Ruminations from the Temple

"For each new morning with its light,  For rest and shelter of the night,  For health and food,  for love and friends,  For everything Thy goodness sends." -Ralph Waldo Emerson I always start out the same. Grateful. Oh, so grateful. I am grateful for a winter without the harsh, cruel snow and frozen landscape that used to reflect an inner reality. I am grateful for green leaves, fragile but brave flowers, and a gentle breeze that picks and plays with my hair. I'm grateful for knowledge, wisdom and new ideas to explore. I'm grateful for beautiful souls and minds that are willing to explore those ideas with me. I'm grateful for lofty things, but the mundane, as well. I'm grateful for coffee cups that make me smile. I'm grateful for college bookstores and clearance racks at my favorite clothing store. I'm grateful for comfortable shoes, and my warm, comforting robe. I'm grateful for products that make me feel prett...

Well, we arrived back home and I immediately went into Spring Quarter - slam! Now that I am enjoying the first break (Shabbat!), I can get these pics from our last days on the Oregon Coast uploaded. We truly had a glorious time in the glorious sunshine! a few snaps from the best place on earth we loved snoopin' around Fort Stevens and the bunkers there our day of exploring we even got in a hike through the lush coastal forest until next time...

It was a great day at the Oregon Coast - wish you were here!! We explored Fort Stevens State Park and Seaside in the sunshine - how glorious.  Here are some of my favorite shots of the day - our mascot. Hedge new growth at the bunkers at Fort Stevens the photog the coat rack at the South Jetty historic Seaside remnants of the Iredale butter pecan my old friend, the sun, in all its glory the soda fountain was popular today checkin' out some texture sunset #2

After a killer quarter, it's time for a break! How 'bout Cannon Beach on the beautiful Oregon Coast? Hope you enjoy some of my favorite pics from our travel day down to my favorite place - in no particular order... historic pilings in Astoria, OR feeling small next to Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach, OR beach bike beach walkers the view from our balcony spring daffodils in downtown Cannon Beach a couple of couples in Astoria sunshine and raindrops anchored in the Columbia pulling in Cannon Beach sunset lunch @ the Wet Dog Cafe, Astoria, OR (salmon & guacamole wrap - pretty tasty!) a mini flower that caught my attention what a fabulous way to spend spring break!

We have just enough religion to make us hate ,  but not enough to make us love one another. ~Jonathan Swift “You can safely assume that you've created G-d in your own image  when it turns out that G-d hates all the same people you do. ~Anne Lamott 10: Waiting 11: Wheels 12: Fear 13: Pleasure 14: Forty-two 15: Wood 16: Ordinary matters 17: Time 18: Fire 19: White 20: Bird 21: Moon 22: Portrait 23: Fish tales 24: Crowd 25: The future 26: My toothbrush 27: Nude 28: Outlier 29: Lines 30: The Devil G-D

Life is a cocktail of the mundane, important and tragic. This past year has been another turbulent year, but I am grateful for how it has ended. Peace rules my new home, compassion permeates each conversation and laughter rings throughout. Work is performed diligently, right behavior is valued and honesty is absolutely a must. I couldn't be happier. And I am loved unconditionally. Finally. The landscape of relationships in January 2012 were very different than what they are now. Over the months of this last year, heartfelt promises have been broken, hard-won trusts suffered betrayal and closely-guarded selfishness has been held to a higher priority than the difficult task of unconditional love. Required  and long overdue decisions needed to be made and executed, and I pray that all will benefit in the end. For I can say without doubt that I waited upon the LORD and His wise and loving direction. He was (and is) faithful. I thank the LORD for the relationships that have prove...

Tuesday, December 25th. No, I don't celebrate this holiday. However, the rest of humanity that lives close to me does. To that end, 99% of business are closed. Traffic is sparse and vacant parking lots are a little on the eery side. Nevertheless, we decided to get out and see what there was to see. I thought you might enjoy the sights of Christmas Day in the Northwest. Mmmmm ...desserts at Shenanigan's on the waterfront along Schuster Parkway headed towards Vashon a holiday feast for the duckage still green even without the leaves perfect accompaniment drippy snowberries destination reached a holiday walk in the rain view through the fence what a wonderful turn of events... yep, it's drippy, alright! after Christmas morning... sunlight peeks at Steilacoom as we head for home to find a gift waiting - how sweet! Peace, love and joy; acceptance, understanding, and the sense of belonging... f...