Tacos and Tiaras

I'm just being all-zen-and-shit

Simple Pleasures

Memories

Perspective, Reflection, Simple Pleasures

“Some of the most ordinary moments make up my favorite memories.”

– Leenie
22 July 2013 – my parents looking cute while we were at lunch at the MCX Quantico.

This pic of Chief Daddy and Mommy is in my Facebook memories today. When I was growing up, our family’s weekend agenda always included going to Quantico or Fort Belvoir to shop at the commissary and the exchange. It went without saying.

When I left home after college, my mom would always ask, “Do you want to go to the base?” if I was coming up to visit. I appreciated the feeling of still being a part of the household rather than the adult-child visitor. I felt the sense of grounding, that some things never change.

My favorite memories come from the ordinary days, events, or conversations with family and friends that stick with me. I mean, yeah, graduations, weddings, reunions, holiday gatherings, and those kind of events are great, but they’re just really “obvious”. The moments that seemed least significant stick with me because of how I felt in the moment.

Summertime brings back a lot of childhood memories of staying busy while we were out of school. We would ride our bikes to hang out at each other’s houses, and while I don’t remember everything, I remember we laughed. A lot. When we were old enough to drive, we would go fishing at the lake or rent a rowboat or play mini-golf, and I still remember the laughs from briefly feeling lost when we rowed too far out of one lake or not knowing our strength on an uphill putt. Simple things. And we may not have always laughed, but still being able to recall how I felt in those moments means I have memories of time well-spent because of the people with whom I spent it.

I snapped the pic of my parents because I felt amused at their almost-matching outfits. Chief Daddy’s light blue design in his shirt went well with Mommy’s blue gingham shirt. I remember asking, “OMG, are y’all now that couple that has to match when they go out?” 😉

Lately my Instagram account has been pictures or videos of things that make me smile and feel joyful – Mizz Lady, MyKi, birds in my backyard, silliness with my family – and I feel even happier when others let me know that it added a positive vibe to their day.

When I look back through my posts, especially if I’m feeling weighed down by something, I feel grateful that I preserved memories of the little things. They’re so easy to duplicate and raise the vibration. As much as my brother, the one who played in the national tour of The Sound of Music, has gotten tired of a particular song, the lesson in the lyrics is simple for cheering up one’s self.

“When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I’m feeling sad,

I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad.”

My Favorite Things, Rodgers and Hammerstein, The Sound of Music

Some days it’s not so easy, but it’s a start.

Luceat lux vestra.

The Goldfinch Speaks

Divine Orchestration, Gratitude, Happiness, In Media Res, Luceat Lux Vestra, Simple Pleasures

Let me jump right in as if I was talking to you right now. Disregard conventional or formal writing because if I stay within those guidelines, I’m going to lose my flow. “Better beautiful than perfect anyway.” 😉

Earlier this week, I didn’t have my camera ready when I thought I saw an American Goldfinch. I hurried back in the house to get my camera, and the bird was gone.

This happened several times the past three days, and I had a good laugh with my friend, Suzie, an official crazy bird lady. I was able to snap a few pics of “yellow bird sightings” with my phone, knowing that Suzie would appreciate it because last week she lamented about an encounter with an Indigo Bunting sans camera.

Bird Babble with Suzie

Earlier this morning I decided to bring my camera out with me whether or not I planned on watching birds because it’s always those times of being unprepared that the “sought-after” birds come and visit. That’s when I caught a few shots of a pine warbler at a feeder.

So I had seen a female American Goldfinch as well as a pine warbler, but not the male American Goldfinch that I thought I saw on Monday. At this point, I was no longer certain that I saw him.

I was sitting here at my laptop after downloading bird pics off my camera’s SD card, feeling grateful for simple things, like bird watching, because my daily routine includes sitting outside first thing in the morning to listen and watch for all of my visitors. Please visit my Instagram account where I try to keep up with posting bird pics.

I felt pleased with myself for stopping my pattern of not bringing my camera outside. I felt grateful for the pics I took this morning.

And then I heard it. Outside. The series of chirps.

The American Goldfinch call.

It’s not the sharpest pic, but I feel happy because of what I learned in trying to be present when he comes around to visit.

I laughed and asked, “Why is everything a fucking metaphor?” Seriously. My week has been one amazing thing after another when I am allowing them to come to me and happen instead of trying to make them arrive on what I think their timeline should be.

And the calls or messages are out there waiting to be heard if I listen.

I’ve also been experiencing a lot of reinforcement regarding how I have all the answers within me. Again, I keep chasing those and want to find clear-cut or obvious answers to my questions. I’ve been realizing that when I’m having conversations with someone else even when it’s not exactly on the topic that I’ve had on my mind, my answers to my own damn questions to come to the surface. And I feel gratitude for the divine continuing to present me with what I need from within… building my trust in following divine guidance. I feel thankful for more assurance that coincidences do not exist and even some of the pieces that seem least connected actually do come together in a bigger picture.

Every time I consciously and earnestly say, “Thank you” I receive more for which to be thankful.

And it didn’t escape me that maybe hearing the call of the goldfinch was more than listening and following a call, both literally and figuratively. Maybe the American Goldfinch speaks and provides guidance in his presence alone.

Luceat lux vestra.