...another auld lang syne...

the world is round

and the place

which may seem like the end

may also be the beginning.

~ivy baker priest

life as a journey.

life as safari.

life as a pilgrimage.

life as a garden.

life as the highest art.

path finders. prospectors. pioneers. detectives. explorers. archaeologists.

pilgrims. poets. sojourners. gardeners. artist of the everyday.

women of Spirit.

women of substance. women with style.

women who have lived the questions.

women ready to embrace the answers.

women who look great in hats.

that's why we wear so many different ones.

seekers of the sacred in the ordinary.

real life.

the mystical in the madness.

the holy mysteries of the mundane.

seekers of love. passion. wholeness.

authenticity.

where are we headed?

we're headed home.

ithaka.

but before we arrive, there are vast worlds awaiting exploration.

worlds within. worlds without. earth. Heaven.

Heaven on earth.

sometimes the terrain is rocky and the slopes steep.

sometimes the jungle is thick and its interior very dark.

sometimes the water is deep and the waves extremely rough.

do you see now why we need some variety in our approaches?

how will we know when we get there?

you'll know.

it's that simple. real things are.

are we there yet?

not quite.

but it's taking too long.

often it seems that way.

chronologically we're at the end of the year but the beginning of the journey.

not to worry.

we'll have all the time we need in kairos to find ourselves.

~simple abundance: a daybook of comfort and joy.

~sarah ban breathnach

this is the song that i am feeling right at this moment.

good-bye 2009

welcome 2010.

just BE.

robin.

...12.27.09...

"as the season of Believing seems to wind down

for the rest of the world,

please let me gently make something very clear.

many dreams still wait in the wings.

many aspirations are just within our grasp

if we keep stretching.

many hungers need nourishment.

many yearnings must be acknowledged,

so that they can be fulfilled.

many authentic sparks must be fanned before

Passion performs her perfect work in you.

throw another log on the fire.

this is not the day you quit.

this is not the day you cry.

this is the day you stare down

every naysayer in your life who doesn't get it yet.

because you do.

finally.

and now you know that faith is the substance of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen"...

..."so keep believing

that you have the passion,

intelligence,

brilliance,

creativity,

wisdom,

clarity,

depth,

and savvy to find that

quiet center of solace,

serenity, and strength necessary

to create and sustain an authentic life.

every day is the prayer.

an authentic life is the most personal

form of worship.

when you start believing,

you'll discover that all things

are

really

possible."

~simple abundance: a daybook of comfort and joy

~sarah ban breathnach

i think that we all

have that little voice in our head

telling us we can't do something...

we aren't good enough,

we aren't creative enough...

and on and on.

but

what if you keep saying to yourself...

i believe...

i believe...

i believe!!!

then maybe you will discover

that all things are possible.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...today and everyday...

...may your blessings continue to flow...

light + objects = shadows

HEY HARRIET

has more.

just BE.

robin.

...Merry Christmas...

if,

as Herod,

we fill our lives with things,

and again with things.

if we consider ourselves so unimportant that we must

fill every moment of our lives with action,

when will we have the time to make the long,

slow journey across the desert as did the Magi?

or sit and watch the stars as did the shepard's?

or brood over the coming of the child as did Mary?

for each of us, there is a desert to travel.

a star to discover.

and a being within ourselves to bring to life.

~author unknown.

so this is my Christmas wish for us,

that behind the toys,

tinsel,

carols,

cards,

and convivial chaos,

there will come a moment

of quiet reflection

and peace.

that it may be truly said of each of us that we know

how to keep Christmas well.

Merry Christmas!

and God bless us,

God bless us every one!!

~simple abundance: a daybook of comfort and joy

just BE.

robin.

...happy holidays...

from our precious SOLES

to yours.

~~~~~Merry Christmas~~~~~

Happy Holidays!!!

...The Goodenow's...

presents wrapped.

tracking santa via the internet.

soon we will be making cookies

to set out for him later.
games laid out on the table.

dinner in the works.

build a fire in the fire place.

enjoy the evening with the family.

read the story of Jesus' birth.

in just the glow of the Christmas tree

with the crackling of the fire in the background.

prepare for slumber.

Silent Night, Holy Night.

All is calm, all is bright.

Love to all.

just BE.

robin.

...fun in the sun...

i am off this week...

so it was adventure day

with snow, sun and camera.

what better way to

spend

the

day.

and then i

came in

and

was

warmed by

a

Christmas card

from

my california angel

joanne.

thank you.

what a yummy day.

just BE.

robin.

...after glow...

matthew decorating the cupcakes...

i see he still has some on his fingers...

birthday memories...

priceless.

just BE.

robin.

...happy birthday to me...

Sagittarius seem to be guided by luck,

good things happen to Sagittarius and this is usually because of their optimistic outlook and positive disposition which attracts good fortune.

Despite hardships, Sagittarius is always optimistic that good things will happen tomorrow and the future carries good luck.

Sagittarius have a vibrant, expansive personality that is free like a bird,

Sagittarius cannot be contained.

They are full of curiosity and they always look forward to the future,

never dwelling on the past.

Sagittarius are detached from emotions because emotions hold a person back,

they do not like to talk about their feelings,

they simply experience them and move on.

Sagittarius can be reckless and irresponsible

because they will jump at a suggestion

of something new before they weigh

the advantages and disadvantages.

Sagittarius make excellent friends because of their encouraging, positive nature and their kind heart that will do anything to make sure the friend is happy. They do not expect favors in return, their kindness is selfless. They do not interfere with other people's plans and they are never possessive or jealous. They treat others the way they want to be treated and life life based on a 'live and let live' policy, this makes them so agreeable. Sagittarius are excellent conversationalists with a good sense of humor, sometimes their humor is the raw truth, but these people speak their mind and don't hold anything back. What they say is what they mean, Sagittarius do not like mind games, it holds them back trying to figure out what is meant, they like straightforwardness and expect it in return. Sagittarius are known for saying the 'painful truth', but on the other hand, people know that they can trust what they say because they always say what is real. A Sagittarius never hides anything. Sagittarius are very likeable people. The only people that might not get along with them are people that live by a daily agenda with a highly structured, organized life. They are likely to always be running late and miss a date, but this is only because they are so forward thinking that they forget about the present. Tolerance is required, Sagittarius does not do these things on purpose, this is just who they are. If you understand this and accept this, having a Sagittarius in your life will make the sun shine a lot brighter.

i spent the day

just BE'ing.

robin.

...12.20.09...

find a place to relax.

arrive fully in the room,

in the chair or on the floor, and in your body.

relax your face, soften your jaw.

let the shoulders drop and feel relaxation move down the arms like honey,

warming the hands, relaxing the fingers.

relax the belly, legs and the feet.

feel the breath washing tension away.

let the mind and your breathing become one.

melt like a sugar cube in a warm cup of tea.

feel a warmth of benevolence wash through you.

feel your breath slowing and flowing

effortlessly like a river of peace through your body,

through your extremities,

through your spirit.

feel spaciousness replace tightness

and feel the limitations of your body merge

into the tranquility of space around you,

quiet and slow down your thinking,

let your thoughts float quietly above you.

don't struggle to turn off your mind,

just let the thoughts be transparent.

open you heart compassionately to your emotions,

accepting them and soothing them.

feel the well being of the body,

let it expand to all areas.

let the benevolent breeze transport your imagination to a floating reverie.

feel the body traveling high above the noise and tension.

see the world as small and the notion of calm

grow greater and greater, stronger and stronger

with each breath in.

with each breath out,

release struggle and see it fly away

like the release of doves.

feel the walls of your existence unfold into

the brilliance of a beautiful cosmos where entities are in existence solely

to sooth your tensions and nurture you with strokes of calming ointments.

get quiet,

still and eagerly anticipate that something

good is about to happen.

bring a favorite feeling to mind,

then to our body and spirit.

listen and watch for a symbol,

a word,

an essence,

a sentence,

or a vision

in this moment or in the near future.

one that brings you strength

and confidence balanced

with peace and surrender,

acceptance and compassion.

when one comes to you,

write it down.

post it or find an image of it to keep around.

or begin writing with this sentence:

"when i am calm i am gifted with..."

~the awe-manac: a daily dose of wonder

~jill badonsky

breathe in...

there are snowflakes

softly falling

through a slightly

sunlit sky today.

breathe out...

all is calm.

all is bright.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...believe...

I believe in a new days discovery.

I believe, in the beauty of nature.

I believe, in the kiss of the rain.

I believe that true friends are rare.

I believe in charity, without recognition.

I believe, in extending a helping hand,

to those in need.

I believe, in preserving the dignity of humanity.

I believe in the innocence of children.

I believe that one, should never let their heart,

do their thinking.

I believe, in the goodness of humanity.

I believe, that true trust, is like interest earned, on money in a bank...

it comes with the passing of time.

I believe in wisdom.

I believe in the beauty of a starlit sky.

I believe in promises kept.

I believe that America, truly is the land of opportunity.

I do not believe, that most dreams come true.

I do believe, that dreams can lead one to the path,

of ones inner desires.

I believe, that many listen, but do not hear.

I believe in honesty and integrity.

I believe, in a mothers love.

I believe in a fathers pain.

I believe, in placing ones family first.

I believe that many successful people,

leave in their path,

countless orphans of success.

I believe, when the sickness is sadness,

laughter is the cure.

I believe, that a good work ethic, can serve all of us well.

I believe in good wine and good friends.

I believe, in a time each day, to give thanks.

I believe in forgiveness.

I believe, if one can forgive a friend,

then surely, one can forgive family.

I believe in the power of the written word.

I still believe in hand written letters.

I believe the first cup of coffee in the morning,

is the best.

I believe...it's important to believe in something you care about.

I believe, in sanctity of life.

I believe that each day of life,

is precious

and a treasure of limitless value.

~ Joe Fazio

probably...

my most favorite

shadow so far...

light + object= shadow

HEY HARRIET

has more.

i believe?...

just BE.

robin.

...oh Christmas tree...

just BE.

robin.

...sarah...

i pledge myself to uphold

the high purposes of the

National Honor Society

to which I have been selected.

i will be true to the principles

for which it stands;

i will be loyal to my school;

and will maintain and encourage

high standards of

scholarship,

service,

leadership and

character.

woot-woot sarah!!

one of many proud moments.

yesterday.

today.

tomorrow.

just BE.

robin.

...12.13.09...

this year...

the gift of yourself...

this doesn't mean that we don't want to give of ourselves during the holidays.

Actually, that's what we're desperately trying to do. obviously,

we're not doing it very well.

that is why many of us end up feeling depressed and discouraged

as we pack away the ornaments.

how did Christmas slip out of our grasp, again?

this year why don't you try to give them

the

Right Stuff?

on the first day of Christmas, i gave to my true loves:

the gift of my undivided attention.

on the second day of Christmas, i gave to my true loves:

the gift of enthusiasm.

on the third day of Christmas, i gave to my true loves:

the gift of creative energy.

on the fourth day of Christmas, i gave to my true loves:

the gift of simple seasonal pleasures.

on the fifth day of Christmas, i gave my true loves:

the gift of tenderness.

on the sixth day of Christmas, i gave to my true loves:

the gift of beauty.

on the eighth day of Christmas, i gave my true loves:

the gift of communication.

on the ninth day of Christmas, i gave my true loves:

the gift of surprise.

on the tenth day of Christmas, i gave my true loves:

the gift of wonder.

on the eleventh day of Christmas, i gave my true loves:

the gift of peaceful surroundings.

on the twelth day of Christmas, i gave to my true loves:

the gift of joy.

"be ready at all times for

the gifts of God,

and always for new ones,"

meister eckhart urges us

in this season of giving.

be ready at all times

to give those you love the

simple abundant gifts of Spirit.

if you do, they'll

give you Christmas gifts

you'll never forget:

happy smiles and contented hearts.

and you won't want to exchange them.

~simple abundance: a daybook of comfort and joy

sarah ban breathnach.

may you not be hurried.

take time to enjoy

the simple pleasures

of the season.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...jack frost...

the shadows

here

are

subtle.

after uploading

the picture

from

my camera

i

see

jack frost.

he looks

mischievous

sitting on this branch of snow...

as if he is daring

the sun to melt

him.

but

that is not going to happen...

not at 16 degrees.

he is safe, if only for today.

do you see him?

shadows, shadows, shadows.

big, small, subtle, bold.

they are here again...

at HEY HARRIET

join in the fun.

see you there.

just BE.

robin.

...tending to your joy...

gloom we have

always with us,

a rank and sturdy weed,

but

joy

requires

tending.

~barbara holland

cold

snowflakes

lights

pine boughs

scents of the season

warmth

laughter

love

don't forget...

to tend to your joy.

just BE.

robin.

...kay louise compton engler blanchard...

grandma

one of the women of whom i spoke

of shaping my life...

finished her earthly journey

with my mom by her side...

in the early morning hours today.

kay louise compton engler blanchard

born june 10th, 1926

died december 9, 2009

memories: many memories

stringing buttons to make necklaces

cutting up wall paper sample books for projects

walking down skunky-hollow

the house on hewitt lake road

...Christmas's there

and summers.

the compton house in tustin

...sleep overs.

sitting out on the porch under a blanket listening to it rain

pineapple cookies

her love of reading books

doing crossword puzzles with a pen

her hair styled just so...

and one of the very, very few people...

who call me robie.

i was able to say good-bye

to her on monday.

she was still able to know us.

i kissed her head.

i held her hand.

i said good-bye.

we will see you soon.

just BE.

robie.

...12.6.09...

i open the door. the gorgeous guest

from afar sweeps in. in her hands are

her gifts--the gifts of hours and far-seeing

moments, the gift of mornings and evenings,

the gift of spring and summer, the gift

of autumn and winter. she must have searched

the heavens for boons so rare.

~abbie graham

december's gifts--

custom, ceremony, celebration, consecration--

come to us wrapped up,

not in tissue and ribbons,

but in cherished memories.

this is the month of miracles.

the oil that burns for eight days,

the royal son born in a stable,

the inexplicable return of Light on the longest,

darkest night of the year.

where there is love,

there are always miracles.

and where there are miracles,

there is great joy.

gratefully we weave the golden thread of the

sixth principle of simple abundance--

JOY

into our tapestry of contentment.

at last we embrace the miracle of authenticity,

changing forever how we view ourselves.

our daily round.

our dreams.

our destinies.

days we once called common,

we now call holy.

~simple abundance: a day book of comfort and joy

~sarah ban breathnach

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.

...borrowed shadows...

cats

do not think

that they

are little people.

they think

that we

are big cats.

this influences their behavior in many ways.

snowing big flakes today.

no sunshine fore casted...

well...for quite some time.

enjoy your sunshine

if you are lucky enough

to have some today.

enjoy the shadows

at HEY HARRIET.

just BE.

robin.

...11.29.09...

sarah a sherwood

born january 24, 1850

died in 1937

mother to:

hattie sherwood compton

born march 13, 1881

died november 26, 1969

mother to:

kay louise compton engler blanchard

born june 10,1926

mother to:

patricia june engler byers

born november 29, 1946

A Plain Life

by William Henry Davies
No idle gold -- since this fine sun, my friend,

Is no mean miser, but doth freely spend.

No precious stones -- since these green mornings show,

Without a charge, their pearls where'er I go.

No lifeless books -- since birds with their sweet tongues

Will read aloud to me their happier songs.

No painted scenes -- since clouds can change their skies

A hundred times a day to please my eyes.

No headstrong wine -- since, when I drink, the spring

Into my eager ears will softly sing.

No surplus clothes -- since every simple beast

Can teach me to be happy with the least.

if you whisper their name

they will not be

forgotten.

i stand proudly today

in the truth

that these are

the ladies who

have come before me.

giving life to who i am...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TILDA.

welcome to coffee hour.

welcome to this Sunday morning.

just BE.

robin.