Summertime and the livin' is easy?

It is a lovely summer and now monsoons are with us each afternoon. Delicious. I can't believe that the last entry was May! So much has happened since then and yet so much remains the same. The garden is blooming and each day sweet Morning Glories greet me. They (whoever they are) say that Morning Glories will take over...well, let them. They are such beautiful little heart shaped leaves and delicate flowers. They delight me.

I have also been delighted by the wonderful women and programs at Cosmic Cowgirl University.

I just signed up for a painting class that I have wanted to take for years!! Shiloh is an inspiration and I love her work. It is divine, spiritual, colorful, womanfilled...and beautiful. I am so happy to be studying with her for the next month!! Thanks to the Divine that enabled this - and Zinnia.

It is an evening made for a walk, a little quiet time, some meditation...and a good old fashioned bath! Feeling very happy and grateful tonight.

A life...

Just finished reading a biography of Edith Wharton.


What an utterly amazing woman! I traveled with her through New York, Newport, Lennox Ma, then overseas, frequently! She worked at her writing, at her loves, at her friendships...then she worked tirelessly during the war for those in need. I was inspired. A quote of hers that really spoke to me from a letter which she wrote to Mary Berenson:


"of this wonderful adventure of living, which seems to me to pile up its glories like an horizon - wide sunsets as the light declines. I'm afraid I'm an incorrigible life- lover & life-wonderer & adventturer."
She seemed unafraid of aging and instead of shrinking from old age she saw how truly wonderful the later years of life could be. Her sister in law, Mini Jones, wrote sadly about the "woes and privations of old age," Edith responded: "The farther I have penetrated into this ill-famed Valley the more full of interest, and beauty too, have I found it. It is full of its own quiet radiance, and in that light I discover many enchanting details which the midday dazzle obscured."

Oh yes, how delicious...off to discover enchanting details today!
Her novels oft reflect on things spiritual and things very human. She is my heroine for today. Thank you Edith!

Fresh new morning!

The rains came! How delicious and exquisite it was to wake to rain on the roof as I snuggled under my down comforter sunggling with Max. The smell of rain, the sound of rain...it is so comforting! The world seems all fresh and new this morning. The sun came out for a while and everything sparkled and there was so much green. Sometimes I fogret how sweet, simple things are just so rich and rewarding. Rain. Birdsong. I think I heard a Phoebee this morning. I didn't know they were in this part of the country. Sweet, clean, scrubbed and delicious morning. All is right with my world. I am deeply grateful for my many gifts and for rain on the roof.

Computer Consternation

I remember my first experience with computers about fifteen years ago. I had a Garfield cartoon taped to that computer. This is exactly how I felt today working with the beastie. I will admit that my attitude is a bit hostile, but I think it is that way for some very good reasons!

I feel as if Spock has beamed me up to another planet. Really! I mean the language of these beasts is not my mother tongue. The letters are formed the same way but they make no sense to me at all. Compute that!! I am the alien on this planet of computers and strange language and applications.

I have been wresting with getting a web site up now for a few weeks. Ok, so I know know what "GoDaddy" is - I actually secured a domain name through them. What to do with it is still a complete mystery. Today I got very brave downloaded (as opposed to uploaded) WordPress. It was supposed to be a quick, no fuss, no mess thingy. I was exposed to words like binary(I always associated this with making books?) atoms (?), PHP's and script mail. Does anyone really understand this stuff? More interesting language and applications free file openers - are they like a free lunch, there is really no such thing? The there was Akismet (sounds like some little place from a musical to me), Cannonicals (something left over from the Catholic Church?), Admin Ajax (something like Mr. Clean, you open the top and a genie comes out to help?), Plug in's and widgets...all can be used with ease! Right.

I feel alienated, lost and very, very confused. I am downloading yet another free and "easy" file opener in order to read the gobledygook that is attached to my free and easy WordPress web builder. This is clearly in a foreign language and I don't speak it. A message just popped up that while I am downloading this free and easy file opener I am free to continue my work. Now, another message flashes across the screen, download can not complete because of (very long number here with a few letters) error has occurred and I should contact the system administrator. Like I would know who that was or where to find them? Ya, right.

Now I just noticed that a free dolphin screen saver has mysteriously appeared on my computer.

I am going to feed the chickens and sheep, that makes sense!

Computer Consternation

Saddness

It has been a strange and sad couple of weeks. My heart is heavy and hurts. I have lost my sweet companion of sixteen years. She had a stroke and never really recovered. She left this world and my side on the 16th at 2:30pm. She is forever in my heart and I miss her in my daily life. I see her everywhere. Raven struggled sometimes with her wild wolf nature. She was after all half wolf and sometimes it was difficult for her in this world. We had some great adventures though that old girl and I! I will always remember the way she dug for crab legs on Prudence Island; how she sniffed the wind, head high, as a storm approached; how she disliked fire! When we had a campfire, she always paced and asked to just go to bed! How I had to set the tent up in the living room before camping trips so she wouldn't be afraid to go inside.

I am deeply grateful that she graced my life for those sixteen years. She was a faithful companion. She was sweet, funny and so very loving. Raven, thank you for being my best friend and for all the love and fun you brought into my life! I will always hold you dear in my heart. You little sister Max misses you a whole lot too.

Sun, gentle breezes and honey bees!

Ah, spring must be here. The weather is mild (in the 70's ) mud abounds and I decided, in an attempt not to take life too seriously, to eat brunch outside. It was heavenly as the sun baked down on me. I was barefoot outdoors for the first time this year (chasing the puppy in the snow does not count, that was painful) and ...what is that buzzing around my tea? A swarm of honey bees!! I did enjoy my brunch, most of my tea, the sun and celebrating my first meal al fresco for the season but the bees won. I finally gave up after being buzzed and bombed several times. I think they were curious about the honey in the tea. It was afterall local and maybe they recognized it! All in all it was a delight though. Spring is certainly on the way. We may have more snow yet, but the balance is gently tipping. Soon it will be hot and dry. Grateful for each day as it comes; finding the beauty, striving for balance...and JOY!