Well I've gotten two responses so far from people who would like me to continue the postings....... I'm suprised! I didn't think anyone read this or found it the least bit interesting! So I will continue.......... and hopefully soon I'll have a little more time to get some new pictures up, etc.
I can't believe it's nearly February.... I'm finding that I was maybe in a little bit of a funk..... frustrated with work, life, and not finding the joy and freedom that I love. A friend called the other night and reminded me of that..... and I am so appreciative. It seems sometimes, as much as I love my solitude, that those precious people, and also animals and places- in my life at times are the ones who help me the most. Thank you all for that. Until next time........

Is anyone out there?

Well welcome back to me again... gosh its been a while since I last wrote- just about a month! Things have been a little busy (as usual). I've been getting myself much more balanced with work.... not giving too much of myself so I have something left afterwards. I think part of the problem is that I just don't want to be working in a big store every day. I'm not used to it and it's not good for my nature. I am thankful for the job, and I have been learning alot of good things. I have also met alot of really great people. There are not alot of job options in this area. So we'll see...

The weather has been cold!!! It was down to near zero and then in the teens........ too cold for me! Lately it's been warmer... in the 30's or so. I heard the other day that March is the coldest here! That's hard to believe.... but we'll see. The winter may be too long for me here..... I love the winter but want more warm weather than cold. I was snowed/iced in for a few days and it was really really nice to be able to really be in winter. It was much needed. I loved just being at home and it was cold and beautiful with the snow everywhere. Kane and I went for a long hike- it was about 18 degrees! It was nice. Very quiet in the forest. I haven't seen any bears- hopefully they're sleeping up on the mountains. Actually there is very little wildlife that I've seen- it's kind of strange. I did see a few deer and fox. There are alot of beautiful natural areas to explore in this area- I can't wait for spring.

I'm wondering if anyone reads this..... I feel like I'm just writing for myself, which is fine.... and I totally understand if noone is interested in reading this...... it may not be too interesting! But if anyone would like for me to continue this, please let me know. If not, I will probably end it or change to something different.

Upcoming adventures: I would love to go to Teotihuacan in February but I don't think I can do it with work. I'm thinking of making a trip to Seattle and the Northwest and California sometime soon. Also would like to make a trip to Kentucky in the spring. Among many other places!

When your eyes are tired
the world is tired also.

When your vision has gone
no part of the world can find you.

Time to go into the dark
where the night has eyes
to recognize its own.

There you can be sure
you are not beyond love...

Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn

anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive

is too small for you.


-David Whyte

Happy Early Christmas!

Happy early Christmas everyone! I hope all are well out there in the world. I am doing much better than before.... had a change of priorities with work and that has been what was needed. No more selling the soul. Well, not even selling the soul. Giving the soul. But not in the beautiful way of giving. I am SO glad Christmas is finally here tomorrow.... as far as work it has completely ruined me for Christmas! I don't want to hear another Christmas song! I thought I didn't like them before......
I think things will calm down or at least get better at work now..... which will be a good thing. The weather here has been super cold (8 degrees) and then warm (60 degrees)! Wild. I am looking to the new year for what is ahead.... places I will go, things I will do, changes that will occur. It will be good. I'm looking forward to it. The mountains here are beautiful. I don't get tired of them. I love to see the earth rising up. I could do with warmer weather, and a shorter winter season, but I am really enoying the natural beauty here for now.
I will write more later when I'm not so tired.... : )

Welcome back to me!

Wow, well it's been about a month and a half since I last wrote! Things have been super busy and alot going on..... too much to be able to write about actually. I hope everyone out there is well. I don't know if anyone even reads this... so I guess it may just be for my own public journaling benefit.... don't know. It's almost Christmas! Crazy. Really crazy. I seriously can't believe it. It was just August! It was just January! Strange. Things with work have been kind of stressful lately... there have been a few changes (corporate) with the company which has affected things a little. We are understaffed and I don't have enough time to do everything for the floral department that needs to be done to do it in the best way. Beyond the regular shipments of 10 cases of roses per week plus about 4-8 cases of other cut flowers, we got many potted plants (rosemary trees, cypress trees, amaryllis bulbs, paperwhite bulbs, christmas cactuses, orchids) and two shipments of 240 poinsettias each. So..... since I am the only person who deals with floral... and my first priority is produce, it's like I'm working two jobs with only enough time for one. It's been very difficult because I want to do things well and I am working with perishable things.... cut flowers need to be taken care of, things need to be in good shape/good quality if they're to be for sale, and potted live plants need to be cared for so they won't die. So.... I've finally learned that I am draining myself by trying to give everything possible to do what needs to be done when I'm not being supported by the company itself. So, even though it is my thing, it is more their thing. On several levels, the lack of integrity really disturbs me. It's the using and abusing of people for the benefit of the store.... selfish, greedy.... not to me the best way to do things. And not the way I want to do things. So... for now this job is what I need and I'm learning alot. We'll see what happens in the future. There are not alot of other options in this area as far as work. So, we'll see.....

I'll have to catch you up on all that's been happening over time.... all of the critters are doing well.... Zeppelin is happy and her arthritis has not been bothering her, which is great. Priscilla is good.... she's very happy but has had some incontinence lately.... time for a vet appt.... maybe she has a UTI.... I don't think it's behavioral, but I'm not sure. Charley is good.... he's been kind of grumpy but lately has gotten alot better. He enjoys his time outside. Izzy is doing great- she's getting so big! She's the most affectionate cat- she actually puts her paws around my neck and kind of hugs me. She's been having a great time with the moths that came out in the past few days with warmer weather. They all enjoy going for a hike in the backyard.

We have Winter Solstice Ceremony this weekend.... will be great to be in ceremony and with community. Much love to you all! Sorry if this is boring!

Gratitude

Congratulations President Obama!! Congratulations to the universe. What an overwhelming moment. So many thanks. What a blessing it is to have this special man with us. Years ago when I lived in Carbondale, IL I saw Obama speak for the first time and saw this day happen then. Now it is here! It is a new day and a new time...... what a beautiful moment for all african americans- to see their face in his today. To hear Martin Luther King, Jr. whisper through his voice. It is a joyful, tearful, and amazing moment.

A Day of Rest

Hello to everyone! Well I have the day off from work..... it's wonderful to have the day to rest! It's been very busy at the store and yesterday along with a truckload of new produce, we also got a ton of new flowers and plants! I'm really excited but it's alot of work to get them all ready and then change the display around along with getting the produce department taken care of. We got almost 40 Rosemary plants in, one of my favorites! So that was great to see them and get to work with them. Next week we'll be getting some orchids in. I hear I'm up for the promotion, which would be great. I still have yet to see it though.

The new dog has a new name...... it's Priscilla! That was the first name that came to me, and I was having a hard time with it because all I could see was Priscilla Presley!! But after about two weeks of struggling with finding her name, it came back to me and now it's a done deal. She likes it too (a requirement)! It's a new name for a new life. She is doing great- her only desire (besides food) is to be held and pet. Izzy really likes her and tries to play with her and snuggles sometimes. It's cute. I still have yet to see the two dogs really play..... and Charley is getting used to things.

The other day I hiked up the small mountain behind my house- farther than I'd gone before. Made it almost to the top. You can see the mountains from there!! I was so suprised! And the fall colors are beautiful. I can't wait to go farther next time.

Today we have a House Blessing Ceremony (house balancing) for someone in community. It's great to have Ceremony. Next weekend will be Fall Ceremony. I hope to make a trip to Kentucky soon.......... if I have time with work. I miss it and my beautiful friends there!! It's only 4 1/2 hours from here.....

Much love to you all!