Sun & Clouds – August, 2018 – Mars, PASilver Linings.
I was basking in the sunshine,
when darkness cast its shadow.
I looked up,
and sighed with relief.
When I saw the cloud radiating so brilliantly
with its irrepresible silver lining.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Blossoming Love.
It wraps itself around you
like vining tendrils
clinging tightly
sprouting delicate buds
that unknowingly unfurl
into beautiful blossoms.
Love.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
I took this photo at a beautiful outdoor wedding reception I attended this past weekend. This vining white clematis seemed so symbolic of the blossoming love of a new marriage. It also made me think about the blossoming love I have for my newest granddaughter – only a few weeks old – but who is so tenderly wrapping herself around my heart.
Early Morning- Mars, PA – July, 2018
Each New Day.
(Early Morning Observations)
Each new day
is another opportunity to
continue building,
add another layer,
strengthen the foundation,
claim your space.
Each new day
is a gift to
live and grow
and simply be
the uniquely wonderful you
you were meant to be.
Shine in the light
of each new day.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Bumble Bee in Red Petunia Flower Basket – Mars, PA – July 2018
What Would You Be?
What would you be
if you could be
anything you wanted to be?
Would you be
Kind?
Would you be
Loving?
Would you be
Compassionate?
Would you be
Understanding?
Would you be
Generous?
So many wonderful things we can be…
What would you be?
What are you being?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Fuchsia Flower – The Symbol of Overflowing AbundanceOverflowing Abundance.
Love abundantly.
Laugh abundantly.
Give abundantly.
Receive abundantly.
Work abundantly.
Play abundantly.
Live a life of overflowing abundance.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
There are some that believe the fuchsia flower symbolizes overflowing abundance. Looking at the abundantly-blooming baskets hanging on my front porch, I couldn’t help but be inspired to feel the overflowing abundance life has to offer. I hope you will think about it… if only for this moment…. and choose to live a life of overflowing abundance. Abundance because you choose to love and laugh and give and receive and work and play abundantly.
Starting a New Day in Mars, PA – June 29, 2018
Another Day.
Another sunrise.
Another beginning.
Another chance to smile
and make someone else smile.
Another chance to give
and also to receive.
Another chance to win,
but also learn to lose.
Another chance to change
something you didn’t do well yesterday.
Another chance to speak kindness
to someone who is lost.
Another chance to do something for the first time,
or maybe for the last.
Another chance to see and smell
and listen and taste and touch.
Another chance to hug
and say, “I love you.”
Another day.
Another chance to embrace the beauty of this life.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS – It is July 1st, which means World Watercolor Month begins today! I haven’t had a chance this past week to do any watercolor painting, but sure plan to do some this month (and hopefully today!) to share. Don’t forget you can support #WorldWatercolorMonth and The Dreaming Zebra Foundation by purchasing one of these Limited Edition WWM Souvenier Zippered Pouches with My “Terry’s” Yellow Canary Watercolor Design on it. 100% of proceeds on this product goes to The Dreaming Zebra Foundation! These flat pouches vary from small to large and can be used for pretty much anything. I’d like to give one of these away to one of my faithful followers and friends here at The Creative Life in Between. If you’ve read this far and would like entered in the random drawing, which I’ll announce the winner of next Sunday, just add a comment saying “Enter Me in the Drawing!” If you’d like to purchase one, simply click on the photo below.
Summer Sunday Morning Mars PA 2018
Perspective.
Walking back home from my next door neighbor’s
On a warm summer Sunday morning
After wading in a kiddie pool
And sipping pretend coffee
And chasing butterflies
Barefoot in the grass
I paused
And smiled
And gratefully sighed
And put things in
Perspective.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Foggy Morning – Mars, PA – June 2018What is the answer?
What are the questions?
Why is it happening?
What can we do?
The recent suicides of two very famous people last week – Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain – have brought back a lot of memories for me and have had me thinking a lot.
Those of you who have been around here for a while may recall I lost my brother to suicide a year and a half ago. He took his life two days after Christmas on December 27, 2016 by stepping in front of a train. He left a note stating “no Clarence for me.”
There are moments – some clumped together in periods longer than others – that I dwell in the sorrow.
I want to have some magical answer…. some greatly insightful advice.
I don’t want to just talk about it. I don’t want to just be sad. I want to declare the solution. I want to shout out the answer. I want to rid the world of this grief.
But I can’t find it.
Except to say let’s love one another.
Let’s be there for one another.
Let’s hug.
Let’s listen.
Let’s support each other.
Let’s hold each other up… allow others to lean on us, and allow ourselves to lean on others.
Let’s embrace our humanity.
Let’s accept each other.
Let’s accept ourselves.
Let’s belong to each other and to this world.
We are each here for a purpose.
Let us seek and declare and own that.
You are loved.
Keep on keepin’ on.
Love,
Jodi
Hanging Basket – Mars, PA
Bloom… Blossom… Grow.
Bloom boldy…
Blossom confidently…
Grow unceasingly.
Be the You
You were meant
to be.
Beautiful, blooming,
blossoming
You.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
PS If you are local to the Pittsburgh area, be sure to check out JJ McKinney Family Farm, where I purchased this gorgeous hanging basket.
Expect Surprises.
Around the bend…
on the other side of the bridge.
Along the edge of the road…
after the rain.
Before the “main event”…
in simple places.
In between the drops of rain…
when the sunshine peeks.
Look closely…
and pay attention.
Expect surprises.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
This photo was taken on the property of a country wedding we attended this past weekend. It was a several-hour, stay-overnight kind of trip to a remote place that was full of happy, special, loving surprises.
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