Seasonal Things

How many times will I pass by windows
How many times will I paint my toes
How many times will I step out side
How many times will I come in and hide



Will I choose again to climb those steps
Will I choose again to fit in saddle and stirrups
Will I choose again to paint the view
Will I choose again to create anew




I will myself to whisper in an open ear
I will myself to find another frontier
I will myself to follow through
I will myself to make it true








Nail Polish: Rimmel London, 270 Steel Grey, Lasting Finish Pro

Heels: Xhilaration, Tabitha T-Strap, Peep-Toe Pumps, Grey

Boots: Frye, Paige Huarache Flat Boot, in Cement

Hoarding Quietly Among The Harem

Any one who arrives at my desert tent is always waved in with a welcome and well fed.
A tempting buffet of fruits and nuts and spices lay openly about, available to all who may feel the hunger from their journey. Bowls and platters and jars remain willing and waiting for the taking with suggestions of more to follow.
Guests are invited to stay until they are fat and full and fall into snores, only to wake up aroused, yearning for...another round of flavors, and textures and more.

There is a time however, when I suspect all the eyes of the harem are distracted...
I sneak a bite.
I never share.
I would not think to pull out a plate.
I hover instead over the sink.
Over ripe peaches dipped in a hand full of Sumac, this is my private treat.
Sandy texture atop my fresh flesh and juice that tap dance on my tongue.
... it is the cinnamon on my breakfast toast.
... the salt rim to my virgin Margarita.
...the Nori flakes on my hot bowl of popcorn.


A simple pleasure I reveal... virtually,
so that you too may covet it for your private muse.

In exchange I request only that you shimmy over and offer up a similar,
soul-searching-source of satiable inspiration.

What secret-something-snack do you keep all to your Self and no one else?

So Fresh and So Clean

Let's make one thing clear...
Although coffee is made with water, it is in fact no longer...Water. Tea is close depending on how much other stuff is being tossed in the pot. Between the caffeine and the cream and sugar, we have lost our edge on being 'clean' machines.
Now, we know how much water we should be drinking, and why we should be drinking it but, how many of us are actually drinking that "should be" amount?
What about are quests?..do we offer them water first? or do we go straight for the hard stuff? How about offering all who are involved a new slice of life. No, not the restaurant-cover-up-the-chlorine slice of lemon wedge. Something entirely more refreshing and enticing, and something that tells us to pour our Self another. Martha knows this trick, and so does my Mother but, I really took notice again when sitting poolside at the local Lowes Hotel on a heat-wave-rush-of-a-week-day-vaca-stay.
The prize: One big, cool pitcher filled to top and brimmed with fresh cucumber slices. Yes, it was lovely and it loved me too. I could tell because we could not stop pouring and sipping, and guzzling and splashing and spilling and pouring some more. May I get any one another? ..let me grab three. Waving down the waiter, we begged for our own private pitcher, one that could be dropped at our lounge discretely, with out too many spying eyes to follow. Something so special to chase down our collective bowl of chips-and-guac-and-salsa. A little secret we shared that afternoon. So gentle, so delicate, and so thoroughly fulfilling as well.
We were well. We are well. Be well.

Pineapple Punch

On the streets of Los Angeles we are lucky enough to have waiting for us along the curb, carts filled with fresh fruit. Shaken and served in a plastic bag and fork. Take your pick and mix them all together: Pineapple, Cucumber, Jicama, Mango and Kiwi. So here comes the punch: a dash of sea salt and cayenne pepper.. Oh-ya!

As my favorite Bulgarian Queen says, "Cool and Crispy"...and it is.
All the senses are attended too:
Blood pumping from the red pepper
Kidneys cleaned by the cucumbers
The entire lot creates a combination of cures: bruising, digestion, anti-inflammatory, vitamins and minerals, breathing, blood flow, all the fourth Chakra-Heart characters.

So when you are in town, cruising along, and you spy a guy on the side of the road with an umbrella that looks like a beach ball...
...pull over for some fast relief and enjoy.

Be the tree you want to be.

Be the tree you want to be, was the direction for a "grounding" meditation, given by fellow-now-former blogger "Art, Yoga, Life..." (aka Mayhem Arts)
http://mayhemarts.blogspot.com/2009/02/tree-meditation.html

Grounding Meditation, in Her words:

Stand with your feet hip distance apart (feet together if you have good balance). Bring your palms together in "prayer pose" at the center of your chest. Root down through your feet while simultaneously reaching tall through the top of your head. Draw your shoulders back away from your chest and down away from your ears. Close your eyes and watch your breath in it's natural state. (This is the position you stay in the entire time.)

Imagine that you are a tree. It can be any tree at all. A tiny sapling full of possibility, or a giant Ponderosa pine - stable and wise. Any tree. Does your tree have needles, large leaves, flowers, or fruit? Now imagine that those around you are trees as well (unless you want to be a lone tree). Choose a setting for your tree. Is it in the middle of a busy groomed park? At the top of a snowy mountain? Maybe in a parking lot? Really SEE your surroundings.

Feel the four corners of your feet ROOT down into the earth. Grasping downward for stability and taking nourishment from the soil. Feel your leaves and branches reaching for the sky. Searching for the sun... forever optimistic that you will grow and touch the clouds. Start to fill in even greater detail... are there birds in this tree? Are there pine needles all around or a sea of tiny purple flowers? People meditating beneath you perhaps? Squirrels playing?
Notice that there is a slight breeze blowing through your leaves. Allow yourself to wave with that breeze. No tree is completely still... it is always in motion. Watch your breath as you take in these tiny movements throughout your trunk and roots.
Feel the sun shining on your skin (bark)... warming you... enveloping you in golden light. Soak in the life it gives you... reach for more light.

Allow yourself to truly become one with nature. Allow yourself to JUST BE.

Continue to fill in the details of your tree experience and settle into your "treeness" for as long as you like. I usually teach this meditation in ten-minute intervals, but this would be a great LONG meditation of twenty minutes plus.

Me, I choose to be the Cherry Blossom Trees in bloom at this very moment in my own back yard. They put on a display for me every year, just in time for my Birthday, and I do appreciate it. I like others, feel "Off" the two months leading up to my Birthday, but I have continued that feeling post script. Is it seasonal?...
These Cherry Blossoms show up sweet and cheerful, and flamboyant and remain poised.
Me my Self, I need to learn how to be the same.

Thank you "Mayhem" for sharing the art of meditation vs. medication. Be well.