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.

Freedom from Clutter

I'm off at noon for Hilton Head and family time!  It's been fun preparing by decluttering much of my tiny cottage so that it will be fun to return!  Had the whole day off yesterday to do just that.  Not through, but much progress.  This decluttering notion is a powerful route to freedom.  Even a small drawer is a good start, but the surfaces, that's the real payoff.  Clean surfaces mean freedom!  It's good for the soul.  Actually, I've moved much of the stuff into my 4-runner, but perhaps I'll leave some of it behind in the trash before I return home.

Connections

It's Thursday, the beginning of my quieter time with only one class today and one Saturday.  I am so blessed to have many new people among those doing yoga with me.  Each time I meet with a new one, I realize how blessed we both are to have found each other.  And, my spiritual companioning groups expand my horizons beyond my wildest dreams.  On Saturday after class, I'll head for the family time-share in Shipyard at Hilton Head for two weeks of connecting with my sons and their families, my brother Jim and his wife Anne, and their daughter Kate.  How fortunate I am to have FAMILY.  How fortunate I am to be able to connect with them at least annually.  Connecting with friends and family, I have learned in my elder years, is truly the most important factor in achieving happiness.  I didn't know this in my earlier years, but I do now.   Then I was busy trying to be "somebody", as Ram Dass says. Now I'm learning to be "nobody" and in so doing become closer to being connected to the One.  What a kick!  (The photo is me at the Pod Folly Beach house.)

Really back in business now.

OK.  Now I'll try to give you something worth looking at.  Here's Jack and Sam last summer at Hilton Head's Captain Woody's, our favorite bar/restaurant - a must go each year for probably a dozen years.  I've not yet figured out how to get new photos into my restored laptop, but am making progress.  Maybe by the end of my vacation coming up, I'll have that down pat, too - with the help of family.  This week I hold my last yoga classes and spiritual sessions before my July month of vacation.  The first two weeks will be spent at Hilton Head and the next two????  Not yet planned.  Will simply jump at whatever appeals to me most when I return on the 16th - or maybe I'll camp out on Jim's boat a few days before coming home.  The most interesting thing that's happened to me since last writing - I'm deep into Reiki training now.  Todd got me started and last Saturday I attended an all-day Level I training getting two attunements (don't ask me what they are - it'll take too much to explain, not even sure I understand yet - but am now beginning to practice  on friends Todd and Millie and hopefully family next week.  It's an energy-healing practice of Japanese origin.  Google if you're interested, or come out and let me practice on you when I get back into business in August. Let me just say the effects on me are astounding - people are beginning to say I look younger!!!  How's that for a winner!  Stay tuned.  I'm planning to write often now.

Back in business?

I can't believe it - looks like I might actually be back in the blog posting business!  Hold on to your hats.  We'll see if it works.

Ramblings on a Monday morning

The past few days have been recovery from much activity days with lots of reading, meditating, walking, swing chair and hammock time, and just enjoying being alive.  There was a quick trip to Atlanta to see Kelsey graduate from high school - then just being.  I'm eager for this new week and rejuvenated by my new plans!  I've found three training sessions that I MUST go to - one in June, August, and late September - two at Omega in NY and the other at Yogaville in VA.  That should keep me inspired.  I've begun investigating energy healing (Reiki) and like what I see so far - which is not very far - but a beginning.  I love beginnings!  Endings are good too.  All my years of being connected with school calendars turned me into a lover of ends of school and also new beginnings in the fall - or whenever they occur.  During my ten years of secretarying, I had 13 different jobs - always moving into better situations where there were new things to learn - my favorite was a part-time one that allowed me time to play my guitar and sew, etc.  Oh yes, I finally got my new sewing machine up and running - got it several months ago online, 24-hour special - and had a fun session with it yesterday.  Now my crafts room will stay a mess with patterns, threads, cloth, all over the place.  That's why rooms have doors - to shut off clutter!  Enough rambling for one day.  Time for a tea refill and a meditation session.