August, 2022
It seems like for most of my life I went about my business and my body did most of what I wanted it to without bothering me too much. It’s possible that what I experience when I’m meditating has nothing to do with meditation and everything to do with just getting older.
Here’s what I’m talking about. Almost without fail, my body talks to me as I’m sitting there. I’m not just talking about a foot that falls asleep because my legs have been crossed too long. I’m talking about aches that show up that I didn’t even know were there. I’m talking about feeling like when I take in one of those deep breaths, it goes in deeper on one side of my body than another. I mean noticing that there are places tensed that don’t at all need to be tensed.
Truth is, this is one of the things that carries over into everyday life in a way that can be very good and can be very obsessive. The good part is it gives me important information sometimes – lets me know that I’m putting myself under stress for no good reason. The bad news is, it is impossible to know exactly what is normal. I don’t know what you might find, but for me I’m constantly getting evidence that the left side of my body and the right side are not the same – they don’t inhale the same, they don’t exhale the same, they don’t have the same range of motion. Apparently that violates some expectation I have that even is better – another challenge in my quest for non-judgement and releasing expectations.
July, 2022
It’s hard to believe a year ago I didn’t own a car, hadn’t owned one for five years, and now we have over 20,000 miles on our little Accord. July was another cross-country month, starting with a quick lunch with the family in suburban Detroit, then across the Port Huron bridge for a ride through Ontario and Quebec. Our ultimate destination was Bar Harbor, Maine, but we took a winding route. Just outside London, Ontario, our first night’s stop, we took a break at a little butterfly sanctuary – mostly little kids and us – just perfect.
I already wrote a bit about Montreal, and leaving there took us in to Vermont (I know, there was a more direct route to Maine, but long story, we were going to Boston first). Anyway, Vermont scenery was spectacular even without the leaves changing color. Downtown Burlington was full of people and music and charm – I can only imagine how much move lively (crowded?) it would be if school were in session.
After a catch-up visit with our grown-up niece in Boston, we overnighted in Portsmouth, NH – another charming downtown with people and music – Irish this time, my favorite.
After a combination of scenic routes and interstate travel, and a great grilled cheese and chowder lunch harborside in Portland, we landed in Bar Harbor. Supposed to be there for two days in the last availble room at the Bar Harbor Inn, but plans changed and we would up staying four. Great seafood, but my favorite meal was Italian – La Vita Bella. Of course we went to Acadia. I know I’m not a big hiker. I don’t really completely understand when a walk turns in to a hike. But I’m pretty sure that climbing over boulders for a half hour, even if they aren’t vertical, crosses the line, so I felt pretty accomplished.
Amazing how in every town you can find that place with the great row of outdoor restaurant options – Italian again in Albany.
Next stop was a bucket list one for the boyfriend/husband – the National Comedy Center in Jamestown New York. Driving across the state was beautiful, and the stop was perfectly timed. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but well worth it – both the subject matter and they way they have designed the museum are impressive and engaging. And, with my economic development hat on, you have to be impressed at how they have worked with the legacy of being Lucille Ball’s hometown to hustle up some economic activity.
I love road trips, but I love Chicago summers too; I think it’s time to be a homebody in August.
July, 2022
I think this series – which I’ve called “All My Dreams Flew Out the Window – in the best possible way” – will run to about ten pieces.
The piece of the left is inspired by a beautiful cherry tree that bloomed in the spring in the side yard of our home in Atlanta. It cost us an absolute fortune in arborist fees to keep it healthy, but it was worth it every time we saw the display, and since we’ve left I’ve often thought that I hope it is still going strong.
The second piece represents another place I spent a lot of time – looking out the window of an airplane, though usually from an aisle seat. This is what I saw one night as we approached Chicago from the south, just before the whole skyline comes into view – kind of jewel-like, really.
July, 2022
More on our road trip later, but July included a stop in Montreal and yes, there are museums and churches, etc. but my favorite things aren’t necessarily the most typical. Well, maybe this first one – the Botanical Gardens were spectacular. Without any planning on our part, we had fantastic weather and it seemed like absolutely everything was in bloom all at the same time. What a treasure so close to the center city.
On our way out of town, though, I had my favorite experience. I had heard of St. Armands paper, and I thought I was somewhere nearby. Their website is kind of basic, and tells you right off they are primarily a factory, but invites you to stop by. My boyfriend/husband is always game for a trip to an industrial park in a potentially sketchy neighborhood, though this one has a great looking walking/running/biking path right across the street. The dooway is a little hidden, but the neighbors kindly sent us in the right direction. It is a fantastic, below ground space with presses and vats and luscious paper everywhere. The husband and wife team that run the place have their hands full, and confided that it’s tought to find help (isn’t that the story everywhere) so it’s hard to keep up with demand and they have to turn down some expansion. (If you’re reading this, and know someone passionate and dedicated, send them along, because we can’t afford to lose artisan knowledge like this). I could have been easily overwhelmed so I just made selections quickly, including mostly handmade sheets and pads, but also some machine made sheets from repurposed firemen’s uniforms – love that!
July, 2022
It is inevitable that you’ll get interrupted, so then what do you do? Maybe the interruption is self-inflicted, a phone call you just can’t ignore, or maybe it is someone walking in the room. Do I give up for the day, or start from where I am, or start over at the beginning, whatever I consider the beginning to be? I usually decide based on how far along in my sit. If I’m sitting for 25 minutes, and something happens around minute 18, I usually just call it done. On the other hand, if I’m only five minutes in, I’ll try pretty hard to just restart. I don’t have any magic formula to keep people from interrupting you – you can negotiate with the adults you live with and hope they understand, but if you’re trying to do it with kids in the house, no guarantees. The good news is that one of the attitudes you try to cultivate with meditation will help you here – when the inevitable inevitably happens, you don’t have to react to it, you can just say “of course” and get back to business as soon as you can.
