Pet Peeves: A Path to Self Awareness

Did anyone know there is a national "Pet Peeve" week?  I didn't until I got a note on October 8th from my Northern California ukulele teacher announcing that fact, and asking the group to pick songs for our weekly strumming session that contained items or events that annoy us. I didn't even know that National …

The Inside Passage, Alaska: Lessons Learned

"Who looks outside dreams, who looks within, awakes." - Carl Jung Dear Friends, What's on my mind today?  Well, I'm wondering if anyone is tired of learning life lessons?  I know I get a little weary when I go through a rough patch and lesson after lesson hurl themselves in front of me.  My sister …

JUST FOR TODAY

"Just for today, I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me."      (Alanon "Just for Today" Bookmark) Recently I came across a sign in a sporting goods store that said:  "Just …

Intelligent Disobedience (How to be a happy contrarian)

For many years I drove a portion of the Pacific Coast Highway every evening on my way home, and would regularly come upon scenes matching the opening photo. I felt very blessed, of course, and in my imagination, dark clouds partially obscuring the glory of the sun were a metaphor. It symbolized, for me, that …

The Bliss and Blessings of Five Mile Hikes

Dear Friends, I left the wildflowers and super bloom of the Coachella Valley in late February to spend some time in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was tax time; therefore, it was my task to not only get my taxes done but to get them done for my Mother.  So, why not stay awhile …

Retirement Musings: One Year Later

Dear Friends, Today is 111 and if I count correctly, 376 days have passed since I retired. Lately, I've fired up more than a few cranial neurons silently musing about the journey.  I'm here now in this January 2019 edition of my monthly blog to share with you:  1) what I've learned 2) discuss the …

Rays of Light, Rays of Hope (making crises work for us)

Dear Friends, My family members and I are always looking for rays of light in the photos we take. Sometimes the light rays are streaking and peaking through branches of trees; at other times they are luminous emanations splayed from clouds. We like to imagine that the light beams are visitations from our loved ones, …

Travel Meditations: When Heart Speaks to Heart

Dear Friends, How fast this summer has flown.  I've been delayed in getting my blog out because I've been traveling quite a bit:  12 days spent on the east coast and another 12 days in Palm Desert. I've only had a few days in between to get back to a normal routine, if there's anything …

Gremlins, Goblins & Vultures (the saga of the lost golf swing and what matters most)

Dear Friends, I wish my title had more of a positive tone to it, but since I like to make lemonade out of lemons, it gives me a chance to talk about “sour” moments and how I find redemption.  I hesitate to even mention this subject (the lost golf swing) because it seems so trite …

Good Samaritans on the Road of Life

Dear Friends, There were a few incidents of late that led me to reflect on the issue of Good Samaritans appearing in one’s life and making all the difference in the world.   I’ve been chewing on and reflecting upon this subject and trying to bring the scattered seeds of thought together into one cohesive whole …