Snail's Pace

Some days (aka today) this little guy could beat me in a race to the finish line.  It has been one of those weeks/months with too many projects and too little relaxation.  I am worn out.

This morning when I saw this snail crossing the porch on his way to my newly-budding geraniums, my first response was to relocate him...quickly.  Instead, I sat down in the wicker rocking chair, leaned back and watched him creep along toward his pink and red destination.  His pace was slow yet straight and determined, taking advantage of the morning dew.

I was reminded of a fortune, from a long-ago cookie, which sits on my desk simply stating, "You will obtain your goal if you maintain your course."   These words have rung true in my life, yet I appear to have forgotten them during the recent flurry of activity.  The Universe apparently decided I needed a visual reminder, so along he came.

Seeing it as a sign* I slowed my own pace today and am thankful for his presence.

*I wasn't always such a firm believer in "signs."  In an earlier life chapter, I was engaged on May 18th.  Later that day, Mt. St. Helens violently erupted.  Unaware I should be paying attention to the sign, I went ahead and married the guy which ended badly.  Enough said, I now pay attention.

Question of the Day or Lifetime

"You were born with wings. 

Why prefer to crawl through life?" 

~Rumi

Arriving at my Destination

A woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing.

She goes where she will without pretense

and arrives at her destination

prepared to be herself

and only herself.

  -Maya Angelou

A Fine Whine

Usually a very grateful girl, I recently found myself saying these things,

"This is horrible, the tides are all wrong today for a long afternoon walk on the beach."

or

"I didn't sleep well last night because (as I was laying in my toasty warm bed next to my sweetie at the Oregon Coast) the rain was pounding too loudly on my window."

or

"I only found two unbroken sand dollars today."

or

"The sun is shining on my computer monitor and if I move, I have to give up my view of the bay."

When I whined to my friends and relatives, they didn't have much empathy.  My co-workers had none. I am reminded that my problems are not problems at all.

Then I had a much needed talk with myself which started like this...

"Snap out of it, Miss Nancy, you indeed have a lucky life!"

Safe

With grateful heart, I found my soul

tossed out of the sea,

vulnerable to the world.

I picked it up, this fragile pearl,

with a mother's love and said,

"You are safe with me."

I Don't Poop in your House

 Because this guy above can't speak for himself, I will let these numbers do the talking.

 "In 2013 alone, at the Nehalem Bay Estuary Clean Up, 100 volunteers collected and sorted marine debris which included...

15 yards of trash

2 yards of rigid plastic

1 yard of mixed plastic

96 gallons of glass

64 gallons of thin film

64 gallons of metal

12 hazardous material items

16 tires

4 large barrels

758 shotgun shells

27 balls

1 canoe

7 flip flops

1 buoy

1 tent

1 refrigerator"

Source: Dale Cramer Burr, Executive Director, Nehalem Community Trust, Headlight Herald Guest Opinion

Monday's Moment of Zen

I came along at the right moment to capture nature's spectacular artistry.