Some positive news

Good for the ladies who spoke out today on the white house lawn.  They appeared confident, collected and ready to hold the line.  I was surprised to see MTG as a proponent of exposing the files.  I hope she stays true to her word and that it wasn't a publicity stunt.  To appear as an ally only to screw them over by voting to not release the files.  I am not a huge fan of her, Mace or Boebert.  Maybe this issue is finally the one that they resist the leader's siren call to fall in line.  I hope it is.  Mace is a survivor of sexual assault.  I don't know how she will look in the mirror if she doesn't push their agenda forward.  I'm unclear as to why Boebert is on the side of women, but I'll take it.  We need more congressmen to step up for their constituents.  

The women who spoke were abused and have faced trauma for years.  I applaud them for coming forward and demanding that the government takes them seriously.  That takes gonads.  They spoke their names clearly and told a little of their individual stories.  One of the women was recruiting for Epstein and I am sure that was difficult to admit.  She did it out of fear.  She was 16 at the time.  I am sure that she suffers from her actions of involving classmates to be abused/assaulted by Epstein.  She chose to involve other people to avoid further abuse of herself.  Doesn't sound great but I suppose at the time choosing to avoid abuse sounded like a life line.

They should release the Epstein files.  It is a nonissue.  

Calling it a hoax now is ridiculous.  There was a flyover during the press conference which also seemed interesting.  Trying to drown out the women from speaking.  Moving that monster, Ghislaine, and trying to reframe the narrative is disgusting and typical.  Anyone that was involved in that trafficking ring should be exposed for the predator that they have been and still are.  We should not be protecting people because they have money or power.  They should be held accountable for their gross actions.  There is no justification for taking the innocence from a child.  Or assaulting someone.  The I was drunk, I made a mistake is no excuse for sexually assaulting someone.  They said that one in five women are assaulted at some point in their lives.  I think it is more likely one in three.  I was assaulted when I was forty-one.  I never thought it would happen to me at that age.  And, yes, women are forced to endure unwanted attention on a daily basis.  But, I am not referring to that.  I thought I had escaped the statistics of assault until it happened.  

These women deserve the truth.  One of them stuck out to me that she couldn't remember everything that had happened.  That she had tamped it down as a way to move forward.  She is wanting to know what happened so she can move forward in her life.  

If you have time, call your representative and demand that they stand with these women.  It is time to expose this ring regardless of where it goes.  Follow the money, right?  

I am still hopeful and positive for more good things to come.

Memories

I am eating potato chips, drinking a tequila soda and listening to the Great Deluge--a book about Hurricane Katrina.  I have read Zeitoon, watched Treme and five days at Memorial Hospital, listened to several podcasts and another book about NOLA.  

My first visit to NOLA was in 1998.  I attended Mardi Gras with my friend, the bad Sarah (long story).  We left midterms at KU and drove the with no reservations.  We had a stop in Baton Rouge with my adoptive brother's family.  Malaysian cousins would welcome and host us.  They were incredible.  Three different families that offered us kindness, hospitality and karaoke.  Sarah was allergic to their cats and so we were moved, effortlessly, to one of the other cousin's homes.  The next morning, they followed us into NOLA to make sure that we were safe.  We did not have a hotel reservation or hostel.  Only a belief that we would figure it out.  Not to mention, Sarah's aunt would be in the city.  She attended Mardi Gras annually.  Unlike my adoptive family, Sarah's aunt shamed us for not having made accommodations.  She suggested that we would be sexually assaulted if we stayed in the truck or near the quarter without a hotel reservation.  Reluctantly, she offered us a place on her hotel floor after telling us it would cost her $50 per wrist band.  I told Sarah to handle it as my family had moved us seamlessly with no issue to accommodate Sarah's allergies.

We returned a year later with other friends of Sarah's.  This time we arranged accommodations and had a plan.  We would cab into the city and attend Mardi Gras.  I was with a few gals and few men.  We separated amongst the sexes and took on the quarter.  We arranged a meet up at 10:30 pm at Cafe Du Monde.  We went to Pat O'Brien's for hurricanes.  I remember being solo.  Sarah had grown up with Gina and I was the odd man out.  Cavalier, I thought I would be ok on my own.  They were hanging out and I remember talking to some random guy and him being a little suggestive/aggressive.  I became disoriented.  We had to meet up with the other guys at 10:30 at Cafe du Monde.  We arrived where I threw up crawfish all over the table.  Super classy.  One of my best moments.  Truly, I believe I was rufied at Pat O'Brien's.  To this day, I will not step into Pat O'Brien's.

I love New Orleans.  Always have.

I did visit NOLA in 2008 on a cross-country trip from Florida to Arizona.  My traveling companions were afraid of entering the city.  Freaked out by the visual destruction of the of Gulf Coast.  In 2008, it was still visible from Mississippi to Louisiana.  My friends could not wait to get to Dallas to somewhere we they felt safe.  We stayed between the Marigny and Quarter.  I felt fine.  My friends could not wake up fast enough to escape the city.

I think I am remembering where I was 20 years ago and being astounded by the lack of response for this city.  It is still disgusting how we treated the residents of New Orleans.

This book does not lack of details.  There is FEMA breakdown, communication breakdown between the local and state governments, lack of resources, government incompetence.  I do not think I understood the multitude of what the residents faced from watching the news.   Some of it was sensationalized at the Superdome.  That should not matter.  People were suffering.  No water, food, dry clothing, ability to move outside of where people found themselves.  

I know I am not doing this justice.  I am rambling.  Yet, this is the future of this country.  The climate denial and lack of aid to areas that are hit by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, haboobs, etc.  Find your community.  Build upon it.  We are the saviors.  Proven time and time again.

Upcoming events

Why do some people tend to self-sabotage?  Or am I the only one guilty of doing this to myself?  I have ideas and plans.  Talk about them and then struggle to bring them to life.  Sometimes waiting too long or talking myself out of doing them.  I think I have been this way since childhood.  Definitely in college.  I was in a class, senior year, to write a thesis and dissertation.  The requirement was that I attend a nightly class to discuss my thesis and have support amongst my peers.  I hated the class.  Felt uncomfortable and did anything in my power to avoid going to this class.  I felt that I didn't belong with the other history students who seemed more committed to their beliefs.  

Instead of completing the class, I arranged with my advisor to write a paper and not be considered for the dissertation aspect of it.  He would grade my paper instead of the professor in that class.  I was embarrassed by my lack of effort, but I didn't feel I was good enough for that class.  That was a defining moment of my life.  Opting to fail instead of striving for success.  It seemed easier to remain in the bubble of my comfort zone.

I believe I am thinking about that time as I have been curating a yoga retreat for the last few years.  I talked about it last year but didn't put much effort into it.  Timing seemed off and then 2024 was over and a new year had begun.  I didn't want to host a retreat in the winter, and summer could be challenging due to people's travel schedules, then there are holidays, etc.  You understand what I am saying, right?  I was making excuses for not actually putting anything together since it would be easier to fail than try to succeed.

This year I was determined to be different.  I looked at potential dates in June and had an idea of what I wanted to put together.  Still, I hesitated to create the optics to share it with others.  I have clients that are interested but needed more information.  I finally put together a flier with information last Saturday.  I shared it with some of my closest friends to have them look it over and make suggestions to what information I was missing.  After a few back and froths I composed the flier and just released it on my social media.  I was hoping to share it here, too.  For some reason, I am finding difficulty uploading the graphic from an attachment.  I will need to look into that.  Tre yoga retreat is in Santa Fe October 9th-12th, 2025.  Accommodations located near the plaza/Ft. Marcy Park.  Yoga offered twice daily with some free evening to enable exploration of the City Different.  I love Santa Fe--the food factor, history, mysticism, galleries, culture.  Truly it is one of a kind.

Regardless, I am putting it out there and am ready to do some different.  Ready to believe in myself and see what is possible instead of what I have always thought.  Easier to remain in the comfort bubble.  Time to move beyond it.

Plants and other thoughts

My plants are blooming.  I am the proud owner of squash, a few beets, carrots, cucumbers, sweet peppers, ginger, and two indoor tomato plants.   Some are in Denver.  Others are in Santa Fe at Tom's house.  Both places the squash has overtaken whatever area it is planted.  I had no idea how squash would take over like mint. 

I have started talking to my plants.  They say it is good for you to talk to your plants and nurture them with words.  I have seen that if you talked to yourself the way you talk to your plants, you would bloom and reap in abundance.  It has only been a few days, but I am committed to testing out this theory.  And my plants are fierce, abundant and thriving.  The indoor plants specifically.

I find myself getting up earlier to ensure that the plants are watered and tended to first thing.  I wish I had taken up this habit years ago.  I would feel more confident in planting.  I would have been more strategic in where I placed things.  Squash definitely would have been further away from the basil, cucumbers and beets.  The leaves have created an immense canopy that is blocking the other vegetables from expanding.  

Lee has one watermelon that is trying to survive.  His corn did not take off.   

New opportunities and possibilities.  I am ready to live a different day instead of the curated life I have led the last few years.  It is time for me to move forward and test out new pathways.  I am fortunate for the life I live and want more.  More entrepreneurship and less working for others.  Maybe other gig work that would lead to other ways to create yoga clients.  Seeing the connections to move forward.  I am thankful.  Make it a great day.  I will have other thoughts later in the week.  I am trying to minimize my streaming and increase my reading/journaling.  It has been a fruitful six months of self-exploration and leaning more.  The aryuvedic approach has been enlightening.   

Yoga Retreat

Join me in Santa Fe October 9th-12th.  I am offering two classes daily, breakfast and lunch, an outing to explore the city and itineraries for you to enjoy.  I believe in yoga and the opportunity to explore cities on your own.  It isn't only the health aspect.  It is time for you, for your well-being, and your tribe.  

Santa Fe is the perfect place to test this out.  There is a mystical vibe, history, culture, food factor is off the hook, galleries and art.  

In the past, I have considered hosting a retreat.  Many times, I have allowed fear to get in the way of what I hope to offer.  I know that people will come and test it out.  Every week in Denver, I feel the vibe grow and expand.  People that believe in me and what I am offering.  It is time to offer a retreat.  The retreat that I envisioned five years ago.

The pandemic affected me more than I thought.  It has limited my desire to travel abroad which I used to do every year.  I have explored other countries, wine regions and foodie cities.  I do have some knowledge of places that yoga would fit right into.  I do not know why I have allowed myself to live the same way, daily.  I am good at the experience of that.  I heard some quote about it recently.  How we should not apply for a position because of lack of experience.  Some people have lived the same day, over and over, for fifteen years.  Does that make their experience better than yours or what you have to offer?  If you don't try, you cannot learn or improve.  I have listened to a ton of podcasts about the successful mind, manifesting the life you want, entrepreneurship, side hustles.  At some point, you have to act.  Take a risk.  See what happens.  

I think I am finally at that point.  Act instead of only researching.  If you are interested in the details about the upcoming yoga retreat, contact me here.  I am excited.  And I do not want to over plan it.  I want people to have flexibility in utilizing their time.  I have never been a fan of vacationing where everything is planned out.  I prefer spontaneity and chance encounters.  I have met lifelong friends from random encounters.  Or eaten at amazing spots asking bartenders where they like to dine.  

It is time to explore and expand.  Cheers! 

Tuesday Temptation

I have done Thankful Thursday.  Why not Tuesday Temptation?

I am tempted to book a trip somewhere, anywhere.  It has been too long.  I cannot wait on Tom to plan something.  He isn't focused on it.  He is more let it happen, when it does.  I am more let's plan something, so I have something to look forward to.  My intention for this summer was to take a road trip to see his dad in Tulsa, see my family in Kansas and Nebraska.  I mentioned it to him, multiple times.  I was hoping he would pick up what I was putting down.  

I know he had health concerns to contend with.  His right hip had been bothering him for five years.  Do not get me started on the stubbornness of men and how foolish they can be with health issues.  Some things will not just go away.  Contrary to popular belief.  So, I don't begrudge him for getting his hip surgery or focusing on his recovery.  However, I am ready for a trip or a road trip.  I know that I have overstated the importance of a trip.  I miss traveling.

Now, I am just taking it into my own hands.  I am planning a road trip to see the Littles in Kansas in August.  I am not waiting any longer.  I am leaning into temptation.  I am looking at 2026 as well.  I am considering a trip to Greece and somewhere else abroad for my milestone birthday.  I am still undecided about that one.  But, I know Sara Jo & Shari are game for attending.

In addition, I am giving into temptations into food.  I see tacos in my future.  Or some oysters.  It has been too long since I have enjoyed some delicious oysters.  Some of the best were in New Orleans for my 40th birthday.  There was a restaurant that is no longer in existence.  Maritza?  I cannot remember the name currently.  The oysters were amazing.  And they offered flights of Amaro.  That spoke to me as well.

I do not want to wait around to achieve things I want to do.  Yesterday, Malcolm Jamal Warner died.  He was 54.  It is a shock to the system.  Especially when I asked a few bartenders if they knew he was, and they were clueless.  I am getting older.  Ozzie died today.  They said something about Gen X being upset.  I do not know if I agree with that 100%.  Sure, I am sad but he is not a Gen X icon in my opinion.  There are others--George Michael, Prince, MJ, Whitney, Tom Petty (even) that were devastating to me when I heard of their deaths.  

Maybe that is the inspiration of my posting today.  I do not want to wait any longer.  I want to lean into what I enjoy doing.  What I am tempted by.  And what I want to do.  

Have a wonderful rest of your day.  Think about your temptations and how to lean into them....

Monday Motivation

Happy Monday!  I am grateful for my "green" thumb.  So far, it's been green.  Yet to be determined.  I planted beets, squash, cucumber and basil in Denver.  Squash, bell peppers, dill and carrots in Santa Fe.  The squash is thriving in both cities.  Some carrots and beets.  The peppers are emerging.  It is still too soon to see how they are taking.  My indoor lettuce is a dud.  Oh, and I have ginger I am trying to grow from another ginger root.  That, too, is a work in progress.  I follow a few influencers and am interested in growing ginger indoors.  I have seen a few techniques on how to prep it.  I am hopeful.

Find a habit and make it yours.  What area of your life would you like to improve?

Health?  Finances?  Relationships?  Communication?  

Personally, I need to restrict my podcast intake.  I tend to listen to political podcasts, and it is affecting me.  I am overwhelmed by the apathy of people.  The alligator concentration camps supported by the current administration and their base is disgusting.  Thirty-two people per cage.  Three toilets per cage.  I have heard accounts that toilet water is what is available to drink.  Can you imagine?  This is inhumane.  And, for what?  Because this administration deems you do not matter.  That you no longer deserve dignity, respect, humanity.

They are racially profiling people.  They are not going after criminals.  Women and children are not criminals.  Farm workers are not criminals.  Day laborers are not criminals.  Restaurant workers are not criminals.  Construction workers are not criminals.  

These are people looking to improve their lives.  

If you are Christian, remember the tenet of do onto others......I am a lapsed Catholic.  I do not apologize for it.  I know my dad is disappointed in me, but I don't care.  I won't follow this hypocritical religion.  Minimizing women.  Suppressing pedophiles in the church.  Tithing people who cannot afford to pay rent. 

I am committed to speaking out, sharing food and building community.