Some Alone Time
Yesterday I had a very rare treat...I spent the afternoon alone. I am the type of person who doesn't mind being alone. I actually enjoy it-I'm not saying that I want to be alone all the time, but each day I need some time to myself. Since having children getting out and doing things solo is about as rare as seeing a unicorn at your local petting zoo. It just never happens. Because my husband and I never lived close to our family before our children rarely left our supervision. We sort of have this motto, If the kids can't go-then we don't go.
Now that they boys and I are back home and surrounded by all sorts of family, I realized I'm going to have to "let go" and relax a little when it comes to leaving my children in the supervision of others. When one of my husband's cousins asked if she could take the boys for the day, I knew they would be in good hands. My son negated any reaming doubt when he asked rather exuberantly, if he was going to "have a babysitter?"
Yesterday while my boys had a ball at the park with their big cousins, I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon by myself at one of my favorite places in Miami. The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
For the last two years I've recalled this area in particular from my memory hundreds of times; because it is where the opening scene from my novel takes place. I can't tell you how exciting and inspirational it was to finally walk exactly where my character does. To compare notes from those in my mind's eye to the reality was exhilarating in a way I never thought it would be. I struggle to explain how I felt as my heart beat quickened as I walked down the nature path to the museum's entrance, or how I felt when I finally laid eyes on the stone barge.
I took a ton of pictures that you can view in my Flickr set: Vizcaya Museum & Gardens some of them are blurry and lopsided, I've got a new camera (insert big ***squeee*** here!) In case you're wondering it's a Nikon D3100 and I'm trying to learn how it all works...this was certainly a great place to practice.
Got Dreams?
What are your dreams? What are you doing to make them come true? Did you have a dream come true? What hand did you play in making your dreams a reality?
Just a few questions. They sound much like the ones for a casting call for like, Oprah or something don't they?
I'm definitely not Oprah, but I believe firmly in working towards making our dreams a reality and I came across this quote by Walt Disney about Cinderella and it resonated with me.
Not because I'm looking for my Prince Charming-I've found him already-but because I'm the type of person who goes out in glass slippers or not and chases her dreams. I have some friends are still waiting for their Prince Charming dreams to come true and I can't help but wonder what would happen if they actually got off of their bums and go out and get him themselves?
You know I'm not just talking about a man right?(However, if you are a single lady waiting for some man to come along and toss you a life vest start swimming. You may just dive in and find your fish and you may not-but waiting to be rescued is not going to get you that prince!)
photo: weheartit.com
A Dream Within A Dream
Take this kiss upon the brow!And, in parting from you now,Thus much let me avow-You are not wrong, who deemThat my days have been a dream;Yet if hope has flown awayIn a night, or in a day,In a vision, or in none,Is it therefore the less gone?All that we see or seemIs but a dream within a dream.
I stand amid the roarOf a surf-tormented shore,And I hold within my handGrains of the golden sand-How few! yet how they creepThrough my fingers to the deep,While I weep- while I weep!O God! can I not graspThem with a tighter clasp?O God! can I not saveOne from the pitiless wave?Is all that we see or seemBut a dream within a dream?
A Dream Within A Dream by Edgar Allan Poe
Photo: weheartit.com
The Essence of Life: Motto #80
I came across this and really liked it. I couldn't help but share.
To Inspire...
My friend Donna (who I've not had the pleasure of meeting in real life) wrote me on facebook the other day to tell me the post I wrote about my grandmother inspired her to write about her own grandmother. I can't think of a greater honor than being someone's inspiration no matter how big or small.Thank you for reading and for allowing me the privilege of lending a bit of inspiration.love and inspiration,
Photo: weheartit.com
Hope is the Thing With Feathers
I love poetry. In school dissecting a poem to reveal its true meaning was actually fun for me...Today when I read poetry I focus more on the feeling it evokes within and what the words mean to me, rather than what the author meant when it was written. I think on one day a poem can have one meaning to you and on another something completely different depending on where you are in your life. They also have that way-much like songs do of transporting you (or reminding oneself) of another time in life-especially if it was a poem that had a particularly strong effect. I also enjoy learning what poems (or pieces of literature) other people enjoy. I think it speaks volumes about them (pun-totally intended). I thought it would be fun to share (on occasion) my favorite poems. I would love to hear what you have to say about this poem, what it means to you etc. If you appreciate poetry or even write a bit of it on occasion, please share your favorite poems by other authors or yourself in the comment section (linking up to your own posts is very welcome). Lets share!
Hope is the thing with feathersThat perches in the soul,And sings the tune–without the words,And never stops-at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;And sore must be the stormThat could abash the little birdThat kept so many warm.
I’ve heard it in the chillest land,And on the strangest sea;Yet, never, in extremity,It asked a crumb of me.
Hope is the Thing With Feathers by Emily Dickinson
Photo: weheartit.com