The magic of music

When home this weekend I have been listening to NPR & several times there have been tributes to the music played for President Obama's inauguration. The magic of music tends to be that it resonates within one's soul . The lyrics are important too and the combinations of words & sounds is undeniably powerful.

 From "Simple Gifts" by Elder Joseph Brackett: 

' Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,

'Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn , turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come round right. 

The fun of flying flags

I set up the flags today ( the small  one comes from my maternal grandparent's house)  in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Day today & the inauguration of our  44th President tomorrow. I think people are excited about Mr. Obama because he represents our hopes & dreams. One of my dreams is for peace. Everywhere. Always. 

Which way to go?

As an artist I love signs. I love type. I love handwriting. Perhaps I even love graffiti-sometimes. It depends. Growing up in N.Y.C. there was a time when graffiti was everywhere . It presence has  diminished & it's artistry has as well. But one can still find interesting pieces here & there & it gives the sights a little interest if it is done well. Here are some examples found today:often overlooked  words scratched into cement-usually names and often followed by the lovely symbol of a heart/an unusual spray painted tag (it struck me as calligraphic in nature:as if it was done by pen stroke rather than spray can nozzle ) & the common street sign-perhaps it is pointing out the way to go in life rather than "just" the flow of traffic on the street...?   

More lovely snow

Early this morning we got more snow and as I looked out the bedroom window this serene scene caught my eye. A neighbor's collection of flower pots gathered against a wall-asleep & waiting for spring. 

LOVE

From today's walk: LOVE. Sometimes, it CAN be all you need. 

P.S. The green glass "love" is from a NYC waterside park & the image was added on 6/ 5/09

Peaceful ...

Some sights inspire a sense of peace-the very last leaves,still clinging to a branch in deep winter. A small creature going about it's day. 2 scenes from today that inspired a quiet,calm feeling when they caught my eye. 

P.S. If you are feeling restless or down or in any way out of sorts-go for a walk & take your walks in nature of some sort. You will return to home/work/life feeling so much better. I have found that over time, walks in nature have the same effect as doing yoga or meditation-a sense of happiness & a perspective of  compassion for whatever is going on & driving you out of balance & center. 

Peace in 2009

In the 1st day of the new year -a road trip . On the way, a peace sign we spotted on a car in front of us. As we drove to our destination, the sun began to set for the first time in 2009. Sun sets (and rises) tend to be great moments for tuning in to a sense of quiet, peace & beauty. May everyone's 2009 be filled with many lovely sun sets!