage that is blanketing our towns is an incredible testimony to the spirit and power of nature. A broad showing of color highlighted by the sun as our days seemingly grow shorter. Still 24 hours in each day and yet many of us guided by light and darkness feel we have less time to do what we want and what we must.

Will we ever have enough time to do what we want…regardless of the season?
It is not a matter of less I realized the other day as I began to lament about the extreme darkness at 5pm…a matter of ‘different’. And so; I decided to embrace the ‘fall back” notion of the end of daylight savings time and ride the natural flow of the season. On opportunity to catch up on my reading and/or listening to podcasts; curling up by the fire or in comfy sweats with a hot cup of tea in my favorite chair or with a friend.

And when the sun does warm the air enough …I can still break out my sneakers and take a walk or ride; enjoying the true magnificence of a crisp fall day. There are so many places to enjoy however long or short on time you are.

The other day at work I struck up a conversation with a total stranger…and before I knew it we were exchanging our hot soup solutions to the daily challenge of preparing a quick hot and healthy meal. Send me your soup recipe by clicking here…I will post as many as I can.

Partaking in the local foods of the season is a wonderful way not only to embrace nature but also supports our local farmers and decreases our need for shipping from one end of the country to another.

When asked to contribute to this blog…I tried to think of an overarching theme to keep me on track but quickly realized that for many of us there is no reason focus on only one thing… with all of the vast choices in our world. So I am sure I will write about a lot of different things but particularly nature as it is forever peeking my curiosity and technology the same. Ironically 2 diametrically opposed forces that are both everywhere. Should we even try to make sense of it all? Or just take it all in?

Pause…Enjoy the view, and the season…even if just for a short jaunt or a few moments through a window.

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”- Will Rogers