Meri's Musings

Sometimes I've been lucky enough to find a little oasis of serenity in a world that seems a little mad from time to time. Postcards from Paradise .

Without a doubt, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Ready for more visual blessings? Go visit the bloggers for today's  Postcards from Paradise .

Truly not my cup of tea but paradise for somebody. I am a fan of turquoise and shiny, however. Postcards from Paradise

Postcards from Paradise I don't know why these moments caught my attention or why I wanted to alter reality. But play is my paradise. . . . and so is this post by Lisa at Curious Girl  and this post by Noelle at The Angels Wear Fins  that I hope will inspire you because we create paradise right here, right now when we act with intent to touch the lives of others with love. what's paradise for you?

Paradise is the place within where we know joy and gratitude. Where we know our own magnificence and the power of our dreams. Where we awaken to our unique genius and authenticity and feel free -- no, compelled -- to express it, no matter what others think. Postcards from Paradise .

Though the day was looking drippy and drizzly I ventured off to see the offerings at the Farmer's Market and the artist wares  at the Gig Harbor Arts and Crafts Festival, an annual event sponsored by Peninsula Art League. By the time I'd bought sweet peas and bread at the Farmer's Market and headed down toward the harbor to the Festival, the clouds decided to behave so the wander was dry. And colorful. Quirky. Full of browsers. . . . Fun seekers   and adorable pups. It was also productive. . . .  But more about that later. Postcards from Paradise.

Just me here. . . sending you Postcards from Paradise . Little old me. . . enjoying the sunlight and shadows meditating on the blue skies paying attention to the details finding the stillness within and without and just plain lovin' life. Oh. . . . and here's wishing you a splendid 4th of July, whether or not it's a national celebration for you. Love, Meri

If you're looking for the WOW factor, there's nothing like the Pacific Northwest on a sunny day. Phone Pix from my Android 2 (Retro Camera app) Postcards from Paradise

This weekend I took an excursion to the dry side of the state for a little family time. It's way different there,  both in geography, climate and culture. Besides growing lots of apples and some pretty fine wines, the region produces a bumper crop of Republicans. (On the wet side of the state, we tend to have a more moderate climate and grow more Democrats and Independents.) Notwithstanding the dry side's affinity for R's, there's a little architectural oddity alongside I-82 that makes allusion to one of the dark moments in a Republican presidency almost a century ago. Remember Warren Harding and the Teapot Dome Scandal? In case you've forgotten that period of American history, there was some hanky-panky in the selling of leases of federal oil reserves in Wyoming. It rocked the Harding presidency and landed  the Interior Secretary Albert Fall in prison. Talk about a fall guy. So architect Jack Ainsworth designed this dandy little gas station that was built ...

Sometimes we have to let go of hope that we've nurtured far too long. . . . . hope that's heartfelt but fraudulent. . . a little lie that keeps us from acknowledging what truly is and from throwing off the past so we can move in a new direction. Aspens © 2010 Meri Arnett-Kremian In taking the risk -- in letting go we have to trust that new dreams will fill the void left by saying goodbye to false hope. We have to believe that the sun will come out again and fill us with radiance even if we've not done a good job of tending our own light. Postcards from Paradise

Today I'm not into heaviness and gloom, despite the chill and low-hanging clouds. I've got a yen for froth and fluffiness. "Silken" © 2010 Meri Arnett-Kremian For pure lightness of spirit "Puff Stuff" © 2010 Meri Arnett-Kremian and glimpses of paradise. "Unscattered Seeds" © 2010 Meri Arnett-Kremian Share your little bit of heaven at Rebecca's Postcards from Paradise. p.s. feel better soon, Rebecca!

If you're in need of a little inspiration, visit Rebecca and her friends at Postcards from Paradise. Rebecca asks "How is Spring awakening you?" and talks about the challenges and burdens we all encounter on our walk through life. And I realized that after having my heart broken into a million pieces a few years ago, I've let it harden so it's not as vulnerable. I think it's time to let it bloom. Wish me luck!