MaryAlice Musings and More

Last night I went to one of my favorite second hand shops and got a marvelous dress for the Red Ribbon Affair on Friday. I am going to Madison! I am going to the Red Ribbon Affair for the first time since I left as the Executive Director of AIDS Network. The organization is 25 years old, and this fundraiser began when I was the E.D. It was at the Sheraton Hotel, they paid for everything, including Marie Osmond to perform! So this morning I was thinking about how fun my new dress is and as I walked into my dining room and looked out towards the east (there are sliding glass doors) the entire sky was lit with pinks, and lavenders and blues. What a spectacular party dress in the sky I thought. So I am still smiling about my new dress and loving the dress bestowed by the beloved as I watch the awakening of the morning sky.

I stepped out of my world for the weekend and went into the world of spirit, and ministry and community. Hospitality Place on Golden Lake is a jewel, and less than 15 minutes from my house. I am training to be a Cherag, a minister ordained through the Sufi Order International. A Cherag can perform the Universal Worship, which honors the world's religion, and those who have held the light of spirit. It is Unity not uniformity. It is all one. It was a great first session, a wonderful group, and coming back into the world was just fine. Toward the One.

Today was Grandparents day in Myah's classroom. So this morning, I left work and drove out to Stillwater and got to sit in my Granddaughter's classroom, and listen to her and her classmates read their interview stories about one of their grandparents. Myah is in 4th Grade, the students learned how to use the microphone, and they read their stories. Each interview had the same questions, but what came after that was unique and special for each child. The teacher wanted her students to learn how to ask their grandparents questions about their lives. She hoped that her class would begin to value the importance of learning about their oldest generation. The teacher brought her grandmother to the class as well. Gramma Bender is 92 years old - and I tell you I was inspired. I walked out of Myah's classroom, smiling and envisioning, that I would someday in my 90's go to Myah's work with her and tell stories of what it was like when I was little. What a great day!

"Each stitch is a prayer", that is counsel that I have received. I most of the time believe it, and feel it. Recently I bought some beautiful yarn to make a shawl. I have thought about it often, and on a recent trip to Princeton, NJ I got a pattern at Pins and Needles. After several trips I found the yarn that I wanted and went to pull out the pattern. I could not find it anywhere, still can't! So I started looking on the "web". Found this great site: Free Vintage Knitting Patterns . I am going to knit the Country Club Shawl, most likely without the fringe! Imagining it will be beautifully appropriate on a summer evening! Also imagining it will be wonderful to be wrapped in a prayer!

I found some notes, I am a paper keeper! They were from one of the Speaking of Faith programs. I think it was a show about meditation - it might have been about the dervishes - who knows, and here are a few of the "take aways" I wrote down: - change your vantage point (note: very sufi perspective!) - just plow the earth, allow yourself to move around, don't worry about what will happen - get in tune with the whirling earth - longing is redemptive - not important exactly what the language is - collect the scatteredness Breathe....

I was really rooting for Stanford, not only is a great school, has a great coach (Tara spends her summers on a Minnesota Lake!), but it is my namesake. My Mother's maiden name was Stanford, I almost got that name when she divorced. But I digress, nothing new! Stanford played a really really good first half. Connecticut played really bad in that half. When it ended, I looked at the Lynx staff around the table and said, "I wouldn't want to be in the room with Gino! The undefeated champion Connecticut Huskies came out to start the second half - and they never left. Stanford was left with two losses in this season, both to Connecticut. Two great teams, the bar is still raised. History was made. It is all good for women's sports. One more piece of the Title Nine puzzle firmly in place.

Today no going to work. Sick belly-achy head! Taking space. Enjoying being in my home. Waiting for the rain to come, I can smell it! The sky is looking like it might actually rain. Clear out the dryness. Urge on the greening. Give the earth a drink. Belly better, head clearer. Imagining the rain and good dreams!

Radar had a great time at the dog park this afternoon. He is a speedy runner. He loves the big dogs. He is most definitely NOT a water dog, he jumps over or tiptoes through water holes. He runs fast, and sniffs hard. He sniffs and sniffs. The dogs sniff each other as they do some long time ritual dance sniffing and going around in a circle. Everyone is friendly at the dog park, new puppies, old dogs, big water bowls, and boxes of plastic bags and lots of trash cans. Some people bring their lawn chairs, have a good talk as dogs run up and down and around. Good day in the dog neighborhood!

Long week, lots of stretching - in heart - in mind - in temperature! Holy Week and Passover and Spring. Deep breathing and sighing and leaning into just being in the moment. The rain came for just a part of the day, more to come. Oh joy, water and warmth = green grass, flowers blooming, and the bushes and trees are beginning to bud and flower. Wonderful. Yes.

Today as I was walking in downtown St. Paul, I watched the transformation of the Chairs. Where there was recently blocks of ice and snow, black with winter wear, there is now freshly washed chairs and tables and waiters bustling about. The sun was hot and the smiles were huge. I had a freshly made lemonade! A long walk. Now at 8 p.m. it is 78 degrees. Hard to not talk about weather, about the parading of the outdoor bistro, and the embracing of summer fun!