Meri's Musings

I believe in eating only good chocolate in staying behind the camera where I feel safe and protected in poking around antique shops  on a lazy day, looking for the sake of  partaking of a visual feast, not because I want anything in the splendor of a perfect ranunculus and that magic and miracles abound, if you're only open to them.

One thing I've learned about cultivating JoY is that when you start looking for it, it shows up everywhere. In the weirdest places. In unbelievable forms and shapes. Like this guy. . . . found in an antique store in Thorp, Washington. It's a kitschy pitcher.   Trying saying that fast 5 times. I dare you. I bet you can't do it without laughing. And letting the JoY leak in. The crazy pitcher made me laugh out loud. If I hadn't been in a "paring down, simplify" phase of my life, I absolutely positively would have brought him home with me. Simply for the smiles he'd evoke. (Instead, I bought a beautiful embroidered handkerchief to add to my stash of beautiful nose wipes.) How are you cultivating joy? Share your wins, your misty-eyed moments, your ear-to-ear grins. Where do you find JOY? What thrills you? Notice it. Cultivate it. Celebrate it. Share it. ...

When you're out and about, what sort of things catch your eye and say "Look at me!" ? What unleashes your imagination, makes you start dreaming of possibilities? You can make up a story for almost anyone and anything you see, one that titillates or teases, one that mystifies and moves. What's your story?