April 2017 - Cindy Goes Beyond

April 30, 2017

An Order to Go with a Side of Clothes

I’ve recently realized something about myself…the style of clothing I prefer has a name, other than “hippie” clothes. I like flowing, natural fabrics and layering on clothes. That style of fashion is known as bohemian, or boho.

Boho clothing was popularized in the 1960s and 1970s (no wonder I refer to them as hippie clothes) with an emphasis on free flowing natural fabrics that are environmentally friendly. Boho styling also intends that the wearer feels in harmony with herself and with nature, leaving a great deal of room for creating a very individualized look.

Elements of the boho style are:

Layer clothing – create a relaxed gypsy look with multiple layers, such as a wrap over a T shirt and a long skirt, or a flowing tunic over tight leggings with a long crocheted sweater over both.

Oversized flowing clothes – create a free and flowing look with light weight fabrics and long tops or skirts….anything that makes you feel light and comfortable.

Second hand clothes are an option that saves money and saves the environment – check local second hand shops for vintage looking tops, skirts, dresses or wide legged slacks with flow to them and details such as tassels, lace or crocheted accents.

Yesterday I stopped by Cracker Barrel for a couple of veggie plates to go. As I waited for my order, I wandered around the restaurant’s country shop, impressed with their clothing selection. How many restaurants carry clothing? Cracker Barrel does! And do you know what I was seeing? Lots of boho style tops, dresses and skirts. And you know what else I saw? All clothing was 25-40% off!

I was back at this homestyle restaurant this afternoon, shopping for clothes. Noon wasn’t the best time to go. Think after church crowd. But with an upcoming trip, plus recent weight loss, plus an incredible sale that ended today on my favorite style of clothes, I was there. The crush of people didn’t bother me.

Cracker Barrel doesn’t have a dressing room. So with permission I carried an armful of cute tops and wraps to the restroom. I would try on a top and then step out of the stall to check the fit in the mirror. At one point I had the cutest group of older ladies cooing over my clothes and offering sweet words of encouragement. They were my own little cheering squad.

I had fun, shopping for clothes in a unique setting, and finding several great pieces. As I finished shopping I placed an order for veggies to go. The clerk ringing up my purchases laughed when I told her I was getting a to go order with a side of clothes. She called me clever.

I felt more than clever. I was thrilled to discover clothes that fit within my boho style and my budget. Bohemians are defined as free spirited people who live unconventional, nomadic, artistic lives. I am happy to dress the part!

April 29, 2017April 30, 2017

Movie Review: Captain Fantastic

I’ve been a fan of actor Viggo Mortensen since he played the would be king, Aragorn, in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. He was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actor category this year, for his role in the unconventional film, Captain Fantastic. This day of nonstop thunderstorms and torrential rainfall provided the opportunity to see this film for the first time, via Amazon Prime.

Captain Fantastic stars Viggo Mortensen, George MacKay, Samantha Isler, Annalise Basso, Nicholas Hamilton, Shree Crooks, Charlie Shotwell, Trin Miller, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Zahn, Frank Langella and Ann Dowd. The comedy drama was written and directed by Matt Ross and has a run time of 1 hour and 58 minutes. The movie is rated R for language and brief nudity. Captain Fantastic received one Oscar nomination, Best Actor, for Mortensen. He did not win.

Ben Cash (Mortensen) and his wife Leslie (Miller) have made the decision to go off the grid and raise their family of six children in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. The three boys and three girls, Bodevan (MacKay), Rellian (Hamilton), Nai (Shotwell) and Kielyr (Isler), Vespyr (Basso), and Zaja (Crooks), are homeschooled through broad reading and lively discussions and vigorous physical exercise.

The children are not only well read and speak multiple languages, they know how to hunt and raise their own food, handle medical emergencies and play musical instruments. All seems idyllic, however Leslie suffers from a bipolar disorder. Ben hopes living in the wilderness will help her heal, but her condition worsens until Leslie must be hospitalized. While under medical care, she commits suicide.

Leslie’s wealthy parents (played by Langella and Dowd) bring their daughter’s body to New Mexico for a traditional funeral and burial, against Leslie’s final wishes, and against Ben’s wishes as well.

Although he is threatened with arrest if he shows up at the funeral, Ben and his children risk leaving the forests and entering into mainstream society to carry out their mission of rescuing Leslie. The free spirited children experience their first encounters with fast food and soda pop, technology such as video games and corporate America, and family members who don’t understand their way of life.

Ben clashes with everyone, from his sister and brother-in-law (Hahn and Zahn) to his upset in-laws, who threaten to turn him in for child abuse due to his unconventional parenting style. Ben must look honestly and deeply within, questioning his core beliefs and deciding what’s right for his family, while grieving his wife and trying to carry out her last wishes.

This was a beautifully quirky film that touched my heart. At the center of this story is a family choosing how they want to perceive the world, and honoring those beliefs, while not caring how others perceive them. It was definitely appealing to me, the idea of living surrounded by nature and in a self sustaining way.

I smiled over the intelligence of the kids who were treated with respect and spoken to with openness and honesty. And I applauded many of their choices, especially around education and healthy eating. “What’s cola?” asks Zaja. “Poison water,” answers her dad. The children are allowed to dress as they want, which draws many stares at the funeral. And their names are deliberately unique, to reflect their own uniqueness in the world.

It takes a wise and loving father to realize that there comes a time when he must listen to his growing children and consider their emerging beliefs. Ben is such a father. Watching him make decisions in the best interest of his kids was poignant bringing tears to my eyes.

The subject of mental illness was handled well along with who is responsible for the difficult choices sometimes made by those suffering such disorders.

Viggo well deserved his nomination. I confess I was glad to see him shave off the wooly beard so I could catch a glimpse of “Aragorn”. Ranger or off the grid thriver, Viggo delivers powerful and moving performances.

This family’s motto was “We are defined by our actions, not our words.” These are true words to reflect on, while I also reflect on this thoughful film. Big thumbs up for Captain Fantastic.

Pick up your copy of Captain Fantastic by clicking the link below:

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April 28, 2017

The Anatomy of a Vignette

I have reset all of the vignettes in my home, except for one. The vintage wooden sieve on my dining table has patiently awaited transformation. However, no fresh idea has come to mind. I walk by that table many times a day. I’d look at the sieve and think Hmmmm…I’ve got nothing.

Today, as I returned a stack of books to my creative studio, a small canvas print hanging on the wall caught my eye. And BOOM…there it was…inspiration for the wooden sieve had arrived. I thought it would be fun to share the creative process of putting together a vignette, from idea to completion. I hope others will feel inspired to create vignettes of their own.

As I work on a vignette, I am open to learning…about life, about myself, about creativity. These aha moments and deeper truths are the most important part of the creative process for me. I’ll share those insights as well, in italics.

The artwork that inspired tonight’s vignette features a bird with the encouraging words to “spread your wings and fly”. The colors in the print directed the choices I made for the rest of the pieces in the vignette.

The bird outside a birdcage was my symbol several years ago, representing freedom and moving beyond the self imposed cages I had created in my life. It is no surprise that this artwork caught my attention today. I have been journaling and refecting on my growth these last few years and how much freedom I now have in my beautiful life.

This is vignette attempt #1. I play with different pieces as the idea develops. I really wanted to use the red metal birdcage with the bird perched atop it…because…see the insight above. Although I very much had the bird theme going, this arrangement wasn’t quite working.

I have learned to be open to everything and attached to nothing. Sometimes that means letting go of something good, so something better can come to me.

I replaced the red birdcage with an old metal scoop, painted green and given to me by Greg’s grandmother many years ago. I recently found the scoop again, tucked away in the attic. I love this homey piece. Keeping with the bird theme, I filled the scoop with artificial eggs in soft greens and creams. I kept imagining a pair of birds building a nest in the scoop, as if it had been left forgotten outside.

I don’t want to be afraid to try new things. Repurposing is the practice of creating something fresh from an item, using it in a new way. The scoop was repurposed into a piece of art. It still has ties to the past, as it embraces a new purpose. I want to live this way too!

I liked including the scoop full of eggs. I didn’t like that the artwork and the metal nest were the same height. Suddenly I saw a new possibilty. I turned the scoop on its side. Perfect!

It’s all about perspective. Often, looking at something familiar in a new way creates fresh purpose and insight for me. Perspective helps me to think and see in a bigger way.

I was getting close on this vignette! I swapped out the chubby bright white ceramic birds for chippy, off white metal birds with more slender silhouettes. They better mimicked the bird on the art print and tied in well with the metal scoop. Imagining the eggs in a nest, I created more of that look within the scoop by adding a pick with red and yellow berries.

Creating a vignette is a great example of being in the flow, and staying open to change as part of life. The eggs became symbolic this evening of new ideas about to hatch, and new opportunities unfolding.

I was happy with the vignette…and thoughtful as I snapped pics. I like the insights that arise as I create.

I realized this vignette…all my vignettes actually…are reflections of who I am. My inner world is reflected in these outward expressions. This vignette reflects the truths of freedom, adaptability, perspective, flow, creativity and new opportunities “hatching”. And there was one more thing…

When I removed the birdcage, I removed my light source. All of my vignettes have a light source within them, typically a candle. My new vignette was not quite finished. It needed light. I added a small green tea light holder, and lit the candle. Now it was conplete.

I carry Light. I am full of Light. My desire is that my heart is so full of Light that it spills over.

Today truly was a good day to fly…and to create and reflect. This is how the creative process flows for me. And this is how I grow and learn. I just happen to write about it, and even that is part of being in the creative flow.

Anatomy of a Vignette. Anatomy – a study of the internal workings of something. Vignette – bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind, by creating life representations.

Oh yes!

April 27, 2017April 27, 2017

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

Today was National Tell a Story Day. I came across this holiday last year on a website that lists all the interesting and quirky celebrations associated with each calendar day. Last year I told a strange story about getting lost in a church basement, in the dark. (You can read that story HERE)

This year I intended to tell a hilarious and rather embarrassing story on myself, about an incident that happened to me earlier in the week. However, thankfully, I don’t have a single photo to accompany that story. I’ll save that tale for a future post…or bury it in my subconscious.

Thinking about my lack of photos brought to mind the old adage…“A picture is worth 1000 words”…and an idea was born. I asked Facebook friends who wanted to play to start with their last photo in their phones, count back 25 pics, and post that snapshot with an explanation. I let their photos tell stories, for Tell a Story Day. And rather than one story, I get to share twelve, in candid photos.

“My most favorite chef in the world” 😉 Debbie

“My grandson Jaxon not sure if it was okay to start eating his birthday cupcakes” 😂 Kim

“Here ya go Cindy #25” Jerri

“Found this while looking for my wedding boots” Dallas

“This was taken on Easter morning, I was trying to be clever, my dog’s name is Lily, get it?” Andy

“My friend Kaylee and I at Third Thursday downtown .” Robert

“Paper purses that I make!” Sheila

“The cup I would love to have and I saved the picture. My grandkids call me ‘The Bird Lady’. Best part is they are appreciating birds and can identify quite a few or else they look them up to see what they are!!” Rebecca

“Ok, so not surprised it’s a Younique graphic of our ahhhmazing foundation. Because I sell it and work from my phone!” 😍 Pam

“We were laughing about Lincoln (1) wearing his sister’s tiara and carrying a fairy wand when just a few minutes later, Papa starts with this! lol” Marijo

“Working in the garden!” Cindy

“Sweet potato stuffed with stir fried red cabbage, onion, and garlic. My first meal Monday after a week of juicing! Bliss!!” Me

I appreciate everyone who played along. These pictures represent 12,000 words! And more than that, they represent 12 unique lives, all telling unique stories, which seems to be a very appropriate way to celebrate National Tell a Story Day!

April 26, 2017April 30, 2017

Movie Review: Hidden Figures

I have looked forward to watching today’s best picture nominated film. The rainy afternoon presented the perfect opportunity to stay indoors and view film 7 of 9 on my list, Hidden Figures.

Hidden Figures stars Taraji Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Jim Parsons and Kirsten Dunst. This historical drama was directed by Theodore Melfi and carries a PG rating for mild language. It has a run time of 2 hours and 7 minutes. Hidden Figures was nominated for three Oscars including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress for Spencer and Best Picture. It did not win in any category.

This based on true events story follows three amazing African American women as they offer their brilliance to NASA during America’s race to space in the early 1960s. While bringing their intellect to the space program they struggle with racial discrimination, gender inequality, and long hours spent working away from their families.

Katherine G Johnson (Henson) was a child mathematical genius who graduated from college at age 18 with degrees in mathematics and French. She works with her friends Mary (Monáe) and Dorothy (Spencer) in West Area Computing division, which is segregated from the rest of the Langley Research Center Campus. The women are computers, doing complex math computations and calculations on paper.

Because of her ability to do analytical geometry, Katherine is moved to the Space Task Group, headed by Al Harrison (Costner). He has been charged with the monumental task of getting a man into space as quickly as possible, as Russia is already there. She works closely with head engineer, Paul Stafford (Parsons), who resents Katherine joining the all white, all male team.

The real Katherine Johnson and Taraji Henson, who plays her.

Mary Jackson wants to be an engineer. She is reassigned to work with male engineers as they figure out how to protect the space capsule from overheating upon re-entry into the atmosphere. Her supervisor encourages Mary to get her engineering degree even though there isn’t a school in Virginia that will allow her to complete the classes she needs. Her only option is to petition the court to allow her to be accepted.

The real Mary Jackson and Janelle Monáe as her

And Dorothy Vaughn is working as the supervisor of West Area Computing, without the official title or the compensation. She has frequent conversations with her supervisor, Vivian (Durst), about being recognized for her work and paid accordingly, to no avail. She is told it just is what it is. Dorothy recognizes the threat that the newly installed IBM computer poses to her future at NASA, as well as to her team of female computers, and sets about learning to program the massive machine by reading a library book and studying the computer at night.

The real Dorothy Vaughn and Octavia Spencer as her

As these women give their best to NASA, they encounter injustices such as having to use “colored bathrooms”, even when the nearest facility is half a mile away, segregated coffee pots, and constantly being told “women aren’t allowed…”. All the while, the clock is ticking as the date approaches when the first American astronaut is scheduled to orbit Earth.

This was a phenomenal story that kept me engaged and hopeful throughout the movie. I am amazed that I had not heard of Katherine, Mary and Dorothy before the release of this movie. I was a wee girl during these events and grew up with a fascination for the space program.

It grieves me that these incredible women endured so much discrimination because of the color of their skin and their gender. I realize it wasn’t just these women. Sadly, such injustices was directed toward all people of color. I greatly admired the attitudes presented by these female geniuses at NASA. They abided by the “rules” as best they could, while quietly, and sometimes not so quietly, working to bring about change.

And so Katherine challenged the “no women allowed” rules by appealing to her supervisor, whom she knew to be a fair man. She used the bathroom that was half a mile away until an opportunity arose to explain her long breaks, and then she spoke with searing passion.

Mary spoke up when some thought she should remain quiet. And took her desire to attend a white school, to receive the credits needed to be an engineer, all the way to court. She won that right. Dorothy took it upon herself to step into the future she knew was coming, and learn a new way to compute. She not only prepared herself for what was coming, she secured the future for the other women as well, at last earning the title of supervisor.

I appreciated that at the end of the film, we learn what happened to Katherine, Mary and Dorothy after astronaut John Glenn made his historical orbits around the earth. I cared about these women by then. I wanted to know.

I loved this film. I will watch the final two best picture nominated movies, one of which I have already seen, but I am leaning toward calling Hidden Figures my favorite. I cheered. I teared up. I smiled. This is a powerful film made even more so by being true.

Everyone can learn from Hidden Figures…to be who you are and shine brightly, to allow everyone else to be who they are and shine brilliantly too, to fight against injustice wherever it is found, to see beyond color and gender and perceptions. Hidden Figures is a gem worth uncovering.

You can purchase Hidden Figures by clicking the link below:

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April 25, 2017April 25, 2017

Maple’s Gift to the Garden

I enjoyed time in my backyard garden this afternoon. After a weekend of heavy rains, the sunshine today was welcome. And the ground was damp still, which created ideal conditions for a necessary gardening task…weeding.

Wearing long sleeves and gloves for protection, I tackled a much needed project…removing miniature clumps of ornamental grasses that were popping up all over the garden. This wasn’t my typical puttering in the backyard. This was hard work, using both a hand shovel and a larger spade to dig up those tenacious little grasses.

But all work and no play is never my intention. After the last blade of grass was tossed into the bin, it was time for some gardening fun, and a special project that warmed my heart.

On the first day of spring this year, the big old maple tree that overhung my backyard came down. Twisted and damaged in the 2011 tornado that struck Joplin, the tree was dying. Large pieces of bark were peeling off and the huge limbs were hollowing out. The tree presented a danger to my house and the neighbor’s home. As sad as I was to see the tree cut down, it was the right action.

The rotten crumbling pieces of wood were disposed of. Greg cut up other portions into firewood that could be burned in the fire pit. And some of the trunk sections and bigger limbs he set aside for my creative use. This afternoon I turned my attention to what remained of maple tree.

I chose a couple of large maple sections with hollowed out areas, and a smaller solid branch, and positioned them in a bare spot in the garden. The hollow areas sparked my imagination. I could see these two cut up branches serving as planters. The smaller third section was the perfect size to hold a potted plant or flower.

I used a bag of top soil to fill in the hollowed logs. And then the fun began as I considered which flowering and non-flowering plants to create with.

I planted colorful vinca and white salvia in the taller of the two hollow logs. In the shorter section I tucked sweet potato vines around yellow calibrachoa. And perched on the solid plant stand is a pot of aromatic garden sage. I settled another small pot of yellow calibrachoa next to my new planter.

I am so thrilled with how this grouping turned out. I like the way the maple planters look in the garden. But most of all, I love that these unique garden accents came from the maple tree that shaded my yard for years.

These planters and the stand are temporary. They will age and weather and the wood will break down, becoming rich mulch and compost in my garden. For those reasons, I planted annuals within them.

These are amazing gifts from maple tree. I will enjoy the planters and the stand this summer. And my garden will then benefit from the deteriorating wood as the tree returns to the earth from which it sprang.

What a beautiful legacy. Thank you maple tree.

April 24, 2017April 26, 2017

Packing for 11 Days in a Carry On

As children, we use playing as a way to learn. So we pretend to drive, practice parenting skills with baby dolls, stand before imaginary classrooms as the teacher. I have often used playing as a trial run for an upcoming event. When I worked in my uncle’s firework stand as a young teen, I first set up a mock store to role play waiting on customers and making change.

Tonight, I played. Exactly one month from today, my daughter Elissa, grandson Dayan and I will be aboard a plane, heading to Italy. I practiced packing for the 11 day trip.

My daughter, grandson and I all agreed…we want to travel light. When I visited Scotland in 2014, I made a mistake. I took a huge suitcase for that 10 day trip. I immediately regretted it. The monstrous piece of luggage was cumbersome, difficult to navigate with through crowded airports and train stations, and impossible to lug up flights of stairs. I hurt my back dragging the thing behind me. I vowed to travel with a carry on next time.

It is the “next time”, as I prepare to take my grandson to his dream destination for his graduation gift.

But could I really get 11 days of clothing plus toiletries and a couple of extra items in a suitcase that measures 22x14x9? I decided to find out.

First problem…my old carry on is 1/2″ too big! The airline we are flying on specifies carry ons cannot exceed 22″, including the wheels and handles. Mine is slightly too tall with the handle included. I’ll be purchasing a new carry on. This is why I play ahead of time! For tonight’s experiment, I used the suitcase I have to practice packing.

All of these clothes….

…need to fit in here. Everything I’ve read suggested rolling clothes, rather than folding. Let’s see if it wotks.

I layered PJ top and bottoms together and rolled them up.

I’m only taking one extra pair of shoes. Those went on the bottom, against the side. Heavier or bulkier clothes such as jackets, a cardigan and capris formed the bottom layer.

I used underwear and socks to fill in the gaps on the bottom layer. They all found a place to tuck into.

I worked on the tops next. Short sleeved shirts rolled up quite small. I rolled as tightly as I could, starting at the bottom of each shirt.

All of my tops formed the second layer. There was plenty of room left for toiletries, a journal and a map. And I hadn’t even used the many pockets or the mesh section. I can easily stash a hair straightener, phone charger, and electrical adapters in my suitcase’s pockets.

In my carry on I was able to pack one pair of shoes, one pair of PJs, a pair of capris, a lightweight jacket, a long cardigan sweater, 11 tops, and 11 days worth of underwear and socks. Of course, I’ll be wearing clothes too…jeans, a top, walking shoes and perhaps a long sleeved jacket in case the plane is chilly.

I am thrilled with my play time! I discovered I need to purchase a slightly smaller carry on. And that it is possible to pack for an extended trip in a carry on.

One month, and what I pretended doing tonight will be reality. Four months and one week from today, I’ll do this again as I travel to Ireland, Scotland and England with my mom, sisters and niece.

Can you tell I am scratching an itch, having been bitten by the travel bug? I am so excited to see new places!

This is the carry on I will be ordering!

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April 23, 2017April 23, 2017

The Magic of Seashells

After a busy day, and the completion of a weeklong juice fast, I enjoyed some down time this evening, giving my creative energy an outlet. I packed up vintage Easter décor and starting in my bedroom, began creating fresh vignettes.

Although I didn’t intend to focus on the bedroom, that’s where I felt drawn. Warm light filtered in through the window blinds as the sun set, giving the room a cozy golden glow. That sunlight inspired me to change out the room’s predominantly blue décor for warmer yellows, golds, whites and greens.

The bottom shelf of the little bedside table got a new look. It features a dark green bottle and a delicate framed needlework crafted by Greg’s mother. The pottery was handmade by my daughter Adriel when she was a child. I love how shifting the lid allows soft candlelight to spill out.

The vintage ceramic doll came out of storage to occupy a place of honor on my dresser. She was joined by a friendship plate and an old brass candleholder.

Enjoying the shift to warmer colors, even the bed got a makeover. I love linens and quilts. I have a variety of bed coverings, in different colors, which means I can change out the bedding frequently for a fresh look. Included in my collection are vintage quilts from grandmothers, and handmade quilts from my mother and daughter Adriel. All get used. For the first time today, I made the bed with an old white chenille bedspread I uncovered in a chest after Greg’s dad passed away. I added the bright cheerful quilt, made by Greg’s grandmother.

Finally, I reset the vintage suitcase, bringing back the Mad Hatter tea time collection. My sister Debbie and niece Ashley made the framed print for me, with the quote from Alice in Wonderland. The gold tea pot and stacked tea cups are perfect accessories. I added a different tea light holder and keeping with the tea time theme, added the vintage gold pocket watch.

As I was finishing up the tea time vignette, my attention was drawn repeatedly to the empty wire basket I had placed near the suitcase. I hadn’t thought of anything to place within the basket and I was just going to leave it empty.

However, something was filtering into my mind. Something I could use to fill the basket. Seashells. Seashells were coming to mind. I resisted that idea at first. Seashells didn’t seem go with my tea time vignette.

This is how my inspiration, my creativity works…it won’t leave me alone until I listen to it. I kept looking at that basket. Seashells kept coming to mind. I finally listened and located a large conch shell that I have and a bag of assorted shells.

I followed inspiration’s invitation, filling the basket with the shells, and then I looked up the symbolism of seashells.

I discovered that seashells connect us to water energy. And water connects us to our emotions. Contact with seashells opens and activates our intuition, allowing us to more easily access our creativity and imagination. When we are able to express our ideas and creativity, we begin to heal ourselves, and then we can offer healing to others.

Wow.

Water is my element. I’ve always known that. And although I have spent a lifetime guarding my emotions, my recent journey has helped me to open my heart and keep it open. Once that happened, my creativity increased. This year is all about expressing that creativity in a variety of ways, including creating vignettes. Healing physically has been an important part of my journey as well, which is affecting me on deeper levels.

I don’t know why it became so important to add seashells to my vignette this evening. But it did. And my ever present curiosity led me to discover what the significance of the seashells was.

I am touched by the message. I am amazed at how these Divine moments unfold, and I am exceedingly grateful. Seashells are now present in my bedroom, a reminder of this year’s journey and the importance of living with imagination, creativity, tenderness and healing.

How magical is that?

April 22, 2017April 22, 2017

Earth Day 2017

Today was Earth Day, and although it was rainy and unseasonably cool, it was the perfect morning to get out. I picked up my Mom and sister Linda and we headed to the Webb City Farmer’s Market for the first time this year.

I love the farmer’s market. What a great place to gather with hundreds of other people to celebrate the earth’s bounty. The colorful displays of fresh veggies and fruits, in their seasons, the tantalizing aroma of herbs and veggies and meals for sale bubbling in pots at the end of the pavilion, the cheerful chatter of vendors and shoppers, all create an exotic atmosphere that makes me smile.

The weather did not hamper shoppers today as they filled the market. Due to the chilly temps, the sides were lowered on the pavilion so that there was a cozy, cheerful warmth within. Mom, Linda and I followed the tradition of starting at one end of the market and walking the whole thing before deciding which vendors to shop with.

In honor of Earth Day, trees were given away at one booth, while at another table children were encouraged to plant seeds in cups that they could then take home. I appreciated the smiling faces and the noisy bustle at the market. And everywhere there were tables piled with vegetables, herbs, plants and goodies.

I am very proud of my mom and sister. Mom has been plant based for almost as long as I have, willing to walk with me in this healing journey to improve her health. And Linda completes the 28 Day Cleanse Monday. (Read about the 28 Day Cleanse HERE) They are taking responsibility for their health by eliminating meat, dairy, sugar, gluten, gmo produce and eggs from their diets and consuming lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and rice. It is totally up to them whether this will be a long term lifestyle. However, both attest to feeling better.

We talked to vendors and asked questions, sampled buckwheat sprouts and purchased winter and early spring veggies and herbs. We also bought plants to tuck into the ground at home, on a drier day.

On the way back to Mom’s we stopped by Aldi’s Market to finish our shopping. Look at the basket in the picture below! It is full of fresh fruits and veggies. What a beautiful sight and promise of healthy, delicious meals to come.

At home, preparing a fresh juice for lunch, I thought about Earth Day. It is intended to raise our awareness about the health of this planet we call home. It encourages us to take actions to care for the earth, the environment, the flora and fauna of this world, as well as humankind. These actions are all crucial to ensure that we continue to have a place to live.

I thought about the connection between caring for our planet and caring for myself.

It is crucial that we care for ourselves too, nurturing our bodies, feeding them well for optimal health, eliminating the foods and products that are making us so sick. Because our bodies are where our amazing, shining selves reside. A healthy body equals somewhere to live. It’s home.

Happy Earth Day.

April 21, 2017April 26, 2017

Movie Review: Moonlight

With thunderstorms in the area all day, bringing heavy rains, it was the perfect afternoon to watch another Best Picture nominated film. I prefer to save the Oscar winner in that category until last. However, when I visited the DVD rental store, only Moonlight was available. So Moonlight it was, film 6 out of 9.

Moonlight stars Mahershala Ali, Alex Hibbert, Naomie Harris, Ashton Sanders, Janelle Monae, Trevante Rhodes, Jaden Piner, Jharrel Jerome and André Holland. This drama, rated R for language, sexuality and violence, was directed by Barry Jenkins and has a run time of 1 hour and 51 minutes. Moonlight was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor for Ali, Best Supporting Actress for Harris and best Music-Original Score. It won in Best Supporting Actor, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture.

Chiron, known as Little (Hibbert), is a young boy growing up in a rough neighborhood in Miami. He lives with his single mom, Paula (Harris), who drifts in and out of Little’s life in a drug and alcohol induced haze. Other than his friend Kevin (Piner), Little has no one to help him navigate through challenges such as bullying at school, being left on his own, and feeling different.

A rescuer shows up, literally, as Little is hiding from his pursuers in an abandoned house. Juan (Ali) forms a frienship with the quiet boy, filling the role of father for Little. Juan and his girlfriend Teresa (Monae) provide stabilty and a sense of family for Little. He opens up enough to ask Juan questions, including how would he know if he was gay. Juan tells him, “You will know when you know.”

Little is slowly gaining confidence in himself and in Juan and Teresa, until he finds out Juan is a drug dealer, selling to his mother. Both Little and Juan are devastated by this revelation.

The second segment of the film follows Chiron (Sanders) as a troubled teen. His relationship with his mother continues to deteriorate, Juan is gone and although Chiron occasionally visits Teresa, he is more and more isolated until he reconnects with his childhood friend Kevin (Jerome). Sadly, shortly after their relationship begins to grow again, Chiron feels betrayed by Kevin. This sensitive, thoughtful young man snaps, with horrific consequences.

The film’s final segment finds Chiron grown, going by the nickname Black (Rhodes) and living a much different life in Atlanta. What dreams he had have been replaced with harsh realities. Black has made himself into a new man, a hard man. And yet he is just as alone in his life as he always has been, until his old friend Kevin (Holland) calls unexpectedly, offering an apology along with a glimmer of hope.

This was an incredible film, very much in alignment with the majority of the Best Picture nominated films. It was beautifully filmed with an amazing musical soundtrack. And it was heavy, bleak, dark.

These movies this year have made me ache with compassion, and Moonlight was no exception. I felt especially protective of young Chiron, when he was called Little. He possessed such promise, had such a sensitive heart and spirit. And there was no one to help him grow into that promise. He longed to be different from his schoolmates. But his differences only brought him pain and grief.

Without guidance or the freedom to live fully as himself, Chiron lost his way, and ultimately became the very person he did not want to be. His journey was heartbreaking to me. It is crushing to realize that there are so many children and youth like Chiron, struggling and alone in life. Rather than fighting against what I was feeling, I stayed open and allowed the tangle of emotions to pass through my heart and sort themselves out.

Moonlight was powerful and painful and sobering. Was it the best of the nine? I don’t know yet. I’ll let you know after I watch the remaining three movies.

Was it thought provoking and heart expanding? Most definitely.

You can pick up your copy of Moonlight below:

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