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Joan Ambu

Kindness for Longevity

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read758 views

I love my neighbors. They are all wonderful, especially the original ones. I am so grateful to live here and be surrounded by beautiful individuals who constantly surprise us with their generosity. The older couple living across from our home are a blessing and such a joy to know. They are available and when needed, quick to help. They are inspiring and when not physically present, encouraging and advising.

My neighbors are a beautiful couple in their late seventies. They look so much younger (at least twenty years younger) all thanks to the choices they made on a daily basis and which they are making still. One doesn’t have to go all out to make someone else happy. Little things, acts of love and kindness have a way of making the heart flutter and leap for joy. This morning as I opened the mail box to collect yesterday’s mail, I found a nicely sealed gift. At that particular moment, I felt so loved and appreciated. I smiled as I knew who put it there since it wasn’t the first time. For a year and a half now, they have randomly filled our mail box with Greeting Cards for all occasions, Collectors Calendars, gift wraps and bags, coupon booklets for Power Tools, rare Vintage pieces and not too long ago, a large Bats fabric favor bag for the kids to go trick or treating.

Image Source: Comments.FunMunch.com.
Image Source: Comments.FunMunch.com.

I know the positive effects of this morning will be passed along to someone else in the form of another act of kindness or simply a genuine smile. As I sit here typing, I am thinking about returning their kindness and I know exactly what to give them. Kindness is one of the best feel good remedies which pays itself over and over again.

The following are some effects of Kindness (learn about other positive effects here):

  • Makes us feel good
  • Helps us become a better person
  • Promotes a feeling of well-being
  • Promotes compassion
  • A sense of achievement and belonging
  • Softens the heart and keeps it healthy
  • Helps us see the World through new lenses
  • Gives us an opportunity to know others
  • Being Kind makes you happier, thus, increases your longevity
  • Kindness is a gift that keeps on giving.

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” – Mother Teresa

Genuine Kindness is free. Choose to be kind and bless someone’s day to start a chain of endless positive actions.

A Project Complete

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read713 views

Today has been a productive day as we were blessed with good weather unlike what the Weather Channel predicted for the day. We finished  putting in the last of the Privacy Fence Slats and we dug up and disposed of the rest of the Oleanders (except for the only hybrid “Peach Blossom” I owned). As soon as my husband builds a large planter, I will dig up the toxic beauty and move it toward the end of the fence, where I can still admire it without it being at close proximity to our living area. We are proud of ourselves for the progress we’ve made and we are relieved that everything’s coming together, one project at a time.

While out and about in Downtown Pomona yesterday, we stopped at the Pomona Indoor Swap Meet and bought three 24 inch whitewall Classic Cruiser Bike Tires for my tree wheeler. My dear husband changed the tires only to find out that I have two flat tubes. We might get lucky and buy them at our local Walmart or Target stores tomorrow. It would be nice to ride around with the kids before the Winter sets in.

For the past three days a murder of crows has been gathering on a tall pine tree across from my home. On the first day which was Thursday, they made so much noise that the tenants came out to see what the commotion was all about. They were at least thirty crows. Today, while working in the backyard, I couldn’t help but take a picture after my children noticed the flock flying around in circles above that same pine tree.

Flock of Crows on A Pine Tree.
A Flock of Crows on a Pine Tree.

We had a wonderful time with the family as the kids enjoyed every single minute of their time outdoors. Tomorrow will be a new day with another opportunity to create memories.

May your weekend be bright and filled with cheer.

Downtown Pomona Finds

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read1.1K views

After picking up my Son from school this afternoon, we drove straight to Downtown Pomona, which is one of our favorite places to shop for Vintage and Antique pieces. After shopping and prior to leaving, my kids asked to play around the water fountains. We spent more time around the Mosaic Goddess and while they were busy running around, I admired the great work of art of Millard Sheets. You can read about the painter here.

Mosaic Goddess Over a Fountain.
Millard Sheets, Mosaic Goddess Over a Fountain.
Pomona Downtown Mall, 1962.

Like with any other visit, we started by visiting one of our favorite shops, the Pomona Antique Mart. My children love this shop because of its three levels and going up and down on the stairs is always a thrill for them and a chore for us. We left the shop with two items we found at the basement. The first item is a Shabby Chic/Cottage Chic Stool with Wrought Iron Legs and the second is a Gulf Shrimp Nautical Sign.

Shabby Chic/Cottage Chic Stool with Wrought Iron Legs.
Shabby Chic/Cottage Chic Stool with Wrought Iron Legs.

I love the beautiful little stool. I will reupholster in new fabric down the road once I find one that I like.

Gulf Shrimp Nautical Sign.
Gulf Shrimp Nautical Sign.

Sadly for us, Cheryl’s Antiques was closed for the day along with a few other shops. We visited Olde Towne Pomona Antique Mall, where my husband bought a few Vintage Micro Machines and a Vintage Wooden Suitcase with Plastic Handle (possibly a tool box or a filer).

Vintage Micro Machines.
Vintage Micro Machines.
Vintage Wooden Suitcase with Plastic Handle.
Vintage Wooden Suitcase with Plastic Handle.

Happy Treasure Hunting!

Moment of Clarity

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read596 views

I awoke this morning for the first time (in what seems to be a very long time) feeling light.
After dropping my son to school and returned home to a daughter and husband still asleep, I decided to go to the backyard, check on my plants and have a moment. I didn’t try to understand or analyze the dream I had last night. I was free. I was set free. I felt free. I could feel the positive energy radiate around and within me.

At some point I felt like I was being watched. As I turned around, I saw a White Homing Pigeon or Dove perhaps staring back at me. The bird was on top of the roof of the backyard workshop and garage. For the next twenty minutes, I took pictures and a video. The bird stood still watching me watching it. I went back in, got my daughter ready for the day, called my Mom and went back out to find the bird on the same spot. As I began sharing my dream with my Mom and got towards the middle, I saw the bird coming towards me and then flying away.

White Homing Pigeon/Dove on the roof.
White Homing Pigeon/Dove on the roof.

I am so grateful for all the information I absorbed these past days and for the knowledge I acquired in the process. In the midst of uncertainty and chaos, I was blessed with a moment of clarity.

“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” – Vincent van Gogh

Moss Art & Sculpture

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read1.8K views

Green. Such a vibrant color which makes most things beautiful and gives a sense of Hope. I love this color.

According to Empower Yourself with Color Psychology, green is the color of balance and harmony, creating equilibrium between the head and the heart. Green is also the color of growth, the color of spring, of renewal and rebirth. It is an emotionally positive color, giving us the ability to love and nurture ourselves and others unconditionally. The color green is also associated with jealousy and envy.

What is it about Moss that makes it so appealing? It adds simplicity and charm to the area it’s growing on.
When I was five and a half years old, we moved to a one acre property surrounded mostly by tall trees. There was a forest right next to our house and I enjoyed watching all the “green” growing heavily on the tree trunks. At one point I convinced myself that it was an enchanted Forest.  Each time I see Moss, I get reminded of that Forest.

Imagine waking up every single day to a gorgeous low maintenance evergreen lawn that requires no mowing, no fertilizers, no pesticides, little to no weeding and less watering once established. How about waking up to a beautiful sight within your backyard? Moss will do the trick and tolerates drought longer than grass.

Sculptures from The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Grey Lady by Susan & Pete Hill. Lost Gardens of Heligan.
The Dreaming Girl by Susan & Pete Hill. Lost Gardens of Heligan.
The Giant's Head by Susan & Pete Hill. Lost Gardens of Heligan.
The Giant’s Head by Susan & Pete Hill. Lost Gardens of Heligan.
Mud Maid by Susan & Pete Hill. Lost Gardens of Heligan.
Mud Maid by Susan & Pete Hill. Lost Gardens of Heligan.

What about the Moss Couch below? I find it quite charming and what a great idea! It will look awesome in my backyard. Click here for a step by step tutorial on Moss covered chair for your garden.

Moss Couch, Memphis Botanic Garden.
Moss Couch, Memphis Botanic Garden (My Big Backyard).
Bruno's Art & Sculpture Garden.
Bruno’s Art & Sculpture Garden.
Abandoned Car covered in Moss. Image Credit: Fine Art America.
Abandoned Car covered in Moss.
Image Credit: Fine Art America.

Six years ago when I first saw the pictures above, I knew it would be a wonderful idea to create one of those sculptures in the backyard. We quickly realized that we didn’t have enough shady areas at the back and this fact alone made it difficult to grow Moss around here. It was quite a disappointment to say the least.

Growing Moss in the High Desert is possible provided a shaded area. Maintaining it however, might be challenging and time consuming as we have hot, dry and humid weather in the High Desert. Not only must one plant Moss in shady areas, but the soil must constantly be kept moist (which will increase water bill costs).

Click here to learn about growing Moss.