Well Hello! Focus on the Stars

 Happy Halloween week!

Do you like spooky stories? 

How about when you were young?

When I was about 8 years old I had a friend that had a grandmother that was so good at telling spooky stories. I loved visiting in the evening, laying on the floor covered by a blanket as she turned the lights down low and told us the best, scariest stories. I would be shaking and covering my head in terror, but at the same time I looked forward to it. I loved it!

I wish I could remember the stories, but just the idea of that time in my life brings a smile to my face.

I actually think she would have been scolded by the parents for telling us the stories, but what a treat.

Were there bad dreams, maybe!! I won't tell.

Do you like spooky stories?

Just for the fun of it, I am reading a witchy story this week.

Will there be some sleepless nights? I don't think so.

I once had a dolls head similar to this. My grandson made me hide it because it scared him so much.

I guess it could be a little creepy. What do you think?

I love the whimsy of this season. A time when goblins come out to play. Play is good for the soul. It lightens the dark nights. Hoping you find time to play and lighten the dark nights. Maybe light some candles and make some hot apple cider to lighten the darkness and see a glimmer of the stars.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars

Autumn JOY!

This past Saturday I was out at the NO KINGS rally. There were a few inflatable attendees that just made me smile. The song that has rung through my head since then is God Bless America. I am continuing to sing that each and every day. We are blessed and must hold on to that HOPE. It was a gorgeous blue-sky day, and we were joined by thousands, no millions, around the world to speak up.

Do you love driving in the country at this time of year? I love finding beautiful colors popping up here and there.

And then in my own little place I love having some touches of the season and a bit of silliness to celebrate the season.

This pumpkin scarecrow greets us as we enter the apartment.

Even at teatime the season invades.

Sunflowers are the final touch that makes me just smile.

How many pumpkins did you count?

Do you celebrate the season in your own place?

Does it make you smile?

Sending love,

Marilyn

One final pumpkin. Do you see it in my patio garden?

 

 

 

 

 

Focus on the Stars

Martin Luther King once said, "only in darkness can you see the stars."  However, when I did a little research, similar quotes go back as far as the mid-1800's. Then in the Psalms, King David referred to the moment when the night is at its darkest, that the brightest star rises.

All of these references indicate holding on to HOPE.

When we can't see the way forward; we must hold on for the wild ride, the tender ride, the sad ride and notice the brightest star shining in the darkest night. For love will guide the way.

I always associate a red rose to love. Let it be a symbol for us to love one another.

Never, ever give up. Always hold on to HOPE.

Keep your eyes open.

Light candles in the dark night.

And keep singing a joyful song.

One foot in front of another will lead to love.

Sending love,

Marilyn

 

Focus on the Stars

 "Keep truth in the light" heard on YouTube

With the insanity of the world these days it is more important than ever to focus on the glimmers of light and truth. Some days for me are harder than other days.

Many of you know I live in the Portland, Oregon area. I am sure you have seen in the news that some say the city is in turmoil. As we in the area are trying to focus on the beauty of our city, I can tell you we are not in turmoil. People are out and about doing their normal living. It has been gorgeous here lately. I choose to share that beauty here.

Yes, I might go out protesting with my sign, but at the same time I will savor the beauty around me. I choose to focus on the stars.

Fall is in the air.

Gardens are winding down.

Colors are golden.

Pumpkins abound.

I bought some delicata squash at this farm stand. I couldn't resist the feel of autumn here.

My cousin's front porch. Isn't it pretty?

There are still roses in the gardens.

And dahlias all around.

Now go out and notice your glimmers in your part of the world. What are they? Focus on the stars, the glimmers, and the beauty of your world. And let truth reign!

Sending love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars

 "And all at once, summer collapsed into fall." Oscar Wilde

This past week my "live-in gardener" and I drove north to the top end of Washington State. As we drove north I was looking for fall/autumn. I saw many trees along the way that were beginning to turn golden and some glimmers of red too. This part of the world has many evergreen trees; so the golden and reds are mixed in with the green. The weather was still sunny, not at all like fall/autumn. I continued watching along the adventure to see my sister-in-law and sipping a little tea.

The tea sipping happened in Seattle at the Northwest Tea Festival. There were a few hugs too for all the tea friends I saw there. I had some lovely puerh and oolong teas, which I shared with friends.

Along the road, the clouds told us that rain would be coming and along with the rain, fall would arrive.

This is Mt. Rainier with the cloud capping the top.

There is a lot of water in this part of the world. Here we were just taking off from Bainbridge Island to head across the water to Seattle. In no time at all we had arrived.

The views are plentiful. The water, cloud sightings, and trees touch my soul.

One of the little villages, Port Gamble, has this beautiful garden. I hadn't seen their re-do; so it was fun to see what they had done.

At the back were dahlias in bloom. They indeed brightened my day.

And across the road was more water.

This dock is on a military base at Port Townsend. It is a Marine Life Study Center.

Nearby we saw many deer wandering through town.

And we walked on one of my favorite little beaches to look for sea glass and rocks. My "live-in-gardener" couldn't resist a few pieces of driftwood to add to his bonsai collection decor.

And the view from my sister-in-law's home always delights my soul.

While watching from her windows I saw many birds, including an eagle, then also sea birds and river porpoise.

Nature always adds glimmers of joy to my heart.

I did find fall/autumn too; in the clouds and in the color of some trees.

Then the cooling of the weather and the drizzle of today said "here I am, I am here" as I pull out the socks from my drawer and the sweaters and hoodies from my closet I know the fall has arrived.

Has fall/autumn arrived in your part of the world?

Sending love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars

 

“You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.”

— Friedrich Nietzsche (Thanks Corey)

Welcome Fall Equinox

Here we are on the first day of fall where night and day are equal in length for a very short time. We are headed into the dark nights with less light in our day. It is even more imperative that we notice the small glimmers of light. Hold on to the glimmers, celebrate them, and never let the darkness get you down.

Last evening I attended a fund raiser for a local organization called Growing Gardens. It was a celebration of growth and helping others. My "live in gardener" and I sat at a table of all Hispanics. It was fun to hear their involvement in the organization and their joy of gardening and honoring each other. Even though we didn't understand their conversation, they were kind to include us from time to time in conversation.

The watermelon bouquet was all edible, from the garden.

The cucumber/honeydew melon, kombucha was made of things from the garden.

Earlier in the day I attended a tea tasting.

That also was a joy, a sparkle in my day.

The green leaves were much of the tea we tasted.

It also came from someone's tea garden.

My friend, Ana, pouring the tea as we sat around the table in a friend's greenhouse.

And there were small flames and sparkles on Saturday night, where my church had a gathering on a farm to just celebrate being together as we enter fall.

As the sun goes down over the orchard in the country, I noticed the colors of the sky and they sparkled.

And the light of the fire made my heart happy.

Simply, I just keep noticing and sharing with you. May our spirits stay happy, sending love to each other in the dark night and chaos. We can be those "dancing stars" in the dark night.

Notice what you Notice!

Sending love,

Marilyn