Angel of Change

Mt. Redoubt (March 2009)  photo by Brentwood Higman

'Angel of Change' is my name for this spectacular photograph of  Mount Redoubt, Alaska exploding awake again with fire and lightening early morning March 28, 2009. Awesome!!! Can you see the angel, heart and angel fish? Beloved Creator gives us more messages and indicators.

The angel is a messenger heralding change through the fire of transformation and transmutation who says, 'It moves, ALL IS WELL, you are a Divine Child of God.' The lightening heart emerging from smoke says, 'FEAR NOT beloved... you are Loved, always taken care of and eternal'. It reminds us to Love all and do all through and with Love.' The angel fish says, 'HAVE FAITH things are not what they appear. Fish show us Independence, Potential and Adaptation. When swimming upwards fish indicates Spiritual evolution. The angelfish tells us angels are always around. It guides us to assist others in need... by helping others we help ourselves.  The explosion of Redoubt indicates there will be doubts projected and doubt will intensify. The mountain says, 'HAVE NO DOUBT, hold the visions of the future you wish to collectively create... they are made manifest! The message: fear nothing, have faith, hold your visions without doubt, love self, others and the process itself, help each other, all is well and in transformation. In the end all will be new, fresh an unlike anything seen to date. Whoo Hoo... might as well let go and enjoy the ride!

Weather.com featured the photo above with the caption:

1:43 pm ET Incredible volcano lightning photos: These are pictures taken on March 28 of Alaska's Mount Redoubt volcanic eruption. The volcano has been erupting for several days now but has recently evolved into a different eruption pattern.

~Bonnee

A Vision for A New Earth

'1st January' photograph by Shugaley Pavel

A Vision for A New Earth

• An Earth where chaos matures into growth and reality is a soul harmony vibrating to Love in synchronicity.
• Knowing through radical trust, silence and stillness that the dark is pierced by the Light, and fear and ignorance transformed into insight, love and wisdom.
• New leaders with spiritual vision unashamedly inspired by a loving connection to all life and a passionate caring for self, humanity and the environment lead the world to an unanimously agreed upon charter of peace.
• Religion is no longer fought over, but honored as expressions of divinity.
• Borders vanish to form one Circle of Light one earth – one vision - one garden – one economy – one humanity.
• Diversity is celebrated within the uniqueness of each individual’s culture, race and heart.
• Generosity and gratitude replace greed, and the desire to accumulate out of fear of scarcity, is replaced by knowing that all is provided for.
• Spirit is acknowledged in the radiance of each person’s being beyond all illusions.
• The creative potential of each person’s abilities unfold into expressions of joyous creations.
• All learning celebrates soul development, character, creativity and imagination.
• Sound, thought, light, feeling and color are understood as
  palettes of creation to manifest reality.
• Love is fostered as the elixir of life and Joy the blueprint for achievement.
• Beauty, compassion and forgiveness weave perception and create connection.
• Infinity is grasped as an awakening into the ever evolving mystery of the Now moment.
• Time is seen as a fractal of Infinity where the Now locates,
  attention focuses and intention directs.
• Nature is Light. Light is the interplay of the dance of particles in the known cosmos of Love. Light is the breath of The Divine.
  In Light, are the codes of all life playing a symphony of Love.
• Love is all there is. As you are in your heart. In Peace. In Love. Know that you are loved beyond measure.
• Know that we are in a New Earth where we all celebrate our magnificence.
• Dream it and it will Be.

~Author Unknown

Amazing photograph and wisdom... thanks for the visions!!!

~Bonnee

Pink Elephant... really???

'Rare Pink Elephant Baby' photograph by Mike Holding

Everywhere... all around... more and more gifts from Creator. Signs we move... we progress. Heart shaped galaxies, pink dolphins, sun halos, comets... more. Now this very rare, sweet, beautiful, albino, pink, baby African elephant. Amazing!

Elephant represents - compassion, loyalty, strength, intelligence, discernment,  commitment, astuteness, memory, longevity, power and peace. Pink is the color of Universal Love, love of self and others, harmony and inner peace; and a developed heart chakra (Anahata). Elephant in Buddhism represents mental strength; the white elephant is a powerful controlled mind that eliminates all obstacles on the path. It is said that Buddha was born as a white elephant in a previous incarnation. Ganesh, the white elephant Hindu god removes obstacles and brings peace and inner knowing. A pink elephant shows us how... eliminate obstacles through love.

A pink elephant is great gift indeed... it shows Creators Love for us and blesses our unfolding. Indicators: keep faith, remember love of self and others, bring peace to all, discern what brings harmony, be strong and clear of mind, develop heart and inner knowing. 

 

March 20, 2009 - A pink elephant caught on camera.  A wildlife cameraman took pictures of the calf when he spotted it among a herd of about 80 elephants in the Okavango Delta (Botswana). Experts believe it is probably an albino, which is an extremely rare phenomenon in African elephants. Read more at BBC.

~Bonnee

Wayraman - Manatial

Wayraman by Manatial

Beautiful panpipes and flute telling a story of love. Sweet!

Manatial, The Mystic Sound from the Andes, Song: Wayraman, Album: The Secret of the Dancing Spirits DVD, Video produced by: AylluRecords. Recorded in Salasaca, Ecuador. Official website: manantial-productions.com.

Manantial are Indigenous musicians from the Kichwa-Salasaka community in  Ecuador. They present a magical connection between ancient and present cultures through song and dance. Members include Alberto Jerez, Kjulliar Jerez and Carlos Jerez  from Salasaka-Ecuador.

~Bonnee

Rare Pink Dolphin... more signs!

'Rare pink dolphin' photo by Capt. Erik Rue

When I lived on Kauai I often would sit alone and watch the dolphins playing just off shore. One day while pondering a particularly difficult life situation a dolphin caught my attention. He jumped out of the water and spun in circles then dove out of sight. He repeated this again and again while making joyful noise. When we touched consciousness I was showered with Love and happiness and received the message 'There is only Love, play dear one, nothing is of import which leaden the heart."

A pink albino dolphin! What a glorious gift from Creator. Dolphins represent manna, breath, play and Oneness. Manna is energy... the essence of Creator which is present in all Creation. Breath is life, taking in and renewing Manna which sustains body; keeps it alive. Through the rhythm of breath we may begin to sense energy and intensify our connection to God. Oneness is our Divine connection with everything... 'all that is'. Pink is the color of Universal Love, love of self and others, harmony and inner peace; and a developed heart chakra (Anahata). Our pink dolphin gives us indicators (a road map) to guide us as we expand spiritually. Indicators... link with Creator for answers, commune with nature, remember Love and Oneness, be mindful of bodily energies and breath and spread waves of laughter, joy and love into the world. Thank you for your glorious indicators beloved Creator. A pink dolphin... indeed!

 

Pink dolphin photograph taken by Captain Eric Rue on Calcasieu Lake in Louisiana. You can see more of Erik's photos of the pink dolphin at Calcasieu Charter Service.

Kari Pugh, Mad Mariner daily boating magazine writes, "Albino dolphins are rare. Only three have been spotted in the Gulf of Mexico since 1994 and there have only been 14 sightings around the world since 1963. But albino dolphins that appear to be pink are unheard of, says Patricia Rosel, a  NOAA marine biologist who studies the genetic glitches found in bottlenose dolphins." You can read the whole article at Mad Mariner.

~Bonnee

Mo Ghruagach Dhonn - Julie Fowlis

Mo Ghruagach Dhonn sung by Julie Fowlis

Lovely, clear and sweet, Julie's voice is just beautiful. I enjoy listening to her sing this ancient Gaelic love song about a man's search.

Julie says of the song,

"This is a North Uist love song which I heard for the first time in the house of Kate-Ann MacLellan in Hùna, North Uist (Scotland)."

Julie Fowlis, Song: Mo Ghruagach Dhonn , Album: Cuilidh  (2007), Label: SPIT & POLISH  Official website: www.juliefowlis.com

Mo Ghruagach Dhonn (My Brown-haired Lass) Gaelic lyrics in English:

Hi ho ro, my brown-haired lass,
whose beauty becomes more beguiling.
The deep love I have for you
has left me sorely wounded.

Your letter arrived on Tuesday
Telling of what was to be.
It told that your ship would arrive
in Glasgow without delay.
When I read this,
I immediately headed for the Broomielaw.
I saw the ship carrying the jewel,
the maiden, approach.

When I held out my hand
you turned  with a slight smile and
uttered a couple of words
which left me sleepless many nights

You have the loveliest hair,
neither black, nor red nor fair,
but the colour of the most beautiful gold,
yellow, braided and curled. 

I would write for you with a pen.
I would cultivate  for you with a plough.
I would captain a ship for you,
brown haired lass of the deceiving eyes.

You are skilled at working wool
and at writing on blank paper.
But if you have gone overseas, to Australia,
goodbye to you.

I will no longer be in despair.
I’ll grab a new one by the hand.
Solomon, the wisest man who lived,
had many sweethearts

Julie Fowlis born 1979 in North Uist, an island in the Outer Hebrides Scotland is a folk singer instrumentalist who sings primarily in Gaelic. She won the Horizon award at the 2006 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and Folk Singer of The Year at the 2008 awards.

~Bonnee

Regresa a mi - Il Divo

'Regresa a mi' sung by Il Divo

A beautiful, sad, moving love song, passionately sung by Il Divo.  Longing for love lost. The line, 'My life turns off without you by my side' touches me. We often merge our lives so completely with another that when other is gone we turn off or shut down. Sometimes it takes years to come alive again... to become some semblance of what we were before the relationship... forever changed, altered. We may review... as a result grow and become more through love. Life is meant to be poignant... Love is always a Divine gift.

A dear friend once said to me, 'I would rather be without love than to accept something ordinary.'  I believe, Love is never ordinary when it comes, treasure it in all its' forms.  No one... nothing is ordinary, nor is anyone or anything special. Everything is sacred and Divine... everyone Perfect as they are... nothing better, nor worse.. just is. Accept what is given and be filled with joy... a choice. The dance of life and love is full of experiences and choices... a smorgasbord of sensations and feelings. Flow with life... appreciate, accept what is and be grateful for breath. We are given what we need in every moment... relationships, family, friends or sacred time to ourselves... discerning what enhances. Searching leads to more searching, an endless quest... a good game like every undertaking. Fun. Play well. What seems mystical to one is simply life unfolding for another. Everything is a blessing from God... life, love, body, home, family, friends, animals, food, nature, breath... everything! Thank you, thank you, thank you for Love, beloved Creator! 

Il Divo, Song: Regresa a Mi, Album: Il Divo - Il Divo (2004), Label: Sony BMG, Music video: 2006 Sony BMG Music Entertainment. Sony BMG Music UK (c) 2004 Simco Limited exclusively licensed to Sony BMG Music Entertainment (UK) Limited. Official website: www.ildivo.com

Regresa a mi (Return to me) lyrics (Spanish) in English (translated by elmarto-ga):

Don't leave me like this
Speaking only of you
Come and give the smile that went away back to me
One more time to touch your skin and deep to sigh
Let's recover what has been lost
Return to me

Love me once again
Erase the grief I experienced when you left
when you parted from me
Tell me yes
I don't want to cry
Return to me

I miss the love that went away
I miss the happiness as well
I want you to come to me and love me again
I can't go on if you're not here; you have to arrive
My life turns off without you by my side
Return to me, Return to me

Il Divo (Italian for 'star or or celebrity') was created by music manager Simon Cowell. They are a multinational operatic pop vocal group. Members of Il Divo are singers: Carlos Marín (born October 13, 1968 in Rüsselsheim, Germany, raised in Madrid, Spain), Urs Bühler (born July 19, 1971 in Willisau, Lucerne, Switzerland), David Miller (born April 14, 1973 in San Diego, California but grew up in Littleton, Colorado), and Sébastien Izambard (born March 7, 1973 in Paris, France). They sing in English, Italian, Spanish, French and Latin. Il Divo was named the Most Multinational UK No.1 Album Group in the 2006 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.

~Bonnee

'Smokin' Heaven?' - Alexander Petrenko

'Smokin' Heaven?' photograph by Alexander Petrenko

'Smokin' Heaven?' is my name for this interesting, fun and amazing photograph. Is Heaven above us? Alexander saw this group of Heavenly golfers over Moscow, Russia and captured it. How cool is that 'Heavenly Smokin' Golfers'. Don't know if it's truly Heaven, but it's a wonderful reminder. Even in smoke we can see life and Creator's love. It's everywhere... all around we just need to stop, pause, breathe and see. Amazing! Thank you beloved Creator for this wonderful whimsical reminder. Cough, cough!

Alexander's name for the photo is "Оказывается, тут тоже есть жизнь…” ("It occurs, here also there is life…”). The aerial photograph was taken over Kiev-Moscow, Russia on the approach to Sheremet'yevo Airport. He says, "I officially explain this is the photo as it appeared winter 2006, with no editing other then crop and resize." You can see more of his wonderful photos on his photo blog or read Petrenko blog.

Another beautiful reminder of Creator's love is this photo of Archipelago of Sulu taken by Farl. It looks like an island with a heart cut out of the center. He calls it Donut Hole. You can see more lovely photos from Farl at flickr.com.

I found both photos while perusing 'The World From Above: The Beauty Of Aerial Photography'. Enjoy!

~Bonnee

Unfold by Marié Digby

Unfold performed by Marié Digby

Beautiful, touching song. Reminds me of a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis. She unfolds... comes out... becomes more who she truly is and allows love to permeate... all. I love the line, 'My soul it's dying to be free I can't live the rest of my life so guarded. It's up to me to choose.. what kind of life I lead.'  A choice... to live life fully and allow love in. Love is the essence of all! What a wonderful reminder Marié thanks for sharing your heart and unfolding process with us! 

Marié Digby, Song: Unfold, Album: Unfold (2008), Label:  Hollywood Records. Her official Youtube channel  is MarieDigby.

Marie says about the song,

This is a song I wrote recently called 'Unfold'... it's probably the most personal song I've ever written. It came out of my frustration at my tendency to shut people out. Especially in love, I found myself always finding reasons to back away and I couldn't figure out why. This song is literally, my thinking process in trying to understand how I became this person and if I have the power to change it.

Unfold lyrics:

What I can remember is a lot like water trickling down a page of the most beautiful colors. I can't quite put my finger down on the moment that I became like ... this.

You see I'm the bravest girl you will ever come to meet and yet I shrink down to nothing at the thought of someone really seeing me.

I think my heart is wrapped around and tangled up in winding weeds but I don't wanna go on living being so afraid of showing someone else my.. imperfections.

Even though my feet are trembling and every word I say comes stumbling I will bare it all.. watch me unfold... unfold.

These hands that I hold behind my back are bound and broken by my own doing and I can't feel anything, anymore I need a touch to remind me I'm still real..

My soul it's dying to be free I can't live the rest of my life
so guarded. It's up to me to choose.. what kind of life I lead.
Cause I don't wanna go on living being so afraid of showing
someone else my.. imperfections.

Even though my feet are trembling and every word I say comes stumbling I will bare it all.. watch me unfold... unfold.

I will allow someone to love me
I will allow someone to love me...
love me.. love me...

Marié Digby (pr. Mahr-ee-ay) born April 16, 1983 in New York is a singer/songwriter/musician from Los Angeles, California.

Today is full moon 14:49 UT (6:49am PST). There is also a penumbral lunar eclipse between 1400 and 1520 UT (6:00am - 7:20am PST). Today's eclipse brings in Love. Many folks around the world are focusing on Love to amplify and strengthen the memory for all that is. Thank you beloved Creator for your blessings of Love and thanks to all who focus on it.

All you need is Love!   John Lennon

~Bonnee

I Surrender - Celine Dion, live

'I Surrender' performed live in Las Vegas by Céline Dion

This still takes my breath away every time I hear it I tear up and shiver. First heard it when I was surrendering, letting go, giving all to Creator... learning to totally Trust. Celine's performance of this song touched my heart and Soul to a degree words can't describe. Love poured through me, arms wrapped around my body.. I knew without a doubt I was deeply loved, protected, always taken care of and nurtured. All that was required of me was to surrender to Creator, Be and Love all that is... so easy, yet... so difficult. Every time I listen to it I have the same intense and incredible experience. Thanks Céline for such an inspiring performance... WOW!

Céline Dion, Song: I Surrender, album: A New Day Has Come (2002), Label: Sony. Official website www.celinedion.com.

 

Céline Marie Claudette Dion born March 30, 1968 in Charlemagne, Quebec, Canada is a singer/songwriter/actress. She is the youngest of 14 children of a highly musical family. She began singing at age 5 and regularly preformed with her siblings at a nightclub her parents owned. Céline began to receive recognition for her talent in 1982, winning the Gold Medal at the Yamaha World Song Festival in Tokyo, along with the coveted Musician's Award for Top Performer. In 1983, she became the first Canadian ever to receive a Gold Record in France. In 2004, after becoming the best selling female artist of all time, she was presented with the Chopard Diamond Award at the World Music Awards.

~Bonnee

Opalescent Sky

'Opalescent Sky' photo by Harold Leinbach

'Opalescent Sky' is my name for this exquisite photograph. Again Creator treats us to beautiful displays reminding us that everything is sacred and that we progress. What colors and patterns! Again we are shown colors that aren't 'normally' seen in a rainbow spectrum... pastels... turquoise, pink, lavender, golden pink. And is that an eight or infinity? Perhaps a message of our infinite nature... everything is possible... endless possibilities. Our visualizations of Divine Nature made manifest. This sky is magnificent! Thank you, thank you for this gift, again... thank you Beloved Creator. You continue to awe and amaze with beauty and majesty.

Photo was taken in Boulder, Colorado January 2, 2009 by Harold Leinbach. He says of the sky,

"The pastel colors were lovely and the billowing cloud shapes were quite fascinating."

 

Atmospheric optics expert Les Cowley explains: "For brightly-colored iridescence you need cloud droplets of all the same size. You get that if all the droplets have formed at the same time and experienced the same history. Dynamic conditions inside a lee cloud are just what the doctor ordered. The clouds look stationary but inside there is a 'factory conveyor' with uniform droplets formed at one end and evaporated at the other. Voila - iridescence."

Lee waves may be found downwind of all mountains--not just the Rockies. If you live in the lee, keep an eye out for pastels in the sky.

~Bonnee

Goodness Gracious Great Balls of Fire

'Night Streaker' photo by Howard Edin. Captured from the Okie-Tex Star Party, September 30, 2008

'Night Streaker' is my name for this beautiful... awe filled sight. A fireball streaks by Orion through the night sky. Glorious displays lighting up the skies all over the world. Thank you Beloved Creator, thank you!

 

The American Meteor Society says it has had 45 separate fireballs reported to them so far in 2009. There were 40 fireballs reported during the month of January in 2008. In the last 90 days there have been sightings in: California, Sweden, New Zealand, Middle East, Canada, Africa, Argentina, Vancouver B.C., Colorado, West Virginia, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Ireland, Brazil, China... more.

January 19 - Fireball in Southern California
January 19, 2009 5:33pm PST a brilliant fireball was reported by over 24 people from California, Nevada and Arizona. It was reported to be as bright as the full moon magnitude -13.

 

January 17 - Fireball in Sweden

January 17, 2009 19:09 UT,  a beautiful brilliant blue sky was Creator's gift as a fireball lit the night in Scandinavia. It exploded with a rumbling boom. The photo is from a video. You can see videos, read reports and articles at TV2 ØST or SpaceWeather.com Scandinavian Fireball.

 

My thoughts...

Are there more fireballs? It seems like there are more sightings... but maybe we are just gazing at the sky more... aware... looking... waiting for something. When we see something we gasp in wonder, point and say, 'oh ah... amazing, glorious!' or 'ah oh... doom and gloom!' Are these sightings apocalyptic? Are they signs of the end?

I see them a signs... wonderful signs of change. More of Creator's gifts and blessings. Messages to get our attention... they say, 'Stop for a moment, watch... pause... breathe... Be'. When we are awe filled, in appreciation and wonder we are One... and in that moment we begin to feel and recognize our Oneness.

All of the glorious blessings Creator showers upon us daily are signs of change. Signs of the ending of old ways which no longer work. Like the snake sloughing off of old skin to be renewed or the phoenix being consumed by fire then reborn from its' own ash. Not end as in death or cataclysm... but end of a cycle. Now we are reborn into our full glory and majesty... as we were originally intended to be.

Now is the cycle or yuga of Light... 2,000 years of Peace. Christ has come...  Buddha is here... it is Us... we are That!  The waiting is over... today is 2012... the time we've been waiting for is NOW. It is not about a timeline or calendar date... it is about raising and changing consciousness. We have fully embraced ourselves, climbed the mountain and are standing on the peak saying, 'Who am I? Where am I? What am I?'.

Now we remake ourselves. From this moment... do all with joy. Remake yourself into what you have always dreamed. Create! This is the Grace of NOW!

Be the glorious greatness that you are my friend. Love from the depths of your being ... everything... all. Rejoice!

~Bonnee

Ice Flowers in Arkansas

'Ice Flowers' photo by Chyenne Morning Star

On January 16, 2009  Chyenne went outside her home in Edgemont, Arkansas and was greeted by these lovely ribbons of luminous ice. One is a heart.  Everywhere... reminders of Creator's Love. Mother and Father Creators showering blessings upon us. It is glorious. Thanks so much Chyenne for sharing this wonderful photo with us.

Chyenne says of the image,

Every now and then in the midst of Winter when the ground is of one color and the trees are bare, She, Mother Winter will gift us with little luminous beings of ice called Ice Flowers. And particularly when one is shaped as a heart, it is a message. A message from our Mother, the Earth and our Nature sisters and brothers telling us they love us. When I went out to get wood on this January 16, 2009 morning, I noticed these beautiful beings. I have never seen them before - or in our area. They are called Ice Flowers and only form in perfect conditions. It is rare to see them here. They were scattered over the yard. It is one of those gifts in the middle of Winter that really surprises us with another beautiful life form being. These Ice Flowers are sometimes called Rabbit Frost and are formed when the sap freezes and expands in the stem, causing long thin cracks to form along the stem. The water that is drawn through these cracks freezes immediately upon contact with the air. Thin layers of ice are pushed from the stems,causing the formation of ribbons or 'petals.

The photo was featured on the home page of SpaceWeather.com on January 18. They say of the image:

Scientists have been studying the ice flower phenomenon for almost two hundred years. Botanists, physicists, geologists--all have puzzled over the fragile ribbons of ice that wrap themselves around the stems of some plants during winter. Over time, the following consensus has emerged: Liquid water from deep soil flows up into the stems. Linear cracks in the stems expose the water to freezing air. Water turns to ice, and the ice extrudes from the cracks in thin sheets.

There is also a wonderful video of ice flowers at youtube. So amazing... another wonderful display. Thank you beloved Creator, thank you.

~Bonnee

Heart on Fire

'Heart on Fire' photograph by Carlos Gutierrez

'Heart on Fire' is my name for this unbelievable photo. One of the series taken May 2, 2008 when Chile's Chaiten volcano awakened after 9,000 years of slumber. The ash cloud looks like a heart on fire, pierced by light and exploding with love.

The earth... everything, is getting more spectacular, more awesome and more majestic. I don't remember ever seeing so much awe, color, depth or events which WOW. 2008 was truly a year of movement.

 

Heart on fire

Earth trembles

Groans, rumbles

Mountain shakes

Bursting crust

Exploding gasses

Steam and ashes

Fire... lightening

Mother stirs

She awakens

From long slumber

And remembers

Glory bright

Patterns shatter

Heart on fire

Pierced by Light

Love pours forth

From crackling Earth

Mother wakes

with great Delight

~Inspired by the awesome images on this page.

  

Here are two more incredible photographs taken during the eruption by Carlos Gutierrez for UPI. The photo below right is the most famous. It has appeared in National Geographic Magazine and on many webpages. It is considered one of the best photographs taken in 2008. Trying to understand the lightening, the experts say, 'The mingling of lightning and ash as seen above may be a 'dirty thunderstorm'. The little-understood storms may be sparked when rock fragments, ash and ice particles in the plume collide to produce static charges just as ice particles collide to create charge in regular thunderstorms." You can read the full story at National Geographic or see more photographs at UniverSOUL Productions’ Weblog. I couldn't find any more information about Carlos.

~Bonnee

Nocturne, Secret Garden - Happy New Year!

Nocturne performed by Secret Garden, music video

A lovely song and music video filled with magic, love and longing. Simply beautiful! Wonderful music, haunting song, perfect vocals. Fabulous!

Band: Secret Garden, Song: Nocturne, Album: Songs From Secret Garden (1995). Nocturne won the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest. Lyrics in Norwegian by Petter Skavlan.

Secret Garden was formed when Rolf Løvland and Fionnuala Sherry met at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin. Their mostly instrumental music is a combination of Celtic and Norwegian impressions. The vocals in 'Nocturne' are sung by Gunnhild Tvinnereim.

Sherry says, "The secret garden refers to a personal intimate musical idea and something natural and organic, something that comes from the heart. It's a place within all of us where we need to go to find balance and peace of mind and listen to the inner voice of our hearts."

 

God's Lovers

Standing, ever embracing

The lovers watch as sun sets.

Seasons pass... years... millennia...

And yet, there's only Now

For the lovers love, eternal.

~Inspired by this beautiful image

The lovely photo above of Lover's Rock Sunset, Sedona, AZ was taken  by Light. As we drove down the mountain from Flagstaff on I-17 I would always comment about the lovers watching the setting sun. One day he pulled over and took this amazing photo for me. Thanks Light!

Happy New Year, may all good things come to you!

 

Secret Garden - Rolf Løvland composer, producer, keyboardist was born April 19, 1955 in Kristiansand, Norway.  He studied at the Music Conservatory in Kristiansand and at the Norwegian Institute of Music in Oslo. Fionnuala Sherry violinist, born in Naas, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland. She graduated with honors from Trinity College in Dublin, and the College of Music. You can read news, listen to more music and buy CDs at their website www.secretgarden.no.

Light Traveler (August 1946 - July 2003)  photographer, Reiki Master/Teacher, spiritual seeker and beautiful loving Spirit. You can see more and purchase his beautiful photography at Light Traveler's gallery.

~Bonnee

12/31 Happy New Year, ABBA

'Happy New Year' sung by ABBA

Ringing in the New Year! May we hold thoughts of Peace, Love, Happiness and Prosperity for all in 2009 and always. We are One... one family, one society, one world... beloved Humanity. Beautiful diversity... perfect symmetry!

ABBA, Song: Happy New Year, Album: Super Trouper (1980) Label: Epic, TV performance: Stockholm, Sweden 31st December 1980 and every year at midnight in Sweden.

 

Sparkling rays

The sky's alight.

With dancing colors to delight.

And sparkling rays in dark of night.

Thank you God for this awesome sight.

A gift of magic for new years bright...

~ inspired by this beautiful image.  I am in awe!!!

The beautiful photo above I call, 'Sparkling Rays' is by Sauli Koski from Kittila, Finland. You can see more of his wonderful photos at studiotunturi-lappi.fi.

Have a delightful, safe and joyous New Year's eve!

 

ABBA a Swedish band formed in 1971 and officially named in1973. ABBA is an acronym for the given names of the band members - Agnetha, Björn, Benny, Anni-Frid. The band members were Benny Andersson (born December 16, 1946 in Stockholm, Sweden), Björn Ulvaeus (born April 25, 1945 in Gothenburg, Sweden), Anni-Frid Lyngstad (born November 15, 1945 in Ballangen, Norway), Agnetha Fältskog (born April 5, 1950 in Jönköping, Sweden). From 1976 - 1981 they achieved superstardom. ABBA's last public performance together was December 11, 1982 on the TV show The Late, Late Breakfast Show (live from Stockholm). The official website for ABBA owned by Universal is abbasite.com.

~Bonnee

12/30 You are Loved (Don't Give Up)

'You are Loved' performed live by Josh Groban

Lovely song of hope. I posted this today for all of those who are struggling. The Holidays often are a stretch, this year perhaps more. Know 'you are loved'.

Josh Groban, Song: You are Loved (Don't Give Up), Album: Awake (2006), Label: Reprise / WEA.

 

Love, love... loved!

Heart... again. There it is.

Reminders everywhere. Stones, trees, lakes, forests, clouds... Everywhere... God's gift of love.

Remember.

You are Loved beloved... deeply, fully... always!

The wonderful photo above of a naturally occurring heart in a mangrove swamp is called 'Heart in Voh'. It was taken by Yann Athus-Bertrand as he flew over Voh, New Caledoniea. You can see more of his amazing work at yannarthusbertrand2.org.

May the New Year bring you Love, Hope, Faith and Happiness on the wings of angels.

 

Josh Groban singer/songwriter was born February 27, 1981 in Los Angeles, California. In 1997 and 1998 he attended Interlochen Arts Camp, majoring in musical theater and voice. He graduated in 1999 with a major in theater from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Soon after graduation he was offered a recording contract at Warner Brothers Records. His recording debut was singing "For Always" with Lara Fabian on the soundtrack to A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001). Read news, listen his wonderful music, watch videos, see photos and read his blog at www.joshgroban.com.

~Bonnee

12/29 Allah Knows, Zain Bhikha

'Allah Knows' by Zain Bhikha with Dawud Wharnsby

Beautiful, sweet and heartfelt. Brought tears, I feel a reaching out and God moving through words, voices, music and harmony... wow! Lovely!

Zain Bhikha with Dawud Wharnsby, Song: Allah Knows, Album: Allah Knows (2006), Label: Jamal Records, Video: Jamal Records.

Today is Al-Hijra, Islamic New Year the first day of Muharram.

 

What is... is not?

Imagine, create, stretch... become! What is... is not?

The eye fooled, the mind awed. Sweet believing. Breathless becoming. Why not?

Let's fly...

~ inspired by this beautiful image.

The image above is a digital compilation of an existing volcanic crescent moon islet called Molokini off the coast of Maui, HI and a star island which was created.  The moon alone is amazing, the star adds another dimension which stretches beyond. Awesome... I love it. It is not known who created this image you can find out more about it at Neddy's Palaver.

May your Holidays be filled with Awe and Wonder!

 

Zain Bhikha born August 9, 1974 in Pretoria, South Africa is a singer/songwriter. At a young age he often would entertain his family and friends with songs. In 1994 he won a singing competition sponsored by the local station Radio 702. He recorded his first album called 'A Way of Life' in 1994. You can find out more, read news, watch videos and listen to and buy music at Zain's official website zainbhikha.com.

~Bonnee

12/18 The 12 Days Of Christmas, John Denver

'The 12 Days Of Christmas' John Denver & The Muppets

Wonderful, happy and fun! I love this clever rendition, makes me laugh and smile. Used to watch the Muppets' Christmas specials every year, so is a walk down memory lane for me. Hope you enjoy it.

John Denver, Song: The 12 Days of Christmas, TV special: A Christmas Together with John Denver and The Muppets (1979). Nominated for an Emmy and winner of the Director's Guild Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety. If you'd like to own a copy on DVD you can buy it at missedmovies.com. Words: vary widely, Music: Traditional English, 18th Century carol.

 

'The 12 Days of Christmas' is traditionally attributed to England but may have a French origin. Date of first performance is unknown, however it was sung as early as 16th century in Europe and Scandinavia. The chant  may have had it's origins as a 'memory and forfeits' game where the person who forgets the verse has to pay penalty of a kiss or sweet.

The actual 12 days of Christmas are usually December 26 through January 6 in England. Sometimes Christmas Day is included as one of the 12 days, sometimes not.  Most often the 12 days are attributed to the twelve days from the birth of Christ (Christmas, December 25) to the coming of the Magi (Epiphany, January 6, or the Twelfth Day). You can learn more about the song at Hymns and Carols of Christmas or wikipedia.

 

My 12 Days of Christmas - This year the Holidays are very tight financially so I decided to make all my gifts and pamper myself while I'm at it. Went to a local art gallery, saw a lovely leather bag I would have loved to buy. Its' cost $1,500. Rather then grumbling about the price, it inspired me to create my own and one for a friend too. Mine is still in the works, photo right is the other one.

This year my Christmas will be filled with wonderful treats, songs, love and things which make me smile. Just for fun, wrote about my inexpensive indulgences to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas. It goes something like this...

• On the first day of Christmas, I made this gift for me, a handmade leather satchel
• On the second day of Christmas, I whipped this up for me, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
• On the third day of Christmas, I'll do this just for me, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel 
• On the fourth day of Christmas, I'll do this just for me, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel 
• On the fifth day of Christmas, I bought a gift for me, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel 
• On the sixth day of Christmas, I'll make this just for me, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel 
• On the seventh day of Christmas, I gave this gift to me, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel 
• On the eighth day of Christmas, I promised this to me, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel 
• On the ninth day of Christmas I made a treat for me, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel 
• On the tenth day of Christmas, I whipped this up for me, ten oatmeal cookies, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel 
• On the eleventh day of Christmas, I promised this to me, eleven crackling fires, ten oatmeal cookies, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel 
• On the twelfth day of Christmas, I bought a gift for me, twelve lovely flowers, eleven crackling fires, ten oatmeal cookies, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel  

Have a wonderful Holiday! May your days be filled with treasures!

John Denver given name Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr.  (December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997), born in Roswell, New Mexico was a singer, songwriter, performer, actor, environmentalist and humanitarian.  At eleven he was given his grandmother's guitar, took guitar lessons and joined the boy's choir. At twenty he pursued his dream career and the rest is history. You can read more about him at: johndenver.com or wikipedia.

The photo above left of Christmas Bling is by Light. Light Traveler (August 1946 - July 2003)  photographer, Reiki Master/Teacher, spiritual seeker and beautiful loving Spirit. You can see more and purchase his beautiful photography at Light Traveler's gallery.

~Bonnee

12/14 Orion Moonbow

'Orion Moonbow' photograph by Jimmy Westlake

Was looking at pictures of the full moon at SpaceWeather.com and came across an image of a moon halo taken 12/11/08 by Jimmy Westlake, Stagecoach, Colorado. As I was gazing at it I noticed not only a beautiful rainbow halo and Orion, but also a faint red cross. How cool! Wanted to see what was there so saturated it in Photoshop. The image above is the result. Wow, wow, wow! Thank you beloved Creator for your beauty and magnificence. I am humbly in awe.

The night this photo was shot was the beginning of the celebration of the Mother, Virgin Guadalupe in Mexico.

A message... all is perfect, balanced and complete. Divine Union is now... embrace... oneness. A cycle has ended, renewal begun. Goddess and God embrace, merge. Love pours forth with great abundance. Open heart and receive.

As I write Raven called 3 times 3, flying by the window. Raven is the sacred bringer of magic who ushers in consciousness change. 9 is completion. Has been a day of much communication.

Jimmy Westlake says about his photo,

"Wow! This was one of the most vivid lunar halos I've ever seen! Seeing Orion with a colorful rainbow arching through him was surreal."

Surreal indeed! You can see the original photo and a couple more at SpaceWeather.com.

The scientific explanation from Curious About Astronomy:

Halos are caused by the light of the sun or moon passing through a very thin layer of cirruform (ice-crystal) clouds in the upper atmosphere. The ice crystals refract the light of the moon, similar to the way water droplets in the lower atmosphere can refract sunlight to produce a rainbow. Just like a rainbow, strong halos can have bands of color in them, due to slightly different refractive properties of the ice crystals for different colors. Essentially, halos ARE rainbows caused by primary refraction in ice crystals.

Symbolism contained in the photo - (from An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols by J.C. Cooper):

• A circle with a dot - in the center depicts a complete cycle and cyclic perfection. The resolution of all possibilities in existence. In Astrology it portrays the sun. In Alchemy it is the sun and gold. It is also a symbol of all sun gods. In Taoism A circle with a point at the center represents the supreme power, the Tao.
• A circle enclosing a cross - is the Cosmic Solar Wheel 'the vivifying principle that animates the universe'. The solar wheel is always a symbol of good fortune and of change. Cross in a circle - Solar mobility, the wheel of change. The wheel of fortune.
• Equal arm cross - a universal symbol, the cosmic symbol par excellence. It is a world center and therefor a point of communication between heaven and earth, a cosmic axis. It is dualism in nature and the union of opposites. It represents Spiritual Union and the integration of man's soul in all aspects necessary to full life.
• Color - Symbolizes the differentiated, the manifest. Diversity. The affirmation of Light. Light and dark colors used in contrast symbolize the materialization of light. God, as light, is the source of color. Color Red - The zenith of color. Represents the sun and all war gods. It is the masculine, active principle, fire, the sun, royalty, love, joy festivity, passion, energy, health, strength. Red denotes supernatural powers, sacredness or solar power. Rainbow - Transfiguration. Heavenly glory. Different states of consciousness. The meeting of Heaven and Earth. Paradise. 
• Moon - Usually represents the feminine power, the Mother Goddess, Queen of Heaven. Symbolic of the rhythm of cyclic time, universal becoming. Full moon is enlightenment. Light in darkness. Inner Knowledge. The moon is the abode of  Archangel Gabriel.

Hope your day is amazing and awe filled. Happy Holidays!

 

Jimmy Westlake, M.S. Astronomy, Louisiana State University; B.S., Astronomy and Physics, Valdosta State University; BS, Psychology, University of Alaska Anchorage; 15 years instructor and director of Rollins Planetarium at Young Harris College; award winning astro-photographer.You can see more of J.R. Westlake's Astrophotos at jrwestlake.com.

~Bonnee