My travels brought me to visit Del Mar in San Diego. Walking the town finds wonderful shops and places to eat. We chose Beeside Balcony, medittaranean fare.
Down the road, turn left on 15th Street, you’ll find a park going into Del Mar Beach.
Walk by the cliffs and step into the water and be welcomed by the surfers and volleyball clans.
What the heck, stay for the evening sunset and you may just get as lucky as we did watching natures performance in the clouds, sun, moon and Venus!
Follow the lead of the universe as a bird hovered above me encouraging me to spread my wings and fly!
Set in a suburb of San Diego, CA in the town of Vista is the Moonlight Theater. I was told the universe provided for me a perfect night and sight of the moon over the theater. The venue also has a lovely restaurant overlooking the park and restrooms.
Moon over Moonlight Theater
To add to the perfect weather and company was the performance of Beautiful – a story about Carole King, one of my favorite artists. She’s authentic and super talented – a true “natural woman.”
Finale of Beautiful
“You’ve got to get up every morning with a smile on your face and show the world all the love in your heart. Then people gonna treat you better, you’re gonna find, yes they will, cause you’re beautiful as you feel.”
My name is not a popular one. It has been fun having friends and family look for things which have my name on it. Who am I to them? Is that who I am?
Then of course there’s the beautiful Belinda Carlisle with her hit “Heaven is a place on earth. “ I love this association having a true love for music and dancing. I’m the gal singing and dancing in the kitchen or pulling up friends or strangers to dance when out listening to a band. What is it about who I am which brings out this pure joy every time I hear music?
Credit: Callie Harper for crocheting the Bee
Then of course there was my grandfather, David, who as a child referred to me as “Bee” 🐝. An endearing nickname as we would buzz around playing in his nursing home room.
But at the end of the day, I’ve learned to stop looking outward to others to define who I am. Not to be defined by a job or another person or reactions to discrete encounters.
I look quietly inward and better recognize that the closest to an explanation may be that “bee” my Nono referenced that dances around buzzing about. The experiences and interactions may necessitate me to react and adjust the buzz. If I need to adjust then I’m perceived in a manner which is not who I am. By definition therefore I am not how others perceive me and am not defined by any experience or reaction.
I am just Bee. 🐝
P.S. Happy Birthday to my son David (my grandfathers namesake). I love who you are.
Back for my third or fourth year to the American Roots festival at Caramoor in Katonah New York.
Great place for a picnic, wine, music, strolling and smiling.
Various musicians play around the landscapes of the property – each venue having a unique environment – from the picnics at friends field to the more formal Spanish courtyard to the contemplative sunken garden or theatrical Venetian theater.
Line up at each venue
Generally occurs the weekend before July 4th with the jazz festival at the end of July.
Sometimes it’s easier to trust animals than humans, Bud shared. Today it was reversed for me (city gal) as I ran from Wyatt, the sweetest Texas Longhorn who lives on Comanche Hill Farm in Bridgewater.
Comanche has one M (sign wrong 😉
We were introduced to the farm, Bridgewater Land Trust and Bridgewater by a kind man named Bud who has farmed here since 1972. He and his late wife named the farm an Indian name based on the three mountains in the distance colloquially referred to as the three sleeping Indians.
He laughed as he drove us around in his Gator and described to this NYC gal (me) the difference between a steer (Wyatt) and a bull (Parker), where the hay comes from and what a yoke is. We also met Smoke the Persian cat.
We were fortunate enough to then meet Steve, who owned the farm next door as a thunderous storm started to appear and I felt like I was in the Wizard of Oz as the bales of hay started to swirl.
We can’t wait to return as there was so much more to see in this lovely town with awesome farms and views. But most importantly it was the kind people willing to share the lands tills and toils.
Thank you Bud for welcoming a city girl into the “boonies” 😉
Gremlins in the basement, toilet won’t flush, foundation cracked and oil tank leaked. . . And it was a perfect day.
Finding the gremlins led me to the crack in the foundation.
The crack in the foundation led me to the oil tank leaking.
The toilet not flushing must have been due to the gremlins (reference to old movie 🙂
The inspiration started from the gratefulness I felt with it being a beautiful summer day so not having heat was ok, the leak was in the garage and not basement and for each issue leading to find another.
Most importantly it was the people I encountered. I felt kindness and gratitude towards each and they provided the same back. It’s rare to feel reciprocal positive energy – to find happiness and peace in the moment.
Share that smile and the love you’re hoping for to those around you with genuineness and authenticity and you may just feel the power of it coming right back you. That positive light shines just as brightly as the dimness of your darkest days if you allow yourself to give it out freely and unconditionally and be open to receiving it with similar intent.
Yesterday’s strangers can become today’s friends when greeted without skepticism clouding acceptance.
Be safe but feel confident and loved for who you are and it will boomerang back to you!
Thank you to family, old friends and new friends, neighbors, co-workers, workers on the house, athletic coaches and trainers and the driver who tooted his horn and waved at the music from my car 😉
One of the most liberating and joyful activities I find is to dance to great music. Straddling the age between early bird dinner and a night club, I was so happy to be introduced to a great Fairfield County 80s Rock Band called Tangled Vine.
Sails In Rowayton
Melanie the lead singer sounds like the original singers of every song she sings. She is officially an unassuming powerhouse. I had the pleasure of speaking with her, and while soft spoken, when she sings you can feel the passion in every note!
The drummer and guitarists (Kevin) each have their claim to fame and together they have established quite the following. When each takes their solo, the audience pauses and listens with enthusiasm.
Spotted Horse Shelton
I am proud to say I’m officially a “groupie” and have joined the following and have met and danced with some great people. While I especially follow during their happy hour events, even I stay up past my bed time for them and you should too!
Having misplaced the candles, I improvised the light with the morning sunrise.
There appears to be opportunity for creativity, invention and growth in what can otherwise be characterized as a constraint, limitation or even failure.
Nice fall walk by the Hudson River passing some historic references adds more interest on the Croton Aqueduct. This portion was in the Irvington-Tarrytown area.
Within a couple of short miles you see Lyndhurst castle – to include a former bowling alley, references to Washington Irving and of course the formerly named Tappan Zee Bridge.
After a walk, the Tarry Tavern in Tarrytown was quaint, a good meal and service – recommendations beet salad, scallops and Panna cotta (first time trying that).
I met a kind man on my hike today who has been going to this park since 1965 and was smoking a sweet smelling pipe (Captain Black Wild Cherry tobacco).
He shared where the beavers build their dam and how he comes by often to watch the changes. He was genuinely happy to share this piece of solitude and beauty.
Down the road was a short overlook trail of about 1/2 mile to a rewarding view of three of the mountain lakes surrounded by the peak colors of the season.
Recommend bringing a picnic as both areas have picnic tables perfectly placed for a full nature immersion.
Pivot and Pause in New England 