reach that kind of light

The Sun, with all the planets revolving around it, and depending on it, can still ripen a bunch of grapes as though it had nothing else in the Universe to do.  ~ GALILEO, born this week in 1564

grown in concert

On winter walks you can easily observe tree forms, and how different species have grown in concert to form one crown. Oh, the things we can learn from the trees...

in order to live..

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” ~ E.M. FORSTER, born on this day in 1879

The future really does belong to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams…possibilities are endless if you just BELIEVE!  

Wishing you all the blessings of the New Year...the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends.  Happy New Year to all.  

 

heaven within

The air is crisp and fresh, the kind that makes ones cheeks tingle and turn rosy, the kind that sharpens ones senses to joy and delight, the kind that masks any sibilance of unpleasantries.  I walk through the forest of trees close enough to the branches to catch a whiff of Christmas.  Every few feet I stop and inhale deeply the spicy pine and cedar scent...I waltz among them…"evergreens, forever green, always green, and unchanging..." trails across my mind. 

I step out into the open, the air is tinged with the holiday spirit as I tilt my head back and take in the awe and wonder of the inky velvet sky.  As the heavens are just turning on their nightly display of holiday lights pin pricks of light dot the universe above, a design that far outshines any beauty recreated here on earth. 

The sign of Christmas is a Star, a light in darkness.  As we celebrate the beauty of this holiday season, see it not outside yourself but shining in the Heaven within.

Shine on this holiday season and may you be surrounded by peace, love and good cheer.

Love and Kindness, Tammy

turning life around

Too often we underestimate the power of
a touch,
a smile,
a kind word,
a listening ear,
an honest compliment,
or the smallest act of caring,
all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
~Leo Buscaglia

Help turn someone's life around today...touch someones heart with a kind gesture.

~things that make me smile abundantly~

 

~a 50-count bag of clown noses~

I borrowed this image from a friend today.  Since we are heading into one of my favorite seasons, Halloween Season,  how can you not have a silly day when there are a potential 50-clowns awaiting their honorary noses! Laugh and laugh often!

in a flash

 

 

“This life of separateness may be compared to a dream, a phantasm, a bubble, a shadow, a drop of dew, a flash of lightning.”

Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, 563-483 B.C.

disproving the butterfly effect

In the theory of chaos, the butterfly effect is the sensitive dependence on initial conditions; where a small change at one place in a nonlinear system can result in large differences to a later state. The effect derives its name from the theoretical example of a hurricane's formation being contingent on whether or not a distant butterfly had flapped its wings several weeks before.

Just over a week ago what appeared to be a butterfly flapping its wings disproved, in my spirit, the “butterfly effect”.  Although the initial 36 hours of momentum and rallying in fear of the unknown created complete chaos, it amazed me just mere minutes after the arrival of my great nephew the overall peace this little soul brought to all that encompassed him. 

I have witnessed enough in this lifetime to know when I am in the presence of a truly special soul.  He brought with him a calm that only old wisdom can hold and despite his chaotic birth only he was able to bring assurance that despite all that is still unfolding and unsure all will be well.

Dylan Kia was born in the wee early hours Wednesday, September 28th. He is a beautiful, healthy , ginger head with sparkly blue eyes. Welcome my new little shining star!  Although I have always been a "great" aunt, I earned my official title and will be all the better for just being able to say I had the privilege to be there in his first moments and cannot wait to witness his greatness unfold.   

perspective

Recently I was struggling to shift my perspective on an aspect in my life. So I decided to open my book “Discover the Gift” by Marianne Williamson to see which message showed up. For me, you know a book is complete and perfect when you pick it up, open to a random page, and there is a wonderful juicy message waiting for you. Today’s message "What part of me is being challenged to step up? What part of me is being called to respond? What part of me is being invited to be my best? Where I’m already good, where does this situation give me the opportunity to become great?"  Bingo! Perspective Shifted

un-contained

From the moment we are born, the world tends to have a container already built for us to fit inside: A social security number, a gender, a race, a profession or an I.Q. I ponder if we are more defined by the container we are in, rather than what we are inside. Would we recognize ourselves if we could expand beyond our bodies? Would we still be able to exist if we were authentically 'un-contained'?

~Paige Bradley

http://www.paigebradley.com/sculpture/index.html

sprinkles make everything...

It's funny the simple things in life that give meaning. Standing looking in a  NYC bakery window these simple little jars of delight brought me so much clarity. Without true purpose they bring color, joy and happiness to so many. So Simple. So true.

Without purpose,  bring a little color, joy and happiness to someones life today! 

Last stop...London

I’m writing this from home, recovering and reflecting on an amazing trip but will sum up my experience another day.   I want to round out my trip first with my last stop before my journey home, London.

I must confess that my final stop was not my favorite stop, but London had its own unique wonder and excitement.  Deep in history and tradition, I also found contemporary and unique experiences.  I could have spent days wandering the halls of both the Tate Modern & Tate Britain.  Evening on the east end’s Vyner Street did not disappoint; an abundant mélange of classic bohemian entwined with gifted imagery.  A traditional smarmy red double decker bus tour rounded out the city’s monumental hot spots.  In all I have to say out of all the overwhelmingly crowded palaces, rivers, abbeys towers, streets, yards, gardens  what brought me the most joy were seven bright smiling faces.   Near the London Marble Arch stands the Jelly Baby Family sculpture by Mauro Perucchetti.    Smiles abundant in a sea of bustling people….beautiful.

Once I have a chance to settle back in and relax among some amazing memories  I will end this chapter of my journey with some favorite highlights that are swimming around with fondness in my memory.  Thanks for sharing in my adventure.  Your notes will be returned as soon as I am able and I look forward to seeing you all soon. Love & Kisses, ~T   

A tree without roots will fall over

Just a few small steps from the home of my friends is the small Scottish village of Tillicoultry; birthplace and home to a legacy of generations of MacMillan / McClaren's.   A blurry sepia tone photograph of a parish church has held a special place among other family treasures my entire life.  I knew it to carry life and meaning but not until I stood on the actual grounds did the magnitude of my heritage set in.  Although I have struggled with the idea of organized religion, I have to historically recognize a foundation of community that has stood the test of time for almost two centuries.   Transcending generations of new life, sacred bond, celebration, tragedy and death; creating the life’s mortar that bonds a village.   

 

  

The neo-perpendicular, rectangular church by William Stirling of Dunblane  was completed in 1829 next to a church of 1773.  Central gable topped with corbelled-out octagonal belfry. The original horseshoe gallery was replaced with a single gallery in 1920. The manse was built in 1811.  

MacMillan / McClaren home of my Great Grandmother Lower Mill Street, Tillicoultry, Scotland. 

Edinburgh Scotland

 

Stirling Scotland

Stirling Castle is one of the largest and most important castles, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland.  Most of the principal buildings of the castle date from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. A few structures of the fourteenth century remain, while the outer defenses fronting the town date from the early eighteenth century.

 

Beautiful Balmoral

Ye lovers of the picturesque, away and see
Beautiful Balmoral, near by the River Dee;
There ye will see the deer browsing on the heathery hills,
While adown their sides run clear sparkling rills.

Which the traveler can drink of when he feels dry,
And admire the dark River Dee near by,
Rolling smoothly and silently on its way,
Which is most lovely to see on a summer day.

There the trout do sport and play
During the live-long summer day;
Also plenty of salmon are there to be seen,
Glittering like silver in the sun's sheen.

And the mountains are rugged and wild to be seen,
But the woodlands are beautiful when Nature's face is green;
There numerous rabbits do gambol all day
Amongst the green scrubbery all lively and gay.

There's one charming spot most magnificent to be seen,
'Tis Balmoral Castle, the Highland Home of our Queen;
The surrounding scenery is enchanting to see,
While near by rolls past the lovely River Dee.

Therefore, ye lovers of the picturesque, away and see
Beautiful Balmoral Castle and its grand scenery,
And the sight will fill your hearts with glee,
As ye walk along the bonnie banks o' the River Dee.

~William Topaz McGonagall (1830 - 1902)

 

Z's Best Shot...

2,500 miles driving all over this island, England, Wales, Scotland, circle by myself, descend unscathed and this is the best my friend can do with a camera to record our reunion after a hiatus...

...LOL...luv you mama Z!!

Well at least my mani/pedi is recorded for history!

For Dad

Adjacent to the mighty River Spey in the Cairngorms National Park, Boat of Garten lies in an area of outstanding natural beauty, centrally located in the Highlands of Scotland.  A late evening of live music among good people. 

From my simple inn I traveled a short historical distance on the The Strathspey Steam Railway which runs from Boat of Garten to Aviemor.  

As I try to catch-up with my simple journey, I write this from my final UK destination... final days in London.  Hard to be in a city after seeing such beauty.   Beauty can be found everywhere... I'm sure there's a concrete adventure to be had...onward to the day...more to follow and catch up.

Love to you all.   

~T

Take a moment to behold

A striking granite sculpture that is designed to draw attention to the landscape surrounding Corgarff. Artwork by Strathdon artist Louise Gardner. The work not only features engraved poetry, but also contains lenses that focus on points in the nearby landscape.The sculpture is located around halfway up the hill towards the Lecht ski centre. The dark circles are binocular lenses embedded in the granite. One points left to the castle; the other to the right up the glen. Carved into the stone are the following words:

Take a moment to behold,

As still skies or storms unfold,

In sun rain sleet or snow,

Warm your soul before you go.

Words which comment on the weather and the hills and the fact that people manage to survive there somehow.

Essence

In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes so with present time.  ~Leonardo Da Vinci

 

As I travel north through the Scottish Highlands to the very northern tip of Scotland I find a song come to true life…never before but in dreams...

Climbing under
A barbed wire fence
By the railroad ties

Climbing over
The old stone wall
I'm bound for the riverside

Well, I go over to the river
To soothe my mind
To ponder over
The crazy days of my life
Just sit and watch the river flow

Find a place
On the riverbank
Where the green rushes grow
See the wind
In the willow tree
In the branches hanging low

Well, I go to the river
To soothe my mind
To ponder over
The crazy days of my life
Watch the river flow
Ease my mind and soul
Where I go

Well I will go to the river
From time to time
Wander over
These crazy days in my mind
Watch the river flow
Where the willow branches grow
By the cool rolling waters
Moving gracefully and slow

O, child it's lovely
Let the river take it all away
The mad pace and the hurry
The troubles and the worries
Just let the river take them all away
Flow away

~Natalie Merchant

Doorway to the Scottish Highlands - My First Loch

Approaching the doorway to the Highlands through Callander is Loch Lubnaig.  This freshwater loch, overlooked by Ben Ledi the “mountain of the fairies”;  inspiration budding as I  see Sir Walter Scott’s “The Lady of the Lake”.

“The rose is fairest when 'tis budding new, And hope is brightest when it dawns from fears; The rose is sweetest wash'd with morning dew, And love is loveliest when embalm'd in tears.”

-SirWalter Scott (The Lady of the Lake)

Of Nature's Works

A lake carries you into recesses of feeling otherwise impenetrable.  ~William Wordsworth

Footsteps

Yon ledge of rocks, 

Like a wild staircase over Hardknots brow, 

Is ready for my footsteps and even now,

Wastwater blackens far beneath my feet, 

Sh, the storm-loving lake. - Christopher North

If there is not struggle, there is no progress

Winding between the Cumbria fells the Kirkstone Pass, locally referred to as “The Struggle”, rises steeply from the valley floor connecting Ambleside’s Roth Valley to the Ullwater Valley.   Pausing several nights just over the crest at the Kirkstone Pass Inn (highest inn in Cumbria and in service since 1496), a backpackers paradise, I spent my days roaming the majestic hills and evenings among a myriad of evermore kindred spirits.

"Who comes not hither ne'er shall know

How beautiful the world below;

Nor can he guess how lightly leaps

The brook adown the rocky steeps."  - Willam Wordsworth

The descent...

Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits...

 

Like all good bunnies...they multiply...Hill Top Farm Near Sawrey

 

"I was a child then, I had no idea what the world would be like. I wished to trust myself on the waters and the sea. Everything was romantic in my imagination. The woods were peopled by the mysterious good folk. The Lords and Ladies of the last century walked with me along the overgrown paths, and picked the old fashioned flowers among the box and rose hedges of the garden." — Beatrix Potter

 

"There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know were they'll take you."  — Beatrix Potter 

Ambleside - Where Dreams Transend

'From Wansfell you look down upon the richly watered garden of the land...a glorious region of which I have only seen the similitude in dreams, walking or sleeping.'
~Charlotte Bronte (Ambleside, 1850)

A treasure of a quote I have carried for many years guided me in this direction.  Completely poignant and true. Such a place really does exist where inspiration through the centuries has produced magnificent masterpieces.