FOR TODAY 10 June 2011

Outside my window...
The wonder of birth has been sitting outside my window for weeks!  Roosts of Robin's have been nesting in the shaded cove of trees lining my patio.  Little beaks have been poking and prodding over the nests rim in search of mom's and dad's bounty of worms.

I am thinking...
About an inspiring video that I watched on Face-book this morning: If I Were Brave .

I am thankful for...
Each and every day I take a breath, witness the beauty of creation, and how that creation provides and protects its inhabitants.

From the garden...
Sadly, I have no time to find a community gardening plot in the Denver area.  Just a few pots of peppers and tomatoes to thrive in the sunny area of my patio, and several varieties of leafy greens for the shade. 

From the kitchen...
I am attempting to learn the in's and out's of making pemmican, a nutritious high protein food made from bone marrow, buffalo or elk supplemented with my all time favorites; cranberries and blueberries. So, we shall see...  But, my housemate just voraciously consumed what was a tasty batch of green chili stew.

I am wearing...
Late night last night, so I am still wandering around in my jammies thinking walking clothes, walking clothes, walking clothes...

I am creating...
Have you ever discovered a stash of fabric that leaves you breathless when finding it.  Well, that is what happened this week.  I love wraps of all kinds; knitted, crochet, with or without beading, single wrap or double wrap for warmth... But this my friends, is drop your socks kind of fabric I want to wear as a summer wrap.  Its blue silk with a delicate embossing of moss green swirly thingies.. Oooohh, I can't even describe it. It's going to pair perfectly for easy to wear sun dresses I seem to live in during the summer months.  Maybe a bit of  o' beads along the outside edges for touch of elegance. 

I am going...
Laughing, am trying to motivate myself to take a walk along Bear Creek Trail - maybe 4.5 or 5 miles.

I am reading...
Well, well...I have nothing to announce.  No reading at the moment, just busy finishing up a final project for school.  Then its off to the library for a lengthy exploration of new finds.

I am hoping...
I am hoping for best.  I am hoping good things.  I am hoping that I can continue to share positive thoughts and caring with everyone I meet.

I am hearing...
Little nesting Robin's voices.

Around the house...
Silence.  My housemate is off on a fishing trip for 3 days and I can run, jump and play anyway I want :)

One of my favorite things...
Listening to beautiful solo piano music on SKY.FM.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Getting ready to flood the market with job applications. I have decided to let go of my private practice, at least until I finish the PhD program.

Quote of the week:
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. -- Maya Angelou

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This is titled  Care.  How simple, yet profound, is a child's mind when it thinks about caring for others.  Our hearts, as the spray bottle, can be filled, re-filled, and re-filled again with protective acts of love, consideration, support and encouragement for others. I would like to think, as this child portrayed, that one will never run out of this vital food of life.


Honoring the divine in all ~

Namaste,
Taylor

Please join me and the growing world of 'The Simple Women's Daybook"; a diverse collection of  thoughts, hopes and dreams written by awesome women around the world.  Graciously created by Peggy, the host, whose blog may be found at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

FOR TODAY 18 January, 2011

Outside my window...There is a dusting of clouds overhead; the cold breeze entering into the cove of trees outside my window quivers the barren branches indicating a change.

I am thinking. . . I feel all over the place right now  Current status: in transition. It’s a pretty awkward place to be.  But as one of my friends reminds me, “transition never feels good.” Indeed.  I have to get in the habit of dropping the little pearls of wisdom I’ve collected over the years to myself as easily as I do for others.  In hopes of changing my immediate feelings about all the happenings in my life, I try to remind myself that beginnings and endings are the same thing. What doesn’t grow is dead…the only constant is change…in order to make way for new things in life, we often have to clear out what’s no longer needed.  

Favorite Quote of the Week: 

~ There are three things in life that once gone, never come back—time, words and... opportunity. As we cherish our time together, let’s be just who we are, without feeling the need to pretend to be anything more. Be gentle and honest in the words you choose to communicate with. When you love someone, tell them—honor and protect love, don’t fight with the ones you love—enjoy every opportunity to love! ~Steven Connor

I can't write anything more.

Have a nice week.

Peace,

Taylor

Please join me and the growing world of 'The Simple Women's Daybook"; a diverse collection of womens'  thoughts, hopes and dreams.  Graciously created by Peggy, the host, whose blog may be found at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-2011-daybook-edition.html

FOR TODAY 04 January, 2011

Outside my window...
I am curiously watching a duo of raccoons finishing the remnants of two gnarled post-Halloween pumpkins laying frozen under several days of snow. They look so panicky trying to paw and eat what they assume to be a delectable treat! I have been warned, through my attempts to befriend them, not to! There is a kind of magic that lays invisible between myself and these creatures.

I am thinking...
How tired I feel, but elated and happy with life in general. I resist in indulging in self-pity or gloom of those difficulties I face in the accomplishment of life-long dreams.  However, always returning to the fear I may not get what I want, but, instead get what I need. And having lost too much of what was wanted, I am passive about getting what I need; those needs seem very far away and unattainable in the present moment.

I am thankful for...
Women!  My women friends who support and nourish the communal identities of self residing within me.  In this sense I am bonded, in a unquestioning way, and forever grateful of their protective care of my soul. 

From the garden...
New garden catalogs arriving daily! Ideas are springing into my head; a poetry of garden delights.

From the kitchen...
Simmering slowly, with a growing strength of aroma, black beans seasoned with onions and garlic. Fresh corn tortillas, salsa fresco, white rice and mounds of sliced jalapenos to make ones mouth go "ummmm"!

I am wearing...
Blue corduroy jeans, a pink hoodie sweater and my black little boy loafer shoes. Although I do consider myself a 'girlie-girl', I love the clean look of men's dressing, thus, my little boy shoes are really 'little boy shoes'.

I am creating...
Almost finished with that lovely jewel-toned knitted scarf.  One last hank of yarn and I shall don the handiwork of my efforts!!!!  

I am going...
My new yoga class starts this week.  I am so happy!

I am reading...
Nothing in particular, just odds and ends until I return to the rigors of academic work in 6 days.

I am hoping...
To maintain small changes that I've identified as important pieces contributing to personal growth and awareness.  That hope includes spending more time volunteering at local food and homeless shelters increasing my sense of community and giving back. 

I am hearing...
Silence.

Around the house...
Simplicity through my intent to live with less possessions in order to live more fully.

One of my favorite things...
Brooke (with an 'e').  A beautiful, rambunctious yellow lab that has her own skiing trips allowing her to feel expansive and free in nature; just as its intended to be.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Resting and thinking about all those people who fill my life with joy.  You know who you are, and I am the lucky one who must live with such goodness. I marvel at my obsession with books and will be found luxuriating amongst the book stacks at my local library.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

This is titled "Watching" from Michael Mahoney's website.  Moving and stillness.  Watching and waiting.  A blind instinct that prevents either from happening.  This picture reminds me of double meanings; double feelings; double lives that could be; would be; if only . . . .   For me, its a picture of being torn to go or being torn to stay or having the sense to 'just be'.

Have a nice week.

Peace,
Taylor

Please join me and the growing world of 'The Simple Women's Daybook"; a diverse collection of women's thoughts, hopes and dreams.  Graciously created by Peggy, the host, whose blog may be found at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-2011-daybook-edition.html

FOR TODAY 28 December, 2010

Outside my window...
The barren trees behind my patio have a scurry of rouge squirrels vying for the apples I randomly placed for their winter breakfast this morning.

I am thinking...
How I want this holiday season to be over. 

I am thankful for...
Wonderful friends who truly show what its like to be a friend.

From the garden...
Fresh winter kale.

From the kitchen...
There is a sourdough starter bubbling away atop of my refrigerator.

I am wearing...
My favorite carpenter work jeans, a luscious wrap around mohair sweater I just completed, and a pair of comfy loafers.  Though, my hair is driving me crazy - ugh, you know it as 'winter hair'!!

I am creating...
A lovely jewel-toned knitted scarf to spice up my black wool winter coat.

I am going...
Where am I going?  Oh, I yearn not to do anything! The winter quarter at Capella begins 10 Jan 2011 and the thought of going or doing disturbs current attempts to revitalize my collaboration with peace and tranquility.

I am reading...
Two books during this 3 week academic break:  Zelda Fitzgerald: Her voice in paradise by Sally Cline, and Among the bohemians: Experiments in living 1900-1939 by Virginia Nicholson.

I am hoping...
For good things this coming year. 

I am hearing...
The beauty of streaming classical music as I write.

Around the house...
Books, papers, mounds and mounds of journal articles not yet categorized and filed. . .

One of my favorite things...
This week I developed a new tradition "one day late Christmas dinner and a movie" for two of my favorite friends that were a tremendous help with my recent move to Denver.

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Plans to jump-start my private practice has been sucking the life out of me.  Between doctoral work and business promotion, my life has dwindled into a black sea of nothingness. Close friends have lovingly urged me to find meaningful work in a more stable environment that will ultimately support my academic work.  But I tell them, "I will stand tall or fall", meaning the power of my stubbornness will not give way; however, this week I will ponder their urgings.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

I am obsessed with creation; breaking free from my chains, soaring and making music.

Please join me and the growing world of 'The Simple Women's Daybook"; a diverse collection of women's thoughts, hopes and dreams.  Graciously created by Peggy, the host, whose blog may be found at:
http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/