The Ebb and Flow vs The Standard Shift

Normally I like to write, to reflect, and share stories when my body systems feel light and flowing.  I find it uplifting just to go through the process of writing.  Words, pictures and ideas come and go easily, like the ebb and flow of the waters.

No hurricane winds today.

Then there are days, and weeks that pass by me when nothing creatively flows, and my body feels the jerks of a teenager learning to drive a standard shift automobile.  (Yes, I remember learning how to drive one, and I remember teaching two kids how to drive one.)  Today I dressed for yoga class with Letty Shaw  and looked forward to relaxing and relying on some of the group energy to get me going today.  With Lucy's cold nose and ears flapping out the back window, we took off for Genesis.  But time eclipsed us on the way, and we arrived in the parking lot at 8:25 with class having begun at 8:15.  Did I not know the time when I left the house?  I just sat and starred at the sunrise and frost on the cars never turning the engine off.  At last I drove home.

Sometimes I feel as knotted as this Jumping Cholla.

I realized that my internal energy is sometimes clogged.  Perhaps I've raced this engine too fast lately and have neglected the gentle flow of life that I've come to enjoy with retirement. I even wonder or worry that when, as my mother used to say, "You are burning the candle at both ends!" that perhaps those ends are meeting in the middle now.  Is that possible or do I just need to clean the engine again?

A Birthday Bash in Buhler from A-Z

Jonya, Katy, Letty happily haunting Adrians for gifts.

Oh, what fun three women can have on a rainy Friday afternoon shopping in the uniquely stylish shops in Buhler, Kansas.  Two of these women, my daughter Katy and sister Jonya, drove from Oklahoma City just to celebrate Katy's birthday.   We began our escapade just after noon with a delicious meal at the Mustard Seed, on main street Buhler.  Soups, sandwiches  and salads nearly filled us up, but being women with taste we saved room for one chocolate brownie that could have fed four of us.  When I heard the fork slide on the empty plate as it tried to  scoop up the last of the chocolate icing, I knew it was time to go.

Mom and daughter, with Aunt Jonya taking photo.

We wondered through the art shop and admired the glass work, jewelry, and metal works, but we had clothes on our mind.  At the Main Street Style shop we found scarves and fall decor just perfect for our budget and taste.  With bags in hand we headed outside only to discover rain drops falling gently.  Just another treat for us as we had felt rain deprived this year, so we leaped into the rain skipping and laughing as we jumped puddles past the bank and on to Adrian's A-Z.

Aunt Jonya, Katy, and Mom taking photo,.

The style show began with scarves that could be folded and tied into a vest, we played at length with this new concept.  I scanned and opened purse after purse looking for just the right size and color, perhaps too many to choose from left me a bit overwhelmed.  Blingy bracelets and dazzling jewelry caught our attention, too.  (The result being a bling sound when I wear my new bracelets and type.)  We shared the dressing room off and on for more than two hours, as the three of us went in and out trying to decide which went with what or watt. One by one we handed over our clothing stash to the cashier until we felt like we'd left nothing untouched.  Since it was a birthday bash they gladly wrapped our gifts, so we could open them later.

I'm so blessed to have my sister and daughter in my life.  Thank you both for filling up my heart.