G is for Grand Canyon

Though I have been lucky enough to visit several times, I am simply unable to come up with words that adequately describe Arizona's Grand Canyon.  

'Stunning' is a good place to start...'majestic' is also a true and undeniable description...yet neither of these begin to describe the visceral impact one feels upon registering its amazing beauty. 

For me, 'breathtaking' is as close as I can come to explain the sense of reverence I felt gazing into the Canyon's  cavernous depths. My breath, indeed my whole being stilled with awe the first time I saw this natural wonder, with its contours so intricately sculpted over millennia by the erosive forces of wind and water.

My eyes were all that moved, greedily taking in the vibrant colours, the statigraphic layers...the sheer magic of this place that is so unlike anywhere else on earth.

Before I ever saw the Grand Canyon from the ground, I saw it from the air, a large gash on the earth's surface that is shocking in its size.

 Of course, my camera and I were happiest to be right there peering over the edge of rocky ledges in an effort to gauge the full scope of its depth.

I was both amazed and delighted with the ever-changing mood and mystery of the Canyon as the day's light changed it from minute to minute. Layers that had been sharp and bright early in the day were later washed golden and hazy in the late afternoon sun.

 If I stood patiently enough, I could see the light change from minute to minute in its inexorable sweep across the Canyon, an elemental journey that has taken place in this spot for more years than we can begin to comprehend.

It is easy to be at peace here, where nature proceeds unhindered and all we humans are required to do is observe the process and accept with grace the fact that we're a part of something much bigger than ourselves.

I am linking up to ABC Wednesday...do stop by to visit many more takes on the letter 'G'!

http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.ca/

C is for Clouds

I'm told my head is often in the clouds...

 This is usually said in a fond way...but on occasion, it is clearly 

meant to bring me down to earth when I'm off in my own world of imagination.

I do know the real world must be dealt with. Jobs, children, laundry...all must be addressed with responsibility and attention to detail. If pressed, I can truthfully lay claim to being conscientious in my roles of wife, mother and working woman.

But it's also true that I'm fanciful, forgetful and easily distracted. I spend an inordinate amount of time gazing at clouds or lost in books...and I truly believe that daydreaming is essential to the soul.

My quest for balance is ongoing....

I will happily continue to

nurture my family and pull my weight in the world. I am loved, needed and appreciated in what I do. My life is, indeed, blessed.

 But I cannot..will not..neglect the free spirit who still becomes breathless at the sight of snow, and gets absurdly lost in thought, even in the midst of crowds.

I need her too much..need her wonder and optimism, her childlike ability to get up again when she falls and continue on anticipating the best. She is the balance in my life.

So if you catch me with my head in the clouds, don't be overly concerned.

Give me just a moment to dream, if you will. 

I'll come back refreshed, recharged and ready to take on the busy world once more.

I promise it will be worth the wait...

The photos above were taken on a 2010 trip to Mesa Verde in Colorado.

I'm linking today with ABC Wednesday. Check out the other entries from around the world at...

http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.ca

I'm also linking to Skywatch Friday. For wonderful skies, check out this link...

http://skyley.blogspot.ca/

A Special Treat

My clever, and very sweet, friend Elizabeth at Woodwings has gifted me with this award. I am lamentabley late in accepting it, in part because I'm not sure it was warranted! She said lovely things about me, and included my blog in the company of wonderful, talented women whose work leaves me in awe. I thank you for this, my friend!

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Elizabeth herself is the perfect choice for an award. Her paintings are winsome, witty and wonderful, and there is always an element of fun at play on her page. I suggest you stop by and visit with her for a while...you'll be glad you did!

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http://wood-wings.blogspot.com/

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To accept this award, I am to sum up my blogging experience in five words...a tall order, but here's what comes to mind!
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Community: In my brief time online, I have found that the blogging community has arms of love and acceptance that reach out unconditionally to embrace new friends as sisters.

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Commonality: We are the same at heart, regardless of surface differences, all of us needing trust, respect and gentle encouragement. These qualities abound in the new friends I have met through blogging.

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Creativity: Creativity can be the lifeblood of contentment, but was in short supply in my life for a long time. Now my artistic cupboards are overflowing with inspiration gleaned from the selfless sharing of ideas.

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Continuity: Bonds of family and friendship are the ones that matter most in the world. I have come to treasure the connections made, and continually strengthened, online.

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Constancy: Though separated by distance and circumstance, I am comforted to know that my blogging sisters are only a message away; that their kind words and support will provide a virtual hug whenever, and wherever, one is needed.

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My grateful thanks to the wonderful women who share their lives and their dreams with one another. As sharing is its own special treasure, we are each of us rich beyond measure in our blessings!

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Head In The Clouds

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I'm told my head is often in the clouds.

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Usually, this is said in a fond way...but on occasion, it is clearly meant to bring me down to earth when I'm off in my own world of imagination. I do know the real world must be dealt with. Jobs, children, laundry...all must be addressed with a sense of responsibility and attention to detail. If pressed, I can truthfully lay claim to being conscientious in my roles of wife, mother and working woman.

.

But it's also true that I'm fanciful, forgetful and easily distracted. I spend an inordinate amount of time gazing at clouds or lost in books...and I truly believe that daydreaming is essential to the soul.
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Balancing the dreamer in me with the competent adult has its challenges and I struggle to take care of both.

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I will happily

continue to nurture my family and pull my weight in the world. I am loved, needed and appreciated in what I do. My life is a good one.

But I cannot..will not..neglect the free spirit who still becomes breathless at the sight of snow, and gets absurdly lost in thought, even in the midst of crowds.

I need her too much..need her wonder and optimism, her childlike ability to get up again when she falls and continue on anticipating the best. She is the balance in my life.
.

So if you catch me with that faraway look in my eyes, don't be overly concerned.

Give me a moment to dream, if you will..just a moment. I'll come back refreshed, recharged and ready to take on the busy world once more.

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I promise it will be worth the wait...

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All photos above are of the big skies of Africa.

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I'm linking this post to http://skyley.blogspot.com/

Stop by for a visit and a view of skies from all over the world!

Friday Blessings

In spite of the problems and setbacks that mark our lives in these busy times, we have much to be grateful for. Too often, our appreciation is overshadowed by fear and doubt…we forget the wonders each day unfailingly presents to us in ways both large and small. I am making Friday a special day to count my blessings. Here are three things I am especially grateful for this week:
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1) A good friend: My longtime pal, and poet, Sherry Blue Sky, surprised me with a glorious box of treasures yesterday. It overflowed with books and cows, incense and soap, and a few very special Yorkie treats. We lost our beloved girl, Angel, not too long ago, though we will carry her in our hearts forever. Sherry was able to find a frame that read, ‘Little Angel’ and download a picture of our Angel to put into the frame. This is a friend who knows me heart and soul. For her presence in my life, I will always be grateful.

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2) A good dog: My little Schnoodle, Meeghan, is a furry ball of pure love! Her eyes shine with it every time she looks at me…we are devoted to each other. Everyone’s life is enriched by having animal friends, and I know I have hit the jackpot!

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1) A good book: Few things feed one’s inner fire like a book that inspires and challenges us. As a continent dear to my heart, I read much about Africa, especially where it concerns her children. Melissa Fay Greene has written a brilliant book about Haregewoin Teferra, an Ethiopian widow who runs an unofficial orphanage for children left alone by the AIDS pandemic. It is not a comfortable read, but it is an important one. One small woman is making a huge difference in the world. What might we do?

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A good friend, a good dog and a good book…life is a blessing indeed!
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What are you grateful for?

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I offer a few links to explore..my other blog has travel pics of Africa and an essay on AIDS orphans: http://theimaginativetraveler.blogspot.com/

Sherry Blue Sky's poetry/memoir site is definitely worth a visit:
http://stardreamingwithsherrybluesky.blogspot.com/

Pixie, of 'Pixie's Pages', has a fun blog: http://pixiepages.blogspot.com/

And she offered a link to Rachel who posts a Happy List that inspired me to try my own take on the idea: http://blackeiffel.blogspot.com/

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Thanks to all you ladies for making blogland a magical place to visit!
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Hot-Air Balloon Over the Serengeti

Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away...

Surely, few things could be more breathtaking than a hot-air balloon ride over the Serengeti Plain.
In planning our long-awaited trip to Africa four years ago, we knew it was something we had to do.

Our arrival in Tanzania came a week into the safari. Already dazzled with the beauty that met us everywhere in Africa, I was sleepless with anticipation at the prospect of seeing it from the air.

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Rising at four a.m. to set out for the airfield, we were a groggy group of tourists, but once aloft - in time to see the sun rise pinkly over the horizon - we were wide awake, and knew ourselves to be more alive than we had ever been before.

Below us, mile after mile of open grassland swept into infinity, studded sparsely by groves of spiked Acacia trees and gentle meandering streams.

Morning light bathed all in its amber glow, and edged each leaf with gold.
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For a time, we were low enough to see
elephants make their way across the plain, and to watch in wonder as a lone lion stopped on his journey home to regard us quizzically.

We said little, the dozen of us on board, rendered speechless by our effortless glide

across across the silent morning plain, its stillness broken only by an occasional whoosh of flame as the pilot took us higher and farther.

My soul filled with a sense of rightness and joy. In that space in time, life was the magical journey it is meant to be and I was an undeniable part of the magic. That moment of perfection is mine to treasure forever.

After an hour aloft, we began the descent that would bring us back to ground, and to the campsite already set up for us. As we'd been gliding across the sky, trucks had wound their way along trails below us, carrying tables and chairs, and copious amounts of food. We disembarked to be greeted with flutes of champagne and orange juice to celebrate our successful flight. After much giddiness and chatter now that we'd found our voice again, we were led to table and fed a sumptuous breakfast of egg and sausage, rinsed down with strong cups of coffee and piping-hot Earl Grey tea.

I have rarely been gripped with the euphoria that coloured that day. I can only compare it to the birth of my children, or the sureness in knowing the man I was about to marry was my soulmate for life.

Life is a miracle each and every day, but it is not every day that one's dreams come true. Mine did for me, that day in Africa, and I will hold the wonder of it in my heart for all time...