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Peace in the eyes of the beholder

5/31/2023

I've been home five days; it seems longer. My grandson is here for a grandcation; it seems quiet and peaceful.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," so the century old idiom tells us. The concept was first noted in 3rd Century Greek, and through the millennium, authors, poets, and folks just like you and me continue to call it forth. We are the beholder of whatever we see through they eyes of our hearts. Today I'm substituting peace for beauty.

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The Three Bridges

5/25/2023

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All things Edinburgh are on my mind, the castles, cemeteries, gardens, waterways, and architecture. Yesterday it was waterways.  I joined a bus tour to The Three Bridges crossing the Firth of Fourth, the water that divides Scotland, the lowlands from the highlands, and that connects Fife and Edinburgh. The first bridge, for the railway, was completed in 1890, and is still in use for trains. The other two were completed in 1964 and 2017, for cars and buses, and I think for pedestrians.  Both bridges were opened by Queen Elizabeth, 53 years apart to the day. A segment of transportation history before our eyes, or shall I say, over our heads.
        The bus left us off at a little village where we boarded a 'cruise' boat ready to take us on a 90 minute sight-seeing tour under the bridges. Highlights for me: the Edinburgh skyline featuring church spires, Arthur's Cap and the castle from afar; up close, seals lounging on a little rocky island and an old Augustinian abbey. (No photos of skyline or seals.)
     A little observation on silence. The boat tour had a piped in commentary, which was  informative and specific to what we were seeing. On the bus we were given ear phones that we could use at our discretion. I listened on the way. Interesting information for sure, but on the trip home I was exhausted from all the chatter, all the extraneous commentary, which felt like noise.

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Afternoon walk from Edinburgh to Stockbridge

5/22/2023

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Afternoon walk to Stockbridge, a little village just down the road from New Town where I am staying. When I see the Scott Memorial I know I am almost home. Amazing how this idyllic town is so close to the 'downtown' of Edinburgh.

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St. Giles: The Church of Scotland General Assembly Service 2023

5/21/2023

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Whenever I've been in Edinburgh on a Sunday I've gone to St. Giles for worship. This time I decided to attend the 9:30 service, anticipating that it would be shorter than the 11:00; I was already thinking about the full Scottish breakfast I would have afterwards. But when I arrived at the Royal Mile and headed up the hill,  there at the church was a large crowed of on-lookers, a group of bagpipers, and police keeping clear the space in front of the church. I could have  turned away and gone immediately to breakfast, but with age I have become more confident. My plan was to attend church, so in I went, and, no surprise, was welcomed into a very special service: The Church of Scotland, 2023 General Assembly Morning Service.*
       The choir was magnificent, the sermon by Sally Foster-Fulton, who is taking over as moderator for a year, preaching on Act 1:1-12, telling us to start to do good (God's) work from right wherever we are.
There was plenty of fanfare: clerical robes, kilts, and even a group
wearing wigs of yesteryear. But that was nothing compared to what I experienced on T.V. when Queen Elizabeth life was celebrated a few days after her death.**
    * No photos allowed during the service.
   ** Interesting to note that we sang, The National Anthem, "God save the King."

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Jet lag photo of Edinburgh Castle

5/19/2023

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I'm here in Edinburgh. The flight from Boston took off on time and we arrived 30 minutes ahead of time; even the dinner was acceptable. The tram from the airport stopped right in front of my hotel on Princes Street. Alas, this was at 8:30 and I can't get into my room until 3.
So, I've walked Royal Mile , enjoyed eggs Benedict, walked along Princes Street, took pictures of THE CASTLE, and now I am resting in one of the hotel public rooms. Even fell asleep. Maybe the room will be ready a little early.

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A week in Edinburgh

5/18/2023

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Tonight: Direct flight: Boston--Edinburgh. Yes, now that winter is over, the weather warmer, and more daylight hours, there is a daily direct flight from Boston to Edinburgh. I'll be spending 7 nights in a hotel on Princes Street overlooking Princes Street Gardens.
There is so much to do in Edinburgh, all within walking distance. I know, because I was there in June 2019 just before the…..you know what. Very grateful to be going again. The picture is of the Scott Memorial taken from my hotel window. I'll send another in a couple of days.

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Everyone needs solitude

5/16/2023

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I used think that those of us who admitted a longing for solitude were in a separate, special category. Clearly some need more solitude than others, but we all need it. Today's news, yesterday's news, tomorrow's news catapults us all to find time alone so we can calm down, and sit in our sweet, quiet spot where hope resides.
One of my solitude spots is my Angel Room, where I write, read, and meditate. When I open my eyes I look out to a maple tree, which regardless of the season, offers tapping surfaces for woodpeckers and climbing branches for squirrels. Just the right amount hope when I sit in solitude.

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E. JEAN CARROLL and Neil Armstrong

5/10/2023

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That news yesterday' reminded me of Neil Armstrong's famous words spoken on the moon on July 20, 1969: “That's one small step for mankind, one giant leap for humankind.” E. JEAN CARROLL took a successful step for woman and legal leap humankind!
If you need my apology for what you might consider my speaking politically, please accept it as offered. However, I don't considering speaking out for human rights as political. Human rights are not political. No, they are essential for everyone who wants and needs silence, solitude and simplicity from time to time. And THAT, I believe, is everyone, each and every human being.

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Old-house-walk

5/6/2023

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Walking is one of my best times for solitude, but what will my life be like if there comes a time when I can take my daily walk? I try not to spend time pondering that, but truth be told, sometimes comes to mind. I also think about the people who can't walk--those whose bodies hinder them, or who are afraid to go out on the streets….. Maybe one of those people looks at this blog.

For those who walk in mind, body and/or spirit, let us be grateful for virtual walks. Please enjoy this spring old-house-walk in my New England neighborhood.

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Stonewalls in New England

5/2/2023

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Living in New England all my life, I've grown up with stonewalls. They've always been part of my landscape; they've gone unnoticed. So yesterday on my walk, I took notice. (If you are wondering where the builders of these wall got the stones, just take a look at the picture of dirt at a home construction site on my walk. If you are wondering why so many walls were built, that same picture will give you the answer.)

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