Tree Climbing and Dangerous Marine-life:)

I feel I must share some images of this magnificent tree and the children in it.

We visit this tree every day, often more than once, as it lives within the dog park just around the corner.

The children love coming, obviously, and Linus the dog gets to socialize with his kind.

Can you see Kaleena up there, she takes after her Papa in the tree climbing department...

 Keenan has been having a hard time getting down once up in the tree, 

he has now found the way

Kaleena found a way to reach the hanging roots, and always takes a few swings 

before leaving the park.

Such joy, connecting with nature in the city

 And by request from our farm friends over on Homemade in Marshall here is the Mr Linus.
Kevin and Kate fostered Linus for the past year, as we stayed with my sister. They cared for him like he was their own, and it was bitter sweet when the day finally came that we could pick him up.
But here he is enjoying the heat, his old running grounds and his "other" family

This is clearly not from the dog park, but for the past week the life guards have been waving the purple flag, which means dangerous marine-life, watch out... In this case, these beautiful 

Portuguese Man of War. Mostly they have been washed up on the beach, but yesterday there was quite a few in the ocean, so no swimming that day

The children instead spent their time digging little pools and moving the stranded creatures in the hope that they would make it till high-tide. 

Aren't they beautiful, what a creature!

We also saw quite a few of these little guys, the slightly friendlier Man of War.

~A very good evening to you~

This Day

Yesterday was a beautiful winter day here in Miami, it was a day signified by a sense of freedom as I got on the bike and travelled across the beach to meet the tribe for our dear friend's birthday lunch. The air was fresh, even cold in the shade and I had along a sweater just in case. Although there are trees here that show us that we certainly are in midwinter, others remind us that we are in the tropics, where year round we find color and flowers blooming. It was beautiful!

 On my way I passed The Tree, a huge Banyan tree that we have all climbed several times in our years of living here. Miguel used to call it his office and would climb all the way up and stick his head out at the top. The size and presence of this tree is magnificent and I was happy to see it again. 

 I felt such peace and freedom as I rode my bike along the quiet neighborhood streets, feeling ever so grateful to be here now...

 After lunch we met back in Sharyn's garden of love where we shared a birthday cake 

with friends and family. mmmmmmmmmm.....

 Such a special time we are spending here nurtured by the love and togetherness of close friends, letting go of old habits that no longer serve and each moment releasing control and allowing the present moment to flow through us, planting seeds of intention and then trusting, trusting in what shows up, trusting that the universe will organize and bring forth the very best for all involved.

~with love and gratitude~

Random thoughts of the moment

I have been wanting to come here and do a post, yet have really not had much to share, at least in terms of craftiness. All of our things are, even more so than when at my sisters,  in storage, 

that includes all of my craft supplies, so most of what we have been doing is enjoying the beauty of the ocean. Last night the full moon was absolutely stunning, and perhaps because of our beautiful moon the ocean tide has been very low. That has meant shallow clear water, and a wide piece of beach with very wet sand. The children just loved this wet strip, the moment they dug a hole it filled with water, and they have spent hours over the last couple of days digging, damning, tunneling and building in this wet sand.

I have put our formal school lessons on hold for now, yet there is still plenty of learning going on as is the natural state of these precious children. Plenty of learning for me to, each day learning to be more patient, to let go more and be less controlling, as I observe myself I am amazed at how controlling I have been, putting my will on the children. The relaxed feel of beach life has given me a needed rest from my mind and each day I feel more peaceful.

I have even made time to paint again, the other evening, the children in bed I created a beautiful space to let the creativity flow, it was blissful and I am looking forward to make more such times for myself as I realize the importance of these meditations. Just before leaving Asheville I sold my first painting, it has long been a dream of mine to create an income from my passion, I am making a space for this dream to unfold and become a reality.

And all this while we are waiting to rejoin Miguel, he is awaiting his deportation, and as with anything legal it is much of a waiting game, we are hopeful that we will all be together again in Venezuela by the end of February although it could be longer, until then we are here, living, learning and loving....

I leave you with a few pictures of the beautiful ocean from these past few days;

 ~with gratitude~

Hello from Miami

A quick hello here from Miami Beach where the children and I are passing through once again.

We will soon be meeting up with Miguel in Venezuela and from there we will see where life brings us, still many uncertainties, however very soon we will all be together as a family again and that is exciting beyond words.

Miami Beach was my home for many years before I had children, and before we moved to the mountains near Asheville. 

The children love coming here, we have wonderful friends and the ocean nurtures their souls and brings out their biggest smiles. It is a city and the energy is intense at times for this reason I clearly remember why we chose to move, yet how grateful I am to spend a few weeks here reconnecting with friends and the vast ocean.

~Sweet blessings~