V is visiting some historical, romantic and scenic places. She went to Bavaria, Germany imbedded with palaces as far back as the 6th century and headed for Salzburg, Austria, birthplace of Mozart and renowned for its Baroque architecture.
Fuessen in Bavaria
V in Salzburg – Our little Hummel
HABEN EINE WUNDERBARE ZEIT – Have a wonderful/lovely time!
Our youngest chickadee left very early this morning for her sophomore year in college. Here we are, alone again like two young twenty somethings. Except we are smack dab in the middle of our fifties and have 5 pets living at home still. Three cats, one doggie and one hamster. I am quite content and look forward to our ‘alone again’ time. I am even more madly in love with this man I call my husband than ever.
Today, cell phones abound and they are teeny and smart. High definition and flat screens are de riguer and most everyone has upgraded to stainless in the kitchen. The internet, the web, video calling, playing, chatting and movie watching is a common scene on small computers we call laptops or notebooks. The world has really changed in the last twenty years or so, even more than at any other time.
Even between my son and my youngest daughter, a span of five and a half years, there is quite a difference in the exposure and face of technology but a lack of evolution on the human compassion scale and historical level.
The Simpsons and Seinfeld debuted in 1990. The Hubbel Space Telescope is launched and quarks are confirmed as a reality. Personal computers are still in black and green and white only.
By 1993, when V was born, the World Wide Web was also born. Terrorism arrives and the first bombing of the World Trade Center happens, precursor to 9/11. Rodney King and the LA riots resemble and predate Ferguson. Humans are cloned. Film can now be converted into digital bits and can be cut on a computer.
When my youngest arrived in 1995, terrorism again struck in Oklahoma and OJ Simpson was declared not guilty. Genetically manufactured produce is first being approved by the FDA and the White House launches its first web page. Spamming becomes a thing as e-mail use starts to climb. “You got mail” remember that?
Today, terrorism has destroyed the World Trade Center and continues to escalate around the world, OJ is in jail for a different crime but behind bars nonetheless, Family Guy and The Simpsons meet in the new season, everything is done it seems by computer like self-checkout at the grocery store, cloning, GMO’s and computer hacking is rampant and I actually got to see multi universes in photographs from the Hubbel Space Telescope in a New York museum near Ground Zero and I have been happily blogging on my very own website for over two years.
Will wonders never cease?
Alone again, but richer experiences. Alone again, just us two, but with a lifetime of memorable moments, traditions and pictures of our three chickadees. Alone again, a new phase, with a fun and wonderful future agenda illuminated by a full and rewarding past.
The Ambiguity of Life
The uncertainty we feel and the vague moment to moment and “What comes next?” or “Now what?” question is part of reality.
On the one hand, it is always the first time and the gloriousness of change and movement and momentum is infectious and never boring.
On the other hand, the ambivalence can be frightening and unsettling. Those of us who desire security, structure and knowledge can never be guaranteed stability.
We have to make friends with the incertitude. We need to come to terms with the fact that we do not know anything, cannot predict anything and that anything can happen at any time. It takes courage to live in that awareness and perhaps that is why many find it difficult to meditate.
Awareness is always meditating on something. You realize you are not the experience but a part of the experience. You understand that the truth is beyond the mind. Meditation brings mindfulness and erases the needless chatter. In deep presence of your soul, you even feel your blood flow. With profound contemplation, you encounter your body and realize you are not your body.
Be willing to master yourself.
Good blessings come when you let go.
Dismantle your imagined self and become your reborn self.
We have constant opportunities to let go.
In beginner’s mind or “I don’t know” mind, we can receive the gift of optimistic potentiality.
In your meditation, inquire, “Who am I?” and then stay in the place of “don’t know”.
What is God? God is the witness of your mind in the micro cosmic orbit of “don’t know” mind.
Part of Verse 33 of the Tao Te Ching
Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.
If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich.
Part of Verse 65
When they think that they know the answers, people are difficult to guide. When they know that they don’t know, people can find their own way.
You have all the answers inside of you.
As V rails through Germany she sends texts and pictures via What’s App (An amazing tool for free!!! to use with international travelers and family abroad). She visited Bach’s hometown of Leipzig, then proceeded to Weimar, Dresden and Nuremberg.
Could anything be more picturesque? Tomorrow she is headed for Munich and will be attending a national Soccer game with her favorite players on the field.
Ich wünsche Ihnen ales Gute - I wish you well!
What moment are you living now? Is it full of fear and dread or is it aglow with love and light?
We are spirit and timeless and we always are but it’s in the moment that we have the lightening thought of peace and now that we understand this. That moment is irretrievable and now that moment is gone. There is no next guaranteed moment so all we have is THIS moment. The concept of being in the NOW was fully explained in Eckhart Tolle’s book but is still difficult to grasp. Once you pause and find yourself fully in the moment, you will keep searching for the peace and cannot help seeking the spiritual in your earth life.
Every moment of joy, every minute of truth and all your exchanges of love become the infinite reality of your soul.
My mind wants to analyze but peace only comes through to the quiet mind that is not thinking but remains in the now. The higher energy transmits in the now and that thought brings peace and serenity. I remember the first time I felt peace I did not know what it was. I mentioned the feeling to another and they assured me I was on my way…..
You can’t get away from the Eternal Present. That is where you Higher Power resides. That is why it is said – “(he) is among us.”
Seek to be guided and healed. When we heal, the world heals.
V, my New Yorker, is in Germany for the next two weeks enjoying the country, vistas, sites, language, trains and FOOD!!! She spent one month or so studying German at the University of Berlin, two summers ago. She is backpacking it now and living in youth hostels in each location. She is living a dream and at 21 this is the time to do it!
Of course our first correspondence had to do with food. She returned to a favorite ice cream parlor and had the best ice cream ever – Marzipan (almond). 
Outside the Ice cream parlor – I guess EIS means ice. Notice the passerby with cone in hand and bright yellow building in the background. Trees in cities always makes them picturesque.
She also had the best falafel of her life she said. It was prepared in this cozy kitchen and made to order.
Fast food in Berlin
I will be reporting and posting on her whereabouts and experiences, sprinkled throughout my blog, for the next two weeks.
I used to mock and feel sorry for people who babied their pets. I resented how some people seemed to care more about their animals than their human friends/family. I couldn’t believe how much someone would spend to save their domestic companions’ lives or limbs. I thought maybe all these people were obsessed or deranged.
I mock no more.
As the result of “empty nester syndrome”, we have re-fallen in love with our cats and all of a sudden have a penchant for dogs!!!! My husband diligently takes care of my daughter’s hamster, cleaning the cage bimonthly and feeding it daily. Our felines have always been treated well but now they have all of our attention and caresses. We walk our dog, Cindi, more than anyone in the neighborhood, as reported by our next door neighbor.
This weekend, my husband taped and we all (the girls were home) watched “Too Cute” shows on Animal Planet which follows one half hour of the cutest puppies, their mom, their situation and then what happens as they grow and leave to make children and families happy. And then, one half hour of the same, but with the sweetest kittens and cats.
And Cindi, how do we cherish her? Well, she’s in a class by herself. My husband recently found a stroller for her at a garage sale so he can travel with her, I suppose incognito? I think he figures if she’s bundled up enough we can take her anywhere. I just gave Cindi a bath and I always sing her the “This is the way we wash our hair” song I used to sing to the kids. Pretty soon I will be taking her paws and cycling them and singing “The Wheels on the Bus”.
Not only do I not mock anymore – WE have become those crazy animal loving people!!!!!!!!!!
And the latest fashion craze !
August brought many arrivals, the girls whom are blossoming flowers and a bouquet and a wreath.
The Growing Garden Wreath is begging for some cute small tiny shovels and rakes, maybe a few extra dried flowers, too. The natural burlap keeps this wreath earthy and the petite garden pots with garden moss gives it an organic theme. Purple larkspur is juxtaposed within.
“A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”– Antoine de Saint-Exupery
The fresh flowers include Telstar iris, blue thistle, green button mums, red and cream roses, orange flecked alstroemeria and green Israeli ruscus.
“Flowers… are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out values all the utilities of the world.”
When I saw the owner at the Healthy Junk line, I introduced her to my daughter V. She remembered I did say I wanted to bring my vegan daughter to taste her food two weeks ago. She quickly took our order herself, saving us at least five minutes. The place was mobbed with foodies dining from five options.
We enjoyed and shared the best vegan salad ever (see earlier post), a portobello burger with special sauce, spicy ‘chicken’ wings’ with ranch, sweet potato rings, carrot cake (see earlier post) and peach cobbler.
Later, after thoroughly filling up, we all traipsed around the Anaheim Promenade and the Packhouse across the street.
A live band was playing and singing sweet tunes, a screen displayed them on the second floor and people were munching from over a dozen eateries, enjoying Saturday at the re-furbished Packing House.
“So long as you have food in your mouth, you have solved all questions for the time being.” – Franz Kafka
It’s Friday! Last day for the girls in their Berkeley abode. They are on their way home! Then one whole day with V and off to Germany and environs she goes! One whole week with E and back to school for her.
It’s that time of year again when kids are coming and going in every family. Back to school soon and the last few hurrahs of summer for most. Teachers are revving up, books are being sold, classes are hopefully getting cleaned and the stores are stocked with stationery items.
As I hug and hold and snuggle with my little chickadees again, I will cherish the precious, few moments and bless the tops of their sweet little heads.