Sunday Stroll in the Neighborhood

Posted on May 21, 2023 by Enchanted Seashells

A May gray morning is the perfect weather for a walk.

My hydrangea is blooming and yes, I know I could turn the flowers blue with the correct fertilizer, but I decided to allow them to retain their natural hue without intervention.

At sundown, this is where I often see coyotes, but nothing right now.

Here’s the entrance to a lagoon path; how adorable is this community fairy village?

I’m not too sure what that big square thingy is on the shoreline, but I didn’t want to walk in the muck with my good walking shoes, so it’ll have to remain a mystery.

It’s rattlesnake season, so I diligently watched where I was going and spied a strange object. It’s not exactly a rock but feels heavy for its size and to me, it looks like a whale. Another treasure to bring home!

I hope your Sunday is happy!

Gift With Purchase

Posted on May 18, 2023 by Enchanted Seashells

How does a three year old know me so well?

Her mom purchased a bottle of perfume and it came with a fancy little cosmetic bag full of samples.

Apparently, as the story was told to me, Angel Girl told Mom she had to “save the bag for Grandma” ‘cos “she loves stuff like that.”

She was a thousand percent correct. I LOVE gifts with purchase because it’s like discovering a surprise treasure chest.

How did she know?

I mean, we share the Chanel connection and the ballerina connection, but gift with purchase?

How could this obviously intuitive child see so deeply inside of me?

That’s too much. My heart can’t take it. The joy.

Every single time I use that little bag, I’ll think about my Angel, and smile.

Yup. She gets me.

F.E.A.R.

Posted on May 17, 2023 by Enchanted Seashells

I don’t have a great knowledge of Zig Ziglar’s works or motivational philosophy but this saying resonates with me.

“F-E-A-R has two meanings: Forget Everything And Run or Face Everything And Rise. The choice is yours.” Zig Ziglar.

Public Toilet Wisdom: Written on the Walls

Posted on May 15, 2023 by Enchanted Seashells

I walked to the beach during a May gray morning and sat on top of my usual picnic table to overlook the Pacific Ocean, hoping to see a whale or some dolphins.

I didn’t get lucky this time, but there was a crowded lineup of surfers out there and I couldn’t figure out why ‘cos the waves weren’t all that big.

As I took off my hat, unbraided my hair and shook it free from its constraints to feel the salty breeze, I turned around because I could feel someone standing behind me.

It was a man I often see at the beach; I’m not sure if he’s exactly unsheltered or not, but he stays there for hours, working on a crossword puzzle or reading. I’ve chatted with him a dozen times as he’s a fixture on the boardwalk and he’s very friendly, not at all like the the other guy who wanted to write on me and claim ownership!

He said, “Excuse me for saying so, but you have no idea the unmitigated joy you gave me as I watched you liberate your hair. You have the most beautiful curls, and I wanted to say thank you! That made me very happy.”

His language and phrasing was delightful; old worldly elegant, courtly, very much the gentleman.

I was caught off guard by his lovely comment and thanked him profusely. It made my day even more joyful, that’s for sure.

Before I walked home, I stopped at the restroom. Look at what I found written on the wall! So inspirational!

It’s a manta and an affirmation to love oneself and I couldn’t resist snapping a photo.

PS WordPress is so weird. I didn’t publish this until today, the 15th, but it appears as if I published it the 14th, which I did not. WP is strange…

Happy Mother’s Day!

Posted on May 14, 2023 by Enchanted Seashells

Join me as I raise a very happy glass of champs to all moms and May birthday girls.

I’m grateful that I had a mom who not only taught me to appreciate Chanel, beautiful flowers and diamonds, how to bake the world’s best cinnamon rolls and apple pie, but also how to make a bed with hospital corners, debride a wound, and nurse a sick loved one back to health. It’s all about balance, teehee. Miss you, Mommy!

Mother’s Day : Essential Elements

Posted on May 13, 2023 by Enchanted Seashells

The love of and for moms.

This photo is my definition of motherhood; five goslings closely following mom (and dad), learning to eat and swim. And survive.

For me, that’s part of what makes a good mom; unconditional and protective love combined with teaching essential life skills.

In my case, I was often referred to as the “smother mother“, but it’s a label I wear with pride. I’m not a helicopter mom, but even better…I’m (still) a DRONE mom. I’m the same with the grandkids; laser-focused on them at all times.

Every seven years, my birthday falls on Mother’s Day. As my mom often said, I was the perfect Mother’s Day gift for her, and as my son tells me, I wouldn’t have anything to celebrate without HIM, so he’s the one who actually deserves the gifts and accolades. He’s a funny guy.

In my opinion, tomorrow’s the perfect enchanted day to double my joy and celebrate ME. .

Spring Cleaning

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Enchanted Seashells

My phone is too full of photos so I’ve done a complete Marie Kondo: delete, delete, delete. These are some great ones I thought I’d share before they’re gone forever…

You can’t see them, but I DID. Eight, yes EIGHT orca whales! Leaping and breaching, one right after the other; this experience was beyond magnificent. They were close to the boats that you CAN see, and yes, I was totally freaking out. It was my first sighting. Magical doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling because for me, it was as meaningful as the day I saw wolves in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley. Joy filled all the spaces of my heart, but the moment was also tinged with sadness because I know there are still some killer whales in captivity and that is so, so very wrong.

Sand or gravel barge with push tug? I’m not sure.

Another big boat…

Snow on the Olympic Mountains!

Now the photos are gone, but in my heart and mind, they will live forever. Time to replace them with new memories.

A Simple Reminder

Posted on May 7, 2023 by Enchanted Seashells

May the shells on the beach remind you that treasures arrive every day in the form of simple things.

Powerful Flowerful Full May Moon

Posted on May 5, 2023 by Enchanted Seashells

“The moon, like a flower in heaven’s high bower, with silent delight sits and smiles on the night.”
William Blake

It’s been raining in SoCal, and if you have clear skies tonight in your area, take a look at the stars next to the moon. One of them is Alpha Librae, also known as Zubenelgenubi. This star is quite special: if you have eagle eyes or use binoculars, you’ll see it as two stars. That’s no optical illusion as Alpha Librae is, in fact, a double star. To learn more, visit the Sky Tonight app.

As a special bonus, a penumbral lunar eclipse is taking place, too!

Don’t forget to charge your crystals and a jar of moon water!

Not a super great photo of the moon; but I discovered some spectacular tulips and lilacs on my walk.