Short Jaunt

So I went to Washington D.C. this past Monday - left Columbus around 3:00pm and arrived in Baltimore around 5:00 pm, took a shuttle to catch a train to D.C.. Checked into my hotel and decided to go for a walk around our nation's capital. In my travels I saw the Washington, Jefferson and Korean monuments. Walked about 5 miles in all.

And on my way I met a neat woman named Mary- we were both staring at the same building and both inquired about locations to monuments. We decided to walk together instead of apart and shared stories and vantage points from our parts of the world. She is from Louisiana and I from Columbus.

We passed by many organized sports on the green- mainly softball and kickball (Columbus does not have organized kickball :-(. There were also people walking dogs, running and what seemed to be people freshening up in the decorative water fountains.

After walking a long time, we decided to stop at a refreshment stand - had a very cold water and a Dove Bar. It doesn't get much better than that- good company, good conversation, chocolate and stopping for a rest on a long journey.

On our path back to the hotel it was dark, we heard some commotion a block over and decided to see what was up. Turns out they were showing a movie on a big screen out on the open green. We took our sandals off, sat on the grass and watched a very funny, scary movie; Arsenic and Old Lace. What fun! Cheap; in the right place at the right time kind of fun.

It just proves that if you are open to it, good things will come.

I went back to the hotel, got a good night's sleep and did my presentation at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, ate at the luncheon and hopped back on the train to head home. I arrived in Columbus around 6:00pm- 25 hours later. Not bad for a short jaunt.

Jesus Loves You

Pause for thought.

I don't have as much trouble conceptualizing some of the things in the video as our friend Greybloke here , but I do wonder about folks who feel it is necessary to categorize people into the "saved" or "not saved" category. It is my belief that God is a loving God and will make himself known to us through love. It is hard for me to base my faith on fear and condemnation. Grace and compassion are the qualities that have been my experience of God. Maybe I have it all wrong. But, if I do, I think I would chose my ignorance over the thought of a God of wrath and bitterness.

Two Timing

So, I bought lavender at Trader Joe's a couple of weeks ago and adorned my house with it, all the while, making the house smell good. But there came a time, a sad moment, when I felt the need to compost it- past the point of it's prime where decomposition was inevitable.

But, my friend Becky made the connection that I also buy dryer sachets with lavender in them and suggested that I use the remains for that purpose. Initially I poo pooed the idea, thinking I could not engineer such a thing and then I remembered that I spend $6 or so for these little buggers and I decided to try it.

I searched the house for a cloth bag (and found one) and then snipped the strands of lavender to get the aromatic heads in the bag. It worked wonderfully. The sachet can be used multiple times in the dryer and my clothes smell great.

This post may seem like it is dedicated to my ingenuity but really this example gave me reason to pause. You see, I have done alright when it comes to conservation and eco-friendly methods but I realized that I have quite a ways to go.

I am good at composting, recycling and even choosing recyclable packaging but it is in the area of reuse that I fall short. So, this is a challenge to myself and to you to consider ways of reusing our cast aside items- practically or creatively. Have you had an interesting use for something that would normally be thrown (or composted) away? I would love to hear about it- help me change the error of my ways!

Happy Birthday Alanna

I miss you.

Procreation

I watched a cool movie tonight. Juno is the name. It became increasingly apparent that the movie's focus was on pregnancy. And it hit me - on this, my 43rd birthday- that I probably will not experience pregnancy again.

Now, it must be said that I am a lucky mother of 3 beautiful children. And, those who know me well, know that I never planned parenthood (which is weird cause I love planning). All three children came by surprise without intention really. I was way OK with it though. I just never envisioned myself in that role. Yet, what a gift.

And just as I never anticipated the wonderfulness of motherdom, I suppose I never anticipated the loss I would feel as I realized that my body would have less chance to procreate.

Sign on Forehead

Each day I live on this Earth, I realize that I am one of the luckiest people. I don't say this for dramatic reasons, just to acknowledge how there is a consistent flow of good stuff coming my way. I often joke that I have a sign on my forehead that says "Give me stuff". In addition to tangible gifts (used or otherwise), I have unique experiences and people interactions that seem to be strategically placed when I need them.

I thought I would share a few of the gifts I have received lately:
1. My friend Lou gave me earrings and a bracelet
2. I got free tickets to COSI and when we were there, we received more tickets for family night 3. My friend Krista gave me a red dress (wore it this past Thursday)
4. My dad and step mom gave me a flag mount for the house and mounted it
5. The guy who fixed my wheel barrow tires, offered me a taste of his Somalian food (goat). I have been afraid to try the restaurant at the end of my street, thinking I would not like it and now I know I will like it.
6. I received Harry and David fudge from the local food bank (shared it around)
7. My friend Linda gave me a HandiVac machine that locks in freshness of food
8. I got a cake brought to me today- delicious (with ice cream!)
9. Chris E. gave me, (how do I explain this?) stuffed toys in the replica of the Three Stoogies that when bounced say funny things So, as a reflect, there are more of these occurrences.

I guess the point is that a lot of good comes my way and I am truly blessed. At work, I brought a wellness inventory for us to work on as we are on a journey out of poverty. The inventory helps to recognize where you are currently and helps to develop goals.

There are 7 sections to the inventory and each section has 10-14 questions; each question is rated from 0 (not at all) to 4 (yes, always, or usually). And, as I read the question below I remembered the spirit behind this post: "I am aware of experiencing "miracles" in my daily life." I had to rate this one a 4 all the way.

So thank you to all you miracle workers in my life. You seem to give me gifts or treasures just when I need them. It is not the material thing, but the fact that you thought of me. I have been sad of late and your gifts remind me to be grateful and to keep my eye on the prize.

Why, Why, Why,

Got this in email, thought it was fun:

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting dead?
Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough money?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattressesare not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?

And my FAVORITE......The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons are suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they're okay, then it's you.

Soul Coaching

I am reading a book called Soul Coaching; 28 Days to Discover Your Authentic Self.

The inside cover:
Soul Coaching is a four-week program dedicated to an in-depth clearing and cleansing of the different aspects of your life: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. By following the practical, carefully crafted steps presented here, you will find that you're able to uncover your authentic self.

This book is for you if you want to know:

• who you are


• why you're here


• what your mission is

This book is also for you if your ready to start:

• putting your needs before everyone else'


• living life at a peaceful, moderate pace


• loving yourself

By utilizing the energy of the elements of nature--- Air, Water, Fire, and Earth---- this program allows you to clear away old blockages so that you can truly begin to hear the secret messages of your soul.

I have read the first section of the book and I am very impressed with the simple approach and the gentle coaching this woman gives. She gave an example of how she found herself always waiting for the next thing to get her to happiness; when I get away from an abusive home I will be happy, when I graduate from college I will be happy, when I get married I will be happy......

I am reminded that happiness is here for the taking. Now the question is how to recognize it and revel in it. I am not saying I am an extremely unhappy person but I often feel like true happiness is just around the bend- not fully actualized. So, I am hopeful that this book will continue to remind and nudge me to listening to my soul and feeling the contentment of what is being presented right now.

I invite those reading this to join me in this journey. In the book, Denise Linn suggests that people can share their experiences as they work through the book. If you are interested in joining me, I would welcome that. The book is reasonably priced at Amazon.com or you can get it at the library (I did). The link shows you an excerpt of the book as well.

If the offer to work through this together appeals to you, write to me or make a comment here and we will find a way to journey together. I am excited to take steps toward greater health and taking them with others is comforting to me.