GYPSY GIRL'S GUIDE

Mon Cheri, Berkeley, 2007

"More and more I see how true is the Hindu idea that a man may leave family and responsibilities and become a "holy" man, a wanderer, in old age, in order to complete himself - a time for laying aside all that has pulled the soul from nature, from pure contemplation." May Sarton ~ Journal of a Solitude

Lunch time comes around and I don't feel hungry. All I want is a break to run out and see you. I drive about 10 minutes to our meeting point. You're there already, as usual. You're always there for me. Today is another beautiful sunny day. The light here in Berkeley has been exquisite lately. I'm bringing my camera in hopes of striking a pic or two. I like how the light wraps around and accentuates your delicate features. I want to examine all your hues and shades carefully. I want to study the lines in your profile and their relationship to the sky. I want to capture your confident form and your effortless grace.

I arrive and promptly get on with my ritual of laying out my quilt on the ground and taking my shoes off. I like to feel the soft grass between my toes for a second (and giggle!) before I lay down next to you. Today I don't need to talk. Actually, we hardly ever need words anyway... I know you don't expect me to say a thing. When I'm with you, it's all about our comfortable silence and the gentle breeze brushing against us.

A couple of birds come up to you. I envy you for that. How do you do it? I wonder if you could teach me how to attract beauty and blend in with the natural world like that. I don't have much time, though. Soon I have to go back to the chores, the job tasks and the structure that keeps me from feeling open like this.

Another breath. The noise and confusion that infiltrate my day have melted away now. In this moment of quietness, poetry and nature... I am complete, I am enough.

A butterfly circles around you, flaps its orange wings and comes to land on my bag.

Tell me... Does that mean I am already making progress?

****

For more unnamed beautiful things... Go here!

Portrait blues, 2006

Since I missed out on the fun last week, I decided to wrap Poetry Thursday and Sunday Scribbling in one post.

It is really hard for me to admit this, but last week my body checked out. It said: "Goodbye. I'm closed for renovation! "

At first I was very upset. I understand my body may need a break once in a while. But no warning at all is unacceptable, I thought. The body didn't care. It said: "Deal". And for a second, I even wondered: "Hey, maybe I can use this time to play at home. Do some art, write and glue pictures on my journal. Maybe even squeeze a yoga class in here..." Instead, before I took another breath, the body said: "Lay down." That is when I hoped for a movie, something inspiring and light. The body complained again: "Nope. Too late. I need all the energy I can get now". And in exchange, believe it or not, the body gave me a fever and a migrane. When I tried to respond, the body said it was working hard to lift me up. And it insisted with me once more: "Please stop now. It will be easier that way."

I was appalled. This might have been the first time since I was a kid that I had a temperature and ~ I might add ~ a fight with my body. I fussed and rolled around in bed. But here is how the body handled the situation. It turned off every channel on me. The eyes got shut and declined any light. My voice was silenced. Gone. The ears were ringing loud avoiding every other sound. And the body begged me from deep inside: "Please surrender."

And so, I had no other option but do as the body said. I spent 5 days in bed without energy, without color on my face, not feeling my muscles, not hearing my voice, with not much of a sight and hardly any appetite. I drank water and juice, but not even that was wanted. The body was very upset. Finally, after a week, it started coming back slowly, and it began whispering gently to me.

This time the body was calm and compassionate. It told me how many times it had tried to warn me before it'd given up. It talked about how many projects I had taken on and how overwhelmed I was with it all. It told me I worry too much and that my stress is making me very tired and weak. It told me I have to say "no" sometimes. Then it went on to show me that it understands my frustrations and that it knows of all the dreams that are on the shelves, waiting for their turn... It cheered me up and reminded me of all the places that I've been already and the many dreams that have already come true. It also told me it will help me get to the next place, if I take it slow and if I am kind to myself.

Lastly, it questioned me softly: "Do you know how we got this far?" "I couldn't say", I replied. And the body said: "That is exactly right. So stop wondering "how"... All you need to know is where you're headed... I'll take you there in time. You, my dear, please... Just let go."

So here I am now. Feeling much better and puzzled... At how much the body knows...

********

More "the body knows" writings at at Poetry Thursday!

More "puzzled" writings at Sunday Scribblings!

Under the Magnolia Spell, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, 2006

Some Smells I love...

Freshly ground coffee and Cinnamon buns... In the morning.
Rotisserie Chicken and corn on the cob... For a lunch in the country.
Southern biscuits... Just out of the oven.
Warm chocolate chip cookies... Baked in a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Cocoa butter... On my lips in the ski lift.
Campfire... In the woods or on the beach.
Brazilian Quentao... A traditional winter beverage made with hot cinnamon, ginger and "cachaca".
Salty Ocean Breeze... For long strolls along the sea.
Fresh Laundry... To fold on a sunny patch of the bed.
Lavender Eye Pillow... For Shavasana.
Cilantro... On panang red curry.
Basil and Rosemary... Growing wildly in my garden.
Misty and Mossy waterfalls... On a hot day in Hana.
Pineapple, Mangoes and Jackfruit... Heaven scents from the Tropics.
Tropical Rain... Earthy bliss especially enjoyed from a thatched roof bungalow in Thailand.
Eucalyptus Forest... While looking for Koalas down under.
Sage... On my hikes in Northern California.
Spicy Cedar... In the Enzyme Bath at Osmosis.
Fresh Flowers... In my home and by my bed.
Red Ripe Blood Oranges... For a picnic in the park.
Oatmeal and coconut oil soap... Always in my shower.
Lemongrass tea... With a book on a gloomy cold day.
Cuban Cigars... At a bohemian cafe in Buenos Aires.
Jasmine bloom... On a nocturnal walk... And carefully woven through my hair in India.
Wet grass... When I first step out after the rain.
Magnolia Blossoms... Sweet and intoxicating at Golden Gate Park.

***

And some delicious and newly discovered smells...

Anything Red Flower

Everything from the Organic Oasis!

What are your favorite smells?

Happy Faces, Happy Valentine's day!

The last few days I've been desperately looking for my muses. It has been impossible for me to stop long enough to create.

Do you also need to unwind for a while before you can create? My boyfriend always says, use the next thirty minutes to do it. Well, for any other activity, I could indeed use a quick half hour to get something done. But with Art & Heart intertwined, I need loads of breathing room. I require at least that much time completely immobile and doing absolutely nothing, before inspiration can move within me. Do you experience that as well?

I feel like my muses are sitting outside right now, on some random and poorly furnished waiting room, listening to "on hold" music, while I scramble to rearrange the life inside. And sadly, it looks like I'll have to reschedule their appointment with me once again today.

It doesn't mean that things are bad, though. I have been very productive at work lately, and I actually had a fantastic weekend out of town, seeing friends and going to a fancy Film Awards Event in Los Angeles! But in the midst of all the busyness (and black tie fun!), I've been longing for that quiet moment when I can truly taste, see and feel the world around me. I've been meaning to photograph, draw, paint and write about it. But it seems like I'm just not available to my muses right now.

In the meantime, and in hopes of gaining access to my inspiration, I've been listening to music (that makes me happy) on my way to work, I'm reading a delicious book (History of Love) at lunchtime, and I'm at least glancing at a quote, before I go to bed. I decided that I always have time to do that bit, no matter how busy I am. These simple things are my phone calls and emails to my muses. "Hey, what do you think about that? It's too bad we can't meet up today, but I thought I'd say hi. Smile. Isn't that beautiful?!" I'm learning that it is by sending love to my muses whenever I can, even if it's brief, that I can find the bridge from the mundane world that tires me out, to the soulful world, where I am full of joy and energy.

Another recent experiment of mine is to listen attentively to all the conversations around me, notice people's voices and observe them with the intent of studying their uniqueness. There is so much to work with: features, grace, age, color and lighting. I watch them as closely as I'd do it, if I were to draw them. This practice is like bringing out the shiny gold from the dark mine, guys! You should try! I could say that these life studies are my flowers and thank you cards to my muses. It's an acknowledgment of their presence everywhere and in everyone around me.

At last, I want to share a quote and an exercise that pulls all these musings together. I found it in a writing book I've playing with: "Stirring the Waters" by Janell Moon.

"During the day, our souls gather their impressions of us, how our lives feel... Our spirits collect these impressions, keep them together, like wisps of smoke in a bag. Then, when we are asleep, our brains open up these bags of smoke... Take a look. "Marsha Norman

Now, close your eyes and go into a dream. Later, recount it. I'm going to do that tonight (dream) and tomorrow (write). FYI. I never seem to have exciting dreams, but I'll try anyway. Maybe I just haven't given my dreams a real chance... That will be my valentine's gift to my muses: Try something new and exciting that will inspire me!

How about you? What do you do to love your muses? Isn't it time to show some love?

Much Love to you and to your muses!

Happy Valentine's day!

Melbourne Sky, Oz, 2004

Happy Friday!

If you are in the mood for travel... Check this amazing photographer:

Steve McCurry

His link was via my adorable friend Caterina - another fantastic photographer!

Caterina Bernardi

Dancing with Change, 2005

Dancing with Change

I've been dancing with change all my life.
I use well the quickstep
To go away and towards it.
My signature move is to
Dance around the world.
Skip, hop and finally,
Bounce back, when I'm ready
To join once again
The line dance.

In terms of timing,
If change meets me when I need it
You can see dance in my eyes.
But if it catches me by surprise,
I suddenly loose my step in the swing.
If I attempt a twirl, I trip
And before I can whip myself up
The next song is on.

For matters of the heart
I've learned to watch changes closely.
You can press cheeks together for bolero
And in the midst of a rave,
Stomp all you want.
But in love, make no mistake:
You need two to tango.

My biggest longing for change, though,
Is learning how to receive it.
I've been often known to lead the dance
Rather than to follow it.
My wish is to let go of my shoes to
Fall into the arms and
Rhythm of the universe.

I want to hear the beat,
Catch my breath and
Watch what happens
In that twist,
Where I finally
Find contentment
Right where I stand.

*************************************

For more changes go here!

Lotus, GG Park, San Francisco, 2006

Today I offer you a beautiful lotus.

"The lotus flower is considered sacred among many cultures. With its roots in the mud, the lotus rises through the murky waters to blossom clean and bright. It symbolizes purity, resurrection and the enlightened being who emerges beautifully despite the chaos and illusions of the world. It is a reminder of the miracle of beauty, light and life, and communicates an understanding of our place in the world."

It's perfect for how I feel today after posting something so sad, personal and revealing... I offer here my best shot at bringing more magic, truth and inspiration into the world!

Meet me here, Nevada, 2006

Meet me here

Meet me here
With your heart open.
Meet me at the start of your day
Or perhaps, when the sun goes down.

Meet me for tea wearing pajamas
Or in the studio to play with paints.
Meet me in colors, words, crayons.
Meet me in the pictures they lost
and now we collect.

Meet me here
with a truth and a tale.
Show me the view from your room
The snow on your window and
The smile of your kid.

Meet me at the red swing in the park,
Where the sunshine meets our shoulders
And we fly up and high
Towards the sky.

Meet me here
With your favorite costume
And the key to that safe place
Where we are ~ once again ~
Little children with dreams.

Meet me here
Where it's you and I
Plus hope.

****
I just learned that I was nominated for the "Share the Love Blog Awards" - created by Heather at One Woman's World. I'm so surprised and excited to be included in this group of fantastic women, among which are some of my favorite reads: Tara, Liz, Laini, Alexandra, Asma, Frida, Karen and Andrea (which I'll never stop reading...).

I must say though, I'm especially blown away by being chosen for the category: "Blogger that you most would like to meet!" I feel lucky to be part of this virtual revolution of goodness! I also need your stories, images and hope. You make a huge positive impact in my world and it's indeed my very own wish to meet you too... In words over here or in real life someday.

Big thank you for this gift!

Vote for your favorites here by Feb 6 and share the love!

**********************
Voting to determine five finalists in each of ten categories concludes at midnight Tuesday, Feb. 6. Voters may vote only once in each category. Finalists will be announced on Wednesday, Feb. 7. Final voting will then continue until midnight on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Winners and runners-up will be announced on Valentine's Day, February 14. So please help "Share the Love" and vote!