Category: Holidays

Nothing is perfect but….

…the least perfect moments are sometimes the one that imprint the most, the ones we learn from (hopefully) and the ones we move to the next whatever from.

Some say a circle is perfect, some feel a clean fresh snowfall is, while for others it’s the roar of the ocean. Ultimately, it is probably your attitude that enables you feel a moment, an event, or even a lifetime as perfect.

Our preferences change as do our lives-everything is subjective. Our eyes see what they see, our ears hear what they hear, and it is all filtered and processed through our own brain. We learn ‘it’ and act on ‘it’ as we so desire, maybe as we need to, or even have to. Things change, and we adjust.

For instance, I am clear Climate Change is a real thing. I see, hear, read supportive evidence that supports my feelings and thoughts on the subject. However, others clearly disagree. To me, it is preposterous how anyone could think/believe that Climate Change is a hoax. To me it is clear, I see ice caps melting, water tables rising, temps and weather abnormalities everywhere. This absolutely is not just “perceptions.” The imprint of big oil companies and big money on the ecosystem will leave an imprint that possibly can’t be changed back. There will be repercussions we can’t recover from. What will be “next”- we don’t get Earth 2.0!?

Back to the circle-something’s can turn back on themselves, something’s can roll on, and something’s cannot. Some people have ideas you cannot change, right or wrong it is their view. Not too many things in this universe are static, movement is critical. Winds blow, waters flow, ice melts and it all starts again. Life is indeed cyclical. Improvement, movement, and human interactions are the most essential aspect of human survival and existence.

Balancing act
its all about the blance

 

Life often is a balance issue, and we try to stay on the tightrope the best we can. If you are in the North-catch a falling snowflake. In the South, catch a ray of sunshine. Either way, hope it’s a healthy happy balance for you as 2016 closes and 2017 dawns upon us.

Those pesky doors…..

“When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” – Alexander Graham Bell

Here’s to keeping your eyes open for the cracks and cranny’s of new doors. That we all see the new with joy and excitement.  May 2016 bring new adventures, new friends, new smiles, good health and many magical  doors. 

Goodby 2015 Hello 2016
Milly waves 2015 Good Bye…and a golden 2016 arrives. (BTW- Boots Designed by Birdelli)

Happy New Years!

End of Year, an opening and a closing.

One door opens as another closes
One door opens as another closes

As so it fades… 2015 closes and 2016 opens up with new possibilities. Attitude must rule, for the magic of change and possibilities are only available when you first dream, then think, and follow with doing everything you can to start the engine and keep it running. Yes, I know, at times it is very hard to keep going, to keep the steam puffing, and even not to stand in front of it and block its way, but…we all know that does no good. I have to keep reminding myself,  I’ve got to at the very least keep chipping away at the big dreams, now and then take a big bold whack at it, close my eyes and JUMP. I suggest that to everyone, the choice to stay static or chisel and jump so… why not!?

As 2016 is peaking its head around the corner I am hopeful that this will be the year that my giant revisions of my book may be in the background and that finally I am on the right track. This book looks nothing like where I started and I’m ok with that, it’s a prosess I keep telling myself-Hope so! It is now a book for the “wee ones” of 2-6 years and it is called  Awesome (at least right now that is the title!) It still features Fuddles, the feather that spreads awe and wonder on planet Earth. That is who you see above but that is not an illustration from this upcoming book. The plan is that Fuddles will be on a farm in a sequence book. In the meantime, Fuddles is peaking out the doors into 2016. He does indeed look a bit shocked, maybe a wee bit scared, but time will tell the whole story.  Temporarily that’s all I will reveal. Partly, because it is very much still a working copy, and partly for I am just not ready to “put it out there” yet.

I am not one for resolutions, especially public ones, but I will proclaim my intent for this to be the year of my first book to finally come to be!

Meanwhile….Merry, Bright, Treats, and Joy …Happy New Years

 

6:03 ET…12_21_2014

Winter solstice. Dark skies. Cold temps. No wonder bears and other animals decide to hibernate! Some days that indeed feels like the perfect plan. Today is the shortest day of the year here in the Northern Hemisphere, we get only 9 hours and 4 mins of light here. That’s kind of a bummer until you flip it around and realize the positive, that TOMORROW it immediately starts getting better! The days start getting LONGER! Another positive about the long winter nights is, that if there is a clear night, it can be spectacular star gazing.

WInter Stars

Isabella has decided to “accentuate the positive.” She is listening to music (“Baby it’s Cold Outside” just happens to playing as I type this. A fun winter song of dilemmas and choices that often makes both Izzy and I smile!) Izzy (her nick name) knows the importance of attitude as these dark days role thru the winter. Remember, the dark skies make the bright stars appear to shimmer and sparkle!

We (Izzy and I) want to remind you that Isabellas role, in the community of Botaniums, is that she is the driving force behind “The Knowledge Café.”  A place that strives to always offer a warm welcome to all that travel through the doors and to be a gathering place for all. The Knowledge Cafe is a place of wonderment for many and that delights Izzy. The Café not only houses the Joyful Sparkles Bakery of Julia with its delectable goodies and beverages, but also acts as a general store with books, handmade local gifts, fun technology, an art gallery as well as arts center, and sometimes even an art studio. All this helps foster friendships, and connections. Izzy believes in the importance of all these facets of life, especially the friendships and connections part-life is not nearly as much fun or interesting without those!

All this helps reminds her, and by proxy we hope you too, that life is actually pretty darn great….Despite winters cold temps, head colds, slush/mush, dark days, and some of the other less exciting winter attributes, there is still plenty of reason to smile, snuggle, enjoy and be happy.

According to Victor Hugo-“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” How can we argue with a famous poet, novelist, dramatist?

…One kind word can warm three winter months. – Japanese Proverb…
Make Victor Hugo proud – use kindness and laughter to warm up these long dark winter days and nights!