Cartwheeling through Life: 2026

September part 1

Autumn Clematis along the path to East Beach

11 Sept 26

Beach visits need to be a more

Consistently

Divine part of my life

source

"Focus" was the Word of the day.

Glad I got that message!

Human : this word keeps popping up: "She was looking at a thought, a feeling... she said, "You're making me feel human." 🥲short reel.

Insidious : sneaking up on you when you aren't paying attention and wreaking havoc on your emotions and levels." p. 268 Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

Jackie, you are a spiritual being having a human experience 🙏

"Keep an eye out for the imbalances in your life" p. 268 Dear Friend

Let it Be. I felt compelled to scroll back and find my favorite of Brian Thornburg's Vennsanity posts. Turns out he shared it on August 16th, of all days! That was the day my car was backed into and Mom's legs gave out at Wayland's so, what else can we do but Let it Be

source

"May there be kindness in your gaze when you look within." p. 143 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue

"Maitri: loving-kindness toward oneself" p. xi When Things Fall Apart : Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön

"Nothing is what we thought. I can say that with great confidence. Emptiness is not what we thought. Neither is mindfulness or fear. Compassion-not what we thought. Love. Buddha nature. Courage. These are code words for things we don't know in our minds, but any of us could experience them. These are words that point to what life really is when we let things fall apart and let ourselves be nailed to the present moment." p. 5 When Things Fall Apart : Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön

"Only to the extent that we expose ourselves over and over to annihilation can that which is Indestructible be found in us." p.8

"Purposeful stillness" Sept 15 Dear Friend

"Quasi love affair" ~ Phil Dunster about this adorable bicycle scene in "Sunflowers" S3E6

watch here

"Remember, pivots can lead to hidden blessings. Be open and curious about new opportunities." p. 267 Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

source

"There is definitely something tender and throbbing about groundlessness." p. 9

"Uncharted territory... relax with the groundlessness of our situation" [wow!] p. xi When Things Fall Apart : Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön

Vulnerability... Vital opening to change and truth." p. 154 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue

eXquisitely beautiful spot for a September afternoon swim

"Yawning abyss of spiritual hunger" p. 139 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue

we catch ourselves a Zillion times as nce again, whether we like it or not, we harden into resentment, bitterness, righteousness indignation- harden in any way, even into a sense of relief, a sense of inspiration." p. 11 When Things Fall Apart : Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön

August > September 7, 2026

"Absolutely adorable Austin!!!" ~ Allison Dwyer

thank you for sharing, Brian

Continuity is one of the greatest mysteries of life... Waves on the shore... unfold in perfect pleated sequence... From break of dawn, the day arises... the gradually falls to gather in the colored shadow-basket of twilight... the melody of forward unfolding." p. 121 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue

Doing things Differently

Everything thing, it seems, has changed.

"Forward unfolding" ... necessary for coping with human Feelings and Foibles

God, Guide me with Grace. Amen 🙏

How?

Is the unnoticed miracle of memory...the Intimate mirror of the continuity of ... experience and presence [?] p. 122 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue

Jo Dee Messina's "That's God" listen here

"Know that the time you spend in stillness has purpose. Being unproductive has value too. Being present is a virtue...

"Lean into the notion that your time is never wasted,and you are always doing enough." p. 257 Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

Mystery Mosiac

Noah Gundersen's "Heaven" listen here

"Once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters." ~ M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled

"Paid Time Off" by Noah Kahan listen here [9/7/2026]

"Quality over Quantity"

Retirement Rocks? I'm reading this book a little at a time, but pp. 88-89 Rough!

Secret Struggles p. 89 Retirement Rocks

"Those unsettled feelings? They're just feelings. They are fleeting. Temporary. Chase after the things that are eternal, snd those worries will dissipate. " p. 89 Retirement Rocks

"Unsettled feelings?" p. 89 Retirement Rocks

"Voices within us ... are always urging us to change and become free." p.123 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue

thank you for sharing Lynne 🙏 ❤️

"World is open and free; it offers itself so graciously to our hearts 💕 to create something new and wholesome from it each day." p.123 Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue

RelaX?

Zach Bryan "You Are My Sunshine"

Ted Lasso (mostly)

Amsterdam episode is one of my favs

"Be curious, not judgemental." ~ Walt Whitman

Cozy: "cozy like a warm fire but your can also keep your mind" Gezellig

"Don't worry about a thing 'cause every little thing gonna be alright."

"Doubt can only be removed by action"

thank you, Brian

"Father and Son" by Yusuf / Cat Stevens during the final montage video here

Gezellig: "cozy like a warm fire but your can also keep your mind" gezellig.

"Hush your butt" ~ Ted Lasso Has Humble curiosity and is so....

Inspirational

"Just listen to your gut, okay? And on your way down to your gut, check in with your heart. Between those two things, they'll let you know what's what." ~ Ted Lasso

Kenny Chesney recorded Tenille Towne's song "Goldfish" inspired by a break-up and... you guessed it, Ted Lasso listen and watch here

"Let's Get Lost" by Chet Baker S3E6 listen and watch here

Mumford & Sons "Forever"

listen here

"Now these few months might be tricky, but that’s just ‘cause we’re going through our dark forest. Fairy tales do not start, nor do they end in the dark forest. That son of a gun always shows up smack-dab in the middle of a story. But it will all work out. Now, it may not work out how you think it will or how you hope it does, but believe me, it will all work out...”

"Our job is to have zero expectations and just let go."

"Patience" listen here

"Questions like "Have you played a lot of darts, Ted?"

Rupert 🙄

August 30th

S3E6 "Sunflowers"

"This Be The Verse" by Philip Larkin is the poem Mae recites in S3E11 "Mom City" click here to read

Understanding Underestimated ... darts with Rupert video here

Vincent van Gogh: Season 3, Episode 6 ("Sunflowers") of Ted Lasso, Ted visits the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and stares at van Gogh’s 1889 painting Sunflowers.

“WHISTLE!” ~ Roy Kent

"EXactly as it’s supposed to. Our job is to have zero eXpectations and just let go." ~ Ted Lasso, S2E5

"You know why the goldfish is the happiest animal on earth? Got a 10-second memory. Be a goldfish." ~ Ted Lasso

Zoreaux > Van Damme > Zorro > Zoreaux

August 2026

"Be encouraging, compassionate, and kind. Kindness costs nothing, and to someone else, it can mean everything." Aug 6, Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

"Choose to love people from a space that is safe and healthy." Aug 5, Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

Doing my brain laundry...

"Energy is your most precious resource; be intentional to care for it..." p. 234 Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

Faetz Family now includes Austin Reid

Giving Tree 🌳 ♥️ ...

"Hanging By A Moment (Acoustic Version)" by Lifehouse 🎶 here

p. 46 Retirement Rocks: Devotions for All That Free Time

"I Don't want To- Talk About It- How You Broke My Heart..." my favorite rendition

John Byron Law, Jr entered into eternal life 10 years ago this week 🙏❤️

Ken swim 😀 5 August 26

Lunch with Lori! 7 Aug 26

Make plans for an adventure or two

Noah Kahan's "Paid Time Off" listen here

Otis Library

"Prayers are the branches of the tree, whose roots are called 'faith'. Faith can exist without prayer, but prayer cannot exist without faith." p. 203 Maktub by Paulo Coelho

Quietly contemplating the next chapter...

Reading Eternal Echoes by John O'Donohue

Soapmaking Saturday was really fun. Thank you, Logan

"There is no tedium in the world, only in the way we look at the world." p. 205 Maktub by Paulo Coelho

"Unexpected kindness can give you the fuel to power through." Aug 6, Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

Video of Stonington Harbor Aug 5, 2026

"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." T. S. Eliot

Xfinity success with Mom's new phone Aug 5, 2026

"Your path is yours, and your timing is unique. You are not behind. You are right on time." p. 240 Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

Zetz is a Yiddish word that means a heavy blow, smack, punch, or a hard unexpected setback.

Recently reading...

After weeks and weeks of not reading this book I checked out from the (it kept automatically renewing) I finally opened it to page 1. "Accept the mystery of faith and the Universe will reveal itself to you." p. 172

"Build a house of fragments... Every fragment transformed into something beautiful." p.1

"Could you grab a piece of that wind and bring it in here to cool the room?" p. 5

Divination [the practice of seeking hidden knowledge, future events, or guidance from spiritual or supernatural forces] is an excellent counselor, but a terrible prophet."p. 6

Each day has its own miracle. Accept those blessings and create your small works of art today." p. 39

Faith, love, joy, and prayer are the bridges to God. p. 23

"God may makes strange decisions, but they are always in our favor." p. 28 God knows we are all artists of life. One day...

He gives us stones to sculpt; on another day, He gives us brushes and a canvas, or a pen to write with. But those stones are no use when it comes to painting, and the pen is useless for making sculptures." p. 39

"It wasn't the sculptor's hammer that shaped these stones so perfectly. It was the water, with its gentleness, its dance, and its song. Harshness destroys; gentleness shapes." p. 40 qtd Indian poet-philosopher Rabindranath Tagore

Just when I'd managed to find all the answers, they changed all the questions." p. 63

"Kneel down with body and soul. Without asking anything, without thinking, without even feeling grateful. Simply experience the silent love wrapping around us..." p. 46

"Learn everything you need to know in order to wield the sword of light that has been given to you." p. 74

"Many parents, in old age, don't give their children the chance to offer them the same live and support they received when they were young... This stops the waters of love from spreading." p. 83

"New ideas Need space. Body and soul Need New challenges." p. 107 Maktub

"Open the doors to a great adventure- human and spiritual." p. 175

Permission To Take It Slow : The fast Pace of the world can make it seem like we must constantly be moving and creating - and

Quickly - in order to suceed and achieve... we can break the cycle... your dreams and desires will take time. Trust the process and honor your vision." ~ p. 219 July 28 Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

"Remember the silence that always falls whenever we pause to cross a road." p.37 Maktub by Paulo Coelho

"So just relax. Let the Universe turn around you, and discover the joy of surprising yourself." p. 33

Set me like a seal upon thy heart, live is as strong as death." Song of Solomon 8:6 qtd.p. 106

"Today is a day for being glad to be alive." p. 35

"Unaware that it would take only one brave gesture for us to find our freedom." p. 66

"When in a moment of weakness, we allow hatred, envy, and intolerance to Vibrate in the air around us, those Vibrations end up consuming us... The act of forgiveness cleanses the astral plane and shows us the true light of the Divinity." p. 133

"We've been walking so fast that we no longer know what we're doing. Now we need to wait for our souls to catch up with us." p. 30

I'm going to eXplain to you what it means to be a sage. He is someone who, instead of eXtinguishing his passions, manages to control them." p. 148

Yaqui Indians use death as a counselor and keep asking, 'Given that I am going to die, what should I do now?'"

"Zao Chi comments: 'Wise is the man who knows how to change his situation when he has to." p. 100

Be. Here. Now. July 2026

"Amazing Grace/My Chains" Are Gone by Reba McEntire listen 🎶 here

Bank Square Books with Logan

Saturday, July 18, 2026

Coneflower

retirement gift from Deb

Deep breaths help ward of distractions

Embrace commitment... Embrace the opportunity to go for your goals." ~ Dear Friend July 19 p. 210

Focus on Grace

Gremolata [new word for me]: a fresh, zesty Italian condiment made from finely chopped parsley, lemon zest, and garlic, often with olive oil, salt, and pepper added.

Honey of Humanity: Art. Keep creating. Actual quote is: “Art is the stored honey of the human soul.”

~ Theodore Dreiser

"If you want to protect your peace, you have to accept people for who they are... letting go of

Judgement and expectation... we will never know what it's like to be someone else." p. 211~ Dear Friend by Michelle Maros

Thanks for sharing, Corinne

day 1 July 14, 2026

Library visits? Make my own "passport" of photos? Perhaps ,)

Nothing feels Normal without Nick on the planet, but... every day, we all keep trying

Puzzle making helps too

thank you, Lynette ❤️

Queen Anne's Lace is blooming now

Resting in the hammock. Ahhhh

Stonington Free Library

Sunday, 19 July 26

Thank you, God and Mom for another birthday 🎂

July 13, 2026

July 19, 2026

Videos : our garden and Friday at Wayland's

Wine raspberries

from our yard

Xfinity Wednesday am was actually a success

Yoga, breathing. Yogi squats, thank you, Ken 🙏❤️

Zagarenski art! I'd recognize it anywhere

July 2026 part 1 of 2

Adventures begin with each sunrise...

"Be present for the small moments and simple things that bring joy." ~ Mary Davis

"Communion of Spirit as they are drifting off... you might call a presence helping to persuade you into rest." p. 172 ~ Life: A Love Story ❤️ Elizabeth Berg

Days Like This by Late Night Thoughts' ~ July 1st songs

"Everything on Earth is Ever-changing" p. 152 ~ Life: A Love Story ❤️ Elizabeth Berg

"Freedom from the Inside Out" ~ Dear Friend July 4 p. 195

Fourth of July parade in Stonington Boro

"Giddy and fully entertained by this impromptu event." p. 165~ Life: A Love Story ❤️ Elizabeth Berg

"Humbling" by Michael Marcagi

Inhaled honeysuckle on Block Island as well asan abundance of beautiful beach roses.

Josie's 3rd Birthday party on the beach. Rain or shine, there is Law Love ❤️ in abundance

Kacey Musgraves' "Oh, What a World" ~ July 1st songs

LawLaPalooza July 5,2026

"Middle of Nowhere by Kacey Musgraves July 9th

Ocean House with John and Family

Point Judith, RI

"Quiet your mind long enough to listen to your heart" Sullivan's Crossing S3:E10

"Reminds Me" by Sarah McLachlan listen 🎶 here and "Returning To Myself" by Brandi Carlile listen here

"Somehow is a wish made without being able to know whether or not it can come true. It is determination in the face of uncertainty." ~ Life: A Love Story ❤️ p. 106

"The green, the air, the day..." p. 163

"Upside Down" by Jack Johnson July 9th

Video clip of Law gathering at Ocean House for Josie's 3rd Birthday 07/07/2026

"We have calcium in our bones, iron in our veins, carbon in our souls, and nitrogen in our brains. 93 percent stardust, with souls made of flames, we are all just stars that have people names." ~ Nikita Gill

eXperience freedom and confidence...living for you, on your own terms." ~ Dear Friend July 7 p. 198

"You are here." And the response is "Yes, I am." ~ Life: A Love Story ❤️ p. 106

Zen.pulse 16 music " Lanterns in the Sky"