Welcome to Wonder

Jul. 24, 2015 Day 0
Almost there…
We’ve dreamed about this trip for ages.
The trip is the destination. Isn’t that how it should be? I am giddy thinking about all the characters, friends, thoughts, laughter and sights that are about to unfold.

Almost there, such anticipation, I hope we can slow each moment down to savor and taste its offerings. I trust it will be juicy, comical and numinous.

Yoga at every stop. For the mind or for our hips!?

Jul. 25, 2015 Day 1
Lesson given…and accepted!
Do you ever find getting away from home nearly impossible? So many details to finish up, mind and heart racing to be able to take off! Then 70 miles an hour on I-90. Wait no, 12 miles an hour on I-90.

As always the universe conspired: Forget rushing out of dodge. instead we talked and crept out. The trip had begun. Enjoyed viewing a motocross race from afar, observed clouds, lots of clouds. Talked of Stephanie Mills, tracking, life and more clouds.

It made stopping for signs like Welcome to PA, and big rocking chairs in the middle of nowhere fun.

The last hotel room of the day? Waiting just for us! 🙂

Jul. 27, 2015 Day 2 Chicago
Time Change
Ohio: Cotton ball clouds, Queen Ann’s Lace, Cornflowers, St Clare’s Church, a man with a card and a thought, a healing park, endless pavement leading into Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois.

Clouds stretched and became a rolling wave that took us into Chicago. Oh the thrill of a big city and all it’s wonderous cuisines! Tonight Cuban at 90 Miles Cuban Cafe. Tomorrow Art Walk.

Tonight the sweet feel of sheets, and a pillow.

Jul. 28, 2015 Day 3 From Chicago to Red Wing Minnesota
It all unfolds when we let it!
Chicago, a clean and modern city. Its parks and art, modern and inviting. The river is that beautiful blue green. Lime perhaps? This creative city with its massive buildings is churnng with noise: ambulances, fire trucks, police, trucks, and the FBI rushing a building. Oh wait – that was the fake FBI. They were filming the TV show Empire. The noise deafenig, by late morning it was time.

Wisconsin to Minnesota; Time at the waters edge, traveling “monkeys”, rolling hills, and sunset on the Mississippi River.
The crazy wonderful serendipitous thing about our trip is that we aren’t planning it. It is unfolding right before eyes! If we could only stay this relaxed and open every day, imagine the gifts we’d find in a day!

July 29th Day 4
Wide open spaces
I can see for miles and miles….
The sunset in Huron, S.Dakota mirrored their side streets, dark with a pink hue running throughout.
The day began in Red Wing, MN with thunder and lightning in the early hours. Yoga in our room! By late morning heat was up and humidity down. 🙂
Happenings of the day: Laid in the grass of an old cemetery and soaked up the sound of wind in the pines. Dodged a turtle in the road. Went back to check on him and he had hustled to the other side! Pondered over some wild flowers. Saw pheasants!!! And covered almost 8 hours of terrain.

And – the sky really IS big around here. It’s hard not to befriend it when it’s 80% of our view all day. it’s the best Art Show west of the Mississippi!
Sadly, we discovered Southern MN and much of SD appears to be “Monsanto Land”. GMO corn and soy as far as the eye can see and only big conglomerate farms. So big that train tracks go right to their door step! On a positive note where MN meets SD the wind turbine farms are immense.
I truly could drive for miles and miles and miles. It’s addicting out here!

Jul. 30, 2015 Day 5
They did it! Motored their way across country!
It seemed too far away that we might ever catch up with my hubby and son!, Hannah’s Daddy-O and Brother! Yet here we are, 5 days in, taking a breather at the Hotel Alex in Rapid City, SD!
Excited to be here, GREAT town!

Jul. 30, 2015 Day 6 A Numinous Day!
The swallows have been with us throughout this trip, perhaps guiding us forward. Today started on a looooong dirt road. No route sign, just a 50 miles an hour sign. At about 39 MPR we almost landed in a lake!!! 🙂 Slowing down – the sky, the road, the small farms, the grasses and the flowers kept calling.

And, once again we had the roads to ourselves. Just outside Phillip SD, the landscape started to change, hills and bluffs. And yes – back to paved roads! In a moment’s time the sky kissed the earth and landed in my soul. A deep well of emotion poured. The terrain out here is infinitely beautiful and at times quite barren and lonely.

Not long after that, a Turkey Vulture flew alongside our car, and then swerved toward us. Somehow at 72 miles an hour, it hovered in front of us, tipping it’s under belly to our window and then flew off. Hannah has had some major trials recently, and so I asked her to look up the Indian take on Vultures as a Spirit Anima. Here is the tip of what she learned: “If a vulture has crossed your path: You are asked to be patient with yourself and think things through. Taking your time before making decisions. Choosing paths that support your higher consciousness and your heart! And oddly, Vultures exist to clean up messes.”
Stay tuned for more my stomach aches for food.
Okay I am back, great Spanish wine, pesto pizza and coconut curry scallops!

BADLANDS: All I can think of is Damien Rice’s song, Can’t take my eyes off of you. Hannah said it’s the first place she didn’t want to miss seeing something. From the panoramic views, to the prairie dogs and the long horn sheep! Plus a little National Park yoga and meditation was just what the Doc ordered!

A long day July 31, 2015 day 7
Day 6: Memorable and a blur. We landed 10 miles east of Yellowstone at the Elephant Head Lodge at about 7:15 pm an incredible place with our own little cabin in the woods. Dinner served at 7:30. Tom from Nashville, Debbie (owner) and Richard from everywhere, made the place! Good people, really good people. Heart hugs all around!

We started the day after a fun evening in Rapid City, great town. Good food, more good people and a fabulous giggle fest! We wended our way to Mt. Rushmore and beat the masses :). We had a quiet hike below the presidents. Looking at all the boulders and scree below their heads made us really see and feel the work involved. All of the markings from their drills stood in testimony. Then onto Crazy Horse….and a magnificent drive through the Black Hills.

Slowly the Black Hills faded in the rearview mirror and before us stretched the prairie: Massive, endless, the expansiveness is mind blowing. Hours later still on the prairie, mountains began to rise in the distance, to feel so small and so big all in the same breath. Blessed to have the eyes to see and the heart to feel. It didn’t hurt to have Moby playing, God moving over the face of the waters. How does one capture everything and nothing in a word? Gratitude!? Anyone…what’s a better word?

We were all set to head to the Grand Tetons, when we saw a sign at a pit stop for Hot Springs, mineral baths. A twist in the road! Sweet! It was just what the doctor ordered!!!!

August 1, 2015 Day 8
A Glimpse.

6:30 AM: In Yellowstone, East Gate, we were there before the Rangers, gates open, and all quiet.

Illuminated from behind, it felt as though the sun was nudging us forward along the winding roads of Yellowstone.

A bear, boiling earth, ole faithful spurting 6 – 8 stories into the air and then with rhythmic breath, blowing out steam, 1-1000, 2-1000, 3-1000. Micro forests, rainbow ponds and red dragonflies. Lakes bluer and clearer than the sky. An eagle snatched a fish from the river, circled around and glided back upstream. All while we walked and drove atop simmering volcanoes.
You could see forest fires had taken out entire mountainsides of trees. Left standing, charred sticks. The mountain looked like it was covered in hair, it’s own sort of brush cut.

And – Hope: As we exited Yellowstone there was a young forest dense with pine. Below the trees, An entire forest lay dead tossed like strewn matchsticks.
A reminder of what can grow from the fires and seasons of our lives. As some wise person once said: there is an incredible tapestry being woven, and we, we only get to see the threads.

Once in a while, we’re lucky enough to steal a glimpse. That “gratitude” thing when the sky and the earth, a memory and smile collide in our hearts.
NAMASTE 🙂

From Yellowstone we landed in Bozman to visit WJ, Hannah’s friend from College. Great dinner together, a lovely stroll, ice cream, live music…latte and a chess game.

Aug. 2, 2015 Day 9
Victory!
Woke up in Bozman and fell asleep in Portland. Marathon drive! OMG marathon drive!

Met WJ for a wake up coffee at Wild Joe’s! Then off to Missoula to meet Hannah Price and her boys, Chance and Tai. The Missoula Saturday Market really steals the show for markets. We enjoyed our friends while soaking our feet in their river.

The road to Portland is paved with many more plains, along with a very oppressive terrotory after Spokane. You could see a haze or fog looming in the distance which quickly engulfed us. For miles we drove through this desolate countryside, a dustbowl happening. You could only see the outlines of farms. At times the heat registered 110. Hannah and I could feel its heaviness. It was hard not to take it on.
As we neared Portland the wind farms along the Columbia River Canyon loomed over us as far as the eye could see. And the Columbia River area is lush and beautiful. Oh the pine trees – there are few things more soothing than a forest of pine. And here there are mountains overflowing with calm.
The view of the day was earlier in Montana. Three black bulls sauntering down a street side by side. No fence, no owner. I wondered, were they tired of the same old watering hole? Did they have a fight with their ladies? Did the owner have enough of their pranks? Or perhaps they were setting out for something new!
Thought of the day: Victory! With Hannah as chief navigator, we did ti! Our memory wearhouse is full. 🙂

Aug 3-5 day 10-12
A great respite 🙂

Saturday I woke up and what did my wondering eyes see? Pavement, yellow lines and white dotted lines coming at me. Whenever I closed my eyes that was imprinted in my view, along with a constant buzz in my ears. I felt as though someone had wrung out my brains like it was an old dish rag! I do not recommend 11 hours of straight driving unless necessary. 🙂 It took two days for that rushing view to fade! Crazy right?

Portland has been filled with great food, walks on the beaches, walks in the hills, more good food AND wine! The view from Jeff and Miffy’s house (Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law) on the southwest side of Portland is dreamy. Their deck is really a “tree house”. I can sit and look out over house tops and into trees and beyond, while enjoying the buzz of hummingbirds as they come to feed by me. That sunset view here is from their deck!

Today we went into town. Enjoyed the food carts, Powells bookstore and all of the local flavor. At one point we were waiting for Craig to return and Alex decided to do some stretching. Hannah and I joined in. Before we knew it another guy stopped, David, wondered what we were up to – asked if we minded if he joined in! He was on a layover coming back from Chile. I love people.

The weather has dropped from 100 to a cool breezy 70ish, with almost no humidity. Tomorrow on the road again! Wending our way to Crater Lake then to Crescent City….And Friday to Tiberon, CA to play with my cousin!!!!!!

August 6th Day 13, The whispers of pines and aspens
Awakened by Janice Joplin belting out a song in my dream! Never before, and I trust never again! After an incredible breakfast at Gigi’s: Scrambled eggs mixed with bacon, chevre and arugala we were ready.

Hannah and I traveled southeast from Portland, toward Hood Mountain and the Sisters. A different traveling day as we caravanned with the boys.

We landed at Whispering Pines Motel, Shiela and her VCR Library. Right off 97 S where it meets 138 heading toward Crater Lake. A neon vacancy light, a playground, a bench and a picnic table.

Laid down on that bench under some aspens. The leaves shimmered and shook like the coins on a belly dancer’s sari. I don’t know how long I lay there while they danced with the breeze. A million partners twisting and turning, a hypnotizing cacophony. They spoke of joy. The perfect recall for a dark winter’s day.

A late family dinner. A picnic table of love.

Day 14 August 7th
Crater Lake, oh those pines
Seven AM, frost covers the motorcycles seats and the roof of the Pink Caddie. Thank God for heated seats! 🙂

The road to Crater Lake was a long, straight road that stretched toward the sky. Along the way, Pomice Desert created by volcanic ash, and, of course, the pine trees, greating us at every turn.

As we wend our way to Crater Lake, forest fires send up smoke signals to our right. Crater Lake so still, so deep, so rich with color and, totally enjoyed before the rest of the morning tourists arrived!

It’s Crater Lake’s Lodge’s 100th Anniversary, Their motto logo: Be clear, make positive ripples, look beneath the surface, stay calm, shore up friendships, take time to reflect, be full of life.

Top people of the park today: Andrew, ranger and botonist! A wealth of info. And Samuel, the witty young cashier that helped us with postcards.

There is so much more to say, and so many pictures. Tomorrow: Tonight I must sleep. Stay tuned for Kate’s place, more pines and the beach! Welcome to wonder!!!

Aug. 8, 2015 Grandfather Trees! Miracles do happen!
All’s well that ends well.
I turn out the lights tonight a very great full and thank full woman. At about 10 am this morning we were caravanning down 101 S, the Redwood Highway. Alex leading, Craig, then us. Headed down hill at about 65. I wasn’t feeling myself and asked Hannah to drive.

As I gazed out the car’s front window, an eternity, in 5 seconds, unfolded. Alex and a yearling deer were wrestling. My heart froze, eyes locked. The motorcycled swerved, wavered, the deer moved away and then right back into him. Neither won. Alex went down hard and fast. Sliding downhill with his bike. Ankle, knee, hip, elbow. The deer struggled off into the wood, hip badly wounded. Alex stood up, he stood up, I started breathing again, out of the car sprinting down the hill.

Amazing: The joy of angels, youth, skill and incredible gear. He used his elbow to grind into the pavement to slow him down. Jacket, pads, another jacket all ripped, and on Alex, two small arm abrasions. He admitted later that his thought: No gear? Elbow gone, knee destroyed and hip most likely ground and gone too.

Call 911, gathering pieces, right blinker sheered off, pieces of windshield tossed, a dangling headlight. Alex paces, he aches and seems all right. Thank God. Duct tape, tiger balm, ibuprofen. Testing, the motorcycle runs. He’s ready to get back on the bike.

Hannah went off to see about the deer. Before we left, we said a prayer for the little guy.

We rode to the next small town, Alex cold and quiet. A man walks by, he’s run out of gas, his motorcycle is back a ways. He listens to Alex’s tale and shares his story of riding; where a deer ran along side him, while he prayed the whole time that the deer wouldn’t run into him. In his case, the deer decided to turn back into the woods, away from him. Meet Brian from Half Moon Bay. Hannah and I took him to get gas. Warm soul. He even texted later, to check in on Alex.

We are now in Willets for the night, Brian on his way to Portland.

Alex surely earned his badge of courage, he got back on that bike and faced the devil.

We ended up having a lovely rest of the day. Great lunch thanks to Diners, Dives and Drive Thru’s. Brick and Fire Bistro in Eureka, CA. I’ll give them a 10 Star!
Great fun wandering amongst the redwoods. And an incredible end to the day at Adam’s Restaurant, in Willet, Thank you Louis, Adam and Christina.

We’ve really met the best of America! Except for the few ___ holes along 101 S who felt the need to see how close they could get their motor homes to our car and motorcycles on the side of the road!

For the rest of you – Angels all around! Thanks.

Aug. 9 2015

The boys got off at 7, heading to Windsor for bike repair at the BMW shop..
Damn good boys!! Off to fight the good fight.
As the day begins, no visible signs of forest fires, and yet pods of Fire crews are everywhere. Incuding about 20 men at our hotel this morning. At a gas station a woman shares her tale of all the wildlife coming down from the hills and into town to escape the fires.

Oh what a night: SAN FRANCISCO!! Arrived at my cousin, Jackie’s home. She and Scott are two of the lovliest and funniest people I know. Lounged around their pool and hot tub and then took an hour’s walk into Tiberon to take the Sunset Cruise on the Bay. A gourmet picnic ensued on the upper deck.

What a night, the “ship” goes right under the Golden Gate Bridge. Unbelievable! As the ship approached the Golden Gate the waves swelled The view – like no other. The young captain had prepared us all to have a wish ready to give up to the Bridge. Three, two, one the ship dipped, the winds blew, and the waves rocked our dreams right up int the air and up to the Bridge!

We laughed until we cried this evening. Oh our immune systems are happy. To be with family, the heavens are smiling down us. 🙂

Tomorrow, the Dipsea trail stairs and more!!!!

Aug.10 – 11, 2015
Good day
It’s acutally Monday morning that I write this. Alex and Hannah are outside doing yoga. The world, at least in this corner, is quiet.

Yesterday – hiked the Dipsea Trail starting with the stairs from Mill Valley.
Then drove, one of the windiest roads, with way too many hairpin turns to count, down to Muir Beach area. We had a fabulous walk through the Zen Center and Green Gulch Farm. The flowers and vegetables at Green Gulch were healthier and more colorful than the eye can imagine. Their fields and starter plants overflow with deliciousness. I think we got so hungry in their fields that we had to divert our walk to the Pelican Inn for lunch. A fabulous English Pub near Muir Beach.

Muir Beach was filled with locals enjoying the weekend with friends and family. There surely is something about coming home to family. Perhaps that connection to our parents. A remnider that in this crazy world there are a few people who “get us” – and that actually share crazy thoughts and actions. Like our dusty scary childhood dolls!!!

Thanks Jackie and Scott for bringing me home. I know Ki and Dorothy and Helen are smiling down on us. Stolat.

Aug. 12 -13, 2015
San Fran to Carmel
Morning phase. Such a song, such a great song. Thanks Beck!

I’m sitting outside by my niece’s pool in Vegas. The sun is hot and the mountains loom in the distance. It’s time to back track!

Monday was a fabulous day in San Fran, ferry, cracked crab…quite the chill and fog in the air!

Tuesday we said good bye to the boys. They headed to Sacramento, and Hannah and I, over the Golden Gate and on to Carmel by the Sea.

Driving along the ocean is always wonderful! Thank you Jackie for recommending a little hotel on the south side of Carmel, The Colonial Terrace Inn. Incredibly quiet, except for the melody of the sea. Its rythym so soothing. A long afternoon on the beach. Need I say more?

While walking on the beach I commented that the sand had veins, Hannah repiied, maybe the wind has footprints. A seal followed us on our walk, popping up his head every few yards to look at us and then down again.

In the evening we walked to Clint’s place, Mission Ranch for a fabulous dinner overlooking the sheep pasture.

The best sleep ever at the Colonial Terrace Inn. And I was in need. Another lovely walk on the beach in the morn, before leaving for our 8 hour plus drive to Gwynne and Henk’s Place in Vegas.

August 14th Turning East!

The Road to Vegas! Amazing how quickly the landscape changes when you drive southeast. In spite of the drought I have never seen healthier crops. A variety of lettuces, strawberries, artichokes, flowers, and crops we weren’t even sure of. At one desolate point we drove through a “crop” of oil drills, it felt like we were transported to another planet! Then, nearer to Bakersfield, the road became lined with Almond and Pistachio groves for miles and miles and miles.

In Wasco a huge grove stood without water. A ghost town of trees. Further down a huge sign, home of the future Walmart.

The mountains that could barely be seen in the haze appearred before us. I couldn’t imagine the road that would lead us in, up and through. I marvel at man’s ability to cut out and create roads such as this. Truly a feat. And wow the Mohave Desert is desolate. Getting out of the car the only life I could see were ants, working away in 110 degree.heat.

As the sun began to settle behind us, we began our descent toward Nevada in the shadow of the hills.

What a treat to arrive at Gwynne and Henk’s place abuot 9 pm. We got a sneak into Charlotte’s bedroom, watched her sleep. An Angel! Nannie was so right, she has Gwynne’s soft rosy cheeks.

Aug. 14 – 15, 2015 Meet Charlotte
The Vegas Connection!
Look at those green-gold eyes look at me!

Aug. 15, 2015
Rainbows in Vegas?

Yes, rainbows in Vegas, literally and figuratively. Some leave their heart in San Francisco, I had to leave 4 tires in Vegas! We left that rubber across the USA. Great timing, within an hour of getting new tires, the winds began to gust, and thunder and rain were in the air!

Weather? No never mind to me, we had business at home with Charlotte! Oh how she would look into my eyes. It’s a long story for another time, however Gwynne and I are certain that Charlotte and I have had a connection long before this meeting. And when our eyes locked, it was confirmed. Henk and Gwynne are blessed with an angel, for so many reasons!

The best part of the day, eating with the fam at an Italian restuarant: Suddenly Hannah and I were observing parents of a 7 month old playing rock-paper-scizzors! They do this to decide who changes Charlotte’s diaper. Funny Gwynne lost and Henk still did the dirty deed. He admits the game is a science, like black jack, and he usuallly wins. So he throws Gwynne a bone and refuses to share the secret. 🙂

Gladis, thank you for your open arms and your incredible guacamole. Note to Natalie: You are a gift and Charlotte you are a lucky lady.

Aug. 16, 2015 Oh the Southwest!
9 hours!!!
I said I wasn’t going to have another marathon driving day, and yet Santa Fe was calling.

I will say, it was hard not to turn the wheel toward the Grand Canyon today. At one point we were 65 miles away, and yet after our adventure of a lifetime into the Canyon in 2005…stealing a 10 minute look would be unbearable. Good times, good times.

All I can say is that I do have a love affair with the landscape of the southwest. The colors and shapes are breathtaking, mindblowing and numinous. If you were outside on Friday, you might have heard my ooooh’s and ahhhhs carried on the wind.

At one point in the drive there were all these natural caves/shelters carved by the wind. It would be a pleasure to be nestled in one during a good storm.

Wide open spaces and a lot of the road just for us! And those tires brought us through a bit of rain just swell! 😉

Aug. 17, 2015 Magical
The Artist at work at Georgia O’Keefe’s Museum

Aug. 17, 2015
Great town!
Why can’t I start everyday with Georgia O’Keefe’s original work! Hannah and I were really there. And Hannah left with great inspiration and connection. It is so interesting that we both have a strong bond with her and her work, for different reasons. I’ll have to think of a way to give that thought, that energy, word.

From there a FABULOUS brunch at Sweet Lilly Bakery.

SOOOO much more to say, so many wonderful people, Ursala and Alejandro, however it is wayyyyyyyyyy past my bed time…and tomorrow we head to Ghost Ranch and Echo Canyon.

Oh and the organic goat cheese flan. Absurd!

Salud, amor, pesetas, y tiempo para gastarlas!

Aug. 17,2015
Magical is the Palabra del dia!

Aug. 19, 2015 Santa Fe-Taos-Denver-Kansas

The passage of time
Currently sitting in middle earth – Kansas! Flat and seemingly endless. It’s Monday evening. The boys coming down from the north and we heading west, crossed paths in Colby Kansas. We decided to stay the night and pump out some crazy miles tomorrow into Missouri.

One of my favorite things these last few days have been some the hills between Santa Fe and Ghost ranch. Some of the foothills appeared as though a herd of elephants had knelt down to rest with their feet stained by a rich merlot. And yet other hills nearby looked as though they had stolen a piece of the sunset. The gift of sight, the gift of beautiful things.

The morning winds
We woke to torrential down pour, thunder and lightning. Thank goodness it subsided by the time we packed up! In the car by 7 am, and there is something to be said about the morning light.

A raining cloud hung over us as we drove: Ahead of us, blue sky and whiter clouds. Throughout the day we played hide and go seek with the rain: She found us quite often.

My thought: The weather surely can be a mirror for this thing we call humanness.

Out on these plains you can almost see the earth curve. It’s the first time this trip that I felt I was on a planet. Middle earth somehow lifted me up and out of the expansive landscape and into orbit! Maybe there really is something with the morning air and all that it carries.

Amazingly we covered some major ground today: Kansas- Missouri-Illinois!

Next Stop Cincinnati to visit John, Lindsey, Caroline, Annie and Libby!

Now that’s America!
Aug. 24, 2015
So much more to tell, here is a start:

The people along the way really make the trip.
The young and old man in the church in Ohio, who handed us a healing card.
All the faces all the lives who brushed by my face and my life.
The bell man in Chicago, an immigrant, Had his degree in math. Heading back to school for his masters. Brilliant and so few people know.
The guy at the gas station in Minn. who asked Hannah and me, “Are you ladies drunk or just lost”. Comic relief is always grand.
Debbie at the desk of the hotel in Red Wing Minn.
Richard, Tom and Debbie from Elephant Lodge. A magical place on a full moon night.
Mamie at Katie’s Bar, southern Oregon. There is so much to say about her. The best comment I can say for now, “Welcome to Wonder”.
The guy in Katie’s Bar who lived in Rochester for 2 years.
Jeff and Miffy for showing us the best of Portland.
Mariah like the wind in — Oregon… I have to find her again! She lingered in our minds, well at least mine for days to come.

David in portland. We were having a stretch when he stopped to inquire what we were doing and asked to join in! Interesting man…he too a photographer, he and Alex exchanged info.

Brian frrom half moon bay…headed to Portland and Seattle to see friends.
Ran out of gas. Hannah and I gave him a lift to a gas station.
Darren and Wade, Alberta Canada, Twin Black Camaro’s ZL1 supercharged V8.
Went out one night for a boat ride and got a crazy idea to order twin cars. They were watching out for Alex and Craig! Good men. Work: consulting for oil rigs in America and Canada.

Louis the owner, Adam the chef and son of Louis, and Christina the waitress at Adam’s restaurant in Willet CA. How to make a night special. Honoring Alex’s survival, with his run in with that deer.
The young Irish man in San Francisco where we had lunch.
Scott and Jackie, They were a great audience! Thanks Fam! Simply the best!
The nice man coming out of an AA meeting who offered his phone to Craig in Tiberon when he was trying to walk home in the dark.
Henk, Gwynne, Charlotte, Gladis and Natalie who brought new meaning to Las Vegas. A pleasure. 🙂 Oscar who asked to wash my car, mind you – without water, in Vegas. And he had 6,000 miles of bugs gone in about 25 minutes. How did he do it?

A young woman named, Spring Joy, outside of the Yoga Studio in Santa Fe.
Eunice who ran an antique store in Santa Fe. Born in Warsaw, Poland.
My niece Karen, Loving and thoughtful. Plus she showed us quite a piece of Denver in a very short time!
Cody at the I-70 Diner. Great diner, great history!
My nephew John and my niece in law, Lindsey…and their 3 beautiful daughters, Caroline, Annie and Libby. What a pleasure to be in your home to giggle and be togehter.
Thanks….I am sure more faces and lives will come to me. America is filled with warm wonderful souls. All we have to do is be open to finding them. Now that’s America!

My ah ha!

Today has been a day of reflection. I wrote in my journal, why am I HEAR! Hahaha, maybe I am here to hear. My head has been a cacophony of noises, from numerous to do lists to the collective nature of the universe!!!! Can you relate?

Perhaps my to do lists might shift from numerous to numinous. 🙂 And so my ah ha, it all begins and ends with breath.

It ALL begins and ends with breath. Do we teach our children to quiet themselves enough to listen to their breath? How often in a day do we stop and honor our breath? A moment where we just “be”. It is hard to teach that which we do not know.

Stop for a moment and feel your chest lift and recede. Isn’t it our very own internal tide? Over and over again it happens with no thought. And yet when we bring awareness to the miracle of our breath; when we honor our breath; when we come back to our breath, there can be such calm. Perhaps one doesn’t have to go to the ocean to hear the rhythmic sounds. Perhaps one needs to go inward.

Thich Nhat Hanh uses the example of a tree to help us understand the need to come back to our breath. When we are all wrapped up in our heads with a hurricane of thoughts and emotions, those thoughts are the branches swaying and swirling in the wind. If we notice our breath and come back to our center, our core what happens? Try it, come down to your trunk and breath. The tree’s trunk is solid and still. The storm rages in the branches, the trunk is still and steadfast.

Oh the lessons nature can teach us, if we are present to learn. We often show up for a walk or a run in the woods or in our neighborhood. Are we in the woods, or are we in our storm?

theresa
Theresa Kusak-Smith
Senior Sales Director with Mary Kay
585-746-8563
http://www.marykay.com/tkusak-smith
http://www.kusak-smith.com
Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. ~Martin Luther King
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