I am continually inspired by the life led by the Dalai Lama. Seeing his face alone is calming. I was thinking today about this book - The Wisdom of Forgiveness. It left something special with me - a vivid image that I carry to remind me of all the things that are truly important in life, the things the Dalai Lama lives every day. I'll try to capture the spirit of that special image here.

The Dalai Lama was visiting the town of Bodhgaya to pay respects to Buddhism's holiest shrine. He was there beneath the shadow of the bodhi tree, a descendent of the one the Buddha achieved enlightenment under. He and a large crowd of Tibetan monks were there to participate in the ritual of sojong - confession. The author describes in vivid detail how the Dalai Lama managed to "accordion himself" into the smallest form of what many yoga enthusiasts know as child's pose, and what the book refers to as "pure humility". Then this sentence pulled the vision together..."With his yellow patchwork robe stretched across his back, he looked like a large golden turtle amid a sea of others."

It is this image that I carry with me - reminding me of the importance of humility, confession, compassion, happiness. Many years back after hearing me talk about this, Rachel & Veronica gave me a small, brass (golden) turtle. I always keep it close by as a reminder that life if so much greater than the day-to-day things we have to deal with. As 2009 approaches and I know there will most certainly be difficult things ahead, I can remind myself through the vision of the golden turtle the teaching of the Dalai Lama - that the formula for happiness is emptiness plus compassion.

These are the things I ponder.

Superman

This weekend I saw Obama as Superman gracing the sidewalk. As I kept looking at this, I wondered what the artist was trying to say.

Is Obama a larger than life hero? Do we need a superhero to get us out of this mess?

Perhaps this artist made obvious to us what we need now - a leader who can leap tall issues in a single bound, who can repair an economy that's dropping as quickly as a speeding bullet. Then again, it actually doesn't matter what the artist was trying to say - he got my attention and isn't that what art is all about - getting our attention and causing us to think?

Perhaps if we'd been thinking more clearly in the past, we wouldn't have gotten ourselves into this mess in the first place. And our superheros wouldn't need to inhabit the Oval Office to keep our country the best place on Earth to live.

Election Night

Wouldn't you agree that Tony carved a rockin' pumpkin? We're keeping the torch burning through Tuesday night, when we have a few friends coming over over for sushi and the election results. I'm quite sure all of my friends are voting on Tuesday; however, I don't really know who everybody is voting for. I could take a guess, but don't want to assume. Half my co-workers couldn't guess who I would vote for, the other half were surprised. My comment to them was to not judge a book by it's cover. A vote is a personal thing, so I won't take any time here to bore you with my opinion. All I'll say is...vote...it's a privilege to be able to give your input about our future.

Fashion

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. At the Grand Canyon, the scenery is amazing, but even I had to look away when this lady caught my eye. Then again, I think she caught everybody's eye. Three cheers to her for making her own fashion statement and ensuring that she would not be lost in any photograph.

Sedona

I could fill this page with amazing photos from Sedona, but I'll leave it with this one. We're having a great time - so beautiful and so romantic. I think I need to sit with the experience a few more days to be able to communicate the feelings. If you're a friend on Facebook, check out the Vacation 2008 album for a few more pics.

Black Box

This is quite fascinating. Click on the Black Box and keep making choices to see where it takes you. Enjoy!

Banana Splits

Ironing is a meditation. No, really, it is. I was standing there gently pushing the wrinkles out of the cloth and simultaneously clearing the cobwebs out of my mind. Then I was free to reflect. Tony and I have been clearing out more than the cobwebs in our minds - we've been clearing out everything. We've literally been through every drawer, closet and invididual item in the house and we've purged everything that isn't either necessary, useful, or something we love having around. There is such power and freedom in letting go. And the possibilities that come out of that are endless. The space created feels like a tiny bit of heaven and a deep cleansing breath. When you go through things in your house that have been occupying the dark corners, and the open spaces, you realize how much you collect over time and how unclear you are when you focus on things. I think this was most apparent to me when I pulled from the kitchen cabinet two banana split boats. Who has those? I'm sure we bought them one summer long ago in an attempt to create a new memory for the girls and a nostalgic moment for us. Ultimately, it was about spending time as a family and focusing on the love we share. I don't really remember eating those banana splits, and I'm guessing the girls don't either. I believe that when you clear your banana split boats, you also clear your mind. It's then that creativity comes easier and quicker. And it's the creativity that turns the possibilities into realities. Now I think I'll go have some frozen yogurt.

Ice Cream Smile

You may not know it to look at him, but Daddy loves ice cream. And this picture makes me smile for just that reason. It was taken last November after Daddy proved at Stone Cold Creamery just how much peanut butter and chocolate a man can eat with ice cream. Wish I had some right now. Awesome!

Down South

At the end of April, Tony and I went back to visit my family in NC. Afterward, we drove down and spent a few days in Charleston. We really enjoyed the time with the family, and I got my "southern" fix for sure. Charleston had perfect weather and we walked the city streets and enveloped ourselves in the slow, relaxing way of life. The American history and architecture in Charleston are impressive. As you might guess, Tony and I enjoyed every day and had a few great lunches, as in this photo.

Notice Anything Different?

Easter Weekend

Last weekend, Tony and I attended a party at the home of our friends Tom and Elizabeth. What a GREAT time! Here's a photo taken by Tom. I think Tony was about to start laughing - can you tell? We had to leave the party early to pick-up Veronica at LAX - home from college for the week. Sunday, we had a picnic with both the girls and spent the rest of the afternoon lying by the pool. It was truly a vacation day.

People of the Book

I am so thrilled when a book comes along that captivates me from start to finish. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks is one of those books. Combining historical fiction with a touch of intellectual thriller, this proved to be the best book of 2008 thus far for me. The characters were beautifully created, their stories were personal, and it was easy to identify with so many things directly and indirectly when it comes to the love and emotions exhibited by these people. To follow The Sarajevo Haggadah both chronologically and reverse historically was, well, stimulating. If you haven't seen or heard of this gem, I'd suggest you seek it out and be captivated cover to cover as I was. This is one that will always be on my book shelf, to be read again and again.

Contemplative

Today I have a contemplative mind.

I've just gotten around to putting some thought into the spiritual impact of the events of last year, and what a tremendous effect those events have had on my view of the future. I'm not sure if it's a blessing or a curse that we are unable to see things as they are happening, that we can only look back to observe and understand the lessons. If I were more dedicated to writing in my journal, I could look back and see how things progressed; however, it wouldn't be the same as it is now with a somewhat distant observation.

Several months with Tony out of work held such uncertainty. As he struggled to find what he needed professionally, I struggled to find the best way to support him emotionally. Our relationship grew stronger as a result of finding balance together through a challenging situation.

Having Veronica leave for college in San Franciso made the house finally feel a bit empty. As we redesigned the girls' room to mark the change, we still wanted to give them a warm and loving place called home. Seeing them hanging out in their new room over winter break, both on the computer, listening to music, texting their friends, and laughing about days gone by, that warmth of having the house full was present once again. I may not have that on a regular basis anymore, but when I do, I cherish every moment.

Watching Daddy fight cancer from afar is tough. He's on my mind and in my heart every day, as is Mama. I admire both of them, and I feel the warmth of the love they share when I'm with them. I just wish that was a little more often. I see in them where I got so many of the traits that make me who I am. I know with certainty that I was blessed with the most amazing parents. I hope that as I age, people tell me I'm just like them - that would be a beautiful compliment, and one that could not have been realized when I saw the world with 20-year-old eyes.

My friendships for which I'm so grateful continued to evolve this year. There were moments of joy, fear and uncertainty. One friend gave birth to a lovely little girl, one changed career paths, one continues to focus on making a succesful business, another battled and still fights cancer, and another provided constant sisterly support to the one battling cancer. These women are strong in ways that are written in the most acclaimed novels. I am honored to know them, and say thanks daily that they are in my life.

I sometimes wish I were more like one of those people that seemingly has the answers, understands the lessons and knows precisely what's next. But I know I'll never be one of them. I have to think about things for a while, and today I thought a lot. And I realized more fully that part of the joy in life is in the discovery of the lessons and in the distant observations.

I wanted to sit down and write some amazing entry that would give my visitors something to truly ponder. Then I figured, why not just tell what's on my mind?

We all face exciting and difficult challenges and, in spite of them all, it's the support and love of the people we care for that makes each and every new day a blessing to behold. Now, go hug somebody you love.

Rachel Turns 20

Our girlie turned 20 on Friday. I could say time passes quickly, and it seems like yesterday that her entire little body would fit compactly into my lap to hide in a coozie, giggling the entire time. But that's too obvious. If you aren't familiar with a coozie, perhaps someday Rachel (or Veronica) will share. What I will say is that she is a beautiful, smart and funny young lady. She has classic taste in fashion, with just the right bit of trend thrown in for fun; she is discerning with art, whether it be music, books, movies, or other; and she is a romantic at heart, just like her dad. And she is a talented and amazing writer. I observe her with great pride in my heart, and the happy tears fall quietly knowing that our teaching, discipline and love will now be things she passes along.


Here's a pic of us last night at Buca di Beppo, where we celebrated with Lynn, Janna, Grandma Connie and Vince (Rachel's friend. Since I don't know how they refer to each other, I'm sticking with friend for now. She can correct me with her comments).

But now you're wondering what Vince looks like, right? Here he is with Rachel, hamming it up a bit for the camera.

Thanks for checking in with my blog today. Until next time...

Here's to 2008

New Year's Eve was a much anticipated day for me. As most of you know by now, I've been letting my natural hair color grow out since July. And the reveal day finally arrived. After 20 years, I am now all natural. It's been interesting these past few months - most men have thought the idea cool, most women have expressed that they think I'm crazy. Why is that? Is this further proof that women actually are dressing (and coloring) for other women? If men like us natural, are we just fooling ourselves? It takes confidence for a woman under the age of 80 to sport her real hair in todays environment. And I believe we're going to see more of this trend.

I feel fantastic! Kwanna gave me a great haircut- who else would I trust to this? Granted, it was necessary to cut my hair quite short but, girls, it only takes me 5 minutes to do complete hair and makeup. I'm making a list of all the things I can now do for myself with the extra time. I'm guessing you're wondering, "what does she look like?" Well...

Tony and I had a lovely dinner last night at Tracht's in downtown Long Beach to ring out the old, ring in the new. He was THE most dashing man in the entire place. He really knows how to put together a great look. And I finally got to wear the fantastic scarf he bought me in Barcelona. Here we are in all our party glory - aren't we fabulous!?



And to top off the holiday season just right, this morning we spent time in the hottub with a cup of coffee. This is just one of the reasons California livin' is so great.



Wishing all of you the most wonderful blessings for 2008!

Christmas Blessings

Christmas was wonderful. Having Rachel and Veronica both home at the same time was the best part of the season for me. I'm sure Tony would agree. Parties and lunches with friends were, as always, fun and festive. It's truly all about spending time with the people you love. For those of you we didn't get to see this month, here's a picture of our girls on Christmas Eve - at Claim Jumper by the fireplace, as you'll always find us for dinner on Christmas Eve.