My new book!

Just published my new book! A memoir to help people find their passion in life and move forward, regardless of circumstances, to make it happen.

Insights into purpose, love and forgiveness, while wearing a tool belt and swinging a hammer to build her new home. At age sixty!

If you have been locked away from your dreams, or not able to believe in yourself, FROM SCRATCH brings insight to those who have been searching.

Ahhhhhhhhh

It has been way too long since I've posted a new blog. In fact, it was a spring post. Lordy!

The summer got away from me and I've been doing battle with my cancer and the chemo side-effects. It is a challenge, but I can handle it with meditation and time spent alone.

With that said, this is my time of year to rejuvenate. In order to refill all the parts inside me that need work, I head to Maine. It is the one place that this New England girl loves. When I take time away from my normal life, I want to go where I can walk, hike, and breathe in fresh pine-filled, and ocean-filled air. It is clean and helps me spend time within.

For my needs cleanliness is very important. If the areas that surround me are unkempt, then so are my thoughts. My emotional body needs to be free of "stuff". I suggest this for anyone who wants to improve their quality of meditation or their solitude. At least it works for me.

Maine gives me all of that and more. The sound of the waves hitting rock, the crunch of pine needles under my feet as I hike, and the feeling of salt on my skin. Ahhhhhhh, such a gift. I'm headed to Maine later this month and my heart and mind are already there.

We all need time alone. I hope life gives us this opportunity, but if it doesn't, find a way to make it happen. I make it a priority every year and it isn't easy to do that. But if I really want to walk my talk, I find that way. I hope you might do this as well.

Happy late summer to everyone. :)

Cutest writing cabin....EVER!

As I sit inside the gentleness of my cabin I'm reminded that summer is just hours away. In the last days of spring, with all the newborns running and flying around, I have the chance to renew myself again.

Just as the fledglings topple from one tree branch to another trying to get their wings adjusted to flight, the fawns are hopping and jumping with glee. In this new environment they are happy yet mindful of what they are being taught.

I'm learning as well. Spring brings opportunity to start over, bringing the best I have forward to others as well as myself. The animals and birds show me innocence, it is how they are born. We as humans have the choice to decide which side of the divide we want to be on. The side of caring and sharing, or the side of a more ego-filled existence. I don't believe that any of us choose the latter necessarily, but we all slip back at times and forget to listen. Nature shows us the path to walk, it is up to us to move forward on it.

From my cabin I see nothing but nature. It can be harsh and cruel at times, but mostly it is spectacular. As I head into summer I'm lifted within myself to help the forgotten or the innocent. There are many who are brave, going forward in this world alone or with no one to help them at crucial times. Perhaps I might do a better job of being there for them. To listen and care more, while loving unconditionally.

Awakening from Inside...

 As I sit in my writing cabin this morning I realize that it has been a long winter for all of us. Especially the outside animals and birds, as well as for my two boys. I'm sure they are longing for me to open the screened porch so they can watch and listen to the birds, and sit on the large porch window ledges I made especially for them.

Like these animals, I, too, have been hibernating a bit myself. Actually, it feels good to ready oneself for the awakening of the new season to come. Spring. It's almost here, I can smell it and hear it in the mornings while the woodpeckers drum on the trees...back and forth through the woods...looking for a mate. The mommy doe's are pregnant and need the food.

I feed the deer, turkey, fox, raccoon, birds, and other animals that stroll through my woods making sure they have something in their bellies before bedding down at night. It was the promise I made them when I first came to purchase these three acres. I am honored to be a part of the circle of life here.

Although the animals and birds I've listed do not hibernate, they do slow down. So does their heart rate. They do not need as much to eat, unlike me who loves to make comfort during the cold season! But most of us survive, even through the tough challenges that are handed to each of us. Like cancer, for instance, for me. It is what makes us stronger. It is what makes us trust.

Trust is huge, but if you can learn this very important lesson it will help with each and every emotion we feel. It doesn't matter which faith or path you follow, take time to meditate and listen to your self. Honor that within your heart and go forward in trust. It is there, but we must find it. And all shall be well. In all manner of things, all shall be well.

Cold, Clear, and Clever...

 Cold, Clear, and Clever!

If we are mentally quick and alert, we will understand the meaning of winter. It is right here in front of us showing off its keen and sharp-witted comparisons to all the other seasons.

I laugh as we all struggle with winter and its use for us personally. I am empowered by the strength of Nature's use of symbolism as it manifests or makes apparent all of the needs I have. The need to be warm, to be healthy, to be safe, and to eat the food given us by our summer gardens. Amazingly this time inside our homes, and hearts, helps make visible, or bring into view, our need to contemplate on what comes next for us. What are we seeking during these three months of winter, and what do we want to follow?

For me it is a time of returning to my inner self to search and rescue what I may have forgotten. Inwardly my spiritual self longs for this long span of time to seek. And outwardly, I long to go back to Maine and feed all of the sea birds I left behind during the fall.

There is much darkness with these shorter days and that is extra time to meditate, do yoga, and go within. I think about what I want to accomplish in this new year and now is the time to begin. To identify and then reveal after I've made my decisions.

The moment is now for this introspection. I must stay right here...in the moment...and rescue what I've let go for too many months. Begin again, if need be. Elevate. Love and love more deeply, allowing ourselves to become whatever it is we choose.

Seek. Contemplate. Find.
The time is now.....

 It has been a while since my last post, so I wanted to get back in the swing.

To me, this is a time to be grateful for all we have in this world, both physically, and most importantly, inside our hearts. The gifts we have are many if we take a moment to sort through them. Our homes, food, cars, are needed for shelter, sustenance, and transportation.

Our family, friends, partners, and pets, are what enrich our soul. This is the important piece in our lives. My Maine Coon cats, Kiva and Kodi, bring love that comes with no attachments. They love me fully and completely. They snuggle in bed with me at night, resting against my back or with their chin on my chest or shoulder. Purring out their love for me gives me reason to fight against any challenge I may have.

Nature gives me that same soft feeling. Watching the deer mate a few weeks ago from my cabin windows, or seeing the turkey and fox eating from my feeding stations together in harmony, allows my heart to fill with many different emotions. One of these is caring. Nature cares for us by giving back with gorgeous and outrageous sunsets or sunrises, or with autumn leaves the color of gold, orange, and red. Also, the animals watch out for one another. Deer huddle together for warmth on cold wet nights, turkeys pack together for being stronger in numbers. The toms and hens separate during the summer months and have their own packs, but in winter they group together as one.

Give some time to watching and listening and smelling the woods, flowers, and streams that are nearby. And for caring for your corner of the world. It will empower you. I feel I am stronger because of all these things.

Love all that is living. It will bring you strength.

Fun!

Over Labor Day weekend I drove to Western Massachusetts for a day to see an old country fair that I went to as a child. I was not disappointed. It held my heart as I watched three horse drawing contests, a fiddle contest, and walked the barns holding rabbits, chickens, sheep, goats, and other assorted cuties! Also, the folks selling maple syrup, honey, and products made from the area were a popular draw.

I've been trying to catch up on some of the things that bring joy and fun to my life. The fair is one of them. As I sat and watched these various contests, walked along the midway, and ate the various foods that were offered, I was transported in time. The fair is still very much as it was years ago, when I was a young. Some of the people from my childhood are not there any longer, but some still are. It was a lovely day and I'll go back yet again another year.

Doing things that come from your heart

is a way to bring happiness closer. I found that I need to spend more time on fun. It takes courage to do this, believe it or not. It's easy to get caught up doing things that we feel drawn to by others. But their fun is not always ours. Challenges occur in all of our lives, just as they do in mine.

I've found that in doing what my heart feels is important, whenever possible, brings me to a better place. I go to Nature to be surrounded and grounded by love. I never feel weak or lonely within Nature. Give it a try.

And as you watch an outrageous sunset some evening, you will feel the evensong. The song of evening, twilight, if you will. It brings a closeness between you and the Universe, and allows you to feel soft and gentle as you approach your night's rest.

This fair in the Berkshires helped me feel joy. My heart felt serene and secure when I left, and I carried the feeling of serenity home with me.

 We all have challenges in our lives. I just finished chemotherapy #7. A challenge for sure, but it is not going to stop me. If anything, it helps me fight for what is important to me. Joy is one of those feelings, so chemo #8? Bring it on!

Go out and do something heartwarming. It will change you!