2014 Adventures

are you ready to start the new year?

 

from this day forward remove the word "impossible" from your vocabulary. become an expert in possibilities

It's About Time

Tell the audience what you're going to say, say it; then tell them what you've said. ~ Dale Carnegie

 

Week #52 LIFE'S Simple Pleasures - walking the walk and talking the talk

 

I did it! 

 

I found some of LIFE'S simple pleasures and documented them every week of 2013.  If you are looking for some fun reading and want to discover the little things ... check out some of my different posts throughout this year.

 

Topics through the last quarter of the year include: shoes, circle, bed, Halloween, discovering, Random Acts of Kindness, music, thankful, it's a sign, winter, Christmas and finally..... stating what I was going to do, doing what I say I was going to do and and finally completing what I set out to do!

One of the mission statements over at the House of Shine is: Don't think too much and do/be/create as much as possible

 

And throughout this entire year I was on the hunt to find the simple things in LIFE.  Things I forgot about.  Things that were there all the time.  Things that made me slow down and appreciate LIFE.

 

Life is simple when you live simply.

If the simple things in life don't put a smile on your face, then you will never be truly happy.

I must admit, that this project in writing/research/illustrating was at times a very hard task to complete.  And then I found that there is so much more I could have written about: making someone smile, when something you were going to buy is on sale anyway, finding a treasure in the back of a closet, hanging out with a friend, getting a hug from a child, silly faces, old love letters, being brave, singing loudly in the shower, unexpected sticky notes....

I look back on this and smile because it was LIFE and I decided to live it!

Thanks for coming along on the ride through 2013.  Happy New Year!! Can you imagine the possibilities I can embrace in 2014, when I color my thoughts with only the brightest of hues....

LIFE'S little Collections

Going back to a simpler life is not a step backward - Yvon Chouinard

 

Week #52 LIFE'S simple pleasures - walking the walk and talking the talk

 

We made it to the end of 2013!

 

Each week on my blog I tried to highlight different things in my LIFE that I thought were one of LIFE'S simple pleasures.... the little things... things that don't cost a lot of money... part of our world...beautiful things right outside my door!

 

Although  it may seem that LIFE throws me a curve ball every once in a while... I truly want to express how blessed I am!!!

 

Each new day is another chance to change your life.

 

As I reflect on this last full week of 2013 I have discovered or re-discovered a lot of beautiful things over the last 52 weeks: graduation, American Flag, stop and smell the roses, front porch, bugs, day adventure, birthday celebration, collections, parks, umbrellas, summer time, fairs, lefties,stages of life, picnics, sounds of summer, volunteer, hearts, fall, home.

 

A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot and realize how blessed you are.

 

So, if you've stopped my blog throughout the year ...(thank you, you should have left me a comment so I knew you visited!) have you looked around to see all the simple pleasures, the little things that are a part of your LIFE?  Amazing, huh?

 

In 2014 I'm on the hunt for 'possibilities'. I found this recently, but will tweak it at some point to reflect me....

 

"Because I am a collector of moments and I believe the stories of how things come to LIFE, matters"

Kelly Rae Roberts

Another Chance

The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best - Henry Van Dyke

 

Happy, Happy, Happy

 

My homage to Duck Dynasty.  It's amazing how a few Duck people can cause America to flap their beaks and get them to really think and talk about this world and our countries' freedom of choice!

 

Week #52 LIFE'S Simple Pleasures - walking the walk and talking the talk

 

A year of simple pleasures in review.

 

Hot topics I wrote about, weeks 11-20:  Birds, comfort food, furry friends, Spring, Pinterest, people watching, all things earth, geocaching, honoring mothers, clouds/sky.

 

Whether your mission on Earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't.  Richard Bach

 

There are many awesome things we've learned about geocaching (Week #18) .  Look at our Earth's beauty captured in some of my pictures.  One of the big things that geocaching requests that you do is CITO.... cache in, trash out!  So, not only are you walking around in God's beauty, you clean up and leave the place a little better than you found it. 

I can't help but love the sunny days as well as the cloud filled days.  They are all stunningly beautiful when it is a simple pleasure.  Go back to Week #20  to see where the skies the limit!

 

Each new day is another chance

to change your LIFE.

 

Merry Christmas!

The End is Near

Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they're supposed to help you discover who you are. ~ Bernice Johnson Reagan

One last topic and I can declare victory!!!
Week #52 LIFE'S Simple Pleasures - talking the talk and walking the walk

Starting back in Week #1 of LIFE'S simple  pleasures I have weekly made the attempt to look for in my surroundings, many of the simple pleasures the encompass my LIFE.

I have found at least 51, but it's actually much, much more!!

Weeks 1-10 included LIFE with a twist on: Beverages, Snowflakes, Fuzzy Socks, Fireplaces, Books, Teddy Bears, Valentines, the Sun, Cookies and Mail.

 

LIFE does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.

 

Each week of 2013 took me on an adventure.  It took me places that I forgot existed. I stopped and really tried to enjoy.

I just need to be reminded sometimes to just take a deep breath.  Worrying never solved anything and just truly enjoy the simple things.

LIFE moves pretty fast if you don't stop and look around once in awhile you could miss it.

 

Ho Ho Ho!!

Down through the chimney....

Week #51 LIFE'S simple pleasures - Christmas

Are you ready?  O' come all ye faithful....I'm as ready as I could ever be.  I so get why people can get stressed this time of year.  Done Decking the Halls?  There is constant bombardment of advertising.... Joy to the World....Are your stockings hanging by the chimney with care?  Mine are.... see the picture above?  I got a wonderful handmade gift from a special friend.... banners are one of the "IN" things this year... and look?  It perfectly matches our stocking holders on the mantel!  Noel, Noel!!

Christmas time is really a simple pleasure ... it depends on how complicated we make it.  If we have faith and believe what the celebration was meant to be ... then all that wasted energy is uplifted to the spirit of peace, joy and love.

Well, you should probably get back to it.... only 6 more days until that magical day.  So much to do, right???  Have yourself a Merry 'little' Christmas....

Have a Holly Jolly One

Tis the season to be jolly....

 

Week #51 LIFE'S simple pleasures - Christmas

 

So do wish people a Merry Christmas? or Happy Holidays? 

 

If you say happy holidays then you can roll all the different December celebrations into one!  Those two two word phrases are causing a small controversy in 2013.  Choose your words wisely.

 

I love this card above .... just sparkle.

 

Or, how about this one... a Merry Christmouse ....

 

However you might say it ... don't get your tinsel in a tangle!

 

Just buy some creative greetings!! and

 

Brighten Someone's Day.

 

 

That Time of Year

Have yourself a merry little Christmas.

Week #51 LIFE'S simple pleasures - Christmas

I almost second guessed myself.  Is it really week #51? 

Looking at the actual calendar for December, I see that the 29th of December falls on a Sunday, the beginning of a new week, so that would technically be week 53.... but if you do the math and divide 365 days a year by 7 days a week, you actually get 52.14 weeks... but I guess that really doesn't count for figuring out the math of a calendar.

Good thing... that's all way to complicated for me, anyway.

Christmas is a beautiful time of year.  It can also be a difficult time of year. How ever you celebrate the reason for the season, I hope this year, at this moment you are being surrounded by peace, joy and love!

Keep calm and get your Ho, Ho, Ho on.

A Beautiful Sight

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening
On Providence Lane, snow is glistenin'

Week # 50 LIFE'S simple pleasures - winter

A lot of people all over the US got a strong dose of winter weather over this past weekend.  Mother Nature and all her furry dumped lots of snow and frigid cold, closing schools and cities in the south. They got their first look at power outages and black ice of the winter season that has just begun!

Watching the snow from inside, as I dream by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate, is the best way to enjoy winter!... a beautiful sight.

The lyrics to Winter Wonderland were written by Richard Smith with music by Felix Bernard.  It was  released in 1934 and has been recorded by over 150 musical artists.  It has a seasonal theme (winter) but it never mentions Christmas, although it is a classic song sung at Christmas time.

 

Maybe in our back meadow I can build a snowman... and pretend he's a friend of Cooper Brown....

 

I've already heard it.  Our first snowfalls, cold temperatures and holiday bustle ... and people are tired of it. We need winter so that we can appreciate spring a little more.

 

One kind word can warm three winter months.
- Japanese Proverb

 

Go check out the snow, the Eskimo way... oh no, is that politically correct???

Is it Winter or not?

in the depths of
winter i finally
learned that there
was in me an
invincible summer
~albert camus

 

 

Week #50 LIFE'S simple pleasure -winter

So, over this past weekend we got our first real measurable amount of snowfall here in the upper Midwest.  About 4".  It looks pretty, and it's cold... last night the thermometer dipped to -2 degrees. 

May I remind you it's not even winter yet according to the calendar!

My husband would like to disagree in regard to that statement... it's like those who wont turn their airconditioning on during a fluke 95 degree day in the middle of April.  Or those fanatics that will not turn their furnace on when it dips into the 30s at the end of October... the calendar doesn't say so! 

Forget about modern conveniences and comfort for the sake of what date it is on the calendar! You showed them!!!

I was walking Cooper (the black lab mix) yesterday without his sidekick Pomeranian Tucker.  Little Tucker's footpads couldn't handle the snow and the extreme cold.  Poor little doggie.

During our walk I happened upon a man who was shoveling his driveway (sans a hat and gloves). He lives on a different street than us.

I said hello, with a wave.  He commented back, "what do you think of this?".... motioning to all the snow.  I stated back that I didn't really mind, yes it was very cold but the sun was shining.  And it's winter and I can't change it, so I am going to look for the good in it!  It looks pretty.

 I think he was surprised!  We are so used to people agreeing with us about the negative things.

It truly is a mindset.  You are only as old as you feel.  So what if the calendar isn't quite in the winter solstice, 4" of snow and -2 degrees, it's winter.  You don't have to be rich to sparkle.  Wherever you go, bring your own sunSHINE.

Even in winter an isolated patch of snow has a special quality
~ Andy Goldsworthy

Paw Prints in the Snow

Hello, December
Make my wishes come true

 

Week #50 LIFE'S simple pleasures - winter

 

The jury is out when thinking about winter as a simple pleasure.  I might have to categorize it as a needed pleasure, for rebirth of our earth.

 

I could be like everyone else and say, "Where has this year gone?" I'm sure y'all have heard it before.

 

However, when I think back, this has been a terrific year!  I was able to document each and every week something new (or maybe, even old).  But it was a year filled with noticing LIFE'S simple pleasures.

 

This post may be a bit of deja vu`.  In week #2, I posted about snowflakes! 

 

I guess that is pretty close to posting about winter!  This entire year I've made specific posts about the seasons, so of course I need to finish out with winter.... which doesn't officially start until my mother-in-laws birthday on December 21. It's always the shortest day of the year.... day light speaking.

 

Winter is the coldest season of the year.  We have cold temperatures and snow because the earth is oriented away from the sun.

 

You can't get too much winter in winter - Robert Frost

My sign reads: It's Possible

I saw the sign and it opened up my
eyes I saw the sign
Life is demanding without understanding
I saw the sign and it opened up my
eyes I saw the sign
No one's gonna drag you up to get into
the light where you belong
But where do you belong
~ Ace of Base, song The Sign

Week #49 LIFE'S simple pleasures - a sign

The Universe supplies us with an infinite amount of signs daily, we just need to put on the correct pair of glasses to see them.

You know, not everyone has to believe that it's 'a sign'.  If by chance someone tells you what you need to hear, it can truly validate where you are at that very moment.

There is a difference between just seeing something and seeing something 'knowing' it was meant to be there for you.  And too, not everyone needs the answers or see the signs!!!

And sometimes when you do need it most.... you hear a song on the radio that fills you with emotions, you read words on an 'actual' sign  and you say wow! that makes sense! You smell a familiar scent and good memories come to mind!   

Our LIFE is actually finely tuned.... the key is to OPEN up the *possibilities!

In my past blog posts I've talked about signs, inadvertently of course... A simple act of kindness can change the course of a LIFE time.... Words make you think a thought, music makes you feel a feeling, a song makes you feel a thought.... find a penny pick it up... Cinderella is proof that a new pair of shoes can change your life...

The Signs are all there.... coincidence? karma? interpretation? wishful thinking? 

Or actual Semiotics?

LIFE is full of simple pleasures, anything is *possible.

In three weeks you can find out what's *possible!

I Saw the Signs

A sign on the door of opportunity reads PUSH.

 

Week #49 LIFE'S simple pleasures - a sign

 

I could almost be a Semioticist!  I am truly fascinated by the study of something that stands for something to someone in some capacity. 

 

The definition almost sounds like me when I don't know what I'm talking about!!

 

Because I often say I like clever words and pretty things . . . I have found a different way of crossing the boundaries and finding an aha moment.  Maybe all along with my play on words, my desire to  sparkle and my whimsical creative doodles....I have been dabbling in Semiotics and never realized it.

 

It is truly more complicated than I thought.  So, I did a google search on Semiotics for Dummies and basically what I found is that everything has a meaning within a culture.  Anyone who is into social media should have a basic understanding of Semiotics. 

 

Signs are everywhere!

 

Literally and figuratively!!

 

I think Semiotics and Statistics could go hand in hand. 

 

Right now in all my excitement of discovering yet another meaning.... all part of LIFE'S....Learning, Inspiring, Feeling, Evolving, and Shining.... all of this sounds so, or too scientific for me!  Maybe if I was 30 years younger and saw the signs back then.... who knows what meaning makers I could have discovered!!!

 

All I know for sure is that I decoded the Year of  2013 as one... to find the significance of the simple pleasures that are part of my LIFE!

 

A smile on the face is a sign that the heart is at home! ♥

 

Decode the Signs

If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clean desk? ~ Laurence J. Peter

Week #49 LIFE'S simple pleasures - a sign

Nothing is a sign unless we interpreted as a sign ~ Peirce

A nameplate is a actual sign.  It identifies the person behind the door.  Sometimes it gives you their title... so you know their importance in the company. 

Signs also literally direct you to your destination.  I used to work at a sign company.  It sounds funny now as I type this... but there are formulas to get you inside the door and direct you as simply as possible to your final destination. 

Twenty two years ago I worked at a company named Modulex Inc. (a Danish Company) http://www.modulex.com/ and some of their signs were based off of Legos.... building blocks. With information (letters, numbers, company logos) printed on them, they could be interchangeable and fit the needs of each customer. Other signs were digitized vinyl and some were cut outs and back lit.

 

It's a bit hard to tell from this photo (which is a good thing) but each of the letters above is an individual tile placed on a board that looks like the top of a Lego block.  The 1 inch name plate is then slide into a holder.   My job at the time was to take the salesman's information and put it into a comprehensible designed quote so that they then, could present it to the client.

 

There is some thought put behind directing you into a hospital, library or office complex. 

 

You need to know where to enter.  Parking in the correct lot is very important.  Finding the entrance to the building is the next thing you need to know.  Once inside the building, unless you have been there before.... a  updated and complete directory provides you with further information.... names, room numbers, levels, hours of operation etc.... After reading the directory you need to decide which way to go.... left, right, to the elevators, up the stairs --> 

 

Once you are heading in the right direction, the next thing is to be reassured you are going the correct way.  Especially if there are lots of hallways, doors and exits.  Once you've almost made it to your final destination, you need a sign that says where you are.  You are here!!  Room 203 PRDesigns Office! 

 

And lastly, and not so inSIGNificant.... you need to know how to 'get out'.  Signs to direct you to whence you came! EXIT.... stage left.

 

So, do you need an actual sign to direct you in LIFE? 

 

Or do you have Homo Significans?.... meaning makers!

What's Your Sign?

If you are not failing every now and again, it's a sign your not doing anything very innovative

~ Woody Allen

 

Week #49 LIFE'S Simple pleasures - a sign

 

You could take this weeks' simple pleasure literally as a physical object... a real piece of wood or metal that has creative, fun, interesting words on it and it can be posted on a wall or a door or on a stick/stake pounded into the ground ... or it could be something that stands for something to someone in some capacity!!!

 

The last definition sounds, I don't know... kind of spacey?!?  But that word spacey might even be a closer definition to the semiotics study... a 'sign' could very well be something that comes to your mind... out of thin air... and it confirms your purpose at that very moment!

 

I've always known this, but obviously... the English language is very complicated. So many meanings for one word. 

 

You can 'sign up'... which means you add your name and signature to a list.

There is 'sign language' ... where hearing impaired people use their fingers and hands to speak words.

There are 'sign of the times' ... signifies the situation evident in the current times.

Hey baby, what's your sign? ... refers to astrological and zodiac celestial spheres

Exit sign ...  a lit information board that tells you where you can go!

 

What signs can you find today? 

By the way, I am an Aries which is the first sign of the Zodiac. Openness, enthusiasm and individualism are the main traits of the Arians. They are outspoken, alert, quick to act and speak. They prefer to speak than to listen. Arians are ambitious, with lots of drive and a strong will to lead. They are poor followers. Fiercely independent, they usually take the side of the underdog in any controversy. They are champions of lost causes and losing battles. This trait is due to a strong belief in their own abilities to turn any situation around.

The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination ~ Albert Einstein

 

 

It's a Good Sign

It's a sign.

They are everywhere!

Week #49 LIFE'S simple pleasures - signs

This simple pleasure might get me into trouble!! 

You know sometimes when people are in a certain place and something odd happens to them?  And if they are spiritual, symbolical or superstitious... they might say that the event that is occurring "is a sign" .... that they should... or should not do something? 

It's a sign, is another play on words for me... yes, there are ACTUAL signs that say something like: FOR SALE .... or look at me because I'm cute,  but there other signs just out there hanging in space... that our mind catches on to.

The study of signs and sign processes is called Semiotics.  I have never heard this word before, but I am curious, and that is why this weeks simple pleasure may get me into trouble!!!

First the concept.... and then the design.... it's all a process in LIFE.

Stay tuned!!

Today and Everyday

Thankful for the little things.

 

Week #48  LIFE'S simple pleasures - Thankful

 

Some weeks along this journey of LIFE'S simple pleasures... are so easy to write about... and with so few words!!

 

Be Thankful!

Thank You Everyone!

BE Thankful

Your path is beautiful and crooked and just as it should be.

Week #48 LIFE'S Simple Pleasures - Thankful

I've recently read that it's this time of year people take more time to be thankful, because they are aware of the season.  We are all bombarded by feel good stories, advertisements for products to create warmth and happiness for the family and testimonials of God's blessings. 

Of course, that is all wonderful.... but there is always, always, always.... something to be thankful for, every day of the year!

A good life is when you assume nothing, do more, need less, smile often, dream big laugh a lot, and realize how blessed you are.

What Can I Say? It's my 'Thing'

I'm thankful for the little things.

 

Week #48 LIFE'S simple pleasures - thankful

 

I'm a little giddy with a touch of bitter sweetness all mixed in!

 

It's week #48 of year 2013, we are quickly coming to a close and writing my weekly blog post about LIFE'S simple pleasures will be a 'thing' of the past.

 

Some weeks finding topics and writing were more than a struggle than others.  Just like everything in LIFE, right?

 

I am so grateful, thankful and blessed.... beyond words and pictures!

 

This journey here on my blog was actually something completely amazing!  Being thankful for the little things works into being aware of LIFE'S simple pleasures.

 

Each week I looked around my LIFE and really looked at the little things, the simple things and the 'things' that don't cost money (or very little money) to have and appreciate.

 

It's not what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, its what you have in your heart.

 

 

Along this journey I took pictures every day and learned how to be a better photography and a Photo Shop artist.  I wrote (almost) every day and learned how to not only put words down, but write a story.  I researched meanings and learned history to become a better well informed human being on this huge amazing planet.  And, I found fun new ways to put a twist on LIFE, my LIFE.

 

Continue to join me as I finish out my YEAR of 2013, LIFE'S simple pleasures!

 

What are you thankful for?

 

I'm thankful for today!

Pass it On

Hug harder, laugh louder, smile bigger, love longer.

 

Week #47 LIFE'S simple pleasures - Random Acts of Kindness

 

Practice Random Acts of Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty, was written by Anne Herbert back in 1982.  I fit somewhere in between Generation X and Generation Y... so I'm part of the  (older) MTV generation.... and I think it was time that kids in the 1980s took a stand for something other than their neon work out gear and watching the Breakfast Club. 

 

It was time to show some kindness.  We are the world you know?

We are the world, we are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So lets start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
Its true we'll make a better day
Just you and me

 

I think one of the cool things about a RAK is really not planning on what you are going to do and who you are going to do it for.  Thus the word RANDOM....

 

But for some people who plan (and maybe it's a good thing, so that you have the extra 'stuff' you need to complete the task at hand)  here are some more ideas:

 

Put money in an expired parking meter, pick up trash, give your waitress a huge tip, when grocery shopping pick up extras for a food bank, leave a smiley face post it note on the back of a door, return a shopping cart, leave pennies on the side of a fountain for others to make a wish, take time to really listen when someone has something to say....

 

No act of kindness however small is ever wasted - Aesop

 

 

A little spark of kindness can put a colossal burst of Sunshine into someones day.

One in a Minion

Small acts when multiplied by millions of people can transform the world!

 

Week #47 LIFE'S Simple Pleasures - RAKs

 

Random Acts of Kindness.... have you ever been the recipient of one?  If so, how did it make you feel??? 

 

I've read all over....blogs, magazine/newspaper articles etc.... one feel good random act is paying for someones coffee at Starbucks. 

 

I don't know who actually started that... and of all places where a coffee could cost up to $5... a kind soul will let the barista know that they are paying for the order behind them ... and then drive off with a smile on their face and the car behind them looking confused when the drive through attendee says the car in front of you paid for it already!!!  (Like people who go to Starbucks really need help paying for something.... but I digress.... its the random act we are to admire!)

 

Kindness is a very big thing.

 

Sincerely compliment someone every day, always keep your word, leave kind notes for people, be forgiving, accept others kindness....

 

Leave money in a public place for someone to find.

Don’t just drop a few pennies. Leave a five or ten dollar bill. Don’t think about where the money will be spent, it is about spreading kindness, not controlling how your kindness is used.

 

And shop on Small Business Saturday....  November 30, 2013.... instead of going to Hallmark, support a crafty and whimsical creative greetings card company!!! 

 

No act of kindness however small is ever wasted - Aesop

 

Send some FuN MaiL and Brighten Someone's Day!!!!

FREE Hugs, just because!

Carry out a random act of kindness with no expectations of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.
 ~ Princess Diana

 

Week #47 LIFE'S simple pleasures - RAKs

 

A random act of kindness is a selfless act performed by a person or people wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual person or people.

 

Why do it? just because!!

 

Have you ever received an unexpected compliment from a stranger?  At first you may be shocked, but then after your mind raps around the comment, for the rest of the day you feel great!  That's why receiving a RAK is a wonderful thing .It then can prompt you to Pay it Forward and when the moment is right... you do your own Random Act.

 

People often forget that kindness is FREE.

 

Here are just a few things you can do: hold the door for someone, let someone go in line before you, return a shopping cart, pick up trash, donate blood, send a card to a friend, give out Hugs and donate used clothing.

 

It's all about finding ways to make the world a nicer place, just because!

Don't Act, Do!

A little spark of kindness can put a colossal burst of sunshine into someones day.

 

Week #47 LIFE'S simple pleasures - RAKs

 

Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty was first coined by Anne Herbert around 1982. A random act of kindness is  defined as a selfless act performed by a person or people wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual person or people.

 

Last week on November 13 it was World Kindness Day and Random Acts of Kindness week will be celebrated February 10-16, 2014.

 

Become a RAKtivist!!!

 

Hopefully you wont have to perform the act of reverse pick pocketing.... check out this YouTube video above.  These RAK's have a bit of extra work put into them!  It will make you smile.

During this time of year, most people reflect on what they are grateful and thankful for.  And sometimes they want to make the world a nicer place.  Our willingness to help strangers is flexible, and can be shaped in small changes of perception.

One way to do this is to actually go out of your way to make the world a kinder place. Do a RAK.
Brighten Someone's Day.

One small act of kindness may be the positive force that turns someones life around today. Be Kind.

PS: Often while doing research for my blog topics, I look through magazines and newspaper headlines, I reflect on something that may have happened in my own LIFE and I brainstorm, then I just type the subject idea into Googles search engine.  Although I work my topic around 'famous' quotes and sayings from others, by no means do I wish to pass that some of this very clever stuff is my own.  When I see that an author is part of the quote, I include that.  Sometimes there is no author name.  These quotes are normally written in larger italicized bold text.  Artwork that is my own will have my prdesign2013 watermark on it. So.... I'm just sayin'

Music Speaks

Music should either move your feet or move your heart.

 

LIFE is like a piano. The white keys are happy days and the black keys are sad ones. Just remember that you need both to make music.

 

Week #46 LIFE'S simple pleasures - music

 

It is truly amazing all the different types of music we can listen to.  Now with satellite radio and cable television, and easy access to songs on Itunes, you can turn to hundreds of different channels to listen to thousands of different genres of music without ever stepping foot into a record store!!! (what the heck is that??)

 

In almost every walk of LIFE, even if you don't play a musical instrument, or read music .... or even sing.... you can appreciate the feelings and memories music brings to you.

 

I hope that reading my blog posts you've been able to take a few moments and reflect on some of LIFE'S simple pleasures ... it's funny how a melody sounds like a memory.

 

LIFE without music would simply B flat.

 

There are six more weeks left in 2013 .... the Year of LIFE'S Simple Pleasures ... I am so excited that I was able to post every week to my blog with something new!!!

 

Now go Brighten Someone's Day!

Just A Note

The music is not in the notes, but in the silence in between - Mozart

 

Week #46 LIFE'S Simple Pleasures - music

 

It would be very interesting if in 'real' LIFE we had background music!  What would your soundtrack say about you?

 

I think my music during the day would be very quiet and calm, and at night during my dreams... kind of wild and strong!

 

Song lyrics are a great place to find words for sentiments inside a card or a note.

 

A Note: a brief informal letter, a brief record.

 

Words make you think a thought

Music makes you feel a feeling

A song makes you feel a thought

~ E.Y. Harburg

 

When a singer/song writer is asked where they get inspiration for their music and their lyrics, they often point to something that happened in their life ... be it an awful tragedy, a dramatic break up, a joyful experience, an undying love or a great memory.

 

Maybe with LIFE'S simple pleasures, you will write someone a note (** hint** most all the cards you see here on my blog are for sale.... one of kind, unique and ♥artfelt). And take inspiration from a song and music that invoke a good memory with a special person!

 

Brighten Someone's Day

 

 I can't explain it, but I'll find a song that can.

The KEY to LIFE

Sing us a song you're the piano man ... -  Billy Joel

 

Week #46 LIFE'S simple pleasures - music

 

Do you play a musical instrument?  Is your voice your instrument?

 

Music is a huge part of a lot of peoples lives.  It's one of my simple pleasures.

 

Music is what feelings sound like.

 

If you are a movie fan just hearing a song can bring you back in time. 

 

 

The video doesn't quite work when you press play, but turn up the sound.... you'll know....

or, how about this one...

 

 

If you ever want to hear great movie theme songs, go to YouTube and just put that in the search engine.

Music is the sound track to all the good and bad times we have.



LIFE is like a piano.  The white keys are happy days and the black keys are sad ones, just remember that you need both to make music.