Michele Lee Sefton's Blog, page 9

Two tulips gleaming in Scotland

“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

Crowded House – Don’t Dream It’s Over (Official Music Video) (link should take you to the video if it doesn’t load)

I found these two tulips growing in a dark corner in Scotland, far away from a gorgeous, manicured garden. I was struck by the contrast of their delicate beauty and some trash in the area. I almost didn’t take the photo because of the less-than-ideal surroundings and lighting. I’m glad I captured this contrast and I’m glad I ventured off the “perfect” path. Looking at this photo reminds me how beautiful things can grow, in what seems like darkness. Thanks for stopping by and best to you. Michele

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Lavender Locomotive

In cool water she steps, turning her fire to steam—a locomotive she becomes—steady and rhythmic her ascent. Wild her views, graceful her song. Humming and whistling as she rolls along.

Thank you for stopping by and thanks, too for the birthday wishes that sweetly slipped through. Much gratitude for all of you! Best wishes to you today and in all that you do. Warm regards. Michele

featured photo of woman standing in water wearing a flowing dress taken by Zolotarevs / my recent desert photo and morning sunrise

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

A few candles ago…

Feeling a bit sentimental on the morning of my 56th. In the most beautiful way possible. I’m so grateful to be here, to have reached this place in life—more joyful, aware, and wise. [image error] Thankful for all my lessons and blessings that each birthday flame represents. Thanks so much to my fellow bloggers, and readers beyond, for being a cherished part of this life experience, that gets more precious with each added candle. With each, comes an added wish too!

This little hedgehog has been in this pot for too long, moved a few times. She bloomed this morning—what a beautiful and miraculous sight. Thanks for stopping by! I’m stepping away today… to relax and reflect and to quietly celebrate. Kind regards. Michele

photo notes ~ my older and only brother, Nick would have been home on leave from the Army in the candle photo and the second photo shows his poor little burnt nose (under the Sonoran sun is no place for a strawberry blond freckle-face kid) and in the same photo, my crimped hair is the result of my mom braiding tiny braids, a process that took hours, or at least that’s what it felt like. The one of just me was taken recently in Tempe—thanks to Larissa & Sarah at Blue Orchard Photography for sharing a sunset and capturing some smiles.

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Scotland ~ travel notes (backpack)

A Red, Red Rose
by Robert Burns

O my Luve is like a red, red rose
            That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melody
            That’s sweetly played in tune.

So fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
            So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
            Till a’ the seas gang dry.

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,
            And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;
I will love thee still, my dear,
            While the sands o’ life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only luve!
            And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my luve,
            Though it were ten thousand mile.

Thanks for visiting my second “travel notes” post, featuring the backpack—an essential travel item. Here’s what I packed in mine for a trip to Scotland:

rolled up scarf for added warmth (lovely gift from my traveling brother)water flask (never leave home without it) clear bag w/travel size toiletries small makeup bag (a girl needs her mascara & lip balm) writing journal & a few pens (ink runs out don’t ya know)small book to read (on the plane & en route)passport (duh)reading glasses & a spare pair (broke a pair in Mexico )cheap sunglasses snacks, gum, vitamin case, electrolyte & vitamin C powder*, alka seltzer (came in handy last night of travel following a too-rich dinner )tissues/hand sanitizer/2 masks small wallet (driver’s license/credit card/foreign currency/Covid card (never needed btw)/health insurance card/emergency contact infoitinerary & list of our hotels (in case I became separated from the group w/a dead phone-these things could happen)chargers (phone/camera battery/ear buds**)power adapter (American plugs are different)camera, 2 camera cards, and additional lens ( not shown because I used it for post photo) phone and portable charger (purchased for this trip because my phone is getting old) [image error] air tags (wasn’t sure about these, but I found them economical and easy to activate w/a user friendly app that allows you to name & track your bags) umbrella (packed in small suitcase but it does make its way to my backpack if needed)

*I began adding electrolyte & vitamin C powder to my water a few weeks before travel. Doing this along with going for early morning walks (while my roommate was still sleeping) at each location may have helped with staying healthy post-travel. I also made an effort to stay hydrated while there, to eat more veggies & healthy proteins, and less bread. I still enjoyed delicious bread just less than I consumed in Ireland.

**Ear buds are a priority when I am on a plane. I spend time prior downloading music. Listening to music calms me and helps to tune out loud people and crying babies. Had one a row over who cried all the way from Phoenix to London. Poor baby. Another option is noise-canceling headphones.

Had another thing happen on the flight… in the middle of the night, somewhere over the Atlantic, a man passed out in the aisle by my seat when he was going to the latrine. Face plant! Twice!! I thought for sure we’d be making an emergency landing in Ireland, but he was attended to and nothing came of it. Thank goodness for his sake and everyone on board.

Hope you’ve found this information useful possibly inspiring your own adventures. Would be a wonderful bonus for this writer! Be well and safe travels. Michele

Poem source: Poetry Foundation / Celebrated Scottish poet and lyricist, Robert Burns

my photos were taken in various locations around Scotland

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Dear Dreamers

Your dreams are yours, born in the stars. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. They glimmer for you, even behind the clouds. Realizing them will not be easy. What fun would that be? The journey may take years. What fun might that be! Setbacks are to be expected. Detours might be dead ends. Discipline and focus are a given. There are no shortcuts or digital directions. Just start and day-by-day, you’ll find your way.

Along the way you may have days of defeating self-doubt, where under the covers feels a better option. Please get up and keep going, even if one “small” step is all you can take. Please keep stepping. Your gifts, like you, arrived for a reason. Please keep stepping. Others might tease or turn away. Please don’t let them silence your star. Take a deep breath and keep stepping in a way that validates who you are. Angels will appear, disguised in human form, who will help light the way. Eventually you will find yourself warmed by the glow of your once distance star.

Thank you for stopping by. Wishing you all the best! Michele

a few sky photos from the week

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

A night out

On the moon we are
weightless of earthly matters
that steal our wonder

Swift clouds devoured
a first quarter golden glow
revealing darkness

Patiently waited
for the bright light to restore
an internal glow

my first quarter moon photos from the Sonoran Desert

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Free spirits finding themselves, in each other

A sister, I was not blessed with
though dozens of girl cousins
filled my childhood with laughter and learning
plenty of dancing and make-believing, too
holidays together with busy aunts preparing
and a biscuit-making grandma filling the room
with southern sayings
sometimes swearing (under her breath of course)

we grew up
we grew apart
busy lives
greater became the commitments
longer became the miles and drives
though childhood memories and early bonds
never leave a heart

only a year (and week) apart
she, always outgoing and fun
I was nerdy and shy
those girls we still are, though experience has grown us
she loves to read and I’ve learned to be more carefree

As a child, I loved spending time with her on “the farm”
      we fed pigs, played in her parents’ cotton roods, milked a few cows,
      watched monsoon storms, and swam in canals
a location now covered in buildings
the downside of expansion

life’s timing brought us together again
            free spirits, kindred kin
            we see each other when we can
in between those cherished visits
we share laughter and support
through silly clips and sparkly hearts

Thank you for visiting and reading. Today’s post is dedicated to my cousin, who is celebrating her birthday today. She is far, though always in my heart. Happy birthday, Becky! Love, your cousin

featured photo of women running, holding hands taken by Zolotarevs / my photos taken in Puerto Peñasco when Becky and I traveled there last fall; we had a friendly visitor on the beach

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Cruising through the clouds

Cool silver
wraps me in refreshing cover
a silky blanket brushing skin

A foot tapping
on the bus stop bench
backbeats to my rhythmic rolling

Spring’s renewal
scattered across a city sidewalk, soiled
desert purple crushed, reveals inner sparkle

Thanks for riding along. Wishing you a wonderful day from a “mostly cloudy” dreamy morning. Michele

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

Flags flying, freedom found

Posture straight, with my right hand on my heart
staring at an American flag attached to a wall
always emphasizing the last two words of the Pledge of Allegiance:
            “… liberty and justice for all”
reciting along with my students
though not all

Random rebels appeared through the years
choosing to express their freedom by sitting
If they were respectful, not mocking or jeering
a nod of understanding is what they got from me

I walked away from that morning routine
though my former students, I hold in my heart
too many of them had a disadvantaged start
I pray those last two words always include them

My work now virtual, no longer contained by classroom walls
my morning recitation is now quiet meditation
my right hand has learned how to show a passport and zoom a lens

At home and on foreign lands, I walk free
Yes, I know how blessed and fortunate I am
If only that were true for all
what a peaceful and wondrous world this would be

Thanks for stopping by. I hope this Wednesday finds everyone doing well. Just over a week back from Scotland and I am relieved to share that the effects of jet lag have lessened, allowing me to sleep past 2 am, and that I didn’t return with a nasty bug, like the last two years. I will write more about what I changed up this time (health wise), that may have helped, when I share my “Scotland ~ travel notes (backpack)” post. I forgot to include a most important item in my “packing” post: my crossbody purse (in photo) which easily fits on top of my ziplocked clothes. Carrying a backpack around is not always ideal or allowed, so a secure purse is a must.

My photos were taken in various locations around Scotland (Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, Battle of Culloden, & Cawdor Castle). The last photo was taken at my hometown cemetery, taken when I visited my grandfather’s gravesite on Memorial Day (his grave is not featured, though it does have two flags – the one placed and the one I brought). The one of me was taken by a fellow traveler. Most of whom were retired teachers. A fun bunch (esp. in the back of the bus).

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife

A man walks solemnly, a woman reads reverently

Thank you for visiting my blog and joining me in a photo tribute to fallen soldiers on this Memorial Day. My first three photos were taken last year at the Luxembourg American Cemetery near the town of Hamm and the last is a morning shot of Palo Verde flowers. As I do on these occasions, I will be visiting and placing flowers on my grandfather’s grave. He was a brave WWII soldier who left my life too soon. Fortunately, I’ve had the honor of learning more about him over the last few years through his letters, sent home while serving. Take care and kind regards. Michele

© 2019-2025 myinspiredlife