A new stretch of freedom starts now - summer vacation - and I am so grateful that... 

1. I get another re-boot for life, wide open space for reading, visiting, walking....

2. I offered a sweet writing circle for 10 women in Stockholm, WI yesterday - very nice.

3. Kathleen has settled into the house and we are enjoying our new set up!

4. I just finished my 7th book of the summer, and I loved it.  "The Interestings!"and I will start my next summer read, "The Yogahlossee Riding Camp for Girls" tonight.

5. I got to see my best (Baltimore!) friend, Rick 2 times in the last month -- the best.

Bonus smile....

The poem I wrote while in yesterday's writing circle prompted by the simple idea...

"Write about something beautiful that happened to you this week"

Here's what happened in my notebook.....

I will be 47 next week

and weirdly, (or even sadly, I suppose)

I just learned to identify some very basic but beautiful things -

the birdsongs of the robin, black-capped chickadee and the cardinal.  

Who knew my backyard was hiding 

such secrets

and for so long?

It's so clear now, so simple really, 

but since learning,

their calls stop me in my tracks and

the proud wide smile 

of a child's knowing something new 

has settled on my face.

I wonder what's in store for me next year?

Being Happy With What Is & With What I Have

Moving slowly this morning, and getting ready for the day.

Feeling grateful...


















1. That I will see my best friend Rick in a few minutes, as he stops at my house to get a key, and then, makes his way up north to our lake house heaven.

2.  That I have such a clarity in my "to do" list!  (so much I need/want to do before returning to work August 19th) -- now, just to get myself to DO IT!

3.  That I get to go to my favorite movie movie theater today (the Uptown!) with Kathleen to see 20 Feet from Stardom...best seats EVER and I think the movie will be good too!

4.  That it is the weekend later today, and I will get to have a leisurely time with my girl, who has been working like a dog!

5.  That my back seems to be continually improving....and for noticing that I am staying focussed (trying) on what doesn't hurt, instead of what does!  (the image at the beginning of the blog is what I am trying to remember today, and the image at the end of this blog is what I wish for)

It's all good!

Bonus smile...

I just love the idea of being physically care-free to run and jump into the lake!

Gratitude Times Two

There is So Much to be grateful for....

I missed yesterday's post for a great reason!
So here's what's up!

I am grateful for...

1.  The sale and moving process all going so well, without a hitch. It was a busy day getting Kathleen's home sale closed and settling into Jefferson Avenue!

2.  A GORGEOUS stretch of Minnesota summer weather.   YES!

3.  The chance to sleep in later that a usual work-day morning (when my back is sore and my sleep routine continues to be out of whack and I don't sleep well in the night!) - Tony Robbins would ask, "what's great about this problem?" - such a good question, a way to stop thinking about the problem, and focus on the positive outcomes and solutions.

4.  A developing opportunity to volunteer soon....more to come on this!

5.  Two upcoming opportunities to publish some writing about my work with writing circles.  (The drafts are on my desk, but hopefully they will be complete and sent on their way by August 1st!)

Bonus smile...

The main thing I am grateful for today?....

#1.  Kathleen (& Mr. B!) moved in and our life together in the 55105 zip code begins!

I Could Dance All Day!

I am grateful today......why?

1.  Well, for starters, today is the day.....Move In Day is here.....I am starting a new life with my girl.  Time to share my house again.  Yes!  The house of Joy!

2.  I am grateful that I saw this post today on facebook...Thanks, Pam!
This video made me laugh and cry - you have to watch it! --



3.  After a few weeks of summer vacation solitude and re-grouping, I have had a chance to reconnect with several friends this week...leisurely conversations on the patio, phone, porch.....more to come this week!  Feel lucky to be connected to such good people.

4.  My fruit bowl was FANTASTIC today -- (simple pleasures, every day!)

5.  Although I haven't been to Gay Pride since 1999, I am grateful to being living a life outloud, proud, everyday....myself.


In honor of gay pride weekend.....a Bonus smile...

Summer Daze

This looks like my kind of summer daze!
(Thanks, Grit, for posting this pic on facebook!)

Today, I am grateful for...

1. life being on my slow-paced and quiet schedule, not work's!
2. being able to sleep in (still trying to get a good sleep routine in order!)
3. spending the day today with my friend Tess, passing the LAB torch onto her!
4. only one more night, and I will be sharing my house with Kathleen!
5. the wind is blowing through the house and the air conditioners are off!

Enjoy this bonus smile....what does summer mean to you?

Giving Thanks, again.

First things first....

Today I will take my first trip to one of my favorite of the city lakes of this summer...

1.  So I am grateful for this perfect lake day. Very little wind. No clouds. Low humidity. A perfect day to float free on Lake Nokomis.

2.  Grateful for my funny little bathtub kayak that fits easily into my Honda CRV.

3.  Grateful having very few "chores" to do right now -- just a sea of open time.

4.  DOMA was struck down.  MN gay Marriage. Prop 8 put in its place.  Wow.

5.  My property tax paperwork came in the mail yesterday...reminding me of impending $$ in the fall!  (i forgot all about it!)

Off to the lake now.....but wait....watch this if you want to smile.

Bonus smile....

GOOD NEWS BROADCAST!

Gratitude Changes Me

Gratitude changes everything, indeed....

my mind, my heart, my view, my days....me.

Grateful today for...

1.  My low back isn't as sore today as it was yesterday!

2.  Georgia joining me for breakfast today : )

3.  The leisure time to begin reading my 6th novel of the summer!

4.  For my house, and having it ready to share it with Kathleen

5.  The cardinal that kept me company most of all day yesterday, singing non-stop in the trees above my patio.

Bonus....

basically, I am grateful for summers off, away from work.

A Shift Toward Gratitude

Day 2, working on shifting my focus toward all-things-grateful. 

Gratitude Today?  

I am so grateful for....

1. the good night's sleep I had last night, and for finally getting into a better sleep pattern.

2.  my friends who are joining me this week for a visit and a meal/ice tea on my sweet summer patio.

3.   my sweet patio & sweet porch!  I feel lucky and I love that I have such a nice patio and beautiful environments to enjoy.

4.  Brent, my personal trainer/physical therapist who is helping me regain my strength and get past physical pain - and that I have clarity and options for exercises that help!

5.  The sunshine today, after many clouds and storms and great weather and a chance for a river walk today!

And a bonus smile for my day...

Gratitude Blog - it begins today

Today's Gratitude Blog: 

1. the sea of free time ahead of me - (I return to work exactly 8 weeks from today) - and that I have already had a marvelous 2+ weeks away from work.  So lucky.

2.  for an amazing girlfriend who is soon to move into my house!

3.  for improvement (albeit slow) with my physical body/pain.....progress and knowledge for how to keep getting better!

4.  a chance to read for pleasure -- 5 books down for this summer!  Shooting for 31!

5.  that I was lucky and didn't have any storm damage or power outage -- again, lucky!

and a bonus thing to be grateful for.....
the sweetest video post on facebook which makes me completely happy in this moment!