Post Cards from the Edge

The movie stars Ms. Streep in her finest, and it always brings a little tingle to my spirit when I ponder the mystical echange between mothers and daughters. Especially during periods of life changes or transformation.

I’ve been really longing for my mother, or my family, lately. Three days ago, I moved into a HUGE 3 bedroom 3 bathroom home, where my closet is bigger than my bedroom was growing up. (Pictures of a potluck to follow!). I feel out of sorts (want to come visit me in Germany! Just say the word…I AM SERIOUS!)

One task from my list is to collect postcards sent to be from all 50s states. So far, the process has been heart-warming.  A near stranger sent me one from Arkansas, a friend of friend mentioned my quest and she sent one my way. You see, postcards are not so easy to come by these days any longer.

Anyway, as I move into my home, the decorating and organizing ideas abound. I don’t want to rush unpacking and stacking because I would finally like to tolerate the chaos and inbetween of moving in order to develop a home that reflects my, and is organized, and connected.

One whole wall of my home will highlight these postcards. But I still need some states to complete the set. Do you live in or know of anyone who lives in: Arizona, West Virginia, Virginia,  New Hampshire, Vermont, Deleware? I know that I must be missing others as well…maybe I’ll look through and see: Rhode Island? Connecticut? I believe those I am missing as well.

Any decorating ideas for this? I also purchased a huge world map, and will afix it to canvas or cork board and have guests personalize tacks marking where they’ve been…Maybe a whole room will be about travel…

Living in the chaos, boy, you have to tolerate yourself a lot. I am desperately missing yoga!

Boasting Brugge Belgium

Ahh…..Just say the name BRUGGE, and you’ll immediately soften to this city

A little history (I learned this after my one day 3:30 am-1:30 am bus tour…for me, I either have to research before or after and NOT during because then I won’t be present in my traveling awe-ness-ous): Brugge served as a major port city insce around 1100s, as it is in the northern part of Belgium. Many little waterways harkens a Venice-like-feel, but this fall made the little city seem romantically pulsing with currency rather than history, if that makes sense.

You can take tours of the canal, although I didn’t get the chance to. That’s okay, because with the 50 degree fall weather, I kept warm by perusing around the streets and snapping shots of the incredibly preserved historical statues, monuments and churches. The 12th century basilica Holy Bloedbasiliek, Or chapel of the Holy Blood, on Castle Square contains a rock-crystal vial containing a fragment of cloth stained with what is said to be the coagulated blood of Christ….like many European Catholic based communities, the churches here signify power and exude a sense of “how in the world did they make that?

The Top picture above highlights all these must see holy relics. 

 

 

 

 

 I have been loving taking pictures in the city of its artistic statues…

the details here spoke it my spirit. Does art ever do that for you? Almost like music, these pieces reminded me of my own triumps, my own tribulations…and hopes. But I couldn’t put words to them…is that odd?

 

Brugge, or Belgium in general, hallmarks LACE, CHOCOLATE, and BEER. I did buy some of the first two, in small quantities. But I think I was more infatuated with the beer and mussels. Most of you know that I am a wine-o, and I don’t really have a great knowledge or appreciatation for beer. My new friend had scoped out some cool places to visit beforehand, with my nods of appreciation. Usually I am the main researcher, and for once it is WELCOMED to have another person saying “I really want to find this place I read about…” So search we did, starting with 8 of us, and an hour later, just us 2 remained faithful…and boy, were we rewarded…the small “pub” tucked away in a small alley was bursting with locals, and the owner (cute! hello!) himself served us his special house beer. It’s not at all like what I am used to. Holy Smokes, fruity like but not in a sweet way, almost like toasted rice with carbonation and a hint of licorice. I am a beer fan if this is what beer is like.

All the beers here MUST be served in a glass “branded” with its maker’s logo…I tried to convince the hottie to sell my glass to me, with no luck.

Ah well, the memory remains!

 

 

After the beer, more walking and shopping. I LOVED the fall colors and am getting a little addiction to scarves to keep me warm while exploring. Aren’t these colors gore-ge-ous??

 

 

 

 

I gave up souvenirs about a decade ago, but I do love shopping for practical stuff I find in a city during my explorations. Maybe it’s jewelry, or something for a loved one that says “Y would love that…” but usually it’s practical.

 

 

 

A dual function

Super Cute Buy!

 

of purpose and a memory of that experience there.  In Brugge, this was SCREAMING at me…adorable!

 

 

I LOVE this clock! Come Visit Me and it will be in YOUR bedroom!

 

 

These experience fill me with a sense of gratitude for being alive, for being able to travel, for being able to walk and see and taste.

 

I know I haven’t done anything from my LIST lately…maybe I need some inspiration. I am thinking something with DRY ICE????? Any Ideas?

It’s NOT a competition

I couldn’t even get through a 20 min yoga practice this AM, my mind irritated and flaming with other thoughts and inclination, my nasal cavity jammed with flem sliding slinky-dinky into my throat. I wanted to quit, even standing up and getting a drinnk for a moment, but that inner voice goaded me on to finish it. It’s like “giving up is NOT an option” and the irritation came from not doing today what I could yesterday. Obviously, I am in some race with myself.

And I see this quality in my best friend Jack, who is almost 90. A self-imposed scrutiny that emanates irritability and displeasure when feeling sinful, missing the mark set out for oneself. He makes demoralizing comments that his “memory isn’t as good as it used to be,” and at times will expel an “AH!” when his nose drips or his back creaks. Here is a body weathered two major wars, eyes pulsing through the air as a pilot, hands that volunteered as a rescue fire fighter, legs that carried children and a heart where he gives cash away on the sly to young struggling starving mothers. He has good hearing, eyesight, can walk. He amazes.

And yet, there is no loving kindness for what he HAS because he is forever measuring up to what HE lost, or declined. But perhaps it really isn’t a decline in functioning, but a transition. When I don’t run as fast or far, or bend as easy or feel as upbeat as the day before, this uncomfortable feeling sinks in. This voice of judgment and accusation. I must have done something WRONG to feel this way.

And let’s face it: we avoid what makes us uncomfortable. “Giving Up”

But that’s exactly what I needed, but didn’t do.

Competition shreds our differences…especially when it is between me and me. It demands conformity and same-ness…and that’s not truly living.

Can you relate?

I wanted to share this with you real quick: I am discovering a little joy of snapping pictures lately: This is Brugge, Belgium. Breathtaking (more on that later!)

Where’s the Love?

If you check out my K Crazes page, you’ll find a list of products that I am currently crazed about. I’ve been updating it from time to time, so check it out. Here are some of the highlights of things I’ve stumbled upon in the last three weeks:  

My Severin Yogurt Maker: Oh, I’ve made three batches, each producing 6 little jars, since receiving this housewarming (or hotel warming) gift from my bf Y, the conissouer of yogurts. I’ve strained it over a fine sieve to make greek yogurt, I’ve added purreed banana and dates to it and frozen it for desert, and I added a margarita mix to the batch to take with me to a breakfast at work. Say homemade yogurt, and docs are impressed. Easy peasy preparation…go to bed and plug it in and wake up, place jars in fridge and you can enjoy that afternoon. DIVINE appliance!

When you move across continents, or even states, your skin requires a period of acclimation to your new climate. Sometimes I feel as if the state of my skin tells that story of my mental balance, blooming fire when my self-care inflames and radiating when my spirit unfurls freely. Again, on Y’s recommendation, I sought out one of those over the product exfoliator. Dove’s SkinVitalizer, under $10, buffs me into a glow…not to mention a little state of karma. The pillow refills are super affordable, takes a jiff, and is well worth the investment.

I haven’t located a yoga group yet (and wouldn’t have a way to get there as my car is on a ship somewhere near England) so imagine the elation and strenuous up-dogging action when Heather (HEAB) mentioned Yoga Download. I am only doing 2-3 20 minute sessions a week (um, compared to 3-4 70 minute ones back in the USA….am I going to revert to my cardboard stiffness??? I worry) but those 20 minutes, I am usually very intensely present. So far,  the yoga for runners, the heart opening and the morning flow. I’ve bought a few hour long sessions and feel as if they are completely worth the investment.

What new product have you been CRAZED about?

I Scream for ICE cream!

I traveled to France this past weekend and now firmly believe that the mental health of americans would be vastly improved if most restaraunts included dessert in the price of an entree. Very rational and practical, I usually don’t order it while dining out. My stomach doesn’t warrant the $6 fee for overly buttered dishes…I’d prefer to splurge on either the bread, the wine, or an appetizer. If I do order, I always share.

In France, however, it is easier to accept that dessert isn’t just something “extra” that you ADD onto your meal. It is essential. Why? Because eating should remind us that we are alive, and part of that aliveness is to honor those moments that are dying. And that’s what desert is. A way to end something with so much pleasure you have to leave satisfied.  

Are you a dessert person?

Speaking of dessert, while cherishing these dishes, I was reminded that Americans spend 100 billion dollars a year on ice cream products: frozen yo-yos (sorry, fro-yos??) ben and jerries, dairy queens, vanilla dryers. if we put all the gallon container of vanilla flavored ice creams in a line, it would circle the globe 8 times. Obviously, we cherish this desert.

It makes me want to cry. Ice cream reduced my heart to a melted pulp.

Think of your three best friends or family members. If you represented the worl, two of you would live on less than 90 cents a day, one of you couldn’t read (it would be a woman) and one of you would surely die before the age of 30.

Because for that same amount of money, every single child on this plant could have access to 4 years of education. Which is enough to teach them to read. Did you know that most girls on this plant DO NOT KNOW HOW TO READ?

Take home message 1) order dessert next time you eat out. Just do it. And love it. How ever much you ingest 2) you are reading this blog, thus, you are blessed, and lucky and need to articulate and honor this priviledge. 3) Check out programs to increase education for girls. I LOVE WOMEN FOR WOMEN!