Somewhere in the Cosmos: a tale of Harry and sunsets

My Uncle Harry was tall and large like a bear, with a full head of hair and a tidy side part.  Despite his height, he was a shy man with  a gentle, funny laugh and quiet, interesting theories. An architect and inventor, my Uncle Harry once installed a fireman's pole in his house because it seemed a sensible form of transportation.  He also designed a  folding bicycle that was given to the champions one year at the Olympic games.   His pets were almost as special as he -- an unfazed and wise iguana and 2 white husky dogs who sang (rather amazingly) in chorus.  

My Uncle Harry died this past weekend. Cancer.  

In the days just before, my father, sitting by his bed, told him that he was sure he would come back as a butterfly in his next life.  As for me, I think my Uncle Harry drifted off, just like a very memorable sunset at the end of a long and beautiful day.  

Goodnight and goodbye, Uncle Harry.  

Images from Essaouira, Morocco

Morocco: and a tale of patience and argan oil

She was old.  Haunched down by the ground,  she was quiet.  Her fingers selected the argan tree nuts one by one.  The nuts were brown and dry and lifeless.  But inside lay the pale, smooth kernels that would give birth to something precious:  coveted Moroccan argan oil.  

She cracked the nuts, and she set aside the kernels.  She cracked the nuts, and she set aside the kernels. She cracked the nuts, and she set aside the kernels. 

She didn't stop.  She was slow but she was purposeful.

I left her then. But I took her message with me.

The message was this:  

    Patience. Yes, patience. Please, patience.  

    Don't falter.  Keep trying.......The elixir is within your reach.

Essaouira: and a tale of Moroccan doors

I was thinking about how things change. How children grow and are gone.  How relationships begin and then end.  How jobs - once so shiny -- start to tarnish.  

Yes, I was thinking about how doors sometimes close.  And we are left standing outside wondering what to do.

But if we have faith,  there are always always other doors.  Perhaps even more beautiful.  Perhaps even righter.  But we must see the world with trusting eyes or they won't appear.

And at that single moment when they do, we mustn't carry the burden of all that has come before -- the disappointments, the wrongdoings, the broken hearts. But let them go and be new again.

Then, we must reach out our hand, unlock the door

and push it open.

Treasures await each and everyone of us.

Images from Essaouira.

Marrakech: and a tale of a fabulous adventure that awaits *YOU*

Get out your pencils...........here's today's quiz.  

I love beauty: Yes/No

I love shopping: Yes/No

I love travel: Yes/No

I love (delicious) food: Yes/No

I love pampering: Yes/No

I love adventure: Yes/No

One last one............

I deserve to treat myself (I work hard!): Yes/No

Time to tally up your answers!

If you found yourself answering Yes more than No, maybe it's time to head to..............Marrakech. 

Peacock Pavilions (ahem, yours truly) is organizing a retreat filled with everything fun this May: 

*Amazing shopping in the souks, guided by me!  

*Moroccan wine tastings!  

*Candlelit dinners in the Peacock Pavilions embroidered tent!

*Visits to Kashbahs & palaces!  

*Henna parties and cocktails!  

*Expert talks about Moroccan interior design & shopping!

*Movies in the private outdoor cinema!  

*Belly dancers, camel rides, snake charmers........

*And of course, lodging at Peacock Pavilions, a boutique hotel made from scratch with love by, umm...me (and the sweet architect husband, of course.)

This  is a trip you will never forget (I promise!).  Very affordable and lots of surprises.  Talented Angela Ritchie of AceCamps is helping organize and this shiny girl is coming along to help.  

Don't just dream about it, make it happen!!!  See all the details right here.  Spots are already filling up!:-)

Image by Alkaline Sisters