Solid Potato Salad - The Ross Sisters (1944)

This came to me via email. Watch past 45 seconds, and you're in for a surprise. And, here just after an interesting conversation with my auld Granny who shared of her youthful escapes when she flew trapeze for the Billy Rose Circus. Savouring life's moments...

Shiva Rea Yoga Sun Salutation

My Sis-in-Law, a beautiful Brazilian inside and out, encouraged me to try Yoga as part of my Rehab post car-smash. I've always been athletically inclined whether rockclimbing, horsebackriding, or scuba... but I tell ya, this Yoga is great. Like rockclimbing, Yoga is a wonderful blend of the physical and the mental challenge, and creates a peacefulness of spirit, much like the feeling when you summit a multi-pitch climb and just pause for a moment to take in the view.

Yoga in practice allows a person to balance mind, body and heart; it's a wonderful philosophy. I hold to the thought that we are called to be good stewards, and that includes our bodies, 'for we are fearfully and wonderfully made'.
Stayed tuned, I'm hoping to finish my Uni degree in health education, and also take a Yoga Instructor's course. I may be coming your way to teach a class soon.... ;D

One down, Two to go

My oldest has graduated highschool. As my old college pal would say, "HTB!" (hard to believe)
Some of you with older children know how fast they grow up. I have to say, pretty much I've enjoyed every step, even the teen years. Now it's off to college and the start of her adult life, yet I know that we'll always be in touch and always friends. We've too many horse adventures to see to!

Foxtrot anyone?

What do the Scottish Highlands and an old phonograph have in common? Quite an interesting combination, no doubt. Thanks to HideousMan's most recent posts, I've had some fun recollections. One, of some mild mannered meanderings in the Scottish Highlands; and two, some fond memories of fancy foxtrots with my wee tots.

We have a 1918 Victrola and a stack of the old records. On some of those lazy afternoons when the kiddies were little, I'd put a record on and we'd foxtrot around the living-room. It made for some big smiles and lots of giggles.

Unfortunately, the Victrola has sprung a spring, but hopefully we'll get it over to a specialist to have it fixed. Meanwhile, the ITunes via the computer speakers will have to do. I do love these modern gadgets, but the plastic is not quite as warm as the hand carved wood and the story it tells. And, I still do manage an occasional waltz around the kitchen with a tot-turned-teen...much to their exaggerated chagrin.

Sierras in the Spring

We've been to one of our favourite haunts of late, the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. It helps to have friends who live there. It also helps that hubby teaches an annual class on working in the wilderness with youth-at-risk; and, the family gets to join in (for the class week, and well, sometimes for basecamp). We usually get to play while he teaches, but then I'll make a big pot of chile con carne, and everyone is happy.

It's busy as ever here in the desert. We've had a wonderful visit from our Canadian friends of whom we haven't seen in years. The kids are wrapping up their (home)school year, as am I. We've had a milestone here....eldest daughter has graduated high school and starts college courses in the fall.
I haven't had much time for thought or should I say one continuous uninterrupted by a child, husband or puppy thought, though the feelings are there for writing something worthwhile (ie the weighted life). I've been enjoying other bloggers' ramblings and writings; lots of good topics and plenty to enjoy and mull over.

I'm still slowly recovering from the car/truck crash. Hard to believe that it will be a year ago August, should I add, that I almost died. Still chokes me up, thinking of it all. I am so thankful to still be here, walking and talking.

I want to recommend Yoga (flow yoga) to help with strengthening and stretching; and, believe me, it ain't fer sissies (nancies n' jessies for ya'll over the pond). Was even reading a while back about an 80 year old granny still doin' her yoga....there's hope yet! ;) Ciao for now!




"Soul doesn't pour into life automatically. It requires our skill and attention"
-Thomas Moore

Are you all you're cracked up to be?

An Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.

'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'

The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'

'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'

'For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.

Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

SO, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

(thanks Mrs S, for this email forward. It brought a smile!)

My Stick!!

We have new additions to the family as I mentioned earlier. Boston Terrier mix puppies. These are the first "small dogs" that we've owned. Will have to update you with some, when the Terrier meets the Mastiff pics. (photos courtesy of the Teen)