turning the page

Michelle asked me about the books I am reading right now...

I tend to have several books of non-fiction on a shelf in my family room where I put the books I am reading/will be reading soon. I sometimes read a couple at the same time. Trying to let the ideas, words, images settle in my mind. I read quickly and as a result, I don't always synthesize everything - a habit that is great if you are reading a mystery but not so good if you are trying to learn. I find if I read a few non-fiction books at one time I take in more information. Let the words speak to me. Take a break. Move on to another topic for a few days. Come back.

But before I go to bed I like to read fiction or a magazine so that I don't get my brain too energized (though I have been known to read until the wee hours of the morning with my little book light as my husband and Millie the dog sleep).

Last week my husband surprised me with a new book (as a thank you for handling a plumbing crisis in the midst of a super busy week! - such the sweetheart), so I am currently devouring The Big Over Easy, by Jasper Fforde. I love the worlds he creates in his literary mysteries.

After I finish this one, I will be heading back to:
Thunder and Lightning by Natalie Goldberg
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron
Spilling Open by Sabrine Ward Harrison
and a book of poems called Origami Bridges by Diane Ackerman (I like to read one when I first take a bath and then close my eyes and think about it while I relax)

And in honor of the film that comes out next month, I have started to dive back into The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. I re-read this series about every two years. I never read it as a child; a friend introduced me to it when I was in college. I adore this world where you find yourself in the midst of the most glorious adventures as you fight for what is right with the support of a true, honest, loyal lion. I start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe because Lewis wrote this one first (my understanding at least), even though The Magician's Nephew is the first chronologically. This is the book I will have with me in my bag to read when I am out and about, waiting, at a coffee shop...

After this post by acumamakiki, there are a few more books on my list to check out from the library/look for at the used bookstore.

Love to turn those pages, enter those other worlds.

a visit to come

Tomorrow my dear, dear friend Super H arrives. She lives in LA and this will be her first time up here to the Pacific Northwest. I can't wait for long conversations where we solve the problems of the world and the problems in our own worlds, lives...or at least try. In the midst of these serious moments there will be laughter and maybe tears and naps and reading aloud from Brian Andreas' storypeople books (we ALWAYS do this) and probably a few adventures.

It has been a long day. I am feeling so good about teaching yoga. Inviting others to find balance, strength, calm, peace. Now I need to find this for myself tonight. So I am going to bed to read a little of my current book and then sleep.

pumpkin spice and a secret

One great thing about the chill in the air this week is that I am enjoying these: pumpkin spice lattes.

This is one from the Mandolin Cafe; this wonderful coffee shop near our house in Tacoma. It often bustles with people having great conversations, studying, writing, reading.

Shhhh...my secret is that I have decided to tackle this: NaNoWrMo. I plan on spending a few hours a week writing at the Mandolin Cafe, drinking a few cups of coffee or tea.

(though I think I am CRAZY. how can I write 50,000 words in one month. my day was so crazy i didn't even write one. wrote a few in my head though. oh well. even if i only write 5,000, it will be more than i have now. am i trying to do too much here? tackling too many things i have always wanted to do? i am searching for purpose i think. ok...take breath.)

flying

Finding my voice, creating, letting go of my own judgement, having fun...

(if you move the paper with swirls, you see the phrase "do not be afraid")

let it out

To be brave, speak my truth.
To breathe, think deeply, then speak.
To trust. Me.
To be open to new ideas, friends, possibilities.
To be grateful for what I already know and the lessons I continue to learn. (over and over and over again)
To own what I want to do: write more, create more.
To let go of the fear of failure.
To let it out. The joy, the laughter, the sadness, the silliness, the beauty, the colors, the words.
Let it out.

inside out

if i keep stuffing what needs to escape,
it'll just circle my mind until gaining enough
momentum to blurt its case in public,
shoving my insides out, while my
outsides are aching to climb in.

- susan mrosek
(check out her website www.ponderingpool.com)