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Year Two, Day 43: Duck Therapy






 
 Yesterday I took a nice one mile walk to Chrystal Springs Rhododendron Garden near Reed College after my last piano student of the day. It was the perfect day for a walk. A bit overcast, but warm.  
I was pleased to find that I was one of the only people there, introvert that I am!  
I walked around, admiring the gardens, before finding the perfect spot to sit and read.
There were quite a few ducks swimming about in the pond. But when I stood to take a picture, they swam off.
So I sat on my bench and got lost in a book.  Soon I noticed movement out of the corner of my eye. Two ducks had come up out of the pond and were busily pecking grain on the ground in front of me. Perhaps, since I had been so still, they didn't notice me. 


 
I ended up moving a bit when one duck came precariously close to my foot. I didn't want him to peck my toes!


I sat there for at least an hour. Drinking in the fresh air, the sounds of the birds, the sound of silence. But I was sure to wiggle my feet now and then lest I become duck fodder!

I had a nice workout in the gym earlier. I am going to focus on strength training. I still ache, but that seems to be a part of my life. I would rather be sore and strong than sore and wimpy!

I got an email from the leader of the a cappela group I mentioned yesterday. It was a lovely email. She thanked me for my comments and begged me to meet with her to talk about her vision. Apparently, group dynamics had erupted. Some negativity had infiltrated. And her vision had become muddled with trying to form the group.  She liked my comments, my energy and my music.

I agreed.  But I am getting more confident in my discerning skills.  One more disparaging remark about the homeless or what group does or does not deserve music and I am out of there! Oh, and I have decided not to volunteer my services, unless it fits my values and I am extremely committed.  I did like the leader of the group quite a bit.

We shall see!

My son and his girlfriend made it back from the coast intact.  Now I am praying for safe travels for my daughter and her husband.

I am such a worry wart.

But I am breathing easier today.

I am reading a wonderful book called Thoughts Matter by Sister Mary Margaret Funk. I am rethinking my relationship with food, yet again. But this time it is making sense. Diving deep into myself, am I!
https://www.amazon.com/Thoughts-Matter-Practice-Spiritual-Life/dp/0826411649
I am currently in my library office.  It is such a lovely day out. Not quite 80 degrees. Blue sky.  This kind of summer I like!  And on that note, I need to grab a healthy dinner and go teach some wonderful kids about piano!

Happy Tuesday!

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