TAKE STOCK. . . . .

The New Year is a great time to take stock. Another Christmas has come and gone. This holiday season did provide me with many opportunities to fill up on the goodness of loved ones as well as filling up on the delicacies of the season. Yum!As January impatiently awaits, I find myself wanting to hold on to the stillness of the season–--not the festive, incessant opportunities to drink and indulge, but those moments of quiescence, the short days and long spells of darkness, which provide the opportunity for reflection.

Few amongst us take stock regularly, if ever. But, there are those occasions when life forces us to rethink and re-evaluate where we have come from, and where we are heading. Life's preciousness. Take stock of what you have in your life, and show gratitude for what is. I tested the limits of my endurance and I survived. “How much can I take?” (Which really means, “How much can I give?”) It is New Year’s, I suppose, that holds a place in my heart, just cuz of its possibilities and uncertainties so captivating: the clear, sparkly magic of what if. . . Take a good and thorough look at yourself and your life. Identify all the things you bring to the table thus far. And while we are bringing everything to the table, why not just take all the leftovers of 2010 and make a fabulous STOCK SOUP!! Just a SOUP-ER idea!!

. . . . Till next year!

END OF 2010:




















WELCOME 2011!

YULE BLOG

I am down in Sunny Southern California where Santa's sleigh won't slide, so how is he going to get to us this yuletide. . . . . . .

Boogey-board!

I noticed at the beach that some kids have it figured out!

Yes, I decided I needed to escape from the reality of the day to day drama. . . so I slipped away to SoCal, no husband, no kids, no pets. Now I am being wined and dined, singing Christmas carols to the neighbors, lighting luminarias on a quiet street, jacuzzi-ing in the light of the full moon, entertained by my favorite niece, walking along the beach (65 F). . . I could go on and on. But this is just the therapy I need. Above all I am enjoying watching the joy of a child waiting for Santa!

So whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Chawmos, Goru, Lohri, Karachun, Kwanzaa, Modranicht, Sanghamitta, Soyal, or Juletid, may you find the love, joy and peace that can bring you happiness and renewal for another year. 2011

TO BLOG. . . .OR NOT TO BLOG:

THAT IS THE QUESTION!!!!

Or as one of my fellow bloggers has so nicely put it. . . Don't hate me cause I don't blog(often enough)!! It seems that my fans, or rather my one fan who has no kids,(just one dog to walk), no job, (early retired), no spouse in resident this month, is harassing me about my inadequacy as a person by not blogging incessantly. Not only does she leave comments on my blog but also has been known to badger another blogger for lack of blogging: To quote: "a lot of people start a blog and then let it fizzle....sure there are lots of good reasons for that... but it kind of saddens me a bit when someone just stops posting. I often wonder what is going on." (So she is so saddened that she is probably out cross country snow-skiing right now.)

Here are just a few of her comments:

do you blog often? 11/23/10 AM
How often do you blog? 11/27/10 PM
You blog, how often? 11/28/10 PM
You often blog, do you? 11/28/10 PM
Well, that's a relief to know...thought this was another 'fizzle' blog.
so, often you blog do you? teeheehee 11/30/10 AM
Often, you do blog how? 12/6/10
blah,blah,blah...

What is going on is that I along with
most other people,
have about 9 other lives going right now. . .

Maybe this blog will satisfy her need for me to blog.

I still love you though, girl!! teeheehee!
You give me inspiration to blog or not to blog!?!?

WINTER ACQUAINTS A MAN WITH STRANGE BEDFELLOWS!

OK, so I paraphrased Shakespeare a little on this one! Puma pretty much thinks winter is synonymous with misery. All summer, he ignores us and appears from time to time just to pick up a few nibbles from his cat bowl. Now that the temperature has plummeted to the freeze point, he is yelling at the back door to come in. Suddenly, he thinks I am his best friend. He can't wait to cuddle up to me at night. CATS!!

"Every dog has his day - but the nights are reserved for the cat."

OOPS, I DID IT AGAIN!

PLEASE REMIND ME WHY I LEAVE THESE BOYS TO "WATCH THE HOUSE"!?!?!?

REFLECTIONS. . . .

I was just sitting here reflecting. . . . I am family-free for a few days and loving every minute of it. All is quiet for now or at least till the puppies next door yelp and the lamb starts calling for his momma. (Doesn't help that the owner has put a little bell around his neck!) Country livin'!



Trying to stay focused reflecting on my memories of the wonderful time I had up in Canada. As you can see from these pictures, it was just spectacular. I went out for a walk as the sun was coming up and snapped most of these.
Such tranquil beauty. . .


If my thoughts stray and I turn my reflections inward, I can get a little crazy with the "if only's" of daily living and the past. What good does that do to be introspective? Just causes more stress. So instead I have to breathe deep and let go. This very moment is the only one I know I have for sure. I will reflect on these reflections!!

Remember that you are special and the ripples of your life affects others, too.

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. . . .Confucius

WHILE THE CATS AWAY. . . THE MICE WILL

. . . . Do their laundry.

After returning from a weekend in SF, I could barely get in the back door. Seems the boys were "watching" the house for us, and decided it was a good time to do their monthly laundry. Oh, well. At least I am not doing it anymore. Kids. . . .

The city by the bay, did not disappoint us. The weather was perfect, the accommodations and food terrific. However, the Giants did disappoint when they lost to the Padres. Thankfully, they won the next day so they are on to the playoffs. Go Giants!!

MIRACLE MAYA

On a November day in 1998, my brother called and told me Maya was born, but was not expected to live through the night. She was born with a condition where her lungs could not expand and had to be resuscitated for 15 minutes. We were all devastated and I rushed to LA Children's hospital with my sister to help in this crisis. I am a Labor & Delivery nurse and just could not believe that there was such a poor outcome and that this could be happening to my family. When we saw Maya, it was just heartbreaking. Her swollen body was hooked up with so many tubes and her prognosis was dim. They were getting ready to put her on a heart and lung machine. However, they tried a an experimental treatment and she began to improve. We all took turns sitting by her, talking,singing, praying, caressing her frail little body. She spent over a month in the hospital and it was such a joyous day when she finally got to go home.

I have watched with pleasure, Maya grow into a beautiful young woman. She's smart, witty, dazzling, loving, unpretentious and tons of fun. As you can tell, I adore her. If you have read the "cowgirl tales blog", you will know that I am just one of her many fans. She is just an amazing kid.

I can't imagine life without my precious niece.MY MAGNIFICENT MIRACLE MAYA