Missus Bounty Basket

The 100 CHF question has kept bugging me ever since I started blogging years ago. This is also the reason why I fell off the wagon so many times. Today, as I scheduled my writing and posting, I decided that continuing to write just for the sake of writing and following the schedule I have set for myself will suffice. It is enough for me, even without a reader. My plan is mainly to write and learn to express my thoughts. Write longer than 10 lines and insert the pictures that I have taken from our travels, my garden, here and there.  It's because of blogging that I was able to learn some HTML stuff. Because of writing here, I was able to discover a lot of things. Authors, podcasts, books to read, and what a joy it is to learn. Writing...What's good about this is that for as long as I write, I have this feeling of being a researcher, a storyteller, and a real writer. While I type, I have this beautiful sensation of being someone else, detached from myself as a Nanay-someone who i...

 37° C. This was a few days ago, and today it seems to be 2° or maybe 3° lower. I am already thinking of ways to keep our home cooler for next year. Though I grew up in a tropical country, our summer wasn't like this.  I grew up near a mini forest; I was oblivious to the heat. There were trees everywhere, where we could climb and eat fruits, the summer breeze gently caressing our young faces.  And the river, where we bathed and did our laundry, when the water was still abundant and belonged to everyone who wanted to enjoy nature at its finest. It felt like nothing would cause change, but here we are. Feeling and experiencing Mother Nature's fury.                                                         Presently, my family and I live near a river in an area where trees surround us.  And with this summer heat, the early morning bre...

 What am I doing? Well, this is a desperate move to do a blog post a day late because I wasn't able to follow my schedule last week. Yeah, I can definitely cite a lot of reasons why, but it will not change the fact that I did not stick to my writing time. Now, this is just a tiny step to be consistent and follow my agenda even though my body and brain are trying to do something else. But it's Monday, a new day, and I want to be kind to myself and not be stressed. So I write whatever comes into my head, while Spotify is on. I recently discovered the song I Feel Good , a positive song written by Ingrid . I am getting tired and want to sleep (heatwave here in Europe), but I want to write something this afternoon. There's just no specific subject that I can write about. So, I am typing with my eyes closed and hoping that something will fly by and give me that inspiration to type something worthwhile and something which comes from my being. I have been using the word being for ...

 A week ago, I decided to do a 3-month reset to rearrange my life, focus on being healthy and productive, and express myself through any creative channel. I then put this in writing or rather, I created an agenda and typed everything I should accomplish in a day. There it was, my weekly schedule. In this way, I was hoping to find my path.  Yet while preparing this post. There are suddenly many questions popping up in my head. Am I really not on my chosen path? Because, maybe, just maybe, amidst my own troubled mind and the noise that society is filling my being with, maybe I am where I should be without fully realizing it. Always thinking that it is greener on the other side. But which other side am I looking at? Blurred and nonexistent future, fear of the unknown?  Right at this moment, it feels like I am unwrapping a gift that is always there, the one I was not fully aware of, because of waiting for something else. If the path that I am yearning to discover is in front ...

The possibilities are endless. This is what I have been telling myself these past few days. Trying to make my mind and body synchronized, which is a good way if one wants to reset their life. Am I making any sense? Maybe not to you, but I fully understand myself now because it is tiring to want to change and not move an iota of muscle to make those changes. Am I procrastinating, or am I just scared to fail? Fear has been part of my life as long as I can remember, but I was able to get on with my existence. It is now on a steady course, the one I have imagined minus the aching knees and the arthritis. Not to forget the unemployment stage I am in. I thought of using it in between jobs. But got tired of shrouding my situation and used the exact word. Yes, I am unemployed, and it's getting tough to find a job. But I create... because? I am a creative being. Huh! I need to use my hands and my mind. To be able to say that, despite and in spite of; I exist, and yes, I have so many hobbies...

 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 ...

A long time ago,  I learned to type , however, I was not at ease with the number keypads but the letters were just a breeze. Thanks to my perseverance on sleepy Saturday mornings and some typing courses my aunt gifted me. And now here I am again, typing some more and revisiting the ease and pride I feel every time my fingers hit the keypads. There must be a reason why I have learned this, there must be a reason why I like to write in English. Maybe it's not that perfect but my brain will just switch and use Uncle Sam's vocabulary. It is awesome. Now as I turn older, a word/vocabulary sometimes skips and hides and won't come out that easily, I savor the day and time when they flow easily.  I would like to type at least  3 paragraphs and let the words turn into something useful to me or to someone who might read this but what can I say or write? I'd like to inspire someone like me, a 50-something who is trying to remember what she wanted to be when she was 5 years ol...

 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...

  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.

  Actually, it was yesterday. This is just to keep a record that yes, I was able to make it to my third week. 5 things TODAY  may not make sense to anybody but me, nonetheless it's okay. Writing my 5 things every day is a way to remind me that in my present situation, there's love, creativity, and energy that I can share with the Universe without asking for validation from anybody. There was a time when it was disheartening to find out that it was not reaching out to even half a dozen people. Then I would remind myself why I have started. And the fact that  4 or so people might be passing by to check on what I did was already something in itself. I am simply putting out what was initially a simple thought and giving it a life.  It was like what Elizabeth Gilbert had said about creativity and grasping it and making it happen. Otherwise, if the person rejects it or didn't take notice of it, that very energy would still be floating by until another person is brave eno...

 A new book. I went to Renfile in Espace Tourbillon and lo and behold, I found the one  recommended by the late  Dr.Wayne Dyer written by Anita Moorjani . Chewy cookies . Baked some with lots of nuts and I added a banana. These are gluten-free . Self-care. Walked to Onex and had coffee with Mama. Now that I can walk without pain in my ankle due to inflammation , I am celebrating my newfound strength by walking for at least half an hour.  Knitting . I am doing a scarf and am using the rest of the yarn from the fingerless glove  I did for my daughter a long time ago.  Letting life unfold. 

  Melon . My 2nd fruit is ready and harvested it today. Morning walk . A quiet one because there was not a soul on the main street saved from a few cars once in a while. It was a glorious morning. A day with Erin. We spent the day together in Les Grottes  for a yard sale . I like this kind of event. As the proverb goes: One man's trash is another man's treasure.  Though I did not find anything on my list, Erin found lots of pre-loved clothing, Manga books, posters, and a ring. We had lunch then around 14h, we went home. Tired but happy about our time together. Lye water . Finally, I found one in Mabuhay Asian store . I would like to make some kutsinta . Photo project. The idea of taking more garden pictures entered my mind. 

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...

  Sweet potato brownies . Third day and tasted better than yesterday. Baked without buckwheat this time.  Library . It's in the top 5 of my fave places here in Geneva and where I meet Albom , Coben , Mankell , Murakami , Nesbo even Gilbert and Patchett .  Mobility . I am learning and getting the hang of it. Making some progress. Thank you.  Italian. Been wanting to learn italian for a long, long time. It started years ago when we camped  in Tarquinia for a week. Then other things happened and learning another language took a back seat. Nonetheless, it's never too late to learn anything. That's why,  I read 5-10 pages of an italian book .  I do not understand everything nonetheless familiarizing myself with vocabularies and phrases will help me a great deal, I know.  Silence. I usually turn the radio on while cooking or cleaning up in the kitchen. Nonetheless, I have been without any radio or music for some days now. I'd like the calm and se...

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.