March - Bilbo Baggins' Month

This month I celebrated my 50th trip around the sun! Since my year is focused on a different character each month from the Lord of the Rings, I decided that this would be the perfect month for me to focus on celebrating my own milestone birthday just as Bilbo Baggins celebrated his 111th birthday in the story.

I didn't plan a huge party, that's not my style, but after gathering a lot of ideas from others I decided on a small trip with my husband and parents. We rented an AirBnB and headed off to a romantic candlelight concert with the Listeso String Quartet playing a tribute to the rock band, Queen! [photos below] 

Lifestyle: For this LOTR month, I wanted to focus on celebrating simple joys and some cozy lifestyle practices of hobbits. How? Well, by taking part in "Elevenses" of course! It's a cherished tradition among hobbits to enjoy a mid-morning snack, typically consisting of tea and perhaps some biscuits, cakes, or other treats. This cozy ritual allowed them to take a break from their daily activities and indulge in a moment of relaxation and refreshment. So Monday-Friday, I set an alarm for Elevenses and took a tea break. This worked out perfect for me because I'm terrible at taking work breaks and they are so good for your mind and body. 

Nature: Hobbits are depicted as having a strong connection to the land and a deep appreciation for agriculture and gardening. Bilbo Baggins was no exception since he was known for being fond of gardening and growing things. In light of this, I decided to plant some perennial Columbines in our yard on the north side. Check them out, here. That side of the house had been very bare but now it's filled with early bird purple-yellow, red-yellow, and blue-white variety. They looked wonderful against our bungalow's blue hardy board. I planted a rose bush and daffodils last year -- and both flourished so I'm hopeful these columbines will grow well and bloom year after year.

Also, I watched The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies movie, celebrated Tolkien's Reading Day on March 25th, and began reading The Hobbit book for the 1st time. I have a beautiful imitation leather set so I'm excited to read them!

As I bid farewell to March, I'm grateful for the simple joys and cozy traditions inspired by my studies of Bilbo Baggins and hobbits. From a serene candlelight concert with loved ones, refreshing Elevenses tea breaks and getting some beautiful flowers in the soil, this month has reminded me of the importance of treasuring life's small pleasures. 

Rocket Blooms: Redefining Columbine Flowers

Columbine flowers; blue with a white center

As I pull into our driveway or pass by on the street, I'm now greeted by a new burst of colors – columbine flower bushes standing tall against the blue hardy board siding of our bungalow. These vibrant blooms, which remind me of space rockets, hold a special significance for me, stemming from my first encounter with their sunny yellow variety at my previous 2010 starter home. I've planted three new bushes this week with the hope that they will grow and soften up the north side of our little home in a delightful array of red-yellow, purple-yellow, and blue-white hues.

Beyond their visual appeal, columbine flowers carry deeper meanings. In folklore, they symbolize love and union, believed by some to attract true love into one's life. What's remarkable about these blooms is their resilience – delicate yet hardy, they thrive in diverse climates, a testament to their adaptability and strength.

Though the word "columbine" may stir somber memories for some, tied to past tragedies, I'm choosing to redefine its significance. For me, these blooms represent beauty, adventure, and simple joys. As they stand proudly on the side of my house, adding a touch of color, they hopefully brighten not only our home but also the day of those who pass by.

Columbine flowers; purple with a yellow center

Columbine flowers; red with a yellow center

Side of a house showing three columbine blushes next to blue hardy board

Unmasking: Exploring Authenticity in Self-Portraits

I've been diligently working on my self-care "bingo" card for the month [updated from this one], and today I finally decided to check off the box that says "inner light photo session." In 2012, I had done a similar photo shoot in my backyard, setting up my camera for a rapid series of shots, all in an attempt to capture and express my inner light.

This time around, I opted for a portrait session focusing on different expressions and moods. To be honest, it's hard to be vulnerable but I feel like it's so good for my heart when I push passed my self-criticism. I deliberately chose to convert some of the photos to black and white, finding that it helped eliminate distractions, allowing a more true essence shine through. With each passing year, I want to embrace myself more fully and accept the person I'm becoming.

So here's my encouragement to you: why not schedule your own photo session? It's a chance to unleash your creativity, have some fun, and most importantly, let your inner light radiate for all to see.
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Side note: Difference in a selfie and self-portraiture?
Selfies are typically casual snapshots taken with smartphones, primarily for social media or personal communication. They're often spontaneous and focus on capturing moments or activities. In contrast, self-portraiture is deliberate and artistic, where the photographer creates an image to convey a specific message, emotion, or idea .Artists throughout history have created self-portraits as a way to explore their own identity, skills, and artistic vision.

Understanding US Political Factions

Unity in Liberty: A Patriotic Handshake - art by Silver Trumpets
*see more info below

Understanding different viewpoints benefits all Americans. It's damaging for us to have an 'all or nothing' belief system. Political plurality, which acknowledges diverse perspectives within parties, reminds us that individuals who vote for one party (example, Republican or Democrat) may hold varying beliefs than others who voted the same. It's important to recognize the variety of perspectives within both major political parties and to not let politicians, media, or others oversimplify complex issues. 

Political parties are full of factions. Many bring valuable viewpoints, so to break down some common dichotomous thinking, below I’m sharing a list of party factions, their ideology, and some well-known politicians that tend to align themselves with those goals. This table is impartial and is not all encompassing. Some people can lean towards multiple groups within a political party. After the table are examples of issues politicians and voters tend to oversimplify within politics. My goal in sharing this is for all of us to grow in our understanding and avoid pigeonholing other people based on oversimplified labels or assumptions.

I decided to pull together all this information directly due to my current reading, "My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton" by Stephanie Dray. US political parties in the 18th century, like those of today, were not immune to oversimplifying complex issues. Political factions such as the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans engaged in vigorous debates over issues such as the structure of government, states' rights, and foreign policy. These debates often involved oversimplified arguments and rhetoric aimed at rallying support for one side or the other. Additionally, political pamphlets, newspapers, and speeches of the time frequently employed oversimplification to appeal to a broader audience and sway public opinion.

Oversimplification of issues can hinder productive dialogue and effective policy making. Some examples that should put you on alert when you hear or read them: 

• Immigration: Reducing immigration debates to slogans like "build a wall" or "open borders" overlooks the complex factors driving migration and the nuanced solutions required.

• Healthcare: Framing healthcare debates as "repeal and replace" or "Medicare for all" fails to address the challenges within the healthcare system, such as insurance coverage and cost control.

• Climate Change: Generalizing climate change as a debate between "believers" and "deniers" neglects the scientific consensus and the multifaceted solutions needed to mitigate its impacts.

• Firearms: Polarizing gun debates as a choice between "gun rights" and "gun control" overlooks the complex interplay between Second Amendment rights and public safety concerns.

• Foreign Policy: Oversimplifying debates as "military intervention" vs. "appeasement" neglects diplomatic and economic approaches to international conflicts and keeping stability.

My main hope for this post is to help us better embrace a nuanced understanding of political factions to avoid oversimplifying labels and issues. Instead, let's acknowledge the complexity and avoid common one-sided thinking because that damages so many of our relationships. 

* Side note: I had a hard time selecting the best art for this post. I love the one above because of their eye contact and strength. However, the one below is so beautiful and inspiring, I had to include it too! In case you didn't know, since the donkey and elephant were based in satirical comics, in my research, often Democrats are represented by Lady Liberty and Republicans by a bald eagle. I loved these representations much more since both are equally historically rich and inspiring US symbols. 

United Vision: Lady Liberty and the Bald Eagle - art by Silver Trumpets

In Plain Sight: A Journey with Happiness

 "Within the fabric of everyday life, happiness quietly resides, awaiting our attention. But we must endeavor to uncover its presence." - Silver Trumpets

Happiness – that sometimes elusive yet ever-desired state of living. Being happy and having happiness carry a subtle difference. Feeling happy is often a temporary emotional state while happiness implies a more enduring and overall sense of well-being.  

And friends, happiness is not the destination or prize at the finish line. Lately, I've been seeing happiness as the mode of transportation through our days. On my way to work yesterday morning, I drove alongside a dozen or so commuters. I considered the different vehicles carrying them, that these were the cars they had picked for themselves and wondered what made them choose that one specifically. Then I wondered if it merely provided satisfactory transportation or if it made the journey smoother. Similarly, we consciously choose the mode of transportation to carry us through our day too. But do we chose happiness? Or do we find ourselves traveling in anger, pessimism, or sadness instead?

So, what could happiness modes of transportation look like? Imagine waking up in the morning and, instead of dreading the day ahead, you start by savoring a cup of your favorite coffee and slowly enjoying your breakfast. Or during your lunch break, you take a few moments to step outside and soak in the beauty of nature around you. Or even as the day ends and you unwind--maybe taking a 1-hour tech break like I did recently--to reflect on moments of joy you experienced. These are examples of traveling in happiness.

Here is another way to visualize. Happiness can also be a companion to walk beside you through the twists and turns of life. Think about the qualities you value in a close friend – someone who lifts your spirits when you're feeling down, who celebrates your successes with genuine joy, and who stands by your side through thick and thin. Happiness embodies these same qualities, offering a sense of stability and reassurance even in the face of adversity.

When we choose happiness as our companion, we invite positivity and optimism into our lives. We also can become more resilient in the face of challenges, more open to new experiences, and more appreciative of the good around us. And, just like any meaningful relationship, cultivating a deeper connection with happiness requires time, effort, and intentionality.

I can hear some readers’ thoughts of, "but...I cannot be happy all the time. Life can be hard." True. It is essential to acknowledge that experiencing negative emotions and facing challenges is a natural part of the human experience. Happiness is not about being in a perpetual state of euphoria, and yet, we can let it carry us towards finding contentment and fulfillment despite life's ups and downs.

So, amid the hustle and bustle of the upcoming days, I hope you'll remember this little post and recall that happiness quietly awaits your attention, nestled within the fabric of the little moments. Whether you visualize it as your transport or companion, may it become a force that guides you towards finding more joy and peace in your life.