How You See Me

I'm not certain what it is about these brightly fanciful tags. For me, the colors for sure and the creativity that goes into making them. I think they're fascinating to see along the perimeter of so many blogs. Lately I've been gifted by a few. All are wonderful. I'm grateful.

This one, the Burning Bright Award, has been forwarded to me by Sarah of Cottage Garden Studio: "Holly- Because she illuminates everyone around her." I can't say that I feel I do that most days...but I do attempt to lighten our lives with things to consider and ways to set us free from the traps that hold our bright spirits down.

The award was created by a blogger named Jenn of Barefoot In The Sand. And, I don't know her that well, although I have visited her blog for a lurky a time or two. I love what she has to say about why she created this award: "You can never extinguish the Light that Shines brightly within all of us. If there is Hope, there is Light, if there is a Dream, that same Light will lead the way, and this Award I created this evening reflects that Creative Spark, that Light we all hold within us, but there are certain people who come to mind that Shine So Brightly that you can't help notice the Warmth that illuminates in all they do, and in what they represent and just who they are."

Beautiful, isn't it? So, I couldn't think of two more creative sparks who make my world better because of what their creative efforts do for the quality of my day. I am sending this along to:

Toni, Seaweed And Gardenias: Because her creative spark ignites my desire to create. And, because of the generosity of spirit that she so freely shares with every other creative person she encounters.

Beth, Be Yourself, Everyone Else Is Taken: Because most days her images make my eyes go soft and I turn inward for a moment of contemplation and joy. But, because I am a writer, and find it all the more rare that someone who has such a great creative eye, can also write words that thrill me. There may be better writers; perhaps better shooters...but I doubt that any of them can share their hearts, spirit, and smiles the way that Beth does.


Okay, so now onto someone else who sent something fun! Doesn't this photo simply make you smile? Especially at this time of year when the delights of a carnelian watermelon oozing its sweet goodness seems so tantalizingly close? I'm to use this as a prompt to tell you six things that I think are sweet and in random order-
* Livy
* Michael and thanks to him, my children, Evan & Melissa
* Laura
* My gardens & home
* My Scotties, Rory & Fiona
* My Life IS Really, Really Sweet

This delight is thanks to Mel of From Clutter To Shine. I love visiting her blog where I am likely to encounter a wide variety of musings on things that I would not know otherwise- like the benefits and life decisions of home schooling your children. And, the differences in educational philosophy that need to be considered these days.

Or, how about the notion of Free Range Children? Now, that's an attention catcher, no?

So why me? I'm honored to hear: "Well, what can I say about Holly that hasn't already been said? She is, truly, Queen of the Universe and my ever-loving Crone...Not a day goes by that she doesn't challenge my grey matter and prompt me to search the corners for the Shadows lurking there..." Mel, if I am able to do and be that for you, then I consider my efforts more than worth it. Thank you.

And, finally, while I am old enough to be a card carrying member of The Red Hat Society or a life time member of the Silly Handshake Association, I'm not much of a joiner. Never have been. I think I was a Brownie once; for a day; maybe a week. Get my point?

But, every once in awhile, I'm struck by the premise that a certain group stands for, and hopes for others. To that end, Mel, has created a new badge: The Sisterhood of The Purple Bicycle. Now, I know you think I joined because of the color...not true. Although, I can't think of another color that is better suited. And, I know you'd like me to award it to you, but I can't do that. The Sisterhood can't be awarded. Nope. You have to decide to be part of it for yourself. You have to want it and make it happen.

"It occurs to me," explains Mel, "That we are all on a similar sort of journey. Naturally, what we do and where we go and how we choose to get there is different, but in essence, our destination looks much the same. We are reclaiming, we are celebrating, we are rediscovering. We chafe against our boundaries, we are challenging our restrictions - some self-imposed, some societal, we seek to take back what was lost or taken from us along the way. We explore with our words, with our art, with our spiritual path - we take on 'challenges' and projects to stretch and push ourselves further toward that destination. And we share it all with each other. The triumphs, the doubts, the disappointments, the memories, the revelations and the Joy. We gather the bones and, together, are singing them to life in a glorious song of celebration.

"And because of this, I think we should be shouting it from the highest rooftops, yodelling from the loftiest peaks that we, in all our strivings, in all our efforts to define and re-define Who We Are - are part of a bigger picture, we are all interconnected; a community of women whose spirits may have been battered and bruised, but are intact and gaining strength with every step. We are still casting about in the Shadows, unearthing and bringing to Light long-forgotten things, but we take strength from each other as we move forward, as beautiful works-in-progress. I, for one, feel Blessed to be journeying alongside you all; to be hacking my way through the forest, knowing that somewhere, just off to my left and right and slightly ahead or behind, is another warrior soul doing the same."

Now, this I can be a member of...this I am happy to share that I belong and I invite you to do the same. Become part of the sisterhood of women who want more, bigger, better, from their lives and are not afraid of the effort and energy it takes to manifest it. Magick is hard work, but so worth it.

Don't you agree?

So, Mel, thanks for this one. It's there with pride. And, I hope more will join as it goes forward to spread its joy and support among all of us who want to be more than we are today. Sisters of A Better Way...

Namaste' Till Next Time,

Holly