by Roxanne -

The Sounds of Music

Do you make room for music in your life? Music has always been a big part of my life. I love playing the piano. The guitar I like too – but less so. Probably because I can’t sing. The nice thing is that you’re never too old to learn an instrument!

During the winter months my husband and I enjoy evenings at the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. The tickets are surprisingly inexpensive for good seats. The musicians are world famous – and you can hear the difference. It’s a wonderful way to end a busy week. We slip into our seats, the lights dim and beautiful music carries me away for the next two hours. Afterward my husband takes me to dinner at Pazzaluna, a local Italian restaurant. Sigh . . .

This year and last year too I gave away many of my CD’s. In their place I listen to customized music on-line. You can create your own unique radio station, designed just for you at Pandora, the genome music project. Another good option is SOMA FM. Or stretch yourself by listening to music from another culture, such as African music at AccuRadio. Or during this time of Lent consider Taize or Gregorian Chant – a wonderful way to fall asleep.

If you’re like us with no IPod, using a small cable, connect your computer or phone to your speakers so the high quality sound can fill your space. Creating a soothing background or a more energizing atmosphere.

Sometimes the best music is simply listening to the sound of ocean waves or rain falling on the roof as you fall asleep, like we did at Tortuguerro in Costa Rica. Below are some pictures of the ocean that was just outside our window in Tortuguerro.

Photo A. Meshar
Photo A. Meshar
Photo A. Meshar
Photo A. Meshar

Life is better with music.

You may also like Pura Vida!, Beachy Days, Sand Fantasy Retreat and Dancing Isuzus in Paris.

by Roxanne -

$$$$ Government Shutdown?

It’s appalling that both Republican and Democratic elites are focused on balancing the budget on the backs of the poor – mostly women and children.

As an American citizen do they really expect me to be upset that we are running a deficit of a mere $300 billion after loaning predatory banks trillions of dollars???? Further, no regulatory changes of any substance were enacted to prevent another financial industry crisis in the future. It’s back to greedy business as usual.

Meanwhile, a government shutdown will stop paychecks to thousands of struggling families.

What kind of moral values are these? Appalling.

You may also like How Extreme Inequality Destroys the Economy and Financial Crisis and Accident? – Think Again.

by Roxanne -

Visio Divina Reflection

Image Best Supper, JanRichardson.com

Here’s another Lenten retreat you can give yourself. Perhaps you have heard of Lectio Devina. This is an ancient form of prayer that combines both a sacred reading with meditation and reflection.

Would you like to go deeper? Recently I attended training on Visio Divina. Reading and reflection are used along with artwork. The artwork is the focus of the reflection and meditation. Artwork adds a deeper dimension.

This can be very powerful. Artwork usually affects us on many levels. Take the image shown here by Jan Richardson from her book In Wisdom’s Path. The imagery of meal sharing and community immediately come to mind. But further reflection reveals the round table, joined hands and loaves of bread. All sacramental rituals.

Go  deeper still and you may notice many ethnicities symbolizing our shared humanity or the human family. You may notice different connections based on your own meal sharing experiences.

Continued silent reflection may call us to action, a decision or a desire to be open to new possibilities.

You don’t need to visit a monastary for a retreat. Your monastary is your world, wherever you are. Make it sacred. Take a mini retreat:

Try it yourself. Select art and writing that speak to you. Find a quiet space where you can sit comfortably for awhile.

1. Read your selected writing slowly.

2. Consider a word or phrase that stays with you and ponder it.

3. Then bring the artwork into your meditation and read the writing again.

4. Take up to fifteen minutes to look deeply into the picture.

5. Finally, take 5-10 minutes of silent time. See what comes back to you.

You may also like Lent – Into the Desert and Sand Fantasy Retreat.

by Roxanne -

Paper Dolls, Roller Skates & Gum Chains

Image PoppyPetunia.blogspot.com

Did you have paper dolls growing up? We went to my Grandma Rose’s house many Sundays for dinner. When we were there she always gave us pop, Wrigley gum and a new package of paper dolls – like the Betsy McCall paper dolls you see here.

My younger daughter (and older daughter too) made very creative paper dolls when she was younger. She spent hours drawing and designing their clothes, accessories and even jewelry! All of the dolls and clothing were kept in envelopes. These dolls had the ultimate GAP wardrobes. C. whatever happened to your paper dolls and their amazing wardrobes?

Photo Reference Library

Growing up we also made gum chains. I hate to think of the dental bills that were the result of chewing so much Wrigley and Bazooka bubble gum . . .

That makes me remember Chinese jump ropes, metal roller skates with a key I wore around my neck, hula hoops, sidewalk chalk, jacks and hopscotch. What ever happened to Silly Putty? It came in a plastic egg if I remember correctly.

Yes, now I’m ten years old. I think it’s easier for me to remember the ages of nine to ten because those were the years where we were still most authentically our true selves – the last time before adolescence and the culture made us self-conscious, more competitive and aware of comparisons.

Watch the movie August Rush for a sense of searching for and regaining what was lost. But what we seek is not parents we never really knew or reconnecting with our children. What we seek is our true selves.

Today I work to reconnect with my ten year old self. My true and authentic self.

I can hear the clatter of my roller skates as they move over the sidewalk cracks. Skating down my street, my skate key is on a string around my neck, bubble gum in my mouth and the wind blowing in my hair and rushing past my face . . .

May your authentic, ten-year-old self emerge during your day today!

Roxanne

You may also like Tiny Silver Spoons, Doll Houses From My Childhood and My Mother’s Sewing Machine.