Sharing

Another absolutely lovely spring day on the way!  Yesterday I got all the outside windows washed and today I'll do more inside while it's a bit cool then move outside to paint a couple of things and do a bit more cleaning out of the carport shed.  Need more potting soil and a couple more flowers to plant in an empty planter.  Everything seems to be thriving so far and that inspires me to plant more!   A couple of photos taken recently to update you on the labyrinth and the view from it of the Yogatorium…..Today is another stay-at-home day which gives me the opportunity to just be - my favorite thing in life…..a great find at Susan's yard sale yesterday - a one-quart copper-bottomed pan I had intended trying to buy new somewhere for many months and simply never got around to doing it.  After a bit of spit and polish it looks almost new.  What a joy to be sharing stuff from a friend's home!  Some day I'm gonna make a list of all the items I have in my cottage that originated from someone else's life.  I know they are much more meaningful than stuff I buy at a store.  Sharing - that's what a good life is all about.  (I knew if I wrote long enough this morning, some good message would show up!)

Spring Continued.

Goldfinches on the water at the fountain.  Unfortunately the 6-year-old solar-powered fountain has died, but the bowl still holds water, so the birds probably like it just as well.  But, me?  I will have to order another fountain.  Got pine straw distributed to more trees and plants and it is amazing how nice it makes everything look - despite the fact that I live in a "yard" filled with weeds, very few blades of grass, and this year so far, very few dandelions!  And the bees have died!  Not just ours, but others have dead bees also. And my sago palm I brought from Clemson also seems to have given up all its life - So far no green showing.  Did our winter do this?   Lettuce is ready to begin pulling leaves - I'll wait another day or two perhaps and use up the store-bought stuff while the lettuce gets a bit more growth.  Have two new spaghetti squash plants peeking out of the potting soil!  Put seeds from the one I ate last week or so into a tiny pot and  voila!  Plants!  Amazing grace!

Springtime - Baby Geese Swim

Three baby geese came out of hiding for a swim with their parents just now!!!  They swam rapidly across the Pond out onto the bank and up to the labyrinth.  By the time I got there, they were almost in the labyrinth but saw me and headed away to the little inlet through the tall grass so I couldn't get a photo.   A first for the Pond.  At least, a first for my seeing them. …... Finches and red-winged blackbirds are on the feeders…...  Getting ready to go blow off the deck.  Strange thing happening there - tiny green leaves are all over it - fallen from the very old persimmon tree that hangs out over the deck.  I'm afraid my beautiful big persimmon tree must be dying.  Otherwise, why would new green leaves fall off?  This daughter of a Davey Tree man and forest resources professor myself has no idea.  Any one else? I can't recall ever seeing new leaves on the ground.  Certainly not a big enough wind lately to do that.  ….Boiling new hummingbird water….after I was gone for Easter weekend they left (empty feeders) and I haven't yet gotten them back.  Ah, cardinals now on the feeders, both males and females.  Spring!  How I love it.  I even washed windows yesterday and am contemplating repainting my bedroom chest of drawers.    

Family

Family!  What a joy to have two whole days and nights with them!  First at Luke's where Sam promptly reminded me that his birthday is always 5 days after mine!  Thanks goodness - they all know now I never look at my birthday calendar.  Must get them onto my mac, then perhaps I'll look!  Seems as if I'm becoming attached to my iPhone and Mac even tho I swore I never would.  Times change so fast now!  I was sort of happy to find that even Sam, the family Apple expert, gave up on trying to do something with my web site!  Never thought I'd see that.  So now I feel better about my own frustrations with the stuff.  ….The latest craze among the kids is sleeping in hammocks!  Here's the eldest grandson, Tate's and Wendy's son Walker in his back yard and with me in the kitchen.

Catching up

Did spend the night on the deck - here I am last Thursday night!  I had so many clothes on I got sweaty and had to get up and take some off during the night.  Otherwise, a great night's sleep and I'll do it again.  Amazing how much cleaner the air I breathed!  Since then - all kinds of fun things happening. Right now still in Atlanta at Luke's but going this morning for a seaweed wrap and then a bit of shopping and then - finally back home for yoga class at 6 this evening.  This has been a long birthday celebration and I LOVE it.

Fulfilling Dreams

The photo is of me 5 years ago at the Atlanta airport on my way alone to two months in Kinsale, Ireland - one of my biggest dreams fulfilled……...Great group here this morning for yoga and a delightful friend for healing session afterwards.  Then, back to Nature's Remedies for Illumination and Infrared Sauna again.  This time, an important revelation that I had not been able to discern came about through the combination.  It's much too personal to talk about, but so happy with the learning.  After all, that's one of my most important activities in life - learning. …….Tonight I'm going to fulfill a long-time dream and spend the night on the Yogatorium deck in a sleeping bag, on a twin mattress, with plenty of cover available on top.  I also have a wool cap with ear flaps, gloves, socks, heavy sweat pants, silk undershirt, and sweat hoodie.  If I get cold, all I have to do is walk up the steps into the back door of the Yogatorium.  Perhaps you'd like to make bets as to whether or not I'll make it to sunrise?  What I've dreamed of is sleeping under the stars and that's what I'll be doing.  I would have preferred it to be a bit warmer, but I can't wait - want this done before my birthday - which is tomorrow - so tonight's the night.  Also, will stand on my head before I go to the deck.  Another promise I've made to myself to do on my birthdays.  It's truly fun now getting to all the things I've dreamed of doing and not yet accomplished.  Won't be long before I've finished the list - well, maybe not since I keep adding new challenges!  As you might guess, all of this has to do with spiritual growth and silence - kind of like a mini vision quest for a woman who is getting younger each day.

Becoming - I AM THAT!

Jaquie 2013

Well, the Lenten season is winding down with an exciting time ahead for the next several days and many different celebrations occurring at the churches.  If you are not participating within a church, perhaps you are celebrating in your own way the springtime of resurrection and renewal.  Death to old ways and a new life with Spirit leading you along your chosen path.  I have begun special meditations honoring this theme.  To me, this is as good a time as the beginning of the new calendar year on January 1 to make distinct differences in the way I live.  There is something inspiring about the blossoms bursting forth on the daffodils, thrift, forsythia, tulips, dogwoods, and many more.  Yesterday lying in the hammock I saw not only the red seeds but also tiny new green leaves on the red maple tree limb above my hammock.  With such obvious renewal, how can I NOT think of renewal of my Self?   So what is changing?  I am becoming  - that's it.  I'm still becoming.  In spite of the many years gone by (I'll be 81 on Friday) my life seems to be always one of becoming.  Becoming what?  It's not always so well defined that I can express it in words.  But it's still true.  I'll meditate on that a bit.  What AM I becoming?  Ahhh, I AM THAT!

Many Happy Happenings

Well, my editor returned my book manuscript and I have MUCH work to do., which was not unexpected.  I will have to delay working on it until I can find a couple of weeks relatively free  - maybe June or July.  We'll see.  I am proud that I actually put it all together into book form, and I was well aware there was much more work to be done.  Just not this week!  My weeks keep filling up with delightful things to do that I simply can't turn down.  Friday Penny brought her Humanities class out for a first Yoga for Any Body session.  I believe only one of the students had done any yoga. Yesterday I had the delight of a first-time meeting with a very special woman when I served as her spiritual companion. This coming week I'm going over to Wesley Commons and demonstrate Chair Yoga and Yoga for Any Body to a group of potential students.  It seems that every week turns up some new experience.  What a terrifically interesting life I have. Spending a couple nights with son Luke and his family in Suwanee (Atlanta area) for Easter weekend is especially pleasing to anticipate.  The photos are  Earth paintings done by one of my dear friends who is enamored with red soil!

EnergyHealing Sessions

Healing sessions following yoga classes are now filled except for this morning -   Cancellation so available for one treatment immediately following class and tentatively one April 16.   It is truly exciting getting an opportunity to be with so many new people who are open to energy healing and spiritual growth.  Our community is growing by leaps and bounds with whole new segments of our population finding us - artists and young people are the latest.  If your "group" is not a part of this awakening to this experience, you might want to give us a call and set up a time to try energy healing.   864-506-5063 or email yogatorium@ninetysix.net.

You gotta try this!

What an exciting experience yesterday!  I took advantage of a special offer now at Nature's Remedies in Greenwood.  A 30-minute Reiki session with Todd followed by 20 minutes in the Infrared Sauna with delightful colorful lights flashing softly and soothing music - in addition to the heat!  All for only $25 during this special event.  The most beautiful meditation session I have enjoyed in a long time.  I feel (even this morning) completely renewed! Call Todd if you want to take advantage of this.  515-371-5838.  Another reminder - Spring Cleaning of chakras at the Yogatorium following classes continues through April 17.  Space available April 10, 14, 15, 16, and 17.  Call Jaquie 864-506-4063 for appointment.

Hummingbird Scout

WHEE!  The first hummingbird showed up yesterday and now this morning at my feeder!  Good weather can't be far behind now for sure.  (The photo is from last year.) Dogwoods are blooming and the whole world is YELLOW! Bluebirds are bringing in twigs to the box and I've planted - a couple of perennial plants at the Yogatorium - bee balm and butterfly bush.  And more in the garden, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.  Nothing like sticking my hands into the Earth to feed my Self  And, my Self is also being fed by the many new yoga students who are coming to classes now.  And, healing sessions are underway with many new takers.  All in all, life is good.  What a wondrous time it is when the world begins to awaken in the Spring.  Soon we won't be able to see into the woods because the green leaves are beginning to show up and soon will wall off the view into the woods.  Ah, a red-winged blackbird has joined the cardinals at the feeders.  Actually, not one but three.  I set up the small fountain again yesterday and then by evening had to change the water to get rid of the pollen!  Fortunately I'm not suffering physically and can actually be glad for the new season.  How blessed we are in this part of the world where we enjoy four nearly equal time-wise seasons.   I could do without the cold
winter, but all the rest is delightful!

Clinging Poem/Prayer

I must share this.  I shared it with my Finding Spirit Here Now group last Sunday and have been asked to give copies to others.  It comes from my little book entitled "That You May Have Life.  Let the Mystics Be Your Guide for Lent."  (Sorry this is so tiny font size - can't seem to adjust it.  If you'd like a copy in larger size, email me at yogatorium@ninetysix.net)

Cling to Nothing - Thomas a Kempis
If you are constantly in search of this or that,

wanting to be anywhere

but where you are,

believing that you will be happier

having more or being somewhere else,

you will never know peace,

never be free of care.

In everything and every place

you will find something lacking.

Adding things to your life,

multiplying them,

will not bring you peace.

Only by cutting back

and breaking their control over your life

will you find peace.

This applies not only

to money and riches,

but to the desire for honor, for praise,

and for an undemanding life.

Don’t desire what you do not have.

And do not cling to anything

which stands

in the way of your freedom in God.

Cling to nothing

that stands between your soul

and its freedom.

In the dying of this day

help me to glimpse

the first light of a new day

and the beginnings of a new life.

Tomorrow I will not find more peace

than I have in all my yesterdays.

Nor will I be free of care

by adding things to my life

or by looking somewhere other than

where I am.

I will not be happier having more

or being somewhere else.

Your peace waits for me where I am.

Drum Circle

Drum Circle at The Yogatorium

April 13 is the date for the next Drum Circle/Fire Ceremony.  Sunday, at 7:00 pm we gather here at The Yogatorium around the fire pit.  Bring your drum, rattle or flute or just come and visit.  We will look forward to an inspiring evening around the fire together.  By all means, bring friends! Everyone is welcome.  You are welcome to come earlier and walk the labyrinth before dark if you wish.  Call for more information and directions:  864-506-4063 or email
yogatorium@ninetysix.net.

High Spirits of Spring

Star Magnolia in March

FINALLY - spring has sprung into the 80s!  First sun bath in the hammock yesterday - my spirits are soaring!  I am truly a warm weather woman.  Planted sage, lavender, parsley, okra, cucumber, red pepper, and more coming today when I go to town!  What a great relaxer putting my hands into the soil! ……. lovely group of school teachers from Ninety Six high school coming out on Tuesday afternoons now for yoga.  They are all so enthusiastic my own enthusiasm grows.  Occasionally I have doubts that I am doing what I should be doing ----until a class shows up and I KNOW I'm on the right track.  Thanks to all of my students - but a special thank you to the men who are showing up.  Of course, I don't believe they are reading the blog - but I never cease to be surprised, so maybe they are.  Also a special thanks to those students who bring friends.  In case you don't know, when a guest of yours pays $20 for 5 classes, you get five free classes for bringing them into the fold.  So, keep bringing friends.  As the title indicates, the classes are Yoga for Any Body.  I guarantee you'll feel better - if not, you can get your money back!