Ellen DuBois Blog. Writing and Photography

2 Samuel 22:29 The Lamp That Shines

by Ellen DuBois on 10/05/21

(Photo: A Hint Of Fall, Ellen M. DuBois)

Much like myself, my blog is changing. Every day brings with it new things, challenges, blessings. The seasons change, what we learn about Covid changes, what we learn about ourselves changes, too.

The picture above was taken on Monday, October 4th, in the morning. There are days I just grab my camera to see what I can find. Maybe I'll spot a beautiful or cute animal in the back yard. Maybe I'll spot a cardinal at the feeder. Perhaps I'll finally get a picture of the owl that's proven to be so elusive.

Regardless, I always find something in nature that captures my eye, even if it's not what I'm hoping to find.

That's change and life is full of it. There are times when the changes scare me and I don't know what to do with all the emotional "junk" inside of me. It's fear, really. Sometimes I call it anxiety or overload, but the root is fear and the remedy is God.

As I bounce all around in this post, I'm still very compelled to keep writing and press on. This morning I read this quote from scripture: "Indeed you are my lamp, O Lord, the Lord lightens my darkness."- 2 Samuel 22:29

Prior to reading it, I was asking God to remind me throughout the day that Jesus is always present. No matter what happens, I asked to be reminded that He's with me and I'm not alone. Jesus is the light to my darkness and if I can remember that, I'll fare much better. I have felt the strength God gives me in the darkest of times and I know it's not a "one and done" occurrence.

The lamp is always there to light the way. When my mind takes over, (or my ego), I just need to remember to ask Jesus to shine that lamp and everything will be okay. Fear will be relinquished. Anxiety will dissipate. Feeling like I'm alone will revert back to being an illusion. I'm not alone and neither is anyone else.

Circling back, I took the picture in this post on Monday and had no idea it would turn out as beautiful as it did. The leaves look like the tips have been dipped in God's magnificent shade of red. There is a hint of fall beginning to take place on a Divine canvas. I find great joy in that and it serves as a reminder that God's light comes through is many places. Trees, flowers, colors, sunrises, twilight, in ourselves and in each other.

May you be reminded by whatever speaks to your soul that you are never alone and the lamp is yours for the taking. All you have to do is ask.

About me: My name is Ellen DuBois, born and raised in Massachusetts. I love New England with its changes in seasons and natural beauty.

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Comments (0)

The Message: When Will We Learn?

by Ellen DuBois on 08/29/21

August 29, 2021

When will we learn war isn't the answer? When will we learn to turn to love? When will we see that hurting each other is only hurting ourselves?

If you cut your finger does it not hurt? That's what it's like when you kill each other- it's like cutting off an appendage. We are all one body living on this earth. When sickness overtakes us, we all suffer. When we are at war, we all suffer. When we abuse, neglect, mistreat, disrespect, belittle or harm each other in any way, we are harming ourselves.

Even with a pandemic raging, hurricanes tearing through the world, wildfires burning the very life from the planet and leaving behind charred remains as a reminder, we still fight. We still hate. We still live as if we are the only ones - and for what? This thing we call power? Those groups who take over countries for the benefit of power, which equates to land and money, are doing so at the human race's expense. Groups who try to take control over others are very short-sighted and see only the power they think they will gain. Nothing is stronger that God, than Mother earth, than the collective human race as a whole. Yet, there are people, many of them, who don't see that . They only see what their illusion of power will bring to them. We are all meeting the same end one day. We are all going to die and cross over in the next world. It is there you will answer. So, all the fighting for material things, for land, money and everything it buys, is in vain. It is for temporary pleasure and not for true joy.

True joy only stems from love. The love of our Creator and the loving of each other, ourselves, the earth and the creatures upon it. True joy doesn't come from destruction and harm. Yet, there are those of us who always think it does. This falsehood is handed from one generation to another and spreads like a cancer. It destroys the human race and those who are blind to God and think they are the controllers of all are living in a world of complete deception and utter chaos, lacking love and respect for anything but themselves.

Wake up people! Don't you see what's going on around you? This is a time, a great time for reaching out and helping your fellow human beings! This is a time of great strife, of upheaval. This is a time when something much more powerful than you think you are is forcing you to look at yourselves, to examine your soul, to find deep down what you've buried underneath false happiness... and love each other. Find the love God planted inside each and every one of you and start helping each other amidst all the upheaval on the earth. Take care of yourselves and the planet. Save yourselves from your own wrath!

You are your worst enemy, yet so many of you are so short-sighted you don't see it. You kill over land with lines you put there as boundaries. We've been doing this since the beginning of time and it has never, ever ended well. It never will. If that, with everything that's taking place on this planet, is not enough to wake us up, what is? The end of it?

Take all you hold dear that's real, made of love, a gift from God, and treasure it. That is your real treasure. You find it in yourself, your loved ones, your fellow man. You find joy in the beauty of your soul, this earth, the animals upon it, the majestic, stunning landscapes, sunsets, the very miracle of life itself. What fills your heart with love is your soul, which is actually God inside of you. It is the light that shines on others and brightens this world. It is the light that enables you to care for each other. Love each other, pray for each other, hold out your hand in love, not battle, towards each other. Love is the answer, It always has been and it always will be.

You are in a time of the greatest wake up call there has ever been. You've got a plague on the earth, you've got wars, fires, destructive acts of nature surrounding you. What more do you need to realize that fighting against yourselves instead of joining together and loving each other, and surviving, is the answer? What more has to happen to force you out of your egos and into the light and love of God? The choice is yours and it's quite clear that it's not an easy one to make for many people. They still choose to hate, to battle over something that will be there long after they are gone and never will be theirs because IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE!

WAKE UP! LOVE! STOP THE FIGHTING AND INSTEAD TURN TO LOVING AND FIGHTING TOGETHER WITH THE COMMON CAUSE OF SAVING EACH OTHER AND THIS PLANET. ASK YOURSELVES, WHAT MORE IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO REALIZE THAT YOU ARE ALL MUCH STRONGER WHEN YOU JOIN TOGETHER IN LOVE AND LIGHT THAN YOU ARE ALONE OR IN SELF PROCLAIMED SMALL GROUPS THAT USE DESTRUCTION TO GAIN WHAT YOU THINK IS POWER BUT IS NOT AND NEVER WILL BE?

PLEASE WAKE UP. PLEASE TURN TO GOD, TO LOVE, TO EACH OTHER AND SAVE YOURSELVES AND THIS PLANET FROM ITS END.

Pray for love. Turn to love. BELIEVE. BE LOVE.

(I may have typed this, but it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. I know it changes in point of view, but I left it alone. It may not be grammatically correct, but the message is what it is... and that's really all that matters.)

With Love and in Prayer,

Ellen M. DuBois

About me: My name is Ellen DuBois, born and raised in Massachusetts. I love New England with its changes in seasons and natural beauty.

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Comments (0)

Sharpen your pencils, it’s time to go back to school.

by Ellen DuBois on 08/24/21

ProWritingAid is here to help! "It's nearly time to get back into the classroom after the long summer break and a strange past eighteen months. It's understandable if you're worried that your writing skills are a little rusty-and that goes for students and educators alike."

I think many of us, from young to old, feel a little rusty on many fronts. The past year-and-a-half has caused us to make great shifts in our lives. Some things have gotten more attention while others have faded into the background. So, if you're feeling a like your writing skills could use a little help, you're not alone! As a matter of fact, I'm right there with you.

"9 out of 10 writers make the same mistakes. ProWritingAid gives you clear, easy steps to improve your writing so you can share your ideas with confidence."

About me: My name is Ellen DuBois, born and raised in Massachusetts. I love New England with its changes in seasons and natural beauty.

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Comments (0)

Get Paid to Write

by Ellen DuBois on 08/21/21

I enjoy finding resources for writers. There are so many out there and some include more tools for writers/authors than others. Take a look at Writers Work. It's very comprehensive. I believe it brings a lot to the writer's desk.

"Writers Work is the all-in-one platform for launching a writing career. Writers can find writing jobs, get career training, advanced writing tools, an online portfolio website, and more. Our advanced document editor has built-in grammar/style checking (over 2000 grammar rules) to improve and simplify writing."

Sign up for a Writers Work Account Today!

About me: My name is Ellen DuBois, born and raised in Massachusetts. I love New England with its changes in seasons and natural beauty.

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Comments (0)

Feeling Stuffed

by Ellen DuBois on 03/02/21

Some days I feel stuffed with information, news, emotion, sensory overload, cabin fever and whatever else you can think of. Much like this picture I took of "Chippy" feasting on birdseed, I feel like I'm stuffed to the point where I know I'd better move and change my perspective. (Even bought one of those mini, under the desk or stand up elipticals.)

The pandemic has taught me to stay away from too much news while not leaving my head buried in the sand. I want to know what's going on, but I don't want to overload myself. I've learned how important it is to find balance, even if it's just walking around the yard with Cooper, (my rescue pup), enjoying the feel of the sun and fresh air and taking some pictures.

I pray a lot. This life we're living can make me a little snappy and I don't like that. I know it doesn't solve anything and makes things worse. I ask God and the angels for help all the time and it really does help me control myself, (a/k/a not flipping out). Ask and you will receive. I've found it to be true.

Some days I feel stuffed with blessings and the more I practice counting them, the more good days I experience. At least they're more balanced. I have the power to make it happen by shifting my mindset. When I find it's tough to do, I pray for help. I take some deep breaths. I know I can't do it alone.

Oh, yes. I'd rather feel stuffed with faith over fear.

Much like Chippy, who seems pretty happy with those seeds of joy he's filling his face with.

Stay safe and may you find the balance you need every, single day.

Ellen

I took this picture with my NikonD5200, 300 mm lense. I dream of getting a 600 mm lense someday. I'll be able to get in so close!

Nikon D5200 Dslr Camera With 18-55mm Lens Kits | eBay

Nikon D D5200 24.1 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Body Only) | eBay

NEW Nikon D5200 Digital SLR 24.1 MP with 18-55mm & 55-200mm Lenses Bundle Black 18208134618 | eBay

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Comments (0)

The Swans Came Back

by Ellen DuBois on 02/24/21

Every morning I am blessed to look out onto the beautiful pond in our back yard. Opening the large, light sage drapes always brings with it a sense of wonder. It's like opening the curtains to a grand stage. What will I see today? Ducks? The owl I only got to see once? Blue Heron? Will the pond be frozen? Is the ice starting to melt? Are there deer across the way enjoying a quiet breakfast?

This small act has become part of my morning ritual and I love it. Everything I see both amazes and calms me. Being closer to nature makes me feel closer to God. I think it's because I see the beauty in His creations- from the tiniest hummingbird to a family of deer and beyond.

Swans seem almost magical to me. They're so beautiful...magnificant. Seeing them creates a feeling that reaches right into my soul. I don't see them every year, but every year I hope to.

They are back. Although the pictures I took didn't get in quite close enough, I am happy to have gotten any pictures at all. They are from above the pond, off the bedroom balcony. I had to run upstairs to get my camera and figured I'd take some pictures before they found another place to grace. It was a cloudy, cold morning and the brilliant white feathers of the swans stood out against the gray, icy backdrop. Next time, I'll go outside and hopefully get some better pictures.

I love that swans mate for life. That really speaks to me.

How about you?

I took these pictures with my NikonD5200, 300 mm lense. I dream of getting a 600 mm lense someday. I'll be able to get in so close!

Have a blessed day. Stay safe and I hope my pictures somehow add something positive to your day.

Ellen

Nikon D5200 Dslr Camera With 18-55mm Lens Kits | eBay

Nikon D D5200 24.1 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Body Only) | eBay

NEW Nikon D5200 Digital SLR 24.1 MP with 18-55mm & 55-200mm Lenses Bundle Black 18208134618 | eBay

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Comments (0)

A Beautiful Fall in an Abnormal World

by Ellen DuBois on 10/27/20

I find great comfort in taking pictures. It's always relaxed me and I when I look through my camera, I focus on what's beautiful in this world.

I need that now more than ever. Do you? The fall, in all it's glorious splendor, is as beautiful as it ever was. The world, however, is far from normal. So, finding beauty amidst this pandemic, in a world filled with lockdowns, change, unrest, riots, fear and anxiety, is so important in keeping my balance. Some days feel like a slippery slope. Finding whatever your passion is, (taking pictures and teaching piano are two of mine), can be a real life saver, or sanity saver. Sometimes life feels so surreal it's hard to wrap my brain around it. Like when I'm putting on my mask to go to shopping, which I do all the time. That alone can cause me great anxiety- even though I'm protecting myself and others. When I'm home or in my car taking pictures, I forget about my mask, the pandemic,all if it, for a little while.

I focus on what's beautiful.

I pray you are safe and that you find whatever it is that helps you through these times.

I hope you enjoy these pictures of fall in my little corner of New England:

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Comments (0)

I am calm while photographing the beauty and mystery of nature.

by Ellen DuBois on 09/07/20

During this pandemic, I've found I'm noticing more about the world around me. I've been living in a small bubble and quite frankly, venturing out of it makes me very uneasy. I've been teaching piano online to the best of my ability, but there are so many students I haven't seen since having to close my studio in March, (temporariliy).When I venture out to the grocery store, I try to shop as quickly as possible and am riddled with anxiety as I try to follow arrows and breathe through my mask. I shop at a hurried pace, making sure I'm socially distant from others. We're all living it and it's not easy...it's surreal. I pray for the day when God wipes this virus from the face of the earth. Until then, I do the best I can, cling to my faith and try to create balance in my life. One way is by taking pictures.

My own yard and my own town may seem like extraordinarily small spaces. In the grand scheme of things, they are. Yet, the closer I peer into the wonder of nature, the more I see and the bigger those spaces get. The more I focus on what's right in front of me, the more that's revealed.

I am calm while photographing the beauty and mystery of nature.

A feeling of serenity washes over me when I see something beautiful. Taking pictures is almost...no, IS a spirtual activity for me. I marvel at the amazing things God has created. They are living, thriving, growing in spite of the havoc this pandemic has cast upon human kind.

Here are some of my latest pictures. I hope you enjoy them and they bring a sense of calm, beauty and balance to your soul. They are simply how I see things through my lens.

Thanks for stopping by. Be safe and well.

Ellen

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

photowhoa

Comments (0)

A Poem I Wrote With No Name

by Ellen DuBois on 08/08/20

Poem I wrote on this day in 2011. I didn't remember writing it until I read it a couple of times. Showed up in my FB memories:

I stand in a dream.

The world is magic.

My heart beats

to the rhythm

of the ancients.

Weight upon my shoulders-

replaced by wings of fancy.

I am free

to fly.

I am free

to be me.

I am loved

for who I am.

You do not wish

to mold me.

You do not desire

to change me.

A feeling of acceptance,

I have only known in dreams,

with wings,

and rhythms,

and magic,

and...

You

Ellen M. DuBois 8-6-11

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Comments (0)

Beauty of God Through My Lens

by Ellen DuBois on 08/01/20

Times have been tough, that's for sure. It's certainly an understatement. I won't get too much into that because we're all living it. We all know. Life is different and we are all trying to cope.

One of the things that helps me is taking pictures. I see the beauty of God around me through my lens. I think that's why I'm drawn to taking pictures of nature so often. I sense the majesty, the beauty and love of God when I capture something in nature. It touches my soul and I'm grateful for the moment.

The other day I happened to be in the front yard with my camera, hoping get some pictures of the vast array of birds at the feeder. As of late, hummingbirds have been scarce so I don't have many new pictures. But on that day, I was blessed by God and not only captured a hummingbird at the feeder, (they are SO fast and tiny), but also got some pictures of a hummingbird on the powerlines to the house. Wow. I didn't think it was possible (or probable) to even see a tiny hummingbird on those lines. But, I did and was at just the right angle to get a few pictures in.

My camera is a Nikon D5200. The strongest lens I have is 200mm. I'm hoping for a 600mm, but even reconditioned, they're quite expensive.

I hope you enjoy these photos, are safe, well and are able to find some calming balance in your life.

God Bless and thanks for stopping by,

Ellen

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Comments (0)

Make Your Home A Place of Health and Serenity

by Ellen DuBois on 07/13/20

With so many of us at home, we find ourselves working on things indoors and out in the yard. I know I've been cleaning out closets, cleaning more in general and finding ways to make the space I live in more comfortable and serene. After all, I'm here more during these unprecendented times. I try to make the space around me as comfortable, healthy and relaxing as I can.

With most days consisting of working at home and "being" at home when I'm done, it's a challenging balancing act to create a space for both. I think separating my "work space" from my "chill out and relax" space is important. There has to be a "shut off time" between working at home and relaxing at home. Virtual work has become my norm for now. I'm home a lot more than I used to be. If you're able to create different spaces that enhance being at home, whether working, relaxing or simply trying to cope with everything, it's healthy to do so- mind, body and spirit.

I also believe that many improvements can be made without spending any money, i.e., I feel much better with closets cleaned out and organized, clothing donated to those in need, purging some of the clutter that's just taking up space and more. These things cost me nothing but time and it's time well spent. Additionally, there are things you can do to enhance both your indoor and outdoor space. A company called Serenity Health Home and Outdoor can help you with this. They've got a wonderful selection of indoor and outdoor home products.

Take a look at some of the items below. You can make being at home feel like a "staycation" when it's time to relax:

Sunnydaze Hammocks

Game Tables

Sunnydaze Tabletop Fireplaces

Sunnydaze Tabletop Fountains

Outdoor Fire Pits

Garden Gnomes & Statuaries

Wellness and relaxation for your mind and body

Solar Powered Water Fountains!

Many indoor fountains to choose from

And much more.

Thank you for visiting and as an affiliate, if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links, I make a small commission at no cost to you. Be well and stay safe!

PS Here's a link to the raft we bought on Amazon shown in the video above. Intex Seahawk 4, 4-Person Inflatable Boat Set with Aluminum Oars and High Output Air Pump (Latest Model)

Comments (0)

How do I "social distance" my small music studio? Life during Covid19

by Ellen DuBois on 07/03/20

In the video above, I talk about my music studio and wonder how I'll make it safe for music lessons to resume there.

I went in to pick up some music. It had been a couple of months since I'd walked through the door. It was sad and surreal. So many thoughts swarmed in my head. I wanted to be there yet wanted to leave. My studios are small- the whole place is small, but that didn't matter before. I kept it clean. We had hand sanitizer. Kid's washed their hands before lessons. Parents could wait in the waiting room. Children played with toys on the floor while older siblings took their lessons.

That's all changed for me and millions of other small businesses. But, I won't give up. I won't lose faith. This can work. It's the "how" that's the biggie.

My faith is strong and I know God will help me through this. People will, too. The answers will come and my music studio will reopen.

For now, I am doing the best I can and trying to come up with a plan for all of this to work.

Our students are so important to us. Learning music, teaching them music, is extremely important on so many levels.

Stay safe. God Bless and we'll get through this together.

Ellen

Comments (0)

Seahawk Inflatable 3 Person Boat With Motor (bought separately) Maiden Voyage

by Ellen DuBois on 06/11/20

The video is above the blog or you can visit YouTube to watch it here: https://youtu.be/NFeanulYzTI

Took the Seahawk inflatable boat with a mounted motor out for its maiden voyage on the pond. We got this on Amazon. (There are a few "cuss words" not real bad, in this video. Just a heads up!) We also got the motor on Amazon- a Minn Kota, 55 lbs of thrust. I've included the link to the Seahawk at the bottom of this paragraph. As you'll see, we got through some pretty thick lilypads with no problem! This Intex Seahawk 2 Inflatable Boat Set + Oars/Pump/Motor Mount is a great way to have some fun during the pandemic and beyond. It felt great just to get out there on the water for a little while and laugh! I'm an affiliate, so if you make a purchase from this link, I'll receive a small commission at no cost to you! Thanks! https://amzn.to/37rOENB

About me: My name is Ellen DuBois, born and raised in Massachusetts. I love New England with its changes in seasons and natural beauty.

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

#chooselove

Comments (0)

Choose Love #chooselove

by Ellen DuBois on 06/02/20

This thought came to me this morning, foggy eyed from a restless night. I picked up the energy of the chaos and knew it wasn't going to serve God, me or others in any way. What will help everyone on this planet is love. It's the one thing that can put out the flames of hate. Within each of us is God and God is love. I choose love.

Love Lifts. Hate Hurts. Choose Love.

About me: My name is Ellen DuBois, born and raised in Massachusetts. I love New England with its changes in seasons and natural beauty.

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

#chooselove

Comments (0)

Scenes from a Door Cam Compilation- Sly the Fox and Harry the Squirrel

by Ellen DuBois on 05/17/20

We have a Fox who comes to the door almost daily, a squirrel who raids the bird feeder and some beautiful birds. This is mostly of the fox (SLY) and the squirrel (Harry). Harry's got some pretty bad wipe outs in his attempt to get to the bird feeder!

Meet Sly the Fox and Harry the Squirrel. Harry's got some pretty good wipe outs in his attempts to get the bird feeder. Sly comes around looking for food...so Harry better steer clear of him! There's a beautiful cardinal included in here and a little, red squirrel. Let's call him Red.

While taking pictures is something I love to do, these clips from our door cam are fun, interesting and a great distraction for everyone during these times. I enjoyed putting together these clips and will do more in the future. You never know what you're going to see!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you enjoy.

Stay safe and be well. Ellen

Comments (0)

In Like A Lion

by Ellen DuBois on 03/07/20

After a very mild winter with hardly any snow, March 7th was cold, blustery and the world was kissed with snow. Nothing to shovel so to native new Englanders, it's pretty much a non event, barring some slippery walkways and roads. The temps are expected to reach into the 60's by Monday, (today is Saturday), so the beautiful images of a snow kissed world are fleeting at best.

That's why I took these pictures. Capturing beautiful moments, breathtaking views and whatever else captures my heart is why I love my amateur photography hobby so much. It's a passion- a need to preserve life's changing seasons and moments.

So, for this morning at least, March indeed feels like it's come in like a lion. I have a feeling it may leave like a lamb far earlier than the actual end of the month. But, who knows? It's New England.

About me: My name is Ellen DuBois, born and raised in Massachusetts. I love New England with its changes in seasons and natural beauty.

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Comments (0)

A grammar checker, style editor, and writing mentor in one package.

by Ellen DuBois on 03/05/20

Worth a look! Check out ProWritingAid:

Join over a million authors, editors, copywriters, students and professionals who already use ProWritingAid to improve their writing. Pro Writing Aid

About me: My name is Ellen DuBois, born and raised in Massachusetts. I love New England with its changes in seasons and natural beauty.

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Comments (0)

A Fox On The Ice

by Ellen DuBois on 01/25/20

Something caught my eye one morning and I grabbed my camera. It was a reddish colored thing. Before it disappeared, I knew I had to take a picture.

(With nature, actually, with anything that's moving or going to, you have to be quick. Animals run away. Birds fly off in a split second, etc. If you can capture a moment that's beautiful, it's a great feeling.)

The ice was thin. On parts of the pond, it didn't exist. I quietly opened the kitchen door and stepped out onto the deck. The air was cold. My feet crunched in a layer of icy snow. With my camera on, I was ready to take a picture of whatever was out there.

Our eyes met and I was taken with the fox's beauty. What a magnificent animal! His fur looked so thick. His markings were stunning. The tip of his bushy tail was white. His legs looked black against the beautiful red hue of his fur. We both stood still, looking at each other. Much to my surprise, the fox let me take a few pictures. Clearly I didn't pose a threat, at least from a distance. I was also surprised at the size of him. He seemed big to me compared to other foxes I'd seen. Weeks earlier I saw a red one that looked about half the size of this one.

I love this picture and am glad I had the opportunity one cold, winter morning, to take it.

I use a Nikon D5200.

About me: My name is Ellen DuBois, born and raised in Massachusetts. I love New England with its changes in seasons and natural beauty.

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Comments (0)

Christmas in the 70's "The Missing Bangs"

by Ellen DuBois on 12/18/19

That was the Christmas my bangs went missing...

Yes, I laugh. (You probably are, too!) It's a funny, great picture. A moment of time captured by a mother and a Polaroid. Life was simpler. So carefree. Not one video "anything" was under the tree, either. Can you imagine? If you're like me, you can.

As I go through these pictures I realize they are treasures. I was blessed growing up with two wonderful sisters, (yeah, we argued sometimes, but what siblings didn't?) Our parents loved us and my Dad worked three jobs to add to Santa's gifs under the tree. They were the best of times!

Despite my missing bangs.

About me: My name is Ellen DuBois, born and raised in Massachusetts. I love New England with its changes in seasons and natural beauty.

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

#Christmasinthe70s #whathappenedtomybangs #oldpictures #growingupintheseventies #oldPolaroidpicture #Christmaspicture #oldChristmaspicture #familyiseverything #itsnotaboutthemoney #vintagetoys #theseventies #greatmemories

Comments (0)

A Message From Mom on Thanksgiving

by Ellen DuBois on 11/28/19

I figured I'd take a break and also some pictures of the birds at the feeder. I asked my mother to send a red cardinal. Within 15 seconds, there it was. Love you, Mom and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

About me: My name is Ellen DuBois, born and raised in Massachusetts. I love New England with its changes in seasons and natural beauty.

I'm the author of I Never Held You: Miscarriage, Grief, Healing and Recovery and Jackie's Heart. Since 2006 I've been hosting MiscarriageHelp.com, a support site for women and their families who have miscarried.

I'm published with Blue Mountain Arts, and am a contributing author to several books including: Soul Matters for Teens, Sisters, (a Blue Mountain Arts gift book), Conquering Panic and Anxiety Disorders- Success Stories, Strategies and other Good News, Romancing the Soul, More God Allows U-Turns.

I'm also known as "Miss Ellen"- a piano teacher to students from 5 to tween and beyond. Music is another passion of mine and I'm blessed to share the gift of music. I'm also a shudder bug like my mother was. I love taking pictures.

Note: This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated a small commission at no cost to you if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

#happythanksgiving #grateful #missyoumom #missingyouonthanksgiving #signsfromheaven #cardinal #malecardinal #redcardinal #birds #bird #orinthology #birdwatching #massachusetts #outdoors #birdstagram #birdphotograper #birdpicture #shutterbug #Nikon #nikonD5200 #natureisbeautiful #naturepics #natureisamazing #amateurphotography #amateurphoto #amateurphotographer #photosbyellendubois

Comments (0)