"Yappy Hour" for our Not Just About A Book Club June 2021

 June 3

 

 

June 10

 

June 19 Our Village has Heart

 

June 22 

We gather to have a reunion with our friend Kay visiting from Missouri

June 24

Be Here Now

 

 

(Baba) Ram Dass* was an American spiritual teacher, psychologist, and author of many books. He dedicated his life to reaching out and sharing teachings all around the world. His books influenced numerous writers, yoga practitioners and successful people, including Steve Jobs, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, George Harrison, and Wayne Dyer. Ram Dass quotes have great inspirational power and have influenced many people to become better versions of themselves. In 1971 "Be Here Now"*written by Ram Dass was first published. It was a book I owned and learned from. I haven't thought of this book in decades but on my morning walk today two of his quotes came back to me. 

 

"We're all just walking each other home"

 

“I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion--and where it isn't, that's where my work lies.”

― ram dass

These are some of the things I saw on my walk which made me remember to "Be Here Now"

 

 

 

*Note from my friend Cheryl A. "
His teacher, Baba Hari Das, was one of my first spiritual guides. The monk who did not speak for more than 7 decades as part of his practice but “spoke volumes”. That’s how I met Ram Das. I love the “….walking each other home” line. It’s a great reminder for me when I get annoyed or frustrated with others! Thank you for the memory."

The Pleasure of Your Company

 

“When I’ve really been in love with someone, it’s not because they looked a certain way or liked a certain TV show or a certain cuisine. It’s more because when I watched a certain TV show or ate a certain cuisine with them, it was the most fun thing ever.” – Aziz Ansari

Designed for YOU

 

 

 "Your journey was designed specifically 

for you to do great things. 

 Remember you are worthy to live the

life you wish to live.- T. Newton

It's In The Bag!

 

 

Only women of a certain era will fully appreciate this.... True story.

(If you don't understand this, tell your mother, she'll get it!)

A Michigan woman and her family were vacationing in a small New England town where Paul Newman and his family often visited.

One Sunday morning, the woman got up early to take a long walk. After a brisk five-mile hike, she decided to treat herself to a double-dip chocolate ice cream cone.

She hopped in the car, drove to the center of the village and went straight to the combination bakery/ice cream parlor. There was only one other patron in the store: Paul Newman, sitting at the counter having a doughnut and coffee.

The woman's heart skipped a beat as her eyes made contact with those famous baby-blue eyes. The actor nodded graciously and the star struck woman smiled demurely. Pull yourself together! She chides herself. You're a happily married woman with three children, you're forty-five years old, not a teenager!

The clerk filled her order and she took the double-dip chocolate ice cream cone in one hand and her change in the other. Then she went out the door, avoiding even a glance in Paul Newman's direction.

When she reached her car, she realized that she had a handful of change but her other hand was empty. Where's my ice cream cone? Did I leave it in the store? Back into the shop she went, expecting to see the cone still in the clerk's hand or in a holder on the counter or something! No ice cream cone was in sight.

With that, she happened to look over at Paul Newman. His face broke into his familiar, warm, friendly grin and he said to the woman,

"You put it in your purse”.

I've Looked At Clouds That Way

 

 

On my morning walk this morning I was completely taken by the beautiful sky and the clouds. These lyrics from Both Sides Now came to mind:

"Bows and flows of angel hair

And ice cream castles in the air

And feathered canyons everywhere

I've looked at clouds that way...

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels

The dizzy dancing way you feel

When every fairy tale comes real

I've looked at love that way..."

I hope your cares and woes can float away today on a cloud.

 

 

 

Let The Light Come In

 

"Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That's how the light gets in."

Leonard Cohen, Hydra, Greece, 1971

The Grandfather

 Mike is wearing his Father’s Day gift from Sofia and Rocco. I think it’s pretty funny.

 

Happy Father's Day

 

 We took an early morning Father's Day walk in Naples by the canals. 

 

 

 

 Later in the afternoon we took a drive on Pacific Coast Highway and then a short stroll at the Wetlands Nature Preserve  at Bolsa Chica Beach.

Aperitivo time

Making a meditteranean mixed plate meal for Mike. Home made Tabbouleh, hummus, baba ganoush, tzaziki, pita and falafel. A peaceful sunday celebration.

Mike's favorite rhubarb pie for dessert.

Happy Father's Day 2021 Mike!

 

Unknown Blessings

 

 

 "Give thanks for unknown blessings

already on their way." -Native American saying

A Reunion With Our Book Club Member Kay

 Today the "Not Just About A Book Club" met in the park to visit with our club member Kay who moved to Missouri a couple of years ago. Wonderful to catch up with Kay and to see pictures of her home and new surroundings and to welcome her back if only for a day.  Great to see you Kay!

The set up...