German Christmas Celebration

Tonight was so very special! Here are me and Frank.    His friends Lore and Peter had us over for dinner - a typical German ending of kuchen with  or 7 different cookies - all very special and beautiful! I should have photographed the kuchen platter!  

Lore is lighting the REAL CANDLES on her Christmas tree for me and Frank.  Never before have I seen real candles on a tree.  What a joy!  How lovely our evening with them was!

Family Time

Must share with you photo from son Tate's 50th birthday party last week. Sydney, Wendy, Tate, Me, Luke, Susan, and Kelsey. From the center - Me, Two Sons, Their wives, and Tate's two daughters. A truly fun party with a HUGE crowd of Tate's friends.  What a ball!  Then, Christmas celebration on the 21st while everyone was still together.  Here's me with all my grandchildren:  Jack, Kelsey, Sydney, Walker, and Sam in front.  What a joy to be with them all for these very special times.  Now, I'm in North Carolina with Frank and Gus, Luke and Susan's bullterrier.  What fun he is - just wish he could be with me more often!

Christmas Tree and Sax-playing Santa

Here is my Christmas Tree.  It was decorated by my grandchildren during Thanksgiving of 2009 and is still my favorite decoration for this season.  On the table beside it is my Nativity scene in ceramic made by my mother years before - another essential piece of Christmas in my Cottage. …..This morning is a morning at home alone to reminisce and the most fruitful piece is my notebook of annual Christmastime letters I sent out - beginning with 1973, jumping to 1982 and nearly every year since then.  What a wonderful way to remember family.  Each year I enjoy reading the letters again.  This year's letter is kind of summary of 2012, 13, and 14.  Why did I miss years?  Who knows?  Somehow this year it seems very important again to connect with friends and family members I've neglected, so I have written.  And, the tree is in place along with a few other artifacts, notably the saxophone playing Santa.

Landfill Expedition in Transylvania Co., NC

 I'll try to explain what has been occupying so much of my time lately.  I have been traveling back and forth between my home and Frank's near Brevard, NC, helping him "clean and clear" his place so that it might be placed on the market for rental or sale.  It is a major time consumer but we are nearing a stopping place until spring.  And, now that it is becoming cleaner and clearer of clutter, as you might expect, we begin to think perhaps it should NOT be rented or sold!!!  Doesn't this always happen?  At any rate, my attention can now be turned to other pursuits and I have already resumed knitting, reading, and shopping - three of my favorite pastimes.  The photo is of Frank's 35-year-old Dodge Ram which he converted to a dump truck.  We made a trip to the landfill this morning.  It is truly amazing- 700 acres of mountain land where they are creating additional mountains.  The other photo is taken from the roadside after we left the top where we dumped 500 pounds of trash with the bulldozer operator(on top of the mt.) watching and waiting to push it further.  Not one of my ordinary routine experiences and an interesting one.

Lakota Stories - Humility

Here I am back in NC for a short visit.  It is truly amazing how relaxing it is to change one's location.  Does everyone feel that - the letting go of all responsibilities - when going away from home?   This morning I'm reading The Lakota Way: Stories and lessons for living by Joseph M. Marshall III.  Surely I must have been part of a Native American tribe in a past life. The stories truly appeal to me at a deep level.  He writes about values:  humility, perseverance, respect, honor, love……and many more.   The order of his essays is interesting to me.  For me at this moment in my life, humility is uppermost in my mind and his words struck home.  So many powerful blessings are being bestowed on me - particularly in my cry for help.  I now have two wonderful yoga teachers available to substitute for me so that I can have more time for my own spiritual seeking and other pursuits that have been neglected.  For them, Chris and Joanne, I am so very grateful.  I am also very grateful and humbled by the many new students who are attending classes and giving me the opportunity to "begin again" with the basics of yoga at almost every class!  Look around the next time you are in class and see the new faces that join us.  One last week came FIVE years ago and has returned.  That is the power of yoga.  Once you feel its power in your own body, you never forget it!  ………The story of "No Moccasins" Marshall tells is a beautiful tale of one woman's humble, courageous act to save her husband by leaving her moccasins beside a creek "laying a false trail" for the enemies.  And, never telling anyone.  Not until her husband was dying was the act revealed by him as a tribute to her humility.

Pay Attention

Well, the 4-Runner cured itself.  The service manager says that happens often.  So,  no tape needed.  The lights went off by themselves………..Thanksgiving was wonderful with all ten of us and Frank and Todd all sitting around one long table - actually two pushed together end to end.  Turkey (2 of them Luke fried), ham, dressing and gravy, sweet potato pie, cranberry salad (which only two of us ate), macaroni and cheese (which everyone ate), collards, and so forth.  Now everyone is at home.  Clemson beat Carolina so my whole family is elated!  Well, Susan may be a bit disappointed - she and I both went to Carolina so there's a bit of empathy there………And finally this morning I'm back to my morning reading.  Now, Frederick Buechner's Whistling in the Dark.  This is fast becoming one of my favorite books.  This morning's read included a haiku that really fits my situation:  An old silent pond.  Into the pond a frog jumps.  Splash! Silence again.  He writes that this is perhaps the best known of all Japanese haiku.  This is my first time reading it.  I am sitting now overlooking the pond, as I do so many times during my days.  Hundreds of times I have heard the frog jump and silence returning.  Buechner is writing about paying attention: literature, painting, music all are asking us to pay attention.  Pay attention to the world and all that dwells therein and thereby learn at last to pay attention to yourself and all that dwells therein……learn to listen to the music of your own lengths of time, your own silences.

Family and Friends and Sensors

Back home after a lovely weekend at Luke and Susan's home with Jack and Sam.  Here's Frank introducing himself to Gus.
 We had a fun time eating out at Chick Filet, shopping at Hobby Lobby, and just being together for a bit.  Quick trip over to Wendy and Tate's home, so now Frank has met my family except for Sydney and Kelsey.  They will meet Thanksgiving when everyone gathers here.  And, Todd will be back from Albuquerque so the gang will all be here.  How blessed I am to have such  beautiful family and friends to share this upcoming holiday.  It is my favorite time of the year - especially if the weather is nice.  Most often, it has been, so we'll count on it again this year.  …..My car is talking to me about something called VSC - Toyota visit this morning and then - probably put another piece of black tape over the little signal light on the dash, but we'll see.  After all, the vehicle is a 2005 so it's understandable some of her sensors may be oversensitive by now?  144 thousand miles must take some kind of toll.  It seems the sensors are the first to go.  Who needs them anyway?

Thanksgiving and Family

Up this morning at 6 to get Jack off to school by 6:50, then up again at 7:30 to get Sam off by 8:15.  Then, a quiet morning playing with computer trying to get my desktop cleared.  How is it that my virtual desktop gets as cluttered as my actual desk?  And finally a nap of two hours to overcome the early arisal.  What a joy to be somewhere where there are no waiting chores.  At home it always seems hard to ignore "things" that need to be done.  Here at Luke and Susan's home it is so easy! …...  One of the great joys is seeing the dining room oak table I bought for $10 in Eugene, Oregon, in 1957.  At that time, Bob cut the pedestal down so that it was coffee table level.  Now, Luke has had it built back up and uses it for basic family kitchen table - same old table!   Then there are the two huge upholstered chairs owned by my father's mother and father a hundred years ago.   And so it goes.  Thank God for family!  Here's ours from a last year's Thanksgiving photo taken as all were preparing to go to the Auto Drive-in movie where they pile into the back of Luke's pickup and attempt to stay warm by snuggling together while they watch the movie.  There's  Wendy, Walker, Jack, Kelsey, Sydney, and Susan with Sam in front. 

Schedule Changes and Grandsons

Schedule Changes - November 13, 2014

1)  No class Saturday, Nov. 15.  Chris and I will both be out of town.
2)  Following week, classes as usual except NO CLASS THURSDAY, the 20th.
3)  Thanksgiving Week: No classes Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday.  SATURDAY class will meet.
I hope you all have a delightful Thanksgiving celebration, as I will - all ten of my family will be here at the Pond for that time period - grandkids sleeping in The Yogatorium!  A family tradition for the past 7 years.
Happy Holidays to all of you.
Namaste,
Jaquie
P.S.  Feel free to call and double-check on times and other questions any time - 864-506-4063 cell.

My out-of-town right now is being spent with my two grandsons, Jack and Sam, Luke and Susan's sons, who are both capable of caring for themselves but I am so glad I'm still invited to be with them when the parents are going out of town!  Won't get many more chances like this.  What a joy!  The days go by so fast - it's hard to believe these two beautiful guys have been around fourteen and eleven years already!

Me and the Vets Administration

Some of you may be aware of the difficulties veterans are facing with health issues and the VA.  Here's a personal success story.  My friend, Frank, has been trying to get replacement hearing aids for more than 6 months.  Finally, yesterday, his hearing was re-tested and he is scheduled to have aids selected on December 9 with expected fitting date about 4 weeks later.  What is so interesting about all of this is:  His appointment was yesterday, SATURDAY.  His doctor is a woman in private practice from Charlotte who is now working weekends in Asheville at the VA facility in an effort to provide services since they are so backed up.  The huge facility was absolutely empty except for the audiology department.  This department alone served over 10,000 vets last year.  The problem Frank faced was in part due to the necessity of navigating telephone menus.  He can't hear well enough to do that.  After several attempts at helping by his personal physicians (one with the VA and the other in private practice) he finally had an appointment but was told he couldn't be fitted because his ears were not clean enough - even though his personal physician had cleaned them just prior to the appointment.  Was this a stalling mechanism?  Yesterday, when I asked if the cleanliness was an issue, we were told "They are fine."  ……..This is my first personal exposure to problems faced by vets and it has been an eye-opener.  It is truly amazing how we blindly go through our lives unaware of the problems faced by others.  What a joy it has been to play a small part in this escapade! (All I really did was make a few phone calls.)  In the new year of 2015, Frank will hear birds sing again!

Cleaning and Clearing the Carport Shed

Today has been one of cleaning and clearing out the carport shed.  It is truly amazing how totally disarrayed things can get in an out-of-the-way spot when I find it so easy to keep my tiny cottage pretty well in order.  At any rate, now the pressure washer has its spot, the paint is all in one spot on a shelf along with the paint equipment.  The recycling materials are all in one container.  The beach sand is in one container instead of three or four plastic bags all in different corners of the room.  The beach sand is used to fill sandbags for yoga and/or luminarias in brown paper bags with candles.  Or at least, for the last ten years or so I've "planned" to set some up at Christmas time.  Maybe this will be the year?  The empty gallon water plastic bottles from the beach trips are waiting for those who like to get well water occasionally.  The odd pillows of all descriptions that seemed to be perfect in their spot at one time are all now hiding in one big box - still can't quite part with those even though I've removed all the pillows except sleeping ones from all the beds.  Why do we do that?  Then we end up throwing them on the floor in order to get to bed!  So now all mine are sleeping in the shed in their own box.   Enough.  You get the idea of what my day was like.  What a joy to see a CLEAN floor!

Snow Day at The Yogatorium

Here's the view from my meditation spot in The Yogatorium.  Wonderful walking in the snow as it fell early this morning to get the heat turned on and ready for class at 10.  BUT, no one showed up so now I'm enjoying a "snow day."  What fun!

Red Bush?

Back in NC mountains for a couple of days.  The colors are brighter each week but I think this must be peak time.  Where I am (near Brevard) is just north of the Continental Divide so about 2,000 feet.  And with the sun shining on the trees, yellows, reds, oranges, and browns and greens cover the hillsides.   But, one of the brightest colors comes from the red bush (don't know the name yet) here in Frank's yard.  On the median at one point on I-26 I saw a beautiful collection of these same shrubs.  If anyone knows the proper name, please let me know.  They are truly beautiful - and even redder now, a week or so after this photo.  I'll try for a close-up today and see if that makes it easier to identify.  Keep on enjoying the beautiful October weather!

October Energy

Yoga class last evening was perfect!  Chris led and I assisted making adjustments for each student as I noticed a need.  We make a great team.  We won't always be working together this semester, but many times we will be now that my arm is healing and my stamina is returning.  For weeks all my reserves were going to the arm; now it seems there is some left over for the rest of life.  It is truly amazing to me watching and experiencing how energy works. ….Yesterday I took the short walk at Star Fort and it was lovely - perfect days now for walks we might not be inclined to take after the weather turns cold.  Why is it I find myself denying myself these simple joys to take care of some trivial chore?  More often than not now, at last I'm saying "Yes" to these suggestions Spirit sends that pop into my mind rather than closing down.  October is such a beautiful month to watch the changes that occur in nature.  I hope you are giving yourself this gift too.  It is an energy-building time.  Winter will come and that is time enough for hibernating.

Challenges and Changes

It's wonderful to be back at the blog posting.  Life has been very busy since September 3 when I broke my arm.  I have been  fortunate to have a faithful, long-term caretaker in my friend, Frank.  The one remaining impossibility is getting both hands at the back of my head in order to put my hair up.  He's become expert at installing the band to hold it in place! ……. After seven weeks of going without (a nurse told me I'd have to), finally this morning it hit me there was another way to put on a bra - I snapped it in front, turned it around, slipped my hands and arms down into the straps and then pulled them up - all by myself!  I had never even thought of trying that before.  Always I've been flexible and reached behind to hook it together.  Amazing how long it took me to even think of trying that!  Now a goal is to get back to my former way!  Not this month, I don't think.  But, we'll see.  …….During these past weeks I've been dividing my weeks with days here and days at Frank's home near Brevard.  He is hoping to find a small house here to rent or perhaps buy when he sells his home in NC.  For now, we are working to get his house ready to sell.  Great fun watching him make decisions about what to discard and what to keep.  This beautiful blossom is within reach from his porch.  Butterfly bush?  I think so but I haven't checked.

Broken Arm is Healing!

Finally I'm back!  Genius at Apple Store got me straightened out yesterday.  The arm is progressing each day.  Teaching classes again - will be working with Chris still teaching most days, but I'll be with him some of the time.  Strange feeling to be working with a "disability."  Makes me even more aware of the importance of each part of our physical bodies.  Did make me learn to use my left hand much more effectively than I would have thought possible.  Here's a photo taken a week ago when my sling was removed.  See how much more flexible my left arm is than my right!

Porch Sitting

"30 days hath September" - and here we are at the very last one.  I'm sitting on the porch in the NC mts near Brevard watching the butterfly bush, the Eastern white pines, and leaves of what looks like a post oak from here, the blueberry bush, and a delightful tiny yellow flower that sprung up between the paving stones.
 I'm just being.  I removed my sling to allow a breather for my right elbow which still has a few scabs on it from the fall.  Amazing how long healing takes at this age.    But also amazing that I am healing so well.  Porch sitting is such a great place to heal in so many ways.

Healing Slowly

Here we are at the end of September.  I am ready for the delightful weather change with cooler mornings.  Unfortunately, for now I'm restricted to button-up-the-front clothes since I can't extend my right arm up, only down.  But, Oct. 7 I'll get out of the sling and begin some exercises to strengthen my shoulder muscles again.  I'm now in NC visiting with Frank at his home.  Wonderful break to be away from home for a few days where no chores are staring me in the face.  Will return by  Wednesday evening.  Fun to be in the mountains for a few days.  ……Here I am smiling - it was the first morning I'd been able to put on sleeves!  Before everything had to be pulled up from my feet - tank tops serving as under and outer wear!  I'll be so happy when I can pull a sweater over my head and arms!!!  Amazing how one learns to appreciate our bodies when they don't quite work the way we're used to.  Thank God for the beautifully designed, working bodies we have!

Angels Paying Attention

Today I must express gratitude (even if still only able to type with left hand).  My caretakers have all been absolutely diligent, loving, available, and capable.  From the beginning with Todd taking me to the ER and total care for all the days he was here before going to training in Albuquerque; Donna, my loving niece taking over and even finding time to build a beautiful wreath for my door, in addition to spending many days cleaning the Guest House and shopping for groceries, braiding my hair, etc.; then came brother Jim joining Donna in all those activities and more, and now friend Frank is here doing it all.  How can I even begin to thank Chris Fisher who has taken over the yoga classes from the day I fell, September 3, and continues to do so with great skill and devotion.  And many others have offered to help and made loving gifts and attention.  …… That is the key word.  Attention.  Those who pay attention are angels.

Good news on bones

Good news from doc.  Healing in place.  Keep wearing sling and avoid using right shoulder muscles until Oct 7.  Then we begin working them.  I am thrilled and ready to live this way to let my body heal itself.  I think I'll be able to drive any time I need to but haven't tried yet.  And will learn to lead yoga classes without using my right arm or my CD of instructions as soon as stamina returns.  Thanks be to God!  And to my wonderful caretakers to date: Todd, Donna,  and Jim.  

Update

 Already the 15th!  Typing with my left hand so short messages.  Here is photo of niece Donna and me with the lovely wreath she made for my front door while also care taking for several days. Tomorrow I return to orthopedist for second X-ray to see what the bones look like now.  Hopefully everything is still in place and I simply keep doing what I have been.  Brother Jim is here now.  Todd left yesterday for Albuquerque and hypnotherapy training.  Fun trip to airport with jim driving and a stop by Whole Foods on the way back.  My first outing in a while.  

Recovering Slowly

Now off powerful pain killers and somewhat lucid again.  Card from Susan and luke says it all.  Turtle is my power animal.  Typing with left hand not so good but best i can do for now.  Yoga classes continue with Chris teaching some and me some.  He's as good or better than i so come take advantage of him!

Broke Right Humerus

Broken right humerus but it aint humorous - wednesday morning.  Here I am at the ER after the fix.  Saturday morning….Now - patience.  orthopedist saying two breaks but totally in place - so just keeping it in place is the work.  Thx so much for all the sympathy, empathy and simple love that is clearly coming through.  Here is another photo - a braid!!!  Never thought Id grow enough length for a braid - but i have.  This left hand typing is a challenge!

She Plants

A beautiful quiet morning.  First on the deck at The Yogatorium meditating as the sun came up.  Fun starting in the dark.  Geese are flying daily now.  Are they going south?  Doesn't seem even remotely cool enough, but the days are shortening.  Surely they know more than I do.  Watering all the plants this morning one by one I felt a good connection to each one as I let the hose pour over the leaves and onto the soil around the stems.  By afternoon, all the leaves will be curled to conserve what water remains.  That plants are nourished by human attention appears to be true even in my case.  This summer I have felt closer to my plants and devoted more thought to each one.  No, I haven't given them individual names,  but I am remembering their common names!  One of my favorites is a beautiful vine now about 4 or 5 feet long from a chunk of sweet potato I started in a glass of water on the kitchen window sill.  It now lives on the porch and seems to grow a few new leaves each day.  I almost drowned my little philodendron vine but she seems to be recovering.  I forgot the pot was sitting in another pot which was holding water.  The spider plant is much healthier looking since I moved her to a larger pot giving her impacted roots room to spread.  I wonder why I refer to them as feminine?  Do I do animals the same or just plants?  Are all of God's creatures feminine in my eyes until proven otherwise?

Yoga is a Tool for Becoming Whole

Why do we practice yoga?  It is a way of becoming more healthy physically, mentally, and spiritually.  Yoga includes not only physical poses, but meditation, breathing, chanting,  all of which contribute to a wholeness of body, mind, and spirit.  Why does it bring your body into harmony with your mind and spirit?    Why be a Christian?  Why not be a Christian?  Why am I believer in another faith?  Why deal with who am I?  What am I doing here?  What is the meaning of my life?  What am I supposed to do with it?  …...   What are you looking for?  Is there a conflict between Yoga and Christianity?  What is it?  How do they fit together?  Why did I seek out Christianity?  Why did I leave the church?  What is it the church doesn't offer me?    We are here to answer the questions with the truth as you and I know it.  (There are no wrong answers or questions)…….  Why am I here at this retreat?   Why did you say "Yes" when Aunt Tilly told you to come? Take what you want and leave the rest.  This retreat offers an opportunity to share truths and  ideas in a safe, friendly group setting. You will also have plenty of time to be in your own space here  meditating, journaling, or just being.  October 17-18 at The Yogatorium.  A $10 deposit will hold your space.  Friday evening session is open to all who wish to attend.  Saturday program is limited to 10 participants.

Family Weekend

Away for the weekend visiting Luke and Susan's family in Atlanta area.  Here's a photo of me and Jack taken while we were checking to see if he is as tall as I yet - not quite, a couple more inches to go for the 14-year-old.  Astounding how fast they grow and mature.  Then Sam whisking Cookie Monster ice cream.  Delightful weekend making ice cream with Sam in our new ice cream churn.  On Saturday evening we made vanilla and yesterday Cookie Monster - blue.  Didn't get but one lick of the paddle but they both tasted great!  So, now more ice cream will be homemade by me!  I'll get back to the esoteric believer soon.

Christianity and Yoga

Christianity and Yoga.  Are they compatible? Are the science of yoga and the religion of Christianity truly compatible or are they in conflict?  My belief is that they support each other.  I'll be spending the next several weeks studying this and will occasionally pass along the development of my understanding.  Two words (exoteric and esoteric describing believers have come to my attention from Justin O'Brien's A Meeting of Mystic Paths: Christianity and Yoga that have helped me.  Exoteric- the conventional approach to religious truth in our culture wherein believers feel at home among the Bible, the dogmas, beliefs, and rituals with an emphasis on communion and fellowship.  These believers live within the borders of their beliefs, which define their religious consciousness.  The Baptist has one way, the Quaker another.  The symbols of a preferred denomination--the church's beliefs and activities - define for believers their attitude toward life's expectations.   I am paraphrasing his words.  I have often envied the exoteric believers their comfort and security in their beliefs.  I, too, have a strong belief system in place from my Lutheran upbringing.  But somehow I know there is more and am exploring the more.  Tomorrow I'll write about the esoteric believer.   As a clue, one of my teachers refers to us as "believers in exile."

Guest House and Grounds Work

Can't believe it's been 6 days since I wrote.  My apologies to my followers.  Much has been going on.  In particular, work on the guest house and grounds.  Here's a photo of mulch being put in place.  Fortunately, Frank's 1985 Dodge pickup has a dump bed and it made the mulch distribution much more efficient.  In less than an hour 3 cubic yards of hardwood mulch was put in place!  Some around the guest house and some in front of my cottage.  The painting of the interior has been completed. Jim, my  brother spent three nights there as our first guest and now Grace is staying a few nights.  So, even before official opening September 1, the guest house is in use.  (The fleas appear to have fled.)  While Jim was here he put in many hours of labor washing windows whose frames  must not have been cleaned in ten years!  So, things are moving right along.  Amazing how much fun it is to have a place to actually use some of the accumulated stuff lying around in my shed and cottage that is really extraneous.  If you have extraneous stuff that an empty house might need, pass it on.  If it's not needed, I'll pass it along to the Faith Home, my favorite charity.  Please make it simple items.  I'm determined to maintain a feeling of spaciousness throughout with virtually no decoration other than candles, small lamps, floor cushions, etc.  It is intended as a house of serenity and peace.

Namaloha

What a great couple of days!  Brother Jim has been here working very hard on the guest house washing windows, cleaning carpet, and many other chores!  What a blessing to have this time with him working side by side much of the time.  He is the first to have slept in the guest house.  We also did some shopping for mattresses and box springs.  Soon we will have three single beds and a queen one so that all four bedrooms will be ready for sleepers.  This project is such fun!  It's almost like playing house when we were children except this time - it really is a house.  One bedroom is all blue ("Summer Breeze"), one is off-white with one wall blue, one is off-white with a yellow wall and the master bedroom is all off-white ("Coconut Milk").  Finally, the utility room is all of those colors in some place or another.  The kitchen cupboards have all been cleaned inside and shelf paper put in place.  It is truly amazing how much fun I'm having with this project!  I can only imagine how much pleasure my guests will have staying there.  Did I tell you the fleas are gone?  At least for now.  Stay tuned for more on the creation of Namaloha (combination of Namaste and Aloha - sort of a hello/goodbye greeting).  Not set in stone yet so if you have a better suggestion for a name for our guest house, spit it out!

Pond Project

The dam decisions have been made.  In February the dam will be broken and drained so it can dry.  By March or April, depending on the drying process - that is how much rain we get  - the work will be done rebuilding the dam and clearing all the surrounding area so that we can have access to the entire perimeter.  A major undertaking, but what a lovely view I am envisioning!  We are accepting donations to assist in this project - estimated to cost $13,000.  I know there are those of you out there who would like to contribute. Please make checks payable to Mayland Farm or to Jaquie Haymond, whichever you prefer, and write on your check "Pond Project."…….AND, please come fish and don't throw them back!  We may have a fish netting party when the dam is broken, but it would be great for you to come catch all you can before that!  Todd, Jim, and I ate 9 delicious bream last night for supper.  You truly should take advantage of this opportunity!

Dam Renovation

This morning from the porch I am envisioning the Pond being drained to renovate the dam, which is leaking.  Much of my serenity comes from the water.  I am trying to envision the water 99% gone with hopefully enough water left in the middle to keep some of the fish and turtles alive.  It's not a pretty picture.  On the other hand, one of the major learnings I gained from my forestry training is that in order for new life to exist, space must be created.  That is, old trees must be removed so new ones can be born and thrive.  So it is with all of life.  "Out with the old, in with the new."  The Pond is about two feet lower than it was designed to be. The plan is to restore it to the original state.  It will be an exciting adventure to watch the process - particularly after the work of humans
is done and renewal is left in the hands of God!

Listen to Your Life

A partial quote from Frederick Buechner (Beekner) friend John sent.  Comes from Ariana Huffington's "Thrive."  Listen to your life.  See it for the fathomless mystery that it is.  In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden part of it, because in the last analysis, all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.   WOW!  Listen.   How rare are the times when I manage to do that.  Even here in this paradise of quiet where listening is so easy.  Where noise is at a minimum and all sounds are from God.  At this moment a mourning dove is calling.  An entire day is ahead of me with no demands.  What a blessing it is to be ….. to just be.  To be still and listen.  To my life.  …..all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace…….

Faith

Goodness!  Where do the days go?  This morning I have a delightful read for you from Frederick Buechner's "Wishful Thinking".  Faith is better understood as a verb than as a noun, as a process than as a possession.  It is on-again-off-again rather than once-and-for-all.  Faith is not being sure where you're going, but going anyway.  A journey without maps.  Tillich said that doubt isn't the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith…..Amy introduced us to this man's writing Sunday at our "Finding Spirit Here Now" meeting.  It is absolutely delightful!  If you haven't sampled it, please do!  I love that "faith is not being sure where you're going, but going anyway."  That's me.

Guest House Painting

Again, I'm on the porch, with a light sweater on, relishing the absolutely beautiful morning.  The sun is breaking over the trees and making long shadows on the Pond and the Labyrinth.  Last evening,  two does and a fawn jumped the fence into the pasture and danced over to the water for their evening cocktail.  And, hundreds of blackbirds (grackles, I think) perched in two maple trees at the edge of the dam and then all at once flew west together in a beautiful mass of black that seemed endless.  This morning it is quiet.  Only the coffee maker is sounding.  Since I have my hearing aids in, I can hear lots of tiny high-pitched sounds of insects and small birds.  What a happy place this is!  ……Soon, we will be able to share it with anyone who wishes to enjoy The Pond.  The guest house is being painted inside and so far all rooms have Kilz at least and we are closing in on paint - only two rooms left to get their new coats of paint.  Fortunately both the bathrooms are done - the really time-consuming ones.  Probably the last two will get done today.  At any rate, September 1, if not before, we will open it to guests.  Several years ago we had weekend guests who enjoyed the entire facility for two or three days and we look forward to doing that again.  The photo is Todd painting the primer. Notice how very dark the room is--the whole house was that same dark paneling.  Soooooo, now the light will shine. In many ways.  We hope to increase the numbers of people who come for yoga, energy healing, spiritual companioning, and JUST BEING.   It is a great place for personal retreats and even groups of friends.  The guest house has four bedrooms and two baths and, of course, a full kitchen.

The Happy Place

Good morning!  What a lovely morning - it is actually cool.  I even went into the winter clothes for a light jacket!  We are so very fortunate living here in the Southeast.  Have you ever thought about the fact that here we get almost four seasons almost equal in length?  That is one of the facts that makes this a delightful part of the country in which to live.  When I left South Carolina in 1954 to begin my life away from home as a new bride, we swore we would never come back to South Carolina.  Amazing what maturity can do to a person - and to the State of South Carolina.  Now we are a nesting place for a wide diversity of transplants from all over the country who also know what a delightful place we live in.  Thanks be to God for them and for this happy place where I live.  Does the "happy place" remind you of Brer Rabbit?  I've got to google and find out if I'm remembering correctly.  Or, perhaps you can tell me?

Guest House improvements

So, back to work this morning after a day off yesterday.  Here are a couple photos of what's going on in the guest house.  Building a new floor and the finished product with new cabinets and countertop and sink.  Coconut milk paint on walls and cupboards.  This place is gonna be so nice I'm probably going to be the first guest to stay there for a while!  4 bedrooms, 2 baths, and freshly painted throughout - that is when we finish!  Today it's back to battling fleas with bombs under the house and around the outside.  Fortunately, I have yet to be bitten.  Guess my pheromones aren't to their liking.

Meanwhile, Back at the Pond

I know you must think I've fallen  off the edge of the world!  Life has been so very busy lately I've lost my routine but am determined now to recover those lovely parts of it - like writing my posts.  The fleas are still my biggest problem but there has been some improvement.  Now we get ready for the next onslaught .  We understand there needs to be 3 generations fought to win the war.  So it may still be a couple more weeks of battles.  I'm finding it hard to understand how the renters could have lived with the many fleas that appear to have been here.  Every day one still appears on someone's body.  BUT, we will win this war.  Meanwhile, the interior of the guest house is beginning to look truly beautiful!  We are covering all of the walls and ceilings with  fresh paint (Kilz first, of course to block out the old wallpaper - no point in trying to remove it).  The walls of the master bedroom and the kitchen cupboards are now sporting a beautiful paint called "Coconut Milk."  How's that for New Age health nuts!  Kitchen report tomorrow.  Also, some photos.

Litchfield Inn

Frank and I have taken a break from the flea eradication project and are spending a weekend at the Litchfield Inn in Pawleys Island.  No photos yet, but will get some today - particularly as we tour Brookgreen Gardens.  Already a morning walk on the beach following breakfast.  More beach stuff this afternoon as the sun lowers a bit.  It is already very hot out there.  I have spent many pleasant weeks here - a month last December. Long before that I spent a week with U.S. Forest Service foresters here each fall as facilitator of their training Clemson University offered.  So, a short time off and back to the routine on Monday.  Nothing like a quick break - and of course, those of you who know me well - I'm a great believer in breaks - both short and long!

Fleas and Such

Goodness - I've been home since Saturday (Day 15 of Hilton Head trip) and no posts?  Well, things have been busy getting back into the routine, but today was a brand new experience.  Donna discovered yesterday that the empty guest house next door is infested with fleas - she came out with several bites.  So, Frank and I went into Lowe's, bought bomb/foggers and came back and set them up throughout - 9 of them.  So, in a couple hours we can go over and open up the windows and air things out.  Presumably the fleas will all be dead!  Is that dreaming?  We'll see.  Anyway, dogs are not welcome here!  Tomorrow Susan returns.  Thursday Todd returns.  And then, Reid and Michael on Thursday or Friday.  So, the guest house is really needed!  Will be working on cleaning everything as soon as we get rid of the fleas - hopefully tonight!  One of the fun things of managing rental property!  More about the new guest house soon.

Luke's New Shoes - Day 13 at HH

Last night at Salty Dog there were thousands of people!  Luke stood at the bar waiting forever for our drinks.  Here's a view of his brand new crazy shoes - yellow soles, grey suede tops!!!  Great fun with pizza at Fat Baby Pizza and blue ice cream at Hilton Head Ice Cream - really fun night out.

Day 12 at Hilton Head Island

Highlight of yesterday was evening sail with Jim - from 5 pm to 8 pm.  Choppy water, beautiful wind, cool, truly lovely sunset.  This week is flying by now.  Only 3 days left and then it's home again.  For the first time, Luke cooked crab legs last night - absolutely delicious - clearly something to repeat next summer!  Tonight we'll go out to Salty Dog over at South Beach - haven't made that jaunt yet.  One attraction is the photo of Beaux (Bob's bull mastiff) that is STILL up on the ceiling of the store! Always fun to revisit Beaux.  The store ceiling is totally covered with photos of dogs. ALso, that's where we got our first blue ice cream.  Here's a couple photos from our sailing trip yesterday.

Day 10 at Hilton Head Island

OK.  Here I am on the beach.  Jim and I did an early morning walk at Tower Beach near South Beach in Sea Pines, for those of you who are familiar with Hilton Head Island.  The day has been a beautiful one, with many short trips here and there.

Day 8 at Hilton Head

Here is Luke's family the night of fireworks on the 18th green at Harbor Town, Hilton Head Island.  Luke, Jack, Susan and Sam in front.  What a fun evening that was!  Beautiful fireworks.  Great tradition being here together.  

Day 9 at Hilton Head

Big time yesterday.  Afternoon with Jim, Jeff and Kate on Jim's boat for beer and visiting.  Then, supper at Captain Woody's, our favorite restaurant on the island!  All nine of us eating seafood - me, my very favorite scallops!  Photo is of me and niece Kate - everyone seems to think we have similar profiles, hence the pose.  Kate and I have been great admirers of each other ever since she was a very young child.  Both of us are yoga studio owners and teachers - she in Savannah and me in Ninety Six.  She is 45, I am 81.  What a thrill it is to actually sit side by side once in a while - at least every July 4th week at Hilton Head.  Today is a rainy one so we are going through trays of slides selecting those to have made into a CD and then to iCloud for posterity.

Day Six at Hilton Head

Kelsey and GJ

Tate's family left yesterday afternoon.  Luke's will arrive shortly.  Traffic here is unbelievably busy - never seen it quite this busy, perhaps because 4th is on Friday and many can be here just for the long weekend.  Anyway, it's nice to be tucked away in Shipyard Plantation among the live oaks, palmettos and Spanish moss.  Our place is on the edge of the golf course, so we do see golfers going by but that just adds to the pleasure of being here.  Hurricane Arthur has totally missed us it seems; perhaps a bit of rain tonight but nothing heavy expected.  I have had one night here alone and enjoyed the break and quiet.  Still, eager for the next crew to arrive.  I can't express my joy at sharing this time with my two sons and their families.  I feel so blessed to have an "intact" family with no serious problems of any kind.  The kids are all smart, attractive, and well behaved.  The parents are happy, productive, caring and doing well financially.  One set has been married 25 years and the other 18.  I know that in itself is a fabulous accomplishment.  Forgive me for bragging, but I can't resist!  Here's the blue ice cream!

Day 4 at Hilton Head (Tuesday)

This morning I walked the path here in Shipyard rather than on the beach.  The early morning walk here from the house to the golf club house is not quite a half hour, but an interesting one - always something new to see.  This morning, the huge hanging of Spanish moss caught my eye.  And, I remembered we have no real photo of the house.  So both will be included here.  Also, a shot of Tate's family eating dessert.  Last night it was blue ice cream!  Everyone's tongue was blue!  At least all the kids and I had blue tongues.  The adults passed. We'll do that again so I can get a photo.  We are all going kayaking on the sound at 1:00, not out into the ocean.  Looking forward to that.  Several years ago I did my first and only other one.  Yesterday Jim and I bought supper at the new huge Kroger store deli and had a delightful visit for a couple hours while the others met friends from home for dinner out.  Jim and I haven't had a brother/sister visit in a very long time - I treasure them an
d so does he.

Day Two at Hilton Head Island (Sunday)

Day Two at Hilton Head Island at our time share in Shipyard Plantation where we have vacationed for more than a decade.  I began the morning with my usual meditation and rituals and then a nice long walk on the beach.  Here are a couple photos.  First time I've seen a jellyfish with her stalk extended so clearly.  This is a Cannonball common on our beaches.  Looked it up in "Nature Guide to the Carolina Coast."

Family is Forever

Well, one more day here at the Pond and I'm off tomorrow noon for Hilton Head Island for two weeks in a time share on Shipyard Plantation.  My family has been doing this July 4th two weeks for many years now and it is a highlight of my life.  Other than Thanksgiving and Christmas, this is our only time during the year when we are together.  The photo was taken last Christmas when we were clearly all having a jolly time.  This is what life is really all about - family love and togetherness.   I hope your 4th of July break is as full of fun and love as ours always are!

Free-writes

Great morning meditation.  Now on the porch watching fish jump and just being.  A good day to just be.   The dog next door is still barking - now 90% of the time.  She is very old.  Wonder if she is lonely or angry or scared of dying?  I'm finally learning that "dying is a part of living" is a good way of looking at it.  That's what my mother's long-time African-American friend (70 years) always said.  And it is consoling.  My goal is to LIVE until I die rather than getting there and having regrets.  My bucket list is getting shorter every week.  As a matter of fact, I can't think of anything at all on it this morning.  How's that for a way to start a day! For an "achiever" (Enneagram type 3) I'd say I've come a long way, baby.  Actually, I think I've grown into an "Adventurer" (type 7) and happy where I am.  Seeking to avoid pain as a "Happiness Specialist."  And, actually doing very well at it, if I do say so! But then, I've always been looking for the next great space!  (How in the world did this post evolve into this?)  Nothing like free-writes to open the heart.

Mistress Mary, How does your garden grow?

Look at my beautiful spaghetti squash!  There's a big one and another small one - in my garden right at my front steps!  I planted seed from one I bought at the grocery store and now I have vines growing all over the place  - looks like they may make 20 feet before they are through.  But, only three fruits so far.  None cooked yet.  Another beautiful HOT day on the way.  Makes one happy to just be alive watching things grow with plenty of water and much energy from the sun pouring down.   Mistress Mary, How does your garden grow?

Beauty of the Pond

Want you to see a beautiful photo friend Frank took while here recently.  It is so unbelievably lovely here now - even with the temperatures so high.  I'm not quite sure how long these 90s are gonna last, but with air conditioning it is only an inconvenience.  Still, it feels more like August than June.  Have a nice big spaghetti squash in my garden.  What a kick it is to have such good luck - saved seeds from one and then planted them in little pots, transplanted to the garden, and now!  I'll get a photo in the morning - too dark right now.  Life is beginning to settle down a bit again so I'll do a better job (I think) of getting regular posts in.  Sleep well, all.

Creativity - Frank's Pens

Sitting on the screened porch again.  The Pond is almost totally quiet again.  I love it like this.  Saturday's yoga class had a delightful gift - two beautiful deer were walking the labyrinth!  They stood with ears pointed upward listening and then nibbling something from the earth - probably attractive because of the new-mown areas.  Take a look at the beautiful pens my friend, Frank, brought for me - He made them! All some kind of exotic woods.  Such a wonderful gift to have friends who are so very creative!  Somehow my friends who come here all seem to be very creative, but then, aren't we all?  Thanks be to God!

Quiet Time Interrupted

It has been six days since I last wrote.  Unbelievably busy time in my life.  The major reason I have been writing posts for the blog less often is I have a delightful pen pal I am communicating with daily and much of my writing has been going into that process.  It is not truly satisfying the yearning I have to write these posts, so I am back at it this morning.  One of the most emotionally disturbing things that has been going on is barking dogs at the neighbors.  So annoying I have asked them to move and so eventually, hopefully by the end of this month, that annoyance will disappear.  It has really tested my patience particularly early in the mornings when I do my meditation on the deck.  They start the moment I leave my cottage and are still at it this morning now an hour later while I sit on my back porch.  The quiet here is its most precious quality and I will protect it.  For several years now I have known that to find Me, to find my real Self, I must find quiet.  Not only me, but those who come here for release…..Sara (a Pod Sister) and I had a delightful two days together.  Yesterday we had lunch at Fusion and a Happy Feet foot massage afterwards.  What a delightful excursion!  Mostly, though, we have shared our lives since our last visit.  What a joy to have a friend with whom all can be shared!  She is waking now and will be leaving within the hour, so I'll end for this morning.

Doing Unrequired Things

Birds are really busy singing this morning.  Many different voices, few of which I recognize - but did hear the owl.  Always a nice voice to hear.  Yesterday was a lovely one - so much so I feel energized this morning and yet totally relaxed and eager to continue this feeling of "I'm OK" just as I am.  So often I'm DOING something to accomplish something - today I'll do some more of just being.  And do the little unrequired things - like repotting the lovely fern Pam gave me which has overgrown its surroundings.  Like pulling a few weeds.  Perhaps studying a bit more of "Infinite Self" which Frank recommended to me and kept me absorbed all day long yesterday.  This morning I did a recommended practice of moving rocks from one place to another and then moving them back!!!!  Ask and I'll tell you what that is designed to do for me….Right now I'm enjoying the beauty of the stillness of he Pond, the sound of birds chirping, a turtle jumping into the Pond with a big plopping sound, a fish jumping on the other side, the sun rising, almost over the trees, but not yet.  My tea.  The joy of knowing I am not required to do or be until 2:00 pm when a man comes to look at the dam leak - almost six hours of freedom.  How blessed I am!

Being with What is

Living with what is occurs when there is no comparison.  To live with what is, is to be peaceful.  Why is it I find myself comparing so often?  If I can recognize when I'm comparing and end it, peace will come is the promise of Krishnamurti in Freedom From the Known.  What is for me this morning is a freedom to be and do whatever. There are no scheduled activities.  How I relish such times.    Today I shall attempt to recognize when I'm comparing  and stop.  I shall be with what is.

Paradise

What a beautiful morning!  for the first time in a long while, I'm on the screened porch watching the world warm up.  There is a tiny bit of movement on the surface of the Pond but mostly, everything is still.  An airplane is way off in the distance - I can just barely hear it's soft roar.  No deer are out yet at the labyrinth but yesterday during yoga class two were there.  All of us enjoyed watching them….The dog next door is still barking, but now that I know she will be leaving soon, it doesn't bother me quite so much.  It has been a mighty tough trial for me to attempt to ignore it - without much success, I must say. ... Two birds are conversing - one to my left and the other way over to the right.  No frogs talking.  The photo shows a dragonfly on my foot while I was sunbathing beside the Pond yesterday.  Ah, how fortunate I am to be living in this paradise!