Thursday, May 31, 2012

Exiting May















as we part the merry month
we find ourselves renewed and refreshed
spring is almost behind us
summer just ahead
the ground is turned and flowers planted
blossoms just peeking through
displaying the garden's color aspirations
June’s prospects a sunny array
vacation plans are made
flip flops and sunglasses
the fashion of the day
sea and surf a day away
mountain hikes a drive away
BBQs for everyday
hot fun in the summertime
as we exit the month of May

Cathy

hot fun in the summertime:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tjcjF6I7qI


Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Forever Rose



Colors swirl
Blossoms cluster
The bouquet of the bouquet lingers

Beauty rare
Endearing floret
Today’s rose, keepsake of tomorrow

Pages pressed
Time slumbers
Memories treasured forever

*

Cathy

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Happy Feet






With the delightful weather that we’ve had this past weekend, it’s for certain that the flip flops have come out of the closet. Mix that with the necessary gardening and primping of the yard and you have one regulation ‘gardener’s delight’…dirty feet! It may not be the most attractive aspect of the summer, but it’s a definite ‘perk’ to the happiness of a gardener. A little dirt between the toes, add some water and you have instant ‘happy toes’.

It’s almost as much fun as being a child and jumping in puddles. Oh, what the heck…jump in the mud puddles….go for it! When you plant the seeds, stick them into the ground with your toes. Pack down the soil around the newly planted sprouts with your bare feet. Nudge the mulch with the side of your foot. When you’re done, rinse off your feet with the watering can.

Find a nice chair to lounge in or better yet, a hammock. Watch what sprouts up around you!



Cathy


Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day






To those who have served
To those who continue to serve
And to those to come in the name of freedom

Honor and prayers to all.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Three Little Words



Please and Thank You.

These are words of the greatest importance. They are some of the first words we teach our children:

“I want juice.”
“I want juice, please.” replies the mother.
“I want juice, please” replies the toddler.

Please say thank you” says the mother.
Thank you”, replies the toddler.
“Enjoy your juice” says the mother.




Social graces start at a young age. Being polite is more than just a social habit though. It is a sign of honoring one another. With each please and thank you is an act of love. “Pass the salt” may have an implied ‘please’ when at the dinner table, but isn’t it nicer to have the ‘please’ said to you? So often a ‘please’ is accompanied with a pause, a glance, a smile and definitely a wonderful memory. It’s a moment shared…love marked in time.

A stranger opens a door…Thank you. Please pass the menu… thanks. Do you have the time please? Thanks. What time is convenient for you? See you then, thanks. These courtesies let someone know that they are of equal worth and value as yours. As each child is important to this lesson received from his parents, so is each family member, neighbor, friend and stranger alike. To honor each person with this dignity is an act of love extended and multiplied.

Please consider this act in your daily life. The recipient will thank you and hopefully pass it on, an honor to your actions.

Cathy

Saturday, May 26, 2012

That Which Is New England






On this Memorial Day weekend, with the influx of tourists, vacationers and seasonal residents, please remember the common denominator….
the beauty of New England. The reason we are all here is our love for the great outdoors and the variety of land and seascapes. The scent of the ocean’s salt-spray or clean mountain air attracts our senses. From the majestic mountain peaks of pines and mountain laurel to the coastal scenes with the tidal pools and hermit crabs, we return like the swallows to Capistrano.

What we know as residents to the area is that the attention is to the details. It’s more than the scenery, it’s the ambiance of the whole packaged deal, the people, their hearts and their love for this area they call home. For home is where the heart is and our heart remains in New England.

As you travel through New England this holiday weekend, pay attention to the details…that which makes your heart happy.

Enjoy,

Cathy

Friday, May 25, 2012

Love Unconditional






What are your terms for love? Are there conditions, recommendations, demands or comparisons to the status quo?

Love is free. Love does not have attachments. It does not judge. It does not compare. Love does not make demands. Love is.

True love recognizes the love within another. Love recognizes the truth of a situation. Love does not get measured in the weights and measures of this world. It doesn’t upset the apple cart or get thrown off balance.

It just is. It is centered and always perfect. Love is harmony. Love is light.

Love is any and all who recognize its magnificence.

We are love.

Namaste

Cathy



Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Salt Water Taffy Day






With our extensive history of fun and sun on Cape Cod, I can’t think of a time when we didn’t share the fun with a box of salt water taffy. The mouth waters at just the mention of its name. Sweet, salty, luscious and creamy in glorious colors, taffy tempts the sweetest tooth.

Today, May 23rd, is National Taffy day. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than to grab a box of taffy and reminisce with the fun of it all.



Cathy







Tuesday, May 22, 2012

A Popcorn Day




I wake to the sounds of raindrops on the roof
Outside my window is the sound of wet tires on pavement
The rain is mild enough for the birds to still be chirping
No wind
There’s no need to turn on the weather channel
It’s a popcorn and movie kind of day



Cathy



Monday, May 21, 2012

The Lavender Forest



the cool morning mist
with the sun dappled dew
gives way to the lavender paths
*
the midday light
accents the rainbow rays
filtering through the trees
*
the evening dusk
casts protective shadows
blanketing with purple haze
*
as the new moon rises
into the night’s cool air
amethyst orbs awake
*
dancing with fireflies
as the starlights descend
fairies come out to play


Saturday, May 19, 2012

National Devil’s Food Cake Day






Today is National Devil’s Food Cake Day! Grab the mixer from the cabinet and get the recipe and ingredients from the pantry. For fun, grab a child to help you! There’s nothing like a decadent slice of cake to soothe the soul. Invite friends and family. Make a day of it. Don’t forget to lick the beaters and bowl!

Enjoy!

Cathy

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Bill Cosby: Chocolate Cake

Friday, May 18, 2012

The Mary Month of May





Last year we SMFs had our get-together in the month of May. With it we had our ‘May Procession’. The celebration was so memorable that we still speak of it with both fun and affection. This year we have moved our get-together to June. Our May Procession of this year will have to take place in our hearts.

As we have dedicated our good times together to Mary, from our school days to our current lives, so shall we do so again now. We celebrate with each and every day with our families, friends and community. With each meal shared, each child taught, each flower picked and each song sung, we continue to honor the values of Mary and the Holy Family. With each story told, and each tear shed and each laugh shared we live the lives of those around the world who know her in their hearts and mind.

Mary has appeared to many around the world in the name of love and peace. As these historic moments are recorded, preserved and embraced by all who welcome her messages of divine care, love and protection, may we continue to carry them with us into our daily lives as a means of sharing in her life of endless love and affection.

May is the month dedicated to Mary, Queen of Peace. Please carry the month of May with you year round.

Cathy


Thursday, May 17, 2012

Belonging to May




As the larger blooms of spring dominate the scenery, the azaleas, the rhododendrons, the dogwoods, we must take a quiet peek between their leaves for the splendor of the month of May. “Belonging to May” is one of the titles given to the lovely lily-of-the-valley. As the lilacs fade, the scent of this delicate flower with the iron will of Thor permeates the senses. A simple stroll by a garden or along a wooded path will bring you to this treasure of May. A few sprigs in a vase will brighten your home.

Go for a stroll, the scent will find you!

Cathy


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Alleluia






I found this beautiful video on YouTube. The music “Hallelujah” is written by Leonard Cohen and sung by Susan Boyle.

Enjoy,

Cathy


Monday, May 14, 2012

Beauty Within



Picasso "Woman in Mirror"


According to one dictionary, beauty is that which is manifested with high spiritual qualities. With that said and all of us being God’s children, who among us is not beautiful? Who among us has not been ‘graced’ with His presence?

Today I saw a commercial sponsored by Dove, promoting their Self-Esteem Program for girls. This program states: “Imagine a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety.” The commercial noted a study which indicated that girls loose interest in their hobbies when they feel self-conscious and distracted about their appearance. What is it that separates our connection to God’s beauty?

We have been prepared for life with the gifts of the Spirit. If they are not lived every day, they may be forgotten. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Gal. 5: 22-23) Surely beauty can be found in all these gifts. When we look for the beauty in another, we will find it. This in turn will bring out the beauty in you. Beauty is a cycle that must be lived.

Namaste,

Cathy

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"The spirit in me respects the spirit in you," "the divinity in me bows to the divinity in you," and others, are modern interpretations, extrapolated from the Sanskrit root of namaste.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste

Saturday, May 12, 2012

The Butterfly Spirit


The sun and sky paint the picture
The water and earth frame it
We dance through life
To define ourselves
Finding our butterfly spirit

Cathy

Friday, May 11, 2012

To Be Tolerant





To see through another’s eyes
To feel through another’s heart
To understand a different mind
To work through another’s hands
To walk in another’s footsteps
To love with a child’s hug
To accept without judgment
To wonder the glory of the world
To taste and know the bitter and sweet cup
To embrace the difference…
…and find your reflection within it

Cathy


Wednesday, May 9, 2012

A Million Wishes




What can be more wonderful than a wish in the making? It is reported that a genie grants three wishes. What can be more wonderful than three wishes in the making?

With the abundance of dandelions gone to fluff, what better way to spend them than to send them out with a wish. If you make a single wish on a single bit of fluff, then you can allow the other bits to be cast off into the wind anonymously to find the future owners of each potential wish.

This past week, my grandson and I met a nice young man of approximately six years of age at the playground. The two of them played tag and frozen statues until suppertime called us home. As we prepared to leave, they proceeded to pluck all the dandelions from the ground, make wishes and blow till all the fluff was airborne. I didn’t suggest this to them. It seemed to be instinctive.

“One last wish and off we go” I said.
This new friend said “I have made enough wishes for myself. I will now make a wish for you” as he looked at my grandson. “I wish you a plentiful college fund.”

I’m not sure I’ve heard of a more genuine and generous wish from a child. I looked over at his mother and said “That’s quite the boy you’ve got there!” I could only pick a dandelion, make a wish of “Ditto” for him, and send the wish upwards to the ears of heaven.

That day, more than one handful of dandelions was picked and about a million wishes were made as the three of us scattered them with a wave. I like to think that they floated above those in need of a wish and that they were all granted. As good fortune’s tales are told in the future, I will continue to think of that day and of wishes fulfilled.

A million wishes to you.

Cathy



Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Choose God, Choose Love

Choose God, as He has chosen you.

Cape Cod





The season is upon us
And the shores we know so well
Where sea spray greats our every move
And salty air cleanses our thoughts
Sunlight warms us and moonlight romances us
Along the beaches of Cape Cod
Our youth blossomed there
Our memories linger there
As we are called back over and over
To rejuvenate there
The sand beneath our feet
The shells collected in our hands
The roses along the footpaths
All tell us we are home
Terns, seagulls and plovers
Serenade our ears
Tides washing against the shores
Relax the senses
Sky meeting the ocean soothes the soul
As we harmonize with its nature
The company you keep along the way
Stimulates the friendships for all times
For these are the paths we have walked
And the memories that we share
Invisible footprints on the beach
Etched in timeless tales
Stories told and untold
For this journey of the heart

Cathy




Monday, May 7, 2012

In Balance



This weekend the announcement was made that Shaquille O’Neal was named Dr. O’Neal. “NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal received his doctoral degree in Education from Barry University Saturday morning alongside another 1,100 students during multiple commencement ceremonies at the James L. Knight Center.” Chicago Tribune

His doctoral project was titled:  "How Leaders Utilize Humor or Seriousness in Leadership Styles." I was impressed. Without knowing the body of work, I was impressed with the title and concept. It indicates that balance is the key to a good leader. There’s a time for humor and a time for seriousness when being a leader. Personally I lean towards humor, but both keep you in balance.

It’s always best to look on the light side. Examples from your own life can be the best way to relate to others. Examples cited from other’s experiences can be made from the same point of view of levity being the best path as we all have similar circumstances in life. Laughter is the best medicine. It helps to balance us especially when we can’t find the words to express ourselves. It’s wonderful to bring a smile to someone’s face. It’s the sign of a true leader.

Cathy                                                                                                                                    

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