I like to write a list of 100 things i'm grateful for at the end of the month...well, here it is the 4th day of October.
1. relaxing on the patio this morning and finishing anna's poem.
2. ordinary things
3. franklin golden
4. alex
5. mali
6. jordan
7. this poem: "dancing is truth too much, to soothe the soul or tearing eye, to catch the fleeting dragonfly"...don't know who wrote this...me maybe?
8. a sunday spent writing poetry and reading
9. daniel tiger...so cute!
10. mike k.
11. my ceiling finally got fixed
12. my cool apartment
13. carpet cleaned! yay!
14. apple care cuz i call them so much
15. my patio for breakfast
16. our clubhouse
17. beth navon
18. dinner w vegan group at uu
19. butterflies
20. morgan
21. lipstick
22. having power
23. soft rain
24. small group
25. church
26. this book: the mind that heals itself
27. my mary queen of scots poem
28. the green drink
29. harris teeter grocery stor
30. my friend mimi
31. ed
32. spiders
33. Primo Levy
34. Friday Noon Poets
35. new friend soma
36. sunday rests
37. 2 hour naps on sunday
38. coffee w almond milk
39. kale
40. amtrak
41. getting posters made of my poems
42. adam's film
43/ protein shakes
44. bartaco cafe in chapel hill
45. jeff brantley's books
46...my car
47. being able to watch the Kavenaugh hearing
48. coffee at the clubhouse
50. steevie
51. not having to have cataract surgery yet
52. anna wilcox's wedding
53. bob dylan
54. musical group: the merry gadflies
55. volunteering
56. the gym at the clubhouse
57. Phoenix -- new friend
58. durham
59. branford marsalis
60. jogging in the water with a flotation belt on
61. AEA class coming to greenville
62. not having a cat
63. wanting to meet guys
64. e- harmony
65. gentle movements
66. morning stretches
67. getting one of my computer problems taken care of
68. the woods behind my apt.
69. reading einstein's bio
70. my bro
71. my beautiful granddaughters
72. the poet billy collins
73. the dance workshop w pilobolus
74. weight sharing
75. the classical station
76. having enough
77. having the strength to do what i need to do
78. mindfulness
79. hard times are bringing us together.
80. beans
81. deep breaths
82. qi gong
83. dance
84. pearl primas
85. chuck davis
86. hearing the birds in the morning
87. stresslessness
88. my vegan cook book
89. a delicious lunch waiting for me.
90. sibelius
91. quitting tai chi cuz i don't enjoy it
92. memories of london and the Church of St. Martin in the Fields
93. george harrison
94. npr
95. standing
96. the website "AllPoetry"
97. faulkner
98. scientific discovery
99. kathy t.
100. steevie
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Pascal's Pensees (thoughts)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pensées
fascinating, moral, brilliant man
fascinating, moral, brilliant man
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Shelter From the Storm
The painting was gone, leaving a gaping hole, surrounded by the gilt wooden frame that had kept it safe for over 70 years. "Storm on the Sea of Galilee" and been ripped from its frame, rolled up, taken by thieves in the early morning of March 18, 1990 Nearly thirt yyears ago. Not a clue as to who took it.
Rembrandt was the artist. And this was his only seascape. In the center of the painting, a boat with Christ and his disciples, in the midst of a roiling storm. Christ is in the shadows and can barely be seen. "Oh, you of little faith," he admonished the twelve, and with that, he calmed the water.
I love that painting so much. It pains me to think of it being rolled up in a warehouse somewhere, or stuffed in a closet.
Yet the painting is so powerful, it's message still rings loud and clear. Wherever you are, Christ is in the boat with you.
My fifth hurricane, Florence, has struck the coast of North Carolina. The winds are picking up now, the rain has started. Living inland, I'm lucky. Several unfortunate souls have lost their lives
"down east." The universities closed yesterday, as did the schools. The surge from this hurricane has the experts concerned. The wind and water are expected to remain for days.
But I am safe. I've evacuated before, and could do it again. (Though I don't want to). The windows will rattle tonight, the walls will shake. but I will not fear, and will turn my face toward survival and peace.
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Rembrandt_Christ_in_the_Storm_on_the_Lake_of_Galilee.jpg&imgrefurl=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Storm_on_the_Sea_of_Galilee&h=2400&w=1930&tbnid=edoUn72JKpv7VM&tbnh=250&tbnw=201&vet=1&docid=5imNftxRsMAGxM
Rembrandt was the artist. And this was his only seascape. In the center of the painting, a boat with Christ and his disciples, in the midst of a roiling storm. Christ is in the shadows and can barely be seen. "Oh, you of little faith," he admonished the twelve, and with that, he calmed the water.
I love that painting so much. It pains me to think of it being rolled up in a warehouse somewhere, or stuffed in a closet.
Yet the painting is so powerful, it's message still rings loud and clear. Wherever you are, Christ is in the boat with you.
My fifth hurricane, Florence, has struck the coast of North Carolina. The winds are picking up now, the rain has started. Living inland, I'm lucky. Several unfortunate souls have lost their lives
"down east." The universities closed yesterday, as did the schools. The surge from this hurricane has the experts concerned. The wind and water are expected to remain for days.
But I am safe. I've evacuated before, and could do it again. (Though I don't want to). The windows will rattle tonight, the walls will shake. but I will not fear, and will turn my face toward survival and peace.
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f3/Rembrandt_Christ_in_the_Storm_on_the_Lake_of_Galilee.jpg&imgrefurl=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Storm_on_the_Sea_of_Galilee&h=2400&w=1930&tbnid=edoUn72JKpv7VM&tbnh=250&tbnw=201&vet=1&docid=5imNftxRsMAGxM
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Rainy Night
Started watching the George Harrison documentary, "Living in the Material World" the other night. It's long, over 3 hours, so I had to break it up over several nights. Then tonight after going to bed, I had a hard time getting to sleep so thought what the heck, I'm just gonna finish the article I started on Wikipedia about the Beatles' guru and heard the rain falling against my window. Love that sound. The drops lightly tap against the pane. So soothing. It's been a long time since it rained.
Ended up reading a lot about the Beatles' music. Pure genius. I read that they attended a technical high school (the Liverpool Institute?) and maybe that's where they started their musical training.
George was only 15 when he joined the band. Lennon thought he was too young, until he heard George play "Raunchy," with McCartney saying, "wow, listen to that!" Lennon was wowed. "Raunchy" is familiar to me -- it must have gotten a lot of air play so maybe that's why it's so familiar to me.
"Raunchy" clip: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raunchy_(instrumental)
The surviving Beatles played the tune in 1994 for a Beatles Anthology.
Their song, "A Hard Day's Night," begins with that famous dynamic guitar chord from Harrison's Rickenbacher:
Opening chord, "Hard Day's Night: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_Hard_Day%27s_Night_opening_chord.ogg
The Beatles have a big section on the soundtrack of my life.
George Harrison's documentary has footage of his home at Henley-on-Thames, Friar Park. Recollections of when I stayed there in 1977 with the Philpott family. They said Harrison could be seen around town at times. The Philpotts were Mimi's friends and were wonderful hosts. Took me to an inn where I had a "shandy" and they made scones with strawberry jam and clotted creme for breakfast one morning. Took me a see a motorbike race which was won by an American, Brad Lackey, and I think this was on the 4th of July. Great fun.
Harrison died in 2001 at the age of 58. Had throat cancer. In Hindu fashion, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered down the Ganges.
Good time here to go back to sleep, thinking about meditation. The Beatles popularized meditation through TM and visits to India to see the Marhareji. I had 2 friends in Richmond, Chuck and DeAnna Sanders who were followers of him also. Such fond memories of them at their place in the country.
Ended up reading a lot about the Beatles' music. Pure genius. I read that they attended a technical high school (the Liverpool Institute?) and maybe that's where they started their musical training.
George was only 15 when he joined the band. Lennon thought he was too young, until he heard George play "Raunchy," with McCartney saying, "wow, listen to that!" Lennon was wowed. "Raunchy" is familiar to me -- it must have gotten a lot of air play so maybe that's why it's so familiar to me.
"Raunchy" clip: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raunchy_(instrumental)
The surviving Beatles played the tune in 1994 for a Beatles Anthology.
Their song, "A Hard Day's Night," begins with that famous dynamic guitar chord from Harrison's Rickenbacher:
Opening chord, "Hard Day's Night: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:A_Hard_Day%27s_Night_opening_chord.ogg
The Beatles have a big section on the soundtrack of my life.
George Harrison's documentary has footage of his home at Henley-on-Thames, Friar Park. Recollections of when I stayed there in 1977 with the Philpott family. They said Harrison could be seen around town at times. The Philpotts were Mimi's friends and were wonderful hosts. Took me to an inn where I had a "shandy" and they made scones with strawberry jam and clotted creme for breakfast one morning. Took me a see a motorbike race which was won by an American, Brad Lackey, and I think this was on the 4th of July. Great fun.
Harrison died in 2001 at the age of 58. Had throat cancer. In Hindu fashion, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered down the Ganges.
Good time here to go back to sleep, thinking about meditation. The Beatles popularized meditation through TM and visits to India to see the Marhareji. I had 2 friends in Richmond, Chuck and DeAnna Sanders who were followers of him also. Such fond memories of them at their place in the country.
Friday, August 31, 2018
Mindful exercise for the last day of the month
This is good exercise when you are feeling scattered, tired, and off balance. It allows you to re-connect with the elemental quality of earthiness and strength within. Doing this practice can ground you deeply in the present moment.
Stand or sit comfortably.
Breathe mindfully for a minute.
Set your intention. For example, 'may this practice help me find inner strength."
Imagine you have seen the most beautiful mountain you have ever seen, either in person, or in a photograph.
As you visualize your mountain, let your body become the mountain. Feel the same qualities of steadiness, unshakeableness, and majesty.
For the next few minutes, rest in your "mountain body."
Block out any thoughts, fears, worries, or other experiences around you., just as the mountain is unmoved by any weather patterns around it.
End by opening your eyes and moving gently.
This practice was written by Jeff Brantley.
Stand or sit comfortably.
Breathe mindfully for a minute.
Set your intention. For example, 'may this practice help me find inner strength."
Imagine you have seen the most beautiful mountain you have ever seen, either in person, or in a photograph.
As you visualize your mountain, let your body become the mountain. Feel the same qualities of steadiness, unshakeableness, and majesty.
For the next few minutes, rest in your "mountain body."
Block out any thoughts, fears, worries, or other experiences around you., just as the mountain is unmoved by any weather patterns around it.
End by opening your eyes and moving gently.
This practice was written by Jeff Brantley.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
The Yoke
"Come to me, all of you who are weary and find life burdensome; I will refresh you. Take my Yoke upon my shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. You shall find rest because my Yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11: 28-30
So, be one with Christ. Be paired with him. His yoke is sweet and light.
"“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”
So, be one with Christ. Be paired with him. His yoke is sweet and light.
"“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls”
Monday, August 27, 2018
The Good Things About Today
1. a mindful 5 minutes
2. a networking workshop at the NC Biotechnology Center in RTP
3. Understanding how biotechnology has helped me over the past 10 years
4. My wonderful neighbors, Sharon and Ted
5. Someone finally came to fix the hole in my ceiling
6. Having leek/pototao soup for dinner, so delicious, comforting, and filling
7. hearing from my brother this morning
8. a really cool dream just before I woke up: that I was up in Virginia surrounded by cousins whom I'd never met before. We were in an elegant old English inn, type of place. The handsome guys (college age and older) were in maroon blazers. The girls were dressed in a elegant fashion. I got in the middle of the circle, looked around, and told them how impressed I was to be in the midst of so many family members. I said I was looking forward to hearing about the ways we were alike, perhaps in our "brogue" (I used that word). That dream left me with such a good feeling.
9. A new interest has sprung up, the biotechnology field. It's a fast-growing, fairly new field.
10. Planning to go to Jaki Shelton Green's Documentary Poetry class at the Center for Documentary Studies. Grateful that I might have a chance to! I must get there early, and take the bus!
2. a networking workshop at the NC Biotechnology Center in RTP
3. Understanding how biotechnology has helped me over the past 10 years
4. My wonderful neighbors, Sharon and Ted
5. Someone finally came to fix the hole in my ceiling
6. Having leek/pototao soup for dinner, so delicious, comforting, and filling
7. hearing from my brother this morning
8. a really cool dream just before I woke up: that I was up in Virginia surrounded by cousins whom I'd never met before. We were in an elegant old English inn, type of place. The handsome guys (college age and older) were in maroon blazers. The girls were dressed in a elegant fashion. I got in the middle of the circle, looked around, and told them how impressed I was to be in the midst of so many family members. I said I was looking forward to hearing about the ways we were alike, perhaps in our "brogue" (I used that word). That dream left me with such a good feeling.
9. A new interest has sprung up, the biotechnology field. It's a fast-growing, fairly new field.
10. Planning to go to Jaki Shelton Green's Documentary Poetry class at the Center for Documentary Studies. Grateful that I might have a chance to! I must get there early, and take the bus!
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