Off to Columbus

Off to Columbus
Tomorrow, 4 am makes the beginning of my orientation of my new position in work. I must admit to some nerves...and I decided today that they result from be "given" this opportunity instead of fighting for it, and the expectations that sometimes come with a gift.
This is a picture of one of the walls at the Alamo...exactly how I feel at the moment...with the small gift of the mailbox?/window...which will hopefully circulate enough air to breathe...
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The Oxbow

The Oxbow
I was lucky enough to have lunch today at the Oyster "place" at the Oxbow. I think this is my new favorite meal...raw oysters with a light oil/vinegar/pepper sauce, clam chowder as you have never had it before (verified with raves from an East Coast customer today)...steamed clams, potatoes, carrots and an amazing broth/cream based "soup" with bacon, a multi "white" grilled cheese/delicious bread sandwich and fresh lemonade...just lovely!
This is a picture of the bottom/side of the rowboat/dingy that hangs from the ceiling over the center of the service area. The colors are varied greens, reds, browns, and blues...all made perfect by the fact that the are multi-leveled, and in some cases peeling...and you know how I LOVE peeling paint...
This was the second time I have had this fabulous spread...and yes, the second time is as good, and in some categories of life better, than the first...

Water

Water
It is Friday...thank goodness. I am tired tonight, and not feeling too creative...that was pretty much sucked out of me this afternoon...and now it just feels good to be quiet. I have a need for water, met by time at the beach, long hot showers, and time in the tub with candles and Cowboy Junkies. The past few days have been filled with rain, and a bit of hail in Northern California. Monday I head to Columbus, Ohio...for work, and have been told that I may be missing my ass which is in danger of freezing off there...not such a bad thing!

This is a picture of a 'water fall' at the Alamo in San Antonio...I love the way the water dances, something I hope to enjoy when I have a bit more energy....

Day One...

Day One...
I have said it before, and I will say it again...I am one of the luckiest women in the World. Today I unexpectedly had a tour of duty in my new position..."orientation" is next week in Ohio...so today was teach one, prior to doing one. I am prepared via prior positions (and motherhood), and am excited to feel as though this is what I may have been meant to do, at least at this point in my life.

Driving home tonight I marveled that I am paid to do something so interesting, challenging, that demands thought, the "right" words AND "matters". (I have a personal need regarding "mattering" that could actually be a novel in itself!)

This is a picture I took last weekend at the Alamo, in San Antonio. It was their "Hospital"...the bed look scary and uncomfortable...and a far cry of the standard of care today. It was interesting to see, and conjured up thoughts of Florence and those who have come before me...brave Women who gave of themselves and paved the way for others...including me....

elle 23

elle 23
As the saying goes, this is where it begins and ends for hair. I was fortunate to have been introduced to Leesa 8 years ago by my daughter, and her friends. They were concerned that my then current hair dresser made me look older than necessary, which I though was a unique concern coming from a group of 15 and 16 year old girls. I was ready for a change, and made my appointment. Leesa had several facial piercings, something that 8 years ago I found slightly scary...but the girls were right, she is a Master, and over the years we have become friends.

It has become interesting to me how everyone struggles with something... some have a heavier burden, none of us are burden free. Since I have some life experience Leesa does not, and she has life experience I am attempting to reclaim, we are a perfect match and no topic is off limits...making for a entertaining conversation, including laughter and tears. The frosting on the cake is that I leave looking better to myself than when I arrived.

Today's topic was "love"...not surprising. She is attending a relationship class and shared with me that "I love you" has nothing to do with passion, sexuality, emotionality, etc. Simply defined it means "I recognize and accept you for who you are, and...who you are not". Today's conversation was a little deeper than it regularly is...and gave me a full menu to consider...one of the many reasons I am grateful to call Leesa my friend...

San Antonio Bark

San Antonio Bark
San Antonio, like most Cities, has ordinary things that when looked at from a slightly different angle are quite fascinating. This is a picture of a tree trunk with beautiful peeling bark...the color crisp and the texture bumpy.
One thing I have recently noticed about myself is that I have moments of smoothness and moments of feeling bumpy...chemically speaking. I am learning when and what feels best, and am seeking to incorporate this chemistry into my every day life. I am wondering if it is possible to arrive at a place where most days are settled and the overall feelings are one of peace, joy, and fulfillment. I really do get the whole "no pain, no gain" theory...and "how difficult times can help us grow"...
Some day I am looking forward to not needing to gain, and being grown up...

Looking thru Wire

Look thru Wire
I am home from San Antonio...and too tired to load pictures tonight. In looking for something that was meaningful...this is perfect. I bought a book this afternoon for the plane ride home. I love browsing the bookstore, though have difficulty finding books I want to give my time to. I choose a book I had recently heard about...possibly ( I am hate to admit it) on Oprah. In some areas of my life I had had the same view lately as the Horse above!...looking thru something (maybe wire) though overall seeing pretty clearly. 10 pages in to this book, the author described me...and having seen that description helped to make the wire dissolve...one of the most worthwhile plane rides of my life...and there have been many lately.
I am looking forward to finishing this book...not all will apply, though that is okay...my wire is now down....