Home Sweet Home

 It took all of yesterday morning to prepare for company.

Cozy

 Cat and Dog

 Saemi and Sumo

Cozy indoors

while snow melts outdoors.

The Home of Miss Pearl

The Real Miss Pearl

Books, Books, Books

 Reading my blog of late, it may appear that I hold a passion for politics in my bosom. I don't.

 

So I offer a peek at my bookshelves, my interests are varied. But don't be deceived, I never read Fat Flush, I bought it not because I could not stand to lose weight, but because I believe I ought to know the latest on an issue that concerns most of my female clients. I do have an interest in health and do believe that diet plays a major role and periodic cleanses are beneficial. Now Pattern Of Language is a book I truly love. I was pleased to discover that many of the suggestions on making a comfortable and practical home I had already implemented naturally. I would recommend this book to anyone that seeks to create a home of their own, either by building from scratch or by redesign.

On the left here are books more then 30 years old, dating back to my studies in massage therapy at the Swedish Institute in New York. I took great pride in my meticulous coloring inside the anatomy book and no doubt spent more time with crayons then with the analytical study of anatomy. Learning all those Latin names in an English speaking school, a language I then barely knew how to pronounce, much less write in, was a serious challenge.

Moving on to the study of structural bodywork and essential books to my trade such as Postural Integeration by Jack Painter, a variation of Rolfing, a method of structural integration by Ida Rolf. Listen To Your Body is a great resource for athletes and therapists alike.

Arny Mindell's books were a revelation more than two decades ago. I found the first one in a bookstore right across my street and soon found myself back in my home town in Zuerich for an intensive with an international body of students and teachers. It was a fantastic experience that changed my approach from a somewhat goal oriented approach in massage therapy to a process oriented approach in bodywork. The study of Hakomi mind/body therapy gave me the additional skills and confidence needed for a unique approach I named Uomi Bodywork.

My process (of Jungian individuation if you will) really got its start with engaging in the expressive arts while still a teen. I discovered painting from within, painting in colors and shapes that expressed my inner states rather than attempts at imitation of an outer reality, so very similar to what Cassou described in Life, Paint and Passion. Given permission and tools to express feelings, I would sit and cry and cry, not knowing why, but I felt a deep and liberating effect.

Julia Cameron, the famous author of The Artist Way, has moved back to Santa Fe. A local now she currently teaches her method of creativity within my walking distance. I love her generous spirit, her availability, and her principled approach to process.

Astrology has held a fascination for me since I am 17. Liz Green's book of Saturn was maybe the first truly psychologically oriented book on Astrology I got introduced to when I lived in Amsterdam and studied astrology with Richard Lamm, an English astrologer and painter at the meditation center "Het Cosmos". There this smiling, gray-bearded man sat on the floor with his blackboard where he discussed charts in great depth with anyone that happened to walk into the room. He helped me to understand and accept my trouble in fitting in as an Aquarian tinged personality into a Virgo type Swiss society, epitomized in Zurich. I am forever grateful to Richard for having opened my eyes to the rightness of things, above as below, and their processes.

My interest has always been in a psychological rather then predictive approach to astrology. In the last ten years though I felt a need to step back. It is so easy to spin astrological or political material in to a desired message. How to separate the seed from the chaff?

On to Literature, where Shantaram has been by far the most gripping book I have read in years. I opened it at Borders and never stopped reading, right from the middle, to the end and back to my beginning. Will it ever be made into a movie with Johny Depp as promised?

Ahab's Wife surprised me, was a style of book I would not usually read, but it's rich language absolutely enchanted me. Ursula Hegi resurrected my Mom for me in her masterly crafted writing that depicts Germanic culture in style of speaking, thinking and being. I discovered her by chance, house sitting in California where "In The Palm Of My Hand" (still my favorite) caught my attention. I have since read most of her novels. I loved Poitier's The Measure Of A Man, what a beautiful spirit. The expression of kindness is irresistible in a man.

An invisible layer of old pocket books in the back, stacked against the wall, funky, are classics worth holding on to. I used to love Gogol, got introduced to the Russian writer by my New York buddy, a writer and waiter at my favorite coffee shop. We had a trade going where I would work his body and he would work my mind. Nathan introduced me to literature in an effort to improve my English language skills and grasp of culture. I have it in mind to read Gogol again as his humorous insights of the characters of everyday working people and their bureaucratic minds were something to behold.

Finally an illustration out of my Mom's book, Don Camillo and Peppone by Guareshi, a book I must have first opened 6 years old while alone at home I peered through my Mom's small library. This was one of a two of her books that contained illustrations. I vaguely remember how I peered, how I tried to make sense of all those letters. As an adult this book never fails to lift my spirits and to make me laugh, so funny the struggles between god's servant, the priest Don Camillo and Peppone, the major, a public servant, placed in northern Italy.

Impossible to talk about books and not bookstores. Santa Fe is blessed with quite a few independent ones of which Collected Works Bookstore and Coffeehouse is my favorite as regards ambiance and events of interest such as book signings, poetry readings, but also meetings of progressive groups such as the Coffee Party, or homely ones such as a small group of knitting women and not to forget the occasional musical performance. 

Ever since Collected Works moved into their larger space that allowed for comfortable sofas situated around a fireplace, good espresso along with tempting treats in the company of canine companions (yes, the owner Dorothee welcomes well-behaved dogs - heaven) I harbored a desire to manage their coffeeshop. I would like to contribute to the friendly atmosphere, to welcome tourists and locals alike,  to be sociable and helpful while I would enjoy once again a regular job. I would be a punctual, honest and dedicated employee that would go the extra length to be accommodating - if appreciated.

Spotted outside Collected Works Bookstore.

I must say that in the last decade I have not read very much. Too often literature leaves me at a loss, stories seem too removed from my life to hold my interest, authors would not convince me why I should care. I would love to discover more contemporary writing that really would resonate with my life experience. So my question to you, what books do you love and what would you recommend for me? Your answers will be appreciated, thanks for reading and considering.

Post-Holiday Abundance

Chocolate Money to please the Inner Child.

Red European confection box bought on sale for a trifle.

Two given away today, one more to go.

Another exotic Orchid joined the menagerie.

Two bunches of Watercress, potted, 

to energize the muted winter tones 

and to provide essential nutrients.

Two books by Mark Twain on loan to be returned.

The blue sky of another mild winter day reflected.

Breakfast Table Today

My snapshot of today's breakfast table.

One whole grain pancake with added wheat germs and sesame seeds, home made applesauce from apples  I had picked earlier this fall. Topped with a bit of whipped cream, decorated with a sprinkle of cinnamon and accompanied by espresso coffee spiced with nutmeg, ginger and vanilla and of course a few sips of plain orange juice. The Orchids have been thriving since July 30th when I brought them home, over 4 months ago and were well worth the $30 I felt guilty spending as a reminder of my Mom's birthday that day.

My point though is civilized living does not have to be expensive, but can be a choice we make moment by moment, starting with breakfast. How did you treat yourself well today, yesterday, any day?

Inequities Remedied

What an effective day it has been, love it! I got the sofa I had only just discovered around midnight on craigslist in by early morning, hours only before the ladies were to leave town. I love the warm wood of this futon frame and am particularly fond of the cabinets on both sides. I always wondered why those spaces would go wasted? My main motivation though for this acquisition has been the inequitable sleeping arrangements in our home of late. My little Sumo-boy insists on sleeping with me. The moment I lie down, no matter the time, he will race towards me in hopes of pressing his back against my side all night long. The kitty will join in the morning, but for Isabella-girl there simply has been no room, my daybed simply is too small and narrow for the four of us. 

For the first 2 1/2 years of living with my furry ones I had no intention of sharing my bed and furniture. I had done all my reading in preparation of Isabella's, my first dog's arrival and got her and each subsequent furry one a nice fluffy white bed of their own. When Sumo joined us about half a year after Isabella's arrival, I was rather harsh in getting him off the furniture, including my table. I started to lose my resolve with the arrival of our Pretty Kitty, our Black Panther, our independent spirit who will hear nothing of others boundaries and preferences. How could I keep my little dog off when the cat took over and made himself comfortable right on top of me? When I strained my back and had trouble moving and walking my pups, that is when I caved in and let Sumo sleep in my arms. While in so many ways he is a real guy, independent, fearless, eager to go out and explore, hunt whatever comes his way, and making cunning use of his small size and large spirit, in some ways he is simply a lap dog looking for the most comfortable spots, be it my or another's lap. I must admit though a little warm fuzzy, furry one can feel very cozy, even healing.

Once Sumo is settled the kitty moves in and I watched many a time with fascination as he keeps on sneaking up at Sumo, driven it seems by a powerful desire to cuddle and rub up against. Isabella almost the size of three Sumos is kinda left out in all this. From the very beginning she has offered her bed, her toys, her food to Sumo, willing to share all she had, but Sumo will have none of sleeping with girls, no matter how small she presses herself in to a far corner of her bed. Sumo seeks closeness to me, the Pretty Kitty and Isabella seek out Sumo. My heart hurts for those twos and this happened way before I ever let this little guy sleep with me, happened almost every night for 1 1/2 years.

So, it is my sincere hope that finally with a big enough bed for the four of us we will all be back in one pack with no seeming preferential treatments. I hold high hopes that this will address my girl's bad mood of late where she seems to have a need to assert herself and test her alpha status with other dogs.

Don't they look like they belong, 

like this has been their spot forever?

Acquisitions

 

Today, in the spirit of celebration, I treated myself to not one, but two new Orchids. I placed them together with my  now crestfallen white Easter Orchid inside the milky white glass top of a now defunct lamp, which happens to fit perfectly in to this old, but favorite bamboo basket. I hope the glass container will be suitable in holding the moisture for these plants which show over 30 potential blooms, now still in a bulbous state. Did you know Orchids grow naturally up in trees and love the feel of circulating air?

Since it is my birthday today, I got up with the dawn of light and made it out to the dog park by 7 AM, before the heat of the day and undeterred by the lure of the internet. An hour later we were hanging at the coffee shop, me with a double Cappuccino and my pups with treats they provide. On impulse I stopped by the adjacent book store where I had seen The Lazy Dog's Guide to Enlightenment and snatched up the second to last copy on sale. While the images in it are not of the greatest quality, they convey the message and one page after another makes me smile from one ear to the other.

We all make mistakes, but who we are is not one of them.

Will it do it's intended service and inspire me to a compilation of sorts of my own making?

Despite my expenses in an intolerable, unsustainable race with my laughable, defeated from the outset income (not because) I recently acquired objects I predict will stay close to me and my heart for a long time to come:

My 'Kentucky Derby Hat' makes me feel more, rather then slightly ridiculous wearing it, but at my age that is no longer a deterrent. The truth is my Anglo light skin is in dire need of protection from the sun when walking my pups and this to me justifies the expense. The Video Librarian's encouraging "go for it" helped me too in my decision to splurge.

A heavy duty wooden black shelf of folders, so necessary for the endless flow of papers that threatens to overtake my tiny by some measures space, proved irresistible. The introduction of this shelf necessitated a rearrangement of my whole working space, a work in progress. The heavy duty serious leather bag, hanging now on a heater that has not been used in decades, is actually what I have been missing when taking my laptop to a nearby coffee shop on bike. It is in perfect condition with all zippers working, I bless the writer lady that no longer wanted it along on her journey, may she travel safe and that much lighter to Hollywood and find the success she undoubtedly is seeking.

I sign off with another quote that I hope will make you smile and a shout out to Nancy who inspired this post with her request, thank YOU and thank you all for reading! 

Leave no door unopened ... unless it's time to nap.

My view this morning

I pleased myself in bringing in a few Lilac sprigs in hopes of saving them from the cold and a predicted frost tonight. While the sun breaks through on and off, the snow flurries dance the air on and off too. I fear for the delicate blossoms, and the Lilacs especially, as they emerged only the other day. Lilacs seem to be my favorite ones. I do love the color purple in all it's variations, from pinks to lilacs to burgundies. Last year much of the glory got whipped away by one late frost in mid May, if I believed in prayer I would resort to it now.

Impromptu Acquisition

I left home looking to replace my rain barrel and came home with a monstrous leather chair:

The kind I had been dreaming of, soft, comfortable and not torn. A perfect place to read. (What happened to the times I could read anywhere anytime, including on my way to school, under the covers in secret, in the bathroom in the bath tub, sitting, standing, lying down ... what happened?)

These days the light is not right, the reflections bothersome, my eyes are too tired and my body tosses and turns. If I could I would try reading in a head stand, it can't be worse then what I am doing so far.

But now I got this comfy huge throne in my tiny home. For a moment I feared I might not get it through the door, but with a little help we did it, and ever since I am rearranging my whole home to make things fit. There are always more then one way to do one thing, just as there are many roads that lead to Rom and certainly many rivers that find the ocean. Never mind that I liked it that one way, it's good to be flexible, it's good to invite change and sometimes it is excellent to buy on impulse.









New chair

new bike

new camera

I better get my butt moving,
then get stuck in comfort zone.

In all fairness

Once the pretty kitty joined our household, it seemed unfair to keep guarding my pure white sofas from canine abuse. So these days and after 1 1/2 years of strict training and claiming my couches my own, my furry ones have taken over.

A friend suggested that all mammals ought to sleep in packs and after my recent first night of letting my big Isabella-girl actually stay on my bed all night, I might agree. Mind you that these days I sleep on very narrow beds, as maybe due to the use of lots of Ginger, or else the heating that comes with and after menopause, I prefer to find the cooling edges with maximum ease. I also toss and turn a lot. In my Swiss language I would be referred to as a "Fegnaescht" and those that sat near me in planes have confirmed it. But there is something about bonding, even with our pets that keeps an eye out even during sleep.

So, in all fairness I have given up my exclusive claim and enjoy the cozy, some might say cramped company of my three furry ones on my bed.