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Settling In Amid Peaks and Valleys
1 CommentLast week I promised that I would share my impressions of moving from the northeastern part of the U.S. to the town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I came site unseen since my husband relocated several months prior to my coming.
My original poem begins on the East Coast – and this segment picks up as my husband, son and I drove into Steamboat in a fierce snowstorm the day after Thanksgiving, five years ago.
(The form is a little different due to digital formatting challenges) but never-the-less every word is as I wrote it).
Settling In ~ by Sue Batton Leonard
Relocating, arriving like dandruff on shoulders,
a sprinkling of sugar, dusting about
dancing, leaving polka dots on
peaks and in deep valleys,
marking the panorama, a white capped day
ill-timed to some, peaceful, sparkling to others
trailing like ribbons of baby’s bonnet
freed from summer heat, a white capped day
insulating earth from hoarfrost of winter
playground for skiers, aggravation for vehicles
skidding and sliding, driving the
business of living
steep and deep canyons, icing tiered
high, champagne to play in, romantic visions,
a Christmas rose, welcome alpine
guests of a white capped day
effervescent spirits, chilling exteriors
covered, absolute abundance
paralysis, blocked highways and byways
igloo walls till spring thaw
children naively playing, blizzard conditions
pompoms on powder puffs, feathery scarves,
woodstove fed and red-hot fired,
melting spikes of a white capped day
sit and snuggle, aside a blazing fire
top the chocolate with whipped cream. A cherry.
till next fall, remember, a white capped day ~
Wishing You and Yours a Happy Holiday Season! Do return tomorrow to
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Phased by the Moon
Leave a comment“Aim for the moon. If you miss, you might hit a star.” ~ W. Clement Stone
I’ve been tossing and turning for the past few nights, thinking it was anticipation of the holiday season and my preparations for it. I don’t suffer from sleep disorders except when there is a full moon. My circadian rhythm gets thrown off. This is the last full moon of the year 2013, called The Long Night’s Moon and it leads to the coming of the Winter Solstice (on Saturday, December 21).
Appropriate to the lunar cycle, let’s take a look at movies about the moon on this Film Friday. If you follow this link, there’s a list of 25 films that have celestial themes. http://bit.ly/JSRr6E.
I look forward to the coming of the Winter Soltice on Saturday! My husband will be on his way back from his travels. He’s been coaching ski racing at the World University Games in Italy.
Our son will be arriving along with his gal, a delightful guest to have over Christmas. It’s seems like it’s been a moon’s age since I’ve seen him but it’s actually been 7 full moon cycles. They’ll find fresh perspectives by taking a break from their work. http://bit.ly/QiidY4. There are all kinds of fulfilling things to do in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. They’ll be over the moon, skiing their hearts out.
Next week my blogging will be little less frequent so I can enjoy this precious time with my family. We’ll be all tucked in under one roof for the holidays. How sweet that will be.
Do return on Monday, to the blog of www.CornerstoneFulfillmentService.com. A space where independent thoughts, words and views are all part of the business.
Literary Benevolence
Leave a commentMore than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness.~ Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) Comedic Actor, Filmmaker, Writer
Happy Thoughtful Thursday. Today I am thinking about seasonal opportunities for sharing literacy. If you are a library patron or a book lover, these ideas might appeal to you – acts that you can do for others that will mean a lot.
- Write a literary letter from a beloved literary character about the true meaning of Christmas.
- Leave post-it notes in random places with uplifting quotes from inspirational writers.
- Pay off someone’s late fees at the library
- Drop-off free, pass along books on buses, at a table in a restaurant, on a park bench, in a senior citizen center.
- Pick-up an extra newspaper at the newsstand and give it to the person behind you in line.
- Arrange a book swap in a public place and invite anyone walking by to join in, even if they come empty handed. Make sure you have a good supply of pass-alongs.
- Put a pass-along book in someone’s mailbox, gift wrapped. What a nice surprise!
- Create a gift for a loved one – a Shutterfly book of memories. www.shutterfly.com
- Check out an extra book from the library and take it to a shut-in.
- Set up a Book Angels program in your community to give new or gently used children books at Christmas time.
Photo: Book Angels from www.deviantart.com
These random acts of literary kindness can be given at anytime of the year but will especially be appreciated during the holidays.
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Putting Faith in a Move
Leave a commentYou block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.” ~- Mary Manin Morrissey
This winter marks my fifth year in Steamboat Springs, CO. I’ve enjoyed it immensely. I like the positive energy of the people – they seem to live with purpose and intention rather than just going through the motions. Healthy mind, body and spirit is the focus in this place of awesome beauty. Besides recreation, the arts and entrepreneurship reign supreme. The people are so friendly and there is always something to do in this community. The wonderful library is a hub of activity. I’ve gotten quite involved all around.
Friends and family ask me all the time “Do you think you will live there the rest of your life?” Since I can’t answer that, I’ve decided I’ll live with the attitude that my mother-in-law used to have. She always said “you live till you die.” Alrighty, then! So I’ll say “I am here till I go somewhere else.” By the way, my mother-law fulfilled her promise by living to the ripe age of 92.
Next Monday on All Things Fulfilling I am going to share a piece of writing from a creative writing class I took last winter. It’s about first impressions – arriving in this town of Steamboat Springs the day after Thanksgiving, five years ago, sight unseen. People ask me all the time – “How did you do that? Move to a place you had never seen before?” My reply….”I just put faith in the fact that I would like it.” And so it happened, just like that!
Here is a great article called Living with Faith and Making a Great Landing. http://bit.ly/18wEp9O.
Do you have a story you could share about taking a leap of faith? Start writing!
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Virtuous Names
Leave a commentChristmas is the keeping-place for memories of our innocence.–Joan Mills
I’ve often wondered whether a women who bears a name like Hope, Grace, Faith, Charity or Patience are generally more highly-principled than someone who bears a name like Cruella de Ville, Brandy Alexander or Fannie Hill? Do people feel pressured to live up to the virtues of their names?
Likewise, if you live in a town that sounds lovely and festive, is life a little different? Are crime rates lower in cities and towns in nice sounding places? After all, people may feel the pressure to live with Christmas spirit or good intentions year-round.
What do you think? Is there is a higher quality of life living in places like these:
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Angels Camp, CA 95222
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Bethlehem, PA18016
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Blessing, TX 77419
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Christmas, FL 32709
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Faith, NC 28041
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Hope, NM 88250
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Joy, IL 61260
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Nazareth, KY 40048
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Noel, MO 64854
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Saint Joseph, IL 61873
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Saint Mary, KY 40063
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Santa Claus, IN 47579
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Shepherd, MI 48883
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Snow, OK 74567
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Star, ID 83669
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Wiseman, AR 72587
I ponder if these places are any closer to paradise than any other cities? If we could peek into the lives of the ordinary citizens in these communities, do you think life would be any more fulfilling than other places on the map?
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Film Friday: Advent Movies
Leave a comment
Let’s approach Christmas with an expectant hush, rather than a last-minute rush.” ~Anonymous
Sadly, for some people, the holidays are not a “feel good time.” It can be a time of loneliness, desperation and depression for the elderly, those suffering from illness or isolation. Some individuals have few positive nostalgic memories to draw upon to buoy them and help them feel festive and in the mood for celebrating the season.
The good news is that we are in control of our own emotions and we can do things to help raise our own spirits. http://bit.ly/18kHEB0.
Watching “feel good” movies lifts the mood because they offer a diversion from the stresses of everyday life. Here is an article that offers some suggestions about good movies to watch during this season of Advent – the season of waiting and anticipating. The films are not tagged as “Christian movies” but rather movies that provide hope, inspiration and the arrival of better things to come.
They can all be ordered thorough Netflix or they may be available through your local library at no cost at all. http://bit.ly/1drWmUA.
Have a good weekend, and enjoy the season doing whatever brings you personal fulfillment during the Advent season. I’ve got a busy weekend planned preparing for the arrival of our son. Counting down in anticipation.
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What’s Inside Counts
1 CommentGod’s gifts put mans best dreams to shame ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Happy Thoughtful Thursday! I am going to keep this blog short and sweet. Check out the touching short Christmas story I’m posting through a link. It’s only a few brief paragraphs and worth reading. I promise it will make you think twice about the spirit of Christmas and the gifts you put in a box.
The story is called The Gold Wrapping Paper. http://bit.ly/18xB44Q.
May other thoughtful, meaningful stories bless your life during this holy season!
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Simply Nutty Holidays
1 CommentIts a gift to be simple, Its a gift to be free,
Its the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
Will be in the valley of love and delight. ~ Elder Joseph
Does anyone roast chestnuts anymore? My Dad used to roast chestnuts for us kids over an open fire every year in our big stone fireplace. That’s just one fulfilling nostalgic Christmas memory from my childhood. I am sure he thought it didn’t mean a thing to us, but I remember it vividly – the earthy, nutty flavor sprinkled with just a tad of salt. I liked sitting fireside, watching the flames flick and flicker as he tossed the nuts around in the pan to keep them from burning. I haven’t had roasted chestnuts since.
A few years ago, I saw chestnuts in the store during the Xmas holidays, and I got all excited. I bought some and brought them home, I thinking I’d give it a go by roasting them in the oven. http://www.wikihow.com/Roast-Chestnuts. They were such a disappointment. The nuts, I realized, once I got them home were old, dried and shriveled up even before I popped them in the oven. Into the trash they went. “So much for that,” I thought.
Isn’t it strange how small memories from childhood stick with us? Christmas doesn’t always have to be about extravagant giving. I’m sure you’ve heard it before. “It’s the thought that counts.” Put extra time into other kinds of gift giving such as creating unique, memorable gift wrapping, setting a beautiful table, cooking food that you delight in having only occasionally. Rather than insanely rushing around trying to do too much, spend sacred time with your friends or family. It will mean so much. It’s difficult to enjoy the Christmas season, that comes just once a year, if life is too harried.
~Simplify~
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A Russian Winter
Leave a comment“Art is the right hand of Nature.” ~ Friedrich Schiller
Last Friday evening as I participated in the First Friday Art Walk, I felt as if I was living in the Russian valley of Oymyakon, the coldest permanently inhabited settlement in the world. The twenty below-zero temperatures seemed to have been heaven sent to provide a full-bodied experience for my emersion into the Russian art exhibition that opened that evening at the Steamboat Art Museum. The Russian paintings, on loan from a single private collector, are nothing short of magnificent.
“The Russian Experience” is a beautifully curated exhibit. I’d like to compliment artist Rich Galusha who really took great care in the placement of the paintings even painting the museum walls to accentuate the work – a job well done. And the Russian musical compositions that John Sant’Ambrogio played on the cello complimented the evening.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the educational information that was posted in the museum about the history and various styles of Russian Art. It was interesting to note that most of the artists did not reside in Moscow or St. Petersburg, but rather, they came from small, remote villages throughout the country.
As cold as it was on Friday, I wouldn’t have missed getting out. After all, my husband’s photography debut exhibition along with other student’s work from ColoradoMountainCollege’s digital photography class was next door to the Steamboat Art Museum at the Chief Theatre for Cultural and Performing Arts. http://www.chieftheater.org/. The student’s work will be at the Chief Theatre all month long.
If you are coming to town this winter, don’t miss out on stopping by the Steamboat Art Museum http://www.steamboatartmuseum.org/ and take in “The Russian Experience.” It will be available until April 12. The frigid blast will have passed since we don’t often see temperatures this low for long periods.
Thankfully, as I strolled the streets going from gallery to gallery, I found some hot cider at the Wild Horse Gallery to warm my inners. It was much appreciated!
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