Sharing thanks for tuning in to the quiet sounds of nature!

Love this Tuscan garden I saw at the Hick's Flower Show!

I'm sharing this little piece of heaven. One of my goals is to visit Tuscany and tour Italy. Two of my favorite films feature scenery from this beautiful area "A Room with a View" and "Letter's to Juliet." I enjoy visiting quiet places with natural beauty. Sometimes when I am visiting some of the parks on Long Island I am struck by the vast number of people that are walking, running with their ipods on. I love music very much but I invite you to turn your ipod off and to tune in to the natural music all around you in a quiet place. I was walking at the Norman Levy Preserve and once you get into the trail, man made noises disappear and you can listen to birds chorus, the sound of a soft bay breeze, the music of nature. Here is what I was thankful for:

1. I was thankful for listening to the sounds of nature. Hearing bird calls, my footsteps on the path, and enjoying the peace that silence can bring. 
2. I was thankful for my parents treating Becky and me to lunch at the Olive Garden. Love the soup, salad and bread sticks for lunch. Enjoyed seeing my parents. They gave us some great advice, "Say yes, to what ever invitations you get in life." They had fun telling us about a performance art exhibition they went to by climbing down the sewer in Brooklyn to an old tunnel.
3. I was thankful to make a home cooked meal. Love cooking Italian food, may be that is another reason I want to go to Italy! I made a baked ziti.
4. I was thankful to reconnect talking to some of my good friends. Enjoyed morning coffee with Segal and a nice long phone conversations with my good friends Liz and Stella. I recommend real conversations over texting any day of the week. In this age of digital connection nothing can replace gathering with friends and family and enjoying experiences together.

I invite you to share a small joy that you are thankful for in the comments.