create adventures...

I saw this quote is on a t-shirt. It reminds me of 'artist dates' part of Julia Cameron's prescription from her famous book, The Artist's Way (I may have mentioned her before). An artist dates is a weekly solo outing to explore, inspire yourself and fill the inner well.

It reminds me to get out of the house on days where I have free time and no plans. Maybe I will document a simple Artist Date in the near future.

I also see it as a reminder to accept opportunities that come my way = potential new adventure. After joining the International Women's Club, an opportunity appeared for 'editor of the newsletter'. My initial reaction was  that it sounded fun, creative, and an opportunity to learn a new skill. So I inquired. Now I am in the process of learning how it's put together and learning what is involved in this volunteer position.

This is from the small book, 'Meditations from The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron:
"As artists, we must learn to be self-nourishing. We must become alert enough to consciously replenish our creative resources as we draw on them - to restock the trout pond, so to speak. I call this process filling the well. In filling the well, think magic. Think delight. Think fun. Do not think duty. Do not do what you should do - spiritual sit-ups like reading a dull but recommended critical text. Do what intrigues you, explore what interests you; think mystery, not mastery."

don't change

19 years ago this day... Michael Hutchence left this world.
Here is my annual memorial tribute with my favorite INXS song:

From the Gut

Trying to move forward.

Today at the English Library I borrowed a book I knew of but never read by Chris Guillebeau, "The $100 Start Up - Reinventing the way you make a living, Do what you love, and Create a new future".
It's time to motivate, and I am hoping for some ideas and possibilities to find/create a new livelihood.

A house I passed on my walk to Slow Food

Tumeric-Ginger Kombucha

I  walked up to the Slow Food Market on Saturday and bought some Kombucha from the couple who sell fermented foods. I am curious if I notice any improvements. Kombucha is a fermented beverage with sweetened tea and is supposed to have good health properties, including probiotics, for a healthy gut. Our gut is responsible for the majority of health and overall well-being! This is an informative article by Kris Carr, Wellness Expert - http://kriscarr.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-gut-health/

I have regular email conversation with my super-health-conscious friend in Quebec. She studies a lot on health and nutrition makes adjustments to her diet as needed. We both agree, as much as possible - "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”- Hippocrates

N o v e m b e r

Slightly cooler days
Epic ballgame for the Cubs World Series win!
Nanowrimo month
Clocks move back
Daylight lessens toward winter

We cast our votes from abroad
hoping for the best
on U.S. Presidential election day.

Remembering to stop
breathe deeply
and consciously.

So thankful for
friends
family
opportunity
love
and grace.

oct 31

h  a  p  p  y       h  a  l  l  o  w  e  e  n

 

Paseo de las Ánimas

As part of the Día de Muertos events,  Friday was the Paseo de las Animas (Passage of the Souls) procession.  (http://www.merida.gob.mx/municipio/eventos/hanalpixan/paseodelasanimas-ENG.html)

George and I walked up to the cemetery to see the beginning of the Maya Ceremony X’Men, and the
procession. It was nice to experience a little bit of this grand event, though we did not walk the procession to San Juan plaza. Below are a few photos of our views. I love the painted faces in the skull-like designs.

The cemetery is a beautiful place at night with the old mausoleums and angel sculptures, with its reminder of that fine line, between life and death.

f y i

 
I am not sure how common this is, but I am sharing  because it happened to me twice now.

If you ever cook with chayote squash or the dark green flat-round squash, (and possibly other varieties?) be careful handling them. I cut up the dark green squash last night and it has a residue that can irritate your skin. On my hand that was holding the squash, the skin on my fingers became a little shiny and felt sticky sort of like a thin film of glue.

I don't remember exactly what I did when it happened before with the chayote, but I googled it and found it is recommended to wear gloves when handling. However, if you get the irritated skin to try using a scrubber sponge over it, rub some baking soda with water to scrub/exfoliate, put some coconut or olive oil on it, or use packing tape.

I tried them all but sticking a piece of duct tape to the finger and then pulling it off, actually removed the sticky substance best! (The way you would use tape to remove lint.) Then I just rubbed some coconut oil on my hands and it was much better. It eventually wears off and goes away, but I found this to be the most effective approach. For what it's worth.