Walk with Me …

Autumn is settling in, the leaves are crispy underfoot, and the sparkle on the river is courtesy of a sun meeting the trees a little earlier each day. Come walk with me …

The path to the river is thick and overgrown with the remains of summer. It’s just a step over the old, forgotten railroad tracks and through barely matted weeds to the crest overlooking the river’s edge.

Greens become burgundy and slowly drape over a slate walkway.

A faceless wraith overlooking the road to the bridge.

Late afternoon shadows fall across dried leaves, grass, and the road, which runs parallel to the river.

Froggy statuary graces a small garden spot. I am tipping my hat to Portland as I pass.

The Delaware River, looking north, a view that never wears thin, especially when it reflects a sky so insistently blue.

Covered with tombstones, ghosts, and mums, my neighbor’s fence looks even spookier at night with orange and purple lights, a big draw to Halloween night’s trick or treaters.

I never fail to be aware, and grateful, for the beauty and kindness that surrounds me where I live. Especially now. Quality of life counts for a lot.

Theme in Yellow

I spot the hills

With yellow balls in autumn.

I light the prairie cornfields

Orange and tawny gold clusters

And I am called pumpkins.

On the last of October

When dusk is fallen

Children join hands

And circle round me

Singing ghost songs

And love to the harvest moon;

I am a jack-o’-lantern

With terrible teeth

And the children know

I am fooling.

~ Carl Sandburg

Photo: karola g/pexels

Start the week loved …

You are worthy of love, and you are loved. You deserve all the good there is. You inspire others and don’t even know it.

So please keep shining.

Photo thanks: hello aesthe/pexels

Music Makes It Better

Music is a constant in my life. It’s one of the true and reliable consistencies that lifts me up, makes me smile, makes me cry, makes me feel. Always, feel.

This morning was one of those times that music both lifted me up and moved me deeply. We don’t always know why a particular song touches us at any particular time, but I find that it sometimes reaches inside us to say, “Look here. There is something for you to pay attention to.”

What it was for me today was gratitude, so much gratitude, for all the good in my life. So many things are going right, regardless of anything else in the world, and one song helped me truly know that.

When I write or draw or engage in a creative activity that requires me to be fully present, I listen to music that I cannot possibly sing along to. This is often music in the Solfeggio frequencies, Japanese Lo-Fi, Gregorian chant, or something like this song, Weightless. So incredibly beautiful.

And because it seems apropos, here is a cemetery angel drawing I have not yet shared.

I’ve spent a fair amount of time today creating the meme at the top to also share on IG and FB, scanning the drawing, writing this post, and creating a new header. To be honest, I have other more pressing things to do, but the music drew me in and inspired me, and following where the music leads has never steered me wrong.

Please listen and enjoy Weightless. I hope you, too, are inspired.

Coping

In times of stress, it’s important to maintain our balance, and keep as much love flowing as possible. It’s not always easy, but here are a few things I do to stay steady. I’m sure they would help you, too.

Journaling …

I have been writing like a madwoman in the mornings. In part, to clear my head, but also to sort out dreams, and make plans about where I’m headed with important aspects of my life. If you don’t journal, I highly recommend it.

Taking pictures …

Photography lifts me up. I love taking pictures, and I know that expressing ourselves in whatever form of creativity we love is always a bonus. Think about making a little time for your own creative endeavors. It doesn’t need to have a purpose.

Baking/Cooking …

I don’t have a lot of time to bake (or sometimes, even cook), but whenever I do, it’s always so rewarding. Taking the time to nourish ourselves properly and well is important. Isn’t there something you want to make?

Creating for others …

I enjoy creating memes and sharing poetry and music on social media. It is always my hope that I can put a smile on someone’s face, or inspire them in some little way. I’m sure you have ways of doing the same. Do it!

Pulling back from the news …

I have found, for my well-being, I need to seriously cut back on how much news I’m exposed to. The sheer negativity of what is transpiring right now is soul-crushing. We can rarely change what’s going on, but we can change how we react.
We are entitled to some peace in our lives, and one way to find that is to limit fear, especially in overwhelming doses. Prioritize your peace.

And please keep waving.