February Gone

The last day of February.  It's gone, can't get it back or do it over.  Our strange and weird weather continues.  We have had no winter.  January and February have felt at times like April and May.
Everyone I know is coughing, sneezing and sick.  It will be interesting to see what spring brings.

A small class today, but powerful energy in the room.  It was such an incredible peace that covered us like a blanket.  Honestly, I wish I could have bottled it and sent it to all my friends.  These days are magical and remind me of why I love doing what I do.

Early class in the morning and then off to see the pulmonary doc.  Getting the cough that will not leave checked out.  Storms are supposed to move through tomorrow afternoon.  Our friends to the north keep your eye to the sky it's headed your way.

Wishing a hump day that is as smooth as silk.  May we all get a hug, a smile and a kind word.

Babble

Tonight my brain has gone on strike.  I have taught three full classes back to back today.
Not so sure why fatigue has played havoc on my body and brain tonight, but it has.
So to stop this babble I am going to drink my hot tea and find my bed.
I hope your Monday has been a good one.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

We Are One

A Sunday that was picture perfect beautiful.  Blue skies, white clouds and 60 degrees of perfection.
The Sunday to do nothing.  Drink hot tea and coffee, read the papers, walk the dogs.
I never knew how much I needed today until the sun set this evening.  R and R can change your life.

I read an article by Jack Kornfield yesterday.  He talked about loving the people that are being shunned.  The people that for whatever reasons hate crimes are being committed against.  As I read his article I realized that for me personally, it is easy to love them.  For me, I struggle with those who live near me; who are spewing the hate and fear.  Family, friends and neighbors who have a darkness that I never saw before.  Daily I am reminding myself to send them love, to show them kindness.

This week ends February and starts March.  The first quarter of 2017 is almost gone.
I send you all Blessings of peace this week.  Please don't forget to spread joy and share kindness.
We are one.

Low-key Weekend

After a week of almost 80 degree temps, today was normal...55 degrees.  Well, I suppose one normal day in February is pretty good.  The dogs loved the cool temperatures this morning.  Taz and Calliou strutted as they walked and Hook ran with abandon.  It felt pretty good to the humans as well.

Just a handful of days left and March will roar.  Our severe weather season will peak the next few months  Spring here is beautiful but often deadly.  We planted potatoes today, cabbage last week.
I planted containers of lettuce too.  Hoping that our crops fare much better this year than last.

Soon we will have baby chicks.  They are so cute in that fuzzy stage.  Since we have three roosters and different varieties of hens who knows what the chicks will look like.

Dinner tonight is comfort food, chicken and dumplings.  We will probably catch the Brit-coms on PBS and call it an early night.  Our weekend has been low-key.  Just what we needed.  Wishing you all a Sunday of peace.  Don't forget to be kind.

Help

We live in the country on a small farm.  Our neighbors are close, about 100 yards for the nearest.
We find ourselves in an interesting situation.  Neighbors to the south of us, we are not sure exactly which ones, shoot their guns almost every afternoon.  Today was a beautiful warm day, 80 degrees with blue skies and fluffy clouds to be exact.  We were walking our property with the dogs and the shots started.  It is un-nerving to say the least.  Calliou is noise sensitive so he starts to salivate and freak.  There is a gun club less than five miles away.

Hunting season is over.  It is obvious that who ever is shooting is doing it for the fun.  I understand all the rights about owning a gun.  But I think I have a right to walk on my property and feel safe.
If we call the county sheriff's office it will take them about an hour to get here.   Since we don't know who is shooting, it really won't help to call the police.

We have such a beautiful place.  I am beginning to feel like we live in a war zone.  We have neighbors who suffer from PTSD,  they are vets.  I can only imagine what these afternoons are like for them.  Can anyone offer suggestions?

Sweet Dreams

I have been reading articles about sleep.  Everyone I know says they have sleep issues.  Never enough.  What I can share with you is this.  Don't watch the evening news.  Don't drink caffeine.
Try to turn off all social media at least an hour before bed.  Read and listen to soothing music.
Take a warm bath.  Give yourself permission to get a good night's sleep.  Get fresh air and exercise every day.  Make sure you drink enough water.  Take a few minutes and meditate and breathe before  bed.  Try to go to bed around the same time each night and get up around the same time each morning.  Moderate alcohol consumption.  A cooler room is more conducive to sleep.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Purple Rain

Rains came yesterday afternoon and last night.  Maybe in the next month or so we will be out of the drought.   My purple pansies greeted me in all their splendor when I came home from class this morning.  Purple rain has haunted my brain all day.

Hump day is almost over, this week will be over soon as well as the month of February.  March is waiting and spring is forcing the winter we never had to leave.
Enjoy the rest of your week.  Spend your time wisely.  There are no refunds.

All There Is

Tuesdays can be difficult for my students at work.  If it has been determined that grief or trauma counseling is needed those sessions are usually done on Tuesdays.  Today every student I had came from those heartbreaking/healing sessions.  Think of feeling as if your skin has been peeled away from your body, your heart is broken and a bus has ran you down.  That is a smattering of how you might  be feeling today as you walked into my class.

Today class was love and healing, gentle and slow.  They were all better when class was over.
Now I am the one who got hit by the bus.  A good night's sleep, a warm meal and love from the dogs and Rick will make me all better.  Breath work and gratitude keep my head and heart in the right place on Tuesdays.

No matter what is going on in your life tonight, be grateful.  Take a breath and think of one thing to be grateful for.  Life is short, it can be hard.  Find gratitude.  Share kindness, spread love.
Some days that is all there is.

Lucky

Our dogs are funny creatures.  Taz is usually my dog, but sometimes she decides that Rick is her lord and master.  Calliou usually just wants to herd us.  Most days Hook belongs to Rick.  Today, Hook has decided he loves me.  He has made every step I have made. He took a nap beside me.  He never left my side when we walked today.  Tonight, he is my best friend.  Tomorrow I bet he belongs to Rick again.

I look at those three dogs.  They are so different in looks and personalities.  They are all three rescue.
They are so loving and seem so grateful to live with us.  They have enriched our lives beyond measure.  They really are our best friends.  We are lucky.

Monday was a good day as Mondays go.  Hectic and long, but good.  Wishing a Tuesday that brings some laughter and good times and a little bit of luck to everyone.

Sweet dreams, good night

It Starts With You

Spring is surely coming early to Alabama.  We walked with the dogs this morning and saw the signs all around us.  There is pollen in the air.  Tiny leaf buds on the trees and daffodils and forsythia have shone their golden colors against the blue skies.  The weather guys say upper 70's for most of the week.  I am still mourning that winter did not show his face this year.

Mondays seem to come so quickly these days.  But so do the ends of the months.  This is the last full week of February.  President's Day is tomorrow, Rick and I will both be working.  Jordan is so happy because there is no school.  I remember being on top of the world when we had a holiday and no school.

We watched the movie Morning Glory tonight.  Katherine Hepburn's first Oscar.  She was so young, and so incredible.  Those Hepburn women, Audrey and Katherine have been my heroes as long as I can remember.  I loved  their style, their moxie, and their humanity.

Wishing you a week of good things.  Share your smiles and spread some kindness.  Be the change you want to see in the world, it starts with you.

Saturday's Hopes and Thoughts

To all things there is a season.   This evening we had planned on going to see a good friend perform at a coffee house we will perform at soon.  But the nagging cough and fatigue was not to be denied.
Tonight was a season to rest.  I will call the pulmonary doc on Monday.  Enough is enough.

The weather guy had forecast a sunny afternoon.  Well maybe somewhere but not here.  It has been damp and chilly and even my beloved hot tea has not warmed me.

Dinner with a glass of wine has eased my depression over not seeing our friend tonight.  Salmon, new potatoes and asparagus  with a little white wine is the perfect meal to welcome warmer weather.

The dogs are already snoring.  Soon I will snore too.  Wishing you all a Sunday of peace.  A good friend's father has passed and we will attend his service tomorrow.  The loss of a parent is so difficult, no matter the age of the child or parent.  May we all know comfort, may we all find kindness and may we all share a smile and may we always know we are loved.

Agenda

This week has been a long one.  Getting ready for our gig, dealing with the leaks around the house, the nagging cough, little things that kept demanding attention.  The gig was awesome, the leaks are gone, and the cough, well it is still here.

Rick has been on his knees most of the day laying tile in the bathroom.  I worked this afternoon.  Both of us are ready for some down time.  Hot tea, hot bath, warm bed that is our agenda tonight.

Blessings of love, kindness and peace this weekend.  We all need them.  Let us not forget, we are one.
The human race.

Safe

A good day for our music.  We played the art museum tonight.  Such a fun gig and always interesting people.  We got a gig today at a new coffee house and picked up a private gig at the museum tonight.
Happy Dance!

We just got home and we have an early day tomorrow.  So ready for my hot tea.
Sending peace and kindness to everyone tonight.  May we all be safe.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Early morning class, a doctor's visit, pick up Jordan up after school and all the normal stuff in between.  Another busy day.  We have a gig tomorrow night.  One of my favorites, an art museum.
I am a little nervous.  Since I had the flu back in January I have had a nagging cough.  Seems nothing makes it go away.  It gets better but never disappears.  I just want to do sing my best tomorrow night.
Rick is right.  Time to call the pulmonary doc.  Well, next week.

Such a beautiful cold night.  The stars are shimmering.  We have not had nearly enough cold nights for my taste this winter.  Nothing like brisk night air and the stars.  For that matter, nothing like brisk cold days and clear blue skies.

My Breath Deep tea awaits.  It truly does help.

Wishing you all a Thursday full of good news and moments of kindness.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! It has been a good one.  Just hanging with Rick and the dogs after work.
Sometimes, you just need down time.
Hoping that you got a hug, a kiss, a smile, a kind word...whatever you needed to make this a good day.
And a little chocolate always makes things better.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Spring in Winter

I think there is still odd energy around from all the lunar activity we had this weekend.  But, the good news...the leak in the kitchen is fixed.  One room back to normal, one more to go.

Pollen is in the air already.  Spring flowers are blooming.  We are in the throes of spring in the middle of winter.  Everyone is sneezing and coughing.

I am ready for my cup of hot tea and my warm cozy bed.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Whiney Baby Tonight

It has been a strange week.  We knew we had a leak in Rick's bathroom. We got it fixed.  But, there was still water coming from another source.  Today, my nephew Haven and Rick found another leak in the wall behind our fridge.  Please don't anyone tell me leaks come in threes.  :)

When our house is in disarray I feel totally out of sorts.  Until we are sure about the leak in the kitchen and everything is completely dry in the bathroom, nothing is in its place.  I am breathing, nice deep breaths,  but I just want floors put down, kitchen stuff put back and things back where they belong.  I know in the scheme of things, this is nothing.  I am just a big old whiney baby tonight.

Wishing everyone a Monday with no bumps, curves or detours.  Sending peace, joy and kindness to all.  So ready for my cup of hot tea.

A Good Saturday

Our friend and sound man extraordinaire  Fred, helped us revamp our sound system this evening.  Our load in and load out just got faster, and much lighter.  We grilled some steaks and Fred shared his genius with us.  Fred and I work together.  Our meeting, our friendship, it just all came together  as the universe intended.  He is a wonderful human.

On the drive home tonight, we watched the moon play hide and seek with the clouds.  It is sultry tonight, way too warm for a February evening.  The clouds seemed rather foreboding, big and blustery.  I think we have storms headed our way later.

It has been a good, productive Saturday.  Chores done, grocery shopping done, rehearsal for our gig done, good time with Fred done.  Ready for some Public Television, the British comedies are my favorites and a cup of hot tea.

Wishing you a Sunday of peace and rest.  Spread some kindness, share a smile.

Mellow Yellow

I love the fresh scent of daffodils.  My favorites are the traditional sunshine yellow ones.  Ours usually bloom around Valentine's Day or late February.  They are early this year.  I always put mine in an old blue medicine bottle we found at a dump many years ago.  What a treasure!

We have been watching the lunar eclipse.  Next, we are going to do a gratitude ceremony.
May you know kindness, peace and joy this weekend.  May you know love.

Heavenly Contentment

Tomorrow night, a full moon, a lunar eclipse, and a comet.   Interesting energies coming at us.
Jordan will have his telescope out, we will make s'mores and watch the show the heavens put on.

Classe today was based on the second Niyama, Santosha - contentment.
We talked about inner acceptance, finding gratitude, being in the moment.  We played like kids in down dog/up dog and then found the here and now in Warrior III.  We discussed acceptance and choice in our daily lives and reminded ourselves that gratitude was a major path to contentment or Santosha.

The moon was a lesson in contentment all the way home tonight.  Looking at its brilliance was a gift of joy.  If snow fell on your part of the world today, I hope your skies are clear tomorrow night .
All that celestial beauty will just be magnified by the glow of the snow.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Hair

Today was me time.  I left work this morning and went straight to the hair salon.  A couple of hours later, a hair cut, some highlights and a new spring in my step.  What is it about a woman's hair?

I happened by accident to watch the last part of a tv show tonight I had not seen in ages, "What Not to Wear."  The woman who had consented to the make-over was from Texas.  I worked in Texas for around 12 years and she was very typical of many of the women I saw around the Dallas area when I was there.  Big, long, blonde hair, low cut shirt, flashy jewelry, heavy make-up, but this woman on the show had gone through a divorce, had a job and was looking for someone to date.  She agreed to the make-over and took the $5,000 dollar check.

I saw the end of the show, her clothing was so much more sophisticated, make-up was softened and hair was cut.  She looked 15 years younger.  She was not happy.  She hated her hair.
They asked her to live with the look for a few weeks.  At the end, she went to a salon, had hair extensions put in and looked the same as she did before the make-over.  It was interesting to watch this show.

Years ago I worked for a major make-up company as a traveling make-up artist.  The woman that was on the show, I had met hundreds like her when I was doing make-up.  We get stuck in ruts.  We have a look that worked for us when we were 25 or when we were happy, or when we were thin or married.  We cling to that hair style or clothing or make-up way after it is no longer appropriate or relevant.  Change is scary and we think we want it, but really all we want is to hold on to that magic that we experienced when the look we have worked so well for us.

I had long flowing hair when I was young.  It suited me.  But my hair was not me.  As the years went by, I changed.  My hair has been chopped to within an inch of my scalp, it has been dark, permed, etc.
Sometimes I have loved it, and there have been times that I too cried about the hair I saw in the mirror.  But my mantra was, it's just hair it will grow back.

Friends who have lost their hair because of disease or treatment have told me that it was devastating, to see themselves without their hair.  I understand.  Most of us (women) see our hair as an extension of who we are.  I know that when I have a good hair day, life rocks.  When I think my hair is crappy,
my self-esteem drops.  I envy the women who shave their heads, throw on some red lipstick and walk out the door glowing.  This attachment to hair is nothing new and I think women will deal with it for a very long time.  Hair is a security blanket for many of us.  For those of you who have let go of that attachment, let me know how you did it.

Purity

Class today was on Saucha/purity.  How do we purify our bodies, minds and spirits with yoga?
The asanas, breath and mediation help to calm the mind and clarity of our thoughts.
As our minds calm and we begin to bring awareness to our bodies, we start to think about what our bodies need.  Our bodies need exercise, fresh air and sunshine, water, rest, and a balanced diet of fruits, veggies, grains, fats and proteins.  To purify our spirits we need to look for the good every day and see kindness in the people around us.

Watching my students' faces as we talked about the importance of Saucha in our lives was wonderful.
It all comes down to balance.  A healthy mind, a healthy body and spirit takes work.
They left with smiles on their faces.  The whole class was ready for Saucha.

Tomorrow is Wednesday.  I hope your week has filled your needs and maybe a few wants.
There is great need in our world for smiles and kindness, do your share.  Love is the electricity that makes kindness glow and takes away the darkness.  Let's all glow tomorrow.

Monday Musings

All my classes were full today.  I love that people respond and enjoy class so much.  Tonight, I am very tired.  When the groups are big and there are new students I have to talk a great deal.
Can't wait for my cup of hot tea.

Rainy today, storms forecasted for tomorrow.  Getting to be that time of year, storms are just a way of life here as the seasons change.


Show someone some love tomorrow, spread a little kindness.   A little light, one act of kindness and a smile can change your life and someone else's.  Be the change.

Loss

We went to see my chair-buddy Louis today.  The best thing that ever happened because of those three years in the big green chair was meeting him.  He is not so well.  For now he is in a physical rehabilitation center and I am not sure where he goes from there.  He wants desperately to go home.
I would want to go back home too.  He is so frail now and his health is declining.  We both teared up when we said goodbye today.  We know there are probably not that many more visits in our future.

Buddha taught that this life was about suffering.  I think the lessons of loss are the hardest.  The loss of health, of those we love, the loss of lifestyle.   Loss of any kind leaves a wake of heartbreak in its aftermath. Eventually after experiencing loss after loss, many end up in a sort of emotionless existence.  We look for ways to create numbness.  Sometimes it's work, sometimes drugs or alcohol.
I see it in my students at work.

I know that I carry the loss I have experienced in my life well.  Many who meet me think that I have never experienced much loss.  I think it is because of the peace I carry in my heart.  It's not that I don't grieve, I grieve heavily for my losses.  I have purpose in my life, purpose brings peace and satisfaction and hope.  I teach my students to find purpose, to learn to be of service, to give love and kindness.   It is how we get through the loss.

Tomorrow, may your Monday give you the opportunity to give love and kindness.

A Gift

I love winter's sunsets.  Maybe it is the crispness in the air and the lack of moisture but winter sunsets are the best.  I walked out on the deck this evening and received this gift.  Sharing it with you all tonight.  Wishing you a Sunday filled with peace, may your lives be touched by kindness.

Happy Birthday Taz!

Three years ago on a freezing cold night I heard a tiny scratch at our front door.   When I opened the door, there sat a tiny little furry dog shivering.  I brought her in, fed her and wrapped her in a blanket.
Taz has been with us ever since.  She is the best gift the universe ever sent us.  We celebrated her "birthday" tonight.  She had a  little hamburger steak, just her size.  Friends have told us that she hit the lottery the night she came to our door.  But you know what, we were the ones who hit the lottery.

Happy Birthday Taz!

Happy Ground Hog's Day

Happy Ground Hog's Day!  It might seem rather silly, but Rick and I have celebrated this day as long as we have been together.  We have watched the movie for years.  I love the movie.  I love seeing Phil the weather guy finally get it right.  It would be nice if we all had that luxury wouldn't it?   Of being able to live our life over and over until we finally get it right.  We are lucky and blessed if we get second chances.

I think I heard that Phil saw his shadow.  That is ok with me if we finally have six weeks of winter.  We have barely had six days this season.  A nice chilly rain fell most of the day.

My cup of hot tea awaits.  Enjoy your Friday.  Remember to be kind and don't forget the only way to get rid of the darkness is to be the light.  The only way to get rid of hate is to love.

February 1

Feb. 1... Imbolic, half way between winter solstice and spring equinox

Feb 1...Ground Hog's Day, I love the movie!

Feb. 1....Valentine's Day, the perfect excuse for chocolate

Feb 1...birthstone, amethyst

Feb. 1...daffodils and tulips

Feb. 1...70 degrees today

Feb. 1...a gig at an art museum this month, one of our faves

Feb. 1...I always want something red to wear

Feb 1...days are getting longer

Feb 1...Valentine cookies, home made cards, Jordan and I have plans

Feb 1...I hope Cupid shoots his arrows into every heart and love is everywhere

Feb. 1...this month has always made me feel hopeful

Feb 1...love, flowers, hearts, candy for everyone

 Feb 1...my mom always told me that birds find their mate on the 14th