Soul Runnings

What I am feeling grateful for today: Dinner with son last night. My daughter. My granddaughter - coming soon! Students eager to learn. Friends wanting to play music with me. Moving with strength, absence of pain. Clear mind. Clear lungs. Love of family, friends, life. A cool summer breeze. God. Music. Speaking of which, I am at chamber music rehearsal. I am listening to a beautiful piece being played by a cellist, violinist and flautist. Trio #2 by Hiroshi. We are in the church I teach at on Saturday. It gets very hot in here. I have the side door open, box fan blowing slightly cooler early afternoon air into the sanctuary. I played the first three Russian folk songs with cello and voice. They asked me to fill in for their regular pianist who is on vacation. I've played with them before. The vocalist is my friend. I was having anxiety earlier. Hot church, worried about way too many things beyond my control. Wishing I had the evening free to do my...

I greeted the sun this morning. 6:30 a.m. hooping! I owe it to my former landlord. He texted me at 5:30 a.m. A letter was delivered to my former address. He told me if I was awake, he could bring it over. He doesn't live far from my current abode. I decided it would be good to rise early. The letter he was delivering contained a check. I will get vertical for money. Plus, it was a bit like a spy movie to grab my hoop and walk out to the road, just as he pulled up in his brand new, shiny Camaro convertible. I didn't know they made Camaros anymore. All the cool guys in high school drive Camaros. We chatted a bit. He handed me my envelope and then I strolled over to the track to greet the sun. This proves you can get older and better. Me, exercising at sunrise!! Who would have guessed?! August 17, 2017 August 17, 2014 The pictures above prove that exercise and healthy eating eventually make a dent. First picture was taken August 17, 201...

I am woman, hear me roar! I found a wonderful quick, nutritious breakfast that I can make at work. It is a breakfast in a mug recipe. The internet is overflowing with them. I used this one this morning: http://www.bowlofdelicious.com/2015/05/12/5-minute-spinach-and-cheddar-microwave-quiche-in-a-mug/ But instead of bacon, I added chopped Aidell's Italian chicken sausage. I also used Egg Beaters instead of a real egg. It turned out so yummy - but next time I will use real egg. Oh, also I did not use cooking spray, I just rubbed butter on the inside of my mug. Took less than 5 minutes to prepare, and I can eat it at my desk! I do love convenience. Especially if it's healthy! AND... I figured out how to connect excerpts from the last 61 days of hooping into one compilation! Here it is: I see a little improvement. I definitely need to take my whole life up to the next level! I plan on it! I started yesterday. After my last student, I stopped for a light ...

I am playing my piano again. It feels good. Like reuniting with an old friend. I am feeling the need to re-prioritize.  Fall is just around the corner. New grandbaby on the way! And a solar eclipse is threatening to disrupt our lives.  I spoke with a lovely lady from the church where I work in the office weekday mornings.  She said she and her husband have gotten eclipse fever. Especially since she just realized she will not be around for the next eclipse of this magnitude, 39 years from now. I probably won't either. Unless I plan on living until I'm 94!  I guess I'd be o.k. with that. As long as I don't outlive my loved ones. And I can still hula hoop, walk and play my piano! But what really affected my perception, was the realization that my granddaughter will be 39 at the next eclipse! Life is so short. I told my friend from church that we will probably be in heaven. Watching the next eclipse with Jesus. I like that. I had a nice hoop session this mo...

I went to the gym yesterday! I had a short, but intense arm workout. I can feel the burn today. I am enjoying it! My energy and strength has increased since I have cleaned up my diet, and gotten rid of my wheezy cough. And I am not suffering with this eating plan. Look at my breakfast! I hope my good health continues when I am done with this course of Prednisone! I had a good hoop workout this morning. Short, but good. Never enough time. But I guess it is good to want more, rather than watch the clock and wish it was over! Good motto for life, that is! Today, I plan on going to the gym after my afternoon students. The hot tub was being cleaned yesterday. I plan on doing some cardio and then getting in a nice soak! Meeting a friend at the food carts for lunch. Interesting, I am not even afraid of food carts anymore!  I trust that I can make healthy food choices! Hooray! As I type this, my ear picks up a song on the radio. My brain zeroes in on the lyrics. ...

Today is Day 60 of my daily hooping adventure. Two whole months! And I do not intend to stop! It is what gets me out of bed in the morning! And believe me, it was difficult getting out of bed this morning! I popped up wide awake at 1:30 a.m. And against my better judgment reached for my phone. And opened Facebook. Arrggg....so much anger, hostility, violence, drama! I want to be involved. I want to pray and help where I can. But the internet is like a tornado of whirling garbage. I finally put down my phone and tossed and turned. Turned and tossed. So, most cranky was I this morning!  But I grabbed my hoop, slipped on my sneakers and headed to the track. And just the act of carrying on revived me. A bit. I did a rather short hoop session, so that I would not be late for my office job. I plan on heading to the gym today before lunch with my daughter. My roommate is home. So Squire the dog is in good hands. I spent much time with him over the past two weeks, especi...

Rain! I could hardly wait to get outside this morning.  I chose to hoop near the playground structure, so my phone wouldn't get wet as I recorded. I set my phone in it's little holder on the top step of the slide. There is a little overhang conveniently built over the step, so I was able to hoop in the slight drizzle! How fresh the air was! It felt like I was inhaling new life. My heart is still heavy after the news of the violence in Charlottesville, VA last night. I swore to stay off of social media because it raises my blood pressure. It is like hearing thousands of screaming voices in my brain with hateful opposing views, all claiming they are RIGHT. But I couldn't resist. I'm glad I did. Some of my friends are pastors. I found a deeply moving post by one of my pastor friends. She actually posted her sermon for today.  It cut to the core. Another pastor friend said he was going to do a live video of him conducting a Taize service. I have yet to see it, bu...