A Birthday Week

Song -Three Coins in the Fountain by The Four Aces

Last Sunday was my birthday and my family took me out to Peasant & the Pear in Danville for brunch.  It was delightful.....

And on Tuesday my friend Jill took me to Treasure Island for lunch at Mersea overlooking the San Francisco skyline. 

Mersea consists of several shipping container units with huge windows added.  They have Corn Hole  and other outdoor games as well as a full on bar and kitchen. Fun!

It was the perfect temperature for sitting outside because you never know with San Francisco!

On Saturday morning a truck backed into our driveway.......

After more than a month my garden fountain had arrived!!!

We knew it was coming as Mr. B had to build a foundation and get electricity to the area. You can see what this area previously looked like here - Constantly Evolving

I was very nervous when Mr. B's foundation looked so large.  At first I thought maybe we had made a big mistake and chose too large of a fountain because it was as tall as the pad is wide - yikes!

They carefully brought it in piece by piece.  Well that base doesn't look as big as the pad that the company suggested building, maybe it won't be too bad?

In went the pump, the tower and the top.  Then the rustic spouts went on and it was filled with water.

  I held my breath and......the sound was deep and soothing....it worked.....I loved it!

Within minutes of set up, a little hummingbird flew around the fountain inspecting it from every angle ( I think he loved it too!)  Tomorrow I will replant the white Iceberg roses around the base to soften it some and it will feel more like it's been in our yard for awhile. 

I can't wait for the rest of the birds to discover their new fountain!

"Rocks and water, etc., 

are words of God, and so are men.  

We all flow from one fountain Soul.  

All are expressions of one Love."

  -- John Muir

Moving through the Void

My big brother Dave passed four years ago today. 

He was one of those guys that lived life to the fullest no matter what the consequence.  Can't you just tell by those well worn tennis shoes and that mischievous smile?


He was way too young, as he was only 59 years young.... but that was not my call to make.

And he was beautiful.

Dave and me at Mom & Dad's 50th Anniversary

He is more in my heart and soul now than when his body was here. We have conversations daily.  He brings me comfort.

Dave and my younger brother Tim

 

I have read and believe that when you are finished with what you were put on this earth to do, you pass.  And although I do not know exactly what he was here for, I know it was important.

Candy, Ryan, Katie, Brandon, Dave, Katie holding Cal and Brandon holding June.

He brought laughter, tears and joy to his family and friends.

He loved to play practical jokes.  So many were funny (when it was someone else) but some were painful if you were the target of his prank.

He did leave a huge void in our lives.

I mean who will be the prankster now???? We need some spirit in our lives!

Mom....Tim....Katie????  OK June, tag, you are it!

Love and miss you Dave -  Thank you for being a part of our lives!

XOXX - J

Simply Change It

Song - Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin

So most of you know that I picked out my One Little Word for this year and it was (yes - was) Simplify.

But what actually came "roaring" into my life every day of this new year has been "Spirit"!


The English word spirit (from Latin spiritus) means "breath".

Metaphysically it refers to consciousness or personality.  The nonphysical part of a person that is the seat of emotions and character; the soul.

Spirit....Soul....my energy.  Your energy. The world's energy!

As I struggled to hold on to "simplify", I began to realize that Spirit was pulling me on a path saying "pick me - pick me"...well, maybe it was more of a gentle nudge! 

I meditated and chose my daily work with more consciousness and what do you know, simplify began to come about naturally.

No, it is not an overnight deal, but an ongoing one.  Room by room, my car, my house, my garden, my art, my reading, my world, has all been slowly simplified. What do I love?  What do I really need?  What do my loved ones need?

I came across this detail of Bouguereau's Madonna and it spoke to me.

 

 To me.... so full of Grace

"Mindfulness is 

paying attention 

on purpose 

non-judgmentally 

in the present moment 

as if your life depended on it" 

 -- Jon Kabat-Zinn