January Blues?

 

 

The days have been beautiful, sunny yet crisp during the early January days I was visiting Northern California.

 

 

Its beautiful to think that even on the west coast in Northern California, they can have such wonderful and moderate winters so you can actually enjoy being outdoors. Today there were clear blue skies, rolling hills and miles and miles of vineyards.  (Or is it just the days that I was lucky enough to have perfect timing to visit?)

 

 

 

Spending the day up at Sonoma County up at the Russian River Valley at Martinelli Winery for a simple gathering  and potluck is a wonderful way to spend the day and visit with old and new friends.

I really enjoy the day visiting, eating some delicious foods and drinking some amazing Sonoma Valley wines and just admiring the amazing views on this day.

 

 

It’s fun trying out all the old farm equipment, even if most are antique and rusting away.

 

 

Wild turkeys roam the entire county, even though these are family pets.

 

 

Ah yes, eating is a fun pastime and the cup cakes were too good to pass up!

 

 

Such a nice visit, I’m glad I got to visit and enjoy the day here at the Russian River valley.

 

Peace at a Zen Garden

 

 

 

 

Oh how I would love to come here often and just have some time to be

 

                         quiet, breath

 

                                    and  relax

 

 

maybe just take a moment to contemplate about my life

 

                      

 

 

                     and where I’m going

 

                                      but its too easy to get

 

               distracted in this space…

 

 

 

 

 

 

- its just too beautiful here …

 

 

 

          I love this tactile environment - I want to run my hands all through this beautiful

 

                       moss, then look at all the details

                                                                    up close

 

 

 

                          down

 

                               to

 

                                  every

 

                                     little micro-organism.

                          

 

 

                     Its very green and lush here, a perfect environment for this moss to grow

 

along with these ohia trees with their peeling bark and crevices filled with

 

green fungus

 

              mold

 

                  and bumpy looking bacteria

        

 

                     growing                     

 

                                        on their stong limbs and stems.

 

 

 

                  I look up and see the focal point atop a small mound of lava rocks and moss

 

lies a beautiful and simple buddah head

 

                                               – its sits there so peacefully and

 

                 

 

invites you in to come in and enjoy this welcoming environment.

 

                                  Aaaaaaaah – yes breath in this forest

 

                                              and enjoy the moss!

 

I wish that I could visit here more often…..

Words That Inspire #4

"Instant gratification takes too long". Carrie Fisher


We live in a society that seems to demand everything and wants everything now. In America the material life seems to be an inherent part of who we are and how we live. You know I used to feel that way when I lived in the mainland, but things did change dramatically when I went to Hawaii and had to downsize alot of the material possesions and also downsize ideas about living with things and conveniences around me.

Now, I find that living simply in Hawaii is a better way to live and to enjoy things happening in their sweet time.

I love seeing flowers take the time to bud and surprise me with the blooms finally unfolding.

I love to get fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables from the garden and come up with creative dishes.

Taking the time to enjoy simple things like driving to the ocean and watching a sunrise is my way of connecting to nature and enjoying the moment.

Seeing a world of green instead of concrete and highways gives me peace of mind and spirit.

Our last quote  for May

May 28 - "The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in". Morrie Schwartz

I will be on the mainland in June so Words That Inspire will be on hold.

Okay you have the words, now let inspiration guide you and we look forward to seeing your interpretation Here's the link tool below to add your URL address and name/city