"We become what we think about." ~ Earl Nightingale

Welcome to Sacred Ruminations

I hope you'll look around & leave comments
then visit me at my new blog ...

Giraffe Journal

and/or website ... Labyrinth Journal
both self-hosted at WordPress
where I publish as myself
rather than under a
pseudonym.

I've not had much time for posting or blog visits, but if you're interested I hope you'll find time to check out my new blog, Giraffe Journal or my Labyrinth Journal website ... both self hosted at WordPress.

Thanks for your visit and have a delightful day ;--)
Hugs and blessings,


Thursday, December 31, 2009

Blue Skies and Random Reflections - 2009



Happy New Year to All
from sunny Southern California!


Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for other Sky Watchers
I've shared a Mosaic of 13 Wintry Beach Sky Views
at Small Reflections today.

Thirteen ...
How Time Flies
1. On this last day of 2009, I'm grateful for so many things, and I'm glad I've kept a 'Daily Gratitude List' in my sidebar at Small Reflections for the past 14 months & transferred those lists to Happily Retired Gal ... for it's the small things (all too easily forgotten) that seem to matter most these days. I'm also glad share Really Good Things and Blog My Blessings periodically. Looking back at these lists reminds me of experiences I might otherwise forget.

2. This is my 462nd post here at Sacred Ruminations ... my 148th for this year. Added to 652 posts at Small Reflections, 210 at Happily Retired Gal, and 33 at Blog Rolls, Bling & Blurbs ... that makes a total of 1362 posts in the 26 months since I started blogging. Somehow this boggles my mind ... especially since I'd never even SEEN a blog before a friend I met at the Taos Writer's Retreat (who lives in New Mexico) gave me a 'guided lesson' over the phone in late October of 2007 and helped me set up a blog ... then pestered me to publish something!

3. Looking at my early posts, I realize how little I knew about this virtual world back then. I'm amazed by what I've learned ... the people from all over the world I've encountered & the connections created ... and the expansive potential as yet unexplored. I'm grateful for it all.

4. The 'writer' in me has taken a back seat to the 'photographer' this past year. I'm hoping to find some 'balance' in the coming months by setting clear 'intentions' and clarifying 'focus' for each of my blogs ... sharing primarily writing here as I did initially and reconnecting with virtual friends I've lost track of in the past 12 months. Perhaps I'll pick up
One Single Impression again ... it's a challenge I used to enjoy and kept me in touch with creative souls in the Blogosphere.

5. I've enjoyed learning to use Photoshop Elements to create mosaics and am pleased with the gradual refinements & embellishments added over recent months. When I look at early efforts, I'm appreciative of the Adult School classes offered where I live. Without guidance, I suspect I might have given up early on.

6. Today is Molly's 5th birthday and if the drizzily weather clears, I plan to take her to Dog Beach to run & play with her fur-friends ... and perhaps to the Doggie Spa after if they have time for her.
If not, I suspect I'll be giving her a bath myself.

7. If you've not seen Jib Jab's Review of 2009, you can find it at Small Reflections along with a Mosaic of Wintry Beach Skies (and a bit of Haiku). These can be contrasted with 13 Beach Sunsets shared a couple of weeks ago here at Sacred Ruminations.

8. I know how fortunate I am to live where I do and love sharing my Southern California Coastal Views & photos from my sister on the road with you on each of my blogs. I try to keep my 'labels' and links up to date & accurate, but if you encounter problems with any of them, I'd appreciate a 'heads up' so I can fix them. My email address is available on my Blogger Profile page.

9. I love seeing 'wintry wonderland views' shared by many of you who live in different parts of the world without having to put on shoes or a jacket. Thanks so much for sharing as you do.

10. One of these days I may update my list of 101 Things About Me (or not). Every now and again someone finds it & leaves me a comment there, and when I get the email notification I find myself feeling 'exposed' ... but then that's what writing is all about, isn't it?

11. Sometimes it's fun to revisit my beginnings by checking out my
Top 7 in '07 Small is Beautiful Review of Small Reflections and 2007 Blog Review of Sacred Ruminations ... just because. Reading those early comments reminds me of how visitors kept me posting early on ... before blogging took on a life of its own and makes me want to reconnect with those bloggers I've lost track of due to time constraints and shifting priorities. Perhaps these thoughts should be part of #3 above, but I'm running out of time and need to get this published so methinks I'll leave it as is.

12. Ohmygosh ... sitting here staring at the computer screen I realize there are too many thoughts swirling in my head and deciding which to share has me 'stuck' ... especially since the sun's up and Molly is pestering me for her early morning walk. It rained all day yesterday so she's filled with extra energy so I don't think I can ignore her much longer.

13. So ... here I am at #13 so I guess I'll end with this graphic and a few thoughts for the day ... just because ;-)



Click for others participating in Thursday Thirteen

Thoughts for the New Year
"There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew." Thomas Edison

"Don't make quitting an option if there is something you want to achieve." David Leonhardt

" Every situation is perfect the way it is. Every circumstance offers you a lesson that will help you become the person you're capable of being." Marianne Williamson

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Watery Outdoor Views - Southern California


ALMOST

walking I found this
fountain in my neighborhood
...
then walked to the beach


Click to embiggen for better viewing...

... and for others participating in
Watery Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, My World

and (Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Thought for Today
"
Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." Hal Borland

Friday, December 25, 2009

Scenic Shadow Shots Mosaic from Christmas




Snapped while visiting
family in Hemet on
Christmas Eve this year


Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in
Scenic Sunday
, Shadow Shots, and Mosaic Monday


Reprising my 2008 Christmas post
for those of you who didn't know me then
& because I love this song ;-)
Sharing from this morning's email from:




Here's the Story of the Day
Purple Madonna


One time
on Hollywood Boulevard
I saw a young girl with a baby.
It was a crisp winter morning
& her hair shone
dark purple in the sun.
She was panhandling
outside the Holiday Inn
& the door clerk came out
& told her to be on her way & I
wondered if anyone would
recognize the Christ child
if they happened to meet.
I remember thinking
it's not like there are any
published pictures
& purple seemed
like a good color for a Madonna
so I gave her a dollar
just in case.
If the link under the image
doesn't work,
click here to see
what's available for this story.



Mary Did You Know?

(sung by Mark Lowry who wrote the lyric
& gave it to Buddy Greene who wrote the music)

My favorite (new) Christmas Song


If you click on the up arrow at the bottom right,
you'll get options to hear the song sung by others ...
My second favorite is Mark & Buddy singing together.

See also
Angels of Mercy
and message from Tut in the next post.


Thought for Today
"I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys." Charles Dickens

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

WW - South Coast Plaza Views


ALMOST
Scroll down for My World & Watery Wednesday too

Lunch with my sister
delicious ... satisfying
at South Coast Plaza


Click to embiggen & for others participating in
(Almost) Wordless Wednesday


Sunday stroll around
South Coast Plaza mall with my
camera I snapped

three watery views
of the fountains bubbling
to share here with you




Click to embiggen & for others participating in
My World and Watery Wednesday
and see the 3-story Christmas tree
inside Crystal Court



Still requesting HELP while sharing Ruby Christmas Cheer
Click for specifics if think you might be able to help

Photobucket
I've created this award because
finding comments when I log on does
'Make My Day' ... I know activities
of the season take our time, so these
comments left the last few weeks deserve
special recognition! It's reserved
for YOU who have commented in the
last three weeks. Feel free
to enjoy and pass the gift along
to those who create in you 'a song'



Thought for Today
"Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity." Voltaire

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Mosaic of Scenic Shadow Shots




Just a few miles
down Pacific Coast Highway
is this lovely spot

Bolsa Chica once
was known as 'Tin Can' beach 'cuz
it was such a mess

but it's been cleaned up
and preserved for many years
... with 'information' ;-)



Click to embiggen for better viewing ;-)


Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in
Scenic Sunday
, Shadow Shots, Blue Monday, and Mosaic Monday
See also my other Mosaic Monday posts this week at
Happily Retired Gal and Small Reflections


"Don't let yesterday use up too much of today."
Cherokee Indian Proverb
Although I continue to keep a Daily Gratitude List in my sidebar at Small Reflections, it's been a while since I've regularly Blogged my Blessings here, but I'm trying to remedy that by sharing for the second week in a row: I'm grateful ...

1. my sister & her husband are home for the holidays so it will be a celebration with extended family this year like we've not had for quite some time.

2. Sunday my sister & I will spend the afternoon and evening together ... catching up as we walk through South Coast Plaza (me with my camera while she shops) then dining at Z'Tejas and attending the Pacific Chorale's Christmas Concert at the Segerstrom Theater at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

3. I've finally managed to get my Dell Laptop to access my newly 'encrypted' wireless router! I suspect there are lots of kids in the neighborhood who are frustrated that my 'unencrypted' wireless signal is no longer available for their illegal music downloads, but my network is safer now.

4. we've had amazing weather since the rain with beautiful skies and sunsets ... reminding me why I love living in Southern California near the beach.

5. although it took about 24 hours, I've cleaned up my external 1TB hard drive containing my photos and successfully defragged it so that I have 533GB free ;-)

See my Daily Gratitude List
in the sidebar at Small Reflections
and the lists I've transferred to Happily Retired Gal

What are some blessings in YOUR life currently?
For others who 'Blog Their Blessings'
go to My Blog Rolls and/or click on the
Blog Your Blessings logo

above Really Good Things.
For those who participate in Sacred Life Sunday
click the logo below:
Blessed Be ... and so it is!
Photobucket

Thought for Today
"I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright." Henry David Thoreau

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Thirteen Sunsets at the Beach



Sunsets at the beach
extraordinarily
beautiful this week



Click to embiggen for better viewing ...
and for others participating in Thursday Thirteen,
Haiku Friday and Sky Watch
If time permits ...
see also my musical T-13 at Small Reflections today and
I've shared more Sunset Views at Happily Retired Gal

Thought for Today
"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." Confucius

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Scenic Shadow Shots - Mosaic Blue Monday




Scenic December
Southern California
views after rainstorm


Straight out of the camera above
Poster Edges below


Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in
Scenic Sunday
, Shadow Shots, Blue Monday, and Mosaic Monday

See also my other Mosaic Monday posts this week at
Happily Retired Gal and Small Reflections


2009 Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting Services

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The Compassionate Friends (TCF) Worldwide Candle Lighting® is held annually the second Sunday in December ... and this year it is Sunday, December 13. This event unites family and friends around the globe as they light candles for one hour to honor and remember children who have died at any age from any cause. As candles are lit at 7 p.m. local time, creating a virtual wave of light, hundreds of thousands of persons commemorate and honor the memories of children in a way that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious, and political boundaries."

Now believed to be the largest mass candle lighting on the globe, the Worldwide Candle Lighting, a gift from TCF to the bereavement community, creates a virtual 24-hour wave of light as it moves from time zone to time zone. Hundreds of formal candle lighting events are held and thousands of informal candle lightings are conducted in homes as families gather in quiet remembrance of children who have died, but will never be forgotten. The Worldwide Candle Lighting started in the United States in 1997 as a small internet observance, but has since swelled in numbers as word has spread throughout the world of the remembrance.

"Don't let yesterday use up too much of today."
Cherokee Indian Proverb
Although I continue to keep a Daily Gratitude List in my sidebar at Small Reflections, it's been a while since I last Blogged my Blessings here, so here goes: I'm grateful ...

1. for rain ... glorious rain! As I'm dancing for joy at real rain, I'm praying for those who have had more rain and snow than usual ... hoping their weather will improve and that weather related damage is minimal.

2. my traveling sister and her husband are nearing home ... currently in Monterey, CA and headed southward ... planning to arrive by next weekend.

3. I'll be celebrating Christmas with family and friends ... and yes, I know how fortunate I am to live where I do ;-)

4. for my Nikon D60 and the things I've learned about photography during the eleven months I've used it.

5. delicious Satsuma tangerines from my sister's tree and the bountiful lemons & limes currently on my citrus trees ... plenty to share with friends & neighbors.

6. I remembered to pay my Property Taxes before the deadline of December 10th (where did the time go?) and there was no line at the local Post Office on Thursday morning (unheard of at the holidays) so I could get a Certificate of Mailing to prove I made the deadline if necessary.

7. I have stamps to mail Christmas cards when I finally get them created, printed, written, & addressed.

See my Daily Gratitude List
in the sidebar at Small Reflections
and the lists I've transferred to Happily Retired Gal

What are some blessings in YOUR life currently?
For others who 'Blog Their Blessings'
go to My Blog Rolls and/or click on the
Blog Your Blessings logo

above Really Good Things.
For those who participate in Sacred Life Sunday
click the logo below:
Blessed Be ... and so it is!
Photobucket

Thought for Today
"There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries."
W.J. Cameron