Reflection

I reflect on my past and what I have created.

As I move forward, I bring with me the best of what was,

and I create the best from what is.

Thoughtfully, prayerfully and purposefully,

I am ready for a new beginning. 

See, the former things have come to pass,

and new things I now declare.

~Isaiah 42:9

On The Fourth Day of Christmas

My true love gave to me

Four calling birds

My Great Niece

Lauren;

Christmas Eve.

Love Is Born Anew Today

Good Tidings!

"The angel said unto them,

Fear not: for, behold,

I bring you good tidings of joy,

which shall be to all people."

~Luke 2:10 (KJV)

The Gift

The gift of possibility

is given every morning

Me and Our Christmas Tree

Another Day in Paradise

 Especially during the Christmas season,

I am recognizing all the blessings all around--

my friends and family, home-cooked food, gifts under the tree and gifts of Nature.

And the gifts of Spirit, of love, wisdom and peace

are awaiting my embrace of them every moment of every day.

Centered in this awareness,

I am complete and I am open to prosperity that materializes as abundant blessings of every kind. 

Always. May Peace and Love be with you.

When I Left The House This Morning

This is what I saw

at the end of the driveway:

Joy to the World

Many years ago

counting down the days

to Christmas

in Times Square

I am blessed.

I bless others through my art

and my art blesses me.

Miracles are taking place

in my life everyday;

I look at my life and acknowledge

the blessing that are there 

for me right now.

And you?

Where's The Line To See Jesus

I heard this song on the radio

a few days ago;

with Christmas one week away

from today

I am sharing it with you:

You can read more about the singer Becky Kelley

at her website.

Vintage Christmas Decorations

Susan found them online.

We bought, well, she bought

a boxful, 30 or so

from

 

VINTAGE HOME DECOR HANDMADE PRIMITIVES by KeepsakeDesigns on Etsy

 

I like this one alot.

All, I might add, made in the USA.

A Box of Vintage Christmas Decorations

A box arrived in yesterday's mail.

A box filled with Vintage Christmas Decorations.

Here is one:

The Quintessential #JingleTweet

Twas twelve days before Christmas

When all through the office of the AUDIOCOMGROUP

The movie "It's a Wonderful Life"

Played on a continuous loop.

The #JingleTweet gifts were all wrapped with care

In hopes that the guests would soon be there.

Stacey Bewkes was certainly not nestled in bed

While visions of so many friends danced in her head.

And Susan McCarthy in her Unique Vintage Red Satin Dress,

And I in my dark Ralph Lauren suit, green Izod shirt, and colorful Contess Mara Tie;

When at the bar there arose such a clatter,

Susan and I walked over together to see what was the matter;

Away to the bar we flew like a flash--

Two Cabs I said and the bartender answered "Please, no cash."

The movie on the surface of the newly painted wall

Gave the lustre of lovely light  to all,

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

What looked like an angel; my she was dear

With curly blond hair and a beautiful smile, an author

I knew in a moment she must be Dec-a-Porter.

More rapid than lovers' heart beats they came

And we smiled and hugged and called them by name:

Now, Jonas Everets!

Now, Mally Skok!

Katie Coleman

And Conor Coleman!

On, Marcy Michaud!

On, Larry Ruhl!

On, Tamara Stephenson!

And Laura Newman!

To the beautiful bar to drink, to the buffet table to eat;

Now Tweet! Now Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!

As artists these all before this #JingleTweet

There was no design challenge they could not meet.

And again to the food and wine they flew

With a roomful of gifts and St. Stacey, too.

And then, in a twinkle, I closed my eyes to rest

And clearly I heard the voices of the wondrous guests.

As I opened my eyes and turned around

Stacey Bewkes and Ridgely Brode appeared without making a sound.

They were the quintessence of style and beauty, from head to toe,

They, too, were like angels, all glorious aglow.

A pile of gifts these two angels had to give out

When they pulled a card from an urn and came out a shout;

"A gift from Bruce Barone,  this December

For one lucky person, a gift to remember."

Their eyes, how twinkled, their dimples how merry

Their cheeks were like roses, their noses like cherries.

They intensely focused on each gift they gave this night

With her glasses pulled down on her nose

Stacey conferred with her party partner, Ridgely, and from #Jingletweet arose

Cheers and laughter so sweet

Making new friends here was such a treat;

But I knew I would awake in the morning light

Sorry I did not meet 

All at this #JingleTweet

A quintessential #JingleTweet

We left by ten

If you want to know more more, read this poem again.

~~~

Many Thanks to Quintessenceblog and RidgelysRadar!

~~~

If you want distinctive nature, documentary or portrait photography--photography with soul that inspires you to live a more artful and beautiful life, please contact me

An Angel Watches Over Me

Angels are like good friends;

you do not have to see them

to know that they are there.

If you want distinctive nature, documentary or portrait photography--photography with soul that inspires you to live a more artful and beautiful life, please contact me

The Sardinian Donkey

At Van Saun Park

Paramus, New Jersey

"The Sardinian Donkey, as a species, is the forefather of the popular American Miniature Mediterranean  donkey.  It is from its early imports into North America that these much loved pets mostly descend from.

"However, the Sardinian Donkey  faces a dim future as it is a species recognised as in “Critically Endangered” by the Monitoring Institute for Rare Breeds and Seeds in Europe, the SAVE foundation and FAO’s WORLD WATCH LIST for domestic animal diversity.  Despite the urgency of its status the specimen numbers of this rare breed are still dwindling.

"The Sardinian Donkey makes a truly marvellous companion for children and adults alike.  It just requires love and adequate care.  In return you will get a truly loyal friend, much joy, happiness and wonderfully comic moments.

"The Jesuit Priest Francesto Cetti in 1774 wrote the most passionate and accurate description of the Sardinian Donkey and we owe him much of what we know about the species today, he wrote:

“...Its smallness takes nothing away from its merit and does not impede its service to its master.  On the contrary, its merit grows because of its small stature that has been ignored in its homeland, but it has been sought after as a great marvel and taken to other seas (overseas) to be shown in courts in bridle and saddle...”

from here:

~~~

If you want distinctive nature, documentary or portrait photography--photography with soul that inspires you to live a more artful and beautiful life, please contact me.

When I Worked at Hearst Magazines

Her name

Candie

Photo by Bruce Barone.

If you want distinctive nature, documentary or portrait photography--photography with soul that inspires you to live a more artful and beautiful life, please contact me.

Vintage Christmas Santa Wrapping Paper

Susan found a few sheets of Vintage Christmas Santa Wrapping Paper at her Mom's house.

We put one sheet on an end table, under glass in our sitting room:

 

I cut four Santas out from the wrapping paper and put into small frames.

One Santa sits in our living room:

Another Santa sits in our office:

A third Santa keeps us company in our bedroom:

And the last Santa brightens our bathroom:

Do you have any Vintage Christmas Decorations or Family Heirlooms?

I would love to hear from you!

~~~

If you want distinctive nature, documentary or portrait photography--photography with soul that inspires you to live a more artful and beautiful life, please contact me.