Words About Scotland

Scotland has been left behind, but the wonderful memories linger on. The Richard Martin family could not have been more hospitable. The weather cooperated with only one serious rain which stopped after an hour. After a week in Edinburgh we journeyed to the cottage in the Highlands. The landscape was spectacular with rugged outcroppings of granite all over, sheep softening things here and there.
Connections were made with so many people. The Scottish people are warm and ready at any moment to party. At first the accent was difficult to understand, but soon I was talking like them--fast and with the stress on words so different from American English. I feel so blessed to have been part of everyday life.
The highlight in Edinburgh was Speech Day (graduation) commemorating leaving the 6th Form. I sort of took the place of the grannie. The next big event was a week at the cottage with mussels, prawns, lobster and salmon. How do I count the pounds? I am one lucky lady.

Scotland, Here I Come

In a few short hours I will be on my way to Edinburgh, Scotland to visit my dear friends, the Martins and their lovely daughters. I feel blessed to be able to make the trip. It is another case of making connections, for I met Brenda years ago in a gallery. She looked so sad. It was to be her first Christmas away from merry old England. Not to be. Through many different circumstances and upsets we finally became connected and have been friends ever since. This whole incident reinforces the idea that all of us must reach out to one another when we sense a need, or just because we want to. Now I wonder who I might connect with on this trip. One thing that is strong in my mind is that I indeed go with Love and Intelligence guiding me every step of the way. That is my absolutely valid connection and for everyone else, too.

Time

Where does the time go? Do we need to glue ourselves to that particular concept? I find if I just go about my daily activities without thinking of time, more things are accomplished. An example of the constraints of time is the fact it has been such a long interval between the last blog and the one I am working on now. Thinking about time and all I had to do before going on my trip to Scotland kept me from doing what I really wanted to do. Making connections with friends is important to me, but how important? How do we line up in our mind what we should be doing with our time? Or do we even think about it?This is a jumble of thoughts. I know I will have to go back and edit more, but at least I have something down to work on.

Morning Song

What a morning! Early, it must have been around 6:45, I walked over to the club so I could get my exercising finished early. Along the way I became aware of a particular bird song. I stopped to listen more closely. Not able to identify the bird I continued to listen. Now I heard the joy expressed in the bird's song. It sent my heart to the heavens. It crossed my mind that each of us could approach the day with a song in our heart, maybe even sing out loud, just because we are in love with life. That isn't too much to ask of any of us. Nature can teach us so much once more convincing me of the unbreakable connection we have with everything.

School is Out

Time goes too quickly. Today was the last day for tutoring this year. The connections I had with my two boys has been wonderful. I have always had faith in the younger generation, but these boys really solidify it. Each is courteous and appreciative of what I do for them. It seems to come naturally to them because they show it without a parent being around. How blessed I am to have facility with Spanish so that I can help them. Never did I dream when I majored in the language that it would carry me this far. Each footstep along the way connected to the next one. Soon I will need to get all of the steps down for my readers and also for myself. My life proves that a guiding principle is in charge at all times.

Graduation

My daughter has returned home after a whirlwind visit, the center of which was my granddaughter's graduation from University of California at Berkeley.It was a family connection from the start, all of us so proud of Kate who graduated with honors in her field, geology. She is called the Rock Girl, a most appropriate name for her. Soon she will be off to an internship in her field for the summer. All of us swell with pride. What I look forward to is her being here on a summer's day just "hanging out" as she says she plans to do. I am one lucky grandmother.

Awareness

Where does the time go? When it speeds by, it should be a signal to slow down and become aware of the present moment. We ignore those warnings and go back to reading our "to do" lists. Recently I have been captivated by a book, COMING TO OUR SENSES by Jon Kabat-Zinn. His principle theme is awareness One can become aware of each moment, and I swear time sometimes stands still. In becoming aware my life has been enriched, my breathing is deeper, and great peace takes over. Believe me it isn't exactly like meditation; it is just becoming aware and appreciating what is transpiring. This awareness makes me realize again how we are connected to the great all power along with everyone else. Think of how the world could and would change if we all started watching each moment.