Introducing the 2020 Ultimate Cleanse!

Dear Friends, Going through a recent move got me thinking about what an ultimate cleanse might look like. In general, participating in cleanses or fasting is not my thing, unless forced into it by a colonoscopy appointment 🙀 and then I go into a mini meltdown because I can't stand the idea of not eating …

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 …

Split in Two (when no decision is a decision)

  June 21, 2019 Dear Friends, My sister Marilyn recently traveled to Scotland and sent me a photo of the "Praying Hands of Mary" (see photo above) which is located in the longest glen of Scotland, Glen Lyon.  It is also known as "Fionn's Rock" and the legend is that Celtic hero Fionn MacCumhaill (Finn …

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 …

Even the Desert Blooms

I recently left the California Coachella Valley just when it was awash in beauty, blossoms, and color.  This phenomenon ~ when the desert is richly carpeted in thousands of wildflowers ~ is called a "Super Bloom". It happens when a late fall monsoon occurs followed by cold temperatures that lock in moisture. These conditions prepare …

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 …

Light & Shadows (Waiting for Winter Solstice)

Dear Friends, Here is the post I intended to write and send.  You probably received a version of it recently with this same photo and title above.  Well that was due to an erroneous click (darn it) that prematurely published my post when it wasn't even finished; and I suspect that those of you out …

Helping Each Other up the Mountain

Dear Friends, The other day my friend and I went for a hike. It is my friend's intention to train for a hike at the Grand Canyon in summer 2019 and she wants to make sure that she builds up enough stamina and endurance by then so she's not, in her words, holding anyone back.  Since …