Tidbits

Sometimes the clouds have wings.

We already have everything we need.  There is no need for self-improvement.  All these trips that we lay on ourselves — the heavy-duty fearing that we’re bad and hoping that we’re good, the identities that we so dearly cling to, the rage, the jealousy and the addictions of all kinds — never touch our basic wealth.  They are like clouds that temporarily block the sun.  But all the time our warmth and brilliance are right here.  This is who we really are.  We are one blink of an eye away from being fully awake.

~ Pema Chödrön

Mood lighting.

Oh my, it’s growing cold outside again.  It wasn’t too bad early this morning, but by early afternoon the wind picked up and the temperature dropped.  They say we’ll be flirting with the single digits for a low tonight.  I don’t feel too sorry for those of us on the Eastern Shore.  Back in the Bogs (northeast Ohio), where I used to live, the high today is near the single digits, and it’s going to stay pretty cold there for a while.  At least we’ll be back in the 50’s by the weekend.

Ice bird.

I didn’t get out for my morning walk.  I had an early morning appointment to get my hair cut (and to get the purple streaks refreshed).  That was followed by a visit to the doctor’s office for a post-op exam and to get the results of the biopsies.

Just this.

There is good news and there is good news.

Solitude.

The good news is that I’m healing well, although I might be healing faster if I’d been taking it as easy as I should have been.  I was under the misunderstanding that I should go back to my normal routine as soon as possible, and as a result of my wrong thinking, I pushed and rushed slightly.  No harm, no foul.  Just a small delay.  To make sure it doesn’t become more than a small delay, I’ll be joyfully practicing my slackmongering skills for the next few days.  My feet are up, and when I finish here, I think I’ll take a nap.  Because I feel like it, and I have permission from myself to do so.

A nest of ice.

The other good news is that I do not have cancer.  I knew that.  I just had to prove it to everyone else.  The doc removed some benign polyps that were likely the cause of the problem I was having, and hopefully I won’t need to see her again until I’m due for the yearly check-up.  Not that I mind seeing her.  I like Dr. N.  But I’d rather be seeing her for well visits.

Frozen.

A couple of days ago I showed you some images from the Point on a blustery day.  (You can find them here if you missed them.)  I went back the next day because the sky was promising a pretty sunset.  The blustery winds and the cold temperatures of the night before caused the sea spray to freeze on the beach grasses.  I know you folks who are experiencing real winter probably don’t care to see icy images, but I thought it was pretty cool (and not in just a literal way) and maybe you will, too.

Winter sculpts with sea spray.

The water was much calmer, with a beautiful turquoise sheen to it that I was unable to pick up well with the camera.

The calm after the storm.

It’s a transformative experience to simply pause instead of immediately fill up the space.  By waiting, we begin to connect with fundamental restlessness as well as fundamental spaciousness.

~ Pema Chödrön

Similar perspective of the water on the previous day.

I’m going to take that nap now.  A quick power nap should do the trick.  Thanks for dropping by.  I’m not sure if I’ll go out to the dock for sunset or not.  You’re welcome to go, and you can tell me all about it when you come back to warm up.  It’s windy as all get-out so make sure you dress in lots of layers.  Otherwise, the cold will get in.

Feathery.

Be good, be kind, be loving.  Just Be.  🙂

A moment in time.

Today’s joys:  Good news and good news; vibrant purple streaks in my hair; lunch with M at a restaurant that serves delicious comfort foods; the songs of the wind; feeling warm and snug in the house while the wind sings and the cold air returns.

Warmth to balance the cold.