I’m excited to finally be able to launch my inspirational quote photobooks!
After burning out from the fast -paced industry of retail, I had to find myself again and did so by rediscovering the beauty of nature while living in Thailand.
I have been so encouraged by my personal reconnection and decided to share the lessons learned, in hopes to inspire others who seek their own answers, opening their eyes to the wonder in nature.
These two books started with following my calling to Phuket, Thailand and then returning 15 months later to realize Ohio and Kentucky’s beauty while hiking. Many of you have followed me on this adventurous journey through my blog, and I am so grateful for you!
The books are 5”x5” and 20$ each with free shipping in the USA. They would make perfect gifts for anyone needing to find hope or encouragement to get outdoors and breathe in the beauty!!!
I borrowed a neighbor’s ladder from the backyard yesterday and as I was coming back up the hill, I couldn’t help but notice the absolutely gorgeous transition. I retrieved my phone from the house and went back into the yard to snap a few photos.
Wanted to share.
Anyone that personally knows me understands what a blessing this is. My neighbors took it over and literally made miracles happen.
Looking up toward our houses.
The teahouse where we meet for Covid friendly cocktails.
The bridge which holds a fun memory of my past love.
This cemetery is a must see in Cincinnati for its history and landscaping. It’s located near my old stomping grounds. I used to work right next door and would come over to meditate during my lunch breaks, literally just to find some peace to make it through the rest of my chaotic work days without killing someone.
I texted my friends Beth and Linda, knowing it was supposed to be a beautiful sunny day this Halloween, to see if they would be up for a walk. A cemetery on Halloween with friends and gorgeous fall foliage- what could be better?
I couldn’t narrow down the many photos I took during our walk. There were just so many, each one unique, so I apologize in advance for the long blog recording. But I do hope you enjoy seeing it, as much as I did while walking through it.
This entrance was closed off due to a fallen police officer’s funeral service. There were dozens of police vehicles lining the street from various area patrols. Each representing their department’s condolences with their lights flashing.
I took this photo once we had walked the length of the grounds and reached this entrance where the road had been closed due to the service. I have never witnessed such a funeral procession before.
We parked near the Gray Road entrance where I took this first photo.
Many of the trees were vibrant yellow. It was stunning in contrast to the blue skies.
It’s such a peaceful place to walk. I let Beth lead the way, not really caring if we got lost or which direction we were heading. I always see new things whenever I come here.
Historic memorial monuments for the very wealthy, dating back to the 1800s ,are show stoppers throughout the cemetery. I admired the three women on top of the Adams marble.
Framing Beth and Linda with the tree arch.
Many had patina copper statues also. I noticed how the women statues usually had their heads bowed or they were kneeling, while the men were always proudly looking ahead.
A tree that caught my eye from a distance. I had to see it up close.
I couldn’t help but to look up and feel the canopy of yellow surrounding me.
It was such a great feeling. I could’ve camped out there all day.
Some trees noted their species.
I felt the human-like limbs reaching out as if to embrace me.
When we came across one of the ponds I noticed the roots protruding up along the water. Linda mentioned that “Nature is the greatest show on Earth”. I couldn’t agree more.
An up-close view of the roots.
These overhead branches were covered in moss. I admired their horizontal reach.
Many of the limbs swooped down as if from a Dr. Seuss book, or as if alive.
Love this shot of the sun peaking through.
I was told there are tours you can take here. I am sure there are some fantastic stories to be told about many of these families.
Seriously taken with my iphone 8. Can’t imagine if I actually had skills 🙂
Like out of a fantasy book. The creativity in the colors, textures and reflection leave me in awe.
Many trees still had their leaves so late in the season. I feel lucky to have returned to catch this fall season in Ohio. I have taken refuge in its transition. I totally can relate.
Offices for the cemetery.
One of many mausoleums. This one especially looked haunted.
Hughes High School is a huge historic high school near where I live in Clifton. This was in honor of its founder.
We climbed up a hill and could see for miles.
What do you make of the random cloud in the distance? Cross? Bird? Such a great shape with the beam of light reaching out to it.
I never understood why some people get freaked out by cemeteries.
Another pond view.
This little guy was not at all scared of humans and sadly I feel may have been either left behind by previous pet owners, or escaped from an outdoor cage. Definitely not your typical wild rabbit.
Beth informed us that the Native Americans would climb up hillsides to try to spot the white bark of Sycamore trees to determine where water may be located.
A Sycamore tree.
Happy Halloween!
Just doing my best to get out in the world, seeking the beauty of nature around me. It’s all new when you look with fresh eyes. And maybe once it does get old, I shall move on to view other pastures that this great Mother Earth has to offer. Until then……thanks for reading along.
It was a gorgeous Sunday and I wanted to walk around my neighborhood in a different direction to check out what was up and coming. We walked along the same roads where I passed the new Pub-coffee shop, ‘The Fix’. When driving sometimes it’s tough to see all there is to see, so walking gave me a fresh perspective of the Walnut Hills area.
What stood out most to me was the new street art vs old churches. The art pictures I posted on my Instagram where I love to show all the street art I find wherever I adventure.
The churches have really been empty since Covid and many in my neighborhood have also been taken over for other businesses and/or taken down completely. I find it interesting that within just a 2 mile radius, the below were built to accommodate the past diversity of the communities. Dating back to the 1800s.
The first cathedral we came across was Echo Church.
OUR FAITH TRADITION Echo is an autonomous, non-denominational church, affiliated with the Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ. Our tribe can be traced back to the beginning of the United States, birthed out of the Second Great Awakening. Known as the Restoration Movement, ours was the first non-denomination movement in America, a call to faith based on biblical authority. While people prefer to impose certain labels on churches, we aim to be a simple church of Christians focused on living out the message of Jesus in our community.
I like their message I found on the website. Maybe I will check it out online one of these days.
The historic Walnut Hills Christian Church was started in 1881. The current meeting structure was built in 1924. An educational wing was added in the 1950’s.
St. Francis de Sales Church. This is part of the Catholic High School.
The congregation was organized in 1849, and its first building was dedicated on November 3, 1850. The parish patron is Saint Francis de Sales. The cornerstone was laid June 30, 1878, by Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, in the presence of nearly 10,000 persons.
Further up the road the remains of this church still stand. Now with new housing built where the rest of the building once was.
On our return walk, there was this bell tower from Walnut Hills Presbyterian Church, also symbolically holding the place where a church was stood.
Sort of odd actually to see just part of the structure. Reminds me of post war in Europe.
Another church we passed , looking empty and no longer in use. I could not even locate the name on google maps.
Calvary Baptist Church, another historic landmark.
This weekend I needed to get out of the house. My daughter had planned a 21st birthday party for a good friend of hers and my being present would definitely kill their mojo. I asked my friend Rebecca if I could stay over at her lakehouse, hoping it was not in use during the fall months.
She agreed and we drove to Elk Lake together on Friday. This road trip extended an extra hour due to a detour, bad GPS and some dead end country roads. It was eye opening. Pigs, chickens, cows, horses, and trucks lining the hillsides. At times it was fun, like being caught on a movie set and then other times the movie “Deliverance” came to mind and made me want to change out my Ohio plates.
My iphone could not possible capture the depths of the fall landscape that surrounded us on this detour. I wondered if those that live there with the view in their own backyards actually appreciate it, or if their concern is just surviving the day to day rat race of farming and raising the kids.
That night we hunkered down with a bottle of wine and some munchies and caught up on each others weeks. We laughed our asses off and watched the lightning storm light up the lake. She left the next morning and I had the day to myself to reflect in silence.
The backside of the house is all windows allowing amazing views to aid in my peaceful journaling.
I was assigned to write down /walk through via journaling, some traumatic past real life situations and rewrite the endings. I spent 4-5 hours doing this and it was extremely enlightening and empowering.
Such an iconic bay window view on the second floor.
Awesome to have nature surrounding me with no distractions of to -dos back home.
Sunday morning I ventured down to the lake to take a look. It was chilly and slick from the rain.
Makes me appreciate so much just in this one view.
As I was driving back from my friend’s lake house this Sunday afternoon, I was stopped in a small town by a train passing through. I haven’t been stopped by a train in literally years. Maybe I am not in the countryside enough and am spoiled by the luxuries of overpasses. It felt like I traveled back in time.
Watching the train which caused the pause in my drive.
I put the car in park and started reaching for my phone to entertain myself but then I started seeing graffiti. I loved it. I was anxiously awaiting the ‘what’s next’ that would quickly pass me by. Appreciating the colors and voices desiring to be seen/heard. It wasn’t until an expressive fully covered train car passed, that I realized -I really should be documenting. It was something that brought me joy and wonder.
After all this is an artform taken over by urban creatives which represents a multi level subculture and freedom of youth. I found this quote which helped me to understand the art a little better. “When you get people painting in a calm legal space for the public, you end up with clean art – without any of the hardcore soul you get when you’re painting in the pitch black with an eye over your shoulder.”
I imagine the thrill of the illegal aspect of putting your tag on a train, along with the speed in which you need to complete the job is what makes the look of it so unique.
Grant it, none of these are exceptional, but I enjoyed seeing the different personalities of each style. The color choices. The use of black shadows and cartoon- like figures. I challenge you next time you are stopped by a train, to watch for graffiti and enjoy “benching” with me.
My sister purchased a home in Tennessee and I had not been able to visit until this weekend. And what a gorgeous weekend I chose to road trip! The weather was perfectly fall, shorts in the daytime and jeans with a jacket at night. The foliage along the drive was starting to transition into the warm shades of autumn making the scenery even better to help pass the time.
The gate opened up into a community of acres and homes along Norris Lake.
Their cabin sits on a lot of land allowing me to be as noisy as I wanted with nothing but wildlife to holler back at me. Believe me, I was chatting with the deer at night and whatever else lingered in the mountains.
Every morning we sat on the back porch soaking in the sunshine and sipping on coffee.
I haven’t seen my sister for almost a year, so it was a happy reunion with lots of catching up!
Tiffani mastered the charcoal grill and cooked awesome healthy dinners each night.
I loved her cowboy boots which she slid on whenever going outdoors. She has previously found a rattlesnake under her porch and I think now wears these boots to avoid any creatures waiting in the grass.
The roads in and out from her place are narrow and tree lined. I snapped this photo from the front windshield in attempts to capture it. Was truly peaceful. Some roads were so curvy even Tiffani was getting carsick a bit while driving.
This photo, also taken from the passenger seat, captured just one of the many cattle farms. At night we could hear the cows moo-ing. It’s not quite as cute sounding as that Old McDonald’s Farm song.
I made Tiff stop by the railroad tracks so I could roll down my window and take this photo. The skies were so blue! And I loved the RR crossing red in contrast. Scenery down here is majestic. Was a perfect retreat!
We headed down to the marina to check out one of the season’s last live band performances.
The sun was starting to go down and so was the temperature.
Peg game in the restaurant is entertaining. I am used to playing this with golf tees. But bullets and shotgun shells seem appropriate for Tennessee eh?
We went to Bubba Brews and for an outdoor picnic table venue, I was impressed with their tacos and menu variety. I was continually bouncing my legs trying to get some warm energy going.
It felt a little like Texas here. People danced in couples or line dance format. All ages were enjoying the country song favorites. I was slightly uncomfortable as the majority did not wear masks, but was feeling safe since we were far from most of the crowd and outdoors. Even the servers were not wearing masks. Was just a stark contrast to Ohio.
The following night we mastered a bonfire complete with color pellets to add to the visual. Being a city girl, I am not often around bonfires and I really enjoyed watching the flames and coals breathe.
Last month I reached out to my friend Julie who lives in Chicago and we marked this weekend on our calendars to hang out together. I know its still Covid and the weather is changing to cooler fall temperatures, but I honestly wouldn’t mind if we just stayed in her gorgeous flat and sipped cocktails with a view.
My friend Stephanie was able to road trip with me and offered to drive her sometimes temperamental mini -van, Bessy. Bessy just got some new tires so we put them to the test on the highways in true Thelma and Louise style.
While driving through Indiana, we were fascinated by the modern clean energy windmills that literally take over the landscape for a bit.
Hundreds of them line the farmer’s fields.
Captured this city view from the car window as we exited the toll roads in route to the Windy City.
We arrived to a spread of food awaiting our road trip bellies. The weather was perfect and we decided to walk outside for a drink. Literally in walking distance from her apartment, there are several restaurants with sidewalk dining in the West Loop. We lucked out and got a table under a heat lamp.
I saw this on the sidewalk and knew it was speaking to me. Always looking out for street art.
I believe this new bubble tent dining is going to be the only option in a couple months once winter hits.
All restaurants and bars close at 11pm due to new regulations. They also add on a 4% Covid fee to the bill. Not exactly sure how they rationalize that but I suppose it’s a way to survive when you are only allowed to seat at half the capacity and close early every night.
Sitting on Julie’s balcony, taking in the river and evening lights.
The next morning we started off right with a champagne toast.
We were ready to roll and see what the day may bring.
I love the above ground railway system. I listened to it rumble as I fell asleep each night.
Making our way to the river.
This was the view from the street as we were crossing the overpass to get to the main river walk.
Loving the angles.
This building has an alcove at its base creating a very cool illusion.
Can’t believe how many times I have been to Chicago and never done the river walk.
A new diversity mural was added. I thought the guy in the blue short sleeve shirt looked like RGB who passed away this same morning. She was on my mind. An amazing woman, she will be missed in the USA.
It was another gorgeous day with clear blue September skies. A lot of boats were moving up and down the river and docking at the local pubs and restaurants.
There were beer peddle boats. But they cheat with a motor truly pushing them along. Looked like something fun to do with a group.
I really wanted to go kayaking, but could not convince my friends. Maybe next time.
View of the Wrigley Building.
Can always appreciate the green spaces, offering shade and places to just sit and enjoy people watching.
We were about to get on one of the boats to take a tour that Julie reserved for us.
This city has a lot of history.
The river exits into Lake Michigan. I learned that the Great Lakes house 20% of the freshwater in the world. Who knew? Kevin our tour guide apparently. I did not fact check him.
The police were hanging out with their horses.
Getting on the boat. 6 feet social distancing and face masks on.
The view from the river looking up at the various architectural wonders.
These buildings the tour guide called ‘corn cobs’. I will never look at them the same way again. 🙂
We went under all the bridges which were quite low and very industrial.
Open bridge along the river.
Stephanie was pointing out all the reflections of the buildings on the mirrored windows. You can see the diversity mural along the bottom of this photo.
This pointed building balances out its structure using water at the top.
The red brick building is where Julie lives. Her location is literally perfect!!
As we drifted along the river, our tour guide taught us a lot about the history and how the buildings are engineered to sway with the wind
Many of the buildings have subtle curves that I would never have noticed before.
The center panel here is a map of the river and the red square represents us on the boat.
It was an awesome ride/tour and I would highly recommend if you haven’t taken this boat along the Chicago river. Put it on your bucket list if you ever visit.
Street art.
Inspired by Gaudi and nature, where there are no right angles.
When they turned the boat around I was able to take this photo of the infamous Sears tower.
Such a variety of architecture. All working perfectly together representing history and design.
This new building is the second Chicago skyscraper to be made from a woman architect.
I love how it adds curves and a feminine touch to the rigid neighboring buildings.
Seeing Chicago from the river gave me a totally new perspective.
After the tour we decided to grab a drink and snack before the sun went down. Julie knew of a place in the city that shut down the roads and allowed the businesses to put their tables out.
This was just one part of restaurant row that lined the street.
I was so happy with my stein of beer.
The three of us ended up finding an indoor pizza joint and parked our butts at the bar for the rest of the evening.
Our walk home was just as magnificent, with the skyscrapers now lit up reflecting on the river.
Much like the gates of Phuket, (see blog dated May 18- Gates of Phuket) bridges are very symbolic here in Cincinnati. There are so many. Each with their own personality, history, and look. I don’t think I’ve ever paid any attention to them while living here previously. But now with eyes as a tourist in my own city, they are fascinating to me.
An easy map showing how the main downtown area of Cincinnati connects to Kentucky over the Ohio River.
I snapped this photo while in bumper to bumper traffic going over the river on I-75 South. I was fascinated with the clouds. They are so fluffy here! This is an old railway bridge, still functioning, but literally looks like a rusted out piece of metal. Named C&O and built in 1929.
Clay Wade Bailey Bridge. Named after a prominent Kentucky newspaper reporter. Built in 1974. Runs parallel to the railroad one.
Looking at the Brent Spence Bridge which carries a double layer across I-75. Built in 1963. In 2011, a chunk of the bridge fell damaging a car. There has been much debate about its stability ever since.
Today, more than 160,000 vehicles use thebridge – more than double its original intent. In 1998 the Federal Highway Administration deemed the bridge safe but “functionally obsolete,” meaning it’s use was no longer viable to the demand of traffic in the area.
The People Purple Bridge was built in 1872 originally as a railway bridge, 7 years after the Civil War. My kids used to love walking this bridge when they were younger. It’s converted into a connecting pedestrian bridge between Newport and Cincinnati’s parks.
The yellow bridge is the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge. Built in 1961. I travel this bridge weekly to buy my groceries since the grocery near my house is a mess.
It is named in honor of Daniel Carter Beard, the founder of the Sons of Daniel Boone and one of the founders of the Boy Scouts of America. It is also known as “The Big Mac Bridge” because its yellow arches are similar to the “Golden Arches” logo of McDonald’s restaurant.
Built in 1866, the John A Roebling Bridge. John was a German-American civil engineer.
In 1883 the Brooklyn Bridge was built in duplication to this.
Fun fact: When the Roebling Bridge was formally opened on January 1, 1867, the driver of a horse and buggy was charged a toll of 15 cents to cross; the toll for three horses and a carriage was 25 cents. Pedestrians were charged one cent.
A beautiful shot taken from the Kentucky side heading to Cincinnati.
This bridge connects the Cincinnati Banks, where the Bengals and Reds Stadiums are located, to the heart of Covington.
Last and ugliest is the Taylor Southgate Bridge. Less used than the others.
Some regard this bridge, which was a replacement for the Cincinnati-Newport Bridge built by Samuel Bigstaff, as a little too plain in its design for a major urban bridge, especially considering many cities today are opting for a more elegant design, such as a cable stayed bridge. Built in 1995, it seems rusty already and in need of a pretty paint job!
A truthful quote about letting go.
One thing I do know is when crossing bridges, burning bridges, or admiring them, you will always find new discoveries. My goal is to keep discovering. It keeps me filled with wonder and love of this earth through all the trials and hardships and offers me hope. Hope found in the hearts and encouragement of friends, family and everyday people whether urban or in nature. Beauty surrounds us, we just have to remember to look.
When I last travelled with my sister Tiffani, she was always seeing double numbers. I never did. It became somewhat annoying to me and I wondered how she subconsciously was able to look at the time on her phone over and over again and capture these double digits. 🙂
Later in Phuket, my friend Virlane also revealed her ability to see these numbers. It became an ongoing joke. She would send me snap shots throughout the day of her double digit finds. I still never saw them and wondered if she and Tiffani were in touch with the spirits in ways others were not. But this last week, it happened. To me. Over and over again.
I told KangKang about it and she forwarded the quote below to me. She is a master at finding quotes I can relate to or that calm my soul. I have been struggling a bit settling back into my life in the US, in every way. This reassured me that maybe I was on the right track.
Earlier this month, my Vietnamese student asked me what my birthday was and then calculated my spirit/ruling number. I then looked up what it meant and was truly stunned at how accurate the number read my personality. They say God is a mathematician. I am starting to believe there is truth to that.
What is the definition of 3 in Numerology?
The 3 has a tendency to thrive in an upbeat and engaging atmosphere. Its energy is youthful and positive and it has an incredible zest for life. It dances from one enjoyable experience to the next, eager to interact with others along the way. The prized skill of the number 3 is communication and it uses this talent to build a wide and interesting circle of friends, lovers, and kindred spirits.
The 3 is highly original and embraces unique thinking and creative expression. This number’s artistic, curious nature allows it to convey abstract ideas and find solutions others may miss. A child at heart, the number 3 never misses a chance to have fun, engage with others, and express all the love and joy it embodies.
Strengths of the number 3
Communicative: The 3 is a communicator through and through and shines in all forms of expression. It is bursting with thoughts, ideas, dreams, and musings and must let them out to the world. The number 3 is the “ideas person,” and by sharing these notions it attracts supportive energies that can turn its ideas into real plans.
Artistic: Color, music, creation … anything that engages the senses has the number 3 written all over it. It realizes the written and spoken word can only take us so far. Words can communicate ideas, but to express our feelings we need the unparalleled power of art.
Charming: The number 3 has an easy time attracting other people with its magnetic personality. Its lighthearted demeanor and ability to communicate well combine to create a natural charisma that gets and keeps others’ attention. Without even trying, the 3 in Numerology is the apple of everyone’s eye.
Weaknesses of the number 3
Naive: The young and innocent nature of the number 3 in Numerology makes it very unaware of the realities of the world. Because it hasn’t had any experience to develop this mature wisdom, it is susceptible to making poor decisions, putting itself in bad situations, and getting burned by others.
Unfocused: This number suffers from shiny-object syndrome. It is excited by everything it sees and won’t spend much time looking in one direction before shifting focus elsewhere. It is so full of enthusiastic energy that it just wants to live and love and laugh and create … which means real-life goals and progress fall by the wayside.
Shallow: The 3 in Numerology prefers to live on the surface of life and relationships. To go deeper would mean opening itself to potential negativity and having to relate to feelings and situations that it doesn’t have much experience with. This number puts pleasure before growth — if it isn’t lighthearted and enjoyable, the 3 would rather not participate at all.
Life Path 3 meaning in Numerology
Charming, romantic, and full of creative energy, people who were born with a 3 Life Path number know how to embrace life! They tend to see the world through rose-colored lenses where everything looks like an opportunity and the chances for expression and enjoyment are endless. They have a tendency to be skilled communicators and have a knack for coming up with and sharing brilliant ideas. The Life Path 3 makes an excellent journalist, blogger, social media influencer, or author.
People with a Life Path number 3 enjoy an active social life where they can interact with others often. From the moment of birth, their light is warm and exciting and draws many friends and admirers. They tend to be extroverted and embrace any opportunity to show off their original thoughts and stand-out personality. They have a way with words and can charm their way into anyone’s heart.
But while Life Path number 3 people are great at attracting others, forming real, deep bonds is the difficult part. They want to keep things fun and new but feel they have to give that up if they make themselves vulnerable to intimacy. Those with this Life Path live in the moment, so the idea of committing to anything long-term can be a daunting one.
A person with this Life Path number is very fun to be around, but could also benefit from embracing a deeper, more spiritual side of life. While those with a 3 Life Path truly enjoy who they are and what they do, there’s a more meaningful level of experience and emotion that people with this Life Path may never even know exists. It’s an untapped well of ideas to explore and engage with if they will muster up the courage to go to a deeper, more spiritual level.
Though people born with a 3 Life Path number in Numerology will be dealt both joy and hardship just like the rest of us, their unique way of thinking and dedication to happiness allow them to always see the silver lining. The power of positivity goes a long way for people with this Life Path.
Personality traits for number 3:
Artistic
Communicative
Curious
Jovial
Scattered
Social
Optimistic
Naïve
Youthful
This is all too real to me. Scattered- absolutely. Naive- I think a lot would say so. Amazingly accurate. Get your spirit numbers and tap into this fun new discovery with me.
Tonya Takes Thailand 