Michele Lee Sefton's Blog, page 32

Fire and Flowers

“In every land, hardness is in the north, softness in the south, industry in the east, and fire and inspiration in the west.”

~Irish Proverb

Inspiration led me to revisiting my Ireland photos from last summer. Many photos to choose from that I have yet to share. I’ve enjoyed strolling through my camera card and revisiting the birthplace of ancestors. 🪻Like Oregon, one of my favorite things about visiting Ireland was viewing and smelling the fragrant flowers across the land. A factory tour was a fiery bonus! Most of my floral photos are from the Phoenix Park Garden area in Dublin and the black and white photos were taken at the Waterford Crystal Factory in Waterford, Ireland. Thank you for visiting! Michele

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

Creative Lifelines

“The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A human creature born abnormally, inhumanly sensitive. To him [or her]… a touch is a blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy, a friend is a lover, a lover is a god, and failure is death. Add to this cruelly delicate organism the overpowering necessity to create, create, create — so that without the creating of music or poetry or books or buildings or something of meaning, his very breath is cut off from him. He [or she] must create, must pour out creation. By some strange, unknown, inward urgency he is not really alive unless he is creating.”

~ Pearl S. Buck

Creativity has saved me. It nourishes me. It flows through me. It expands me. The act of creation, whether it be through writing, dancing, meditating, capturing a golden moment, cooking, sharing my voice, or playing my instrument, enriches my (mid)life with passion and purpose and fills the empty with divinity.

After a bit of bloggy reading during this beautiful light blue Saturday morning, I am going to spend some time with my clarinet – a bit neglectful I’ve been with my woodwind. The two songs I will be working on are: Bolero Ravel composed by Maurice Ravel (featured in the 1979 movie 10 with Bo Derek and Dudley Moore) and Pure Imagination composed by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley (theme song for Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, 1971 version starring Gene Wilder). Music videos highlighted below.

This blog means many things to me, including my accountability. You see, if I tell “the world” that I am going to be practicing, you best believe it will be happening. Thank you for visiting and happy creating! Michele

Movie music videos that feature my selected songs, for your viewing pleasure. Bolero and Pure Imagination. Enjoy!

If you are interested in the (digital) sheet music I will be playing, here you go: Bolero (for clarinet) and Pure Imagination (for clarinet) If not obvious Bolero is the more difficult of the two.

featured photo by agsandrew / my clarinet photo

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

Wolf Moon

Quietly he approached
a lone wolf
peering through the clouds

Patiently watching the valley below
undisturbed by his faint glow

Waiting for the perfect moment
to burst through his protection

No lives taken,
His Wild freely given

Click here for Midnight Moonlight by The Be Good Tanyas. This song is more delicate than wild – chosen for the beautiful lyrics that mention the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. A place I have fond memories of visiting.

Having done a research project on wolves in college, I am particularly fond of this full moon’s naming. Fascinating and beautiful animals that have a history of being brutally slaughtered across the U.S. (and elsewhere). I remember sharing an audio clip of wolf howls during my presentation. High-tech for the time. My, how the times have changed! One thing has remained: our mysterious and mystical moon. Thank you for stopping by. Michele

my photos: the first taken last night just after the moon burst through a thick cloud cover, the other two taken this morning, the last just snapped without my tripod in my excitement to capture the rising sun’s glow

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

From Girl to Pearl

Although some situations feel relentless,
the trip between windblown locks
and womanly frocks is a short one.

You are not meant to spend
your brief existence
defending, blaming, apologizing, or hiding.

Your ancestors did not live and die
a thousand times
for you to wallow in such nonsense.

You are meant to stand
confident in your uniqueness,
adding their rooted lessons
to your glowing crown.

If life has you feeling hopeless –
if it feels like you are alone
in this great big world;
I plead, hang in there girl.

Within you lives a warrior woman
ready to run, crawl, walk,
and sometimes carry
you beyond the desolate,
where your higher self awaits
with hands stretched,
ready to welcome you home.

Click American Girl by Elle King if music video does not load.

Last Saturday evening I had the opportunity to speak about my creative journey at a unique women’s gathering, just before performing a solo dance routine. It was an empowering and divinely feminine experience, from start to finish. A highlight of the evening was speaking to women, one-on-one, and learning about their goals and fears, among other things. There was a time in my younger life when I no longer wanted to live this life. My older self, quickly approaching fifty-five, is so glad my younger self grabbed hold of a sliver of light, that continues to evolve and expand. Thank you for being here and sharing your light with me. Michele

featured photo by Warm Tail / my photo by Larissa

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

Rainy Sunday

The last leaves to leave.

Click When I Get to Heaven by John Prine if music video does not load.

“A half an inch of water and you think you’re going to drown, that’s the way the world goes round.”

~ John Prine

Winding down a rainy blue Sunday in the Sonoran.

Thanks for stopping by. Michele

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

A beautiful bouquet for you

My journey through last year’s camera cards continues. Thought I’d turn some of my Oregon flora photos into a video for your viewing and relaxing pleasure. My daughter and dear friend’s corner of the world was recently hammered with a severe snowstorm that left many without power. “Trees down, thick ice, power lines down, car accidents… ” and stranded travelers, according to my friend Patricia. Hope this video offers some warmth for them and others impacted by winter’s wrath. Thank you for stopping by. Michele

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

Blushing

A beautiful and soothing song to listen to while enjoying some pink skies ~ click Swept Away by Parra for Cuva if music video doesn’t load.

The sky parade of pink began two weeks ago (first photo) and has continued through this morning. It is interesting how different colors can affect our moods. Beginning and ending the day showered in pink-toned hues feels soft and sensual.

My photos have been taken over the last several days, during sunrise and sunset.

Hope you enjoyed my “Wordless” Wednesday share. Thanks for visiting! 🩷 Michele

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

Beyond the tangle, I find him

“Counting stars by candlelight all are dim but one is bright; the spiral light of Venus rising first and shining best, from the northwest corner of a brand-new crescent moon crickets and cicadas sing a rare and different tune.”

~ Robert Hunter

Click here for Goodnight Moon by Shivaree if video doesn’t load.

A clear and crisp Sunday evening in the Sonoran. Ideal for stargazing. Dancing and dreaming with a playful crescent. Thanks for visiting. Michele

My photos: the first taken on January 7th (waning crescent 19%), the second & third taken on January 14th (waxing crescent 12%)

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

Some things you can’t turn off

Sunsets are everything
glorious about this planet
contained in a few golden seconds

From vantage points
people gather to watch them
waiting for that perfect moment
when chatter is silenced
when a miracle is witnessed
when hope is collectively present

Finding peace, solace, and reflection
a few golden seconds, fleeting

My attention, I’d rather give them
than the constant stream of sadness
pouring from the television
becoming a dusty relic in the corner

Another young life
violently taken
in the valley below

I bear witness
to the loss of another golden glow
from an elevated point

I was told to always keep
my classroom doors locked
as a form of protection
against a loaded gun

My best friend’s brother
was shot cold
left to die in the stall
of a car wash

One of my former students
met the same fate last year
in a neighborhood

Pages I could fill
of senseless scenarios

I don’t know
how to fix
all the broken things
in this valley
in this world
in countless hearts and homes

So, I turn my attention toward the sun
breathing in its golden glow
washing over the valley below

Click here for Ingrid Michaelson’s song, Keep Breathing, if the music video does not load. A note about the lyrics: This song has gifted me with peace recently and for that I am grateful. I do believe we, collectively, can do more (than just breathe) to bring peace.

Not exactly a post for the Office of Tourism, but these are my thoughts this morning after watching the local news recently (for a total of two minutes, if that) and learning the details of an innocent young man, brutally murdered. Another. I don’t have any answers for the violence that occurs locally or globally. Not sure anyone does. I can only share peace and beauty when I find it, in hopes that it makes a difference. Thank you for visiting. Michele

my nature photos / photo of me by Larissa

© 2024 MyInspiredLife

She took that California trip (singing w/Waits)

intro to Hold On
singing along with Tom Waits

They hung up a sign in our town
“If you live it up, you won’t
live it down”
So, she left Monte Rio, son
just like a bullet leaves a gun
With charcoal eyes and Monroe hips
she went and took that California trip

Well, the moon was gold, her
hair like wind
She said “Don’t look back just
come on Jim”

Oh, you got to
Hold On, Hold On
You got to Hold On
Take my hand, I’m standing right here
You gotta Hold On

If Tom Wait’s music video doesn’t load, please click here: Hold On

from chapter 2 of my poetic novella, Her Coastal Cottage – Where Truth and Love Rise: Her laughter heightened to hysterics when she brushed back her hair and caught a glimpse of herself in the car’s rear-view mirror…

Hysterical laughter became the soundtrack for her tumbling tears. A soul’s cleansing absorbed by the bottom lining of her terry shorts, decorating her bare legs with salty drops. A rough and raw blend of laughter, tears, and wild and loose curls. She had never felt so beautiful; she had never felt so free. The last tear and the last chuckle were the opening act for the main show: a woman transformed.

Singing along with Waits while loading his video for this post, I was inspired to share my voice. Thank you for visiting and listening. Michele

Hold On songwriters: Kathleen Brennan / Thomas Alan Waits

Featured photo by Roman Samborskyi / my California photos

© 2024 MyInspiredLife