Our love perseveres. It has survived topsy-turvy financial times. It has thrived through ribbons and bows and lots of Lego. It has boomed through high fevers and elevated lab tests, riding on a million prayers. It has traveled endless highways and zigzagging back-country roads with respect on its wing. Our marriage has grown like a pine tree, the roots deepening over more than three decades as we add another ring around its trunk. You have lit the fire in my heart. You have awakened my soul. You have pushed me to reach higher. Loving you is like a taste of nirvana that I have savored, never taking for granted. You see the better version of me that I cannot see. I could turn myself inside out, exposing my every imperfection and you would still love me. I do believe in luck and I am lucky to have found you and this love that binds us. My world is around you. Sharing each sunrise, sunset, and new dream on the horizon in this fascinating thing called life has been the answer to my dandelion wish. You are my beginning and end.
I love you forever…
We hope to celebrate 32 more anniversaries. 💗
Stay safe, enjoy your special occasions, and thank you for stopping by! Lauren 🥂🎉✨🌟🎊
Climate change Climbed to seventy Great in July Sun fades into inky sky Moon enters on cue Listen… Shh… Stillness Lights glow on the hill Chardonnay sets in Grill hisses Dinner, late Stolen kisses Saturday night Contentment
On Sunday, my husband I went for a drive after cabin fever was setting in. We headed west to Pt. Reyes Station – Bear Valley Visitor Center, for a little hike and picnic. But we first stopped at our favorite deli to pick up lunch. When we arrived at the park, it was practically empty which would make it easier to social distance. 🙂 We also noticed a plethora of signs most likely about Covid restrictions. After doing some light reading, we learned that several trails were closed, except for the Earthquake Trail which was open. More than fifteen years have passed since we took the kids on this trail when they were little, so why not check it out again?The trail is dotted with interpretive signs about the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and my cell remained handy for photos. This quake struck the coast of Northern California on Wednesday, April 18 at 5:12 a.m. and the magnitude was a whopping 7.9. Nature also had a lot to offer, so let’s take a look…
Pt Reyes Earthquake Trail
A sluggish friend on the trail
Sounds of a soothing stream
An abandoned nest
1906 Earthquake information
Blue poles indicating San Andreas Fault Line
This fence moved 16 feet – original fence on your left, then look to the upper right
I walked up the stairs and stood parallel with the poles on the fault line
We may not feel them, but Plate tectonics are shifting!
Lunch time
Our surroundings during lunch
Gophers invade the grounds
Marveling at the Big Bay tree
A little lake
Oh, Deer!
Keep your distance one Grizzly or two Cubs apart!
Got any coins???
In case you’re interested, below is a little “earth shattering” information I pulled from https://www.nps.gov:
“The San Andreas Fault runs the length of the boundary between the Pacific Plate and North American Plate in California. The narrow Tomales Bay and the narrow Olema Valley, along which Shoreline Highway (Highway 1) travels, overlie the San Andreas Fault and were formed as a result of tectonic forces.
Not only do two plates meet along the San Andreas Fault, but they move against each other. The forces causing this movement lie more than 90 miles (150 km) below our feet in the earth’s mantle. Currents of magma slowly circulate up from within the mantle, spread out under the oceanic and continental crusts, carry the plates along then sink to circulate again. Like a crowded bumper car rink, the plates crash and grind into each other as they move. It is along plate boundaries where the action takes place. The Pacific plate is estimated to creep northwestward about two inches a year, but the most dramatic displacement of this fault occurred in 1906 when the Point Reyes Peninsula leapt ~20 feet northwestward.“
We have experienced some big quakes in our lifetime that rattled and rolled enough for us to think of the Big One. But we don’t worry about them anymore. California has been our home for so long that it’s probably just a matter of getting used to the tremors – like getting used to hurricanes on the East Coast and tornadoes in the Midwest. No, we don’t want “The Big One” to strike when we’re still living in this state. But natural disasters can’t be avoided. Thus, it’s more of an issue of which would you rather deal with. So, we take one day at a time and hope for the best, the very best!!!!
And now, for your listening pleasure, a little Carole King…
I hope you enjoyed the tune and this glimpse into how the earth moves. And let’s hopeThe Big Onenever shakes and shivers in our lifetime!
I hope your holidays were wonderful in spite of last year’s tumultuous reputation. We enjoyed two long weekends and the festivities, even though quieter than in past years. We missed the big, noisy, family gatherings, but everyone is healthy, so we couldn’t ask for more.
Those who know me well, know that I love sunrises and sunsets, so I had to share a new photo from a recent walk with Copper. Another awe-inspiring sunrise for the rebirthing of a New Year.And speaking of a new year and motivation to reorganize, I am sharing a Balance Sheet of Life (below) that I received from my sister. It has traveled through an email thread, so I don’t know where it originates from. But I thought it offered great food for thought as we begin a new year with optimism that life will be more peaceful for all. I hope you find this balance sheet helpful.
Do any of these concepts stand out for you? Would you care to share? I’ll go first to break the ice. 🙂 Last year, worry and fear took up too much rent space in my head, so my goal is to evict them with gusto! Following their eviction comes Peace of Mind. On a creative note as I lay the groundwork for a new book, I plan to focus on the two most power-filled words, “I Can!” Now if you feel like sharing, it’s your turn! I’d love to hear how this Balance Sheet of Life might benefit you in this new year.
BALANCE SHEET OF LIFE:
The most destructive habit………Worry
The greatest joy………………..Giving
The greatest loss….Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work…..Helping Others
The ugliest personality trait…..Selfishness
The greatest “shot in the arm”…….Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome……Fear
The most effective sleeping pill……..Peace of Mind
The most crippling failure disease……..Excuses
The most powerful force in life……….Love
The most dangerous act…..Gossip
The world’s most incredible computer….The Brain
The worst thing to be without…………Hope
The deadliest weapon………………………..The Tongue
The two most power-filled words………I Can!
The greatest asset………………….Faith
The most worthless emotion……….Self-pity
The most beautiful attire……………Smile
The most prized possession………………Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication…..Prayer
The most contagious spirit…………..Enthusiasm
LIFE ends when you stop DREAMING.
HOPE ends when you stop BELIEVING.
LOVE ends when you stop CARING.
So please share this BALANCE SHEET OF LIFE.
FRIENDSHIP ends when you stop SHARING.
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ~ C.S. Lewis
WISHING YOU ALL BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD, THE COURAGE TO MAKE THE CHANGES NECESSARY FOR YOUR WELL-BEING, AND MANY HUGS TO COME!Lauren xo
After a rainy, yet cozy Christmas Day, the day after was clear and gorgeous – Nicasio Lake.
Oh, What do you see As clear as can be? Hope on the horizon – A glimmer of possibility!
When you hear the word “expectation” what thoughts come to mind? I immediately recall the many times my expectations of others were unreasonably too high, thus, leaving me extremely disappointed. A lesson learned…
On the other hand, expecting something to occur or to change can also be a form of positive thinking. Here’s how the wheels in my brain have been working lately: after such a tumultuous 2020 that so many are eager to view only from the rearview mirror, I expect the new year that is literally just around the corner, to outshine this current year without question or doubt. A vaccine is already accessible to some and will be available to the rest of us, hopefully, in the first quarter of the new year.
Am I too optimistic? Maybe so…we may have a few more months to mask up and social distance before normalcy arrives again. But I want to believe that we will be able to walk down the street someday soon and see others smile and not just through their eyes. We won’t be so paranoid about dodging droplets and touching surfaces.
So, I choose to be optimistic as we clink our glasses at midnight on December 31st and to expect good things to come after all the stress, loss, and pain. After all, what have we got to lose? When positive thoughts abound, our hearts and minds remain calm, and calm is certainly a place where we should hunker down.
It’s freedom, fun, and magical as tires hum on the road. A wave of a hand befits the two-wheel code. It’s like joining a club without knowing the named. The camaraderie – instantly proclaimed. There’s norazzle dazzle of plugging in. Tuning in to the elements comes from within. It’s a taste of adventure letting the wind guide. It’s a feeling of joy that cannot be denied. Let us journey among redwoods, seacoast and rolling hills, drawing in breaths and exhilarating thrills.
Lauren Scott (c) 2020 Photos taken by our son. Enjoying adventure in 2020.
Their eyes see twinkling magic Unaware of worldwide discord. Children, innocent in youth, Show how joy can be restored. Let their wonder guide and excite With their eager anticipation – Let our worries fall to the floor As we welcome exultation.
Christmas memories from when our son and daughter were little are still so vivid – how they became excited awaiting the rooftop-arrival of Santa Claus and Dasher & Dancer & Prancer & Vixen & Comet & Cupid & Donner & Blitzen & Rudolph!!! They were my little helpers in the kitchen baking cut-out sugar cookies for Santa and we made sure to leave a bowl of carrots for his reindeer to chomp on.
Those were magical timesof make believe, yet times also for believing. 🌟🌟🌟
May we hold that magic of innocence and our inner child in our hearts during this holiday season. 🎄💗
I haven’t felt like doing much blogging lately, so I’m sorry for missing so many lovely posts. But, as a follow-up to my recent blog post, health issues have been resolved, although some gray area needs explaining and clearing up. So we’re still waiting, but all is a bit brighter. Then just when we sighed with relief, another cause to worry arrived this week, but we’re not alone. It’s been a tough year, period! In so many ways!
Even though negative thoughts tend to stick like glue, when positive thoughts arrive, they are welcomed like a warm embrace. So, we carry that positivity with us everywhere we go because suggesting a mindset of the opposite would only create doom and gloom. And I can’t help but fall gracefully into the magic of the season even if Covid lurks in the shadows. I love the Christmas carols, the twinkling and colorful lights of joy, and this season of hope even in dark times.
Then, on my early morning walk with Copper today, the sunrise greeted me with a BIG smile. We just can’t have enough photos of sunrises and sunsets, can we? I looked to the sky and thought, “Wow! Another gorgeous sunrise! Another day to enjoy life and all the people and joys in it that make us so grateful.”
And in every dark moment, a hint of hope shines through…
New bloom!
I hope all of you are doing well in spite of this crazy, tragic, and stressful year. And if you’re feeling down, I hope the sunrises lift your spirits as you lean into people around who love you. And when the sun is hidden, I hope its warmth stays in your hearts, guiding you into each new day.
I’ve lost blogging momentum because of some health issues in our family and procedures during the holiday. My mind has been a little preoccupied. But on the morning of Thanksgiving, my husband and I enjoyed a walk around the neighborhood. The sun was shining and the temperature was invigorating and brisk. After turning a corner, we stumbled upon a van that invited passersby to write their gratitude on the colorful hand turkeys provided. Sharpies and hand sanitizer were also conveniently supplied. We gladly participated and added our turkey to the eye-catching and humbling collection. God Bless the owner of this van, for even in dark times there is much to be grateful for.
Just like many others, we were ready for some Christmas joy, so we bought our tree on black Friday and we’ve never seen the line so long! Patience really was a virtue that day! We call our tree the “Family tree” because most of the ornaments are homemade from our son and daughter when they were little. The angel on top is our daughter’s creation and there is no reason to replace it. Our senses are heightened by the Noble Fir fragrance and the room is cozier than ever now.
Copper enjoys the warmth and coziness of the fire, but he prefers not to be too closeto the snap, crackle, and pop.
Lastly,WordPress tells me that I have a 10-year anniversary to celebrate!Time sure flies when you’re having fun creating, along with meeting wonderful people all around the world. So, Thank You, for your support and friendship!
I hope those of you in the U.S. had a wonderful Thanksgiving and wish you all a blessed Christmas and holiday season. Stay safe and well, too! Lauren 💗
