Category Archives: California History

Good Writings to Read

Posted on by


“I find television very educating.
Every time somebody turns on the set,
I go into the other room and read a book.”
 Groucho Marx


This year I decided that I spend too much time in front of the television, so I finally cut the cord. Not that I don’t enjoy watching all my favorite shows, but most of these shows I can watch on other noncable outlets. For example, my library has watching apps such as Hoopla, Kanopy and Pluto TV, all free if you have a library card.

Last year I promised myself that I would read a book a week. I came very close to that goal and missed it by only three books. Actually, I would have exceeded my goal if I had not watched so much television.

Most of the books I read last year were from my public library. This library is a beautiful old Spanish style building from the 1920s, situated on exquisite grounds with peacocks wandering throughout the property. I love visiting this library because of its picturesque setting and because it is rarely busy. I’m always able to get whatever books I want to read without having to wait weeks or days, even during a pandemic.

My favorite way to read is using my iPad for its ease of reading. If I want to read a magazine, my library has them for free using the app, Flipster. However, most of the books I read are downloaded to my iPad from the library using the app, OverDrive.

Whichever means of reading magazines and books I choose this coming year, I will have my plate full of good writings to read.

Shine On

My Angel Heart

Posted on by

“This is the light of autumn;
it has turned on us.
Surely it is a privilege to
approach the end
still believing in something.”
Louise Gluck

 

Last  week I was inspired by a fellow blogger, Erika Kind at Share Your Light who posted a beautiful poem she wrote. The photo she used accompanying her poem, Love is Free, looked uncannily familiar.

That being said, my above photo was taken two years ago, a few days before my husband died. Little did I know it would be the last photo I shared with him. 

Often when I take photos, I never see what the images look like until I upload them to my laptop.  So, when I took this image, I didn’t notice how the clouds looked like there was a heart in the center surrounded by what appears to be angel wings. Stunned by the image, I immediately shared it with him and he told me how beautiful it was.

He always enjoyed all my photos and I will be forever appreciative of his love and support of my photography.

Autumn is a season for balancing light and dark. It is the season of letting go, and accepting the impermanence of things.  Autumn is also the right time to practice getting out of the way and letting the soul take charge of our lives. 

As we head into winter, the old year is dying. This is the time we think about death in our own lives. Remember and honor those you love who’ve passed on before you.

Contemplate what needs to “die” within you in order to welcome the new life that will grow into next year.

This blog post and photo is dedicated to him and to all the love, laughter  and lifetime memories we shared. He was my angel heart.

Shine On