Life is Short

I recently came across the Holstee Manifesto ...... and the message went straight to my heart like an arrow hitting a bullseye.  This video is the Manifesto in action.  It is SO inspiring.  Enjoy! 

Dreamy

I came across this picture today on Apartment Therapy.  I love the idea of having a hanging bed in my imaginary outside porch!  Think of all the wonderful relaxing naps that could be had......

photo via Sweet Peach

Live out Loud

I believe so strongly that if we really listen with our hearts we can hear gentle whispers from the Universe.    Maybe it is intuition, or a gentle acknowledgement of something in our lives.  The name doesn't matter really because it is much more of a feeling.  I prefer to think of it as a whisper in my ear, like a gentle spiritual nudge that says, "hey, pay attention to this, Ok?"  Whatever you want to call it.... I had one of those moments yesterday afternoon when I was at Elliot Bay Books.  I saw "Live out Loud" sprawled across a blackboard. It instantly gave me a moment of joy to see it.  You know,  like when you run into an old friend on the street that makes you instantly feel happy.  This quote is the short version of one of my favorites, "I came here to live out loud".  My interpretation and my inspiration from this quote is to live, really live.  To be present, and to be my most authentic self as much as possible.  To be vulnerable, to grow, to learn, to laugh, and to love everyone, including myself...just as we are.  Not to actually be loud,  but  to be so full of life and joy that light comes out of you at full volume.  Like your Spirit is doing cartwheels. : )
I am grateful for the reminder. It made me smile.

Words of Wisdom

“The true spirit of conversation consists more in bringing out the cleverness of others than in showing a great deal of it yourself; he who goes away pleased with himself and his own wit is also greatly pleased with you.”

 - Jean de La Brùyere

Magically Delicious

Oh, it is so good to be back. I have to thank my cousin, Rose and her husband, Jerry for inspiring me to write again. I just got back from a very magical visit to see them on the Big Island. Their home is so inviting, you can instantly feel your shoulders melting down your back when you walk in the door. There is also lots of animal love to be had from their dog, Mozart, A.K.A. "Mozzie".

She is the official welcoming committee, and the proud owner of her very own under ground swimming pool. The newest editions to the household are Tabby and Wild Cat Kelly.

Rose and Jerry rescued them from the dump where they found them about 6 months ago. Kelly adopted me as her Wild Cat soul sister and bunked up with me each night. I think she was secretly standing guard over me to eat any cane spiders that might come in for a nightly visit. I should mention that this was greatly appreciated after the last run in with said spiders. They are the size of a small baby's head and move faster than a ninja. Seriously. Moving on, there are the chickens: Blue, Red, Martha Stuart, and of course, their sugar daddy....Legs.

The most gorgeous rooster I have ever seen! Next up are the happiest goats in the world: Latte, Cinnamon, and Maggie. I think they all thoroughly enjoy dinner time with just as much affection as standing on the roof of their goat house.

Let me just say, it was such a beautiful sight to see the chickens, the kittens, and Miss Mozzie all sharing their wonderful shangri-la of a yard in a full love fest of acceptance of one another. The yard is nothing short of lusciousness with mango, apple-banana (OMG, like candy!), and lime trees, along with the most gorgeous ginger plants. Just to name a few of the many different plants in their yard.... it's truly unbelievable. It had been six years since my last visit to Laupahoehoe. I went to see Rose and Jerry just 3 months after my mom died, so needless to say I was still in quite a state. The beautiful thing about this visit is that although I am such a completely different person than I was six years ago, it felt like it was just yesterday that I saw them. It's with such enormous gratitude that I can say...even if we weren't family I would still want to be best friends with them. They just make you happy to your bones when you are with them. Oh, and I have officially decided that Rose is not just my cousin anymore, she is the big sister that I never had! I am so incredibly grateful to be able to call them my family. So, yes, the view from the house is amazing, and it will make your heart skip a beat....but, for me it's what is on the inside of the house that makes my heart smile. Sharing amazing food, conversations, lots of great cocktails ( I am waiting patiently for Rose's limoncello recipe!), smiles, and laughter. Making pizzas in their wood-burning oven and drinking the best margaritas thanks to Jerry. (all while speaking in a margarita-induced Italian accent all night).

It really was nothing short of magical. :-)

It's quiet in here...

I miss so many things about you. Right now I miss hearing you purring. You weren't ever much into the meowing thing....which I might add, I am very grateful.  I did like our little chats though.  Like when I came home after being away or if I had been at work. You would sit

downstairs...."meeeeeeeeoow?"  That was it.  One big dramatic, gut-wretching "where the hell are you now??" meow.    I would call out "Sister Margaret!"  And then we would just go back and forth like we were playing Marco Polo.

The other day I caught myself turning on the vacuum and looking around quick to see where you are....making sure not to scare the bejesus out of you.  What was it about that thing?  Lord, you did give that poor Bissell the stink eye, Sister. You would just look at me from behind a pillow on the bed with your ears flat, eyes fully dilated like I had a grizzly bear in the house.
 The hardest part for me right now seems to be going to bed at night. Or trying to.  I will do anything under the Sun not to have to go to bed. It just reminds me you are not here.  We had such a sweet routine at night. I would whistle, and then you would jump up on the bed and start purring.  I'm so used to you crawling across me, moving those paws so slowly like I was made of land mines. So tentative, and cautious.  Like you wouldn't for one minute want to hurt me.  You would walk across my stomach until you landed on my chest, laid down,  and then you just stared into my eyes. Your eyes would be half open and you would go into this beautiful meditative state.  That's when the purring would commence.  It was like my own personal sound machine....."I love you. I love you. I love you."  I know that's what you were saying to me.   That's the thing that kills me the most.....it is so quiet in here.  I am so used to whistling and you crawling up into my lap. You would start purring....and that just made me smile every time. 
I miss just knowing you are here too.  I could look across the room and you would just be looking at me.  Sometimes the look was somewhat like you are the "Queen" of this house, and I should be oh so grateful to serve you.  Much like that picture of you sitting in your chair... you were so beautiful sitting in the Sun that day.  Other times, you would just remind me, that yes, I was your best friend.  That happened more often than not.
I miss you, my sweet friend. Fourteen years is a long time.  
You traveled cross country with me.  Moved more times than I care to actually print.  Put up with a 100-lb yellow lab.   You were always my welcome home committee. I loved coming home and picking you up and feeling your paws on my face... Mostly you were best at loving me.  I am so grateful that I had you in my life, Zoe.   I will always love you, Sister Margaret.

Affogato

How is it that I have lived 43 years on this earth and did not know about this delicious combination?  I know it's simple...espresso and gelato....but, what a beautiful relationship that must be?  Shall I give you a moment to catch your breath?  I'll wait.  Maybe you should also grab a tissue. I fear you may tear up at the utter thought of having this one night after a lovely meal.  For some reason it has been haunting me a bit.  I first read about it on a blog that I follow, and then when I went to Whole Foods today there it was again!  The amazing people at Whole Foods have started offering gelato right next to the happy place where angelic baristas help me make it through my day...otherwise known as the espresso counter.
   I am sorry to inform you that I have yet to try an affogato, but I was compelled to share this with you in case YOU hadn't heard of it as well.  So, go!  Go get yourself an affogato.   I want a full report.