10.25.2012
What Does Your >> Soul Look Like
I have been feeling really quiet the last few days.
Not like, in a depressed way. Just in a quiet way. One part contemplative, one part withdrawn, and two parts the natural turning inward of Fall.
It's sort of nice actually, but not so good for the old blog I suppose.
In this month's issue of Yoga Journal, there was a lovely description of a pose (Bakasana) that I have been thinking about. "Balance isn't something that happens when you're standing perfectly still. It happens when you're staying strong and at ease with all of the fluctuations inside you."
I think that's exactly how I feel, like I am sitting with the fluctuations inside of me. Making room for them, letting them find their place.
Is there anything you need to make room for?
shanti >> sondra
image via
10.22.2012
I'd Be A >> Heavenly Person Today
You have all been so kind in not calling me out on my lack of photo of the day posts. But I am here to call myself out today. I have taken pictures most days, but I admit, I did forget a few days. But, no bother, that does not mean that I failed.
With each new breath, I begin again.
So, here are pics from most of the last many days. Here is what my October has looked like >>
If you scrolled all the way through, then thank you for making it this far. I will for-certainly-most-definitely-probably-maybe be better about my pics going forward. Inhale...exhaaaaale.
shanti >> sondra
With each new breath, I begin again.
So, here are pics from most of the last many days. Here is what my October has looked like >>
view of my lampshade as I fall asleep > shadows on my yoga mat > reading in the sun > opening night at the theater, getting ready to par-tay
fancy cocktails downtown > yoga in the sun > ack, fall is so pretty! > the gang gets some lovin' on
I love the 60s cool of the Pacific Science Center building > dahlias from Pike Place market > first real Seattle rain > aspen at the lake while out for a chilly walk
a helper to clean the closet > out for a walk in my slippers > motivational garbage can > a real hippie lunch break
those guys again > driving into a DOUBLE RAINBOW > feeling autumnal > the view from our walk on a sunshiny day
If you scrolled all the way through, then thank you for making it this far. I will for-certainly-most-definitely-probably-maybe be better about my pics going forward. Inhale...exhaaaaale.
shanti >> sondra
10.19.2012
Stars Were Hanging >> Like a Crown
Along with my pull between being a city mouse or a country mouse, I also feel a tug between living a life of simplicity, and one of ...amassing (for lack of a better word).
Take one look inside my home, and you'll see the amassing. Piles of quilts, stacks of books, and baskets of woolen socks. I like the clutter, it's comforting. I limit the amassing only to certain things I enjoy finding and then displaying; they tend to be of the pretty, cozy sort. I don't believe in specialty gadgets in the kitchen, I don't keep cheap paperbacks that I've already read, and I don't like gimmicky products. So I am selective in the clutter (usually), but the fact remains that there is Too Much Stuff to fit into my tiny dream cabin.
When I let my mind wander, it invariably ends up resting in a place that likes a lot like these pictures here. Lots of wood, a fire in the stove, and trees all around. A dog running in and out of the house, and days filled with quiet tasks and trips into town. Walks in the woods, and snow falling outside of the windows.

Le sigh.
shanti >> sondra
Take one look inside my home, and you'll see the amassing. Piles of quilts, stacks of books, and baskets of woolen socks. I like the clutter, it's comforting. I limit the amassing only to certain things I enjoy finding and then displaying; they tend to be of the pretty, cozy sort. I don't believe in specialty gadgets in the kitchen, I don't keep cheap paperbacks that I've already read, and I don't like gimmicky products. So I am selective in the clutter (usually), but the fact remains that there is Too Much Stuff to fit into my tiny dream cabin.
When I let my mind wander, it invariably ends up resting in a place that likes a lot like these pictures here. Lots of wood, a fire in the stove, and trees all around. A dog running in and out of the house, and days filled with quiet tasks and trips into town. Walks in the woods, and snow falling outside of the windows.

Le sigh.
shanti >> sondra
10.18.2012
What to Wear >> Laundry Day
Can I be real guys? I don't do laundry that often. There are a two reasons for this. The biggest reason is that I have an obscene amount of clothes. If I waited until I was down to the nitty gritties clothes-wise, I would probably do laundry like, twice a year. True story.
The second reason I don't do laundry that often is that I only wash things when they are actually dirty. It must be stinky, spilled on, sweated in, or otherwise soiled to be washed (with the exception of underthings. Duh.). Judge me if you will. I do not wash things like jeans and sweaters every time that I wear them. So between having a lot of clothes and not washing things every time I wear them, what dictates when I do laundry is when I run out of good underwear. And I am a lady of good repute, so I will not be showing you a photo of me in my laundry day underwear.
Instead, I thought I'd show what I've been wearing around the house lately. If I am at home, chances are good that you will find me in some version of this outfit. It is warm, comfortable, and decent looking enough to run up to the cafe for a chai, as I did this morning.

The other thing of note here, is this little grey skirt. I recently realized that this cheap cotton tube skirt is the perfect thing to pull over leggings when out running errands, or coming and going from yoga class. It provides just the right amount of modesty, and makes it look like you are actually dressed and not out in your jammies.
Here's the roundup of participants this week, be sure to check them out!
Katherine: thinkin' outloud | Amanda: Salvaged Strawberry |
Lisa: lala faux bois
shanti >> sondra
<< wearing
hoodie, slippers >> target
leggings >> american apparel
scarf, skirt >> f21
10.17.2012
Running >> Into the Sun
10.15.2012
The Rain Came Down >> With a Rhythm
Whew, what a weekend. It got off to a good start, with dinner out and a drink shared with some of Andy's new colleagues, but I ended up pretty sick later that night. Still not sure if it was something I ate or what, but the rest of Saturday was mostly a wash, with an afternoon spent reading and watching Netflix. Yesterday was spent at work, and it ended with a rainy walk to a nearby pub for a beer (for him) and peppermint tea (for me). All in all, let's call this weekend a draw, shall we?
On to Monday things. I wanted to share my final takeaway from my cleanse week, and a little bit of what's been going on lately with me. I was overall pretty proud of myself with sticking with it, if only for a week. I am a lady of little will power and self-discipline, so it is good when I see something through. The surprising thing that I learned was that I found that the fasting was the most profound experience for me, and I never even intended to fast. I found it kept me present like nothing else, and really brought me back to the reason why I was doing it in the first place. The rest of the week, I kept to a vegan diet, and I avoided soy and any processed foods. I felt pretty "meh" about that part of it. I am really interested in the idea of fasting though, and would like to try it again soon. I read up on the religious traditions that incorporate it, which is pretty much all religions, and found it fascinating. I am playing around with the idea of doing a short fast before Thanksgiving, as a way of really thinking about my gratitude for the abundance in my life...
And now for your reading pleasure, a Life Lately segment. 'Tis inspired by Elizabeth and Julie, who were apparently inspired by Danielle.
Reading >
The Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi by Brian Leaf. I am going to post a full review of this soon, but right now I'm about half way through. It's a quick, light read, and a nice palette cleanser after reading Desert Solitaire which was a bit more heady.
Watching >
We are not actually in the middle of anything right now. Last week we finished This is England '88 which was phe.nom.i.nal. The whole This is England series (the movie, and subsequent BBC miniseries' This is England '86 and '88) is deeply moving and so well done. So, coming off the heels of that, we tried to get into Bleak House to no avail. While I was poorly (a new British-ism I picked up), we watched If a Tree Falls, which was also quite good. I love me a good documentary, and this one was the best kind. It tells the story of the Earth Liberation Front, and follows one of their members' prosecution on charges of eco-terrorism. SO thought provoking, about what it means to be an activist, about morality, and what it might take to see the changes we seek in this world.
Anticipating >
Getting a handle on our messy house. Since it is small and so full of things, it doesn't take much for it to get out of hand. We need to devise some organizational systems. Tomorrow we start with the Big Daddy of our problems: my closet. Eeek. But it will feel so good when it's done!
Thankful For >
Rainy days, feeling good, and being back on dairy. :) It was rainy all weekend, which had the pleasant side effect of making my hair all wavy. I am looking forward to a winter of soft, pretty hair! I am obviously thankful to be feeling better, nothing like being sick to remind you of how great it is to NOT be sick. And lastly, I am thankful for milk and cheese, which I sorely missed last week. Almond milk is all right, but chai just isn't the same without some good old fashioned cow's milk.
shanti >> sondra
On to Monday things. I wanted to share my final takeaway from my cleanse week, and a little bit of what's been going on lately with me. I was overall pretty proud of myself with sticking with it, if only for a week. I am a lady of little will power and self-discipline, so it is good when I see something through. The surprising thing that I learned was that I found that the fasting was the most profound experience for me, and I never even intended to fast. I found it kept me present like nothing else, and really brought me back to the reason why I was doing it in the first place. The rest of the week, I kept to a vegan diet, and I avoided soy and any processed foods. I felt pretty "meh" about that part of it. I am really interested in the idea of fasting though, and would like to try it again soon. I read up on the religious traditions that incorporate it, which is pretty much all religions, and found it fascinating. I am playing around with the idea of doing a short fast before Thanksgiving, as a way of really thinking about my gratitude for the abundance in my life...
And now for your reading pleasure, a Life Lately segment. 'Tis inspired by Elizabeth and Julie, who were apparently inspired by Danielle.
Reading >
The Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi by Brian Leaf. I am going to post a full review of this soon, but right now I'm about half way through. It's a quick, light read, and a nice palette cleanser after reading Desert Solitaire which was a bit more heady.
Watching >
We are not actually in the middle of anything right now. Last week we finished This is England '88 which was phe.nom.i.nal. The whole This is England series (the movie, and subsequent BBC miniseries' This is England '86 and '88) is deeply moving and so well done. So, coming off the heels of that, we tried to get into Bleak House to no avail. While I was poorly (a new British-ism I picked up), we watched If a Tree Falls, which was also quite good. I love me a good documentary, and this one was the best kind. It tells the story of the Earth Liberation Front, and follows one of their members' prosecution on charges of eco-terrorism. SO thought provoking, about what it means to be an activist, about morality, and what it might take to see the changes we seek in this world.
Anticipating >
Getting a handle on our messy house. Since it is small and so full of things, it doesn't take much for it to get out of hand. We need to devise some organizational systems. Tomorrow we start with the Big Daddy of our problems: my closet. Eeek. But it will feel so good when it's done!
Thankful For >
Rainy days, feeling good, and being back on dairy. :) It was rainy all weekend, which had the pleasant side effect of making my hair all wavy. I am looking forward to a winter of soft, pretty hair! I am obviously thankful to be feeling better, nothing like being sick to remind you of how great it is to NOT be sick. And lastly, I am thankful for milk and cheese, which I sorely missed last week. Almond milk is all right, but chai just isn't the same without some good old fashioned cow's milk.
shanti >> sondra
10.11.2012
The Desert >> Says Nothing
Desert dreaming...sigh. I have really been craving a trip to the Southwest lately. It might be because I just finished reading Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey. A fantastic read, by the way. He writes about the landscape near Moab, Utah as if he were a man starving to death and dreaming of a cheeseburger.
So, yeah, it might be that. It might also be the fact that last year I went to Utah in October to chase petroglyphs in canyons and then went to Zion over Veteran's Day weekend. The year before that we went to the Grand Canyon over the same weekend. So maybe it's the time of year as well.
Or it might be that Southwest prints and textures are all the rage right now. And lordy knows, I have embraced it. Moccasins, burnt oranges, fringe, and geometric designs...yummy.
Or it might just be because the American desert is a magical, soulful place where you can really hear yourself think and let yourself be enveloped by the beauty. The desert says nothing and asks for nothing.
I suspect that as the damp, grey Northwest days climb in number, my desire for the solitude, the sun, the empty will intensify...
shanti >> sondra
image sources 1 > 2 > 3
Fourth image by me from 2010
So, yeah, it might be that. It might also be the fact that last year I went to Utah in October to chase petroglyphs in canyons and then went to Zion over Veteran's Day weekend. The year before that we went to the Grand Canyon over the same weekend. So maybe it's the time of year as well.
Or it might be that Southwest prints and textures are all the rage right now. And lordy knows, I have embraced it. Moccasins, burnt oranges, fringe, and geometric designs...yummy.
Or it might just be because the American desert is a magical, soulful place where you can really hear yourself think and let yourself be enveloped by the beauty. The desert says nothing and asks for nothing.
I suspect that as the damp, grey Northwest days climb in number, my desire for the solitude, the sun, the empty will intensify...
shanti >> sondra
image sources 1 > 2 > 3
Fourth image by me from 2010
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