Soul Runnings

 Hello Friends: Today has been a very good day!  I had a real, actual day off! My daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter went to the zoo and to his sister's for dinner. The students I had scheduled, canceled.   I had visions of extreme leisure dancing through my mind:  Grabbing my current library book ( Devotion,  by Dean Koontz - fun read!) and heading to the mall. Lunch whilst reading my book. Starbucks Massage chair with Starbucks and book Walk in the park Hooping Nap Just to name a few of my favorite solitary activities for an unexpected day off. But my conscience got the best of me. I decided to work on my piano room in the basement. After all, it looks as though I will be teaching piano lessons online from my basement room for a very long time!  However, I will be giving lessons to my students through my beloved music center.  So my future is pretty darn stable! Coincidentally, my brother was in town having a socially distant visit with my parents on the yard. When I called,

 Hello Friends: I have much good news!  First of all, the music center where I have been teaching for many, many years is rehiring!   My life will soon be back on track!  Well, soon is relative. It will be a process. I will still be teaching online at home, until the City of Portland allows us to return to our building. At that point, we may still be teaching online, but I will have the option of teaching with better quality equipment, on better quality instruments, in a better lit space.   Plus, I will be able to walk and commute and emerge from my cave on occasion! To celebrate, I grabbed my weighted hoop and walked across the street to the park for a hoop workout.  I have not been hooping much. I still walk daily, and have been trying to make it into the gym but I have had extra Zma duties since my daughter and her husband's photography business has been super busy. I am always a bit nervous to hoop in the park in the afternoon lest I run into oodles of people. Rather self consc

Hello Friends: I had an intense session with my therapist yesterday.  In person, in his Portland  office.  For the past 4-5 months we've had our sessions on the phone.  But depression has been pulling on my soul  lately. And I needed some guidance.  After our talk, he gave me a word to ponder as my homework.  That word was "shame". And I knew exactly where I needed to go- The Grotto. My favorite spot to think, pray, read and just be still. The soothing upper gardens do wonders to calm my mind. I was long overdue  for time alone with God and myself. I sat on a bench and just took in the surroundings. I only saw a few other people the whole time I was there.  A lot of regrets, bad memories and shame came up. I sat and cried quietly for a long time.  Then  I prayed and asked God to help me. I even dozed off for a little while.  Then I wrote  a little in my journal and read from Psalms and the gospels.  Finally I  began  to think about the word  "shame". I even goog

Hello Friends! If I ever get discouraged,  remind me to read this post! I found an old picture of me in Facebook  Memories this morning. Six years ago today, I was riding the Amtrack train from work in Portland to my home in Salem. How I loved  the train! And how much poofier was my face! I believe I weighed about 40 lbs. more than I do now. I was struggling with depression  which I attempted to control through recreational eating.   About a year later, I was living in Portland again with my daughter, son-in-law, son and Honey Dog.  We lived together in a home in the Kent's neighborhood (dubbed "Felony Flats" by those who know). I enjoyed that neighbor, despite the high crime. It was close to the Springwater Trail, where I had my epiphany  on a cold December morning. I decided to wake up and start living! I began by walking and then jogging the trail nearly every  day. I started eating healthier and spending more time reading, playing my piano and praying.  Less time worr

Hello Friends! It has been awhile! My last post revealed the return of a long lost love. A very special man who will always be in my heart. I have decided, after some soul searching, not to blog about this relationship. At least not now. Because I am living it! And some things perhaps I should keep private. However, I want to shout on top of the highest mountain about the success of my weight loss program! I have lost 10 pounds so far.  That is a big deal for this woman. Weight loss and me have had bitter battles. But this regimen, I feel like I can live with! In a nutshell, I do not eat any food after 2 p.m. most days. After 2 p.m. I only drink water and tea. Herbal tea after 6 pm. Some days, like family gatherings and/or Sundays or special time with my man, I give myself a "feast day".  I can eat whatever I want for as long as I want. But an interesting thing has happened. I am usually not hungry after 2 p.m.  Who am I? I have spent most of my life with a bag of something o