tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73104206580268949522024-03-18T19:48:36.595-07:00Living Lightly in SuburbiaGailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.comBlogger314125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-54694561507434753932014-12-24T18:06:00.000-08:002014-12-24T18:06:09.643-08:00BlessingsIt's been forever, hasn't it?<br />
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I realize reading over my latest posts that they are rather glum. I was entering a room of little sunshine except I didn't realize it. Sadness and loss is an interesting thing. There is brightness at the other side, except you can't see the other side from a room without windows.<br />
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The unfolding of events since my last post was a recipe for depression. I stood at the rabbit hole and then I sank almost to the bottom of it. With the help of friends, prayer, and a thread of hope I gathered strength to make changes in my life which had previously SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME. Sometimes the fear of change is too great...the stakes too high, the losses too many. Or at least this is how you imagine it will be. You continue trying to get out of the rabbit hole by making changes but not the Big Change that you are still avoiding. You struggle along until one day you have a seizure or some gawd awful thing that wakes you the hell up and you finally realize you need to make the Big Change or you will die emotionally or physically. <br />
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So I woke up and left my husband of 20 something years. I did not leave him for greener pastures. I left him so I could restore my health ( long story and this is not an ex-husband-bashing-blog after all). Thus, my journey of truth began. <br />
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Many blessings came my way once I faced my truth. Actually, it felt more like blessings started crashing into me. People! gather your strength and face your truth. It is sooo worth it. If only I had known...<br />
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Thanks first to God, the Almighty for preventing my heart from becoming bitter. Bitterness , I think, would be the worst thing of all.<br />
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Thanks to my Support Crew during my time in the rabbit hole. <br />
N - for your unwavering faith and for helping me at my weakest moment.<br />
P- For checking in on me at those very moments that I needed to be checked in on.<br />
B- You were only beginning to to show the good friend that you were to become. You turned toward me in my worst moments, instead of turning away. That support was the beginning of a good friendship. <br />
C- For making me laugh and lighting things up<br />
M-for all things practical and legal.<br />
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There you have it. <br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">“When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place.” </span><br style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">― </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1069006.C_S_Lewis" style="color: #666600; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;">C.S. Lewis</a><br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-69409411700204124992014-04-17T18:38:00.000-07:002014-04-17T18:38:20.020-07:0030 Day Gratitude Challenge (Day5)I started out thinking today I would write about one of the inspirational people I've met but then something came across my path that was like a ray of sunshine and I became grateful for the beautiful words and the feelings it evoked.<br />
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An Ester Message came across my work email today from someone with intials S.M. after her name followed by "Superior General and the Members of her Council". I think only the catholics know what this means. The message was wonderful, inspirational even:<br />
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Today, for each one of us, where is our Galilee? Is it not in our own life and work milieu? And how will we bring some of the life of this Risen One? <b>Every time a given smile will mean forgiveness; every time a good word will dispel sadness; every time a good deed on behalf of justice or peace will bring more dignity and more security to the individuals, </b>then the life of the Risen Christ will become reality around us. Life will again triumph over death!<br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-71119247181356809082014-04-16T16:32:00.000-07:002014-04-16T16:39:31.261-07:0030 Day Gratitude Challenge ( Day 3 and 4)Yesterday early on I knew I was going to write about little nice gestures from people throughout the day. Little gestures that ripple into a big wave of happiness. One was the guy in line at the store who saw I only had 6 items and suggested I go to the express lane as it would be faster for me ( and it was as nobody was in line). The bus driver who leaned out his window to give me a smile and enthusiastic wave after I let him in ( it looked cute and made me smile). The person at the counter where I buy my coffee seemed to genuinely joke around with me not because I am a customer but because we have come to know each other over the years. My supervisor gave me a fabulous review at work which felt great as I am not one who generally has an abundance of confidence ( even at my age). These pleasant interactions add up to form a particularly nice day and I am grateful for that.<br />
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Wondering how to talk about today without it sounding like a backhanded complaint. I am grateful for the time spent with my mother today and not getting tied up in a frustrated knot by the end of the visit. We are polar opposites. She does not know me any more than I understand her. Today I truly enjoyed fussing over her fancy nails that she is very proud of ( as is every week when she gets a new manicure), pampering and waiting on her. I do this not to try to win her love as she tried all her life to win her own mother's love (which was heartbreaking to watch), but as my genuine gift to her as this is what she appears to want more than anything. Once every 3 weeks is what I can handle but between my daughters and I, she gets a good visit once or twice a week. Grateful that we can enjoy visits together.<br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-24710098818491148582014-04-14T09:26:00.000-07:002014-04-14T09:26:18.764-07:0030 Day Gratitude Challenge ( Day 2)<b>2) </b> Grateful for having a job I love that pays well. I've had lots of great jobs in the past but this one is the best fit for where I am in my life right now...a perfect match. The environment is supportive, the location a nice long bike ride from my house. Long is good as it provides a great workout and there is even a safe place to store bikes at the facility.<br />
This is where I started out my career and it feels like I've come full circle. As I walk throughout the remodelled building I can't help but remember what used to be where...the new room that used to be that other room. I feel a bit old like the building itself..a keeper of old memories which I seem to be collecting like antiques these last few years. The staff who are not the keeper of memories turn the corner to enter our unit. But I turn the corner where the placenta fridge was into a shiny new office that once was just a wall.<br />
Grateful for the old stairs that I run up and down on my breaks. 7 flights of stairs. Old stairs at the side of the building that doesn't get much attention. These stairs are the original and it feels nice to know part of history in that old building is untouched.Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-48322683891719170062014-04-13T19:54:00.001-07:002014-04-13T19:54:31.891-07:0030 Day Gratitude Exercise (Day1)Idea from the book Things I Wish My Mother Taught Me by Suzanne Rivard.<br />
Why?<br />
According to the author, doing this exercise will give gratitude power which sounds like a good thing.<br />
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<b>1)</b> Gratitude for my daughters who seem like well adjusted young adults as they go through their teenage years. I could not have asked for a better experience raising these girls. No drugs, alcohol, or STDs . Maybe you want to puke reading this but I kid you not about these girls. They are freak'n awesome and I don't know how it happened.<br />
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<b><br /></b>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-32396889604676274572014-02-19T06:51:00.001-08:002014-02-19T07:07:06.663-08:00Waking Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It came at me like a cool breeze. The fresh air reaching my lungs waking me up from this long slumber. Goal. Running goals. They have come and gone with no substance for too long. But this is different and I recognize you from before. Before when I was driven.<br />
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I don't yet fully recognize the how and the why. I only know that I was moved deeply and forever changed. Things flow into another, turning and moulding. A death here, a broken bone there, relationships and responsibilities mounting. Chance meetings guiding the way back to music long forgotten. Movement through dance needing to express all that I did not have the words for. You have been gentle. Passionate. Patient and kind. I twirl and stumble. Your arms steady me back to the rhythm. New friendships. Strength returning so that I can feel this breeze, really feel it.<br />
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The goal is different but just as deep as those others from long ago. I need to train hard so as not to cheat myself. I will know when I have done all that I can do and then I will go out there and experience it head on. Right now it is very important that I do not cheat myself. Train hard and mean it. I will not let this slip through my fingers. I am holding on tight. There is life to be found here. The race is the path that leads to it.. I will not cheat on myself anymore. Funny how running mirrors life.<br />
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Stage 1 of training has already begun. 6 more months to go.<br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-27299138890249640642013-10-03T17:30:00.000-07:002013-10-03T17:30:44.008-07:00Graveyard GroupieIt seems I'm making a habit of visiting your final place of rest once each of the three seasons. Oh, what a strange thing it is to visit this place. You are not there. Only your bones are there but that is the closest I will get to being with you. I understand now why people go to visit these empty places....I think. <br />
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I arrive in the morning with a cup of coffee and stand at your cold stone. Sometimes I stay a few minutes, sometimes a half hour. At some point during each visit I end up texting a friend to say I am having coffee with dead Jerry and chuckle. This is only year one and I wonder if I will always do this. or will the need to come here wear off eventually?<br />
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I hate the sterility of this graveyard. Maybe all graveyards. I never stepped foot in one except for actual burials at various funerals. One of the first thoughts I have when visiting you is that you are surrounded by old guys, not your peers. Again, I know I am just visiting a pile of buried bones yet the thought comes anyway. You are immediately surrounded by Jack, James, Helen and Rita. The youngest was born in 1924, the oldest 1921. Beyond them are Albert, Alexander and some other old guys. Oh, but then there is poor Deanne who was born in 1981. Her parents bought two stones for her, oh their grief I can only imagine. I don't want to imagine.<br />
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The aloe vera plant I so carefully placed beside your stone is gone. It is not allowed, you know. Here you must abide by the rules. You can place a wreath or put flowers in a vase provided by this institution that is attached permanently to the stone. You don't have one of those. I would not deposit flowers in this manner anyway...it is not you. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to plant flowers around the stone that speaks to the person you were. Aloe vera. For healing. I will not get in trouble for dropping tobacco all around your stone so I do. I am sure you would love a cigarette if only you could have one. Wherever you are. Tobacco is also an offering. I give it for both reasons so this gesture speaks to both of us.<br />
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I am getting used to this place a little bit more. This last visit I sat on the hard concrete bench that is provided and I sent you love via a feeble attempt at meditating. No matter, I sent love and it is the thought that counts. I choose to believe you can feel love even in the afterlife. I get comfort from Eben Alexander's words from his book Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife. Love is more than we can ever perceive in this life. It is so much bigger. I choose to believe that. <br />
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On a final note, I have never seen anyone else in this graveyard. Maybe because it is too damn far. Maybe because nobody thinks to visit dead people in the morning. To me it is ideal. The start of a new day. Crisp air. A time to pay respect. <br />
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I have 'tucked you in' for the winter. See you in the Spring. <br />
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Lots of Love from the other side.Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-39202480806624068052013-09-23T20:05:00.000-07:002013-09-23T20:05:34.117-07:00My Race of the SeasonThe race that shall remain nameless. I was only there because of friends. Thank Goodness for friends. I listened to their stories of this spectacular run when they raced it last year and was intrigued. When they asked if anyone was interested in joining them this year I jumped at the chance. <br />
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Race day.<br />
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Out there in the mud and the hills and the distance I felt part of it. One hour into the race I saw the elderly skinny man with white hair slightly stooped over running gracefully up the rocks then down the rocks. Steady, always steady. Quiet. <br />
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I found out later his name is Dag Aabye.<br />
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So it is true after all. Sometimes you don't know why you are doing a race until it is over. <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Turns out I run to catch a glimpse of spirit and grace. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-63838677735775578652013-09-23T04:40:00.001-07:002013-09-23T04:40:32.813-07:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><em>"One could say that I do not take life seriously. I always had a fondness for birds, little flags and the texture of fabrics. Perhaps it is a bit decorative, but so what."</em></span>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-80671048047677808692013-06-29T14:49:00.000-07:002013-06-29T14:56:27.061-07:00 A Silent Forest.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/w437uQf_A7c" width="459"></iframe><br />
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-56052770080094836912013-06-23T17:55:00.000-07:002013-06-23T17:57:45.999-07:00The B Word<br />
Reading this makes me want to come out of my Non-Bucket List closet.<br />
Don't let the creepy picture at the top of the article scare you. Ick.<br />
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<a href="http://humansareweird.com/2013/05/09/i-dont-have-a-bucket-list-and-i-dont-want-one/" target="_blank">http://humansareweird.com/2013/05/09/i-dont-have-a-bucket-list-and-i-dont-want-one/</a>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-11380765176093511112013-06-01T20:00:00.001-07:002013-06-01T20:00:47.014-07:00First Garden Offerings 2013Rhubarb<br />
Green onions.<br />
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The rhubarb turned into rhubarb crisp and a generous amount of green onions went into an omlette topped with feta cheese. <br />
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-66743259537550961072013-05-08T17:11:00.001-07:002013-05-08T17:11:43.455-07:00 First Thoughts Re: Canadian Death RaceJust starting to think about the Canadian Death Race which I will be running one leg of in August. <br />
Why?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Why? </span><br />
1) Scenery<br />
2) Face my fear of bears<br />
3) Friend signed me up<br />
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These reasons seem..... a little lacking. For inspiration I will think of the two elderly British sisters who climbed Everest because they were bird watchers and who trained by gardening. They succeeded.<br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-13104616363707775532013-04-25T12:36:00.003-07:002013-04-25T12:36:36.932-07:00A Year Later<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have been thinking a lot about May 3. The 1 year anniversary is just around the corner. I am thankful the fog has finally lifted. You know when it has because ideas come back and your passions slowly return. Life begins to have colour again. A few things I learned on this journey:<br />
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* Sometimes the degree of grief will not be in proportion to the amount of time you spent with the person you knew who died. It is the impact they had on your life that matters.<br />
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* Act on your intuition if you think you should reach out to someone. Don't wait.<br />
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* Mourn in a way that is meaningful to you. It is a process you have to work through.<br />
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* You will be changed forever but it will be ok.<br />
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* Believe that you will feel normal again. It might take longer than you expect.<br />
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I read a book recently that gave me great comfort. I recommend it for anyone who is wondering about the after life or who is worried about the person they knew who died. As an aside, it may explain some experiences you may have had after the death that are a little on the strange/unexplainable side (there I said it).<br />
The book is called Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife by Eben Alexander, M.D.<br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-85426423617496399492013-04-24T19:02:00.001-07:002013-04-24T19:02:21.522-07:00The Babies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrFstslje9Ed-vdkwK4dKtXRAeJ4hThuPDOgkBSh6ptHfExLl5f_eSQ-C7MEGGecQ8f4md5lnRmuiG0ZBUWqcnt0d1uT2Exjs3aSP617wlJAcv8PlUbqM_HsU2DEBJ_IXdpbLYFrGmIVC/s1600/seedlings2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrFstslje9Ed-vdkwK4dKtXRAeJ4hThuPDOgkBSh6ptHfExLl5f_eSQ-C7MEGGecQ8f4md5lnRmuiG0ZBUWqcnt0d1uT2Exjs3aSP617wlJAcv8PlUbqM_HsU2DEBJ_IXdpbLYFrGmIVC/s320/seedlings2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
I've successfully eliminated half my counter space with this get up and also rendered my pot rack unusable for its intended purpose. Who cares! Look at these babies growing. <br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-78167640460006510432013-04-19T16:23:00.004-07:002013-04-24T19:02:32.081-07:00Ice Packs for School LunchsSaw this neat idea on Pinterest and would have loved this back in the day when I was packing the kid's lunches. Now that they are teenagers I no longer care if their lunches are cold! <br />
<a href="http://www.mykitchenescapades.com/2012/08/lunchbox-icepacks.html?spref=bl">My Kitchen Escapades: Lunchbox Icepacks</a>:Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-9208832920901287412013-04-12T14:42:00.000-07:002013-04-18T16:52:34.764-07:00Hint for Starting Seeds IndoorsTwo ideas in two days. Wow. I'm on fire. I haven't had an idea for awhile so this is big for me, ok.<br />
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Yesterday I started a load of seedlings. It is still a little chilly around here so I placed the seed trays on the heated kitchen floor to help them germinate. Perhaps covering ones kitchen floor with seed trays does not seem like a practical idea but it is a lot more practical than dismantling the dining room table so one can practice their salsa lessons. <br />
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Anyway, here is the list of hopeful plants we have so far:<br />
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24 Black Hungarian Peppers <br />
8 Red Skin Sweet pepper (seeds saved)<br />
23 Lemon Basil<br />
12 Oregano<br />
30 Chard<br />
24 Beets<br />
40 Signet (Tagetes Tenuifolia)<br />
6 mystery kind of Marigold ( seeds saved)<br />
12 Joe Pie Weed<br />
12 Swamp Milkweed (seeds saved)<br />
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Some of these shouldn't be started indoors but I decided to do it anyway. <br />
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-73404141730517701152013-04-10T20:09:00.001-07:002013-04-11T05:04:07.175-07:00GreenhouseThe garden still has knee high deep snow on it but because it was sunny and sort of warm out today I was inspired to plant 70 seedlings indoors . Suddenly I got a brilliant idea of using my husband's HUGE fish tank as a greenhouse. This horribly long winter has got me thinking evil things about his fish ...but it would make a great greenhouse! One day it will be mine. All mine. BahahaGailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-14433323842911309952013-04-06T06:37:00.002-07:002013-04-06T06:37:39.425-07:00Came across this poem while reading about a lady who is trying to save her beautiful big elm tree. She is quoted as saying "You can bulldoze the house but you can't take a tree". I get you, Mrs. Patricia Kuzak and good for you!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Joyce Kilmer. 1886–1918</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">I THINK that I shall never see </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">A poem lovely as a tree. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">A tree whose hungry mouth is prest </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Against the sweet earth's flowing breast; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">A tree that looks at God all day, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">And lifts her leafy arms to pray; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">A tree that may in summer wear </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">A nest of robins in her hair; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Upon whose bosom snow has lain; </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Who intimately lives with rain. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Poems are made by fools like me, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #1a1414; font-family: Calibri, Tahoma, 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">But only God can make a tree.</span>Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-72402427812746506952013-04-03T08:11:00.001-07:002013-04-03T08:19:06.137-07:00A Little Clothes Dryer Stat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From the Natural Resources Canada website:</div>
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A single clothes dryer uses more energy than an energy-efficient fridge, dishwasher and washing machine <b>combined</b>.</div>
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I just hang my clothes from the rafters in the laundry room (or outside). Here are some cute ideas I saw roaming around the internet....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkHs5wuY7HdnMxcfEFpo7xmI5BfgFcCoFI268XPoZuZSQlyLZJaxIM4ekDCe1nrek7158eUZQtGUD7Rjvin4SzrWt9NYP_l2tPvIC_aTrAbzLorfGCLSh3gTMm_iBkHugk9OpGSzFGy0H/s1600/Laundry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkHs5wuY7HdnMxcfEFpo7xmI5BfgFcCoFI268XPoZuZSQlyLZJaxIM4ekDCe1nrek7158eUZQtGUD7Rjvin4SzrWt9NYP_l2tPvIC_aTrAbzLorfGCLSh3gTMm_iBkHugk9OpGSzFGy0H/s320/Laundry.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-86606238292060341762013-02-09T17:29:00.001-08:002013-02-09T17:46:20.207-08:00<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uoblz9g13NA" width="459"></iframe><br />
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Inspiration and creativity returning through music that inspires movement. What a welcome change you are as I dance my way back from a broken foot and the melancholy mood that has been my companion since that day in May. Who knew that the sounds of Brasil I once knew would be the final pull forward out of that slump. It is time to play. These are my thoughts on the eve of a ridiculous race I will be participating in tomorrow.....one that involves snow balls,snow angels and possibly licking of cold metal polls. Can't wait. Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-87481767362229390582012-12-09T20:05:00.001-08:002012-12-09T20:12:33.641-08:00 <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7h_VKaoITio?fs=1" width="459"></iframe><br />
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For an old new friend. I heard you.Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-59887857741617154652012-11-19T06:48:00.003-08:002012-11-19T06:48:52.978-08:00<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/p44rePezRf4?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-55270658447239191872012-11-10T12:29:00.002-08:002012-11-10T12:30:43.331-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcWt0f3oz1p_iUcydmByv57bwnPTcs2GlBIQmV6OLgdxXQTaGJe6nxDXdIR1jHqD6_7U0qrAAM-0lfHJ15AE8RllnqpZJbwwa3DuqzUvV7oBlVx2gQQJerPr-bnh3FkBOlZsuFXJ0azS8/s1600/Bee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="356" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcWt0f3oz1p_iUcydmByv57bwnPTcs2GlBIQmV6OLgdxXQTaGJe6nxDXdIR1jHqD6_7U0qrAAM-0lfHJ15AE8RllnqpZJbwwa3DuqzUvV7oBlVx2gQQJerPr-bnh3FkBOlZsuFXJ0azS8/s400/Bee.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7310420658026894952.post-64913425293334023802012-10-29T03:45:00.001-07:002012-10-29T04:00:21.082-07:00"In the end<br />
these things matter most:<br />
How well did you love?<br />
How fully did you live?<br />
How deeply did you let go?"<br />
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-Siddhartha Gautama<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGsAQcw5x1xi2IxAo-kdTtWDBXq0kepf3z_xcjDW2G6MUeWIhtQFoEVwf11XXtDwatRVLORlDDEDGwBwI5d93m7K0o7bE-7Q0IVsXpCCk02DL6hANFOSNKXlFOPdUiycgKMBlUZVrLUIW/s1600/Louisephoto1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGsAQcw5x1xi2IxAo-kdTtWDBXq0kepf3z_xcjDW2G6MUeWIhtQFoEVwf11XXtDwatRVLORlDDEDGwBwI5d93m7K0o7bE-7Q0IVsXpCCk02DL6hANFOSNKXlFOPdUiycgKMBlUZVrLUIW/s400/Louisephoto1.JPG" /></a></div>Photo credit Daughter Elder<br />
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Gailhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18125215805633132663noreply@blogger.com0