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The Road Less Traveled
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
~ Robert Frost
Friendship ~ Love
Friendship is a quiet walk in the park with the one you trust
Love is when you feel like you are the only two around.
Friendship is when they gaze into your eyes and you know they care.
Love is when they gaze into your eyes and it warms your heart.
Friendship is being close even when you are far apart.
Love is when you can still feel their hand on your heart when they are not near.
Friendship is hoping that they experience the very best.
Love is when you bring them the very best.
Friendship occupies your mind.
Love occupies your soul.
Friendship is knowing that you will always try to be there when in need.
Love is when you will give up everything to be at their side.
Friendship is a warm smile in the winter.
Love is a warming touch that sends a pulse through your heart.
Love is a beautiful smile to which nothing compares:
A tender laugh, which opens your heart,
A single touch that melts away your fears,
A smell that reminds you of the tenderness of heaven,
A voice that reminds you of the innocence of youth.
It is a cloudy, rainy day in Southern California and though it never rains in California, today it is coming down as though it may never stop.
As the rain gently falls I find myself listening to the raindrops and remembering the sound of the rain tapping out melodies on an old tin roof. It takes me back in time to a place when I was young and my whole life was before me. I can remember thinking that a lifetime was an eternity and that I had forever to fullfill my dreams.
It is different now… now I know that our time here is limited and fleeting, now I know that it is a transient gift and can be gone in the blink of an eye.
With age does come the wisdom we think we possess as youths but soon learn that like the passing of time, it is a paradox that we glimpse in moments and feel in eternities.
On this Memorial Day weekend I am experiencing a bit of nostalgic melancholy as I reflect on the people who have touched my soul and heart. I am remembering the simple things that made these people special and personified who they were to me. I am looking back with longing but also thankfulness for having the opportunity to be a part of their world.
These are the people who enter our lives in the most unexpected ways and become permanent dwellers in our heart and soul. Their auras draw us into their lives and make us feel as though when we are with them our lives sparkle and gleam and are magical. These are the ones who bring us out of ourselves and help us to grow and experience life as a gift. They help us to feel a bit of the pizazz that they possess and they help us to engulf ourselves and others in their romantic version of the world. They look out at the world and see it as full of wonder and potential. They see life as a wonderous adventure. They are grateful and know that they are blessed.
By having these wonderful, precious people enter my world and my life, I am stronger and more appreciative of my own time and blessings. I am ever grateful for their sparkle. Their sparkle that I will always remember with a smile and a tear.
It seems as though a lot of us, the hopeful romantics of the world, spend our lives searching for that special person who can compliment us. We have a dream, whether real or not, who’s to say, but we believe and by believing we strengthen our resolve to find this individual. We keep searching for this “soul mate” that we know is out there just beyond our reach.
The logical, pragmatic ones do not have to worry about this; they know that they are their own master; the ones who control their own destiny and provide themselves with all of the self sustaining influence and materialisms that they need to live their lives to the fullest.
We, the romantic ones, are attracted to the love story. We have been brought up believing that the fairy tale is possible. We believe it is not only possible but mandatory. They, the pragmatics, see the world with a whole different perspective. They are a part of a world that sees in black and white, in right and wrong, in yes and no. While we, the hopeless (or hopeful) romantics, see the world in vivid colors. We dream in color and we live in color. Whether right or wrong, we live with our feelings out there for the world to see.
Herein lies what I believe is the ultimate difference between the two philosophies; one sees the world as he imagines and dreams it could be and the other sees the world as he believes it is. One thinks nothing lasts forever and the other believes that it will, should and does.
As different as they are, both aspects of life are sustainable to a relationship. The problem occurs when we, as one type of individual, try to change the other into what we want this other personality type person to become. As long as we know, going in, that no matter how much we want this other type person to feel what we feel, or think what we think, it probably is never going to happen.
We, as idealists, approach life through all that we perceive it to be, we believe in soul mates and in happily ever after.
The analytical ones, who see the world as they have proven it to be, believe in what is here and now and believe that whimsy and fancy is only for the young.
As we dream big, we still want that great, great dream of love to someday come true for us and we wonder if two of the romantic, emotional souls could ever truly love forever or if the intense emotions would tear them apart and lead them down a road filled with tempestuous turmoil. Is it possible, we wonder, for two of the discerning, more logical souls to find true, never-ending love and happiness or are they just content with companionship and never really feel the passion that can sweep over the true romantics of the world?
It sometimes seems as though these logical ones see the person they are with as someone to love instead of, as the romantics feel, the one great love. The romantics seem to keep searching, hoping that their soul mate will appear, sweep them off their feet and pledge their undying love. It seems that no matter how content they may be in the here and now they keep thinking and truly believing they can have it all. They believe that with their resolve and passion they can mold Mr. Logic into Mr. Romance. By believing this, the romantics may not realize that maybe, just maybe Mr. Logic is a romantic in his own way and maybe he’s happy with the life he has chosen. It also seems that the logical ones are hoping that the sentimental, romantic types are some day going to become realistic and logical and not so sensitive to the utopia of the moment.
I have spent a good part of my life watching what I like to refer to as the great love stories or great love affairs of history. It is uplifting to know that they do exist and are rewarding in their own right. In my search for the great romances I am starting to realize that maybe there can be a blending of the two personality types and maybe it is this blending that helps to form the true love stories that last and endure.
Is it passion that turns some sagas from the ordinary into the extraordinary? Is it the blending and meshing of the souls that constitutes a lifetime love affair? Or maybe what embodies a complete love affair, full of passion and logic, with each of the two complimenting each other and nourishing each other, is the differences between the two with one being the leather and the other the lace.
The glue that holds them together and keeps them in love and helps them to maintain faithfulness may be this understanding of each other and the complimenting of each other that forms an unbreakable bond. It may be the complete trust and belief that this love will last the test of time and will endure forever. This love is a partnership, a friendship, a passionate love affair and all who are fortunate enough to find it are blessed beyond belief.
You’ll Always Come Back When There’s Sand In Your Shoes
~ Old Florida Folklore
In the years following graduation from high school, I spent a few years in time, though a lifetime in memories, in a small town along the Gulf Coast, on the panhandle of Florida. It was a time in my life filled with new adventures and a developing love for the ocean that has continued to grow over time. This area of the Gulf Coast, in the late 70′s and early 80′s, was quiet, peaceful and virtually unregulated. It gave me a wonderful outlet for adventure and my first taste of real freedom, what more could a teenage girl want?
This part of the country is affectionately known as The Emerald Coast, The Forgotten Coast and also the Redneck Riviera. As extreme as the names are, the perceptions and ways of life here were also as extreme. The residents here are a breed unto themselves, rich in a history of a romanticized piracy and a fierce independent spirit, they taught me lessons about living off of the ocean and off of the land. During my time here I learned to appreciate and admire the diversity of the Gulf and the people who call it home.
To borrow a line from an old country song…
I can skin a buck, I can run a trot line and a country boy can survive.
~ Hank Williams Jr.
I was immediately drawn to the mystique of the Gulf with it’s amazing, blue-green waters and the beautiful, white sandy beaches. Amazingly, this area of Florida was virtually undiscovered and I could spent hours walking the shore or frolicking in the sun without ever seeing another soul. These times, spent walking the shoreline in solitude. gave me a peaceful feeling and a deeper understanding of the true joys of my life. The people who lived here and who loved this area and their way of life, gave me a deeper appreciation for living in the now and enjoying the life that I have chosen today.
It was here that I was introduced to two delicacies that are still close to my heart… Apalachicola Bay Oysters and Tupelo Honey. Apalachicola is the last place in the United States where wild oysters are still harvested by tongs from small boats. These Apalachicola Bay oysters are considered to be some of the finest in the world, if not the finest and it is said that their uniqueness is due to the right mixture of the water flowing from the rivers in Georgia and Alabama, mixing with the saltiness of the Gulf of Mexico waters. Whatever the reason, I, for one, think they are the best I have ever eaten. Tupelo Honey is also exclusively native to this area and is harvested in the swamps of the Apalachicola and Chipola Rivers on the panhandle of Florida. This river valley is the only place in the world where Tupelo Honey is produced commercially. Real Tupelo Honey is a light, golden, amber color with a distinctive green cast. It is absolutley delicious, distinctive and has been compared to a rare wine. Unlike other honeys it is only harvested in April and May and also unlike other honeys will not crystalize or granulate.
I always look back fondly to this time of my life and I feel fortunate for having been given the opportunity to experience this area, this time and these moments.
Years later, after I had moved away and had children of my own, I would visit this place and always get an excited stirring in my soul as I caught my first glimpse of the Gulf of Mexico. More times than not, I would stop the car, grab my camera and take pictures of the ocean, the shrimpboats, the skies and the shoreline; the beautiful shoreline of this alluring, enchanting and captivating coast.
As this new year unfolds before me I am I am filled with expectation and excitement for the ride ahead… a new year, a new slate, a new beginning. A year in a lifetime spent with the one I love.
I imagine a new year filled with more adventures and more love. I look forward to a year even better than the last, a year full of promise and promises coming true.
I hope to always look at the positive instead of the negative,
the magical instead of the mundane,
the amazing instead of the mediocre.
I hope to fully experience the wondrous gifts that are before me on a daily basis.
I hope to always remember that Life is our most precious gift.
My New Year’s Resolution is…
LIVE LIFE and HOLD ON FOR THE RIDE !!
A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life.
~ James Allen
Every man dies. Not every man really lives.
~ William Wallace
It is not length of life, but depth of life.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
As Thanksgiving approaches I am reminded once again of the blessings in my life and I wake up each day giving thanks for all that is around me.
Life is such a treasure, it is amazing that we can become so bogged down in the problems we have created for ourselves that we forget what an absolute miracle it is that we are here at this moment in time and are able to choose our life’s course. Our freewill to decide how each day is going to play out for us is truly amazing. At any point in time we can change our attitude and by doing so can change what we perceive our life to be. We are what we think we are.
I am thankful for the wonderful man that I love and who loves me in return. I am grateful for my friends and family who are a delight to be around. I am excited that as I have entered a new phase of life, the simple things are once again the important things. Waking up to a beautiful sunrise or settling down to a breathtaking sunset are only two of the most spectacular sights life has in store and they are here daily if we will only take the time to open our eyes.
“ The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart. ” Helen Keller
Today I woke up and knew without a doubt that my life is absolutely lovely and that each day of the last few years have been a gift and a treasure. I am truly the most fortunate person in the world to be living my life. I am in love, happy and enjoying all that is before me – Bring on the day!!!!
As I looked out this morning before dawn and marveled at the beauty of this October moon shining magnificently over the western sky I was filled with wonder. To borrow a line ~ “And I think to myself … What a wonderful world.”
It seems that over the last few years I’ve developed more and more appreciation for this world that we inhabit and call home. It is as if every day is filled with more promise and possibility. I give thanks daily for all of my blessings and am truly more appreciative than at any other point in my life. Sometimes I think of the time I wasted worrying about unimportant things and the time that I should have enjoyed the day to day of living more, then I change gears and realize that we only have today.
~ Albert Einstein ~
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Tomorrow night is a full moon. Full moons make me want to dance around in the moonlight, sit outside in a lawn chair or lie outside on a blanket and take it all in. I enjoy the night air snuggling with my love, enjoying the moment and dreaming of tomorrow.
I am turning 50 on Halloween. What have I learned? What would I do different?
Many people feel they would not change anything. For them I say way to go, way to truly be yourself, way to live life to the fullest each and every day. For myself however, there are many, many things that I would change, if only there were a redo button…
I would give more freely of my time.
I would dance every chance I got.
I would tell the ones I love daily what they mean to me.
I would take more risks in life.
I would entertain more often.
I would worry less about being loved and more about loving.
I would listen to more of my grandparents’ stories.
I would learn to sail.
I would learn to trust my own inner voice.
I would enjoy more sunrises.
I would see the beauty in all of nature.
I would always expect the best.
I would never settle.
~ George Bernard Shaw~
We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.
So, as my first half century comes to an end…
I’m learning to love myself
I’m learning to never take life for granted.
I’m learning that if you expect the best you get it tenfold.
I’m enjoying waking up early to see the dawn of each new day.
I’m enjoying the beauty that is all around me.
I’m enjoying the feeling of being in love.
As time continues to advance I want to make this next 50 years better than the last. I pray that I will develop patience and understanding but mainly I pray that I will learn to exemplify love in all of my dealings.
~ Albert Einstein ~
There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.
~ Benjamin Franklin ~
Those who love deeply never grow old; they may die of old age, but they die young.
I hope to always remember to dream.
I hope to always keep the childlike innocence of living life freely.
I hope to always believe that my dreams really can come true.
I hope to always remain confident in my choices.
I hope to always know that Life is a blessing and all that I can believe, I can achieve.
As I watched the sun rise today I realized, Yes, I most definitely am enjoying the dance!!
LIFE IS GOOD!!
~ Robert Browning ~
Grow old along with me…the best is yet to be…
~ Jackson Browne ~
Don’t confront me with my failures, I had not forgotten them…
These Days was written by Jackson Browne when he was 16 years old. The melody is both haunting and beautiful, as is life.
I spend the weekend at the Harbor, one of my favorite places in California, enjoying the sunshine, the friendships, the good food but mainly the incredible October skies. It is hard to imagine a more beautiful, natural sight than these I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to experience every morning and evening.
From my earliest days I have been a star gazer and a sky watcher. I’ve spent many an evening looking up to the skies searching for peace of mind and dreaming of the future. It always seems that the stars are never brighter than in October and the colors of the sunrise and sunsets are never as vivid as they appear to be in this beautiful autumn month.
Waking with the sun as it rises over the mountain and then reflecting on the day as the sun sets in the evening fills my heart with love and gratitude.
People go through their whole lives chasing everything in the material world, and they fail to discover the greatest treasures of all.
Today I am reminded of the song “Sailing to Philadelphia,” by Mark Knopfler. This song tells the story of the two men hired to survey the border between Maryland and Philadelphia in the 1700’s. It has a haunting sound to it and seems to be perfect for stargazing. Mark Knopfler has such a wonderful, raspy voice and I love the way his writing stirs my soul.
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.
A free bird leaps on the back
Of the wind and floats downstream
Till the current ends and dips his wing
In the orange suns rays
And dares to claim the sky.
But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage
Can seldom see through his bars of rage
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
Of things unknown but longed for still
And his tune is heard on the distant hill for
The caged bird sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
And the trade winds soft through
The sighing trees
And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright
Lawn and he names the sky his own.
But a caged BIRD stands on the grave of dreams
His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom.
It is a cloudy, rainy day in Southern California and though it never rains in California, today it is coming down as though it may never stop.
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