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SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS AND OTHER SPRING THINGS
I was in Naples, Florida last week visiting friends. It was 90 degrees. There was a breeze. It's Spring there, too, so it was comfortable. It’s beautiful where they live. Their pool looks out on the expansive landscape of their lush community. We went to the beach along the Gulf for a day. What a magical place.
It's been unseasonably cold since we got back to Long Island. Spring can be like that, especially in the beginning. I always like to reflect on the coming season and what changes I'd like to make in my life. Everything around us is changing at all times. I find myself on the cusp of change. You know that feeling.
Since I moved back to my hometown 13 years ago this June, I've been in what I refer to as "sacred space." I willingly walked away from life as I knew it and have been caring for others ever since. One day, you're living a glamorous life...New York City girl, 25, 35, hello, baby, New York City girl...sound familiar? And then just like that, everything changes. The seasons are like that, too. One day you see buds on the trees only to wake up the following morning to a burst of blooms. That's how most change happens. It's subtle until it's not.
It's April. And that means lots of rain. April showers bring May flowers after all. But what is April really about?
April is the fourth month of the year in the Gregorian and Julian calendars. Its length is 30 days. It's commonly associated with the season of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is the seasonal equivalent to October in the Northern Hemisphere and vice versa.
The Romans gave this month the Latin name Aprilis but the derivation of this name is uncertain. The traditional etymology is from the verb aperire, "to open", in allusion to its being the season when trees and flowers begin to "open", which is supported by comparison with the modern Greek use of άνοιξη (ánixi) (opening) for spring. Since some of the Roman months were named in honor of divinities, and as April was sacred to the goddess Venus, her Veneralia being held on the first day, it has been suggested that Aprilis was originally her month Aphrilis, from her equivalent Greek Goddess name Aphrodite (Aphros), or the Etruscan name Apru. Jacob Grimm suggests the name of a hypothetical god or hero, Aper or Aprus. April was the second month of the earliest Roman calendar, before Ianuarius and Februarius were added by King Numa Pompilius about 700 BC. It became the fourth month of the calendar year (the year when twelve months are displayed in order) during the time of the decemvirs about 450 BC, when it was 29 days long. The 30th day was added back during the reform of the calendar undertaken by Julius Caesar in the mid-40s BC, which produced the Julian calendar.
So, you see, April is more than just showers. It's a powerful month with historic significance. It marks the anticipation of change and rebirth when things begin to flourish once again. The sky is brighter, and the days are longer. The constellation, Orion, is visible in the night sky. Just look straight up. The belt consists of three bright and easily identifiable collinear star systems – Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka – nearly equally spaced in a line. They are also referred to as the Three Kings, and the Three Sisters. They were glistening over Naples.
Embrace the change that comes with Aprile. Of course, that's Italian for April. Observe nature. It will show you how to change with ease and grace. And maybe you'll discover something new about yourself in the process.
Peace and Love,
Skylark
At 60 and Beyond, change is constant, but we can learn how to go with the flow as we age.
The Constellation of Orion...my personal favorite.
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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - NAPLES, FLORIDA
Before the period of European colonization, the indigenous Calusa lived in Florida (including the region of present-day Naples) for thousands of years, from Charlotte Harbor to Cape Sable. In 1513, Spanish conquistador, Juan Ponce de Leon, explored the region and encountered the Calusa, who resisted attempts by de León to establish a Spanish colony in Florida. This initiated nearly two hundred years of conflict between the Spanish and the Calusa. In the early 18th century, following slave raids from Muscogee and Yamasee raiders allied with European settlers in Carolina, the majority of the remaining Calusa moved south and east to escape the raids.
Naples is currently known mostly for its high-priced homes, white-sand beaches, and numerous golf courses. It is the self-titled "Golf Capital of the World", as it has the second most golf holes per capita out of all communities, and the most holes of any city in Florida. But that's not all. The city is also known for being appealing to retirees who make up a large percentage of the population.
SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
The highlight of the week was our landing at MacArthur Airport upon our return from Naples. Flying into this former military airport centrally located on Long Island is an experience in itself. As we approached the south shore, our plane took a turn towards the east end and then swooped around heading west and flying about 1,000 feet altitude along Fire Island. It was beautiful. You could see everything. At least a lot of it was familiar since we're from here. Then, the pilot swooped northeast as it made its way to its final approach. We're not sure if he was killing time or taking us on a thrill ride. In any case, it was a cheap thrill.
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SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK
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SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Dear God,
Please protect everyone who has to fly in a plane get to their destination safely. Amen.
SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Where do you want to fly to?
Please put your answer in the comment section under this article. I'd love to hear from you.
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SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - NATIVE NEW YORK by ODYSSEY
LYRICS
New York girl, ooh-ooh-ooh
Runnin' pretty, New York City girl
25, 35, hello, baby, New York City girl
You grew up riding the subways
Running with people
Up in Harlem, down on Broadway
You're no tramp, but you're no lady
Talkin' that street talk
You're the heart and soul of New York City
And love, love is just a passing word
It's the thought you had in a taxi cab
That got left on the curb
When he dropped you off at East 83rd
Oh-oh-oh (oh-oh-oh)
You're a native New Yorker
You should know the score by now
(You should know by now)
You're a native New Yorker
SKYLARK'S BONUS SONG OF THE WEEK - FLY AWAY by LENNY KRAVITZ
LYRICS
I wish that I could fly
Into the sky
So very high
Just like a dragonfly
I'd fly above the trees
Over the seas
In all degrees
To anywhere I please
Oh, I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Let's go and see the stars
The Milky Way
Or even Mars
Where it could just be ours
Let's fade into the sun
Let your spirit fly
Where we are one
Just for a little fun
Oh, oh, oh yeah
I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah, yeah, yeah
I got to get away
Girl I got to get away
Oh, oh, oh yeah
I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah, yeah, yeah (With you)
Oh yeah
I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah, yeah, yeah (With you)
I got to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away
Yeah
I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah, yeah, yeah (With you)
Girl I got to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away
I want to get away
Yeah
I want to get away
I want to fly away
Yeah, yeah, yeah (With you)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
ABOUT MY BRAND, SKYLARK LIVE -60 AND BEYOND WITH SKYLARK
My brand was born when I turned 60 years old and noticed a profound shift - mind, body, and soul. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with other women to help them navigate this age as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness. I will also consider in-person one-hour chats called The Skylark Sessions in your home or at a local library or senior center. Email me at christineskylark@aol.com
or call me at 917-903-5713 if you are interested. This can be one-on-one or with a small group of women.
Weekly Newsletter - My weekly newsletter features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, happiness, dreams, inspiration, motivation, music, and ideas I want to explore. The topics are endless. I represent Bay Shore and the greater Town of Islip community. There is also a calendar of events. I throw in Italian words, too, because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up, but you can also subscribe for free. And you can advertise your business or event in my newsletter as well. Just click this link below to subscribe:
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Monthly Vlog - My vlog goes live on my YouTube channel on the first Monday of each month. It's a recap of the previous month’s newsletter articles and then a conversation on a new topic. It is then uploaded to my Patreon account as well as my social media platforms. Just click the link below to subscribe and click the bell to get notified when a new video is uploaded: www.youtube.com/@christineskylark
WHERE TO FOLLOW AND SUPPORT ME
Patreon - This is my general brand page where you can support everything I do under my brand in one place. I appreciate any level of support that enables me to carve out time to write my newsletters, create my vlogs and continue to expand my brand. Just click the link here: www.patreon.com/SkylarkLive
Social Media - You can follow me on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live.
Thank you for your love and support! Grazie per il vostro amore e sostegno!
