The past few weekends have been nothing short of perfect. Saturday I headed out to LBI and felt like a little kid again jumping out of my car and doing a light jog to catch a glimpse of what the Atlantic had in store for the day. The surf was small, but the sun was out and the water was holding at 65 degrees. 

I have a saying that I don't go a day without saying at work, "you have to find your high in life or it will find you." In the midst of the craziness of life we so often get lost in keeping busy to just keep busy. In the mode of crazy train it is easy to lose sense of who you are and the little things in life that bring you joy. As I approach numero '34' later this week my hope is that I will still manage to maintain a sense of stoke throughout each season of life. 

There are moments that I become fearful of complacency or of not savoring the many simple joys of life that can, if one is not careful, go unnoticed. Buoying on my board with birds soaring only a few feet overhead and the spray of salt water on my face it was a moment of simple joy that definitely did not go unnoticed. 

Today's method of zen = mid.afternoon hammock session.

It was yet again the perfect fall weekend. There was not much in the way of surf with the wind making the Atlantic a little too choppy for decent conditions, but you can't have ideal surf all the time. Saturday marked the annual Cranberry Festival in Chatsworth where it is the one weekend of the year with more people than cranberries buzzing around town searching for crafts, amazing baked goods packed with cranberries and the ultimate feel of fall. I fully endorse the next six weekends being carbon copies of this weekend....sending vibes. 

Earlier this week I attended a meeting at the Medford's Women's Association. I consider myself pretty ambitious and a visionary, but there are times I find myself frustrated or disheartened. Sitting in a room with about fifty other women, most over the age of fifty, who all shared a dynamic vision to serve and make a difference was empowering. Many of these women have been plugging away longer than I've been alive charging ahead with a passion to leave an impact upon those around them. In a day and age when most seem more concerned about status and salary it was invigorating to find a commonality among these women that is rare in today's world. 

Looking around the room that evening gave me hope that there is no time line for serving. There is no window of when and how we are limited to being useful. I believe as a woman, there is great responsibility in leading by example and that there is no excuse to live silently or apathetically. My hope is that I will possess the same vision I have today at age sixty and that my efforts will, even in the smallest way, touch a few hearts along the way. Life is way too short to live for self...strive to make a difference every day, because in reality each day is a gift. 

Feeling a tad autum-nal

Sometimes life can get overwhelming and the sense of 'crazy train' can make us lose sight of what really matters. There are some things not worth getting upset about. Choosing to not blow a fuse when someone cuts you off, taking a step back when that person who knows how to push your buttons is going at you and intentionally taking a few deep breathes when it feels like nothing is flowing in your direction. 

There are days when my head spins and my heart is heavy. I'm not sure if that's something that will ever change with me. But it has been a blessing to have someone in my life that feels the vibe and conveys a sense of love and kindness that, in a split second, makes all the 'crazy' pretty loco free. I'm not a high maintenance kind of gal, shocking as that may seem:), but I have to say heading off to work finding a rose and daisy on the dash was the perfect start to my day. The dude brought a smile to my face....love my husband:)

This weekend was the Apple Festival at Kirby's Mill in Medford. It's definitely one of the signs that fall is in full swing with the changing of leaves, smell of apple cider donuts and locals gathering in packs to peruse craft tents and enjoy some great food. 

It was an enjoyable day, but what was my highlight was getting a hug and smile from an old friend. Cole Roberts is the official 'ice cream man' at the festival each year. Cole is probably in his mid-80s and as down to earth as they come. The guy is a staple of Medford's history, even though few would realize that these days. The Roberts family has been connected with Kirby's Mills for years along with running Jersey Jerry's Apple Stand on Church Road. Cole was a good friend of Bill Johnson, founder of Johnson's Corner, who recently passed. 

In a day in age where we are driven by time, technology and status I have tremendous respect for the generation that seems to have a firmer grasp than my own generation on the importance of slowing down, working the land and the prioritizing of community and family. I have great respect for Cole, who represents a sense of morals, values and integrity that you don't see too often these days. In a lot of ways he reminds me of my own father who I have watched my whole life work hard, stand firm in his beliefs and possesses a love for God, family and country that has set him apart from most. 

In the five minute conversation with Cole a million memories flooded my mind. In a second I flash back to being fifteen listening to the Beatles and cutting, leathering and cleaning slate with my sisters. I can see the apples hanging heavy in the orchard a few yards off in the distance and hear Cole's tractor sputtering towards the fields. Now, 18 years later all I can do is smile and give the old man next to the ice cream churner a big hug in appreciation of some pretty great memories. 

Surf'n Fall

This weekend was pretty much what life is cracked up to be...living life in the slow lane, enjoying the moment and just savoring the blessings you have. Sunday I treked to the shore greeted with 68 degree water temps, super clean swell and an overall sense of stillness that left me basking in the warmth of the day. 

It was the kind of day that you dream of and if your lucky you might come across one or two in your lifetime. I rolled into LBI a little after seven and paddled out to the line up where I was greeted by two other women. Yay, women surfers! The sandbar made for perfectly clean, consistent waist to chest high swells for about four hours. I found myself wondering if there would be an ocean in heaven. It is moments such as these that I feel so very close to God, His Creation and a sense of peace that brings an overwhelming stillness to my heart. God is good. I dig His ocean and am thankful for days such as these that just re-affirm the beauty of life and the moments that truly leave you speechless. 

Dragon Boat Festival of an Oar-some Nature

I think I've done quite a lot in my thirty three years here on earth & I'm always trying to expand on my experiences as new ones come my way. Up until about six months ago I didn't even know what dragon boat racing was. Fast forward a few months and I'm now digging my oar down the Schuylkill River in Philly with a few of my fellow thr girls participating in the 11th annual Dragon Boat Festival. 

Each year there are appx. 100 dragon boats making their way down the river participating in a day of madness that consists of waking before one was intended to rise, chilling by your tent with a whole bunch of other crazies (I love crazies, just in case you were unsure) and attempting to kick some oar during your heat. 

Clouds loomed above and rain fell lightly from the sky until a little after six in the morning. Part of me was a tad nervous to spend the day on the river with rain and chill in the forecast, but it ended up being a perfect day with the sun out and the rain made its exit. 

Although we didn't come home with any medals, it was a heap of fun and it is one more thing to add to the 'been there, done that' list. We also were not one of three boats to capsize and followed by the police boat which attempted to haul about 10 too many stranded boaters to shore and nearly became a statistic of sinking. It was a long day, but not without a little suspense, dragon-ing and all round oar-someness!!!