MY WEEK SO FAR (SO GOOD)

This is how I have been spending my lunch (half) hour this week. It has been pouring all week with some record lows for this time of the month. Snow has been falling down to the 4,000 foot level, we have had everything from rain, hail and lots of wind. The sky (to me) looked as if we were going to have a tornado.

The view of the park where I spend my lunch (half) hour usually is devoid of cars this week. I have just been sitting in the truck eating my lunch and doing paperwork. Not such a bad way to spend a lunch really: alone, quiet (except for the sound of the wind and rain), warm and comfy.

On another note, I have been meaning to post a photo of this incredible painting I purchased from Mary Buek of "What if I...". She had posted this awhile back and I was lucky enough to be the first to offer to purchase it. I love it sitting in my kitchen. It makes the corner cheery and bright with all the great colors she has used. One of these days it is going to be very valuable, I can just tell. Have you all seen the latest photos she has been posting? They are just incredible!

And last (but certainly not least) a photo of the windowsill over my kitchen sink. The most recent item on the windowsill is this wonderful hand blown glass decanter than my great friends Frank and Kathy gave to me this week for my 60th birthday. Kathy...if you are reading this: thanks SO very much for thinking of me on this momentous day. You know how I love red, you know how I love "artsy" things, you know ME! (And you still LIKE me!) I love you (and my buddy Frank) and especially Winston. I know he helped you pick this out, didn't he!!! Maybe I'll fill it up with some wine and invite you over to help me "test" it out, OK?

STICKS AND STONES

Sticks

and

stones.

Breaking

bones,

taking prisoners.

The lullabies

never justify

the lies I was told.

White lies I was sold.

Things always unfold.

They reside

in the grey area.

Black and white

are all I recognize.

Truth or lie.

No in between.

No "sometimes".

No "maybe".

The names will

NEVER

hurt me.

FREEDOM

to

choose

happiness.

To choose.

HAPPINESS.

To choose=happiness.

BEACH FUN

Playing at the beach never gets old, no matter how old you are. Here, my twins and my granddaughter are doing just that.

This beach was loaded with driftwood and some clever people have built all these shelters out of the wood that is washed ashore. Here you see one of them far away.

And, here is a close-up of that very structure. You could actually sit inside one of these if you wanted to. I personally, would not. They didn't seem that structurally sound. When I was a kid it wouldn't have bothered me one bit! Funny how the older we get the less brave we become. Ah...to be a child once again.

FROM THE STRANGE TO THE SUBLIME

Some of the art we saw last weekend at the Mendocino Art Center was unique, to say the least. From blue-head sculptures to

Buddha temples to

horses made from drift wood to

"love seats" (literally) made from rusted metal to

beautiful hand-blown glass. One of these days I am going to sign up for art classes at this great facility. I have been thinking about it for years but just have never gotten around to it. It is on my "to-do" list. So many things to do, so little time!

A PLACE TO BEGIN

WE CAN MEET OUR MATCH WITH A POODLE OR WITH A RAGING GUARD DOG, BUT THE INTERESTING QUESTION IS----WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The spiritual journey involves going beyond hope and fear, stepping into unknown territory, continually moving forward. The most important aspect of being on the spiritual path may be to just keep moving...How do we work with our minds when we meet our match? Rather than indulge or reject our experience, we can somehow let the energy of the emotion, the quality of what we're feeling, pierce us to the heart.

Pema Chodron

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

This is how I spent every birthday growing up: sharing my special day with my sister. (She is on the right with the chocolate cake, I am on the left with the vanilla cake). We are eleven months apart and when I was young and her birthday came first (March) I was upset and could not understand how, if she was YOUNGER than me, she was able to get a birthday cake FIRST. Confusing to a young child. So my Mom reached a compromise and we shared the day. For YEARS! (I wonder if I always had a vanilla cake? I really like chocolate BETTER!)

It wasn't that I didn't love her; I did. It was just that I wanted my own special day. We were always treated as twins, being born so close together. Those were the days (the fifties) where mothers and daughters wore matching clothes. My Mom used to make herself a skirt and then she would make the two of us each a blouse, or shorts, or a dress: all out of the SAME matching fabric. People on the street used to comment about how cute we looked, all dressed alike. (That is why when I had twins I dressed them completely different even though they were identical.)

Another funny thing: when I was born, my hair was straight. When she was born, her hair was curly. Somewhere along the way when we were very young, we did a complete switch. I ended up with curly hair, she ended up with straight. And by straight I mean STICK straight. My Mom thought that it needed to be permed! Now, you would think that the daughter with the curly hair would not have to have a perm. But no way! Into the tiny perm rods, sitting with that stincking Toni perm solution on my head for what seemed hours, I would go. Can you say: KINKY? Yes! Kinky was the way my hair ended up. My bangs never touched my eyebrows because they were so kinky that they stuck straight out in the air.

Childhood was challenging, that's for sure. Today, my sister lives right next door to me. She has worked and lived in every place that I have all my life. I don't mind it as much now as I used to. Having family close by can have its benefits. But today, I celebrate my 60th birthday all by myself. No sharing cakes this year. I'm sure she is glad that she was born eleven months after me this year! I'm not sure you'd want to celebrate 60 twice. At least we wouldn't have to dress alike and wear perms!

GREENWOOD

Just north of where we stayed we drove to the town of Greenwood. This area is very historical and most of the buildings in town are quite old.

The view from the Bed and Breakfast in Greenwood.

This wonderful dragon sits on the top of a fence that overlooks the ocean. There are actually two of them at the same location.

Inside the garden shop there were wonderful items from different parts of the world. These wonderful masks caught my eye. Wish I would have had an extra $150 to purchase them.

And this warrior, kneeling on one leg was quite spectacular. I love seeing unusual things in stores. I am not one to look at the "regular" things that stores offer unless they themselves are unique. I like to see things that I have never seen before...to take a journey vicariously through someone Else's eyes. When I see unusual items it makes me think of the person who created them. It makes me wonder who they are, where they live, what their influences are, and what their sensibilities are. Each person has their own unique story and that is what interests me the most. My mother used to call me "nosy". I think I am just curious. It sounds so much more positive and creative.

FRIDAY RETROSPECTIVE

We left home on Friday around noon, picked up my daughter from work, and headed to the ocean. Before arriving at the coast we passed through the Alexander Valley which is famous for its vineyards and wines. I thought it was apropos that we took a picture at this vineyard, since the town we live in is Greenwood. I wouldn't mind exchanging Greenwoods occasionally. A change of pace would be nice--new scenery, wide-open spaces, and some great wines.
Soon, we arrived at our destination: Irish Beach. This was the view from the house that we rented looking north. Pretty darned spectacular, right? One of the benefits was the sound that this ocean provided. All night long, I slept right next to the window facing this view with the window open. It was incredible listening to the waves breaking on the rocks below. The smell of the ocean air was another side benefit. There is nothing like the air at the ocean in my estimation. I guess its like anything though: if you spend the majority of your time in one location, you kind of become immune to the smells around you. Only when you return after a few days away do you really notice the smells again, be they ocean, pine trees, green valleys, moist dark dirt, dry desert, etc.

That night we headed out for a walk to orient ourselves and get a lay of the land, so-to-speak. In the neighborhood we stayed in there were these plants at many of the houses. I do not know what they are. They look like they might belong to the lupine family but that is only a guess. Anyone have any idea? Let me know. Some of them were as tall as a person (or a small child).

Here's another pink variety of the same bush. You can see a bit of the ocean (facing south) in the background. The evening fog was starting to roll in so it is a bit hazy in this photo.

And, last but not least, here's a photo of my Grand dog, Taylor. She is sitting on my son-in-laws lap in her "relaxed" position. Her tongue is always hanging out like this. Either it is too long, she has had a stroke, or she is just lazy and doesn't pull it in. None of us really know why but we love the way it looks. We were on our way to the town of Greenwood in this photo. I will show you Greenwood in tomorrow's post.

THANK YOU!

Before we left for the coast on Friday morning, I sent out a request for some positive healing thoughts from all of you. We were at a location that did not have cell service or internet and I could not check in to see how Janet was doing. My last thoughts of her were grim and people were coming down from more than 8 hours away to see her this weekend; it did not look good.

Today, however, when we arrived home last this afternoon, I logged in to Caring Bridge (a website the family set up) and SHE CAME HOME! Now, see why I believe in the power of thought (prayer, healing thoughts, loving kindness, whatever you want to call it?) IT WORKS!

I want to thank you all for your loving comments for Janet AND for me. We had a wonderful weekend filled with lots of art, lots of sight-seeing, lots of beach and sun, and most of all: family! Yes, family is so important! You can always count on your family to make you feel better, to support you when times are bad, to make you laugh and give you upcoming good news, and generally just give you love. All you need is love, right? The Beatles had it right then and they still have it right.

I found it amazing that the entire weekend, around every turn, I was finding these incredible statues. They were up against buildings. They were hidden in private gardens waiting to be found. They were in windows at the far end of a store just waiting for me. When you open your eyes you begin to see. Oh Buddha of compassion.

I have many more pictures I want to share with you all from the weekend and will do so in the next day or two. Until then, I am thanking you from the bottom of my heart for your help with bringing Janet home to heal (she is seeking help from a holistic doctor now too) and also for all your good wishes for my BIG birthday. It was monumental and I couldn't help but think that I was indeed meant to be right there at the ocean. The air was fresh and clean, the sky was a beautiful blue, and we saw some incredible sunsets and also a gorgeous moon last night. The moon was up there in the sky right over our deck, Venus (my planet) was located right below, and the horizon was not far from both. At some point late at night I woke up and glanced out the window just to observe the sliver of the moon (which was by then tinted orange) dip below the horizon. It was incredible.

Not only does my birthday fall on the cusp but my life is following suit also. I am on the cusp of something wonderful. It is just on the other side of my "horizon".

ASKING FOR SOME HELP

They say that pansies are for thoughts. I am asking all of you dear friends to send healing thoughts to my friend Janet who is seriously ill in the hospital and not expected to live. I believe in the power of thought and so with thoughts flooding the "air waves" I can only hope that they reach her, heal her, and make her whole once again. It is always hard to lose someone you love and this person is so special and dear to me and to everyone in our community. Thank you in advance for your well-wishes. I know they will be cherished and felt.

I'm off to the ocean for the weekend. A pre-birthday celebration from my wonderful family. It is the big "60" for me and this year there was supposed to be a really special celebration (we had talked about Europe at one time!) with long-time friends but those plans changed. So, in jumped my wonderful daughters to make my day special. We celebrated last year, around this time, at a friend's house in Lake Tahoe for B. ------60 is such a milestone that it really needs to be celebrated and cherished for it truly only comes once in a lifetime. It makes me sad that I will not be spending the time with my long-time friends. Our lives have gone in different directions and misunderstandings happened that could not be discussed and thereby cleared up so this milestone will be different because of that. It makes me sad but it is kind of like a death in the family: you cry, you wonder why, you ask questions but get no answers, and all you can say is: that is life. Life is uncertain for many of us. I have no regrets though. I loved until the end with no malice in any of my thoughts and deeds.

And Janet: if you are listening please know that I am thinking of you, sending you healing white light thoughts and to you I say: I have nothing but kind thoughts of you and will love you forever. That's all a good friend can ever say. And you, dear Janet, are a wonderful friend. We've had many good laughs and many good times together. Life got in the way a few times, we drifted apart because of those changes, but we never once forget each other and still touched bases whenever we could. You are a great talent and I want you to fight for your life!

PHOTO ESSAY (AND A FEW WORDS)

MONDAY MORNING AS I LEFT FOR WORK

THE CLOUDS WERE PARTING DOWN THE ROAD A BIT.

LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE A GREAT DAY! I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!

ON TUESDAY, EVEN THE DERELICT BARN ON MY ROUTE LOOKED GOOD.

TODAY, I MADE FRIENDS WITH THIS WONDERFUL ANIMAL WHO WAS WAITING AT THE FENCE AS I ROUNDED THE CORNER AS IF TO SAY: "I'VE BEEN WAITING RIGHT HERE FOR YOU, TERI. WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? COME, LET'S TALK. I'M A GOOD LISTENER. I'M A HOLY CREATURE AND I CARE."

"The teachings of Buddhism are directed at people who don't have a lot of time to waste. That includes all of us, whether we're aware of it or not. From the point of view of the teachings, thinking that we have ample time to do things later is the greatest myth, the greatest hang-up, and the greatest poison. That, along with our continual, deep-seated tendency to try to get away from what we are doing, clouds our perceptions and our thinking." (From: When Things Fall Apart" by Pema Chodron)

LOOK AT THE GRACE THAT RESIDES IN THIS FACE. AS MY SUPERVISOR DARRYL SAYS TO ME EACH DAY: "IT'S ALL GOOD". YES, INDEED IT IS! I REALIZE THAT I DON'T NEED TO TRAVEL FAR TO ENJOY THE RICHNESS OF LIFE. IT IS AROUND ME IN EVERYTHING THAT I SEE AND DO AND AROUND EVERY CORNER I TURN. LIFE: IT'S ALL GOOD!

THE ESSENCE

Unless someone like you

cares a whole awful lot,

nothing is going to get better.

It's not.

--DR. SEUSS. "THE LORAX"

MAGPIE TALES

LIFE'S R-RATED

Restricted access.

Is that the way we are meant to be

with each other?

We meet, we kiss,

we (everything else).

Yet

I am denied

what

I

really

DESIRE.

Foggy nights,

sheets on the

floor,

darkness,

SWEET

Kiss.

Stains on linen,

on clothes,

On ME.

I granted you access.

You declined.

I lay there

Rejected.

Restricted.

Reeling.

R-rated.

GARDEN AND BODY ART

Today we spent the day taking in all the sunshine and garden spots. We went to The Flower Farm in Loomis and walked around enjoying all the great plants and sat outside and ate lunch. It was a glorious day, filled with friends, family, and fun.

We also visited the Iris Gardens on Loomis, just a few roads away from The Flower Farm. They have acres of iris that they show and sell and also have local artists selling their goods on the weekends throughout the growing season. Come August, if you have ordered any of the iris that you loved when they were in bloom and you could see the colors, they will call you up and tell you your order is ready. Mother's Day is always a great weekend to go, although this year it might even be a bit too late. There are quite a few plants already in full bloom.

Scattered among all the plants are sculptures here and there. Some that you would recognize, some that you wouldn't. I love these orbs tucked into the grouping of plants.

Is this some sort of old rototiller? It kind of looks like it, based on the tines in the front but it is so odd looking that I am not quite sure. I guess this is recycling at it's best. Garden sculptures out of work implements. Loomis and Granite Bay are known for their outcroppings of granite and there are quite a few visible examples here at The Iris Garden.

Some more garden sculptures.

On my way home I stopped at my local coffee shop and sitting outside at a table enjoying the warm sunshine was this group of three young people. I immediately asked if I could take pictures of their tattoos because they were so interesting to me. At first I thought this was a tattoo of the Bodhi tree. I guess it was on my mind after watching the PBS special on Buddha last night. The young woman introduced herself to me as Savannah and told me that she had designed and drawn this tattoo herself. I was so impressed. It was not a Bodhi tree but a Bonsai with two young children blowing bubbles and throwing hearts. Incredible to me. I find hearts where I least expect to see them. Savannah is an artist in town and maybe some day I will be able to purchase one of her pieces.

Her friend had this gloriously colorful tattoo on his arm. I love all the detail and the bright colors. I didn't ask him who designed this but he was quite proud of it and willing to let me photograph it.

The third friend had quite a few tattoos and I noticed that there was some real thought put into these. They had meaning to him and were really thought out. I think that is the key to getting a tattoo: you need to really consider what you are trying to say with them and know that it speaks for you. I love it when they are works of art. This tattoo is very spiritual. At least that is what I see.

This one has quite a story. He is an avid reader and doesn't watch much TV at all, except for movies. TV is not an important part of his life and so this tattoo is so apropos.

And lastly, he told me that he got this tattoo long before the movie came out. It was one of his favorite books as a child and he represented that on his arm. Tattoos speak volumes about the people who have them. You can look at the choices that people make for something that is intended to be permanent and really get a feeling for who that person is and what is important to them in their lives. In my opinion, most people really think about what they choose to have tattooed on their bodies because of that very reason.

I'm setting traps for Asian Citrus Psyllid bugs tomorrow in the commercial mandarin groves. I am taking my camera along "just in case". You never know what you might see when you are out and about. You never know what might present itself. The key is to be observant and prepared. And to understand the gift.

CHICKEN!

BEARDED BUFF LACED POLISH

LARGE FOWL HEN

Class: CONTINENTAL (POLISH)

I think of Reality TV when I see this "chick". She makes me laugh with her high-styled hair-do, much like how I laugh when I watch Shear Genius and see the crazy hair styles produced by some of the contestants there. I also have caught a few episodes of Project Runway and could she the "chick" strutting her stuff on the runway after being styled by one of the contestants.

I caught a special the other night about Christian Siriano. I don't know how many of you ever watched Project Runway but Christian, who is only 24, was the season four winner and also the youngest winner. Oprah calls his designs "works of art". Tim Gunn says that he is "a prodigy" and "the next great American fashion designer". He shows a full collection every season as part of New York Fashion Week (hello The Real Wives of New York City, another favorite reality show of mine). He has celebrity clients that include Heidi Klum, Victoria Beckham, Tori Spelling, and Whoopi Goldberg just to name a few.

So, don't be "chicken". Strut your stuff. Be unique. Wear crazy clothes. Don't follow what everyone else is doing. Anyone can be a carbon copy. Develop your own style and stick with it. There is something to be said of people who aren't afraid of following their heart. Look at the chicken above: she is bearded and buff and wears lace! She may not be like every other chicken but her breed has been a long-time favorite for exhibition and was admitted to the Standard of Perfection! She's not your standard barn-yard variety. She's Continental!

MAGPIE TALES TUESDAY

I stand on one side,

fear on the other.

Fear is large-- looming.

We both have weapons.

I ask for advice--

permission to approach.

Fear complies;

backs away.

Fear has no power

if I do not listen.

I am transformed.

I pause

and cease to cause harm.

I release fear

AND...

I am still.

Totally exhausted.

Totally awake.

I take flight.