insomnia + books

 

Insomnia - habitual sleeplessness; inability to sleep. I've had it on and off over many years. It always comes and goes which makes me grateful when I sleep through the night. I attribute it to age, menopause, sometimes wine, or oversized worries in the middle of the night.

It's staying asleep that is my problem which is called 'middle insomnia'. Sometimes I will glance at the time - 12:00 or 1:00, but this week it's 2:30 or 3:30 and I am awake. I've tried a number of natural remedies and occasionally take melatonin. Maybe it helps. I am never sure.

So I've been catching up on some reading. So I thought I'd share the books I'm reading at those ungodly hours!
I tend to wait and get bargain deals on kindle books, and mostly non-fiction.

 
I just finished "Life's Golden Ticket: A Story About Second Chances" by Brendon Burchard. It's an inspirational parable. (I think it is available for free, in PDF, if you google it.)

"At Home in the World, Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe" by Tsh Oxenrider
(pronounced Tish) and her husband who are seasoned travelers and have lived abroad, took their three kids traveling to various countries for nine months. I'm enjoying this book but am only a few chapters in -where their next stop is Singapore.

"Present over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living" by Shauna Niequist. I have read most of her books and love her stories, and writing style.

"Do Your Om Thing: Bending Yoga Tradition to Fit Your Modern Life" by Rebecca Pacheco

A few newer books I recently heard about that I want to read (but have to wait until they come down in price) are:

Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy - by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant. (I listed to a podcast interview from 'On Being')

The Rules Do Not Apply: A Memoir - by Ariel Levy (I saw this book on a post from Sarah Jessica Parker on instagram!)

Hallelujah Anyway: Rediscovering Mercy - by Anne Lamott

Hourglass: Time, Memory, Marriage - by Dani Shapiro

Eat This Poem: A Literary Feast of Recipes Inspired by Poetry - by Nicole Gulotta

And this one sits on my wishlist:
M Train - by Patti Smith

This is only a small sampling because I have a book problem addiction fondness.
Please let me know if you have any tips to help with 'middle insomnia', or other book recommendations I should know about!


Sleep Well.

a poem

In honor of poetry month, I am sharing a poem by Naomi Shihab Nye.

Valentine for Ernest Mann

You can't order a poem like you order a taco.
Walk up to the counter, say, "I'll take two"
and expect it to be handed back to you
on a shiny plate.

Still, I like your spirit.
Anyone who says, "Here's my address,
write me a poem," deserves something in reply.
So I'll tell a secret instead:
poems hide. In the bottoms of our shoes,
they are sleeping. They are the shadows
drifting across our ceilings the moment
before we wake up. What we have to do
is live in a way that lets us find them.

Once I knew a man who gave his wife
two skunks for a valentine.
He couldn't understand why she was crying.
"I thought they had such beautiful eyes."
And he was serious. He was a serious man
who lived in a serious way. Nothing was ugly
just because the world said so. He really
liked those skunks. So, he re-invented them
as valentines and they became beautiful.
At least, to him. And the poems that had been hiding
in the eyes of skunks for centuries
crawled out and curled up at his feet.

Maybe if we re-invent whatever our lives give us
we find poems. Check your garage, the off sock
in your drawer, the person you almost like, but not quite.
And let me know. 

-Naomi Shihab Nye

new article

I have new article on The Yucatan Times today -
http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2017/04/congregation-in-santiago-offers-english-services/

Happy Easter and Happy Passover!

Learning pinterest

Light show at Plaza Grande

Recently I have been reacquainting myself with pinterest.

I know..... it's been around for awhile and MANY people use it, but I never really got on the pinterest-train until this week. During a conversation with Mario (my Merida hermano) about social media, he was telling me how he likes and uses it for ideas for recipes, design, and so much more.

After that I decided to dig out my old login and give it a whirl. It's pretty much an endless supply of information and ideas. It can be a bit overwhelming, but is certainly a great resource.

 Nevertheless, while a little exploring I was delighted to find an interesting travel blogger who currently lives in Mexico City, and a recipe for Mexican Zucchini Burrito Boats which is on the menu for dinner! (The dish was good, but the actual recipe photo looks better than mine does below.)

If any pinterest enthusiasts have tips, favorite finds, or suggestions for a newbie..... please let me know.

Chili Peppers

I attended a big literary event (FILEY) with some writer friends this week, and on the way back we had a conversation about chili peppers. My spicy-heat tolerance is mild-to-medium. They were telling me different health benefits of peppers and you can build your tolerance. That sounded like something I could learn more about and experiment with, especially while living in Mexico. (Thanks Martine!)

So I bought three peppers at the produce market today: I can't remember the name of the yellow one.

I started googling about peppers: health benefits, different kinds, how to cook with them, etc. So far the tips I've read are that it's recommended to wear some disposable gloves when cutting the peppers and removing seeds and membrane. And if you burn your mouth to avoid water and use dairy - drink milk, have some yogurt, or even ice cream.

Chili peppers contain the molecular compound capsaicin which apparently aids in weight loss and fighting cancer.

Some health benefits include:

Increase circulation
Contains lots of vitamin C
Help lower bad cholesterol
Help improve digestion
Help lose weight
Help lower blood pressure
Help fight inflammation

 I plan to make some vegetarian chili and chop up Serrano, or maybe a a bit of all three, and add just a bit. I now the Poblano peppers are commonly roasted, and can be stuffed. I have to start out slow! Any suggestions or recipes are welcome.


I found this site to be interesting and helpful; http://www.chilipeppermadness.com/
Dr. Axe has an article about capsaican here: https://draxe.com/capsaicin/
 

g r a t i t u d e

Attention to gratitude might be a trendy thing, but I just finished reading, 'The Gratitude Diaries, How A Year Looking on the Bright Side Can Transform Your Life' by Janice Kaplan. I enjoyed her stories, studies, and interviews about the positive affect gratitude can make in your health, attitude, and life, as well as influence on others. It's a year-long project exploring and practicing gratitude.

I've tried gratitude practices in the past like noting one-to-three specific things from the day to be grateful for in a journal, and another time via email with a friend.

What I like about this book is how she made gratitude a lifestyle by daily actions. It can be retraining yourself to pay attention, notice and acknowledge the good, the blessings.  And learning to re-frame your responses when life hands you challenging or frustrating situations.

Clever planter!

I also like how she began the year by noticing and appreciating her husband each day. By stopping to appreciate things he did, and not taking anything for granted had a very positive influence on their marriage. Counselors confirmed practicing gratitude strengthened neural circuits for love and connection, like fitness strengthens your body. (note to self: good place to start.)

Of course it's easier to be grateful for nice people, good circumstances, favorable conditions.... but she also has examples of people going through loss and hardship, and how they still choose to be positive, and make the most of their lives.

 Being an impetus of appreciation and kindness, and helping others goes a long way. It is very reciprocal, usually you feel better in return, and those touched by gratitude tend to be pay-it-forward. Gratitude is an action.

Así es la vida.

Recently

Here is a little photo update. We took a walk and saw they still do that video mapping on the Cathedral and saw the pretty flowers/colors.

 
This morning we passed by Parque Santa Lucia and noticed they added a Merida sign by the 'Edith Ann' chairs.😁












We took a ride on the scooter and rode through a colorful cemetery. Seriously, the colors and mausoleums everywhere make it seem, dare I say, cheerful, considering it is a cemetery.

And then we drove around the park area that goes on for blocks. Paseo Verde.

There is an area that looks like a playground, but it's crazy really! Look at those swings. I don't even know how you get on them. George walked up the stairs but it's kind of scary.

 There are many places we have not been yet and will have to make some effort to get out and explore more.