Special is always there waiting to be acknowledged.

All our friends bring something special to the table and I am not talking casserole, dear reader. Often because I am in my own little dream world, I cannot recognize it until it is right in front of me sitting on my chest and shouting Madonnart!, Well maybe not Madonnart but you get my point. Friends who I have moved away from, friends who have moved away from us have given me pause.....to reflect upon my good fortune.Honestly Peeps between you and me, My track record at nurturing relationships has not been stellar.I am so greatfull for the open arms and generosity that surfaces at the darndest times. You see what I had not been aware of was the fact that friends do not always take what you offer. They take what they need and it is not until much later I clue in on what was taken was more valuable than what was given. I know these large gatherings make me sentimental and reflective, plus it's fall and I have a 45 year milestone of my greatest relationship a week away....I'm so greatfull  and blessed in all my relationships. They have been my wisest teacher.....Do I hear an Amen?

Fall Suppers

It's time......I felt it in the breeze. It whispered to me....call together the friends of summer, friends about to travel south in a few weeks. Call them to come bearing the gift of Potluck. For the menfolk it means................right, no preparation needed. The prep work falls onto the broad and resigned shoulders of usually the woman. As Hostess I must prepare the menu, prepare the venue, assemble the food stuffs, prepare said stuff,organize the beverage center, assemble the dish and glassware, arrange seating, prepare floral arrangements, maintain yard work, decorate entrance, and bath the puppy. Then comes the people serving, the food serving and then the tear down and cleanup.....Makes you really want to do it and I do, It was just so much less painful 10 years ago but today and now it is still worth the work.....just to see the happy face on the Man as he does his part and opens the wine,

Autumn Haiku

Empty Summer chair

Cold abandoned golden sand

Me sitting, waiting.

Ponderings on the beach

Who cannot be affected by the beauty of this fall. I look out and see it all around me. The water is so blue and sparkling it hurts my eyes. Stepping into it is the real surprise...it is warm like a tepid bath and clean without the constant churning of hundreds of motor boats. The beach is deserted and so quiet you can hear the sounds of the birds and rustle of leaves in the breeze. It smells like fall. Sweet from the deeply purple grapes and yet slightly smokey as orchardests burn off old growth. This is a marvelous time of the year here and as I sit and feel it all surround me I can't not thank the Universe for it's gifts of this season. Majestic, amazing, breathtaking.

Easel is up...

Part  of the epic clean of the past 5 days has been gathering, cleaning, selecting and meditating as I ready myself to paint. I have never been that kind of artist that can paint in a cluttered, messy space. I am beginning to really  believe that MY brain and it's ability to perform truly is a reflection of my personal space and both must be open and not crammed with stuff in order to allow creativity in. I am ready and once this epic summer winds down and I am no longer called to my beach , I will begin and even though the process can be painfull and frustrating it is.....my process and how I get to the end result.....the finished work.

Please highway God....

I have had the best 5 days. The Dude is on a health junket and I and Satans Little Helper are able to do the fall cleanup without supervision or explanation. Those messy move everything into the middle of the room kind of cleanups that leave you dripping in sweat with only enough energy at days end to shower, take pain meds and fall into bed. I need 2 more days to complete the list....please God...a road closure, car trouble or really interesting Health Gurus to listen to could grant me this wish....please

The gift

Yesterday while outside for a peeps with Satans Little  Helper (SLH) a Busy Bee van pulled up next to me. A lovely smiling man popped out and handed me a parcel, saying..."This is from the big boss man. You must be special. Well. Yes I am, I replied, playing along. I immediately sat on the bench and tore open the parcel (I love presents) and found inside the most fantastic thing, a robotic vacuum. OMG this is wonderfull not only will this be highly usefull, I just knew it's true value would be in the hours of entertainment we would receive once SLH came upon it moving through the house. I am so tempted to make a Margarita, turn it on and turn off the lights and watch the show.Thankyou my dear friend and SIL. This could only have come from you. You are my true gift but this is super cool too....Dula!