Re-inspired

Emily's most highly awaited and recent blog post has re-inspired me to love the summer, all the time on my hands and the R&R that comes with it. That, and a discussion with my dad in the car this morning about how nice time off can be. He said retirement was a bit of an adjustment but now he is a master of it. "The days go by quickly," he said.

What was I complaining about? Maybe I was feeling that lack of purpose that I wrote about earlier. Purpose, however, comes to those who wait. This time last year I was in a sense forcing myself to have a purpose with the art program. While it was a neat experience, something was lacking in it for me. I am anticipating that with the MSW program will come a renewed sense of purpose. That is something well worth waiting for.

In the spirit of Emily's post, here are some things I have been loving about summer lately:
-Trips to the mountains! I am not a winter mountain girl; I love it in the summer. The smells, colors, and peacefulness in nature is so revitalizing.
-Farmer's markets. Oh how I love farmer's markets.
-Air conditioning.
-Patio seating.
-Gardening and caring for my yard. It is a beautiful pocket of nature and respite from all the noise of the busy world.
-Flip flops, all day and all night long.
-My renewed yoga practice. I can't believe I took a hiatus for 6 months.
-Bocce ball in my parent's backyard.
-"Roadie" strolls in the neighborhood with my good friend Aimee-plastic cups, a little Chard, and an early evening stroll admiring the neighborhood gardens.

Of course, in my own blogging spirit I will also write about what I should do this summer. Make green iced tea. Sit by a pool more. Indulge in a walk to Bonnie Brae for some cinnamon ice cream. The list here can be endless. Because, like my dad says, the days go by way too quickly. Added in my own words: "And then there will be the cold, dreary days of winter." Cheers to you summer and the R&R you bring!

Is there such thing as too much R&R?

After wandering restlessly through the house this afternoon, I decided to pick up the laptop and write a post. I have been giving a lot of thought lately to the summer and all the time I have on my hands before school begins. I find myself constantly trying to figure out "what to do." Although I have plenty of summer projects, I have plenty of time, too. So I started thinking...is there such thing as too much R&R?

I spent most of yesterday relaxing myself alongside my friend Susan. She belongs to an athletic club and we took a yoga class, had our nails done, and sat by the pool and read. I came home literally exhausted (or relaxed?). This morning I spent a very leisurely and wonderful time with a dear friend who I haven't seen or spoken to in years. We had coffee, wandered the farmer's market, talked, reminisced, shopped. I came home in a bit of a heat + good friend + coffee + shopping coma. I think of the week ahead of me and all the time I have...I will take yoga classes. I will walk everyday. I have another lunch/nail date on Friday. A hair appointment Thursday. And in between all these relaxing activities...maybe get around to a project or two?

Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve all this relaxation. I look at the people around me who work hard all week, either at a job, or staying home with their kids, and I think-well, their weekends are well deserved. Hard earned. Maybe they stay in their pajamas until lunch. Or sit and watch golf on TV. These are the little rewards of toiling through a grueling work week, whatever responsibilities they have. And me? Every day seems to be a vacation day.

I know when school starts along with my internship I will look back on this post and shake my head. I should have enjoyed every moment, I will think to myself. When I graduate and get a job, I will look back at this post and recognize my well deserved weekends. But for now, I may need to put myself to work around this old house in order to feel my time off is deserved.

Wilderness! (and Crested Butte)

I just returned from a few days in the mountains. I must say, it was a transforming experience. I was invited to a remote ranch out of Creede called Wilderness Ranch with the Schultz/Tarman families. They have been staying at this ranch during the summer for the past 25 or so years. I shared a cabin with Jason, Jessica, Max and Julian. Max and I were bunk mates and I must say, he was a really great roommate! And Jay, Jess and JuJu were fabulous cabin mates. We gave each other enough space but also really enjoyed our time together. We would go off and do our own things, and then reconvene around 4pm for "happy hour"-a little snack, drink, conversation or game. It was a lovely way to connect with these people I love so much.

I totally felt "off the grid". No cell phones, computers, televisions. The cabins were rustic but cozy. We just did what we wanted whenever we felt like it. The only really measurements of time were coffee in the morning and dinner in the evening. Otherwise, we meandered, moseyed, hiked, biked, fished, read, played games, and chatted with everyone when we would see them. It was the most relaxed I think I have ever been. It always feels good to get home, but part of my heart has been left at the Ranch!

I was invited to stay the entire week, but I haven't spent much time in that part of Colorado so I decided to go to Crested Butte, a town I hadn't visited before. I have a friend there who I haven't seen in years, so it was a good incentive to go. I was also looking forward to sleeping in a king bed instead of a twin bunk. I fell in love with Crested Butte. The town is super cute, kind of hippie-ish-it seemed like every shop had the Tibetan prayer flags and everyone was riding bikes being pulled by dogs. I think I found my next house:

And I thought this was super cute:

The feel of a yoga bag slung over my shoulder

So I mentioned in my last post feeling a bit down lately, but the mood turning around due to simple pleasures. I continued my mood odyssey with a commitment to head to yoga this morning. I saw the teacher, Sarah, on Pearl Street over the weekend and decided it was time to re-engage myself in this timeless, peaceful practice. So, I woke up, put on my yoga gear, and slung my yoga bag over my shoulder. And boy, did that feel good.

Purpose. Perhaps that is what has been missing in my life these past few weeks. Sure it is a luxury to have a summer off. However, if all I do is wander aimlessly trying to figure out how to spend the day then that aimless feeling invades my mind and heart, too. Aimlessness is good when I perhaps take a detour on a beautiful mountain road; or when I find myself on a walk only to discover a really beautiful garden or some other surprise. But daily aimlessness can, quite frankly, get me down.

I liked the fact that I woke up today with a purpose. To take a yoga class. My morning felt good, the ritual of getting ready got me feeling excited about the class. I started remembering how amazing yoga feels...the ebb and flow of relaxation intermingled with pushing my body to stretch and reach. That yoga bag symbolized a purpose, and that helped continue my mood toward a positive direction. My day continued to get better. I heard a new Coldplay song. I spent time with two of my favorite friends and their handsome boys. I spent time with mom and dad along with Chester and Stan, sipping tea and watching the boys be praised by grandpa and grandma. A little purpose goes a long, long way.

A little bit of whimsy

When I am down, I try to change things up a bit. I have been a bit in a downer mood of late, not sure why, but in an attempt to cheer up I took myself on a drive. I decided to head to Golden because I haven't been there in a while and love small towns. I endured the winding and windy Lookout Mountain Road along with several bicyclists and stopped along the way. I sat on a bench and enjoyed this view.

The wind brought that smell of the mountains-pine needles and fresh air-even though I was only a half hour out of Denver. It gave me that smile I needed.

When I got home, I purposefully looked around at the whimsy I have in my house. It is one reason I like living in a quirky, old home...my little bits of whimsy fit right in.
This is a birdcage I bought at the Botanic Gardens. I bought one for Meg because she deserves a bit of whimsy, too. It hangs in my dining room window.

These are some of my favorite handmade items. I made the collage last summer at the height of my artistic frenzy. Mia made both Valentines and gave them to me for Valentine's Day.

Finally, I added some butterflies to the back fence to give it a little pizazz.

Once I reminded myself of the role of whimsy in my life, I can happily say my down mood has turned around. One last piece of whimsy is this quote that describes me perfectly these days:
"Didn't you tie the mittens on her feet extra special nice? Yes--she is an extra special nice pigeon. She cries for pity when she wants pity. And she shuts her eyes when she doesn't want to look at you. And if you look deep in her eyes when her eyes are open you will see lights there exactly like the lights on the pastures and the meadows when the mist is drifting on a Wednesday evening just between the twilight and gloaming."
— Carl Sandburg (Rootabaga Stories)

The neighborhood Denver forgot?

I am a proud Denverite. I have lived in this city for 35 years (okay...33 1/2 counting my time in Glenwood Springs and Portland). I trust that I know every nook and cranny Denver and the metro area have to offer. I drove down streets before they became up and coming...in neighborhoods where I couldn't quite help feeling a little unsafe. These neighborhoods now are what we call up and coming...or gentrified...or hip. Places like the Highlands, City Park area, Lowry, Five Points were all too scary to drive in at one point, but now they offer coffee shops, restaurants, and cute, renovated houses.

Yesterday I drove through a neighborhood seemingly forgotten by Denver. I felt like I was in another world, or at least in a neighborhood in another city that was new to me. It felt isolated, alien...and I admit I was a wee bit nervous. I am talking about this pocket of residential living close to Washington street and Brighton Blvd. It is a neighborhood surrounded by gas stations, hardware stores, construction companies, the RTD office, a Fed Ex store. 44th, 45th and Lincoln, Sherman, Logan. I think it is called Globeville. I wound up in this neighborhood because of bad traffic on I-25. It wasn't moving so I got off at the 58th avenue exit. I was near my favorite garden center (Paulinos) and knew there was a way to get to Brighton Blvd but I couldn't quite remember. I followed the traffic into Globeville and was immersed in a neighborhood of houses with metal bars on the windows and desperately needed paint jobs. Kids and young men were wandering the streets and cars with dark windows bumped in front of and behind me. I finally found Brighton Blvd and made my way home...but I felt like I just drove through another world. I don't know if this will ever be and up and coming neighborhood. I think 5280 magazine at one point called this a great place to live, but I felt the sense of isolation that only poverty and being forgotten can create.

Gardening

"Unemployment is capitalism's way of getting you to plant a garden."~Orson Scott Card

I have been finding myself in gardening mode these past few days. Yesterday, mom, dad and I met at the cemetery to plant flowers around Mike's grave. I pictured him saying to me, "Finally! Real flowers instead of those cheesy fake ones you put around my grave."

We planted purple salvia, yellow coreopsis, lavender, and red and white petunias. I had found this stone after he died and it sits in the corner of the garden.

There is also Mr. Gnome who keeps an eye on the flowers and shoos away any deer, rabbits or other creatures that think a flower might make a good meal.

Mike's dad put up the most beautiful windchimes in "Mike's tree." (Mike is buried by a tree that I have claimed to be his.) They make the most beautiful sound in the breeze.

I finally put the finishing touches on my yard. I am looking forward to days of sitting and reading, entertaining, and the day to day maintenance the yard requires.

I began my day at the Denver Botanic Gardens. I should be the spokesperson for getting a membership. Everytime I go I find a different landscape. Plus, the coffee shop makes a killer cambric tea, and the gift shop has the best home and garden items (hint hint for future Christmas gifts...)

I have always found gardening to be a metaphor for life. Each day brings something new. The garden only thrives if it is taken care of...fed, watered, tended to. It has its seasons when it bursts with energy or needs some time to be dormant. But it comes back, year after year, as vibrant as ever.

Summer vacation has begun

Today was my first day of my summer vacation. I had a very busy last day of work, with students in and out of the office until 6:30pm. That feeling of busyness carried over to today, but in a really good way. I woke up earlier than usual, took the dogs on a walk, made my breakfast. I called potential internship sites and sent resumes via email. I ran some errands, and then went flower shopping for Mike's grave. Meg and I were to meet for a stroll and coffee at Southglenn but she had some car issues to deal with; we saw each other quickly in front of Whole Foods, lamenting a bit about when life throws us lemons, and she was on her way. I got a perfectly brewed cambric tea and bought a few groceries. I picked up the boys' heartworm meds and made it home in time to get ready to meet a friend for some early snacking. I am home now, but still have a list of things to do. Change the sheets, run the dishes, put clothes away.

It all sounds like I am busying myself but in reality I love days like this. I haven't been this productive and out-and-about in weeks. I haven't had this kind of energy. I am feeling this palpable excitement about the summer, even if some days are spent running errands or cleaning up. And this is just day one. I can't wait to see what unfolds each day.