Self-grasping and Self-cherishing

This morning's reading has blown my mind.  I must share it with you.  One sentence says it all:  You can have no greater ally in your war against your greatest enemy, your own self-grasping and self-cherishing, than the practice of compassion.  ......from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, p. 189.  I know a few friends are studying this book with me and might enjoy contemplating this sentence with me.

Back to Yoga Classes Today

Vacation is over.  Yoga classes begin with the 10:30 one at the Y in Greenwood.  Then this evening at the Yogatorium at 6:00.  I'm truly eager to get back in the routine again.  Time away is many good things:  inspiring, relaxing, entertaining, restorative, and just plain good connecting to family, friends, and new acquaintances.  This one has been a learning experience also - yoga class with Kate in Savannah included some postures I haven't used in quite a while.  My Reiki practice has included much reading and actual practice so that I am more comfortable with what I am trying to learn.  I also managed to begin writing essays and putting them into a new blog: http://www.jaquiehappinessessays.blogspot.com/ will get you there.  New email address now working (old one still good too) yogatorium@ninetysix.net - so take your pick - this one a bit easier to remember, I think.  Healthy eating habits continue to grow more solid.  My energy level soars.  So many good things going on in my life I am humbled.   Here's a recent photo of my favorite meditating view from my porch.

Cleaning House

Fortunately I have visitors occasionally and this weekend is one - my Pod Sisters from our Interspiritual Mentoring training in Boulder 5 years ago visit the Pond 3 times each year and this weekend is one.  Unfortunately Kathy and Nancy cannot come, but Faye, JacqueB, and Sara will join me for some sharing - that's mostly what we do - share space and time with each other.  It's what I call connecting and is the most important aspect of my life.  Without connecting to other human beings, life would be empty......so - prior to their visits is when I clean house.  This time, I washed down the outside and got rid of most of the spiders and cobwebs and dirt dobber blobs  Also washed down the screen on the porch - it was full of pollen - everything looks much clearer now.  I'm always pleasantly surprised to see how lovely my little cottage really is when I clean it. ....now it's into Greenwood to get my hearing aids checked - they've been ringing - and later today to Asheville so I'll be there for Dr. Biddle's appointment in the morning.  So one more fun day in store!

More Just Being

Whee!  This Just Being is fun!  Maybe I'll never go back to work.  Yesterday Todd and Millie came over and brought more rocks for the labyrinth and we set up four lines from the center in the four directions.  Todd brought a BIG stone and several others from their place in Georgia he had dug up in moving some plants.  Also - one from South Dakota!  My collection is expanding.  What fun it is to look back through the stones and see names and dates and places - SD, CA, VT, AR, NM, Ireland, are a few from faraway places.  ........To Lowe's for dry-lock paint for the fountain.  It has been leaking and I hope this repairs it. I did actually paint the thing - two coats  .......More fire ant treatment out.........Writiing - just posted another essay - http://www.jaquiehappinessessays.blogspot.com/  will take you to Ireland......Since I'm still on vacation, tonight I get a chance to attend  yoga class taught by Bess Park.  Looking forward to that. 

Just Being

Me -  July 4 beside  Hilton Head's Harbor Town 18th Green for Fireworks

What a beautiful day - days I should say - Life is moving along at a very relaxed rate for me now.  Writing, meditating, enjoying the comforts of my lovely cottage.  I think I'll really be ready for yoga classes again after this one more week of  just being.......  A successful distance Reiki healing yesterday really thrilled me. Thanks Joanne for letting me know it worked.   I am enjoying the learning and practicing - even though it is intimidating.  I feel humbled that I am useful in this way.....Being useful is a good feeling.  Which brings me to a useful hint I learned this morning.  Go to http://www.yogatorium.blogspot.com/ for a meditation hint.  If you're a seasoned meditator or a beginner or somewhere in between, I think you'll gain.  If you don't give a rip about meditation, just stay here for now.....The writing went well yesterday.  I am working on a new happiness essay and hope to get it on the page today.  It's much easier working on individual essays than trying to write a book.  I think I finally got overwhelmed with that project. Thanks to Kate's suggestion, I'm back at writing happiness stuff again.

Seek not so much to be loved as to love...St.Francis

Here I am at the wheel of Solitude (actually driving!) with straps down to get some sun on the white streaks over my shoulders.  And here's one of Jim and Solitude at Beaufort Marina.  In this photo you can see the "catbird" seats on the back where I ride much of the time.  What fun it is! ...........I'm back at the Pond enjoying remembering and the fact that I have another whole week to JUST BE right here before I begin yoga classes again.  This morning I spent an hour at the labyrinth - putting out "Over and Out' to the fire ant mounds - but mostly just contemplating life.  What came to me this morning?  "Seek not so much to be loved as to love."  I spent an hour  walking the labyrinth in and out several times - not the same as walking the paths at HH or along the waterfront at Beaufort, but perhaps more effective meditation/contemplation.  For sure the "love" message is powerful and when I've used it as a guiding mantra, life is better......No milk for my cereal - ate cold organic oats with my usual cinnamon, walnuts, flax seed meal, and raisins - and apple juice!  It worked - better than milk........New blog for you to enjoy:  http://www.jaquiehappinessessays.blogspot.com/.  I plan to get out one each week.  Pray for me to make that happen.  A second blog (Jim and I were hard at work) is http://www.yogatorium.blogspot.com/.  Try that one too.  My intention is to put most info you need on weekly but will at least for the time being keep sending out notices via group emails.  WOW - ENOUGH for today.

Tuesday on Solitude at Beaufort

So, here we are - what a treat last evening.  We sat on the afterdeck listening to the concert in the Waterfront Park - Dese Guys group from HH - playing Motown - great sounds - beautiful setting on the water  - fell asleep to the sounds - woke up to the final one - "Save the Last Dance for Me."  The photo of Kate is taken on the balcony of Jim and Anne's apartment  the day before the birthday party.  Today is another "do-nothing" day of playing around with laptop, and just goofing off in this beautiful waterfront park.

Aboard Solitude

Good morning!  Last night I slept on the boat.  Makes a wonderful guest house in the slip right below Jim and Anne's apartment.  There is always something special about sleeping on the water.  Last night the water was totally calm.  I didn't feel anything special except for a noticing early this morning that my feet were slightly higher than my head - which probably is a good thing.  (I slept in the bow bunk.)  Took a short walk around the area just to loosen up the bones and now back in the boat enjoying the air conditioning.  Oh my!  It just began to rain - a nice soft one.  Now I could easily go back to sleep right here and enjoy the rhythm of the rain hitting the decks.  But, the sun is shining, so it won't last long.  .........Just wanted to check in and let you know all is well aboard Solitude - even sitting still in the slip.

Life as it is.

Wow.  Hard to believe I haven't written since Tuesday.  Wonderful busy time with family and now a couple days alone to catch up on whatever needed catching up on.  Kate arrived last evening and we had a great time connecting - will be with her all weekend through Anne's birthday party Sunday night at the HH Yacht Club.  Then Monday morning Jim and I board Solitude for a couple nights at Beaufort Water Festival - about a six hour trip over.   I'll go home on Thursday sometime - who knows when? - everything is pretty laid back now with decisions few and far between - just being not doing.  I have gone from a head full of stuff to gradually letting nearly all of it go - amazing - what remains as important was lost beneath all the day-to-day happenings.  Even managed to get in a couple days with some writing work - hard but gratifying.  So now, a few more days of being with family and then back to life at the Pond.  I'm not sure whether I'll take my laptop on the boat - if you don't see a new post, know that I'm healthy, happy, and enjoying life as it is.
(Thanks Todd for the mantra.)

Hermit Crabs and Sailing and Horses

Monday was beach and horseback trail riding and SaltyDog day.  The kids bought pet hermit crabs and are having a ball watching them in their tiny "aquarium."  A bit more expensive than pet rocks, but probably more fun, too.  I'm sticking to my pet rock for now.  Jim took me to a huge health foods store where I replenished supplies and found a couple new items to add to my supplement collection.  Beginning to get the feeling I'm on my way to becoming a "medicine woman."   All in all, we're really enjoying family togetherness time.

Luke and Jaquie



Jack, Sam, Jim on Solitude

 .Sailing on Calibogue Sound at HH.  Here is my favorite photo - Luke and me.  There are more photos coming.

Saturday Sailing On the Docket

Great evening out at Captain Woody's - scallops Jasmine on my plate.  One of my favorite meals of the year!   Spent some time sunning at South Beach where comparatively few people were - giving me lots of quiet space to relish my surroundings while the rest of the family sunned and played at the Shipyard beach area which is totally FILLED with people.  And I spent my time contemplating how very fortunate I am to have this time away to just be with family and still have my quiet time......  Today is sailing day with Jim on Solitude - great memories from my time last summer with a week in Annapolis on Solitude.  Perfect name for a boat I enjoy.  There's something about being on the water that is inspiring, relaxing, soothing, GOOD for my soul.  I am thrilled to know that following next and last week at Shipyard time share, Jim is taking me sailing up the coast to Beaufort for their Water Festival for a night or two and where else, who knows?  For now, I'm just letting happen what will without my trying to make it happen. Wonderful to give up control and just let life be as it will from moment to moment.

Fireworks display at Harbor Town was spectacular - as usual.  What a delight to share the experience with Jim, Anne, Rich, Kate, and Luke's family too--Susan, Jack, and Sam!  What a connection!  Connecting is what it's all about these days for me.  How very fortunate I am to have this lovely family to share happiness with.  I tell myself I'm blessed to have chldren but also double blessed to have grandchildren.  Makes me want to live for at least another fifty years to watch them!  All the firsts!  Kelsey goes to Clemson in August - the first grandchild finishing high school.  Then, the others will follow and there will be more graduations, weddings, babies, occupations, hobbies, and all the challenges each faces! 

Cookie Monster Ice Cream at Salty Dog

Wednesday morning - just back from my long walk (30 minutes) along Kingston Cove road from our house up to the golf club house where several old guys are working the putting green.  Yesterday about 2:00 when I shuttled the girls to the beach I was surprised to see two empty parking spaces.  I guess it's just too hot for some folks, but somehow there seems to be fewer people around this year.  On the other hand, I called five bike rental shops yesterday in an attempt to find a tandem bike for Susan and Luke.  None of them have ANY bikes for rent before next week........  Wendy reminded me we have been coming here over twenty years!  Hard to believe it's been that long--no wonder the kids EXPECT to come here every 4th now........As you can see, no deep philosophy forthcoming this morning.  Just totally relaxed and simply moving from one activity to another. ....... Last night's trip to the Salty Dog was FUN.  The kids and I had ice cream - Walker and I the Cookie Monster stuff - bright blue vanilla ice cream with crumbled cookies and cookie dough chunks!  We had a photo taken of our blue tongues - perhaps later I'll have a copy to send out.  More fun coming up today.  Changing of the guard with Tate's family leaving and Luke's arriving this afternoon - then big party here tonight before fireworks.

Life is Good

Good morning!  A beautiful walk at the beach this morning.  Seemed like hundreds of walkers and dogs already there at 8:00!  So, now we are all trying to do what we each want - with six folks, that means some separation time, of course. The plan for tonight is dinner at Hudson's one of the oldest restaurants on the island.  Wendy and girls have gone bike riding.  Walker and his Dad are watching Wimbledon.  I'm jumpiing from a quiet time at the pool, to solitaire (with real cards) on the porch, to tea at my laptop and communicating with you.  It's astounding how life slows down when you're not at home.  I got all my bills paid on line before I left, so I'm free to just BE.  How grateful I am for family, money, time, and a place to be with no worries, concerns, or duties.  Life is GOOD.  Already much rewarding contemplation going on.  I'll soon be totally flying on a cloud at this rate.

Well, we're here!  Tate and his family arrived last evening while I was in my private whirlpool in the mistress bedroom suite.  We're planning a big holiday celebration here with brother Jim and sister-in-law Anne, her father, and all of Luke's family will be here then.  For now, the question is What time do the teens wake up and what will they do when they do?  I'm just here to watch, wait, and enjoy the time with Tate, Wendy, Kelsey, Sydney, and Walker.  Both the girls are drivers now so they are convenient to shuffle cars in the drive way.  The picture puzzle is already well underway and two Publix trips have been made.  So, we really are ready to go.