Shift happens

My yoga instructor said "shift happens" this morning as I dangled on the edge of my left foot. She seemed so genuine in her statement that I tried really hard not to let my laughter escape my throat. But to no avail. If I was going to hold my posture I had to let it out. Then she turned to me and said-I kid you not-"see it's happening already." All I could think of was my son's new word for me. Apparently I'm a "yogaist." So then I had to really let it out...all that "shifting" led to an earth shattering realization. I can never, ever just giggle. I'm a laugherist.

What we watch

When I tried to disconnect my landline the other day, the sales rep tried instead to sell me on an all access bundle of 400 channels, ti-vo, on-demand cable shows...and on and on and on. Nevermind that I called to disconnect a phone line and informed the kindly woman that I don't watch tv. She was breaking a sweat informing me of all that could be mine for just $139 a month.

I currently have 55 channels that come through my aging hulk of a tv. It gets turned on at least 5 times a week. Most of it is lost on me. My son is into watching sports highlights but not such a big deal I tell the breathless saleswoman again. "Oh, no we don't actually watch tv," I say, as if it's some sort of muck sitting in the corner of my living room.

But in all of my highfallutin' talk of the silly tv and how it really exists to make the human race dumber by the generation (maybe even by the minute) I remember my secret. I start to stammer in response to the lady on the other end of the line I am desperately trying to disconnect. I feel guilty. I do watch tv. In fact, it's my vice, the one that keeps me out of trouble. Maybe it makes me dumber but no heartaches or jail time in connection with 30 minute bouts of CSPAN.

I'm watching Gretchen Peters now talk about her book, "Seeds of Terror." I'm not just watching, Im into this. It looks like she's in a New York coffeehouse. I love watching overwhought intellectuals talk about their books...

I like Charlie Rose, too. And Bill Moyers.

I kept my 55 channels and the phone line, too. I had to make pennance somehow!

Quotes for all time

I just received a fantastic gift, "Cheatnotes on Life: Lessons from the Classroom of Life!" by my dear friend Donna Pinto (she was Blaurock back when the book was published). Donna wrote the book, pulling quotes from famous folks and making up her own to speak to the new college graduate. I'm way past college graduation but I found the messages inspiring in many ways.

Reading through them brought back to the surface a long held memory of my friends and I pasting our own quotes on our college dorm doors. The one I can't shake -"That's not jelly, that's jam"- was usually said when a particularly fine male specimen walked into sight. "Jam" became code amongst us. I think I'll start using it again!

Fom Donn's work, the timelessness of Dr. Seuss is right on target:

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose."

I'm taking hold of the wheel now....

Been Awhile

I've been overwhelmed and undermotivated. I stepped off the wheel long enough to see how fast it was spinning. Now I've got a pace and am hitting my stride...thanks to all the Mamas who inspire me.

Turtle collection

You made it into my blog! Lots and lots of turtles.

Guidance

I wonder how easy it is to be faithful to something you cannot see, touch, smell. Wouldn't it be nice to have a hand to hold through it all?

Balance

I'm not sure how it all gets done. I'm trying to make it look effortless. But is it all just juggling and rearranging what gets put in the list? Is living on the list? I'll make a new one tomorrow....Have an adventure is number one.