Marrakech: and a cyclical tale of gardens at Peacock Pavilions

When events don't go as planned, when actions are unthinkable, when the whole world seems to run amok....I try to remind myself that life come in cycles.  Treasures are snatched away and then gifts are given.  It rains for days and then it clears. Loves wither but others take their place and shyly flourish.  

And if we steep ourselves in sadness, in regrets, in recriminations, we lose our opportunities to see our beauties today.  Miracles, yes miracles, are everywhere.  Now and just around the corner.

There are hundreds of roses blooming at Peacock Pavilions. Two weeks ago, there were none. It's a sign of better things to come.

Please, for all of us.

To know that This, too, shall pass and believe in the power of dreams, read THIS.  You'll see just how far we've come.

Manhattan: and a tale of a return

Ah, Manhattan, that Metropolis of dreams filled with those inspired and inspiring.

I find myself here.  Or perhaps I am just coming back.  My father grew up here, my grandfather grew up here, my great grandfather grew up here.  On Waverly Place in Greenwich village in a 3 story apartment with a proper salon.  The stories I could tell you (Yes, mistresses, scandals, and stolen hearses).  But those are blog posts for another time.

In the meanwhile, wish me well.  I am here to see Artisan Books, the publishing house that is publishing my Moroccan interior design book in the Spring of 2012.  Let's hope they still like it. (Just in case, please keep your fingers crossed, talismans on, and do a little hail Mary for me, if that's your thing.)

Image by Melintir 

Washington DC: and a tale of a true confession

Here’s the thing: I’m not that smart, I am not that special, I have no mind-altering skills. I’m a regular person. I have flaws – many. I do the wrong thing – often. I have petty jealousies – loads. I fall on my face -- more than you can possibly imagine.

But here’s the other thing: Every day, every single day, is a chance to do better, to live with more grace, to take that moment – that tiny moment in between something happening and your response -- and to think twice.

In a world filled with quick fixes -- to ten steps to finding a lover and two weeks to a slimmer you -- this is the hard stuff. Because this is about character, about integrity, about the long haul. This is about making yourself proud, even if no one pats you on the back.

Evolution is possible but one trait is necessary: determination – mine and yours -- to raise the bar. It’s about our interactions with our spouse, our child, our coworker, and the stranger in the street. It’s about right now, one hour from now, tonight.

Forget about yesterday – it’s over. But today is a whole new chance.

I’m trying today. Are you?

 

Marrakech: and a tale of not really werewolves

Do you mind....do you mind checking under my bed? Did you see that the moon is full?  He asked.

Yes, I saw, I said.

Are you ever afraid of the dark? he asked.

I am, sometimes, I admitted. 

He nodded his head.  It's easy to be scared, he said.  But  there's nothing under my bed, is there? 

No, I replied.

I think I knew that, he said. And he laughed a little laugh.

His sister, though, approached things differently. 

You see, she had realized this important truth:

If you don't venture into the dark,

you won't ever really believe.....

that the werewolves......? 

Well, they exist only in your head.