Your Life Lessons - When in doubt, just take the next small step.

Apollo 11 was the spaceflight that landed the first two people on the Moon. Mission commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin, both American, landed the lunar module Eagle on July 20, 1969, at 20:17 UTC.  <Wikipedia>

Celebrating 49 years ago today, the US landed and walked on the moon.

I remember where I was - watching on TV at home as this historic event happened.  That night when the moon shined in the sky, I was wondered if they could see me. 

This mission started with small steps.  On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced his goal of putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade in a historic speech before a joint session of Congress that set the United States on a course to the moon.  It was that goal, that set thousands of steps into action.

All things in life start with a goal, and then steps to bring the idea to life.  When we feel overwhelmed by a goal, or just the number of items that  need to be done, we need to sit back a moment and start with a small step, any step.  The momentum of a step closer to the task or idea begins to build and the subsequent steps come easier.

Today - do something.  Take a step.  You'll be a bit closer and enjoy your journey in life a bit more.

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda

 A game played by many adults - what a waste of time two times over.  

First they play the game, they woulda done something, coulda done something or shoulda done something - and they didn't.  Second they are using the present time to play the game instead of doing something today.

It astounds me that we would give up precious time on something that could not be changed and doing nothing to make today better.

Today is a new day --- this now moment --- do something - a suggestion - be kind to yourself!

Cute poem - thanks to Shel Silverstein:

All the Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
Layin' in the sun,
Talkin' bout the things
They woulda-coulda-shoulda done...
But those Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
All ran away and hid
From one little did.

-Shel Silverstein

Living My 60th Year - Inspiration

Back on the ground from my delayed trip, hugs with KC and thanks to my neighbors Bob and Judith for taking care of her while I was away.

Again - this week needed lots of focus.  I'm missing two days due to the storm and travel delays. When it became obvious that I was not flying back, I began to reschedule my week - move appointments and prep myself for a big week.

Then I got a phone call on Tuesday, Mrs Myra Cohen passed away at the young age of 90.  I read in the paper that Rudy Remigino also passed at 87 years young.  Both were reisdents in town, Myra, still on the Town Council and Rudy was on the Friends board with me and we gave him our first Friend of the Year award.  As a community we were blessed with their volunteer work for all of in town.

Hartford Courant picture

Myra, first a watchdog and then serving 23 years on the town council.  Yes - do the math - she ran for town council and won at  67 years of age!  You couldn't be about town without running into Myra.  She was steadfast - non political - and was absolutely determined to do the right thing for the Town.   In small towns - that is tough.  At her funeral - her daughter-in-law read a beautiful poem that is listed below - "A Woman of Valor", it was as if this poem was written specifically about her.

Hartford Courtant picture

Rudy was the go-to guy on the Friends Board.  If it wasn't a fundraiser like the booksale and such, you could count on him to be available to hand our flyers and promote the Library at the drop of a hat.  We was around when the first expansion of the library was put on.  He understood the value of a good library in a town - how it educates and entertains it's citizens - the little ones, kids in school, and all the adults right through our senior years. He was such a kind man.  I had the opportunity to visit with his children (my age) and tell some stories about Rudy and to hear their stories about their Poppie.

Both of these people were inspirations in my life.  They understood giving to their community makes and keeps us all healthy.  I was brought up in a family that knew giving was part of everyday life.  We gave of our time, whether at some church functions - there were many, scouting seems to last for most of my young life, and of course, school events.

Here's the poem - I hope it will inspire you to continue the giving you do in your community.  Thank you Myra and Thank you Rudy - thank you for your efforts - you were grand citizens of Newington - we will miss you.

A Woman of Valor

By Eric S. Kingston

Dedicated to all the women who showed me what true strength is.

A woman of valor makes the world change
Her strength is the content that guides through the days
Defined by her actions that bring light to all dreams
Valor is something that's defined by her deeds.

Her valor is golden, sparkled and gray
She stands up to the challenge no matter the way
It can't be held back or defined by her age
Yes, a woman of valor makes the world change.

For valor's not held by the young or the old
But by the deeds of the heart that give and unfold
It's merit and honor that hold no disguise
Like the creation of being in the blessed Holy One's eyes.

For valor is the color of the song of her soul
As she changes, creates and turns light into gold
Divine is Her Presence, be it joyous or sad
-- A Woman of Valor --
May offer little, but it will be all that she has.

For only her heart will know the depths of her soul
That nurtures and blossom and forever unfolds
And holds in its essence new life and new gain

Yes,
A woman of valor makes the world change
A woman of valor makes the world change
A woman of valor makes the world change.

"Be as courageous as Esther, whose faith and bravery where as pleasing to G-d as that of Moses or King David."

BY ERIC S. KINGSTON

Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

Happy Birthday and the start of the 60th year.

Today is my birthday!  Yeah!  I'm finishing my ahemmm my 59th year and beginning a decade year - my 60th year.

This picture was taken on the celebration of completing my 50th year.  All those kids are my nieces and nephews --- update - one graduated college, three are in college, and the remaining four are in secondary school.  I'm glad to report that all are doing quite well.

http://thyme-is-honey.com/2014/12/20/2015-dos/

Beginning this year will be different.  I'm not sure how yet.  There won't be any fanfare, no rockets blasting, instead a quite day.  I have decided to write on my blog more, read more, make plans to enjoy friends and family, and work on a challenge or two or three throughout the year.

This quote was  posted on my FB page,  It does sum up items that you can do for a great year.    Some of these I do, some I wish I did more often.  Of course 'wishing' doesn't get it done - doing - gets it done!

My birthday is often 'cancelled' due to snow.  Three years ago - all set for taking me out to dinner, calling a cab so I didn't have to drive and then Mother Nature said 'no way' and delivered about 25 inches of snow.   It was kinda cool and really pretty outside.

Tomorrow looks no different - ice, snow, rain though it may reach to 36degreesF.  Wow - like almost beach weather.  Those you you reading along - in New England we have been in the single digits and with a howling wind bringing us down to negative double digits!

The number of the birthday is just a number representing the time on earth.  Heck the guys at the TV station here where I volunteer think I'm in my 40's - so I'm loving that!

My new year begins today.  I will add to my already interesting journey - I'll call this year -  Living my 60th year.  Come on along!

Energy is Rising - Good Riddance Old Habits

NASA Photo A Day

For the past 30 days, I've been cleaning, clearing, donating and recycling 'stuff'.   The 30 Day Minimalist Challenge.  It's like clearing the decks for a new day.

It all started as I was going to have a guest staying over Thanksgiving week.  I needed to make certain areas presentable to have a guest in for several days.  I'm sure we have all been there!  Some type of event is in the near future and you notice your surroundings.  Yikes!

When I started this challenge, I've noticed that my energy level has been changing as a result of it.  I feel a bit of glow - a level of what could I get to next in my consciousness.  There is a bit of discipline - though not much to get going.  The success each day makes the difference.  Success each day, no matter how big or small has reduced my stress level.  Let me tell you, old habits don't necessarily die - they need to be replaced.  

My good habits some how got pushed to the back of life, and are now being resurrected. My kitchen is now generally all cleaned up before retiring in the evening.  The bedroom is quiet and 'zen' like.  The guest room was a dumping place - cleaned up for the guest that didn't arrive - and now has gotten a bit untidy again.  It's actually okay as several of the other days' tasks we not completed and that was the best place to put them until I could go back to them.

I'm back in my five at five routine two times a day.  Five minutes in the a.m. and again in the p.m. to pick up and put items away.  Some days it seems to be a rush around, then other days a much more relaxed time.  

PS  - Tame the electronics --- found some more items, some are going to the transfer station, others were labeled as to what they are so I can get to them when I need them.  I found some really great old cables - good ole parallel cables that you used for printers - great trip down memory lane, if only for a few minutes!  Try to get a printer today that uses a parallel cable. 

 Glad to see the good ole habits taking their rightful place in the presence.  It's a grand day!  I'm thankful.






  

Day 30 - Wrap Up

It's been a true journey this past 30 days.  It has been about expanding myself, being present in the day, looking to the future, no 'stuff' around, and it is about who I am.  It's about me, lol, for a change.  Instead of me running about for everyone else, it's about getting a few more moments for me - everyone wins.  I'm thankful for the discipline and for the authors of this challenge  /http://minimalismissimple.com/ .  I'm thankful to give this gift to me as it is a gift that no one could give to me.

I will repeat some of the day's challenges.  Day 5, donate clothing; Day 6, clean up the mail; Day 8, pick one corner; Day 24, the kitchen; Day 25, declutter the unusual - ahhh the garage.  Those are the major ones that I will concentrate on between now and the end of January.  

I've begun a snowflake challenge - make one/two snowflakes a week - crochet or tatted.  Yesterday I stopped in my tracks, found the ones I made a while ago, gathered it together and viola - I've my own challenge.  Somehow I remember several other stars or snowflakes that I made...  will continue to search for them.  In the mean time, I'll make more.  Yesterday I made three!  I've found new sources for patterns and have books from my studio for further inspiration.  I've printed and saved lots of patterns without any plan...  now I have the plan!  

As with the first day of the Challenge - it is about what you want for yourself.  It's a methodology - I had one decision to make - to do it or not.  Can you look out 30 days from now?  That was the question I asked myself when I began this just before Thanksgiving.  What do I want for me, my space, my soul...It was easy to answer - do the challenge.

Success for today and for the last 30 days - Nice to take time to reflect.  Thanks for reading along.  I will continue to write about these success each week.  Thank you - I appreciate you being in the corner for me :)  Continue to find one item to put in the donate box.

Day 29 - Try something new

My Twelve Days of Christmas Tree

It's the days before Christmas and all through the house and this creature is stirring and it isn't a mouse!  The last couple of days have been focused on keeping up several of the completed daily challenges. None were really new - though the concept and discipline of the challenge was new.  

This Challenge shows that the Teacher arrives as the student becomes available.  This Challenge has given me the opportunity to think over the last 30 days.  I've brushed away some old cobwebs, brought back old perspectives that had been buried in life's layers daily stuff and found moments of peace in what is a too hectic pace in life.

Many people I've shared this with were asking for the challenge for themselves or dismissing it.  Those that were asking for the challenge are possibly in the same place I am.  They need a 'friend' in the challenge to help jump start themselves.  What this challenge did for me was to keep myself in the present, even if only for a few minutes during the day.  

Last night I delivered the donate box to Savers.  I was met with much thanks from the staff for bringing my items that will help so many others... A  Feel Good Moment. There is a new donate box in it's place.

I've been toying with the idea of several other challenges - 1st of all, repeating this one - there are still a few daily challenges that could be tidied up.  Ever since the blog of cooking through Julia's cookbook, there are plenty of challenges.  I've come up with one a month for the next year - visit a museum/attraction - borrow passes from the library;  make a different salad dressing each week and salad to go with; write a blog post every day for a year from a pre-determined list of random topics.  Then there is the 365 day count down to a big birthday - that could also be a fun challenge.

New is coming, New is needed, and New is welcomed each day to open our eyes, our thoughts and our hearts.  So onward with the journey.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Day 29 - satisfied in the success of this challenge - donate box is now empty and awaiting new treasures to give away. 

Today's Challenge - Day 30 - Wrap Up -  and - find one item to put in the donate box.

Thanksgiving - We are thankful

“The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun”

From Into the Wild - by Jon Krauer

Wishing gratefulness and thanksgiving on this special day to each and everyone.  Since we last celebrated this holiday ---  what have been your new experiences?  How has your horizon changed?  How was your Joy and the Joy you gave to others?  

Thanksgiving, while celebrated today, is a spirit that needs to be celebrated every day.  Please take a moment to remember this past year.

What will you do this Year of Thanksgiving?  Look forward to sharing them with you.

Best to you and yours,

Patty

Picture Credit - Getty

Poverty

To quote Nelson Mandela,
Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity, it is an act of justice.

Be good to yourself - The Greatest Present

The new year is here and many of us around the country have experienced the longest and snowest winter on record!

I'm not one to make resolutions per se, I will, on the other hand, find and create and improve on different behaviors that will bring peace and joy to my life.

I call it the "be good to yourself" mantra.  This isn't permission to be selfish, rude to others, greedy and unkind.  It is permission to do small gestures for yourself that will make the day easier, brighter, and enjoyable even if mother nature delivers another foot of snow.

So what have I done?

• I purchased new hangers (those slim ones) and my Santas gave me more.  So I have emptied part of the closet and put up the new ones.  The closet looks great, the clothes, now cleared out of old ones, are organized.
• Each week I have cleared out another corner (not more than an hours worth of time) of items.   Now there is a box by the door in the garage that I have placed items in to be given away.
• When I finish my coffee, I set up the pot to be ready to go for the next morning.  Just that little effort gives me a couple of minutes extra to enjoy the early hours before life steps in.
• I put off doing my mail to three times a week - less distraction and more efficient over all.
• Keep to my daily/weekly list of chores and find that a few minutes here and there leaves no major chores to do on the weekend.
• Read something inspirational for me each day. I can be an avid reader yet this time of year with my work schedule in high gear, I often times forget to take a couple of minutes.
• Sit by the fireplace for 20 minutes and relax in quiet.

So what do you do "to be good to yourself"?  Take a moment, think about small gestures that will make your day an even better day.  Wishing you the best each day, live today, life starts now!

Not Just for Teenagers

Interesting - and worth watching. Though this is not just for teenagers - there is much said and to think about.

Hope for our Earth - Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you and yours.  Today the first day of a new year, sometimes a somber day or a day continuing the festivities from the night before; some may be rushing out for more holiday sales or out to see a new movie; there may some that will not celebrate as it isn't their holiday; and of course there may be the infamous making of New Years Resolutions.

How ever you celebrate today, may you think about our earth.  May one of your resolutions be to take action to respect our home.   While the video is labeled loneliness, I would label it majestic, grand, and beautiful.  On this day...  enjoy the magnificent place we call home.

Let there be Peace

Wouldn't it be amazing if there was Peace on earth? It wouldn't take too much. It would take each individual to be kind and thoughtful. It would be for individuals to carry peace and joy in their hearts and to give it away every day. It would be for us to celebrate and embrace our differences because we can learn from one another.  It's our own uniqueness that makes our world an amazing place.  I invite you to sing along with these most talented children.

Kitchen Yeah!

Yes, it's done - Bob the Builder has done a great job in fitting the new microwave and hood into the current scheme of the kitchen. 

This is what I started with - ugh! First order of business - get new appliances especially the fridge.  It was running and running, so annoying.  The stove didn't work too well.  I finally gave up when baking a cake took twice as long as it should have.

So the new appliances arrived.  Thanks to my neighbor, Julie, she had done some homework and shared it with me.  That' when I found out that the microwave hood didn't fit.

It was too large compared to the space.  Oh well, Plan B into action.  Bob the 'all around fix it guy' was back in business after an extended shoulder injury.  Just in time, and of course there  was a list of lots of other items.

So here it is.  As he said, 'it was a bit crazy making the cabinet smaller and it became insane when the doors couldn't be made smaller'. I give him a lot of credit, especially while we were shopping in Lowes together to come up with a "fix".

Two brains, lots of patience on Bob's part, some stain, okay a couple of stains to match, and Plan B happened- voila doors with a black mesh sreen. 

Don't think a decorator could have done better!

Glad to have appliances that work and my electric bill went down $14 in the first month!

First Day of Winter

While all of us are getting ready for the holidays - we are coming up to the first day of winter. The Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night on our calendar here in Connecticut. I enjoy the the winter and love the snow.  I look forward to seeing the snow fall, smelling the fireplaces burning, and enjoying the special drinks and foods that are only winter.  To bring in Winter, I'm featuring my niece, Taylor's video she made, set to Sara Bareille and Ingrid Michaelsons's song Winter Song.  Thank you Taylor, Thank you Sara and Ingrid, .... Enjoy!



PS about 100 days till Spring :)

Tis the Season - The White Tree

Two years ago I put up my white tree for the first time in a long time.  That year was special as my nephew, Seamus help decorate the tree.  This year, now the third time.  It has evolved a bit from the past years.  I found that those pics you get at the craft store make a lovely decoration to the end of the stick branches.  I found little doves in silver, gold, and white.  I  found some beautiful crystal icicles in Storrtown Village at the Big E.  Hand made and imported by Kurt Adler, they reflect the light so beautifully and add that extra sparkle to the tree.

The new addition to this year is a hand made crystal pineapple.  I found it at the Yankee Candle on my way back from New Hampshire.   Pineapples have long been a symbol of welcome, hospitality and wealth to all that live here.

It goes back to Christopher Columbus and to colonial America.  Once discovered, the pineapple became the 'treat of kings'.  No matter if you were back in Europe or here in colonial days, the pineapple became sought after.  Shop keepers were known rent out the pineapples before they were purchased by the more affulent families in the town.

In the seafaring towns of the east coast of America, the symbol of the pineapple can be seen in the architecture.  It was said that pineapples would be put out on the gate signifying that the sea captain was home and available to receive guests.

Time to take the tree out, set it up, and enjoy the ornaments that you have collected over the years.  No matter what holiday you celebrate, those decorations have stories.  Do you have the stories written down?  Hopefully this year, as you decorate for your holiday, you may have the chance to write about them.  

By the way, my tree is complete and I'll be enjoying it all month long!

Spread Joy to Everyone

The season is upon us and it is the time we spread joy to those people we pass by each day. A nod, a smile, a simple greeting, it really doesn't take much. We don't know what is going on "over there". With a simple gesture, you may turn around someone's day. The reward is that you feel better and you smile deep down inside. What could happen, you may make it your daily rountine :) May you have lots of JOY in your life.

Give a Hug & Get a Hug

The holiday season has arrived. Some of us look forward to the festivies, parties, being with friends and family. There are a few humbugs and grumpies too.  So through this holiday season, I will be sending you little bits of inspirations that will raise your spirits and those around you.

Just imagine being in this square - hugs are the best, we all should have a dozen hugs a day.  Enjoy and I send you a big hug today.

Thanksgiving Wish

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Wishing everyone a moment of time to relax this holiday weekend.

Wishing everyone enjoyment of the small things that make a holiday a special time.

Wishing everyone invention of a new tradition.

Most of all, wishing you and yours health, happiness, joy, and Peace.





Photo courtsey of controltheweb's @flicker

A New Beginning

I'm sure you noticed that last week was a difficult emotional one. So many lives were touch by JoJo and so many lives will need to find a new path in life. Before I go on to chatter much more, here's a place that JoJo and I shared an affinity for. It's a long video, yet it is so peaceful..... Enjoy.......