Stepping Out

come on, let's see what lies
   beyond the open door
venturing into the unknown
   taking a

l
e
a
p

   of faith

no longer stuck in the past
   at last, trying something grand

not just merely surviving, but
   living to the fullest, thriving

unlock your heart
   let love in-
sweet surprises await
around the corner

stepping out
of the comfort zone
   outside
of yourself
   inside
a brave new world

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So yesterday, I was trying to come up with an idea for my weekend blog post. As I stepped into Grand Central Station to catch my train home, I decided to take some pictures of the Grand Central Market, which looks very festive with Valentine's goodies at the moment. Is that enough chocolate for you? But I digress. Smiles. The first picture shows the doors of the market overlooking Lexington Avenue. As I was taking the photograph, one door closed and another one opened. And voila', that's how I got the idea for the poem! Notice I even sneaked the word "grand" into the poem. :) Inspiration is everywhere, don't you think?  And speaking of being inspired, I want to take a moment to thank my blogger friend Athira who blogs at It's Raining Words for giving me "The Very Inspiring Blogger Award." Thanks, Athira! Have an extra sweet weekend, everyone! xx

heart of winter

heart of winter
will you melt away, turn
     shades of gray
into lavender skies-
blue eyes cold as ice, warm
     up to me again

plant a seed of love
on this barren landscape
     give me sunrises
the color of purple irises-
the taste of honey
     and liquid sunsets

i want cinnamon mornings
and nights of belonging
     to the stars and you

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My dear friends, I hope you're staying warm! It's been cold in NY, though not as cold as last winter. This is only our third snow storm so far. I've been busy at work and enjoying my poetry and photography hobbies. Tonight I was inspired to write a poem about winter as a metaphor for unrequited love. I always look forward to my weekend post and visiting my favorite bloggers and poets! Have a great week ahead! xx

City After Dark

after dark

the city speaks a different language 

of lights and shadows

casting a glow

on neon dreams

hearts beat faster and faster

chasing after new heights

the skyline seems within reach

never look back --

only up

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I hope you enjoy my poem and photos of New York City at night. I took them on Park Avenue as I was walking towards Grand Central to catch my train home. You can see the MetLife building in the first photo and the Chrysler building in the second. I do love the spark and glow of city lights! Have a great week ahead! xx 

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Creativity

words
colors
memories

in the sketchbook of life
drawing from the past into the future

holding on
letting go
starting over

erasing mistakes
letting rain fall where it may

until a new watercolor emerges
sharpened by experience

new shapes and textures forming
freely, without constraint

as if time stops
in that moment of clarity
when all seems to fall into place

slowly
painfully
healing

creativity nurtures the soul
within the silence of discovery
who we are and how it's all connected

by lines drawn on a brand new page
across the universe

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I hope everyone is having a lovely start to the new year! One of my goals this year is to continue in the pursuit of creative endeavors. I'd like to improve my poetry and photography skills by taking courses. I've also started to sketch again. I bought a new set of watercolor pencils and I'm looking forward to draw whatever inspires me! I took a picture of the pencils with my new phone and applied a special effect to it. Digital art photography is another creative endeavor I'd like to pursue. I do believe that creativity nurtures the soul and keeps us connected. So here is to a creative new year! xx

New Year's Reflections

we may be small in comparison to the vastness

of the stars above us, but we do matter

together, we are the sun rays that shine on the world

the little drops in the ocean that make waves

the grains of sand that leave footprints

the petals that unfold into flowers

the blades of grass that sway in green meadows

the leaves that make the tree whole

the parts that are broken

and are pieced together again

to create something new

the colors that blend on a blank canvas

the words written and the words yet to write

and another 365 days to dream

~ ~ ~

Wishing everyone a bright and beautiful New Year! xx

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Happy Holidays!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Holiday Season! I will be back to blogging in the New Year. Enjoy my photo of the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center in NYC! xx

Giving thanks

giving thanks
for a new day
full of possibilities
awaiting
on a late Autumn morning

awakening
to sun rays piercing
through the last of
crimson, golden leaves
still hanging on

in the promise
of starting over
again and again
and bask in the warmth
of what matters most

home's hearth
a place to gather
inside the heart
and glow in the 
closeness

knowing you are
not alone

Hi, everyone! I've been busy and didn't have time to post until now. Thanks to all of you for your lovely comments and for checking in on me! Autumn colors are almost all gone, but I wanted to share some pictures I took throughout November. I love the sun shining through Autumn leaves. Fall reflections in the local pond painted a colorful canvas. 

I went to a fun pumpkin patch. Can't wait to taste the first pumpkin pie of the season!

I've also been going to our local farmer's market on the weekend to pick up fresh herbs and vegetables. This time of year, I like making soups, so comforting when it gets cold.

I picked fresh Fall flowers at a local farm. Here they are on the dining room table.

I like dry flowers, too, which make for a nice Fall display. This pretty wreath was at the local farmer's market. 

Time to gather by the fireplace and stay warm. It's going to snow tomorrow!

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Happy Thanksgiving! xx

a misty autumn afternoon

even a cloudy day in October

comes to life with vibrant colors

as leaves fall like rain from the sky

who knew raindrops could be

golden, amber, crimson, landing

gently, returning to earth, one by one

can you hear the rustling, crunching

beneath your feet, can you see sunrays

at last breaking through the fog?

across the tree tops, remnant of green

memories of summer still close

to the heart, learning to let go

a path leading deeper into the woods

where all is quiet with the bliss

of solitude, away from the frenzy

there is no rush here, no rush at all

nowhere to go in particular

but just be and take it all in

the fresh air, embracing change

with open arms, as you catch

a fragile leaf onto your palm

I spent some time this afternoon walking through the woods, which I find to be meditative and relaxing, away from the stress of everyday life. It seems that life is always so fast paced and filled with constant change, but there are times when I just want to be and not rush around so much. Even in the midst of Autumn changes, nature is still peaceful and graceful, yet moving forward. I can definitely learn from that gracefulness, as I move forward in my own life. Hope you're enjoying the beauty of Autumn and all it can teach us about patience!

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meet me at the mountain top

meet me at the mountain top where dreams come true
we've come this far -- don't look back now
the climbing is hard but oh how worth is the view
can you touch the sky -- don't give up now
colors have changed and so have you
bold as hills, fluid as rivers -- don't lose hope now
the climbing is hard but oh how worth is the view
meet me at the mountain top where dreams come true

This is Bear Mountain in NY overlooking the Hudson River. The scenic view is beautiful especially now in the Fall with the foliage changing colors. I took these photographs from a designated area on a curvy road at the top of the hill where people can stop and admire the view. I have never gone mountain climbing but the view is certainly inspiring as a metaphor to strive to achieve our dreams. I hope it inspires you, too! 

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Autumn Reflections

there is a certain comfort in knowing
you are here to share with me
even the simple pleasures-
the ordinary becomes extraordinary
when seen through the eyes of love

let's celebrate everyday beauty
the colors and flavors of Autumn-
the foliage is turning deep golden & crimson
and we are changing, growing
still falling
still falling

freshly picked apples in the morning light
basketful of bounty, plenty of smiles
cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar
and more sweetness-
apple pie crust

oh, maybe a little too crispy
but I'm learning to smooth the rough edges
go with the flow, face the sun-
be patient like the apple tree
for the fruits of my labor to manifest

and we like it just the same
this messy apple pie
called life-
perfect in its imperfections
baked with unconditional love

Hello, dear friends! I hope you're enjoying the beauty of Autumn. We went apple picking last weekend on a farm in the New York countryside. It was a beautiful sunny day and the fields of apple trees were amazing with such a great variety of green and red apples. We picked so many apples that we gave some away to friends. I also made an attempt at baking my first apple pie. Not bad for a first try, but I need to practice some more! Well, I still have plenty of apples. Enjoy my poem and photographs inspired by this lovely Fall outing. Happy Autumn!

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