Tag: Portland Oregon

We join spokes together in a wheel

~Foggy Lake Photo by Gabriela Palai/Pexel.com~

This is what I am thinking about this morning as I sit by the fireplace.

“We join spokes together in a wheel,
but it is the center hole
that makes the wagon move.

We shape clay into a pot,
but it is the emptiness inside
that holds whatever we want.

We hammer wood for a house,
but it is the inner space
that makes it livable.

We work with being,
but non-being is what we use.”

— Tao De Ching

 

But be gracious

Be pretty if you can, witty if you must, but be gracious if it kills you.  Elsie de Wolfe

Elsie de Wolfe  Architectural Digest

Elsie de Wolfe lived and died a long time ago.

Her words are timeless. Continue reading “But be gracious” →

Loving an old dog…

I slept in on the first day of the New Year.

That is, until 6:30.

Usually I am up by 5:30 to read and relax by the fire on wintry days.

I headed downstairs to start my day.  I turned on the gas fireplace.

As I was settling in with my book and coffee I realized my dog Ginny was missing. Continue reading “Loving an old dog…” →

Little Girl in Distress

As I was walking out the door this morning for an 8:30 appointment, my phone rang.

It was my 3-year old granddaughter calling for a video chat.

Of course I took the call. I was prepared to be late or miss my appointment.

A minute later her sweet little face popped up on my screen. Continue reading “Little Girl in Distress” →

But be gracious

Be pretty if you can, witty if you must, but be gracious if it kills you.  Elsie de Wolfe

Elsie de Wolfe  Architectural Digest

Elsie de Wolfe lived and died a long time ago.

Her words are timeless. Continue reading “But be gracious” →

At the end of another day

While  my daughter-in-law was fighting for her life, my life was on hold.

For over for three years.

I could not commit to anything.

I was always ready to help when needed.

Now that she has passed, I have the freedom to plan a trip, enroll in a course…fun things.

But, I have no energy and very little interest.

~Photo Keenan Constance, http://www.pexels.com~

 

Life is out of focus.

I know that this will pass.

But, for now I am in the throes of making it through each day.

I am walking and walking and walking.

I am working at my job.

I do yoga most days.

I try to meditate but with little success so I listen to classical music.

I cook dishes that require lots of dicing and slicing.

I clean out closets and drawers.

I am treading water waiting for my energy to return.

Treading water doesn’t move me closer to shore but it beats sinking.

Am I treading or flailing about?

Note to self. Not very well-written. I will do better when my feet touch bottom and I can stumble to shore.

I felt it shelter

I felt it shelter to speak to you.  ~Emily Dickinson

Thank you, my friends, for your kind and loving words at the death of my daughter-in-law.

I read them all and was comforted by them.

They were a shelter, a safe place to grieve.

Thank you for being with me.

 

Fall in Portland, Oregon    Photo Lori Greer in Portland

 

The Only Prayer

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.   Meister Eckhart 1260-1328  Christian Theologian

Continue reading “The Only Prayer” →

Should I worry?

 

~Photo Lori Greer in Portland July 2019~

A lawyer for Mr. Ngo, Harmeet K. Dhillon, did not respond to messages seeking comment, but called out on Twitter to “Antifa criminals” whom she said “I plan to sue into oblivion and then sow salt into their yoga studios and avocado toast stands until nothing grows there, not even the glimmer of a violent criminal conspiracy aided by the effete impotence of a cowed city government.”   In Portland, a Punch and a Milkshake Rumor Feed a Fresh Round of Police Criticism

It’s so easy to stereotype, to label and to make bold and aggressive statements.

I practice yoga and I eat avocado toast.

I work.  I listen.  I pay taxes.  I vote.

I don’t know everything but I do know that there are at least two sides to every story and sometimes what may appear as obvious is not.

 

 

Music, Familiar

I woke up early. I did not want to get up but I did convincing myself that I would feel even worse staying in bed.  

I forced myself to dress, go downstairs, make a cup of coffee, drink some water and sit by the fire for a few minutes. This routine is how I start most of my days and have for years.   

This is my comfortable “rut”. Continue reading “Music, Familiar” →