Saturday, October 31, 2015

Boo-teeful Wedding

It was a Boo-teeful wedding! Kaye, the bride was beautiful, I was her devil of a bridesmaid.
My friend Karen.  She and Kaye and I have been friends since first grade.  Really sweet, fun ceremony.





Friday, October 30, 2015

Friday Night

Almost every day this week has taken an unexpected turn.  Wednesday, as Rick and I were having lunch, Jordan's mom called and asked if we could pick him up at school, he was sick.
Turns out he has pneumonia and has spent the past few days with us, instead of going to school.

Our days have been spent making chicken soup and Popsicles.  I have watched Scooby Doo and
Jake the Pirate way too many times. But, he has been a sick little boy and it breaks my heart to see him not well.

Finally today, he had enough energy to go outside for a short time.  I think the sunshine and fresh air did him good.  I am hoping the meds kick in and tomorrow he will be himself again.

A busy Friday, washing yoga mats and caring for a sick seven year old.  Tomorrow is Kaye and Jamie's wedding, a Halloween wedding will be fun.

I hope you all get treats tomorrow night and no tricks.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Thursday, October 29, 2015

A Beautiful Day

More beautiful autumn colors.  A beautiful day of classes.
New faces, others leaving, meditation, hugs, and a heart full of love...and a few tears.

I am grateful, I am blessed, I am lucky.

I am living a dream and doing what I love.


Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Friendships

I spent the morning with a good friend.  I had not seen her in awhile, but that was ok.  Our friendship is one of those that it doesn't matter how long it has been since we spent time with each other, we pick up
right where we left off the last time we were together.

We had a great time.  We laughed, shed a few tears and hugs.  I left thinking about how strange life is, 
we get busy, life happens, yet our friendship continues.  Happily I have several friendships like that, we go months, maybe years, yet when we see each other, it is as though we saw each other yesterday.

Those friends know, that even though we might not see each often, if there is a need, we are there for each other.  There are histories and connections, love and respect, that is why those friendships continue through time.

I did nothing that was penciled in on my day planner today, but that is ok.  I will play catch up tomorrow.

Goodnight Sweet dreams

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Lessons From Mother Nature

These oak leaves, drenched in color, glistening with rain, took my breath away today.  I looked at them and thought about how we are so fearful of change.

If the change can be as beautiful as these leaves, bring it on.  Mother Nature's lessons are the best.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Rainy Walk

Calliou and I walked the road to the barn in the rain this morning.  Everything smelled so fresh, and the color has appeared almost overnight.

Today would have been my dad's 97th birthday. He passed away 25 years ago.  I miss him very much tonight.  He would have loved walking the dogs in the rain this morning.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Last Week of October

A very busy weekend.  Sometimes it just happens.  It has been fun, but exhausting.
Life happens in unpredictable ways, and you really do have to go with the flow.

Good news, at least for us, rain is moving in tonight.  We have been under a fire ban for over a week.  There have been forest fires burning for days.  When we walk the fallen leaves are so dry and crunchy and under them, there is dust.  The rain is what is left of hurricane Patricia, we will be grateful for the left overs.

This is the last week of October.  Another busy week, Halloween, my friends Kaye and Jamie are getting married, and Daylight Savings leaves for awhile.  All good things worth celebrating.

Wishing you a glorious fall week, get ready for the goblins and witches and the full moon.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams 

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Crazy Fun

We live in a small cottage.  Today, my brother Ricky, his wife and their kids, grandkids and friends of kids and grandkids spent the evening at our house for a welcome fall, birthday, festival, celebration.  I think at last count there were 27 people here.

We had chili, white chili, taco soup, baked potatoes, noodles, cornbread, home made cookies, smores,
cake, and more.  We had football on tv, games in the backyard, playdough and water colors on the porch.

By the time everyone went home, I was on automatic.  It was intense fun, sorta like a rehearsal   for Thanksgiving or Christmas.  Suddenly the house went from loud noisy laughter to eerie silence when they all left.   

I have a month to rest and regroup before Thanksgiving.  I think I can make it.  This much fun takes 
planning, energy and a little bit of craziness.  

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Friday, October 23, 2015

Magical Cookies

For local schools it was a half day, Jordan's mom decided he could just spend the day with his favorite aunt and uncle.

We made Halloween cookies.  As we gathered the ingredients, Jordan made the comment that we could just go to the store and buy cookie dough.  I agreed, but then I told him, these would be so much better.

As we sifted the flour, cloves, cinnamon and ginger together, he told me that the spices smelled "funny."
I told him that cooking was magic, alchemy to be sure.  When the right ingredients were mixed in the right proportions magic really did take place.

As he ate the first warm cookie from the oven, he exclaimed it is magic, these are great!
I am exhausted, but I have had a "magical" day.

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Continuing Thoughts

continuing thoughts on last night's Moss blog...maybe those early days by the stream, contemplating the moss on the rocks was the beginning of my journey toward meditation.  Stranger things have happened.

I taught meditation classes today.  For a few, the stillness was bearable, for some, unbearable.  We have become so driven, movement and results driven, ingrained into our very souls, sometimes it seems we  have lost all ability to sit still and breathe.

We feel guilty about our stillness, about sitting still. We think it is a waste of time or foolish.
Meditation feeds our souls and spirits, no wonder so many search and try to fill the emptiness with drugs and alcohol.  We run away from the very thing we need and crave.

Meditation takes practice and cultivation and it might not always give you the results you expect. But, there is no bad meditation.  Someone ask today what I thought the difference was between  prayer and meditation, my humble thoughts were these. " Usually in prayer we are asking for something or being grateful, in meditation we are allowing the peace that lives in our hearts to find our brains."

Goodnight, Sweet dreams


Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Moss

My fascination with moss began as a child.  There was a tiny stream in our back yard and I spent a great deal of time playing there.  There were moss covered stones and rocks every where and moss on the ground and tree trunks.

I loved the feel of the moss, soft, bouncy.  The smell was earthy and fresh and the rich verdant colors were beautiful.

I feel at home around moss covered rocks and earth. There is a connection I cannot explain, only that I feel it is a part of me.  My shade garden has struggled the past few weeks. Warm October temps and no rain do not make a happy place for shade gardens full of moss.

I watered every thing today. I could almost hear a sigh of relief as the droplets fell on the rich earth.
It has been a good off day. Peaceful and restful, as it should be.   May the rest of your week bring smiles and hugs.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Hickory Trees

One of my favorite trees, the hickory.  The nuts are good if you can break them open.  The wood is great for tasty smoked flavor in foods.  The leaves turn to gold in the fall.

Today was another perfect fall day.  Blue skies and tall golden hickories, life is good.

Finally over the nasty bug I had this past weekend.
Goodnight Sweet dreams

Monday, October 19, 2015

Discuss

a quote for this Monday night

"Great minds discuss ideas
Average minds discuss events
Small minds discuss people."   - Eleanor Roosevelt

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Nasty Bug

Shortly after we went to bed last night, a nasty stomach virus decided to move into my tummy.
What can I say, it was a most unpleasant night.  I lost today.  No sleep, and with the upheaval that took place in my tummy, today was a couch day.  Water, dry toast and chicken soup gave me sustenance, but my energy has abandoned me.

Plans change quickly, we had planned on making Sunday drive north towards Tennessee to see the fall colors.  Maybe next Sunday.

Wishing you all a healthy week.  I pray the bug that got me will never bite anyone else.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Recycle

Nothing lasts forever, but with appliances they seem to and then one morning, they don't work anymore.  That is not exactly what happened with our clothes dryer.  About a week ago it began to sing, well actually it was a loud screech, like giant fingernails on the world's largest blackboard.

We couldn't complain, we had bought it refurbished about six or seven years ago for less than $200.
It gets used almost daily.  I know, I had a clothesline for years, but every tornado season it got blown away.  Creature comforts are my weakness, especially washing machines and clothes dryers.

So today we went back to the appliance store where they sell nothing but refurbished appliances and bought another clothes dryer.  They will pick up the old one when they bring the"new" one and probably use the old one for parts to refurbish more.  I think it is a great way to recycle.

Wishing you a peaceful Sunday.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Friday, October 16, 2015

Good Times

Rick and I met our nephew Haven and his wife Alesha, and their son Anthony for dinner tonight.

It is one of our favorite little restaurants, Black Rock Grill in Jasper.  I had blackened catfish stuffed with shrimp, yummy!

Good food, family, it all adds up to a good time.

Here's hoping your weekend is filled with good good food and good times.


Thursday, October 15, 2015

I Am Still Learning

" I am still learning."  - Michelangelo

I saw that quote this morning, it has stuck with me all day.  It was one of those goodbye days at work.
There were tears and hugs, it does not get easier.  No matter how much my students say they learn from me, I learn so much more from them.

My students keep me humble and grateful.  They make me laugh and cry.  They teach me how frail we humans are. They teach me how incredible we humans are. In them, I see the brightest, the smartest, the kindest and the strongest.  I see my friends and family in them.  I see anguish. I see hope. I see the best and the worst.  I see human beings.

No  matter how many students I teach, how many years I teach, all I can say.  "I am still learning."

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Our Door

I love decorating the entry to our house.  The stepping stone that is flanked by the stone planters is almost a hundred years old.  It was cut by hand and given as a wedding gift ( from the groom to the bride) of the couple who originally owned the farm where we live.

Our front door has been purple for many years and though I have thought about changing the color I just can't.  That purple door says this is Rick and Jilda's house, welcome.

We met old friends for dinner tonight. We ate outdoors at a wonderful little restaurant in Birmingham. The food, the company, it was as good as it gets.  This has been a great hump day.

Here's to a Thursday that brings good news and joy to all.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

A Lover of Rain

I am a lover of rain.  Even cold grey rainy days are good for me. So mother nature must be playing with me just a wee bit.  We are in our dry season here in Alabama. October is usually our driest month.  The skies are blue as can be, the leaves are starting to turn color and here I am wishing for a rainy day.

There is something about a chilly rainy fall day.  It is the perfect time to read, have a cup of tea and reflect on all that is good.  It is ok.  Usually the rains come in November, the leaves are gone in one fell swoop or downpour and everyone complains but me.  My flip flops and sandals are already packed back in the closet, summer clothes have joined them.  Sweaters and boots sit ready to be worn.

I have friends who are already complaining about the chilly mornings, even Sam and Jordan complain.  But for me, those chilly mornings give me energy and to be honest, I can breathe so much easier.

It is a good thing that man cannot control the weather, none of us would ever be happy would we?

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Monday, October 12, 2015

Good Changes

A new moon, changing season, you can feel a difference in the energy.  All three classes today were more upbeat, cheerful, actually hopeful.  I think our cooler temperatures and the fall colors are very uplifting.

Even though we fear change and most of us dislike change, we forget how good change can be.
The seasons change, our tastes in food awakens, our sense of smell becomes more heightened, and the colors inspire us to get outside more.  Fall brings an awareness to our senses that is so intense.
Just think about crisp apples, the smell of burning leaves, the colors around us.

Where ever you are tonight, take some time to notice your senses, touch, smell, taste, hearing.
Notice color, textures,eat something earthy like root vegetables, listen to the wind blow.
Let the changing of the season teach you that change can be good, it can be inspiring.

Notice the changes around you tomorrow.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Good Things

Class is finished, passed my final.  Yoga mats and blankets are clean. Closet and guest room is clean.
I did the work.

I hope your weekend was exactly what you needed.  Mine needed to be productive and it was.
This week starts rehearsals for upcoming November gigs.  Three new songs to complete and Rick and a couple of buds wrote a new one today.  It is a guy song, but a very good one...no daisy dukes or cold beer in sight, thank goodness.

A brand new week, and lots of good things on the horizon.  Wishing you and yours all that you need and some of what you want.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Saturday, October 10, 2015

You Have to Do the Work

There are days, especially on the weekend that I would much prefer to do something fun and adventuresome than what I actually do.  I have spent yesterday and today doing necessary chores.
Laundry, shopping, cleaning, washing yoga mats, class work.  That is how life goes. Many times you have to do the not so fun stuff, before you can do the fun stuff.  You have to do the work.

It is like playing music.  We love our gigs, but there is much effort that goes into them that no one ever sees.  The practice, deciding on the set, making sure the sound equipment is working.  The load in, and the load out.  There is a great deal of work for an hour or so on stage.  But, you have to do the work.

When people find out that I work at an addiction center, they often ask me what is the magic bullet, how do you become sober and stay sober and clean.  It is just like everything else in life.  You have to do the work.  There is not a magic formula. You have to do the work.

None of us become successful at anything, until we do the work.  It might seem there are overnight successes and maybe there is an concessional one.  Each successful person that I have ever met, talks about the hard work and effort that it took for them to become successful.  You have to do the work.

A few days ago one of my students said she would love to play guitar.  I told her she could, to find a teacher and practice.  She laughed, and said she had tried that, but it hurt her fingers and learning was just too hard.  I looked at her and laughed and told her, if you want to play, you have to do the work.

So whatever it is you are striving for in your life, relationships, work, what ever.  Don't forget, you have to do the work.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Friday, October 9, 2015

Busy Friday

Friday night, the weather guys say rain and cooler temps on the way.  That would be nice.
Several projects for this weekend, wash yoga mats for work, wash yoga blankets for work, complete my on line class and take final, clean out my closet, clean pantry.  Yoga mats are clean, pantry is clean.  Tomorrow will be another busy day.

I will be glad to take my final.  It has been a good class, but a tough one.  The best thing about it, I have been able to use the information I have learned.  That is not always the case with a college class.

Have a wonderful fall weekend.  Spend some time outdoors, enjoy the beauty that only fall can bring.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Thursday Thoughts

Meditation classes today, hellos and goodbyes...some days are just that way.
Another beautiful sunny warm day, but I am ready for fall.  My online class will be over tomorrow, I will take my test and move on.  I have learned a great deal and am already sharing it with my students.

A good day, but a tiring one.  It is time for a cup of hot lavender tea and bed.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Fun

Sometimes I have to laugh at myself. There are days when nothing goes as planned like today.  It seems that the local schools chose this day to have a teacher's meeting.  That meant Jordan would come to our house at lunch.  His mom had called last night and ask if that would be ok. Of course it would be ok, it would be wonderful.

Then this morning, my fretful self thought oh no, you have a column to write today, you still have four hours of videos to watch for your on line class...and on and on.  I took a deep breath, spent ten minutes with my smart vest and took about a forty minute walk.  All was well with the world.  Rick left to pick up Jordan, and I cooked lunch.

Jordan arrived in his usual state of joy.  Suddenly all those things that had concerned me earlier took a back seat.  We played all afternoon.  I forgot about class and the column and just had fun.

You know what, he went home around 5:30, we ate dinner and I wrote my column.  I will watch my videos in the morning before I go to work.  Silly me, to spend all that energy fretting.  I needed the fun today. Our afternoon with Jordan was a gift.  I am still laughing at myself as I type this post.

We get in the way when life hands us precious gifts. I forget that living like water, going with the flow will get me where I need to be, when I need to be there.  I hope you all have the opportunity to have some fun this week.  I highly recommend it.  Seven year old kids are great teachers, they are masters at having fun.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Let Go

I taught a class today on letting go.  I have begun three different posts tonight, and each of them have disappeared, lost forever in techno land.  The lessons that I taught today are laughing at me tonight, or at least I think they are.  Why else would each post just disappear?  I am letting go of thoughts and words tonight on this computer.

Each time I started a new post, I thought wow this is better than the other one...and then it would disappear. Tonight I remembered to let go and breathe.  So forget those flowery words that came before. Now it is just honest fatigue pecking on this keyboard. There is nothing left, I have let it all go.

Tomorrow is Wednesday, no classes to be taught, but a column to be written and the afternoon spent with Jordan.  It should be an interesting day, well at least fun.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams


Monday, October 5, 2015

The Best

A good day for yoga classes. Good energy and good spirits, laughter and hugs, I am a lucky woman.
Three classes today and it was the same for each.

Tonight I am grateful for my students, for those of you who read my blog.  You lift me up when I am down.  Thanks for your prayers and good thoughts.  Those three years of treatments were the worst, but you all were the best.

Sending you blessings of joy, peace and always good health.
Goodnight  Sweet dreams

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Bittersweet Sundays

Sunday nights are sometimes bittersweet for me.  For the last two years of my mom's life, I would go down to her house on Sunday evening and spend the night with her.  I spent days and other nights, but Sunday nights became our routine.  We would talk about what the coming week would bring, make grocery lists, watch tv, play with the cat.  Sometimes we would look at old photographs and talk about
the past.  We didn't spend much time on the future, but we spent a great deal in the present and the past.

After she died, it took several years to let go of that feeling every Sunday afternoon that I needed to get my clothes together and go down to her house.  Old habits, especially ones that ingrained on your emotions are hard to break.

This afternoon that sensation hit me.  I had not felt it in a long time, but that sense of urgency was almost overwhelming.  Wanting to see my mom weighed in my heart, and for an hour or so I felt totally out of sorts, knowing that she was not at her house.

October always intensifies my connection with my parents and my missing them.  Their anniversary was this month, my dad's birthday is this month, my mom died the first week of November, so October was the last month she was in my life.

I am missing her tonight, more than I have in quite sometime.  She has been gone ten years, come this November.  It is an eternity and a moment.  I just wish I could pick up the phone and call her.
Once she told me that she didn't want to die because she knew what it was like when her mother died and she didn't want  me to know to that pain of missing your mother. Sadly it is a pain most of us will have to experience at some point in our lives.

Wishing you all a peaceful Sunday night, and a week that brings joy.
Goodnight Sweet dreams.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Ignorance

a quote for this rainy chilly Saturday night....


"The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don't know anything about. "  - Wayne Dyer

Friday, October 2, 2015

Popcorn Joy

Jordan came to our house after school today.  He was so full of joy, it could not be contained.  His class had a popcorn party this afternoon.  It seems the kindergarten, first grade and second grades had done a fundraiser of sorts.  They had brought sales receipts from local  and area stores in each day for the past few weeks.  The class with the most dollar tally in receipts won the party, his class won.
Not only did they have popcorn, but they watched 101 Dalmatians.

That is the amazing thing about kids.  Their joy is pure and simple.  It doesn't take big stuff to make a child happy.  Adults seem to look for things to be sad about, kids find the joy.  I'm not sure exactly when we lose that ability to find joy in the simple, but I think if we could remember those times and reclaim that ability our world would be so different.

It's Friday night, this weekend find some joy, pop some popcorn, watch a few cartoons.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Thursday, October 1, 2015

October 1

October 1... today would have been my parent's 72 year wedding anniversary.

October 1...my dad's and Rick's dad's birthdays are this month

October 1...time for all things fall

October 1...leaves are turning,wind blows out of the north

October 1...crisp apples, fresh walnuts and pecans, pumpkins

October 1...the perfect time for stews and home-made bread

October 1...sweaters, boots, my most favorite clothing

October 1...Halloween, a wonderful holiday, you dress up any way you wish and eat tons of candy

October 1...a month for changes in the weather, clothing and some have done their Christmas shopping ( not me)

October 1...the smell of burning leaves, chilly mornings, sunny afternoons

October 1...bonfires, hayrides and s'mores

October 1...my friends Kaye and Jamie are getting married on the 31

October 1...candy corn mixed with salted peanuts, can we say yummy?

October 1...football and baseball at the same time

October 1...I love this month, this season...call me happy