TUESDAY

9.15.2020 The best news is that Grace Forest is back on the Hill as of yesterday https://windthread.typepad.com/windthread/2020/09/my-entry-13.html and was back again todday https://windthread.typepad.com/windthread/2020/09/my-entry-15.html Meanwhile I woke early to phone Massachusetts wishing my dear friend Happy Birthday

Spent time on Face book reading news of the world and posting about fires and potential floods, skipping most of the Administration posts and horrified by the presidents hubris, usery and dangerous intentions.

Then had a long nap to 3p.m. Rising to check the calendar in case I'd lost track of days.

I've gotten lonely actually, but I fill in with the virtual and time passes and memory brings longing https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/3365260245927126723/8103246041710081231?hl=en

HOLIDAY

ZENDO MONDAY
12.16.2019

Sensei Koshin Paley Ellison and Friend

After two lively hours of community and comforts, I came home with gobs of Lasagna and a generous bag of cookies too. Here is our New York Zen for Contemplative Care after the cleanup

My long time yoga buddy, Joanne as we readied to leave

Amusingly out of focus because she moved when I caught her unawares and because I was exhausted

~*~

IN THE WINDOWS

At Housing Works

 At the Opera Thrift Shop

1.

2.

 At my home

 ~*~

CARDS

1.

2.

 3.

~*~


TUESDAY
12.17.2019
Slept very late after a restless night to dawn.
This evening many phone conversations back an forth with my nephew Dennis Slater dealing with the official obituary for my brother/his father William James Slater to be published in the New York Times tomorrow and other family detail matters. I am so grateful for his skill and dedication to managing this very demanding task.
(photographs on the shelf above my computer)
~*~

SEASONAL HOMAGE
WEDNESDAY
12.18.2019
For my dear friend N.A. who is elsewhere.
I decorated this award statue she received long ago and left with me. Then added a beloved Holiday greeting from another friend N.W. (saved for years) and a Santa hat from my Christmas box to include everyone in this secular tradition. I am nostalgic for all my far away friends of the heart.

~*~

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Beautiful

Troublesome

The notice was not delivered to me till I'd already mailed August and September payments to the old address. So far, neither check has been deposited. I left a detailed message with the office and we shall see.

Moody


Re-read
"On any person who desires such queer prizes, New York will bestow the gift of loneliness and the gift of privacy. It is this largess that accounts for the presence within the city's walls of a considerable section of the population; for the residents of Manhattan are to a large extent strangers who have pulled up stakes somewhere and come to town seeking sanctuary or fulfillment or some greater or lesser grail. The capacity to make such gifts is a mysterious quality of New York."
Here is New York by E.B.White 1949


Nostalgia


Nurture


Compassion
"Avalokiteśvara or Padmapani (/ˌʌvəloʊkɪˈteɪʃvərə/ UV-əl-oh-kih-TAY-shvər-ə;[1] Sanskrit: अवलोकितेश्वर) is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. This bodhisattva is variably depicted, described and portrayed in different cultures as either male or female.[2] In Tibet, he is known as Chenrezig, and in Cambodia as Avloketesvar. In Chinese Buddhism, Avalokiteśvara has evolved into the somewhat different female figure Guanyin, also known in Japan as Kanzeon or Kannon. In Nepal Mandal this figure is known as Jana Baha Dyah, Karunamaya, Seto Machindranath."
(Statue on the main Altar at my Zendo)


History


Remember

~*~

A RED WEEK

(Calendar from Jenny S.)

SUNDAY
I've been waiting, under wraps, breathing, sleeping, letting go while still containing all that was, is and might be. I've been tweeking colors on photographs, leaning toward red for hearts, for love, for life---constructing this blog post for the week till Tuesday where Hallmark branded it's Valentine mark, though the historical Valentine was a Christian Martyr living under Roman rule (there are other interpretations of course), and the festival Lupercalia coincides. I've been unearthing memories, reviewing all the love my life has encountered and appreciating the eternal value of friendship...reminding myself what really matters.

Communicate

(heart forever stamps from Nayra A,)

Let Go

(Throwback to lost teeth)

Fly Free

(Avenue B and 6ths St Garden)

MONDAY

Nostalgia was dominant yet not distressing, only comforting. It's been rich this little life of mine so far. I find myself appreciating that. Adequate sleep and drift, specific medicinal teas and warm baths, certain silences and sanctuaries are my natural inclination and so I have inclined. I made potato leek soup, listened to music, read Carly Simon's "Boys in the Trees" quite entertaining memoir. I was blissfully snowed in.

Celebrate

 (Wendy D. makes yarn roses kike this)

Rest in Beauty Shamelessly

(Teddy graciously posed in rose petals for me)

TUESDAY

February is transitional, the shortest month. "Its birth flower is the violet (Viola) and the common primrose (Primula vulgaris). Its birthstone is the amethyst. It symbolizes piety, humility, spiritual wisdom, and sincerity. Its zodiac signs are Aquarius until February 19th and Pisces February 20th onward."  The Roman month Februarius was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification, via the purification ritual.

 https://youtu.be/VmECu4BKtDY

Disarm the Heart

 (Jude hill's heart under moon)

Give it Away

(Mo's woven heart)

 Share Freely

(a little pop up book of Pooh bear and Piglet)

~*~

A Gift to Make

https://youtu.be/Sk-vFT5ZZCc


Recipe Link
http://www.agardenforthehouse.com/2017/02/video-strawberry-souffle-gf/

Saint Valentine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Valentine  

Lupercalia 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupercalia