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Perhaps you are looking for a unique gift this year for a friend or loved one. Or you wonder how to encourage someone as they learn and grow. Maybe you want to show your support for another’s life journey. If any of these reasons are true for you, check out these gifts that inspire an enchanted life.
What is an Enchanted Life?
For me, living an enchanted life means living with a higher awareness of all that’s going on around me. I notice synchronicities…those seemingly coincidental experiences that carry significance. Signs and wonders are common. Challenges become opportunities for growth. Gratitudes abound. And living in the flow of life takes me where I need to go.
Enchantment has been my theme for 2019. How perfect to wind down this year with a list of great gift ideas, to inspire enchantment in others.
Gifts that Inspire an Enchanted Life
Click on each photo, for more info or to order.
Gratitude Journal
Expressing gratitude, on a daily basis, can be life changing. The more grateful you are, the more you find to be grateful for. Capturing gratitudes in a journal allows energy to flow…and brings joy when you read back over your blessings.
Gifts that Inspire an Enchanted Life – Gratitude Journal
Daily Affirmation Calendar
Keep an affirmation calendar, the kind with pages that flip daily, on your desk or in the kitchen. Read the affirmation to start out the day…and read again before bed. Bonus: fall asleep thinking about that day’s affirmation and let the subconscious absorb those powerful truths.
Daily Affirmation Calendar
Books
From living more creatively to living more soulfully and courageously, these books definitely inspire an enchanted life.
Encouraging Quotes Wall Art
I love finding encouragement all throughout my house. Inspiring quotes are one of my favorite forms of art to surround myself with.
Gifts that Inspire an Enchanted Life – Wall ArtLife is Like a Camera wall art.
Coloring Books & Colored Pencils
Coloring is not only a way to express creativity, it is meditative. Gift the creative person in your life with one of these beautiful coloring books. And don’t forget the colored pencils!
Gifts that Inspire an Enchanted Life – Colored Pencils
Instant Camera
Seeing the world through the lens of a camera focuses attention. Capture beauty, broaden perspective and memorialize enchanting moments with one of these.
Gifts that Inspire an Enchanted Life – Instant Camera
Edison Bulb Hanging Light Fixture
This gift is just fun. I have one hanging in my studio. Beneath it is my thinking chair. How inspiring to sit beneath this light and come up with creative ideas.
Edison Bulb Hanging Light Fixture
Meditation
The practice of meditation enhances awareness, lowers stress, improves health and boosts creativity. Give the gift of meditation with any of these products.
Tea Set & Herbal Teas
Tea parties aren’t just for children. Indulge in one of the best practices for daily rejuvenation…afternoon tea. From a simple cup of tea to a full high tea, give the gift of self care with a tea set and herbal teas.
Gifts that Inspire an Enchanted Life – Teapot and Cups
Gifts that Inspire an Enchanted Life for the Holidays or Everyday
I hope these gifts bring inspiration and enchantment into the life of someone you love. Or, give yourself the gift of enchantment and inspire an amazing 2020!
Cindy Goes Beyond is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate program provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, all at no extra cost to you.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.
Growing through week two celebrations seems like an apt title for this week’s update. As I approach my 62nd birthday in January, I am celebrating by randomly drawing daily activities out of a jar. Read about the creation of this fun game HERE.
It’s been an interesting week! More than last week, the activities the past seven days challenged me while upping my trust level.
Check out the next seven celebrations.
Growing Through Week Two Celebrations
As a reminder, I have 62 activities written on slips of paper. I folded those papers up and dropped them into a jar. Every morning I draw out an activity and do what is written on the paper. I love this game, trusting that the activity I randomly select is the perfect one for that particular day.
Make a Request So Crazy That I’d Expect a No
More than once this week, I’ve drawn out a slip of paper that’s made me question why I included this challenge! Last Friday, as I began week two celebrations, I drew out this slip of paper that made me take a deep breath.
Okaaay, I said out loud.
As I took a shower and prepared for the day, I opened to possibilities. I not only found my request, I came up with an idea for a future blog post as well. (Hint: have you ever wondered why so many good ideas surface in the shower or during a soak in the tub?)
The process of getting to the request so crazy I’d expect a no led me from idea to idea, with progressing degrees of outrageousness, until I reached the “crazy” level.
And here it is. I reached out to a cruise line, and asked to work together on a Solo Travel Series. In exchange for a cruise, I offered a sizable package of posts, videos and social media shares. Norwegian Cruise Lines offers solo cabins, a lounge and excursions, which are perfect for those who wish to travel alone without paying for double occupancy.
I actually worked on the proposal for several days, after doing my research, before hitting the “send” button.
This was a huge push beyond my comfort zone, reaching out to a big company with an idea for working together. The point of this activity isn’t receiving a yes or a no…it’s getting beyond feelings of discomfort and inadequacy. What a crazy and fun celebration to kick off the week!
Growing through week two celebrations – crazy request
Apply to a Writing Fellowship
Immediately on the heels of the crazy request came this activity, applying to a writing fellowship. Fellowships are programs offered to artists. The recipients work on writing or other creative work in beautiful and often isolated areas, for a designated period of time. Most fellowships provide the basics such as shelter and food for one week to three months.
Imagine the freedom to focus on creating art while expenses and needs are taken care of.
What I didn’t know, when adding this activity to the jar, is that this is not the right time of year for applying to writing fellowships. Most accept applications twice a year, in spring and fall. However, it’s been a great experience researching writing fellowships and dreaming big a bit. I found a fellowship in Massachusetts that accepts applications from December 1, 2019 until February 1, 2020. So the timing is perfect actually. I’m researching what I need to do to apply. And then I let that desire go and see what happens!
This sounds like a fun and easy activity! However, on the day I drew out this slip of paper, I spent most of the day at home. The only time I left the house, I walked at a nearby park and saw TWO people. I made eye contact and smiled. Both smiled back.
I’ve learned so much about trust, playing this type of game. The right activity shows up on the right day. So what to make of drawing this activity, on a day when I had contact with very few people?
I grew through this activity by making deep and strong eye contact and smiling…at myself. Have you ever stood in front of a mirror and really looked into your own eyes? Do critical thoughts arise? Or do you even like to look at yourself?
I found that the longer I gazed into my own eyes, the more tender I felt toward myself. Negative thoughts were not allowed. Nor did I let my mind wander or create stories. I simply looked into my own eyes and opened my heart to feeling love and compassion. When tears filled my eyes, I knew the activity was over, having led me into myself in a way that I would not have experienced otherwise. The smile that curved my mouth was so genuine and sincere.
Travel a Different Way to a Familiar Location
Along with this 62 day birthday celebration, I’ve challenged myself to walk every day. Mercy Park, located about half a mile from my house, provides the ideal setting for walking and enjoying the beauty that the park offers.
And it’s the only place I traveled to that day! Greg went with me to the park and drove. He’s a good sport about my games. Playing along, he asked what route he should take to the park. Jesting really, I suggested he get there by only making right hand turns. He accepted that challenge and proceeded to make right turns until we arrived at the park!
We definitely traveled to Mercy Park via a different…and longer…route. The only hitch to following such directions presented itself when we needed to park the car. The parking lot lay to the left of the street. Greg solved that problem. He circled to the right in the street until he could pull into the parking space. I’m sure people walking by wondered what we were doing!
Growing Through Week Two Celebrations – Traveling a different way.
Watch a Movie/TV Show in Another Language
This Netflix series came highly recommended to me. Dark is a German series. Dubbing in English is available, which I dislike, or English subtitles. I chose the subtitles. It makes me pay close attention, which is important for this drama with a supernatural twist.
Set in a small German town, the story follows the disappearance of two boys from the community, and the connections among four families. Beyond those connections are similarities to events that happened in the same town in the 1980s.
It’s an intriguing and suspenseful show that has hooked me completely. After I finish the first of two seasons, I’ll do a proper review.
The Netflix Series Dark, presented in German.
Storyboard Ideas for Online Products
This activity worked well with the brainstorming I did last week, for the blogging business. I used my notes from that session as a springboard for fleshing out the ideas.
Using two large foam boards and sticky notes, I enjoyed letting my ideas grow. I used one board for Cindy Goes Beyond and the other one for Journey With Healthy Me. I’m excited to develop these ideas and create freebies, videos, products and online classes.
Ideas covered by virtual flower stickers. Like flowers, these ideas have growing to do.
Have a Midnight Picnic
This activity, drawn on a day of heavy rain, gave me pause. When I wrote out this celebration, I envisioned drawing the slip of paper on a weekend of mild weather. I saw a fire roaring in the fire pit and a dark velvety sky sprinkled with stars.
Instead I drew the activity on a cold, wet day, making an outdoor midnight picnic impossible.
On Thursday evening, I spread a quilt on the floor of my creative studio. I added pillows and a metal tray holding a cup of hot tea and a bowl of sliced bananas and wild blueberries. Instead of starlight I enjoyed candlelight. And rather than the sounds of a crackling fire, my iPod supplied music. In keeping with the theme of randomness, I set the iPod to shuffle.
As I carried in my tray, the thought arose, “Let go of your expectations. Enjoy what is, right now.” Something shifted in my heart and my attitude. I opened to the experience, as it was, and let go of what wasn’t.
After enjoying my midnight snack, I lay back on the quilt, staring up at the shadows flickering across the ceiling. Such deep peace washed over me. The moment was perfect, in every way. Letting go is a lesson I’ve encountered before. What a gentle reminder to trust that everything in my life…everything…is designed for my growth.
I know now, when I draw out the “camp indoors” activity that I will create a blanket tent in my studio. It is magical by candlelight.
Midnight picnic in my creative studio, with plants, candles and a healthy snack.
Growing Through Week Two Celebrations…and on to Week Three
What an amazing week of activities and celebrations. Did it go the way I thought it would? No. Did it go the way it was supposed to go? Absolutely. And because of that, I grew through the experiences. Trusting…and letting go. Opening to new ideas and thoughts…and moving beyond my comfort zone. Seeing the possibilities in situations…and accepting what is. These are the treasures I gathered to me this past week, the joys that I collected.
Create your own indoor picnic, with these finds from Amazon:
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The 1980 movie The Shining, starring Jack Nicholson as writer Jack Torrance, is considered a classic. Who can forget the dark events that took place in the isolated Overlook Hotel? Jack, his wife and young son Danny stayed there alone as caretakers of the property. Only, there weren’t really alone. The strange happenings in the hotel slowly drove Jack to insanity and violence. Danny, gifted with “the shining”, uses his intuitive abilities to reach out for help, beyond the snow bound property.
If you’ve seen The Shining, you know it doesn’t end well for Jack.
Doctor Sleep is the long awaited sequel to the story that began in the Overlook Hotel. Danny…Dan…is grown. However the events from his childhood greatly impacted the adult he grew into.
Check out this Doctor Sleep movie review, for a look at the continuation of The Shining story. Mild spoilers included. The movie’s ending is not revealed.
Doctor Sleep Cast
This horror/thriller stars Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Zahn McClarnon, Zackary Momoh, Carl Lumbly, Alex Essoe and Jocelin Donahue. Mike Flanagan directed and wrote the screenplay, based on the novel Doctor Sleep, by Stephen King. Doctor Sleep carries a well deserved R rating, for violence, language, nudity and intense scenes, and has a run time of 2 hours and 32 minutes.
Danny Torrance grows up.
Overcoming a Difficult Childhood
Doctor Sleep opens with flashbacks to Danny’s traumatic winter at Overlook Hotel. Danny (McGregor) and his mother Wendy (Essoe) attempt to move on with their lives, settling in Florida where it never snows. Danny does not speak for months until he receives a visit, in spirit, from Dick Hallorann (Lumby). Hallorann offers Danny techniques for containing his fear. Dick, who befriended Danny at the Overlook and recognized his shining, tells the troubled boy to mentally build boxes to trap the ghosts who bother him.
Danny grows from troubled boy into troubled man. Alcoholism, and the tendency to drift from town to town in an attempt to shake the past, bring him to New Hampshire. In a small town there he finds people who encourage him, offer him work and help him enroll in Alcoholics Anonymous.
As he heals, Dan works nights in a hospice unit with the cat Azzie, who instinctively goes to the rooms of those about to die. Dan uses his intuitive gift to bring comfort and peace to the the dying in their final moments, earning him the nickname of Doctor Sleep.
Dan as Doctor Sleep and his friend in spirit, Dick Hallorann.
Abra Shines
During his years in New Hampshire, Dan connects with an unseen presence who leaves messages for him on his blackboard wall. Abra (Curran) is a young teen girl with powerful psychic abilities that she hides from her parents (played by Momoh and Donahue) . She reaches out with her mind to find Dan and alert him to group of people who are murdering children gifted with the shining.
Members of The Knot are energy vampires who have lived for centuries by feeding on the “steam” or shine of gifted youth. Led by Rose the Hat (Ferguson) and Crow Daddy (McClarnon) the group comes into Abra’s energetic awareness when they kidnap and kill a boy with the shining. Horrified, Abra locates Dan and meets with him in person. She asks for his help finding the baseball glove of the murdered boy so that she can use it to track The Knot and stop them from harming anyone else.
However, The Knot is aware of Abra too and they are drawn to her incredible gift.
The hunters become the hunted. And Dan finds he must return to where his horrors began as a child, if he is to save Abra and others like her.
Abra and Rose the Hat in Doctor Sleep.
My Thoughts on Doctor Sleep
I recently watched The Shining again, in preparation for this film. Other than seeing a couple of previews, I avoided learning anything about the sequel. From the brief movie trailers that I saw, I knew the story continued with Danny as a grown man.
It’s difficult to write a sequel to a classic. However, I feel that Mike Flanagan, well known for the recent remake of The Haunting of Hill House, created an excellent follow up film.
Rather than focusing on ghosts and jump scares, Flanagan examines the human element. He shows us how Danny is affected by post traumatic stress syndrome and dwells in the shadow of a problematic, albeit deceased, parent. In addition Flanagan reveals the difficulties caused by dulling pain with alcohol and carrying the burden of living with a unique gift.
Be warned, however. There are extremely intense scenes in this film. One in particular is excruciatingly painful to watch and impacts the viewer with an emotional punch to the gut.
A familiar word from Danny’s past.
The Message for Me
I like the ties to The Shining, which brings continuity to the story. And I appreciate the deeper message in Doctor Sleep, which it this: shine.
As an intuitive who hid my abilities for many years, I identify with Abra. Her gifts are more powerful than mine. However, I understand her desire to hide what she can do. I understand her hope that others think her normal.
It does me good to see Abra accept who she is in the film and embrace her gifts. That’s a journey I’ve taken as well. I accept who I am. And I embrace my gifts. When Dan tells Abra to shine, as herself, I take those words to heart too.
Isn’t that a message for all of us? Shine. Accept who you are. Embrace your gifts, whatever they are. How amazing to receive this encouragement in a Stephen King thriller. Then again, this King of Horror is a master storyteller…and a keen and thoughtful observer of humanity.
Ewan McGregor is Doctor Sleep.
Check out these Stephen King finds on Amazon:
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Week one celebrations occurred, as I move through 62 Outrageous Things to do for My 62nd Birthday. Check out that post HERE, to see what the celebrations are all about.
I’ve chosen to do a weekly update every Friday, as a way of sharing the fun and also to hold myself accountable. Accountability is actually what led me down the blogging path back in 2014. That year I did something new every day, 365 days in a row. Blogging helped me to stay focused and be transparent in my accountability. In the same way, posting weekly updates keeps me on track with the birthday activities. It’s a big undertaking, this time of year, to add an extra activity every day. And yet, that’s part of the fun, challenging myself to “go beyond”.
I hope you benefit as well, from following along with me. May you find new ideas and be inspired to create your own magical games.
Week One Celebrations
As a reminder, I have 62 activities written on slips of paper. I folded those papers up and dropped them into a jar. Every morning I draw out an activity and do what is written on the paper. I love this game, trusting that the activity I randomly select is the perfect one for that particular day. This is a game that I play frequently, for various reasons. My trust and playfulness have both deepened greatly as a result.
How does this game deepen trust?
Some activities work better on different days, depending on what else I have going on. My trust develops because I can see the correlation between the free time I have on a given day, and the activity I randomly draw out. And as you will see in the week one celebrations, I sometimes begin an activity and then draw it out of the jar. This simple game shows me that I am part of a much larger “game” playing out. The more aware I become, the more magical my life is.
Here we go…week one celebrations.
Watch a Movie in a Different Genre
I’m an avid movie watcher. Movies, like music, speak into my life. So this activity, the first one I drew out of the jar, is more of a challenge than one would think. I watch films across a broad range of genres.
After consideration, I chose the category of Documentary. I’m not sure why, but I rarely watch anything in this genre. The next task was to choose one to watch. Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story snagged my attention because Eduardo is a chef and outdoorsman who found a way to combine those two loves into a budding career. However, during a hike in the wilds of Montana, Eduardo came across a dead bear within a large metal box. Curiosity drew him to investigate, resulting in an electrocution. 2400 volts of electricity shot through his body and erupted in four places. Eduardo survived but he lost his lower left arm and hand, four ribs and muscle mass from his torso, leg and scalp.
More important than what he lost, is what Eduardo found as he began a life changing journey through recovery.
What an extraordinary documentary, about an extraordinary man. His former girlfriend, who journeyed with him through recovery, and his supportive family are just as amazing. I loved Eduardo’s zest for life and how he grew through his challenges. And I appreciated his desire to offer back to the world.
Rent the documentary HERE through Amazon, or watch for free if you are a Prime member. (Not a Prime member but want to be? Click HERE for a 30 day free trial.)
Mental note to self…watch more documentaries!
Week One Celebrations – Watch a movie in a different genre.
Spend 30 Minutes Brainstorming Ideas
This appears to be a simple and easy to do activity. However, 30 minutes seems to drag by while writing continuously. I set a timer for this activity, grabbed a pen and notebook and settled into my bedroom to write.
The intention is to write quickly and allow energy to flow, without editing thoughts or words on paper.
I didn’t limit myself. Instead, I jotted down ideas and didn’t stop until the 30 minutes was up. I had a momentary pause about halfway through. Fortunately, the ideas flowed again and on I went. I ended up with FOUR pages of ideas, so I was quite pleased with this activity and I’m excited to develop what I came up with.
Brainstorming ideas are intentionally blurred out. These need development.
Have a Mini Afternoon Retreat
Oh how I love any excuse for a retreat! I “happened” to draw this activity on a Sunday, which worked well as this day is my self care day. I brewed a cup of peppermint tea, grabbed my Lord of the Rings Coloring Book and my colored pencils and retired to my room.
As I colored I caught up on recorded Poldark episodes from the current season. I intended to color for an hour or two. Coloring is so soothing for me, and meditative. The act of laying color onto a page releases a flow of creative energy and all kinds of ideas flow too. Three and a half hours later, I declared an end to the mini retreat. I felt so refreshed.
Coloring as an activity during week one celebrations. I have more coloring to do.
Design Shirts for Blogs
This is an idea I’ve had for a while, that I have not acted on. Hence the reason this activity went into my jar. I’ll enjoy wearing shirts with Cindy Goes Beyond or Journey With Healthy Me and their tag lines printed across them. Fortunately, my daughter-in-law and her sister make shirts as a side business.
I’ll share my ideas with them and discuss logos for the shirts as well. My intention is to offer these shirts for sale on the blog sites. Watch for those in the near future!
Week One Celebrations – Design shirts
Take a Class
This is the activity that I started BEFORE I drew the action out of the jar. As I checked through social media feeds, shortly after waking up, I caught a notice for a class on copywriting. It’s a free four part class, offered via videos sent daily through email. I keep returning to the idea of copywriting as a side business, so the class interested me.
I signed up. A short time later, I drew my activity for the day. Guess what it was? No, really, guess. Right! It was Take a Class. I love when such synchronicities happen. They show me I’m in the flow of life, exactly where I need to be.
The class is called 6 Months to 6 Figures with Copywriting…which sounds amazing. It’s taught by Sarah Turner and I’ve watched two of the videos so far. You can sign up for the free class HERE.
Week One Celebrations – Take a Class.
Watch a new TED Talk
Like watching documentaries, I rarely watch a TED Talk, even though I know there are some amazing topics discussed. The few TED Talks I’ve watched were via YouTube.
When I drew out this activity, I decided to go directly to the TED Talks website and join. I’m glad I did. After selecting topics I’m interested in, the site chose my first TED Talk for me.
The Gift and Power of Emotional Courage was perfect for me. Susan David begins with the word Sawubona, which is the Zulu word for “hello”…and I knew this was the right talk to listen to. Sawubona carries significance for me. It literally means, “I see you, and by seeing you, I bring you into being.” A dozen years ago I came across this amazing word and realized the importance of really seeing people.
I loved the TED Talk and plan to watch many more.
Great TED Talk
Eat at a New Restaurant
My last activity for this update posed a challenge as well. Having lived in Joplin for 37 years, I’ve eaten at most of the restaurants in town. The second difficulty is the fact that I am plant based. That lifestyle limits which restaurants are suitable.
As I considered and discarded possibilities, one restaurant that I’ve not dined at popped into mind and remained there. Infuxn is a restaurant and cocktail bar located downtown at 530 S. Main Street. The interior is fresh, contemporary and welcoming. They state on their Facebook page,
“Passionate in everything we do whether it be customer service, culinary creativeness or the art of the cocktail. Please enjoy yourself.”
I took that as a personal invitation! Plus, Infuxn offers vegan choices on their menu and according to the manager, that menu is expanding.
Greg accompanied me to Infuxn, where we enjoyed a huge Asian hummus platter with baked naan, carrots and celery. The Asian hummus was amazing. It was seasoned with spices, including ginger, and topped with sesame seeds. The chef changes out the flavor of hummus each week. I’m excited to visit this classy restaurant frequently, to see what they have to offer. We opted for water with our meal, however I want to try some of their creative cocktails too.
Week One Celebrations – Eat at a New RestaurantAmazing Asian Hummus at Infuxn in downtown Joplin.
A Great Week of Celebrations
Seven days down, on the march toward my 62nd birthday in January, and 55 to go.
I’m loving this game and the way it opens me up to possibilities and opportunities.
I drew out a doozy of an activity today, one that made me say “ooookay, I can do this”, as I took a deep breath. And I did. I had to think about it for a bit and amazing ideas arose as a result. What I so appreciate about this game is that playing it requires me to follow through.
I’ll share that activity next Friday, in the weekly update, and let you know how it all turned out!
Week One Celebrations – Seven Activities, randomly drawn.
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.
I love indie films. So although I knew very little about the Amazon Original Brittany Runs a Marathon, when my daughter invited me to go watch it with her, I happily agreed. I expected a comedy, with an inspirational twist. It was that…and so much more.
Elissa and I met at Bookhouse Cinema, Joplin’s wonderful indie movie theater, for some amazing vegan food before the film.
This is a spoiler free review of Brittany Runs a Marathon, meaning I’ll discuss key plot points but I won’t give away the ending or discuss every detail.
Brittany Runs a Marathon Cast
This comedy/drama stars Jillian Bell, Alice Lee, Patch Darragh, Michaela Watkins, Micah Stock and Utkarsh Ambudkar. Paul Downs Colaizzo wrote and directed Brittany Runs a Marathon. Events in the life of his friend, Brittany O’Neill, inspired the story. The film carries an R rating, for language and adult themes, and has a run time of 1 hour and 44 minutes.
Meet Brittany
Brittany (Bell) lives and works in New York City. In her mid twenties, Brittany feels her life isn’t going anywhere. Her friend and roommate Gretchen (Lee) has a boyfriend and a great job and a life plan that relies heavily on social media.
However, Brittany works in a low paying job and her social life consists primarily of late night bar hopping and brief encounters that can’t in any way be called romantic. Struggling to find motivation to even get out of bed in the mornings, Brittany seeks medical help.
She hopes for an Adderall prescription. But her Yelp recommended doctor (Darragh) surprises her. He prescribes getting healthy by eating better, drinking less alcohol and exercising regularly.
Brittany’s first attempts at exercise fail. The gym proves too costly and she suits up for a run but barely makes it out the door before giving up. Her fit upstairs neighbor, Catherine (Watkins), encourages Brittany to try again…taking baby steps…and invites her to join a Saturday morning running club.
Brittany manages to run for one block. However, when Saturday morning arrives, she joins the running club, determined to do better.
Brittany Runs a Marathon – First steps
Training for a Marathon
Among the club members, Brittany connects with Seth (Stock), a newbie runner like her. They wheeze and commiserate with each other as they bring up the rear of the pack. Something shifts in Brittany though as she completes a two mile run. Running gives her direction and purpose and a way to change her health. She eats better. Drinks water rather than wine. And she stops the late night partying.
Running with Catherine and Seth becomes a weekly practice. The three friends set a huge goal: run the New York City Marathon.
They have one year to train. Brittany commits to this new chapter in her life and realizes the cost, literally, of training. To pay for the gym membership she takes a second job, dog sitting for the wealthy. At her first assignment she meets Jern (Ambudkar), a quirky, artistic young man who works the night shift dog sitting in the same house. Jern annoys her…initially. However as Brittany’s life continues to shift the two declare a truce and a relationship blossoms between them.
As the months count down toward the marathon, Brittany transforms. The weight loss is noticeable and she runs with greater ease and endurance. It’s the inner changes though that create the different outer reality. And it’s the old, inner hurts and insecurities, working themselves out, that create new challenges. Brittany’s greatest obstacle to the life she desires is herself. Will she be there at the marathon starting line…or will she take herself out of the race before it ever starts?
Brittany Runs a Marathon – Training with Seth
My Thoughts on Brittany Runs a Marathon
I enjoyed this fun and thought provoking film. The health aspect of the story line drew me in immediately. I appreciated the no meds approach to improved health. Brittany took responsibility…or not…for her own health and I loved that. She made choices about food, drinking, exercise and partying. And she either benefited or suffered as a result.
Brittany Runs a Marathon is so much more than a health transformation story. The real changes began to occur within first, and that’s the element that touched me deeply. Brittany had more than health issues to work through. Her excess weight was a way of hiding who she really was. She also hid behind a sarcastic sense of humor and resigned herself to the role of flatterer in her friendships. At her core, she didn’t accept herself. Brittany’s self criticism became the lens through which she viewed others and life.
As much as I enjoyed watching Brittany’s health improve, I strongly appreciated seeing the deeper transformations that occurred. And I applauded the important topics that the film touched upon including self worth, toxic relationships and how the world perceives those who carry extra weight.
By the end of the film, which does contain many laugh out loud moments, I found my eyes full of tears and my heart charged with the desire to stand up and cheer. For me, that makes Brittany Runs a Marathon a great film, worthy of recommendation.
Jillan Bell lost 40 pounds during the making of the movie, mirroring her character’s improved health.
Catch Brittany Runs a Marathon at your local theater or indie movie house, or see it beginning November 22 on Amazon Prime Video.
Brittany Runs a Marathon Soundtrack. Click on photo to order.
Cindy Goes Beyond is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate program provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, all at no extra cost to you.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.
On January 9, 2020, I’ll turn 62 years old. As far as birthdays go, it’s nothing special. However, my granddaughter Aubrey made an awesome suggestion. Her clever idea was this: celebrate my birthday by doing 62 special things, one on each day leading up to it.
I love the way this girl thinks! And she knows me well. Aubrey understands that I enjoy trying new things, playing creative games and growing through experiences.
I adopted Aubrey’s suggestion, writing out activities on slips of paper. Coming up with 62 things was a bit of a challenge! However, I prevailed and today begins a birthday version of one of my favorite games to play. I will randomly draw out a slip of paper each day, through January 9, 2020, and do what’s printed there.
Here are 62 outrageous things to do for my 62nd birthday.
A Note about Outrageous
A few explanatory sentences, before I type out the list. I’d love to include items like “jump out of a plane” or “vacation in Paris”, however, I also desired to actually do the activities listed. Having one action per day means I must have the time to carry out the activity.
So these suggestions are very doable, in a few hours or less.
On the other hand, I love trying new things and going beyond my comfort zone. My intention is that most of these activities challenge me a bit…or a lot…and result in personal growth, all while providing outrageous fun.
Following the nudge of curiosity, I looked up the word outrageous, which today means “bold, unusual and startling”. The word originates from outrage, which in turn comes from the Latin ultra, which literally means “beyond”.
How cool is that?? Cindy goes beyond…outrageously…for her birthday. I love it!
62 Outrageous Things to Do for My 62nd Birthday
And…here they are, the activities I wrote on slips of paper. I folded the papers up and dropped them into a jar.
Activities 1 – 20
Say “yes” 10 times during the day
Drive to Scotland…Missouri
Start a conversation with a stranger
Do a vlog in place of a blog post
Download a new tech app
Listen to a new genre of music
Watch a movie in a genre I don’t typically choose
Find a role model who overcame challenges, to do what I desire to do
Apply to a writing fellowship, in another country
Brush my teeth, while standing on one leg
Hike a new trail
Create a new recipe
Watch a tv show/movie in a foreign language
Take a class
Take a power nap (I do not usually sleep during the day)
Make eye contact and smile at everyone…all day
Listen to music from a different genre
Read a book in a different genre, that’s way out there for me
Work in a different room/spot
Travel to a familiar location, via a different route
Outrageous Things to Do for My 62nd Birthday – Say Yes
Activities 21 – 40
Try a product I’ve never tried before
Eat at a new restaurant
Make a request SO crazy, that I’d expect a “no”
Visit a local shop I’ve never visited before
Have a mini afternoon retreat
Do an interview
Reach out to a brand that I love, for a sponsorship
Reach out to a resort, for a comped stay
Outline Video 1, in Believe in Yourself for 5 Minutes Series
Record Video 1, in Believe in Yourself for 5 Minutes Series
Write chapter 1 in House Haunting book
Storyboard ideas for online products
Meditate for one hour in a new place
Try a unique vegetable
Experience a new fruit
Do a 24 hour water fast
Order biz cards for blogs
Design and order t-shirts for blogs
Change theme for Cindy Goes Beyond
Change theme for Journey With Healthy Me
62 Outrageous Things to do For My 62nd Birthday – Write Encouraging Notes
Activities 41 – 62
Spend 30 minutes brainstorming ideas, as rapidly as possible
Plan a 10 day trip to a country NOT on my Travel List
Write a travel piece and submit it
Have a midnight picnic, with candles and firelight
Go to a thrift store, with a $20 budget, and buy a cool new outfit – wear it to lunch or dinner
Have an indoor campout – sleep in a blanket tent
Leave encouraging sticky notes all over town
Watch The Lighthouse at Bookhouse Cinema
Attend Birth of Darkness book launch
Attend Return of the Christmas Kid at Joplin Little Theater
Make a heart ornament for my Christmas tree
Create a fresh Christmas vignette
Decorate my live pine tree, instead of purchasing a cut Christmas tree
Send a message of appreciation to an actor or actress that I admire
Listen to a podcast that I’ve never listened to before
Give something away today
Research a topic I’ve never researched before
Compliment a stranger
Sign up on Quora and offer advice
Watch a TED Talk that I wouldn’t normally watch
Write down 62 things that I am grateful for
62 Outrageous Things to Do for My 62nd Birthday – Write Gratitudes
Celebrating One Day at a Time
There they are, my 62 Outrageous Things to Do for My 62nd Birthday. I’m grateful for Aubrey’s idea and I’m excited to play this fun game. The rules are that I randomly draw out a paper each day and do the activity listed. No missed days. No excuses. My only exceptions are the three activities that are connected to events that are available on specific dates.
It’s been a very busy week and this day has been full. Nevertheless, I drew out my first slip of paper this evening. This is what I got:
I love gifting experiences for special occasions. I can’t think of a better gift to give to myself, in honor of my 62nd birthday in January, than 62 daily experiences.
I’m smiling at the thought.
And I’m off to watch a movie, in a different (for me) genre. Thank goodness for Netflix and Amazon Prime! I know I’ll find the perfect movie to kick off two months of outrageous celebrating.
And try out Amazon Prime, so you too can start a movie any time of day, in the comfort of your own home.
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It’s almost Halloween! For me, it actually seems like the holiday is already past, as my family gathered last Saturday at the house of my sister, niece and nephew-in-law, for the annual Halloween party.
The theme this year was Classic Monsters and as usual, Debbie, Ashley and Jon absolutely wowed us. This is a big event in my family. It’s so fun to drive up to the house and experience the transformation. I show up early so I can get the grand tour and begin taking photos, before the other guests arrive.
The majority of the party attendees dress up for the occasion. Classic Monsters is a broad category. We had witches and vampires in attendance with some werewolves and several who put clever spins on the theme.
Come inside, if you dare, and have a look around. This post is photo heavy. And for the first time, I’ve included a four minute video at the end, if you want a room by room tour and a peek at the guests.
Classic Monsters in the Yard
The Halloween decor, at the party house, starts outdoors and continues throughout the house. It is always a thrill to turn the corner onto the street and get a hint of what’s inside the house, by seeing what’s outside. Debbie, Ashley and Jon make most of the decorations, using basic materials, creativity and a lot of hard work. They are masters at repurposing objects and decorations from previous years into new creations for the current party.
A cemetery, complete with a fence and tombstones, filled the front lawn. I enjoyed reading the clever inscriptions on the stones. Actors who portrayed classic monsters, such as Lon Chaney and Vincent Price, lay buried in this graveyard! And beware the creatures lurking among the graves.
Debbie, Ashley and Jon created each of these tombstones.
Watch out for the Beast!
“Werewolves howl, Phantoms prowl. Halloween’s upon us now.” Richelle E Goodrich
Classic Monsters Throughout the House
Inside the house, the transformation is magical. I don’t mean a few decorations tucked here and there. I’m talking about a complete transformation. These ultimate party planners cover walls and ceilings and take decorating to an extreme level, to create authenticity. Take a look!
Dr. Frankenstein’s Lab
Dr. Frankenstein’s Lab, complete with one of the most well known classic monsters. This figure began its existence as a Santa Claus!Close up of Dr. Frankenstein’s creation. Pick up the classic book HERE.
Count Dracula’s Castle
The living room and dining room became part of Dracula’s Castle.
Dracula’s Lair. Grab this classic tale HERE.The castle dining room. By the time guests arrived, a smorgasbord filled that table.
“Being normal is vastly overrated.” Aggie Cromwell
The Witches’ Wood
Jon claimed this spot, as the “potion” maker. He is an excellent bartender and keeps guests supplied with their potions of choice.
This is an adult party, with the exception of a few younger nieces and nephews. Jon serves up creative drinks from this creepy room.
The Spider’s Web and Creature from the Black Lagoon
The downstairs hallway was filled with spider webs. And the creature’s lagoon wasn’t recognizable as the guest bathroom.
Being a fan of this musical, I loved this surprise at the top of the stairs! The soundtrack from the musical played on a loop, which was such a nice touch.
Classic Monsters – Phantom of the Opera
“I love Halloween, and I love that feeling: the cold air, the spooky dangers lurking around the corner.” Evan Peters
The Costumes
Here are some of the attendees, in costume. Unfortunately, I did not get photos of everyone. My sisters and brother and I all dressed up as vampires. Each year, at the Halloween party, we take a sibling photo. It was fun to get a sibling vampires shot!
Miller Family, Mom and her girls, Sibling photo with fangs, Sibling photo without fangs.Bryan & Christel, Cindy & Greg, Nate (Cookie Monster), Elissa & Adriel, Nate & AdrielScott & Nicole (monster under the bed), Barnes Family, Cody & Ciera, Christina & Brian
“Halloween is not only about putting on a costume, but it’s about finding the imagination and costume within ourselves.” Elvis Duran
Our Phenomenal Party Hosts
I am amazed, every year, at the work that goes into the annual party. These are people with jobs and responsibilities and busy lives. And they possess an extraordinary level of creativity and resourcefulness.
Our hosts adhered to the classic monsters theme in their costumes. They appeared as a vampire, wood witch, werewolf, Dr. Jekyl and Dorian Gray. See Ethan’s transformation into Mr. Hyde in the next photo!
Debbie, Ashley, Kaleb, Ethan & Jon, our amazing party hosts.Ethan changed back and forth from Dr. Jekyl to Mr. Hyde. Such a clever costume…and teenager.
Video Tour of the House
Enjoy this 4 minute video tour of the house.
Classic Monsters Halloween Party
Another Halloween party here…and gone. I’m so appreciative of my family. Their party creating skills are off the charts, truly. They do it because they enjoy the creative challenge and they enjoy hosting family and friends.
I marvel at their ingenuity and their labor of love. For that is what it is. Thank you Debbie, Ashley and Jon.
My vampire costume was steam punk inspired. I enjoyed a slightly different look that cost me almost nothing to pull together. I owned the leggings and jewelry already. The knee high boots, shirt, vest and long jacket all were thrift store finds and cost me less than $20, total. Daughter Elissa loaned me the hat and great nephew Kaleb supplied the walking stick. I purchased inexpensive teeth at Spirit Halloween Store.
Most of us create our costumes “on the cheap”, with clothes and props we have on hand and thrift store purchases. The idea is to be creative and have fun.
Mission accomplished.
“Every day is Halloween isn’t it? For some of us…” Tim Burton
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This fun “holiday”, established in 2011, plays with language in a way that makes texters happy. Today, capital letters are ignored in favor of using lowercase letters.
I’m actually one who observes traditional grammar and punctuation when I text. I did briefly consider typing this post all in lowercase, to celebrate national lowercase day. However, that thought truly was brief. As you can see, I opted for the usual.
To appreciate the day, I offer instead rules to help stop overcapitalizing. Capital letters are appropriate for specific uses, such as beginning a sentence, proper names and titles. Many writers tend to overuse them though. The following tips will help.
E. E. Cummings
Before posting rules to prevent overusing capital letters, I must mention poet E. E. Cummings. This man appreciated lowercase letters!
E. E. Cummings often wrote his poems all in lowercase and frequently omitted punctuation as well.
Edward Estlin Cummings was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1894. He attended high school there, where he studied Latin and Greek. He later graduated with a BA and MA from Harvard. Cummings is regarded as one of the most innovative and creative poets of his time. He experimented with poetic form and language, ultimately creating his own distinctive writing style.
Cummings used lowercase letters in his poems, along with invented words and words used in nontraditional ways. He also created visually intriguing patterns across the page with his words. By his death in 1962, E. E. Cummings was recognized as a great lyrical poet who made experimental poetry attractive to readers.
Innovative poet, E. E. Cummings would appreciate national lowercase day!in honor of national lowercase day, “love is a place”, by e.e. cummings
Words to Stop Capitalizing
Using capital letters and lowercase letters correctly matters, unless, like E. E. Cummings, your writing style is considered innovative. For the rest of us, proper usage makes us look smarter and more professional and polished. Plus, the message we hope to convey comes through, without the distraction caused by misuse of capital and lowercase letters.
Here are easy to learn rules, about when to use lowercase and when to use capital letters.
Directions
Directions such as east and west are not capitalized, unless they are used in an address. Directional words in addresses are typically abbreviated anyway.
Correct: 1234 W. Happy Street or 5678 West Highway 32
Incorrect: 1234 w. Happy Street or 5678 west Highway 32
Correct: I’m driving east on Main Street.
Incorrect: I’m driving East on Main Street.
Seasons
In the same way, seasons are written in lowercase as well, unless they are part of a title or event.
Correct: I love spring!
Incorrect: I love Spring!
Correct: I’m attending the Downtown Fall Festival Saturday.
Incorrect: I’m attending the Downtown fall Festival Saturday.
Special Occasions
Words for events such as birthday, anniversary and party are not capitalized, unless they are included with someone’s name as a special occasion.
Correct: I hope you have a fun anniversary!
Incorrect: I hope you have a fun Anniversary!
Correct: You are invited to Molly’s 13th Birthday Party.
Incorrect: You are invited to Molly’s 13th birthday party.
Correct: Happy Birthday, George!
Incorrect: Happy birthday, George!
Correct: Have a happy birthday, George.
Incorrect: Have a Happy Birthday, George.
Job Titles and Careers
Job titles use lowercase, unless they come before your name.
Correct: I’m a professor at the university.
Incorrect: I’m a Professor at the university.
Correct: I’m Professor Anderson.
Incorrect: I’m professor Anderson.
Careers don’t require capital letters, typically, unless used in a title.
Correct: Bart is a writer.
Incorrect: Bart is a Writer.
Correct: Bart is attending the SW Missouri Writer’s Conference.
Incorrect: Bart is attending the SW Missouri writer’s conference.
Important Sounding Words
Sometimes, to show the importance of a word, we capitalize when we should use lowercase.
Correct: I majored in business in college.
Incorrect: I Majored in Business in college.
Correct: Karen is a big supporter of pet rescue agencies.
Incorrect: Karen is a big Supporter of Pet Rescue Agencies.
Correct: Karen is a supporter of the Pet Rescue Agency of Dallas.
Incorrect: Karen is a Supporter of the pet rescue agency of Dallas.
Happy national lowercase day
Writing certainly has standardized rules. Those rules about grammar, punctuation and upper and lowercase letters help us to make sense of the words we write and read.
However, it is also true that every writer has his or her own unique style. I hope these tips help in your every day messages and social media posts, as you develop your own personal writing style.
Now, can we discuss punctuation and run on sentences?
national lowercase day poem by e.e. cummings
Check out this website, to see how well you do using capital and lowercase letters.
Cindy Goes Beyond is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate program provides a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, all at no extra cost to you.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure Policy for details.
I arrived to the Downton Abbey party late. When the series originally aired, from 2010 – 2015, I watched episodes in a hit or miss fashion. Mostly miss, I confess. However, as news of a feature movie began to fill my Google newsfeed, I decided to watch the entire series, beginning with season one, episode one.
I’m so glad I did!
I quickly fell in love with the period drama, set in the early 20th century. Downton Abbey is home to the Crawley Family…and their servants. The series explores the lives of the inhabitants of the big country estate, upstairs and downstairs, and the intriguing way that they interact.
After spending the summer catching up on the series, I found myself grateful that a movie was imminent. Otherwise, sadness over the end of an excellent story would have set in. For my mother’s birthday this week, my sister Linda and I took her to see Downton Abbey and then out to dinner.
Downton Abbey Cast
Downton Abbey features a very large ensemble cast including Michelle Dockery, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern, Laura Carmichael, Allen Leach, Joanne Froggett, Imelda Staunton, Tuppence Middleton, Matthew Goode, Robert James-Collier, Hugh Bonneville, Sophie McShera, Jim Carter, Brendan Coyle, Phyllis Logan, Penelope Wilton, Michael Fox, Lesley Nicol, Harry Hadden Paton, Kevin Doyle, Geraldine James and Simon Jones.
The drama, written and produced by Julian Fellowes, is directed by Michael Engler. Downton Abbey carries a PG rating, for mild sexuality, and has a run time of 2 hours and 2 minutes.
The TV series concludes in January of 1926. The movie joins the Crawley Family and their staff in the summer of 1927.
Carson returns to Downton Abbey.
A Royal Visit to Downton Abbey
The movie begins with an exciting announcement. King George V (Jones) and Queen Mary (James) will spend a night at Downton Abbey, during their tour of Yorkshire. While Robert, the Earl of Grantham (Bonneville), and Lady Cora (McGovern) are honored, there are burdens that accompany such a visit.
The whole household comes together to prepare for the king and queen’s arrival.
Below stairs, Mrs. Hughes (Logan) directs the housemaids to make sure everything in the grand home sparkles. Mrs. Patmore (Nicol), the cook, and Daisy (McShera), her apprentice, plan the menus and prepare the kitchen. Mr. Molesley (Doyle), beyond excited, appears at the house, ready to don a livery again to help serve during meals.
Upstairs, Robert and Cora feel proud, and a bit anxious, as they anticipate the visit. Their elder daughter Mary (Dockery), fearing head butler Thomas (James-Collier) isn’t adequate for the tasks ahead, asks for help. Former head butler Carson (Carter) comes out of retirement to take charge of the household and offer expert guidance.
Head Footman Andy (Fox) winds the clock.Mrs. Patmore and Daisy prepare the kitchen.
Upstairs Challenges
As the royal visit draws near, challenges arise.
A stranger in the village questions son-in-law Tom (Leach), whose loyalties seem under suspicion due to his Irish Republic roots.
The Dowager Countess (Smith) learns that her estranged kinswoman Lady Bagshaw (Staunton) will visit Downton Abbey as a Lady in Waiting for the queen. An old feud between them needs to be settled. Cousin Isobel (Wilton) is eager to help.
Second daughter Edith (Carmichael) and her husband Bertie (Hadden-Paton) arrive from their estate to support the family. However, Edith’s formal gown is a disaster and the king makes a difficult request of Bertie.
Mary’s husband Henry (Goode), away on a visit to America, is missing the whole event.
Tom and Lady Bagshaw.Edith and Bertie arrive.
Downstairs Challenges
The servants encounter their share of challenges as well. Thomas does not appreciate Carson’s return or the temporary demotion from head butler. And the entire staff is discouraged to learn that the king and queen travel with their own chef and servants. Downton Abbey staff will not assist during the visit at all.
Not to be denied this once in a lifetime opportunity, Anna (Froggatt) and Mr. Bates (Coyle) come up with a plan that involves secrecy and hilarious shenanigans.
During the course of the royal visit, small treasures mysteriously disappear from the house. Anna suspects the thief is one of the queen’s maids.
And Tom, the widowed husband of Lady Sybil, feels drawn to Lady Bagshaw’s maid, Lucy (Middleton). The attraction is mutual.
The joys, the challenges, the growth of all those who reside in the house…this is what life at Downton Abbey is all about.
Lady Cora and her daughters, Edith and Mary.The Dowager Countess, Violet, portayed with delightfully sarcasm by Maggie Smith.
My Thoughts about Downton Abbey, the Movie
As a huge fan of the series, I loved the movie. All the characters returned for this feature film, and the story picked right up from where it left off in the series. My sister has not seen the series…yet…and she too enjoyed the film. It does well enough as a stand alone movie, although familiarity with the characters and their backstories is a definite plus.
Because, we love the Crawleys. We love their servants who dedicate themselves to the household. And, we love the huge, graceful home that is as much a character in the story as the people who inhabit it.
I think part of my fascination with Downton Abbey is the peek into a way of life that was vital to England and Scotland. The historical elements intrigue me as well, and caused me to fact check after each episode of the series.
And I’ve always been drawn to big old houses. They are stunningly beautiful…and so difficult and costly to maintain. The fictional Crawley’s are typically a step or two away from losing their home. Their struggles are a theme that winds through the story. Unfortunately that was a harsh reality for many actual families in the years following World War I. Maintaining those properties continues to challenge current estate owners today.
The movie sets, costumes and music are amazing.
More to Come
I enjoyed seeing how the characters I came to love in the series have grown, in a movie rich with lavish details. I smiled over every little nod toward the six seasons on television, and applauded every bit of happiness achieved by those who sought to be who they truly are.
It’s a beautifully done film that completely satisfies the Downton Abbey fan…and perhaps inspires a new group of people to check out the series.
I’ve read that if this first feature film does well…and it’s off to a great start…then more movies will follow. I sure hope so! I’ll never tire of Downton Abbey and the people who live there.
The people who live, love and struggle at Downton Abbey.
Check out Highclere Castle, the real Downton Abbey where the series and movie were filmed.
Enjoy these Downton Abbey favorites:
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I love walking at Mercy Park in Joplin. Located on the site of the former St. John’s Hospital, the park offers a gorgeous lake with fountains, a walking trail, native grasses, flowers, trees and plants, a butterfly mural and a memorial pavilion atop a hill.
Looking around, it’s hard to remember the destruction that befell this place as a result of the May 22, 2011 EF5 tornado that leveled a third of the city. St. John’s Hospital lay in the direct path of the monster tornado that ultimately claimed 161+ lives.
I am grateful for the reclamation of this land and the restoration of this wounded space. Peace and serenity flows through the park, now. Beauty and whimsy abound. Families stroll together. Children laugh as they race by on skates or bicycles. Dogs trot happily alongside their humans.
There is something new to delight us here in this magical place. Come walk with me, virtually, and tour the sculpture garden at Mercy Park.
Beauty from Chaos
Nine years ago, this land was part of the St. John’s Hospital complex. On May 22 much of the medical community was destroyed, along with the hospital.
Renamed Mercy, the hospital rebuilt in a new location south of Joplin. They donated the land to the city. A new elementary school was built on the southern section, to replace two that were lost. The second project was a pavilion atop a grassy knoll, situated in the exact spot that the hospital chapel once occupied. Phase three involved the construction of Mercy Park.
St. John’s Hospital provided healing for the community. I love that Mercy Park continues that long-held tradition. The park offers healing on multiple levels. It soothes the soul, inspires creativity, encourages the body to move and provides places for quiet reflection.
The sculptures bring enchantment to the park, something that calls deeply to me.
St John’s Hospital, before the tornado, and after.
The Sculpture Garden at Mercy Park
A two year project, the sculpture garden at Mercy Park is a joint effort of Joplin’s two rotary clubs. The idea for the garden came to Bob Headlee, chairman of the Rotary Sculpture Garden Board, after a visit to a similar garden in Loveland, CO. That garden displays 164 sculptures.
The nine sculptures at Mercy Park, all donated, are just the beginning. Over the next month signs will go up near each sculpture. And eventually more sculptures will join the current works of art.
As the sun set last night, I had my first opportunity to stroll around the lake and see the new additions to the park. Here they are, in the order that I saw them.
Sculpture Garden at Mercy Park…Joyful Empowerment
Joyful Empowerment
I am enchanted by this fun sculpture, created by Angela Mia De La Vega, and donated by Barbara and Jim Hicklin. A girl stands upon the world, with arms outstretched and head tipped back.
I love the feeling of joyful abandon captured in her pose. And I appreciate that she stands on the world, arms open wide to receive. This first sculpture made me smile and created anticipation for the other works of art.
Sculpture Garden at Mercy Park…Rabbit Reach.
Rabbit Reach
Created by Tim Cherry and donated by Sharon and Lance Beshore, this playful sculpture caught my eye immediately. Connected to my word for next year, curiosity, are the Alice in Wonderland stories. Rabbits are popping up everywhere as I am in this transition phase between the word and symbol for this year and the new ones for 2020.
I don’t think my symbol for next year is the rabbit. No, I believe it’s another symbol, that I’ll share later. However, the rabbit connects to the white rabbit in the Wonderland stories and reminds me to follow curiosity. Not coincidentally, it’s curiosity that drew me to explore the park and enjoy the sculptures.
Sculpture Garden at Mercy Park…Water Lily.
Water Lily
This sculpture is gorgeous and the setting for it ideal. Created by Rosiland Cook and donated by Harry M. Cornell, Jr., this young lady holds in her hand a water lily with a lotus blossom. I at first thought the sculpture was a mermaid. On closer inspection, I spied her legs.
I could sit and stare at this exquisite statue and the lake behind it for hours. The lotus reminds me of a crown, which ties in with my symbol for this year.
Sculpture Garden at Mercy Park…Standing Giraffes
Standing Giraffes
I can see these fun sculptures, which count as two of the nine, from 26th Street as I drive by. And the sight makes me laugh. There are now giraffes at Mercy Park, and how whimsical they are!
Donated by Harry M. Cornell, Jr., the artist for these beauties has not yet been identified. I’ll update this post with the artist’s name when I discover who created them.
Sculpture Garden at Mercy Park…The Bird Feeder
The Bird Feeder
This is another beautiful sculpture, of a young girl feeding a bird as it perches on her raised hand. The artist is Rosalind Cook and this piece is donated by Cornell as well.
Something about this work of art makes me think of fairies dancing in the Shakespeare play, A Midsummer’s Night Dream. I can almost hear the sweet notes from a pan pipe!
Sculpture Garden at Mercy Park…Resting Big Cat
Resting Big Cat
I smiled over this sculpture too. A child sat laughing on the big cat’s back as I approached. I’m grateful that he darted off with his dad, so I could take a photo. As a “cat mom”, I could appreciate the fine lines of this sleek beast.
Donated by Cornell, this sculpture is a work of art by Michael Boyce.
Sculpture Garden at Mercy Park…Whitetail Deer
Whitetail Deer
These stunning sculptures are amazing. Created by Michael Boyce, and donated by Cornell, the realism of these two pieces caused me to walk around the sculptures and study them from all angles.
I love these deer. They are in flight, as if startled from their hiding spot. The artist certainly captured the animals’ grace in his art.
View the Sculpture Garden at Mercy Park
If you live in the Joplin area, you simply must take a walk around the lake at Mercy Park and see the sculptures for yourself. As I walked, I met a woman who was as appreciative of the sculptures as I am.
We stood and talked for a few minutes. She was seeing the sculptures for the first time too and expressed genuine amazement. In her opinion, the sculptures bring a unique quality to the park, and even to Joplin, making the city feel bigger and more metropolitan. I understand her sentiments and share them.
Gazing across the park, after sunset, I felt tears sting my eyes. What a transformation this property has undergone. So much has changed. And yet, so much remains the same. This is a sanctuary, a place of rest and healing still.
And now, it is home to nine magnificent sculptures that ignite hope and joy in my heart. I am enchanted, indeed.
Mercy Park, located at 26th & Maiden Lane, Joplin Missouri
Books about the Joplin Tornado. Click on photos to order.
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