What a treat hearing your voice tell this story. Getting lost is full of adventure and excitement! With the ubiquitous use of cellphones, no one gets lost anymore! Much easier to find yourself if you get lost once in a while, I say! Back in the day before phones, the few times I visited New York, I’d get in a train, transfer to a different train, and then to another and randomly get off at a stop when the universe would whisper in my ear to do so and then go exploring. I met the strangest people and saw the strangest things and when I’d eventually head back to my hotel, leaving my fate in the hands of randos giving me directions, I felt like a a wise wonderer, a recorder of whimsy and adventure, a person worthy of regaling their grandkids with tall tales.
And I agree with Rocket, your photos are exceptional.
I almost missed this! Thank you, Tonika! Do you know that the only time in my life I felt I had a sense of direction was when I lived in NYC? Except for the West Village...all bets were off there! :) XO
I think when you are READY you will sit down and start your book. Sometimes just starting is the hardest thing, but... some say to write ONE paragraph every day, even if it's only the same thing over and over for a few lines, just to establish the DOING of writing. When the words are ready, they will come, whatever. It IS work, after all! ^_^
Blessings to you, my twin on the Right Coast... ;) I am so hoping for a place to eventually settle myself (staying with a friend and her tenants for now... It's family-ish.) that has somewhere nearby to WALK. I love it. Cold weather is good for the soul. TREES are divine. Birds are, too. And meeting the odd doggie on walkies is TRES BON!!! Bone? BON!!! xo xo
Thx for your 2 cents, Jaan! It's not the lack of writing so much as I don't want to write a (boring) chapter book. So, it's the format more than not having material. I hope to figure it all out this year. We shall see!
And hey— What about a book of these posts!? You could edit them down or expand them. You can include your photos. You can write new ones, and leave out stuff you want to leave out… Girl! It’s an OPEN THANG.
I just saw this again in Notes… So DON’T write a chapter book… Maybe there’s other things you’d like better (of course there are!)… Go with your intuition. And remember, you will not publish a book without having friends and others read it first. You’ll have a lot of chances for feedback (I call it “feedbag,” ;) ha), and if nobody else wants to be honest, send it ME. I am honest without being mean, and I know you have it in you, and so… Go for it, whenever you feel inspired. xo xo
Never worry about THAT, you'll know if it's boring or wahtever, when you read it. Just be yourself like you do here, writing these posts... Look how people love to read them. Fear is nobody's pal. YOU'LL DO FINE. 🥰
Thank you, Kathleen! I'm going to really try this year. Or should I say, "I'm going to do it this year!" :)
Regarding Cy Twombly, even when I was young, I always put letters, numbers, and text in my always-abstract art. I loved (and still do) to scribble. The first time I saw his art (by accident) was in NYC when I was visiting. There was a retrospective at the MOMA. I felt such a kinship with his scribbles :). I started to cry! I remember standing next to someone (teenager-ish) who declared, "I could do better than this!" I don't know what it was about his work that touched me so deeply. It appears childlike, yet it is so much more. Years later, I ended up on a trip that started in Rome (CT was American but had lived in Rome for many years.) I was only there for one day and asked the concierge where I could see his art. The concierge didn't even know who he was! I flew home the next day only to learn that he had died in a Rome hospital the day I was there.
I’m right there with you, Barbara. Thank you for giving us a kind of permission to observe our surroundings without too much guilt for doing so. After all, there is a story or a painting, a photo or a sculpture, or even an arrangement or making of any sort in everything we experience. Happy New Year!
If you would like extra confirmation: January 11 will be the day that the North Lunar Node Rahu — the Eclipse point, where the orbit of the Moon intersects the Sun’s Ecliptic — moves from Aries to Pisces across the 0 point of the Tropical Zodiac, completing its 19 year cycle 😉
As I started reading this lovely post, my first thought was all these forest walks are filling you up and some day, the words are going to spill right over. Seems the trees had similar thoughts today. I love your words both now and someday, when they’ll gather together in Pink Is Everything form. Your walks are potent and healing and the way you share them benefits us all.
Gosh darn! Barbara, you are the best photographer. I love your photos, They take my breath away. The ones of the pink sky and clouds are just stunning.
So actually, I do have something I'm working on. I've been doing some writing and getting ready to post some "stuff" on Substack, and I'm pretty nervous about it, but at my age, it's like "Now or Never". I think you are a wonderful inspiration because you write about such simple, yet beautiful and inspiring things. I was watching MASH the other evening and Radar had signed up for a long-distance writing class and he was learning all kinds of new vocabulary. He asked Hawkeye and Colonel Potter what their opinion was of his new style of writing and they both told him that it didn't sound like him at all, and they advised him to just be himself and write about whatever interests him. So, I think that's good advice for any aspiring writer, don't you? Best of luck to you in your book writing endeavor. I already know it will be a big success. You are so unique.
Omg, Rocket! I love that story about Radar (I'll have to revisit some old episodes!), and it is 100% true. I used to wish that my writing was more poetic, but then I realized that it's, like you mention, simple...like me, not in a bad way, just in an authentically me way, if that makes sense! I honestly NEVER thought I would be writing stories about my life. Never.
I can't wait to read what you're ready to share. I say Crone Power! You have a lot of wisdom and many more years to share it. Maybe we can inspire each other.
Thank you so much, Barbara! This reply couldn't have been better than if I'd written it myself, LOL! LOL! I love "Crone Power"! Simple is perfect! Simply Divine! xox
Happy New Year from your faraway "neighbour" in Victoria, BC. I'm a pink fan too and have a lot of pink touches happening in my apartment. As for cell phones ... I don't need a subscription ... I removed the SIM card and now only use my old iPhone for picture-taking and listening to music/downloaded podcasts. It's heaven !
Hi Madelyne, in Victoria, BC. I hope you don't mind me asking about what you said regarding using your old cell phone for picture taking. I'm very curious how that works. I have two old cell phones that took much better photos than the cell I have now and I have often wished I could use them. Is that really possible?
Hi Rocket. Since I don't have data on my phone, I just discarded the tiny SIM card and old iPhone still takes pictures and plays music. I use the usual computer connection cord to upload/download pics & music.
Here's a bit of into I found on the net:
:Yes, your phone can still turn on and function without a SIM card, but you will be limited to using features that only require Wi-Fi, like accessing apps, taking pictures, listening to music, and using most internet-based applications; you won't be able to make calls or send texts using your cellular network without a SIM card inserted.
Key points about using a phone without a SIM card:
No cellular service:
You cannot make phone calls or send text messages using your regular phone number as the SIM card is what connects your phone to a cellular network.
Wi-Fi access only:
You can still access the internet and use apps that rely on Wi-Fi connection.
GPS functionality:
Most phones can still use GPS to determine your location even without a SIM card. "
That's a great idea, Madelyne! I had a really old phone and wish I'd kept it! Thanks for sharing, reading, listening, and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it! XOXO
I've really only recently become a fan of the color pink. I gravitate towards orange and purple and maybe some mysterious shades of blue green. I love pink now and the color is said to have an interesting power. It can calm people and it can make some men physically weaker. So much strength and power in what is often named as a girly color. Watch out boys. Lolhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/your-personal-renaissance/201809/what-does-the-color-pink-do-to-you
Lol, thx, Heide! I will check that out. After my meditation, I learned that Pink is the color of the high heart. So many beautiful meanings behind it. I've become a fan...something I never would have believed. I realized when studying energy medicine that I tended to dislike the colors associated with whatever chakra was out of balance. Especially red (1st) and 2nd (orange.) It's all so fascinating and color is a powerful healer.
Thx for reading and for taking the time to leave a comment, Heide! XOXO
What a treat hearing your voice tell this story. Getting lost is full of adventure and excitement! With the ubiquitous use of cellphones, no one gets lost anymore! Much easier to find yourself if you get lost once in a while, I say! Back in the day before phones, the few times I visited New York, I’d get in a train, transfer to a different train, and then to another and randomly get off at a stop when the universe would whisper in my ear to do so and then go exploring. I met the strangest people and saw the strangest things and when I’d eventually head back to my hotel, leaving my fate in the hands of randos giving me directions, I felt like a a wise wonderer, a recorder of whimsy and adventure, a person worthy of regaling their grandkids with tall tales.
And I agree with Rocket, your photos are exceptional.
I almost missed this! Thank you, Tonika! Do you know that the only time in my life I felt I had a sense of direction was when I lived in NYC? Except for the West Village...all bets were off there! :) XO
😂 ah, the west village… I remember that hood.
Pink is also a sign of SOAP. ha ha haaaaaarf!
I think when you are READY you will sit down and start your book. Sometimes just starting is the hardest thing, but... some say to write ONE paragraph every day, even if it's only the same thing over and over for a few lines, just to establish the DOING of writing. When the words are ready, they will come, whatever. It IS work, after all! ^_^
Blessings to you, my twin on the Right Coast... ;) I am so hoping for a place to eventually settle myself (staying with a friend and her tenants for now... It's family-ish.) that has somewhere nearby to WALK. I love it. Cold weather is good for the soul. TREES are divine. Birds are, too. And meeting the odd doggie on walkies is TRES BON!!! Bone? BON!!! xo xo
Thx for your 2 cents, Jaan! It's not the lack of writing so much as I don't want to write a (boring) chapter book. So, it's the format more than not having material. I hope to figure it all out this year. We shall see!
Good luck to you this year! XO
Thanks!! Back atcha, Lovely, and I know you’ll follow your heart. xo xo
And hey— What about a book of these posts!? You could edit them down or expand them. You can include your photos. You can write new ones, and leave out stuff you want to leave out… Girl! It’s an OPEN THANG.
Yes, that’s my plan… 🥰
Sorry I am blathering on... I love your posts, that's why. xo ^_^
No apologies are needed! XOXO
I just saw this again in Notes… So DON’T write a chapter book… Maybe there’s other things you’d like better (of course there are!)… Go with your intuition. And remember, you will not publish a book without having friends and others read it first. You’ll have a lot of chances for feedback (I call it “feedbag,” ;) ha), and if nobody else wants to be honest, send it ME. I am honest without being mean, and I know you have it in you, and so… Go for it, whenever you feel inspired. xo xo
Never worry about THAT, you'll know if it's boring or wahtever, when you read it. Just be yourself like you do here, writing these posts... Look how people love to read them. Fear is nobody's pal. YOU'LL DO FINE. 🥰
Whenever you're ready. 🥰
Oh, Barbara!
Write that book - in fact I'm guessing it will flow out of you.
And I loved this story and your sacred grove space and following tracks that turn out to be your own. :-)
It's always, always a good idea to listen to trees. I know you know.
I have a sense that there is a big gift in this, for you.
And I hope the book has lots of pics of pink clouds.
The artist Cy Twombly was new to me - love his name - and I will check him out.
Lovely post as always. XOO
P.S. This video has dialogue... https://gagosian.com/quarterly/2018/03/28/cy-twombly-beauty-it-finished/
Thank you, Kathleen! I'm going to really try this year. Or should I say, "I'm going to do it this year!" :)
Regarding Cy Twombly, even when I was young, I always put letters, numbers, and text in my always-abstract art. I loved (and still do) to scribble. The first time I saw his art (by accident) was in NYC when I was visiting. There was a retrospective at the MOMA. I felt such a kinship with his scribbles :). I started to cry! I remember standing next to someone (teenager-ish) who declared, "I could do better than this!" I don't know what it was about his work that touched me so deeply. It appears childlike, yet it is so much more. Years later, I ended up on a trip that started in Rome (CT was American but had lived in Rome for many years.) I was only there for one day and asked the concierge where I could see his art. The concierge didn't even know who he was! I flew home the next day only to learn that he had died in a Rome hospital the day I was there.
In 2018, the Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea had a huge show of his drawings. I spent hours that day drinking it all in. https://gagosian.com/exhibitions/2018/cy-twombly-in-beauty-it-is-finished-drawings-1951-2008/
I'm starting to think that maybe I need to try to connect with Cy. What do you think?
Thx again for reading and commenting, Kathleen. I always love and appreciate your comments. XOXO
I’m right there with you, Barbara. Thank you for giving us a kind of permission to observe our surroundings without too much guilt for doing so. After all, there is a story or a painting, a photo or a sculpture, or even an arrangement or making of any sort in everything we experience. Happy New Year!
Yes! So true, my friend. See you soon! The Bear Den awaits. 🐻🥰
If you would like extra confirmation: January 11 will be the day that the North Lunar Node Rahu — the Eclipse point, where the orbit of the Moon intersects the Sun’s Ecliptic — moves from Aries to Pisces across the 0 point of the Tropical Zodiac, completing its 19 year cycle 😉
Thank you, Isaac. I wish I understood what that meant - I really do! Astrology toddler here...
11/2 is my life path number, which also seems significant. It's probably a good day to spend time in the woods, meditate, or write. :)
Good little summary of the Lunar Node axis if you are interested!
https://youtu.be/c1lGfhCF5u4?si=CqCRcpl54GJhpQKU
Hi, Wombat Dude! xo xo
👋🏻🐶
Oh! I love Pam!
I do, too!!
Thx, Isaac!
As I started reading this lovely post, my first thought was all these forest walks are filling you up and some day, the words are going to spill right over. Seems the trees had similar thoughts today. I love your words both now and someday, when they’ll gather together in Pink Is Everything form. Your walks are potent and healing and the way you share them benefits us all.
Thank you, dear Amanda! For your words and also for all of the cheerleading you've been doing for me this past year. You are such a gem of a friend! 💗
Gosh darn! Barbara, you are the best photographer. I love your photos, They take my breath away. The ones of the pink sky and clouds are just stunning.
So actually, I do have something I'm working on. I've been doing some writing and getting ready to post some "stuff" on Substack, and I'm pretty nervous about it, but at my age, it's like "Now or Never". I think you are a wonderful inspiration because you write about such simple, yet beautiful and inspiring things. I was watching MASH the other evening and Radar had signed up for a long-distance writing class and he was learning all kinds of new vocabulary. He asked Hawkeye and Colonel Potter what their opinion was of his new style of writing and they both told him that it didn't sound like him at all, and they advised him to just be himself and write about whatever interests him. So, I think that's good advice for any aspiring writer, don't you? Best of luck to you in your book writing endeavor. I already know it will be a big success. You are so unique.
I agree, her photos are WONDERFUL.
😊 TY! XO
Omg, Rocket! I love that story about Radar (I'll have to revisit some old episodes!), and it is 100% true. I used to wish that my writing was more poetic, but then I realized that it's, like you mention, simple...like me, not in a bad way, just in an authentically me way, if that makes sense! I honestly NEVER thought I would be writing stories about my life. Never.
I can't wait to read what you're ready to share. I say Crone Power! You have a lot of wisdom and many more years to share it. Maybe we can inspire each other.
Thx for reading and weighing in Rocket! XOXO
Thank you so much, Barbara! This reply couldn't have been better than if I'd written it myself, LOL! LOL! I love "Crone Power"! Simple is perfect! Simply Divine! xox
Happy New Year from your faraway "neighbour" in Victoria, BC. I'm a pink fan too and have a lot of pink touches happening in my apartment. As for cell phones ... I don't need a subscription ... I removed the SIM card and now only use my old iPhone for picture-taking and listening to music/downloaded podcasts. It's heaven !
Hi Madelyne, in Victoria, BC. I hope you don't mind me asking about what you said regarding using your old cell phone for picture taking. I'm very curious how that works. I have two old cell phones that took much better photos than the cell I have now and I have often wished I could use them. Is that really possible?
Hi Rocket. Since I don't have data on my phone, I just discarded the tiny SIM card and old iPhone still takes pictures and plays music. I use the usual computer connection cord to upload/download pics & music.
Here's a bit of into I found on the net:
:Yes, your phone can still turn on and function without a SIM card, but you will be limited to using features that only require Wi-Fi, like accessing apps, taking pictures, listening to music, and using most internet-based applications; you won't be able to make calls or send texts using your cellular network without a SIM card inserted.
Key points about using a phone without a SIM card:
No cellular service:
You cannot make phone calls or send text messages using your regular phone number as the SIM card is what connects your phone to a cellular network.
Wi-Fi access only:
You can still access the internet and use apps that rely on Wi-Fi connection.
GPS functionality:
Most phones can still use GPS to determine your location even without a SIM card. "
Hope that helps.
That's a great idea, Madelyne! I had a really old phone and wish I'd kept it! Thanks for sharing, reading, listening, and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it! XOXO
I've really only recently become a fan of the color pink. I gravitate towards orange and purple and maybe some mysterious shades of blue green. I love pink now and the color is said to have an interesting power. It can calm people and it can make some men physically weaker. So much strength and power in what is often named as a girly color. Watch out boys. Lolhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/your-personal-renaissance/201809/what-does-the-color-pink-do-to-you
Lol, thx, Heide! I will check that out. After my meditation, I learned that Pink is the color of the high heart. So many beautiful meanings behind it. I've become a fan...something I never would have believed. I realized when studying energy medicine that I tended to dislike the colors associated with whatever chakra was out of balance. Especially red (1st) and 2nd (orange.) It's all so fascinating and color is a powerful healer.
Thx for reading and for taking the time to leave a comment, Heide! XOXO