The Ides have marched...

On the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle earlier this month, I went over for
a truly wonderful and therapeutic Lomi-Lomi massage. Brisk trip, tho.

I simply cannot believe that March is about half done!! This Sunday will be St. Patrick's day, a reminder of loved ones who have left me (curiously both my parents left for the Other Side in mid-March) and my beloved "Pe-ott" (Patrick worked for my family for years after arriving in NH from Ireland.) thought this day was all about him. For me it certainly was.

This has been a challenging time for me on many levels; I have finally had to admit that 'at my age' has validity when it comes to trying to have a new career, taking care of someone else, and being obliged to get up on someone else's schedule. I simply cannot do it. It was only a couple of years ago I decided that I had taken my last ski trip. I didn't know that weekend that it was my last, but the following year when everyone was getting all excited about planning their next trip, I realized I was not experiencing my usual rush of enthusiasm for it. My memories are rich with the whoosh of snow flying past me as I race down Suicide Six or the skiing the black diamonds at Sun Valley, but my body does not care to refresh those memories now.

Instead I am focusing on my watercolor painting skills (photos of said paintings will be posted soon; I have completed three!), repairing my back from either stress or something else, walking along the sandy beaches nearby or woodland paths to capture an eaglet at the top of a tree, and other somewhat sedentary exercise. I swim at the local pool most mornings and do water aerobics and that seems to be having a good effect on the back/muscles.

The juvenile eagle has not bent the tree over with its weight; the tree was
already heading in that direction and makes a lovely perch. Our grey
days prevail at present, so it is hard to get a great shot.

Another trip to Colombia must be planned, but my doctor doesn't want me traveling until he feels the back is stronger and progress is slow. For those following the Twins story, they seem to be doing all the things babies do at the right time, but I haven't seen them for several months. Perhaps I will have a chance to see them before I go back.

What is joyful for me is that I am clear about my direction once again, and although any dreams I might have had about being 'in service' have been foreshortened, there are other ways I can - on a more reasonable schedule - be of assistance. And I have learned much from this experience. Including being extraordinarily grateful for good health and eyesight. My multi-decades old body still manages to do many things quite well and has put up with my varied eating habits which have not always been good for it. Together we are changing that, too. Here is an interesting link about the things that are going on, just in case, dear reader, you have been wondering why you, too, are evaluating directions or plans.