Hope SPRIGS eternal.

Some attempts at color in the pit.

Hey y'all! It's Tuesday and it already feels like the week is flying by! Did you have a good weekend? I surely hope so (and should have asked yesterday). I feel like Spring is just around the corner and I'm beginning to see signs of it everywhere.  Keep in mind that I live in North Florida, so even though we had a heck of a cold snap last week (19 degrees!), it still doesn't compare to what's going on all over the country right now. My thoughts are still with all of you dealing with the ice and snow.

Anywho- I had a moment yesterday when I was full to busting over something so small (what else is new, right?). Well, let's just say my backyard has been a thorn in my side for...the entire time I've lived in my apartment. Measures have been taken throughout the years to make the most of what is essentially an 15x10 square of hardly useable space/dustbowl or mud pit depending on the weather. I love gardening too, but with our two pups running amuck out there, it's hardly been the serene sanctuary I'd hoped for. Mostly it's just been dusty and ahem- fragrant. I've been quite ashamed of it to be honest.

But a few weeks ago, on a whim, I bought some grass seed and tossed it out on a small patch of dirt. I watered it a little and then went about my business figuring if anything came of it, awesome. If not- it's no different than the pit it has always been.

Weeks have gone by and I've checked occasionally but nothing's come of it...then BAM! Three days ago, my hubs and I were talking about something or another and happened to be standing at the back door and lo and behold! Grass has started to crop up in a few spots in the yard! It brought such a soaring sense of joy to my heart. 

The next day I hopped out there in my bathrobe and sprinkled seeds everywhere. Even if it's aways a little patchy, I absolutely do not care. That depressing, sad pit of dirt is brightening up sprig by precious sprig and it's given me sense of hope I didn't realize I needed so badly.

It's getting me through some stuff and I know it may seem a little silly. But my heart is doing better for it.

Where can you find a little joy and hope in your life?

I hope you have a truly wonderful day! Also, I wish a wonderful birthday to my dad, Richard Carpenter up there is icy Nashville, Tennessee! I love you, Papa and I hope your day is magnificent!!!  Can't wait to get up there and visit with you!

Friday Happies!

*I listen to this song at least three times a day. It makes me so happy. I've been a big fan of Brett Dennen for nearly a decade now and he just keeps getting better. His feel good, well-written, quirky and often wry music always makes me feel up for an adventure. Dig that this record was made in my hometown of Nashville, TN and dig the 70's vibe in the video too.

*My feet have been so cold lately.  I could use these! I'd feel like a Scandinavian princess!

*This is a need, not a want!!!

*I absolutely love this tunic! I'd wear it with gold heels, leggings, a turtleneck and gold dangly earrings!

*I love this beautiful magnolia leaf wreath. It's so simple and Southern and lovely.

*I have a pretty casual style. Mama always said "never leave the house wearing something you'd be embarrassed to run into Mam-maw & Uncle Snap in". Mam-maw and Uncle Snap were my great-grandparents, and though they are both gone now, I still keep this in mind. That being said, I am a devout fan of nice, cozy loungewear- but it stays at home for lounging! It gives me something decadent to look forward to after a long day of dealing with annoying customers and when I am out, I don't ever have to worry about being schlumpy or too casual. All of this is to say, I kind of adore these slouchy pants by Parc Boutique. But they stay at home...

*Great article on actress Joy Bryant and her beautiful home. She seems like she'd be someone you could end up sharing a private joke with about some crazy misadventure.

*Have you ever played King Kubb? I think I'd like to try!

*I think I'm going to make some of these as gifts this year. Or just for my container garden.

*And now, something just weird and funny for you to enjoy.

Have a great weekend, y'all!

A Thursday thought...

I saw this the other day and really liked it. It makes me want to get out in nature and lay in the grass instead of going to work. Wonder what that's about? So weird!

To every season...

All photos by moi, Lulu Carpenter Ortolano

I took a walk yesterday morning, and it was beautiful. I mean, stunning. The sun was creeping above the tree line and illuminating the smudges of color beginning to show on the cypress, oaks and other trees I haven't learned the name of yet, but want to. It made me realize how much the season has changed since I was doing the pretty regular "being present" meditations at the end of summer.

It is astonishing how quickly time goes by. I wanted to put that morning in a bottle so I could visit it every day, but that is the bittersweet beauty of nature and the season, no? It moves along perfectly and we're supposed to be the ones who keep up, no the other way around.

Take a few minutes today (you can find a way to sneak it in). Just sit out in it. Put your hand on a knobby tree trunk and just be out in it. Feel the cool air on your cheeks. Listen to the soothing percussive rustling of leaves. Notice the colors, and the smells. Breathe it in and let it out. I guarantee you'll feel a bit better and more relaxed.

It's so important to remember your place on this blue marble and to take the time to realize how amazing it all really is.

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Give a little bit!

Hey y'all! It's Wednesday, and around here on Wednesdays I give a list of organizations, people, animals etc. you can donate to (even just $5 helps!). No act of kindness, no matter how small ever goes unnoticed!

*This is cool! DonorsChoose.org, teachers ask for what the need for their students, your donations get them what they need!

*Help little Diesel get his tests and treatment. Look at that face!!!

*Kiva is an organization that helps give loans to people all over the world to start their own businesses! How neat is that?!

*I've linked to Best Friends before, but it's been a while and I like them. So here it is again!

*Help Mom get to France!

*Give this soap maker a helping hand to get her wares out to her community. They look so nice!

*Help lay to rest a family (one mother and four children) who were killed in a fire. So sad.

*This little guy fell 150 feet down cliff and survived with major injuries. The Oregon Humane Society's Technical Animal Rescue Team hiked for hours to get him safely to surgery (he's doing great- what a tough and brave little guy!). Anything over the costs needed for his surgeries and medicines (already covered) goes to those brave and loving animal lovers that saved his life. Let's help them out!

*Let's give this dance troupe the public dance event they are working toward!

*Direct Relief International provides medical assistance to improve the quality of life to those affected by poverty, illness, catastrophe and war. A frequent high-ranking organization for its quality work.

Give what you can y'all! Every little bit helps!

I truly hope you have a wonderful day!

Saturday Meditation

Hey y'all,  take some time today to practice stepping outside of a stressful situation. It could be as simple as looking out the window and watching the leaves fall or seeing if you notice any leaves that are changing in the trees. Imagine the Autumn breezes whisking your irritation and frustration away. It is but the work of a moment and it can help you keep from snapping at your loved one or making a rude remark. Try it today. Little 30 second bursts of nature meditation. It works for me all the time, especially at work. Nixing negativity before it evens leaves your mouth is a huge success.

I hope you have a truly wonderful day and weekend!

Give a little bit!

Hey y'all! It's Wednesdays and you know what we do on Wednesdays around here, we spotlight organizations, people, animals, businesses etc. that could you help even by just donating as little as $5. Here we go!

*Help Cash get the medicine he needs! Only $30 away from their goal!

*Rescue an historic home (that looks like a castle!) in Johnson City, TN so it can be turned into a cultural arts center!

*Help support Climate At Your Doorstep, a newsletter/forum dedicated to bringing solid information on climate change.

*Narayanan Krishnan is a remarkable person. Not only did he give up a well-paying hotel career to feed the homeless, mentally ill and abandoned elderly in India; he also bathes, shaves and gives hair cuts and physical contact to those in his society that are actively neglected. What a kind, loving soul. Help keep his organization alive. 

*Help animals around the world!

*Give to the Wildlife Conservation Society and help conserve land, and save animals.

*Help 16 year old's Jake's family with his medical expenses since he became paralyzed from the waist down in an accident.

*Help this nutty redhead get her gourmet praline business (Nutty Redhead) get on the grocery store shelves! Healthy and delicious!

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Saturday Meditation

It's Saturday, y'all! Time for your weekly dose of seasonal/nature-inspired quiet time to help you conclude your previous week and gear up for your next. A sweltering heat wave down here in the South has made all Autumnal whispers fade, but its okay. I know more crisp fantastic weather will be on its way soon.

Today, try to get outside and be active. I like to walk around the lake where I live. Leave the earbuds out of your ears and just be alone with your thoughts. It's amazing what will swirl through your mind if you give it the chance to speak up. I've solved many a problem by hashing it out in my mind over the course of a half hour. Do that for yourself today, even if you're just going over your grocery list. You see, it's like the Shower Principle from 30 Rock. You always think of some great idea in the shower because part of your mind is distracted performing a task, so the rest is freed up to fix that thing you were worried about.

Take a little time for your mind to process the past week and the week ahead. You may just be surprised at the volume of stuff your mind is juggling at any given time. Let it breath. Let your mind sift through it all.

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Have a Breezy Saturday!

It's almost pumpkin time y'all! I saw these beauties at Tractor Supply (I love Tractor Supply)!

Lovelies! It is a gorgeous breezy Autumn(isn) day down here in the deep ole dirty South. There is something so enchanting about Fall. I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps its the changing of the season, the final reprieve from the stifling humid heat of Southern Summers. I've always been so affected by those first tendrils of cool on the air. They are becoming more frequent now and it makes me feel more creative, more adventurous, spontaneous and feisty. Maybe its the animal inside, you know? Something inside senses a change is on the wind.

I plan on spending as much time outdoors this weekend as I can. I want to absorb all the tingly, breezy, fantastic energies swirling all around. Take some time with me. Find a place to set up, camp out, so to speak. I'm talking picnic style, if you can arrange it. Or maybe a porch or a shady, spot in nature. Spread a blanket down and lay on your back and look at the clouds (when was the last time you did that?).

Take the time to feel the change moving about nature. If you can only steal ten minutes with your coffee, then do it. It lowers blood pressure and generally makes you a happier person to be around. It is truly a beautiful thing to sit back and look at the world going about its business. It reminds you that you're here for a ride and that everything isn't all about you. There is something bigger going on. That's something I think we all need to take time to remember, and I think it's a lovely thought. As humans we tend to make ourselves believe it all revolves around us and it just doesn't. Take comfort in that thought. We are a part of an ecosystem, not any other way around.

Take some deep breaths and send out some gratitude. For the changing of the season, for the wonderful things in your life and the beautiful nature that surrounds you.

I hope you have a truly wonderful and breezy Autumn day!

Saturday Meditation

It's almost here, y'all. Autumn (Septermber 22nd). Down here in the muggy South it's still quite warm (92-98 as opposed to 98-103 two weeks ago!). Yet, in the morning and in the evening, I can feel the chill of Fall creeping toward us. It is so lovely to feel the wispy tendrils of the season moving ever so closer toward us.

This weekend, take some time. I always say it, but go with it y'all. Take some damn time early in the morning or at dusk, or evening. Get out in it. Close your eyes. It doesn't matter if you're taking out the recycling or letting the dogs out one more time before bed...take the time out underneath the clouds and stars. Feel the changes on the wind.

Imagine for a moment you are a part of the landscape. Not a human, but a piece of nature. A tree, a hill, a majestic ox bow lake...just step outside yourself and pretend. Then let your mind wander to what you would be experiencing as that piece of nature as the season of Fall rolled around.

Would you be orange and yellow like a tree? Would your banks be inhabited with migrating birds like your local river? Whatever it may be, let it wash over you. Let yourself melt into your surroundings. We don't always have to be so individual and yadda yadda. We can be a part of something and be just as important.

It's the time of year to harvest all the things we've been working on since the New Year. All those resolutions. I bet you haven't thought of that before. I know I hadn't until a few years ago. That the seeds of change we make in January actually do take root and bloom and need to be harvested...? It's an odd thought to many I'm sure, but it's true.

As they say on Game of Thrones (and Schmidt on New Girl), Winter is coming. What are you going to do to enjoy every moment of the tail bits of Summer and oncoming lovely Fall? Be present. That's my suggestion. Live in it and treasure it because Summer has been beautiful and so shall be Autumn.

Life- well, she is beautiful.

Be kind to each other, y'all. I hope you have a truly wonderful day (and weekend)!

Personal Sanctuary

Image

If I could wave a wand and make the perfect sanctuary for myself today it would be a tiny bungalow somehow on the East/Gulf Coast and in the mountains (remember I said magic wand). I would have a brilliant homestead and gardens. Little idiot goats and chickens, some real Dick Strawbridge shit. A lovely porch in the shade and wind chimes smattered about.

Inside would be spare but cosy, clean and simple. A space for everything and everything in its place. There would, of course, be a serious bath tub because I'm a water baby.

There would be a fireplace with a beautiful (uncluttered) mantle.

There would be a wall of books. 

I would have counter space in the kitchen so I can make delicious and lovely things without knocking over my clean dish rack or having to pause to relocate things.

My bedroom would be a fluffy, calm and peaceful place with a really good fan and a nice morning view.

There would be a well-made, long wooden dining table outside for feeding and entertaining those I love on lovely nights. A small table indoors for tea and conversation or romantic dinners.

Tucked into a particularly lush corner around the back of the house would be a secret outdoor shower for the intoxicating experience of showering out in nature (perfect for the exhibitionist in me but private enough for those not quite so inclined).

This is where my mind goes when I daydream. My goal is to simplify enough to make this a reality.  I look around my house now and I get overwhelmed. I've gotten rid of such a tremendous amount of stuff and yet it still feels wonky. So I took some time today to nail down some images that inspire my future sanctuary so that perhaps I can manifest it in my present state. Have my sanctuary better represent my mind (which says so much about how my house is making me feel these days too, ha!)

What would your ultimate sanctuary/compound look like, feel like and smell like? I'd love to know!

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Saturday Meditation

For a minute there it felt like Fall was on its way. Despite the heat however, it is important to get out in nature and roll about in some good old fashioned peace. For today's meditation, go find somewhere outside (and preferably shady) to sit. Yes, sit on the ground. Get dirty, muddy and/or grass stain-y. Take your shoes off and close your eyes. Breathe deeply in and out for several breaths. Count if it helps to keep your mind from going astray.

Now open your eyes. Examine the nature that surrounds you. Where I live there are beautiful canopied live oak trees, palmettos and cypress. Really take the time to look at it all. The colors, sounds and smells.

The ground. Is it sandy? The grass. Is it itchy? Is it cool or dewey? What kind of animal life is around you? Squirrels and ducks? Dragonflies? Perhaps dogs playing or  seagulls if you live near the coast.

Examine these moments in nature and draw a centeredness and a connectedness from being a part of this little ecosystem for a minute. Imagine you are in a snow globe of sorts and all the things happening around you, like the tree branches moving in the breezes or birds flying above you, as the snow. As if you are in the center of the snow globe and someone shook it creating all this beauty and movement around you.

Send out gratitude either verbally or silently for each thing you see. For the trees and the birds and the water and the grass, whatever it is you that surrounds you. Send out gratitude for your life and the little successes you have had. Send out gratitude that you have taken just a few minutes to center yourself in nature, to do this for yourself.

It's such a good feeling, and gratitude has a way of making things better just by being acknowledged.

Now close your eyes and breathe deeply again. Now go and enjoy your day and weekend. I truly hope it's wonderful!


Image courtesy of North Florida Pictures.

Spread the Love

Hey y'all, it's Wednesday. I certainly hope your week is going well. Mine has been spent working, and trying to squeeze in as many workouts as I can (I've got a goal) while ceaselessly shushing my inner desire for a gargantuan glass of wine (or three...what else is new, right?). I also had a moment this week (Tuesday to be precise) in which I found myself so utterly frustrated at something that I could barely focus.

Now, keep in mind, this was a total first world problem; a nothing, a zilch in the grand scheme of things. Problems with an online account. Silly and yet, I found myself so completely pissed off I couldn't focus on a simple 10-minute jog around the lake. I did all I could to remedy the situation, and just stewed in it while I cooked dinner. After about an hour or so, I figured out something unbelievably obvious.

It didn't frickin' matter.

It wouldn't matter today, it won't matter tomorrow and it sure as shit won't matter when I'm ash. So, why is it taking up my precious waking moments? It no longer is. Bada-bing, bada-boom. Done. I fixed it by having the account deleted and moving on to focus on others which is far more important. That brings us to our usual Wednesday love-fest, and here are more deserving people, animals and organizations that need our help. Remember, even if its just five bucks at a time...it can change someone, or some animal's whole world. Be blessed, y'all! Keep the good juju flowing!

*Y'all, my cousin had the weirdest, saddest thing happen to him and his family when a bunch of bats nested in his house. His dog got sick and sadly, died. My cousin began having major problems with his lungs. He and his wife and new baby had to move out and it's been an awful ordeal. If you feel inclined, please give to help them get through this situation. It's heart-wrenching and quite terrifying.

*Help Josh Zandstra become a first generation blueberry farmer!

*Help champion education for children in Ethiopia. Awake & Alive!

*Find and support your local Waterkeeper Alliance! Here's mine!

*Help get Carrotman published! A great little picture book to teach children how not to waste their food. Four days to go!!!

*Give the birds some love and give to the American Bird Conservancy!

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!



Image courtesy of Wild Delmarva which benefits the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Saturday Stolen Moment

Happy Saturday, friends! I don't know about y'all, but after a fun night out last night, I need some centering...and waffles. I need...ahem want waffles. Chicken and waffles to be exact! I digress...

Autumn is creeping right up to us, I could feel it on my morning jogs this week and I just love it. It's a magical time of year and I can almost sense nature gearing up for it's farewell for the year. In honor of Summer's adieu and Autumn's approach, and to help bring yourself to a calm and peaceful place (if you feel so inclined), here's today's stolen moment/meditation.

If weather permits, try to get out in it today. I particularly love in-between times like dawn or dusk (and since I was a half hour late posting this this morning, dusk may have to do!). Make sure you are somewhere safe and close your eyes. Listen to the sounds surrounding you. Are there cicadas chirping, or children playing? Whatever noises surround you, let them. Not the specifics as much as the combined symphonic range of the goings-on. Is there anything about it that is essentially indicative of where you live?

Let the sounds of nature wash over you. Breathe in deeply and exhale deeply as many times as feels good to you. After you are comfortable, imagine in your mind one beautiful thing you could do for someone else, or nature today. Pick up some litter, pay for someone's coffee, help a person with a stroller by opening a door or carrying groceries from someone. Spend a little extra Q-time with your spouse, children or pets. Pick something that shows kindness and love and do it. It doesn't have to be grandiose to have an impact.

Send some gratitude out. Not only for the end of a beautiful Summer, or for the ushering in of Autumn; but for your blessings. We all have them. Sometimes it may not feel as such, but we do. In the paraphrased words of Ray Wiley Hubbard, keep your gratitude higher than your expectations and today will be a good day. It's a damn good day, y'all.

I truly hope you have a wonderful day!


*Is this a heron or an egret? I saw it on my jog this morning and I can never tell them apart!

Spread the Love

Hello friends! If you're ever having a hard day, do something nice for someone else. It may sound overly-simplified and perhaps a bit trite, but it really works. I've been in my head a lot over the past week and honestly the only thing that pulled me out today is finding new people and organizations and causes to give to. Every Wednesday at P&PPS is all about giving, so here's this week's list of people and animals you can help. Let's keep a cycle of generosity going!

*There are 18 days and less than $1600 away from Carly Jacobs getting a bus for the special needs children at the Waratah School. Help her out!

*And Desert Farm Initiative, featured here several weeks ago, made they're goal! Yay! Read about their mission here!

*Be a Semonlina superhero! Help this small pasta factory expand to a bigger facility. Heh. Semolina superhero.

*Help tribal peoples defend their lives, protect their lands, and determine their own futures. Survival International.

*Help fund tracking for Monarch butterfly migratory patterns. How cool!

*Help preserve the native language and culture of the Scottish Gaelic people.

*Sign the petition asking Lowe's CEO to stop selling plants treated in bee-killing pesticides, and donate to Friends of the Earth.

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!


Image courtesy of Original Only.

A Creative Saturday Meditation

Hello, friends! I hope this Saturday finds you well. I know from personal experience, it can be challenging to take a few minutes for yourself to decompress, or de-stress. Sometimes I get so frustrated at a lack of inspiration, I busy myself with nonsense instead of taking the time to beckon inspiration to me.

 Today, I want to walk you through a different type of meditation. A meditation for awakening your creativity. Steal some time today and play this song. Close your eyes and let your imagination run wild. Have trouble quieting a busy mind? Try these ideas:

*As the song begins, imagine a glorious blank canvas in your mind's eye. Now picture a fat drop of watercolor paint plopping down onto the page and morphing into different shapes as the music moves you. A dancer, a running horse, a waterfall- whatever your mind takes you to, go with it. Leave perfectionism at the door. This is your place, your sanctuary, your escape from stress. No one can see this but you, so don't allow any negativity or judgement in. Or try this...

*Imagine a day beginning as the song does. Let your imagination create the environment and watch the weather change as the song does. Is it a beach on a cloudless day? A mountain view and a trickling stream? Perhaps walking through a lush forest or bobbing in a canoe on a lake? Are you watching a storm roll in? See what your mind wants to create. Let it take you there. It's only four minutes, but what a difference it can make.

You'd be surprised at how much good little exercises like this does. Cobwebs are swept out and perspectives, inspirations, and positivity trickles in. I hope you enjoy this one, I certainly have.

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!

Saturday Meditation

This image courtesy of BBC.

Even though I live in North Florida, I am starting to see signs that Summer is indeed fading away. Though, I am all about Autumn, I have to say I'm sad to see Summer dwindling. The days are getting shorter, there is a whisper of chill on the air at night. The fruits and vegetables in my parent's garden are going to seed.

A few days ago, I had a moment of nostalgia watching the setting sun lay long, wide swaths of golden light across my yard. I was reminded of what it was like to be a kid this time of year. Like a wild animal, you could feel it in your bones- the season was indeed changing. There weren't as many lightning bugs, the thunderstorms were less frequent. You couldn't quite stay in the pool or ocean as long as you could two weeks before without getting cold. What lay ahead began running through your mind. New books, new school clothes, new friends.

As if, at an old-fashioned ball- the adventures ahead lay before you like a vast and glistening buffet; and behind you the Summer steps solemnly, but gracefully back from the dance floor; waving at you and tucking her dance card away until next time.

Take pleasure in the last waltzes with Summer this weekend. Step outside in the heat and wriggle your toes in the grass. It's something you always miss in the Winter. Watch the sun set, feel the heat mix with the tendrils of Autumn cool. Have a cookout. Look at the stars. If you're a night owl look for shooting stars (last vestiges of the Perseid meteor shower from earlier this week). Eat watermelon,   run through the sprinkler like a kid, or splash in a pool. Eat OtterPops, and mango salsa. Dance. Remember dancing was a part of our lives when we were kids and its so appropriate for the end-of-Summer spectacular! Dance your face off to your favorite Summer tunes while they still feel relevant and haven't shimmied through the cracks into "memories" yet.

We have but a few weeks left of Summer, steal every moment you can. Be present and grateful and happy.

I truly hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Every little thing...

Image courtesy of Ocala Style

How is your week going, friends? Need a pick-me-up? Perhaps you are looking for a way to manifest some good in your life? As I mentioned last week, sometimes the best way to do that is by bringing good into someone else's world. Take some time to peruse these organizations and charities. You may find something that speaks to you, or perhaps it will spring something to mind in your own neighborhood that you can help. Remember, even just $5 can make a difference in someone's day and life or the life of an animal. Isn't that wonderful? I think so. I know several of these got my dollars this week!

*Animal Abuse Defense Registry. A way to make sure adopted animals are going to a safe home. I love that idea.

*Help rebuild Broadway Lights Dance Center in Gulf Breeze, Florida. It was nearly destroyed by heavy storms. How can you resist those little ballerina tutus?!

*A way to help "decision-makers" chart recovery in the Gulf of Mexico. I'm a Gulf Coast girl, and the ecosystems here are stunning, however they have suffered so much. This would be a cool way to give back.

*On that note, save our manatees! I love manatees. I want to hug them and if I ever get to be an eccentric billionaire, I will create a huge manatee sanctuary and bob around in the water with them for hours trying to steal hugs from these sweet creatures. I know one is not supposed to harass the wildlife, but they're just so lovely and an important part of their ecosystem. I physically have to hold back the hugs!!

*Help make sure no child goes to bed hungry. A big feat, but a noble one! Feed the children.

I hope you have a truly wonderful day!