It’s Not Far Down To Paradise

My time is so enjoyable at the beach, it is when I can relax the most.  The sound of the waves and the seagulls de-stress me.  When I took these I was thinking of the song “Sailing” and that I could easily sail away on a beautiful day like this!  I have to come back to Florida for a touch of paradise.      ~Melise~

Sailing 

It’s not far down to paradise,  At least it’s not for me

And if the wind is right you can sail away
And find tranquility
The canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Believe me

It’s not far to never never land
No reason to pretend
And if the wind is right you can find the joy
Of innocence again
The canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Believe me
                                                                                                                                                                                                    
Sailing
Takes me away
To where I’ve always heard it could be
Just a dream and the wind to carry me
And soon I will be free

Fantasy 
It gets the best of me
When i’m sailing
All caught up in the reverie
Every word is a symphony
Won’t you believe me

It’s not far back to sanity
At least it’s not for me
And when the wind is right you can sail away
And find serenity
The canvas can do miracles
Just you wait and see
Believe me

Highland Beauty In Montana

A Sunday Evening Drive Through The Highland Mountains In Montana

I Loved How The Sun Gave The Appearance That It’s Rays Were Touching The Ground. It Was A Breathtaking View.

I loved the drive through here.  I wasn’t sure what to expect but it ended up being more than what I expected.  The colors were beautiful to see, listening to the creek gurgle it’s way through, feeling the gentle cool breeze, with the smell of rain in the air that only those in Montana would identify.  It is different than Florida rain with the smell that comes sweeping through.  I took these photo’s before I flew out again.  I was unable to take any pictures before as I had left my camera during traveling.  It felt so good to get it back.  Photo’s capture the memories for us, where we get to experience it all over again.   It is nice to take a break, to just relax the mind and do nothing but soak up nature around us.  I hadn’t had much of a chance to do that in the last several months. This little trip was well worth it.    { Montana has had a very rough summer with the smoke from all of the wildfires.  It has been extremely hazy with very low visibility.  You will see in the clarity of these photos the haze that surrounded everything, but to me it was still beautiful.}  :) 

This song perfectly describes how I felt during this drive. 

~Melise~

A Secret Garden

Photo Credit Unknown

A Secret Garden

I wish I could go to a garden and rest.  A place that is safe and true. Where the world as we now know it has not been allowed to go inside and intrude.   Where beauty awaits and fragrances seduce to let down my guard and breathe.  A time to relax and empty my soul of all of the worlds misdeeds.   To bring myself back to the place I need for my well being of peace and harmony.  To soak in the wisps of sunlight dancing through the trees, which I know will bring strength to face the world again with ease.  If I found a place so true, I would keep the key and hide it away unless I shared it with you.   

Melise

It’s been a hard road and tiring journey, I just needed to express myself.  The world seems to be changing so fast and it seems there is always something and someone to stand up for.  I have to continue to have faith that I am making a difference.  ~ Peace ~

Come Away With Me

I was suppose to take a flight today from Montana to Florida.  Only to return to Montana next week.  We have fires going on all around us in Montana right now.  At the same time, we have a major tropical storm that is hitting Florida.  Thus the reason for my trip being canceled. I have truly been learning to live in the moment.  I have eliminated expectations.  Right now, in my life, with the work that I am doing, it requires that.  I literally at times do not know what is going to transpire within the next hour.  It has taken time for me to get to this place in my soul, it did not happen over night.  I am always one that liked to know what schedules might be in advance.

 I am learning to embrace this new way of life as I see amazing things happen when I allow things to happen in a way that is bigger than me or what I could have done. I am becoming more experienced in listening to my gut instinct or that still small voice inside of me.  At the same time,  I am still trying to honor the time that I need to be just me.  It is hard sometimes, to take that extra pampering that is needed for the soul and rejuvenation. 

  At least I am on the path of continuing to remind myself, just to get away. 

Come Away With Me In The Night

Come away with me in the night
Come away with me
And I will write you a song

Come away with me on a bus
Come away where they can’t tempt us
With their lies

I want to walk with you
On a cloudy day
In fields where the yellow grass grows
knee-high
So won’t you try to come

Come away with me and we’ll kiss
On a mountaintop
Come away with me

And I’ll never stop loving you

And I want to wake up with the rain
Falling on a tin roof
While I’m safe there in your arms
So all I ask is for you
To come away with me in the night
Come away with me

-Norah Jones

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

AND THE DREAMS THAT YOU DARE TO DREAM REALLY DO COME TRUE

It is tough sometimes for me not to become jaded when I am constantly trying to battle certain wrongs in this world.  Not to become defeated to the point to think that I cannot make a difference.  Sometimes I struggle with this, but I am not one to give in or give up.  I may fall down for a bit but I always get right back up. And even though I still fight to help make this world a better place, I constantly remind myself to see all of the beauty that is around me. Also, to remind myself that I am making a difference even if it is one slow step at a time. “But someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me.  Where troubles melt like lemon drops away above the chimney tops, that’s where you’ll find me.” Where the dreams that I dare to dream really do come true! 

Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high,
There’s a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Someday I’ll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That’s where you’ll find me.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow.
Why then, oh why can’t I?

If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can’t I? 

Dance With Me, Let The World Disappear

COME DANCE WITH ME

After long days of  trying to make the world a better place. Committees, meetings, speaking, traveling, fighting injustice for those who can’t fight for themselves. This song feels about right just now, maybe one day in the future, but I can dream for now. 

 ” I can see it in your eyes, you’ve had a long day. Let’s lock the door pull down the shades.  Turn some music on, pour a glass of  sweet red wine, let the candles burn, put your hand in mine.

Dance with me, don’t say a word, just dance with me.  Let the world outside disappear, baby what we got here is all we need. Dance with me.” 

Under The Sea

This large aquarium is at the local public library in Sarasota, FL.  I love salt water fish and I have a tank of my own.  I find it so relaxing to watch them swim around and to look at their beautiful colors and unique shapes.  At night to have just the tank lights on creates a peaceful mood that automatically melts the stress away.  I took these photos while visiting the library as I find it peaceful there also and it’s free!   

The seaweed is always greener
In somebody else’s lake
You dream about going up there
But that is a big mistake
Just look at the world around you
Right here on the ocean floor
Such wonderful things surround you
What more is you lookin’ for?

Your Time Of Restoration

Sleep and rest are all part of the divine order.  Don’t make your waking life and responsibilities so important that you neglect the very real benefits of sleep, rest, and dreaming. The night is your time of restoration. It is essential. God made both day and night for a reason.