Sharing Thanks

Enjoy this Ocean Guided Meditation video with Deepak Chopra. I watched it, and it took me to a state of beautiful calm! Namaste! Little Buddha from Hick's Spring Flower Show I loved taking this picture. Looking at this peaceful Buddha statue meditating next to his tree provides me with an instant moment of calm. What is amazing is that these instant moments of calm are available to us everyday if we choose to stop and savor a moment, take a deep breath and count to 4, repeatedly. Studying music gives us the ability to learn to count measures. There is something very relaxing about counting measures with people who gather to make music together. The harmony and the counting provide relaxation and the joy of coming together to create beautiful music. I believe by counting measures we are tapping into the rhythm of life. Here is what I was thankful for yesterday. I was thankful to the waitress at Chili's who found my cell phone for me. What a relief to call the re...

Dandelion wildflower at Norman Levy Preserve Last week I got to walk at one of my favorite parks the Norman Levy Preserve. It had closed for a while after hurricane Sandy. I was happy to see it open again and wanted to explore the park. I was thankful to be able to walk and look at the beautiful bays toward Jone's beach again. This huge dandelion caught my eye! I love bringing my camera to the park. This dandelion looked like a beautiful flower next to the purple wildflowers around us. We all need the courage to stand out. Our differences are what make us more beautiful! Here is what I was thankful for when taking my nature walk. Happy Earth day everyone! I was happy that the fishing pier at the park withstood the hurricane. I love walking out to the middle of the bay. Sometimes I will lie back on one of the park benches and enjoy meditating and breathing in the sea air. So refreshing! I was thankful to see the Nigerian goats. They got a new barn. They are green energy wor...

Scary family fun at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History We had a fun family weekend in Pittsburgh. My daughter Becky is a junior at the University of Pittsburgh. We enjoyed going to see her Symphony Band concert this weekend. Every time we visit Pittsburgh we visit someplace new. This photo proves museums can be fun to experience. We enjoyed taking these scary snap shots! These crocs reminded us of Flotsum and Jetsum in the little Mermaid. Here is what I was thankful for! Thanks to the museum we had some family fun. The dinosaur statue outside the museum always we reminds me of dino from "The Flintstones." Enjoyed seeing dinosaur fossils, and even a tarantula! I must admit I loved the gemstones exhibit. Totally recommend taking silly snapshots at the museum! Thanks to Pitt band director Jack Anderson! Congratulations on his retirement. Thanks for fostering my daughter's love of music and the Pitt Marching Band. Thanks for also including all the out of town band ...

Love these colorful watering cans on sale Hick's I am loving watching all the gardens in neighborhood start to bloom. I've seen pansies, tulips, jonquils, daffodils, magnolia tress. The world is bursting with beautiful colors and floral fragrances permeate the air. Enjoyed a walking meditation breathing in all of spring. I am thankful I am not an allergy sufferer. I am thankful for all the kindnesses I have received recently! I'm feeling so supported and loved. It is easy to list my gratitudes today! Thanks to my parents! Congratulations to them for getting a new car. I was so surprised when they called me and told me they want to gift our family there old car. We have 4 drivers and 2 cars so this extra car will really help us all get where we are going a little easier. My daughters are so excited! I am thankful for my daughter Becky who celebrated her 21st birthday this week. Where did the time go! I am proud of her and the young woman she has become! She is a fun,...

Love these pastel lilies heralding Spring Even though it is a little brisk out I love basking in the April sunshine today. Spring is showing signs of bursting of life! I am soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the burst of energy it is giving me. I would love to hear about the signs of Spring that you are thankful for! Here are some simple joys that I am appreciating today! I am thankful for doing a little Spring cleaning. My mom will be so proud I woke up and loaded up the dishwasher, vacuumed the living room, and even changed the cat litter box all before 10:00 am. I enjoy writing and taking beautiful pictures better than cleaning. Although there is nothing better walking into your clean and lemon fresh smelling home! Alright maybe the added aroma of freshly baked scones would make being at home even better.  I am thankful to donate! Yesterday I gathered some items to give to Goodwill. It is a great feeling to simplify and give clothes, shoes and gently used household item...

Liz making a wish for Spring weather in front of the reflective Chicago Bean! I just got back from a wonderful short trip to Chicago. My daughter Liz was accepted into Columbia College Chicago so we went to tour the campus and this beautiful, friendly city! So many wonderful experiences to be thankful for, it will be hard to just write about four! Here goes: Sharing thanks for safe travels. Thanks to my Mom for giving us a ride to the airport on Thursday morning. Thanks to my husband Spencer who picked us up from the airport with a hug and a smile. Thanks to United Airlines for smooth on-time flights. Can I recommend more seating room? Very cramped seats even for small folk. Thanks to Columbia College Chicago for the wonderful program for accepted students. We enjoyed touring the amazing media arts facilities with state of the industry equipment. Enjoyed sampling a meal from the dining commons. Thanks for the trolley rides to get to the buildings on time. Loved the apartment sui...

Hope you find your pot of gold!, Shamrock's from Hick's Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day, the day when everyone puts on emerald green and dances a jig! I enjoyed reading some Irish sayings yesterday on the Huffington Post.  My favorite Irish saying: "May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks. May your heart be as light as a song. May each day bring you bright, happy hours. That stay with you all the year long." If you want to read some more Irish wisdom you can visit  A Bit of Blarney . They have Irish toasts, blessings and quotes from famous Irish writers and poets! Here is my favorite Irish blessing: "May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields, And until we meet again, May God hold you In the palm of his hand."  I found this fun you tube video of Conan learning to Irish Step Dance! Enjoy watching. Here is what I was th...