one day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice—
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
“mend my life!”
each voice cried.
but you didn’t stop.
you knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
it was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
but little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do—
determined to save
the only life you could save.

~mary oliver

the path into the light seems dark.

the path forward seems to go back.

the direct path seems long.

true power seems weak.

true purity seems tarnished.

true steadfastness seems changeable.

true clarity seems obscure.

the greatest art seems unsophisticated.

the greatest love seems indifferent.

the greatest wisdom seems childish.

naps in my cozy bed

dinner parties

rainer maria rilke

doing nothing

fresh flowers in my kitchen

days with no agenda

cooking just about anything

sweet kisses

taking pictures

wrapping my arms around a loved one

ray lamontagne’s voice

long walks

spending an entire day outdoors

dancing til i can dance no more

soul vacations

my girlfriends

love’s many disguises

sunshine on my skin

i am fascinated with the cupcake. i find myself 

baking these big bites of sweetness just about

every week for a dinner party or girls-night-in.  

this is my latest creation: chocolate cinnamon 

cupcakes with chocolate chunks topped with

cream cheese frosting and dark chocolate shavings.

incredibly touching, beautiful video.

it is the opening of eyes long closed.

it is the vision of far off things seen for

the silence they hold. it is the heart after

years of secret conversing speaking out

loud in the clear air. ~david whyte

the magic of unanswered prayers.

life breaking its own rules.

things not turning out the way i plan.

freedom to be me.

true friends.

strength.

moments of truth.

authenticity.

experience and the lessons it brings.

instinct.

sunshine.

love. sweet love.

who said we have to be anything

other than who we are?

 being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,

while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

~lao tzu