It’s Friday. Time to peek at my week and round up the good, the fun, and the challenging.
Truth be told, and I do believe in telling the truth, I’ve had a kind of bumpy week. Like so many other folks the death of Robin Williams sent me wobbling in a way that was entirely unexpected. I think it’s good to bring up the issues of depression and Parkinson’s for closer examination in ways that often only a connection to a celebrity can guarantee. But those things aside, there’s no doubt that death, every death, opens a place of sacredness we’re all invited to navigate. And so I’ve been doing that.
I’ve also had a couple nights where I simply didn’t sleep well. I woke up feeling like I’d been at hard labor all night and rather than being rested I was exponentially exhausted. I followed up this less-than-ideal start to my mornings with bouts of crankiness that extended into the day. Sigh.
Between the exhaustion and the sadness this may well have been the least productive week I’ve had in a very long time. I feel like my brain and my work table gathered a few inches of dust this week.
On the other hand there were so many many good things in my week and they’re all welcome ingredients in my gratitude gumbo.
out the window: We have a family of crows in our neighborhood and one of them is in a tree out front calling. I’m sure there are some exciting plans being conveyed.
on the menu: While I haven’t actually tried these, I don’t see how they could be anything less than fabulous. Banana Brownies! As in brownies made in banana skins. The idea delights me so much I’m tempted to go camping just to have the campfire available to make them.
good things:
- Friends to remind me of stuff. I take pretty good care of myself energetically, and yet like all of us, when I’m in a funk I sometimes forget the very best things to help me shift into a more preferred state. But luckily I have fabulous friends who not only remind me of what I already know, but don’t make me feel like an idiot for forgetting. And who deliver it all with a dose of needed laughter. Now that’s friendship.
- Veggies from my brother’s garden.
- I needed to speak with customer assistance from two different companies this week, and both experiences were wonderful – totally easy, entirely pleasant, remarkably brief and completely successful.
- I’m participating in Pixie Campbell’s Soulodge Sacred Voice bootcamp with Raven. Pixie is a gifted facilitator and I try never miss an opportunity to dance with Raven (or Crow). And while we’re focusing on Sacred Voice, Raven is also known as a trickster and of course he’s shown up that way for me this week. Precisely the medicine I needed and I’m grateful. I woke up from a dream last night hearing a strange and yet oddly familiar sound. It was around three in the morning and it took me several seconds to figure out what was going on. Out in the street someone was riding a skateboard, but actually just pushing off with one foot and only going a short distance before having to do it again. Because one of the wheels was out of alignment. And that’s what the odd sound was. Which I remember hearing last year in the middle of night a couple times as well. How is this possible? Am I making up a strange memory? Or is someone literally riding/walking home from a late night job/visit on the same somewhat broken skateboard he had a year ago? Whatever the truth, I know Raven was offering a message about broken wheels, out-of-sync voices, and late-night mysteries.
- In a magical gathering with friends last night we talked about what superpowers we needed and then visioned what objects we needed to have to carry those powers. Being on the costume kick I am, I totally had to imagine what my costume would be. Let me just say it involves rocket boots, copper wings, a flaming heart talisman necklace, and a fabulous toolbelt with secret compartments. Oh and striped tights. I may yet be able to claim status of fashionista.
- Shelley Henry recently did an experimental project where she created blends of essential oils based on tarot card readings. My blend arrived this week and it’s fabulous. While I’m an aromatherapist myself and love creating my own blends, it can be such a treat to have someone create something for me. I’m not sure if she’ll be offering this again in the future, but she has other wonderful things available through her Gatheress etsy shop, so you might want to check it out.
- I’m over-the-moon delighted that perhaps I’ve found someone wonderful to make a pattern from my all-time-favorite worn-to-shreds tunic, so now there’s a possibility I can have an entire wardrobe of what I love most. How fun is that?
listening: Lumineers Hey Ho
favorite word of the week: Dustyfats – obsolete term for pedlars. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how this word found its way into my awareness the night after I had a dream about a horse-drawn cart with a pedlar selling my grandmother cabbages in the alley. She had a tiny coin purse which she opened and took out a shoelace to pay with.
out and about:
- red rainbows
- The Science of Dust
- The Beginning of My Obituary by Jena Strong
- Diamond Dust
- Valerie Hamond’s art
And there it is – a peek at my week. What about yours? What have you been enjoying? Been feeling a bit wobbly? Ideas about what your superpower costume might be? Your brain ever feel dusty? Do tell – you now I love to hear.
Been doing job searching–made a video Thursday that I will be posting online soon to attract employers, and today I had a temporary job interview that I think went well. Best moment of the day was when a little boy spontaneously complimented my suit.
Glad you got your video done – I know you talked about doing it. And how fun to get a compliment.
We all have those bumpy weeks now and then, and I’m so impressed by your gratitude list! Just recently I had a couple of weeks when I felt completely shaken by the news about MH17 being shot down… I skipped two weeks of writing a gratitude post because I couldn’t think of a single thing to write about. I love superpowers conversations, I wish I was there 😉
Yes, we get thrown off by the bumps occasionally. Which makes recovering from them all the more sweet, no?
I too was knocked sideways and all ways by the news of RW. So, so sad. However I can’t help but think he, too, would have smiled at the “Dustyfats” reference and the vision of your grandmother paying for cabbages with a shoelace. Thank you for that giggle.
How wonderful that you’ve found someone who can create a pattern for your much loved tunic. That must have put a skip in your steps!
We have lots of crows in this part of the world too. I’ve learned to respect them and stay out of their way when it comes to their young ones!
Let us know how those banana brownies taste!
It’s always a joy to have you visit Kelly – you have such an uplifted perspective. And no worries, I report on the brownies as soon as I’ve had them. I take my chocolate reporting seriously. 🙂
Deb, Your posts are always such a sensory feast, thank you! Good things in my week include making a new quilt top, holding a small Feeling Better class, having an old client back on my healing table, summer air caressing my skin, fresh tomatoes from our garden, time with my honey/husband. Happy.
Oh yay Janet – sounds like a lovely week!
It sounds like you and I had very similar reactions to Williams’ death. I too started out my weekly roundup by stating that I’d had a bit of a wobble. I think sharing our struggles is important – we can learn and gain support through our shared experiences. It heartens me to see that you were able to include so much in your “gratitude gumbo” (love that!) despite your wobbliness. Let’s hope the coming week brings happier days and restful nights.
We do seem to be on the same bandwidth don’t we Sarah? Here’s to a week that’s less wobbly and filled with gentleness.
Lately I have not been looking at things from a “week to week” basis, but more of a day to day. Most of today so far has been spent horizontally, cuddling with my good boy, trying to comfort him, trying to provide healing touch on his chest and front leg, and hoping his breathing calms by feeling this caring presence. Yes I am consumed with him, and when I am restless at night, because of his discomfort, I am able to find stillness through one nostril breathing.
Sending kind gentle thoughts for you and Buddy. It’s so hard when those we love are suffering.
Deborah, I had forgotten how much I enjoy your Friday post and the wondrous way you reflect on your week. So much delicious insight in here.
I had an Uber productive week with the launch of my first workshop, a glorious gathering of women that was more than I could ever have hoped for.
Today I have come down from that high and am gathering my thoughts and energies again to take on my next dream. You have inspired me to take a brief moment to capture my week and celebrate it. Thank you.
Oh fabulous Karen! Congrats on your workshop and kudos to you as you make the next dream come true.