Happiness Is . . .

I was just reading a blog I love to visit this morning

Book Chatter

"Chatting with friends about books and life"

I encourage you to get on her mailing list,

her posts are always inspiring for the reader.

Today she posed the question

"What makes you happy?"

and she listed her 100 things

Okay so here goes mine ...

Happiness is 

my family's love

my relationship with God
my two sons and their wives
expecting our first grand baby
loving my hubby of 36 years

time spent with girlfriends

feeling my toes in the ocean

painting and creating

writing

reading poetry

time away from the office
feeling a cool and gentle breeze
moonlight
summer solstice

good music
watching the sun rise and set
taking an e-course
having good conversation
a clean house
Instagram
a cozy fire
new furniture
birthdays
picnics
weddings
outdoor music concerts
sharing my thoughts
wearing my red boots
watching Parenthood
dreaming
collecting sea shells
early morning coffee
quiet time
weaving at my loom

long naps in the afternoon

a delicious meal

shopping just to shop

creating zendalas
dancing (when no one is watching)

being with sheep

knitting

journaling

collecting words
playing with my grand doggies
meeting someone new
cooking with my own herbs
reading my poetry at open mic night
learning something brand new
forgiving someone
loving others
time spent with my senior writers group
good conversation

picnics

bike riding

 early morning walks
reading an awesome book
writing my blog
vacations
hugs
birds singing
going to poetry readings
artist dates with myself
time alone
being healthy and well
love notes in the mail

my hot tub
giving gifts
spending quality time with others
listening, really listening

art galleries

coffee shops
Aromatherapy

Jerry's Artarama
meditation
buying fresh flowers just because
Trader Joes
time spent with my best friend Minna
Holiday celebrations
quaint book stores
Popcorn and a movie
Pandora
the smell of lavender
Zentangle
Art Retreats
Squam by the Sea
Thunderstorms
photography
pajama days
candlelight
incense
hot baths
watching my boys play softball
eating gelato from Strawberry Fields
wearing cool eyeglasses
bird feeders

my backyard sanctuary
old movies on TCM
gardening
yoga
time in my studio

I guess I could list so much more
but especially today ...
I am celebrating the birth
of my baby boy Drew!
He is 30 years old today.
Happy Birthday Son
your mom loves you so very much,
everyday watching you live out your life
makes me so very happy!

It's hard for me to believe that
last year on Drew's birthday
I began my 100 poem journey
you can visit here ...
Wow time is passing quickly!

donna lee

The Healing Power of Art

Creating through emotions

This past week I lost a very dear friend to cancer.

The news hit me pretty hard

and I found myself unable to deal

with all the emotions and unanswered questions

that were stirred within me.

So I found myself retreating

quietly to myself . . .

praying

thinking

writing poetry

and doing my artwork.

I created the above artwork

with watercolor and ink

and all the while

with each and every pen stroke

worked out my emotions

of losing my friend Jim.

Art heals in so many ways.

It forces us to come

in a very raw state of mind

and let go ... to create.

It allows us to be present

in the very moment

of wherever we are

and work it through.

I am so grateful to be an Artist,

to feel confident enough

to now call myself an Artist.

It is a gift in my life

and creating through emotions

has taught me to be a better person.

When I completed this piece of artwork,

I stood back and observed,

feeling grateful for having known 

a very dear man

and 

grateful that I now have a 

beautiful reminder 

as a keepsake

for all time.

Art Saves

Art Heals

Art Reminds Us

Art Renews the Spirit

For that I am truly grateful

Donna Lee