SUNBEAM SERENITY

There's just something about sunbeams! They are so warm and welcoming. The other day I'm laying on my mat in a hot yoga class. There is quiet rustling here and there as everyone gets settled and ready to sweat it out. Me, I'm checking out the ceiling tiles and the sunbeam that scores across right over my head.  "Hey Sunbeam, joining us for the class I see." No judgement emanates from Mr. Sunbeam, he's simply hanging out. 

 

Lulu is living the life on the couch. Like all my pets, they know the best welcome can be found in the sunbeam's embrace. They curl up for a snooze and enjoy the warmth. 

The plants too, after a day of rain yesterday, are sucking up all the sunbeam's goodness. 

Lot of photosynthesis going on right there!

How great would it be if we could be warm and welcoming and  ease up on our judgements. If we made people feel safe and comfortable enough to curl up and nap!  And we would help each other grow to reach full potential. 

This week, take your cue from the sunbeam and shine your light!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

I had last week off of work and spent most of it, weather allowing, working on the gardens. But not just the garden - we are putting in a new patio area and updating/completing our back deck as well.

We are under construction! And that means work. Hard, sometimes back breaking, dirty work. 

I hauled and shovelled bags of soil, adding in fresh and cleaned up the beds. I put a nice edge on the front garden and all down the back. 

I moved a few plants around and excavated baby trees and weeds. Then I spent stupid money at the Nursery and created a few planters and pots of flowers. I fell into bed exhausted. 

But just look at my results!

Good, happy soil makes for good happy plants!

The flower pots add nice punches of colour wherever I choose to move them.

But wait! There's more! We are putting in a new cement slab and a new gazebo. So I spent time moving dirt (more like brown glue!) and rocks that accumulated under a small deck that will be removed to make room. 

And I spent a lot of hours, bent over, removing all the debris between all the boards on the big back deck. Every. Single. One. 

Sheldon is prepping to remove the old stain before we can restain and finally finish this deck.

Maybe you are under Construction too. Maybe you are working on your whole life! It will be hard, sometimes back breaking work. But believe in the finished product. The results will be amazing!

I NEED THERAPY!

I was scrolling through my Facebook feed this morning and came across some pics and a video of puppies...Golden Doodle puppies...a whole pack....all fat and fluffy running around. My friend called it "Puppy Therapy". 

Now that's good therapy. Chasing around a bunch of roly-poly puppies. Sign Me Up!

Unfortunately, I don't have a pack of Golden Doodle puppies but I do need some therapy, so I've got a few other options.

Garden Therapy!

Almost overnight, our brown dull world turned into a startling green one. After numerous rainy days we get some pay-back and I spent most of the afternoon rummaging around  in the front garden and taking in the sights and smells. The worms are fat and abundant, the daffodils are ready to pop, the earth smells rich and fresh. 

Baby Therapy!

Babies, especially happy, fresh-out-of-the-bathtub and sweet smelling one are great!!

Comfort Food Therapy!

Whatever works for you: macaroni and cheese, warm chocolate chip cookies, grilled cheese. Avocado toast with grilled mushrooms and drizzled with Black Truffle Oil works for me.

Mornings and Coffee Therapy

I admit it. I'm a irritatingly-early morning person. So I will just slip out of bed so as not to disturb you and hang with the pets. A big comfy chair, a blanket and a hot cup of cinnamon laced coffee is what I need. A time of quiet for prayer and meditation makes for some of the best therapy around!

So all you hard working and time strapped humans, if you need therapy, go out there and find it. The world and its demands just keep coming. Grief and frustrations will pile up. But you can tap out and give yourself some time to regroup and refresh your mental health. Go Chase Some Puppies!!