Friday, November 25, 2011

THE GUEST HOUSE


THIS BEING HUMAN IS A GUEST HOUSE.
EVERY MORNING A NEW ARRIVAL.
A JOY, A DEPRESSION, A MEANNESS,
SOME MOMENTARY AWARENESS COMES
AS AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.
WELCOME AND ENTERTAIN THEM ALL!
EVEN IF THEY ARE A CROWD OF SORROWS,
WHO VIOLENTLY SWEEP YOUR HOUSE
EMPTY OF ITS FURNITURE,
STILL, TREAT EACH GUEST HONORABLY.
HE MAY BE CLEARING YOU OUT
FOR SOME NEW DELIGHT.
THE DARK THOUGHT, THE SHAME, THE MALICE.
MEET THEM AT THE DOOR LAUGHING AND INVITE THEM IN.
BE GRATEFUL FOR WHATEVER COMES
BECAUSE EACH HAS BEEN SENT
AS A GUIDE FROM BEYOND.

-------------------Rumi

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

"A Good Day" video - Brother David Steindl-Rast

"A Good Day" video - Brother David Steindl-Rast


A wonderful message and video as a reminder to be Thankful and Grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

SOME THOUGHTS

TODAY, I BORROWED THIS FROM RANDY. CHECK OUT HIS BLOG. HE DOES A WONDERFUL JOB OF SHOWCASING SANTA FE, THE ARTISTS, AND THE SCENERY AROUND SANTA FE AND HE USUALLY DOES IT WITH JUST ONE PHOTO! HIS BLOG IS AN INSPIRATION.

I LOVED THIS WHEN I READ IT OVER AT HIS BLOG AND I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS SOMEHOW VERY FITTING FOR THANKSGIVING TOO. IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE OR HOW MUCH BUT IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES. ENJOY THEM WHILE YOU HAVE THEM. FORGIVE THEM IF YOU DON'T, AND REMEMBER THE ONES THAT HAVE TRANSITIONED BEFORE US. THEY HAVE PAVED THE WAY FOR US.

THIS WEEKS IS STARTING OUT TO BE A VERY BUSY ONE INDEED WITH A DAUGHTER THAT IS SICK, A BACK THAT DECIDED TO GO OUT, AND A MEAL THAT NEEDS TO BE COOKED. I KNOW THAT ALL THINGS HAPPEN THE WAY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO SO I AM THANKFUL FOR THAT KNOWLEDGE.

I AM ALSO THANKFUL FOR ALL OF THE BLOG FRIENDS I HAVE MADE IN THE LAST YEAR. I FEEL SO HUMBLED BY THOSE OF YOU WHO CHOOSE TO COMMENT AND GET TO KNOW ME AND ALLOW ME TO GET TO KNOW YOU. I AM SENDING BIG HUGS TO ALL OF YOU AND THOUGHTS OF THANKS AND GIVING ALSO. THESE "THOUGHTS OF THANKS AND GIVING" ARE SURE TO SHOW UP IN THE FUTURE.


Thursday, November 17, 2011

"Who's Got a Problem with the Ego?" ~ Live w/ Michael Beckwith at Agape ...


IF YOU MAKE IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS VIDEO, CHECK OUT ASH'S BODY VIBRATIONS. INCREDIBLE! EGO???? IS IT ANYTHING YOU NEED TO CHECK?

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

CLAY IN THE MASTER'S HAND

You know how when you drive past a house and it just beckons you to come in? This house has always done that for me. Each time I have driven or walked past this house, it has always made me want to see what is on the inside. Last weekend, there was a sign on the tree at the driveway that said: "Pottery Sale". And so, my dream to see the inside finally came through. And the tree in the front was just the icing on the cake!

The kitchen was so warm and inviting. Food prepared and sitting out on the center island, along with many clay pieces that were for sale. This was the 2011 Pottery Sale and Open House for "Clay in the Master's Hands".

The wonderful stove had a few of the garlic keepers and hand-made pumpkins sitting on display. Fresh hot mulled cider steeped on the stove also.

A little corner of the kitchen had some of the regular items that every kitchen has including the two hand-thrown mugs, a couple of bowls, and a milk shake mixer. Well...maybe not the milk shake mixer. I have always wanted one but do not own one (yet)!

The dining room area has a banquette complete with toille cushions and matching window dressings...just enough to look good and add some color but not enough to spoil the view out the window.

A few of the home-owner's pumpkin collections were displayed on the hutch that was hand-made by her father.

Here you see cupboards that are new but made to look old, filled with every type of hand-thrown pottery. These pieces are all hand crafted and wheel thrown by Jim Esway. He was giving demonstrations and also had a sign-up sheet for pottery classes he will be starting in January. I just might have a new hobby in the New Year!

This is what you saw when you walked in the door. The living room furniture had been removed and tables were displayed with his wares. Beautiful colors, beautiful functionality, beautiful glazes. They all made you just want to pick them up and touch them.

Isn't it great when fate steps in and gives you something you had wished for? It seems like this is happening more and more for me lately. Things I have wished for (like selling our home and buying a new one) seem to be opening up without much effort. And this house that peered out at me from the meadow that it sits in? It opened it's doors to me too without much effort either. I just had to follow the sign. And the signs are everywhere. You just have to look for them!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

OUR BUSY WEEK

Our week started out as usual, with Baby Mae. And this week Bill was able to help me with her since his hand is doing much better. Walking a baby around in a pack most of the day can make your shoulders a little bit sore. So, the help during the week is always appreciated. Good job, Papa!!Is this where the phrase "don't play with your food" comes from? Or, is it like I always said to my Mom when I was growing up "you can't have any fun unless you get dirty". Whatever the case, there is never a dull moment during our busy week.

And folding laundry? Easy, peasy!! Just take the laundry out and put the baby in! That always solves the problem, at least for the moment. Life each day with a baby is just that: living for the moment.

Babies change from minute to minute. I watch this little one grow and change each week. New finger-nail scratches appear instantly under the eye. The mood can switch from happy and giggling one minute to unhappy and crying the next. No two days are ever the same. No minute is just like the last. What worked yesterday to appease her will not work tomorrow. I guess it is all a growing process. She is learning what works and what doesn't, what makes her feel good about herself and what gets results.

Isn't it great what you can learn just from being around a baby? Life's lessons in a nutshell. Life's lessons happen each minute, not just each day. And best of all? If I get angry or I'm in a bad mood one day, just like that she can change my attitude. I could never hold a grudge. I could never ignore her and never speak to her again. I could never wake up one day and not want to communicate with her. I could never let years go by...and by and by.

This baby teaches me to be present in the moment, to share her with anyone that wants to know about her, that it's OK to be unhappy for the moment but remember that just like that, I can un-do that unhappiness and move ahead. I can't hold a grudge against her for any reason. I have to communicate with her on a moment-to-moment basis because she is learning to adjust, just like I am. This is unconditional love. This is "out of the mouths of babes." This is living. And our busy week? Just like that, it is over and done with and I have a few photos to remember it by. And hopefully, I have retained some good memories and not held any grudges. Because life is too short. Don't you agree? What is your baby teaching you?

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

PERSPECTIVE AND MEMORIES

Forty years ago, 1971 to be exact, I met a young man named Michael. Michael lived right around the corner basically from where I live now. Who would have guessed that 40 years later I would be living here with a totally different perspective and life. But, here I am.

I was only 21 and still not sure what I wanted from life "when I grew up". I look back now, with a different perspective and realize that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Michael was a "free spirit". He was the first person I had ever met that always had a positive outlook on everything. And I mean everything. I used to work all week and then drive 3 hours from the Bay Area to spend the weekend with him. He always had dinner ready for me but it was never a typical dinner. He always made dinner an experience and fun. One night we celebrated "Country Joe and the Fish" with a special dinner. Everything, including the carrots, had a fish theme. Yes...he had carved all the carrots into fish shapes. It was those kinds of fun experiences that I remember about Michael.

Michael and I eventually went our separate ways. I was working in the corporate world at the time and he was living up here, 3 hours away. And I was young. Things had a different perspective for me then. I wanted different things in my life. A year or two later I met Bill and we have been together almost 38 years now. We celebrate 38 years this coming December. And, little did I know then that I would be living here with Bill now. It's funny how things work out, isn't it?

What made me remember Michael and all these memories this morning was this flowered container that sits on my sink vanity. I lifted the lid and put my nose to the container and there he was...inside that jar. Michael had purchased this little container for me one day when we had stopped at the local Five and Dime store. I waited in the truck because it was going to just be a short trip in and back out. But, out he came with this flowered container and gifted it to me. I have had it ever since. Inside, there is a bottle of jasmine oil that he purchased from The Body Shop in Berkeley one weekend when he came down to visit me. The contents of the bottle have long since evaporated but left behind are the stains from the jasmine oil and the scent. Yes...40 years later the scent of jasmine still permeates that container. And, every time I lift the lid and sniff, it transports me right back to that time 40 years ago.

Years later after Bill and I had been married a year or two I found out that Michael had drown in Clear Lake trying to save a couple of people that were in a capsized boat with him. He met such a tragic end but he also gave of himself unselfishly, just like he always did. I'm happy to have had the time that I did with such a remarkable person. He gave me a different perspective on life at a time when I was just starting to form my opinions of life and work and the people who were important to me. For this I will always be grateful. And I will always have my memories to transport me back.

Funny how a scent can do that. It skips over years; it skips over things that have transpired (good and bad). It takes you immediately back in your mind to that time and place. And being here now allows you to look at that time and where you are and get a totally different perspective. Sometimes it is the same but sometimes it is not. Sometimes it allows you to realize that the choices you made were the right and proper ones, even though at the time you were making them it was painful and difficult.

Today, just a quick sniff has given me the opportunity to process and reflect. And I realize all the great moments that I have been afforded. It has allowed me to remember to enjoy the ride and not second guess my decisions. There is always a reason, there is always a choice. Look to your heart and know what is inside. Your heart will never steer you wrong. And if you forget: open up that container and take a giant whiff. I guarantee it will help you remember!

Monday, November 7, 2011

I Don't Know Shit ~ Lyric Video ~ by Here II Here

WHO AM I? HERE II HERE ANSWERS THIS BETTER THAN I CAN. THIS IS MY MESSAGE FOR THE WEEK. ENJOY!




Friday, November 4, 2011

WEEKEND THOUGHTS

The weekend always brings with it a chance for something new. Is it the old patterns I have lived with for so long, when I worked Monday-Friday and Friday night started the weekend? Or, is it that there is a bit of free time...some time to do just exactly what I want or just to sleep in a bit or read a book or?

Whatever the case, the weekend is almost upon me and doors open all the time on new opportunities to do or places to go. I think I shall take a bit of time to explore my options and hope that the weather decides to cooperate a bit too. If not, I just might take the opportunity to do exactly nothing. Or do something really slow. That counts too doesn't it? I don't always have to be doing something or going someplace to enjoy the weekend.

Living in the moment is quite hard. It takes a lot of practice and is something that I really need to work on. So, this weekend, I don't think that I will plan anything in advance and I will just see where things take me. I will practice living in the now of the next two days and trust my Divine Guidance to give me exactly what I need. I hope that everyone else will be enjoying their weekends too. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, enjoy those moments. They can change so quickly.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

POST HALLOWEEN POST

Natalie didn't want to Trick or Treat last night so we walked around the neighborhood and took pictures of all the decorations that everyone put up. Here was one of The Grinch that she liked.

So, we returned to the house and she was given "the job" of passing out candy! We needed to tell her the rules though. Otherwise some of the older kids tried to take advantage of the situation. You know: when there's free candy involved, why not!

And of course, this was Mae's first Halloween so the little "B" just buzzed around watching all the activity and really was a good little girl.

The holidays are upon us now. It seems that from Halloween until Christmas they just roll from one to the other with not much time to breathe in between. I guess the trick is to roll with them and enjoy the ride!
Happy Day-after Halloween everyone!

Blog Archive