The Guesthouse

As a recent graduate of a an anger management class, I was lucky enough to come across a wonderful poem called the guesthouse. It's a poem by Rumi which, of course, gives it more cache than anything I can think of. Anger management was rough, quite a bit self reflection and it still continues. The Guesthouse just came at the right time and so I'm going to share it.





The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

 
~ Rumi ~
 
 

Obsessed with Pintrest

Ok, so maybe this is old news for some of y'all but I'm just getting the word. Pinterest is a place where you can "pin" stuff, images on virtual pin boards. This is a dream come true for me be because I spend most of my money on European design magazines and then take them apart and make inspiration piles.
So, cut loose and pin away. Nobody cares if you repin from their board and some peoples boards are worth following.

Love and pins,
Rachael

The 2nd place winner is just the 1st loser

Yup, I won 2nd place in a local painting event! The rules were that you had to start the painting after 9am and turn it in by 4pm

A Total Dude!

"There are 104 days of summer vacation and school comes along just to end them....."! Man, I can't count how many times I have heard that little ditty this summer! It will finally be nice to have a Phineas and Ferb day off!
Meanwhile, today, the boy who made me a mom, turns 7 and if that isn't enough of a milestone, started 2nd grade! I'm plotzing, kvelling and being generally sentimental. I mean, this is big news people! He's a straight up dude! He's not a little guy anymore, nor does he have any baby fat or anything resembling baby anything. Whahhhhh! I'm a little sad. Is it supposed to go this fast? Am I mourning MY mortality or am I sad that I no longer have a baby to take care of?
These are all big questions along with why does anyone watch Big Brother. But, I digress. Focus back to me. I don't want to rob him of his glory or of his day, but I'm thinking, I might need a hug or at the very least, a frosty, adult beverage.
So, here goes, (with phantom drink in hand) raise your glasses to the most fascinating kid on the planet, the boy who made me a mom, a total dude, Happy Birthday Hay, keep doing what you're doing, 'cause you're doing a great job!

The Cone is Simply the Vehicle

I love ice cream! I mean love love. Not like, not "kind of admire",but a pure, unadulterated, kind of X rated, kind of porno love for ice cream. No fro yo, ick! No skinny cow, even though it's not that bad. Don't even come at me with "low" this or "low" that. Jesus, let's not even mention ice milk. Whoever came up with that bullshit, needs to have a serious talking to.
I love ice cream that is pure and fresh and preferably local, organic even. That's good. I love mint chip, jamoca fudge, rocky road, if the mood strikes. But there is a place, here in Northern California that has flavors that would make your toes curl. I'm here to say, and I want you to pay attention because it's that good..... Earl grey tea ice cream! I know! It sometimes has lavender crystalized chips in it. If that doesn't get your girly bits all tingly, what about Mexican chocolate? Or mango? They have chocolate creme brûlée! I know!
Ok, I'm all worked up and need to go get my frozen treat on, seriously.
I hope everyone out there is eating good, no, great, ice cream, reading a great book, getting a little sand in your toes and soaking up some natural goodness from the sun.
Still haven't painted, but I hope that I can Thursday night. I miss it terribly and I want to roll my sleeves up and get going. But my painting mojo isn't as powerful as my ice cream mojo right now :-)


Peace and Earl Grey Tea ice cream,
Rachael




 

Pretty Good. Preettty Preeettty Preetty Good.

Summer lovin' had me a blast! Summer lovin' happened so fast! Boy I wish. BTW, I learned a new expression, ear worm. You know, when you've got a song stuck in your head like you might right now? To quote Weezy from DragonTales, "LOVE IT"!
I love anything that the "kids" are in to. Meanwhile, my kid is hocking me a tchineck like nobodies business for a new toy. No new news here people.
All day long, it's wieners, butts, penises, boogers etc... I have to admit that I will be a little sad when this stage is over.
Non-sequitor, I haven't been painting, but I hope to be sniffing turpentine later today!
Love and rockets,
Rachael

More Cowbell Please!

I'm not a complainer by nature, although my husband would beg to differ. I don't like conflict and I don't like problems. I like when things are smooth going and there is a general feeling of peace in the air.

Unfortunately, this is not how it usually goes down, I seem to be waiting for the other shoe to drop. That being said, what I am talking about, has nothing to do with nothing.

Meanwhile, here is a painting that I did a little while back in Tahoe!

Peace and more cowbell!