Soul Runnings

 Hello!  Here I am again! Two days in a row. I think I might be back in my zone again!  I may sound like a broken record, but as I tell my students, we humans learn by repetition. We humans learn by repetition... We humans learn by repetition... Some (like me!) need more repetition than others! What I want to say is something I have said many times before: blogging is not only therapeutic for me, I think it is necessary to my sanity. Especially now.  I hesitate to say "uncertain times" because it has become a trite expression this past year.  These times are not only uncertain, they are downright peculiar.  And the media seems to be feeding us too many of these trite lines.   Now that the vaccine has arrived, I notice most newscasters are saying, "The vaccine is here. The end is near!" Giving us hope of returning to life as we knew it, I presume?   I took an astronomy class for a much needed science credit back in college. I was a piano ...

 Hello My Friends! It is me, Zita. Your long lost blogger! Today is the first day in nearly a month that I have actually felt like myself.  My good, calm, balanced, joyful, clear self.   It took some digging, clawing and many tears to get here.  Plus a few counseling sessions and some introspection. Oh yeah, and removing of the gluten, yet again.   Why do I feel so embarrassed to admit that I struggle with depression? You know, if there is one thing I hope to accomplish with this blog, is to be as transparent as humanly possible. So that my experience could help someone else who struggles with depression know that they are not alone. You are not alone. Depression is real.  And I think many have joined our ranks since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly a year ago.  But if you can trust the media, the end is in sight. Now that the vaccines have appeared.  I am remaining silent and observant during this time.  I frankly am hesitant ...

Cherry Kolaches:  I had not gotten the "posypka" topping quite right, according to my mother.   I do believe I got the posypka right on my cream cheese kolaches that I baked today though! My klobasnek are particularly yummy. My granddaughter loves them! Dear Friends: Please forgive my long absence. I have missed sharing my life with you. I hope you are well.  Me? I am trying to keep my head above water - Physically, emotionally and mentally! It helps to stay in my zone.  A place where I am so absorbed in what I am doing, that I am in the moment, and not concerned about anything else. Apparently there is a better word for this state of being: "Flow". And it is particularly useful as some of us live in states that are being restricted again due to apparent surges in the pandemic.  ( https://www.huffpost.com/entry/flow-covid-19-pandemic-mental-health_l_5fb3e7b5c5b6aad41f7361a8 But I found it looked quite awkward to put "Flow" in the title of today's blog ...

 Good Evening Friends: A quick check in today. I just wanted to share a proud Teacher Zita victory. This has nothing to do with belly fat. It has all to do with my wonderful piano students!  I held my first ever Zoom piano performance class for four of my more advanced students. They are in middle school and high school. Most have been with me for all of their musical education, up to 9 years! I am so glad I invited this group for my pilot class.  They are all so comfortable with me and they got to meet each other. I'm sure they recognize each other from our biyearly recitals, but this was a nice, informal way for them to meet and hear each other play. It went off without a hitch! Well aside for some unavoidable technical issues. One of my students needs new equipment. She played beautifully, but to the rest of us it sounded like underwater music. I plan on holding these classes once a month, but I enjoyed it so much (and so miss teaching live and in  groups), that I...

Good Day, Friends! Oh, but it is a glorious fall day, indeed! This will be a short bit of a check-in. I am wanting to get outside and soak up that sunshine and crisp fall air before my students. Much good news to report, even though it will brief! First of all, I finished knitting my father's prayer scarf. It is my first attempt at a scarf.  A tad rough, but I prayed for him with every stitch. He suffered a stroke about five years ago and then as he was recuperating, he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. My mother, a retired RN, is his caregiver. She takes excellent care of him, but I'm not sure how much longer he will be with us. So I am going to give it to him this Thursday.   Prayer Scarf for my Father Speaking of my mother, we are cutting back on our breakfasts in a restaurant. It is getting just too spendy. This morning she picked me up bright and early, at 6:30 a.m. It was too dark yet for our walk, so we drove through McDonald's. I ordered a large coffee, bl...

Good Evening Friends: I am still smiling from my wonderful visit with my boyfriend last night. I met him at the airport. I was early, since I bribed my son-in-law with gluten free cookies for a ride. But I didn't mind. I had a book to read. And it is so rare that I have time to sit. So I sat. And I people watched.  But I was buzzing with energy. I had not seen him since my trip to Vegas, over a month ago. I was wearing my new jeans. But I was worried because my belly is still an issue for me. My sweet man has told me many times that it is not an issue for him, that if I am choosing to lose weight and get in better shape for my own satisfaction, he is happy for me. But he also said I am beautiful the way I am. Geesh - how lucky am I! Well, his plane was delayed. I tried to relax and read. But I was nervous.  Although it was in a good way.  (Who am I kidding, I get excited and a bit nervous just to talk to him on the phone. And I hope it stays this way.!)  I so enjoy f...

Hello Friends! Dirty trick, that heading! But it made you look, right? Of course there is no such thing as miracle fudge. Don't I wish there was!  I did, however eat a small piece of fudge late last night. And I did wake up three pounds lighter! But the fact is, I had a baking urge hit yesterday. I decided to make cookies and fudge for church. They always have treats for us at the break, and I wanted to give back. Plus, I wanted to bribe my son-in-law to drive me to the airport tonight. So I promised him gluten free cookies. I had a blast! All of the above treats are not only gluten free, but reduced sugar. The gluten free snicker doodles were amazing! I have to admit I tasted as I baked. And I rewarded myself with a small piece of rocky road fudge after it was all said and done. Which was about 9:00 p.m. - well after my eating window had closed. But, it was a very small piece.  I wasn't expecting much downward movement on the scale this morning. But when I stepped on, I let o...