About Me!

My husband suggested I write a blog because I have no shortage of opinions on myriad topics, many of which hold no interest for him (i.e. shoes, handbags, jewelry, the Black Death, historical fiction, yoga, growing heirloom tomatoes, cultivating roses, perfume, Aveda products, medieval history, Renaissance art and architecture, essential oils, cheesecake - okay - you get my drift).  Ergo....one of my favorite words....there was some thought that others among the general public would be more amenable to my exhilaration at finding the perfect shoe or handbag, pontificating or rants on some injustice in the world or political issue,  words of wisdom or, and sharing of my experience, strength and hope from living with addiction in my past or challenges of a failed marriage or relationship, of finding some measure of peace and serenity in mid life, and in celebrating the miracles of finding that within myself I have the tools to live a life of happiness and to build a successful relationship with the love of my life at a point when others are waiting to be struck by lightening. Of course, appreciating wine, olives, olive oil, and garlic helps contribute to my well being.

It is my belief from personal experience that individuals can continue to grow, learn and become more enriched with each passing experience never giving up until one has breathed his or her last. That is my intent. I also believe that the key to peace, serenity and happiness lies within each of us. My dad, at  age 80, still doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up.....I don't either.

Is there a magic bullet? No....and I cannot say with any certainty that any one program or path is the only one. For me, I've melded the gifts of spirituality that I've found from diverse sources - yoga, the power of the Universe, Buddhism, Al-Anon, Doreen Virtue's Healing With the Angels, meditation, and surrounding myself with only positive focused people. I've found within myself a resilience and a belief that I deserve to live a life of happiness, love, abundance, peace, contentment, and good health - that change can be good; that i have no control over anything except my own attitude; and that cat keep the rodents away......

I will write about my book reviews, my love of shoes, the delight in visiting Virginia and California wineries, my Sephora addition, the contentment I feel after a yoga class, the healing I experience after working in the soil pulling weeds and planting wonders of nature, of my amazement at practicing 19th Century wet plate collodian photography, of my blessings for having had the pleasure of traveling throughout Europe and Asia, of my love of family and my appreciation for my friends.

My intent is to focus on the positive. There may be an occasional expression of frustration for what is.....but for the most part, it is my plan to encourage all to celebrate the wonders of the world...and this does include shoes and wine.....