Happy Fourth of July!!!

I spent a lovely afternoon with friends today at Cameron Band Shell, better known as the Stage in Beacon Hill Park, listening to The O’Brien Family, originally from the U.K. have resided in Victoria since 2004. Their lively folk music was complemented by a varied repertoire of music written by O'Brien Family members and other popular artists. The most beautiful was Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.

July 4^th - Independence Day in the U.S.A. was not far from my mind even without marching bands and the Stars and Stripes waving.

We were an audience of Victoria residents, tourists from near and far composed of moms, dads, dancing running kids, grandparents, - and squabbling herons high up above. Well kept park benches were spread across gently sloping grass in front of the outdoor stage and surrounded by tall hedges and old trees. The afternoon sun moved to the west and as it did the audience moved with the shade.

July 4^th - Independence Day - U.S.A. - a statement of belief.

“Freedom is the atmosphere in which humanity thrives. Breathe it in.”

~ Rachelle Goodrich

Respect Your Butterflies

‘Respect your butterflies’
Three words I said to myself
Fold up your butterfly pj’s instead of tossing them in a heap

Butterflies reside with me all through my house
On a pillow, in a picture, on upholstery
Fluttering through my home and my life

The sun has been shining hot and bright
Bees buzz and butterflies - well they flutter.
Pretty and fragile, not necessary to life and limb.

Or are they?
Butterflies flit along the edges of our ecosystem
pollinating flowers in gardens, fruit trees and grains.

And that is just the beginning
‘Respect all butterflies’ ~
Believe that butterflies are more important than their beauty

“We are all butterflies. Earth is our chrysalis.”

~ LeeAnn Taylor

Belief Defined

Beautiful
Evolving
Luminous
Intuitive
Enigmatic
Faith

“Your greatness is revealed not by the lights that shine upon you, 

but by the light that shines within.”

~ Ray Davis