Fall Whisper...

This is my favorite time of year... I love the change, that breath of fresh,crisp air and that feeling of the coming stillness.

The light is so soft, yet somehow it seems to make bolder the vibrant colors of the trees on display.

I find it odd to recognize this trait in myself, because in Louisiana we do not have much in the way of a "change of seasons". So how did I, a child born of southern humidity, develop such an innate penchant for fall?

For me, the sensation come from deep within. This is not from just some surface longing for something cooler; but rather comes from some prehistoric, ingrained exposure... causing a need for life to slow and pause for a "cryogenic" state, of sorts.

Where not only the physical earth becomes dormant and rests, but where human longing grabs hold to make room inside for renewal and a review of life as we know it.

A space in time where people are allowed to wrap up, relax, snuggle and just "BE".

This place in time comes along with a balance of day and night, which further enhances a chance for rest and reflection. Maybe time near a fireplace or a moment to sip a steamy cup of tea...restorative, reflective, peaceful.

The season enfolds you like a lover and whispers softly, "slow down".

I am overcome with the look, spirit and feel of fall. I have given over to the whisper... I wish for us all, if only for a moment, a place in which to "BE"!

Words with Meaning!

My new word creation: "Compacity"

The word origin is caused by daily frustrations in the world, mostly at work, mostly for things that should not be an issue. This word is derived from a combination of the words compassion and capacity...

I should have compassion for your problem today!

I do not have the capacity to handle your problem today!

Therefore, I lack the "compacity" to deal with your problems today.... "GET A GRIP"!

Someone, please call Websters!

Inside...

What do you allow to bubble up from deep inside that seeps out through the cracks?

Where do you look when things are troubling?

What do you do when someone else needs your help?

Can you feel the colors inside of your life?

Would you stand up for your fellow man, or those who are less fortunate?

Can you stand up for yourself?

Have you been wounded? Have you been loved?

Do you know who you are? I mean who you REALLY are...

If you close your eyes, where do you go?

In the end, will others know who you really were or will they only know the facade?

More important than all of that, are you taking note of who you are now; of how your actions may speak more loudly than your soul?

Are you working to change those weak, elemental traits that you may not be so proud of?

Can you love freely?

Can you give without thought of yourself?

Are you accepting?

Can you state your beliefs proudly, without excuse?

Are you strong enough to look inside...

What do you see when you look inside?

Nooks, Crannies...and an Endless Hall of Light and Glass

Light, Shadow, Distance...

I wander around sometimes, in order to just point and shoot!

I try to sneak in places other don't generally go, like the long hallway above that leads to offices and storage. ( I actually sat there, on the floor for a while and looked out of the windows, it was so peaceful...not much foot traffic for the offices at all)

A couple of these are sneaky shots (not so public area's) in the Chicago Public Library and the wonderful architecture display is from one of my favorite spaces The Chicago Museum of Art.

Head Above the Water

We all seem to have stressful feelings these days. We fight and struggle with money, we tussle with not enough hours in the day...we find ourselves working more and missing more important time with our families. It never lets up!

Fact is, most of us are very close to drowning and we do not even know how to save ourselves, much less anyone else. Chances are no one is going to come along and throw you a life ring, because they are much too busy treading water!

Interestingly enough, many women I know who are full-time workers and mothers, wives "all in one fell swoop" are experiencing strong feelings that they are failing everyone.

We are mad at ourselves for not taking care of everyone with every little need, when we are not clearly aware of our own. We continue to gasp for air and flail about...

We beat ourselves up for feeling guilty about feeling guilty or for being depressed or ineffective.

We seem to be last on our own list, which does no one any good, at all~

We need to look around for the things that will save us!

And although it takes concerted effort, I think the first thing to do when drowning is relax!

Use your mind to control the panic, your body will float. Just give it a chance. Trust in yourself and the natural way of the universe.

Stop struggling, put your head back for just a second and let the tension go.

Breathe!!!

If you can just do that for a few seconds, your body will automatically begin to find natural buoyancy. Before you know it, your body works in unison with nature and surprisingly rises to the top. It feels sublime to let go!

We all need to struggle a bit less and learn to trust our higher powers, beliefs and a more natural course.

We all need to give in just a bit... and care for ourselves. If we can find a second to do that and give over the struggle for control, we may actually just take a real breath. That might allow us a bit of joy or some much deserved peace!

Relax, give in, give up and trust in something larger than yourself.

I promise, you won't go under!

Double Time

Silent time, alone with your thoughts is sometimes good; to get your bearings or listen to the voice within; finding your heart, soul or proper placement for the next laid footstep along your true path.

Somehow, my feelings shout, " double is better". Time with some one, intimate moments, secrets, smiles... with the person who knows you best. The person who is a witness to your life. Sharing, being together, it just seems natural.

Come and sit with me...

Things are blooming like wild, and the lovely creatures enjoy the nectar! Our weather is not as cool as we would like it to be, down here in the muggy south. But, for now the days are so clear and sharp one could just sit outside all day! The seasons are changing...

Last days of Glory

The final days before the earth ebbs to slumber and the ground cools from absence of a summer sun...My favorite flowers turn thier faces to the sun and give back a light from within...

I will miss them for awhile.

Shadows in the South

A beautiful view from the shadows of the South, peace in an outdoor church.

My DAD...

I have, in my relatively short life, suffered close personal loss on a few occasions. The type of loss that reels your spirit and knocks you to your knees... At the moment I feel as flimsy as an old bed sheet, just thin and fine, worn from years of use. I think you just may be able to see right through me.

As time go by the losses mount and before you know, it seems that you have as many connections to this world as you do the next. The bridge that spans across death and what will be our "end" here on earth, becomes more real, more concrete. It also becomes brilliantly clear that we will all march across that grate, unguarded, alone with our spiritual beliefs...with not one substantial clue as to what is really on the other side.

The comfort for some of us, lies not only in our religious foundations and beliefs, but in the comfort that if possible, there are people, angels, spirits whom we are intimately familiar with on that horizon of the next plane. I am beginning to use that image to comfort the unsettling thought of leaving this earth.

In all of the changes of my life, I have never been affected so much, as I have with the recent loss of my Father. He was ill, but doing fine for the moment. I was concocting holiday plans and had thought we all had more time with him; in an instant he was gone! I knew it the second that I saw him, he was just "switched off" by God. He never knew, he never suffered, he just left.

Such a gift and blessing to the big, strong man who was facing a serious decline as he fought his toughest battle with cancer. Not one to ask for help, his greatest fear was not being able to care for himself, if the disease was going to emerge champion over the physical being of this life.

I am overwhelmed by just how much I miss him...I am sending you love and prayers, Daddy! Meet me just on the other side of that bridge, when it's time!