ode to LOL Cats

nothing gets me laughing faster than LOL cats...my favorites!

Snow

I am perhaps one of the few people who loves snow.Even though the change in environment and weather is so great that my stomach becomes a hopeless mess...I love snow.The soft banks of it, sitting on branches, coating the road on which the robins hop.I noticed that nothing stops robins.They are very hardy little birds,with such a charming look. 

But back to snow.I was in Seattle and there was a snowstorm.The whole city was blanketed in white,it became still and quiet, and I layered pairs of socks, oh how exciting! Even though I fell on my butt on ice (my butt is strong) I really enjoyed it. We were walking blocks in the snow to go to dinner when all of a sudden...I got that feeling in my stomach.Of all the food dropping and needing a toilet.Oh dear.well I'll save you details,but thank god there was a toilet right where we were.

It's raining again! YAY!

I even liked shoveling snow.For a few days it kept snowing, then eventually it warmed up a bit and some of the snow melted.Now the hill down to the house is steep, and my mom and I were concerned about slipping.So I went out and shoveled a path all the way from the door to the top of the hill,where the car is.ME.Not a man.The men who were around wouldn't do it "because of their backs".Proving yet again how women have always been the ones to keep things together and to provide in essential ways that what men cannot.HA!

So I shoveled for over an hour.What a fantastic workout.I came inside exhausted and dripping in sweat, my face bright pink.I still love snow even after that!

On the day we had to leave, there was very little snow left.I took  a walk outside and just lived in the air.It's so different from here.It was fresh, dewy with rain, the smell of evergreens,bark,soil,pine cones..all those delicious and earthy smells.I am usually on the verge of tears when I have to leave, but this just calmed me.It reminded me that wherever I am, there is no reason not to be happy,be grateful,be positive.But I love San Juan Island with all my heart. I didn't get to go there last summer.I miss Serendipity Books,the used book store that I spend countless hours in. The trees most of all.The air, even when it's the middle of the summer the air can be cool and you wear goosebumps when a tiny breeze comes by.How friendly people are,so much more than in Hawai'i.  Deer,eagles,robins, my morning walks up the steep roads, especially up Kasnyku.There is just something entirely welcoming yet calming, and how accessible the natural state is there.

Let It Rain

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Give Your Heart

I was walking back from the farmer's market today,and started thinking about the one of the oft dreaded days of materialism in this country-Valentine's Day.Then I thought of something I could do so different that is different from the usual theme of the day.

There is a homeless man who drags a little cart with him and sleeps at a nearby bus stop.He doesn't mutter or totter like many stereotype homeless people as doing.I saw him writing in a notebook once.I thought I could cook him a little dinner and bring it to him.I want to start doing it this weekend,instead of waiting nearly two weeks.

Give your heart.Our hearts are unimaginably large.Give to others.It DOES make a difference.

Chaturanga Challenge

 I need to go into this Asana to calm down...

haven't been doing my Chaturangas correctly at all.I cannot seem to lower myself onto my arms,curl my toes under,and go into Upward Facing Dog without doing a fantastically dramatic belly smack on the mat...the next kitten picture shows how I feel:annoyed at myself...HISSS!

This Little Bird

I forgot to mention an avian sighting of mine on the way back from yoga...four Japanese white eyed birds! They were all sitting on a white plastic fence, by the puakeniekenie tree that I used to frequent.I had to stop frequenting it because the Rottweiler that lived behind the fence would make SUCH a racket when I jumped around trying to grab flowers.Anyway...

These little birds are extremely beautiful,with a barely audible "peep".I usually see one in the morning,hopping and flying in the foliage.So I was terrifically excited to see FOUR of them.It was a windy day,so they took the air,two alighting on a telephone wire,and the other two I guess to somewhere else.

Yes,nature excites me more than a new pair of shoes!

Learning to Be Open

I was very excited as usual for my biweekly yoga class today.Susana is a wonderful teacher, both in yoga and in energy and concentration.

I happily greeted my fellow yogis and hurried to clean up my personal corner floor,unfurl my mat, and place my block on my Birkenstocks.Being ready is something that is vital to me, so that's why I put my block on my shoes,so I can reach for it without losing a second.

Then Nadia walked in the room, who has substituted for Susana,Mara and Cyra, all my yoga teachers.I started to feel disappointed already, for Nadia's trademark is come into a lunge and then into Warrior, instead of going through the traditional astanga cycle.

But as we eased into our introductory seating pose, I realized how unfair it is not to be open.That's right, it's not my favorite teacher, but why shouldn't I give my respectful energy and attention? There is no reason not to.

We did this one pose using a strap which is pretty much the introduction to handstand.I cannot get into that pose at all,I have a great fear of being upside down.But I felt so great that I was simply doing the pose instead of stubbornly and fearfully sitting and watching everyone else.

I know that Nadia felt that I wasn't blocking my energy at all, and I am so grateful I participated the way I did today.

Be open to everyone and everything positive.You only hold yourself back and detract from all the beautiful people and experiences.

Namaste

Yes! Vog is going away!

Hooray! The vog (volcanic ash in the air) is finally going away, being swept to the bowels of Kaneohe by the trade winds! EVIL LAUGH! 

I am so tired! Did not sleep well so slept in and did not do yoga,rushed out the door in 20 minutes.Painted an opihi shell in my class, had a map quiz in another class, scurried a lunch of carrot squash curry (the skins are not edible,so why are they in it?). Nearly choked on my banana bread as I tilted my head back to watch a pretty frisky sparrow.Got a book about the beyuls,which are these sacred areas between India and Tibet which are gateways of sorts, if you have the karma and awareness to realize them.

Came home and did about an hour of yoga.

and now I'll have some rye toast.Prying my eyes open.

YAWN!

By the way,this my favorite cat,the Abyssinian.I've never met one,but they are supposed to be very intelligent.

Worms

To tackle a wriggling mound of worms is one thing to think about.

But sorting through the castings (feces) and separating the worms into another container is a whole different story.I did this for more than hour today.At first I was squeamish and didn't want any part of me touching the castings.Then I loved discovering worms hiding in avocado skins,lifting and scooting their rebellious little forms to safety (which they didn't believe).My back is nice and sore.A trip to the nursery to get basil,rosemary and other plants.Bamboo was vetoed,as were blueberries.Now I am sipping a blueberry,raspberry and marionberry smoothie I made.

Having a tired back reminds me of the endless weeding,pruning,digging, and other garden tasks I did last summer.I was told what to do, and would happily disappear for up to 5 hours, squatting and my back curving in a tortoise like fashion.There is something about getting your hands in the earth for a sustained period of time that really grounds you,makes you at peace.

sigh!

Ode to Rye Bread

The most delicious bread

the world has ever seen

it's dark and dense

has a smell that's enticing

pop in the toaster

and let it get crunchy

spread Earth Balance on it

and fig spread

just not chevre

oh dark rye is simply enticing

and full of fiber as well

here's to rye! hip hip

hop hop yum yum!

I have a dream

It's very rare that I remember my dreams in such detail as I did this morning...

I was with my mother in an intact Communist resort in Croatia.We walked down to the lake to go swimming, but since we weren't Communists we couldn't get in the water.Then we had to go to the bathroom,which entailed walking a long way to a building which had endless tiled corridors.Wandering around for a long time, finally found a bathroom on the scale of a ballroom.Only thing was that the toilet seats were almost four feet high, to use them you had to use handles to hoist yourself up.My mother disappeared and some kids came into the bathroom, which is when I realized you couldn't lock the doors."It's alright, sister, we trust you" said a little boy. Then I tried to find my mother but got lost in the endless corridors again.I walked through some girls who were seven feet tall but they just vanished into thin air like ghosts.Finally I found an elevator and took it to the lowest level, where I went outside and found my mother waiting for me.

"It's too bad they won't let us in the water.I'd really like to swim" she said.

and then I woke up!

Sleepiness

Getting very sleepy after a long (and unfortunately not good) Indian dinner.I ordered my usual masala dosai (aloo [potatoes] masala inside a rice pancake).Well it wasn't potato masala,it was mainly soft green beans and smashed up carrots,with a few token pieces of potato put in.And Fabio bit into a whole pepper which was lying dormant in his curry.He turned bright red and hives started to appear.Then he found another one in his curry.I hate to say it but India Cafe has realy gone down hill.I think the great cook has left and the service is even slower than ever.It's really a disappointment, because that is the only South Indian place in Honolulu. And now I have a craving for garlic naan bread.Oh dear...oh me oh my.

Time for snooze land soon.yawn!

Vino,Vidi,Vici

I happened to be in a specialty wine shop.Not exactly exciting for me until...

I saw a label called The Love Grass Wine which reminded me of a friend ! Even the letters were so happy and colorful. I lurked around the aisle which had all the delicious juices,jams,crackers, and other goodies to rot your teeth.Managed to find a non-rotting one,a fig spread with only fruit sweetening.The Nutella was crying out but I resisted.Oh, I also got lemons for the sore throat.Right now I'm cooking garbanzo beans.I fry them at medium for a long time, until they are nice and crunchy,nearly burnt.They are for a family friend who is going to the Philippines tomorrow.

First carrot cake was going to be made for her.Then we found out her daughter's birthday is on Sunday.I argued that two cakes in two days is a bit much.Then scones.But I refuse to cook with real butter, shortening,and other waist enhancing delicacies.

So garbanzos fritos it is.

They taste awfully nice with ketchup and avocado.

Try them!

-Heat burner to medium

-in the skillet put a lot of olive oil and garbanzo beans

-sprinkle oregano on top if you have some (I always forget this ingredient at the store!)

-ALWAYS USE A MESH SPLATTER GUARD.BURNING OIL HURTS!

-turn down to medium/low when they start to pop

-stir every ten minutes or so, until they are evenly browned and crunchy

-(optional step)consume with avocado and ketchup while watching your favorite old movie

Enjoy!

The miracle of sound

Sometimes I do an exercise where I think about things that as human beings we take for granted. Or not even as humans, but being a lucky human such as myself.

Sight and noise are certainly two of them.When I see my favorite little finches every day they make me so happy.The combination of what they look like and what they sound like is truly charming.They are about the size of a soup spoon, nutty brown with a few red highlights, and make a distinct "CHEEEP CHEEEP CHEEEEEEEP" sound as they fly in a small flock,landing on grass, roofs, and other places.They have gotten me through some hard times, when I felt so alone but when I saw them I brightened up immediately.

Which brings me to an excerpt from a poem by the great Sam Levinson

"Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."

I think we truly misunderstand as well as misvalue our own abilities. And we don't use them correctly either. Instead of sitting at this computer typing, I could be out serving food to the homeless, or on a mission somewhere, teaching basic proper nutrition and hygiene. I believe it is a basic human birthright to help those who don't have what we do. And all the things we have that we don't need.

Sometimes I go and look at all the things I don't need.All those clothes.So many books,lotions,teas,art supplies.Things that are a moment's fancy or whim to me are more than a luxury to others.There are millions in this world who right now are having trouble drawing breath, not able to have a meal, or use a toilet, or even have something to sleep on or protect them from the cold of the night.

That is why someday I truly hope to use my talents for the benefits of those who do not have what I do. There is so much more in this world, and the fact that we are able to board a plane,train and boat and reach those places is truly miraculous. We can go and help, which is something I believe in.Not the kind of colonialist pity.But the loving,caring,concerned human help that it so essential in every person's life.

Join me.

Well a lot of things have happened since the last time I wrote in 2008.

Most importantly, that handsome feral feline fellow in the photograph moved out,then simply left.Well you cannot control any feral animal, I guess I should've realized that could happen.But I was so besotted with the crazy and lovable dude, nothing like that ever entered my thoughts.

I made signs

I called people

I prowled the streets every night,sometimes several times, and afterwards returned home to cry and have a long sleepless night.

Then I realized some things my dear friend Nichole told me.To use my inner light, and telepathic communication.So I did.I recharged my energy and sent pets and cuddles and bowls of food to Thor.

well I didn't exactly hear back from him (never heard of a cat with telepathic abilities !) but I knew he'd gotten them.And it made me feel better.But I am still healing from it.It's a very hard lesson, when someone you love with every atom of your being,someone you have loved and nurtured  with so much devotion just leaves. But life has its lessons, and more importantly lessons that will lead us on in other ways,in other times.

I love you Thor!

My goodness,I totally forgot I even started a blog! JEEPERS!! It's been more than a year! 

Today is a voggy day.I live a few islands away from dormant volcanoes, and when the wrong winds blow,they blow the vog right into my house.Perfect.My throat is dry and it hurts to talk, and I have to restrain myself from my usual walking and biking regime.You see,when you exercise in vog,it gets ingested even more in your lungs and can leave you sick and sore and grouchy (been there done that).

Any who, I was just thinking of an exercise (no,not cardiovascular!) 

An Analogy of the Anatomy

My head:is very small I've been told.I have a lot fine soft hair.I've hit my head on a cinderblock wall once, when my yoga class was doing backbends on those rubber exercise balls.I somehow managed to roll off mine and my head hit the wall.Tears,confusion,the gamut! And a nice bump to complete the experience.

My eyes: are large but I have an extra quantity of skin on my eye lids, so my eyes are quite hidden.They used to be pale green but are now a mossy shade, and the edge of the iris is darker than the inside.I have great eye sight,thanks to a childhood munching on carrots,my preferred snack. I've got naturally arched and caterpillar like eyebrows, which I like to rub around when I'm deep into a book.But this sometimes leads to a few hairs being removed by mistake.

My neck is very ticklish and it gets hot or cold quite easily.I love to wear scarves but it's much too warm where I live.

I think the part I like best are my feet.They have a high arch,are very narrow and strong from 15 years of ballet classes.I can walk barefoot just about anywhere with no problems.Also, my second and third toes are connected, slightly webbed, which is one of the signs of the Buddhas.I just discovered this interesting fact very recently.Also my thumbs are slightly webbed.Guess that explains my yearnings to go to India,Nepal and Bhutan for a long time.

I've got lots of constellations of "beauty marks" on my face, I like to think they mean something, but who really knows! 

I think we are so lucky to be in this form of a body,but I would love to experience another form..Particularly a cat. I have a lot of signs that I was a jaguar in a past life, and I adore cats, so maybe that would be one for me to try.Of course we don't really have any power or control of what our next life will be as.All we can do is work for the path towards enlightenment.I haven't had any success,where I am now is not a conducive place to try to attempt that.

well as usual I've gotten off topic.

back to my tea!