Lovin' the Mud

(My favorite part of a project I helped my Dad with yesterday.)

#2406 - The quiche and black eyed pea salad I had for lunch at a friend's.

#2407 - My friend's child being captivated by opening and closing the front door for a long time. (Which reminded me of being so bored at Menard's as a kid, then having fun playing in all the doors.)

#2408 - I initiated a search for flowers. Instead of noticing the bright orange ones 12 feet away, this two year old pointed out the one I'd overlooked - the clover - at our feet.

#2409 - When I told this almost two year old it was snack time, he requested blueberries :).

#2510 - The amazing lack of annoying small talk on my soccer team. I've played with them almost two years now, they still know extremely little about me. But there are other ways of knowing people besides a list of facts. I thought about this today because one of them asked if I had any plans for the summer. I realized I don't often have to answer questions at soccer, and when I do, they are sincere.

Gentle, Quiet

I thought I had much to write today, but now I am simply feeling really quiet and not in the mood for words...so briefly

• this quiet and the quiet outside that matches it, with an occasional gentle breeze
  
• simple evening watering of plants and successful strawberry transplants
• a rhubarb bar - dessert
  

PINEapple

#2376 - A couple quotes from Jason Mraz's blog which he got from someone else's blog

“It is only when we no longer compulsively need someone that we can have a real relationship with them.”
- Anthony Storr, was an English psychiatrist and author.

“It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, but what is more painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let that person know how you feel.”
- Anonymous

#2377 - I'm getting into this novel called Driftless by David Rhodes

#2378 - Feeling proud of myself for a phone call I made Saturday.

#2379 - I've mostly laid around resting this weekend with a strong cold. Today I wanted to get outside a little at least so I took my brother's mother-in-law to a nature area for a short walk. If I had felt completely well, I would have gone on a longer run/walk this morning and I'm sure would not have done this. So something missed and something gained.

#2380 - She and I do not share a common language. All our conversations previously have involved a translator. Since we were alone today, we spoke little. When she saw these little cones on a pine tree she said, "Pineapple," and I laughed and understood.

Bonnie Singman

#2361 - These beautiful books from one of my favorite poets - Bonnie Singman arrived.

(My all-time favorite poet is Rumi. One day my friend called me and read a poem. Then he said, "Who is it?"

I guessed, "Rumi."

He said, "No, it's Bonnie." Bonnie also happens to be our friend.)

#2362 - I shared my excitement, and a couple of the poems, with my sister-in-law and her mother.

#2363 - Yesterday I had the impulse that two friends of mine could have lunch. They don't know each other. I have no idea why I had this impulse, but that is not for me to determine. My job is to be open and share it, even if they thought it silly and rejected the idea. I was happy to find out they were open to it. Then today I discovered not only that but they have taken steps to schedule a time. It gives me great joy that they are willing to follow-through on my impulse!

#2364 - I'm not feeling that well today, so I'm glad I don''t have much planned this weekend and can be flexible with what I do (like the day I clean the yoga studio for example.)

#2365 - If anyone found the heading to my last post confusing, it was because I wondered what happened to my only (to my knowledge) person I don't know who reads this. She also has a blog, I often found inspiring, touching and authentic, which disappeared as did her profile. But she answered my "Stephanie???" inquiry with a comment, so she hasn't totally disappeared.

Stephanie???

#2346 - In the Viewpoint/Business section of the May 22nd Star Tribune there is a short article called, "When Commutes Matter." It says that a survey of Coldwell Banker Real Estate agents has found that gas prices have influenced 75% of their client's decisions as to where to live.

#2347 - It also said Edina Realty has a "walk score" on its listings saying how easy it is to walk places!

#2348 - Which brings me to a gratitude from Saturday that got cut, but is in direct relation to this and I'm still grateful for it today.

Someone commented about how gas was down to $3 something.

"I wish it would go up to $4 and stay there." -my friend Liz

(and to top it off she was brave enough to say I could use her name with that quote)

#2349 - "I just don't think my life would be enhanced by another plastic bag." (Thought I observed in my head as I tried to find an appropriate bag to take and reuse at the store.)

#2350 - Photos of beauty on a short walk today.

The Cove

#2331 - A little over ten years ago I was on vacation with my family in a place where you could "swim with the dolphins." As a child I had been fascinated by dolphins, so when my Dad offered us a chance, he probably did not expect my, "No."

It was a hard no to be. I felt isolated by it. I could not explain it, or even begin a dialogue to help me figure it out for myself. I just knew it was strong. And I knew no one around me seemed to feel similarly.

Ten plus years later, I watched The Cove and that isolation, turned into connection and a peace with that voice inside.

#2232 - My brother did swim with the dolphins, and he is also is the reason I watched The Cove tonight.

#2233 - All the people who were brave and devoted enough to make this film in the first place.

#2234 - It's interesting how often it's the people who have dramatic turnarounds that have the passion to push for change. In this case, Richard O'Barry trained the dolphins that played Flipper, now lives and works with a different perspective.

#2235 -

Meet My Baby

#2316 - She's a Pagoda Dogwood and she's a cutie.

#2317 - That friend behind her is an Ash tree, as are much of the mature trees in my neighborhood. The future for that tree is not merry. emerald ash borer (a green beetle native to Asia) is on its way. According to Wikipedia, "Dutch Elm Disease killed only a mere 200 million elm trees while EAB threatens 7.5 billion ash trees in the United States."

It makes me so sad to read. We already took down one ash in our front yard (not because it was infected, but it most likely would be) and once the other comes down, we'll need some shade!


Speaking of which the tag on my little pagoda says,

"Trees planted in urban areas can help reduce heating and cooling costs by 20%" Center for Urban Forest Research

I am not surprised by this at all. This house used to stay pretty cool with the windows closed etc. Since we cut the other ash down last summer (which was the primary tree shading the house) - Forget It!

#2318 - I also planted a Juniper in the backyard. I didn't pick him/her out, but I'm always happy to add more trees. I wonder if I love the deciduous trees more because they are huggable? Or maybe because they change throughout the year and I notice/appreciate them as they change?

#2319 -

I just have to give a shout out to the cranapple tree flowering white in our neighbor's yard which I can see from my window. It is gorgeous right now.

#2320 - I looked up what bird is nesting outside my bedroom window. I believe it is a house wren and it is has a beautiful song.