Thought For The Day

CREATIVITY
Clutter is what silts up exactly like silt in a flowing stream when the current, the free flow of the mind, is held up by an obstruction.
~May Sarton

Clutter seems like a constant in our lives. Our houses are cluttered, our desks are cluttered, our minds are cluttered, and our lives are cluttered. This is the curse of women who do too much.
We can never find our creative selves unless we reduce some of the clutter in our lives. The mind must have the opportunity to flow freely if we are to be healthy.
We are such strong, powerful, beautiful, and intelligent women. The world needs what we have to offer.
~From: Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much by Anne Wilson Schaef

Thought For The Day

"ALL THAT TRULY MATTERS IN THE END IS THAT YOU LOVED."

~Regina Brett

Thought For The Day

"GET OUTSIDE EVERY DAY. MIRACLES ARE WAITING EVERYWHERE."

~Regina Brett

Daily Visit

This sweet little bluebird comes to my birdbath everyday. The mockingbirds are very territorial and sometimes aggressively chase other birds away. If I ever see the mockingbirds chase the bluebirds away, they will no longer be welcome here.

Mockingbird

"Everybody have you heard

He's gonna buy me a mockingbird

And if that mockingbird don't sing

He's gonna buy me a diamong ring

And if that diamond ring don't shine

Surely gonna break this heart of mine."

After watching intently and doing some research, I now know that the bird I talked about the other day that sings so much and jumps up and down, is a Northern Mockingbird. I have two or three of them living in and around my yard. These slender-bodied grey birds sing almost endlessly and they flaunt their bright white wing patches. They sit atop the roof peaks, singing their hearts out, bolting several feet into the air in a looping motion, with wings outstretched to display their white underside. I enjoy watching them fly from one rooftop to the next and back and then to the streetlight and back to the roof. They prance around in the grass foraging for insects, all the while singing nonstop.

Some people find them to be an annoyance. Others find joy in their constant singing. At this point, I am enjoying their presence.

I did my best to photograph one of them jumping. The picture will at least give you an idea. I also took a picture from inside my studio, looking out, to show you how I manage to see all this activity.

Memorial Day 2009

During our Memorial Day celebrations today, let us take the time to really remember what Memorial Day is all about ~ take a minute to think about those men and women who have fought in the name of our country and sacrificed their lives so that we can live in freedom. We are so blessed to live in this great nation.

Settled In

"SERENITY DOES NOT CANCEL HOPE OR ADVENTURE, WORK OR LOVE. IT FLOWS THROUGH THE LANDSCAPE OF OUR BUSY LIVES, QUIET AND STRONG. CLEAR AND GENTLE. REFRESHING ALL WE DO OR DREAM."
~Pam Brown

At last, the moving process is over and we are settled back in beautiful Virginia. The best description I can give for how I am now feeling is "serene".
Things are in good enough order for us to live comfortably. I still have boxes to empty and all the little things that go along with a move, but I am happy, content, and calm. There is no hurry to put things in their place.
I started that exercise program I have been wanting to tackle and I am walking in the yard everyday soaking in the beauty of the flowers, the trees, the mountains and the birds. I have learned that some things are more important than others and I intend to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of life and leave the unimportant things for later. In a short time, my studio will be ready for me to start painting again.
I will leave you with a few photos that I took since being back. The flowers are self explanatory as is the sky over the mountains. This bird comes to the house everyday and sings his heart out. He jumps up and down and turns around and sings and sings. I do believe he might be doing some kind of mating dance. All I can say about the view from my back porch is that it is a gift from God.
Have a blessed day!!!
Audrey

Mother's Day

I just want to wish everyone a HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

ENJOY!

Virginia

WE ARE HERE! Waiting for the moving van to pull in! YAY!!
It rained hard most of the way here yesterday and it is dark, gloomy and rainy today. But even that cannot take away the joy of being back.

MOVING DAY HAS ARRIVED!!

Finally, we will be on our way to Virginia in the morning. The truck left this afternoon after loading all day yesterday and this morning.

Said some goodbyes to neighbors, had lunch with my son, and spent the rest of the afternoon doing a final cleaning of the house. I have worked so hard the past 3-4 days ~ I don't remember ever being SO tired.

The cable people are coming to the house on Friday, so I should be up and running in no time!!

VIRGINIA HERE WE COME!!

Afternoon At The Beach

ISLE OF PALMS, South Carolina

The Beach

I went to the beach this afternoon for 2 hours.... walked, took many pictures, and watched the waves in the awesome ocean. It is a little sad to think I am this close to the beach and now I am moving away. But once I get to Virginia, any sadness will quickly leave the minute I see those mountains that I love so much. Later tonight, I will post some pictures I took today.