MOMENTS OF BLISS DIVINE!

 Responsibilities keep piling up, so much to do and sometimes not enough time to get everything done and that's why we as humans need "moments of bliss divine." There's nothing wrong with putting everything on hold and allowing yourself to do nothing or almost nothing. 

Although the new year is still young, (only the second month of 2024) I have dealt with sinus issues that have exhausted me and given me brain fog, than shingles suddenly manifested themselves and a couple weeks later, I had a hard fall on a not so comfortable cement sidewalk.....ouch!!!!

I had enough setbacks so on Sunday I booked a round trip bus ride to one of America's most beautiful places, "Glen Arbor." What an absolute gift to spend the day in nature with the scent of pine trees, the sight of an occasional deer, a crystal clean freshwater lake with crashing waves, and air so fresh that the lungs feel instantly rejuvenated. So peaceful and serene and amidst all the nature are a few remaining shops and restaurants that didn't take a winter hiatus. Everyone I encountered that Sunday was cordial and kind. I felt like I had entered another planet, far from the rat race.

                         Inside "The Mill" a quaint cafe, surrounded by nature!
                             

THE MILL, this was the climax of my one day getaway. A woman name Suzy saw me walking along the road. I had encountered her at a coffee shop when I was inquiring about directions to The Mill. Suzy stopped her car and said "Come inside my car, I know you're heading to The Mill." We chatted during the short drive, I thanked Suzy and I entered the doors of The Mill. What a place, so rustic, yet regal with its large dining space filled with tables, a glowing fireplace, and wide windows radiating light from the outdoors. I found a table near the fireplace and proceeded to the counter around the corner to order something to eat. 

What service! The staff was beyond polite and even offered samples of their legendary sourdough crackers. The woman who waited on me was so accommodating and even offered suggestions on the menu. I ordered a salad with grilled sourdough bread and pouched eggs and was told that my meal would be delivered to my table. I was given a number to take to my table. I went back to my table and began writing my short story in my notebook, observing all the people around me enjoying their time. A few minutes later, I sat on the couch next to the fireplace and chatted with some guys from Romania. Soon after, a server brought my plate of food to my table. It was bountiful and tasty. I was even given a jug of pure spring water to drink.

Two hours later, feeling warm and happy, I left The Mill and walked one mile to The Homestead Resort where I was to meet my bus driver. I made it just in time. What a blissful day I had full of warmth and kindness, and the weather for early February felt like Spring, not Winter. 

Feeling stressed? Feeling overwhelmed? Allow yourself a getaway to melt away your worries and have some fun. The perfect balance in life is work and play. Wishing you all moments of "bliss divine."

Unexpected Moments! (A Pizza Afternoon)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON, OCTOBER 15, 2023

Isn't it heart-warming when something is given to you unexpectedly? Such was the case for me yesterday when I took a seven mile drive to a nearby town called Elk Rapids. It felt good to walk around town, spend time at the library, local shops, and public beach. I was ready to head home but my boyfriend suggested that I bring back a pizza. 

Elk Rapids has a few places for pizza but on this day I decided to try a place I'd never been to before. It was a cozy family style cafe with the word "pizza" displayed on the window. I stepped inside, walked over to the counter, and asked the employee at the counter if I could order a pizza. "You can have this pizza for free," said the female employee as she pointed to a full service pizza warmer filled with a variety of different pizza slices.

I couldn't believe my ears. Did she really say free pizza? Moments later, the sweet young employee put several slices of pizza into a large pizza box and handed it to me. I was really grateful for the box of free pizza slices and thanked the employee for her kindness while putting a few dollars into the tip jar.

Before heading home, I sat on a bench near the water and ate two slices of pizza, thinking to myself how wonderful that there are still people and places on the earth where kindness is extended to a stranger. Later when I arrived back home with pizza for my boyfriend, he indulged in the pizza slices as I confessed to him that he was eating pizza that I received for free.

A Saturday Afternoon Eating Tasty Free Pizza Slices, now that's what I call unexpected moments of bliss.

PIZZA DAYS ARE SO MUCH FUN!

VEGGIE BURGER MOMENT!

Yesterday was a scorcher, shade is what I opted for. Later though a friend asked me to accompany him to his storage unit. Bad mistake, he stopped at McDonald's to get two Big Macs and an Iced Mocha. The service was terrible. Not only did he have to wait at the drive trough but when he got his order it was a mess. His Big Macs were drenched in special sauce and the staff messed up his coffee order, giving him a hot coffee in 90 degree weather when he specially ordered an iced mocha. When we pulled out of the drive thru I was surprised that he didn't complain to the manager but he didn't. Instead his frustrations caused him to drive over the speed limit for several miles causing me a near heart attack. Through a miracle I made it safely home but I was filled with anxiety so I got on my bicycle and heading to a trail.

That trail led me close to my favorite fast food restaurant "CULVER'S." Part of me knew I shouldn't splurge on a veggie burger but as a belated birthday present to myself, I broke down and got the veggie burger. Needless to say, I enjoyed every bite of that veggie burger. I was hoping to only eat half of it but when I sat down at a table to take a few bites, I just couldn't stop. CULVER'S is a Midwest fast food chain headquartered in Wisconsin. Their food isn't really healthy but for fast food it's the best choice. CULVER'S serves everything from grilled chicken sandwiches to salads to fish dinners, butter burgers, and flavorful frozen custards. They have French fries. onion rings, Wisconsin cheese curds, mashed potatoes, cole slaw.....but it's the VEGGIE BURGERS at CULVER'S that please my tastebuds.

If you ever find yourself filled with anxiety a little comfort food won't hurt. Considering that my bicycle ride to CULVER'S was five miles each way, a ten mile round trip bicycle ride when the temperature was now lingering at 80 degrees, I burned plenty of calories.

WHAT COMFORT FOOD DO YOU ENJOY EATING?

WHATEVER IT IS, ENJOY YOUR MINDFUL MOMENTS EATING WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY!

HAPPY SUMMER 2023!

IRIS AND JOE, DUCK AND DOG, BEST OF FRIENDS WHO BRING JOY AND LAUGHTER TO ALL!

It's been a long time since I've laughed. I guess it's the stresses of everyday life that have prevented me from finding humorous moments because responsibilities are all around me. However that all changed this past Saturday when I had a reunion with my two favorite animals, Joe, the lab dog and Iris the pekin duck.

I first me Iris and Joe at a ski lodge in Northern Michigan when I was visiting a friend named Jimmy who was the assistant manager of a ski lodge called Mount Mancelona. Joe was the dog who belonged to Sam who was the manager of Mount Mancelona but Iris was a lost and lonely duck who found her way to the ski lodge and became part of the family. I clicked with Iris and Joe immediately and had so much fun with them. Iris was constantly following Joe everywhere and clinging to her best friend at all moments. Never in my life have I witnessed a duck loving a dog so much. This bond between duck and dog inspired me to write a story which is currently being illustrated and when completed will be sold on Amazon Kindle.

This past Saturday my friend Jimmy took me to Sam's current house (the owner of Iris & Joe) who was away for the weekend and asked Jimmy and I to come check on Iris and Joe and keep them entertained for a few hours. Oh what fun it was to watch duck chasing dog along the shores of the beach and even into the cool icy waters. Iris and Joe were so delightful to watch with all their adventures that all I did was laugh and laugh. I laughed more on Saturday, the 11th of March 2023 than the whole year put together thus far.

THE BENEFITS OF LAUGHING:

Burns Calories, Decreases Stress, Strengthens Immune System, Improves Mood, Reduces Pain, Increases Positivity & Lungs Get Rid of Stale Air, Allowing More Oxygen to Enter!

Wow!!! With all those benefits, we should all be laughing more. Thank You Sweet Iris & Joe for bringing moments of LAUGHTER! Now my only wish is for your story IRIS & JOE to be successful so you can bring happiness and laughter to others.

BASK IN MOMENTS OF LAUGHTER!!!!😆😀😊😍😆

Envy/Jealous Moments

It's been six months since I posted anything. Now that it's a new year of 2023 I decided to write about something that hits me all the time, "jealousy." I know it's wrong to be jealous but sometimes it can't be helped. An example is KW, those are the initials of someone who I'm envious of. KW is the music director at the church I sometimes attend. I decided to join KW's choir because we met in passing one day in the church hall and had a stimulating conversation. KW invited to join the choir and I felt so intimidated by her on my first day of choir. Everything about KW is perfect. KW studied music at a prestigious school in Rome, Italy and received her Master's Degree from there. Not only does KW speak impeccable Italian but she's a first rate pianist, organist, and singer. At the age of 25 she's happily married, has adorable children aged one and two, and has a fantastic career. KW has older people in her choir that have life experiences and wisdom yet when KW talks, I feel like a tiny person with no brains or wisdom. KW seems to outsmart everyone around her.

I know it's wrong to be envious and jealous but I'm so much older than KW and a huge failure compared to her. I've never been married or had kids and for years I tried to find success in the performing arts field only to be rejected constantly. It's sad to be my old age and so unaccomplished compared to the impeccable KW. I wonder why life as to be this way, that one person gets all of earth's treasures and another just has one disappointment and rejection after another. As I begin the new year I'm going to try real hard not be jealous of others BUT it's going to be hard. Life isn't easy especially if one is always at the bottom, feeling like a reject. Do you every feel envious or jealous? Moments of envy and jealousy are bitter moments. 

May we all find some sort of comfort in the new year of 2023 that brings us peace, love, and happiness!

Moments of Bliss (Remembering the 27th of July)

There's something special about late July. It's still summer and the summer moments appear in different ways; amusement parks, bike rides, fresh squeezed lemonade, picnics on the beach, swimming in a lake, ocean, or outdoor swimming pool, eating ice cream, picking blueberries, enjoying the sunshine, boating, paddle boarding, camping in the woods....there's plenty more to add to the list. I even remember coming across "Late July" organic crackers in an adorable box that I loved eating in late July. Now the company is famous for their "Late July" tortilla chips available nationwide and I'm certain sales are the highest in late July.

I have my reasons for liking the 27th of July, my favorite uncle was born on July 27th, I had one of the best days of my life in Vermont on July 27th, and today on July 27th I did some incredible swimming in a pure fresh water lake, got to paddle board for free. was treated to a meal at a Mexican restaurant by a friend and found the perfect dress and shoes for only $25.00.  It is moments like these that we can really be grateful and give thanks for those blessings. Yes, life is a rollercoaster of ups and downs, highs and lows, good and bad.....so when special days come along that brings some bliss, we can treasure those moments and keep them in our memory.

Everyone deserves "moments of bliss." Happy Summer wherever you are, and yes there are parts of the world where's it is winter, not summer but you can still have "moments of bliss" in all seasons.

LATE JULY PRODUCTS EXIST TOO:

LATE JULY: Nicole Bernard Dawes founded Late July Organic Snacks in 2003. I vividly remember being in a natural foods market in Manhattan, NY and stumbling across a box of her crackers. They were cheese crackers and they were delicious. I wrote Nicole a letter praising her for her amazing product and packaging. The printing on the box of the little boy with his dog on the beach was in fact her little boy. Nicole was so grateful for my encouraging and letter of praise that I received a personal letter back from her with a case of LATE JULY ORGANIC CRACKERS included as a gift.  The company now generates over 100 million in sales. So you see, good things happen in Late July. 

Happy Birthday to those born in JULY.

Music Moments with Kellie

When we get depressed it can sometimes be challenging to stay motivated but it's important to keep moving and to keep trying. Yesterday I decided to drop in on choir practice and was so enchanted by the new musical director at the church named "Kellie." I was in awe of how she conduced the choir. This beautiful and young 20 year old is so musically gifted. She can play the piano, organ, and violin, her singing voice is lovely, she knows Latin, and her method of teaching and conducting music is impeccable. Kellie inspired me so much yesterday at practice that my insecurities vanished, and my singing voice returned to its professional sound, making me realize I can still sing. Hooray!!!!

Kellie will have much success in her life because she's so hardworking. She hasn't even received her college degree yet, one more year to go but this woman just doesn't stop. She's so motivated and driven, and remains so grounded despite her extraordinary talents. Thank You Kellie, for being so inspiring!

When we have moments of doubts and depression, it just takes a bit of motivation from others to keep going and not giving up. 

Wising everyone success in their life journey!