Welcome home

I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus but it's good to be back and starting my Monday with this post.

Our family took a little vacation to visit family in Park City Utah, celebrating my daughter's sweet 16th birthday while we were there.  I think it was one of our best vacations ever - even though we didn't even leave the house on many days.  We just hung out, cooked, ate, played games, watched the little ones chase each other through the house.  It was love filled and felt very full.  I woke up last Monday, back home in my own bed, feeling revived and just filled up with love and the good feeling of abundance that comes when you've been surrounded by those who love you.  Every morning since I've woke with the same feelings, and begun my day with some affirmations - Om Shanti, Om Mani Padme Um, Thank you God, May all beings know love.......

This last week brought a surprise visit from out of town friends and a nice long soak in the hot springs while we caught up.  I was also inspired listening to a talk by one of my favorite children's authors - Jeanne Duprau, author of the City of Ember series, which I'm in the middle of right now.  Jeanne spoke of writing about what you love, and big ideas that you never stop being curious about.  I'm not aspiring to a novel, but even a dabbler like me can be inspired by a master to write a little more, and hopefully, improve a bit.

Last night we had a dinner and Apples to Apples with old friends.  It feels so good to connect again.  And to enjoy Bella's dark chocolate cheesecake - amazing with friend Kim's brownies.  (I know that sounds like too much - but honestly, it was heaven).

Today I am working on some new Indian slow cooker recipes, baking bread, taking the dogs for a hike, and hanging out with Bella this afternoon.  She is beginning a new adventure and I'm so excited for her - more to come later about that.

This morning I want to end with a prayer of gratitude for one of my best friends in the whole world - our Lab-Kelpie mix Bear Cub, 12 years young and not quite himself these days.  I think he's losing his sight, and he's sore a lot, he doesn't follow me around all day like he used to.  Once upon a time there was just me and Buddy on the trail, and I could never ask for a more loyal friend.  He is good and sweet and tolerant.  For you Buddy - may you know love and happiness and comfort today.  May your heart be light.  I love you. 

Writing to know oneself

"It was only once we started writing that we started to know who we were."  

from the Wednesday Sisters, by Meg Waite Clayton.

In case you haven't read it, the Sisters is about 5 young mothers who begin meeting as a playgroup, but become a writer's group of sorts, and along the way the kind of life-long friends that no woman should live without.  For them writing is rife with conflict - they are not even sure who they are or are supposed to be, what they want from life, what they think about the enormous changes whirling all around them in late 1960s Palo Alto, California.  I'm reading it for my book club, always grateful for the challenging ways those amazing ladies stretch me.

I can relate to the Sisters' confusion!  I feel blessed my many sweet, generous, bold and funny women holding me up, expecting the best from me, always accepting when I show the worst of me.  I also struggle with just who exactly am I?  And what is my heart telling me that my mind is missing?

I am loving this blog because it's helping me know me better; every time I sit here with the blankness in front of me, I find myself spiraling inward, the only real journey worth taking..

Find out the reason that commands you to write; see whether it has spread its roots into the very depth of your heart; confess to yourself you would have to die if you were forbidden to write.

~~~~~

The only journey is the one within.
— Rainer Maria Rilke