Full moon rides

So, last month my brother invited us to go on a full moon bike ride. We didn't make it. So last  night he invited again, but canceled because of the clouds. Today, there were no clouds, and stayed that way into the night. 

He came by and invited us again, and then called me about 8:30. At first I declined because I hadn't felt good all day, but then I called him back to let him know that I was in. I am so glad that I did.

It was an absolutely beautiful night to ride in. No clouds in the skies, and the air, the ground, the mountains and cotton fields, every thing just glowed with such beauty and peace. The air was still and quiet, you could hear everything. You could smell the different bushes and plants, feel the changes in the temperature of the air. Absolutely beautiful, and when we returned, I just about lost control (I actually kind of did come off my bike and almost fell) coming onto our bridge and down the little hill, haha, but I didn't go down. 

Coming around to the arena, all the horses glowed, especially Rex, a tri colored paint that is mostly white. Our donkeys welcomed us home with gleeful braying, if you can call it that. It was a perfect night to go, and I am so glad that I went. 

I love full moon nights, they are absolutely beautiful. Years ago, I went on a horseback ride on a full moon that lasted from 8 pm till about 1 am, it was so beautiful then. I will have to keep this up.When we were young, early teens, my brothers used to drive around at night without the lights on when there was a full moon. It is so peaceful, and without the added lights of the vehicle, it seems as if you can see everything better. That was my impression then, at least. 

What a peaceful way to end the day.

Hugs. Sleep well. 

Blessings

Today I am grateful for so many things. 

Last week I was really having a lot of trouble sleeping at all. I tossed and turned and just was not rested. I'd wake and fall asleep, over and over all night long and it was getting terrible, I was getting desperate. I read on the following Saturday, as we were coming down Jensen Hill, at the little church there,

 "Can't sleep? Count your blessings."

You ought to try it. 

Simplify

I have learned that the beginning of simplifying my life has really been releasing and uplifting. I have come to realize that all the things that I thought that I needed to have were really not that important. I learned from my son that you really don't  need to keep everything that everyone has given you, especially when there has been multiple items given.  He told me that pick one item, one thing that really means alot and holds a special place in your heart, and keep that and let everything else go. 

That one is a hard one for me to do, but I am slowly letting things go so that I can get rid of clutter and disorganization in my life. I have let go of some of my collections and that has really cleared my mind. I have more to go through, clothing, knick knacks, dishes, baking and cookings stuff, things that I have collected, all sorts of stuff.

Everytime I let one go, I feel as if I can breathe a little easier. He's a smart one.

Simply. I think it runs parallel to the KISS principle.

Hugs.

Always

Always know that you are loved.

Compromise

How do you know when the right moment is that you give up a piece of your pride and compromise with someone that is just dragging you down? How do you know when it is the right time to stop the communication, the dealing with them other than the minimum amount that you have to communicate with this person? 

How do you make it right with them feeling that you may be sacrificing some of what you believe in? Can you really do that?

Somedays, we are faced with a lot of trials in our lives, that leave us wondering what we should be doing. We have to look deep inside, look at what our beliefs, our faith is telling us to do. We have to reach deep inside and pull out that imbedded wisdom that is sometimes put away so deep, that we forget that we have it.       Stop and breathe, listen, feel it, hold it, smell it and taste the purity that it offers us, and use that for the guidance that we need to deal with the complications that life throws at us. 

Sometimes, we do have to turn the other cheek, more than less, in order to make sense and to bring some kind of peace and harmony into our lives as well as the lives of others around us. We don't necessarily have to give up our beliefs or our morals, but work it into the situation in such a way that it is not condescending in any way, but presented and left as an option or even an idea that the other person may see as something that they conjured up. 

We don't have to be right all the time, we have to learn to compromise for the bigger more harmonious picture. We don't have to give up our beliefs, but we need to learn to teach in such a way that it brings people in closer to us, and hungry for that peace that we have. 

Hope, faith, love and patience

Turkeys

Turkeys are so much fun to watch. They walk around like they have a purpose in life, taking each step slowly, wisely, checking out their world. They also take each step deliberately, almost as if they look to see where they are going to place their foot.

These turkeys love to stand in water, cooling their feet. I have only had them for a couple months, but now I remember why I like them so much. They are personable and amusing to watch. I have raised them before, and have thoroughly enjoyed them. These ones are a little smarter than the big white ones that I have raised before.

I made a roost for my turkeys over the weekend, and they were so much fun to watch them walk up to it, look at it cocking their heads from side to side, contemplating what they were going to have to do to get up their. 

They each took a turn looking at the perch, and that evening they were up on it, happy as could be. 

A smile

Whats in a SMILE?

Simple to do.
Magical attraction to all souls.
Inviting friendship and a brotherhood.
Lifting and comforting to hurting souls.
Elevating peace and happiness.

Whats in a SMILE for you?

Gardens

I have been attempting to garden for the last 3 years. I have had success in my jalepenos, and some success with my tomatos.  I planted a cucumber in the same container with my chiles (big mistake) and it did ok, other than the cucumbers were a little bitter.

It has really been fun for me watching these plants grow. This years jalepeno plants have produced so much fruit, and it is so good. I planted a bell pepper and two seranos, and they are really producing right now too.

All of my plants are in containers, and I just love going out there with them. I forgot to put my tomato into one of those cage things to keep them from falling over, but I found out that I liked the way it looks better. This coming  year I have decided to plant a tomato or two inside a 50 gallon drum so that it may cascade over the sides. 

I have some rosemary and thyme planted as well as some chives. Trying to balance everything to make sure all has some quality time is really hard. With the animals, work, family and gardens, it makes for a full day. But I do love it. And the rewards are worth it. 

I am going to experiment with containers in the house as well, I read about starting celery in a can, and onions in a can, that you can harvest for some time. We will see how it goes. Its not like I don't have other things to do. :)

Ideas

Today, I am trying to follow through on some more self help ideas that I have read in the past few days. One said to write on my blog everyday. How hard can that be? Unfortunately, that won't happen everyday, but, I will try my best to make it happen. 

Another help idea is to compliment, send flowers with no reason attached, thank others, ask for fogiveness, be true to me. There are so many reasons and ideas, many more than I listed here.

For the last 18 months or so, I have been on a journey, getting to know whom I am, where I am from, what makes me tick, and how I used to deal with things, and how, now, I have learned to actually do what is better and best for me. 

There have been life changing events in my life, just like everyone else, if you live, things happen. If we can learn from those events, and then take them and use them to grow, then we will accomplish inner peace. My peace level today, compared to two years ago, from a one to ten, one being the lowest, is now at a 7.5. It used to be around a 2 I would say. 

I used to let everything effect me in such a way that it continued to cause turmoil in my soul, even after I buried it. I started journaling as a way to relieve my pain and hurt, and along came so many memories, both good and bad in my head, but it was such a relief to face them on paper, actually see that it happened, look it square in the face and say, no more will you have a hold on me. I burned that journal, as it was very painful, but only after I prayed for forgiveness for me and for them. The relief afterwards was amazing, and the inner peace just blossomed afterwards.

We can never know what tomorrow will bring, and yesterday, we can never change, it has happened, look at it, accept that it happened, and let it go. But today, embrace it with all your love, enjoy it, live it, and know that you are loved.

Look around, feel with your everything

It is amazing to see the beauty in this world, just stop and look. Trees, mountains, the blue skies. Cloudy skies with a storm brewing in the distance. Lightning is playing in the hills, lighting up the skies. Watch a flock of cowbirds flying like a school of fish. Butterflies flitting around in a hayfield, pale yellow spots dancing to a tune of their own.  

So much beauty, if you could just take the time to see it. 

I was really excited this spring when a yucca plant finally bloomed. It was amazing, I have watched it for about 3 years, growing, waiting for the moment that it sent its stalk up and bloomed. Beautiful. 

I enjoy listening to the mocking birds singing, beautiful lyrics, I wished that I could understand all that they were saying. Grackels that are so noisy, talking, visiting and then scolding me when I walk underneath their nests and roosts in their trees.

It is so gratifying to walk along and see a stranger that looks busy, down, frustrated, and when I flash a smile, they smile, sometimes forced and then it warms up their face, its almost as if you can see it warm their souls. Beauty in a smile. 

Warm your heart, your soul. Stop. Look. Feel with your senses. Beauty all around us. 

Roads

I have looked back, around,

So many places I have been.

Roads crossed, traveled.

I see my imperfections

My needs, my wants, my desires.

What is my value?

The hurt, the pain, the fears

All known inside.

I could not face it.

Why did this happen to me?

How did it happen?

I have hit bottom.

I have cried and wept

Looking for an answer.

It is before me.

Realization of something more

Powerful, more fulfilling.

A strength.

Divine intervention at the least,

I opened my mind.

I let go.

I have given control away.

I will fight no more.

I am His.

Annie 2012