Peace and Goodwill

I took a walk on the Jones Falls Trail to meditate and ponder my next move in the game of life… I was elated to get a call from a friend I hadn’t seen in two years because she’s been traveling, happy that we could pick up where we left off (now, that’s friendship)… An evening dinner at Joe Squared Pizza proved delicious. I was there last year and was disappointed because of the limited selections (I’m a celiac). Much has changed and so has the menu, and Joe Squared – one of my favorites! The gluten-free risottos – excellent! Try it with ham and caramelized onions. You won’t be disappointed.

Cocktail hour with friends – always a pleasure and filled with joy. Thank you, Ron! You’re a kindred spirit… To a new friend, Joyce, thank you for your gift of words. Your silence is loud. Our exchange of words on a small piece of paper was purposeful, and I’m glad we were innovative enough to use text messaging as a tool for communicating. We will keep in touch… “Across Words” to highlight literary arts week, and sponsored by the CityLit Project was outstanding – truly. I was in awe of the talent. From the storytellers, to the poets, to the musicians – phenomenal! A special thank you to Matthew Norman, Em Sea Water and the Wayfarers, and to Adeke Rose – you touched my heart.

The weekend is over, and it ended just as it began outdoors with Mother Nature. A trio of fun (thank you, Brian and Hannah) took a walk to the annual Ciclovia event hosted by Roland Park. It was a small gathering and I hope it will grow over time… The icing on the cake, a walk through a real estate property that was very special. It was a home filled with love, and I felt it as soon as I walked in the door. I liked that my imagination ran wild… And finally, an early evening at St. David’s parish for their Evensong. It was meditative. Two words remain in my heart – peace and goodwill. Isn’t it time we learn their true meaning and incorporate them into our lives on an everyday basis? To all we meet? Thank you, Reverend Bellows, for the tour of the church earlier yesterday. It’s beautiful, one of the many gems of the community. I appreciated the fellowship and look forward to returning soon.

A Facebook friend shared a quote on his wall that really spoke to my heart and it’s worth sharing here - "This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness." – Dalai Lama

It was a nice quote to read on a Sunday, and I hope after reading it you will keep it in your heart as you begin a new week because that’s what I plan on doing. Peace and goodwill to all - paerki

Additional Photos: St. David's Church and Ciclovia