Mental Health Monday

Last Monday Mr. Veen and I escaped.  Well, that sounds a bit more dramatic than it actually was, but truly it felt like a jail break of sorts.  You see, it's been a rough winter.  I've been so busy and stressed with school and life.  So when Mr. Veen suggested we sneak away for a Monday lunch at the beach I fell in love with him all over again!  It's amazing how just a few hours with the roar of the ocean and the call of the seagulls helps me breathe.  What an amazing place we get to call home....

My room

A few days ago I wrote about the exercise I'd done in my Saturday evening group of creating my own interior room.  Since I so enjoyed coming up with the different elements that make me comfortable and happy I thought it would be fun to further explore the idea through images.  One of the challenges for me was there were a few ideas that didn't really fit together - at least in a human/earthly realm.  The first was I imagined a warm beach with the occasional cool fresh breeze, but I also pictured drinking warm coffee while being ensconced in cozy blankets and pillows.  I guess in my room it's just plain warm and cushy always but you never get hot!

The other major contradiction in my room was although I was definitely at the beach  - instead of sand there were fields of flowers leading up to the ocean. 

And seeing this last photo reminds me that it's almost time to grab my camera and head over to our own little heaven on earth - the tulip fields in Woodburn!  I look forward to being ensconced in all that beautiful, bright color and can't wait to share some photos right here.  I also hope we can all find a little piece of heaven on earth today even if just for a moment.

"After the one extravagant gesture of creation in the first place, the universe has continued to deal exclusively in extravagances, flinging intricacies and colossi down aeons of emptiness, heaping profusions on profligacies with ever-fresh vigor. The whole show has been on fire from the word go. I come down to the water to cool my eyes. But everywhere I look I see fire; that which isn't flint is tinder, and the whole world sparks and flames."
~Annie Dillard

Wordless Wednesday: Ocean~

Friday's Letter

Dear Mr. Veen:  last night we watched half of this movie.  I don't know what's funnier - the movie or the fact that each of us relate so closely with the characters in it.  Here's to bringing the "fun" back into dysfunctional!  Dear Spring in Oregon:  how is it that every year I forget just how cold and rainy you are?  I am compensated by the bright greens of my lawn, the emerging flowers, and the simple pleasures of hot coffee on a rainy morning.  Dear women of my tribe:  I am amazed at the strength, resilience, beauty, intelligence, and general awesomeness that is you.  Thankful to be part of this story.  Dear  Natalie Merchant:  what happened to you?  I love this song  - even though the video is outdated and at times corny it's still a winner.  Inspiration found in lyrics at 2:26.  And last to Mr. Veen:  in just a few short hours we will be: a) sipping on lemon drops b)  listening to the ocean  c)  relaxing with family  d)  eating, eating, eating or e)  all of the above?  Can't wait!!