First the fog, then the beautiful sunshine sparkles on the lake.  I was at Luther Park, a rustic church camp near Danbury, Wisconsin, for yet another silent retreat.  (I’ve enjoyed a few over past years.)  I had a wonderful view of the outdoors in my little camp type room as I sat at the desk positioned in front of the window.  Also, in the room were two sets of bunk beds and an additional single bed.  I didn’t have to share the room last weekend, but during camp times this tiny space can sleep 5 people!

I don’t know how many acres Luther Park encompasses, but there are several different trails to walk through the woods and two different lakes that provide wonderful scenery to enjoy.  Benches scattered throughout the property provide welcoming places to sit and ponder or pray.  The weather this past weekend was cool, but sunny – very fall like and lovely.

Some may find the silence of this type of retreat deafening; introvert that I am, I love it.  The peaceful calm of nature renews my spirit.  It didn’t hurt that I really had no responsibilities while I was there other than respecting nature, the camp buildings, the staff and the people who were enjoying this respite with me.  Our meals were all prepared for us.  Though maybe not as healthy as my food choices at home, I thoroughly enjoyed eating some of the foods I grew up eating – jello, pudding, fruit cocktail and whipped cream salad, iceberg lettuce, huge white dinner rolls.  (Obviously, that wasn’t all we ate, but those are the choices I found amusing.) I would guess this is standard fare for the young campers that spend part of their summer there.  I just felt grateful for the kitchen staff that worked hard to keep us sated.  I didn’t have to plan or prepare the meals and that was a gift!

There is a wonderful, large outdoor labyrinth on the grounds of Luther Park – actually, newly added this year.  I’ve never really “gotten in” to labyrinths, but the setting in the woods for this one is so beautiful, that I felt compelled to give it a try and walk it.  The first evening our group actually walked it (in silence, of course) in the dark with the only light coming from the 24 votive candles we had scattered about the circuits earlier in the day and lit just before walking, along with a few flashlights.  I admit it still took me awhile to feel anything special about the walk, especially since it was a group walk.  As I settled down, however, I did find some inspiration and perhaps, had a new aha moment.  If you are familiar with labyrinths you know that unlike a maze where you often can get lost and feel frustrated that you can’t find your way – a puzzle, if you will – you cannot lose your way in a labyrinth.  The path eventually brings you to the center, and when followed, back out again.  It occurred to me, quite simply, that my higher power (Spirit or God for me) will always show me the way; I will never be lost in life, if I follow the path.  I do, however, have to sometimes be patient (not one of my strong suits).  I concluded the patience bit as I noticed some of the labyrinth paths are longer and thus I needed more time to walk them – signifying to me those times in life when my options are not as obvious;  the shorter paths signifying those times in my life when answers come quickly – my way is immediately evident.  Either way, ultimately, if I trust in Spirit, my path is made clear and I find my way.

I walked the labyrinth again the next day, alone this time.  I went into the path with the thought, “Okay, Spirit, what do you want to say to me today.”  Pretty much came to the same realization as the night before – very reassuring.

I spent the rest of the weekend walking the trails, gazing at nature, journaling, coloring mandelas, reading scripture from the Bible, and pondering life.  I slept in a sleeping bag on one of the bunks in my room and enjoyed two very restful nights.

When I spend time not speaking to anyone, and not connected to technology, TV or radio, as I did this past weekend, my senses are heightened.  I hear more of nature’s sounds – the sound of the wind moving the tree branches, the chirping of the birds, twigs snapping and leaves rustling as I walk through the woods.  My food tastes better as I take the time to enjoy each texture and aroma.  Slowing down like this allows me to really see things more clearly – not only mentally, but physically.  I am more apt to notice the way the breeze makes the leaves on the trees wiggle, or the way the sunshine creates sparkles on the water as if there are thousands of diamonds shimmering in the light.

Ah, silence – very calming!

Though I knew I would write a blog post about my retreat weekend, I wasn’t bright enough to think to take any pictures of the lovely setting; so, these pictures off the internet, though not of where I was, are a good representation of the scenery I experienced.

I’d love to hear how you renew your Spirit, leave me your comments below.

I love watching movies.  Now that I am only working (outside the home, as they say) part-time and have more free time, I have even ventured into the theater by myself to see a matinee, and find I am very comfortable being alone that way.  Regretfully, I’m not very excited about much of what is offered in theaters these days.  I’ve tried online Netflix and wasn’t too impressed with their movie options; plus, I don’t like paying the monthly fee since I already pay a Direct TV bill each month.  Going to the Red Box to find a movie is too inconvenient on the spur of the moment.  So, most often, I turn to the TV for my movie watching.

For the most part, I don’t have regular TV programs that I watch.  OK, I do tune in to Downton Abbey, Dancing with the Stars if I recognize the celebrities that are competing, and I can’t even tell you how many times I have seen each Friends episode on late night TV (is 10:00 PM late?).  But, I confess I do turn on Direct TV to find a movie to watch when I want to do something mindless.  Most of the time, I can discover something that will entertain me – never mind it is usually a movie I have already seen – more than once – sometimes to the point of being able to recite some of the dialogue right along with the film.  I have a friend (and maybe some of you agree) who thinks it is a ridiculous waste of time to watch a movie more than once.  I happen to disagree.  Apparently, the cable/satellite TV personnel also think we can be entertained over and over by the same movie – every few months they seem to air repeat movies.

My personal preferences for movies are romantic comedies – think Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Diane Lane movies.  I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot when I do happen to find something I haven’t already seen.  But, as I said, I’m not adverse to re-watching something.  I enjoy watching movies for the diversion they provide from worries, responsibilities or the drudgery of housework.  Sometimes I turn something on to entertain me while I make a meal, dust or clean bathrooms.  (I move quickly during the commercials!)

While watching movies, I can fantasize about different life styles.  Never mind most of movie content probably isn’t realistic, but it provides a good escape.  Who isn’t in love with the beach house in the Diane Keaton movie, Something’s Gotta Give, or Ms Keaton’s wardrobe in that movie?  Some movies offer spectacular scenery of parts of the country or world I may never see or that I can’t visit very often.  A couple of evenings ago, I stumbled on and watched The Horse Whisperer – Robert Redford, Kristin Scott Thomas, and a young Scarlett Johansson.  The Montana scenery was breathtaking.  It’s been said that laughter is really good for us – some movies can provide me with a good belly laugh.  Some movies make me cry, and who doesn’t need a good cry once in awhile?!

Every now and then, dialogue from some movie can come in handy in every day life – “Anyone, anyone?” from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; “Dong, Grandpa is talking to you!” from 16 Candles; “Thirsty, kids?” uttered by Chevy Chase in Vacation.  My husband recited that last line to me just last night when I mentioned I was thirsty.

I am rambling here.  I could go on and on naming the many movies I love, my favorite actors, favorite scenes or favorite lines I remember.  Guess I just want to encourage and endorse watching those movies you enjoy more than once.  There’s nothing wrong with a little mindless entertainment now and then!

Two of my favorites –

Leave me a comment here if you have a favorite movie you watch over and over; or, if you have a great movie line you like to recite.  I’d love to hear from you.

Does anyone else have a flower garden that is looking pretty sad about now?  I’m so disappointed in the way my back yard is looking.  Rationally, I know plants are stressed because of the drought we have experienced the last month or more, but I still feel badly that the stunning landscape that was my back yard just a few weeks ago seems to have disappeared.  The hostas’ leaves are turning yellow, the bacopa and geraniums in a couple of planters have quit blooming; even the impatiens in my window boxes look awful – all leggy and very few blossoms.  This is all happening in spite of faithful watering and fertilizing.   But, hey, the weeds certainly have prospered! I do expect the loveliness of the gardens (I have six separate flower beds – mostly perenniels) to wane as fall approaches, but this the third week of August, seems a bit early – even in Minnesota.  Fortunately, I am not planning to entertain anyone in my back yard any time soon, so I am the only one dismayed by the unsightliness.

I’m thinking I probably need to pull the impatiens out of the window boxes and replant them with the 3 for $9.99 mum plants that Cub is currently offering.  I don’t like giving in to fall until the calendar actually says it’s fall, but I may not have a choice this year.  Mums, to me, stand for fall.  In past years, I haven’t had to replace the impatiens until early October when I substitute cute little pumpkins for the flowers.

Meanwhile, I guess I should count my blessings that I did have many plants that did well, as always, this summer.  It’s just easier for me to worry and stress over the things that have not gone so well.  I found the following quote from May Sarton – author, poet, journal keeper, now deceased – that puts things in perspective, and maybe if I keep re-reading it, I can move past the disappointment of the messes in the yard right now –

A garden is always a series of losses set against a few triumphs, like life itself.

Isn’t that the truth?!

Gardening is my passion.  If I had been thinking more clearly, I would have written something about gardening earlier in the season when everything was looking lovely.  I could have included some nice pictures.  Now, I am hard-pressed to find anything to photograph that would impress you.  How about these marigolds, which actually have a funny story, I think, that goes with them.  I started them from seeds under a grow light in the early spring, thinking they were the common short, garden type marigold that lasts until hard frost in the fall.  I generally use the short variety for filler in one my flower beds.  Little did I know these would grow to be monsters.  (I know, I should have read the seed package more carefully!)  Had I known how tall they would get, I would never have planted them where I did, and among the shorter variety marigolds.  You can see, they are doing well.  The bees love them! (Look closely, and you can see the sad impatiens in the window boxes on the shed in the background.)

Ok, I feel better now that I have whined a bit.  I am grateful that for the present, anyway, I have nothing more important to worry or whine about than my garden.  I keep others in my prayers that are not so fortunate.  For me, life is good, and I am ignoring the wind!

Really, if you’re able, there’s no easier or more enjoyable way to get some good exercise than taking a walk.  All you need is comfortable, supportive type shoes, the ability to take or make time, a safe place to walk and you can be off.

I prefer to walk outside whenever possible as opposed to walking on an indoor track.  However, here in Minnesota sometimes because of inclement weather (read that sub-zero temps, icy surfaces and snow, or very high heat and humidity), I have to depend on the track at our local community center to get my walking fix.  I’m here to tell you walking outside is a much better workout and much more interesting.

As for the workout outside being better (i.e., more intense), climbing the hills in my neighborhood, dealing with the weather elements (sometimes WIND – my enemy, heat, rain) and maneuvering on different surfaces (asphalt, concrete, gravel, sand) make a walk outside harder work than on a flat, easy-on-the-feet-and-legs indoor track surface in an air-conditioned/heated building.  I can get my heart rate up into a good workout range and feel like I’ve really worked my muscles when I walk outside.  Unfortunately, I don’t experience those same feelings when I walk inside.  (Don’t get me wrong, I do think walking inside is better than not walking at all…it’s still exercise and you are burning calories).

As for being more interesting to exercise outside, there’s lots to see, hear and enjoy while walking through the neighborhood, in a park, on a beach (one of my favorite venues), or through the woods.  Circling the same oval track multiple times in a boring non-interesting building doesn’t create the same excitement. (Well, sometimes it is interesting to watch others at the gym as they go through their routines.  People watching – hmm, look what she is wearing; or, look at what he does with that exercise ball – can provide a diversion to the boredom of a track.)  Music in my ear buds can also help get me through the routine inside; but, I never  wear headphones while walking outside.  I think it is important to be aware of traffic – vehicles and other walkers/runners/bikers so as to avoid accidents.  I want to be able to hear any impending danger.

While searching for activities to do with my two young grandsons, I came across the idea to go for a walk and involve them in a scavenger hunt-like game.  Seems to me anyone of any age could enjoy this idea while walking.  It could add some interest to your routine, or even provide the impetus for taking the hike.  Make a list of things to look for, smell, or hear on your walk and then see how many items you can check off the list on your trek.

Here are some ideas for your list –

• see or hear a robin or cardinal
• hear an airplane/helicopter
• see a rabbit or squirrel
• see a cat sitting in a window
• find a maple leaf
• hear the sound of a workman’s hammer or chain saw
• dodge a puddle
• see a “hot” car as my grandson would say
• find a heart-shaped rock
• smell dinner cooking aromas emanating from one of the homes you pass
• see a butterfly
• hear children playing

You can create your own list, adapting it to the area in which you are walking.  At the very least, it will help you stay in the present moment while you exercise, leaving your cares behind.

Happy Walking!

Last day of May – a beautiful spring day in North Dakota.  On a road trip with hubby who had business in Minot.  I went along for the ride and to be company for him as he drove across the vast plains of that state.  (And, oh my gosh are those farm fields huge!) On the way back to Minnesota, we drove a not-so-traveled highway (scenic route??) from Minot to Jamestown where we caught Interstate 94.

Every few miles we passed through another small town.  Drinking coffee (him) and tea (me) we found need to stop and use the restroom in these small town convenience store/gas stations.  We encountered more than one place where we saw guys enjoying a sweet roll with their coffee and morning paper.  In one town we greeted a couple of store clerks who were standing outside enjoying an early morning smoke, and teasing a patron who was trying to clean the bugs off the front of his truck.  No one seemed to be in a hurry, all seemed to be in good moods.  Maybe it was too early in the day, or maybe it was because the population of these places is only 300-some, but there was no traffic noise, no lawn mower noise, or any people scurrying about.

I was struck by the silence and simplicity of life in these small towns – at least at that time of day on a weekend.  Being an introvert, I find the quiet very appealing.  I can experience this serenity in my own backyard in the city on an early spring morning also; but, soon it is disturbed by the hustle and bustle of neighbors out doing yard work or starting up their cars to speed off to do Saturday morning errands.  Everyone is busy and in a hurry.  Of course, I’d have to move alone if I ever decided to relocate to a small town – my husband, the extrovert, would never go for it.  He thrives on hustle and bustle.

So, for now, I’ll just have to relish these moments during travel when I can imagine the simple life in small town USA.  My dream would include a light yellow, two-story house with a beautiful wrap around porch.  The yard would be full of lilacs, irises and peonies.   I would be sitting on the porch with a lovely cup of tea, just relaxing!  It’s likely just an illusion, but it seems to me I could really be able to “ignore the wind” and find peace living in such a place.

Yikes, my first blog post.  Something I have thought about doing for a long time.  Now, I’m ready to get going… but, this is scary since I am not all that techno-savvy and, probably like many other first-time bloggers, wonder if I will have anything to say that anyone really wants to read.

My impetus for writing is the angry reaction I have from picking up popular lifestyle magazines (many aimed at women) and seeing the bold statements on the cover or within, about how people in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s can be happier, more beautiful, healthy, rich, etc., etc.  Rarely are 50 year-olds included in the articles, and never do you see any mention of 60 year-olds.  I’d like to submit we older folks would like to know how to be happier, and more beautiful, healthy, and rich also.

So, I hope to include lifestyle topics that will be of interest to those of you in the second half of your life; and, in so doing, will perhaps enlighten you or make you laugh – hopefully, not anger you.  I believe we can all learn from each other, so feel free to offer comments on anything of particular interest to you.

I welcome you on this journey, and hope you find something that inspires you to live life to the fullest…ignoring the wind, which to me, represents the negative!