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Do You Try to Run Between Raindrops?

7/29/2011

Are you constantly in such a state of hurry that you attempt to do the impossible? Life seems to be speeding up ... so we need to make a conscious effort to slow down.

When we rush we become careless ... we make mistakes ... we forget ... we feel frazzled ... we get impatient with perceived obstacles that block us ... we blame others.

We spend a lot of time in the "hurry up and wait" mode. Have you ever passed all the cars in front of you, zig-zagging like a crazy person ... only to be stopped at the same stoplight where everyone else catches up? I know I have ... and even when I realized how futile it was ... I have been known to do it all again as soon as the light turns green if I am in a hurry.

Sometimes it seems that the universe conspires to slow us down if we ignore the gentler nudges. It would seem smarter to take a break or a nap because when we don't, we may find that the universe then hits us with the equivalent of a two by four ... like having your car break down or making you come down with the flu so you are forced to rest.

My advice? Give up the false idea that we have any control anyway. Think of simple pleasures that make you laugh and relax ... daydream ... smile at someone ... spend some time in gratitude ... talk to someone while you wait in line ... meditate.

Then maybe you can take some time to walk in the rain ... slowly ... smelling its fragrance ... splashing around in puddles like a child ... savoring each drop as it hits your skin ...

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Get Cool

7/18/2011

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I was in Louisville KY last week where the heat index was 116 degrees. I have been in Arizona where the actual temperature was 120 degrees and it was not as hot as in
Louisville. Humidity in the Ohio valley is almost as bad as humidity at the North and South Carolina coasts.

I spent some time in my imagination, where I felt velvet ribbons of bliss caressing me as I was floating and melding with the water of the quarry <Lakeside> in Louisville. I felt enveloped in the love and safety of coolness with the warmth of the sun on my face ... and then I realized I was still dripping with sweat! Oh well, a lovely thought anyway while it lasted ...

Over 80% of our body is water, and in this heat I feel like I am boiling from within. What the heck did we do when we were kids with no central air conditioning? I know I slept with a big fan in my room ... and was very happy when we finally had room air conditioners. Of course, now I sleep with a fan blowing across my face to keep the hot flashes at bay.

We took out the hoses and ran through sprinklers or found a fire hydrant that was spewing. We wore bandanas on our necks that had been soaked in water and put in the freezer. We wiped our faces and necks with witch hazel on a wash cloth to cool off <I still love that smell>. We sprayed our faces with cool water <I like the battery-operated one I take to the beach with both a fan and water spray ... as an added touch, add aromatherapy for a refreshing scent>. We found water in lakes and pools and rivers and dipped our feet in them for instant relief. We took ice cubes and rubbed them on our bodies <I think the most effective way is to put them on pulse points, although I didn't know it at that time>.

What ways have you found to cool off during this heat wave? Please share ...

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Camping is Not for Everyone

6/30/2011

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You will either love it or hate it: if you don’t mind being grungy for a few days … or sleeping with bugs ... or cold showers … it might be for you.   If you love waking up to see the fog lifting off the lake early in the morning ... or clearly seeing all the stars in the night sky … or the smell of bacon sizzling in a pan … it is definitely for you.

There is “roughing it” with only a backpack … to a primitive campsite … to a campground with bathrooms and showers … to a campsite with water and electricity … to an RV park … and everywhere in between. What I might have endured in my younger years is not something I am willing to do now even though I love being outdoors. Camping with children complicates everything exponentially but is worth it for those willing to forego ease for family bonding time.

I am all about simplicity and gearing everything toward the purpose of the trip, but I also like some “luxuries.” You can bring as little or as much stuff as you want. But don’t compromise for the sake of convenience: if you hate plastic ware … be willing to wash your eating utensils. If you don’t normally eat junk food … plan meals that are healthy even if it requires more work.

Something I love about camping is the relaxed mindset: there is no schedule to worry about. There is nothing you have to do.   Sleep if you are tired, eat if you are hungry, catch fireflies if you are bored, have marathon game sessions, stay up late and guess the constellations, wake up early and meditate in the silence, go for a walk … the simplicity allows you to be totally in the moment.

I personally love camping near water:   a lake or a river to swim in makes for less nastiness if a shower isn’t possible.

It’s great also if there is electricity: otherwise my daughter and her friend wouldn’t have been able to charge their phones and iPods and things would have not been so happy for them <or me>. Have books and writing pads available in case there is no electricity … and card and board games as well. I also liked the convenience of an electric skillet instead of having to drag out <and clean> a camp stove. But that’s just me …

Food choices: you can either plan and prepare food at home <pre-cut veggies, tuna salad, brownies etc> or you can bring pre-packaged food like bagels and muffins and cereal and cold cuts or peanut butter and jelly and not plan on cooking meals on a camp stove or open fire. Or you can choose to bring the arsenal of kitchen items needed to cook elaborate camp meals. It’s all a choice on how easy / healthy / time-consuming you want food prep to be. Bring a grate so you can cook over the open fire. Make s’mores for a special treat. Most of all: make it fun!

Extra Hints:

·         Clean up and consolidate as you go
·         It’s nice to have running water available
·         Wash, re-think, re-sort, put everything away ASAP in special camp tubs
·         Make <or revise> your list for next time <add things you forgot this time>
·         Air mattresses save your back … bring sheets if you want added luxury
·         Bring extra tarps for under the tent and to place over the table in case it rains
·         Plan ahead of time what you will need so you don’t forget anything
·         Keep food locked up in your cars at night so the critters won’t get into it
·         Bring a first aid kit … include Benadryl just in case
·         Note to self:   bring a hammock next time
          Bring a brush and dishpan to clean inside the tent … and have a mat outside the tent door
·         Bring a rope to use for a clothesline to dry things that get wet
·         Interactive customizable checklist: http://www.thepetersengraph.com/camping/
·         or you can get camping checklists online … there are dozens

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Trampolines Are Not Just for Kids

6/28/2011

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I don't know about you ... but I loved to jump on a trampoline when I was a kid. It signified freedom and flying and all sorts of juicy feelings all fueled by my imagination. I could flip and twist and go so high that I thought I would launch into space.

I loved the feeling at the top of the bounce before you start to come down ... like being suspended in the air indefinitely. I loved bouncing with others ... although trying to avoid knocking out our teeth was sometimes a challenge ... especially when our knees buckled as we landed at different times.

We can still get that feeling a bit on a rebounder. We can justify it because it is a healthy form of exercise and we can still get that feeling of being a kid again ... the best of both worlds!

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It's Summer: Must Be Time for a Trip to Sliding Rock

6/26/2011

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A yearly trip to Sliding Rock in the Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, NC signifies summer for me. It's a 60 feet long natural waterslide which empties into a COLD 8 foot deep pool of water … did I say ICY cold?

I remember 30 years ago coming here and it was unmarked and hard to find unless you knew where to look. There wasn't a lifeguard or changing rooms or a rail to hold on to when climbing up or observation platforms back then. But now, for a $1 parking fee per person, you get all the amenities. Nearby are amazing waterfalls and trails and streams and beautiful scenery … definitely worth a trip!

Even though the rock is smooth, you might want to wear jeans and water shoes instead of a bathing suit … and have a towel at the bottom for when you get out. Let's just say it is definitely exhilarating … it makes you feel alive and will definitely take your breath away! I heard that the water stays 48-58 degrees all year and there are 11,000 gallons of water flowing down the rock each minute.

Road trip anyone?

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Summer in the Good Old Days

6/24/2011

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I don’t know about you, but I had a pretty fun summertime childhood all in all. I was an only child so my parents were always visiting friends and relatives so they could catch up and I would have kids to play with – other than just my neighborhood friends. We did a lot of backyard barbeques and picnics near a lake or a river in those days. I especially liked visiting those who had a swimming pool in their backyard --- that was the height of luxury to me!

After a day of fun, we would settle down in the twilight and catch fireflies and make them into diamond rings <we would eventually let them go of course>. Someone would inevitably crank out some homemade ice cream: black raspberry was my absolute favorite! Kids actually asked to help with the cranking because they thought it was fun.

We didn’t have cell phones or computers or video games to distract us. We relied on our imaginations to eliminate boredom. We would play board and card games endlessly. We would ride bikes for miles looking for adventure. I would go to the library frequently and read a book a day on average because there was a summer reading contest every year and I was determined to win.

We would take our two-week vacation to Cape Cod in August every year. I loved it: Skaket Beach for the tide pools and eddys and Nauset Beach for the crashing waves and sand dunes. We enjoyed band concerts in Chatham at night and white elephant sales during the day. To this day I love evening concerts under the stars. We gathered wild berries, ate hermit cookies from the bakery, and creamy clam chowder. We caught fish and crabs and cooked them in lemon and butter, with watermelon for dessert. Life was good.

What brings back summer memories of childhood for you?

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Simple Pleasures: Hammocks

4/30/2011

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One of my favorite childhood memories was vacationing in Cape Cod. Every year, as soon as we arrived, I ran into the woods and checked to be sure the hammocks were still there under the canopy of trees. <Of course, I had to flip the hammock over first to get rid of the wildlife that had accumulated over night ... but that was a small price to pay.> Every day I would get up early and take my book, pillow and blanket and snuggle up for a good read before anyone else was up and about. The only thing that would pry me away from my pleasure was the smell of breakfast wafting through the air.

Over the years I would recreate that early memory ... at one house I built a swing right into the deck where I would enjoy my early morning tea. Hammocks call out to me wherever I go, their gentle swaying always putting me in such a blissful state.

I have a friend who has side by side hammocks in her yard which overlooks a field of horses. We have spent many hours there talking, writing, sipping tea and listening to music. The combination of dappled sunlight, overhead leaves gently swooshing, swooping birds flitting and chirping nearby and good company creates clarity and flow for me as I rock back and forth. It really doesn't get much better than that!

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Do You Try to Run Between Raindrops?

Get Cool

Camping is Not for Everyone

Trampolines Are Not Just for Kids

It's Summer: Must Be Time for a Trip to Sliding Rock

Summer in the Good Old Days

Simple Pleasures: Hammocks

Website Creator: Marie Russell

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