Lifting the Veil of Fear and tuning into Love

 

People often ask me what inspires my writing. My answer would be that it isn't just one thing in particular. It truly is what moves me at a moment in time. And yes, those things can vary so widely , but isn't life so amazing that it has so much inspiration to offer? 

Another question people ask me is , where do I write? and "on what"?  Well, that is a varied answer too. I do have a beautiful office, with yellow painted walls and my favorite white Pottery Barn desk and chairs. I write there quite often, but there are times where I find I need to retreat and really go-within. To a place of complete solitude, absolute peace and serenity. No computer, no phone , no people. Where is that place? 

Oftentimes, this place is my bedroom and sometimes it's a quiet spot that I can find amongst trees in a park or a hiking trail.

What does all of this have to do with the title of today's blog? This morning I really felt I needed to retreat, to find my center once again. The events of the larger world around me some days can be too much to bear. I feel things deeply , whether this be love or fear, some call me an empath - maybe that is true.

So, I brewed some coffee, fed the cats and curled up under the covers in my bedroom. In this space, I grabbed some of my favorite things that keep me grounded. You can see some of them in the photos.

 Victoria and Gabby and my yellow writing tablet. Yes, a magazine, a book and pen and paper. Call me old fashioned and that's okay. I am "that" in so many ways. Victoria magazine soothes my soul and brings me back to a time where life was a bit more simple. A time when appreciation of the simple things like tea time and pretty linens were a thing. I love reading every ounce of this magazine and lo and behold, this Spring edition contained my very favorite and inspiring author, Jan Karon.  She is the writer-in- residence. I hope someday perhaps that will be Mother and me. Jan wrote this very eloquent piece as only she can do. It really spoke to me and the thoughts I had been thinking over the last few days.  She helped present things to me in a soft way, and taught me that there is a way I can show up for the world that feels good to me.

And Gabby Bernstein, well I just love her work and she has been my confident and friend over the last two months as I drink in every ounce of her book, Super Attractor.  I hope to meet her one day and tell her personally , how her work changed my life and got me through a transition in my life.

And then, there is my yellow writing tablet (thank you John Boy for that). A computer will never replace writing on a yellow tablet. I wrote my first novel by hand and I am pretty sure I will write others that way as well. My emotion comes through my hands with a pen. I am left-handed, a direct line to my heart. 

Last but not least, are my furry friends, Nicholas and Cody.  Forever, my loves as the cats that have lived with me and come before them - my deep love to you Creep, Ben, Bailey and Bella. 

  This is Cody, in one of his favorite spots, watching out for all those birds and animals in the backyard.

 

And here is Nicholas, always a Momma's boy and Cody, well, he decided to nap after his bird watching.

As I sat and read my magazine and let the quiet seep in, I put pen to paper. It felt good, it felt right. I was coming back to center, love was taking over the fear I had felt over the last few days. Jan always shows up for me when my writing takes a back seat to life. She reminds me to pick up my pen and keep writing.  I listened to the purr of Nicholas , content and happy and the words came. They flowed for awhile and then I went and warmed my coffee. I let Jan's words wash over me. 

 

Once again, I found my way under the covers , with the cats in the same spot and I picked up Gabby's book. The chapter on "Lifting the Veil" was right there. Lifting the Veil of Fear. I read a few paragraphs and decided to turn on her meditation with the same name. (Yes, I grabbed my phone as I warmed my coffee). I closed my eyes and breathed deeply as I listened to her calming voice. "Picture a bridge" ..she said, "fear is behind you, walk toward the light."   The meditation last eleven minutes and the peace and calm seeped through my mind and body, the fear was leaving and once again, I was tuned into love. As I opened my eyes , I wrote and the words flowed. Inspiration coming from a place of love.

 

 

 

Cherishing Good Friday Traditions at the Broadway Market with Camillia's and Chrusciki's Bakery

 

I love Good Friday! Some years back, my Mom, her husband and I started a tradition of going to the Broadway Market on Good Friday. Those who live in Western New York would say we were out of our minds. It is the busiest day of the year at the market. There were always tons of people , hard to move around, smells of meat, baked goods, roasted nuts, chocolate, hyacinth and homemade soaps.

Yet, it always triggered the beginning of Spring for me. And we went, every year. Our bags full of placek, poppy seed roll, a butter lamb, hyacinth we ventured home eager to indulge in the flavors of the season.

A ham sandwich with mayo and placek - one of my favorites for sure!

As my Mom became unable to walk those halls and subsequently passed away, I missed that tradition so much. So, my girlfriend Nikki and I decided to keep it going. And we go , every year no matter what insanity is happening in our lives that particular year. 

This year, an unusual year for sure as we continue to experience the weirdness of this virus, we made our annual trip. She and I both needed it. We needed to ground ourselves in tradition and focus on some fun.  I picked up my ham at Camillia's (https://www.camelliameats.com/) as I do every year. In my opinion, it is the best! A big shout out to the Cichocki family for taking my order every year and for all the love you show your customers!

I also decided to start snapping some photos, so I could share it with all of you and stir some fond memories in all of us who live here. No, there were not as many people as there typically is, but people did come out and definitely seemed to enjoy themselves. I know we did.

The market has changed over the years since it's inception much like the neighborhood around it. Yet, it still remains.  Some vendors that we have grown to love are still there and others have moved to different locations, like Chrusciki's bakery (https://chruscikibakery.com/) .  So, what did we do? We went to them! After our jaunt at the market we went to to Chrusciki's new location on Transit. It is fairly new and they have combined the bakery with a restaurant and bar. The bar is called Sto Lat and the restaurant , Simply Pierogi.  It has such a great vibe and the staff is so personable and fun!  Enjoy the pictures! And comment on your fond memories of the Broadway Market - what were your favorites? Happy Easter weekend! Kimberley