Ojai Moments and Gratitude ... Even When Things (kind of) Suck

Let gratitude be the pillow upon which

you kneel to say your nightly prayer.

~Maya Angelou 

Photos from this post were taken over the last several months, over various weekends in Ojai.

When I loaded photos for this post, it was back in mid July, and I had decided to do a post on gratitude. (I was trying to stay on the Deepak Chopra 21 day Meditation!) Things were stressful at that time, and those are the times that, for me, it's most important to find gratitude in little blessings and people in your life. You know, whatever you can find in your life that doesn't go in the "this totally sucks" column. ;)

I was having tests done, and words like biopsy, cells, and pathology were a part of my everyday vocabulary much more that I'd like. 

Most of the time on this blog, I've written about things and places that inspire me, and that I hope will inspire you too. That can lead to a bit of Grass is always greener Facebook Syndrome. You know, where other peoples lives look utterly fabulous because we never see them when they wake up in the morning, or any of the things that keep them up at night! 

We often show what is the best in our lives, but alas, in the spirit of honesty and balance ... the Reader's Digest version is that in my absence I've had abdominal surgery for female stuff (mostly preventative, we can say now) and a subsequent trip to the E.R. Having said that, despite a few bumps in the road, things are getting better little by little and I'm off the Percocet, and most importantly I've had good lab results, from my surgery! All clear! Hurray! 

The more you are grateful for hat you have, 

the more you can live fully in the present.

~Dana Arcuri

I've been recovering in Ojai at my parents' place. Something to be very grateful for. 

In fact, during all the stress, before lab results came back, I had a very long list of blessings to be thankful for in my little gratitude app (yes, there is actually an app for that) on my iPhone ... the people in my life, antibiotics that can save you when you really need them, drugs (ditto- when you really need them,) my faith, lip balm, a good pillow, broth, a new robe, flowers, gifts of the heart, and being able to sit under a beautiful tree. All really good stuff!

And now? Good report from the pathologists. No more "A-typical" or otherwise scary cells. Phew! Gratitude.

below, the lovely shop Fig

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings,

turn routine jobs into joy

and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.

~William Arthur Ward

below, Bart's Books

Fairy Godmother breakfast at my friend Lynn's

A walk with my sister in the Ojai Arbolada with Lucy her labradoodle ...

There is no prescription 

for finding moments of gratitude in every day;

there is simply the choice.

~Gillian Deacon

Rancho Matilija

There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude,

a quiet joy.

~Ralph H. Blum

Meg's Ojai House

Mom and Dad's house

And their cactus garden ...

Real life isn't always going to be perfect or go our way,

but the recurring acknowledgment of what is working in our lives

can help us not only to survive 

but surmount our difficulties.

~Sarah Ban Breathnach

My sister's Chickens

Loveliness at the Ranch House

Ojai Farmers' Market

Can you see the holiness in those things you take for granted-

a paved road or a washing machine?

If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation,

you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude,

a feeling that nurtures the soul.

~Rabbi Harold Kushner

Shrine in Upper Ojai

Upper Ojai ... Gratitude

Here's a lovely acoustic rendition of Bob Marley's Thank You Lord by Reggae a Semente

The moment one gives close attention to anything,

even a blade of grass,

it becomes a mysterious, awesome, 

indescribably magnificent world in itself.

~Henry Miller

Hope this finds you all enjoying a beautiful summer.
(And hopefully not a lot that sucks!)
Blessings and light

and 
Gratitude

Final Faves: New York Mix ~ Brooklyn, The Park and Around Manhattan

Life has got to be lived --

that's all there is to it.

~Eleanor Roosevelt 

Most of these photos were taken on my last full day, in New York, and on my way home the next. 

It was the end of August and difficult not to anticipate the coming of September and "School" starting. Doesn't September always feel like that? For me it does. It always feels the start of the year. And now, with my job teaching (even though many students we've had for years), things really switch up in the fall, because we also get a lot of new students.

But ... I still had a full day in New York!

The Mercedes Apartments ...

And time to fuel up, at Giorgio's Country Grill, with a rather enormous breakfast ...

The church across from Larry's.

Hell's Kitchen area

There is a calmness to a life lived 
in gratitude,
a Quiet joy.
~Ralph H. Blum

This was the day that it started to rain, when I was in the park ...

Central Park

But not before doing a little field sketch!



This is at the South End of Central Park, but over on the East Side,  north of the Plaza Hotel, where I ended up charging my iPhone.

With arms outstretched   I thank.

With heart beating gratefully   I love.

With body in health   I jump for joy.

With spirit full   I live.

~Terri Guillemets

My last day in N.Y., was also the day my niece moved into her new apartment, in Brooklyn. I ended up being there for the Ikea deliveries and the first dinner in their new place. (It's still New York, so that meant ordering in, since the kitchen wasn't unpacked yet.) It was perfect timing that I was there that day!

Brooklyn

Up on her roof!

I am thankful for my struggle because without it.

I wouldn't have stumbled upon my strength.

~Alexandra Elle

The Manhattan skyline, from her roof! The big building in the distance, on the right, is Freedom Tower.

And then ... Time to go home.

I love a window seat!

Well, that trip was a huge thing to be Thankful for, this year! Thanks to my Dad and Mom for the "birthday mileage!" And there is just so much more to be thankful for. As always, my incredible family and friends, my health and the health of those I love. Everything else? Gravy!!!

I feel so blessed.

I hope you feel that you are too!

Happy (belated) Thanksgiving!!!!

See you in December! ;)

Blessings and light!

Rest and be thankful.
~William Wordsworth

The Fall Mix ~ A Thanksgiving Post

So much to be thankful for on this beautiful Thanksgiving day! 

Here is just a small sampling of things, big and small, I have been grateful for this fall!

Here goes!

I'm grateful for the beautiful backroad to Ojai ...

For my wonderful Family ...

 and getting to paint my sister's face on Halloween! 

 

For the awesome party of a reception at our "Fall in To Pastels" show in Ojai!

And for a place to nap at the show ...

For winning my first blue ribbon (since high school cheerleading camp!)

On my pastel painting "Ojai Magic Hour"

For being featured in the Ventura Newspaper about the Pastel Show ...

My friend, Victoria, ending up with one of my favorite pastels!

(The one from the postcard and newspaper!)

And that my nephew got to meet Hunter the super sweet rescue dog!

I'm thankful for magnificent house-sitting sunsets ...

 

And my nephew's Taekwando belt ceremony ...

For cooking with friends ...

Hanging out in beautiful Ojai ...

And for just being at home in my silly town ...

 

As always, I am so grateful for the right to vote!

And the sweet kids I get to teach.

For inspiration and filling the well!

(Yoshio Nakamura's retrospective)

Sparkling Christmas lights! (Even when they're early!)

And my crazy, wonderful, loving, silly friends!

For my early birthday present from my sister (this beautiful book!)

and for getting to go back to a place that I always leave a piece of my heart ...

(I leave for Italy very soon!!! Rome, Assisi, Genova and Aqui Termi)

I am thankful for many more things, especially for my health and the health of my family and friends! I am, today and always, so very blessed and grateful for all the absolutely amazing people in my life! And I am grateful for you!!

I hope this is a beautiful Thanksgiving for you, filled with love and gratitude!

Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

~G.K. Chesterton

A prayer today by Marianne Williamson 

Dear God,
On this day we give thanks
for the miracles in our lives.
We atone for having ever forgotten them.
Please open our hearts that we might remember You more,
And bless others as you have so blessed us.
Thank you, God.
Amen

If you're having any trouble coming up with a gratitude list ... just look at our beautiful planet!

Oh! If you didn't get enough of the art show and want to know why Hunter the rescue dog was at the Pastel Show, I started a blog recently for the pastel society, so click HERE for that!

Blessings and light!!! :)