First Day in Bermuda (And there is no snow)

I arrived this afternoon in Bermuda. My first time. The flight from Newark was a bit under 2 hours. Getting through customs was painless. The cab ride to the Fairmont Southampton took about 20 minutes. The roads are very narrow and of course, they drive on the wrong side of the road.

Most people do not realize that Bermuda is actually off the coast of North Carolina. So while not as warm as some of the Caribbean islands right now, there is no snow. And that is what this Chicago Gal is looking for - no snow. Currently the daytime temps are in the 60's - Paradise.

In this shallow cove, the water was cool but there were a few snorkelers.

Here are a few photos of the Southampton beach. And please note - no snow or ice - Paradise.

Sitting on a sandy beach is blissful joy.

Shedd the Winter Doldrums

Intent on escaping the March doldrums, my friends,  Diane and KC, and I spent the day at the Shedd Aquarium.  We realized that it had been maybe 20 years since we had last visited this Chicago institution. Yes, before the beluga whales. The Shedd Aquarium has been around since the early 30's and is located on the lakefront just south of the Loop.

Definitely buy your tickets online ahead of time. We also paid for the Behind the Scenes tour. This was very interesting but not for younger kids, in my opinion. The volunteer guides were very knowledgeable and one gets a deeper appreciation for all the support activities involved in caring for the thousands of fish and mammals residing at the aquarium. Walking behind the tanks was very cool.

The aquatic show was amazing but I could figure out how to take photos on my smart phone without triggering the flash (which is not a good thing for animals and trainers alike) so I only have one shot of the beluga whale below.

We ate lunch at the cafe overlooking Lake Michigan. Food and service were good and the view was outstanding.

We all gave the experience a big thumbs up!  Here are some photos:

There were lots of different species of turtles to view.

The penguins were great.

Beluga whale at aquatic show.

I just thought these guys were screen saver worthy.

There was beauty at every turn.

Peacefulness at Fallingwater

Recently I was able to visit Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob - two homes designed by Frank Lloyd Wright located southeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Both homes were designed to fit into the landscape. As I walked through the homes, I experienced a wonderful sense of peacefulness. The design harmony is very powerful.

I learned that FLW refused to design homes with attics, basements or garages because he believed that these areas promoted clutter which was anathema to him. He has a point.

If you are in the area, I strongly recommend visiting both Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. It is an enriching experience.

Entrance to Kentuck Knob. The stone is locally quarried Pottsville sandstone. (The bus is not actually parked in the house, that is a reflection in the glass door,)

Window detail in carport. FLW was ok with carports, just not garages.

Garden patio area at Kentuck Knob.

Fallingwater

Fallingwater extends over Bear Run. A stairway extends down from the living room so that one could dangle ones feet into the creek if one chose.



Yes, Fallingwater is cantilevered over a water fall. Prepare to be peacefully astonished.

Moon Over Benzie

Here is a photo that I snapped last night around 9:30. We were taking a drive on a forest road in Benzie County, Michigan, and the moon was shining so brightly through the yet barren trees and reflecting off remaining patches of snow. It was quiet. It was beautiful. It was peaceful.

Splash that Paint!

I am loving this!

Strolling in Austin

I spent the evening of this St. Patrick's Day in Austin, Texas.  My companions and I were taking an after dinner stroll through the downtown area. The balmy evening breeze was in sharp juxtaposition to the temps we had left behind in Chicago. Yes, we estimated that it was about 60 degrees warmer in Austin that day. It was the last day of an annual city wide music festival and the side walks were still filled with music fans. Even the panhandlers were grooving to the tunes.  Life was easy. Life was good.

At one end of Congress Boulevard stands the Texas Capitol building.  It's an impressive sight.

I now know that Austin is the Live Music Capital of America. Everywhere you look someone is hauling about a musical instrument.

It is true that the purpose of my visit to the Texas capital city was to attend a day long business meeting. Hopefully, this meeting will have positive outcomes.  However, what I will remember and cherish is the hour of laughter and exploration with my compadres along those sidewalks. In the end, what really matters are those moments of joy that are infused into our every days.

What moments of joy did you experience today?

Aligning Gratitude with Action

What could be more joyful than the birth of a grandchild? I have been so blessed!

 

I am grateful for this child, named Alexander Joseph. I am grateful for his parents.

I am grateful for a family with whom I can share this joy. And I am grateful for the many friends with whom this joy I also share.

I am grateful to have lived long enough to hold my grandchild in my arms and to experience his precious essence.

I believe that each life is a gift. God’s precious  gift. It is a gift not to be squandered.

Each of us has a choice. We can see our life as a precious gift .. or not. If we choose to see our lives as a gift, as uniquely special, then how can we be anything but grateful?

And does not this extraordinary gift of life deserve profoundly deep gratitude? And does not then this profoundly deep gratitude demand a response? If yes, then how do we choose to respond?

I choose to live each day in a way that acknowledges my gratitude. I choose to connect my gratitude to my daily living. My intention is not to squander my finite days, but to live each day with appreciation and joy.

Typically, each grandparent believes his/her grandchild to be extraordinary. And I am no exception .(Just  listen to the amazing way he burps!) But I also know that each child born is special and deserves both love and nurture.

One way that I demonstrate appreciation and joy for my life is to provide financial support to children less fortunate than my brood. It is one of my daily practices of gratitude to financially support children in other parts of the world. I see it as aligning gratitude with action.

This is just one way to align gratitude with action. Small steps of gratitude infused with action can make a huge difference in others’ lives.

I urge you to live in gratitude, to live in joy.

 

P.S. There are many worthy organizations that offer financial support for disadvantaged children throughout the world – usually under $50 per month. One organization that I support is TLC Barefoot School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Check it out at www.thebarefootschool.com