Solstice

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Perhaps you’ve heard the doomsday predictions that today might be the end of the world; that the Mayan Calendar has reached its end and that’s all there is too it. I can’t say I buy into this notion however on a spiritual level, there is much talk about this being a time that brings the world to an end as we know it. Of course I don’t know whether this is true or not, though it does bring me some comfort when the world around me feels extreme in intensity.

Earlier this week I watched an interview Marie Forleo did with Astro Twin, Ophi Edut. In the interview they talked about the role our North and South Nodes play astrologically. One tells us what we need to release, the other guides us on what to embrace. I’ve been told to release my rose-colored glasses, scattered living and my tendency to make sacrifices for the group; instead I should solve problems with facts, embrace grounding routines and support individuals. Find out your own guiding Nodes here.

Happy Solstice.

Last weekend I had the strange pleasure of attending a live screening of the Metropolitan Operas   matinee performance of Aida in Columbus, Ohio.  The whole experience was actually pretty cool.  The Metropolitan Opera does live screenings of its performances In movie theaters throughout the country. It was kind of funny to be watching the opera from a movie theatre, but the experience was truly lovely and unique. If you are interested in the Met Opera’s live screenings across the country, check it out here.

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(Image found via Pinterest)

Celeste Aida

If only I were that warrior!
If only my dream might come true!
An army of brave men with me as their leader
And victory and the applause of all Memphis!
And to you, my sweet Aida,
To return crowned with laurels,
To tell you: for you I have fought,
For you I have conquered!
Heavenly Aida, divine form,
Mystical garland of light and flowers,
You are queen of my thoughts,
You are the splendour of my life.
I want to give you back your beautiful sky,
The sweet breezes of your native land,
To place a royal garland on your hair,
To raise you a throne next to the sun.

Watch Luciano Pavarotti’s performance of this song here.

Today’s post is the first in a series entitled As If It Were A Dream in which I will pair an image with some of my own writing.

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(Photo by Eliot Lee Hazel)

They walked with such purpose but she knew they had no idea where they were going.  They’d just left a banquet, violently throwing their sharp metal forks to the ground before falling into line and taking to the road.  They were peaceful but lost and it didn’t seem to matter.  She admired the beauty of their parade while being simultaneously put off by their obvious disinterest in keeping step with one another.  She could tell which of them was laughing and which of them was serious and which of them wished he’d been given a pinker suit.  She knew that the music would soon start and their neat line would break apart as quickly as it had come to form.  Momentarily many other men, women and children would be among them and they would no longer look like this uniformed group thoughtfully marching toward the celebration.  There they’d be only themselves, no longer appearing to belong to each other.  They’d dance and they’d talk and pretty soon they’d be hungry again.

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(image via here)

I have spent some time lately staying in other peoples homes and as always, I am drawn to their bookshelves. On top of that, my passion for books and reading has skyrocketed since our travels. I love to see the way people arrange their books. Do they do it by color? Topic? Author? Do they embrace their bookshelves, or do piles of books just end up a bookshelf?

As someone who doesn’t currently have a home of her own, I dream of my next bookshelf. I dream about the books I will acquire throughout the years and the ones that will change my life, entertain me or change my perspective about the world.

I recently came across the book My Ideal Bookself, by artist Jane Mount. She asked 100 creative thinkers what their ideal bookshelf would be and why. I think it is a great idea. What would your ideal bookshelf be?

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Remember Lauren’s post about her bookshelf? Check it out here.

Happy Monday! We hope everyone had a fun weekend. Having just gotten back to Cleveland, I am still trying to wrap my head around being home and moving on to new and exciting things. Here are some pictures from friends and family around the country. Enjoy your week!

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Karen – Islamorada, FL
Beasts of the southern wild.

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Erin – Islamorada, FL

No pants sailing time! Emerald water!

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Our boat.
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Teddy – San Diego, CA
Merchandise list at the show in San Diego.

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(Lois Greenfield Photography: Dance Photography: Australian Dance Theatre/HELD)

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(Image via here)

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(image by Janelle Dry via here)

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(Image found via Pinterest)

Since I have been away from America for some time now, I have been thinking a lot about freedom and what it means to be free. These are things I think are worth pondering. What does it really mean to be free? As an individual, as a citizen and in a spiritual sense?  I am not completely sure what the answer is, but I know I wouldn’t be anywhere close to the person I am today without the freedom to express myself.

Here is an amazing little diddy to enjoy while you think about what it means to be free 🙂

The final destination of our travels was the one and only, Venice, Italy.  Our time was mostly spent eating pizza and pasta and drinking wine and cappuccinos on the cheap. Venice is such a unique and amazing place and is on the top of our list of places we went.  Because Venice was built on a clay island, it is slowly sinking.  Given the tides, some parts of the city are flooded while others are perfectly fine.  It is amazing how in tact this place was after hundreds of years of foot traffic and I look so forward to going back there some time in my life.

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We also spent the day in Burano, which is a small and colorful island just off Venice. It was one of the most lovely places I have ever been. What a treat! Here are some photos from our last stop:

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Remember our close friend, former Homie and uber talented jewelry designer Bethany Cocco?!  Well, she’s been busy working on a resign of her website and adding some new pieces to her collection.  We love the new look and had to give you a little peek.  Check it out, then head over to view the rest of Bethany’s jewelry which is being offered at a 20% discount price through the New Year.

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This is just small sampling of her work.  Visit Bethany Cocco Jewelry to see more and to take advantage of the 20% holiday sale.  You can also visit Bethany’s Etsy Shop here.