Missus Bounty Basket

  Stinging nettle infusion . Had some first thing in the morning. I started drinking again after a week of having ginger tea. Chopin .  For me, there's something so soothing about his music and at the same time a kind of anguish and sadness.  Baked gluten-free  cookies. A success!  New book . A very interesting one. I like to read while on the public transport . It feels like being in my own world amidst the bustle and noises all around. People watched. Place du Marché .The weather was good, there was some breeze. With my two-flavored sorbet in my hand,  I had a bit of a chat with a lady who came to sit next to me with her ice cream . She was not happy that the cone given to her was large size. Across the street , a couple was having their wine.  I smiled, it was a glorious day.

Champex-Lac                                           Listened to Beethoven . I grew up listening to folk and country music . Classical music is so foreign to me. Then in one of my attempts to become a more cultured human being, I visited a disc shop (years ago) in Place de Bel-air and the sales staff recommended Vivaldi's Four Seasons but my repertoire stopped there. Now, in introducing myself to another classical piece, I am giving another experience to my brain.  Showed up . I did not feel like typing anything because the comfort of the bed was calling me but here I am.  Journal . Writing my thoughts on a paper is still one of the things  I like to do. It's like my morning conversation with God.  The pathway. Every day it is strewn by dried leaves and sweeping it clean reminded me of my chores growing up back home.  I didn't like doing it at that time, however, it became something of a mindfulness practice . My mind does not wander, I am PRESENT.  Ginger tea . Reduces

Happy birthday, my love!! Errand with the birthday boy. Then had some drinks while waiting. Listened to another version of Fields of Gold . Let it BE.   My truth. It felt good to say what was in my mind. Cooked chicken with lemon -my VERSION. Too sour. He liked my aunt's version. Guess, he will not request the same dish for his birthday next year but apparently, the carrot cake was good.

Monday   Listened to my body . There were so many things to do at home yet I prioritized myself and took a 10 min. nap and everything seemed better afterwards. Had lunch with my youngest daughter. It was just the two of us at lunchtime and I made my version of cajun seafood boil with what we have in the fridge and in the garden: corn, mustard and bell pepper leaves, tomatoes, and beans.  One mug of coffee. Just one for today and I am ok with that. Brisk walked . Cold, raining, coughing... Just some of my excuses but I went out anyway. Red wine . 

 It's a rainy Sunday. Failed in my attempt to sundry some tomatoes . Nevertheless, there is a thing called next time .  Mumbled my grateful prayer for my ati Elsa.  A very long time ago, we frequented the same school and when she got so busy she gave me her remaining course . To this day, I am glad to stay on despite the seemingly turtle-like progression in my skill . Bless your heart, my ati Elsa. Morning chitchat with my schnafouille on our terrace over a mug of coffee . It was drizzling, our cat was coming our way from her hiding spot. I laughed at something he said. Finishing his cigarette and the 2 nd  cup of espresso , he went back inside. I stayed on and embraced the stillness of my surroundings. Silenced my mind for a few minutes. It is really a challenge to quiet my mind, to let it stop wandering so that I can empty whatever there is to let go.  Inspired by a fellow Pinay living in Canada . I was smiling while watching her garden. I have hope and plan to make our garden

 Till Christmas that's my plan.  The afternoon breeze. I am so grateful that while contemplating our garden there was this soft and gentle breeze that made the plants and branches dance and created a beautiful union. Read >10 pages of my current book . I am concentrating on it and hopefully will finish by Sunday. Art and school supply . Went to town with my eldest daughter, Karen to get her supplie s for this school year. The sales staff is a gem and we thanked her and wished her a great day. Called my siblings. Talking to them always brings joy to my heart.    The rain . I was ready to dance under the rain, to bounce and lift my arms up high. To celebrate the fact that our garden is happy.  Unfortunately, it did not happen.  Nonetheless, patience is the key. I am rain dance-ready.  

 I've found out that George Eliot is the pen name of the English novelist, Mary Ann Evans . I haven't read any of her works but it will be interesting to read her poem.  For my 5 things today: Admired how beautiful the sky was this morning. This is such a privilege for me at this time and I don't want to take it for granted.  Gave TLC to my 3 hens . I named them - Puti (for an obvious reason), Molly, and Rosie. Sprinkled some water on their coop all the while telling them how the water would refresh the surrounding and thanking them for the eggs. Emailed a friend. I met her during the lowest moment in my life. She also has an autoimmune disease called rheumatoid arthritis . At that time I was newly diagnosed. Meeting her strengthened my belief that there's hope.  There's no cure for this kind of autoimmune disease however, with a good treatment coupled with lifestyle change, it's easier to handle and one can function better.  Practiced emotional intelligence

My list is not in order. I am typing and at the same time listening to Una Flor by Juanes . I discovered his song after watching Jane the Virgin . It's on Spotif y and I have created a playlist for Spanish and Italian songs. A great way to stimulate the brain. Now back to my list. Walked barefoot in the garden. Experts called it grounding though as far as I can remember, everyone in Isla Berde was doing it when we were growing up.  Here  is a short film about it. Read 8 pages of my current book . I tend to be distracted by the other books I have. There's one on the nightstand  and  one in my backpack , ready to be read when I take public transport . Am I the only one? Baked a banana cake. Using a gluten-free flour . Nope, it was not good and I will try again. Phoned Mama. Talked about the weather, this and that. In my quest to heal and at the same time have a better relationship with her, I need to set boundaries yet understand her. Her life experience. Her story. It is a p

 After posting my first 5 things, I was excited to do another one, so this is my second day. Still trying to come up with a good title. Woke up at 5h20 and took advantage of the fresh morning breeze. It's 32°C as I write this. Waking up early would mean having coffee in the garden while writing my to-do list and then being interrupted by the thought of ripening tomatoes . Afterwards, I got up and walked to check them and realized that 5 melons were actually growing.  Said my prayer of gratitude. For TODAY. FAMILY. LIFE & the abundance in our garden.  Cleaned up our terrace. I have accumulated lots of wooden boxes, why do I like them? Not to forget the two bags of eggshells that Mama put aside for our plants.   Wrote and posted a letter, destination..... Japan . During our trip to some parts of Asia some years ago, we met my college friend, Myra, and her family in Nagoya . Her nephew at that time was probably  3 years old and recently, I was able to talk to them. He was so

Why only 5? Why not?   Did our bed. Held by daughters before they went to school this morning Practiced driving in manual gear, and was really worried could not shift into 3rd gear . "Do you still want to continue?" he asked and with shaking knees and fear all over my body, I said yes. Made my very first ginger bug starter , need to feed my gut better. Applied for a job . Now what?