the only thing better than a cup of coffee is . . .

. . . two cups of coffee. It's how I have started my sunny Saturday. I am feeling good y'all. I like to drink coffee many different ways. Mostly, I just drink black French Roast or other dark roast - no sugar. I do like coffee with cream (no sugar) and with sweetened condensed milk (LOTS of sugar). I also like today's choice, which I have on occasion: black French Roast with a pinch of sugar and a teaspoon of coconut oil melted and stirred in.

It may seem silly, but I also have favorite mugs, and this one pictured is one of my current favorites. Handleless, it warms the palm and fingers that hold it. I have a couple of other favorites, but this is my current fav fav. It replaced my all time favorite mug that broke about a year and a half ago. I had that one for about 17 years. It was pretty (Van Gogh's irises), the right size, capacity and weight, and was given to me by a friend at a tough time in my life as a pick me up gift. I looked at the shattering as an imperative to let go of any attachment to that time in my life...be it the pain or the comforting or the resolution. It is hard to let go of attachments sometimes. Really hard. I actually cried a little when that old mug broke as crazy as that sounds (maybe I was just tired).

I try to enjoy this current mug with the sense of present moment. It  was a gift that I cherish. It will eventually break. I don't know when or how that will happen. I may or may not have someone I can "blame" for it. Or maybe it will last longer than I do. Who knows? All I know is this. I will use this mug and appreciate its aesthetic beauty and its solid purpose . . . and I am going to enjoy it while I have it, and try not to get too attached. And, if you enjoy a good metaphor as much as I do, you know I am not talking about JUST this coffee cup.

Rather than get too deep into metaphors, let's go back to the coconut oil in my coffee. If you aren't acquainted with Awakening with J.P., (or even if you are), why don't you take a few moments to enjoy this humorous video on the subject of genius uses for coconut oil (and let's face it, this is funny because it is true.)

mind the limits

Credit: Jessica Hagy

Another great one by Jessica over at Indexed. I have been accused more than once (rightfully so, I suppose) of pushing the limits on how much I can pack into the schedule. After a nice restful vacation, I am going at warp speed with work and social plans, and so may not be around much on this space in the next few days. As the spouse said tonight, "you are really packing it all in again, Nan." Yes. Yes, I am. I hope I am minding the limits.

light

Brian Andreas - storypeople.com 

today in history

This is true. Thanks, Jessica.

wiggle room

Hat tip to Jessica Hagy for this most excellent "indexed" thought capture.

and different for everyone

Thanks, Jessica.

mary's voice

One of my very favorite poets is the amazing Mary Oliver. She recently gave a rare and wonderful interview to Krista Tippet for the On Being podcast.

If you missed it, and would like to enjoy something really special, take a listen here: http://bit.ly/18HZPCf. Yes, I wish Krista wouldn't interrupt when she does (argh!) and yes, Krista does seem to enjoy the sound of her own voice very much.... but that said, she has a great show, interesting topics, and the big treat here is you get to hear Mary recite some of her own poetry.

I have not been a great podcast listener since the media form came out, mainly because I rarely listen to any electronic device for more than 10-15 minutes at a time. When I work out, I like to read my Nook. When I drive, I tend to listen to music or enjoy the silence of the road. Now that I don't travel for work, my commute is all of about 10 minutes most days. I don't sit still much, but this past week I have tried to catch a little extra rest and so I listened to two podcasts!  I know that On Being has podcasts with Thich Nhat Hanh and Fr.  James Martin... those are on my to-listen-to list from the archives. Anyway, if you haven't discovered the show, and if you enjoy a good podcast, I recommend this one with enthusiasm.

let it be

I took this silly quiz today, and as it turns out, and according to this very scientific quiz, The Beatles song that best describes my life is Let It Be. Wow. Love this song and not a bad pick if you ask me. The best thing about this quiz is at the end, my song played :-) Here ye be. From 2015, this is WJPP.

warming and spirited

Good one, Jessica. I am a fan of both of these.

thisisindexed.com

hey jude...

I've seen this going around. Clever, fun, and it will definitely get you humming that wonderful, familiar song . . .

Hey Jude.

circular development - or how to have a good day

Nice one, Jessica. I couldn't agree more...

how does it feel?

A friend sent me this very cool video of Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" like you have never seen/heard it before. It doesn't have an embed link for the Blogger interface, so please click the link below. Even if you don't watch a lot of television, this is fascinating.

Remember to change the channels after you have seen a bit of the song on one channel... really enjoyable. Which program is your favorite? I kind of liked the MTC Business channel
or the cooking show... or The History Channel. What would your life's soundtrack be if you could have one?

Click Here: Like a Rolling Stone

indices

Oh, that Jessica Hagy. She has done it again... over at Indexed. Just a few ways of looking at aspects of the human condition.

For many, the only respites are television (temporary) and death (permanent).

 [The lesson I take from this: don't be one of those people for whom your respites are few! Beauty is everywhere. Gratitude increases our aptitude to see beauty. Feel the love.]

Worth it?

[The lesson here? Invest in relationships that are win-win. Walk away from the rest. And don't be mean.]

Now.... if I could only remember these lessons all the time.

how to write something true

From Storypeople.com... another great one.

phases of a double amaryllis

eureka!

Jessica Hagy keeps 'em coming at Indexed.

help wanted

Nicely done, Storypeople.com!  Volunteering is so much fun! Make time in your busy life to volunteer. It will make you happy. I like working at concession stands best of all, but working at events, in the schools, and even on some boards of directors... stretches us, and is rewarding. It is kind of funny that wherever or whenever we might turn up to help out, we are *just* what is needed.

fearless - a fair forgery

Fair forgery indeed. This is Tom Freund performing one great Pink Floyd song called, Fearless. This is off the tribute album, A Fair Forgery of Pink Floyd (2003). While I have posted this tune here on WJPP before, I haven't posted this exact performance, and it is no fake. Love it.  Have a superb first day of fall. We got a "found day,"  earlier this morning when the fall baseball double header was cancelled due to inclement weather. So the hour ride to the field, and the 6 hours there, and the hour ride home, now translate to "do what you want and what you need to do" Sunday. I am having some fun, listening to some music, and doing some laundry. This crazy day may also include writing a poem, catching up on paying bills, and who knows, maybe even some reading! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. Seriously. (For some nice modern classical picks, check out my Tumblr. I started there...)

first lily

Today is a good day, if for no other reason than it is the day that the first budded lily sprouting up around the mailbox has popped open, giving a burst of mellow orange to my view that is otherwise quite gray. (This picture is not today's lily, incidentally. I am too lazy this morning to go out and snap the photo, so this is a cartoon photo of one of last year's lilies.)

Another sweet Lily turned 6 yesterday -- my youngest niece and godchild. She has asked to have her family birthday party at my house tomorrow on the 4th of July, and I can't wait to see her and everyone else -- to have the happy noise and chaos that is my side of the family getting together. I hope the weather will cooperate so that Lily gets her pool party that she wants. I love it that she feels close enough to me to tell me exactly how the party should be, and that she wants a Lalaloopsy swimming dog, pink not orange, as a gift. Having just had one son, I get a kick out of little girls and girls' things with which I am not familiar. Three nieces have helped me have a glimpse into their lives -- not that it is so different now than growing up "then" with two sisters, but things for girls I think have improved. That is a good thing.

I am off to a morning doctor appointment - just routine - and am feeling happy to have the house put together and spruced up after our painting project. I am looking ahead already to August and some vacation time. It can be challenging to work in the summer when what I would really like to do is sit under a tree and read, take bike rides, and eat ice cream. Off to the day I go. I hope you have a good one.

 

thimbleberry jam