2020

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."
- C.S. Lewis


Happy New Year!  

Voice

"For last year's words belong to last year's language.  And next year's words await another voice."   -T.S. Eliot

Less than two days left in 2019,  I  found this quote so inspiring.  May we all find the voice we have been searching for in 2020.  

Classes were small today and tonight, but that's ok.  The ones who needed it came.

Be kind tomorrow.

Sunday Gathering

Pouring rain all afternoon and evening, as a cold front pushes through.  Our day time high is supposed to be 16 degrees cooler tomorrow which means we will have normal temps.  I can't wait.
70 degrees in December, at Christmas , for me is not enjoyable.  I want to wear sweaters now, not tee shirts. 

Just a couple of days left for 2019.  2020 has such a weird feel to it, like the title of a science fiction book.  Maybe George Jetson is waiting just around the corner.

We had one last family gathering today.  A couple of folks were sick and couldn't make it, and one couple stopped by on their way to the hospital.  Their baby is being delivered in the morning.
Babies and kids make the holidays special.

Enjoy these last days of 2019.  Be kind, spread joy.

Christmas Thoughts

Christmas and Christmas Eve go by so fast that it seems you never really experience them.  You just go and do all the things you are supposed to do and then suddenly it's the day after Christmas.
I never really get to enjoy our Christmas decorations until after Christmas.  Things are always so busy and hectic before.  I am one of those who leave their tree and decorations up until after New Years.  It's so nice now, to sit at night and look at them and experience their beauty and joy.

A friend of mine remarked that Christmas was actually a season, not just a day.  My grandparents celebrated the twelve old days.  It wasn't about religious beliefs, just interesting ways of looking at each day including planting winter crops.  One of my favorite Christmas memories of my dad's parents was standing in front of their fire, eating a peppermint stick while my grandmother peeled an orange for me.  Those smells of peppermint, orange and coal burning in the fireplace are etched in my brain.

The Christmas cookies that I bake with our nieces and nephews, I often bake those at Valentine's .
Unlike the frenzy of all the kids decorating and sugar crystals filling the air, at Valentine's I get to savor the rhythm of baking, and the house smelling of cloves and ginger and cinnamon.

For me, I have come to realize that I often enjoy Christmas at different times of the year.  After the actual holiday I will sit with December issues of magazines and savor the decorating tips and recipes, storing them away in my memory, with plans to enjoy them next year.   Often in late summer I think about designs for cards.  During the oppressive heat and humidity of July and August I will watch Christmas movies with the hope that one day I too will have a white Christmas.

I sometimes dream about spending Christmas in Ireland or Prague or Italy, absorbing different holiday cultures and traditions and foods. 

It's warm here in Alabama tonight.  More storms coming our way tomorrow.  Stay safe, warm and dry.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Classes

I love taking online classes.  This past year I have taken yoga certifications, Pain Management classes, nutrition and meditation classes on line.  For Christmas,  Rick and I bought a year's membership in the Master Class courses that are offered on line.  There are writing classes, music classes, photography classes, a large variety of online classes taught by those considered masters in their field.  I am excited.

Rain  moved in today.  More rain the next couple of days with storms by Sunday, then cooler temps.
Once again we are in the 70's, never good in December.

We have recovered from our food binge during the past few days.  A smoothie for breakfast this morning and a big salad for dinner tonight.  My body is starting to feel normal again.

I hope your weekend and the transition into the New Year is good for you.  Be kind, spread joy and hug those you love.

Holiday Nap

Hook and Kodak have become best friends.   The Christmas holidays have been exhausting for them.
They have had way too much fun.  Today, they had to take a nap.  Under the Christmas tree was their happy place.

2019 Christmas Card

I realized this morning that I have painted Christmas cards for the past 40 years.  Some years it has been as many as 200, some as few as 25.  This is the one for 2019.   Merry Christmas from the Watsons.

December 24

According to our advent cabin, it is December 24.  It has been a day of merrymaking on the farm.  We went next door and had breakfast with my brother and his family this morning.

Then the kids came over and cookies were decorated and baked.

I baked more cookies tonight, because I figured our floors did not have enough sugar on them.

I hope Santa brings you what you wished for.
Sweet dreams, Goodnight

Tradition Continues

The Charlie Brown tree tradition continues.  We started this with Jordan's mom, Samantha.  He loves it.  Rick taught him how to swing the ax today.  He wore closed toes shoes for that.

Trying to get a picture of these two not clowning around is just about impossible.

The gifts are all wrapped.  I am about to make cookie dough for tomorrow and maybe have a cup of egg nog.

You might wonder about Jordan's choice in footwear today.  It will be warmer tomorrow and Christmas day than it was for Halloween and Thanksgiving.  70 degrees...I am not a fan.
I need cold, maybe a few snow flurries.  Maybe it will snow for my birthday in March.

Be kind tomorrow, safe travels.  Christmas Eve is almost here.

Happy Holidays

Though it has only been in the 40's today, the rains have been monsoonal.  I think at the last update we had over two inches and that was early afternoon.  It is still raining.  It's ok, cold and rainy feels like Christmas.  The forecast though is for 70 degree weather Christmas Eve and Christmas day.
Not fond of warm weather for Christmas.

We finished up our shopping today, and I wrapped most of the afternoon.  Tomorrow we will help Jordan with his Charlie Brown tree and I will do my baking.

We went to the local mall and maybe because of the rain, but there were not  many people there.
Even the local Walmart was not crowded yesterday.  Not sure about where you live, but I think our local holiday sales have been soft.  It will be interesting to see what the tallies are for the end of the year.

Enjoy this holiday week, regardless of what holiday you are celebrating.  Spend time with your family and friends, eat the foods you love and hug the people you love.  And don't forget to laugh out loud and be kind.

Special Gifts

Jordan came over today and made his mom, Nana and Papa Christmas gifts.  He made Nana a Christmas wreath.  His Papa always takes him Trick or Treating so he painted a wooden picture frame and put a picture of him in this year's Halloween costume.  ( he was a hot dog)
Through the years I have made and sold many pieces of jewelry made with all sorts of gem stones.
He did his mom a bracelet today with an assortment of stones, including jade, moonstone, amber, bloodstone and sterling silver beads.  I think she will love it.
He loves making things with his hands and I think he understands how special home made gifts are.
He hugged me today as I told him how special these memories are to me.
Tomorrow is the Charlie Brown tree, and then Rick and I have to finish shopping and I have to wrap!

Christmas Tree

Jordan and his Nana came over this afternoon to help me with the tree.  Well, Nana came to supervise Jordan and me and drink hot chocolate.

Our tree is Colorado Blue Ice cedar and our house smells of Christmas.  The branches are feathery and light so instead of all my heavy glass and crystal ornaments we used all the light weight plastic ones.
I think it is beautiful,

Tomorrow a little shopping and Jordan is coming to work on presents for his mom and Nana and Papa.
Home made gifts are the best!

I hope your Friday has been as delightful as mine.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Stillness

Those of you who read my husband Rick's blog know about the new addition to our rescue family.
We now have a nine month old pup.  He is a mix of course, we think lab and shepherd. He is 50 pounds of non-stop energy.  We had forgotten how much energy a pup has.  And oh yes, he chews.
He is curious and unaware of how big he is.  But he is sweet and loving and all those good things that make you love a young dog.

I snapped this picture of him this morning.  It is a rare moment, this stillness, but it captures his spirit.

Not Fair

Jordan hung out with us today.  We needed a Jordan day and I think he needed a Rick/Jilda day.
He and Rick took me to work, then went to Starbucks and Books A Million.  Not fair.

Tomorrow is another one of my long days, but then I'm off until December 30.  Our tree is still not decorated but fingers crossed by Friday it will be.

It's been another chilly day.  I love this weather, it is energizing for me. 

Be kind tomorrow.
Goodnight Sweet dreams.

Changing Pressure

Eight hours of yoga today,  I am wiped out.  It's freezing cold, the high was 38 degrees after being in the 70's yesterday.  These weather extremes play havoc with our bodies.  Just think our bodies are around 60 to 70 percent water and every time the barometric pressure  changes, our bodies react.
If you have migraines, arthritis, any kind of chronic pain, you are at the mercy of the changing pressure.

I am about to drink a cup of hot tea and crawl into bed.

Be kind.

Goodnight, sweet dreams

Cedar and Lemon

I canceled community class tonight and did not go to work this afternoon because of the risk of storms.   The front has moved much slower than what our weather guys had predicted this morning.
This morning they were saying the worst would be coming through between 4:00 and 9:00, the time I would be on the road going from home to work to class to home.  It's just beginning to thunder and rain.  You never know with this weather stuff. It is a crap shoot.

It was 71 degrees today.  Tomorrow the highs will be in the 40's.

The house smells of cedar.  We dug up a Colorado Blue Ice that had been in our back yard a couple of year.  It's about 7 feet tall.  It's not full and bushy, but rather feathery and light.  The branches are delicate so decorations will be kept to a minimum.  I am still a little concerned about the new puppy and the tree.  He is so rambunctious.  Most of my ornaments are glass, so concern is warranted.
I will decorate it Wednesday and keep my fingers crossed.  Pictures to come.  If the house would smell this good all the time, I would be tempted to keep the tree in the greatroom along with the lemon and grapefruit trees.  By the way, the lemon is blooming. Cedar and lemon, it's a great combination.


Where ever you are tonight,  stay safe, dry and warm.
Be kind.

Eye to the Sky

Well the tree is inside, but not decorated.  We just ran out of time and energy today.  It's all good, it might be Wednesday before it's done, but that is ok.

Warm and windy and humid today.  We are in the midst of our second tornado season of the year and we are under a risk of severe weather tomorrow.  Looks as though I will cancel my community class for tomorrow night.  I want to make sure my folks are safe and not driving through the darkness in nasty weather. 

If you live in my neck of the woods, keep your eye to the sky tomorrow, stay safe.  And, may we all be kind.

Hanging the Wreath

The Christmas wreath is hung.  Cards are painted and mailed.   Inside and outside, the house is decorated.  All is done but the tree, and that will be decorated tomorrow.

Still shopping to do, baking and wrapping but the festive feeling of all the decorations inspires.

Hot tea is ready and so is our warm cozy bed.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams.

Get It Done

The cards are all painted, the second batch gets mailed tomorrow.  A haircut today brightened my spirits and if all goes as planned the house will be decorated and so will the tree by Sunday.  And sometime next week I will finish the shopping and start the wrapping.  It seems time moves faster and I move slower these days.  But I get it done.

It has been cold and rainy today, yet there are strong storms predicted for Monday.  It's one of those seasons when the jet stream is fickle and we bounce from 70 degrees to 45 in just a few hours.  Throw in moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and we get storms.

This will be a busy week at work, but I am off Christmas week.  I am so excited.  In my fourteen years at the center I have never had Christmas week off.  Woo Hoo!

My cup of hot tea is ready, laugh out loud tomorrow, spread joy and kindness.

No Moon Tonight

So very glad we saw the moon last night.  Clouds rolled in around mid-day and the skies were masses of dark clouds tonight.  Tomorrow a much needed haircut, the completion of Christmas cards and the beginning of decorating for the holidays. 

My cup of hot tea waits for me, Rick and I have both had very long days.  A good night's sleep will make us right and having the day off tomorrow will help.

Stay warm and cozy, be kind and spread joy.   

A Gift

 A little snow, a little ice, a bit of a dusting...it's all good and it was a gift we got last night, early morning.  The decks were white  and it definitely looked a bit like Christmas.  The clouds rolled away by mid-day and this evening coming home from work the moon was stunning.  This might be the prettiest December moon I have ever seen.  For the past two months we have had cloud cover during the full moon so it was thrilling to step out of the building at work and see this enormous pearl hanging above the trees.

Where ever you are tonight and tomorrow night, if the sky is clear look up.  Even if it's cloudy, look up.
Winter skies are magical.

Tomorrow be kind, spread joy, know peace.

Tuesday Thoughts

This morning when I left for work it was around 60 degrees with rain.  Now it's 33 degrees with rain and a chance of sleet/snow later tonight.  This weather stuff is always a toss up isn't it?

I started training another one of our counselors to be a yoga teacher today.  She already teaches meditation classes so this is a perfect fit for her.  She has such a lovely spirit.

Not sure if I am coming down with something or I'm just tired tonight. One cup of hot tea down and I think I need another.  Bed is sounding really nice about now.

I hope your week is has started smoothly and maybe today you treated someone kind.  Tomorrow I hope there is joy and maybe a hug at some point in your day.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Meditation

I think this quote really does a good job explaining meditation.


"Meditation is simply the creation of a space in which we are able to expose and undo our neurotic games, our self-deceptions, our hidden fears and hopes. "  -Rinpoche

Painted Sky

Clouds have rolled across the sky today and continued this evening.  Rain is on its way, it seems for the next few days and then a blast of colder air.  It's ok, it's December, I am ready for the cold.

One batch of cards ready to be mailed and then one more batch to paint.  I love painting them, but it is especially hard when I have to steal moments and don't have hours to paint.   I would love at some point to paint this photo I took of the December sky.  Maybe soon.

A busy week ahead, probably so for most everyone.  Be kind.  Spread joy and at least once a day, laugh out loud.

A Surprise

I have painted Christmas cards for most of the day.  About noon I walked down to the mailbox and as I was looking through the stack of mail, found a small package addressed to me.  I had bought some of the kids books for Christmas so I just thought one them came through the mail.  I was wrong.

The book was for me.  But there was no name or indication of who had sent it.  The title of the book, Women Rowing North.  I took a few minutes to read the introduction, it is an amazing book.
It is written by a therapist on aging as a woman in our society.   This book came at the perfect time.

My path is changing.  Cutting back on my classes at work is going to allow me to do some things I have wanted to do for a long time.  Even though on paper, my work hours are not that much, I spend an enormous amount of time working on class notes, handouts, meditation cds, and taking continuing education classes so that I am the best teacher I can be.  Teaching only one day a week at the addiction center, I believe will free up more time and energy for me.

I have spent many years giving freely of  myself to those in pain and need.  I am not burned out, but I am depleted.  It is time to refill my well.

After checking in with a couple of friends privately to see if they had sent the book, I posted a Thank You on FB.  A long time friend admitted she had sent it.  She will never know how much this kind gift meant.

Rick and I are tired.  Time for hot tea and bed.
Good night, sweet dreams

Happy Birthday Momma

Today was my mom's birthday, she was born in 1917.    She was beautiful and tough.  She made it through the Depression, a first marriage to an abusive spouse, birthed 5 kids before she was 20.  And then she married my dad and they had my sister, me and my younger brother.

She barely made it through 6th grade, but she was smart.  Reading was required in our house, if you said you were bored, you got a book and read or went outside. She taught me to draw, to cook, to garden and to dress well on a shoe string budget.  I shopped thrift stores way before they were cool, learned to sew and make my clothes.

She had olive skin, rich brown eyes and dark hair.  I was her polar opposite, blonde, blue eyed and fair skin.  When I was small, I watched  her put on red lipstick and Evening in Paris perfume.  She wore high heels until she was in her mid-eighties. When she died, she still looked so young that even the undertaker asked me if her birth certificate was correct.

We could fight each other like demons, but I loved her with all my heart.
I miss her every day.

I Wish

No, we don't have snow today.  It is my Christmas flag, but this was from last year.  I am just wishing for snow, even just a dusting like this makes everything seem more Christmasy.

There are rumors again, of the next blast of cold bringing some flurries.  That would be wonderful.  In the meantime, I go through all my snow pictures from the past and dream.

Tomorrow we will do a bit of Christmas shopping and I will see the acupuncturist.  This weekend there will be cards to paint and decorations to display and Rick's office party.

Next week we will work on our Christmas tree.  I suppose you know by now, I am not an early decorator.  It's ok.  I leave everything decorated until New Year's Day and then I am so sad to pack it all away.

Enjoy your Friday.  Be kind.

"Oh No"

I painted Christmas cards for most of the morning before I went to work.  Tomorrow will be a full work day, so no painting.  This is about the time I feel the creeping panic of "Oh no" swell in my throat, but I have been here before.  Those cards always get painted, so tonight I am just taking a deep breath.

I am a bit drained tonight, so it's hot tea and bed very soon.
Be kind, laugh out loud and give a hug.
Goodnight Sweet dreams.

Balance

I met with my director at work today.  For the past several months I had been doing serious soul searching about my work.  I have spent the past fourteen years working at an addiction program for drugs and alcohol.  It has been at times demanding, draining, exhausting yet rewarding exhilarating work.  Giving 100 percent of yourself is tough in any situation, but that is what I have tried my best to do these 14 years.

During the past couple of weeks I came up with an exit plan of sorts.  I presented it to my boss today.
For the next few weeks I will be training in house yoga teachers for our program.  Hopefully then if all goes as planned in a couple of months I will only be teaching the Pain Management group and the First Responder/Military group one day a week.  And when the time comes, I will bow out gracefully from that one day eventually.

I have one amazing teacher already trained and will start another one next week.   Teaching/working in an addiction center is a calling I believe.  To be effective and successful there, you have to have empathy and let go of judgements and be willing to listen.  My students through these past 14 years have given me so very much and I am so grateful to have met each of them.

This is not retirement.  This is about bringing balance into my life, giving myself and Rick the gift of time to pursue some of the things we love.  I have struggled with living a balanced life the past few years, but this past year as 2019 began I made a commitment to myself to work towards balance.
I made a giant leap forward toward balance today.

Christmas Lights

It's cold in Alabama tonight.  Right now the temp is 29 degrees, but as always it will warm up a bit tomorrow. 

There is something about cold winter air that makes Christmas lights sparkle.  Driving home from work this evening on the sparsely populated road from work to home the lights twinkled.
It seems almost every house had Christmas decorations .  Some were simple, some elaborate, some were strewn about with abandonment and yet others were arranged with an eye for beauty and design.
But in the cold air, in the darkness, the lights were at their brightest and all had beauty.

My community  yoga class chattered and laughed tonight about their Christmas decorations.  Some like me, have not even started, yet others are ready for the season.  I figure this weekend Jordan will come over and we will decorate, he's a great motivator.

I hope your week brings cheer.  I hope you spread kindness.  I hope someone hugs you tomorrow.

December 1

December 1...the last month of 2019

December 1...today was Rick's mom's birthday, the 6th is my mom's, his sister's is the 12th, our nephew Haven's is the 21, our niece Jayna's is the 23 and Haven's wife, Alesha's is the 27th...wow.

December 1.. Christmas greenery on the graves of Rick's parents and mine today

December 1...this is the whirlwind month

December 1... Christmas cookies, music, cards and trees, a few of my favorite things

December 1...the calendar is filling up fast

December 1...I've been at my job 14 years this month

December 1...shopping, wrapping, cooking

December 1... painting cards, my favorite Christmas tradition

December 1...what are your favorite memories of the holidays

December 1..Advent cabin door is open

December 1..I still believe in Santa and Christmas wishes

Rain, Paint and Taz

Storms are rolling through and as I type this blog tonight, Taz is sitting in my lap.  It's not easy to type with a little fur ball shaking because of the thunder and lightening, but we are making it.

I started on my Christmas cards today.    I usually paint 2 or 3 designs and then decide which one I like most.  2 down, one more to go.

It has been so nice having a long weekend,  Monday will be here too soon.  I realized this afternoon that today is the last day of November.   December is upon us and soon 2020 will be here.

My cup of hot tea is ready and Taz is finally calming down.  May your Sunday bring peace and kindness.

Black Friday

A day of routine chores and even that took a great deal of effort, sometimes the energy level just drops and you have to deal with it.

The town where I grew up had their Christmas on Main Street tonight.  Jordan went with us, though he did lecture us on his beliefs that Thanksgiving is being ignored so that more money can be spent on Christmas.  I agree with him, but all in all we did have fun.  He saw many of his friends from school, ate cotton candy and then got a box full of chicken wings for the ride home. 

I heard someone say 25 days until Christmas today.  That means I best crawl out of bed tomorrow and start painting Christmas cards. 

If you shopped the Black Friday events near you, I hope you scored major deals.  If you are like me and avoided shopping today, I am sure there will still be plenty of goods left to purchase in the coming weeks.

Tomorrow we make turkey sandwiches made with waffles from left over stuffing, I can't wait.

Thanksgiving Sunset

It's been a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Plenty of laughter and good food, those are how I measure a good holiday.  Kids of all ages crawling through the doggie door also helps to add to the fun.
Not many leftovers, that is a good sign as well, and me asking Rick at 5:00 pm if it's too early for bed.   And then there was the incredible sunset...it's been a good day.

Gratitude

"Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have more to express gratitude for. "  - Zig Ziglar

May we practice gratitude daily, not just at Thanksgiving.  Remember to be kind.
Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow and every day.

Busy Tuesday

I dry brined the turkey this morning.  Hurried through my usual morning chores, then we left for Jasper to film the video of our Christmas song and have lunch at the Daily Mt. Eagle which is one of the newspapers Rick writes for.   The video is for the paper's social media site so as soon as it is up and going we will share.

I taught my women's group at work today.  Several of the students left for home today.  I will go in tomorrow, but now sure how many will be there.  I am just happy so many of them get to go home for Thanksgiving.

Rain moved in earlier, more rain coming.  For those of you on the road the next couple of days, be safe.   Don't forget to breathe, be kind and laugh out loud.

November Sunset

November can certainly paint a sunset.  Clouds moving in, maybe some storms tomorrow night and again this week.  We are in our second tornado season and the rest of you get snow.  Did you hear me sigh?

We are taping our video tomorrow.  It's a Christmas song that we wrote and it for the social media section of one of the newspapers Rick writes for.  This is a first, it will be fun and interesting.

Be kind, laugh out loud and hug those you love.

Gasp Worthy

We've lost most of our fall color but there are still moments that take your breath.  As we walked this morning, the gold of the leaves against the blue sky made me gasp.

We had Thanksgiving lunch with my sister Pat and her family today.  Our first time to meet our great great niece Hailey and what a delight she was.
Born in August, she was so curious and wide eyed about the family gathering today.

A busy week ahead, but then this time of year seems to always be rather frenzied.
If you are traveling, wishing you safe travels.
Be grateful, be kind, spread joy.

Sky Beauty

Autumn and winter skies seem the most colorful at sunset.  Maybe it's the crisp coolness of the air, the lack of humidity and heat, I don't know but the sky seems its most beautiful to me this time of year.

A day of grocery shopping, a long nap and cleaning house and rehearsing a Christmas song we wrote a few years ago for a video.  ( more about that in the next couple of weeks.)
Have a peaceful Sunday.

TGIF

Rain and fog shrouded the narrow country roads on my way home tonight.   It was both beautiful and a little scary.  As the rain came down, autumn leaves swirled through the drops.  The drive was sorta like moving through a beautiful painting.

A long day with my classes, everyone is sneezing and coughing.  It seems this is that time of year when flu and colds are rampant.  I washed my hands countless times today. 

I know it's the weekend, but right now I can't think of anything more than a cup of hot tea and bed.

I am sure for so many this weekend before Thanksgiving will be a busy one.  Don't forget to be kind.

Patrons of the Arts

We played one of our favorite gigs tonight.   We have been playing this gig for about 5 years and we love the venue and the people.  It is a fundraiser for a museum a couple of hours from where we live.
Tonight they had a silent auction, a book signing and an artist fair with wine and cheese.  And we played.  They treat us like rock stars, but this community and group of people who love and cherish the arts are the true stars.  I have never seen so much talent in one community.  Not only visual arts but they also have one of the most active singer/songwriter organizations around as well.

Even though tomorrow is Friday, it will be my Thursday since I took off today to play this gig.
I am tired but content.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Trees/Hope

 This is part of the base of the water oak that sits at the end of our driveway.  My dad planted it as a sapling over four decades ago.
Today it is a beautiful giant tree, full of tiny acorns that rattle on our tin roof every fall.

Each time I get out of my car I look at this tree and feel the connection to my dad.  It is true that those who plant trees have hope for the future, a belief that someone else will enjoy their beauty.  My dad knew he would never live to see this tree reaching up to the sky but he had hopes that some of us would.

Ancestor Support

Sharing one of my most favorite quotes with you tonight.



"The warrior in your heart says stand your ground.  Feel the survival of a thousand years of ancestors in your muscles and blood.  You have all the support you need in your bones."
-jack kornfield

Taz/Shoes

Taz has a thing about shoes.  She loves leather, doesn't chew on it just sleeps with her head snuggled up against the shoe.   The other weird thing, she hides my shoes I wear to work.  Some times she takes them outside through the doggie door.  She has hid them behind sofa pillows, under the sofa, in the laundry room.  Today I could not find them any where.  I got in tonight and started to fluff the down comforter on the couch, yep there were my shoes.  She cracks me up. She is so small, and to jump on the sofa with a shoe in her mouth takes incredible effort.

As Mondays go, this has been a good one.  I hope yours was good  as well.
Keep spreading the joy and kindness, it's important.  Enjoy your Tuesday.

November Flag

The pumpkin flag goes up about mid-September, the cornucopia hangs on November 1 to December 1.   I call it the flag of gratitude.  It's been an interesting weekend.  Some are like that.

I hope your Monday brings joy, that you experience kindness and love, but most importantly, you show someone kindness and love.

Weekend

Rick had Bee School today, so I did the chores around the house and this afternoon we did errands.
Tomorrow Jordan has a swim meet ( he had one today as well) and we will watch him swim.
We will also rehearse tomorrow afternoon.  We have a show at one of our favorite venues this Thursday night and we are so excited!

It has been a beautiful fall day.  I am so grateful for our wonderful weather.  ( though many are complaining about the cold)  Enjoy your Sunday.  Be kind, spread joy and don't forget to laugh out loud.

Dog Walk

Somedays the dogs hang with Rick and then there are those days when they hang with me.  It doesn't matter, they are so much fun to walk with and to see the world through their eyes is a unique experience.

I love our dogs.

Endurance

Thursdays are my endurance days.  By the time I make it home on Thursday evening, my body and my spirit are spent.  I have learned to make Fridays, "me" days.

Cold and rainy today, but the air seems so clean and fresh, I find it invigorating.

I hope your Friday brings you a few hugs, a bit of joy, and always kindness.

Hump Day

Chair yoga classes today for the guys.  They were pretty doubtful about the chairs, I could see that look in their eyes like, yeah, chair yoga.  Can I tell you they were surprised by how slow, gentle yoga in chairs can stretch and relax you.  They enjoyed the class.

We humans are so interesting, we think we have to push ourselves to the point of exhaustion to accomplish anything good for our bodies.  We are so wrong.  Daily walks for cardio, light weights for strength, and yoga for balance, flexibility, breath and relaxation.  No pushing or forcing.
Life is stressful enough, getting healthy should be something we enjoy not dread.

The clouds rolled in so we lost the moon tonight, but what a beauty it was last night.
I hope your Thursday brings kindness and joy and don't forget to laugh out loud.

Blueberry Red

Rick had to fetch me at work yesterday evening, vertigo and nausea hit.  It was a rough night, but better today.

Even though we have record breaking cold, we have an  incredibly beautiful full moon tonight.
The stars and that moon have bathed everything in a silver glow.

If you don't eat blueberries but you love beautiful plants you should plant some bushes.
Their fall color is spectacular.  We get more golds and browns and not so much red, so the blueberry reds are nice.

I am about to cook dinner, not much food has been in my system today so I am hungry.
Stay warm.  Be kind.

Fall Beauty

As we walked the dogs this morning, we realized that we are almost peak fall color.  By next weekend it will be fall in all its glory.  This morning with azure skies, chilly temps and colors starting to deepen we both were so thankful for the beauty that surrounds us.

Today was a day to do some farm things, feed the bees, water all the indoor plants, plant blueberry bushes, a dwarf maple was transplanted and a couple of crepe myrtles and a gardenia bush were planted.  We are both a bit stiff and sore tonight.

Dinner was black bean/ham soup and Rick's glorious cornbread.  A great way to end a good day.

I go back to work tomorrow after being off a week.  I am feeling much better and hope this crude has decided to leave my body.  Be kind, spread joy, laugh out loud...enjoy the beauty where ever you find it.

Old Friends, New Friends

My friend from grammar school texted me yesterday and said she and a couple of her friends would be out in the country today and would love to drop by for a visit.  I was thrilled.  Karen and I had been close friends when we were kids, but she had moved and we lost touch.

A few years ago her husband was killed in a plane crash and as tragedy sometimes does, it awakened a desire in her to reconnect with her past.  We met for lunch one day and discovered our friendship was still there. 

Today, Karen, her friends Kathy and Dianne visited and it was delightful. Kathy brought homemade bread, we shared honey and fig preserves and mugs of hot tea and laughter filled the house.  Rick and I took them through a section of our walking path on this beautiful fall day and we all agreed, "life is good."  Karen and I are in the center, Kathy and Dianne bookend us.  What a wonderful day.

 

Good Times

A fun gig tonight, good crowd but I am so ready for bed.   Good night, Sweet dreams.

Fall Color

We have a gig tomorrow night, our first in a few months.  I am excited, we have practiced and we are ready.  The downside, I have had a respiratory infection with low grade fever for several days.  I started strong antibiotics today and tonight the fever has subsided.  Fingers crossed I am over the hump.

Rain moved into today, and cooler temps are on the way.  I saw the S word mentioned in a forecast for Tuesday.  We shall see.

I truly had not planned on taking this week off, but today I realized how much my body and spirit needed it.   Taz and I have taken nice long walks and naps. 

This morning when we walked, fall color had deepened.  I love the change of the seasons.

Enjoy your Friday, stay warm, be kind and laugh out loud.

Off

I decided to take the week off.  There were several reasons, one including the respiratory stuff that has cropped up.  I think I needed a break.  This is the first time in the 15 years working at the facility that I have taken off and not been sick, on vacation or for a death.  To be honest there have been years that I have not taken a vacation.  It has been incredible being home this week.  We worked on our music for three hours today. 

Rain is moving in tonight and there are rumors of an Arctic  Express coming through next week.
Maybe my wishes for snow will come true this winter.

Enjoy your Thursday, spread joy, be kind. 

Fall Flowers

I think these are a sort of wild aster.  It is so strange to see them bloom even after we have had a couple of freezes.   There are small patches of them scattered across the farm.

A warm front moving up from the Gulf today and tomorrow, rain all day Thursday and then fall returns.
70 degrees today made the bees go into a feeding frenzy.  It is interesting to see how active warm sun  makes them and how lethargic they become when it's cold.

I have missed a couple of days work, seems the kids might have shared a little respiratory bug with me on Sunday.  Hopefully by Thursday I will be back teaching.

Gnome House

When Samantha ( Jordan's mom) was a little girl we watched the cartoon show, David the Gnome.  She loved it and we were constantly on the lookout for those places we thought Gnomes might live.

This hole at the roots of this tree down by the barn was a place we just knew was a Gnome house.
The tree is a giant now, but the hole still exists and today when I walked by and saw the white fungus growing I laughed and thought, oh the Gnomes are decorating.

I had picked up the tiny branch full of acorn caps as we walked and thought wow, this will be beautiful here.  I hope the Gnomes appreciated its uniqueness.
Can't you just imagine a family of Gnomes living in this beautiful little spot?

Making Memories

We had my brother's family and my sister and her daughter, grand daughter and great grand son over for chili and hot dogs and smore's and hot cider today.  The kids had a great time, the adults had fun and I thought so much about my parents.  Yesterday was 15 years ago my mom died, my dad who passed away in 1991 would have celebrated his 101 birthday on the 26 of October, they both would have loved today.  I like to think that this is how we honor our ancestors, this coming together to share food and fellowship.  A fire burning in the fire-pit, kids laughing and running through the yard, simple food, these are the memories we seal in our DNA in hopes that generations decades from now, will enjoy moments like these.  I hope these kids remember us with love and remember the good times at Uncle Rick and Aunt Jilda's house.

Slavic Food Festival

A little village about 20 miles from us has an amazing history.  It is Brookside, Al and it is home to the only Russian Orthodox Church south of the Mason Dixon Line.  For the past 27 years or so they have had a Slavic Food Festival.  Rick and I visited one of the very first they celebrated.  We met out friends Danny and Jo Francis this morning and headed to Brookside.

It was a perfect fall day with clear blue skies and chilly temps.  When we got there, there were a few people stirring around and we visited the church first and listened to the Father tell its history.
Then we decided to go next door to get in line for food.  The dinning hall was packed, but the atmosphere was festive and in about 30 minutes we had our food and oh what food it was.

We dined on Kolbasa and Kraut, Holupkic (stuffed cabbage), Halushki (potato dumplings) Piroshki ( meat pies), Pigachi ( potato cheese bread)....there was so much more I can't name it all.  There was Russian tea,  and baked goods and a beautiful quaint gift shop with handcrafted items.  I brought home a small St. Nicholas to hang on our Christmas tree.

The church and the village have an interesting history, if you get a chance be sure to Google Brookside, Al.  St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church.  I think you will find the history memorable. So here we are, me, Jo, Danny and Rick...look at that sky.

November 1

November 1...a change in the weather, boots and sweaters finally

November 1...I love fall

November 1...Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday

November 1... nothing as spectacular as the color of fall, even in the south

November 1...October 1 it was 100 degrees, October 31 it was 31

November 1...this month is bittersweet, with all it's beauty and bounty, it is the month my mom died

November 1...today is All Saint's Day, the love, the courage, of all that have come before us, lives in our DNA...honor them tonight

November 1...two months left in 2019

November 1...bird feeding frenzy begins as their source of food dwindles

November 1...nothing like a cold night sky

November 1...is it too early to hope for snow?

November 1...fireplace, dogs snoring and music...all good things

Dog Jordan

Who knows why an eleven year old boy wants to be a hot dog for Halloween, but that was Jordan's choice  this year.  He loved it and it will fit me if I want to wear it sometime.

He thought the mean face would make him a scary dog, we just laughed.

I love Halloween.

Rainy Night

The delightful sound of rain on the tin roof is what we hear tonight.  We have listened to it for most of the day as well.  Tomorrow brings our first real cold snap.  After all the heat and drought the weather is changing, and not every one is happy about it.  That's ok,  just like life the weather changes and for some it is a good thing for others not so good.  I am doing a happy dance tonight.

My class this afternoon was how to use yoga to bring balance and stability and calmness to your life.
It was the men's class and the guys really enjoyed it.  It still amazes me to watch someone come into my room so tense, sad and fearful and leave smiling.

My cup of hot tea calls to me...rain, a bit of a read and a cup of hot tea...life is good.

Greens and Drought

We are expecting our first frost Thursday  night.  Today I transplanted collard plants, gave some to friends and still have lots more to plant.  If you have never eaten collard greens they are an acquired taste but I love them.  I have been eating them since I was a very small child.  When I was growing up, we ate seasonal.  Probably because we raised so much of our food, but various greens, root vegetables  and soups and stews  and dried beans were our fall and winter diet...still that way.

I mentioned the first frost because collard greens develop a sweetness when frost bites their leaves.
When I was digging in the earth this morning I was shocked that about three inches down, the ground was bone dry.  This after we had almost six inches of rain last weekend.  That's the kind of drought we are in.  Thankfully more rain to come tonight and Wednesday and Thursday.  I just wish I could share it with the folks in California.

Nothing planned for tomorrow morning except a good long practice session.  We have a gig next weekend and we are getting ready to have fun.  Of course there is work after lunch, but the morning is all about the music.

My cup of hot tea awaits,  be kind tomorrow and laugh out loud.

Foggy Color

It was a chilly foggy morning as we walked the  dogs today.  It just seemed to bring out the fall color that is starting to appear.

Hungry and tired this evening, bedtime will be soon.
Goodnight, sweet dreams

Bugs

Jordan loves playing practical jokes.  Today on their way home from the swim meet, his mom took him back to the Cook's Museum in Decatur or as Jordan fondly calls it the Bug Museum.  As all the kids roamed the museum today, the museum employees gave them plastic bugs as treats instead of candy.

When they came by the house this evening I caught a glimpse of a scorpion on my kitchen table, of course I screeched and Jordan laughed.  One of the many bugs he was given at the museum today.
I have been warned, there will be many more to come.  I dare not think about where the others will be lurking.

Last week of October coming up, along with one of my favorite holidays, Halloween.  The down side to living out in the country on a dead end road, very few trick or treaters.  The kids who do make it by our house get lots of good candy!

Enjoy your Monday, be kind...to yourself and everyone you meet.

A Good Saturday

Our great nephew Aiden came for a visit today.  He is still not sure if he likes me, but I can say without a doubt I am crazy for him.

It has been a good day.  The rain continued but Aiden came for a visit, we had dinner with friends, we got in a great practice session and Jordan did awesome at his swim meet.

May your Sunday bring joy and peace.

Color

Lots of rain today and fall color is beginning to brighten the woods.  It's an odd time, this in between seasons for us.  Lots of green still, but golds and oranges and reds are starting to pop up.
The forecast  calls for our first frost  next week, so when the rains stop Sunday, we will move all our potted plants to the now converted screen porch/sun room.

I wore a sweater and boots today.  It felt great to put my summer clothes away.  The sound of the rain on the tin roof is so calming tonight.  Good sleeping weather.

Simple Things

I love this fence post.  It holds the gate that secures the road to our barn.  This time of year with fall leaves in the back ground the moss is at its prettiest.

It's an interesting composition of metal gate, wooden post, wire, moss and fall foliage. The colors and all the elements work together perfectly I think. All simple things, each has their own unique beauty.

Thursdays are long and draining, as soon as I get home I put my pjs on, bedtime comes early.
I hope your Friday ushers in a great weekend.

Surprises

Daily there is something new to discover.  This morning on our walk, this white fungus was on several  fallen trees.  It was not there yesterday.  Surprises are everywhere, just look for them.

Fall Sunset

It's been a beautiful fall day, ending with a beautiful fall sunset.

Not sure about the brain drain, but I have it tonight.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Best Day

" Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Similar

Jordan's mom, Samantha and I had a long heart to heart this week.  We are both in the same place in the same area of our lives and struggling with similar issues.  I think we both realized that even with the age difference we have more in common than just being related. 

She has at least a short term solution/answer for her issue, I am still trying to figure mine out.
There is no doubt we will both do what we need to do.

There is a warm front coming up from the Gulf tonight and a cold front coming from the northwest.
Things could get interesting around here tomorrow.  Hopefully no severe storms just lots of rain.

Mondays come so fast.  I hope for all of us, tomorrow is a Monday of kindness and great joy.

Accomplishments

The transformation continued today.  I cleaned out my closets.  Rick dusted window blinds.
The house feels bigger.  He also got the screen porch  ready to move all our potted plants to this week.  It just feels good to get some things accomplished.

Tomorrow we rest.
Enjoy your Sunday, may it bring peace to you and yours.

Fall Bits and Pieces

Last bit of fall decorating and house cleaning today.   It felt  good to stay home and get some things done.

Now, maybe tomorrow, clean the closets.

Sometimes just the simple cleaning of your space is an amazing transformation.

Foodies

Jordan's mom sent over a photo of his report card tonight, all A's, straight 100 averages.
I mentioned we should celebrate, she said well he has already, he asked for pork chops and mashed potatoes for dinner.  What can I say, our family celebrates, mourns, loves , comforts and bonds with food.

Put us around a dinner table, we can love, solve world problems and laugh ourselves into tears.
Food is the tie that binds.  At least for our family.  No better way to celebrate than with a good meal.
Did I mention I came home from and made fish tacos?

I hope your Friday is a good one.  Be safe, be happy and be kind.

Soup

We do our best to eat seasonal foods.  In the fall and winter we eat lots of root vegetables, greens and soups and stews.  Today I made a giant pot of vegetable soup.  A little of this, a little of that, raiding the pantry, the fridge, the freezer.  Tossed together, magic happens and the flavors blend.  Thank goodness Rick doesn't mind leftovers.  We will be eating soup for a few days.

Spend some time with those you love tomorrow, laugh out loud and be kind.

The Trouble

"The trouble is, you think you have time."  - Buddha

If I could give someone one quote to live by, it would be this one.  We are all guilty, we all think we have time.  We think we have time to make our dreams come true, to take that trip, to make amends, to work on our health...it's a never ending list, this thinking we have time.

Jordan Time

We picked Jordan up from school today.  He was in such a good mood.   He was also hungry.
He pretty much ate from the time we left school until his mom picked him up.

All that swimming takes a lot of energy and he is a growing boy.  I am amazed at how much food he can consume!

I hope tomorrow brings kindness and joy to each of you.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Fall Dance

This morning as we walked, I couldn't help myself...I burst into song and dance.

The air was crisp and clean, it truly was a "great day to be alive."

I am glad only Rick and the dogs saw me.

I hope your Monday will be a "great day to be alive."  Be kind.

Fall Daisies

I couldn't resist decorating the kitchen table.  The daisies come from the plant my sister Nell gave us in the spring.  The plant is at least 15 feet tall, covered in those beautiful yellow daisies.

It has been a wonderful fall day.  We did a few errands but not much on the agenda, the same for tomorrow.

I hope your Sunday brings peace and joy.

Welcome

Good news, Jordan's foot is not broken, his ankle over extended and he will be fine for his swim meet and he got to see the parade today and get a bag full of candy.  He and his cousin Anthony always have so much fun at my sister's house.  And what kid doesn't love a parade?

I came home after we delivered the boys to their homes and did a little fall decorating.  Rain and cooler weather coming in tonight just put me in the mood!

I hope your weekend started with as much fun as mine did.  Nothing like kids and a small town parade to make you smile.

What a Thursday

I taught a walking meditation class today for the pain management group and a pranayama class as well ( breath work).  After that I spent an hour with first responders, police officers and military students, and finally this evening with our women's group.   It is rewarding work, but exhausting.

Tomorrow is our local high school's home coming.  That means a parade and a football game tomorrow night.  I always take Jordan to  my sister's house for the parade, she has the best view ever.
He twisted his ankle today in PE class and is going to see the orthopedic doc first thing in the morning.  Next weekend he has a big swim meet.  Send him some good thoughts and healing energies and a few prayers, those feet are important when you are swimming. 

He is upset about his foot, about the swim meet and about missing the parade tomorrow.  We just want his foot to be ok.

My bed and a cup of hot tea are calling to me. 
Sweet dreams to you all.

Hump Day

I read a wonderful blog tonight about stillness and silence.    I know this might sound a little strange coming from a musician, but I love silence.  Actually I crave it and if I don't have those moments of silence, of being still ,I become out of sorts.  Those moments nourish my spirit.  They inspire my creativity and they make me a better person, a better teacher.

I am always urging my students to find stillness, to sit in silence.  I urge you to sit in silence a few minutes every day.  Once you do, you will find yourself like me, craving it.  No tv, no music, no conversation...just silence...and stillness.

We spent most of our  morning with our primary care doc, doing the regular check-up stuff. Then we treated ourselves to lunch at our favorite meat and three.  It's been a good hump day.

Remember kindness tomorrow, to yourself and others.

At Last

A wonderful fall day.  Our walk this morning was cool and crisp, this afternoon hit a high of 74 degrees.  At last.

The dogs enjoyed the walk this morning as much as we humans did.  For the first time in months they didn't pant when we got home and neither did we.

The change in the weather inspired me to cook chicken and dumplings.  Jordan came by after swim practice this evening and was beside himself to know he would be having chicken and dumplings for dinner.

Tomorrow is Wednesday, this week is flying by.  May you enjoy kindness and may you extend that kindness to others.

Peace

Sharing a quote with ya'll tonight.



" Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than how you think it should be."  -Wayne Dyer

Change

Rains came yesterday evening, for the first time in  months we had rain during the night.  The weather guys say more tonight and tomorrow.  Our world looks so different today.  Everything looks alive and vibrant. The temps have dropped about 15 degrees, today was around 80 with a breeze.  It was heavenly.  A true change in the weather.

 A real cold front is suppose to move through next weekend, I can hardly wait.  I'll be wearing those boots and sweaters before you know it.  I told Jordan today, we have to start making plans for a weenie roast!

It seems the past couple of months our weekends have been non-stop, this one has been no different.
I hope this is a good week for all of you, be kind, spread joy, laugh every day.

Frog Ribs

Rick does the local Frog Festival website which was today.  Once again it was hot as blazes and I debated on going or staying home.  I decided to go for two reasons, the first, I always see people I haven't seen in years and two, a friend I went to high school always has a booth there and he cooks ribs.  Anyone who has ever eaten my BBQ ribs will tell you they are good, but his are great!!
We brought a slab home and we both ate ourselves silly.   I wish I could send you all just a taste.  But,  between Rick, me and Jordan there are no more.

Dinner

One of Rick's favorite dishes tonight.  It is so simple, just peppers, onions, garlic and some sort of sausage.  ( I used a local one, Conecuh) throw in a dash of olive oil, some crusty bread and dinner is ready.

I hope your Friday has been a good one.  We broke more heat records today and more to come tomorrow.

Spread some joy, be kind and if you actually have fall where you live, please enjoy and be grateful.

Plasticity

In my pain management classes on Thursdays we talk often about the plasticity of the brain.  If you have not read or heard people in science and medicine talk about this subject, do yourself a favor and read, "The Brain That Changes It Self" by Norman Doidge, M.D.

The last several courses I have studied, everything from meditation to chronic pain to yoga have all included lectures on plasticity of the brain.  For the past few months I have been working on myself, rewiring my brain to function even with the damage from the Meniere's.

This brain science has been used with stroke victims, addictions, chronic pain, so many different health concerns.  The more I study about it, the more fascinating it becomes because of the possibilities.

I am exhausted, as always on Thursdays and that is ok.  Thursdays give me the opportunity to see results, good results from my teaching.

Tomorrow be kind, spread joy and at least once, laugh out loud.

Thirsty

Our magnificent dogwood  is so thirsty.  The tree is one of the first things you see as you enter our driveway.  In the spring it looks like a massive white cloud and in the fall when the leaves turn red it is glorious.

All the kids have climbed its loving limbs.  I wrote a story a long time ago about it called The Magic Tree.  That's what the kids have always called it.

Each day I walk by her and tell her to hang on.  I know the rain is coming.  We hit 100 degrees today.
The weather guys swear rain and cooler rain will make an appearance this weekend.  I hope so.

October 1

October 1...today is my mom's and dad's anniversary, they would have been married 76 years

October 1...96 degrees today, we broke some records

October 1...no rain

October 1...my dad's and my brothers' who are twin have birthdays this month, Rick's dad as well

October 1...this will be remembered as the year of the endless summer

October 1...time to mix the candy corn with salted peanuts

October 1...I love Halloween

October 1...can't wait to wear boots and sweaters

October 1...no fall color, only brown dead leaves

October 1...the last quarter of 2019

October 1...Jordan wants a bonfire and s'mores, so do I

October 1...a pot of chili would be nice ( if we cranked the ac to about 65 degrees)

October 1...I know I am a whiney baby about the weather

Endless Summer

It hasn't been the best year for my pomegranate tree, only three fruits this time but maybe next year will be better.

Today is the last day of September and  temps back in the 90's.  It could be worse.  A friend of ours who lives in Florida said their temp hit 108 today.   Wow.  A long hot summer that will not go away.

We decided at the Monday night yoga class that it might be time for serious measures.  Someone suggested a naked rain dance, at this point, I think we are all ready to try anything.

Be kind tomorrow and laugh out loud.

Silly Birthday

Our great niece Joy celebrated her eight birthday today.  She had a surprise party and she was surprised!  I am sure all the giggles from the silly string attack could be heard in outer space.
She loves Kermit the Frog, everything was green, including the cake.

A weekend of chickens and stilly string, our lives are not dull.

The Chicken Show

We attended the 4H chicken show and auction today.  It was hot as blazes but it was fun.
Jordan won a second place for medal for showmanship ( that is when he had a one on one conversation with the judge)  he explained all he had done the past few months to care for his chickens and also present his book to them.  ( The book explains in detail everything from remodeling the pen to present day and includes photos.)

He also won second place for best breed of chickens ( Easter eggers) This is all about how healthy his chickens were.

This was his first year in 4H and to compete.  Many of the other kids have been in involved with 4H for several years.  We think he did great.