Category Archives: Uncategorized
Refuge in Laos
As part of preparing for my recent trip to Laos I read a series of mysteries by Colin Cotterill that take place there in the mid-1970’s, just after the communist Pathet Lao came to power. The main character is the … Continue reading
The Schnoz
When I was nine years old, an artist friend of my parents told me I had a classic Roman nose and profile. I wasn’t sure I knew what that meant, but almost fifty years later I remember it. I’ve been … Continue reading
Accountable
Gretchen Rubin posits in Better Than Before that we tend to fall into one of four tendencies, depending on how we hold ourselves accountable. We are generally accountable internally (Questioners—we’ll only make external commitments if we understand and agree with … Continue reading
Love is Love
This week a young friend felt compelled to come out on Facebook as gay after the mass killings in a gay nightclub in Orlando. After apologizing for not telling his family and friends in person, he went on to say: … Continue reading
Thank You
On the day before Thanksgiving it seems only natural to write about gratitude. I’m grateful for a holiday whose purpose is to help us remember to give thanks. I have a friend who this year has proven to herself that … Continue reading
Spirituality
On September 3, 1985, I got up at 3am to wish my mother a wonderful trip to France. I was so glad I made the effort, because she died in her sleep later that evening on the plane. That … Continue reading
Morning Person?
Morning person? Not me. But when my beloved yoga teacher started a 7:30am class on Thursdays, finishing just in time for me to pull on some work clothes and get to the office, I was in (especially because none of … Continue reading
Light
I’m so aware of light these days. As solstice approaches this week, the days are long, and the light is constantly changing in the back yard. It’s fun to notice how the light affects the art boards, plants, and … Continue reading
Outfits
There’s an old Kingston Trio song that goes “you can see by my outfit that I am a cowboy; get yourself an outfit and be a cowboy too…” I frequently think about this song because the roles and/or identities we … Continue reading
Flying home
Flying home into the sunset from a very relaxing time in Florida on retreat and visiting family…so relaxed that this is it for this week’s post! photo: Monday’s sunset
Mind
As you read this, I am on a week-long meditation retreat. On retreat we maintain Noble Silence—speaking only when necessary. We don’t read or write for the most part, and certainly don’t listen to music or the radio or even … Continue reading
Lights
One of my favorite things about this time of year are all the lights. Here’s one from Florida. Happy Holidays all! The days are getting longer again–hooray!
Bounty
Have you heard it’s OK to eat butter? And eggs too? Of course, if we could get fresh-churned butter from organic grass fed cows, that would be the best! Recently I’ve been given eggs from three different friends who have … Continue reading
Lunar Eclipse
Hasn’t the moon been spectacular this week? Full, red, eclipsed… Since it was clear that most of her yoga students would not be getting up at 3am to see the eclipse, Angela guided us into becoming our own lunar eclipses. … Continue reading
Caring for the Earth
When I first started my Buddhist study and practice, a friend asked me “why do you follow a path where the first thing the guy taught is that ‘life is suffering’? I replied, “because it’s an accurate description from my … Continue reading
Vacation
On vacation with my family this week. Here’s a photo of my brother Bob and me on a vacation more than 60 years ago! May we all enjoy connection, relaxation and adventure. Happy summer, everyone.