When I get better (or less lazy) with the whole putting pictures thing on this blog, I'll post some pictures of the beautiful trees here in upstate, NY. I was walking my little reds to the end of the driveway to wait for the bus this morning and we were marveling at how gorgeous it was when the sun hit the tops of the changing trees--the golds, reds, and oranges just seem to sparkle.
Yesterday I had a yoga breakthrough. I decided to REALLY focus on my breath during the class. I would imagine being on the beach listening to the surf. Water going out (inhale) water coming in (exhale.) I decided that I would not, even one time, look at my watch to see how much longer the torture was going to endure. If I couldn't do the pose being done, I would just do the best I could. It was all about the focus and intention.
And I'll be darned if it didn't work! The class seemed to go by quicker than other classes have and I felt much more relaxed at the end of the class. I think there is something meditative about yoga (duh--I can be a slow learner.)
We'll see how I do today.
Peace,
RevMutha
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Remembering Apollo
I had my dog euthanized last Thursday.
I can't say "put to sleep" and I'm not quite ready for "put to death" so "euthanized" works the best for me.
I had my beautiful Apollo for almost 12 years.
I had never before had a pet for 12 years.
His death was peaceful. I will never forget the kindness and compassion of my vet. She let me keep him in the back of my car and gave him the Big Pink Shot there so we didn't have to go through the trauma of moving him again. He still weighed 86 lbs so I was thankful to God that my hubby and I were able to get him into the car on the first try.
In some ways, Apollo was the heartbeat of our house. He was always there. Even when we were out of town, Apollo was there, guarding, sleeping, protecting. He protected my little reds when they were born. Nobody got past him unless I introduced them first. He would sleep on the landing going up the stairs where the little reds would be in their rooms and simply stand up if he didn't know who was coming. In his prime, he weighed almost 150 lbs. He looked like a giant polar bear.
So my heart is heavy.
This Sunday will be the blessing of the Animals--Apollo had gone with me for 10 years. But I give thanks to God for the memories I have of my Good Boy--and look forward to blessing the pets who bring unconditional love to our lives.
Peace,
RevMutha
I can't say "put to sleep" and I'm not quite ready for "put to death" so "euthanized" works the best for me.
I had my beautiful Apollo for almost 12 years.
I had never before had a pet for 12 years.
His death was peaceful. I will never forget the kindness and compassion of my vet. She let me keep him in the back of my car and gave him the Big Pink Shot there so we didn't have to go through the trauma of moving him again. He still weighed 86 lbs so I was thankful to God that my hubby and I were able to get him into the car on the first try.
In some ways, Apollo was the heartbeat of our house. He was always there. Even when we were out of town, Apollo was there, guarding, sleeping, protecting. He protected my little reds when they were born. Nobody got past him unless I introduced them first. He would sleep on the landing going up the stairs where the little reds would be in their rooms and simply stand up if he didn't know who was coming. In his prime, he weighed almost 150 lbs. He looked like a giant polar bear.
So my heart is heavy.
This Sunday will be the blessing of the Animals--Apollo had gone with me for 10 years. But I give thanks to God for the memories I have of my Good Boy--and look forward to blessing the pets who bring unconditional love to our lives.
Peace,
RevMutha
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Sports Rehab, mole, living yoga
This afternoon I'll see the sports rehab chick for the first time. I'll let y'all know how it goes. I'm most concerned about the time component but all shall be well.
The little reds started school again--we almost missed the bus yesterday and completely missed the "first day of school" photo ops...so this morning I took the camera out and got pics. Little reds said "But Mom, it's not the first day of school!" I said "It's within 24 hours, it counts." Bus driver was laughing. Laughing hard. I just smiled sweetly.
I was not smiling so sweetly on Saturday, at least not for the first 6 hours of making the mole. Rick Bayless may be this amazing zen Mexican chef but, lemme tell you, the man has LOTS of assistants. Making mole by myself, in retrospect, was a good measure of my own personal fortitude and stubbornness. But what the hell was I thinking? It took me 9 hours, not counting the hours shopping and calling to find ingredients. Making this sauce (and you can google the recipe: Rick Bayless' braised turkey in red mole" is not for the faint of heart. The end product, however, is slap yo mama good. Seriously. And it's getting better. Complex, rich, dark, sexy...a real palate pleaser. I'll make it again but with some different kitchen equipment. (And I have enmity in my heart for my blender. It sucks. Food processor worked much butter for the pureeing steps...)
I have joined living yoga. I'm going to try to re-work my schedule so that I can attend at least 3-4 classes a week. It won't be easy. During this first week of school, either my beloved hubby or I have had meetings every night. The first time the family will be able to sit down for dinner together is Saturday. This is not right. But little reds love their teachers. I'll meet them tonight at curriculum night. It's tough not being able to bi-locate since 4th and 5th grade curriculum nights take place on the same night, but I manage. And Dad was on-call last night so he'll be with little reds tonight. I have incredible compassion for single parents. I don't see how they do it.
So yoga either tomorrow at 6 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. Then a Saturday morning class. I'm teaching a class at a Spirituality Fair on Saturday--"Making and Praying the Anglican Rosary" and then will officiate at a wedding at 4 p.m.
Time to get ready for the day. Breathe and be open. That's my intention.
Peace,
RevMutha
The little reds started school again--we almost missed the bus yesterday and completely missed the "first day of school" photo ops...so this morning I took the camera out and got pics. Little reds said "But Mom, it's not the first day of school!" I said "It's within 24 hours, it counts." Bus driver was laughing. Laughing hard. I just smiled sweetly.
I was not smiling so sweetly on Saturday, at least not for the first 6 hours of making the mole. Rick Bayless may be this amazing zen Mexican chef but, lemme tell you, the man has LOTS of assistants. Making mole by myself, in retrospect, was a good measure of my own personal fortitude and stubbornness. But what the hell was I thinking? It took me 9 hours, not counting the hours shopping and calling to find ingredients. Making this sauce (and you can google the recipe: Rick Bayless' braised turkey in red mole" is not for the faint of heart. The end product, however, is slap yo mama good. Seriously. And it's getting better. Complex, rich, dark, sexy...a real palate pleaser. I'll make it again but with some different kitchen equipment. (And I have enmity in my heart for my blender. It sucks. Food processor worked much butter for the pureeing steps...)
I have joined living yoga. I'm going to try to re-work my schedule so that I can attend at least 3-4 classes a week. It won't be easy. During this first week of school, either my beloved hubby or I have had meetings every night. The first time the family will be able to sit down for dinner together is Saturday. This is not right. But little reds love their teachers. I'll meet them tonight at curriculum night. It's tough not being able to bi-locate since 4th and 5th grade curriculum nights take place on the same night, but I manage. And Dad was on-call last night so he'll be with little reds tonight. I have incredible compassion for single parents. I don't see how they do it.
So yoga either tomorrow at 6 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. Then a Saturday morning class. I'm teaching a class at a Spirituality Fair on Saturday--"Making and Praying the Anglican Rosary" and then will officiate at a wedding at 4 p.m.
Time to get ready for the day. Breathe and be open. That's my intention.
Peace,
RevMutha
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
September!
I always love the beginning of September--full of new beginnings! New school year for the little reds, new program year at the church, and new whatever else we decide. I've decided to try a 3 month experiment of doing yoga 3-4 times/week (and whenever the Yoga studio offers the 40 days to personal transformation, I'm signing up. Trust that you'll get to read ALL about it.) I'm going to cut back to once a week with the personal trainer and see how it goes. I start rehab on my hip on Sept 10. Since going to the sports med dr. last week, my hip has been pretty sore--but yoga doesn't make it any worse and makes me feel tons better.
I've also decided to try to make Rick Bayless' red mole sauce. I have ordered some of the more specialized ingredients (guajillo chiles, mexican chocolate, avacado leaves) from a gourmet supply company in California. I was hoping to spend this coming Saturday in the kitchen but I don't know if the ingredients will arrive by then. I might have to start a search in the upstate NY area to see what I can find.
And I really am going to post about making the homemade mozzarella cheese...just not now. Maybe later. Stay tuned.
Peace,
RevMutha
I've also decided to try to make Rick Bayless' red mole sauce. I have ordered some of the more specialized ingredients (guajillo chiles, mexican chocolate, avacado leaves) from a gourmet supply company in California. I was hoping to spend this coming Saturday in the kitchen but I don't know if the ingredients will arrive by then. I might have to start a search in the upstate NY area to see what I can find.
And I really am going to post about making the homemade mozzarella cheese...just not now. Maybe later. Stay tuned.
Peace,
RevMutha
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Yoga! Yoga! Yoga!
Meant to sound like "Toga, Toga, Toga" from "Animal House."
I did make it to the 6 a.m. class last Friday. When we entered the room, the lights were very dim. It made me want to go back to sleep. Except that there are these really hard core chicks who take this class who obviously have made yoga their way of life and are able to do all the inversions and positions and stuff that I may never do in my lifetime (not that I'm judging my yoga practice, Lindsey says not to judge but to stay in the present. whatever.)
Anyway, I got through the class but was very happy to take Saturday and Sunday off from yoga. I had a regular work-out with my trainer on Monday and then went to Lindsey's class yesterday afternoon. It was a full class but I'm starting to get the hang of some of the "flow." And Lindsay is getting the hang of my looks that say "Uh, that pose ain't happenin' quite yet.) Like crow. Where people are on their heads with their hands on either sides of their heads and their knees balanced on their elbows. Seriously. Just picture that. And, not to be picky, but I've never seen a crow do that either. But hey, as a priest, there's LOTS that I just have to take on faith...I'm just sayin'...
Tomorrow afternoon Lindsey is teaching a "restorative yoga" class. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
In terms of the whole organic/local eating stuff: husband NOT HAPPY that I spent extra money on organic tomatoes. But they sure tasted good and even my youngest daughter has begun asking for them on her sandwiches. I'll find other ways to make husband happy and continue to shop as wisely and healthfully as I can. And also remember to take the pricetags off the tomatoes.
Peace,
RevMutha
I did make it to the 6 a.m. class last Friday. When we entered the room, the lights were very dim. It made me want to go back to sleep. Except that there are these really hard core chicks who take this class who obviously have made yoga their way of life and are able to do all the inversions and positions and stuff that I may never do in my lifetime (not that I'm judging my yoga practice, Lindsey says not to judge but to stay in the present. whatever.)
Anyway, I got through the class but was very happy to take Saturday and Sunday off from yoga. I had a regular work-out with my trainer on Monday and then went to Lindsey's class yesterday afternoon. It was a full class but I'm starting to get the hang of some of the "flow." And Lindsay is getting the hang of my looks that say "Uh, that pose ain't happenin' quite yet.) Like crow. Where people are on their heads with their hands on either sides of their heads and their knees balanced on their elbows. Seriously. Just picture that. And, not to be picky, but I've never seen a crow do that either. But hey, as a priest, there's LOTS that I just have to take on faith...I'm just sayin'...
Tomorrow afternoon Lindsey is teaching a "restorative yoga" class. I'll let y'all know how it goes.
In terms of the whole organic/local eating stuff: husband NOT HAPPY that I spent extra money on organic tomatoes. But they sure tasted good and even my youngest daughter has begun asking for them on her sandwiches. I'll find other ways to make husband happy and continue to shop as wisely and healthfully as I can. And also remember to take the pricetags off the tomatoes.
Peace,
RevMutha
Thursday, August 20, 2009
drinking the yoga Koolaid
I'm not quite hooked.
But I'm getting there.
I did another class with Lyndsey today.
She rocks.
It was awesome. I still have lots to learn but I come out feeling tired and clean. (even though I'm drenched with sweat.)
I'm planning to attend another class at 6 a.m.
We'll see if it happens.
My next blogs will talk about my foray into making homemade mozzarella cheese. Yep. I think I also have been drinking the Barbara Kingsolver koolaid. These times, they are a changing. The whole idea that we (and by we I mean every single one of us) need to change our actions to reverse the damage we've done to this planet is immediate and serious. Everyone has to do what they can. Eat local. Buy local. Don't shop mindlessly.
Okay, enough preaching for now. I got to get to bed so I can get up early in the a.m.! More tomorrow!
RevMutha
But I'm getting there.
I did another class with Lyndsey today.
She rocks.
It was awesome. I still have lots to learn but I come out feeling tired and clean. (even though I'm drenched with sweat.)
I'm planning to attend another class at 6 a.m.
We'll see if it happens.
My next blogs will talk about my foray into making homemade mozzarella cheese. Yep. I think I also have been drinking the Barbara Kingsolver koolaid. These times, they are a changing. The whole idea that we (and by we I mean every single one of us) need to change our actions to reverse the damage we've done to this planet is immediate and serious. Everyone has to do what they can. Eat local. Buy local. Don't shop mindlessly.
Okay, enough preaching for now. I got to get to bed so I can get up early in the a.m.! More tomorrow!
RevMutha
The Day After
I loved the yoga class.
The instructor was great. She encouraged all of us to go at our own rate and push ourselves when we were ready but the way she said it made me want to work harder. She reminded me of my trainer, Jenny, who gently challenged me--she made it more of an invitation than an obligation.
I think this is a translatable message in my parish. I want people to move into a deeper relationship with God and each other because that is what they are capable of doing. Yes, at first it can seem foreign and uncomfortable. But once you've been at it for a while, it becomes a life practice. I can't imagine a life without my faith. I can't imagine a life where I didn't value religious pluralism. Fundamentalism in just about any form scares the hell out of me.
I'm currently reading a great book called "Acts of Faith" by Eboo Patel (published by Beacon Press.) It is fantastic and I highly recommend it.
In the meantime, I'm checking the website for the yoga studio to see when Lindsay is teaching again.
Peace,
RevMutha
The instructor was great. She encouraged all of us to go at our own rate and push ourselves when we were ready but the way she said it made me want to work harder. She reminded me of my trainer, Jenny, who gently challenged me--she made it more of an invitation than an obligation.
I think this is a translatable message in my parish. I want people to move into a deeper relationship with God and each other because that is what they are capable of doing. Yes, at first it can seem foreign and uncomfortable. But once you've been at it for a while, it becomes a life practice. I can't imagine a life without my faith. I can't imagine a life where I didn't value religious pluralism. Fundamentalism in just about any form scares the hell out of me.
I'm currently reading a great book called "Acts of Faith" by Eboo Patel (published by Beacon Press.) It is fantastic and I highly recommend it.
In the meantime, I'm checking the website for the yoga studio to see when Lindsay is teaching again.
Peace,
RevMutha
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