Spring Clean UP

I do not know about you, but I get an itch to clean in the spring. This year my studio is my first focus. I need assistance to stay on task. My neighbor, who is the best person to assist me in this troublesome task, was willing to come over.

Today was the day to start on the studio. We actually have one section cleaned out. Some items were boxed for yard sale, some for garbage and others (the hard to let go pieces of art by my son) went into the memories box. My favorite part of today is when my neighbor said” Okay these old tubes of paint that I went through, really are dried up and they need to be given to your husband so that you will not go back through them” Here is what I want to know, how did she know that I would do that?

It is so hard to let go of little dabs of paint that could make a piece perfect..I am not sure if I am an artist but I do certainly hold onto items like all these items have a potential for an amazing collage, card or painting. Letting go, is an effort and I have to keep telling myself, that it is freeing..

Happy Spring

Happy New Beginnings

Happy Easter to all

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Exercise #2

What I have been talking about “Life Style” is important at any age. It becomes even more important when you reach retirement. So when you fantasize about retirement what comes to mind? Columnist Gary Peterson wrote”Waking up to the sound of the surf? Watching snow fall from your rustic chalet? Zipping the golf cart down the block, for a round with the boys/girls?”

These are such strong visuals that I had to repeat them. I have a few to add to the list ” Waking up to the sounds of horses nickering for breakfast? Watching the sunset on a tidal river in the South? ” The list goes on, what is  most important is, what resonates with you. We all have only one life to live, how do we want to live it?

Exercise #2

This is from page 45 in Denny Daikeler book ” What color is your slip cover”. Start by laying or sitting down in a comfortable spot. It is suggested that you record this meditation and play it back to yourself or have someone read it to you.

Close your eyes…feel every part of your body…relax completely into all those parts…notice your breath as it moves in and out… follow the breath in a very relaxed way… let go of your challenges, errands, activities of the day.. move into total awareness of all the sounds and feelings in the room… begin with your feet , relaxing the toes then the soles… relax your ankles… let go all through your calves… relax around your knees…up your thighs, front and back…let your pelvic bone hang loosely at the end of your spine…relax the small of your back…relax around each vertebra, staying with each until there is no tension…relax around the shoulder blades… relax the shoulders, allowing them to lower and rest on the floor… relax your fingers… the palms of your hands…your wrist… let go in the lower arm…all around the elbow… relax the upper arm…relax the muscles in your neck, allowing them to hold no tension…relax the base of the skull…around the ears…across the forehead…down the nose…behind the eyes…in the cheeks…around the mouth…relax your heart…totally let go….Now see yourself lying in a sunny, soft grassy field…soak in the sun…enjoy its warmth…Now allow a second image of you lift out of the first and slowly walk down the field. . notice a path. . follow this path for a while…are there any trees?…notice a pond..take it all in…come to a bridge that crosses a stream at the end of the pond…notice what the bridge looks like…follow the path on the other side until you see a hedge… follow the hedge until you find an opening…go through the opening…there in front of you will be a house…go up to the front door…notice the door knob or handle…notice the type of door…open the door slowly and go inside…You are in a room just beyond the front door.. notice all of its details…then move to the next room…what room are you in?..notice all of the details…what does the ceiling look like?..the windows?…the woodwork?…the furnishings, if there are any?…Go on to the next room…notice a book shelf there, with lots of books…go over and chose three of your favorites…what are they?…Now notice a desk in the room..on top of the desk is a portfolio with your name engraved on it..what do the letters look like? …also on the front is a word that describes you.. what is the word? Open the portfolio and see what is inside… now notice a figure coming toward you…the figure has a gift …what is it? …Move away and turn to leave the house..close the door behind you.. follow the hedge notice if it has changed…find the opening and come out on to the path…As you cross the bridge, notice if the pond has changed in any way…continue on along the path..what are you wearing?…return to the relaxed first figure of yourself…join it..slowly return to the room, counting from  five to one..open your eyes.

When you have finished the visualization, journal all the sounds, colors, feelings, words, facts, objects, essences, gift and names of books.

There is a lot to interpret from what you write down. You can send your observations to me and I can send back my interpretation or you can purchase Denny Daikeler’s book “What color is your slip cover?” and read pages 46 through 49.

 

 

The end of a love affair

These last few months has been focused on finalizing the details of my parents estate. This includes all of the have-to’s. Have to arrange the funeral services, clean out the house, sell the house , rent storage units The list goes on. There is not one of these things that “I get to do” They are all things I would love to have go away and have my parents back. That is not what I get to do. I have to keep soldiering on finishing the details of lives well lived and a love affair that lasted 65 years and 11 months.

My parents were part of “The great generation”. One of the attributes of that generation was, stand by your mate through thick and thin. Most of their friends did the same.

I am proud to be a descendant of “The great generation”. When we were in the De Gaul airport Paris, two years ago, it was the 70th anniversary of  “D” day. There were approximately  ten WW II vets next to us in line for check-in.  All of the sudden people of all nationalities started to clap  Oh my goodness, my heart still swells with the love and admiration for these wonderful men.It was a moving experience. Truly one of life’s gifts. I was so proud to have been raised by a fellow service man from the “Great Generation”

Sometimes this list of items feels overwhelming  I know at some point this phase will be over  Then I will go into another phase of grieving that will (hopefully) not be so demanding. I also know how my parents would handle the situation. That would be to do the next indicated thing with no complaints.

These are uncharted waters, that are blessed with the memories of my parents. My father always said “lead by example”. So Dad I follow your lead, do the next indicated thing on the list and no complaints.

Thank you mom and dad for leading by example

May god be with you,

Bon Nuit

ME

 

 

 

2* C Life Style/Food

For a very long time I have know the cost to the environment and to my health, by consuming meat products. But I ate the meat anyway.  I have wanted to switch to being Vegan and have struggled  to find a way.

Christmas brought me a gift from our neighbor that has helped me get on the path of being a vegan.  The gift “Oh She Glows” cook book, written by Ms. Angela Liddon.

I have started out by using the recipes for breakfast. So far everything I have made, my family has enjoyed and is willing to have time and again. In fact the granola recipe is such a hit they only want that granola. I have made the enchilada’s and no-one missed the meat or cheese.

What I love about eating the food is, I feel better! Then there is the added cost , health  and environmental benefit. So I am treading lighter on the earth, saving money and becoming healthier. I am not sure there is anything I can do that has so many benefits..

My suggestion for this post is that you purchase “Oh She Glows” cook book and give it a try. Let me know how you like it and share some tips..

Happy Cooking

Ciao

This makes it worth all of the changes I choose to make