Lebanese

We sat at the show watching the musicians, listening and admiring the passion in their work.   My friend and I  both noticed some people sitting close talking, whispering and pointing.  My friend said, "Look they are in love with the lead singer."  We both laughed and wondered what it would be like to be  admired with such tenacity.  The two across the way continued, giggling, looking, whispering and taking pictures.  My friend and I both thought, "WOW( and other thoughts)."  After awhile one of the admirers walked over and inquired as to how to get a CD and went on to say,  "I  went to school with the lead singer and it is so to  GREAT see him  now, you know when I was in high school he was one of the few people who talked to me.  He made such a difference in  my life, for awhile he was my best friend, my only friend.  I have really missed him." She continued to express gratitude, smile  and share goodness with us.  And when she mentioned that she was Lebanese the connection between she and my friend clicked.  I am thankful the two did not begin rattling off a conversation in Arabic because I never understand an utterance of it...

From an  observation point of view I calculated, judged, separated and surmised thoughts that were just shy of kind and loving and within minutes of embracing these thoughts I was confronted  by the source and  immediately  I changed my thoughts to forgiveness and gratitude.   

I felt like such a donkey for choosing  almost negative thoughts and frustrated that I did not just notice beauty in the two across the way.  

In retrospect, NOW  I am thankful for the experience  and the reminder that ..................

Life is a choice  

Perception is a choice  

Love is a choice 

Health is a choice 

Friends are a choice 

Forgiveness is a choice

Gratitude is a choice   

Abundance is a choice

Peace is a choice

Thank you Choices!!

Great Words!

Dirt

YOSEMITE!  

Half Dome!  

Dogwood! 

Rock Climbers! 

Bears!  

Hippies!

El Capitan! 

Water Falls!  

Nature!

Pizza!

Patchouli!

In the  early 90's I was sitting on a bus in Yosemite Valley when on walked a woman wearing pieces of fabric tied over, under and around her body, macrame hemp tied around her head holding matted hair into a large bun,  a big over stuffed shoulder bag made of burlap and no shoes with a scent that made me stare.. I was not sure if I liked the smell or did not.   I heard a man say peeeyouuuuu!!!, that chic is wearing a load of patchouli!  I made a note to remember that name (Patchouli) and look into to it when I got to town.  I continued to stare at the woman, her organic clothes, cool style and dirtiness that made her shine in a clean sort of way.  

One of my first stops in town was the health food store, where I inquired about Patchouli and   listened for about 20 minutes on all the scientific facts and data on the plant:  Patchouli is a  bushy herb of the mint family.  Patchouli is native to China, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and the Philippines.  In the Plant Kingdom it's Genus species is Pogostamin cablin.  Uses of Patchouli include;  hair shampoo, conditioner, perfume, air fresher, antidotes for venomous snake bites, incense, detergents, aromatherapy oil, lotion, insect repellent, medicinal uses include; headache, colds, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and more.  Its' name is derived from Tamil Patchai.  The clerk wanted to keep talking, I wanted to buy some.  So I grabbed a bottle, paid and left eager to try it out.  Since this day I have bought Patchouli products of many kinds and like the way the smell moves me earthward.  

One day I was in Costco, standing in line with my mountain size  pile of things in a cart and  4 customers back from the check out and heard the Cashier say, "I smell dirt, WHO has been working on a tractor?  DIRT  !!! Do you guys smell that?  I really smell dirt and it's is getting stronger.  Are they working in a field nearby.  The dirt is strong."  She was talking VERY LOUD!!! Everyone was looking around for a large mound of dirt!  I wanted to do the boogie and sing-  IT'S ME!!!!!! It was I that reeked of dirt and WOW!, I was choosing embarrassed because everyone now new she smelled dirt and I knew it was me.  My turn at the cash register and I said, " Do you still smell dirt?"  She said, "YES!, Do you?"  I laughed, " Yes I do, and YES that dirt smell is me."  I told her it might be the Patchouli and I let her sniff my arm and she roared with laughter and said, "Yes, Yes, that is it."  Since then I call Patchouli, DIRT, very fitting name for me and my style of perfume... Thank you lady at Costco!!!!  I LOVE DIRT!!!!

LOST

I lost my car!  I said as I entered the Yurt.  The look on his face read, " ARE YOU SERIOUS?  You have got to be kidding? Is this a joke?  What am I going to do with this lady?  Is she delirious? Why is she staring at me?  Does she mean, lost as is someone stole it?  Ok, breath, she seems normal, but how do you loose your car!!! Maybe I will get her some free hot chocolate?  Maybe I will walk her out and re-direct her to security or the bathrooms, WOW!" Yet he said nothing,  but smiled,  tucked his chin and kindly began to  lead me out of the Yurt  to I don't know where, so I threw  my hand out to introduce myself and say sorry, I was just kidding, I was sent here by Cortni to say Hi, So, Hi there....!!! He said, " You know about first impressions, laughing?"  By the look of salt  still  in his hair from the last surf stop in Northern Australia and his shimmering California smile and the winter snow tan, he obviously lacks no self confidence and   brings peace and love to everyone he meets.  His charisma and charm make him one of a kind.  We stood and chatted about California and Australian art- the small dots and earthy tones and how someday he will adorn his pad with native art and artifacts from the Outback.  Time to go, I mentioned I was off to locate my car, we laughed and he reassured me that the one who sent me  was certain to receive a fair amount of serious razzing!   He said he had a pocket full of artillery for her which sounded both good and interesting..... I bounced in the direction of my car, hoofing it with hands and arms full and when I saw  my car  in sight I let out a breath of relief that I really had not lost my car.

So much fun moving from Yurt to Yurt and the PFZ (parent free zone), stop and go lift (love grandview), beenie launching, snowball tossing, saddened children, stoked children, PARENTS (wow), ride lessons, hot chocolate, long hair, magic carpet, snow mobile -wheelies, walkie takies, witty kids, laid back and relaxed peeps,  missing name tags, super bowl (gotta go's), kids, kids, kids- Everyone I met this day 
   Lovely.