Memories in pictures of Bruggs, Belguim

Another snow storm, and I sit daydreaming about Brugg. We visited this ancient city last September.

 There is something wonderful about cities that have canals. The light reflects on the ancient buildings, the boat trips open up the water wonderful vistas and reflections of oddly shaped brick buildings flash in my brain. 

Memories of a wonderful breakfast in the town square, great bread, cheese and oh yes, rich coffee. The local beer halls,  its customers, and good cheer. Wandering into a chocolate haven. Too many choices of rich fresh and delicious chocolate treats.  

Waiting for the boat trip, watching the shadows of this fair city.

Skyline of towers.

Classic building designs.

Hidden gardens.

Slow boat tour around the old city.

Old brick walls.

Ancient fish market with a movable loom.

Ancient churches aglow with stained glass stories.

Old city gates.

Chocolate choices.

Great breakfast outdoors.

Back in our air b n b, with hand picked Belgium delights.

Day dreaming of a past year, and looking forward to a new year.

I woke up with a smile this morning. It snowed all day yesterday. We had about 8 inches of heavy snow. I opened my eyes in the morning and looked out to a winter wonderland. Our trees were covered in the heavy snows. The sun was out and the sky was a winter shade of light robin egg blue.
As the day progressed the snow started to melt and drop off the trees at a very slow pace.

The world is crazy right now. I can not control politics, world leaders, or stop the wars. All I can do is control my inner self and keep my soul open to love and thoughts of peace.

Highlights of our trip to Amsterdam 2015

Looking for sunshine in Amsterdam

Traveling can have its challenges when it rains cats & dogs and soaks into all your cloths. What better place to be naked and under the covers than Amsterdam?

But the next morning the sun came out and surprised us with a beautiful outdoor wedding. After lunch we back our bags and proceeded to our first Air B n B reservation.

Not our best find, but good location, on trolly line, near a University, Coffee Shop and great bakery.

We hopped onto the No. 10 trolly for a full city tour.

After we spent a long day sightseeing, we went into to a  brown bar and drank some local beer.

Amsterdam's canals pick up the sunshine and and bounce the light off the brick houses. There is an Amsterdam glow that is hard to explain. But, it does exist and it is very pleasant.

Bikes are a culture experience in this town. Look both ways before crossing any bike path in town.

Don't forget to smell the cheese before you move on.

Friday 6:30am Soft Rain Bird calling coffee almost ready

Our heat wave broke last night. The scoring heat is now soft rain in my gardens.

Unitarian Church in Newburyport Sign in Sun

First Gladiolas of the Season

Still life of Straw Hat with PINS

MS Becky Doodle almost smiling face

Plein Air Poetry Walk and Basho's Haiku in Harvard, Massachusetts

We went on a day trip to Harvard, Mass. to visit Old Frog Pond Farm  & Studio.

This beautiful organic farm is very peaceful. On the property is a wonderfully wild pond with lilies. Near the pond is a beautiful screened in Meditation Cabin which is well used.

I loved the art work and sculptures that graced the scenery.

There was a deep stillness on these grounds. 

It was an extremely hot day. The summer sun was at high noon. 

I found and bought organic blueberries and raspberries that had been lovingly hand picked early in the day. My poet friend  had just spent 20 minutes in the meditation cabin writing a poem for the upcoming Frog Pond's upcoming event: Plein Air Poetry Walk on Sunday, September 13, 2015. He was also thrilled to find fresh kale for sale. His eyes  sparkled  for either the poetry success or the kale.  Either way,  he was very happy to spend an afternoon in this magical spot.

Pictures tell a better story than words.

                                                           Furu ike ya                Old pond!                        
  Basho's Haiku                                 kawazu tobikomu      frog jumps in                    
                                                               mizu no oto                water’s sound              

Meditation Cabin with a water view

Apples growing on the farm fence

Hints for the Rain Goddess

Art works in front of the covered berry field

Little building by the dam

Along the pond walk way  

A very still dragon fly

Meditation about exercising with an iphone....

Ok, there is nothing you could meditate about while using an iphone. I am just trying to get your attention.
Stop, lock up your iphone, walk outside, and exercise. Listen to the quiet. Take deep breaths, smell the air and relax.

If only it were that easy.

 First of all, I really don't care to hear your private conversations from my garden, or while I ride my bike next to you. Yes, I am a baby boomer, and yes, my generation is going deaf-thanks to rock & roll concerts. But, why do people yell into their cell phones. Don't they want some privacy?

I LOVE my privacy. I am a private, introverted person, and love silence. Is that too much to ask of my fellow beings on this planet. Is there any silent zones left on our planet.

It used to be  that hospitals were considered "QUIET" zones. In the last few years, I have visited too many patients in hospitals.  An ICU is the most distracting place that I have ever been in. I guess that I watched too many old hospital shows in the 70s.  Computerized health care is just plain noisy.

I have always wanted to put a quiet sign in front of our house on its country road. Is that rude? Would it be taken away like my no spray mosquito sign from the 80s?

It is  just a thought, but, next time you are walking in the country, take the time to unwind and use no devises. Just you alone in nature. Open your eyes and see the beauty around you.

July Memories

On the 4th of July,  I turned 66 years old in Sedwick, ME. We rented a cottage on a pond and relaxed, and edged another step into retirement bliss. No worries, no time, no deadlines, just relaxation.
My favorite memories of this trip is the sounds that were all around us. The constant sound of the movement of water. The songs of the birds, the wood thrush, phoebes, and the loons. Some of our MA migrating warblers, were now parents and enjoying the wilds of Maine. The rains came and out came our books and picture puzzles. We cooked almost all of our meals, and ate listening to BBC radio.

No computers, no cell phone reception and no technology.

We went to bed early and work up even earlier. We both enjoyed the oddity of sleeping in twin beds across the room.

We sat out on the deck when at long last, the sun paid us a visit. We explored small towns of Maine, island homes, craft schools, local artists homes/shops, and farmer's markets.
We laughed, played and enjoyed each others company.

I no longer think that I am a young person. Neither my thoughts, clothes, or body have any thing in common with a younger person.  I do not regret growing older.  But for years, I have been in denial of who I was becoming. Some would say as I aged, I grow more and more like a crazy old lady.
So be it. It is an occupation that suits me very well.

So when I turned 66, I was given the biggest and best birthday card of my lifetime.  It was too large to bring home. But, I am still laughing about that card and how silly a spouse of 27 years can become; when he is relaxed, unstressed and in vacation mode.

View looking out an artist's studio onto the wide open blueberry fields.

After resting on my left shoulder for 20 minutes, this dragon fly cools off on the side of our cottage.

Best cherries in the world, ok life in Main is like a bowl of cherries. There I said it.

Old fishing lodge cabin door with reflections of the the pond.