TimePeace - Musings by Cyndi

I follow an interactive blog through Abbey of the Arts .  Looking to 2014 we had the opportunity to let a word resonate with us and the choose that word and journey with it through the forthcoming year.  I chose Fortitude which I have found to be a well needed friend. In further response to "choose a word", there was an invitation this morning to have our word associated with a photograph.  Alpha and Omega  ⓒ 2009 Cynthia Gallo My word Fortitude resonated with me during Mass this morning. Father spoke in his homily that we should look upon the Baptism of the Lord, the close of the Christmas season, not as an end, but instead, a beginning. Looking at the altar, with the lit trees of white lights, I became conscious that next week the altar would be dressed for ordinary time. At that moment the sanctuary reminded of a photo I was inspired “to receive” after Christmas 2008. I titled the photograph "Alpha and Omega". It was one of those days that will always ...

Zigzagging through streets Embracing all that surrounds On an autumn day. Legs step in rhythm The warm wind brushing my cheek Hair tickling my eyes. Breathing crispy air Inhalation of oak leaves And sweetness of pine. Sounds all around me Rustling of leaves at my feet Floating and whirling. Envisioning all Charming homes align the streets Branches reach above. The walk climaxing An appetite builds inside A short distance more. Tea kettle whistling Delighting my senses with Lemon ginger tea. November 16, 2013

How soothing the touch of the warm summer breeze against my cheek. As if a gentle kiss were planted on me. Up high, a bird sings a melodic tune, And although my eyes do not find him, My ears are glorified with his song of praise. Such simple graces bestowed upon me. A family of geese files in formation As they leave the grotto in a symmetrical dance. I watched the bee, painted in yellow and black, Savoring the nectar of a wildflower. So busy. So purposeful. Just simples graces. Then, I meet you in your splendor. Your delicate innocence surrounds you As you stop at the edge of the meadow Where the grasses meet the wood. Your nose quivers some as you try to determine your safety. You are aware you are not alone. I see your ears perk and your eyes gaze through the foliage. Then you proceed --- Oh! How gracefully you walk forward. As delicate as a flower, sweet grace. Yes, my sweet doe; That is what I will name you, For that is what you are. As you stop and l...

  Bashful © Cynthia Gallo, 2012 In retrospect I am a deep thinker. So much so, there are times I have trouble shutting down my mind.  Especially at night.  I have tried journaling but never seem to be consistent enough to keep it going.  And while I never considered myself a poet, I have my moments when the Spirit brings forth the creativity within my soul, and the feelings and words meld together. Reflections of the Heart was written in such a moment when my heart was feeling a bit heavy with nostaglia. Reflections of the Heart Ephemeral thoughts of days gone by of stories not told of lives not shared. All shapes and sizes like people not always what we have done, but what we have failed to do. Unspoken words a missed card of a special moment in time. The failing to share a beautiful moment or an anticipation or endearment or celebration. Without taking the initiative think of the possibilities or...

The spokes turned in rotation towards the destination, All the while, the morning breeze brushing against my face. Soon the highest point was in sight, And with only a slight intrepid thought, the ascent began. The view - breath taking, A feeling of total euphoric exaltation. Such a wondrous sense of oneness, With nature, With my Creator. I come closer to the ground at my feet; The clover and grass blades swaying as the Breeze gently passes. Splashes of yellow, As dandelions smile amidst them. My hands pass over them, Awakening the receptors within. I raise my hands to the heavens; Palms up. Outstretched arms. Deep inhalations, And long exhalations. I feel the strength of the universe surround me And invite its power in. My arms butterfly to the ground. And as I peek behind me, The whole world is upside down. Or is it? And as I fall back onto the earth, My back melts into the grass and we become one. July 8, 2011 Cynthia Gallo

Life is good. Waiting for the coffee to brew. Mom has one of those new Keurig machines. I am going to try the Nantucket roast. I may decide I like this machine -- I have retired my auto drip and pulled out my one cup DeLonghi espresso machine. Think I would prefer to grind my own beans and use a reusable basket if I bought one. The disposables are just that. Disposable. And fresh ground coffee just tastes better. But the matter of coffee wasn't foremost on my mind this morning. I woke sifting through the fading dreams sleep brought, and the waking transition of life as a parent with children leaving for college this week. Moving day Wednesday for my daughter, Saturday for my son. Many parents go through this. An empty nest feeling some call it. So opposite to the nesting before childbirth. We prepare and anticipate. Now they spread wings and fly to create dreams and goals of their own. The way it should be. It is this transition of life that we feel when these normal ...

What a beautiful brisk day!   Living only a mile from work, unless the weather is just totally disagreeable, walking to work is the only way to start the day.  Not only is it great excercise, but walking also allows a person to notice all the little things that people miss while they zip by in their cars.  One can not truly note the changes in this one particular field that is enroute to work which is home to corn in the summer months, but also can create a breathtaking snow covered landscape when the sun rises over it in the winter. And what a great way to decompress after a busy day but to walk home. I recall back in 2003 as I was driving to work on a snow covered morning, I mentioned to my co-worker my thoughts of the wonder I saw in the crystallized trees.  She said she never noticed.  That conversation has never left me. Are we as culture in that much of a daily hurry in everything we do that we can't enjoy the cleansing breaths of a new da...

  October is my favorite month of the year.  Within this month is the crispness of the changing leaves, the settling down to quieter moments, long walks, soups and comfort foods, along with a myriad of unknown possibilities. (Picture above I took at Indian Kitchen in Shawnee National Forest last week where we backpacked in, camped and hiked) Today is Day 1 of this blog.  While FaceBook is nice to keep connected to family and friends, I see the development of this blog a place I can come and post thoughts of some of the most meaningful parts of my life.  Every day is unique, and my daily goal is to strive for simplicity in my and my family's world.  This includes my faith life, photography, quotes I find meaningful, meals I prepare, and moments in time along the way. My photography is an important part of who I am.   Photography is food for my inner spirit. Speaking of food, I love to eat.  Real food; not processed.  I like "mom...