Sailing on waves of gratitude

I feel like the luckiest woman I could possibly

imagine! My beautiful friends have shown me so much love and also have given me the money that will help me get better. I still have a chronic illness and I still use a walker and a wheelchair sometimes, but a load has been lifted from my shoulders. Now I will be able to see a counselor to deal with the stress that has been crushing me. Also, the causation of the stress has been greatly lessened. n addition to the appointment with the counselor, I will soon be seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist to see what can be done to ease my maddening case of nystagmus.

I'm glad to report that I will be using a pedometer (free app, yay!) to exercise and strengthen my legs in conjunction with my the treadmill downstairs. My next body adventures are re-commitments to Pranayama and stretching.

I am also inspired to put energy into singing again, due to your outpouring of support!

I wish to thank Leslie Sharp. Lee Maier. Robbie Richard Warinner, Diane Haslam, Sonya Green, my mystery heroes, and, of course, Rupa Chatterji, who was the mastermind of the campaign!

Thank you all so much!

Jodi

Grilled meats + fresh produce = Urgent responsibility

I am a lucky, lucky woman! My roommate/life partner made me a bundle of easy-to-prepare meals! A boatload of grilled chicken and burgers and bagged salad. Fantastic!! It looked so wonderful that my senses completely left me and I didn't plan properly how and when I was going to ingest it all. An embarrassment of riches indeed!

Lesson learned: When given such a glorious cornucopia, freeze ⅔ to ¾ of all things freezable, then dive into the produce like an animated rabbit.  :-D

Yay for plenty!!

Jodi

Separating wheat from chaff

I’m trying hard to restructure my life. Tricky for everyone to do. Everyone has their own challenges. Mine are a brain that is a little flaky, (well a new sort of flaky with the growing number of scars in it) and a body that would rather sit than stand, rather lay than sit.  Nystagmus makes sure that the world is always jumping and spinning. Who needs Kings Island when when your own  brain creates this sort of ride?

Here I am, 43 years old – and yet I'm a brand-new baby skeptic! I'm turning with a critical eye to everything. Religion, politics, philosophy– Everything is up for review. My theology has faded until is now no more than a wisp of smoke from a newly extinguished birthday candle. I'm turning a critical eye toward politics so that I may be honest and educated about my vote. Philosophy is actually new territory for me and it is rather exciting. Something left over from my childhood which I will not give up entirely is being a romantic. There is something addictive and beautiful and warm about fantastic harmony underneath beautiful poetry. I love song!

Song is, to me, a complete culmination of religion, politics, and philosophy. When you combine these very important ideas with clever turns of phrases and exquisite changes in harmony, some sort of magic happens. Pulses quicken. Breath catches. Tears fall. Imaginations ignite. Hearts swell. Ideas are born.

I have compiled a Spotify playlist that somehow makes me feel like a teenager. My health is restored– As well as my hope. Badly needed tears fall to open my eyes to wonder and opportunity. I admit it's only in my imagination, but it is like a drug to me - a legal high with no dangers.

If you would like to peer into my soul (if you dare), listen to this list. You might need some help, I'm weird.

Love so much it aches