Dear Reader:

In recent days, especially since the turbulent weather and “tornado” Monday morning scare, at the beginning of the week, Mother Nature has  been extra kind to us. The days have been  breathtakingly beautiful…with practically zero humidity, thus creating bright colors that look like a technicolor Disney animated movie.

The new greens from the oak trees have fully emerged…backed by azure skies. Thursday I shared a pasta dish with one of my neighbors and while waiting on her to walk over to the side yard (where she had been working) I looked up and saw the scene in the title photo….that glorious blue between the vivid green leaves on the oak branches.

For a split second…I thought to myself…life just doesn’t get any prettier or better than this.

It was, also then, that I fully realized the blessings we have been bestowed during this fragile period of ambiguity…having time to immerse ourselves in the “beauty of the earth.” Suddenly my rather childish pouting of not knowing when this (sometimes uncomfortably scary period) will end…ceased.

I came across this painting by Kellie Rae Roberts and quickly drew the conclusion that this must be one of her latest artworks..the timing seemed perfect for the pandemic… but it was not…

I had seen a March date by the painting and “assumed” it was drawn in the last few weeks in connection to coronavirus. But I was wrong! Kellie had completed this painting last March- 2019….shortly after her family’s move from Portland to the small artistic community of Sisters, Oregon.

She was still acclimating to small town life…still praying she made the right decision to uproot her family for a slower-paced life and small town influence that she thought would benefit them all. She had started riding her bike to the post office …and just being able to simplify her life with these daily rituals was reassuring her that she had made the best decision. She wrote!

“Oh hello, new life. Hello, riding my bike to the post office with ease. Hello, sunshine and creative energy and inspiration rushing in. I have missed you. 

As I make my way into this new life here in small town Sisters, Oregon, I keep discovering gentle reminders everywhere. They sound like this: “Yes, it can BE that simple.””You can take your time.””It takes as long as it takes.”, and “Enjoy this.”

As I slooowly drop into a way of being that values less doing and less hustling, I’m finding more s p a c e for other things to drop in. Things like nothingness, ease, peace. Middle of the day walks and conversations with friends. More inspiration dropping into my consciousness. More enthusiasm. Joy. FREEDOM.”

Kellie ends with a toast that we can all raise our glasses to …

Here’s to inviting ourselves into the lives we want to be living. It is such worthy work.

So until tomorrow…Instead of complaining about what freedoms we have had to give up to the pandemic….let’s appreciate all the moments of “nothingness, ease, and peace” we have been given. Once life returns to “normal” I have a feeling we will miss the freedom of simply “being”…don’t you?

Life Lesson: Simply “Doing” should never define us…now or in the future. 

“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

“Rivers know this; there is no hurry. We shall get there some day” Winnie the Pooh

Here are some more “Pretties” from my garden…my refuge and love.

… And the Confederate Jasmine is blooming its beautiful little white flowers…and the scent is out of this world!