Monday, August 31, 2015

Magic

"The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper."  - W.B. Yeats

On this last day of August, may you notice the beauty of summer's end as well as the beginning of fall's arrival.  There is magic all around.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Taz and Paper

Taz and I have a Sunday ritual...we read the papers every Sunday morning.  She just looked exceptionally cute today so I wanted to share this picture.

We had rain all night last night and most of today, here's hoping we get a glimpse of the full moon tonight..

Wishing you a Monday full of good surprises.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Pure Joy

Joy...the phone rang this evening, it was Jordan and  there was so much joy in his voice it made me cry.
His mom took him to Disney World and he is on cloud nine.  He was so excited he could barely finish his sentences.  They have already sent many texts and pictures and it has only been one day.

Samantha has worked extra hours and saved every penny for this vacation.  I had held my breath for the past couple of days, fearful that the hurricane would hit the Orlando area and their vacation would
be a wash.  Thankfully for everyone, the storm moved into the Gulf and has fizzled out for now.

Jordan is already making plans for Rick and I to go back to Disney with them next year.  He will show us around. Tomorrow they visit the Animal Kingdom, I suspect lots more pictures and texts.

There is something about hearing pure joy in a child voice, it has to be like hearing angels sing.
Tonight I am so grateful that Jordan is having the time of his life...I wish we were there.
Wishing you a peaceful Sunday.
Goodnight Sweet dreams

Friday, August 28, 2015

Friday Fun

My friend and former chair buddy Louis cooked lunch for Rick and me today.  It was wonderful!  Great food and the best company you could ever want.

Louis makes a banana pudding that will change your world. Yep, I brought a bowl home.

I hope your Friday has been as awesome as mine.
Wishing you a weekend of balance, fun and rest, peace and joy.

Thursday, August 27, 2015

Sleep?

Last night was one of those nights that my students talk to me about, except this time it was me not sleeping.  Once in a rare blue moon, my mind refuses to slow down.  I breathe, I count breaths, I think of my safe peaceful place and finally after hours of not sleeping I get up.  For all the stuff floating through my brain, I resign myself to the fact that it has to be sorted at some point.

After a morning walk, a nap and lots of sorting of thoughts I came up with an answer that gave me peace.  The one thing I have learned about the brain racing, you have to figure out why and what is going on.  If you are honest with your answers you can find the happy place.

If your brain races at night and you can't figure out why, ask yourself these questions.
1. how much caffeine have I had today, and did I have any after 3:00pm?
2.  did I eat late
3. did I watch the news before bed
4. did I spend time on my computer before bed
5. did I argue or disagree with someone
6. am I worried, if so why
7. do I not feel well
8. did I exercise today
9. how much water have I drank
10. have I meditated today

Feel free to add to this list, but usually, if there is not something nagging at you ( health, finance, personal issues) then the above list of questions should help you figure some things out.
My cup of hot tea awaits, and so does my bed.
Goodnight sweet dreams

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Dog Day

I think that Taz and Calliou knew it was National Dog Day.  They have been on their best behavior all day, well except once when we were getting ready to go for a walk and Calliou got a little rowdy.

I love dogs. Through the years we have had such a strange and wonderful assortment of  mutts.
Small dogs, big dogs, smart ones and not so smart.  We had a yellow lab mix named Gibson who lived to be 17, she was my dog.  She tolerated Rick. Flop and Mop, sadly were not with us long but they were joyful little creatures.  Flop loved to sleep on top of my head, all three pounds of her. Mop was stolen, and Flop was ran over by a car.

We had a big ugly mongrel named Red who had been abused.  When Red came to live with us, he became the protector of all who lived in the Watson house.  There is no doubt in my mind, Red would have taken a bullet for Rick or me.

Blackie Bear, a lab chow mix, and Charlie, a sheep dog mix took care of me as long as they could.
Astro and Buddy liked me, but they belonged to Rick.  Taylor loved us both. There were many more, but dog stories are much like kid stories, they are usually only cute to their parents.

I have never understood how anyone could mistreat a human or a dog. Our dogs have been family members and we have mourned each and everyone's passing. I can't imagine my life without a dog.
I have hugged Taz and Calliou several times today, telling them how glad they chose us.  And they did, they chose us.  They are gifts that the universe bestowed upon us and I am eternally grateful.
Hug your dogs tonight.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Twenty Feet

 Twenty Feet from Stardom, my friend Fred kept telling me you have to watch this film, you just have to.  Rick and I watched it tonight.  Fred was right.  It is about several back-up singers that truly made the music starting in the sixties.

Listening to the songs that these singers made, and they did make them was amazing.  I can promise you that many of your favorites would not have been the same if not for the back-up vocalists.

We will be buying a copy of Twenty Feet from Stardom.  I loved it because I am a singer and like most of the back ground singers in the film, I started singing in church.  I am no where as good as these singers, but I can identify with them on many levels.  I have always had a strong powerful voice, and many times in my life I have been told I needed to sing the way I looked... small and thin.

Singing in a Pentecostal church, you learned to sing from the depths of your soul, the bottom of your heart.  You learned to make a joyful noise and to wail when your heart was broken. This is what  I know, when I sing, it is the most incredible joy, it is being in the now and present and no place else exists.
I sing in my car driving home from work and I put as much into it as I would on stage in front of a crowd.

Twenty Feet from Stardom tells the story, it is not all joy, but neither is it all sad, it is just life, 20 feet away from being a star.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Why You Should Meditate

Why should you meditate?

Buddha  was asked  what have you gained from meditation? he replied, "Nothing. However let me tell you what I have lost, anger, anxiety depression, insecurity, fear of old age and death."

Sunday, August 23, 2015

Sunday Stumbling

Lack of sleep ( because of a storm), busy day ( somehow the week just got away) and I am a wee bit tired tonight.

It has been a while since a weekend just disappeared, but this one did. I hope your weekend was a good one.  Hard to believe Labor Day is just around the corner.

This morning as I drove out our road, I spied a momma wild turkey and five or six babies.  They were just hanging out at the edge of the woods watching life go by.  Momma looked at me as if she dared me to mess with her babies.

My cup of hot tea awaits, but more importantly, my bed.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Saturday, August 22, 2015

A Surprise

I got a surprise call before noon today.  Some of our dearest friends in the whole world, Keith and Roberta were driving up from their home in Florida to visit his family in Alabama, they also wanted to see us.

I have known Keith my whole life, our parents were friends.  Rick and I were in their wedding in New York City, Rick shot their wedding pictures, I was a bridesmaid.  It had been about three years since we had seen them, way too long for good friends not to see each other.

Keith mentioned that maybe we could meet somewhere for dinner, no of course not, I wanted them here.  I scurried to the grocer's.  A simple roast chicken, bread and salad, new potatoes and string beans and so much laughter.  It was the most perfect evening.

As they left for his sister's house after dinner, I vowed to myself, never again, would we go that long without seeing them.  Life is too short, time is moving too fast and we loved them too much, I think a trip to Florida in the fall will be good.  Another simple meal, and much more laughter, I can't wait.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Busy Friday

I spent both my off days this week seeing doctors, have not done that in several months.  But, all is good, just some routine tests in the next couple of weeks.  It's hard to believe that for three years almost every off day was spent with some doctor or in the big green chair.  I know that for myself I made the right decision, stopping IVIG treatments was the right choice for me.

After my doctor's appointment today, we picked Jordan up at school.  I have really missed him this week, but he loves school.  He is always so happy at the end of the day.  We came home, popped corn and had some apple juice, his favorite after school snack.

My Jawbone sent me an update this week, it seems that I am in the upper 30 percentile of 60 year old and upwards, women using Jawbone.  Of course who knows how many actual women are out there using one to track their movements and sleep. I am loving mine.  I look on my wrist everyday and it is a gentle reminder that I need to take 10,000 steps...most days I do.

The best part of the day ( besides picking up Jordan) we met my chair buddy Louis for lunch.
His birthday is Sunday, and since I have stopped treatment I don't get to spend much time with him.
We took him to one of his favorite restaurants and it was delightful.  Meeting Louis, was the best part of those big green chairs, I will always be grateful for our meeting.

August and summer are almost gone.  Enjoy your weekend, make the most of the heat.  Don't forget to laugh out loud.

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Faith

Life's circles come quick, sometimes and at other times it seems as though the circle will never come round again.  We had gone through a fallow time as far as gigs and performances, but with last week's fair show, things are on the upturn.  We just got a booking tonight for an Arts Council gig in November and we will be doing a fund-raiser in Sept or October.  Things are starting to move again.

I love the song, Have A Little Faith...and most of the time, you have to do just that.  Have A Little Faith, in me, in life, in the universe, in other people...there comes a time you got to Have A Little Faith.

Faith is a hard commodity to hang on to when nothing seems to be going your way. Faith as little as a grain of mustard seed.  Do you know how tiny a mustard seed is?  Just a little faith can change your life.  I remind myself of that mustard seed quite often.  We think when we are down, when life is tough that we must have a great deal of faith.  That is not true.  Faith, a grain of mustard seed...that is all we need.

If your lack of faith seems to be holding you back, just remember or even go by the seed store and take a look...see for yourself how tiny a mustard seed really is.  Believe in yourself, in your friends and family, in life, in the universe, in your higher power...that is all it takes.  So tonight, have a little faith.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Make Their Day

Sometimes you go about your day and you think that maybe nothing you have done has mattered.
I have experienced a few of those days the past couple of months.  And then life sends you a pat on the back or a hug or a rainbow or whatever...I got one of those this past week.  One of my students gave me a letter on the day of his last class with me.

I read it and wept.  It seems for him, I had made a difference.  I have a box of those letters and cards and every once in awhile, I sit and read them.  They remind me of why I do what I do, where I do it.

Because through the years, those letters and cards have meant so much to me, I try to pass that kindness on.  I try to send cards, sometimes in snail-mail, sometimes e-cards.  I want people in my life who have made a difference to know that they have.  I want them to know, I think of them and appreciate all that they do.  Sadly, I don't do it enough or often enough.

I miss writing letters.  I was never very good at it, but I love to write letters and get them. What is it about getting something in the mail.  I love it.  Honestly, I think that is why I do magazines in the mail.  I just love walking down to the mailbox and getting something ( other than a bill) with my name on it.

I buy Jordan a subscription to Highlights for Kids each year.  His  mom says he loves getting mail too.

Friends keep telling me they can't believe I hand paint Christmas cards every year.  I can't help myself.  Once again, it is my memory of how much  joy cards and notes bring to me that pushes me to sit for hours each November and paint card after card.

So maybe it's time you sent a card or note to someone, just wishing them well or that you are thinking of them or maybe letting them know how much they mean to you. It will make their day, I promise.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Tuesday Thoughts

Walking the dogs this morning I realized that the air was so humid and heavy we were all panting before we reached the barn.  Feeling the thick warm air in my lungs and on  my skin was almost overwhelming, my body weight felt as though it was growing with each step.

The rains have swept through in waves of downpours. Water pouring from the heavens in torrents and random streaks of lightening and booms of thunder have become an everyday occurrence the past few days.  I think the monsoons have arrived.

This rain seems to be bringing summer's end closer every day. Though the heat is still with us, there are tiny streaks of reds and golds appearing in the woods.  I find myself craving the cool mornings of September and its warm sunny afternoons.  I know the heat and humidity will be unmerciful for the next few weeks, but there is hope for cooler evenings.

My students were subdued today.  The rain I believe, intensifies the loneliness that hovers over most of them.  Even though they are not alone, they are lonely and it showed in their faces today.
I hope the sun shines for them tomorrow or at least they see patches of blue across the skies.
Sometimes just the promise of a ray of sun brightens the day.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams


Monday, August 17, 2015

Chose

A quote for this Monday night.


"I am not what happened to me, I am what I chose to become."

- Jung

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Sunday Stumblings

The rains came a little after noon today, they have slowed but not stopped. At my last check, we had over 4 inches and it feels wonderful today.  It is nice to out of the  90s at for least for a day.

Recovering from an out of town gig is interesting.  Piles of laundry, fatigue, dehydration...playing outdoors in the heat, long hours, late night, show clothes, travel clothes.  But it is worth it.
I wish we could play every weekend or at least 2 or 3 per month.  I love it that much.

Ready for classes tomorrow, blankets washed, cds done.  I hope your weekend has been a good one.
Our school starts tomorrow and Jordan is ready.  May your Monday be peaceful and easy.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Saturday, August 15, 2015

Athena the Hen

Athena the hen, has decided that the best laying nest is a pot of basil.
She has also encouraged the other hens to do as she does.

She sits and eats the bail, then cackles and lays an egg.
Chickens are strange and wonderful.

We had a very late night last night.
We played the Central Mississippi
Fair .  A great audience.
I am  very tired, long  night, long day of driving.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Let It Go

Classes were packed today.  As always for some it is mandatory, others come because they are curious and the rest because they want to.  It doesn't matter to me how many or how few because I believe those who need to be there will be there.

New students today, and others leaving, that hello/goodbye that I have become all too familiar with these past ten years.  An emotional day, it seems I am always saying a prayer for one of my students.  You see,  I have faith in them, I see their goodness and their potential for greatness even when they don't.

Addiction is no respecter of persons, it preys on the wealthy, the poor, the educated...it can claim anyone you know or love. It rakes through lives like a hurricane, leaving in its wake destruction, sadness, and sometimes death.  It takes brilliant minds, beautiful souls and walks on them as though they were nothing.

I am not sure if I have helped anyone or not these past ten years, I think I have.  I have a box full of notes, cards and letters, they say I have.  After my students leave the program, I rarely if ever hear from any of them, but I hope...I pray...and I believe that many go on to live the life they were born to live.  But this I do know, every day I send them love, every day I send them prayers.  Their choices will take them down the road they choose and they will live or die by their choice.

I promise, I will be in a better place tomorrow.  Some days, it is hard to let it all go.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Hungry Brain

Jordan informed me today that his brain was ready for school to start.  I know how he feels. Sometimes you just have the need to learn something.

I am looking at classes, yoga training, on line courses etc.  I am thirsty and hungry, my brain needs to be fed.  Of course, after the class or whatever begins there is usually that initial feeling of, oh my, what did I get myself into?

This week, this month is coming to a fast close.  We are excited about playing at the Mississippi Fair this weekend.  We have never played a fair before, so this will be new, scary, and different.
But, spreading our wings is part of our vision board this year.  We wanted to play new places.

Life is easy to live when you are comfy cozy and that is nice.  But, we all need that rush of Adrenalin occasionally to remind us that we are alive.  Learning something new gives that rush too.
It is not a good every day occurrence, well, the Adrenalin rush that is, but learning is a great every day activity.

We have gone out two nights now looking for meteor showers...so far no luck.  Maybe tomorrow night.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams


Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Stars

A busy day, Jordan stayed with me, then Rick came home early so I could leave for work.
A full class today, home tonight, rehearsal for our gig at the Central Mississippi Fair Friday night.
Now about to go out and watch the meteor showers.

I love the meteor showers in August, the skies are clear tonight so we should have a good show.
You can watch them for the next few nights. Viewing is best right after sunset or just before dawn, away from city lights.

I will make as many wishes as I can including the big one, world peace. Maybe I can catch just one and put it in my pocket.
Goodnight Sweet dreams.

Monday, August 10, 2015

Value

Something to think about from Rumi tonight...

"You know the value of every article of merchandise but if you don't know the value of your own soul, it's all foolishness."  -Rumi

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Fun Cake

Another day with family, our nephew James and his family came for lunch today.

Jordan was so excited that the "kids" were coming, he insisted we bake a cake.

I baked, his mom Sam did the icing, and Jordan did the sprinkles. Jordan's philosophy about sprinkles, you can't have too many.

It was a fun day, two of them in a row full of family and kids. I am a bit tired. Next weekend, we have a gig so hotel room, on stage, playing music, what a difference a week makes.  I am a lucky woman.

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Baby Easton

Our family had a baby shower today for our newest edition, Easton.  Easton is a 26 week baby, he barely weighed in at 2 pounds the day he came and is a whopping four pounds now.  He is a doing great!  His doctors and nurses cannot believe how well he is.  He is a little over four weeks old now.

So far Rick and I have only seen pictures of our great,great nephew but we will get to see him up close and personal soon.  One of the most amazing pictures that we have seen of him, he is wearing his dad's wedding band as a bracelet.

Easton is my niece Jayna's grandson.  I remember the day Jayna was born, it is hard to believe she is now a grandmother.  Life is moving way too fast. I also remember Kayla, Easton's mom being born and that seems like yesterday.

It has been a good day, celebrating this new life.  There was great joy, laughter and an occasional tear today.  I know my mom would have been so excited about Easton.  She and my dad would be beside themselves waiting for him to come home.

There is something about new life coming into the family.  Babies give hope in so many ways.
Tonight we say blessings for Easton, for good health and a long happy life. Blessings for his parents that they will be strong and tender, and that they too will have a healthy, long, happy life.

Wishing you all a Sunday full of peace.

Friday, August 7, 2015

Junk

I thought this quote would be a great one to start the weekend...

"You can't reach for anything new if your hands are full of yesterday's junk."

Empty the junk and start fresh this weekend, you owe it to yourself.
While you are at it, don't take on anyone else's junk.


Thursday, August 6, 2015

Hopes

Teaching yoga at an addiction center, I see the results of responsibility and choices daily.
When life gives you a blow, when life with all its unfairness and harshness raises its ugly head, it is easy to place blame on so many levels.

But, what we forget, as adults we make our choices, we make them whether we think them through or just let our whims and friends encourage us down our path.

As humans we do not want pain, we do not want to feel anything bad, we want our lives to be happy, with no sadness...but that is not to be.  Bad things happen, troubles knock on our door, illness and death are part of life...we can't hide, we can't numb ourselves into oblivion.

We can face the storms, and weather them the best we can...knowing that our scars, both physical and emotional become a part of who we are.   Or, we can close our eyes, shut down our  minds,
leaving a train wreck every where we go.

And yes, we leave a train wreck, you might think that what you do affects no one but you....but you would be greatly mistaken.  Every move we make, each word that we say, every deed we perform is like a stone being cast into a pond...the ripples start small but they spread and get larger as time goes by.

I hope that each day we live, we try to remember for every action, there is a reaction...that our lives touch so many every day, in ways many of us will never know.  I hope that we treat each other, the way we want to be treated.  I hope that we accept the responsibilities of our actions and that we  think about our choices...these are my hopes, and I suppose my prayer.

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

No Drama

A day without drama...is such a wonderful thing.  Jordan had swim class this morning, and then the most dramatic event of the day was giving Taz a bath.

Normal uneventful, undramatic days give us the strength to make it through the roller coaster days, whether they be good or bad.  Today restored my energy, allowed me to rest, laugh and remember
these days are the nourishment for the soul.

The heat is still relentless here in the south, but there is a chance of rain and a drop in temperatures for a few hours tomorrow.  One thing about the humid heat, you appreciate our winters...or at least I do.

I hope this hump day was a nice uneventful one for you...giving you an opportunity to recharge your batteries, and make it through the rest of the workweek unscathed.   Many of our schools started yesterday, Jordan doesn't go back until the 17 of this month.  I am thinking I would learn very little when the temps hit 100 and above...maybe I am just a wuss.

About to write my third column for The Leaf, it is exciting to be published.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Balm

An emotional roller coaster in class today...my energy left for parts unknown.  Tomorrow will be rest and relaxation of sorts, Jordan will spend the day...fun times.

I am not sure what type of butterfly or moth that tiny little being is on the zinnia, but its orange wings looked so pretty against the fuchsia petals.

Nature's beauty is a balm for the spirit and soul.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Monday, August 3, 2015

Stop/Start

This quote spoke to me today, sharing it with you all tonight.


"Stop being afraid of what could go wrong, and start being positive about could go right."

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Sunday Ramblings

This has been a weekend of all things yoga, sorta.  I have washed yoga mats, blankets, and cleaned eye pillows, organized my yoga bag and made copies of my relaxation cd that I give to students.

Energy has to be focused for me, I work a daily planner, make lists and keep a calendar on the kitchen wall.  I know I might sound rather strange, but to keep my life in balance or some semblance of balance, I have to see what's taking place and put it down pen to paper.

If I don't stay focused, my life tends to be rather like the scattering of marbles on a wood floor...everything goes in all directions at once...and very little is accomplished.

Multi-tasking for me is a waste of energy, I spin my wheels but there are few results.  Now, I can read 3 or 4 different books during the same period of time and tell you all that is taking place in each of them.  Isn't it strange how our brains work? or maybe how we think they work.

What started me down this particular rabbit hole tonight...we watched the 
movie/documentary What The Bleep.  It is an interesting movie, based on quantum physics.  We have watched it a couple of times before, but for some reason, we both felt the urge to watch it again.  Sometimes the thought process just needs a jolt, mine did.

I hope this first week of August is a good one for all of you.  Enjoy these next few weeks of summer, the heat, the flowers, the fruits and veggies...spend as much time as you can outdoors.

Goodnight Sweet dreams

Saturday, August 1, 2015

August 1

August 1...still in the 90's, but low humidity...down in the 60's last night, chilly

August 1...school starts soon

August 1...sunflowers saluted the sun today

August 1...planting pumpkins in a couple of days

August 1...the morning light is changing, the angle of the sun hits the windows at a different place

August 1...10,000 steps a day...that is my goal, and most days I make it

August 1...lemonade frozen pops, Jordan and I make them daily

August 1....we play our first county fair in Mississippi this month

August 1...I am so loving this blue moon

August 1...I will not miss bee stings, or bug bites when fall makes an appearance

August 1...zinnias LOVE hot weather, are they related to okra? :)

August 1....savor the moments, summer will fade into fall before we know it

August 1...fresh veggies every day

August 1...fact, white jeans make hot weather bearable

August 1...bare feet on freshly cut grass...heavenly