I am still mulling over, reading and reading pages from Patti Digh's book, Life is a Verb. There is so much food for thought, so much that gives me a good, healthy reality check about what's really important in my life.
Last weekend we were blessed with an invitation from my brother, Michael. He had gone to Chincoteague to celebrate his 50th birthday, and he wanted family around him. He rented a small cottage, the cost on him.
I love Chincoteague. It's a barrier isalnd off Virginia's coastline, and it's about 2 miles by 7 miles. You can't help but slow down. There's Chincoteague time and there's real world time!
One of my favorite spots to haunt is the Main Street Coffee house, which is the most wonderful mix of coffee, books. jewelry, journals, plates, vases, art, etc. And, oh my, the shoes!!! I found the most wonderful pair of funky black shoes. THey looked great on my feet and were beyond comfortable. I wanted those shoes. I pined for those shoes. I sulked, because, quite simply, I could not afford those shoes. If I hadn't had several other pairs of shoes, wonderful in and of themselves, I could have made a case for those shoes. When it came right down to it, I just couldn't, so now I'm home, and there still there. I think I heard them crying as I left. We were meant to be together, those shoes and I.
I have more than enough. I need to clean out things and donate them to someone who will use them. I'm working on this. It's not easy. I am every susceptible to quirky and funky. Throw in some color, and I'm lost!
In Patti's book there is a quote from Natalie Goldberg that says it all: " Our task is to say a holy yes to the real things of our life."
I'll leave you with a few of mine:
Cloudy gray days at the shore...
Used book stores housing quirky cats...
Store windows holding treasures to make me smile...
Communing with the local ducks, who are more than content with bread crumbs...
and, that sunflower bread, pictured above, which came from here:
So, no shoes, but life's pretty darn good after all, don't you think?
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