"Harmony, Charity, and Peace."

Little River, Newbury, MA

Springtime

Deep comfort of the Earth below you,

Vast joy of the Heavens above you,

Great peace of the Infinite within you.

"There Are No Facts Anymore."

Happy New Year


My thoughts are running like silent snow flakes from the sky.

The quote on my title page is from the comic (and I use this term loosely) Stephen Colburn who is interviewed annually  at Christmas time by John Dickerson on Meet  The Nation. 


Of course, the quote is about our incoming President Trump, who will become head of the state in less than two weeks.


After the interview, I started writing "There Are No Fact Any More" on a sheet of paper and continued rewriting the same quote over and over again. It was a compulsive act on my part. May be it was a stress releaser. If it was a stress relieve it failed because this morning,  as I sit at my desk waiting for a big snow storm to arrive, I kept re-reading this phrase. It rings so true in my mind.

There are not facts anymore.


People hear sound bits and believe these sound bits are the truth. If they are spoken on TV - they must be the truth. If they are Tweeted around the world - they must be the truth.

No fact checkers need to apply for the truth patrol as it has been eliminated.

I opened a small book on the Teaching of Zen edited by Thomas Cleary which was given to me by a dear friend. I randomly opened the book to the quote below:

"Truth and Words"

"There is originally no word for truth, but the way to it is reveled by words. The way originally has no explanation, but reality is made clear by explanation. That is why the Buddhas appeared in the world with many expedient methods; the whole canon dispenses medicines according to diseases."

Shih-shuang (986-1039)

The more the world changes, the less it changes. We never learn.

Floating Home in Essex Behind Farmham's Famous Clam

Day after Thanksgiving 2016 Friday

We had been invited to attend Thanksgiving with my sister and brother in law on this Friday. This Friday, the day after the entire nation celebrates Thanksgiving.

Day late and dollar lost I say. It is the type of invited that I hate to get.

I know that they don't want us around on Thanksgiving and that they are feeling slightly guilty. So, instead, they turn this invite around for us. It will make the driving easier for us- less traffic. Call me a traditionalist but, I can only do Thanksgiving on Thanksgiving day.

It just goes on & on . . . and I am tired of it all. Am I being selfish? No, I hurt and I am tired and I want the house to be quiet so, I can write and try to get out this election depression that is going around. Jack Jackson's Time goes By...listening on the computer to Pandora Radio Jack Jackson's Radio.

I had a long Aveeno Oatmeal Bath in my huge, double insulated bathtub which keep me warm after my skin of my fingers become wrinkle  & I see the future of my hands before me: wrinkled, cocked and old. On my face, I applied a think layer of honey from Trader Joes.  The honey is from Turkey and it is wonderful. It's color is golden yellow and it's taste has a hint of tarragon. It is lusciously thick, gooey, and quickly starts to react to my skin. It slowly will draws out chemicals, dirt and slowly, it will add moisture to my face. Jolly fun time I had.

Kissed my husband good bye and wished him a safe journey taking his almost 94 year old mother down to Cape Cod to have a day late Thanksgiving.

I proceeded to the living room and pulled out my favorite CD blues in the night;

the Johnny Mercer Songbook by Verve. Pulled out the double yoga matt and spread it out in my exercise cove.  My space is the bottom of an L of the living room. It has no doors, but, it has all my plants, cds, and coffee table books on an old & hand made wooden coffee table. It is my go to place. I read in this corner, I stretch here, exercise her, and most importantly meditate here. It is my go to quiet place.

I missed the Friday, Thanksgiving to go to this space. I need a day of quiet for my brain.

John Mayer is singing Free Falling on my computer. Nice touch.

How Can You Not Love Autumn?

I have always loved autumn the most of any of the seasons. Growing up it was about the piles of leaves, and watching my father rack leaves into a huge pile and then burn the leaves. I loved that luscious smell. Dad would look so big and strong as he keep his eyes on the burning file. I was so young.  The  weather would soon become chilled, and my mother would start feeding our winter birds. Some where mothers would be baking fruit pies and children would be excited from the sugary sweets. My mother did not bake. Why would you bake when you could find a perfectly wonderful pie in the freezer section of the local store? 

Quiet Spaces Which I Love

Newman Road, Newbury, MA is a stone's throw away from our home. The Little River gently flows though the marsh. In the winter time, the road will usually flood out. This land is protected and never will be built on.

We have  Glossy Ibis, Bald Eagles, and Willets visit this spot. One Thanksgiving years ago, we were away and some lucky birder spotted a Sandhill Crane.

Kayaks, small boats cruise through the marsh in summer. One must be careful to postpone boating during our Green Head Fly season in July.

A very fine quiet place to enjoy a summer day.

Through the Camera's Eye

My camera is always with me. Well, maybe 94% of the time, the Cannon is with me. Sometimes, I need to take a break and see with my eyes. The camera's eye is so permanent. I need to exercise my own imagination, curiosity,  and see for myself  life's little wonders. I need to tune up my skills, take time to smell the roses through my hazel eyes. 

Spring is one of my favorite seasons. It is a new start, fresh start, and the beginning. It is filled with new flowers, soft green grasses, and the desire to get out and smell the roses.

Newburyport Art Association Gift Shop Treasures

Opening of Judith Monteterrante Exhibit

View of Water Street from Art Association

Newman Road Marsh and Little River on Deep Green Colors

Viewing Nature from the Eyes of Norwegians

Clear, calm waters off the shores of Norway

The world is now a place full of hate and prejudices. How did we slide so quickly into thinking that new comers to our country are not as good as we are? These people are looking for a better life. A life without  war, brutality, and hunger.  Our country was made of people looking for a better life, a better opportunity for their children, and freedom to speak out against tyranny.  America has always been a blend of many cultures that have blended together over the decades into one strong country.

Cod is King in Norway.

I wish that we could educate our people to be less consumer oriented and be more directed to the joys of nature around us all.

Elf Fiord

Sailing around Norway on one of its many mail boats was a thrill of a life time. I have always found a comfort of strange sorts being above the Arctic circle. Up north there is  NO Big Box Stores, Cell phones don't work, Northern People experience Nature in her full beauty. They don't try to change her. They are kind to nature. They respect nature. They work with nature. Life can be harsh in this barren,cold world. Summer is a time to celebrate life, nature, and joy. 

Norway's Arctic Circle Marker

People in Norway enjoy the quiet solitude of nature.  American's are so busy talking on our cell phones, we are so self absorbed that we never think about nature. We do not honor its beauty. We do not protect its scenery. We could do well to learn a few lessons from these Northern neighbors.