Sunflower Summer Love

Summer on the ridge has been a wonderful experience. This is a photo of the sunflowers that showed up last summer. I was excited to have them pop up on one of the paths alongside the house. There were three large plants that bloomed all summer.

This year the same spot is overflowing! Must be the monsoon rains that started early and have been visiting our spot on the ridge quite often this summer. So many plants and blooms I can't count. I transplanted some near the front of the house and still they are popping up all over this path. 

I first thought the hundreds of tiny green plants coming up might be weeds or something with icky thorns. I was concerned about how covered this path among the rock outcroppings would be and the hassle of having to create a new safe path on level ground to pass this side of the house. I thought maybe I would just clear them before they grew taller than I am, yes all 4 ft 11 inches of me, but something in the wild breeze said be still and wait. 

Often in life I am in a rush to get on with things and when something appears to be a potential obstacle I want to solve it as soon as possible. This lesson from ridge life has taught me to be still and trust the process. I am learning to slow down and to appreciate each stage of the process vs. rushing to the end. 

Quincy loves running this path and a few hundred sunflowers only made it more fun.

After a lots of running through the flowers it was time to head up to the deck for a cool drink and enjoy the flowers from the deck view.

May the rest of your summer be filled with bright moments of sunshine. Take a moment to stop and run through the flowers when the opportunity arises. And remember to be thankful for the small things that show up in life and no matter how challenging…trust the process.

Appreciating Water

Coming from the Bayou City I thought I understood water. The bayou winding around town, creeks, lakes and our beloved Third Coast trips off of Galveston Island. However it wasn't until I moved to the high desert mountains of New Mexico that I brought to consciousness how this precious liquid is truly the lifeline for all things. 

I know that many including my beloved Bayou City are experiencing too much water right now and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Here in the midst of a drought in the beginning of fire season in the high desert mountains it is very much welcomed. All in one day we had sunshine, rain, snow and hail.

I spent the most glorious rainy day doing all things in the rain and at times even small hail and snow. I was totally present to the wonderful smell I often miss, the taste of it cold on my hair and skin. I danced to my car in the store parking lot. Played in the garden under the shower. And listened to the sound of a distant thunder symphony of soft and hard sounds.

I am thankful for full rain barrels that will supplement my supply and the soothing sound of them filling. 

My garden is shiny, washed clean, and ready for new growth with the sweet scent of rain and the earth.

I have learned to appreciate this precious liquid resource. As with all things gifted to us in nature its good to slow down and take a moment and think about all the ways water impacts your life.

Spring is around the corner!

Each day the sun begins to warm the ground unwrapping her from the snow blanket of winter.

The always cold Pecos River is getting wider as the sheets of ice melt revealing more of the beautiful multicolor rocks beneath the surface.

I can feel the shift as spring and new beginnings are around the corner! Subtle changes signal the shift we need simply to be awake and look around us. These little changes bring us gently bring us into the next phase of life. Enjoy your new beginning!

Take a vacation to your soul

I know its been said before, be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. Well it happened to me and its been like riding the waves of the wind up and down but always moving. I look forward to settling in and letting my roots stretch and take hold.

I changed my day job due to lack of grant funding and then this past summer I moved to full time artist. In the midst of all this I had 3 physical home moves in 3 years and one within a few months of the other. So the wind blew me to New Mexico and I am finally moving into my house and studio soon. Its still very surreal. And Im still waiting to catch up with myself. 

It sounds magical and I wish I could feel it. Seems I am fighting major stress and meltdowns. Research says large changes cause stress and as an Autistic person stress is already a way of life; so for me its been a heavy load to carry.  I am working hard to keep going. To have the joy of  dreams come true, changing the direction of my career, and entering a new chapter of my life. It is overwhelming, exciting, and very challenging.

Underneath it all I knew I had to go back to center. As I stood on the edge ready to crash under the stress and uncertainty I somehow heard my soul calling me. I had to catch myself and its not always an easy task. So I stopped everything and took a vacation to my soul.

We drove through the mountains where you can let go and be reminded that you are part of a larger picture. Where the wind sounds like ocean waves. And if you look up at the right moment you can see the wave move through the trees on its way to wash over you.

Where each step you take is a journey back to who you know you are but somehow got lost in the grass. Got tangled in the dead leaves of the past.

And then you see your reflection in the lake. And begin to smile because even though the journey is challenging you see a glimmer of your stregnth.

And then there is the magical sound of moving water. Its always a healing sound for me. Water that doesn't stop and nothing can get in its way. The proof that it keeps going is evident as you hold the weathered stones and branches pushed along the shore. And you remember you that you too can keep on going.

And then you enter a magical place with a pool of emerald green. A place where you can feel the ancestors gather. You become aware of your breathing and heartbeat. And the stress, fear and anxiety begin to melt into the water like the snow on the banks. 

And then the universe sends you a smile! (Yes I found this rock exactly like this with a natural carved face.) Then a deep breath and your soul smiles back and you know its all going to be ok.

New mantra: The universe is conspiring in my favor. And it is not mine to determine the how. Stay present, be thankful and open to receive.

Blessings, love and good energy for you on your journey. Take a moment and reconnect with your soul. Gracias Thank you Tlazocamati Ometeotl