My Abundant Life 2-16-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 16th, 2026

At The End of Our Exploring

“We shall not cease exploration

An the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.”

Thomas Stearns Eliot OM (Known as: T.S. Eliot) (Poet, Essayist, Publisher, Playwright, Literary Critic and Editor; September 26th, 1888 ~ January 4th, 1965)

“When we live our lives authentically, we discover our true place in the world for the first time.”

“It takes tenacity and daring to travel to the darkest interior of one’s self. Who knows what we might find there?”

“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.”

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien CBE FRSL (known as: J. R. R. Tolkien) (English Writer, Poet, Philologist, and Academic; January 3rd, 1892 ~ September 2nd, 1973)

“Our dragons are our fears : our day stalkers, our night sweats. Fear of the unknown. Fear of failing. Fear of starting something new and not finishing. Again. Or the real fear, the one that sends shivers up our spines: the fear of succeeding, of becoming our authentic selves and facing the changes that will inevitably bring. We ight not be happy with the way we are living now, but at least it’s daftly familiar.”

“…there is really nothing to fear from self-awareness because at the end of all our personal ecploration, we will arrive back where we started and know in our hearts that we finally belong there.”

Thomas Stearns Eliot OM (Known as: T.S. Eliot) (Poet, Essayist, Publisher, Playwright, Literary Critic and Editor; September 26th, 1888 ~ January 4th, 1965)

“Today, if you feel frightened or unsure about the future, pick up the double-edged sword of Light and Love. Always remember, it’s simple not an adventure worth telling if there aren’t any dragons. But as in the best old tales, at the end of your exploring, you will live happily ever after.”

My Bucket List

Visit Caerlaverock Castle; Scotland
See the King Penguins on Volunteer Point, Falkland Islands

Before my story began…(Heather Houston 2-16-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“I drove the MINI Cooper out of the garage tis morning for the first time since I purchased it last night. Wouldn’t you know it, As I pulled out the garage a warning light came on…”Low Tire”. UGH! I got out checked all the tires and they felt just fine. I choose to drive to work and check the pressure and then reset the light. I think during the detailing a setting malfunctioned. This is new for me to not worry myself to death about something minor. YEAH ME!” (Heather Houston 2-16-22)

“

“The dragons that lurk in the shadows of our lives can only be slayed with the double edge sword of love and light. Lately, I have been feeling empty in my job. It is not using my skills and I am surrounded by extremely needy people who suck the energy from people like myself. As an empath, I have to buffer myself from people who are vampires. I need to find something that fulfills my purpose and what gifts I can provide the world. Funny how when we age we must reinvent ourselves.” (Heather Houston 2-16-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 50-51 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.

Daily Gratitude 2-15-26

On By Heather HoustonIn 5 Daily GratitudesLeave a comment

February 15th, 2026

  • “I am thankful my 2nd attempt to get my sourdough pancake recipe spot on happened today!” (Heather Houston 2-15-26)
  • “I am blessed that we had a successful grocery shop for the week and got to enjoy a Dick’s burger for lunch.” (Heather Houston 2-15-26)
  • “I appreciate being able to enjoy the Olympics and witness new sports that I have never seen before in the Winter Games.” (Heather Houston 2-15-26)
  • “I appreciate my husband creating a salmon pizza which won a 2019 World’s Best Pizza status in Italy.” (Heather Houston 2-15-26)
  • “I am thankful I got the laundry done for the week.” (Heather Houston 2-15-26)
  • “I am thankful I was able to get clarification at my bank for the auto loan I was applying for.” (Heather Houston 2-15-22)
  • “I appreciate the dealership making the purchase of my car swift and easy.” (Heather Houston 2-15-22)
  • “I am grateful for BECU giving me a line of credit to create the opportunity to place a deposit down on the car I was purchasing.” (Heather Houston 2-15-22)
  • “We are blessed that the Honda dealership was able to take back the leased car the same day as I purchased the new car.” (Heather Houston 2-15-22)
  • “I am grateful for a partner supporting me in my first auto purchase.” (Heather Houston 2-15-22)

My Musical Life 2-15-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

February 15th, 2026

#30 Those Were The Days (Mary Hopkin) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Once upon a time there was a tavern
Where we used to raise a glass or two
Remember how we laughed away the hours
Think of all the great things we would do?🪄
Those were the days, my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
For we were young and sure to have our way
La-la-la-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, la-da-da-da-da🪄
Then the busy years went rushing by us
We lost our starry notions on the way
If by chance I’d see you in the tavern
We’d smile at one another and we’d say🪄
Those were the days, my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days
La-la-la-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da🪄
Just tonight I stood before the tavern
Nothing seemed the way it used to be
In the glass I saw a strange reflection
Was that lonely woman really me?🪄
Those were the days, my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days
La-la-la-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da🪄
Through the door, there came familiar laughter
I saw your face and heard you call my name
Oh, my friend, we’re older but no wiser
For in our hearts, the dreams are still the same🪄
Those were the days, my friend
We thought they’d never end
We’d sing and dance forever and a day
We’d live the life we choose
We’d fight and never lose
Those were the days, oh yes, those were the days
La-la-la-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
La-la-la-da-da-da
Da-da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da🪄
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la

My Abundant Life 2-15-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant Life2 Comments

February 15th, 2026

Meeting The Inner Explorer

“There is only one journey. Going inside yourself.”

René Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke (known as: c) (Austrian Poet and Novelist; December 4th, 1875 ~ December 29th, 1926)

“I craved to go beyond the garden gate, follow the road that passed it by, and set out for the unknown.”

Alexandra David-Néel (Belgian–French Explorer, Spiritualist, Buddhist, Anarchist, Opera Singer, and Writer; October 24th, 1868 ~ September 8th, 1969)

“…the most foreign country is within.”

Alice Malsenior Tallulah-Kate Walker (American Novelist, Short Story Writer, Poet, and Social Activist; February 9th, 1944 ~ )

“We are our own dark continent, we are our own savage frontier.”

My Bucket List

Visit the Forbidden City, Lhasa, Tibet
Visit the Forbidden City, Lhasa, Tibet

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-15-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“Today was a red letter day! I bought my first car today…2009 MINI Cooper (2dr Hatchback; 1.6L 4cyl 6M) in excellent condition with 70k in miles. I was looking for a commuter car for the next couple years before finding what is next. YEAH ME!” (Heather Houston 2-15-26)

2-12-22 2009 MINI Cooper Getting Detailed Before Purchase

“Our authentic self discovery is the exploration of within. The most mysterious vista are the touchstones and transformation tiles that mark your personal exploration. I feel blessed to be cogent and brave enough to LOOK…look and BE.” (Heather Houston 2-15-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 49-50 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.

Daily Gratitude 2-14-26

On By Heather HoustonIn 5 Daily GratitudesLeave a comment

February 14th, 2026

  • “I am grateful to be able to make my love a lovely Valentine’s Day breakfast of orange-cranberry scones, coffee, pog, hashbrowns, bacon eggs and English muffin.” (Heather Houston 2-14-26)
  • “I am thankful to have the time to sit and enjoy watching the Olympics with my husband.” Heather Houston 2-14-26)
  • “I appreciate the champagne suggestion at Total Wine. We enjoyed a pink champagne for cocktail hour.” 🍾🥂 (Heather Houston 2-14-26)
  • “I am blessed that my chef husband created a Malawi Mango chicken dish for dinner with porridge that was so delicious.” (Heather Houston 2-14-26)
  • “I am grateful to have a husband who loves me and loves the love I give.” ❤️ (Heather Houston 2-14-26)
  • I am thankful I have a love in my life to call my Valentine!💟 (Heather Houston 2-14-22)
  • I am grateful to have the extra income to afford to buy my Valentine a dozen red roses.🌹 (Heather Houston 2-14-22)
  • I appreciate that their was a sale on fillets at the market, buy one get one free, so I could create the possibility of a fun Valentines Day dinner for my loving partner. (Heather Houston 2-14-22)
  • I am blessed to have a partner who enjoys cooking as part of his creative expression as I needed his help to pull off yummy fillets for our Valentine’s dinner.  Thank you honey!!! (Heather Houston 2-14-22)
  • I am grateful that our favorite wine was in stock so we could enjoy it with our scrumptious dinner.  It is so good, the wine will make you swear like a sailor.  Really, it is that good!🍷 (Heather Houston 2-14-22)

My Musical Life 2-14-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

February 14th, 2026

#29 The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde (Georgie Fame) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
Bonnie and Clyde were pretty lookin’ people
But I can tell you people, they were the devil’s children
Bonnie and Clyde began their evil doin’
One lazy afternoon down Savannah way
They went and robbed a store, and high-tailed outa that town
Got clean away in a stolen car
And waited till the heat died down🪄
Bonnie and Clyde advanced their reputation
And made the graduation into the banking business
“Reach for the sky”, talking Clyde would holler
As Bonnie loaded dollars in the dewlap bag
Now one brave man-he tried to take ’em alone
They left him lying in a pool of blood
And laughed about it all the way home🪄
Bonnie and Clyde got to be public enemy number one
Running and hiding from every American lawman’s gun
They used to laugh about dying
But deep inside ’em they knew
That pretty soon they’d be lying
Beneath the ground together
Pushing up daisies to welcome the sun and the morning dew🪄
Acting upon reliable information
A federal deputation laid a deadly ambush
When Bonnie and Clyde came walking in the sunshine
A half a dozen carbines opened up on them🪄
Bonnie and Clyde, they lived a lot together
And finally together they died

My Abundant Life 2-14-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Abundant LifeLeave a comment

February 14th, 2026

Buried Dreams

“Where there is great love there are always miracles.”

Willa Cather (American Writer; December 12th, 1873 ~April 24th, 1947)

“Once we were going to set the world on fire. Remember? Today we all have our share of ashes, along with the memory of a few bright sparks, to show for our efforts. Ove the years we’ve buried many a precious dream under layers of soot and rubble. Layers of naivete, good intentions, relinquishment, bitter failures, detours, disappointments, rejections, wrong choices, bad timing, bungled efforts, stupid mistakes, unforseen circumstances, whims of fate and missed opportunities. It’s no wonder that we’ll need courage to retrace our steps.”

“…courage is the price that Life extracts for granting peace.”

Amelia Mary Earhart (American Aviation Pioneer and Author; July 24th, 1897 ~ Disappeared July 2nd, 1937 ~ Declared Dead January 5th, 1939)

“A wise woman once advised me not to be a ‘would-be-if-I-could-be or a could-be-if-I-would-be. Just be.’ And while I have learned that dreams need doing as much as they need being, I have learned that the being always come first.”

“Today is a day for being. Be with those you love, be kind to yourself. Be quiet and call forth the dream you buried long ago. The ember is still glowing in your soul. See it in your mind, hold it tenderly in your heart.”

“The dream was always running ahead of one…TO catch up, to live for a moment in union with it, that was the miracle.”

Angela Anaïs Juana Antolina Rosa Edelmira Nin y Culmell (French-Cuban-American Diarist, Essayist, Novelist and Writer of Short Stories and Erotica; February 21st, 1903, 1911 ~ January 14th, 1977)

My Bucket List

Relax on Tikehau Island Beach, Tikehau Island, French Polynesia
  • Wine Taste in Walla Walla

“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 2-14-22)

1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower

“Today felt like my first Valentines Day ever. I actually am spending a Valentines with someone I love and who loves me back…just the way I am. He is my one and only Valentine and I feel like the luckiest woman on earth. I bought him a dozen red roses, our favorite bottle of wine and dinner (pesto linguine and fillets) for us to cook to create a delicious meal. FABULOUS!”💗 (Heather Houston 2-14-22)

“Today I reclaimed Valentines Day for myself. Not interested in the commercial hype. Quite simply I am pampering and lavishing my husband with love. Being with him in a day to celebrate our passion for one another.” ❤️❤️❤️ (Heather Houston 2-14-26)

–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 48-49 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.

My Storied Life 2-13-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Storied LifeLeave a comment

February 13th, 2026

1968 Top 10 Highest-Grossing & Award Winning Films

  • Rosemary’s Baby 👍🏼👍🏼
    • 26th Golden Globe Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, Comedy or Musical : Ruth Gordon
    • 41st Academy Awards Best Supporting Actress: Ruth Gordon

“I enjoyed rewatching this film from an earlier time in my life. Not sure when I first saw it. Ruth Gordon playing the creepy neighbor was so good. She is the reason the movie was frightening. Mia Farrow played a good part too as an naive woman of the time. Timeless!”

Daily Gratitude 2-13-26

On By Heather HoustonIn 5 Daily GratitudesLeave a comment

February 13th, 2026

  • “I appreciate the opportunity each morning to profess my love to my husband. I have been writing him a morning love note for nearly 8 years.” ❤️ (Heather Houston 2-13-26)
  • “I am grateful I spotted another eagle sighting on my commute to work.” 🦅 (Heather Houston 2-13-26)
  • “I appreciate being able to get off work 2.5-hours early today and start the weekend early.” (Heather Houston 2-13-26)
  • “I am thankful I was able to treat my husband to oysters on the half shell to celebrate my love, appreciation and adoration for him.” 🍊🍊🍊 (Heather Houston 2-13-26)
  • “I am blessed that my husband secured our ‘Hard Married’ trademark. This is ours forever! I love you Neil!” 💗 (Heather Houston 2-13-26)
  • I am thankful that the car I am considering purchasing passed the cylinder compression test with 200 psi on all four cylinders. (Heather Houston 2-13-22)
  • I am grateful that BECU was willing to give me an auto loan so I could purchase my first car…EVER!🚗 (Heather Houston 2-13-22)
  • I am blessed that I got my deliverables completed at work for my monthly report. (Heather Houston 2-13-22)
  • I am grateful that my swimmer’s showed up to the pool excited to work hard. (Heather Houston 2-13-22)
  • I am thankful to have a gas fireplace so that with a flip of the switch, the living room warms up. (Heather Houston 2-13-22)

My Musical Life 2-13-26

On By Heather HoustonIn My Musical LifeLeave a comment

February 13th, 2026

#28 Angel of the Morning (Merrilee Rush) 👍🏼

Lyrics:
There’ll be no strings to bind your hands
Not if my love can’t bind your heart.
And there’s no need to take a stand
For it was I who chose to start.
I see no reason to take me home
I’m old enough to face the dawn.🪄
Just call me angel of the morning, Angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
Just call me angel of the morning, Angel
Then slowly turn away… from me.🪄
Maybe the sun’s light will be dim
And it won’t matter anyhow.
If morning’s echo says we’ve sinned
Well, it was what I wanted now.
And if we’re victims of the night
I won’t be blinded by the light.🪄
Just call me angel of the morning, Angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
Just call me angel of the morning, Angel
Then slowly turn away…
I won’t beg you to stay… with me…
Through the tears… of the day…
Of the years… baby, baby —
Just call me angel of the morning, Angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby.
Just call me angel of the morning, Angel
Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby…