I Relate

Saturday is, hands down, my favorite day. I don't usually have anywhere to be in the morning so I leisurely read, drink coffee then head to Zumba around 10:40 which is what I did today.

Ran a quick errand then came home to eat before meeting Alison at the art museum for 2019's Art in Bloom. It was packed -- possibly because of the weather advisory. We stayed for about two hours and still didn't see all of the floral art.

We encountered this one woman who had lost her pencil so I let her borrow my pen so that she could mark off the ones that she'd already seen. She told us that she hadn't really taken any pictures because she'd just deleted pictures from 2018's Art in Bloom, ha-ha; I relate.

Overall, I think Art in Bloom is a brilliant concept. I enjoyed seeing so many people out and it's also a reminder for me that I don't get to the museum often enough.

Not the art it's representing but I like the composition.

Drawn to this one...

I want thissssss!

There were such nice touches throughout the museum.

3rd Place

Exchanges...

Full day yesterday.

Went to Zumba and from there headed to a new age store to see if they had rain sticks. There was one left and I listened to it for a good 10 minutes but couldn't decided on whether I really wanted it. From there headed to Talbots -- a store I usually only visit at the end of a season. I was surprised by how much pink stuff they had.

Pink is the new winter color???

Took a brief rest then went to this gathering. This woman, Pati,returned from Nepal with a plethora of singing bowls and while I have a nice set, I felt compelled to go and I'm glad that I did.

Pati has been in the healing arts for about 25 years and she had me cracking up when she said Am I crazy? I'm going half way around the world...

Made a pit stop at home then went to give a sound session. I love to hear what people think of the session afterwards. People have had interesting experiences. The person that I gave the session to yesterday called it an energy session. Hadn't really thought of that way but I guess most exchanges, massage etc., are an exchange of energy.

Saturday was a good day but I found myself craving more stillness.

Saw a couple of Cardinals this morning but I was too far away to focus well.

Another One

Had a weird dream last night. I was in a locker room and Michael Jordan was sitting next to me. A childhood friend was also in the locker room. I hardly ever see this friend unless there's a funeral and I'm thinking that she showed up because of the 100-year-old friend of the family who just transitioned because we used to play in front of her house. But Michael Jordan???

I was trying to take a selfie with Jordan but couldn't get my iPod to work and also couldn't find another device to take the picture...

Went to Zumba this morning then Alison asked if I wanted to go to an herb shop that I was trying to avoid because I'm having a love affair with essential oils. I somehow managed to walk away with just shampoo -- brownie point for me.

New Car Diffuser

Alison then wanted to go to lunch after our first stop and because I'd said "no" the last couple of times I said "yes" and we went to a nearby coffee shop then we ended up going to a new age store.

What's being served...

Got home and changed into yard work attire. Ended up being in the yard too long because I'd wanted to pick up my glasses in Illinois. Thought the place was open until five but they close earlier on Saturday. Oh well, guess you can't get everything done in one day.

On Friday, one of the contractors that I work with said that he had been swimming and I told him that I hadn't been swimming because of congestion and he said Welcome to the club; I take medicine all year for that. Ugh...

Stunner

Went to Trader Joe's last night so I wouldn't have to go today. As I checked out, looked out the window and saw a stunner of a sunset.

Went to Zumba this morning and tried to decide what could get done before 5:00 p.m. yoga and decided to do yard work. My neighbor is very nice. He's a self-described farm boy -- showed me what poison ivy looks like and also offered to help me get weeds off the fence. I told him thanks but I was okay since it was like working in a big old Zen Garden.

Cleaned up and headed to New Moon Flow in Gemini, a special yoga class. Felt like I was going to be in trouble during just the first few minutes in class because I was finding everything hard.

As we arrived for class, Joy gave out bandanas. Alison left her bandana by the door and she joked that she thought it was a party favor but at some point in class, we put the bandanas on and did yoga. Interesting experience. It reminded me of when I stopped wearing contacts while swimming and it made me focus more on what I was doing. Wearing the bandana also made me feel a little isolated because, obviously, I couldn't see anyone else but I definitely was more focused.

While blindfolded I was able to do half moon pose on my right leg but couldn't even get myself to attempt it on the left side -- same for Alison. We also did a meditation before the bandanas came off. Joy said that she couldn't remember the Thich Nhat Hanh meditation completely but I thought her rendition of it was great.

I am a flower; I feel fresh
I am a mountain; I feel solid...

I tried to find the meditation and came upon this exercise. Oh my God, I love singing bowls.

View from Inside of Trader Joe's

How Things Work

Hit the ground running this morning.

Went to the library to return non-renewable items then went to fill up a gas canister so that I could mow the front lawn -- the back will have to wait.

Finished mowing in time to hit Zumba class.

Just got back from my first trip to the St. Louis IKEA which opened in September. Haven't been to one in years and forgot how there's one track to get through the humongous store. Even though they have arrows, started to feel like I should have brought breadcrumbs to mark my path.

Last night went to see a short play, Bosnian American: The Dance of Life, with the
'Fugee and another 'Fugee, Asmira. Bosnian American.. was sad but also funny at times. Afterwards, we went to a place that sells gelato etc. The 'Fugee and Asmira made good choices by getting coffee and tea. I went with the gelato but I totally feel like I walked it off in IKEA. Hope so anyway but I know "things" don't work that way.

Information Table at Play

Today's Numbers

Share The Pool

From My Anti-Stress Ap

At 4:15 p.m. yesterday called Lulu's Local Eatery and asked for an impressive amount of Buddha bowls. Gave my name for the order and Lulu said I should have known it was you. I laughed. Are you getting bowls for the whole week? she asked. More laughter...

After picking up the Buddha bowls, met up with the 'Fugee and another friend. We were headed to check out the other friend's new house. Headed to Illinois during rush hour and the commute took 45 minutes. The 'Fugee and I have a whole new appreciation for our short commutes...

Had my eye on going to the pool this evening but wondered about the wisdom of devoting time to leisure. Feel like I've barely been to the outdoor pool so I let the dirty laundry and clutter wait another day.

I really had no intention of doing any real swimming. Finished listening to the Melissa Walsh episode of Inspiring Awesome then took off my outerwear, grabbed my goggles and headed in the vicinity of the pool when I heard this mother tell her child (Nevaya) that I was going to swim laps just like Mr. Such and Such does. Share the pool, the mother advised. I was touched because usually the opposite happens and "lanes" collide.

At one point Nevaya warned her friends that I was swimming laps and I asked Nevaya if she wanted to get by and she said Naw, I'm doing laps too.

Every time I took off, Nevaya took off so I acknowledged her by asking how long she'd been swimming. Since I was three, I think. Maaa, Maaaa - how long have I been swimming?

Nevaya turned back to me and told me that I was a good swimmer. I told her that she was a good swimmer too then she said It takes a lot of hard work -- so you can get mo' better. Too cute.

Before Nevaya's mother left, she thanked me for my patience and Nevaya also came over to thank me for letting her swim with me.

I ended up swimming much longer than I planned to because I didn't want to disappointment my little shadow...

Since I'm on the subject of swimming, here's an article about "swimming while black." Had flashbacks today, mostly pleasant,  about my stint learning how to swim.

You Gotta Relax

Totally crabby yesterday. For the most part my altruism, patience,  stamina and understanding is low by Thursday anyway.

Last night was movie night at The 'Fugee's and we watched Get On Up. When Aunt Honey told the young James Brown You gone be all right, it held extra meaning for me.

There was no rushing this morning. Sat by the window and chilled out until it was close to 11:00 a.m. -- Zumba time. Although Alisha is a sub, I was glad to see her and her enormous 'fro. My regular teacher for Thursday night hasn't been there in three weeks and while I adore the other sub for her enthusiasm, I miss familiar and accessible (to me) routines...

Went to Trader Joe's and this woman told this whining child You gotta relax a little bit. Love modern parenting.