A Mindful Life

Reading and writing poetry brought together everything that had ever been important to me. I could still dwell in the realm of the senses, but now I had a discipline, a form for them. Rather than a way to create my own private life and shun the world, the ability to perceive was now a [...]

As seen over at Set Free, I went to this site and went through random quotes until I had five that had “spoken” to me. In this way, through these quotes, you learn a little something about me.
Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a function.
–Unknown
I think people don’t place [...]

changed my life?
The Wisdom of No Escape: And the Path of Loving Kindness by Pema Chodron
I’ve read more than once?
Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing by May Sarton
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
I’d want on a desert island?
The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Desert Island (though I don’t think [...]

From August 1 to September 5, these are the days off I have from work:
Saturday, August 5
Saturday, August 19
Sunday, August 27
September 2, 3, 4 (Labor Day weekend)
Most of my workdays this month have been 10-12 hours long.
I am working so hard to make Hands On Bay Area better and better all the time. Doesn’t [...]

Space is limited at Chez Mindful Life, and I have gradually filled the bookcases we have. Lately I wanted to read a pair of books that, while they were sure to be good reads, just weren’t worth spending money on, especially since I would only read them once and don’t have storage space. One copy [...]

I’m fried; too many projects needing attention within the same time span, and I’m behind on several, and the agency’s technology isn’t working so well, and I’ve had too many long days and commutes. So I’ll borrow words from another blogger whom I adore:
Of course, it’s PMS time in my world, so most everything and [...]

It has begun! We start the countdown to Hands On Bay Area Day; October 14 will approach quickly. This is a day on which we aim to have 2,000 volunteers all over the Bay Area provide service on over 100 projects, from painting schools to rehabilitating gardens to sorting and packing food.
In addition, this [...]

Two weary oranges sit in a cracked
wooden bowl. In California there
is always a navel to contemplate,
but these dimpled globes I have abandoned
for sexier fruit.
They have company. Three bananas
lean against the curved belly
of the bowl, their sunny skins thinning
into a melanoma of ripeness.
The air is sweet with ruination.
In the rotting fruit I see decadence born
of carelessness [...]

Two skeins of Lamb’s Pride Bulky; 85% wool, 15% mohair; 125 yards / 4 oz; colorway M-04 Charcoal Heather; two strands held together, knitted on size 13 needles; strap knit on size 10.5 needles; mother of pearl buttons.