Competa, Spain

 

So here it is, this little village.  Just a few months ago I didn't even know it existed.

These people, this life, they go on even though I, in my own universe, didn't ever know of them.

What other worlds are unexplored?  How can it be that I had never heard of Competa?

Consider the Lilies

The Enlightenment Necklace

Eckhart Tolle, in his book A New Earth, talks about the lightness of a bird and a crystal and a flower.  He indicates that they are an opening into the realm of the spiritual.   Also, that the dove, the jewel in the lotus flower, and the lily have all played a part in spirituality and human consciousness since ancient times.

     Christ said, "And why take ye thought for raiment?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin..."  (Matthew 6:28).  When I consider the lilies, or the crystals, or the dove, I feel lighter and more able to remember that the things weighing me down emotionally are not what really matters.  And I can remember to look into the realm of the spiritual.

And I spin less.  

I made this necklace to remind me.  Priceless.  But the necklace is $48.

Photogenic part 2

I like this picture of myself.  People tell me it makes me look young and thin. 

Or does it make me look like myself? 

Am I photogenic?

Photogenic

(photo taken by Rose when we were in a very hot and primitive youth hostel in Malaga, Spain)

When I was young, people used to tell me I was photogenic. To me it meant that I looked better in photos than I did in real life.  I don't get told that anymore.

Now that I am older, if I am unaware of the camera, I sometimes like my photo. Like the one above. Or maybe it is because I am halfway behind a wall?


When I know the camera is there, this is what happens to my face--I look mean:

(photo taken by someone...)

Usually the mean look is because I am not smiling so my cheeks don't appear chubby, or I think I am looking "natural" (naturally mean?).


Or there is the fake smile, trying to be very casual (and not let the cheeks take over).  Trying to not look like I am posing:

(photo taken by Doug when we were near the top of a church spire in Copenhagen, Denmark)

Even with a talented photographer, I end up with a pinched, fake smile (sorry to throw you under the bus, too, Barb):

(photo taken by Jimmy Toro for the TallulahsJewelry.com website)

So, thanks, Rose, for getting one while I was looking the other way  (and partially covered by a wall).  Now that I am no longer photogenic, does it mean I look better in real life?

The Flow and Beauty of Running

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Eddie at an XC meet

Jax at an XC meet

Jessie A. once told me that seeing a runner on the street gives her the urge to run.  I didn't believe her then.  I wasn't yet a runner.

Now I know what she was talking about.  Seeing someone run fluidly reminds me of how good it feels when I get into what I call the "rhythm" or flow of my run.  And it makes me want to move.

Yesterday I saw three deer running through the neighborhood.  I stopped the carpool and just stared in awe.  It made me want to move.  Humans were also made to run.  It is a beautiful form of movement.


I admire the stamina, determination and tenacity it takes to run Cross Country.   I see the effort and time my boys put into this sport.  Again, I watch with awe. 

I wish my photography skills could capture the moments better (and that my camera would take the picture right when I push the button--I get lots of shots of the port-a-potties in the background just after my runners fly past me!).

For more on running and flow, check out Danny Dreyer's book Chi Running (http://www.amazon.com/ChiRunning-Revolutionary-Approach-Effortless-Injury-Free/dp/1416549447/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1253179498&sr=1-1).  Then tell me what you think about it.

BTW, this is what Liv thinks of the XC Meets (boring!):

Yes.  Things of beauty.

Is it Denim or Chambray? Is it 1985?

The clothes this season make it clear that the 80's have returned.  MC Hammer pants (really?), acid washed jeans, neon colors, padded shoulders, boyfriend jackets, stirrup pants.  I don't plan to embrace all of these retread styles, but one I really like is the return of the denim/chambray dress. 

Rose and I noticed lots of these cute, lightweight denim dresses in Spain.  Is lightweight denim necessarily chambray?  Or is chambray more of a twill that looks like denim?  I don't know.  But this is a style I can adopt.  I'll put the MC Hammer pants on hold for now. 

The photo above is one I took on the streets in Copenhagen.  I noticed these dresses were popular there, too (and I don't have my shots from Spain yet).

Hey, I'm a 10 here!

I'm not sure what I expected when I went to Key West. Well, yes I am sure. I thought I would see a few picturesque houses with gardens like those I'd seen in decorating magazines, and I thought I'd see lots of beautiful people living a relaxing island lifestyle. Boy, was I surprised! There were not only a few beautiful homes, but street after street of flower draped gates leading to colorful clapboard cottages. As I biked around the island, my jaw dropping with each turn of the corner, I would have to stop and text Barb about this amazing place (because she really gets the value of a beautiful thing and a visually stimulating abode!). The abundance of beautiful properties was not my only surprise in Key West. The beautiful people living a relaxing island lifestyle were actually aging hippies. Barb may or may not have received my text from the beach which said, "Hey, I'm a 10 here!" There are lots of different kinds of beauty.

My gentleman friend in Malaga

This is a beautiful thing. How many stories are in this face? I particularly love the upturned eyebrow. I have a thing for eyebrows (and doors--that will come later). I was trying to get a picture of a woman's shoes in Spain, and this man thought I was taking his photo. And so I did. Serendipity. He was so pleased to get to see the digital image of himself on the camera that he kissed both of my cheeks, European style. Then he kissed them again and again and again... Is that how the Europeans normally do it?

Freaky cat lady

The light, cool rain outside makes me want to knit. The clicking of the needles (bamboo, of course) and rhythm of the movement is pure relaxation. I like to knit a fairly simple project in order to achieve maximum zen (and minimum cursing). A plain scarf is not fun (besides, it's too hot to wear scarves in Atlanta!), but a sweater requires too much counting and matching. This little hat, called, "the official kittyville hat" is from Stitch 'n Bitch. I really enjoy knitting it. But mostly I enjoy looking at the two pretty things wearing the hats. Too bad my knitting needles are on hold. This weather also reminds me that trunk show/sample sale season is in full swing and the necklaces are calling. Olivia's Nintendo purse will have to wait for now, at least until General Conference weekend (eight perfect hours of inspiration and knitting).

Knitting zen, pretty things and Fall Rain

The light, cool rain outside makes me want to knit. The clicking of the needles (bamboo, of course) and rhythm of the movement is pure relaxation. I like to knit a fairly simple project in order to achieve maximum zen (and minimum cursing). A plain scarf is not fun (besides, it's too hot to wear scarves in Atlanta!), but a sweater requires too much counting and matching. This little hat, called, "the official kittyville hat" is from Stitch 'n Bitch. I really enjoy knitting it. But mostly I enjoy looking at the two pretty things wearing the hats. Too bad my knitting needles are on hold. This weather also reminds me that trunk show/sample sale season is in full swing and the necklaces are calling. Olivia's Nintendo purse will have to wait for now, at least until General Conference weekend (eight perfect hours of inspiration and knitting).