Grateful for Our Independence

Happy-4th-Of-July-Quote-With-Images-1

Citizens of our United States rejoice, revel in the joy of our independence, and be grateful for all it affords us.  Yet, be vigilant and on the ready, for today almost two and a half centuries later, there are those outside, and among us who seek to deny our freedom, and unthinkably to discriminate against certain Americans they don’t like.  Celebrate and remember the words of these great people… Continue reading Grateful for Our Independence

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A Visit to Stonecrop Gardens in June

Oh so much has changed since May, the garden is alive with majestic wonders. It will continue to grow and excite the whole year long. Visiting every few weeks is an enlivening joy.

Stonecrop Gardens

81 Stonecrop Ln, Cold Spring, NY 10516
(845) 265-2000

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An Inspiriting Visit to Chuang Yen Monastery in the Hudson Valley

1There are some things that really can’t be described in words or even in pictures. I’ll never forget stepping into the majestic, centuries old, duomo in Orvieto on Diana and I’s first trip to Italy in 1985. I had seen pictures in books and magazines, no internet then, but nothing came close to the real thing.  The swelling sense of awe as I lingered in and about such an amazing structure was extraordinary. Continue reading An Inspiriting Visit to Chuang Yen Monastery in the Hudson Valley

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Great Asian Cuisine – To Go – Tuesday and Wednesday

Marnies Asian Kitchen to GoWe have been so looking forward to tasting what Marnie Henricksson is serving at her latest venture Marnie’s Asian Kitchen to Go that just opened in May.

Every Tuesday and Wednesday she is offering a very tempting menu of Asian cuisine out of St. Mary’s Church in Cold Spring.

This past week we tried two dishes and loved them.   Continue reading Great Asian Cuisine – To Go – Tuesday and Wednesday

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Sunday Poem — These Spiritual Window-Shoppers by Rumi

Cold Spring General Store Shopping

These spiritual window-shoppers,
who idly ask, ‘How much is that?’ Oh, I’m just looking.
They handle a hundred items and put them down,
shadows with no capital.

What is spent is love and two eyes wet with weeping.
But these walk into a shop,
and their whole lives pass suddenly in that moment,
in that shop.

Where did you go? “Nowhere.”
What did you have to eat? “Nothing much.”

Even if you don’t know what you want,
buy something, to be part of the exchanging flow.

Start a huge, foolish project,
like Noah.

It makes absolutely no difference
what people think of you.

Book: The Essential Rumi by Rumi Hello Poetry

Go ahead! Be materialistic! Support a local merchant and buy some stuff today.  Shop

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On Nature in the NY Times Sunday Magazine Today

Flowers Named

I so enjoyed an article by Helen MacDonald  in the “On Nature” section of the NY Times Magazine today. Headlined “Learning the Names of Creatures and Plants Can Make You Feel at Home Anywhere in the World” the article illuminates the joy and advantages of learning the names and stories of the living nature of our place, or any place you may be.  Continue reading On Nature in the NY Times Sunday Magazine Today

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Marnie Hillsley Always in Our Heart

Marnie HillsleyMarney Hillsley will always be a dear friend of ours, and will forevermore be remembered by us and the many people in her life, in our community, that loved and admired here so much.

We were so moved and inspired by the words, poems and songs shared at her memorial service this past Saturday at St. Philip’s Church of the Highlands.

Marney’s spirit will be with us eternally, as will the positive changes she made to world in her life.

Continue reading Marnie Hillsley Always in Our Heart

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Sunday Poem – California Prodigal

Sand Dollar Beach View

BY MAYA ANGELOU

The eye follows, the land

Slips upward, creases down, forms
The gentle buttocks of a young
Giant. In the nestle,
Old adobe bricks, washed of
Whiteness, paled to umber,
Await another century.
Star Jasmine and old vines
Lay claim upon the ghosted land,
Then quiet pools whisper
Private childhood secrets.
Flush on inner cottage walls
Antiquitous faces,
Used to the gelid breath
Of old manors, glare disdainfully
Over breached time.
Around and through these
Cold phantasmatalities,
He walks, insisting
To the languid air,
Activity, music,
A generosity of graces.
His lupin fields spurn old
Deceit and agile poppies dance
In golden riot.   Each day is
Fulminant, exploding brightly
Under the gaze of his exquisite
Sires, frozen in the famed paint
Of dead masters. Audacious
Sunlight casts defiance
At their feet.

Maya Angelou, “California Prodigal” from And Still I Rise. Copyright © 1978 by Maya Angelou.

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