Walk on

Do you ever wake up with a song in your head

and then

you can't get it OUT of your head?

This happens to me FREQUENTLY.

I'm talking

3..

4...

5 days a week?  

Sometimes the songs are so funny

that I sing them out loud

so my hubs can share in the joy.

Like the day I woke up singing

"Rhythm is gonna get-cha

rhythm is gonna get-cha..."

a-la Gloria.

Of course, for my hubs

(the happiest morning person I've met to date)

faux-maraca shaking ensued.

This morning, however, was not a maraca-shaking song.

I woke up with David Gray's 

"From Here I Can Almost See the Sea"

whispering me to awareness.

So, I got up

tied my laces

brewed a hot coffee

threw on a hoodie

and walked to the seacliffs.

Here is my morning walk,

set to the lyrics of the poetic David Gray 

(who just happens to be the soundtrack to my Fall season)

"Come the weekend
We'll be long gone, baby
Just like the old days
Letting the world flow through me

Just a parasite in the line
I'm smoking, killing the time
I lost a piece of twine
What use is sympathy?

From here you can almost see the sea"

(and you can...can you sea see it? This is the top of our street. The start of my walk.)

"If you would hold still
Make a clean incision
And we can sit back and watch the demolition
Little puppy dog in a box
Somebody's picking the locks
It's wandered down from the socks
Here comes the cavalry

From here you can almost see the sea"

"Just another fool in the line
Just a parasite in the line"

"I dream of high clouds
Flush with the light of daybreak
 

I'm gonna dive in
To waters so cold it makes your bones ache
Fingers, knees, and knuckles scraped
Our love a rubbish heap
The piece of cardboard taped up where the bedroom windowpane used to be

From here you can almost see the sea."

"Just another fool in the line
Just a parasite in the line

I saw a film once
Where all the air holes froze up
A killer whale swam
Under the blue ice
until her heart stopped."

 (This is the end of our street!)

Aloha kakahiaka.

Notes from a Realist

 Yesterday, 

my hubs said,

"You're not a pessimist...

you're just a realist."

Of course, at first, I threw up a defensive...

"Wha...? How dare you label me!"

Then I realized...

he's quite right.

AND...

he meant it as a compliment.

Defense down.

 As a realist,

I'm constantly considering the REALITY of what might happen.

If we____, then____will most likely happen. 

 I mean, at least I'm not thinking about the worst thing that could happen, right?

Now,

that doesn't leave much room for adventure.

And that is PRECISELY WHY we had this conversation in the first place.

 Recently, we decided to:

work at work

and

home and home.

That means,

no work at home.

Daunting,

yet impressive 

jump for two who aim for professional commitment.

However difficult this decision will prove to be,

it opens up a world of adventure for our time together at home.

So..

my challenge therein

is to 

LET GO

of what might be

and experience life

in-full

during every adventure.

 This weekend proved to be adventure-worthy.

Rainy days tend to spark a child-like curiosity in us both.

So, we went to the shore.

We also went roller skating with Mom!

Wee-hoo! 

 These happen to be my mom's roller skates from childhood.

She still wears them.

Here's to adventures

big and small

aloha.

This...

...is what weekends should be about:

 Sunsets at the beach,

Farmer's Market wanderings,

Gelato!

Welcome back to my life, weekends.

I'm sure you've been doing your thing while I've been working, 

but

I've missed you!

aloha.

Punkin

My dearest Punkin,

I've been trying to figure out why I love you so.  Is it your creamy texture?  God knows I love a good creamy cooking ingredient.  Could it be that your bright orange ambiance reminds me to look for the light?   Or maybe my love extends into your associated spices of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.

Punkin, these are all reasons why I love you.  However, I cannot pinpoint one of them to be THE reason why you make me feel all giddy inside.  You see, when you blend all of these reasons together, and then whisk in a crisp fall morning, you yield a heaping serving of regeneration.  

What do you mean, "What do you mean?"  Can't you see it?  As the leaves turn color, I am reminded of what in my life needs a color makeover.  Can my grey pessimism be painted a lovely yellow optimism?  Can my navy blue depressive sentiments be washed with sea green positivity swimming with the surging possibilities of my future?  

Can't you feel it?  As the cool breeze sweeps into the still-open windows, the brisk temperature shocks me into awareness.  I am reminded to slow down and awaken to my surroundings.  I have knowingly surrounded myself with lovely things that bring a cozy feeling to my ever-moving life.  I am, by nature, a busy bee.  I thrive on moving: ever-working, ever-thinking, ever-creating, ever-completing.  Balance, however, requires a slowing...a time to reflect...a time to stop moving...a time to be comforted by what is around you.  

It is these changes brought on by Fall, that spark regeneration in the soul.  I've witnessed it recently in those around me.  My mom, allowing herself to slow down and recognize what is important to her in living a balanced life, has been able to prioritize herself, and in so doing, she has emerged an inspiring light.  My dear friend Jenny, deciding and then taking steps toward inspiring others to live a healthy life...http://jennychodola.blogspot.com/  I've seen co-workers, inspired by the colors and flavors of Fall (you included), create effective projects with clarity in their goals.  I've received phone calls with reports of engagements, new homes bought, babies born.  Most of all, I've observed smiles, light, breath, and relief in the general populace. 

Punkin, YOU are the representation of this regeneration.  You come reliably with dedication to your purpose and integrity to the task at hand.  Then, you stand firm.  You hold your ground.  You continue to inspire until Fall gives way to Winter.  THIS is why I love you.  Keep on keepin' on, Punkin.  I need you in my life.

Aloha,

Lindsay

p.s. Here are my favorite punkin recipes (so far) from this Fall:

Pumpkin Oatmeal:

I made this one up this morning, and adore it!  I didn't really measure, so the measurements below are approximates.  Fiddle with it and find your perfect pumpkin oatmeal!

2/3 cup steel-cut oats

1 1/3 cup water

1/3 cup milk

1/3 cup canned pumpkin (I like the Trader Joes variety)

1 T cinnamon

1 t nutmeg

1/4 cup sugar

2 T butter

4 T maple syrup

shake of salt

* Bring oats and water to a boil, then stir and reduce heat

* Add milk and pumpkin, stir until fully mixed

* add remaining ingredients and cook until texture is desirable.

Pumpkin Scones:

My friend Allison, who writes an amazing blog, shared this recipe:

http://somethewiser.danoah.com/2012/10/maple-glazed-pumpkin-scones.html

Here are my scone results prior to baking/glazing:

Pumpkin Raviolis:

I followed this recipe:

http://www.pittsburghmagazine.com/Pittsburgh-Magazine/Eat-and-Drink/Recipes/index.php/name/Pumpkin-Ravioli-with-Sage-Butter-Sauce/record/3250/

Then, I added finely chopped tomatoes and zuchinni on top (drizzled in EVOO, of course)

Ah-maze-ing!

Go through the process of making your own ravioli dough...

it's worth it.

Pumpkin Waffles:

Thanks to Coastal Living Magazine, I came across this gem:

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-chocolate-waffles-50400000124127/

Of course, we topped the waffle with pumpkin ice cream from Trader Joes.

 Hmpf.

So there.

aloha.

Workah, workah, workah

Did you appreciate my nod to the Muppets?

I mean, when considering what to title a blog posting about work

I find it healthy to rely on a little humor.

Work is work, no matter what you do,

but if we can't laugh a little, 

are we really living?

I work with a team of wonderful, hard-working people.

People who hold the bar high for themselves and those around them.

People who support, and appreciate the support of those around them.

People who aren't afraid to laugh...

every day.

We always find a reason to smile...

and for that, 

I'm eternally grateful.

So, I came home this evening

with a plan of what I could get done

for work.

Then I realized:

I've been in late meetings more than once this week.

I worked a 12 hour day this week.

I. am. tired.

And I'm not complaining...

for I am SO, VERY grateful 

to have a good job.

I am simply saying,

I'm not working tonight!

In the spirit of "me time,"

I'm sharing with you some recent shell photos from my collection.

I enjoy having "seashell photo shoots."

So, here are the latest:

 aloha.