Love on a Rainy Day.
Read MoreToday I am trying to stay in the "stream of goodness, carried along by everything that is right."
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
Memphis Made New
Memphis Made New
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June 13, 2013 - Mona Lisa gets to know her baby, born at the Memphis Zoo last Thursday. The male calf, was born to parents “Mona Lisa” and “Solomon." The baby camel is 68 pounds and 3 feet tall. They are currently on exhibit at east end of the Zoo. “Mother and baby seem to be doing fine,” Matt Thompson, Director of Animal Programs said. “Similar to giraffes, the most important things we look for are the calf’s ability to stand as well as nurse. He is already walking and has nursed several times.” The gestation of camels ranges from 12 to 14 months. The baby has not yet been named. (Karen Pulfer Focht/The Commercial Appeal)
Baby Camel Born at the Memphis Zoo
Baby Camel Born at the Memphis Zoo.
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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
There Is One Born Every Minute
P.T. Barnum is credited with the saying "There's a sucker born every minute." I have always known that I am one, a sucker that is. I make no apologies for not being able to pass by a child begging, especially one playing a sad song on an accordion. When I looked into the eyes of the child Gypsies that I came across in Greece, I still saw a helpless child, even after one of them called someone a Mother F*^*$#, when he was dissatisfied with the amount of money he was given as a tip for playing his sad song.
There seemed to me, an irony, with a sweet girl playing her sad accordion on the most beautiful island of Santorini while two tourists, with a spectacular view, seemed oblivious to her standing next to them. She seemed intrigued with my harmonica, which I played for her and it made her smile.