“If you become a bird and fly away from me, I will be a tree that you come home to.”
Margaret Wise Brown
Margaret Wise Brown wrote at least a hundred books, including The Runaway Bunny and Goodnight Moon.
Our oppressive heat seems to have abated a bit and there’s the slightest chance we might see rain from Tropical Storm Marie, but I’m not overly optimistic. It would be awesome, though.
“Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.” — Kahlil Gibran
Every shell keeps a whisper,
every wave leaves a sparkle,
and every butterfly reminds the sky to stay curious.
The shoreline collects wonder better than pockets ever could.
World of Love Hearts
“Without music, life would be a mistake” – Friedrich Nietzsche
Auf Deutsch: Ohne Musik wäre das Leben ein Irrtum.
This famous quote by Friedrich Nietzsche, found in his 1889 book Twilight of the Idols, highlights his belief that music is essential to a meaningful existence.
Music directly affects our mood. It accompanies us when we’re sad, makes us cheerful when we’re happy, increases our motivation, and calms us down.
Whether it’s Leon Russell (literally any song) or Kpop Demon Hunters, music appeals directly to emotions. It can bring people together and overcome cultural, racial, and language barriers.
This is true for animals, too. Have you seen the video of the guy who plays the piano for elephants? British concert pianist Paul Barton frequently plays classical music on an acoustic piano for rescued, blind, and elderly elephants at the Elephants World sanctuary in Thailand. His performances aim to bring comfort, emotional healing, and a calming presence to traumatized animals through soothing vibrations and melodies.
Music plays a critical role in the construction of individual and social identity. It accompanies important memories in our personal memory.
Scientific research shows that music reduces stress, strengthens memory, enhances neurological connections, and can be used for therapeutic purposes. Music therapy for brain injury uses neuroscience to retrain the brain. By targeting cognitive, sensory, and motor functions through active music-making or rhythmic listening, it stimulates neuroplasticity to help survivors regain lost speech, movement, and emotional control.
Have you heard this? “Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast” was written by English playwright William Congreve in his 1697 play The Mourning Bride.
I recall one time in the car when the Angel Kids were being obnoxious in the back seat. Because they were really getting on my nerves, I started to play Beethoven’s Fur Elise and within literal SECONDS, they both calmed down for the remainder of the drive. If it can soothe those feral creatures, I’m a believer.
I’m sure you know that I’m listening to Leon Russell right now…what are YOU listening to?
If only you knew what bliss I find in being nothing.
Words attributed to Rumi
Photo by Enchanted Seashells
You will learn by reading,
But you will understand with LOVE.
— Shams Tabrizi
Image from Pinterest
To see the world in a grain of sand
And heaven in a wildflower
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour
-William Blake
Sometimes all you need is to lie in the sand and breathe.
“When I am silent, I fall into the place where everything is music.” Rumi
And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.
Rainer Maria Rilke
We’re getting ready for another storm but yesterday it still was sunny and warm. Check out these south-facing sandpipers, all looking in the same direction. I wonder what they’re thinking about…
Maybe they’re hoping 2026 will bring peace and harmony and love to the world. That’s my wish, too.
Do you know what a group of sandpipers is called?
There are many recognized collective nouns for a group of sandpipers:
𓅪 a bind
𓅪 a cluster
𓅪 a contradiction
𓅪 a fling
𓅪 a hill
𓅪 a time-step
My personal favorite is a “fling” of sandpipers.
𓅪 Happy 2026!
Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou
As long as you still experience the stars as something above you,
you lack the eye of knowledge.
As long as you still experience the stars as something above you, you lack the eye of knowledge. Friedrich Nietzsche
Enchanted Seashells | Princess Rosebud 