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 will tell you what I learned myself. For me a long, five- or six-mile walks helps. And one must got alone and every day.”
Brenda Ueland (American Journalist and Editor; October 24th, 1891 to March 5th, 1985)
“It requires a direct dispensation from Heaven to become a walker.”
Henry David Thoreau (American Naturalist and essayist; July 12th,1817 to May 6th, 1862)
“…most days I go on walks for a ‘movement meditation’–fitness of the spirit. I try to quiet the voices in my head, take long strides, and concentrate on the slow, steady rhythm of my breath, comforted by the interior silence.”
“I love walking and try to get in a 3-5 minute walk every hour at work. Usually once around the block is enough to clear my head and breath fresh air. My favorite meditative walks are holding my husband’s hand and walking quietly together in wonder of the majesty of the beautiful planet we inhabit.”
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 120 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
Lyrics: Oh, Suzie Q, oh, Suzie Q Oh, Suzie Q, baby, I love you, Suzie Q I like the way you walk I like the way you talk I like the way you walk I like the way you talk, Suzie Q Well, say that you’ll be true Well, say that you’ll be true Well, say that you’ll be true And never leave me blue, Suzie Q Well, say that you’ll be mine Well, say that you’ll be mine Well, say that you’ll be mine Baby, all the time, Suzie Q Oh Suzie Q, oh Suzie Q Oh Suzie Q, baby, I love you, Suzie Q I like the way you walk I like the way you talk I like the way you walk I like the way you talk, Suzie Q Oh Suzie Q, oh Suzie Q Oh Suzie Q, baby, I love you, Suzie Q
#96 Piece of My Heart (Big Brother & The Holding Company and Janis Joplin) 👍🏼
Lyrics: Oh, come on, come on, come on, come on Didn’t I make you feel like you were the only man? Yeah And didn’t I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can? Honey, you know I did And each time I tell myself that I, well I think I’ve had enough But I’m gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough I want you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it) Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah, yeah, yeah (whoa, have a) Have another little piece of my heart now, baby You know you got it if it makes you feel good Oh, yes indeed You’re out on the streets looking good And baby, deep down in your heart, I guess you know that it ain’t right Never, never, never, never, never, never hear me when I cry at night Babe, and I cry all the time But each time I tell myself that I, well I can’t stand the pain But when you hold me in your arms, I’ll sing it once again I said come on, come on, come on, come on and take it Take another little piece of my heart now, baby Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah Have another little piece of my heart now, baby Well, you know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good I need you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it) Break another little bit of my heart, now darling, yeah, c’mon now (whoa, have a) Have another little piece of my heart now, baby You know you got it, whoa Take it Take another little piece of my heart now, baby (whoa, break it) Break another little bit of my heart, now darling, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah (whoa, have a) Have another little piece of my heart now, baby, hey You know you got it, child, if it makes you feel good
Lyrics: Come all without, come all within You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn Come all without, come all within You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn Everybody’s building ships and boats Some are building monuments Others jotting down notes Everybody’s in despair Every girl and boy But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here Everybody’s gonna jump for joy Come all without, come all within You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn I like to go just like the west, I like my sugar sweet But jumping queues and making haste Just ain’t my cup of meat Everyone’s beneath the trees feeding pigeons on a limb But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here All the pigeons gonna run to him Come all without, come all within You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn Come all without, come all within You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn Let me do what I wanna do, I can’t decide at all Just tell me where to put it And I’ll tell you who to call Nobody can get no sleep, there’s someone on everyone’s toes But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here Everybody’s gonna want to doze Come all without, come all within You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn Come all without, come all within You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn Come all without, come all within You’ll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn
#90 Say It Loud, I’m Black & I’m Proud (James Brown) 👍🏼
Lyrics: Uh, with your bad self Say it louder (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it louder (I’m Black and I’m proud) Looky here Some people say we got a lot of malice Some say it’s a lotta nerve But I say we won’t quit moving Until we get what we deserve We’ve been ‘buked and we’ve been scorned We’ve been treated bad, talked about As sure as you’re born But just as sure as it take two eyes to make a pair, huh Brother, we can’t quit until we get our share Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) One more time, say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) I’ve worked on jobs with my feet and my hands But all the work I did was for the other man And now we demands a chance To do things for ourselves We’re tired of beating our heads against the wall And working for someone else Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Ow! Ooh-wee, you’re killing me Alright, uh, you’re out of sight Alright, so tough, you’re tough enough Ooh-wee, uh, you’re killing me, ow Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it louder (I’m Black and I’m proud) Now we demand a chance to do things for ourselves We’re tired of beating our heads against the wall And working for someone else Look here, there’s one thing more I got to say right here Now, we’re people, we like the birds and the bees And we’d rather die on our feet than keep living on our knees Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Ow! Uh, alright now Lordy You know we can do the boogaloo Now we can say we do the Funky Broadway Now we do Ha, sometimes we dance, we sing, and we talk You know I do like, I do the Camel Walk Alright now, ha, alright Alright now, ha Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Let me hear ya, say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Now we demand a chance to do things for ourselves We’re tired of beating our heads against the wall And working for someone else, huh You know, we are people, too We like the birds and the bees But we’d rather die on our feet Than keep living on our knees Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Let me hear ya, ha Say it loud, h (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) Ow! ooh-wee, you’re killing me Alright, uh, outta sight, alright, you’re outta sight Ooh-wee, oh Lord Ooh-wee, you’re killing me Ooh-wee, ooh-wee, ooh-wee, ooh-wee, OW Say it loud, huh (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud) God, I feel it, say it loud, uh (I’m Black and I’m proud) Say it loud (I’m Black and I’m proud)
#79 Woman, Woman (Gary Puckett and The Union Gap) 👍🏼
Lyrics: Woman Woman Have you got cheating on your mind? On your mind Something’s wrong between us That your laughter cannot hide And you’re afraid to let your eyes meet mine And lately when I love you I know you’re not satisfied Woman Woman Have you got cheating on your mind? On your mind I’ve seen the way men look at you When they think I don’t see And it hurts to have them think that you’re that kind But it’s knowing that you’re looking back That’s really killing me Woman Woman Have you got cheating on your mind? On your mind A woman wears a certain look When she is on the move And a man can always tell what’s on her mind I hate to have to say it But that look’s all over you Woman Woman Have you got cheating on your mind? Oh, woman Woman Have you got cheating on your mind? Oh, woman Oh, ho, woman Have you got cheating on your mind? Oh
“To choose clothes, either in a store or at home, is to define and describe ourselves.”
Alison Lurie (American Novelist and Academic; September 3rd, 1926 ~ December 20th, 2020)
“Long before I am near enough to talk to you on the street, in a meeting, or at a party, you announce your sex, age and class to me through what you are wearing–and very possibly give me important information (or misinformation) as to your occupation, origin, personality, opinions, tastes, sexual desires and current mood. I may not be able to put what I observe into words, but I register the information unconsciously; and you simultaneously do the same for me. By the time we meet and converse we have already spoken to each other in an older and more uiversal tongue.”
Alison Lurie (American Novelist and Academic; September 3rd, 1926 ~ December 20th, 2020)
“At first this revelation can be disconcerting, even discouraging. But on reflection, it can be an exciting discovery because now that you’re authenticity beginning to cherish and channel your authenticity through creative choices, you can learn how to become not only bilingual but fluent in expressing yourself.”
“How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone.”
Gabrielle Bonheur“Coco” Chanel (French Fashion Designer and Businesswoman; August 19th, 1883 ~ January 10th, 1971)
“Before my story began…: (Heather Houston 3-26-22)
1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower
“I feel ashamed that my clothes do not reveal my authentic self. I say I want to be authentic, but from a mile away they do not reflect me at all. I need to work to change that.” (Heather Houston 3-26-22)
“I have not made much room on this in the past 4 years, and I am discovering myself culturally, As such, I am waiting to see what unfolds after I attend the Indigenous conference in Oklahoma. I think the connect with my community will unfold some parts of me that have been dormant.”(Heather Houston 3-26-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 92-93 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
Lyrics: I take two, okay You say you want a revolution Well, you know We all want to change the world You tell me that it’s evolution Well, you know We all wanna change the world But when you talk about destruction Don’t you know that you can count me out, in Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah) Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah) Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah) You say you got a real solution Well, you know We’d all love to see the plan You ask me for a contribution Well, you know We all doing what we can But if you want money for people with minds that hate All I can tell is, brother, you have to wait Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah) Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah) Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah) You say you’ll change the constitution Well, you know We’d all love to change your head (ah, shu-bi-do, ah) You tell me it’s the institution Well, you know You better free your mind instead (ah, shu-bi-do, ah) If you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao You ain’t gonna make it with anyone anyhow Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah) Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah) Don’t you know it’s gonna be all right? (Ah, shu-bi-do, ah) All, all, all, all (ah, shu-bi-do, ah) All, all, all, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah) All right, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah) All right, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah) All right, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah) All right, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah) All right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah) All right, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah) All right, all right (ah, shu-bi-do, ah)
Lyrics: A long time ago, when the earth was still green And there were more kinds of animals than you’ve ever seen They’d run around free while the earth was being born But the loveliest of all was the unicorn There was green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you’re born The loveliest of all was the unicorn Now god seen some sinnin’ and it gave him pain And he says, “stand back, I’m going to make it rain” He says, “hey, brother Noah, I’ll tell you what to do Build me a floating zoo” And take some of them green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you’re born Don’t you forget my unicorn” Old Noah was there to answer the call He finished up making the ark just as the rain started fallin’ He marched in the animals two by two And he called out as they went through “Hey, Lord” I’ve got your green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees Some cats and rats and elephants, but Lord, I’m so forlorn I just can’t see no unicorn” Then Noah looked out through the driving rain Them unicorns was hiding, playing silly games Kicking and splashing while the rain was pouring Oh, them silly unicorns There was green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees Noah cried, “close the doors ’cause the rain is pourin’ And we just can’t wait for no unicorns” The ark started movin’, it drifted with the tide Them unicorns looked up from the rock and they cried And the waters came down and sort of floated them away And that’s why you’ll never see a unicorn, to this very day You’ll see green alligators and long-necked geese Some humpty-backed camels and some chimpanzees Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you’re born You’re never gonna see no unicorn
“Repose is a quality too many undervalue. …In the clamor one is irresistibly drawn to the woman who sits gracefully relaxed, who keeps her hands still, talks in a low voice and listens with responsive eyes and smiles. She creates a spell around her, charming to the ear, the eye and the mind.”
Good Housekeeping (November 1947)
“We have all met her, that special woman who draws you into her orb with a radiant smile. Her eyes light up as you tell her how you’ve been. She attracts men, women, children, and animals, for her complete attention is soothing and hypnotic. When you walk away from her you feel as if you have been bathed in a beautiful warm light.”
“You have. It’s called Love, and this ancient beauty secret is available to all of us. When we are genuinely interested in others, a graciousness comes over us that is compelling.
“She did not talk to people as if they were strange hard shells she had to crack open to get inside. She talked as if she were already in the shell. In their very shell.”
Marita Bonner (known as: Marieta Bonner) (American Writer, Essayist, and Playwright; June 16th, 1899 ~ December 6th, 1971)
“Would that each of us were such a woman. Would that each of us could become one. We can. …by taking the time to step outside our own sphere to embrace others, we open ourselves up to the power of Spirit. We are suddenly lit up from inside, and this illumination can transform our looks more effectively than any fancy salon beauty makeover.”
Today, as as if you are a woman with repose of the soul. Greet everyone you meet with a warm smile. …don’t rush your encounters. Speak softly. Listen attentively. Act as if every conversation you have is the most important thing on your mind today. Look…your partner in the eyes when they talk to you. …caress the dog. Lavish love on every living being you meet. See how different you feel at the end of the day.”
“Before my story began…” (Heather Houston 3-19-22)
1972 Me…at my Aunt Carrie’s Baby Shower
“I see parts of me in this charismatic space from time to time. I am already very warm and approachable, which lends itself to this space with others. I think I miss it sometimes as I am oblivious. I need to be more intentional about how I engage with others.” (Heather Houston 3-19-22)
“Repose of the soul is what my husband reminds me of everyday. He says I am a sexy hot fun chic and completely irresistible when I don’t hide. I have spent most of my life hiding behind not being lovable or worthy. No longer. UNLEASH THE SNOW LEOPARD!” (Heather Houston 3-19-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 85-86 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
