Photo Essay: Ireland Coast at Sunset
Finding Hope in the Ridiculous
Do you ever feel like life is just a bit much? That your to-do list is impossible and the trials confounding your efforts have crossed the line into ridiculousness?
I admit that’s exactly how I felt on Friday gazing at stacks and stacks of boxes and wondering how on earth my crippled self was going to get them all sorted and organized in time for a garage sale in the morning. Then the other items on my to-do list started hollering for attention and pretty soon I was utterly and completely overwhelmed.
Not. Good. 🙂
I decided it was high time for a little break to get myself on track again, so I got on the snazzy medical scooter a dear friend loaned me and rolled myself outside for some fresh air. I found a comfy perch on a lawn chair, propped up my foot and tipped my head back for a little rest.
I just sat there, breathing, relaxing, letting all the stress and anxiety drift away as I listened to the wind rustling in the trees and setting the chimes dancing.
When at last I opened my eyes, this is what I saw.
It was so beautiful, almost magical somehow, like a special gift of wonder to cheer my heart. I wanted so much to share it with you so I grabbed my phone and took a little video. 🙂
httpv://youtu.be/PmAlTgpuwq0
I know it’s nothing exciting, there are no pyramids or Eiffel Towers to be seen, but nonetheless, I hope it delights you. I watched it again this morning and it made me smile, reminding me that even on dark, stormy days when everything seems to be going wrong, there is still beauty and light to be found. There is always hope.
That little moment calmed me down and cheered me up and soon I was back on the job. My dear friends Marie, Nicole, Darren, Cameron, Robin, and Jenny came with beaming smiles, hugs and amazing enthusiasm to “get this done!!” And we did!! I got propped up in a rocking chair and they brought me box after box to sort and organize then dashed off to arrange and price. It was after dark by the time we finished, but we finished!! (Thank you SO much, dearest folks!!)
The next morning Marie and I were both sick, but we got up and Nicole cheered us on and we made it! Even before we opened treasure-hunters were scavenging for deals. The emotional difficulty of letting go of most of my belongings disappeared as I saw people SO excited to buy my treasures. Little girls beamed as they wrapped my scarves around their necks and clutched ropes of shiny necklaces. Other folks couldn’t stop smiling as they balanced stacks of my beloved books in their arms or found a cd they absolutely loved. It made me happy. 🙂
It was quite a day. 9-year-old Adrienne fortified us with toasted bagels and string cheese and Dylan made a donut run to keep us going and somehow we made it through. The sale was a rousing success and I made enough money to ship my remaining belongings to Australia. That makes me happy too. 🙂
Today is a new day. I’m all caught up on sleep, down to taking pain pills only a couple of times a day (yay!), and am one step closer to getting everything done for my big move.
What projects are you tackling this week?
xo
Crutches, Garage Sales, and Finding Silver Linings
I write to you today surrounded by towers of boxes, bins, and plastic bags filled with all my worldly possessions.
I see a framed picture I’ve had since I was a little girl, dishes I’ve served many a meal on, books I have loved, and I’m feeling sad because none of them can go with me when I move to Amsterdam next month.
It’s like saying good-bye to old friends as I sort the boxes Robin and Nicole set next to my “invalid chair”. We’re getting ready for my moving sale on Saturday, the day I send my comfy old armchairs, beautiful iron bedstead, and sturdy bookcases to new homes. It is both emotional and exciting, but when tears threaten to spill over, I remind myself that all these little sacrifices will be worth it. They’re making it possible for me to start a new life – and that is a wonderful thing.
I found out today that my badly sprained foot is actually much worse than originally thought. It’s either fractured or suffering the effects of a completely torn ligament. So I am officially off my feet for the next while, with a strict regimen of icing, soaking, and elevating. Hopefully one day soon the black will disappear and the swelling and pain go down, but until then I’ll be hobbling about on the splendid crutches my friends Cameron and Robin got for me. They’re nifty little things, shiny and bright burnished metal, and my friend Marie says they match my earrings. 🙂 My arms aren’t thanking me, but my foot is shouting WOOHOOHOO!! 😉
Being unable to walk, let alone lift anything, I was anxious and stressed about how to move, sort, haul, pack, and sell my belongings before my big move in 3 weeks. I worried in vain though, for my dear pals Michael, Cameron and Robin, Darren and Nicole, Jenny, Kat and Ed, Dylan, Mike, Eric and Marie not only helped me move out of my apartment, they moved everything again this week, helping me sort through it, AND are standing by to put on a garage sale. They are absolute treasures and I’m all teary just thinking of the amazing love and kindness they’ve shown me. Love you guys so much. 🙂
As I think about all that needs to be done, it’s so nice to take a break for a bit and simply reflect with gratitude on the blessings in my life. To linger awhile over these peaceful pictures of driftwood, grasses in the wind, and a sea cool and dark as slate.
A friend and I were talking today about the myriad trials that have monopolized our lives recently. Our health, finances, and vocations have gone through massive upheaval, stirring up fear and uncertainty in our hearts. Yet in spite of it all we still feel fortunate for one reason: we are loved.
Thinking on that makes me smile through constant pain, surprise expenses, and monkey wrenches tossed straight into well-laid plans.
It is my happy thought this week. 🙂
Who are you loved by today?
xo
Finding Strength in Weakness
“Resolve in advance that no matter what happens,
you will remain calm and cool.
You will not become upset or angry.
You will take a deep breath and focus on the solution rather than the problem.”
Brian Tracy
“Perhaps I am stronger than I think.” Thomas Merton
Hi luvs 🙂
The above quotes have helped me so much this week as I faced one long series of unfortunate events while in much pain from injured back and severely sprained ankle. I printed out and posted the first one so it’s the first thing I see when I get up in the morning and the last when I go to bed at night. It’s so good to take a deep breath, accept my limitations and just do one thing at a time.
Thankfully things are looking up and the good bits are now forming a series of their own. 🙂
Like finding a forgotten bag of ice packs in the freezer so I can ice my badly injured back, knee, ankle and foot all at the same time instead of the round robin mishmash I’ve been doing all week. Bliss!
Or getting texts from friends saying they are coming tonight AND tomorrow night to help me sort all my belongings for a garage sale on Saturday. I could weep from relief and gratitude.
And, joy of joys, hearing from the garage that the troubles with my busted car are completely under warranty. HOORAY! 🙂
So today I’m being good and resting on the couch, going to the chiropractor, and working through my to-do list a bit at a time.
And I’m writing an Already Done List to cheer myself on. 🙂
How are YOU today?
xo
A Taste of the Mediterranean
If you had to choose one cuisine from one region of the world to eat for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
I would have to pick the Mediterranean. I simply adore the food so deliciously influenced by countries as diverse as Egypt, Greece, and Slovenia.
I was thrilled to bits when my cooking club chose this as our theme for June.
Since my camera broke this week, I wasn’t able to capture Cameron’s scrumptious smoked lamb, Jen’s fantastic quinoa salad with olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta, and Toby’s delectable green beans sauteed with lime and butter.
But I did get last week’s delectable menu, starting with Greek wine and artisan bread studded with olives.
I made a zesty green bean salad with feta, fresh basil, and a Dijon vinaigrette. Darren whipped up a batch of his famous hummus and Selwyn wowed us all with fork-tender roasted pork loin drizzled with a Gorgonzola cream sauce.
While the food was absolutely amazing, it’s always the fellowship and camaraderie at cooking club that I love the most. I can’t believe I only have a few more weeks with these dear people. I’m going to miss them more than I can say.
Green Bean Salad with Feta and Fresh Basil
3 pounds green beans, trimmed
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 4-oz package Feta cheese, crumbled or grated
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
Directions:
- Steam beans 4 minutes or until crisp tender. Plunge in ice water until cool, then drain.
- Whisk together Dijon mustard and next four ingredients in large bowl.
- Add beans, feta and basil. Toss gently to coat.
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