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Today was cold, cloudy, everyone around me seemed out of sorts. Some days I wish I had started this blog anonymously. I’m always hedging, censoring myself to protect others, then wondering whether any of my loved ones think that seriously about what I say and write. Last night, I had… Read full post »

It was a relief to see the positive journal open call. I needed an opening to begin again.  I haven’t written for four months because so much has happened in my life, some of it filled with hurt and disappointment pushing me into a space of/… Read full post »

I was running late picking him up from kindergarten. I knew I only had 15 minutes to spare. Impulsively, I ran into a new grocery store, Green Something, to pick up bread and milk and added more items, you know how it is. Then I went to check out and… Read full post »

I was running late picking him up from kindergarten. I knew I only had 15 minutes to spare. Impulsively, I ran into a new grocery store, Green Something, to pick up bread and milk and added more items, you know how it is. Then I went to check out and… Read full post »

Ten years ago, I was one of maybe 50 people who demonstrated on Shattuck Ave. right in front of the Berkeley downtown Bart. We were railing against the first attacks on Afghanistan; we were a small tentative group, a little fearful of others’ reactions. The bombings were Bu… Read full post »

Lafayette California Gulf War Memorial Oct. 3, 2011

I grew up believing God kept his eye on us all, He leaned on me as I pledged allegiance to the wall.”

Paul Simon

I grew up believing we were a moral country, one with a vision of fairness, of exploration and… Read full post »

Let me just say that I am a big fan and I love your show. I have daydreamed about living in your tasteful home, your prolific garden, and your gorgeous kitchen. I frequently visualize myself mixing complicated French fruit tarts in your minty green bowls.You’re so talented and very crea… Read full post »

This Friday I will have been smoke free for 3 months. When I began the process of quitting I had a lot of fears:

• Who am I without a cigarette? I've been smoking seriously since I was 18
• Would it be difficult to be with other smokers?
• Could I
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  Let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work, which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished. ~ Mary Oliver 

Allow me to spend a few minutes telling you about the youngest baby in our family, Ava. She’s 17 months old with very… Read full post »

I’ve always really liked Mary. She was always easy to talk to and she was always kind. I never bought the namby pamby virgin they tried to sell to us as children. I saw her as strong, regal, a woman with her own mind, and internal power. So when she… Read full post »

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I remember thinking a few years back, “What if I treated myself the way I treat my kids? What if all that love and understanding, compassion and forgiveness, unconditional kindness was directed to my own heart and head?” What a revolutionary thought! Like every good Mama, I… Read full post »

I was looking for a way to transform myself in a good way. I don’t know if I’ve accomplished what I meant, but I did quit smoking and had to wait a month to be sure I had a handle on it before I came back to Open Salon.… Read full post »

I was looking for a way to transform myself in a good way. I don’t know if I’ve accomplished what I meant, but I did quit smoking and had to wait a month to be sure I had a handle on it before I came back to Open Salon.… Read full post »

For a New Beginning

By John Donahue 

 In out of the way places of the heart
Where your thoughts never think to wander
This beginning has been quietly forming
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.For a long time it has watched your desire
Feeling the emptiness grow inside you
Noticing how you w/… Read full post »

Awaken your spirit to adventure
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
                       &nb… Read full post »

who on earth thought of mammograms? would they ever put men's penis and testicles in a plastic shelf, then jam another plastic part that squishes them together, HARD, ? Would that ever happen? Another way would be found, you say.

they don't have paper towels

Following suggestions from some comments I've received, I've changed my title to a more positive one and I've added sweet peas to remind me of something I love.

Are you bored with the subject yet? I am bored with myself and feeling sorry for myself at the same time. The… Read full post »

My grandson, Aiden, and I spent the school holiday together. He is beautiful with reddish blond hair, light blue eyes, and even has one big dimple when he smiles. I picked him up at 3:00 p.m. to drive him to my little cottage, or  "my tree house" Aiden calls it. We… Read full post »

Last Friday night I posted about my need and urge to quit smoking. Today I was kind of wishing that I hadn't been so public about it, yet it's why I remembered that I was going to buy the Chantix tomorrow. This reminds me to check to make sure the… Read full post »

dream about lady with the lamp 

 women at the well

lucy with her eyeballs on a plate

one who'se breasts were cut off

mary

dancing

pregnant

kundalini class

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I started when I was 16, buying cigarettes from a vending machine at a Chevron station near my house. One day I was driving to school with a friend, I lit a match that exploded and popped into my eye. I drove straight to the emergency room where… Read full post »