Thursday, June 30, 2016

Hugs

I lost a day yesterday, a little illness took me out of the game but I am back.
June 30, the year is half way over, no going back, this is it.
Take some deep breaths, remind yourself there is still time to accomplish those dreams and plans.
Do it now.
Let some one  know what they mean to you, do something...don't let time pass you by.

When I walked a couple of days ago, more of the lilies that my mom planted had popped up in the woods.  It was as though she knew I needed a hug, a little assurance so she sent me flowers.
Enjoy them and here's a great big hug, from me to you.   (((((((((you))))))))).

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Blazing Star

Our blazing star bloomed out this morning.  It is in the hibiscus family, but my grandmother Mamie always called it blazing star.  I asked her once why she called it a blazing star, she  said it was red, looked like a star and always waited until it was hot as blazes before it bloomed.

I love it, it fills up one side of our flower bed at the back of the deck. Looking at those scarlet blossoms while drinking coffee every morning just makes me happy and grateful.  Mamie always let me pick some flowers when I visited her.  I grew up wanting a yard just like hers, no grass, nothing but stepping stones, paths and flowers.

She had the sweetest smelling roses, yellow and white ones that climbed over a trellis and by her well. Sadly I can't grow roses like she did, my brother Ricky got that talent and he like Mamie lets me pick a few when they bloom.  He grows the old fashioned ones just like her.

The rain missed us again, maybe this weekend the heavens will open up for us.  Until then, the hoses are handy and everything will have to make do with "city water".  My mom use to say, "city water" will keep it alive, but the plants won't thrive without rain.

Tomorrow is hump day and it is rumored that Jordan will be spending the day with us.
Fun and excitement awaits.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Beauty Bush

Rain all around, but not for us tonight.  Our garden is thirsty, maybe tomorrow.
I know this is the beginning of summer, but one of my favorite fall plants has begun its transformation already.  The beauty bush has the most beautiful purple berries each fall.  For years I have looked for a sweater the color of those berries, no luck yet.

Today as I walked the dogs, the huge beauty bush at the end of the field was covered in bees....it was also covered in tiny lavender flowers...it is starting its transformation.  The bees were in heaven, you could hear them buzz before you ever saw them.  Sharing a photo of the blossoms.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Still Time

The past few weeks we had been slammed, gigs, events, company, work...it seemed every day there was more added to our calendars.  This weekend brought a breather.  We have done chores, spent time with the dogs, and worked on some music.  It has been just what we both needed.

We sat on our deck for a few minutes and listened to the thunder of an approaching summer storm.
The heat wave has been so oppressive the past week, we are hoping for rain and a bit of cooling.

I hope your weekend has given you what you needed.  Maybe you didn't need rest or a slow down, maybe you needed fun and excitement.  There is a balance and in each of our lives we need some of both.

June is quickly coming to an end this week and the holiday weekend is staring us in the face.  Before we blink an eye, the summer will be gone and fall will be here.  2016 is half over, did you just see what I typed?  2016 is half gone.  Have you looked at your vision board or your resolutions from this past January?  There is still time to work on hopes and dreams, but you have to do something...you can't sit around and wish.

My mom and dad use to tell me you had to put feet on your faith and wings on your wishes....in other words you had to work for those things you wanted, for those dreams you wanted to come true.

Here is hoping your Monday brings good news, great joy and lots of love your way.

Saturday, June 25, 2016

My Place

I often teach a guided meditation that takes you to your safe and peaceful place.  It is always interesting to hear students share about their safe place.  Sometimes it is a real place, sometimes a place in their dreams or a place they dream of going to.  But it is important for all of us to have that place.  A place where we can close our eyes, take a few breaths and be there when life is tough.

I have a couple of those places and one is here at our house.  It is our living space on our back deck.
During the warm months, Rick and I sit and drink out coffee there or on the screen porch.
Sometimes we listen to music, but honestly, I love to sit and just listen to the birds.  I watch the sky, the chickens and the dogs and  for me, all is right with the world.

Sharing a picture of my place, with you all tonight.

Friday, June 24, 2016

Happy Weekend

A busy Friday, eye exams, our great-nephew Anthony had a birthday party and then another great nephew Stone was in a musical tonight.  Can we say tired?  And then there is the heat and humidity, but I am trying not to complain because of the nasty heatwave out west.

This is an off weekend for us, no gig, no plans....just what we needed, we are truly close to running on empty.  But what fun we have been having.  So many of you loved the zinnia picture last night that I thought I  should show some more of them this evening.  They are such happy flowers, I love them too.  It's Friday night, happy weekend.


Thursday, June 23, 2016

Bee Happy

My zinnias (old maids) are finally blooming.  Their happy bright colors are a joy to look at.
As I walked through the garden this morning, the bees were having a grand time buzzing from flower to flower.  I got lucky as one buzzed a flower by me.

Wishing a Friday that is full of brilliant colors, amazing images and fun sounds...may we all bee happy.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Grief Moments

My cousin Nina called me today.  Her mom, my Aunt Betty had passed away in March and Rick and I had sung at the service.  Nina emailed a video and a picture of us she had taken that day.
Hearing Nina talk about her bouts of grief, her gnawing need to visit her mom reminded all too well of those moments when I miss my mom, my dad, my brother and friends who have passed on.

I remember those raw extreme moments of drowning in grief after each parent and my brother passed.  I would lose my breath and it seemed that every cell in my body ached.  Sometimes the tears would not stop until my eyes hurt.  Finally fresh grief gave way to what I called sneaky grief...the days were going better and then BAM, grief just kicked you in the butt.  Eventually, the grief becomes bearable, but still hits when you least expect it...that is now, some 25, 10 years later.

But, Aunt Betty's service was sweet and poignant and it was an honor to be a part of it.
Below is the photo at the service.

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Be Soft

Tuesday night, the full moon is slowly rising...summers begins as it should, warm and sultry.
I give you a quote tonight from a wonderful author, Kurt Vonnegut.


"Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard.  Do not let pain make you hate.  Do not let bitterness steal your sweetness."  - Kurt Vonnegut

Monday, June 20, 2016

Same Path/Different Path

Most of the time, many of us walk the same path daily...we drive the same way to work, do the same routine, etc.  But even though you think it is the same old same old, it is not.
Tomorrow, look around and notice everything your can...textures, colors, smells, sounds...it will be a different world.

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Friendship

True friendship doesn't fade.  It actually flows and ebbs like the tide.  My friend Denise came for a visit this weekend.  It has been some fifteen years since we saw each other, but the passing of time is not important.  Our friendship has lasted and grown.

We have laughed most of the weekend, and eaten and laughed some more.  The last time we saw each other, my mom was alive.  The years do bring change, change to those we love, to ourselves and to the earth, but our friendship survived.

I have several friends like Denise, that I see rarely, but are in my thoughts so very often.
It doesn't matter the distance or span of time, the love and respect and care we carry in our hearts for each other stays strong.  When we do get together, it is as though we saw each other yesterday, the years fade and our memories bond us to each other.

If you have a friend that you haven't seen for a while, pick up the phone, send an e-mail or text or  card, make that connection and enjoy the friendship.  Make plans to see other soon, don't let time rob you of great joy.  It has been a wonderful weekend, can't wait to do it again and it won't be fifteen years from now.

Hope you all have had a Happy Father's Day.  Denise, Maggie, the mule and me.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Sharky

Twenty-five Father's Days have passed without my dad, that seems impossible.  I close my eyes and hear his voice, smell his Old Spice and hear his laugh.  I remember his kindness and wisdom and I miss his hugs.  He was one of those people who whistled while he worked...I would give anything to hear him whistle again.

His nickname was Sharky, most who knew him never knew his given name was Jim.  If I started writing everything he taught me, I would fill pages.  Twenty-five years since I last saw him and I still grieve for him.

Happy Father's Day Sharky!

Friday, June 17, 2016

Friday Night

I have spent the past couple of days getting ready for my friend Denise's visit.  We met over 20 years ago when I was working in Dallas, Texas.  We have been friends ever since.

I am so excited about seeing her tomorrow.  It has been a long time since we visited face to face.
I love that so many of my friendships transcend time...we go years without seeing each other, but the friendship grows as we grow.

I am tired, I have spent the day sprucing up the guest room and baking cookies for Jordan and Breeze to take to their out of town swim meet this weekend.  They are so excited about staying at a hotel room.

A "cold" front came through this afternoon...what does that mean in Alabama in June?  Our humidity dropped about 25 or 30 percent!  That is good.

Wishing all of you a weekend of adventure, do something remarkable!

Thursday, June 16, 2016

Rose of Sharon

Storms rolled through last night and again this evening, but even with the booming thunder and constant flashes of lightening, you could almost hear the plants sigh with relief.
I thought our rose of sharon looked especially  beautiful showered with rain drops.

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Lemons

We can now truly say, when life gives us lemons, we will make lemonade.
Our lemon tree has seven lemons, so excited.

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Moments of Miracles

A gentle rain began to fall as I drove home from work today.  I rolled the window down and held my hand out, letting the drops dance on my fingers.  I took a deep breath, there is nothing like the smell of rain on dry soil and said a prayer of gratitude.

When I got home, Rick and I sat on the screen porch listening to the rain on the tin roof.  The smell of gardenias and rain was comforting.  I wished the whole world could feel our peace.  The dogs sat beside us, just happy to be dry.

Tomorrow is Wednesday, I pray blessings of peace for you all.  I pray that kindness touches your lives in ordinary ways and that you all find gratitude and joy for the moments of miracles that take place every day in your lives.

Namaste


Monday, June 13, 2016

New Students and Intoxicating Scents

Back at work today, teaching classes tonight as well...staycation is over.
It felt good to teach again, the break did me good and my students missed me.  It was a win/win situation.

The heat and humidity is building and this is only the middle of June, July and August should be interesting.  But the good thing about the heat and humidity...it enhances the gardenia fragrance.
Each time we walk out in our yard, the air is filled the headiness and richness of gardenia blossoms.
I find it almost intoxicating.  It is like lavender, I never tire of the smell. My lavender is blooming now too, I walk around  taking deep breaths and wishing it would last forever.

I had new students at work and at my community class tonight.  It is always such a treat and honor to be someone's yoga teacher for the first time.  What you do as a first time teacher can make or break their yoga experience.

I am still a little tired from our staycation and it seems I might be dealing with another lung infection.
More antibiotics, woo hoo!
My hot tea awaits me.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams


Sunday, June 12, 2016

Seeing/Creating

I make daily Face Book posts about kindness, I blog about kindness, I write columns about kindness, I teach kindness and I do my best to practice kindness.  It is really not a difficult concept, all major religions teach it ,all variations of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you", or treat other people the way you want to be treated.

I am not naive, I know there is hate in the world, even people who say they love others, even though they express profound religious beliefs  they spew hate. It seems we live in a fear driven world.
Our media, newspaper, tvs, radios all bombard us with fear and fear breeds hate.

I wonder what would happen if we shut the televisions and radios down for 24 hours?  What if we spoke nothing but kind words, smiled at everyone we met, and refused to be afraid  for 24 hours?
Do you ever feel like a puppet on a string? Being pulled and manipulated daily by those in power and the media?

Most of us can't even have decent conversations about anything we don't see eye to eye on anymore.
It has become totally black and white, this thing about "if you don't think like me you are wrong"
"if you don't believe like me, you are wrong" .  No wonder so many are becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol, being numb mades everything fuzzy, being numb makes you not care.

I grew up in a very strict Christian home, every year of my life from age 12 to 18 I read the Bible each year cover to cover, church attendance came before everything...and through all of that, my father taught that love was the most important thing, to love my neighbor, my family, my friends
my country, to love those who were different, even those who didn't love me.  My dad taught me that the words in red in the King James Bible were the words to live by.

Maybe I am getting old, maybe instead of love and kindness the world wants everyone to carry a gun and for all to die fighting each other, hating each other.  Or is that just the world the media wants us to see, the world they want to create?

Saturday, June 11, 2016

Saturday Night

Another busy day, our great nephew Jordan and our great niece, Breeze had swim meets today.
They were awesome and their/our swim team, The Jasper Sharks brought home the big trophy.
Yep, their team placed first.  We are just a little bit proud.

This staycation comes to an end tomorrow.  Back to work on Monday, time does fly when you are having fun.  Now I need a vacation to rest up from this staycation.

Thunder rolled across the skies this evening, seems our beautiful weather is about to change.
Looks like rain for the next several days.

Wishing you all a peaceful Sunday.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Friday, June 10, 2016

Staycation

Wow, what a week!  Gigs, farming, chores, seeing friends, dealing with the heat and humidity.
It has been a great staycation.  I highly recommend one if you have never done it.
A week with no job responsibilities,  time to hang, get some things done, do some fun stuff...I am exhausted but so satisfied.

A couple of more days to go...and then it is back to the daily routine.  A different view I can assure you, that is what I am taking back to work with me.

Wishing you a breezy Saturday, lots of sunshine, time with friends, a hug or two.
Life is short, do what you love.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Documentary

Tonight was an incredible, wonderful experience.  Rick and I and our friends, The Spook House Saints played for the premiere of a documentary on the Bankhead family of Alabama.  It will air on Alabama Public Television this fall and hopefully will be shown on all their affiliates in the coming months.

If you don't know anything about the Bankhead family from Jasper, Alabama do yourself a favor and read about them.  It is an amazing piece of history here in our backyard.

A cup of hot tea awaits and then finally bed.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Bountiful

I have loved being home this week...and it has been a very busy week so far.  I needed this staycation.
I love my job, but a break was something my soul was craving.

We played Muscle Shoals Monday night.  We went to a Birmingham Baron's Baseball game and a gathering with the owner of some of the papers Rick writes for last night.  Today was rest...
a little house work, a little gardening, a little practice.

Tomorrow night we play for the premier of a documentary on The Bankhead family at their ancestral
home in Jasper.  Friday is clean house and get ready for  company next weekend.  Saturday is Jordan's big swim meet in Birmingham and Sunday is Rick's annual family reunion.   Think I will be ready to go back to work on Monday, don't you?  Sometimes you just need different.

Our weather has been warm, but picture perfect and our crops are bountiful this year.
I hope the rest of your week is picture perfect as well and may your blessings be bountiful.


Tuesday, June 7, 2016

I Love Gardening

First home grown tomatoes and peppers of the season.  I love gardening.  Yummy.

International Audience

Late night post, the gig was fun tonight and quite interesting.   There were two tour groups there from Europe and Australia, they were having great fun.  We can now say we have played in front of an international audience.

Ready for a cup of hot tea and bed.

Sunday, June 5, 2016

Smellavision

I wish we had smellavision, I wish you could smell my house.  My gardenias are blooming and I admit I have gone a little overboard.  I have vases of them in almost every room.  I love their sweet rich smell, the shiny deep green of their leaves and the perfect alabaster of their petals.
This is my favorite part of summer time, when the gardenias and magnolias bloom.

Because of the intoxicating fragrance, I can make do with the heat and humidity.  I understand why Billie Holliday wore them in her hair.  There is something sensual about their odor, it makes me want to sing the blues too.

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Spring Flowers

My flowers have been so beautiful this spring, I thought I would share a couple of pictures tonight  of the latest blossoms.

Friday, June 3, 2016

Become Who You Are

I read this quote today from one of my most favorite authors, Paulo Coelho, it struck a chord.



Thursday, June 2, 2016

Vacation Starts Now

It rained today for almost an hour ,you could hear the plants and the parched earth rejoice.  Of course the thunder bolts, wind and lightening strikes drove Calliou and Taz crazy, but we made it through.

Classes were yin today.  Simple yet powerful asanas held for several minutes each, you learn the true meaning of "surrender to the pose."  My students were disappointed to know that I would not be there next week.  Yep, as of today Rick and I are on vacation.

We won't being going anywhere, but we have a couple of awesome gigs.  I know that Rick will probably go fishing and I still have a couple of closets to clean.  Hopefully in the fall there is a trip in the cards for us.

I hear my bed and a hot cup of tea calling my name.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

June 1

June 1...hot and humid in Alabama today, summer has arrived

June 1....gardenias bloom, I love their smell

June 1...blueberries are ripe

June 1...Father's Day,  25 years of not celebrating it with my dad.  I miss him so.

June 1...a staycation this month

June 1...this month is when everything is lush

June 1...two awesome gigs this month

June 1...Jordan made the swim team, his first meet is this month

June 1...white jeans, white gauzy tops and skirts and brown leather sandals

June 1...still searching for the perfect straw bag

June 1....real fresh vegetables, straight from the garden

June 1...grilled stuffed jalapenos

June 1...hurricane season starts today

June 1....always a busy month, friends, family reunions

June 1...June is the only summer month that I want to stay here, come July and August I need a break from the heat and humidity