Melancholy

April has been melancholy:
Looking forward to new life and regrowth
for the too many close friends;
I know the heaviness in my heart is from my hundreds of prayers
going out all over the country.
Tears spill as I remember; I remember so many great friends,
and I try to smile while calling back in my memories
to the many times we smiled together.
To Janet,
and Mojo,
and Chick,
and now Armin...
Hoping it was a comforting and painless move to a better place.
I send continued prayers to other friends
who are in current struggles;
in the hope they will know of my prayers and my smiles
when I think of them and wish them...
Peace.





-M

Surf's UP!

"The sea was angry that day, my friends
- like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli.
I got about fifty feet out and suddenly the great beast appeared before me.
I tell you he was ten stories high if he was a foot.
As if sensing my presence, he let out a great bellow.
I said, "Easy, big fella!"
From George; speaking of the ocean and whales...
"Seinfeld"







Classes,
surfing lessons
and a few sailboat trips
while in San Diego;















Yep that WAS a submarine
off our port side...






Great welcome home sign, John!
Thanks Trish - you are a great action photographer!
Enjoyed the stay!

Filling the Bucket

I watched "The Bucket List"
and enjoyed the concept
of making a list of things to complete
a "filling of the bucket of life"

I have adjusted the premise to
get-it-done-before-you-get-too-old/set-in-your-ways/grumpy-to-try...

My
Fill-Up-The-Bucket-List.




Because I don't plan on kicking the bucket anytime soon.

So here's my draft version of
the the first ten of
Filling the Bucket:

1. Ocean Surf
- Lessons are NOW booked on Monday 4/18/11.
http://www.alohasurfergirls.com/
I saw "Soul Surfer" this weekend, and STILL want to surf.

UPDATE! Did "OK" for my first try,
and will take an additional lesson
with a friend-of-a-friend
when I'm back to San Diego this June.
I laughed the whole time I was trying
(except, of course, when I was spitting out sand/sea water)
and realized
THIS
is the importance of "My Bucket List":
I will try to
keep a "Beginner's Mind"
remain relaxed
smile and play
and enjoy experiences.

2. Meet more people from Santa Fe, and make some more local friends.
- I've joined the Santa Fe Time Bank
with people "banking" time helping others in order to
"withdraw" help from others. (An hour for an hour)
- I've contacted a lady who lives here and wants to learn to swim.
http://www.santafetimebank.org/SF_Timebank/Home.html

UPDATE!
I have gotten several responses and met my first
Santa Fe Time-Banker;
a sweet lady who had recently undergone heart surgery
and can no longer handle the grime/dirt
of dusting or vacuuming.
She needed a little Spring Clean.
Enjoyed the quick conversation
before she left for a "not often enough"
shopping trip with a friend,
while I stirred up the dust
and proceeded to
suck it up in her monster vacuum.
She called later;
happy (!)
to come home to
"a sparkling clean home"
It is good to help.



3. Water ski again on the Mississippi River.
-It has been more than 20 years since I've been on the river.
Any offers while I'm home in July would be greatly appreciated.

4. Travel to Europe again.

5. Learn another language and USE it consistently, so I DON'T loose it.

6. Go on a horseback weekend camping trip.
Hasn't happened for about THIRTY years, so I think I'd enjoy this one!
-The trip may happen this fall - crossing my fingers.

7. White water rafting

8. Snow skiing

9. Connecting with old friends and having great conversations
-Facebook has been a huge help with this one;
and two class reunions this summer should help!

10. Make it to the top of Atalaya
A seven mile hike to an altitude of 7,53 in Santa Fe;
I've been close to the top, but just haven't cleared the summit.

I'd love to hear what YOUR Filling The Bucket List would look like!

-M