Frogs are Singing

This morning I finally really feel like I'm home. In part, had my first home emergency - water on the floor beneath the refrigerator. My handyman, Randy, came out this morning and checked everything we could think of to check and we couldn't find any source of the water! So, I now have a clean refrigerator inside, outside, and underneath. We'll see if the water returns. If so, it's time to purchase a new one. In a way, I'll be glad - the motor on this one sounds like a freight train coming through the cottage. It must be at least 30 or 40 years old. For now, it's just wait and watch for a few more days. So, I'm now back in the ordinary world where chores demand attention. ----- Still, now I'm on the porch with my tea listening to the frogs talking to each other from both sides of the Pond. What a chatter! Must be the rainy days we've had that opened up their voice boxes. ---- Fall has arrived. I'm wearing my chaleco - too cool without a bit of covering. Some of the trees ae showing yellow and even a few orange leaves on a red maple. The persimmons are ripe. What a brilliant orange they are! My basil plants thrived on the long hot dry month! They look like shrubs or even small trees! Everything else, except a couple of succulents and my spider plant, died, or so it seemed. The rain brought much back to life again even though they looked dead for sure!------Nice to be back home again.----I'm off to Atlanta in the morning to see family for a couple of days.

Back Home at the Pond

Arrived home yesterday about noon. Long two and a half days on the road. The photo illustrates the long, straight highways in NM. If you click on it and enlarge it you'll be able to see the highway actually on the horizon. We traveled in rain much of the way. On Wednesday, the day we left, there were flash flood warnings and water ankle deep on the streets. It REALLY rained. I guess we brought the rain with us - a nice welcome home. Everything looks brown here.-----It's hard to describe the many wonderful things that happened during our month in Santa Fe. It is truly a world apart from Ninety Six - and yet there are people living and working day by day there, too. It is true that it is primarily an artist's mecca, but somehow that brings out the artist in me. There must be some somewhere? There is a strong since of individualism that appeals to me. It seem everyone is doing his or her own thing and yet there is a bonding too. One of the most enjoyable parts is the weather. We were able to be outside comfortably basically all day - except for the very middle of the day when it did seem hot even though dry. Just long enough for lunch and a nap! Then, back out to wander the streets or enjoy the courtyard. Before I end this trip blog, I want to say thank you to each one of you - particularly those who told me they were following it - it is a great inspiration to write when you know someone is reading your words! THANKS. I will keep the writing going from the Pond. But, it probably won't be as much fun to read. We'll see.

Last Day in Santa Fe

We're leaving one day early - home is drawing us! We've packed in all we can think of to do and will leave in the morning. To tell the truth, Abby and Charlie, are the biggest drawing cards. Grandmother Faye simply cannot be away another day than absolutely necessary. And, after my yoga session with Surya this afternoon, I'm ready, too. ----- Yesterday I had a delightful visit with new friend Connie at her home in Nambe - about 20 minutes out on the high road to Chimayo and Taos. The church in the photo is very near her home. I'm curious, but don't know why two crosses. Other than architecturally balanced? I'm curious. Maybe some good Catholic can explain it to me? ----- The other photo is of Camel Rock - most aptly named, don't you think? It is located between Santa Fe and Nambe. And, I couldn't resist another sunset photo from the rooftop night before last. ---- I stopped at a Nambe gift shop and discovered they no longer make the articles here - no doubt outsourced! What a shame. The same is now true of the Waterford crystal factory in Ireland. Still a gift shop, but no manufacturing going on.----Already folks are asking where I'm going next. And, I don't know. Considering Greece (remember Shirley Valentine?) or maybe Italy or Mexico or the Pacific Northwest or Ireland again? I'll decide in January when there's nothing else much to think about. ----- For now, just absolutely totally unequivocably happy with this Santa Fe trip. It has been a blast! And it ain't over yet, the fat lady doesn't sing until we arrive at the Pond! Probably Saturday sometime after noon. Thalma and Looeze are on the road again in the morning!

Day 27 in Santa Fe - Old Buildings and Sunsets

Buenos dias! Yesterday was spent getting to some of the things we still have on our lists. First stop was at the oldest church and the oldest house in the US. Right across from each other. Strange, we think our "oldest" things are all on the east coast. But, not so! The photo of the church is from the rear, especially strange looking, the front is pretty typical. Then, there's sunset from the rooftop of La Fonda and me obviously happy and I haven't even finished my margarita! Last evening's sunset photos are unbelievably beautiful. They were right. It is much more spectacular when clouds are around. Finally we ended the day at The Shed - again - this time we both had grilled shrimp (Frank had them when he was here). Faye and I agreed - they were very special! Extremely good. I did resist ordering seafood at first, but have to admit this was truly good! In between all of this, we are still writing, reading, knitting, and just breathing the clean air!

Four more days - as the days dwindle down

I just saw that it will be 100 today in 96. Makes me want to stay right where I am! Yesterday was another fun day. Began with a trip out of Santa Fe and up the mountains to the Amma Center (http://www.ammacenter.org/) where there were no activities occurring so we were given freedom to visit the temple and grounds. The mailbox sign reminded me of my Yogatorium one. Hopefully one day I'll have as many visitors as they do! We left a donation in return for a nice stone for the labyrinth. My car is filling with rocks from every place we go! That's Ganesh with Faye.-----From the Amma Center we stopped at a chocolatier for pistachio nut/green chile chocolate bark. Talk about HOT chocolate! There are three more in town we have yet to visit.-----Then, back out to the Tesuque Flea Market where I bought two pieces of art work - 2 textile strips 14 feet long made from grasses - not here, in Africa, perfect decoration for the Yogatorium.-----Back to Whole Foods for grilled tofu and Hatch, NM chile chicken salad (me), something more calm for Faye but I forget what.------Another calm evening at home knitting, and just sitting together in the courtyard. Beautiful pink clouds visible as the sun set and the moon rose. We came in on a full moon and looks like we'll go out on one!

Five more days and we're outa here.

I can't believe the month is nearly over. There are still so many more things I'd like to do and see. Guess I'll just have to make a return trip. We had a ball yesterday. First to Tesuque Flea Market where we both bought a few things and skipped more we wanted - so we'll go back this afternoon. Did lots of bargaining with the Mexican vendors. FUN! I bought a small table that started at $95 and ended at $50. A mirror that started at $45 and ended at $20. The table was to satisfy an itch - with my own car here I could buy something like a piece of furniture and not have to ship it home. Anyway, lots of fun. Very near the Santa Fe Opera House, and as Faye pointed out - from one end of the social spectrum to the other - within sight of each other. The photo was taken in the parking lot - to remind us of the beautiful surroundings we are in no matter where we go.----- The other photo is what I see out my bedroom window when I do my sun salutations each morning. Too chilly in the courtyard. Did I send one of these earlier? Maybe, but a different shot.-----In the afternoon we went to see a movie "The Kids are All right." Yep, the kids were, but the mommas were nuts! A fun movie. ----- Evening again spent in the courtyard knitting. We are such good companions. Quite content to just sit quietly and knit.-----Today? Who knows?

Fabric Shops, Pedicures, and such.

Buenos dias! Beautiful morning again. Yesterday was a fun one, as usual. We did our morning rituals and took off with a list of fabric shops and nail salons all on one long Cerillos Rd. Made several u-turns (Faye was driving) and connected with a couple of places. The first fabric shop is still in my mind - some absolutely stunning upholstery fabrics in the southwestern tradition. May succumb to the temptation and buy some before we leave. On to a Jo-Ann's fabric shop -many of you will be familiar with those - where I found buttons for Gus's sweater. From there to a nail salon for pedicures - my first since Jamaica many years ago! This time, coral polish instead of blue. Should have gotten a discount with only 7 toes, but, no such luck! From there, home by way of Whole Foods (LOVE that store!) for lunch, nap, and cocktail hour in the courtyard. I'm truly enjoying the margaritas - they seem so appropriate here! Cooked kale and leftover marsala chicken for supper at home. ------ It's hard to believe, but this time next Saturday, we'll be half way home! Sniff, Sniff! No tears--too dry out here! I've gone through two bottles of OTC dry eye drops! And, nearly a half bottle of lavender oil. My skin never felt better. Wonder why I'm never doing the oil thing at home? Perhaps in the future I will. Bought an extra bottle of oil to take home. Off to Tesuque Flea Market today.

Sunset from La Fonda Rooftop

The photo was taken from the La Fonda rooftop. Faye and I went back - it is such a beautiful place to be in the evening. Had front row seats for perfect time - visiting with a couple of new people - Everyone is so eager to visit. What a friendly atmosphere. The garage attendant did not let us in free, though, even though he did Frank! ------- I made a trip back to Kowboyz but no success. No kids' stuff of interest. Also stopped at Cowgirls BBQ for tee shirt, Luke. Think you'll really like it.----- Otherwise, mostly a quiet day at home. Pollen is still very high and my eyes still need lots of rest time even with the Restasis and OTC drops. But that's OK. It's well worth it.---- Time is running out for us, but we are trying our best to do it all before we have to leave. ---- Connie, new friend, invited me to another yoga class on Monday, so that's one more time for absorbing new yoga material. More tomorrow. A bit late today, but a busy time. I'll fill it in for you tomorrow morning.

Cottonwoods and other goings-on

Good morning. We're in for another beautiful day in Santa Fe. My forestry background finally got the better of me and I googled to find the big tree in the courtyard is a cottonwood - one of the most important trees in New Mexico. It was once found in great forests here. It's importance might be indicated by the name of one of the cities - Alamorgordo, meaning "fat cottonwood." The bark is deeply furrowed and they grow to enormous size. The photo shows the tree with the patch of yellow leaves that just came to my attention yesterday. Winter is coming! ----- It's 53 this morning (8:00 am)with bright sunshine and a high again to be around 80. This is to be an unplanned day with whatever pops into our heads being the thing to do. We do intend going back to La Fonda roof to watch the sunset again. But, our intentions don't always come to pass.----- Yesterday I had a terrific yoga session with Surya. Tried to videotape it, but not successful. Will try again next Wednesday. She is teaching me things about my core muscles that I never heard before. It is as though all my previous work has been external and now I am moving to the interior. It is very inspiring and exactly what I am ready for now. The next step in my asana practice. A step I am excited about because of its implications for deep work that I can't even describe at this point. Maybe next year. It does seem to me at this point to be a powerful step in body health and I'm ready for it. It has to do more with strength from the inside than flexibility although increased flexibility is a result.-----The other photo shows Faye at her laptop in the office with the kitchen and dining area and courtyard behind her. We have had to give up morning meditation in the courtyard because of construction going on next door. So, we've moved inside. The adobe walls are extremely good insulation, so the noise doesn't bother us inside.

Day 21 Yoga Class with Surya

Yesterday was a relaxed one. Frank left for Charleston. What a joy it was to have him here for a few days. In the afternoon, I had another massage with Eric at Ten Thousand Waves. Again, a delightful experience and educational. He has been doing body work for over 25 years and is one of their Masters at massage. He gave me some very good tips for improving the curve in my flat back which have already made me more comfortable sitting upright. Faye and I sat in 20-minutes meditation last evening and it was especially comfortable. Probably the massage just prior helped also. At any rate, I am learning every day new things to assist in my yoga and meditation and everyday life. ------ The pollen is very high these days, but I imagine it is in 96 also. Temperature 10 degrees cooler here - low 80s and low 50s at night. I almost always wear some kind of long sleeve and jeans and even a wrap in the early mornings and evenings. It is truly much more comfortable here. Humidity right now at 63% but drops to 25 or so during the day. We are covering ourselves with oils and drinking lots of water and loving every minute of our stay. Already I'm a bit uneasy thinking of only nine days left. How will I possibly work it all in? Of course, I won't, but you know me, I'll give it the old college try!------ Say, Jim, you might be interested to know that "All By Myself" has progressed with a 600-word write now for 12 days - only 9 more to go and I'll have a manuscript!

Day 20

Fun day yesterday, as usual. Trip to Visitor's Center really paid off! Following the huge festival for the past 5 days, tee shirts on sale! So, I had fun shopping for gifts. I learned in Kinsale last year how valuable the Visitor's Center can be - don't know why it took me so long to find it here. Evening was spent celebrating with Frank and Faye. We discovered the rooftop of La Fonda Hotel where Crazy Heart was filmed (inside bar) and watched the sun set. The photo of Faye and me is looking east. The one of Frank and Faye is looking west. The other is of the lamp on the edge of the rooftop looking west at the pink clouds (sandia color - watermelon). We moved from the La Fonda to The Shed for delightful dinner. So now, today, we'll see what develops. Dohave another massage at Ten Thousand Waves this afternoon!!! Life is GOOD! We are beginning to really "settle in" here, as Faye says. I'm afraid I'm going to be sorry when we have to leave.

Day 19 in Santa Fe - Frank's Birthday

It's already 77 degrees here this morning at 8:20. It does truly warm up fast. A FREE day today. Finished the yoga retreat yesterday, rested in the afternoon and woke up after ten hours of sleep feeling "used up." So, today is recovery day. (Did sneak in a ten-minute practice this morning.) Wednesday I'll get a private lesson with Surya. Frank's birthday is today and we'll share the dinner hour out tonight. Faye cooked a lovely chicken/mushrooms/etc/wine dish last evening. -------- Already I've been reflecting on the yoga retreat trying to hold on to all that I experienced. Perhaps the most exciting is the friendships that resulted. As time goes by, we will see which ones last. One thing I know for sure, they will only last if I make some effort in that direction. ----- Last evening we sat outside in the courtyard and watched the stars, listened to church bells ringing, and simply enjoyed the quiet together. Strange to be in a city and still be able to see the stars. Says something about the clearness of the air. I am finding it much easier to breathe than I expected. The clean air is a delightful amenity.

Sunday - Last Yoga Day Today

This morning yoga from 9:30 to 12:00 and the retreat ends. However, I will have a couple of private lessons with Surya before leaving for home. It is clear to me I need to go on more yoga retreats. They are personally enriching and teacher inspiring. I will be looking for more and more frequently attending them. Yesterday, I hung suspended in a belt around my butt, my feet and legs up the wall, my torso and head hanging down. An amazing freeing feeling, but I also remember feeling like my eyeballs were filling with fluid! Maybe that's the pollen/sinus reaction? (For you farm folks, the wintertime hanging up of a killed pig also came to mind.) Anyhow, in addition to the hung down pose, shoulder stands in two chairs, back bends (with two helpers), and so on. All in all, a very renewing experience. The photo of tanks are water-holding. Must hold several hundred gallons of snow and rainwater runoff. The friends are eating Surya's birthday cake gleefully after vegetarian purity! We also had coconut milk and pumpkin custard (both home made by Surya) in addition to the tofu, salad greens, etc. The other photo is of the rock fountain spilling into the pool. Time for breakfast.

Prajna Temple photos - Day Two report

Day Two of Prajna Yoga went very well. All of us were tired with new muscles speaking to us. I feel exhilaratant (Is that a word?) I guess exhilarated would be the more usual word. But, what I feel is an urgent need to continue and share what I'm learning. As a matter of fact, I feel like I'm making seriously real progress in my yoga truth seeking both in my body and mind. It's clear the next short two weeks is not enough. I should have come for two months! Six months? ------ Here are photos you might enjoy - the inside of the temple practice room, one of me against the rocks used to hold the mountain earth back from the temple - the house is above. Another is a shot of a friend on the second day during lunch break. She did not pose for this - this is just the way I found her. The other is of the yard toward the pond and fountain with pinon pines in the background. ----- By the way, I did a handstand today! With support from my teacher, of course. Isn't that the way we do everything, with support?

Yoga at Prajna Temple

Yoga is on my mind. Yesterday was such a fruitful one. Faye and Frank gave me a ride out (Cheri from Hatch, NM gave me a ride back) to the Prajna (wisdom, insight) Temple for a day from 10 to 4:30 of total absorption - 3 hours of asanas in the morning, a delightful vegetarian lunch, (Notice I don't dwell on the food this time!) time to connect with others, and sutra chanting and restorative poses in the afternoon. All were super but the highlight was - I did a headstand! This is a first (other than the shaky one I did during teacher training last year) and was so easy I couldn't believe it. Am I stronger? Is it the weight loss? I think it was the excellent preparatory moves taught so that it happened easily. My attitude was also involved. I remember well in Asheville last year being scared and saying to myself, I don't want to do this. And by the second day feeling forced into it. This year, when the subject came up, I heard myself saying to myself "I want to do this, I want to do this. I'm going to do this." I was offered every opportunity to stop with where I was, no legs up, one leg up, both legs up. And each stage just flowed from one to the other. I am relating this event to you in hopes that it might inspire you, too, to attempt something that is a real challenge. Something that you are afraid to do. Something that will inspire you to keep growing!!! Today I am feeling many muscles even with a hot bath last night and a hot shower this morning. But, I also feel an eagerness that is very near childlike. That's it. Childlike. I LOVE IT. In an hour or so I get to go back and play again today!

Buttonholes and such.

Good morning! I'm off to Prajna Temple at 9:30 to begin my Women's Yoga Intensive. Really excited about this. It's always fun (and challenging) to train in a new place with new teachers. It's been almost 16 months since I finished my teacher training in Asheville, so it's time for some new stuff! Look out - students - I'll be bringing back to you what I learn here. Yesterday was a catch-up day for me with just staying at home and doing the usual - Did learn one thing new - how to knit buttonholes - working on Gus's doggy sweater - it's fun especially since it's small - won't take very long. One of the fun learnings was how to google anything you need to know about knitting and up comes a tutorial with photos that are simple to see and duplicate the actions. I'm sure YouTube does too, but my computer is slow and hesitant on YouTube, hence frustrating. Don't think I've sent you the photo I'm sending now. It's the view from our favorite space in the courtyard. The clear air is truly exhilarating - despite the altitude. The other photo is the view from my mat in the mornings - I work in my bedroom since it's 55 degrees outside at this hour! Too cold for this old lady to lie down on the rocks! The view is not so exciting, but a nice reminder of where I am - adobe and clear sky! Even though Montana claims it, NM, too, is Big Sky Country.

Spa Experience

Yesterday was spa day for Jaquie - 4-1/2 hours of sheer indulgence! One hour each - private hot tub; neck and head treatment followed by salt glow body exfoliation; facial. 80-minute massage. In a beautiful Japanese decor spa high on the side of a mountain 8,000 feet, just 11 minutes from the Plaza. The photos give you some idea of the decor - one is the path up the side of the mountain - 61 steps, burns 47 calories - the other is the main entrance into the spa. I could write a book about the experience, but I'm sure you're not interested. Otherwise, the day was spent as usual - early morning asanas, pranayama, meditation - time spent in the courtyard, etc. We are falling into a comfortable routine and beginning to truly feel blessed with this delightful time away. Faye has finished her master knitting project and is now free to do whatever pops into our minds. I am soooo lucky that I can just drop everything and travel! Bless you, my yoga students, for being so understanding. I love every one of you. Tomorrow I begin my Women's Yoga Intensive which runs until Sunday noon. I'll try to keep the blogs going, but if not, I'll make up for it Sunday afternoon.

NM History, The Shed, 10,000 Waves, etc.

Another fun day yesterday. Beginning to truly enjoy my early morning pranayama practice. My planks are getting better each day. I'm up to 8 to 12 of them using my arms to bring my body down to the floor without bending my knees! And, later in the day, I can feel the muscles! Who knows, one day my arms might look like Michelle Obama's!!!! Already that tan. This Santa Fe sun is a splendid affair. My only difficulty is drippy nose and eyes - But Zyrtec is doing its job well and, if I were in SC, I'd have the same drippy nose and eyes - every fall and spring I do. So, if I'm gonna have it, I'd certainly rather have it here. -----We tried our second restaurant from the list Susan Carswell, the owner, left for us and both Guadalupe Cafe and The Shed are super! We still have ten or twelve more to try, but it's tempting to repeat these two. The Shed was Susan's top of the list and I can certainly see why. We didn't sit outside, but did get a window seat. The photo is of my veggie burritos (I went Christmas and had a red and a green chile per the waiter) and Faye's taco and enchilada. The glasses came free? with the el Jimador tequila Margarita celebrating New Mexico's quadricentennial.----- Santa Fe was established by the Spanish in 1610. New Mexico became the 47th state in 1912. Which was the 48th? Don't know. It's hard to believe this was happening shortly after my parents were born! Wow, we've come a long way, baby. So again in 2012 there will no doubt be many festivals to celebrate their statehood. ----- Already there was a huge festival this weekend - not sure for what - we stayed around the edges of the Plaza, don't read a newspaper and haven't yet turned on the TV so we just go blind wherever we go. We do get a bit of news from fb and weather.com but that's about it. What a LIFE! Faye had her facial at Ten Thousand Waves Japanese spa yesterday and I go today for my September special - 4 to 5 hours of 5 different treatments! Frank (Faye's husband) arrives today - be fun to have a man around to bother with our feminine stuff! He'll probably be a wreck by the time he escapes.

Quaker (Friends) Service and Kowboyz, etc.

Good morning! Great day yesterday. The photos will be of interest to Luke if no one else - He suggested a stop at Kowboyz. Went back yesterday afternoon (for the second time) and bought boots (not cowboy, more like cowgirl riding boots with the little straps across the ankle and heel) and two kookie skirts - long cowgirl ones - one of flannel patches and the other has a red eyelet petticoat sticking out below the chambray!! FUN! And, only $15 each! The boots were a bit more. -----The morning was lovely, too. We went to the 11:00 service at the Quaker (Friends) house on Canyon Road (MUCHO art galleries). The house owner, an artist, bequeathed the house to the Friends. It was a small house, but held probably 30 to 45 of us in silence for 45 minutes. The atmosphere was extremely warm and welcoming and we both enjoyed it. As Faye, pointed out,the hum of the electric fan reminded her of hearing the OM chant. We were really into the spirit of it. At the end, we went around the room giving our names and home towns if visitors. The woman following me said "My name is (I've forgotten as usual) and "I bet I'm the only other person in this room who knows where 96 is." I nearly fell out of my chair! Turns out she lived in Columbia and worked in some kind of education job traveling around SC. Small world!-----The day ended with a trip to Trader Joe's for groceries and a nice dinner of chicken breasts stuffed with spinach, pine nuts, etc. and Israeli coucous. FUN DAY!

Day 11 in Santa Fe

Yesterday was a quiet day at home for the most part. We did go our separate ways and do a bit of shopping. My trip was to Kowboyz a fascinating place with what seemed like hundreds of vintage boots and skirts and shirts and jeans and jackets - most of which are "used" clothing, of course, - a few new items, but not many. Luke told me this place supplied costumes for Crazy Heart - so I wanted to visit it - besides, it's only a 5-minute walk - and in a new direction for me. I promised myself I'd go back and try on another pair or so of boots and perhaps a skirt or two - Boots are $99 (and up) and skirts $15, so I can't lose much! ------- We continued our practice of early morning meditation and did our second day of activity and writing. We are sharing our writes and that is fun - it also keeps us writing. Neither of us wants to be the first to drop out! Or at least I don't. ----- Jim: get set - at the end of this 21-day program, I'll be shipping a manuscript to you. You promised, don't forget.----- We're still knitting - I began my doggie sweater for Gus (it is red, Susan and Luke) and Faye is finishing up her Master Knitter's projects - I think she's finishing. Every day she gets a bit closer, anyway. ----- We're going to a Quaker (Friends) meeting this morning at 11:00. This will be my second of such - first out in Boulder with some Pod 3 sisters. We're both looking forward to this. I'll report on it in the next blog post.

Santa Fe - Trip to Taos

Wonderful trip to Taos yesterday - took the high road through the mountains - photos to prove it - and returned via the low road which ran alongside the Rio Grande much of the way - beautiful water running over rocks - no photos since I was driving - Faye drove the mountains road! Notice in the photos the difference in the vegetation - tall pines, for example. The village is Truchas and if you enlarge the photo you will see the village name spelled out in rocks. The road with the stake in the middle is not paved! - a stretch under construction - but not too long before we were back on pavement. ------Yesterday was also our first day on the Breaking Through program and totally surprised both of us with its success. Eager to begin my second day write but will first have breakfast and do a meditation with Faye. Then, on to enjoying another day in our beautiful surroundings. Did I tell you the house is onver 100 years old? I'm looking out the front window now through "wavy" glass. with some "bubbles" in it. When renovating, they were not allowed to replace the windows on the front of the house. I'll get a photo of it sometime today perhaps. This day will include a walk around another section of town. Eager to get to "Kowboyz" store of vintage boots and new ones which is very near our home - as is everything else - even Georgia O'Keefe's museum is in walking distance. It's another bright, sunny day, 61 degrees now (8:30 am)but will rise to somewhere in the 70s.

Day One of Breaking Through

Good morning! This is Day One of our Breaking Through 21-day process we've committed to: 30 minutes of activity and 600 words written per day. Faye has already done her writing, I've already done my activity - sun salutations with 6 - SIX - pushdowns - a record! Usually my knees go down first and then my body. But, this morning! SIX times my arms carried me down!!!!! In addition I added breath with no trouble at all - before it has always been less than flowing - constantly thinking about it - this morning it came naturally!!! i THINK WE'RE ON TO SOMETHING! Here's a photo from yesterday's cocktail hour - my first margarita here - the lovely glasses just were crying to be used! Turned out to be VERY refreshing! I'll also give you a photo of the inside of La Hacienda in Albuquerque. Everything here is done in vivid colors. And, of course, lots of what I call adobe. Pinkish, tanish. Almost time for meditation and then, who knows?

Albuquerque

Yesterday was a grand one! Left home after our morning rituals - asanas, pranayama, (for me)and meditation in the courtyard for both of us. Then on the road to Albuquerque at 10 for our 11:15 appointments for haircuts. Very nice time spent in the Waves salon - marvelous collection of magazines which we both enjoyed perusing. Then on to Old Town for lunch at La Hacienda (I had the strange feeling that this may be the same restaurant we used to eat at 45 years ago) a real test of our appreciation for Mexican food. I ordered my favorite - chili rellenos and Faye hedged her bet by adding a taco to her order - fortunately! One bite was all she could stand. The chili rellenos were REALLY HOT! But, at least they used real chili peppers (I once had one made with bell peppers in Greenville). I truly enjoyed mine, but didn't need but one, so glad we ordered ala carte. Probably our mistake was in not ordering beers or margaritas to go with the lunch! Water just didn't cut it. Nice quiet one-hour drive home (Faye drove - what a great thing it is to be able to share the driving. I highly recommend it.) Back to our casa for a quiet evening of reading, knitting, and FB, email, etc. on computer. ----- It was fun for me to spend some time in Albuquerque reminiscing and seeing a few old landmarks that I recognized. ----- This day will be a quiet one at home. Faye is working on finishing her Master Knitter's paper and I am working on developing a concrete plan for my part of our next project which begins tomorrow. We will each begin spending one hour 5 days each week in some kind of desired new activity and writing 600 words per day. I'm leaning toward an hour of pranayama (breathing work) and writing the book Jim proposed - "All By Myself" if I can get the nerve to do it. The what and how are completely at our discretion. Sometimes I think the deciding what and when and how to do is gonna be the hardest part. For the last couple of days I've been doing some preliminary practice and it still seems good. So, today is study and discernment day. ----- We both seem to have acclimated well so far but I'm still fighting runny eyes and nose - obviously allergic to something, but Zyrtec and Restasis and OTC eye drops are handling that so it is not disruptive - I'm doing everything that I wish.----If things go as planned, we'll go north to it Taos tomorrow - went south to Albuquerque yesterday. Stay tuned.