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Year Three, Day 320: Easily Amazed

3:22 a.m. Approximately the same time my eyes popped open yesterday. Which led to my passing out nap at my daughter's house yesterday. She actually took a most embarrassing picture of me slumped in the recliner, my mouth wide open, snoring away. I shall not be sharing that picture with you.

I am going to try and get 3 more hours of sleep. But I wanted to document this phenomenon. Talk to you later...

11:39 a.m. Willamette's End Coffee Shop. This is amazing!  Well, I am known to be easily amazed. But amazing!

I am pleased to report that I did get more sleep.  I woke up about 8:00 a.m. feeling most rested!  The tired feeling behind my eyes was gone. My heart was beating a nice slow thump.  I could breathe easily.

I must be doing something right.  So nice to finally have good day again!

I was even more pleased to see the sun peeking through my blinds. So, I took a quick shower and headed outside to hoop. Then I packed up and jumped on the bus. I am due to meet the director of the choir I accompany at noon.  He is going to let me in to practice on the organ for our upcoming concert.

I got to North Portland a little bit early.  Quite hungry!  I was dismayed to see only a Taco Bell near my stop.  I debussed, and started to walk, thinking about what I could have on their menu that would not disturb my inner peace, when I saw a sign for a coffee shop!  It listed vegan and gluten free pastries. My kind of place!  I was so happy as I opened the door.  Lovely smells infiltrated my senses. Soft jazz trickled out of the speakers.

I had a lovely egg and cheese sandwich on gluten free toast.  It was better than most GF bread I've had. It had sunflower seeds in it. And toasted, the consistency was almost like real bread!  I also had a matcha tea latte with just a dab of honey.



It was such a pleasant surprise to find this haven on Lombard Street in North Portland. I sipped my tea happily, wishing I had gotten there sooner.

But I didn't want to keep my director waiting. So I gobbled up my sandwich and guzzled my matcha.  The walk over to University of Portland was glorious. Spring has finally sprung!  So many trees were in bloom. Birds were singing.  And a young man with long, red dreadlocks was doing yardwork in the park.  He yelled "Good morning," and smiled my way. I smiled back.  I told him it was a beautiful day and he was lucky to be able to work outside!

"I'm hiring!" he said with a grin.

"I have a job!"  I said with a wave.

And today I am just simply happy to be me. I met my director friend.  He showed me the organ I will be performing on. It is a small, electronic instrument. But so cute! And sounds almost like a real pipe organ!

He went off to lunch. I told him I lock up.  It was heaven to spend and hour and a half at a college, in a store room, surrounded by sheet music, practicing the organ.  We will be performing Bach's "Magnificat" in May.  I also practiced my solos that I will be playing on my friend's portative organ.  It is small, sits on a tabletop. I can only play with one hand, because I will be operating the bellows with the other.




What a wonderful day!  The negative voices in my head are gone. Only the musical notes of Bach and a feeling a of a well being is permeating my soul today.

I'd like to hold onto this feeling because I know the darkness will return. But perhaps if I remember this day, it will go away!

All I know is it feels good to be alive. I walked around the University of Portland after my practice session. It is blooming with spring!  I walked out to the bluff and looked over the river. Mt. Hood was clearly visible.  Such a glorious sight! I only wish I could sit on the bench, under the trees, looking out over the river with a good book. 

Perhaps another day.  Now I need to head out...








And on that note, I wish you a lovely spring day!

Talk to you tomorrow.

Love,

Zita



P.S. Here is today's hooping video.  Day 274!


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