That feeling when you get to the middle of your sucker......
Or the anticipation of a handmade malt at an old fashioned ice cream counter.
Or when you watch a soft, gentle, warm summer rain while snuggling your dog.
Today I am trying to stay in the "stream of goodness, carried along by everything that is right."
Seeking what is right and good in the world.
It was even better, in person, listening to the piano player play nostalgic music and hearing the pitter patter of the rain drops, falling off the eaves.
“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ― Dr. Seuss
Congratulations Theresa O'Kelly and Mike O'Kelly of Memphis, Tennessee.
Love On A Rainy Afternoon
Love on a Rainy Day.
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Live Like You Are Dying.
I met this man today, Gary Elam, in downtown Memphis. He was riding his motorcycle and he wore suspenders with flames on them. He is 60, a war veteran, a transplant survivor. He lives deeply and he is filled with gratitude since he got a second chance at life after receiving his transplant. He said he believes he has a lot to give back. He talked about his enlightenment and said "I wish everybody could get a chance to live like they are dying."
Zen Peony
I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. ~Emma Goldman
I’d have to say I agree with Emma Goldman on this one. For one of my landmark birthdays, I asked my husband for a large rock. Not the kind of rock I’d put on my finger, but a large boulder for the front yard. I wanted to plant flowers around it.
I took a bare spot in the very back of my yard, behind the woods, years ago, and turned it into a cutting garden.
Watching my mother die from Alzheimer’s was very painful. The experience taught me how to care for my soul. Starting that garden was part of that journey and what an amazing gift and sacred space that garden bloomed into.
Having beautiful fresh flowers in my home was one of those small things that soothed me while I was caring for my mother. I also liked to bring flowers to her.
I once thought, if I could have peonies all year long it would make me happy. But then again, would it? There is something special and sacred about the rhythm of nature. Eating fresh foods that are in season, enjoying the blooms of flowers when they are naturally in bloom and not forced. I have more gratitude and appreciation for some flowers and foods because they are only available once a year. They are ripe when it is their time, their season, and then they are gone until next year. I enjoy them more deeply knowing that.
There is nothing that teaches the art of being in the present moment like Alzheimer’s. There is also nothing that teaches being in the present moment as well as a blooming flower.
Zen Peony
Never Work Again
My friend Peter, the farmer, said "when you do what you love, you never labor a day in your life." He loves his job.
DO YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO DREAM?
"All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today."
Indian Proverb
While a bloom opens in its own time, while being urged from the sun, the moon, the seasons, it's seeds are like our dreams. We need to dream. We need to allow our imaginations to cultivate the seeds of our dreams. Allow your mind to be the good soil that beautiful flowers bloom in.
Photography by Karen Pulfer Focht ©