Author: Jana

  • love


    Worried. (365:014), originally uploaded by mind on fire.

    John rushing to get home after I called him to say i was “going in.”

  • some sweet relief

    Folks:

    In the very fine university hospital once again, this time with some surgery looming–tomorrow, perhaps, depending on how fast the grinding machinery that is medical bureaucracy moves in my direction.

    I am cozily situated with my ASUS laptop, a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from my garden (arranged by Catgirl in a wee blue vase that was a gift from Brooke and always makes me smile). As I speak a massive dose of antibiotics are entering my veins, and I am looking forward to the sweet relief that they will bring (we won’t talk about the 8 different pokes that preceded said infusion–easy peasy, I say).

    Big thanks to Amy, Ginger, Rebecca and all who are holding down the fort at our home. Huge hugs and kisses to John, too, for hurrying home from San Diego to be at my bedside. Nearly 20 years ago he sat by my side and nursed me through a mysterious ailment. I was awed by his bedside manner then, and remain so–feeling so buoyed by his strength and goodness.

    :)

  • fingers


    fingers, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    This pic was taken nearly a year ago, showing a finger wound that CatGirl bandaged with some lamb’s ear and a sprig of flowering Mexican sage. So sweet.

    I ambled out towards the garden tonite and had conversations with nearly a dozen different neighbors. We spoke about death (one friend recently lost a colleague), about how I am watering my tomatoes (too much), about housing costs in Irvine (too high!), and about what a beautiful night we were having. Too lovely!

    :)

  • You are…


    IMG_5935, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
    ~Christopher Robin, “Pooh’s Grand Adventure”

    Just in case you didn’t know that already :)

  • again

    Here. we. go. again.

  • snuggly


    I have Elly’s Attention, originally uploaded by mind on fire.

    Last night Elly was particularly snuggly and lovey. During the summer when it’s hot she typically lounges around on the end of the bed by the A/C (where it’s cooler), but last night she kept walking around the head of the bed and purring.

    It took me a few sleepy-eyed moments to realize that she wasn’t settled in and sleeping near the head of the bed. Rather, she was positioning herself so she could drink the water out of my cup on the nightstand table. Euw. Shortly thereafter I got out of bed and got a different cup for water (a tall skinny glass, actually).

  • dancing


    dancing fuschias, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    We ought to dance with rapture that we might be alive… and part of the living, incarnate cosmos.
    ~D.H. Lawrence

    This fuschia plant is one of several outside outside my kitchen windowsill. When I see bright fuschia flowers I always think of ballet dancers–with their bright tutus, pirouetting on one leg.

    Have I told you that when I stand at the sink and wash dishes, I put on my iPod and dance? It’s such a great way to make an unpleasant chore fun. :)

  • resemblance

    About halfway during my son’s swimmeet today I had an “aha” moment. I was working at the head table (entering stats into the team computer) and was continuously interrupted by people asking me about their volunteer jobs for the meet (which I knew nothing about–at all). It took about two hours for me to realize that they were confusing me with the Parent Volunteer Coordinator.

    So I asked a person sitting next to me whether I resembled the PVC. He replied that I do–so much so that he had assumed that we were related.

    Wow. That’s just kinda weird.

    So I asked John if we look alike. He said we look about as alike as any two suburban, anglo, brunette women with ponytails and wearing the same outfit (standard Mom uniform–crops and a tank).

    Heh.

  • as if…


    centered, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    “Live with intention.
    Walk to the edge.
    Listen hard.
    Practice wellness.
    Play with abandon.
    Laugh.
    Choose with no regret.
    Appreciate your friends.
    Continue to learn.
    Do what you love.
    Live as if this is all there is.”
    ~Mary Ann Radmacher

    I’m busy reading, experiencing, working, listening, learning, growing. I’m really enjoying all of your blogs right now, and not feeling the usual urgency to post my own thoughts and images.

    If you have a blog that I might not know about, please leave your URL in the Comments.

    Happy Friday everyone!

    :)

  • meditate, no. 2


    Meditating Jana., originally uploaded by mind on fire.

    Letting the weight of the world drop off of my shoulders.

  • meditate


    IMG_0144.JPG, originally uploaded by mind on fire.

    John snapped this pic of me this morning as I was doing yoga–arching my back and opening my shoulders. We have this weird room in our house that’s adjacent to the bathroom (well technically it’s part of the bathroom, because it’s where the sinks are). It’s nearly as big as a bedroom and it’s where I store and use exercise equipment–balance ball, yoga mat, handweights, pilates reformer, mini trampoline.

    Sure it’s odd to be doing yoga in the bathroom, but I suppose we all have to make the best of whatever space we have available…

  • oh so cool


    closeup, originally uploaded by pilgrimgirl.

    Ellycat keeps cool by hanging out in the sink. :)