January Over

It has been a long week, not sure why, but this one seems unusually long.  Thursdays are my Fridays, so tomorrow I will see the acupuncturist and get my weekend off to a great start.

Temps are warming up, someone said upper 70's next week.  Honestly I had rather it stay cold than go up and down.  Here when the warmth hits early, storm season usually comes early as well.

Can you believe tomorrow is February1?   January you came and went before I could get my breath.
I am just now feeling the holiday stress fade.

For those of you in the frigid temps, hang on, warmer days are on the way.  Spread some joy, and be kind.

Be Prepared

Last night we had just driven up in our driveway, I got out of the car and I walked maybe two steps and suddenly the power was off.  No electric lights as far as the eye could see.  We opened the front door and Taz was in a panic ( power outages do that to her), Hook was sound asleep and Calliou was out back protecting the home and property.

Sadly there was an accident a few miles down the road, which took out a power pole/lines.
So no electricity for several hours, and no blog.  I have heard no news on the accident today so I hope all is well.  When we went to bed last night it was in the 20's, so I piled on the blankets.  Thankfully those linemen did what they do best and power was restored.

I am always grateful that we have a gas stove, gas logs in the fireplace and that I have a bounty of battery powered candles.  Soon I had a pot of soup simmering on the stove, the logs gave a warm glow to the great room and the candles made it all very cozy. 

In the past we have not always been that prepared.  When the blizzard of 93 hit, we had no heat, no way to cook, and a gimpy flashlight.  Two days into the blizzard, it was around 10 degrees in our house, Rick's beard had ice crystals in it and we had on so many layers of clothes we could barely move.  I swore things would be different.

A  small generator was bought, a gas grill, gas logs, gas stove, and gas supplemental heater all came to our house.  When battery powered candles came on the market, I bought a couple of dozen.
I keep canned goods, pasta, rice, beef and chicken broths, bottled water, etc in the pantry.  The blizzard kept our power off for almost two weeks, tornadoes in April a few years ago kept water and power off for a couple of weeks.  With each event I have tried to learn valuable lessons and be better prepared for the next one.

I was never a Scout, neither was Rick, but their motto "Be Prepared" has become ours.
Enjoy your Thursday, laugh out loud and be kind.

More

Thought for the day.


"Read more books than status updates.
Look into more eyes than screens.
Hold more hands than devices.
Love more than you judge."   - Dulce Ruby

Bees

If you read my husband Rick's column then you know we are getting bees.  I am so excited.
Because we both love hot tea and coffee, we use a lot of honey.  With lung issues, I also use honey as cough syrup.  As farmers who do not use pesticides, we cherish bees and their work to keep the human race alive.  If you do not understand the importance of bees to human life, Google it.

Our bees will come to live on our farm when the weather begins to warm.  We have picked the perfect spot for them,  down by the apple, peach and pear trees, near the blueberry bushes and just a skip away from the wild flower meadow.

Yes, we have both been stung by bees and wasps, but honey bees are not aggressive.  I can't wait to taste our first batch of honey.  When we first moved here in 1980 there was a wild bee tree down in the woods behind the barn.  You could hear their drone on warm days.  Not sure what happened to them but one day we walked and you could no longer hear them.  As the years have gone by we see fewer and fewer bees when the fruit trees blossom and the flowers and herbs bloom.  Hopefully that will change this year.

It has been a good yet busy weekend.  This last week of January is looking interesting.  Our weather guys placed us under a winter storm watch today.  By Tuesday we should see white stuff.

I hope your Monday brings kindness, I hope you help spread that kindness.

Snow Pie

Sam, Jordan and Nana are spending the weekend at Jordan's swim meet.  Sam's dad ( my brother Ricky) stayed home to take care of their animals, two cats, two ferrets and a 100 pound Airedale mix named Lady.  Today was such a beautiful day that after we all had fed and cared for our critters we decided to just road trip and Ricky decided to join us.  We had a great time, spent a few hours out and about and then came home in plenty of time to do the evening pet chores.

Sam called us with updates often.  Jordan had a great day, we are hoping for more of the same tomorrow.  I will give details tomorrow night.

The local weather guys swear we will get snow Tuesday.  I have heard that song and dance before.
We shall see.  Fingers are crossed that Jordan and I will get to treat Rick to a "snowpie" on Tuesday.
"Snow pie"  is a really large flattened snowball  squished in the face.  Jordan came up with that phrase when he was about 4 years old, now it is a family tradition.

Enjoy your Sunday, it's the last one for January 2019.  Hug someone tomorrow.

Friday Update

A beautiful sunny cold day and snow is forecast for next week.  I am so happy.  Jordan spent the morning with us.  His mom had errands before they left for his weekend swim meet.  It is rare we get to spend time with him when school and swim are taking place.  He and his mom are busy, but that's ok, they both are enjoying life. 

We ran down to the local produce stand this afternoon.  I love buying our produce there,  It is always fresh and yummy.  Fresh Florida oranges, tomatoes and honey crisp apples came home with us today.
They also have restocked their supply of FROG jam.  It is my favorite, a wonderful blend of fig, raspberry, orange and ginger, a heavenly concoction.

Did you know that next Friday is February 1?  I have already bought the supplies for Valentine cookies and cupcakes.  Jordan was thrilled when he saw all the sugar pearls and sparkles today.
There will be pictures.

Enjoy the week, this is the last one for January 2019, make it kind, make it loving.

Dying Slowly

Tonight I share with you one of my favorite poems.  It was written by Brazilian writer, Martha Medeiros.  It is , To Death Slowly.


To Death Slowly

You start dying slowly
if you do not travel,
if you do not read,
If you do not listen to the sounds of life,
If you do not appreciate yourself.

You start dying slowly when you kill your self-esteem,
when you do not let others help you.
You start dying slowly if you become a slave to your habits,
walking everyday on the same paths...If you do not change your routine,
If you do not wear different colors or you do not speak to those you don't know.

You start dying slowly if you avoid to feel passion and it's turbulent emotions, those that make
your eyes glisten and your heart beat fast.
You start dying slowly if you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job, or with your love, or with your surroundings.

If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain,
If you do not allow yourself,
at least once in your lifetime
to run away from sensible advice.

- Martha Medeiros

Wet Day

Rain has been falling all day.  I wore the brightest colors I have in my yoga wardrobe to work today, turquoise tee and royal blue pants.  Today was a rare day when we couldn't walk the dogs.  The rain has come down in sheets.  As I drove to work,  there were places where water swept across the road in waves.

Another visit with the acupuncturist, it is helping so much.  The difference has been remarkable.
Rick has been in front of his computer writing  almost constantly all day.  I am sure his brain has turned to mush.

My cup of hot awaits, so does bed.  Stay warm and dry and know that January is almost over.
It will be spring before you know it.

A Book

There is a small book on our bookshelves, not much bigger than my hand.  I have had this book since 1970.  The cover and the pages are worn.  It is on my list of recommended books that I give to my students. It was published in 1923, written by a poet, artist and philosopher from Lebanon, Kahil Gibran.  The book is The Prophet, one of my five most favorite books.

Every time I read it, something different jumps out at me.  As the years have gone by, the familiar words I have read time and time again take on a different meaning with each life experience that I have.  The pages I read today resonate differently than they did when I was 18.

Gibran's words are beautiful and truthful.  The first time I ever read them, I thought this person can not be of this earth.  I still feel that way.

If you have never read this little book, do yourself a great favor and read it.  Read it with an open mind and heart and then maybe a year from now read it again.  Share it with your children, grandchildren and friends, give it as a gift. 

Tomorrow is mid-week, hump day.  January is passing quickly.  Don't forget to be kind.

Love

I look for beauty every day, even in the dead of winter.  If you look for beauty you see it, if you are kind, you find it, if you are grateful, you have joy.

Life is simple, but hate and fear make it very  complicated.  On this MLK day of remembrance, choose love over hate.

Imagine

I looked at this picture I shot yesterday and let my imagination run wild.  What if this tree were another universe and this fungus and moss, villages with people so different they hated each other?  They were fighting for survival on this tree and what they didn't know or understand was that the tree, their universe was totally at the whim of something else? That a lightening bolt, windstorm, or human could destroy everything.  Now you know about my imagination...sorta.

It has been a lazy restful day for Rick and me.
We walked the dogs this morning as tiny snowflakes swirled around us.  The freezing wind coming straight out of the north froze our faces.  Calliou loved it, Taz and Hook could not wait to get back to the house.

A holiday for many tomorrow, but Rick and I will be working.  May your week start with kindness and may it continue every day.

Green Textures

Every day we walk, there is more moss.  I told Rick we should do a coffee table book of moss photos.
Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by moss, this weather has fed the fascination.
The wind is howling tonight, causing the clouds to rush across the nearly full moon like feather boas.
Stay warm, cozy and dry.

In Sickness and Health

I saw the acupuncturist today.  I am so pleased with the results so far.  Today he heard me coughing and I fessed up about the gunk I have had for over a week, plus shared with him my lung history.
He took a few moments to scold me and then said let me help you.  He did.  Breathing has been so much easier this evening, not sure why I had not shared this with him.

Last weekend we went to Muscle Shoals to celebrate Rick's birthday.  We stayed at one of our favorite hotels on the river.  But honestly, it was not the celebration he had anticipated.  I was sick all weekend and the rain came down in buckets.  We had a great meal and spent some time listening to music but we both knew it would not go down as one of his best birthdays. On the way home on Sunday, we laughed about that "in sickness and health" phrase.

Tonight we went to one of our favorite places to eat in Jasper.  It has been written up in many food columns, even national ones.  The food was off the charts.  He had Scottish salmon and I had seafood carbonara ( lobster and shrimp and scallops)  Wow.  I think this weekend made up for last.

He works tomorrow and I will for a while as well.  That's ok.  Rain is moving in again and cold cold air.  I hope for snow and not ice.

Stay warm, dry and be kind.

Warm and Comforted

My women's class today was inspiring.  Cold and rainy and some of them had been in grief therapy for eight hours today, others it was their first day at our facility.  They looked worn and beaten as they walked into my room.  There were a few tears as well. And then there is the crud that we all seem to be sharing right now.

I looked at them and knew today was the day for heart opening.  Bad days make you want to fade into the walls, bad days make you wish to be invisible or go into child pose and stay there for hours.
This when you open your heart, find your strength, practice ahimsa ( do no harm) and lift your face to the sky. 

Breath work, slow movements and the reminder to love who you are was the medicine we all needed.
Savasana included meditations based on love and joy.  When class was over, we all looked taller and everyone smiled.  The students left for dinner and meetings, I left for home.

Rick made my night, I got home and he had picked up Chinese, including my favorite hot and sour soup.  Tonight I am full, warm and comforted...I hope you are too.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Tea

quote on my board today, let those thoughts pass right on by



"Leave your front door and your back door open.  Allow your thoughts to come and go.  Just don't serve them tea."
- Shunryu Suzuki

Daily Growth

So much rain has turned our place into a weird cold non tropical forest.  Each day we walk brings new growth and moss is everywhere.  This tree seems to have its own ecosystem, vines, berries, moss and who knows what might be lurking under the leaves.

Circle of Life

I love circles, I think they are symbols that promise life and hope.  Today as I walked the dogs this one made me smile.  So very beautiful on a cold cloudy day.

Surprise

I swear I must live in a parallel universe sometimes.  For some reason I thought I had read that an author whose book I recommend frequently had died in a car accident a few years ago.  I use her book  yearly in January in my classes and I have been telling my groups she died.  Surprise! she lives. 

Tomorrow I will apologize profusely to my groups.  But tonight, I will tell you the name of the book is Your Best Year Yet.  It was written in the 90's and it truly helped me through a bad spot.
There are ten questions and you answer them honestly and if you do it helps you to focus on what is important to you for the coming year.

The first three questions deal with your past year, and then the following seven become your guide for the new year.

1. What did I accomplish?
2. What were my biggest disappointments?
3. What did I learn?
4. How do I limit myself, and how can I stop?
5. What are my personal values?
6. What roles do I play in my life?
7.Which role is my major focus for the next year?
8. What are my goals for each role?
9. What are my top ten goals for the next year?
10. How can I achieve my top ten goals?

I can't believe I have been telling my classes she died.  LOL.

Snow and Rain

cold and rainy and  sinus crud does not make for a great Saturday, but I know this too shall pass.  A friend who lives in the St. Louis area sent pictures today, almost 8 inches of snow!  She said her drive home yesterday from work was iffy.  Wild and wacky weather these days.  Our rivers are out of their banks and swamps have appeared out of nowhere.  I am holding my breath hoping we don't move into drought mode this summer.

Rick's birthday is Tuesday.  He told me today I was always sick for his birthday.  Not a true statement, but yes for the past couple.  Year before last, I was fine until our second day at the beach, I woke up with the flu.   I expect to be well by Tuesday.

It's only 7:30, but I swear I am so ready to put on my pj's and drink my tea and climb into bed.
I promise I will stay up until 9:00.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Breathe Deep

The moon is growing larger each night.  The stars seem to be glowing brighter.  Cold winter nights seem to enhance celestial sky.  For those of you who got snow, I hope the clouds clear and you get to see the snow sparkle in starlight.

It seems the sinus crud found me today. 

Picked up my car today, wow what a difference.  It took me a while to adjust, a tap on the brakes instead of pushing them to the floor is a big change.

I am about to drink a cup of Breathe Deep tea and go to bed.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Good and Bad

My car has been in the shop most of the week, poor Rick has had to work his job and take me to mine and then come and pick me up.  I know he will be so glad to pick my car up tomorrow.  I knew my brakes were getting bad but the repair guys have had to replaced all the brake stuff on all four wheels.
I know I was pushing my luck, especially in all the rainy weather we have had.

I cooked Rick and Samantha's favorite dish for dinner this evening.  Well they say it's their favorite but Rick says that about most everything I cook.  It is a dish my mom taught me how to make.
A layer of really good sauerkraut, a layer of onions, then red potatoes and then a slab of thick country style ribs, cooked slow all day.  I have to admit I ate way more than my share of it tonight.

We have a sinus crud at work now, almost all of my students have it.  It is cold, they are in rehab and sick with sinus junk...not such a great start to the New Year, but I keep telling them it will pass.
This evening I had to leave work at 5:30, so I couldn't teach my meditation class.  Rick had come to pick me up, take me home and then had to cover a local city council meeting.  A female student showed up for the meditation class, just as I had finished yoga.  When I explained that I had to leave, she burst into tears.  I felt so bad for her, it was obvious she had had such a bad day.  All the way home, I had to tell myself that this too shall pass.  Like most of my days, it has been good and bad.

I know many of you are getting snow, I am so jealous.  Send me pictures!
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Wednesday Musings

Another visit to the acupuncturist today, for the past few days Rick and I are both seeing difference.
Hope that it continues.

I had students to say goodbye today and some who said hello.  It is our busy time.  There is something about the New Year that makes so many of us want to better our lives.

Our mild temps disappeared today and Arctic cold has decided to visit us.  There are rumors of the S word, but so far only rumors.  Yesterday it almost 70 degrees, today it was 49.  Chilly.

I hope your 2019 is going well, that if you are considering changes you are able to make them and if this is the year your goals are within your reach, wait no longer...go for it. 

Spread joy, be kind and stay warm.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Mirror

I have had new faces in class the past couple of days, old ones are leaving, as always it's the toughest part of my job.  Saying goodbye and hello, it's all emotional, it's all good and bad, it's life.

My quote today was fitting for those new faces, but it was also fitting for all of us.

"If you are looking for someone to change your life, look in the mirror."  

Don't know who said it, but it fit the day well.

Going back to the acupuncturist tomorrow, feeling pretty good.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Celebrate

I something on FB this weekend about exercise, I didn't save it and am so sorry I didn't.
But the gist of it was this...Exercise to celebrate what your body can do, not to punish yourself for what you ate.

I told this to my classes today.  We all want to start the new year losing weight, or getting in better shape, etc.  But what we need is to think about health, what will make us healthier, what will make us feel better. 

At the start of a New Year, we join gyms, we buy equipment, we start diets, but many of us fail.  We attempt too much, get discouraged and quit.  Health is one day at a time.  Start small, drink more water,  eat  more fruits and veggies, breathe, walk five or ten minutes...then in a couple of weeks, add some weight bearing exercise, add ten minutes to your walk, do some yoga, meditate.  Before you know it, in a few weeks your body starts to change, you feel better.  One day at a time.

So this year, strive to be healthier, to feel better and celebrate what your body can do.

Taxing Day

Another blue sky day in our neighborhood, temps were mild and the sun was warm.   A beautiful day, but for some reason, not very productive.  It seems like everything I started got displaced by something else.  Energy got weird and I realized it was time to just sit or nap.  It became a day of reminding myself of the good things in my life and to remember to be grateful. But for whatever reason, it has been a taxing day.

And with all that being said, I am totally drained, void of energy and thought.  So, time to drink hot tea and relax.

Goodnight,Sweet dreams

Ode to Friends

Blue skies today, incredible blue skies...Rick did his happy dance.  We spent time outside with the dogs and just enjoyed being alive.   This evening we met our friends, Danny and Jo for dinner and talked and laughed ourselves silly.

Days like today feed your soul, they caress your spirit and remind you that life and its simple pleasures is what we live for.  I love spending time with friends.  I adore our families, but friends are just gifts.  Some of them come for moments, some for years and some are there as long as you live.
I appreciate all of them and what each one has brought to my table, good and bad.

There is something grounding about spending time with friends at the beginning of the new year.
For me, it reminds me of what is truly important and what I need to survive.
It is interesting that this blog world has opened up a new way to enjoy friendships.  I don't know if I will ever get to meet you all, but through this way of communication friendships have been formed.
I suppose some would call these friendships, new age tech friends.

So tonight, I am appreciating friends, new, old, and in-between.  I am grateful for your presence.
May this New Year, strengthen the ties that bind us.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams 

Friday Update

A busy Friday, I saw my acupuncturist this morning.  I am not sure why I waited so long to see him about my Meniere's but so glad I went today.  In the past when I have seen him, his treatments worked so well, fingers are crossed I will get good results this time.  I have decided to try a couple of different holistic methods since traditional medicine has not given me the results I had hoped for.

Tonight we went down to the local Mexican eatery to meet up with all of my brother Ricky's family.  His son Haven and daughter inlaw  Alesha had a reveal party for her pregnancy.  It's a boy. This will be their second son, Anthony will be eight when his little brother is born this summer.  Joyful family gatherings are good.  All the kids  had a great time and the grownups did too.

Rainy and so very cold tonight.  As soon as we got home, my warm cozy pj's  jumped on my body.
A cup of hot tea is next.

I hope this first week of January of the new year has been a good one for all of you.  Tomorrow we plant our Christmas tree.  Keep that kindness spreading.

Wisdom

"By three methods we may learn wisdom:  First, by reflection which is noblest;
Second, by imitation which is easiest;
and third by experience, which is the bitterest."  -Confucius  

Rainy Night

Pouring rain today,  I think we have relocated to Seattle and no one told us.  Rain and fog on the way home tonight made for an anxious drive, just happy no deer decided to cross the road in front of me.

Back at work this week, everyone has been a little slow moving.  Being off for any length of time requires motivation to jump back into the swing of things.

What is it about the holidays that once they are over, you have the sensation that they are not.  Or is it just me?  Come January, there is always a part of me that still feels as though Christmas is still coming or it's not over yet.  It makes me sad to put away the decorations, to not have the tree in the house.  Maybe I have withdrawals from Christmas.

Thursdays are my Fridays, I love working a four day week, three day weekends are the best.  Of course all my friends who are retired tell me that every day is Saturday once you retire.  Is that really true?

So ready for my cup of hot tea tonight, the rain has chilled me to the bone.  I can hear it tapping on the tin roof, sleep should be sweet tonight.
Good night, Sweet dreams

January 1

January 1, 2019...first day, first month, brand new year

January 1...my new mantra, Thrive don't just survive

January 1...Rick's, my brother Ricky's, Jordan's and Breeze's birthdays are this month and so was my grandmother's Mamie

January 1...snow, I want snow!

January 1...traditional southern New Year's food today...collard greens, sweet potatoes, black eye peas, ham and corn bread.  Bring on the money and the good luck!

January 1...will make a vision board, think about vows and intentions for the coming year

January 1...music, art,  friends and family, travel...things I want to focus on this new year

January 1...my new year's wish, good health for us all

January 1... my hope for the new year, that our focus will be on kindness

January 1...this year brings our 45th wedding anniversary ( May 5)

January 1...sweaters, boots and jeans, my go to wardrobe right now (other than yoga clothes for work)

January 1...running feels really good

January 1...fresh cedar and pine make the house smell so good ( I use fresh greenery now instead of flowers)

January 1...let's all treat others the way we want to be treated this year