Missus Bounty Basket

 I was in the kitchen when the thought of writing about today came into mind. Actually, today's happening started last year and a few days ago, Carlo reminded my youngest daughter to shine her shoes. Then yesterday, he mentioned that again, and the two of them started cleaning my daughter's Doc Martens . There she was standing in front of her parents, getting ready for today's event. I told her that I'd take her to the Gare Cornavin .  And so this morning, we biked our way to the bus stop, where a road repair is still underway. Then from Pont-Rouge there's the tram 15 . While in the tram, we reread the email and looking at her hair, I suggested that we buy hair clips in Migros . Afterwards, taking the bus to rue Monthoux, we were half an hour early. So then off to a café , where we ordered a too-strong for us ginger ale. She reminded me again that I was supposed to leave her at the Gare Cornavin. I smiled and crossed the street with her, leading to the hotel . We s...

This morning, I had the privilege to stay amongst the greenery while contemplating the sky. Looking up, I could see clouds of different shapes and formations. A baby, a face etc.  Then suddenly they were all gone and the blue sky was all that was left for a brief time.  I  could stay looking up at that peaceful sky the whole morning but duty calls and various errands are to be done. My to-do list was not full this time. I remember when a friend found out that I love to prepare a to-do list, she seriously told me that people who make To-do list would have Alzheimer's . I look at her in disbelief. I did not say anything. Not saying anything to keep the friendship and at the same time to avoid confrontation eventually caught up with me. I am losing my voice. Being silent for as long as I can remember would mean not disturbing anyone, or not causing any harm. Keeping quiet means calm and not voicing anything. Growing up, I believed that I was shy yet I found out that I was ...

 Life is unfolding the way it should be, which makes me look forward to what's next. It's not easy to comprehend, a challenge most of the time given my old mindset yet considering the learning and unlearning that are taking place at this moment I am welcoming the shift that's taking place.  I am not writing about my 5 things TODAY.  I am still deciding if I should continue to write at 8 p.m. There are so many things to do in so little time yet I am learning to focus and put my creative energy into important things. Yet, the question of being proactive and productive as an unemployed 50-something mother of 2 creeps in. How can I do both, how can I fully engage my being to create and be creative every day? Maybe because I am worried about being labeled as lazy. Or maybe, I should stop thinking what others might say about me and just be Me.  I have been living with fear, worry, and stress most of my life. Being too kind and too nice so that there's peace around me. Sayi...

Today, I have embraced the call to be a plantita . Yet for me being outside and tending my garden is more gratifying, houseplants are not really my cup of tea. For me, it's another task.  Don't get me wrong, I am fine having less than 5 pots of plants and orchids, and yet plants started coming my way, and along with them - frustration. And as  I feel more dismayed, house plants show up somehow reminding me of some kind of unfinished business. Therefore, I have decided to answer the call, there's no turning back (not yet).  There are a dozen or so potted plants at home and I would really like to keep that number and not be overwhelmed. This way, my plants can have all the love and attention they need. Along with my three citrus plants and my low tunnel garden plot.  5 things TODAY. Cosmos . These beauties are flourishing and having them makes walking around the garden more special.  Made some bean salad with the garden greens and one Albenga unripe chili pe...

 I was a Little Prince for a night and approached a lot of people during the party .  It felt awkward yet I tread where my fear was. For I had a mission, to acquire as many drawings of sheep as possible. 5 things TODAY Verveine & laughter . Went to see two of my friends and had some drinks with them. Being organized or something like that.  Walking . As I altered my pace and the distance slightly, I could feel that my endurance had increased. A glass of wine with the husband. Geneva . Will be forever in awe of this beautiful city.

  It was a quiet day, everyone's at school and I had the whole house for myself. Being bored was not on the agenda. Yet this would mean eating alone, talking to the hens, gardening , and keeping our home organized .  I am decluttering . Slowly... As I let my life unfold and learn to be more gentle and loving towards myself, projects don't look as daunting as before. Something is shifting inside of me and being aware of that is just gloriously amazing. 5 things TODAY:  Gratitude Trust the process.  Just when I thought that this beautiful zucchini plant called  trombetta  would not grow, it suddenly gave three fruits. And as with life, I am trusting the process.  River . Calms the soul. Being kind to myself. Choosing to be quiet.

Yoga. This is the one that I did this morning. A 10-minute practice. And it started TODAY. Adobo .  The dish that I want to be better at.  Coffee with Mama. We met in a bakery/café in Onex. She was in a high spirit . Emmaus . In search of a green top and I managed to stay for an hour, goodness. Pity that their books were in disarray. I really thought of sorting them out but was in a hurry to do the rest of my errand. Coconut brush . For toilets. I want one just to eliminate the use of plastic and because I cannot find the right one for our toilet bowl. Word of advice: take a picture of the brush before throwing it out.

  Things to do. I am more organized when writing my to-do list on a spring notebook , instead of using a phone app. It felt good to be able to cross things out every time it's accomplished. I used to recycle old envelopes and A4 papers for my to-do list but it would be lost with my other papers to sort out, it was then that I opted for notebooks.  Dahlia . Tiny flowers are growing, hopefully, slugs won't see them and have a party. It's one of my favorite flowers to grow because of my aunt. She used to grow dahlias of different colors in front of her house. The day before the town fiesta, we'd be going to her place by foot and once we saw the tall dahlias, it was a sign of relief that finally we arrived. Hazelnuts. The tree which is called noisetier in french is mightily growing by the path near the Satigny train station. This time I am ready with an old Zalando sachet, and half-filled it with hazelnuts. Ah! the joy of foraging. Fruit trees.  Really happy that a lot of...

Castres Compostage de Chatillon .  This afternoon we went to get some soil. 110 kg and we paid chf3.30. Seriously, one of the places I like. The smell of the earth brings joy to my whole being and I get so giddy and hopeful for my garden.  Dentist . An inevitable visit today. Mine is in Plans-les-Ouates , not so far from our neighborhood . Garden. On my way to my dentist, I saw a garden with so many blossoming flowers. Evidently, I stopped and admired everything.  Champex-Lac . Time to open the calendar for the winter season . It is going to be our first winter renting the chalet.  Smile . She was with her mother and then she saw me walking towards her and with the toy she lovingly held in her hand, she stopped and smiled at me. She must be 3 years old. I smiled back and went my way. It's a beautiful morning.  

  Early bird . Maybe it comes with age, yet waking up before 6h means getting things done early.  Aperol spritz . Minus a slice of orange but it feels like an afternoon in Italy . Costume. We are preparing for a family gathering in a week. I was thinking of being this character , or maybe someone from Hemingway's work .  Spotify . Won't be having the premium anytime soon but I like listening to the music and podcast . Barefoot . I am taking advantage of glorious and dry days to walk in the garden. Filling my body with the positive energy it needs.  And so Monday is almost over nonetheless a great one.

  Sardinia not so long ago. Three days after my birthday, I decided to write a short blog post about 5 things that added joy and meaning to my day, I then created reels out of them. It's something I need to do to find out what is essential, which direction to take, and to be more productive while in-between jobs.  Two weeks into this little project I realized that writing, researching, and taking pictures and videos have added awe to my day. What's also important is that by creating this habit of blogging every day, I am learning a lot of things. Learning more about myself. This project of mine will run till December 2023. So, my 5 things TODAY. Foraged. I was in Satigny this morning with my sister-in-law and on our way to a café we passed by a hazelnut tree in front of the Catholic church . I was overjoyed to pick them up as if it was my first time to see nuts on the ground. But what a blessing! Old Adidas . It feels good to walk in them and though the right shoe has a hole ...

  Wayne Dyer . It was after watching   Sara Blakely that I decided to revisit Wayne Dyer 's  videos. I need inspiration to refuel and boost my mind. To be more creative and be a more effective human being.  Boeuf croustillant . Cooking one dish for tonight's dinner with family. Talked to Itay. He has been planting cassava and making suman . There was a surplus, he said. I suggested that he grow something that is not being planted by everyone.  Lettuce & spinach . Sown some seeds this morning. They will fill up the spaces left by beans and melons. Being Nanay and having a productive Saturday. 

  Bach . I think he's my favorite today.  Chicken satay . The husband cooked lunch.  Neighbour. It's very important to have a good relationship with one's neighbour and to look out for each other. Excel . I am getting better at my budgeting and have sheets of every kind in my computer. From my accounting exercises to our chalet's monthly expenses. I am befriending numbers because Math is not my forte. It's still a long way to go but we understand each other.  Conversation. I listen with all my heart and mind. I am present ... not only ALL EARS rather I am here in front, mindful of your presence.  Enjoy your day.

  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 doi...

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...

 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...