I've written three books, each a part of my journey to elderhood. Now with this blog my intention is to give a moment to moment accounting of my life as it is now, and now, and now. I'm a leader and student of Sensory Awareness, and a practitioner of Rosen Method. I believe in the connective and collective power of Love.
I knew the wee houseboat would enchant the senses. I expected it to be about seeing since the motion of water and birds is continuous. It’s also about hearing. There’s birds and water murmuring and churning, and there’s also the ropes as they tighten, loosen and strain with the movement of tides, and the sound of the dock as it adjusts up and down.
I’m reading Frank Bruni’s book The Beauty of Dusk. He’s struggling with his eyesight, and in that medical exploration, thinks about which is more important, seeing or hearing. He gives arguments for both, and sitting here, I wonder, which would I give up? At this moment, all senses are stimulated and awake with gratitude as oars of awareness paddle and connect inner and outer tides.
Morning ContemplationMorning Stillness Reflects Different TypesConnectingLow TideMt. Tam overlooks a high tide
I’m in/on a houseboat, a little one, dwarfed perhaps by the big guys, but as the owner says that means I’m right by the water, literally. It’s lapping at the deck. It’s mesmerizing. I wish I could capture the movement, and the changes from low tide last night to high this morning. Such a gift!
My Boat, Little LuxA Neighbor boat at evening low tideGreat Blue Heron off my deck at low tide yesterday late afternoon My kayaks float on their little dock off my deck and outside the window where I type this. Heaven – Here! Hide Tide and Low and In-between!
Years ago, I read Marion Milner’s book published under the name Joanna Field, A Life of One’s Own.
I was inspired by the exploration. Today I again receive these words of Marion Milner:
I had just begun to ponder over the fact that all the things which I had found to be sources of happiness seemed to depend upon the capacity to relax all straining, to widen my attention beyond the circle of personal interest, and to look detachedly at my own experience.
I used to enjoy watching football and then I stopped when my husband and I watched a documentary on what it does to the players who suffer on the field and for years after. It’s not a sport and it’s not a game.
These last few 49’er games, I got sucked in again but then today I watched as our third-string quarterback was injured almost immediately. On the instant replay you can see the painful action over and over again. In comes the fourth string guy, and immediately the same play with his hand and shoulder swung back, but in this case, his head also hits the ground hard. He has a concussion and is out of the game. In comes an injured Brock who is unable to throw the ball, a requirement for a quarterback. The “game” has just begun but is essentially over. Where is the sport in that?
We wouldn’t allow this brutality in animals. Why do we allow it in humans, who yes, are also animals, though touted as more intelligent, though one might wonder if this is so. A rattlesnake only bites when in danger. A skunk only sprays the same. Why then, are men put on a field to battle and at such a cost to their health now and in the future? It’s time to stop.
I quote John Lewis, an amazing man, politician, and civil rights leaders who had nothing to do with football, and yet, maybe his words unite us in honoring and reflecting on all that we think, watch, and do.
John Lewis:
And if you follow your truth down the road to peace and the affirmation of love, if you shine like a beacon for all to see, then the poetry of all the great dreamers and philosophers is yours to manifest in a nation, a world community, and a Beloved Community that is finally at peace with itself.
An egret reflecting a stance of peaceCelebrate chiming peaceSound Peace!
We spent yesterday with our three year old grandson. What a treat and what a great deal of stimulation for us all.
What I see is how set in tracks we older folks can sometimes be. When he announced a little car he was steering around needed people in the seats, I was going to go downstairs to bring up some people from another set, but he simply reached around and placed two bristle blocks, one red, one yellow in the 12 inch red Ferrari. People placed.
A Beatrix Potter stuffed rabbit, twice the size of the car, was also able to drive the car around. No problem.
Today I sit stretching my mind like a clothesline, hanging thoughts to air.
I haven’t watched the videos of the attack on Paul Pelosi or the brutal murder of Tyre Nichols but I feel it as we all must. What now? How do we turn it all around? I have no answers but my grandchild comes to visit today and I’m grateful to be with innocence, exploration, and discovery. We’ll go on a bear hunt for sure.
Yesterday the air was filled with the smell of acacia. Yum!
The wind has been blowing over my potted Camellia plant so as I cleared branches from the center I remembered how buildings in Hong Kong are designed with holes known as “dragon gates”.
I open my abode and being to “dragon gates” today.
Acacia FloweringCamellia bud beginning to open and spreadMorning fog clearing
Again, today I recognized how blessed I am to have the offices of my medical people by the water. I arrived early this morning for my appointment and walking along stopped and first looked out and then looked up to see a Black Crowned Night Heron above my head. Gifts abound.
A quiet morning for the birdsObserving the worldIs it time for lunch?Just resting and hanging outMr. Firefighter makes sure the plants are wet.
The Chinese Lunar New Year begins on Sunday. It’s the Year of the Rabbit, the Water Rabbit.
This has been the Year of the Tiger symbolized by action and impulse so we’re moving into a year of self-reflection and tranquility. The rabbit is a symbol of peace, and is considered the luckiest of the 12 zodiac animals as it represents peace and longevity. May it be so!
The New Moon brings king tides to our area so we watch the numbers and plan when and where to walk and drive. The bay overflows and then mud is exposed, in and out, two high tides and two low alternating through day and night.
We, too, as Walt Whitman wrote contain multitudes. It’s time to embrace all with opening and closing a heart-clasp of change.
Pema Chodron in Where is Buddha?
When we look into our own hearts and begin to discover what is confused and what is brilliant, what is bitter and what is sweet, it isn’t just ourselves that we’re discovering. We’re discovering the universe.
Swirl in the eye of heart Cormorants dry their wings by the bay
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