And we got there... laziness, with a side of wasting time

It's Monday... sunny... and what am I doing? SITTING On Bernard Ave... aka - trapped in my house. Why... WHY do Mondays have this effect on us? Me? (I'll put it on me) -- It's beautiful out and I don't want to get dressed (still in my pjs) ---- ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Dear Sun - Please come out tomorrow. Give me another chance because I doubt I am coming out today to play... please don't judge. Please give me another chance. I'm... an... idiot. (Laughing out loud at my own pathetic-ness)

Attitude of Gratitude:

"Hey? Where's my rock.... I hope I didn't leave it in my pants again..."


Music I was listening to while typing this AWFUL entry:

The Sounds of Silence

(and no that is not a clever/deep name for an alternative or techno band)

While walking On Bernard today I found...

Solitude.

I was walking down Bernard Ave. and kept going until it runs into a walking path that takes you through our downtown park area and near the lake.  It is a truly overwhelming feeling to experience this walk by yourself. I looked all around me and no one was around. At the same time, I was listening to the music playing on my ipod (or in my case, a "vintage" ipod shuffle). It's like the day is just for you. There's just something so strong about these kind of moments for me. I feel like I want to devour them so intensely; kinda like when I go to see a movie that is on the top of my list to see and no one else is in the theater the entire time but me.

The second thing I discovered today was something a little more sweet. Literally. You know how you can hang out at Starbucks for a few hours and when you walk out you still smell coffee? The smell is still in your nose, on your clothes, maybe in your hair... it's one of my favorite things. Well, today I finally went into our local country cottage store and the same thing happened but with the scents of candles! I came out of the store smelling of banana nut bread, apples & cinnamon, along with that strong type of cinnamon like in a red hot, and many other spiced yummies that remind me of being in Mt. Dora, Florida (aka home in Lake County). It lasted for a few blocks. It was so nice. And as I was typing this entry, I got a surprise second smell of apple spice. Fantastic!



My attitude of gratitude is for:

My good friend LeLe.  I love that I can send her photos on my phone of these moments as they happen and she always has something wonderful to say right back. She makes me feel throughout the day like she is always with me. And she too sends me pieces of her Pennsylvania heaven, which is why I keep the phone close to me, so I don't miss a single moment. :o)


Music I listened to on today's walk:

Amelie (Movie Soundtrack)
Cirque du Soliel  "Alegria" (Show Soundtrack)

(haven't changed out the music yet but glad it was still on there for me to play)

Darby's Day On Bernard Avenue

Today while walking On Bernard Ave, it was all about Darby dog. The sun was shining (and for hours!)

We had to get out there, especially Darby.  I sometimes I feel guilty when Darby leans over the back of the couch and stares out the bay windows. And sometimes, I get smart and realize it is a reminder to pack us up and head outside... So I did and so we did!

I love walking to Duggan Park. In the back, there is a small dog "off leash" park.  It's been filled with lots of snow for Darby to have fun playing in but now the snow has melted. And sadly, the evidence of neglectful dog parents had resurfaced if you follow me, bleck. But it was all good fun and a wonderful day for Master Darby who could basically play and play... then play some more.



My Attitude of Gratitude for:

Darby. He brings us so much joy. He is my constant reminder of a fun loving, independent, confident lifestyle. Darby is the true keeper of "fear nothing". He is quite a spunky and spirited little Terrier. It's good to know him... :o)





Music I was listening to while writing this entry:

Tori Amos, The Beekeeper
Smashing Pumpkins, Tonight Tonight

Day Two...

Walking On Bernard makes me not miss Ferran Park (Eustis) or my secret place in Satellite Beach as much. Could I finally be at home? Or at least for now...





Music I listened to on this walk:

Nat "King" Cole, "Love Letters"
Ella Fitzgerald, "Isn't It Romantic"
Doris Day, "I Love Paris"

A New Attitude...

My first day while walking On Bernard, I found a brand new "Gratitude Rock". Ever heard of them? One of the things that I have always locked onto is having the "Attitude of Gratitude".   Many different clergy, philosophers, philanthropists, successful gurus of all types, etc. have professed their vision of how important it is to have an attitude of gratitude. If you read the book "The Secret" one of the presenters tells his story of the "Gratitude Rock".  Ever since I heard the story, I have always tried to keep one with me.  You keep them in your pocket. At the beginning of every day make sure its there and at the end, take it out. (You don't want to accidentally put it in the wash - I have before... a few times, actually)

I'll try to take a picture of my rock and post it at a later time.

Do you have one?





Music I was listening to on this walk:

Soundtrack to the movie, Amelie

Open the Door, Time to Explore...

As blah as this title may sound, it couldn't come at a better time.  Months of darkness, cold, snow, hibernation... that is what has been here in my city.  As for me, it was the hibernation part that I fell victim to the most. It's so easy to stay in one place; safe... warm, but eventually the sun shines and finds you. It wakes you up from wherever you chose to hide and sleep. Whether it was time well spent or not, the sun always finds you to come back out into the world and give yourself over to it. After all of these years of learning, growing, falling, failing, and on and on... I'm so grateful for the sun to always find me. I grow so tired. And yet, the sun comes and reminds me to stand in its presence and shine.

So here I am. For three days, I have gotten dressed, walked out of my building and strolled along, explored On Bernard Avenue. Who knows what I will find On Bernard Avenue. Everyday it looks so predictable. But sometimes it not what I physically find On Bernard. Sometimes it's what my mind finds On Bernard that makes that time walking along Bernard Avenue so special. So perfect. It's like everyday, I start all over again and always return home better than when I left...

I know many of you, if any of you may never walk with me along Bernard Avenue. But you can certainly come with me on my journey through this journey, you dig?

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do...

Please feel free to comment, vent, whatever you wish. The more you talk to me, the more I know you are walking On Bernard with me.

Peace and Love to you all. As always, hoping you are better than well. xoxo