Truffles and Tea

What is it about friendship that is universal to all ages? I don’t know these children…but I do know these children…or rather, I know and understand their connection to each other. With a true friend, you can sit on the ledge of a stream and silently feed the ducks together. And when your sippy cup “accidentally” falls into the germ infested stream, you watch silently together as your Mum finds a long stick to rescue the sippy cup all the while fretting about whether it’s worth it or not because the ducks use the stream as a litter box…and you don’t even have to say a word to each other but smile and silently confer about who will throw the next sippy cup in the water to watch the drama replay itself. Ahhhh….the Joys of Childhood!!

Cheers,

Cathy

Forsaken, or not. Light, shelter, companionship. As I roamed the market yesterday conveniently immersed in my own world my eyes fell upon this worn bucket with a few forlorn yellow squash inside, presumably calling it home. The light was perfect. And I thought, are we ever truly forsaken? At times it may feel that way but the truth is, there is always light, in the darkest corners, shining rays of HOPE. And so it is. Where there is light and shelter and companionship, there is hope. Literally and figuratively.

Cheers,

Cathy

There are stories, and then there are stories. Some have words, some don’t. Hands tell fascinating stories without any words, at least in my opinion. While I was intently photographing eggplants at the market yesterday, this farmer struck up a conversation with me. Her words, echoing her gentle yet knowledgeable voice, danced in the wind bustling around my ears, but the most amazing story came from her hands…slightly weathered with a light dusting of earth. From the way she handled the eggplants with  natural confidence to the way she peeled back the leaves to reveal a perfect white star against the brilliant purple skin, I sensed years of being grounded in the earth and a deep cognitive relationship with vegetative plant life. Her wealth of knowledge, it seemed, came from years of experience.

At once I was struck by her raw beauty and glistening eyes as she shared a knowledge so ingrained and so natural that it rang sweetly in the cool crisp air. I remember each word she related on how to prepare these sweet lovely Japanese eggplants…but even moreso, I shall remember her hands, and the richness of the story they told me, even without the words.

Cheers,

Cathy

Dreams happen overnight. A whisper. A yearning. A hunger so deep…sometimes known… sometimes vague…but always there, deep within the soul, longing for expression. Dreams manifest at different times for different reasons, and always when they align with the blueprint of life. At least that’s the way it is for me.

I am a dreamer. Maybe too much of a dreamer. I follow my instincts while my muse weaves her joyful rhythm throughout my waking and dreaming moments.  I dream about world peace. Kindness amongst nations. Food for the hungry. Through my creativity, how can I serve others?

What is your dream?

Life happens and yet our dreams shape it. Sometimes, you just have to let go. Live. Take risks. Dare to be different. Dare to be happy. As I continue with my life, my art, my blog, my friends…my dreams are awakening.

Awaken…..To your Dreams….

Frosted Mug by TrufflesAndTea
Create custom Travel mugs at zazzle

I will donate all profits generated from sales of this “Awaken The Dream” mug to “World Food Programs” http://www.wfp.org/

Cheers,

Cathy

Sometimes my life gets cluttered. Responsibilities, work, demands, stuff. Sorting through these burdens makes my soul weary and tired. Today I was not feeling my usual energetic self. My creative inspiration was lacking. I took a deep breath, grabbed my camera, and headed to the lake. Sometimes my life is so hectic I forget what beauty is right in my own backyard. I walked along the edge of the lake and quietly absorbed the beauty around me. It’s not the alps of Switzerland, or the artistic drama of Paris. But it’s home. It’s where my life is. And for this I am grateful.

Cheers,

Cathy

Moments blend and life adapts itself accordingly. Or so it seems. Last week I brought one of my dahlias inside and placed her in a lovely little crystal bud vase. There she sat innocuously on my counter in her hot pink splendor for a time until she blended into the decor. Her blend was so natural that yesterday I noticed although she had matured, her beauty remained in wrinkles so deep and so loving that they glowed radiantly in the rainbows dancing in the sunlit cyrstal vase. While we blend at times, our uniqueness remains within and without throughout our life. Thank you precious dahlia for sharing your wisdom with me!

Cheers,

Cathy