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!
#25 Judy In Disguise (John Fred & His Playboys) 👍🏼
Lyrics: Judy in disguise, well that’s what you are A lemonade pie with your brand new car Cantaloupe eyes come to me tonight Judy in disguise, with glasses Keep a-wearing your bracelets and your new Rara And cross your heart, yeah, with your livin’ bra Chimney Sweep Sparrow with guise Judy in disguise, with glasses Come to me tonight, come to me tonight Taking everything in sight Except for the strings on my kite Judy in disguise, hey that’s what you are A lemonade pie, hey, got your brand new car Cantaloupe eyes come to me tonight Judy in disguise, with glasses Come to me tonight, come to me tonight Taking everything in sight Except for the strings on my kite Judy in disguise, what you aiming for? A circus of a-horror, yeah-yeah, well that’s what you are You made me a life of ashes I guess I’ll just take your glasses
Creating An Authentic Lifestyle For Yourself And Those You Love
“It’s a funniy thing about life; if you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it.”
William Somerset Maugham CH (English Playwright, Novelist, and Short-Story Writer; January 25th, 1874 ~ December 16th, 1965)
“It’s far easier to live an elegant, beautiful life when you’re not on a budget. When cash is readily available, you don’t have to learn the lessons that delayed gratification teaches us. But having money does not guarantee that we live authentically. Nor does being surrounded by beautiful things guarantee a lifetime of happiness.”
“When you learn what you can live without, you are able to ask life for the very best because you possess the gift of discernment. You develop patience that enables you to wait gracefully and gratefully until the best arrives because you know it will. You are able to create an authentic life for yourself and those you love because you are able to make conscious choices.”
“Long afterwards, she was to remember that moment when her life changed its direction…It was not predestined; she had choice. Or it seemed she had. To accept or refuse. To take one turning down the crossroads to the future or another.”
Evelyn Bridgett Patricia Ward-Thomas, née Stephens (known as: Evelyn Anthony) (British Writer; July 3rd, 1926 ~ September 25th, 2018)
“Turning away from the world and toward your own happiness is the path of authenticity.”
“Today, my soldier-athlete in my sprinting group learned the lesson of proper warm-up and flexibility. She experienced a bit of a calf strain due to not being fit enough to handle 30m sprint drills…very basic. It was an opportunity to help her learn how to warm-up to be preventative and to approach her drills from a focus on form vs. speed. Great learning day!” (Heather Houston 2-10-22)
“I have spent a lifetime waiting and discerning what to add to my life. My fiscally challenged upbringing was a gift and taught me what I could live without and if I needed something how to budget and be patient. Learning early what I could live without made it possible for me to be living the life I love presently. 8 years ago I asked the Universe for the very best life and “TADA” I am living it.” (Heather Houston 2-10-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 44-45 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
Driving to work westbound, I spotted a beautiful bald eagle perched on the railway wind gauge pole facing the south at the midspan point of the bridge. IT was turned looking eastbound and I got to witness a beautiful profile of such a majestic bird!🦅
“I am grateful to have leftover buttermilk sourdough pancakes to enjoy for my breakfast. I adore the strawberry compote.”(Heather Houston 2-9-26)
“I appreciate that I made time for myself and my physical/mental health today by taking at least 6 walks around the block to get outside into the fresh air.” (Heather Houston 2-9-26)
“I am thankful that my commute home was quick (twice as fast on an average day) and seamless.”(Heather Houston 2-9-26)
“I am thankful the merging car, where the driver was not looking, did not in fact hit me. What an idiot!” (Heather Houston 2-9-26)
“I am blessed to have a husband who loves to cook and his pizza last night (Mortadella & Pistachio Pesto) was EPIC!” (Heather Houston 2-9-26)
I am grateful for my constant transformation. I am able to more and more live int he present and embrace the adventure of life as it’s fullness unfolds before me. (Heather Houston 2-9-22)
I appreciate remembering to bring my reusable shopping bags to the grocery store with me. Not wanting to PAY for a paper bag. (Heather Houston 2-9-22)
I am grateful to have a dog greet me at the door when I return home from work. Always joyful and enthusiastic. (Heather Houston 2-9-22)
I am thankful for NPR news that entertains me to and from my daily commute. (Heather Houston 2-9-22)
I am blessed to have the sexiest loving partner EVER!💖 (Heather Houston 2-9-22)
Lyrics: There is someone walking behind you Turn around, look at me There is someone watching your footsteps Turn around, look at me There is someone who really needs you It’s my heart in my hand Turn around (turn around) Look at me (look at me) Understand, understand And there’s someone to stand beside you Turn around, look at me And there’s someone to love and guide you Turn around, look at me Oh, I’ve waited and I’ll wait forever For you to come to me Look at someone (look at someone) Who really loves you, yeah, loves you Turn around, look at me Turn around, look at me
“Another real thing! I am not dead yet! I can still call forth a piece of soul and set it down in color, fixed forever.”
Keri Ann Ruhi Hulme (New Zealand Novelist, Poet and Short-Story Writer; March 9th, 1947 ~ December 27th, 2021)
“A picture that is beautiful or that works, looks ad if it was all made at one stroke. I don’t like to see the trail of a brushstroke or a drip of paint.”
Helen Frankenthaler (American Abstract Expressionist Painter; December 12th, 1928 ~ December 27th, 2011)
“Preparatory steps are necessary in all the arts. They are also necessary in life if we want to live authentically. Every twenty-four hours we are given a fresh canvas to prime, to make ready for the vision.”
“Today, don’t rush through your inner preparations as you get ready to set down a piece of your soul on life’s canvas.”
“HUMP DAY! I love making to this point in the week as I know the weekend is nearing and I am that much closer to be spending all my time with the love of my life…Neil!”😘 (Heather Houston 2-9-22)
“The idea of my life as a canvas to create is magical. Living in the moment allows me to have a virtual new canvas every new day. Painting my life into view is the magic of living a created life. I am thrilled that I get this concept and live into each day as if it was the best party/date ever. Remarkedly, each day unfolds exactly as that as I live an intentional life.” (Heather Houston 2-9-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 43-44 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
“I am glad my sourdough buttermilk pancake recipe is getting refined.” (Heather Houston 2-8-26)
“I am grateful I got to the market before the late Super Bowl shoppers filled the store.” (Heather Houston 2-8-26)
“I love an appreciate my husband’s Korean sauced wings for Super Bowl eats!” (Heather Houston 2-8-26)
“Not a football fan. However, a Seahawk win for Seattle is always good!” (Heather Houston 2-8-26)
“I am blessed my husband loves me in a way I experience complete love.” (Heather Houston 2-8-26)
I am thankful that the soldier-athletes I coach are making huge improvements in their swimming abilities and form. (Heather Houston 2-8-22)
I appreciate my savviness to be proactive on a used car purchase. I had already had a used car I was interested in being sold out from under me by a customer moving in to view the car before it had completed inspection and placing a deposit on the car. Big lesson learned! So, I found that the same dealership had a MINI Cooper coming soon to the lot that interested me. Hence, I chose to go in person to the lot and ask to test drive the car. To my relief the salesman agreed and I began the process to purchase ethe car by placing a deposit on it. Now I juct wait to see how it passes the inspection, etc. (Heather Houston 2-8-22)
I am grateful to my partner going with me to the dealership to be supportive, my consigliere and co-test driver. His advise was so great as this will be my first car purchase…EVER! (Heather Houston 2-8-22)
I am grateful to Whibbly’s Burgers. We were at the dealership for several hours…hungry…tired and famished. Best burger in town! (Heather Houston 2-8-22)
I am blessed to have a partner who is ALL IN! I love you Neil!💕 (Heather Houston 2-8-22)
Lyrics: Many guys have come to you With a line that wasn’t true And you passed them by (Passed them by) Though you’re in the center ring And their lines don’t mean a thing Why don’t you let me try? (Let me try) Now, I don’t wear a diamond ring I don’t even have a song to sing All I know is La la la la la la la la la means I love you Oh, baby, please now La la la la la la la la la means I love you If I ever saw a girl That I needed in this world You are the one for me (One for me) Let me hold you in my arms Girl, and thrill you with my charms I’m sure you will see (You will see) The things I am sayin’ are true And the way I explain them to you Listen to me La la la la la la la la la means I love you Ooh, baby La la la la la la la la la means I love you The things I am sayin’ are true And the way I explain them to you Yes to you Listen to me La la la la la la la la la means I love you Oh, you’ll have to understand now La la la la la la la la la means I love you Come on and take my hand
“Inside you there’s an artist you don’t know about…Say yes quickly, if you know, if you’ve known it from before the beginning of the universe.”
Jalāl al-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī (Persian Poet, Hanafi Faqih, Islamic Scholar, Maturidi Theologian, and Sufi Mystic; September 30th, 1207 ~ December 17th, 1273)
“An artist is merely someone with good listening skills who accesses the creative energy of the Universe to bring forth something on the material plane that wasn’t here before.”
“So it is with creating an authentic life. With every choice, every day, you are creating a unique work of art. Something that only you can do. Something beautiful and ephemeral. The reason you were born was to leave your own indelible mark on your personal world. This is your authenticity.”
“Each time youecperience the new, you become receptive to inspiration. Each time you try something different. you let the Universe know you are listening. Trust your instincts. Believe your yearnings are blessings. Respect your creative urges. If you are willing to step out in faith and take a leap in the dark, you will discover that your choices are as authentic as you are. What is more, you will discover that your life is all it was meant to be: a joyous sonnet of thanksgiving.”
“Today I was able to introduce the discus throw to my soldier-athletes. Very fun to watch them learn new movements. I also test drove a used car today…MINI Cooper. Considering the purchase if it checks out on a cylinder compression test. Exciting to think I may be purchasing my first car…EVER! Every other car I drove in the past was either given to me, bought for me to use or I was excluded from the selection and purchase. PROGRESS!!!” (Heather Houston 2-8-22)
“Life has so much beauty even in the smallest moments. I choose to suck the life out of every moment. I end each day having used the whole day up. I believe most people are wandering through their life on a script of “have to dos and bes”…instead of creating each and every moment.” (Heather Houston 2-8-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 42-43 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
“I am thankful our Gunners won their game and now sport a 9-point lead in the EPL.” (Heather Houston 2-7-26)
“I appreciate my husband being chefy early in the day and creating beautiful carnitas for dinner.” (Heather Houston 2-7-26)
“I am blessed to have a husband who loves me so HARD!” (Heather Houston 2-7-26)
“I am grateful to have time in the day to get caught up on my many eagle sightings last week.” (Heather Houston 2-7-26)
“I appreciate having a roaring fire on cold rainy days.” (Heather Houston 2-7-26)
I appreciate Mondays where I am able to get all my tasks completed before the end of the day. YEAH ME! (Heather Houston 2-7-22)
I am thankful to be able to be coaching soldier athlete’s to a qualification to ARMY Trials/Warrior Games. (Heather Houston 2-7-22)
I am blessed to have a smooth light commute home from work today. (Heather Houston 2-7-22)
I am grateful that my partner recognized I was fatigued when I got home and suggested I take a nap. Late afternoon naps are glorious! (Heather Houston 2-7-22)
I am thankful for the nighttime cuddle time with my partner. He is the best cuddler. (Heather Houston 2-7-22)
My Distilled Life 