Rescue Iris

One of my favorite plants that Sam and I planted in our rescue garden, wild iris...so tiny, so perfect.

Stay well, keep your distance, wash your hands.

Stay Well

First apple blossom of the season!
I love the fragrance and the color.
This put a smile on my face this morning.

Stay well, be kind, wash your hands, please practice social distancing.

My beloved cousin died this evening
Covid 19

As a good friend so sadly said last week, soon the numbers will become names.

Tree

What can I say, we live in a forest, I am a tree hugger. My morning walking trail.

Be kind, stay well.

Look Up

Another busy day on the farm.  We planted two more elderberry bushes today and I worked in my flower beds out back.

But, we always take time for a walk.  Today was a good day to "look up."

Wishing you peace, kindness and good health.

Hairy Vine

This is such a strange vine growing up the side of this tree.  It looks rather hairy, bigger than my arm and almost reaches the top of the tree.  It reminds me of those that Tarzan use to swing on in the movies when we were kids.

We did our routine spring spruce up today.  Reclaimed the screened porch and moved plants to the deck, suddenly the house felt twice as big.

Be safe, be well, be kind.

Today

Jordan and I made dog treats today.  As we were baking, he asked if humans could eat them.  Of course I said, look at the ingredients...flour, peanut butter, canned pumpkin, eggs and a bit of water.
We decided to use shooting star cookie cutters.  After they had baked, and he walked across the grass to his house he told me he couldn't wait to eat one in front of his mom.  Not sure how that went over.

We got word today the rest of our school year the kids here in Alabama will be homeschooled.  Jordan is worried about his best friend.  It seems his parents are divorced and he doesn't have a computer. I just didn't know what to say to him.  He asked if the state would provide computers for kids that don't have them.  All I could say, I don't know.

Most of our nieces and nephews are like Jordan, they love school.  They miss their friends, their gatherings, they are afraid...so are we adults.

Be kind, stay well, keep your distance.

Escape

I have always had a very active imagination.  I swear I had tiny fairies as friends when I was a child.
Today as we walked I yearned to follow this magical hole in this ancient tree and escape for just a while, a world gone mad.  When Samantha was small, we watched every episode of David the Gnome and we always looked for them ( the gnomes) when we walked in the woods.

Today Samantha's company ( she has worked for them for over 9 years as a PTA) sent her home, no benefits, no insurance ,nothing.  She is broken hearted, they always told her she was the best.
We will get through this, but I find myself saying every day...the companies who turn their backs on their employees will never get a cent of my money when this is over.  I am keeping a list and checking it twice.  She is not the first this has happened to, almost daily for the past week some one I know has lost their job and most like her were left with nothing.  I know some companies are doing right by their employees, but there is a part of corporate America that has no soul.

Rant over, this too shall pass,

Love and Hope

We call it the Rescue Garden.  Samantha was around 9 years old, the corporation that owned the land behind us was clear cutting the forest we had walked through her whole life.  She and I walked down through the woods one afternoon after the pulp cutters had left and dug up wild iris and anything else that we could carry back to the house.  It's a tiny garden, but one filled with love and hope.

That's what I wish for the world tonight, love and hope...and healing.

Number 68

There are several wild redbuds blooming on our property now.  We planted two more last week.  They are so beautiful, very light and delicate.

Today was my 68th trip around the sun.  It has been a good one.  I am overwhelmed by the well wishes on FB, the calls and the cards I have gotten.

I baked myself a lemon pound cake, made mango sorbet and enjoyed the day.  Most of the day it rained,  but there were moments when the drops stopped and we walked.

We haven't left the farm since last Thursday.  We might venture out for a few supplies tomorrow.
We will see.

Stay well, be kind.

Busy Sunday

Rainy and cold this morning, but the sun came out after  lunch, the sky was blue and what a beautiful day it became.  We hung our hummingbird feeders yesterday, two came for a visit and food today.
We did another song video today, sure Rick will post it on his blog at some point.  We also did my Monday night yoga class video.  It will post on jilda.com at 7:00 tomorrow night.  Join us for class.

The azaleas are in full bloom now.  Driving down the road in front of our house is quite picturesque.
Be kind, stay well.

Changes

How quickly change can come.  A week ago the woods were whispering spring, today after last night's rain, spring announced herself in all her glory.  Just a reminder, we will not be in this state of flux for ever, everything changes.
Be kind to your self and others.

A Gift

And just like that, spring appeared, the sun came up and we are still standing.  Like all of you, we are trying to maintain normal.  As weird as it might sound, I keep telling myself that all this time at home is a gift.  A gift to do so many things I didn't have time for....music, art, catching up with friends, major house cleaning, planting, reading, etc.  Trying to really watch the amount of time on social media as well.  Tonight there is a pouring rain, washing all the sticky pollen away...I can breathe.
Nature is bursting at the seams here, every day the beauty just takes inspires me.  This morning the wild honeysuckle/azalea  bloomed, dogwoods are next.

Stay well, wash your hands, be kind.  This too shall pass.

Bouquet of Violets

Still looking for the beauty every day.  Reminding myself to be grateful and not lose hope.
Tonight I give you a bouquet of violets.  Even though times are frightening right now,  here  nature is reminding us daily that spring is bringing forth life all around us.  So far, the sun has come up every morning, I am thankful.

Take care, wash your hands, stay home as much as possible.  Get fresh air and sunshine when you can.
Take a walk, talk with a friend, read a good book, stay hydrated...and breathe.

Flowers and A Song for You

Walking the dogs every morning is quite an adventure.  Besides the energy that they expend, the incredible beauty of spring is a feast for the eyes.  There is a surprise around every corner.
This bunch of tiny purple flowers was my surprise today.

Here is a link to a song that we wrote, homemade video on the back deck, birds chirping free of charge.   Hope you find the song as inspirational as some of our friends have

Click Here

Happy St. Patrick's Day

A bit of green, not shamrocks or clover, but still a bit of green.

Happy St. Patrick's Day...corn beef and cabbage and potatoes are perfect comfort food.

Be kind.

Free

I taught my last community class tonight, for awhile.  I took loads of handouts and made plenty of copies of relaxation cds.  Spirits were good, we needed to be together, to breathe and remember how to calm and ground our selves.   This weekend I will start filming videos of my classes and putting them on my website, jilda.com

Classes will be free, there are free meditations to download there as well.  Plans are for the videos to start on Monday.  Please feel free to visit.

I urge you all to breathe, to get outside, to walk, to look for beauty.  Keep in touch with family and friends.  Eat healthy.  This too shall pass.

Sunday Thoughts

My brother Ricky is doing good, but there is one other small artery blocked and they are doing another stent in the morning and he should be home by Tuesday.  Thanks for all your prayers and love.

It has been a chilly damp day.  Tomorrow should be warmer.  We need to get dog food and chicken feed and a bit of produce.  Hoping tomorrow some of the craziness has slowed down and we can pick up what we need. 

I hope this day has been a peaceful one for you.  I hope in the midst of fear, you have been kind, and found moments of gratitude.  Don't forget to breathe.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Ups and Downs

It has been a long day, good and difficult, I am grateful for all.  My younger brother Ricky, Jordan's grandad who lives next door, had a heart attack this morning.  The artery at the back of the heart, 95% blocked, but tonight he is doing good.  He is in ICU, a stent was put in.  Tomorrow there will be tests to determine if there was any damage, prayers, thoughts, healing energy, love and what ever else you got will be appreciated.

My older sister Pat celebrated her 77th birthday today.  We went down to her house for birthday cake and time with her family.  We got our picture made with our great, great niece.   I love the picture I am sharing tonight,  Good times and celebrations are important and we should try to keep them a part of our lives even in these scary times. 

We can't let fear take away our humanity.  We can't let isolation bring loneliness and despair.
We can't let greed destroy our kindness and rob us of our joy.  Call your family, friends and neighbors, text each other.  Don't let these times destroy gratitude, joy and finding the beauty around you.  Spend some time in your back yard, if you are off from work, don't dwell on the darkness, do your hobby, read a book, do a home project, plant some flowers.  Look up at the sky, listen to the birds, slow down for a moment, take care, stay calm.  This too shall pass. 

Fresh Potatoes

Had hoped we would have potatoes by St Patrick's Day, we won't but they are doing great.  Can't wait for those little new fresh steamed potatoes.

Enjoy your Saturday.  Be kind.  Stay calm. Wash your hands

Yin and Yang

We got up this morning to this...yin and yang.   I keep a dog cover on that love seat, and occasionally one of them will decide to hang out on it.   This was a first.    Well over a 150 pounds of dogs, I'm not sure how they both got there together.  But it was a peaceful, sweet moment.

Enjoy your Friday.  Be kind.  Wash your hands, stay home if you don't feel well.

Flu Be Gone

It seems everyone I know has at least one family member with flu.  It also seems that flu has lasted for way too long this season.  Instead of a rain dance, I think it's time to do a make the flu disappear dance.

This evening is one of those times, when the energy has left my body.  Time for hot tea and a warm and cozy bed.

Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Tuesday Transformation

A rainy cloudy morning turned into a beautiful afternoon and that afternoon brought an incredible sunset.  If you had told me this morning that the day would go the way it has I would have doubted and probably laughed.  Surprises can be awfully good sometimes.

The bees were just about causing traffic jams on the blueberry blossoms this afternoon.  Not only honey bee, but bumble bees, all sorts of bees.  I think they were intoxicated from all the pollen and sweetness of the flowers.  It was a sight to behold, all those bees.  You could feel their vibrations in the air and hear their buzz.

We have also had an early arrival of one single yellow butterfly.  Hook has chased him all afternoon.  I am sure that butterfly just laughs at that big goofy dog as he tries his best to catch him.

Be kind tomorrow, stay healthy, wash your hands and spread some joy.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Rosemary

She has bloomed most of the winter...and continues blooming.  The bees love the flowers, we love the plant.  This rosemary bush, she has been with us around 20 years.  I use her leaves and twigs constantly when I cook.  I use them in the spring and summer mixed with flowers from the garden.  I love her.  She is like an old friend.

Perspective

" some people are so poor, all they have is money."
- Bob Marley

This resonates with me on so many levels.  I used it as my quote on my board at work this week.
When my pain management students came, they sat and shook their heads as I read them the quote.
Sometimes in my classes I talk about abundance, true abundance and how to recognize abundance in your life.  It's like success, many equate success with money.  Occasionally I make a check list in my daily planner or journal of the abundance in my life and the success of that day.  Sometimes abundance is a day of good health and success is a day without stress.  Those days I am rich.

Bee Camellia

Our camellia bloomed today and the honey bees love her. 

There were blue skies and lots of sunshine today.
Tonight there is an incredible almost full moon.

Daylight Savings springs into action tonight.  I am not a fan.

Hot tea awaits.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

A Tree Day

Our house smells wonderful.  When I came home from work yesterday, a clean yet sweet smell wafted  through the great room.  I knew what it was.
Walking to the garden doors leading out to the deck the fragrance grew stronger,  my meyer lemon tree is covered in buds and blossoms.

Last year the crop was a dud.  Year before last, we had a great crop...I made lemon pound cakes, lemonade, lemon sauce for salmon.  Fresh meyer lemons are incredible.  Fingers crossed,  that we have a large crop this year.  I will keep you posted.

This morning we stood for almost an hour in the cold to buy trees from the forestry association.  We are the proud owners of red buds, sweet shrubs, holly, plum, paw paw, sour wood, fringe tree and more.  Tomorrow we plant trees.

Surprises

The rain and warmer temps have brought new surprises every day.  This one greeted me this morning.  A tiny purple hyacinth pushing through the soil and grass to greet the spring.

I heard from a blog friend last night, another nice surprise.

Don't you love surprises?

I had a student last night in my corporate class who got a surprise...and it was a very good one.
The first class I taught, I noticed a young man and how stressed he was.  During savasana he was so stressed that in first class his shoulders never touched the mat when he lay down.
Last night, his chest opened, his shoulders relaxed and touched his mat, and he fell asleep.  That young man found true relaxation, he was surprised.  I know not all surprises are good ones, but enjoy the happy ones and breathe through the rough ones.  Time for a cup of hot tea.
Goodnight, Sweet dreams

Drops

The rains continue, but there is a magical quality about all the droplets clinging to everything.    I love the translucent drops on the cedar branches today.

It's been a good hump day.  Be kind tomorrow, spread some joy.

Hydrangeas in the Rain

Dried hydrangeas in the rain have a unique beauty.  Soon the leaves will start to unfurl and by May the pale creamy blossoms will appear.

Fascinating

Winds are always blowing trees down, chain saws are an important tool here.  This one blew down a few years ago and this is just the stump lying on the ground.  I find the moss, the texture, the rings, the bark...everything about this is fascinating to me

I think anytime you spend outdoors if you let yourself be aware, you will be amazed.

Another rainy Monday and it seems more rain for most of the week.  We have great raincoats!

Be kind, if it's Super Tuesday where you live, go vote tomorrow.

March 1

March 1....came in like a lamb for today, but becomes a lion tomorrow

March 1...meteorologists consider this the first day of spring, me, I wait for the equinox on the 19th

March 1... my nephew James, my niece Becky, her son Jared, my sister in law Deb, my niece Dani,
my sister Pat, my friend Keith,  my late friend Ron,  and me....all our birthdays are this month. Wow.

March 1...in 1993 we had a blizzard in March, 18 inches of snow

March 1...just a few years ago, we had snow on March 1...there is hope

March 1...this is the month when the earth awakens, everything seems to bloom at once

March 1...St. Patrick's Day, I cook a very traditional Irish meal

March 1...5-6 inches of rain expected this week

March 1...one day you wear your coat, the next day a tee shirt...some years we have spring, some years we go straight to summer

March 1...spring break

March 1...my favorite spring meal...fresh green peas, steamed new potatoes and grilled salmon

March 1...white jeans come out of the closet

March 1...as much as I love winter, it's exciting to see the world awaken