Live Now

September 30, how can that be?  Only yesterday it was September 1, well it seemed like yesterday.
That is how life is, isn't it?  Unless you are a kid, each decade brings an intensity and speed to time that is unthinkable.

So, what this time thing means tonight, live your life.  Don't look for the worst, I promise you will find it.  Live your life, expect the best, look for the good.  You can't go back and redo yesterday, you can't go forward and control tomorrow, all you can do is live now.  Live life now.

Tomorrow is October 1, and I promise, October 31 will here soon.  Holy cow!  So live life now.

Signs of Fall

Thought it would be nice to show some of the early fall colors we are seeing here in Alabama this week.  Goldenrod is plentiful, there are fields of it on some of the back roads. I love its vivid color. There are tinges of reds and purples starting to peep through the woods as well.  Enjoy your hump day tomorrow.

Monday Musings

It's Monday, September is almost gone, the moon is full and the sky is cloudy...oh well, maybe next time.  I still taught moon salutations for classes today. Though we can not see the moon, can definitely feel its energy.

Calliou has issues with the momma hen and chick.  He is so curious, and he wants to herd.  Momma hen wants him as far away as he can be.  She chased him all the way to the doggie door a couple of days ago. My mind was racing, what if she goes through the doggie door and gets in the house.  Thankfully, she stopped short of the coming in the house.

Calliou is getting paranoid.  When he walks across the back yard, he keeps his best eye on Rhodie, the momma hen.  She keeps her best eye on him.  I  am not quite sure where this conflict will end, hopefully we can end it peacefully.

I hope the rest of September flows like honey, you have blue skies, cool nights and beautiful autumn leaves.
Goodnight Sweet dreams

Sunday Thoughts

A mostly cloudy day, a cloudy night, but the clouds parted long enough this evening for us to see a few minutes of the lunar eclipse. This year's full moons have just not shown their faces as often we wanted to see them, maybe the next few will not be so shy.

I have spent a great deal of this weekend watching videos for the class that Rick and I are taking.  I have to admit it is interesting but complicated.

As we walked today, there is more color appearing in the trees and there is a coolness in the morning temperatures.  The dogs are loving this changing of the season and so am I.

September is coming to an end this week, October is ready to escort fall in quickly.  There are many fall festivals in our area the next few weeks, local football games and maybe a bonfire or two.
Enjoy your week, the full moon, the arrival of October...time to pick those apples, pumpkins and pears...smell the burning of leaves and cherish those warm afternoons.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Clear Skies

I got a glimpse of an almost full moon tonight. If what I saw tonight is any indication of what's to come, we are in for quite a treat tomorrow night.  We have had a mostly cloudy day, hoping the clouds will back off and tomorrow night will be clear.

Jordan and I had a chat about the full moon and the eclipse earlier this week.  He reminded me that for the blue moon and the blood moon this year, we had cloudy skies and had missed both.  His wish that the clouds would stay away this weekend tugged at my heart.  He loves a full moon as much as I.

Wishing you blessings of a peaceful Sunday and clear skies tomorrow night.
Goodnight Sweet dreams

Web Alert

Luckily I saw the web this morning before I walked into it.  Spider webs in my face cause me to dance weird, say really bad things and scream.

The downside to fall mornings walking in the woods, there are always spider webs.  I never get use to them in my face or hair.

I hope your Friday has been a good one.  Have some fun this weekend, hug someone, giggle and don't forget a full moon and lunar eclipse Sunday night.

Strong/Weak

a quote, food for thought tonight...

"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided."   - J.K. Rowling

A Refillable Glass

There are days in each of our lives when we feel that magical existence that all is right with our world and we are fearless and unbeatable.  Then there are days that are quite the opposite, where we question each thought and move that we make and doubt our very existence.

But, most days are somewhere in the middle.  Those days in the middle where there is a part of us that knows we do some things well, some really well and maybe some we should have never tried and left to others.

Most of our life is lived in the middle. Most of our memories or most that we talk about, are of those extreme days.  Some of us dwell on the incredibly good moments, some on the worst of times.
A friend of mine shared something with me yesterday that struck a chord...instead of thinking that the glass is half full or half empty, we should remember that it is refillable.

Instead of thinking of those extreme times, we need to remember, we can refill the glass.  As long as there is breath and life in us, we can refill the glass.  That is what the middle is all about, refilling our glass.  Those days when for the most part, we live on auto-pilot, those are the days that are given to us so that we may refill our glass.  

Where ever you are tonight, it might be the magic place where all is wonderful or it might be that place where all you want is a bed with covers that you can pull up over your head or you are some where in the middle...don't forget, you can refill the glass, it is refillable.

Happy Fall

Ragweed has spread its nasty pollen all around.  There is no place you can go in our neck of the woods that you don't hear sneezing and coughing.  At work today as I walked down the hall coughs and sneezes echoed, reminding those who were unscathed their time was coming. That is the downside to fall, colds, allergies and flu season thrive.

By the way, tomorrow is the first official day of autumn. The equinox takes place a little after 4 tomorrow morning.  Happy Fall!

I hope where ever you live, the cough and sneeze bug doesn't find you.  Celebrate a glorious fall day tomorrow no matter where you live.  It won't last long.  Old man winter waits in the wings with his frosty touch.

It's Ok

I shared this on FB today.  It's sad but true, we have to be reminded of this.

"Sometimes it's ok if the only thing you did today was breathe."

There are days, we all have them, we are sick, we are overworked, we are stressed, whatever, there are days that it is really is ok to just do nothing but breathe.  I call them pajama days.  For me, they are few and far between, especially since I stopped my infusion treatments, but we need those days.

A day to just be.  A day to just breathe.  It's ok.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Everything Changes

In the class Rick and I are taking there is much emphasis on impermanence.  Of course mindfulness and meditation go hand in hand with the understanding that change takes place in our lives every day.
Everything changes, nothing lasts for ever.  You can say that statement quickly, not think about it, and it becomes a sentiment.  But, when you contemplate the truth, that everything changes and nothing lasts for ever, it becomes life changing.

One of the meditations talks about thinking of you age, right now, how many years you have lived.
Think about how fast they have gone by, how quickly you have arrived at this moment.  Now think about your life 10 to 20 years from now, how fast those years will be over and that moment will be now.  That is how impermanent this life is.  There is change every day of our lives.  We might not notice those changes, but learning to be mindful, to be here in the now, we began to embrace all that takes place.

I hope your Sunday has been peaceful, I hope your week is filled with good things.  Don't forget to breathe and laugh out loud.

Unknown Plant

Does anyone know the name of this plant?  I have never seen it before and now there are several of them on our property.

It grows in shady areas and the tiny flowers are beautiful.  It doesn't look like a fall plant to me, more like one you see in late spring or early summer, but they have just appeared in the past week or so.

We walk every day and it is a delight to see a new flower or plant appear.  A nice reminder to be aware of our surroundings.

Once again an unusually warm September day, near 90 again.  But, no humming birds for the past few days, and starting to see color in the dogwood leaves.

I hope your Sunday is peaceful.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Mum Memories

Even though it was 90 degrees today I planted fall mums.  I have faith.  I know in my heart that cooler weather will come ( and stay) eventually.

Planting those mums brought back memories of my  mom.  When I was about five or six years old she grew those big yellow mums the size of tea cups.  Every fall the local florist would buy the flowers.  The local high school's colors were blue and gold and all the high school girls would wear corsages to the homecoming football game.  A big yellow mum, with a blue pipe cleaner D and shiny blue ribbons,  my mom's flowers made a lot of high school girls happy.

I love the smell of mums, marigolds, any of those flowers in that family.  It is fresh and herbal and the scent is a great natural bug repellent.  I plant them in the spring and fall.  Today, I planted yellow ones ( in memory of my mom) and purple ones ( because purple is my favorite color).

Jordan and I also made home made peanut butter today, yummy!  HoneyCrisp apples and home made peanut butter, the best snack ever.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Price

Sharing one of my favorite Thoreau quotes with you tonight. Sometimes we don't think about the cost until it is too late.  I shared this quote with my students today.


"The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it."
- Henry David Thoreau

The Big Chill

Tonight we watched a movie we had not seen in years, but it is one of my favorite movies...The Big Chill.  I love the sound track, the script and the actors.  I think it captures we baby boomers as well as anything ever has.

Through the years, as we have gotten together with our friends, the scene in the kitchen after dinner with everyone dancing while they clear the dirty dishes comes to my mind often.  Our kitchen, as small and tiny as it is has seen a great deal of dancing, laughter and camaraderie and always music.

It never crosses my mind that I am a baby boomer until I see The Big Chill, and then it hits me.
We are the generation that lived through the 50's, the 60's the 70's and beyond. We came through the Viet Nam war, Civil Rights Movement, the Kennedy assassinations, the summer of love, Woodstock,
the British Invasion, mini skirts and that is just the tip of the iceberg.  I often say I am a lucky woman, but I believe to have been a part of this generation has been incredible, I am lucky.

As we watched the movie tonight, I though of so many friends that we haven't seen in years, of so many who have died and the many we still see as often as we can. Growing up when we did wove a connecting thread that will always keep us linked.  Our lives might not have turned out the way we envisioned, but our roots are entwined in all those experiences.

And yes, each time I hear that sound track, there is a part of me, that also says, "there is no other music."

New Moon

There is hope with a new moon.  Just knowing that tiny sliver of radiance will eventually morph into that Super Moon ( and it is a true Super Moon this month) gives hope.  After all if that little crescent shows its light we know without a doubt the full moon will follow.

I love the philosophy of a new moon/new beginning.  With that in mind, it means each month, there is new energy, an opportunity to begin again.  A chance for all of us to try something new, to release the old.

Even my students have shown hope and renewed energy this week.  I think it is the feeling of change in the air.  The cooler temperatures, a change of season and the new moon, all encouraging us to step out, be brave, be hopeful...spread your wings.

Don't forget to think about what you need to let go, to release.  Whether it's old feelings, weight, negative relationships, whatever it is, now is the time to start the process of letting go.
By the time the full moon appears, you will be shinning just as bright.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Shoe Taz

When Taz first came to live with us, she loved my nice leather shoes, but her fetish has taken a strange turn.

She is now obsessed with my garden clogs. They are old, smelly and worn and she just wants to hold them or keep them in her bed.

She is a strange and wonderful dog.

I have to take a test now on my meditation class, wish me luck.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

All That You Need

Here's a thought for you, if I make it through this Buddhist Meditation class without  having a breakdown
it will be a small miracle.  At this point, I am in panic mode, it is  very complex and complicated...I might start biting my nails soon.

This weekend was not the one I planned.  But that is how life happens.  Going with the flow or living like water is the only way to make it sometimes.  Always remember to breathe.

But, the weather, the weather has been glorious.  A mere 70 degrees today, crisp clean air, and marvelous blue skies and did I say 50 degrees tonight, oh yeah.

A new moon this  week, new energies, new beginnings, a fresh start.  A time to let go of the old, of anything that needs to be released.  With that said, I hope this week brings all that you need, and at least some of what you want.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Rhodie and Chick

I am so excited, after the battle with the snake last week.  Rhodie has a baby and it is a  cute little ball of downy feathers.  Now if we can just keep mom and baby safe.

What a nice Saturday surprise.

Welcome Fall

Storms are moving in tonight, and with them a cold front.  Tomorrow we should have our very first taste of fall.
So I hung my fall flag to welcome my favorite time of the year.  70 degree days and 50 degrees at night, woo hoo!

It seems I am not alone in my love for fall. I have had so many people the past few days tell me how much they too, love fall.

It's interesting when we talk about our love  for a particular season, but one of the things I kept hearing time and time again about fall, was the crisp air and blue skies.

Here in Alabama, late summer brings hot temperatures, high humidity and lots of pollen.  You have to truly love summer to enjoy summer in Alabama.  The true lovers are already complaining about the coming of fall, begging summer to stay forever.

I love the changing of the seasons, especially fall. The colors of fall are so rich and vibrant, reds, golds, orange, purples and browns and everything in between.  There is something about that crispness in the air that awakens the spirit.  The smell of burning leaves, sweaters, boots, great holidays ( Halloween and Thanksgiving) for me, fall has it all.

I know when it comes to the weather, it is much like everything else...we all have our opinions.
But for me, I am excited about the next couple of days, it is a taste of what's to come and I am ready.
Welcome Fall!  I know that for us, the temps will be back in the 80's by midweek and that is ok.
For now, I am happy with 48 hours of fall.

Thursday Thoughts

New students today, lots of them, and they all seemed to love the classes.  It is nice to see their faces when they  "get it."

Fall is finally doing more than just a wink, cool days and nights  coming this weekend.  I am so excited.

It's Thursday,  I am brain fried.  Wishing you all a Friday that brings good surprises.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Paths

Paths, we choose them and walk them every day.  Our choices on which path to take results in the direction our lives take.
For many of us, once we choose our path we are willing to accept the responsibility that comes with out choice.
For our friends and family members who deal with addiction issues, accepting that responsibility is beyond difficult, for some it is impossible.

It is easy to choose the path of least resistance, especially when a path of numbness is one you have chosen.
Life changes when you begin to realize, and accept responsibility for your paths.  The day you accept responsibility for your path, is a true day of freedom.

Some paths we go down without much thought, only to find that at some point, it was the wrong path.  Then and there you have to make the decision to change direction, do what it takes to find your right path.  It is sad, but true, often we find the map after many wrong paths.  The  map is there, we have to be willing to find it and use it.

Every day we make a choice, we decide on a path.  Today I read a profound question, basically it was, " is the life you live today, the one you want to live five years from now."  If it's not, you have to look at your paths, look at your choices and take responsibility for the life you want.  Choose your path wisely.

Beauty Berries

Beauty berries are one of my most favorite signs of fall.  Like everyone else, I look for the first tinge of red and gold, but the vivid purple of the beauty berry never fails to let me know fall is on  its way.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Labor Day

I come from a family of blue collar workers, Labor Day is a day to celebrate and appreciate the blood, sweat and tears that have given so much to the American work force.

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

Share

As a yoga and meditation teacher, I am always looking for ways to improve my skills, to help my students. Tonight I started an online meditation class.  It is an unbelievable class, taught by some of the most brilliant minds in the world.  I might be in over my head, but I am so excited and a little scared.

I love being around smart people. Many of my friends and most of my students are extremely smart and I learn from all of them.  I try my best to be a great listener, that is how I learn...listen and watch.

I get so tired of hearing about the dumbing down of America.  I admit that social media plays up ignorance to a hilt, and that it has given voices to some who maybe should listen more and speak less.
But, I know that there are many many smart people who are making major differences in lives every day.  They are the silent majority, they teach, they invent, they develop, they create.

I wish there would be a backlash in this country, that all of us would want to learn, to think for ourselves, to explore and create.  That we would hold in highest esteem those who are smart, who share their talents and abilities with humanity.  That we would question and pursue knowledge and 
practice awareness and kindness.

I will keep you posted on my class.  I will share what I learn.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Good Old Days

It was almost 100 degrees today, and we played a fall festival at 2:00 pm.  I can't remember ever playing and my fingers sweating, but they did today. I could barely hold on to the pick.  I figure the heat index was somewhere past miserable.

But, even in the heat we had a grand time.  Our friend Skip went on before us, his shirt looked as though he had just taken it out of the wash, it was so soaked with sweat.  At one time, sweat rolled down into Rick's eyes as we were playing, he lost his concentration just a wee bit.

There is something special about festivals in small communities.  The home cooked cakes, the beautiful quilts and yard art, the fact that everyone says hello to you whether they know you or not.

Kids run around with snow cones and hot dogs, oblivious to the heat or their momma's warnings of watch where you are going.

Today reminded me of when we were in Ireland at a park in Shannon.  There were kids running around playing, without a care.  Parents were around, but the kids knew they were safe and all was right with the world.  That is how those kids were today at the festival, a long weekend, no school on Monday and all was right with the world.

I am sure that no matter where you live, there will be local fall festivals near you in the next few weeks.  Do yourself a favor and go.  Buy something hand made, eat something home made, and enjoy that feeling of community.  While you are there, look around at smiling faces, young and old and know that these are the good old days, those days you will talk about years from now and long for.

Goodnight Sweet dreams.

Another Snake

We have had an issue the past week or so with some predator killing our birds.  In the  mornings when we walk, there has been evidence on more than one occasions that a bird has died.  So this afternoon I heard the chickens raising a ruckus, my first thought was an owl or hawk.  I grabbed the Red Rider BB gun we keep by the back door and headed out to the chickens.

I saw Zeus and the hens grouped together, as I approached them, they scattered.  All but Rhodie, who has been on the nest for the past couple of weeks, she was outside her nest making circles.
My worst thought, another snake was correct.  He had one of Rhodies' eggs about six inches down his throat, he was around  five feet long.

I started shooting him with bbs, it made him really mad.  Each time the bb hit him he tried to strike at me and Rhodie.  He started to flee the nest and Rhodie went after him, pecking him with all her heart. I continued to pelt him with bbs...he escaped into the woods.  A few minutes later, Rick arrived home.  He had been to the grocery store.  After I told him the story, he walked around in the woods outside the chicken pen, but the snake had disappeared. He will be back.  They love eggs.

So that was my Friday afternoon.  Now, I fret about Rhodie, this is her second sitting that has been disrupted this summer.  She wants chicks so bad.  She may never leave her nest again. Rick says that maybe between Rhodie's pecking and my bb blasting, Mr. Snake will go someplace else.
I hope so.  But, the trusty Red Rider sits ready to defend Rhodie and her eggs any time.

I hope your Friday afternoon was not as exciting as mine.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams.

Gnarly

 Each day when we walk, Jordan has looked up at this limb on the old oak down near the barn and talked with Rick about its falling.  With our rainstorms this week, it fell.

It is almost as big around as me, gnarly and beautiful resting on the ground.

Jordan will love seeing it when he comes home this weekend.  His prediction came true.

I love the textures and colors, nature is a most amazing artist.

Tomorrow is Friday, the beginning of Labor Day weekend.  Safe travels.

Lady

Jordan and his mom Samantha are at Disney World this week.  He is having a great time, though he has mentioned being very tired a couple of times because his mom scheduled everything.  Having a mom who schedules everything is our fault, we bought her a day planner when she was nine.

We miss them both so much and cannot wait for them to come home Sunday. No matter how much we miss them, their dog Lady, misses them even more.  At night she stays with Sam's mom and dad, but every morning she comes to our house and spends the day.  Samantha comes by our house every day around 5:30 and Lady goes home, except for this week.

Lady sits until dark waiting for Sam and Jordan, she looks down the road and up the road.  Finally my brother Ricky walks over and gets her to go home.
We will all be happy when the kids come home, but I think Lady will be overjoyed. She will probably lick them silly.  I know she will bark and jump like crazy.  For now, she is one lonely Lady, missing her Jordan and Sam.

September 1

September 1...what happened to 2015?

September 1...90 degrees today, ok, fall where are you?

September 1...the beauty bushes are full of those stunning purple berries

September 1...days are getting shorter

September 1...I have very mixed emotions about football

September 1...the hummingbirds are filling their bellies for their trip south

September 1...I love fall, it is my most favorite season

September 1...I love the earthiness of root vegetables

September 1...I could do without ragweed, I am sure there is some reason for it, but I could do without it

September 1...cannot wait to wear my new boots

September 1...fall makes me feel very optimistic

September 1...fires in the fire pit and smores soon to come

September 1...apples, pears and grapes...yummy

September 1...burning leaves, I love the smell