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I went in search of the perfect pearls.

I don’t know why.

Pearls are really irritants at the source, aren’t they? And Heaven knows, we all have enough irritants in our lives that we don’t need to hang them around our necks!

But having said that, I guess they are the classic piece of jewelry–worn by all of the beautiful women in all of the old movies. I figure what’s good enough for Audrey Hepburn is good enough for me.

So off I went, looking for that perfect strand.

And that’s when I found it–in all its glory:

Ahh…Perfection!

Each pearl a miniature cloud shaped precisely by its maker.

What is it about beauty that attracts us so?  What do we recognize within even the smallest piece of nature that whispers to us of the divine? Who’s nature is it, really? And why do we yearn to possess that which we think isn’t already ours?

Volumes have been written to answer these questions, yet the mystery remains. Ah…Sweet Mystery! And who is part of this sweet mystery, anyway!

As I stood admiring this delicate strand of timeless beauty, I could feel someone peering over my shoulder, eying the spinner of this exquisite strand. This fellow seemed far more interested in breakfast than in grace. Of all the gall, that’s what I say.

Gull Gall…!

Well, we’re all on different levels of the development chain, aren’t we, so I tried not to get my feathers ruffled. Instead, I studied my fine feathered friend for a moment and saw his timeless beauty, his perfection, his attempt to put red lipstick on yellow lips. Yes, even he appreciates beauty!

I decided it was time to go home, so Mike and I jumped in the car and headed north.

“Did you find what you were searching for?” Mike asked.

“Yes,” I admitted. “Now I think its time to find the perfect brooch.”

While his eyes were still rolling, I saw the smile spread across his face.

“Where would you like to look?” he asked.

“Everywhere,” I responded. “That’s where you find grace when you’re looking through eyes of beauty.”

And look, we did. That’s when the perfect brooch presented itself. Exquisite in design, graceful in beauty. Worn and borne on the winds of time.

Star Brooch!

Yes, jewelry never looked so good!

Earth adorned with sparkling jewels, temporary in nature, yet breathtaking when given their rightful expression.

Just like us.

Maybe it’s time we get out that jewelry polish to restore our natural shine.

Maybe it’s time to show our divine grace.

Unashamedly.

Won’t you join me in finding the true crown jewel? It’s closer than you think.

We’ll start right now!

Okay. So my last post introduced you to Mr. Squirrel.

I enjoyed him, but my turkeys were not amused. You’re probably wondering how I could tell. Just take a look at this:

We Are Not Amused!

As you can see, they turned their backs on me and wouldn’t speak for a while.

They lobbied for equal time–you know, that discrimination thing.

Hmf! What are you going to do!

When I finally agreed to equal time for equal performance, I asked what they thought they could teach me. Maybe it was the fact that I was still in my robe at noon or that my hair wasn’t combed or that I was sitting outside in 107 degrees temperature that tipped them off. I don’t know, but whatever it was, they saw I am having a struggle with taking care of myself. Being the brain-iacs they are, they immediately gobbled, “Self Care.”

“Okay,” I answered. I could use a little help in that area right now.

Here is what they said:

Take a bath when you first get up in the morning.

Would You Get Me The Bubble Bath, Dear?

 Dress in your finest clothes. 

Lookin’ Good–Feelin’ Good!

Take care during breakfast not to sit in your cereal bowl!

Has Anyone Seen My Bowl?

 Catch up on the daily news and gossip.

Really! Seriously?

Spend quality time with your flock every day.

Ah, My Flock!

When you get tired, go to bed!

Good Night All You Turkeys!

As you can see, they had plenty to say about the subject of self-care.

Wonder what they would say about Thanksgiving dinner!

What do you do when times get tough?

Do you pout, cry, throw a tantrum, complain, get grumpy, blame others, or God forbid, say, “Poor me.”

Yep, me, too. I’ve done them all, except that God forbidden one, and may I never be so arrogant as to say THAT! (Although if I ever do, will you please excuse me?)

Things around here right now are tough. So I’ve looked to a soul far wiser than I am to guide me on my journey. I have only found him to speak truth, and I figure life is too short for lies, so I listened with all my heart.

Here is what he taught me:

When life gets tough–Relax!

Ahh…How Sweet Life Is!

 Invite a friend to lunch:

Friends Comes in All Forms and Colors!

Be Brave:

Dare to Go For It!

Take a Drink If You Need It!

Lemonade Anyone?

Trust Yourself!

Defying Gravity!

As you can see, my squirrelly teacher has taught me many enlightening lessons. The best one, however, was in his parting words as he prepared to leave the classroom and return to his home life. He, as most teachers do, had one last teaching to share, profound but obvious. And one that I’m sure you can relate to when times get tough in your life. What is his advice?

When times get really tough: hang in there!

My Reward!

If you are having a tough day today, I hope you do one or all of the above–you’ll feel better for it. If you are not having a tough day today, I hope you share your love and good fortune with those you love and those who need it–you’ll all feel better for it!

I used to pride myself on my independence.

That was before I was in-dependence.

Now things are different. I must rely on others to cook, clean, and oftentimes drive me to medical appointments.

And if truth be told, I miss my independence. Oh, sure, I could take the spiritual high road, the enlightened path, and say that I accept this new condition without judgement, knowing that it is unfolding perfectly for my soul’s evolution.  But, heck, I’d rather tell the truth. The truth is, I miss my independence.

I miss swimming, biking, hiking and attending parties with my friends. I miss having the energy to clean my house, cook dinner and entertain. I miss going out on adventure with my husband. I miss doing what I want to do when I want to do it.

But, if truth be told, I still love life.

For you see, I can still write. I can still read. I can still sit outside and watch the animal antics going on around our mountaintop home. I can still dream of a better life. I can still paint and laugh with my friends. And most importantly, I can still love.

So, on this July 4th, when I won’t have the energy to watch the fireworks, I will have the energy to humble myself once again before my creator and thank Him for allowing me to celebrate yet one more Independence Day. One more day of being grateful that I live in such a great country, a country that values individual freedom and safety, a country that values life. For after all, isn’t life worth valuing? Isn’t independence worth having? Isn’t in-dependence a chance to continue loving?

How will you celebrate this 4th of July?

Sir Independence

How will you celebrate your independence?

I am Free!

Have you ever met a Goddess?

I have.

I’ve actually met several during my lifetime. All of them have invited me into their hearts, but this one invited me into her home. And garden.

It’s best that you don’t say no to a Goddess, nor do you want to, so I said a resounding yes!

You may know this lovely vision as Sandi Howell. I call her Victoria. Somehow the name suits her.

Sandi’s Ambrosia
(Or is that Victoria’s?)

Although Sandi had invited other guests, Lynda and Bobbie, she called me Queen for the Day and treated me like royalty. I loved the honor and giggled daylong.

Goddesses always start the day with a flourish, a bit of ambrosia and then retreat to the enchantment of their garden.

So we followed her lead; we flourished, we ate ambrosia and retreated to her enchanted garden.

But lest you confuse a Goddess with a Princess, even though I was a Queen, it is birds that follow princesses, tweeting and chirping and acting like lovesick school girls. And it is every creature that follows a Goddess in hopes of giving her sweet adoration and kisses.

A Little Fishy Smooch!

And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, the four of us got out our water-colors and painted!

Give Until Your Heart Runneth Over!

Does this look like an artist to you?

How about this?

Or this:

Now, please don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying today’s art is going to the dogs. I’m just saying today’s dogs are going to the art.

Some may go reluctantly, unsure, not knowing what to do, as some artists go to a blank canvas…

You Can Lead a Dog to  Canvas…..

While others run full speed ahead, unafraid, safe in an unsafe world, confident.

Yet with support and gentle hands to guide them, even ‘reluctants’ will take a step forward, and then another, and maybe another if the unsafe world is growing safer.

Everyone Needs a Helping Hand at Times!

And when he looks back at his achievement, however small, he smiles. Not because the painting is so great, but because he took that first step. And then another.

I Did It!

Now I’m not saying humans are any different than dogs. I’m just saying you can teach an old dog new tricks.

Which first step are you willing to take? Which first step are you willing to smile for?

For which first step are you willing to pin up your ears and begin? Then do it!  Today.

Let’s Go! Life is for Living!