Gratitude - 2016
2016 has been bittersweet. There have been so many wonderful experiences and memories but my brother's passing has cast a cloud on the year. As time goes by, I'm certain I'll reflect on things differently, but right now everything is too close. The support of friends and family who understand the impact of the death of a loved one have been invaluable. The year has made it clear that each moment should be cherished.
A - Ancestors
My Uncle Aarron Youell was a Staff Sergeant in the Army during World War II. Aaron was captured by the Nazis while serving in Germany, and was sent to Stalag 17B near Krems, Austria where 3,219 other American POWs were held. Based on two reports, Aaron was imprisoned for at least 818 days (2 years and ~4 months).
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Searching for dates of relatives birthdates and dates of passing led me to Ancestory.com and I have since become addicted! Yeaars ago I read that to understand who you truly are, you need to have an understanding of your history. That seemed irrelevant at the time. I knew about my parents and grandparents, and that seemed sufficient.
But as I reveiwed the information on the site, I collected information on each of them that I wish I could have asked more about before they weren't here to answer. My grandmother's anniversary was one day after Christmas, and one day before my brother's birthday. My uncle Aarron, pictured, was a prisoner of war in WWII. Another relative linked me quanlities me to join the Daughters of the American Revolution. Learning about my family has me more appreciative of my own life and aware of the blessings I've had. My empathy and compassion for not only my family members, but others and their journeys has increased enormously since researching my family tree. |
B - Benjamin, my Beloved Brother
Benjamin H. Youell III
12-27-1948 - 11-3- 2016
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So much to say - but I can't say it right now.
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C - Comfort Book from Carrie
Carrie send this incredibly beautiful book to comfort me after my brother died. She made page after page of beautiful images and healting words. I love you dearly Carrie.
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D - Druid Hill Conservatory
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E - Enhancing Your Life with Herbs
Taught a seven week Enhancing Your Life with Herbs course. Love sharing the legend, lore, symbolism of herbs, and now that I have an herb garden again, I was able to take in sprigs of herbs for my students. Every week we featured a different herb - rosemary, lavender, sage, thyme and more. Sessions included herbs for haunting and Halloween, holiday herbs, herbs for romance, doctrine of signatures, zodiac herbs, and herbs for health.
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F - Fabrics
Manifesting fabric took on a whole new dimension this year! Usually I'm delighted to find a couple of yards of quality fabric for a good price. My favorite fabric store - one that carried high quality wools, silks and linens for a reasonable price, closed a couple of years ago. The fabrics at the chain stores are mostly synthetics and polyesters - disappointing.
On a trip to visit my daughter in Pennsylvania, we came upon a treasure trove of fabulous fabrics - embroidered, brocade, velvets, - that were originally $30 to $40 a yard. The price on the wall above them stated a $1 a yard! When I took the bolts to check out the price was much less, and them I was told to fill my car with all I wanted. "I was planning on getting rid of it anyway." I felt like we were in a movie! As we drove away I continued to look back in amazement and gratitude and every time I walk into the sewing room, I still shake my head in wonder.
On a trip to visit my daughter in Pennsylvania, we came upon a treasure trove of fabulous fabrics - embroidered, brocade, velvets, - that were originally $30 to $40 a yard. The price on the wall above them stated a $1 a yard! When I took the bolts to check out the price was much less, and them I was told to fill my car with all I wanted. "I was planning on getting rid of it anyway." I felt like we were in a movie! As we drove away I continued to look back in amazement and gratitude and every time I walk into the sewing room, I still shake my head in wonder.
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G -Glass Blowing!
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Glass blowing! My gift from Mycala! My Christmas gifts from Mycala were a manicure, a pedicure and then off to learn to glass blowing - 2,000 degrees! What a fabulous day!
"You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star." Neitsche |
H - Hon! I got to be a Hon in Howard County!
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What a fabulous fund raiser at the Howard County Public Library Evening in the Stacks!
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J - Jim Thorpe
Nancy and I traveled to historic Jim Thorpe, breathtaking in its autumn splendor, to meet Mycenea. They had both visited multiple times but it was my first time to see the town and I was enchanted. Can hardly wait to go back!
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L - Light City Baltimore! March 28 - April 3
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M - Music
What a glorious mix of music all year long! Classical, Jazz, Rock, Blues, Plays, Ballets, Modern Dance
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N - Natty Boh!
O - Orioles at Camden Yards!
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The letter O is, and will probably forever more be, for Orioles! I LOVE going to baseball games and cheering my team on. Actually, one of my goals is to move close enough to Camden Yards to be able to walk to the games - and another is to have a season pass!
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Paws Pet Benefit
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Mycenea was the entertainment at the Paws benefit - such a great event! Deb, Tom and Paul joined us and we spent the evening celebrating our lovable pets! There were gift bags at every table and a huge selection of raffle items.
I returned with samples of food, treats, bath items and toys for Zippy as well as Mycala's cats, |
R - Rocky Gap Resort
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What a fabulous weekend! Traveled to western Maryland to the Rocky Gap Resort with Nancy to hear Mycenea Worley's gig. Rocky Gap State park has over 3,000 acres of public land and the hotel is situated on 243 acre Lake Habeeb. Mycenea sang lake side from 6 to 10 with the setting sun as a back drop. The crowd was enthusiastic all evening as well as the following day on the elevator and at brunch! Nature, music, four fabulous restaurants, an indoor/outdoor pool, boating, and a casino. Rumor has it one of Mycenea's fans was a big winner!
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S - Seeking the Sacred
Course description for my Seeking the Sacred Course
Our world is filled with beauty and wonder but we often miss the miracles as we are bombarded with fear based, negative messages. What we put our attention on increases, yet too often we focus on illness, not health: fear, not joy. This course will include readings and video clips from some of the world’s most innovative thinkers, past and present. There will be exercises for self reflection, and techniques for finding daily treasures.
Our world is filled with beauty and wonder but we often miss the miracles as we are bombarded with fear based, negative messages. What we put our attention on increases, yet too often we focus on illness, not health: fear, not joy. This course will include readings and video clips from some of the world’s most innovative thinkers, past and present. There will be exercises for self reflection, and techniques for finding daily treasures.
T - Treasures
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U - U
V - Vase
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My Christmas gift from Nancy! This photo doesn't do justice to the colors - it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever owned. There is something so precious about the combination of beauty and function. I've never been attracted to figurines or items displayed simply for ornamentation, but I love useful items that are also beautiful, such dishes, vases, candle holders, etc.
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Wicked River
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Have you ever had a book jump off of the shelf and land at your feet? That has happened to me on more than one occasion. I was at the library and this book practically leaped into my hands.
Lee Sandlin's book, Wicked River, the Mississippi - When it Last Ran Wild is not a book I would seek out or glance at twice on the shelf, and yet I can't remember when I have been so enthralled. There were so many things I've been interested in lately that were woven throughout the book, giving new insights to everything from the unexplained mounds, natural disasters, the civil war, Lincoln's assassination, slavery, and religious visionaries and charlatans. I had never heard of the worst naval disaster in history - no, it wasn't the Titanic. The dimensions of learning in this book reach far beyond the banks of the river. |
Z - Zippy!
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Zippy continues to fill every day with love. I've had him for over 8 years now. He was five years old when he came into my life on Thanksgiving of 2008. He'll be 13 years old on January 10.
He's been with me - and actually warned me about the flood - and a number of moves since then. He is always ready to join me on an adventure or curl up at my feet. This year he participated in the Visionary Arts Museum Parade on the 4th of July. He charmed the crowd! Zippy is pure joy! 
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