My Grama's Soul

Living in Arizona is brutal in the summer.  This summer has been very humid and hot but I feel a change in the air and I know fall is right around the corner.  As the Buddha so apply states, the only thing permanent about life is its' impermanence.  I have paraphrased here as I can't exactly remember how he phrased it...but you get the gist.                                 He was one "wise cookie"!                                          Stay happy,                                               Jo

Didn't post yesterday as I had some minor surgery, am back at it again today.  I love all the Buddhas I have around my home.  Although I am not a Buddhist, the remind me to show compassion to my fellow human beings.                                Jo  

I have spent most of my adult life trying to find silence within....that calmness we all seek...free from anxiety and worry.  This 71st year of my life I am going to focus on just that!   It seems as though I am not alone in this endeavor as yogis and meditators seem to lurking around every corner in social media.  I know this is certainly not a new situation in our society....in fact it has been around since the beginning of man only their anxiety came from a different source...(not getting eaten alive by predators);  although some would say that situation exists today, as well.  :) Each one of us approaches this area of our life in our own way, for me it is starting a yoga class.   Over the years I have neglected my self care always focusing on my husband, worrying about my adult children or fussing with my home.  This year is going to be a year of self care and hopefully I will continue this for the remainder of my l...

"THE ART OF WISDOM IS KNOWING WHEN TO SPEAK YOUR MIND....AND WHEN TO MIND YOUR SPEECH." Don't know where I found this, but I think it could certainly apply to the world of today. Just saying' Me

I don't recommend many books on my blog, although I am a voracious reader. This is one book that I felt should be shared with all of you in blog land. THE UNTETHERED SOUL.....by Michael A Singer...this small book  takes you right to the heart of mindfulness and the yoga of the mind.   Because our world is getting more complicated all the time and all of us just trying to cope with this;  I feel each of us  is searching for that place inside where peace and calm resides.   We aren't looking for a temporary fix....but a permanent solution.  The message delivered in this book can provide that if you are just willing to open your heart to the wisdom that is shared here. Managing our thoughts is difficult in the best of times...but by attempting to put some of the ideas into practice as explained here each of us will be building mental muscle that will carry us for a lifetime. It is a simple read and right to the point. I th...

My husband and I have only been in our new spot since August of this year...and with family happenings and just life in general...we have not been able to finish  some of the projects we want to do around here.  One of them is our little back yard. I love to garden and aim to have a wonderful garden in this house as well. I garden in pots for the most part as our soil here in AZ is so bad....although, we have made a small raised bed in the yard. It is visible in the above photo.  We have not decided what to plant yet but that will be done by the end of the month or early March.  Many of these plants were brought over from our big house and have managed to survive our hot, hot summer so I think they will survive in this new spot. I'm trying vegetables for the first time this year.  I have never attempted to grow then in pots so we will see what happens.  Above we have strawberries and red swiss chard along with oregano, thym...

Here is the little garden that graces the front door to our new, sweet little spot.  I have always believed that your front door area  gives such an important message as to who lives inside. It is a welcome to all who visit your home.  Most of these plantings were in place when we purchased this house.  However, the previous owner was a very tidy gardner and liked everything shaped into little tiny balls.   Not so.....with us.  We like a much more lush feel to our gardens.  The tree in the corner is a Ficus and the previous owner was kind enough to leave it for us to enjoy.  The tree is in such a large pot that it allows the Vinca to thrive below.  I might add that much of these planting are volunteers ( which all of you KNOW THAT I LOVE.....less work). I have always believed that a fountain will help plants thrive.....it could be inside our outside the door.....either place will give such a serene feel. W...

Dusk is the most perfect time of day... The bees have done their work The birds have temporarily ceased  their songs The ripples in the bird bath have faded to just a stir It feels as if the earth has just taken its last inhale of the day and let its breath out slowly and ever so silently..as though to say.  Ahhhh...all is well Now the night can do the work it does while the sun does its work somewhere else. Rest will come knowing rhythms and cycles continue on  Day to night Night to day Nothing complicated....just simplicity... and continuity Be restful sweet friends Jo

What do you see when you first open your eyes in the morning?  Is it a chair full of clothes and clutter....things stacked everywhere, or do you see something pleasing to the eye. Since having cataract surgery on both of my eyes this last few months (hence my absence from blogging).....the window to my world is much improved.    Instead of seeing the world as a constant blur...I see everything crystal clear.  All the pretty and the not so pretty. However, one thing I do believe is a necessity in life is to make sure the first thing one looks upon when waking up to greet the day is beauty!  It does not have to be something costly or precious...just something that brings a smile to your face and makes you glad to be alive.   This is my bedroom garden with a few of my buddhas, a small stereo and some of my playful hats.  Of course the sunshine here in AZ doesn't hurt...but even on a cold cloudy day it still brings a s...

Do you know anyone who is absolutely UNABLE TO LIVE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE?  Unfortunately, I do. It is one of the saddest things I have ever seen.  I have often wondered why some people are able to see beauty everywhere and make something out of nothing and others can't see past the end of their nose.  This certainly is not a criticism it is just an observation. I don't think it is matter of your childhood environment or a case of having money or not.  I know plenty of people who had less than stellar childhoods and  who barely have two pennies to rub together and they still THRIVE on beauty.   I know I had a extremely difficult childhood and I was never TAUGHT to make MY LIFE BEAUTIFUL.  Somehow along the way I picked it up...and I have lived in some pretty dismal places during my lifetime.  Yet...I have always made them beautiful in their own way with whatever I had on hand. Using something in a new way to sp...

Who says you can't have a rainforest in Arizona? I am out to prove them wrong.  These are pics of my front court yard this summer.  Full of palms, trees, shrubs and flowers..... The spider plants you see in the foreground....are mostly volunteers.  I started with one plant about three inches tall....and they just keep multiplying over the years. The huge ferns in back I have had for over 20 years. What always amazes me is how with ll5 degree summers and freezing winters these things just thrive and multiply. Another peek through my palms....painted the chairs this summer...fun...fun colors. This little sign is always on my porch.  It hangs about my fountain that runs 24/7....maybe it helps...who knows?  LOL LOL I hope everyone is having fun with their summer gardens this year....you know what they say...."more is more". hugs, Jo