Love is 4: Fairytale
Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale. – Melissa Brown, Picturing Perfect Today, I’ll be soaking dry cannellini beans in spring water. After they plump, I’ll cook a hearty and creamy soup. Except, a couple beans will be planted on my windowsill. There, I’ll watch to see what kind of beanstalks grow. This holiday season has been incredibly beautiful in Pittsburgh. Record snowfalls keep creating fairytale wonderlands. In one form or another, I hope the same for you. [Keep in mind Neil Gaiman’s words from Coraline. “Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”] Blessings and best wishes for a new year of sunlit and lovely places where all the good you can imagine grows. Comment below. Love Lots! “In A Heartbeat,” a first crush. Click here to view 4-minute video. Which LOVE quote is matched to the right source? “Love is a friendship set to music.” ~ Shakespeare ?? “We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ?? “You don’t love someone because they’re perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they’re not.“ ~ Taylor Swift ?? “The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.” ~ Noah Calhoun ?? — Answers Below — ***** Five versions of my “Before All Else” Illustrated Wisdom art have been created with Adobe Photoshop. See them in upcoming posts. Support and encourage Succeed and Soar. Purchase the art as prints, ready-to-display canvas or framed from my galleries. Consider starting a journal for the new year. Check Sandra’s Card Shop. More covers will be added this week. Quiz Answers “Love is a friendship set to music.” ~ Joseph Campbell “We are shaped and fashioned by what we love.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe “You don’t love someone because they’re perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they’re not.“ ~ Jodi Picoult “The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.” ~ Noah Calhoun
Love is 3: Miracles & Heroes
Where there is great love there are always miracles. — Willa Cather Isn’t the possibility of being miracle-making heroes wonderful? This week, along with Willa Cather’s inspiring quote, listen to Luther Vandross’ gorgeous gem “Heart of A Hero.” Click here to enjoy. Bet you can’t listen just once! Imagine a world of such people. Please share your thoughts. Comment below on this week’s post, and enjoy the video. *** Which LOVE quote is matched to the right movie or television show? There comes a time, thief, when the jewels cease to sparkle, when the gold loses its luster, when the throne room becomes a prison, and all that is left is a father’s love for his child. – Prince of Tides ?? All we really need to survive is one person who truly loves us. –Lost ?? It’s easier to steal what you want than it is to earn it. It’s easier to beat a child than it is to raise it. Hell, love costs: it takes effort and work. –Seven ?? Answers Below. *** Yes, there is bigger news these days, but have to make a splashy announcement about Sandra’s Cards Shop Thanks to a request from a Succeed & Soar reader, my art will be offered on greeting cards and journals. There’s a bit of a learning process to figuring out my on-line shop. As I go, more items will be added. These CafePress products are high quality. Stop by Sandra’s Cards today. Check back to see how I’m doing and more offerings. Also visit my galleries and ask for items with my art. Quiz Answers There comes a time, thief, when the jewels cease to sparkle, when the gold loses its luster, when the throne room becomes a prison, and all that is left is a father’s lovefor his child. –Conan the Barbarian (1982) All we really need to survive is one person who truly loves us. –Lost(2006) “Live Together, Die Alone” It’s easier to steal what you want than it is to earn it. It’s easier to beat a child than it is to raise it. Hell, lovecosts: it takes effort and work. –Seven (1995)
Love 2: A Glimpse of Heaven
To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven. –Karen Sunde Succeed and Soar’s first Love Is post advised, “Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness.” There, five types of love were listed: for self, family, friends, romance and all of creation. This week’s quote is from Karen Sunde’s gorgeous poem “2nd ODE: To Love, from KABUKI OTHELLO.” Read the beautiful poem For me, Sunde’s lovely words prompt several questions: How could love be described? Where is heaven? What is glimpsed when love is absent? Here are my answers: I would describe love as the willingness to generously experience peace and joy. Then, from that state of being, share. I think heaven is in how a loving heart instructs the brain. I believe conditions that prevent love of self and/or family and/or friends and/or romance and/or all of creation is: Fireburg and Brimstoneville. How would you answer? Share here. Comment below. *** Which LOVE quote is matched to the right movie? “You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.” ~ Casablanca ?? “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” ~ Sleepless in Seattle ?? “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return.” ~ Moulin Rouge ?? Answers Below. *** Five versions of my “Before All Else” Illustrated Wisdom art have been created with Adobe Photoshop. See them in upcoming posts. Support and encourage Succeed and Soar. Purchase the art as prints, ready-to-display canvas or framed from my galleries. Quiz Answers “You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.” These words are from Gone With The Wind “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” These words are from When Harry Met Sally “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return.” These words are from Moulin Rouge
Love 1: Key to The Gates of Happiness
Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness. – Oliver Wendell Holmes What does love mean? The ancient Greeks identified several types. Philautia: the ability to love oneself and be concerned with ones happiness Storge: an empathetic love that exists in families Philia: the fondness found in friendships Eros: romantic, passionate love Agape: open-hearted, unconditional and world-embracing spiritual love I do believe that existing within these experiences grows our personal heavens on Earth. The opposite [intolerance, stinginess, meanness, prejudice, etc.] are like fire and brimstone. As this year approaches the season that calls for Good Will toward all, Succeed and Soar’s next postings present meditations on love. In the meantime, share a favorite love experience. Comment below. * Which LOVE quote is matched to the right movie or television show? “I believe that we can be extraordinary together rather than ordinary apart.” — Titanic “You are the perfect verse over a tight beat.” — Brown Sugar “And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you.” —Buffy The Vampire Slayer * Five versions of my “Love Seed” Illustrated Wisdom art have been created with Adobe Photoshop. See them in upcoming posts. Support and encourage Succeed and Soar. Purchase the art as prints, ready-to-display canvas or framed. Visit gallery. *** Quiz Answers “I believe that we can be extraordinary together rather than ordinary apart.” — [Television] Meredith Grey, Grey’s Anatomy “You are the perfect verse over a tight beat.” — [Movie] Andre Ellis, Brown Sugar “And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you.” — [Television] The Vampire Diaries
Thank You
The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes. It has enough lush forests, flowered fields, and sandy beaches. It has plenty of stars and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day. What the world needs more of is people to appreciate and enjoy it. — Michael Josephson This post asks one question: How will you appreciate and enjoy what the world offers today? Comment here. Please know that I appreciate the time you take to read Succeed and Soar. And I’m thankful for all who’ve ever supported this project financially and by sharing. For everyone who helps during November, these Zoom ‘Thank You’ experiences are offered: One, 40-minute Zoom class for each $25 or more investment. Here are the topics: Empower Your Writing with Poetry Envision Your New Year with an Illustrated Wisdom Overcome Writers Block Write An Effective & Engaging Scene One, 40-minute, private writing consultation [via phone or on-line] for each $100 or more investment. Speaking of grateful, LaToya Ruby Frazier must be thanked for her extra-ordinary spiritual and financial gift. See Kraszna-Krausz award ceremony video below. Next year, Succeed and Soar will present “In My Own Backyard,” beautiful images, meditations and lessons learned during four seasons in a 300-square-foot yard surrounded by drug and gang turbulence. Please encourage Succeed and Soar with your financial support this November. Click the green button. Please share how you will enjoy and appreciate this and every day. Comment below. Click here or inside blue box to start video. Wisdoms Collection The inspiring and beautiful work in my Fine Art America collections is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks for your support! NOTE: size and placement of the art and words]can be changed as well as background colors.
To Be Great Again
You were born with potential. You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness. You were born with wings. You are not meant for crawling, so don’t. You have wings. Learn to use them and fly. ― Rumi Of late, I’ve wondered what ever did Make America Great and whether those acts should be repeated. After all, in 1637 Thanksgiving became an annual event to celebrate the massacre of the Wampanoags, the people who saved the Pilgrims from starvation. See New York Times. In pressing President Lincoln to make Plymouth’s annual feast a national holiday, Thanksgiving’s Godmother saw the celebration as a white-only event. See Washington Post. Have yhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/11/27/how-fourth-thursday-november-officially-became-thanksgivingou ever wondered: Was the United States receiving stolen goods when it purchased the Louisiana Territory? After all, how did the French come to own then sell Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, parts of Minnesota and Louisiana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, Montana and Colorado? See As described in Doug J. Swanson’s Cult of Glory, the Texas Rangers ‘ role in taking Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California from its first settlers is sordid. See These acts plus slavery enabled the United States’ growth. Despite this country’s building blocks, might the ideals that always made this nation great be beliefs that here, as nowhere else, human beings can build a world-leading civilization based on: Generous, big-hearted spirits Social activism, always our brothers’ keepers Innovative thought, pioneering projects and progressive achievements Recently, America has experienced plagues of fearfulness, paranoia, intolerance, prejudice, divisiveness, isolationism and stinginess. A cure for those dis-eases could be re-presenting ourselves as described in the contender for our National Anthem. [Maybe “America The Beautiful” should replace the “Star Spangled Banner.”] See video below. An African wisdom advises: Face the sun and shadows will fall behind you. As we approach the Winter Solstice-New Year holy-days of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Pancha Ganapti, Saint Nicholas Day, Matariki, Sanghamitta, Dong Zhi, Soyal, Yalda and Yule, face the sun. Let’s make ourselves, everywhere greater than we were. We have wings. We can fly! Wanderings & Wonders Collection The inspiring and beautiful work in my Fine Art America collections is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks for your support! Sandra Gould Ford NOTE: size and placement of the art and words]can be changed as well as background colors.
Fire Cider
Every since happiness heard your name, it has been running through the streets trying to find you. – Hafiz Have you ever juggled a bunch too much? Ahh! My November has been so crammed, I look forward to free time next week, when my first Fire Cider will be ready. Yep, I dread the taste. The concoction contains hot peppers, onion, ginger root, horseradish and more. But, after steeping in cider vinegar for a month, the brew is said to: Boost immunity Help digestion Reduce inflammation Lower blood pressure Clear congestion Reduce cholesterol Increase energy Ease arthritis I learned to make Fire Cider in my Urban Gardening workshop, sponsored by Phipp’s Conservatory. Here’s a recipe and more information. Have you ever tried this tonic? Might you? Let me know. Comment below! Okay, I did promise to stop mentioning Artisan Bread. Then, I learned it was the original pizza dough [Neapolitan]. Because enjoying pizza can be a kind of tonic, — soothing and satisfying — click on picture to watch the makings of Bob’s Artisan Bread Pizza. [8 minutes]. Click here or on image to view. [8 minutes] Wanderings & Wonders Collection The inspiring and beautiful work in my Fine Art America collections is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks for your support! Sandra Gould Ford NOTE: size and placement of the art and words]can be changed as well as background colors.
Post Election Oasis
You must be the change you want to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi Have you, like me, worked to avoid being upset about this election? Tuesday morning, I woke with the sobering thought that personal preparations must be made to thrive in a country that could wrap me in energy I don’t want. Therefore, I decided to: Become my own sovereign nation Create a constitution describing conditions in my territory Outlaw certain behaviors in my domain Deny border crossings to anyone who violates my country’s laws and constitution. Where did I get such notions? First, when a teenager, I discovered Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata which begins, “Go placidly amid the noise and the haste.” Near the end, the poem advises, “whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.” Desiderata ends, “Strive to be happy.” Second, an Ancient Truth on how to change the world. Third, this prayer, which begins: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.” Fourth, The Four Agreements. Click here for a short and lovely, profound and enlightening video. Wanderings & Wonders Collection The inspiring and beautiful work in my Fine Art America collections is available as prints, framed and on canvas as well as on journals, greeting cards, weekender bags, shower curtains, puzzles and much more. Shop Here Thanks for your support! Sandra Gould Ford NOTE: size and placement of the art and words]can be changed as well as background colors.
Scorpio Season: Halloween, Samhain & Day of The Dead
You are an aperture through which the universe is looking at and exploring itself. —Alan Watts Imagine long ago, when people lit the night with fire. Back then, through clearer skies, stars shone brighter. They looked close enough to pick, like fruit. While the last harvest was gathered, the star cluster Scorpio glittered. For thousands of years, humans found special meaning in the midpoint between autumn equinox – when light and dark were equal – and winter solstice, the year’s longest night. Scorpio Season. From October 31 to November 1, many believe the barrier between the physical and spiritual domains thins. Communication with ‘other’ worlds opens. Aztec, Toltec and Nahua peoples saw physical death as the natural part of a longer life. The dead remained members of the community. Mourning the departed was disrespectful. Their returns on the Day of the Dead are still celebrated. At this time, families place their loved ones’ favorite meals on altars. The living wear fancy clothes, paint their faces to look like skulls and party hearty to rouse those of the spirit world and keep them close. Read more. The Celtic new year also begins at the midpoint between summer and winter. At Samhain [sow-wain], bonfires burn the old year’s fears and worries. Here, too, celebrants believe the spirit world can come closest and connect with the earthbound, like the costume ghosts and goblins traveling a night lit by the constellation Scorpio. It’s heart is the red, supergiant Antares, 400 times larger and 10,000 times brighter than our sun. A huge heart is vital for this season. While trees release leaves along with seeds, the life ending also plants opportunities for rebirth. Ancient stargazers sitting around campfires taught that Scorpio has three modes. The scorpion protects and cares for self during transitions. The snake reminds that identities can be outgrown and shed. The eagle flies high enough to see then reach a future bigger than the present. Midway between equinox and solstice, many cultures feast and celebrate the growing season’s bounty. While preparing to battle winter, the next six weeks of increasing darkness can allow the deepening and gestation, like seeds gone to ground, that is Scorpio Season. The more I study, the greater truths are found in this wisdom from the Bible’s Book of Genesis, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons.” Today’s celestial midpoint occurs under a full moon. Have you ever wondered how it affects us? Click the picture to watch Two Minute Universe’s answers. And, have you ever wondered what the first movie about the supernatural might have been? Click here to see “The Haunted Castle,” a 3-minute film from 1896, a fun journey back to the days of silent entertainment. * Special Offer Tales from the Dream Zone is a delightful, imaginative and, sometimes spooky, collection of brand-new, prize-winning short stories inspired by remembered or imagined dreams. My story about a magical coin is one of the winners. “Wishes” begins: On October 31, 1958, moonbeams lit the stardust that sprinkled Crescent Avenue’s sycamore and hawthorn trees. On that clear, bright evening, candles dimmed inside jack-o-lanterns as Estelle Ringgold Pearson said, “We shouldn’t see anymore spooky movies.” Parnell held her hand as they strolled from the Roland Theater. “Did The Queen of Outer Space really scare you?” * The cover price is $17.99.Order a signed copy for $15 during a special sale. Shop here for your copy of this delightful and imaginative collection. Buy more to give as gifts.
Story Talk: Pirates & Cracks in the World
We should read to give our souls a chance to luxuriate. – Henry Miller Thank goodness for recorded books. Perhaps, one day, time will allow me to curl up in a cozy chair and enjoy the scent and feel of real paper as I turn pages. For now, I read while cooking, housekeeping and have learned to hear stories while driving. True, I’m multi-tasking, as usual. But how wonderful that so many characters can be met, situations encountered and information gained. This letter shares two non-fiction books I really enjoyed and hope you’ll try. Be sure to see the fascinating video that illustrates one below. The search for the Golden Fleece Pirate Hunters by Robert Kurson “A great thriller.” – Lee Child “It isn’t just a good story – it’s a true one.” – Brad Meltzer Captain Joseph Bannister captained the large, merchant ship Golden Fleece between London and Jamaica. The ship carried 30 to 40 guns and over a hundred crew when Bannister stole Golden Fleece during the Golden Age of piracy. Until Bannister, no pirate had succeeded against a British warship. Bannister defeated the two that had cornered him then escaped. To find Golden Fleece, shipwreck hunters John Chatterton and John Martera had to think like the daring and wily Bannister. While historic records claim the buccaneer was captured and hanged on Central America’s Mosquito Coast, author Kurson makes the case that such an end for a man as strategic as Bannister is as unlikely as Santa Claus. A fascinating, fun read. Good Reads reviews Miami Herald Review A Crack in the Edge of the World by Simon Winchester With fabulous style, wit and grace, Winchester casts doubt on the very notion of solid ground. – Publisher’s Weekly Using the 1906 San Francisco earthquake as a starting point [and lens], A Crack in The Edge of the World explores one of my favorite topics, which you may be surprised to learn is: Plate Tectonics! Imagine my shock and amazement when learning that – once upon a time – Earth only had one continent, Pangaea. In time, it broke apart and, ever since, pieces have been floating around the oceans something like rafts. Sometimes continents split, which open new gorges and seas. Sometimes they crash, pushing up mountains like the Rockies [which were once beneath an ocean] and the Himalayas [once as flat as Kansas]. A Crack in The Edge of the World makes plate tectonics both delightful and enlightening. Kirkus Reviews BookBrowse Review Click on picture. This short video’s quick study in Plate Tectonics contains another interesting visual. Note that thin, blue-white line around the planet. That’s Earth’s atmosphere, the air we share.