Fleeting moments

• 2/11-2/18/13 I am reading an inspiring book by Barbara Brown Taylor; An Altar in the World is a reminder of the splendor in the everyday ordinary that  exists whether or not we notice and can be glimpsed as we develop simple, daily practices such as being present, wanting more God/Tao instead of things, paying attention; I seem to follow this path and the book confirmed my spiritual practice.
• 2/15/13 we bought a 2008 white Toyota Yaris, 75,000 miles at $8000; the owner Roger Huffstutler knew Alden back in 1994, he actually came to help build the house! 
• Celebrating Rocio's birthday! 
• At its closest to us, Asteroid 2012 DA14 was within the orbit of the moon (which averages about a quarter million miles away), and closer (17,200 miles -27,680 kilometers) than some high-orbiting communications satellites. The asteroid was not visible to the eye as it sped harmlessly past, but earthly cameras captured it, and millions watched online in real time. It looked like an amoeba in our blood!
• Game night at our house (kitchen remodeling at Pat and Rick's home), so much fun, everyone so engaged and happy to play, talk, laugh and delight with the potluck dishes... what a wonderful community of friends!
• 2/20/13 we have a pond north of the house; it was dug in 7 hours by Gregg Jones with a track loader... a joy to watch him work like a little boy playing with his tractors! 
• 2/20/13 Book group met at our home...  an enjoyable evening sharing laughs with friends.
• 2/22/13 Chilly mornings in February bring soooo many birds to the sunflower seed feeder... multicolor and lively feeder gathers reddish, yellow, gray, finches, wrens, and cardinals. Not much to eat in the woods this time of the year.
• 2/23/13 Pure white and dense fog rising in the morning from the river; fluffy clouds moving across the ground leaving gaps to see the green fields and mountains across the river...open, serene, expansive!
• 2/24/13 Sun gazing at 6:30 am just as the sun peeks over the dormant trees and frost covered ground after 3 cloudy days; and singing with the song birds that are praising this morning.
• Alden is healing from a kapha, late winter cough; remedies: resting, meditation and homeopathy: eupatorium and hepar sulphur.
• I have a feeling of satisfaction seeing Talia maturing and processing life as a conscious being.
• 2/25/13 We drove to Birmingham to sell the Geo prism; Alden felt he betrayed the little blue car by selling it to a man that is so over weight; we hope he takes better care of the car than he does of himself.
• We then headed to the court house in Oneonta to pay for car tags and the title for the Toyota Yaris; a comedy of bureaucracy on their part; but the lady clerk was friendly and supportive of us not being prepared; seems we were there for 2 hours +!
• Walking to the mailbox I spot a Turkey Vulture circling, enjoying the breeze; she is gently moving the tips of her feathers gliding at the faintest of thermals, she comes down so close to the path I can see her eyes. I imagine her coming down on my shoulder when she suddenly flies to a pine and perches on a branch 10 feet above the ground right next to the path. I can see her black feathers decorated with brown patterns. A most beautiful scavenging bird.

Spread your wings and fly!

• Flame the cat!

What does a cat do when she spots a container in the porch?

• 3/8/13 It is magnificent to walk outside after being indoors 3 1/2 days with a cold; feeling with all my skin the gentle breeze, the warmth of a 60 degree day; hearing the song birds and cherishing in the brand new Spring green leaves, the forsythias in bloom, the blue sky! 
• 3/9/13 What a joy to take a long nice warm bath after having a cold. Oh my a blessing!
• 3/13/13 Marjorie died this afternoon. Jamie and Nancy were by her side. 
• 3/16/13 Game night at our house - already a month has passed. We always have so much fun, and eat delicious potlucks!
• 3/18/13 We didn't realize it until the day after but we had a small hurricane come through the woods; at least 10-12 of trees pulled from their roots and many more snapped at the top, as if they were match sticks. It affected trees by the big oak, across the woods and down by the river. 
• 3/20/13 Book Club at my house; Major Pettigrew's Last Stand such a witty well written book. Also birthday celebration for Keitha; we had soooo much fun and laughter, 14 bright women sharing about life. Leigh Lynn joined the celebration.
• 3/23/13 Talked with Begona on skype this morning; she wants to practice her English and it gives us an opportunity to get to know each other; she is very sweet, she has a wonderful smile. At this point she seems to understand a lot of written English; Skype makes it really easy to have a conversation in English, because we can see our gestures, show images and type words in English that she is not familiar with. Will are set to have weekly appointments Saturday morning.
• 3/24/13 Marjorie's memorial service. Jamie read her life story; each individual has such an interesting life, we are who we are - luminous beings living the best we can. Attending a memorial service is always an opportunity to see life with a new perspective, gratitude, cultivating compassion and paying attention to what is real and meaningful.
• May I awaken before I die.
• 3/25/13 We have been busy building the Shack; friends coming over to help, house chores, preparing lunch for all, social activities. I am enjoying some silence this morning.
• Why do I gain a few pounds each winter? hum food for thought!
• 3/29/13 The first phase of the Barn is finished... time to garden!
• 3/30/13 A couple of vultures perched on a tree on the south area on 3/22 right after yoga class, they stayed there for about 3 hours; first time I see them get so close to the house. Yesterday the bird actually landed and stayed on the ground until Ringo spotted her and ran to chase her off. Well this morning here she is again, flying low and landing on a tree. I am wondering if she is looking for a quiet place to build a nest? interesting I usually see vultures perch at night in large groups.
• 3/30/13 We cleaned the chicken coop, this spring the soil went to the big HK; first time ever we saw some mice; Alden called Ringo, ha... too late, as soon as the chickens spotted the first mouse they were on him, and then they ran around taking the mouse from each others' beak, the mouse was a bit too big to gulp it in one piece. It was quite comical. 

Who has the mouse?

She does!

• Raining on Sunday about 3/4"
• April 1st Monday we are out relatively early to polish the ditch by the barn and then work in the big HK. While Alden mixes in manure, and goes to get saw dust, Lisa and I are transplanting the white dutch clover that I had started from seed in January in the center part of the garden HK; I realize it should not be there since it is perennial and will multiply and take over. In the process Greta, Chris' dog got lost; she started to walk away and one minute later Lisa went after her and could not find her. The rest of the day Lisa, then Chris went through the woods calling her. I looked thoroughly around the house. Was this an April fools joke?
• Tuesday mid day Ana spotted Greta by the church. Chris and Lisa were so happy to have her back.
• Friday May 24 our neighbor Chad came looking for a lost cow, she is black with long horns, pregnant and very sweet. She pushed the fence last Sunday and has been wandering in the woods since. We walked the woods and saw hoof marks. Chad and two helpers came by Saturday to explore the woods. Sharon and Steve were here that day painting the beaver. The cow was found Monday Memorial Day at night, a neighbor called she was walking on Graves Cemetery Rd, she was in the Hamricks' pasture.  I'd love to write a story about the wanderings of this cow!