An Odd Thing

I've been so quiet that I remembered something that I haven't thought about in a long time.

A former colleague lost her child and a carload of us went to the funeral and I had forgotten my music (nothing jarring) which I wanted to play and Sharon, an art therapist and Healing Touch practitioner, said something like There's a time to be reflective...

And reflective is what I've been since Mike Brown's August 8th death. Reflective and tense especially last night as I watched the news while scrolling through my Twitter feed and seeing breaking news from the New York Times that the autopsy results had been released and that Brown had been shot at least six times...

I hadn't planned on being reflective but Alison asked me if I would dog-sit. Because of clutter, my environment is not suitable for a dog so Alison said that I could do the sitting at her house. Of course, it would have been easier for me if I had chosen my crib but, yeah, clutter so I packed up and stayed at Alison's over the weekend.

I was without a computer although I did have my iPod.

Read nonfiction, watched out for the hummingbird, looked through cookbooks, observed Marge in savasana. A lot.

The Elusive One

Realized that I drink water much better if it's super cold.

Realized that I've been overeating, big time, but did not overeat at Alison's as I took only a few snacks. Although I had permission to glean from the pantry, freezer and tomato patch, I was just satisfied and didn't keep shoveling food into my mouth. Not sure what made me start shoveling again...

Realized how smart Alison is for setting up her house to be super comfortable. And Alison? She's hospitable even when she's not at home. When I told Hazira about Alison's hospitality. She said, Of course, she's European.

Marge Perfecting Savasana

Female Woodpecker

Sharon Salzberg was featured in the Prevention that I packed in my weekend bag. Salzberg says Even in the midst of chaos, the breath is one of our most dependable resources for staying centered. Not sure about the whole centered thing right now but remembering to breathe keeps my neck and jaw from being so tight and keeps me from feeling like my heart is in my throat which is an odd thing to choke on...

Will Climb For Pride

Went to visit the 'Fugee last night and, after we ate dinner, she jokingly did drive-by energy work. No, no, no, I said. Finish what you started.

The 'Fugee is a gifted energy worker and I received an unexpected and very nice Friday night gift. If I didn't say it, 'Fugee, thank you.

The 'Fugee and I watched 42 which I was not in a hurry to watch. I don't really like going down segregated memory lane but, within those stories, are also ones of triumph. Still don't know if that's enough to make me pick up The Help again and I'm not sure why I'm reading this situation...

I loved it when Branch Rickey told Jackie Robinson why he selected him to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers and then said You made me love baseball again. Thanks...

Went climbing. It's been so long since I've seen Patti that she's gone Paleo but nothing has changed about her climbing; she's still a beast.  

Like a football team that's behind by 28 points, I climbed a lot for pride. There's nothing like the feeling, though, when you're on a route, it's kicking your ass, sweating is pouring and you (meaning I) want to stop but you keep contorting your body, grabbing, repositioning and exclaiming until you make your way to the top.

I Have Yoga Guilt or Stuff People Say To Me

When I look at you, I have yoga guilt. 

Rosie

You are muscular. 

Aunt's friend

Whenever I hear the word yoga, I feel guilty.

Sarah

You are strong. 

Jeanne to me after I effortlessly picked up her massage table and placed it on a carrier.

Maybe I'll look like the folks on your Yoga Journal calendar in 10 years... 

One of my colleagues on trying to work out the plantar fasciitis kinks...

Me: I can't believe that I organized a yoga party.

Hazira: You can't believe it?

Me: You have Zumba and yoga at your clubhouse? What's preventing you from taking the classes?

Patti: Inertia.

That was quick.

 The lifeguard to me after I exited the pool at lap 15.

Can someone tell me why this woman has this book?

A question that Hazira posed, more to the universe than to me, when she spotted the book below.

Oh my God, you still look the same.

Dale, Irma J. & Rhonda

You're strong. 

Elle as she gave me tips during triangle pose...

What Marisa Had In Store

Went to the pool with  no new equipment to address the whole can't-breathe-at-night-after-swimming issue.

Can't you just swim žènskī-style?, Borat a.k.a. Hazira wanted to know.  

Zenski (a.k.a. pertaining to a woman) -- that's how some Bosnians refer to swimming with the head above the water with a breaststroke-like kick.

Talked to the lifeguard and no one else has mentioned the inability to breathe. She also said that they keep the chlorine at the low end of what is required and that the only people she's heard of who've had problems have been kids with asthma.

Chatty Kathleen told me that it doesn't matter if your head is below or above the water. Pool house gases are pool house gases. Kathleen also recommended eucalyptus oil dropped in hot water and a towel to cover the face over said infused water. Vicks. A neti pot.

The congestion lasted longer this time so I'm just going to give the pool a break. I imagine that the reaction that I'm having is akin to a food allergy -- the reaction becomes worse the more you expose yourself to the allergen...

I had kettlebell on the brain very early in the day. A sleepless night before meeting Marisa is not the ideal situation. 

I once told Gloria that I was scared to nap since I'm such a night owl. You need savasana, she said. And that's what I did today. I grabbed my eye pillow and, of course, savasana turned into a power nap. I wanted to finish out the nap but I got up, ate a little then headed out the door.

What Marisa had in store:

Right, 20 Reps:

One-hand Swing
Clean and Press
Squat
High Pull
Snatch
Burpees

Left, 20 Reps:

One-hand Swing
Clean and Press
Squat
High Pull
Snatch
Burpees

Jessica Rabbit a.k.a. Crazy Lats and Bowls and I were both experiencing hand fatigue and my left arm in the biceps area was not feeling very nice either but we all moved on to the next phase with two kettlebells.

2kb series...Five Rounds:

Swing
Clean and Press
...
...
1/2 Snatch

We finished up with planks then the whippersnappers worked on pull-ups.

Marisa says that, for her birthday, she has a special workout in mind. I really don't know if I want to be present for that birthday bash.

...Genuinely Nice

Asmira's sugar-free, fat-free masterpiece.

I am not a party person so when my aunt asked about my yoga party, I quickly called it by another name --- a birthday yoga class.

Wanted to have a yoga class for the b-day last year but sat on the fence too long. I still had the urge so I thought about where I could have it and who would guide.

I asked Gloria and her answer was a supersized yes and I still have not found the appropriate words to convey how thankful I am.

I sent out invitations and asked people not to bring gifts. Why did you tell people not to bring anything? one of my friends asked. It feels good to be able to sing those Tuck and Patti lyrics: I have just about everything I need. Although, I will admit that I cannot resist the lure of workout clothes and I'm often tempted to buy more workout equipment.

The Gifts That I Was Not Supposed To Get

Today didn't go as I planned but it was a wonderful opportunity to practice yoga principles and to witness how magnanimous people can be. Even though it didn't go exactly as planned, it turned out beautifully. The energy was really good and I think that everyone enjoyed themselves.

Even Borat said: It (the birthday yoga class) was genuinely nice.

Thanks so much to everyone for making it such a lovely day.

Lori Revisiting Plank. Borat and I Content With Sukhasana (Easy Pose)

A Deeper Look Inside of Asmira's Confection

A Closer Look at the Calla Lilies

Favorite Gloria-ism of the day: Every time (birthday) you step on your yoga mat, it's an opportunity to have a clean slate. Gloria said it much nicer but you get the picture.

Gloria also threw in eagle pose which tends to make me cringe. I totally saw my "office wife" nod in the affirmative when Gloria said that sometimes the poses that we like the least are the ones that we need to do the most.

Melinda would totally agree with this quote by Paris Hilton that Gloria read at the beginning of class:

The way I see it, you should live every day like it's your birthday.

One of the most memorably moments from the class, besides grunting from the newbies, was a post-savasana Gloria saying: Make a beautiful spine and the sun from the sky light falling across her face.

Can Feel The Warmth of The Coffee Cup That I Will Have In My Hands...

About Five Minutes, Okay?

To ensure that I got my workout in and to avoid feeling like a goldfish, I went to the indoor pool and swam 21 laps -- not an easy feat since the Chatster was in the lane next to me...

After I wrapped up my indoor swim session, didn't bother putting on my shorts or shirt, just wrapped my beach towel around me and headed to Hazira's. She igged me when I knocked on her door but since I was headed to her pool, being igged didn't bother me but I bet she was reading The Balkan Chronicle or something like that as she tuned out the doorbell.

I want to spend as much time at the outdoor pool as possible before it closes and the countdown to Labor Day is on.

Hiiiiiiiiiiii, said Olivia as I walked into the pool area.

What's your name?

We've been down this road before but I guess Olivia forgot my name. I don't feel well, she said....I have allergies. Olivia is very friendly and chatty. In fact Rabija's friend, Cindy, wanted to know if Olivia and I were neighbors. Nope, Olivia just rolls like that. In fact, Olivia completely wore Zoe's name out but Zoe, an older girl, was very patient with Olivia.

I avoided getting out of the pool the way I avoid sleep on Sunday night. Oliviaaaaa, about five minutes, okay?

Just as Olivia's mom gave her five minutes, I gave myself the same deadline. I had spent almost three hours in the water and hunger was getting the best of me.

The French Namesake

Lots of Admirers

It has been a grand weekend. Went along with Hazira to her mentor's house. He hosted a dinner party for his French friends.

Three hours of eating and talking and no one touched a cell phone. So civil. I decided not to be picky about food. My aperitif was water but I ate the grape and cheese appetizer. Also ate the mozzarella cheese and tomato. Ditto for the decadent hash brown casserole with cornflakes. I had the chocolate mousse --two shot glasses of it. The whole time I was hoping that the French paradox would rub off on me the way it had rubbed off on Martine...

Went to Gloria's twisted 9:00 a.m. class. Took a seat in the front and thought about how I no longer hide in the back.

The class was packed and it was pretty cool. Lots of amazing energy. My mat neighbor and I alternated hoisting our hands and watched out for each other during spinal twists.

I kept thinking about how twists are supposed to be cleansing. A lunge with a twist and pigeon with a twist are pretty intense and I had to keep reminding myself not to hold my breath.

I was fully alert and energetic after class. Spotted Alison all the way in the back with her fuzzy mat carrier. Among other things, Alison is a champion hugger. We talked about tracking calories and other tools for a good 15 minutes...

My mat neighbor beamed at Alison and me after class. It's a glorious day she said. And another one who came into class about halfway in said that she felt amazing as well and that she was glad that she came.

DJ Gloria hipped me to Michael Chapdelaine. Many thanks. Digging Blue Chile right now and Chapdelaine is also a reminder that I need to put Tuck and Patti tunes on my iPod.

I texted a friend and told her that I met her French namesake and that it reminded me of one of our professors who used to sing her name. The one who liked my New York accent?, she asked.

Loved

Had a two hour meeting yesterday. Usually, end of the week p.m. meetings find me dragging but the speaker held my attention. I liked it when he said that his personal mission statement is bigger than his company's mission statement. I was also captivated by his frequent use of the phrase I would like to encourage... It's kind of the in phrase but...

Agreed to pick up Hazira after work and we headed to a new-ish restaurant that was featured on Groupon. Love the name -- Hot Pot Smoothie. Also dug Janice Scherer's art. When I come into money and reduce my hoard, I plan to acquire more art.

After picking up our "hot pots," we headed to an independent coffee shop. The combination of good food and coffee was enough to make me moan and I definitely plan to return to Hot Pot Smoothie.

Udon Noodles, Chicken, Spinach, Peppers...Mmmm

Later on, Hazira and I watched Modern Family -- the fourth episode, Our Children, Ourselves, of season two just might be my favorite. It's the episode with the homeless Reiki master. So funny. It doesn't take much to make me happy...

Woke up and turned on the TV. They were doing makeovers or something on The Today Show and it seems that adding hair moves so many people. Additional hair is something that I have very little interest in but what I did notice was an audience member (with more hair) who had on a LOVED shirt. 

I want that shirt.

I often think that if I want something as my epitaph, it would be that line from Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon: And she was loved! Even though it still surprises me when people like me, I do feel loved... a lot.

Did my usual Saturday morning bed-dwelling, then lifted my bike out of the basement. Such a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

As I sat on the bench reading a book sample, this family walked by and a little girl in a stroller noticed the group of people by the building with a lot of windows and asked Where's the bride?

If I Had More Money or Stuff People Say to Me

Me: I feel like I'm getting in the  way of you staring down the wall. 

Boulderer: That's okay -- we'll just stare at you awkwardly.

I couldn't read you today. Where you relaxed?

Massage Therapist

I've been giving the plant Reiki.

 Kim re: her big plant

Are you talking to your organs yet? 

I expressed doubt when an acquaintance mentioned that she talked to her organs but Hazira thinks that I've now reached the point where I may very well talk to mine.

Sounds like you're hallucinating. 

Hazira re: my ability to see yoga everywhere.

I like to get there early and do savasana before class starts...

Colleen to me re: the time commitment it takes to practice Bikram yoga.

If I had more money, I’d have a lot more cheese at home...

Sarah

Who told you to stop? 

Dawn to the class as we warmed up our abs prior to boxing.

She broke it, like, three times... 

Ademir to me re: his girlfriend's Chinglish

Me: As you see, I never take my mats out of the car.

Cindy: When you get a more expensive one, you will.

No Rep Left Behind

If Marisa says that we're doing a Tabata with six sets of triceps dips then we're going to do them but not because Marisa realizes that she stopped at five but because of Tiffany who will remind her.

It doesn't matter if I call Tiffany Little Miss Turkish Get-Up or I tell her that I'll see her on the parking lot afterwards, she never lets us forget a rep or circuit but, as Marisa likes to say, you're only cheating yourself when you don't push...

Tiffany tells me I'm a scientist and a Type A Personality... Ugh, she can't help herself. I ask Tiffany how often she works out. She tells me five days a week then I wouldn't be able to make it through work if I didn't. I assured Tiffany that she was not the only one who wouldn't be able to make it.

At one point, we get up after doing some situation on the floor and Marisa wants us to do jumping jacks but I cannot get the signal from my brain to my legs and arms so I take a break...Marisa definitely came prepared with one of her wreck you routines...

My massage therapist gave me Epsom salt the last time that I saw her. Go ahead and use the whole thing...and it will be fragrant because it has essential oils in it, she said.

Post-Kettlebell Rx

As I read in the bath, I thought about Hazira who thinks about the financial situation of friends in the former Yugoslavia. Hazira asked me how much my ings (climbing, swimming etc.) cost per month and how much for massage. I know it's a luxury but not...

Current Reading Material

One More Time

On any given Sunday, there are lots of cars at the gym that belong to yogis. It's an impressive procession for Gloria's 11 a.m. class and she's told us before that the class is not full until there's one hand space between each mat.

After class started, a young man walked in and Gloria told him that there was still room -- ending with I don't know where...

Modeling for us, Gloria moved her mat over and the final yogi joined us for the morning.

I think we all know by now to watch out for our neighbors when extending arms or legs. My yoga neighbor was completely parallel to me and I was totally fine with it. Energy-wise, I'm growing fond of being in proximity to others while practicing.

Gloria started off class by reading excerpts from Yoga Over 50, I think. The first excerpt was about how rejuvenation of the body is totally possible at 50 and beyond. Gloria looked out at the mostly under 50 crowd and said You'll realize this when you're lucky enough to reach that age....A Deepak Chopra passage was next. I don't fully remember it but it was something about spirituality plus your body being your ally...

Last night, I picked up the 'fugee then headed to Asmira's who's also a 'fugee. So, I guess it was an evening with the 'fugees. After dinner, Asmira's husband, Izet, played ping pong with me. I haven't played ping pong in decades and Izet had to give me pointers about which direction to turn the paddle in if I was hitting the ball from the left or right side etc. I was surprised by how fatigued my arm got after a short time but ping pong is so addictive and so much fun. Had I been in the right attire, short-sleeves, and thought to bring water with me, I could have played ping pong all night. As it was I kept saying, One more time. Okay, one more time...one more time...


Also, if you haven't seen it, check out Ping Pong Playa -- cute movie.

Everything Is Okay

Blurred vision again. Admittedly, I wasn’t in a good mood today but if my vision blurred every time I was in bad mood, I’d have the episodes more often.

Hazira put her hands in motion and did energy work for me. As soon as she finished, the blurred vision disappeared. She did ask me, first, if everything was copacetic. Because I will keep working, she said. I love it when a Healing Touch practitioner sticks around until the job is done.

I like to think that with all of the self-care that I do that the blurred vision thing won’t happen but this passage from an O Magazine (March 2012) article, The Vacation that Will Kick-Start a Healthier, Happier You, rings true:

He (personal trainer Jorge) doesn’t say that everything is going to be okay – he says everything is okay. I give the workout my full energy. When it’s over, the foul mood is gone. I have my peace back. I finally grasp that keeping it isn’t effortless: I have to work for it. And I want to…

Hazira, thanks; I appreciate it. :)

Determination, Grit, Perseverance & Other Trifectas

Experienced a trifecta of deliciousness yesterday. Hung out with Hazira at the swimming pool, went home to refuel then headed out for climbing and yoga with Cindy, Kristen and Lisa.




Cindy and I, A Little Tandem Climbing on Elephant Wall

 



Eyes on the Climber

 Rooftop yoga in these parts in now equivalent to hot triple digit yoga. Wiser heads did prevail and rooftop yoga was moved from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

So, there's roof one and there's roof two. We did yoga on the lower roof which had more shade. It was such a nice experience practicing yoga with friends underneath the sky.

We set our mats up and Cindy, Kristen and Lisa readjusted and moved closer to the front. Lisa said that she was a dork like that and likes to be near the front. Cindy asked me if I was going to move my mat and I was like no thanks. I was perfectly fine with my back row spot. No one needed or needs to witness my awkward alignment.

I soon realized why Lisa moved up front. She did Cirque du Soleil worthy chaturangas. No need to buy a $50 dollar plus ticket to the circus when Lisa is practicing illish asanas nearby. I know, I know. You're not supposed to be a lookie loo during yoga practice but girlfriend was all up in my peripheral vision.

Lisa Rolling Up Her Mat

Sometimes, I don't know what's more challenging -- chaturangas or downward facing dog. Agatha, the teacher, got on a little mantra about grit, determination and perseverance but I didn't pay any attention to her because she did some Cirque-worthy plank bind situation.

Toward the end of class, Agatha had us in bridge which we would hold for a spell while making sure that our chins were away from our chests. As Agatha said, it's a good position for folks who work at a desk all day. After releasing the bridge, we'd close our eyes and put our hands on our bellies. Repeat bridge, release -- hands on belly. Yummy sequence. Yummy day, repeat...

Cindy & Kristen with Post-Savasana Smiles

Checking out the Arch from Roof Two

The Ings...or Month-End Review, May

Monday, May 7th, Boxing + Yoga

I don't know why I'm so tired, I told Hazira. Her response? It's all those ings. To which I responded, Hunh?

Climbing. Swimming. Swinging, she responded. I was like Au contraire, little couch potato, exercise actually energizes me. Okay, maybe I have gotten worn out from an exercise endeavor or two but...

It's been five years since I decided to get my act together and five years since I visited my friends in New Jersey and New York where I had my epiphany. Can't believe that I haven't seen my friends in that long. An early happy birthday to Martene; Hey girl...

I still remember reading a 2007 issue of Prevention magazine and spying the ad for the Lewis and Clark Marathon and thinking I'm doing that...

Since I started keeping track, via month-end reviews, in Sept. of '09, I've been rock climbing over 100 times; ditto for swimming. Hey, I learned to swim within these last five years! I've done Jackie Warner's upper body workout on Personal Training with Jackie over 60 times. I so love being in shape and strong and this is how I stayed in shape this month:

5 Day Get Fit Mix

Cardio Kickboxing, 1 x

10 Minute Solution: Tone Trouble Zones!

Arms & Shoulders, 1 x

10 Minute Stretch, 1 x

Boxing, 2 x's

Climbing, 3 x's

Kettlebell Class, 2 x's

Swimming, 7 x's

Treadmill, 1 x (While watching Oklahoma vs. Los Angeles, #nbaplayoffs)

Walking, 6 x's

Yoga, 11 x's

Static Energy

Thought that I had looked at a light too long but it turned out that my vision was distorted and that hasn't happened in a long time and it usually happens when I'm stressed out. It kind of feels like I'm looking through a clear honeycomb when it happens.

I wondered how I could be stressed out since I just went to restorative yoga two days ago but I also remembered something Patti told me when I talked about my frustration with clutter. I had thought about enlisting the services of a professional organizer but I told her that I can't keep doing that but, obviously, I have a problem... Patti said that uncluttering is like pruning or a healthy lifestyle -- you have to keep doing it. True dat, Patti. True dat...

The interesting thing about the distorted vision is that it only happened in one eye this time. I immediately took to the couch and Hazira went to work on me with EFT which worked.

I did have a headache afterwards but by the time we finished watching White Wedding, the headache was pretty much gone.

I took a chance on White Wedding (51%) even though it was not fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Another movie that I like, Ping Pong Playa, only had a 66% rating and it made me laugh a lot. Fifty one percent and 66% -- close enough. I thought White Wedding was sweet -- but not too syrupy; it held my attention and made me laugh. Kinda had a Disney tone to it...

P.S. Hazira, thanks for taking care of that static energy...

The Magic Shorts

I'm addicted to workout clothes -- might as well face it. I hardly look for regular clothes anymore.

Couldn't resist getting this yoga towel.


I've been stalking yoga towel auctions on Ebay. Went to Marshalls to get a new yoga mat and, possibly, shorts and was delighted when I looked in the bin of yoga mats and spotted towels on sale for $10 dollars. And, yes, I do use regular towels for Hot Yoga but I've been jonesing for the real thing.

Also found a pair of Aspire shorts, priced at $7.99; I find them aesthetically pleasing and they fit well.

I've been searching for Aspire clothing since I found the most wonderful pair of Aspire yoga pants about a year ago.

I also got a pair of underwear because, apparently, I have a thing for underwear too. The jones actually comes in handy because it sometimes takes me forever to get around to doing the laundry.

And now for the magic shorts but first a little background. Hazira and I have a running joke about a magic purse because whenever she goes to Bosnian, she goes with a lot of gifts; it's a culturally-appropriate must. Because space is limited, she'll stuff things inside of other things, even a purse, to maximize space. I called it a magic purse because there were at least five items inside of one during her last trip.

Zone 1, Specially Formulated to Handle the Heat and Transport (haha) Moisture Away from the Skin
Someone else that I know, a Kenyan, told me that it's not the price of the ticket that gets you; it's the cost of the gifts. This same person had me cracking up when she told me that her visiting sister tried to take many things back to Africa, including a bag of Doritos that she crushed into tiny little pieces in order for the bag to fit in her luggage.

Mentioning the magic purse makes me think of my trek to the former Yugoslavia. More than missing the international travel, I would love to see this lady again, my lovely host in Zagreb.


Disregard Rick Steves when he says travel (abroad) as if you'll visit again in a few years. For me, a few years has turned into an eon.


What’s your workout gear weakness?

We're Not Camping

In the coatroom, several people mentioned that they might go horizontal at some point during Hot Yoga but we all stayed in the upright position until we moved into a position that called for being horizontal.

Cindy reminded us that we had set the time aside to take care of ourselves and that we all lead chaotic lives. With that in mind, she wanted us to clear our minds.

If you have control of your breath, you have control of your lives which she also wanted us to remember when we got outside of the classroom.

You can do anything for 60 seconds according to Cindy when we got to everyone's favorite portion of the program, the plank.

No tenting of the bootie; we're not camping. Haha, Cindy....We were also not hammocks either, apparently.

Your body will give up before your mind.

My body sure did because I was in total disbelief when she said that we were halfway through holding the plank. How does 30 seconds feel so long?

For the first time in my Hot Yoga experience, people did not jump out of savasana which made for a much nicer experience and allowed me, as another teacher likes to say, to feel the benefits of the practice...

So, Hazira comes to see me and she holds out this calendar.


It takes my mind a minute to make the connection between the life size version she's holding and the one that I've been looking at on Amazon. I was so happy. And guess where she found it at? The thrift store, one of her favorite stores.

Hazira also gave me this purse


that she found a thrift store. She scored it for like $12 dollars. The woman's got skills. Thanks Hazira...

I Need Some Fake Exercises or (More) Gospel from Hazira, A Special Friday Night Birthday Edition

How do I take care of these (thighs)?

I'm not doing anything that hurts.

I need some fake exercises.

That's so Bosnian...

You'll be talking to your organs soon.

Hazira to me re: my increasing interest in acupressure et al.

The heart sends out the strongest waves...

I'm telling you; it's all about balance.*

I wouldn't wish someone's mother dying in another country on my worst enemy.

Something is going to please you.

After I put my coat on backwards...

I am so impressed with those people who never give up.


Commentary while watching Conviction.

Rugala Se Ruga Pa Postala Druga.

Rough translation: You become what you laugh at... Hazira made this comment after I told her that I had bought four boxes of Annie's Homegrown Bunnies and almond butter not realizing that I already had reserves at home. I usually chuckle at her impressive food inventory.

Please call my soul cell.

Freudian slip?

And the class will have lots of civil people and you like civil people.

Hazira after I told her that I was thinking about taking a Healing Touch class.

*Balance is the key to optimal mental health. Dr. Miranda Baten on The Erica Hill Experiment

The Importance of Getting the First Route In

Apparently, when a flash goes off, Jeremy knows it's me. I know what you're thinking but I was not all up in his face; I used the zoom.

When I rolled out of bed at 8:45 a.m., I wondered about crazy people that hit the climbing gym at 10:00 but, once you get that first route in, the sleepiness fades and you become entertained by mothers who try to coax their kids into climbing with: You use your legs to run and play all day. You have strong legs; keep climbing.

On The Wall

Off The Wall -- Does this make me a dangling modifier?

Patti, Today's Queen of Bouldering

Patti Showing Jessica Yet Another Injury

Jessica Playing Peek-a-boo To See What's On The Other Side of the Route

Went to say goodbye to the pool because fall-like weather is on the horizon. Here are some pics that I took around the pool.








I was surprised when I got to the pool because there was tree-related debris everywhere. There had been a brief but intense storm in the county which I hadn't been aware of. I debated whether or not to get in the pool with all of the debris in it but decided that there are so many chemicals in the pool that it hardly mattered. Needless to say, I had the pool to myself. It felt so right and I felt so good.

I'm also going to miss my post-swimming bowl of watermelon that Hazira usually provided.


It's been a good day. Hope you all can say the same...

From Saucy to Non-Saucy in Four Days

I really did myself in on Monday or maybe fatigue has been accumulating for a while but when the opening credits rolled for Barney's Version, I was out like a light about five minutes into the flick and didn't move for another two hours plus. Nice Friday, hunh?

I'm told, by Hazira, that Barney's... is a good movie but sad.

In all honesty, I think it was the Healing Touch that made me sleepy. Hazira was kind enough to work on my calf which has been tender to the touch.

Healing Touch and self-massage seems to have taken care of the tweak but not the fatigue.




This morning, I raised my head long enough to let Jessica know that I would not being joining her and the 'rents for a 20 mile bike ride. I later emerged from the bed around 11:00 a.m. and only because I made myself get up.

I finally decided to tackle my brake light thanks to the internet because my car manual was not very helpful at all. Some nice person left perfect instructions for disassembling the light situation. At one point, half of my body was in the trunk to get at the final and trickiest lug nut but I finally got the precious little bulb out.



While I got the replacement bulb, I also got windshield wipers because inspection time is near. I felt so accomplished for someone who rolled out of bed at 11. Hope your Saturday has been relaxing or whatever you needed it to be...