Weekend percolations: 07Aug2015

Here’s what’s percolating this week.

I’m enjoying Susannah Conway’s August Break 2015.  Each day I have a new prompt. It has become a mindful meditation practice. Each day provides an opportunity to look for the objects and post a picture. I have challenged myself to think outside the box and come up with a slightly different take on the prompts. On day 3, I posted pictures of my drum heads, for the “skin” prompt. On day 6, I posted a page of shaped note music for the “notebook” prompt. Each prompt causes me to slow down and look around me for ideas. I created this collage with PicMonkey, my favorite photo editing website.

Several people have asked me about how our family made these beautiful hand drums. I created a video to show the process of building a drum from start to finish. It was labor intensive, but the sound is better than the fiberglass drums I’ve purchased in the past. I wrote a poem on the inside of my drum, so a part of me is inside the drum. We made Djembes, Ashikos, a ceremonial DunDun and a Native Frame Drum. The vibrations touch me at the bone level.

I’ve been working with several clients recently who have problems with posture while working on the computer. I came across this clever video about office posture.  With a few minor changes to the workspace and a few stretches, the sore neck and stiff back can be eliminated.

John O’Donohue is one of my favorite Irish poets. He first introduced me to the concept of “soul friend” or Anam Cara in Gaelic. His writings have helped me learn to explore my inner landscape.

We’ve been enjoying the sour cherries and blueberries from the farmer’s market. Twice this week we had a very tasty Sour Cherry Berry Crisp recipe from the Blogging over Thyme blog. I added extra blueberries since we didn’t have blackberries. My husband tops his off with ice cream. Yum!

My mother told me not to play with my food during meals. I discovered that food can create beautiful mandalas. This picture on the left, taken by food artist Amalia Bussard, is called mandala-yin-yang. She uses healthy food to create beautiful works of art. Sorry Mom, I’m going to try this out this weekend.

Speaking of artists, I love the Bone Sigh Arts website. Artist Terry St Cloud describes bone sighs as “an understanding and connection of the heart that is bone-deep and soul-wide expressed in words and color; something one gives to oneself or another to help heal and remember.” Check out her exquisite watercolors and drawings.

I drew the Yoga Nidra card from my Balance Resource Cards deck this morning for my self care practice of the day. Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation practice that progressively relaxes your body. I like Robin Carnes’s Yoga Nidra Ii CD the best, but Amy Weintraub’s Life Force Yoga CDs are also excellent. Try Yoga Nidra as a way to start out your morning routine or relax at the end a stressful day.

I’ll end with a Pep Talk from Kid President. I love that kid! He always makes me laugh, and laughter is good medicine! So have a chuckle and be well!