Out in the Open

Someone sent me an email at work and I only read the first part of their sentence. The person ended up calling me because they needed a quick response. I love to read so I don't know why I'm quickly scanning stuff. I will concede that there is work-related stuff that I, obviously, don't want to read but... At any rate, I ended up having a conversation with the person about meditation and she said that we all need uncluttering for our minds. I like that concept and want to put meditation back on my agenda. She also sent me the "mantra" that she keeps above her desk.

Last week was a busy one. Went to Zumba -- twice, climbing and swimming (twice). Had dinner with Gloria on Thursday then we went to see Garden of Glass at the Botanical Garden. On Friday, went over to the 'Fugee's and, on Saturday, mowed the lawn and went to say my goodbyes to the city pool even though it was only 82 degrees. At the pool, talked for 30 minutes to a yogi whose path I seldom cross at the studio. At some point, also went to JC Penney because I'd gotten a spend $10 dollars, get $10 dollars off coupon and I've been looking for another short sleeve shirt to wear to work. Mission accomplished.

New Shirt

While running errands, debated about whether to go to this silent yoga event. Wasn't sure when an event of this kind would happen again so I went.

I am having time management issues. My problem? There are a lot of things that I like to do but, obviously, something suffers. I wanted to go to the city pool again on Sunday for the final day but ended up running out of time. While I got around to cooking, never did get around to washing clothes or the other chores that needed to be done.

Really enjoyed the silent, sunset yoga that took place at the gorgeous Grand Basin in Forest Park but, like a fugitive, I was very aware of how out in the open I was and even more so because the people who sponsored the yoga event are really into photography. One of them was taking very up close and personal pictures. At one point, I doubled the blanket that I had for my knees and thought she would move on as I adjusted it but, no, she stayed right where she was and got her picture. My God, I thought, she is going to capture all the flaws. I can take a gazillion selfies and post the one that I think is most flattering but I cannot control what other people post.

A Woman Chilling Out Before Yoga

Still in fugitive mode, I looked for pictures from the event and held my breath as I spotted my likeness in people's social media pictures. Also wondered how intrusive I was capturing the photo above of the woman resting before yoga.

While at the Botanical Garden, Gloria kept asking which installation was my favorite. She also asked me if I could do anything, work-wise, what it would be. As we walked about, I couldn't pinpoint a favorite glass sculpture until we'd left the Climatron and headed to the exit. I'm glad that I didn't read the map or descriptions of the artwork because I got to be blown away by Make A Wish when I figured out what was happening. It was such a moment of delight and maybe I'll get to have a similar moment when I figure out what work really rocks my boat.

Love this Chihuly in the foyer at the MO Botanical Garden.

Gloria and moi at the exhibit...

Make A Wish

This Words of Women Instagram post resonated with  me today.

Solange

A post shared by Words Of Women (@words_of_women) on Aug 14, 2017 at 7:27am PDT

The Regular

Around mile two of Saturday's bike ride, realized that I had left my iced water in the car. Alison said that I could share but it was a humid day so I thought about what to do. Didn't want to ride back but I thought about calling the 'Fugee because I know that her nephew stays close to the trail. Also thought about the Quick Trip toward the end of the trail when Alison said that we could stop by Ace Hardware.

Haven't been to a hardware store in ages and didn't think they sold water but they sell some of everything of course.

If push came to shove I could have bought some lemonade from the youngsters chanting When I say lemon, you say... 

After bicycling did modest uncluttering and was shocked to find money that my aunt Girt had given me for Christmas. I think it was Suze Orman who said when you don't know what you have you lose money or maybe it was a professional organizer who said that.

After uncluttering a bit, reward myself by going to the grand opening of the city pool that I attempted to go to the other day. 

Where the party at? The party was definitely on the south side of St. Louis yesterday. I almost turned around because of the crowd but went to the main entrance, as instructed, to fill out paperwork. As soon I stepped in the door, the main lifeguard asked a security to escort this woman out for using too much profanity. 

I think that I know the lifeguard from one of the recreation centers. Even if I don't know her, I know... Her entire language and body language screams I don't take nothing from nobody...

The locker room of the city pool looks like something that got left behind. I want to call Extreme Makeover to see if they'll help. 

As always with this pool, the deep end stays closed so all of humanity was in the shallow end and there really wasn't much space to swim but I'm still glad that I went. The weather was beautiful and there was live music.

Later on I found out that there was Go Fund Me page to raise money for the party. Wish that I had known earlier. I should also mention that this pool is the only free outdoor pool on the south side...

Red, White and Blue

Vintage Firetruck

Went to 11:00 a.m. yoga instead of 9. This woman next to me was cracking me up with her exaggerated breathing and I told her so after class. She was a little surprised by my comment so I explained more when her daughter told me that she was 75-years-old. I would have never guessed 75. At the most, I would have guessed 60. Her daughter said that, yeah, she rocks. 

Neither the daughter (Karen) nor the mother are regulars. It's usually Karen's 6'5, 250 lb husband who is the regular. Sometimes it's good to go to a different class.

A Day Early

What does one do for a staycation?

It was hard to top the pre-staycation trifecta of the Lantern Festival, Circus Flora and Farm To Yoga so I didn't try. What's the point of always trying to top something anyway?

Thursday morning, decided to make an oatmeal "recipe" like one I'd seen in Prevention magazine: rolled oats, unsweetened cocoa, coconut, almond milk, almonds (a little redundant now that I think about it) and a drizzle of maple syrup. The recipe didn't call for it but I added bananas. Was I moaning while eating it? No, but I liked the change.

Went to get an a.m. massage because I still feel tense. Because of the therapist's skill, I was able to go to that hypnotic state. At the end of the session, she thanked me -- as massage therapist will do and told me that she will see me when she sees me which meant I could truly take my time and not rush to get off the table so I didn't.

Couldn't resist going to the pool afterward. The air and water temperature was perfect and I capped off the day by going to Zumba...

Saw the Mayor tweet about one of the city pools. I forget about them.

Felt the need for a dip in refreshing water again so I headed to a city pool but when I pulled up there was no one in the water and, upon further inspection, the gate was locked. I did see a lifeguard who told me that there'd been a delay because of an inspection or something and that the pool is slated to open tomorrow. Nothing like seeing all off that refreshing water and real estate and not being able to get in.

The Marquette repairs are great. Might be time for a poolside staff meeting. #fgs

— MayorSlay.com (@MayorSlay) June 11, 2015