#NAPHOPOMO Day 6

This tree greeted me with a hug this Friday so I am sharing it with you. TGIF. 

#NAPHOPOMO Day 5

I'm always looking to they sky for inspiration.  On this day I saw a horses eye in the clouds. 

#NAPHOPOMO - Day 4

Fall colors still going strong here on the East Coast. It may be November but it's in the 70's today. 

#NAPHOPOMO - Days 1 and 2 Jumping back into blogging

Night falls earlier each day now 

Today was liking walking into an Autumn Painting




Today I am jumping back into blogging with NAPHOPOMO (National Photo Posting Month) which was starting back in 2013 by Karen Walrond.  You can read about it here at Chookooloonks

The above pictures represent to me the best of what an East Coast autumn day and night are.  The colors pop so vividly during the day It feels like I am walking into a painting come to life and the night falls earlier with sunset colors turning cooler.

I am catching up since I started on day 3 so these are for November 1st and 2nd.

Looking forward to 30 Days of images.  You can follow along, just leave me a comment so I know where to find you.  The hashtag everyone is using to play along is :  #NAPHOPOMO

Have a beautiful day.

Namaste

It's the little things June 17,2014

Fresh sauce cooking on the stove. 

Van Morrison playing on spotify. 

Puppy under feet looking for scraps. 

Husband across the table looking pretty dang good. 

Fresh herbs picked from the garden. 

I'm really appreciating the little things these days.

Slowly emerging from a fog...

Good Morning.

May this day find you and yours well.

I am currently emerging from the fog that has enveloped me these last few years.  A numbness surrounded me as I held in too much..too much grief..too much uncertainty and fear..too much anxiety and hopelessness.

There were moments of happiness and love and support but I was having a hard time letting it in.  I have since dedicated myself to clearing the fog and standing in my light and truth, knowing that includes going through the darkness and coming out the other side as many times as needed.   It started with reaching out and asking for help and more importantly letting that help in. I'm also seeing and embracing the support and community that was there besides me all along.

I was diagnosed with Asthma and GERD many years ago and more recently with arthritis of the knee, these illnesses contributed to me gaining more weight then is healthy for me as well as slowing me down movement wise.  Recently I have embarked on a 30 day detox from alcohol and most bad sugars and processed foods as I had read that these can contribute to inflammation in the body.  I also believe my couple of glasses of wine nightly was becoming a self medicating habit, one I was relying on to ease my anxiety.  I have been exploring other ways like music, mediation, lowering stimulation like the TV after work.

I am on day 12 of the detox and here are some things I have noticed.

• I do not have as much heartburn in-between my medicine. (nexium)
• the swelling in my knee has gone down dramatically, I can move a bit easier.
• though my energy level is not up, my spiritual/mental energy IS
• I feel ideas flowing and the fog lifting
• I find myself beginning again in each moment

I don't know how often I will write here I just know today felt like a good day to come and that's enough for now.

Thank you for stopping by and sitting with me for a bit.

Namaste

To the Bones

the bones slowly emerge

A dear friend (Lis over at Dandelion Seeds and Dreams) recently suggested that I get back to blogging.  I have missed writing in this fast paced social media world.  Most times I am posting from my phone or ipad and likely these posts contain typos and misspells from autocorrect and quick texting.  So I am slowing it down a bit, giving some thought to what I want to say and laying it down here.

I start this day with re-visiting Jamie Ridler's wishcast Wednesday which was how I got started with blogging .  Today Jamie's wish prompt is:  What risk would you wish to take?  Dang I was hoping to ease my way with an easy wish.  But I'm all in so here goes:

Two things came to me as I pondered this wish.  Firstly this quote from the man himself:

“Once the soul awakens, the search begins and you can never go back. From then on, you are inflamed with a special longing that will never again let you linger in the lowlands of complacency and partial fulfillment. The eternal makes you urgent. You are loath to let compromise or the threat of danger hold you back from striving toward the summit of fulfillment.”
― John O'Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom

Secondly the picture above.  I love trees in all their seasons but mostly Fall into Winter where the bones of the tree start to emerge as the leaves fall away. 

The risk I wish to take that is expressed by this quote and picture is the risk to be seen, to show you who I am down to the bones.  Some days this peeling away comes easier and I feel confident in sharing my truth and story and other more painful and tender like poking at a wound and the fear of what others will think of you when you peel away certain layers.

I have got caught up in the comparing game, the I am not where this one or that one is game, the am I being authentic or just trying to impress and please game.  Some things I have come to discover is that It is ok to be just who I am in each moment and to live in each moment, to give it my full attention and love.  As long as my soul continues to awaken in whatever way and at whichever pace it wants to, as long as I don't go back to sleep, that is what is important.  I may hibernate some days or share here others, and that's ok too, there is room for both solitude and community and some things may just be meant for my soul alone and that is just fine too. 

So I continue to risk awakening my soul, to letting it reveal even to myself the bones of who I am.

May you and yours be well this day.

Namaste,
Karen

It's A New Day...

 

With Spring in the air, even though there are still traces of last weeks snow on the ground I am feeling a bit of spring fever, which is motivating me to get back to blogging.  The plan is to do a few posts a week consisting of recipe sharing, poetry writing, art journalling and photography. 

 

 

I have been away from blogging for almost a year and I needed that time to just be. Here is a poem I recently wrote which says better than I can now about the thaw I was feeling.

 

THAW

 

for weeks
pen
lay frozen
far from
page
emptiness
seemed
vast,eternal
then
a flickr starts
like match
to candle
light grows
brighter
pen flows
on paper blue
rhythm of hand
awakens soul
the thaw
begins
again

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and may this day find you and yours well.

 

 

Namaste,

Karen

 

52 Photo Project - SPRING

Today over at Bella's 52 Photo Project it's all about Spring.  I have not been able to find words to share here lately so today I will share Spring through my eyes and iphone in the below images.

Pink and Blue 70's Filter

Spring Green

Nature's Curtain

On display

In a row

Spring begins at the park

Delicate

Spring Night falls

Blooms everywhere

Tulip Time

Coming home with me

May you be enjoying the colors of spring wherever you are today.

Namaste,
Karen

National Poetry Day - 3/21/2012

This Poem just knocked me off my feet, It literally felt like a punch to the stomach, my reaction was so strong. It speaks loudly and clearly to something in me.
Here it is : The Author is Jewel Mathieson

"We have come to be danced
Not the pretty dance
Not the pretty pretty, pick me, pick me dance
But the claw our way back into the belly
Of the sacred, sensual animal dance
The unhinged, unplugged, cat is out of its box dance
The holding the precious moment in the palms
Of our hands and feet dance.

We have come to be danced
Not the jiffy booby, shake your booty for him dance
But the wring the sadness from our skin dance
The blow the chip off our shoulder dance.
The slap the apology from our posture dance.

We have come to be danced
Not the monkey see, monkey do dance
One two dance like you
One two three, dance like me dance
But the grave robber, tomb stalker
Tearing scabs and scars open dance
The rub the rhythm raw against our soul dance.

We have come to be danced
Not the nice, invisible, self-conscious shuffle
But the matted hair flying, voodoo mama
Shaman shaking ancient bones dance
The strip us from our casings, return our wings
Sharpen our claws and tongues dance
The shed dead cells and slip into
The luminous skin of love dance.

We have come to be danced
Not the hold our breath and wallow in the shallow end of the floor
dance
But the meeting of the trinity: the body, breath and beat dance
The shout hallelujah from the top of our thighs dance
The mother may I? Yes you may take ten giant leaps dance
The olly olly oxen free free free dance
The everyone can come to our heaven dance.

We have come to be danced Where the kingdoms collide
In the cathedral of flesh
To burn back into the light
To unravel, to play, to fly, to pray
To root in skin sanctuary
We have come to be danced! We have come."

~ by Jewel Mathieson from her book This Dance: A Poultice of Poems

52 Photos Project - Week 47

Good day all!

This week over at Bella's 52 Photo Project  the prompt was:  Outside the lines, what is the unique way you see the beauty in life.

For me it's all about light and the way it can wash out part of the picture, some would say this is a flaw but I would say there's so much beauty between what can be seen and what's hidden within the light.  It's a beautiful mystery.

Here are some recent examples taken with my iphone.

Bella - between the light and dark

Tulips - lit from within and without

Getting my Irish on for St. Pat's

So what is your favorite way to capture images outside the box, what is your unique way of seeing the beauty around you?

Namaste to you and yours,
Karen

Pursuit of Healthfullness Week 8 and 9

Delicate yet still strong



So here I am 2 weeks later and getting back to posting with Melissa over at My Red Tutu  for  our Pursuit of Healthfulness as I  just start to come out of a major anxiety spin.  My Acid/Reflux came to a crisis point about 2 weeks ago, waking up each night from a dead sleep in burning pain.  At the same time I had some funky sinus situation going on, felt like I was being hit from all sides with weird symptoms.

I have had some health concerns this last year, achy body, reflux, inflammation.  I ignored the small signs that my body was in distress and I just kept eating, stressing, drinking and so on, all the things that aggravate my health.  So of course my body decided to give me the bigger wake up call and I find myself crying in the doctors office, frustrated to be at this point.  Long story short the Dr. put me on Nexium for the reflux since I have some irritation and of course as Doctors go they say well you can stay on this forever.  I don't want to do that, I know it's just a band aid.  I want to make the changes in my lifestyle and diet that can bring about real healing. 

So my plan is to stay on the nexium for the 6 weeks and wean off of it along with dietary changes.  So far I have cut back  or eliminated white flour, wheat, sugar, alcohol and dairy.  I have added juicing to my daily regimen to help bring me back into balance. 

I have to say although my digestive system is still out of whack I am noticing small changes especially less bloating and I lost about 4 pounds.  I am also noticing that I am getting tired at night where usually I am up to 1 or 2 am struggling to fall asleep.  Maybe without the sugars, caffeine and other stimulants my body is finding it's natural rhythm.

As for the anxiety it is still pretty high, when I am having health issues I go into crisis/survival mode and it can put alot of added stress on my system which ends up defeating all the good i am trying to do.  I would love to hear any suggestions (minus body work) you might have on bringing down the stress level.  It is an old way for me to be and that anxiety is always there right under the surface waiting to pop out.

So for now I am being gentle with myself and tying to soothe my inner worrywart and just taking one step at a time.  I will check back next week and let you know how it goes.

A timely reminder for me this week

I would love to hear how you are doing in your Pursuit of Healthfulness and don't forget to jump on over to Melissa's and she what she's up to this week.

Namaste,
Karen

Pursuit of Healthfulness Wk 7, Wishcast and 52 Photo Projects

Hey Friends I am doing 3 posts in one this weekend as I could not get to my computer on Wednesday.  So I am doing my weekly check in with Melissa over at My Red Tutu for our Pursuit of Healthfulness, Wishcast Wednesday with Jamie Ridler and sharing pics with Bella over at 52 Photos Project.

The funny thing is they all kind of go hand and hand this week with each other and my Healthy Pursuit.

Jamie Ridler :  What do you wish for your Health and Wellness

Bella:  Where to you go to renew your spirit

I have noticed in my pursuit of Healthfulness this week  that I am truly addicted to sugar in the form of bread and dark chocolate, I literally can not go a day without them and I believe it is taking a toll on my health and energy.  I try to go for the apple but then I just eat the chocolate right after.  I'm also noticing the bread and chocolate feed off each other when I have one I crave the other.  This has been very frusterating for me because I AM noticing it but not changing it yet.  I have kept up with adding greens every day at least once if not twice a day.  I even had kale with my eggs this morning.  Another thing I noticed is if I go to long without eating I will overeat so I would like to plan my meal times a bit better.

In addition to diet and nutrition for Jamie's prompt what do I wish for my health and wellness and Bella's where to you go to renew your spirit prompt the answer would be to spend more time in nature. I have been pretty inactive lately and even taking a short walk in the park this week had my legs cramping, a sure sign that I have not been moving enough.  My spirit is renewed while taking photo walks through the park and just noticing the beauty of the trees against the natural canvas of the sky, it truly soothes my soul.

So as you wish for yourselves, I am also wishing for you.  I would also love to hear where you are in your Pursuit of Healthfulness.  Let's jump on over to Melissa at My Red Tutu and she what she has to share this week.

Namaste,

Karen

52 Photos Project and Wishcast Wednesday: 1/18/2012

green bokeh

Good Morning All.  Today is Wednesday and I am wishing over at Jamie Ridlers Studios and sharing pictures with Bella over at 52 Photos Project. 

Today's Prompt:
Wish:  If you listen closely what do you wish to hear?
Picture:  Color w/emotion, what color makes you feel good.

If I listen closely what I wish to hear is that all is going just as it should and I can trust that I am exactly where I need to be on my journey. 

I love so many colors so this photo prompt is a hard one.  When I looked through my pictures I noticed that I am drawn to colors in nature, especially the greens.  Green makes me feel good.  I almost never wear green but I painted my bedroom this amazing green and even though it's a vibrant green it brings me peace.  Here are some of my favorite pics highlighting the color green.

Green on White

Green Bedroom

Neighborhood green

Collard Green

So my friends what are you hearing when you listen closely and what colors soothe you?
As Always as you wish for yourself, so I wish for you also.

Namaste
Karen

The Pursuit of Healthfulness - Week 6

This week as I post my update (late) for week 6 of My pursuit of Healthfulness with Melissa over at My Red Tutu, I realize I have been doing alot of emotional healing lately.  This past week my pursuit has been as much about my mind and spirit as my body. 

On the nutrition/diet front I have been successful in adding greens to my diet each and every day, I have even been taking pics of them and posting them on instagram as #dailygreens.  My favorites are, collards, spinach, arugula, broccoli rabe and kale.  I saute them lightly in extra virgin olive oil with red pepper flakes, curry, salt and a touch of honey. 

On the mind/spirit front I have recently connected with Jane Cunningham over at Reframing Your Story.  Jane with listening and creating art will take one of your stories, you know the one you have been telling yourself over and over, the one that holds you back and keeps you stuck, the one you need healing from.   She will take your story and tell it from a different perspective, to look at it through eyes of love and compassion.  What I discovered in my session was that I have not felt loved or important for most of my life, and I have the power now to get in touch with that girl inside and give her that love.  The girl below with the two tight ponytails who is withdrawn and very sensitive, the girl who has pushed things down for so long.  I can go back and show her she is loved and important.  I know it may not be easy and it may take a bit to reach her but I am on the way. 

 Another resourse I am planning on checking out is the book, What are your Emotions Trying to Tell You, which was recommended by my friend Joy Tanksley who I have done coaching with.  I have been emotionally eating since childhood so now is the time to change those patterns, to create new ones.

I leave you with this Yogi Tea message, I love getting messages from the magical to the mundane from unlikely sources.  This one was a reminder, one I needed to hear this day, Yes where there is love there is no question.  Let's jump on over to Melissa over at My Red Tutu and see what she has been up to.

As always I would love to hear where you are on your Pursuit of Healthfulness.

Namaste,

Karen

The Pursuit of Healthfulness - Week 5

Fun with Instant Camera

Hello Friends.. This week post is late because I was having posting problems..but It's here now.

This last week as I and Melissa over at My Red Tutu finish our 5th week of our Pursuit of Healthfulness I noticed a few things in regards to my health that I believe I can make improvements on. 

1.  I never seem to get to sleep before 12 or 1am and I usually wake around 6 when my husband gets up and the I go back to sleep for awhile longer.  So I am not getting a straight 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.  And I usually fall asleep in front of the TV in the den and then wake and go to the bedroom.
2.  I made a Good Luck meal on New Years Day that made me sick to my stomach..lol.. I am thinking it may be the combination of onion, lentils, fennell and sausage.  It may have been too heavy on my digestive system.
3. I feel down and sluggish when just sitting around watching tv or reading.  low energy.

What I can do to make some small changes.

1. Try to actually go to bed around 11pm even if I am not tired.  Stop drinking any liquids around 9pm so I don't have to go to the bathroom this might also help me sleep uninterrupted a bit longer.
2. Try a clean food plan.  Eating closer to the source and less processed.  I think this may help me get my digestion back on a healthy track.  I have been getting this CLEAN EATING magazine and it has some great recipes and suggestions.  I'll let you know if I try any of the recipes and how I like them.
3. Try to get outside in nature for a minimum of 1/2 hour a day.  This weekend I was out driving around taking pics of the sky and trees with my Fuji Instant Camera which I got for Xmas and am having so much fun with.  I noticed my energy and spirits being lifted by combining the creative with being outside. (see some of the pictures I took above in the group shot)

So my friends what are you doing this week for yourself, feel free to share your story below by linking your post or just leave me a comment.  Let's jump on over to Melissa's and she what she has to share this week.



Namaste,
Karen

Day one ...2012

welcoming my words for 2012

Happy New Year my friends.  Today I am welcoming my words for 2012 starting with clarity and then flowing into focus.  I am also sharing these pictures over at Bella's 52 Photos Project, the prompt was:  Day 1.

We started the day making a good luck meal for the beginning of the New Year.  Sausage with fennell and lentils, it was so good.  You can find the recipe over here at  Epicurious.   You can also read the traditions around the world regarding New Years and good luck foods to be eaten this day here at Epicurious Lucky Foods for the New Year.

Today is also my 46th birthday which I'll be celebrating with family.  My husband started my day out with a great surprise of canvases and a Dick Blick gift card.  I love that he supports and encourages my creativity.

So how are you and yours bringing in this New Year?  I would love to hear your traditions, resolutions or words.  May this year bring you good luck, health, joy and love.

New Years Day night falling with a beautiful flare

 

Namaste,

Karen

The Pursuit of Healthfulness - Week 3

Hello Friends.  This is really the 4th week of my Pursuit of Healthfulness with Melissa over at My Red Tutu but I was sick for 2 weeks and took a break filled with lots of tea and chicken soup.  I learned the hard way time and time again if I don't take good care of myself in November I will inevitably get sick in December.

November can be a challenge for me physically and emotionally.  My Dad's birthday and death date are in November as well as my husband and brother s birthday along with the start of the holiday madness.  I get run down very quickly and the weather changing effects my asthma.  I now added a note to my calendar next year with BIG LETTERS  at the start of November, it reads :  DO NOT FORGET TO PRACTICE GOOD SELFCARE.

My good friend Maureen Huntley is a holistic nutritionist and I asked her what her top 3 health tips were especially when you are feeling run down or stressed out.  Her answer was,  GREENS, WATER and BREATH.  They all have equal weight in her book.  It seems like every year starting with Halloween I go on a 3 month carb fest and forget to eat my greens.  Maureen feels the more greens the better, they are the bringer of all things good for health.  You can steam, saute, bake, roast, juice, smoothie them just get them in your diet.  I also forget to drink water especially when I am stressed out and it is so important to stay hydrated.  Just google water and health and there is a bounty of information on why water is so good for you.  Additionally when stressed I find myself holding my breath and this prevents my mind and body from working properly.  If you can stop a few times a day and take a couple of deep breaths in and out it can really do wonders for your health and state of mind.

So these are on my mind as I look towards my healthy goals for 2012.  I will check back in next week and see where this week takes me.

Until then please head on over to Melissa's site and she what she has been up to.  You can also find Maureen at The Family Balancing Act Radio show and blog where each week she gives valuable health information for mind boday and soul. 

Much love and good health to you and yours this New Year.  And if you would like to share your health journey please feel free to add your post through the link below.

Namaste,

Karen

Year End 52 Photos Project

Hello Friends.  Today I am sharing my last pictures of 2011 for Bella's 52 Photos Project. I have been so inspired each week by Bella and my fellow photographers who have have played along this year.  I can't wait to see what Bella has up her sleeve for 2012.

This weeks photo prompts were:  What will you leave behind in 2011? and What will you welcome more of in 2012?

Last week I joined in with many others in Pixie Campbell's Solstice Releasing Ceremony.  The picture below is the list I made of the things I would like to leave behind in 2011.

There are many things I want to welcome more of in 2012.  One of them is spending more time in creative space, especially within community.  The picture below is from an art gathering I had with a few local artists, it was so much fun to just be in that space with others and I welcome more of that this coming year.

So friends what are you looking to release in 2011 and welcome in 2012?

May this day find you and yours well.
Namaste,
Karen

End of Year Wishcast and 52 Photos Project

Summer 2011

fall 2011

Hello Friends.  Today is the last Wednesday of 2011 so that means this will be the last wishcast and 52 Photos Project of the year.  I'd like to thank Jamie and Bella from the bottom of my heart for a year filled with inspirational prompts and reflections. 

Today's prompts are:
Wishcast:  What do you wish for this winter
52 Photos: Favorite pic of the year

The wish I hold for winter is that after participating in Pixie's Solstice Releasing Ceremony tomorrow that I will move forward from the doubts, fears and anger that have held me in their grasp on and off this year.  It is that simple.  I wish to shake and shed them like an old skin that no longer fits.  Winter is a great time to retreat and prepare for the coming of new growth in the Spring.  Shedding can be hard and can leave you tender so I will take my time and be gentle with myself.

As for my favorite pic of the year for Bella's 52 Photos Project, I chose the ones above of my husband and I.  This past year has held many ups and downs for us and looking at these pictures helps me see that we ARE still connected by love and hope.  I needed that reminder as I look back on this year.  These are not the best pictures, taken with my iphone but I feel happy when I look at them.
**I know technically I posted 2 pics for my 1 favorite picture, but these two respresent the same thing for me and I needed double the reminder ;-)  **

So my friends as the year comes to a close what are you wishing for your winter?  As you wish for yourself I wish for you also.

Namaste,
Karen