Category Archives: My Enchanted Life

Acts of Kindness In A Chaotic World

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Confession: I’m a hoarder, not crazy enough to be featured on an episode of that TV show, but I really, really hate to throw things away and I love to acquire STUFF.

For example, I have a lovely collection of empty boxes because YOU NEVER KNOW when you’re going to need one, right?

I don’t know if this is true where you live, but here, there’s a local group that gives all kinds of things away FOR FREE, which is total crack for a hoarder. Did I mention that it’s FREE?

They give away everything from furniture to clothing to toys to appliances. In many cases, the gifted items are valuable, like the cashmere scarf I received, also a set of Russian lacquerware.

Since I joined the group, my ratio of receiving to gifting is about 90 to 10. It’s REALLY difficult for me to relinquish anything because, exactly like those boxes, what if I want or need it again some day in the future? But I do and have posted items, especially things the kids no longer need; highchairs, baby clothes, stuff like that.

It’s equally difficult for me to not bring home everything that’s offered because I like to think I’m rescuing whatever it is from being discarded. I often initiate a conversation with myself (not out loud, IN MY HEAD) about whether I reallyreallyreally NEED what’s offered, or if can I live without it. Most of the time, I’m rational haha, but not always. (The very act of talking to myself sounds kinda crazy if I think about it.)

I’ve brought home lots of plants, planter pots, and other garden items, little boxes similar to what I already collect, a giant dollhouse for the Angel Kids; also toys and even bicycles for them.

Recently, we re-gifted the dollhouse. The Angel Kids and I had a discussion about the future of it. They both said they had enjoyed playing with the house but it was time to give to a new home and other children, so I did, with their blessing.

This time, someone was giving away milkweed seedlings SHE had rescued from our local community garden. Another gardener was going to toss them out, but she saved them and transplanted into little cups.

Photo by EnchantedSeashells

This kind woman posted on the site that she had plenty to share and I responded. There were enough for multiple people which is great because we all care about helping butterflies.

Photo by EnchantedSeashells

The woman messaged me her address which was literally only about three minutes away and I headed over there.

Here’s the problem: She lives in a new housing complex with a million apartments. Her very detailed map didn’t help me as I get typically become hopelessly lost in similar situations. I drove around and around for a while and couldn’t find the location where the plants were waiting for me at the front door.

As I usually do, I became a bit disoriented when I get lost, and dejected, I drove home. My navigation skills are sorely lacking and I felt incredibly stupid. I messaged her my apologies and reason for not showing up and suggested she choose another person.

Instead of doing that, this woman that I don’t know — a complete stranger — offered to bring the milkweed to me! It was such a kind gesture that it blew my mind.

I gave her my address and she came by a couple hours later with the plants and we had a lovely chat.

With all the horrible news coming out of our nation’s capital, it’s heartwarming and affirming to realize that there are still good people in the world, those who will go out of their way to help a neighbor AND help save butterflies.

Little Ghost Cat

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I’m trying to distract myself from all the horrible events going on in this country — too many to talk about — with memories of beautiful Bandit, who still visits me in my dreams. She was the real princess, not me.

“Hello, my love…”

Little Ghost Cat,
Sometimes, I hear your gentle purr
And feel the soft touch of your fur.
Then, late at night, old memories stir
Of the friend I loved and lost.

Little Ghost Cat,
By moonlight, now you come and go
Unseen and like moving water flow
O friend I loved and lost.

(I believe this poem is attributed to Barbara Parkhill Hall)

Can You Hear The Whales Sing?

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I hope I’d be able to. It’s one of my secret wishes, to communicate with whales.

Yaskina Valentina

Out of Body Experience or Astral Projection?

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Whew! Something strange happened to me as I embarked on a late afternoon walk around the lagoon, about three miles or so.

As I was walking and walking, the sun began to set. I took a photo of the sky even though I know the colors resulted from a couple local brushfires.

Unedited photo by Enchanted Seashells

As I walked up the hill, I guess my mind wandered; at least I think it did. I’m actually not really sure what happened.

At some point I realized that I had lost a chunk of time.

In one way, it seemed like time stood still, and in another way, it seemed as if I had been walking for HOURS, and yet I felt like I wasn’t even really in my own body, or even in my own specific reality.

I was somewhere else, or more accurately, I had BEEN somewhere else; again I’m not sure where.

When I came back from that nowhere land, it’s not that I became dizzy or lightheaded, but I definitely felt a sensation of a jolt back to my physical body when I looked around and realized that I was still walking but I’m not sure how I got to where I was — which probably makes no sense at all.

I said out loud to myself, “Well, that was really strange. Where did I go?“

Where was I? Did I enter a portal to a different dimension? Did I unintentionally astrally project somewhere? A different time and space? I can’t rule out dissociation, but there had been no Immediate preceding traumatic event. I was simply walking.

Was it astral projection? A meditative experience? Did I really enter a portal?

I can’t remember that ever happening before. It wasn’t unpleasant, but I didn’t learn any earthshattering truths about the universe or receive any profound messages from beyond.

If it was a gateway to different spiritual planes or realities, I guess I prematurely returned HERE too soon to retrieve any memories.

Maybe I entered Leon Russell’s “…place where there’s no space or time…”

Have you ever had a similar experience?

Follow Your Dreams

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She anchored her heart to a shooting star and followed her dreams.

Of all the stars I admired, drenched
in various rivers and mists,
I chose only the one I love,
Since then I sleep with the night.
Pablo Neruda

McMillanArtStudio

Look up!

Starting tonight, there’s a spectacular celestial event in the night sky as six planets—Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Venus—align in an exciting planetary parade.

On January 29, the New Moon will turn the skies even darker, enhancing visibility for all planets and stars. A telescope or binoculars will reveal the finer details of Uranus and Neptune, while the other planets shine brilliantly on their own. Curated from Alex Myles

When planets align—that’s when magic can happen. As above, so below!

Heart/Light

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The first full moon of 2025 — the Wolf Moon in Cancer — emphasizes emotional depth, renewal, and balance. Associated with heightened awareness and introspection, this full moon is a gentle reminder about how important it is to provide our deepest inner feelings space to bloom. Don’t forget that Mars is still in retrograde until February 23, 2025.

As above, so below…

A Painful Anniversary

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It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a year since I almost completely split open my leg in that stupid crazy accident.

Last year, we were drenched in neverending rain and this year we’re in the midst of a drought — it hasn’t rained a drop in months — and those LA fires are still burning out of control.

I’ll never forget the moment I slipped and fell on the steps and freakishly hatcheted my leg open all the way down to the bone. (It was SO gross.) Nor will I forget how I perfectly executed everything my RN mom had ever taught me as I carefully bandaged the gaping wound and drove myself to the emergency room in a heavy rainstorm; wracked with pain.

There’s still a slight numbness, an absence of feeling directly at the site, but my worst fears of an infection never happened, thank goodness. That would have been TERRIBLE. No MRSA, no staph, no bone nor blood infection; although the possibilities were there. Sometimes it hurts when I accidentally knock into furniture (actually, I just did that again), but healing was unremarkable.

I watched the whole sewing-up process; stuff like that doesn’t bother me, and I was especially interested in the internal suturing and VERY happy the doc was well trained in trauma. My wound was exceptionally deep (to the bone) and eight inches long — such a bizarre accident.

I’m surprised the internal sutures didn’t pop open because I didn’t pay very much attention to doctor’s instructions about not walking or putting weight on my leg or avoiding physical activities for a month.

Did I learn anything from that unfortunate experience? Did I stop running down the stairs in slippery socks? Actually, I DID, and I’ve continued to be slightly more careful because I definitely don’t want a repeat performance of that fateful day.

It’s an anniversary date that I won’t soon forget. I saved all the photos that I took when it happened and while I was in the ER. They’re constant reminders that life can change in the blink of an eye but those pics are too graphic and scary to share. (You’re welcome.)

I’m no stranger to accidents like the time I ran up the hill at sunset because I heard a coyote, and slipped and fell in the ditch. I broke a bone in my wrist — another completely avoidable incident. I think I finally learned the lesson. Well, maybe. Only time will tell.

Read the full stories here: https://enchantedseashells.com/2024/01/21/tales-of-the-er/
https://enchantedseashells.com/2013/07/09/slip-fall-break/

Bathroom Banter

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Recently, I was in a public restroom that had several stalls on either side of a long aisle.

It was crowded with lots of flushing and doors opening to welcome another visitor.

There was an obviously broken toilet on the right side with a large black plastic bag covering it, but women kept peering in before they realized it was not usable. If it were me, I’d have an “Out Of Order” sign on the door and taped it shut…oh well.

I was next up in the (not-very-long) line when a young woman, maybe in her early twenties, swooped in with a flourish of her long trendy coat, high heels, and designer handbag — way WAY overdressed for the setting of a public lavatory. I could smell the entitlement wafting off of her.

Impatiently, and with a pompously demeaning tone in her voice, she turned to me and asked, “Is there a line?”

First of all, I wondered why she chose to address ME…did I look like I was in charge of the line? I was just standing there, minding my own business.

(Let me back up a wee bit and explain my response–I was tired, recovering from a horrible upper respiratory infection– not Covid–and her “I’m definitely more important than anyone else” attitude simply rubbed me the wrong way.)

I repeated her question slowly, “Is there a line? — looked around and responded, “No, obviously I’m just standing here so I can meditate for a minute before I urinate.”

I then pointed to the stall door (the broken toilet) that was ajar and said, “There’s an opening. Go for it.”

And then I confess that I laughed to myself as she flounced in, only to immediately discover that the toilet was out of order and she had to back out on her precariously high heels. (Heehee)

Admittedly, this wasn’t indicative of my very best self, but it was so satisfying to put that haughty and pretentious little girl in her place, to maybe take her down a notch or two as she assumed her rightful place at the end of the line.

No cuts! Wait your turn!

And namaste…

P.S. Lest anyone think I am always this snarky- whenever there’s a child or someone pregnant, the unwritten bathroom code is to allow them to go first, but that was NOT the case here.

Wisdom From The Master of Space and Time

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My hobby is silence.
Leon Russell

Same, Leon, same. After spending time with people, sometimes it takes a while to decompress and silence is necessary. And lovely.

Say Goodbye to 2024 | Manifest a Sweet Happy Life

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As we slide into 2025, here’s a timely reminder that gratitude is the highest vibration and there’s always, always something to be grateful for, right?

Enjoy “Sweet Happy Life”, an awesomely uplifting song by Peggy Lee, for once NOT Leon Russell, because my grandkids persist in pleading with me, “NO MORE LEON RUSSELL, GRANDMA!”

Happy New Year!