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.