Ramblings, ideas and memoirs of a joyous adventurer. Absinthe aficionado. Empathetic thinker-feeler. Verbose writer. Avidly authentic. Hydrangea fanatic. Snow leopard lover. Joy huntress. Promising my devotees a honest glimpse into my life as I live with freedom, power and full self-expression in an unfiltered and sometimes distilled way. CHEERS!
“I am thankful to have the opportunity via work to travel to Oklahoma so I could spend my birthday exploring my roots.” (Heather Houston 3-30-26)
“I am grateful for another loop around the sun.” (Heather Houston 3-30-26)
“I am beyond thankful to the Broken Bow Cemetery landscaper for helping me find my great grandparents gravesite. He suggested I go to the City Clerk to get the area and row of my family. It worked and after walking half the gravesites, I finally saw an area marker. Within minutes, after the previous hour in 85-degree sun, I found their gravesite.” (Heather Houston 3-30-26)
“I am grateful for my resilience in finding my great grandparents gravesite as it was quite the ordeal. You have to imagine, I was in the Choctaw back country with sundown on its way and somewhat lost. Maps had me go to several incorrect locations which left me in areas without service or a map. Luckily I am resourceful and retraced my route to a small nursery and tracked down the owner. With her help, she directed me down the road to the rural cemetery. It was quite large and without a clue where to look I just kept walking the rows methodically. I was tired and worn out and called out loud for a sign from the Universe. As O passed an oak tree, several oak seed pods dripped and bounced a row down. When I explored what had made the sound and had dropped, it was at my great grandparents gravesite. Thank you Universe.” (Heather Houston 3-30-26)
“I am beyond blessed and grateful for the 77 eagle sightings 🦅 to and from the pilgrimage to Broken Bow. 7 generations in the past and 7 generations forward we’re looking out for me to find my roots. I also think they were a sign of protection for my Auntie Sue during her surgery.” (Heather Houston 3-30-26)
“I appreciate my co-worker bringing me a special coffee packet to enjoy a better cup of coffee on our drive to work.” (Heather 3-30-22)
“I appreciate my athletes wishing me happy birthday and presenting me with some gifts when I showed up to work (purple and white lei, Hawaiian T-shirt and a beautiful smelling candle in a wood bowl.” (Heather 3-30-22)
“I am thankful I was able to ride the upright bike in our work event today, without any ankle pain.” (Heather 3-30-22)
“I am thankful my co-worker stopped at the Kohanna Rum Distillery on the way to the hotel so I had some beautiful rum to share with my partner, Neil.” (Heather 3-30-22)
“I am grateful my co-worker will accompany me to a sushi dinner so I don’t dne alone on my birthday.” (Heather 3-30-22)
“I am blessed to have so many lovely birthday wishes from friends and family…especially from the love of my life, Neil.💖” (Heather 3-30-22)
#83 Baby, Now That I’ve Found You (The Foundations) 👍🏼
Lyrics: Baby, now that I’ve found you, I can’t let you go I’ll build my world around you I need you so Baby, even though you don’t need me You don’t need me Baby, now that I’ve found you, I can’t let you go I’ll build my world around you I need you so Baby, even though you don’t need me You don’t need me Baby, baby, since first we met I knew in this heart of mine (I want to tell you) The love we had could not be bad And I played it right and bide my time Spent a lifetime looking for somebody To give me love like you Now you’ve told me that you wanna leave me (Darling, I just can’t let you) Baby, now that I’ve found you, I can’t let you go I’ll build my world around you I need you so Baby, even though you don’t need me You don’t need me Baby, now that I’ve found you, I can’t let you go I’ll build my world around you I need you so Baby, even though you don’t need me You don’t need me Spent my lifetime looking for somebody To give me love like you Now you’ve told me that you wanna leave me (Darling, I just can’t let you) Baby, now that I’ve found you, I can’t let you go I’ll build my world around you I need you so Baby, even though you don’t need me You don’t need me Baby, now that I’ve found you, I can’t let you go I’ll build my world around you I need you so Baby, even though you don’t need me You don’t need me Baby, now that I’ve found you, I can’t let you go I’ll build my world around you I need you so Baby, even though you don’t need me You don’t need me Baby, now that I’ve found you, I can’t let you go I’ll build my world around you I need you so Baby, even though you don’t need me You don’t need me
“Taste concerns itself with broad, lifetime progress and never makes mistakes, style moves by fits and starts and is occassionally glorious.”
Kennedy Fraser (American essayist, and fashion writer; 1948 ~ )
“Celebrating your authentic style through the clothes you wear is an art form. But like any of the arts, a sense of style is one that needs to be nurtured after it is initially divined and devised. Style begins when you seek and discover your strengths, then bank on them for all they’re worth. Personal style flourishes when you realize that you really don’t need as much clothing, accessories, jewelry, or makeup as you once thought you did because you’ve got attitude.”
“We all know style when we see it–Bogart and Bacall, Garbo and Jackie O, Audrey Hepburn, Lauren Hutton, Lena Horne–all different, and all synonymous with style. Their clothes, however grand or simple, proclaim not simply taste but intelligence, wit–alittle darling. What you see is self-definition rather than trendiness. Style is the intersection of what you wear with who you are.”
Leah Feldon-Mitchell (Author; UNKNOWN)
“Styles, like everything else, change. Style doesn’t.”
Linda Ellerbee (American Journalist; August 15th, 1944 ~ )
“Before my story began…” (heather Houston 3-30-22)
1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower
“I think I need a stylist to help me find my style.” (Heather Houston 3-30-22)
“Today is my birthday and I am 58-years young. My scale thinks I’m 56-years old, so there is that too. I am dressed to explore my life today and reconnect with my roots on my terms to unfold what is there for me. No matter what I am living into the day with STYLE!” (Heather Houston 3-30-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 99 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
“I am thankful my Aunt Sue has a family text to keep us apprised of her surgery.” (Heather Houston 3-29-26)
“I am grateful to my cousin Liz for being the ‘Communicator’ to the family to update us on my Aunt Sue’s surgery.” (Heather Houston 3-29-26)
“I am blessed to have such a large family that can send massive energy via the Universe to my Aunt Sue with a safe surgery outcome.” (Heather Houston 3-29-26)
“I am blessed to have such a loving and kind aunt as my Aunt Sue!” (Heather Houston 3-29-26)
“I am thankful that my Aunt Sue has a superb team of surgeons and staff to work with her during her surgery.” (Heather Houston 3-29-26)
“I am thankful the Foodland was open early in the morning so I could purchase lunch items for my day.” (Heather Houston 3-29-22)
“I appreciate my co-worker sharing a packet of coffee with me so I could get my “fix” for the day.” (Heather Houston 3-29-22)
“I am thankful for being able to witness sea turtles sunning themselves on the beach.” (Heather Houston 3-29-22)
“I appreciate hibiscus tea and pineapple juice…EPIC!” (Heather Houston 3-29-22)
“I am blessed that is didn’t rain during my coaching session.” (Heather Houston 3-29-22)
#82 You’re All I Need To Get By (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell) 👍🏼
Lyrics: You’re all I need to get by Like the sweet morning dew, I took one look at you And it was plain to see You were my destiny With my arms open wide I threw away my pride I’ll sacrifice for you Dedicate my life for you I will go where you lead Always there in time of need And when I lose my will You’ll be there to push me up the hill There’s no, no looking back for us We got love, sure ‘nough, that’s enough You’re all, you’re all I need to get by (You’re all I need to get by) Tammi, listen Like an eagle protects his nest, for you, I’ll do my best Stand by you like a tree, and dare anybody to try and move me Darling in you, I found Strength where I was torn down Don’t know what’s in store, but together we can open any door Just to do what’s good for you and inspire you a little higher I know you can make a man out of a soul that didn’t have a goal ‘Cause we, we got the right foundation and with love and determination You’re all, you’re all I want to strive for and do a little more All, all the joys under the sun wrapped up into one You’re all, you’re all I need You’re all I need You’re all I need To get by Oh, babe Oh, babe Honey, honey, honey, honey, yeah I need you darling Oh, I need you (you’re all) All your love (all I need) Oh, oh, oh I love you darling (oh, baby) All I need I need your love (you’re all I want) Oh (oh) All you love now (yeah)
Gilda Susan Radner (American Comedian and Actress; June 28th, 1946 ~ May 20th, 1989)
“I am convinced that we are our own best selves in comfort clothes. Somehow, through the alchemy of fiber and fit, we are once again restored to Paradise, this time not naked before the Great Creator, but revealing in the clothes She intended for us to wear.”
“The Simple Abundance path encourages us to be patient until we find what’s perfect for us, rather than continue to waste our money, energy, and emotion settling for second-best or the second-rate.”
“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-29-22)
1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower
“I love my comfortable clothes. I would stay in them all the time, but they would not reflect who I am entirely. They only represent one part of me.” (Heather Houston 3-29-22)
“On a pilgrimage to explore my roots and my instinct is to wear cultural clothing. I set out my clothes for my trip tomorrow and am excited to live into my whole day!” (Heather Houston 3-29-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 97-98 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
“I am so grateful to have been able to see Lynn’s captivating smile all these years!” (Heather3-28-26)
“I am blessed to have such a loving and kind cousin as Lynn.” (Heather3-28-26)
“I am thankful for Lynn’s service to our country as a Marine!” (Heather3-28-26)
“I am grateful Lynn has her family with her during this challenging part of her journey.” (Heather3-28-26)
“The world is a better place with Lynn in int and I am grateful for her contributions to the world.” (Heather3-28-26)
“I am blessed to have skills in coaching. It allows me to add to other’s lives.” (Heather3-28-22)
“I am blessed to be patient, even when others are being inauthentic.” (Heather3-28-22)
“I am grateful that when the surf unexpectedly crashed over me and my phone while sitting on the beach, that my phone did not get wet.” (Heather3-28-22)
“I am thankful for the many times i have dropped my phone it keeps on operating.” (Heather3-28-22)
“I appreciate the opportunity to work in Hawaii with athletes.” (Heather3-28-22)
Lyrics: In the white room with black curtains near the station Black roof country, no gold pavements, tired starlings Silver horses ran down moonbeams in your dark eyes Dawn light smiles on you leaving, my contentment I’ll wait in this place where the sun never shines Wait in this place where the shadows run from themselves You said no strings could secure you at the station Platform ticket, restless diesels, goodbye windows I walked into such a sad time at the station As I walked out, felt my own need just beginning I’ll wait in the queue when the trains come back Lie with you where the shadows run from themselves At the party she was kindness in the hard crowd Consolation for the old wound now forgotten Yellow tigers crouched in jungles in her dark eyes She’s just dressing, goodbye windows, tired starlings I’ll sleep in this place with the lonely crowd Lie in the dark where the shadows run from themselves
“It’s never too late–in fiction or in life–to revise.”
Nancy Thayer (American Novelist; December 14th, 1943 ~ )
“Revising your wardrobe to reflect your authenticity begins when you ruthlessly part with the fashion mistakes and mismatches that crowd your closets and confuse your cluttered mind.”
“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-28-22)
1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower
“I need to go through my clothes and only keep those things that make me feel beautiful.” (Heather Houston 3-28-22)
“This is a project I am willing to tackle post my visit to Oklahoma. I believe exposure to my cultural roots will influence my authentic style path.” (Heather Houston 3-28-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 95-97 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
“I appreciate hospice being brought in to help my cousin Lynn breath easier during this time where her body is not cooperating.” (Heather Houston 3-27-26)
“I am grateful to have had a childhood filled with many play dates and adventures with my cousin Lynn. Forts in the redwoods at Sequoia Park was EPIC!.” (Heather Houston 3-27-26)
“We are all blessed to have been touched by Lynn’s smile and twinkling eyes.” (Heather Houston 3-27-26)
“I am thankful for Lynn”s service to our country as a Marine.” (Heather Houston 3-27-26)
“I am thankful my cousin Mara is caring for Lynn, her sister, during this challenging time in Lynn’s journey.” (Heather Houston 3-27-26)
“I appreciate my feet for only developing a few blisters on the Pill Box Hike.” (Heather Houston 3-27-22)
“I am thankful for the quiet times on the beach in silence to soak up the tropical beauty in Hawaii.” (Heather Houston 3-27-22)
“I appreciate finding the best parking spots in various locations while exploring Hawaii.” (Heather Houston 3-27-22)
“I am grateful my sunburn from the outdoor exploring in Hawaii did not blister.” (Heather Houston 3-27-22)
“I appreciate sunscreen and plan to use it more religiously.” (Heather Houston 3-27-22)
My Distilled Life 