MaryAlice Musings and More

I am here to report that  59 years + one week is pretty darn good.  I was so deeply moved by how beautiful my time was in Idaho.  I stayed at this 75+ year old Lodge in Clearwater National Forest, everywhere you looked it was breath taking.  I walked the Lewis and Clark trail, and rode a really big horse "buck" as in buckskin.  I met some fine people from around the country and Canada, and feel big rejuvenation.  The trip was easy and I had time to be in such a different environment.  A big reminder about changing your perspective, now I am planning my next much longer time to get some perspective change early next year!!   Coming home I had no plans, and on a lark decided to get tickets to the BonTaj Roulet concert, at opening day of the State Fair.  That would be Taj Mahal and Bonnie Raitt, both singers who have been in my life since very early adulthood.  The fair was great, weather fine, food outrageous, and Bonnie Raitt (who is playing at the fair since the first time he...

Off for a few days of a working vacation in Idaho.  I don't think I have ever been in Idaho and it has been decades since I have been to Montana.  I have my jeans, boots and sweater packed.  Treats are in the day bag, and I am looking forward to the freshness and wilderness and wildness of this part of the world.  I am staying near Powell Station in the Clearwater National Forest, near the Lolo Trail, and ancient native american passage.  I am going to be with about 25 folks from around the country who work on employment issues for people with disabilities.  I am ready to experience what "Best in the West" will manifest.  Here's to relaxation, being present in such beauty, and deep listening and engaging. 

I slept soundly - such a different story than the day of my last birthday.  I woke up so very rested, and off I went to start the day with a dear friend - and we went to my favorite Minneapolis French inspired restaurant Cafe Barbette!  It was cool and rainy and we ate inside, where there are great paintings, a classic style bar, and great smells.  We read Rumi, and Hafiz and drew from a pouch sufi cards, and talked about our hearts and our connection.  What a great start to my day, that included painted toe and finger nails, a touch up from my hair cutter, and then off to my favorite St. Paul French Bistro.....I am now baking myself and more friends a peach/pecan upside down cake.  I am touring the garden and then one more wonderful evening of celebration with friends!  The sun is shining and I am enjoying my first day of this year of the "9's".

I officially have entered the "9's".  My birthday day was a blast!  For weeks I have been anticipating my trip to bordeaux, france.  It was magnificient.  Amusement-corn souffle, and it tasted like corn from heaven, served at exactly the time of perfection for picking in minnesota.   This was the start of my Tour de France, hosted by meritage restaurant in downtown st. paul,  The chef and wait staff treated us so well, the evening was truly a gift.  being with family and surrounded by great food, wine, and much loving was truly a celebration.  And we all felt as if we were celebrating in france!   I hope you can savor and imagine my evening in Bordeaux (of course we toasted to Julia and Meryl) and to ME! first course Warm Oysters Belgian Endive and Sautern Sabayon second course Petite Beef Filet en Bordelaise bone marrow, potato gratin, mushrooms & summer vegetables third course Red Wine Poached Pear Vanilla Ice Cream & Crème Chantilly After our time in Bordeaux, ...

Tomorrow as the moon is new I enter the year of the 9's.  The last year of a decade.  Today I am remembering and honoring this past year.  This year is and has most definitely been one of my best.  In the ways of external stability I have a very good job, once that has mission and focus and meaning to me, and I get ample compensation.   My house received some good maintenance this year, and it continues to feel more and more like my home (home ownership has not come easy for me!).   Professionally,  I am feeling this great balance:  excited about learning and clear about my own experience and knowledge.  I have been doing my work for a long time know and I feel valued and respected, and am having lots of fun working with new people and particularly new generations of policy planners!  My health is great! Praise Be.  The decision to have my surgery for sleep apnea was brave and bold and was right for me.  No more sleep apnea!  The rest of me is so much better and I am 25 lbs thinner...

With no apparent reason I woke up very early this a.m. and got out of bed, went to the sliding doors that look out towards the east, and there in the sky venus and a sliver of moon.  It was so quiet, just getting light.  The moon was just vibrating, moonlight radiating forth.  I kept looking and had a big thank you in my heart.  I don't have many conversations during the day about these amazing divine moments.  But that is what it felt like this morning.  I was given a big bolt of divinity, feeling like I am a part of it all, not separate.  Tonight, I can't see the moon.  There is a drone of bugs, and cars and planes - and I am listening to the TV folks talking about health care and abandoning the public option in this round of health care reform....where is our courage,  where are the divine moments, how many people must continue to make bad or worse decisons about taking care of our health.  When can we focus on health and not the profits of the industry, the United Health Ca...

This morning is cool, it has rained off and on yesterday during afternoon, evening and then through the night.  It is quiet, almost can forget for a moment that I am in my city house.  I am enjoying the quiet, the slow down of the pace,  and appreciating how it smells now that there has been done of those fabulous soakings.  I can see my tomato plant (it is in a pot) from my window.  I picked the first tomato from it this week, there are more ripening.  I have taken lots of ribbing about this plant, it is scrawny, I have forgotten to water it countless times, and yet it has survived, maybe not thrived, and the fruit is tasty and nature has done a good job of giving it a long, full drink. I am going to have my own long, full drink this week.  Planning a series of time off and time away from my office.  We have been busy, very busy!  Lots of good work, and lots of effort to keep things not only moving, but moving toward our goals.  I am taking some days off at home.  On my list of possib...