Mossy Paths

Even though it' s been cold, the rains have continued, 5 more inches expected by Wednesday, maybe more.

The moss is loving the rain.  Our trails have turned into mossy paths.  There are places where I swear you could see fairies dance if you looked long enough.  I think David the Gnome might have moved in as well.

It's been a beautiful sunny day with a cold wind, warmer tomorrow as the rains prepare to move in.
May your Sunday be peaceful, may you be kind.

Surprise

 Winter sunsets brighten the dreariest of cold days.  This morning we had a chance of snow flurries ( didn't see any) and this afternoon the sun came out and set the sky on fire as darkness spread across the heavens.  Mother Nature gives the best surprises.

Germs

Not sure how things are where you all live, but here for the past few months, flu, strep, stomach bugs, migraines have raged.  It seems almost every one I know, young, old and in between has had some sort of ailment.  We had a flu outbreak at work before Christmas, another one after and now once again there is flu.  Our local schools have flu and strep.  I think the cold rainy season has kept everyone indoors so much the germs have just gone wild.  Sorta like germs on steroids. 

So I continue to wash my hands all throughout the day.  I take airborne when ever I leave home and I also take elderberry capsules daily.  I am constantly telling family and friends, wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.  Don't touch your face, cough into your elbow, the CDC should cut me a check.   If I go grocery shopping I go early morning when it's not crowded,
Soon the days will be longer and warmer and folks will spend more time outdoors, hopefully things will quiet down.

It was cold today, but the sun was shinning bright.  Tomorrow will be a few degrees warmer with more sun, the bees will love it.

A cup of hot rose tea awaits me.  Goodnight, Sweet dreams.
Tomorrow...be kind.

First Violets

Windy, rainy and cold today.  The dogs and we humans had to walk.  As we walked the last lap, there on the mossy stones of our walkway, two tiny purple violets braved the weather.

Spring is not far behind.

Kodak Runs

The new dog, Kodak is boundless energy.  We take him for long walks every morning, well we walk and he runs.  Usually Lady ( Jordan's dog) and Hook run for awhile, but then Hook prefers to dig and Lady likes to walk and Kodak just runs.  Jordan has a busy schedule but a few days a week he comes by and runs with Kodak. 

Kodak loves Jordan and loves to run with him.  Jordan can actually run as fast as Kodak which is amazing to watch.  This afternoon I called Jordan and asked if he could come run with Kodak.
Kodak was beside himself when he saw Jordan bounding up the hill to our house.
There was method to my madness...I am sure Jordan is sleeping like a baby, Kodak certainly is.

More rain and cooler temps moving in tonight, but it was a mild day with moments of sunshine.
I hope your Wednesday brings joy, remember to be kind.

Pink Kisses

No, they are not blooming yet, but each day when I walk by our apple trees I send them love.
Love for the incredible fruits they give us, but also love for the fragrant blossoms each spring.

If you have never smelled the softness of apple blossom,  give yourself a wonderful gift this spring and visit an orchard while the trees are blooming.

Apple trees blooming are a treat for your senses.  You start with the variations of pink in the flowers, the rich greens in the leaves and then that cloud of soft fragrance wraps you in a kiss.

It's cold and rainy tonight, it was cold and rainy all day.  I made banana nut bread, we had a cup of hot tea and all was right with the world.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Pink Jewel

She's budding now, but this is how she looked last year.  I am hoping that the blooms are this beautiful. Our friends, Kaye and Jamie gave her to me a few years ago.  She is a jewel on dreary winter days.

Today we drove by the house where my parents use to live.  My mom had planted two camellia bushes at their walk way.  They are at least twelve feet tall now and full of red blossoms.

Driving by and seeing those shrubs full of blooms was like a hug from my mom.

This is the last week of February.  Enjoy these next few days, spring will be here before you know it.

 

Waiting

This photo is from last year.  We have had so much rain and cold, it just doesn't seem right not to have snow.  I keep waiting...

Hot tea awaits me.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Friday Thoughts

Sunny but cold today.  The dogs loved it.  Kodak could run for hours if we let him.  Hook hangs with him for about forty five minutes and then he's ready for a nap.  Taz looks at both of them as if they were aliens.

Jordan did great at the Beta Club Convention.  He placed 5th in the state for language arts so he goes to Ft. Worth Texas for nationals in June.  We are just a wee bit proud.

My niece Jayna came by for a chat, and we chatted way past our bedtime.  Time for sweet dreams.
Enjoy your Saturday, be kind, spread joy.

Nature

I brought in branches from our apricot tree a few days and put them in a vase.  Tonight I noticed they were blooming.  Even though it is in the 20's here tonight, I have vases of daffodils, forsythia, and apricot blossoms in our house.  When I walked in from work this evening, though it was damp and cold outside the blossoms made the house warm and cozy.

My sister in law Deb has a huge peace plant in their living room.  She has had pneumonia and I cooked food for she and my brother Ricky this week.  When I sat down to chat for a moment, she said look at my plant.  There were big beautiful white blooms in the midst of all those deep green leaves.  That plant makes their living room so inviting.

I love nature.  I believe with all my heart that we are a part of all living things.  I read once that when the earth suffers, all living things suffer.  I believe that.  I know this, that I can be down, I can be sick...but if I can spend some time outdoors, I feel better... mentally, physically and spiritually.

I know here in the US, it's cold and rainy and snowy.  But if you can, bundle up, go outside for a few minutes...breathe in the fresh air...look for the beauty that only winter can bring.  The bare branches, the crystal clear nights, rain drops freezing on twigs.  Maybe you can smell pine or cedar or smoke from someone's fireplace, maybe you can hear the incredible silence of snow.

Enjoy your weekend. Be kind.

Employee Class

I am teaching a class for a company on Wednesday afternoons now.  The employees who come are loving it.  Tonight they told me how much the class last week had helped...with stress, sleep, pain.
It thrills me when someone comes to a yoga class and they understand how much this mind/body science can benefit them.  This is why I continue to teach, I know that what I teach works and is so beneficial for those who come to class.

More rain moving in tonight.  The local weather guys say this is our wettest February on record.
Fingers are crossed we don't experience our driest summer/fall on record. 

I hope you spread joy tomorrow, that someone hugs you and that you are kind.

Feed The Bees

During the winter months, we have to feed the bees on days that are warm enough for them to leave the hive.  It is interesting to watch them devour sweet water and bits of honey we saved for them from last years harvest.

They come by the thousands it seems, the air alive with their search for food.  I know it  might see rather scary seeing them, but they are quite calm and gentle.

The rains have kept them in the hives today, but tomorrow, weather permitting they will look for food.  Since the blueberries are blooming and the dandelions too, we are backing off our supplementation.

Thanks for the hints on chew toys for Kodak.  Fingers crossed this chewy stage passes soon.

Help

We are still having major chewing issues with the new dog.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to curtail all this chewing.  He is a lab mix and someone told me tonight that it might go on for a year or so.  This is a first for us.  All the rescues we have done, we have never had to dog proof our house.  Please give me some advice.

Ready for a cup of hot tea and a calm dog.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Art and Friends

We watched the movie tonight, Lust for Life starring Kirk Douglas.  I love Vincent van Gogh's painting.  I would love to go to the Van Gogh museum.  Van Gogh lived such an incredibly sad tormented life but you have to wonder if his paintings would have been different if his life had been.
He lived an emotional roller coaster and it is heart breaking to think that he never knew how much the world would love his art.

We met a friend of ours this afternoon for coffee.  She and I worked together for a few years but she left a few months ago to work with a non-profit.  The recovery world is so fortunate to have her helping those is need.  She is amazing.  I miss working with her so very much. 

It has been a good weekend.  I hope tomorrow gives you the opportunity to laugh out loud and hug someone you love.  Be kind.

Good Friends

Another beautiful chilly day.  As I walked the dogs this morning I realized that spring is only days away.  The blueberry bushes are blooming, the peach and apricot trees are budding, mother earth is waking up fast.

Rick has spent the past few days in bee school and my best friend at work, Fred had some knee work this week.  I thought the three of us could use some cheer today.  I went to our local grocer picked up some nice rib eyes, did a salad and baked potato and the three of us spent some quality time together.
There is nothing better than good food and good friends.

Our sleep has been cut short the past few nights.  Rick's commute to bee school was two hours each morning and evening.  We are in sleep deprivation and I intend to catch up on mine tonight.

Enjoy your Sunday, be kind and may you know peace.

Happy Valentine's Day

A chilly Valentine's Day, maybe 48 degrees, but the sky was blue and the sun was shinning.

We had one of my favorite springtime meals, grilled salmon filet and asparagus.  I also made Valentine cookies.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Happy Flowers

Cloudy and cold, lows down in the 20's tonight and tomorrow night, not a chance of snow.

But there are yellow bells, daffodils and buttercups blooming all around our yard.  These are ancient bulbs that grew around all the old home places.  Not giant hybrids, but sweet fragrant blossoms that seem rather fragile compared to some of the newer bulbs that are in most gardens.  If we can't have snow, at least we have happy flowers.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. I hope you get a card, a hug, a chocolate, an I love you, flowers...a token of some kind from someone who loves you.

New Class

I taught a class for a company this afternoon.  The manager felt that maybe offering the employees yoga once a week it would help with stress, morale and encourage a healthier lifestyle.  It was not a mandatory class, just a perk.  Only a few employees showed up, but they loved it.  I think next week's class will probably have more participants.  I love watching stress leave students faces and bodies.

More rain tonight but a cold front coming through for a couple of days and then it will warm up again.  Rick has bee school the next few days, so the dogs and I will have some "quality" time.
The new dog still has a long way to go...but he is getting there.

Stay warm, dry and be kind.  I hope tomorrow brings a hug from someone you love.

Blossom Love

I cut an armload of yellow bells this morning and put them in a vase on the kitchen table.  I have loved to pick bouquets since I was a very small child.  My grandmother Mamie had the most wonderful flower garden.  Her front yard was her garden and it was filled with every type of flower you could ever dream about.  There were stepping stones and paths that let you meander through the blossoms and the most wonderful part of it all...she let me pick as many flowers as I wanted.
In the summers I never left her house without flowers.

Many of the flowers in my yard came from Mamie's and my mom's yards.  The two of them passed on a love for growing things that I cherish.  This green thumb is something that I treasure, a gift that is immeasurable in its value.  As soon as there is anything blooming in the yard, I bring it into the house.  For me flowers are so beautiful and that living beauty just feeds the life in our home.
When I walk into our house and see flowers, I smile, they make me happy.

Mamie also grew roses.  Mamie's roses were not the kind you see in manicured yards these days.  Her roses were the fragrant lush heirloom ones.  Climbing roses that twisted around a trellis, 7 sisters that grew in big fat bushes and glorious white and sunny yellow ones that could intoxicate you with their sweetness.  Very few roses have any smell at all now, what's a rose without its perfume?

For me the best part of spring and summer, is when the flowers bloom and the harvests of fruits and vegetables fill my table.  Did I mention that our blueberry bushes are budding?

50th

I canceled my community class tonight because of  the risk of flooding.  The rains have continued all day and it looks as though they will be with us for the next couple of days.

I taught the men's class at work this afternoon because the woman who took my place is on vacation.
It was fun, but she is doing a great job and they love her.  I am loving teaching the Pain Management classes on Thursdays.  I think it is a win-win situation.

I got a notification over the weekend that my 50th High School Reunion is coming up in April.
When I graduated in 1970 I could not even imagine fifty years into the future.  It seems like a million years ago, it seems like a few minutes ago.  Time is an interesting concept and I have often thought about how it would be if there were no clocks, calendars and we lived day to day.  I think we would lose a great deal of stress.

This week has gotten off to a good though rainy start.  Spread joy, be kind.
Goodnight,Sweet dreams

Bells of Happiness

Whether you call them golden bells, yellow bells or forsythia this beautiful shrub rings in the coming of spring.   We have them planted throughout our property.  I have seen them bloom in the snow and ice or mild 70 degree days but just like daffodils when they appear, you know spring can't be far behind.

We planted a small one by Caillou's grave.  I looked at it this morning and those tiny little bells made me smile.  Oh yes, we are still missing our Caillou.

It's been a good Sunday with lots of sunshine.
We are under a flood warning again, 9 inches of rain to fall in the next 48 hours on rain soaked soil.
The extended forecast, another round of tornadoes on Wednesday and then two more days of rain.
I think it's time to build a big boat.

Be kind this week, hug those you love and I hope you laugh out loud every day.

Snow Moon

Snow moon...I watched it rise tonight, sitting on the sofa.  I love our floor to ceiling windows.  They are perfect for moon and sun rises.  If you are one of the lucky ones and happen to be where the snow moon casts shimmering light on the snow, I am so jealous.  I also went out back and howled after it came up over the trees.  Howling at the moon is a very freeing experience, try it.

We drove to Birmingham this morning to see Jordan compete, but not only was there a swim event but also state track event as well.  There were no parking places available.  I don't think I have ever been to an event and that happened.  His mom taped his meet and he did great.  He earned his team points and that's important.  He also shaved his time.  So proud of him. He knew we were there in spirit and this evening I cooked dinner, complete with a confetti cake to celebrate this swim season.

If you can, go out and look at the moon tonight.  Never miss a chance to see something of such exquisite beauty. 

May your Sunday be a peaceful one.  Be kind.
We are filming a music video tomorrow.  Fingers crossed.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Friday Musings

I suppose it's a combination of weather and stress, but meniere's/vestibular migraine hit last night and has been with me all day.  I am more stable tonight, but not 100 percent, fingers crossed for tomorrow.  When the storms howled Wednesday night/Thursday morning I could feel the changes take place in my body.  I held my breath and hoped for the best.  And to be honest, there have been much worse episodes that left me unable to function, this one has just not been pleasant.

Jordan has a swim meet tomorrow.  This is one of those where he can qualify for state.  Fingers crossed, send him love.

Kodak has decided he might want to be my dog.  I think it's because I feed him.  He
is at my feet tonight as I write this entry.  I think he senses how much I miss Caillou as well.
I keep telling him he has big shoes to fill.  He's still just a big pup but he's starting to get it.

Enjoy your weekend, stay warm, stay safe and be kind.

Why I Teach

I love teaching Pain Management yoga.  Today after class one of my students told me that for the hour and forty-five minutes he was in my class that he was totally pain free.  He couldn't remember the last time he was without pain.  That is why I teach. 

The weather guys say we might get a few flurries tonight.  A light dusting would make my Friday!

After all the storms last night, no one I saw today had gotten a good night's sleep.  It has been a long time since we had a truly stormy night.  Thunder shook the house time and time again and lightening flashes were like strobes.  Today on my way to work, there were many trees down and the rivers are out of their banks with flood cresting  by late tomorrow.

Cold tomorrow but it will probably be 70 again by next week.
Enjoy your Friday, be kind.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Weather Coaster

It's pouring rain tonight.  It was 70 degrees today and there's much colder air on its way, that will last a couple of days and then it will be warm again.  This winter truly has been a ride on the weather roller coaster.  We are under a tornado watch, hoping that no one has to deal with those things tonight.

We awoke to a big clap of thunder this morning and I looked for Caillou.  He was terrified of storms.  He doesn't have that to worry about now.

Tomorrow is my work day.  I am beginning to get into this one day a week gig.  Of course, I already have another class lined up and a couple of art things and a bit of music going on.  I love being able to mix things up.  Another interesting thing,  my fatigue levels have dropped by at least 75%.  For the past year I kept hearing myself say, "I am just give out."  Now I realize it was not so much physical fatigue, but emotional drain.  Giving constantly, being around such emotional conflict, definitely
took its toil.   I think my blogger friends and my family members are right, my health will improve.

If you are in the line of these storms tonight, stay safe and dry.
Tomorrow, be kind.

Missing Calliou

It's been a day of missing Calliou.  Walking, feeding, just seeing him or rather not seeing him, it's been tough.  The other dogs miss him.  None of them would go for a walk today.  They have barely eaten.  We have taken in so many rescues through the years, but I'm telling you Calliou was one of those who stole your heart.  He chose us.  For that we will always be grateful.

It's been rainy and grey.  For a few short moments the sun came out but the clouds over powered it.
Tomorrow we go to my oldest sister's farm for blueberry bushes to add to our collection.  She has several varieties that we don't have.  The more you add to the mix, the better.  We will also plant potatoes tomorrow.  It will be a busy day.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams...another picture of Calliou, wasn't he handsome?

RIP Calliou

This is last fall, just as the foliage had started to get bits of color.  Calliou loved walking the trail that day.  It was cool and he was happy just to hang out.

We said goodbye to Calliou today.  He passed over the rainbow bridge this morning.  Our vet thinks it was a stroke.  He had been with us ten years.  We think he might have been around two when we got him.

These past few days have been hard ones.  Almost losing Taz on Friday, and then losing Calliou today.  I still can't believe he's gone. 

All our rescues are gifts, but some are outstanding and he was one of those.
He was loyal, and loving and his favorite days were the days all the kids came over.  He would spend hours playing soccer with them, stealing the ball and then letting the kids roll him in the grass. Ten years might seem like a long time, but it was nothing.  I miss him so much.
RIP Calliou

Grateful

It has been a beautiful Ground Hog's Day.  Crisp cool air, clear blue skies, one of those promise days that February gives us.  You know, the promise that spring will come, but you will probably have another arctic blast and maybe a few thunder storms.  In the meantime, daffodils are blooming so be grateful.  Be kind tomorrow, everyone needs a bit of kindness you know.  I hope the daffodils are blooming where you live.  Just looking at them makes me happy.

Saturday Update

Rick did his bee conference today and I stayed home and took care of Taz.  This morning she was still a bit groggy from the pain meds and the surgery, but she ate.  Then came the fun part, medicine time.  It took some skill, but the meds were given.

By mid-day she had perked up, but it was cold and rainy and she hates rain.  No walking the Taz today. Hook and Kodak would walk through a hurricane, Calliou  is like Taz, no fan of the rain.

By afternoon, she was happy to see Sam and Jordan and was much more alert.  She felt well enough to enjoy one of her favorite treats.

Tonight she ate, but when it came time for meds, it took Rick and me and more than one attempt before she swallowed those nasty liquid antibiotics.

That was my Saturday,  and oh yeah, the chickens got out of the pen while Rick was at the conference.
I called in my trusty crew, Sam and Jordan and Nana and soon the girls and their fearless rooster were back where they belonged. 

Hot tea and a warm bed sound heavenly tonight.