Big Bear, CA

Several weeks ago U.S. News and World Report featured an article titled “15 Things You Shouldn’t be Paying For”. I highly recommend it. Free computer software, drinking tap water, fee-free checking accounts, adopting animals from a shelter instead of buying from a breeder, obtaining books from the local library, and lots of other great ideas are discussed. Check out the article and see if any of the ideas resonate with you. 

Too often we blame high costs as the reason we are broke or can’t afford something. But if we are willing to shift some habits and in some cases trade our time for money, we can keep more of our hard earned cash. Somewhere along the way we have all been brainwashed into thinking expensive goods and services have more value than something that costs very little or better yet is free. Even though many expenses are beyond our control like healthcare (please don’t get me started!) there are still many things we can get for free or for very little money. I share some of my own ideas below:

• Why spend money on cable? Stream your favorite programs from the web.    Check out Hulu (great for TV shows)  or Crackle ( great for movies)

• Wash your own car instead of paying someone to do it. The summer months are a great time to play in the water and get a little sun. Washing your car is also good exercise.

• Read your favorite magazines and newspapers on line and cancel your subscriptions. This option also cuts down on clutter.

• Craving new clothes? Shop in your closet. I guarantee you’ll find at least one treasure you forgot you had.

• Entertain at home. Next time you get the urge to get together with friends and go out to eat, why not invite them to your home? Sure eating out is about the food but it’s also about the company. You can just as easily socialize with friends at home as you can at the latest trendy restaurant.

• Never pay for a credit report. Check out the Federal Trade Commission’s website for more info: http://www.ftc.gov/freereports

• Have you been thinking about buying an e-book reader but you’re not sure you want to delve out the money just yet? Amazon has a free kindle you can download to your computer. It’s a great way to check out this fun new technology before you take the plunge and buy one separately. Who knows, you may even find out that you enjoy reading books on your desktop or laptop. Many e-books are cheaper than regular books and Amazon also has free books you can download.

• Trade pet sitting services with a friend. Our pets are like family and we want them to have the best care possible when we are away from home. Team up with a friend or a good neighbor and help each other out when pet care is needed. The pets will come to know these sitters as family and won’t be so freaked out when their people are away.

• Vacation at home. Stay at home and be lazy. Better yet, be a tourist in your own town. Nobody loves traveling more than me but sometimes it’s nice to vacation at home especially if funds are tight.

• Send e-cards for special occasions. Many sites offer them for free and they are a great way to cut down on environmental waste as well.

• Don’t buy water at the airport. We all know that we can’t take liquids through airport security anymore but that doesn’t mean you have to pay for bottled water once inside the terminal. On a recent flight, I gulped down my last drop of water as I reached Security and the TSA guy encouraged me to save my bottle and fill it up once I passed the security checkpoint. What a brilliant idea, I told him. In the future, I plan on taking an empty water bottle and filling it up at one of the filtered water fountains that all airport terminals provide.

• Bring your own food to the airport. With the exception of some fruits and vegetables, most food is allowed through security checkpoints. Of course it may not be practical to pack a gourmet meal but snacks brought from home are much cheaper than buying them from the high priced eateries at the airport. I like to pack trail mix, dried fruit, blue corn tortilla chips, and dark chocolate.

• Can you borrow it? If you only need an item temporarily, why not borrow from a friend or relative? Offer to return the favor in the future with anything they might need as well. Appliances, tools, clothes, suitcases, serving trays and dishes are great examples of items we can borrow from each other.

• There is never any need to buy gift wrapping. Use an old brown grocery bag and decorate with markers, stickers, and ribbons you have laying around. Reuse gift bags. Just remember to remove any gift tags and make a new one. If you absolutely must buy gift wrapping, tissue paper is the cheapest.

• Entertain yourself for free. The web offers hours of free entertainment. U-Tube alone can keep one engaged for hours with music, crazy pet videos, and special interest stories. Check out your library or community centers for free lectures and concerts. Don’t forget enjoying nature. It’s truly the best show in town. Quit using the excuse that you don’t have money for entertainment. There’s plenty out there if you just look for it.

For me saving money is about freedom and taking control of my life. It’s not about being cheap or trying to get something for nothing. Saving more gives me the freedom to possibly work less, have an emergency fund (which gives me peace of mind) or spend my money on a really cool item or experience such as traveling. What about you? Why do you like to save money and do you have any ideas to add to the list above?

David on the hiking trail in Topanga Canyon

“For you wake one day, look around and say, somebody wonderful married me”.

~ Fred Ebb

David and I celebrated our wedding anniversary this past weekend. I am lucky enough to be married to one of the world’s best guys and each year with him just gets better and better. So when David asked me what I wanted to do for this year’s anniversary, he willingly agreed to my vision of celebrating our special day without breaking the bank. Finding creative ways to live a rich life without spending tons of money has become a sort of game for me. I don’t agree that money buys happiness and I’m always looking for ways to enjoy life that don’t depend on my financial situation.

Associating frugal with a wedding anniversary may sound sacrilege to some. After all we have been conditioned by the media to believe that such landmark occasions must include money and lots of it. Dictionary.com defines frugal: as economical in use or expenditure; prudently saving or sparing; not wasteful. As I work to become less wasteful in all areas of my life, the wedding anniversary celebration is no exception.

Last year we were in Costa Rica on our anniversary and celebrated at an amazing restaurant. (The Chilean Sea Bass was to die for and I still salivate when I think about it.) Fast forward to this year. I’m still unemployed so we decided it best to forfeit our previously hoped for trip abroad this summer. Instead I started to look into all the great things our local area has to offer. After all, we do live in a vacation destination and too often we take the sights around us for granted.

So what did we end up doing you might ask? We spent a day hiking in Topanga Canyon, CA. For those unfamiliar with Topanga Canyon, it is a mountain community in Western Los Angeles known for its bohemian culture. It’s the perfect place for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It’s one of our favorite places. If it wasn’t for the long drive down the canyon to get to work we would love to live up there. Oh well! Maybe one day!

The drive up the canyon to Topanga State Park was beautiful. We could have parked on the back streets and walked to the trails but David insisted we pay the $10 parking fee because he wanted to support the parks. I agree it’s important to give back to our parks so I agree the $10 was well spent. We hiked down the Santa Ynez Trail which was supposed to take us to a waterfall. Going down was very pleasant and beautiful. Of course the waterfall was dry but the last time I hiked this trail it was dry as well. We got a good laugh out of that. Going back up was not so pleasant because you guessed it – it was all uphill! Even though we were hot and out of breath we had lots of laughs and David jokingly warned me I had better not pass out because he would not be carrying me back up the trail.

We finally collapsed in the car and turned the air conditioner on full blast. We had tentatively planned to eat at one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Topanga, but we were a hot and sweaty mess. Topanga is one of the world’s most tolerant places but I didn’t want to push the envelope by patronizing a restaurant drenched in sweat. We went home instead and did something we rarely ever do. We had pizza delivered! The rest of the evening we viewed free shows from Hulu.com.

Earlier in the week David asked me what I wanted for a gift. I told him I wanted a jewelry box. He immediately said we would go out and shop for one. No, no, no I said! Not being much of a jewelry girl, I don’t have that much jewelry anyway. All I wanted was some kind of box to organize what I did have because I was tired of it all being a loose mess in my bathroom drawer. I told him there was no need to go out and spend money when I was sure he had some sort of box he wasn’t using that would be perfect for organizing my jewelry. He ended up finding a gray looking cash box that he once used to store his check receipts. Since he no longer needed it, he offered it to me.

Now I know most women might find this kind of gift downright insulting but it was perfect for me. First of all, he honored my request. Second, he “shopped” in his own home and found something perfectly good that was no longer getting any use. Third, we spent no unnecessary money, and fourth and most important, it was environmentally friendly. We didn’t contribute to more demand in the world for useless objects that use up the world’s precious resources. Most of us have so much junk anyway and if we get creative there’s often no need to always be buying something new.

I doubt any of the mainstream women’s magazines would glamorize our anniversary celebration but for me it was just perfect! We spent time with each other and laughed and played. After all, it’s all about the experience and enjoying each other. You don’t need money to enjoy each other’s company. You either do or you don’t. Thinking that spending money is the only way celebrate special occasions is the ultimate in status quo thinking. David and I have never been very status-quo so why should any of our celebrations be so?

“Less is more.” - Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

If there is a legal limit as to how many books on simplifying and de-cluttering that one can read, I have probably exceeded it. I’ve been “simplifying” for over a decade now and I’m always on the prowl for some new information that will finally turn me into that streamlined, simplified, minimalist person that I’ve always dreamed of becoming. It’s no wonder Francine Jay’s new book The Joy of Less, A Minimalist Living Guide: How to Declutter, Organize, and Simplify Your Life is right up my alley!

I want to be that girl who can pack her bag for a trip overseas in 15 minutes because I have so few items in my boudoir. When people visit my home nothing would stroke my ego more than to have someone say “gee you own so little!” After reading this book and putting her practical yet inspiring advice into play, I may just become the person I have always fantasized about being. Yes, I know most normal people fantasize about lean bodies, lots of money, and satisfying careers. I admit it! I’m weird! But that’s a different topic and probably a different blog.

There are lots of books out there on living the minimalist life, but this book is different. It makes you want to run to your kitchen and start throwing out all those silver party trays you’ve had since you got married but never use. You suddenly feel inspired to get rid of your skinny clothes because the chances of fitting into a size 4 again are pretty slim (yes, pun intended!) I for one could not wait to hit my make-up drawer. I thought I was down-sized with my eleven compacts of eye make-up, five mascaras, 6 tubes of lipstick and various odds n ends that I haven’t touched in years much less put on my face. It was so liberating to throw out all those beauty supplies that I will never get around to using. And of course as the author reminds us, most make-up is not very sanitary after a year as it’s a cesspool for bacteria. Yuk!

The whole premise of this book is that having less stuff is the key to happiness. I couldn’t agree more. The thing I like most about this book is it doesn’t just tell you to start purging your possessions willy-nilly but it poses questions to ask yourself about everything that you own. The reader decides what gives their life value not the author. She guides you through the process and you come up with the answers.

Contrary to what the status quo would have us believe, having a lot of material possessions does not make us rich. Most of us have way too much stuff but not enough time to enjoy it all. This book is about the power of minimalist living. It’s about getting rid of the excess so we can make room for new experiences and the things we truly love. I told you it was right up my alley! Her musings on how to handle gifts and sentimental items is especially valuable. She reminds us that gifts are symbols of the giver’s love. It’s the intention of the giver that matters not the gift. Relish the intention and if you don’t need it or want it, pass that gift along to someone else who can use it.

I can’t pinpoint exactly what it was about this book that inspired me to go even deeper in my simplifying journey, but it did. Maybe it’s the fact that the author takes the subject seriously but not in a judgmental way. We’ve all read those books that make you feel like a loser because you can’t just tear through your house like a Kansas tornado and rid yourself of all the excess in one quick swoop. This book is supportive and kind. Francine Jay is likeable and you wish she could personally visit your home and help you go through all your junk. But since she probably can’t visit each of us personally, her book is the next best thing.

Her book is on Amazon and you can even download it on Kindle. For those of you who don’t know, Amazon has a free Kindle you can download onto your computer. It’s pretty nifty. Also, check out Francine’s blog Miss Minimalist by clicking here.

Back in April, I posted about the Random Acts of Blogging Event.  Several of us female bloggers were to use the same blog post title and on our assigned day we would commit one senseless act of kindness for a total stranger – then blog about it.  The beautiful and talented Jill aka the Duchess of The Duchess Guide organized  this very lovely event. 

By the way, if you’ve never had the chance to check out her website and the good work she is doing, please do so. Jill is one of the most wonderful souls on the planet. She is not only drop dead gorgeous on the outside but she’s equally if not more beautiful on the inside.  She’s all about supporting and being of service to other people, so when she organized this event, I was not surprised.

Well, here’s my story about my random act of kindness for the week.  I really wanted to do something fabulously wonderful like helping up a little old man or lady who had fallen down on the sidewalk or maybe rescuing  someone who had fallen into a pool.  Maybe someone would be short a couple of dollars in the grocery store line in front of me and I could offer to give them a few dollars. Thus, nothing big and dramatic crossed my path. So as the week progressed, I realized that it’s the small things we do for others that add up and make the world a little better place. Each time we do something kind, no matter how small, we raise the vibration of the planet and in turn raise our own frequency.

My week was made up of small acts of kindness. There was the runaway grocery cart in the Trader Joe’s parking lot that was about to hit someone’s parked car. I started to run and grabbed the cart just before it crashed into someone’s vehicle and possibly caused some body damage.  The owner of the car will never know I did this or that such episode even happened but I felt good knowing I saved someone the hassle of a dented car. I then took the grocery cart back to the proper place which in turn saved an employee from some extra work. There was the lady in her big old gas guzzling SUV that was trying to merge into a very busy traffic lane. Why not let her in and make her day I thought. I did so and she waved and seemed very grateful. I was especially mindful to be as kind as possible to as many drivers as I could this week. Driving is stressful for all of us and sometimes we make stupid mistakes. I know I do. It’s nice when someone gives you a break and helps you out.

I may not have made the difference of a Mother Theresa, Ghandi, or Martin Luther King Jr. this week, but I hope my kind acts inspired others to pass the kindness along and do something nice for another person. I encourage those reading this to find one random act of kindness that you can do for a stranger this upcoming week. It will make you feel incredibly high, I promise!

For more inspiration, check out some of the websites below. These gals are also posting today on their random acts of kindness. They also have really great blogs so you just might find a new fun blog to follow.  Be kind everybody!

Red Said

Blissful Seed

That Happened to Me

Andree Belle

Plush Palate

Hiking Trail in Topanga Canyon, CA

Is it just me or have we Americans created ridiculously complicated lives? Our monetary system is incredibly complex and our health care system has layers and layers of bureaucracy.  The cars we drive are complicated and very few of us understand how to fix them when something goes wrong. It seems there was a time when small complications could be taken care of quite easily in one’s own garage but not anymore.

Making a major purchase like a house involves stacks and stacks of paper work and most people don’t even understand the documents they sign. I’m all for choice but when I walk into a store there are so many choices that I’m often overwhelmed and want to go running for the exit. There are countless other examples of complexity but these are just a few that come to my mind as I write this entry.

What’s a girl to do, huh? I want a peaceful tranquil life. I don’t want to spend the majority of  my time bogged down in what I see as a lot of unnecessary complications. Certainly we were not put on this planet to spend disproportionate amounts of our time pursuing such mundane endeavors. It’s hard to enjoy life when our day to day routines are more complicated than a physics equation.

Here’s a few things I’m doing to “un-complicate” my life and make it as simple as possible. When life is simple I have more time to enjoy life and more time to spend doing those things I love.

• Lowering my standards when it comes to housework: My house does not have to constantly be spotless. As long as it is somewhat clean and the litter box is not overflowing with kitty poo then why does my house need to look like a Better Homes and Garden layout every day?
• Personal Grooming: I don’t have to constantly “dress up” and look like a fashion plate every day. I’m not advocating skipping showering or brushing my teeth, but do I need to put on eye makeup every day? Do I need to coif my hair perfectly?
• Controlling information overload: I don’t have to keep up with everything happening in the news. Some days it’s ok to take a break. This one is hard for me because I’m a political junkie and love to keep up with what’s going on in the world.  Besides, much of the information is just the same old same old.
• Food Preparation: Not every meal has to be an elaborate feast. Some nights it’s ok to just have a salad and some soup. Or maybe a baked potato with fun toppings. Thanks to Trader Joe’s I can get lots of healthy pre-made food at a reasonable cost.
• Paperwork: I’m trying to eliminate as much paper from my life as I can. I’m doing this by saving as much information as I can to my computer. If there is a hard copy that I must keep, then I will make a file for it, but most things can be scanned to your computer. This eliminates a lot of clutter.
• Only buying what I really need: I’ve been on a real minimalist kick these past couple of years.  The less time I have to spend on the upkeep of material possessions, the more time I have for the important things in life.

A simple life is a rich life.  What are you doing to simplify your life?

I like the Native American Philosophy. They view the earth as a living entity and as a provider, not a playground to pillage for monetary profit.   Harmony with the earth is  part of their culture and they are extremely aware of how certain actions can impact the environment. They believe the earth is part of us and we should respect it. It’s not something to use up nor is it here  to serve us. The earth is a great resource but we have to treat her with respect. We are part of her and there is no separation. All of us Non-Native Americans should take a lesson from their playbook.  That said, let me segue into the horrendous topic of the British Petroleum (BP) oil spill.

The recent BP tragedy in the Gulf is almost more than I can bear to contemplate. I purposely waited several weeks before I posted this piece. I figured at some point the story would gradually start to fade off the front pages and only be mentioned from time to time.  This story needs to be kept alive and all that continue to suffer need not be forgotten. I grew up in Alabama and my husband in Louisiana. The Gulf was a familiar fixture to us and even though we may not have lived within walking distance, she was still one of our greatest local treasures.

Many Americans have never had the chance to visit the national treasure we call the Gulf of  Mexico or “The Redneck Riviera” as it is often jokingly referred to by some.  There was a reason why many southerners chose to stay close to home when we wanted to visit the beach. Why travel to other exotic locations when Paradise was just a few hours away?

I remember going to visit her almost yearly. The sand was as white as snow and the water was a pristine blue or emerald green depending on the mood of the sun that day.  Many sandcastles have been built on her precious sand and many wonderful days have been spent by adults and children alike playing in her waves.

She has withstood hurricanes and various other acts of God because that is what she is equipped to do. Then some multinational corporation comes in and gets horrendously greedy and sloppy.  Now she is vulnerable to possibly being on the verge of ruin.

I hope she will one day return to her natural beauty and her plants, fish, and various other wildlife will once again reign supreme in that area of the planet. For the time being I can only pray for her safe return and for a change in consciousness amongst us all. The beauty of the earth and the natural resources we have been blessed with are a  huge part of our wealth.

We need to rethink the way we are living and have a serious discussion about our addiction to fossil fuels. Change is necessary or our quality of life is further at stake.  Yes, change is difficult and many will resist. But change is the only constant in this world. We will always have to adapt and change.  The sooner we get it through our thick skulls that real change is needed, the easier it will be to start the process.  Oh and Tony Hayward, if by some small minuscule chance you read this, I would like my life back too.  I  am no longer able to visit the beautiful beaches where I spent so much of my childhood. They are most likely ruined and will not recover in my lifetime if they ever recover at all.  I would like that part of my life back.

Rorschach the tiny titan of terror

“Until one has loved an animal, part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” - Anatole France

My household has a new member. His name is Rorschach and he is of the feline persuasion.  Who says wealth is only about money and  sundry other intangible assets? Sometimes wealth comes in tiny little packages with four legs and a really loud meow!

Rorschach showed up in our neighborhood several weeks ago. My husband David  gave him his name which was inspired by the Rorschach inkblot tests and the character in the movie  “Watchmen”.  His picture above should explain it all!  Even though we can’t really afford a new pet we couldn’t afford not to take him. He needed a home and he has already brought so much joy to our lives. Shylo and Hunter have been very accommodating (well Shylo has, Hunter was a bit peeved at first) and all three kitties are getting along quite well. There is the occasional cat fight but hey that’s what cat’s do, right?  Rorschach is the first kitty I have ever had who likes to chase Speed the turtle, but Speed pays him no attention and just goes about her business.

I love animals and each time a new one enters my life, I’m reminded of how blessed I am to share my life with other non-human animals.  The love and companionship of animals is one of those experiences that make this life worth living. Most of them are far more intelligent and interesting than humans and they are certainly more evolved. They don’t organize in groups and gang up on their own kind and fight for land. They don’t try to impress each other with their material assets or social status. They live in the now and and don’t worry about the future.

So welcome Rorschach! You came to the right household. You may have had a hard time on the streets but those days are now over. If you think the Egyptians worshiped the cat you aint’ seen nothing yet.  In my house, the animals run the show.  You can look forward to a wonderful life with David and me.  Thanks for finding your way to us and thanks in advance for all the riches you have and will continue to bring to our lives.

The Mighty Mississippi

When you can’t have what you want, it’s time to start wanting what you have. ~~Kathleen A. Sutton

The last couple of weeks have been tough for me.   It’s been hard to focus on what I do have as opposed to what I don’t have.  I know my thought process is a bit exaggerated but it seems like everyone around me has a great career, is traveling to exotic places, and spending money on fun.  So many people I know own homes and although I know I’m probably imagining it, I feel like I’m looked down on by some because I’m a renter.

This society really does a number on you when you don’t possess any of the ingredients that make up the so called “American Dream.”  You’re rarely acknowledged.  I’m usually pretty good at not letting my lack of social status and material wealth bother me but sometimes it does begin to get to me.  I’m human and every once and a while you just want some validation.No one ever says anything to you like gee it’s so great that you are a spiritual person or how wonderful that you and your husband share a car and are doing your part to lessen your carbon footprint. Instead, society celebrates home ownership, the kind of car you drive, how much money you make, where your kids go to school, and whether or not you have managed to pull off the latest look crammed down our throats by Madison Avenue advertising.

No wonder we have so many people in this country who feel less than. People want to believe their lives count for something. They want to feel needed and useful. Our extremely materialistic culture makes it difficult for anyone on a different path other than what the status quo deems acceptable to feel like their life is valuable.

After allowing myself to stay in such a dark place for the last couple of weeks, I have now caught my second wind. I refuse to feel less than. I must reconnect with my value system. My values reflect living simply and following a spiritual path. If any earthly treasures happen to come my way that’s great. And what if they don’t? In the big picture does it really matter if I ever own a home? Does it really matter if I have a prestigious career?  Does it really matter if I can’t  afford to jet-hop around the world three-four times a year and spend weekends in the desert?

I’m making an effort to focus on what I do have and not dwell on what I feel is lacking.   For  now I will concentrate on not being bogged down with the upkeep of multiple material items and the hassles of managing a career and complex finances. I will savor my free time, the fun I have with my husband, my pets, living in a state with beautiful weather, and the time I spend with my good friends.  I think this is called wanting what you have. There was actually a book that came out several years ago called How to Want You Have by Timothy Ray Miller.  I think I need to get a copy of that book and study it closely. Wanting what we have is hard work, especially when we  live in a society that constantly encourages us to want more.  What I have is really not that important. What’s important is the person I am and what’s in my heart.

For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26

Louisiana Sunset

The moment you have in your heart this extraordinary thing called love and feel the depth, the delight, the ecstasy of it, you will discover that for you the world is transformed.
~Jiddu Krishnamurti

Two types of economies exist in our world today. There is the “outer economy” which is the one we fixate on the most – money, bartering, loans, jobs, stock markets, interest rates…..  The second type of economy is what my friend Darice likes to refer to as the “inner economy.” This economy is the more powerful of the two and the one we often forget to focus on because we are so disproportionately concerned with the outer economy.

What exactly is the inner economy? Your inner economy is that part of you that is abundant no matter what your financial situation. Having a strong inner economy helps you look at life from a different perspective. You know your life has value and meaning whether you are in times of outer economy bust or boom. An inner economy is measured by your health and peace of mind. It’s the time you spend with family, friends, and animal companions. There are no limits when you have a strong inner economy. Inner economies don’t fall prey to competition and material resources. Scarcity and fear based human made rules don’t affect your inner economy unless you let them. A strong inner economy prepares you for whatever life sends your way.

I have little control over the outer economy. It is obviously very broken and a big fat mess!  Yes, there are some (mainly the corporate media) who are trying to desperately convince people things are starting to turn around but personally I have my doubts. I don’t mean to be a “Debbie Downer” but I’m not buying this “things are beginning to get better” nonsense. Yes, I know some people like the Wall Street Bankers and defense contractors are doing very well. On the opposite end of the spectrum there are still 8 million plus people unemployed and wages for the most part are stagnant.   In my book, the economy is not working until everyone is prospering.

“No person left behind” is my new slogan. And I’m not just talking about the U.S. but every being on the planet-humans and animals.  It’s mind-blowing to me how in the 21^st century greed can still run so grotesquely rampant. You would think we would have evolved a bit as a species, huh? The multinational corporations and banks will continue to have their way until the collective consciousness wakes up and we demand a world that works for all and not just a select few. Pretty soon the world’s resources will be depleted and it won’t matter who has the most zeros after the numbers in their bank account.

How do we start waking up? How do we demand change? We do so first by focusing on our own inner economy. We work on our own transformation of consciousness. Of course we all have to exist for the time being in our current system but we need not give it any more power than absolutely necessary.  On a practical level we can boycott the large banks and move our money to credit unions and local banks. We can buy local products from local businesses when we have the opportunity. We can start focusing more on our relationships with people instead of constantly consuming unnecessary goods and services.

On a more spiritual level, we can go inside and work on changing ourselves. We can focus on unconditional love and compassion for all beings. Because you know what?  The world is a reflection of all of us and the time is ripe for a radical mind revolution in each and every person. Remember, we can’t change a thing until we change ourselves.

Classic French Quarter House

“Don’t you just love those long rainy afternoons in New Orleans when an hour isn’t just an hour – but a little piece of eternity dropped into your hands – and who knows what to do with it?”
— Tennessee Williams (A Streetcar Named Desire)

I’ve been a bit disappointed these last few months because I was hoping my husband and I could take another trip abroad this summer.  Due to various factors (economic mainly) it may not be in the cards for us. So several weeks ago when my husband I were visiting his side of the family in  Baton Rouge over the Easter Holiday, I suggested (actually begged)we take a day trip to the Big Easy. I had not been to New Orleans in years and was yearning for a taste of someplace exotic, cultural, and unique. My day trip to New Orleans was splendid and the memory is still fresh in my psyche.  My only complaint is I wish I could have stayed there for several weeks.

We spent the day in The French Quarter walking the quaint streets and hanging out in Jackson Square. We ate seafood gumbo, browsed in shops specializing in voodoo and witchcraft, and drank coffee at Cafe Du Monde.  I had way too many beignets but visiting New Orleans without eating beignets would have been blasphemous!  Everything about New Orleans is fabulous-the architecture, the smell, the food, the people, and of course the romantic ambiance that drapes the city.   New Orleans is one of America’s greatest cultural treasures and one of our nation’s finest cities.

In Stuart M. Lynn’s book New Orleans, he says of New Orleans, “There was a certain mood- a melancholy surrounding it, a sort of spell which came consciously from the dark still bayous, the moss covered oaks, the white of magnolias against dark green foliage, the old cemeteries, the luxuriant growth, and the great river crawling to the Gulf.

My reason for writing this entry is twofold.  One is I love New Orleans and feel she should be made over and celebrated at any opportunity available. The second reason  is don’t rule day trips out. If you’re like me right now and don’t have the budget to travel, why not take a day trip or weekend trip to someplace close by.  We may not all find ourselves close to a gem of a city like New Orleans, but I bet there is still someplace fabulous close by to where you live.

And of course if you live somewhat close to New Orleans or find yourself in the deep south anytime soon, why not visit one of  America’s greatest places of all – New Orleans!