Solstice Full Moon: Gracias a la Vida!

It's a sultry Sunday morning here, with predictions of rain.  Rain is unusual at this time of year in southern Oregon. I hope it does rain. That would be refreshing.  When I walked out into the front garden with my coffee earlier,  it seemed that the bees in the big tree across the street were really humming, much more loudly than usual. Maybe they are celebrating the solstice and full moon!

I am glad that we have a happy bee hive up in that tree, glad to hear the sound of the bees, woodpeckers, doves, blue jays, crows and various songbirds, glad for the big trees, those protective guardians of the place. I've been in this cottage for nearly 2 years and it is a wonderful refuge, a peaceful container for my life.

I went to a garden party yesterday at the home of Philip Booth and Laura Rich, the dear friend who has been my collaborator for the past 4 years as we develop A New Wrinkle, our musical revue. (What a glorious day it will be when we are sitting in the audience watching that revue be performed in its premier run.)

Laura and Philip have a beautiful place and their gardens are really lovely, full of flowers, herbs and many kinds of vegetables and trees. The group that gathered for the party was relaxed and amiable, the weather was great and the vegetarian food, much of which came from Laura and Philip's garden, was inspired.

We sat outside at several tables that were set up in the midst of the beautifully thick lawn. It was idyllic. I am glad for friends, the beauty of Nature, the warmth of this summer season, for life itself. Gracias a la vida! Thanks for this life.

I love tuning into the phases of the moon. Last night, we had a thick cloud cover, so the nearly full moon was hidden. It may be hidden tonight, too.

But perhaps you will see it where you live. I hope you do.

I'm preparing for my upcoming book party on June 27th in Ashland and also am broadening my connections with others working in the field of positive aging. I love this part of building Sage's Play's programs and work--connecting with new folks, learning about their lives and the programs they are involved in is a great deal of fun, and forming friendships and partnerships strengthens our common vision as we develop new ways of engaging with aging.

On the positive aging front, here's two interesting items that caught my attention recently:

An enjoyable New York Times article on relaxing into gray hair.
An inspiring article on a woman graduating from college at 85.

I find more and more articles these days about older adults who are wonderful role models of how to age happily. That's good news for all of us.

There is a big open space at the end of this post.....you can fill it in with your imagination....create what you want most for yourself, for this life, for this world.

Sending you a smile and wishing you a beautiful day.