A Very Long Day

My great nephew, Jordan spends the day with me on Tuesdays, while his mom is in Physical

Therapy School. He is a really sweet, smart little two year old and we always have a large time.

This morning he was sick, the doc seems to think it is viral, but his mouth and throat are covered

in open ulcers, and he keeps running a temperature. This has been going on for several days, so he is a very hungry child at this point. Popsicles do not sustain a two year's old energy for long.

So, I thought, maybe if he hangs in the kitchen with me, we can cook or make something that he can eat. WRONG! First, we made jello, well he would not touch it, that's not true, he loved touching it, he just didn't want to eat it. We made smoothies, and he loved dumping the fruit and yogurt in the blender, and turning it on, just did not want to eat it. Mashed potatoes came next,

bananas, and yep, we were back to Popsicles. Finally about two this afternoon, vanilla wafers dipped in milk worked like a charm.

Normally he is so independent, but today I have sat for hours and held him, rubbed his feet and his back, and every time his fever would rise, sit him in the bath tub. Right now, I am wishing that someone would rub my feet, my back and feed me Popsicles.

Actually, my plans were to take a nice long bath earlier, but the power went off. No, no storms, or wind, it happens a lot where we live. We are in the country, almost 12 miles to the nearest store or bank, our power lines are the original ones that were strung through the community in the 30's, if we go without power for 24 hours, our phones go out! Sometimes it's just a squirrel that crosses the lines. And no, my cell phone does not work here. But good news, about an hour ago, POWER! So, this is a short entry tonight,

there is a nice long bath calling out to me, and a cup of hot tea, and a good book.

Goodnight, sweet dreams

Restless

It's one of those days when I would like to breathe salty air. I feel the need to go somewhere.

It is a feeling of missing the sea.....drifting if you wish. I haven't seen the ocean in a long time.

And it's not the sandy beaches of the Gulf coast that I wish to see, it is the mountains dropping off into the Pacific or the rocky coast of the northern Atlantic. I want to see waves crashing, feel the wind blowing in my face, maybe have a bowl of clam chowder or some oysters. Walk barefoot on the beach, and feel cold water sweep across my toes.

This started last night talking with friends about Seattle, and then thinking about the coast just south of San Francisco, and then I thought about Boston, well that is just how my brain works.

Next thing I know, I want clam chowder, or salmon while I am looking out on grey rough water.

It's not that I don't love the Gulf coast, I have lots of great memories of the Gulf. The sunsets are some of the most beautiful on earth, and the turquoise water can be most breathtaking.

And of course, don't forget about the dazzling white sand beaches.

Ok, so now I am thinking about the coast of Ireland, especially Galway. The little fishing villages, and crab claws as large as my hand. A gentle rain falling, a great little book store, and the afternoon spent at a bed and breakfast, listening to the wind and rain, and a great cup of tea.

Well, it appears I am craving fresh seafood, salty crisp air, and just a little get away.

I had planned on writing something about Labor Day, but my brain can turn on a dime at any given moment and this is where I went tonight.

So for all of you who are somewhere on or near the coast tonight, I am envious. Go out and take a deep breath of the briny air for me, and maybe have some chowder for lunch tomorrow or fried clams. If you get the chance, let the waves wash over your toes and squeal and giggle, I can promise I would do the same for you!

Good night, sweet dreams.

Autumn Post Card

This morning it was 52 degrees here, in Empire, Alabama. The skies were blue and cloudless, the sunlight, brilliant with a hint of gold. I know this was just Mother Nature taunting me, just a big tease.......but that's ok. Autumn is just around the corner. Most of you know, this is my favorite time of the year. I wait patiently all during the searing heat of July and August dreaming that fall will come.

We walked this morning, and the dogs were in rare form. Blackie Bear, is maybe 12 or 14 and he pranced like a young pup, rolling in the dew soaked grass, barking for joy. Charlie, just meandered sniffing butterflies, looking up at the sky. Astro, ran like a shiny black race horse gearing up for the Kentucky Derby, while Buddy ran in wild sporadic spurts. Taylor the Dump Dog, rambled down the trail moving faster than she has all summer. They all knew, this won't last, but there will be more days like this in the weeks to come.

The weather man is already saying back to the low 90's mid-week and 70's at night. But in the morning, once again we'll sit on the deck and drink coffee knowing it's just around the corner.

Those crisp mornings, and warm afternoons, when days grow shorter and the sunsets more vivid, more colorful every evening. Every where I look, there is a tinge of softening color on the tips of leaves.

To those of you who love fall as much as I do, hold on, it's coming. Right now is just the transitional period, summer holding on refusing to leave without a fight, autumn waiting smugly in the wings for her time to shine. Today, was a post card, just a reminder

autumn's coming soon.

Vision Board

Once a year, I make a vision board. It hangs in the laundry room(for only two people, seems I do a hell of a lot of laundry). I often suggest to friends and yoga students that they too make a vision board.

So what is a vision board? You begin by cutting pictures, words, phrases, that represent the life you want and then arrange them on a poster. This year I focused on music, gardens/home, yoga and friends and creativity. Truthfully, many years those are the things that I focus on. But this year, it is a little different.......more music, actually more travel, changing my image, sprucing up the house,spending time with friends, teaching yoga with as much truth as I know, writing more(thus the blog)

Why do a vision board? It works. It puts into perspective what is important in your life, how you want to live, goals, the life you see your self living. It needs to be hung where you see it every day, as a reminder of the path you want to follow. So far, most of what I posted on this collage has in some shape or form manifested . We took our first vacation in seven years.

I lost weight(still have a few pounds to go) we have spruced up the house, reworked the gardens, playing more music, I am way better on guitar, I think my teaching skills have gone up a notch(due to great trainings and inspiring students) we have spent more time with friends.

One of my favorite Wayne Dyer quotes, "you get what you think about whether you want it or not" reinforces my belief in vision boards. When it is right there in front of you, and you see it daily, the brain is ready to make changes. You think about what you see, and you begin to strive for those changes, for that life that you have pictured.

I challenge you all tonight, make your selves a vision board. I think you will be delighted as you actually see your dreams and thoughts hanging on the wall. You will be glad to be reminded of what is important to you, on those days when it seems you are only treading water. And as the months go by, you will be reminded of what you have achieved. There will be changes too, what you may have put down at the beginning, in a few months you may realize that some of those things are not what you wanted at all!

Tonight, I have posted a photo of my vision board, and a new photo of myself. Just testing the waters on the new image. Let me know how those vision boards progress!

Just Breathe

Every yoga class I teach, I always talk about the importance of the breath. I spend a good bit of time teaching breath work, encouraging students to understand the breath is everything. I personally spend a lot of time every day doing controlled breath work. I believe with all my heart, that learning to control your breath enables you to control the body and mind.

But even with all of this, I know that like most of you, most days I take my breathing for granted.

Until a day like today,

I taught two classes( of all things on the breath) and my students loved them, they really got into the breath work and the reading that I did.

Plus, I gave a handout on stillness and breath.

After my last class, I packed everything up and got ready to clock out. When I entered the lobby of the building where the time clock is, my lungs started to spasm. Something had triggered an

asthma attack. I barely remember clocking out, and made it back to my car. Did my emergency inhaler and called Rick. I made it home, fine, very winded and fatigued. I took my breath for granted........it's such an easy thing to do, take your breath for granted until you feel as though you are drowning on dry land.

The yoga breath work has made such a difference, I stay calm, and as hard as it is, I do control my breath to some extent when an attack hits. I can't remember the last time I had an attack.

Who knows what caused this one today. It will be awhile before I take my breath for granted

In yoga, the philosophy is you are born with a certain number of breaths. But because of the stress that most of us live, the hectic lifestyle, the shallow breathing, then it is thought we shorten our lives. But when we breathe slow and deeply, we live calmly and we lengthen our lives.

So to all of you tonight, take a few minutes everyday, sit still and breathe slowly, in and out through the nose. The stillness and the breath will change your life.......... it may save your life.

Just breathe.

Four Gold Rings

For those of you who know me, you know that there is something missing on my hands.......

diamonds. I wear four skinny gold wedding bands, that's it. The only time they have left my hands was when I had surgery a few years ago.

The rings do have stories. One belonged to my mom, one to Rick's dad, one belonged to my mom's best friend, and the other is my wedding band. When I see them on my hands, I feel comfort, and connections. They are me.

Not sure why I never desired diamonds, they are beautiful on others, but when ever I have tried a diamond ring on it looks alien, it does not belong on my hands.

I am often asked about the rings. Once on a plane, a gentleman sitting next to me, asked if I had been married four times. I laughed so hard, he probably thought I had, even when I said no.

Now, I do love vintage, costume jewelry. Old and funky, old and beautiful, I have quite a collection. As my girlfriend Kaye likes to say, I decide what piece I am wearing and then I choose my clothes for the day. I have a couple of really special yoga pieces too. A silver dragon that a friend gave me, and a Tibetan prayer coin, both are sacred to me.

Most days however, I only wear my four gold rings. When I look at my hands, the rings just seem to belong, they complete me. My nieces, Becky and Jayna have made it known that when I leave this body, they want the rings. Cannot imagine the four not together.

So, as I sit here typing tonight, the gold catches the light from my desk lamp, and it shimmers. My hands are not pretty, they look like my grandmother Mammie's, but the rings make them special. Four tiny golden bands, four lives, forever connected.

Southern French

I love the French language, me trying to speak it is rather sad, I do have a decent comprehension of it. I now have two apps for my I-phone, and every day I practice........I think this is gonna take a long long time.

So today, I revisited a couple of cds that are part of my all time favorite collection. Both are by Zachary Richard, "Women In The Room" and "Snake Bite Love". So what do these cds have to do with my love of the French language. Zachary Richard is from LaFayette, La, is a singer/songwriter, a poet, a writer of children's books, he is so French, yet so American. He just released his first cd in English in 15 years. I love his music, it is Cajun, it is Zydeco, it is French poetry and American activism. It is happy, yet sometimes so poignant and loving, it brings tears to my eyes. I have a couple of his French cds, yet today I listened to those from many years ago. These two particular cds have songs that always make me smile and want to dance, yet also touch my heart. I can't wait to get his new cd. I saw Zach live in Atlanta several years ago, it was a great concert, an undeniable sexy, fun energy filled two hours with moments that broke your heart and then made you want to love. It was a truly memorable evening.

So, do I think I will ever be fluent in French? I honestly don't know. My southern drawl seems to butcher even the simplest of phrases. Sometimes, folks from other parts of the United States have difficulty understanding me, God help the French!

If any of you have suggestions on ways to study the language, please send me info. Yes, I know that packing up and moving to Provence would help immensely but at this point in my life that is not an option.

Maybe at this point I should just find a class and go! I have some extra time these days, if I could find a water color class taught in French by a singer/songwriter.............can anybody out there help me out????????