Hello, 2026...it's nice to meet you!

I love the new year. Not just this one, but all of them. Maybe it's the blessing of a fresh start. No matter what happened yesteryear or even yesterday, each new day allows for another chance to try again.

I don't really make New Year's resolutions anymore. But in general, I do intend to be a more kind, more compassionate and more generous human being. Maybe I could just consolidate those aspirations into one. I aim to be present...not return to wallow in "what I should have said" or transport my thoughts to "what if (insert bad scenario) happens." As spiritual teacher Ram Dass said, "Be here now."

Like most people, I'll continue to cherish my memories and plan for the future, but my intention this year is to stay present...even when I don't like what is going on around me. I have recently returned to a yoga practice which includes not beating myself up when I miss a class or don't practice at home.

With respect to Numerology, I have entered a #7 Personal Year. For me, this means that it's a good time to turn inward and experience a more introspective year. Ever the Spiritual Seeker, I took an intuitive development class last Fall and I've signed up for the next level class beginning later this month. I've been receiving and acknowledging more signs (from Spirit) than ever before and I want to deepen that connection.

Over the holidays, I asked Spirit "if I'm on the right path, please show me a pink flamingo." Two days later, our family went to an arcade and I found myself at a claw machine where I tried to win a stuffed pink flamingo. But to my surprise, the claw grabbed two pink flamingos at the same time! One for each of the two granddaughters that were with us that day.

I do believe that if we ask, Spirit answers. We just need to be present and willing to receive. And that is the true gift. The gift of presence.

Coffee talk...

Summer is flying by and here we are already in August. Life has been very hectic this year with moving, getting settled in our new house and welcoming friends and family. In between that we have been traveling, addressing some personal challenges...such as needing to buy a new car (ouch!)...among other things. The stress of it all has taken its toll on me.

Aside from daily journal writing, I have not taken time to express my creativity. No art, no poetry, nothing, nada, zilch. And that has made me very cranky. Truth be told, my journal has been existing mainly for a mind dump, worry beat or complain-a-thon. Wah!

Today, though, I decided I'm finished with starting my day with so much negativity, fear and worry. That's not the tone I want to set for today or any day.

Instead, I wrote down 17 positive affirmations about myself in an attempt to retrain my brain to start believing them. I'm currently reading the book Coffee Self-Talk by Kristen Helmstetter who suggests taking 5 minutes with your morning cup o' Joe (tea, juice, water, whatever you drink) and saying (out loud or whispering) your affirmations. That's it. 5 minutes. I can do that. And I have to say that my day so far has been fantastic! Yes, it's Friday which gives the day a good start anyway, but combining my morning coffee with a new habit of reciting affirmations amplifies the power of positivity. As I write this, it's mid-afternoon and I feel unstoppable!

Supposedly it takes 21 days for a new habit to stick, but because I drink coffee everyday anyway, I'm sure I will have no trouble starting my day with good self-talk.

The rest of my summer promises a little more travel (California here I come...), a commitment to writing more consistently, and deepening my study of astrology.

If you're so inclined, let me know in the comments how you're spending your summer.

Meanwhile, I think I'll indulge in a double espresso over ice!!

Friday afternoon coffee break with Ozzy, my new potted palm.

Still Cat-ching Up

Today is Memorial Day 2025. Our company has gone home and I've been slowly cleaning up, doing laundry, checking e-mail...not holiday fun, but necessary tasks to getting caught up.

My lunch companion in Scilla, Italy.

Life has been very active lately. We built a new house and have been slowly moving in over the last few months. In the midst of moving, we took a trip to Italy that we had planned over a year ago before we decided to build the house. Add in a few other personal trials onto an already full plate and to say I'm a little overwhelmed would definitely be an understatement.

This afternoon, I'm welcoming the solitude. Someone is mowing their lawn in the distance, the washing machine just sang it's little song to indicate the cycle is complete and I can't wait to sit on the porch and read a book.

Since today is the unofficial start of Summer, I'm going to enjoy one of my favorite pastimes...making a glass of flavored iced tea and curling up on the back porch with a few books. I say a few books because I've been known to have up to 5 on my nightstand. Yes, they get read very slowly, but I enjoy a bit of fiction, a little non-fiction, a memoir and maybe something like a daybook featuring one passage a day. Next up...Dear Writer by Maggie Smith.

While I would love to share pics from our recent trip to Italy or tell you just how much I love our new house, just for today, I wanted to pop in to say hello and hope you have been enjoying your holiday weekend.

More soon...