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Saturday, March 31, 2007
busy, busy, busy....
have about 2 minutes....
All is well, very well. Our trip was spectacular, wonderful and beautiful in it's ordinariness. We wandered
the boardwalk, watched movies, took the canoe out, played games. It was just a wonderful reminder of "real" life.
We love it at Jenny's place. Rhia and I took lots of pictures--artsy fartsy style and as soon as I find my daggone camera
cord, I will post them. I made Jenny a pictorial of our trip AND I got some video of geese landing on the bay.....Where
do you suppose that cord is?
Took me a while to start back up and then when I did I realized OH MY GOSH I HAVE GOT TO GET GOING ON THIS PLAY WHAT
AM I THINKING???? But the sun is shining and the daffodils are in bloom....
Oh Lordy, I'm in big trouble.
But I feel so wonderful.....I love life, I love my family and friends, I love the world, all is well.
Yikes!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
QUICK!!!
Stop whatever you are doing and drive down Sedgwick
Lane!!!!!
My Cherry Willow is in bloom!!!!
More to follow....
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Distractions
I just got home from teaching my regulars at World Gym. Have I ever mentioned how much I love these people?
They are amazing--each and everyone of them. I have received so much love, support and wisdom from them, they have no
idea. They are a fairly large group, ever-changing, since it's a day class some of them I only see occasionally depending
on their work and families. A lot of them have small children and come rushing in after trying to leave them in the
day care, some are retirees and some sneak away from work just to take the class.
Today was one of those days. Everyone must've been running around because over half the class was late. The
class before me has a revolving team of teachers, each with their own style and sense of timing *cough cough* so my class
never starts at the same time. People get "trained" that the class starts late so they come late and then lo and behold,
the class will start on time. This was a lo and behold day.
So I'm going through a meditation and the door keeps opening with people rushing in and I just smile and keep going
with more people rushing in and so on. Now, my regular regulars have their eyes closed doing their neck rolls and my
not so regulars are struggling to keep their eyes closed and remember which way to roll their necks and my occasionals
and newbies are craning their necks looking behind them each time the door opens. I welcome each person with a smile
and finally say "well, we are getting a true yoga practice today! Learning to focus with distractions, this is great!!"
Some people did not agree. I didn't even need to use my "gift", I could see it in their faces....they were pissed.
Really, pissed at yoga...what a concept. Nonetheless, I persevere, trying to turn pissed to blissed...hahaha, not funny
I know....and we make it to relaxation pose. Well, all except for one gentleman who made it there well before the others.
As a result, he was well into a deep rumbling snore by the time the rest caught up. This did not bode well for some
of my already distracted yogis. I, of course, being me, am completely amused at the whole thing. So I decide to
have a silent relaxation. Well, except for the tunes my gentleman friend was playing....
Bad choice. I have never seen so much fidgeting. Course, you knew right away who had significant others with
similar "singing". They went right into a deep rest. The others, not so much..... I actually had people
go complain at the front desk about how distracting the class was! A beautiful woman came up to me after class and started
to let me know how distracting this man was and he did it the night before and she was really having a hard time with it.
I smiled and said, "hmmm, he must really need the rest, I'm glad he's able to find it here..."
And she instantly "got" it. Yoga is not about finding that perfect peaceful world and relaxing in it. Yoga
is about creating that perfect peacefulness inside of yourself, regardless of what is going
on around you. And better yet, learning to accept your surroundings and feelings not
feeling attached to any particular outcome. So if you are distracted, you simply notice "hmm, I'm distracted" and not
try and change it or fix it. You're distracted. Breath goes in, breath goes out. That man has a loud
snore. Breath goes in, breath goes out.... There was a noise...breath goes in, breath goes out....ahh, there's a space
between the breath...quiet.
Although I have to admit that I was supremely amused at the thought of what those people would have had to say about
my proxy toxin releasing class last week..... talk about distractions!!!!!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Spring!
It's March 20th. The First Day of Spring. My Nephew Donnie's Birthday. The sun is just
starting to peek out from the gray clouds. Sort of teasing us, saying "Now you see me, now you don't!" Why is
the beginning of Spring in March when it's still so unpredictable? My cynical, winter weary self says it's so we don't go
ahead with our dreadful cabin fever induced plans we have been formulating if "they" leave their shoes in the hallway one
more time.....
<Shudder!>  Run for
your lives!!!!
Ahhh. Spring. The crocus's have bloomed, the bird's are busy, busy, busy, the bud's are forming
on the cherry willow and all is becoming right with the world. You can almost taste the sunshine, feel it's warmth on
your face as it melts away all the hostility created by that wicked winter ice all over your car that you have to scrap with
your fingers cramped into claws while you are hurrying to get on the dirty slush covered roads where people drive too fast
for the conditions and refuse to clear their cars completely so the snow flies off and......
Oooops. <Begin the bird chirping la la's again> Spring......such a beautiful time!
Hope is in the air and all shall be well!
Happy Birthday Donnie!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Are you wearing your green? Or would you rather be pinched? Are you Irish for a day? Or everyday?
When I was younger, B.C., (before children) I used to LOVE ST. Patrick's Day. A gang of us would get together and
go to downtown Annapolis and do the whole circuit. It was an art form. Riordans, Frannie's, McGeehan's?
I can't believe I can't remember all the names!
(we interrupt this post for a moment of middle age crisis!!! OMG!! I can't remember all the names of all the bars
I used to go to AND not only that, I can't remember the names of all the people I used to go to all the bars WITH!!!!
Seriously! I am having a total out of body experience here.....)
Anyway. Momma always warned me alcohol would kill my brain cells--KIDS, Don't let this happen to YOU!!!
So, back to my story... They would open all the bars and people would dress in their best green and each bar you
went to would give you something to add to your attire. Hats, bow ties, pins, beer mug necklaces, face painting, ribbons
etc. It was so much fun--like a carnival for adults. You would walk down the street waving and shouting
to all the other billion people waving and shouting to you, you could tell who had been where based on the amount of paraphernalia
they were wearing (or the fact that they were weaving all over the street, slurring their heeeelllllloooooosssshhhhh)
As the evening would wear on, you would start to see all the bar doors wide open, people spilling out onto the streets,
dancing their jigs, throwing their hats in the air (and their green beers with them)
Wonder if that guy with the l-o-o-o-ng green tie and bright red hair still wanders around hugging everyone and wishing
them a Happy St. Patricks Day? And why do I remember him?
Top O the Morning to Ya!!! "May the road rise up to meet you".....and not because you've fallen onto it!!!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Warmth
I hope you've had an opportunity to get outside the last 2 days. If you haven't, you must stop whatever you're
doing (and since you're reading this, it really can't be all that important LOL!) drop everything and go outside.
Bring a newspaper, trash bag, chair, anything you can find and go to the nearest tree. Turn your face toward the sun
and sit down close enough to the tree that you can reach out and touch it if you feel compelled to. Close your eyes.
Breathe.
That's all.
Breathe in. Breathe out. Secret to Life.
Gonna go take my own advice......
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Last night was very entertaining. B & I went to watch "the band" for the new play rehearse. Let me see
if I can paint you a picture. We have a classically trained pianist with perfect pitch and a ba-dozen master's.
We have a "I never met an instrument I couldn't play" professional. We have a former rock star from Japan who sings
like an angel and plays completely by ear. We have an engineer/70's folk group survivor with a million dollar guitar.
And just to round the whole thing out, a swing/jazz style guitarist with a wicked sense of humor.
Makes for a very interesting evening.
To add to the fray, the band asked my son to come over and help with the pacing on some of the songs. Course,
my son knows all the songs and sings some of them perfectly but he's refusing to be in the show cause.....well.....let's just
not even start. So my son comes over and they do "Heaven on Their Minds" which is the big Judas betraying Jesus song.
Which put Ben Vereen in the hospital when he played Judas on broadway because the song is so vocally demanding. So they
ask Cory to do it. Twice.
Then they have him do "Trial before Pilate". Another screamer. And he had to sing 3 different roles....Jesus,
Pilate, & Caiaphas. Tenor, Baritone and Bass. (the funny thing about this was 2 of the musician's children
running around, fists upraised, shouting "CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!" They are 6 years old. Funny in a nervous
giggling way...)
Then they ask Cory to sing "In Whatever Time We Have". Soprano. Sha--right!!! It just got downright
silly......So Cory's Dad tries to help....Barry "Kevin, are we singing a C or E?".....Miller
Every now and then, the band would just get hopelessly lost and they'd just start playing something else. Each
one of them. At the same time. Hmmm, now I know why there are no classical folk swing rock songs.....with synthesizers.....
It was great fun. Can't wait to do it again! And add the choirs LOL!!! Talk about chaos. Jaded
professional theater geeks vs. "I don't know nothing bout being in no show" grown ups....
As Sheree says, "this'll be a HOOT!!!"
Monday, March 12, 2007
Tightrope or Tornado?
Wow. What a weekend/week/month/year... I keep trying to remind myself that I make all my choices and I really like
to be busy and productive but sometimes I can't believe I pack as much into tiny spaces of time as I do.
Went to the Philadelphia Flower Show Friday. Unfortunately, so did about 4 million other people. On a Friday.
Doesn't anyone work anymore? I have been amazed lately at the amount of people there are where ever I go. Especially
in Bowie. Where are all these people coming from? Trying to get from my house in the "S" Section to Target in
the ? section takes about 20 minutes. It's only about 2 miles away. Has there been some kind of huge population
explosion that I'm not aware of? Seriously, 4 million people? and a 4 stall bathroom? With 2 out of order....
The funny thing, (in a shake your head funny, not a ha ha funny) was the amount of people--me included--that were complaining
about the amount of people being pushy as we pushed to get closer to the exhibits. Each exhibit was at least 20 deep
in people, you had to literally edge in one step at a time and then bargain with the people to let you back out "I'll let
you in if you let me out". Crazy.
The exciting thing was that Lori and I saw a bald eagle on the way there. I told her that even if the rest of the
day was a bust, seeing that eagle made it all worth while. Prophetic words.
It was fun though, I love having a day to spend with my friend. I had many shoulds and oughts and much Martha business
to attend to but decided to be Mary for a day and it was worth it. Course we screamed into the church parking lot just
in time for me to hurry up and teach my restorative yoga class (HURRY UP AND RELAX!!!)
The rest of the weekend is just a blur of activity and busy-ness. With a lot of very pleasant surprises....
As David Byrne says "It's just a wild, wild life"
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Being a millionaire for 12 hours...
Well. That was fun. To answer your question, no, I am not a millionaire or a bazillionairre. BUT right
after I checked my non-winning lottery ticket, I had a "you got mail" on my computer and received this from Inspiration Peak:
The cities and mansions that people dream of are those in which
they finally live.
Lewis
Mumford, 1895-1990
American Historian
I don't think it gets any clearer than that. So, I guess it's all good, just a matter
of time....
I call this "Night-time from my Deck". Smiling Deep Sigh.......
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Antici...............pation
I have a lottery ticket!!! I've only ever had a lottery ticket twice before and I have to say it's the most exciting
thing ever! I gave C the money and he went and got me $10 worth! He got himself one too so our house is just abuzz
with planning.
So here's what we are doing when we win:
We will buy 4 houses side by side in Topsail Island, NC oceanfront. Each of us have very different plans.
Mine of course, will have a spiritual center attached with a huge yoga deck overlooking the ocean. It'll be all woo
woo with soothing colors and a doorbell that rings "Ommmmmmmmm". My husband's will be right next door and will have
all kinds of modern wind sculptures and weather devices and many, many dogs. My son's will have a recording studio and
he has already decided he's inviting Z & N (the two 11 year olds we do plays with) to come cut a record. R, my daughter,
will have a tropical theme with a dolphin mural across the living room wall and a doorbell that plays "aloha--oy". She
will have a small theater training school.
We will no longer argue about who's supposed to clean what. We will have a common area that we will meet at that
a maid will clean.
I will have a personal trainer, a masseuse, a hair do person and a cook. I will still teach yoga and do my spirit
retreats and will do all the things I want to do that I never have time for....
Ahhhh. In just a few hours, my whole life will change!!!! It's just so exciting! We decided to just
give our house away with all the contents and the blue car & truck.
Now here's the fun part---we have cast the new play with John Travolta and Leo DeCaprio and all kinds of amazing actors.
Our singers will sing on a track and we will film it and I will win the Oscar for best adapted screenplay.
Don't worry--we won't forget you! Free tickets for all!
"cause I got a golden ticket"
Sunday, March 4, 2007
March 4th!
Okay, just in case you are suffering from any disillusionment over my geekiness, I have a new secret for you.
I get really excited about March 4th!!! It's like the calendar is giving us instructions! March Forth!
And Conquer! It has to be followed up with "and conquer" because why else would you March Forth? I don't think
there's any other day of the year where just saying the day tells you what to do. Without question.... I mean,
March first is sort of an instruction but without explanation. March first.....and then what? The simple word
'first' implies something will follow and really all there is would be March second.....and then what? See my point,
it never ends.
But March forth! Can't you just hear the parade? The big tubas, see the streams of confetti? Hup, two, three,
four! It's big, it's wonderful....and as my friend Jenny will tell you, I love a parade!
It's time to March forth! Moving on! Facing forward, ATTENTION! Forward, MARCH!
Hey, this isn't any weirder than the secret another friend divulged yesterday of her ice skating fantasy.....you know
who you are! LOL!
hup, two, three, four.....
Friday, March 2, 2007
Peaceful
For those of you that saw my last "emo" post that I deleted, rest assured, I am fine. I needed to work through
some things and I am blessed with the clarity and insights that come from pain and disillusionment. So, it's all good.
I'm sorry if I worried anyone.
In fact, it's better than good. Funny how when things seem at their lowest, if you really allow yourself to feel
them without judging and denying or justifying, you can really begin to find out how you really feel about things.
This is what I try and teach at yoga. When a pose begins to get challenging, that is when the real work begins.
How do you handle it? Do you bail out? Do you clench all your muscles and 'dig in', holding on for dear life?
Do you keep popping in and out, trying to find a comfortable spot without really staying long enough to discover what the
real problem is?
Ahhh, yoga. Just a reflection of life.
I have actually lost students by making this connection. So hard to face. So hard to do. We all want
to judge ourselves and others so harshly. The truth of the matter is that all responses are correct given the energy
of the day. Sometimes we don't have the energy to hold on, so we have to bail out. Recognizing that is a good
thing. Sometimes we need to tough it out, hanging on til clarity comes, learning from our mistakes. Sometimes
the insights are so great that we can only take a bit at a time, so we pop in and out until we are ready to really sit with
what it is that God wants us to know.
As we continue to practice, we become more comfortable with discomfort and we realize that sometimes just a small
adjustment or two can help us settle in enough that we can begin to find the message that we are looking for. Or
that is looking for us.....We figure out that sometimes life is uncomfortable and that if we approach
it from an observation point without judgment and self recriminations we can achieve incredible things we never dreamed of.
Like a really great peaceful warrior. Pose. Or life.
Love to all--Namaste'
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