Under a Red Roof

Expectations

April 12, 2011 in Admiring, Celebrating, Practicing, Traveling by Colleen | 3 comments

Last Thursday, I ventured north to Bellingham, Washington for my long anticipated class with Shiva Rea. I had never driven that far on my own before (about five hours), and the writer in me created all kinds of awful scenarios in which I did not return in one piece (the price for creativity!). I prepared for many eventualities, every last duck in a row, and left very dark (seriously Spring, no need to be so shy) and early. Thankfully, the drive went off without a hitch, a succession of NPR news stories, jazz, and rock and roll.

When I exited the highway hours later, my stiff legs itching for a stretch (yoga!), I had the first of many indications that none of my visions of doom would come to fruition. The sun started to peek through the clouds and a Bald Eagle swooped over my car. Talk about a warm welcome!

I arrived at the class after a picture perfect afternoon (more on that tomorrow), a warm, light-filled room, with equally warm and friendly strangers of all stripes. Then Shiva arrived and the magic began. With the beat of a drum, the raven spirit invocation (even more auspicious, considering my deep love of crows and ravens), curious, mischievous, dancing and spreading his wings, inviting us all to fly. This was followed by a truly amazing, heart liberating kirtan with Dave Stringer (like this). I sang at the top of my voice, every cell pulsing, full of joy, and ready for practice. The sadhana was kick-my-ass challenging with moments of silliness too (Shiva is funny!), everything I hoped for, infused with grooves from Dave and his cohort, and a final round of chanting to bring the magical practice to a close.

It’s pretty amazing when someone you’ve admired for a long time lives up to your expectations, live and in person, and a bit of a relief, too. I’ve been practicing with Shiva for the past six years, her work, and ours together, inspiring me more than I ever could have imagined. So when it came came time to thank her, for everything, that in the flesh, no going back, she’s standing right in front of me moment, rather than take my hand extended in gratitude, she embraced me, a hug between “old” friends. A perfect day, a perfect sadhana, made all the more sweet. Namaste.

p.s. I hope to get a picture with Shiva next time!

Tags: Shiva Rea, Yoga

Holy Sunshine, Batman!

April 4, 2011 in Celebrating by Colleen | 3 comments

After what seemed like an interminable amount of time without sun or warm temperatures, there was an extra special treat of nearly cloudless skies and sixty-eight degrees on Friday. We in Portlandia were dancing a proverbial jig, my friends. I celebrated by mowing the very long lawn, which was more than eight inches tall in some places. I kid you not. It was a fine workout, going over it three times, with our earth friendly, but very inefficient electric mower. To top it off, I took a leisurely stroll to the library (come along with the photos below…), camera in hand, sunglasses on, a warm weather rock star out for a good time. Ho ho!

Today we are back to the grey and cold, with ice cube toes to prove it and a mushy mind that is taking ages to write this post, but whatever. I am happy. The weekend was a ten. I’m meeting Shiva Rea this week (dancing another jig), seeing an old friend for the first time in more than twenty years (thanks Facebook!), and generally creating my own sunshine. I hope you are, too!

Somebody bottle this!

Delicate, but tough, this flower. A bit like me, maybe.

The truck in the background matches. They’re an outfit!

Bare Shade

A favorite house: a fantastic yard teeming with flora and fauna and the biggest rosebush known to man.

Sun + Shade = Heaven

Magnolia Sky

Tricksters: they smell like garlic!

The Gift of Friends

March 21, 2011 in Celebrating, Drinking, Eating, Friendship by Colleen | 1 comment

Happy Monday, gentle readers. It is gloriously grey here in Stumptown, and I’ve no complaints. Well, not any serious ones, anyway.

Here’s hoping you had a lovely weekend. Mine began in earnest on Thursday, with my friend and maker of the exquisite little beaded angel pictured above, Bebe. We met way back in college, and hadn’t seen each other in thirteen years. She called out of the blue, on the road in my neck of the woods, and we spent two fun filled days thrifting and eating around Portland (Broder and City State Diner – yum). It was a hoot and a holler to be sure.

Then Saturday was blessedly sunny enough to be in the car with the windows rolled down, doing all kinds of running around to purchase an odd assortment of items: delicious strawberry rhubarb jam (from my friend’s brother’s company), bread, my favorite Italian nougat, safety vests (for bicycling), metal straps and braces (for earthquake “proofing”), and something else that evades my memory at the moment.

We also spent a lovely evening with the jam maker’s sister, Lori (but sadly not her husband, as he was quite under the weather). She made the sweet (in scent and looks) sachet above from a thrifted quilt. Our chosen hangout was Circa 33, a newer place on Belmont with good service, delicious fare, and super drinks. Steamed mussels, a pulled pork sandwich, and a cocktail called La Louisiane (whiskey and absinthe make great partners) were the tops.

The highlight of the weekend (more like my life), was the company and conversation of truly wonderful friends and one sibling (Hey brother!). I am beyond blessed in this department, with so many kind hearted people near and far, giving of their time and hearts, cheering me up, willing to listen, share, and withstand my occasional and excited but no less annoying interruptions (noticing the problem is the first step to mending it). Thanks to you all.

Have a wonderful week!

Tags: Portland, Restaurants

Twenty

February 9, 2011 in Admiring, Celebrating, Friendship, Loving by Colleen | 5 comments

It feels pretty amazing to see a smile like that, and even more so when I know that it is meant for me. The hubster and I enter our third decade together today, and I truly could not imagine a better partner. He makes me laugh, smile, think, and count my myriad blessings. He loves my failings more than I do, all the while inspiring me to believe, do, and be all that I can.

Thank you, Buddy. Here’s to the decade to come!

Opening with Yoga

February 1, 2011 in Being, Celebrating by Colleen | Permalink

Hello friends –

Thanks so much for the kind words these past days. They warm my heart, buoy my spirits, and are truly appreciated.

Something else that keeps me aloft, and that I mentioned in that last post, is yoga. I began practicing eleven years ago, answering the call to a $5 class at a tiny hot yoga studio on Ankeny Street here in Portland. That first time was a singular experience. The room was crowded with people, and I worked earnestly and completely alone for ninety minutes, sweat dripping from every pore. It felt wonderful, and I enjoyed this new and sometimes baffling way of moving my body: the clarity and stillness of mind, and the particular sense that I found something right for me.

This sense of right came from the fact that I was not yearning to be elsewhere or wondering how much longer it would take. I was immersed in being the postures. I was (and remain) gratified, intrigued, interested, and excited by my body and its capabilities (more with each day, though sometimes less – it’s funny like that). With every other form of exercise, save walking, it is a means to an end with a hyper awareness of time. One dozen bicep curls, a hundred sit-ups, a thirty minute run, spin on the elliptical, or row. Everything is measured.

With yoga, I choose a sequence, and go. I honestly have no sense of time, only the flow of the postures, the challenge and sheer pleasure of each asana. It is never a nuisance or a chore to practice, and a day with yoga is always better than a day without, no matter how troubled my mind. I am nourished, relaxed, and rejuvenated, if only during the space of my practice. It tickles me pink as a summer peony.

There is an expression (Buddhist, I think), “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” Yoga is my teacher. It opens my heart, teaches me patience and perseverance, and gives me a flexibility and strength I never imagined possible. With yoga, I am better able to see with clarity, live in the moment, and love what IS. So much for just twisting like a pretzel!

p.s. Yesterday was number seven of twenty-one of the challenge. I am in love and held a back bend, with a smile on my face, for one long minute. It doesn’t get much better, at least for now…

Tags: Depression, Yoga