Happy New Year!

Wishing you increased lightheartedness in all your endeavors in the New Year. May the spirit and joy I send today bring you peace, hope, compassion, and abundance to you and all you draw into your life. Blessings and prayers for peace in our hearts, communities, countries, and the globe.

Quote for today from Kabir:

My inside, listen to me, the greatest spirit,

the Teacher, is near:

wake up, wake up!

Run to his feet----

he is standing close to your head right now.

You have slept for millions and millions of years.

Why not wake this morning?

In Health & Peace,
Nan

Still Here, hanging in, A Holiday Wish

Because I've had carpal tunnel symptoms, I haven't written. I'll be brief and ask you to make this an interactive posting. Visualize everything you wish to come true for yourself...but before you do, note this quote:

No one is in control of your happiness but you; therefore, you have the power to change anything about yourself or your life that you want to change.
Barbara De Angelis

Wishing you joy at this season and special moments of peace, abundance, love, and health throughout the years to come. In Peace & Health, Nan

Lovely Flowers for you to see

 These lovely flowers were sighted during the summer. It makes me feel lighthearted each time I look at them. Hope you enjoy the beauty that nature has designed.

My quote for the day comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson: The Earth Laughs in Flowers.

Tea story caffeine or no caffeine in green tea

One of the reasons my sister-in-law had a restless night and lack of sleep may be that she drank green tea in the afternoon. She says she's super-sensitive to caffeine and didn't realize some green tea HAS CAFFEINE.

Here's the skinny...

Summer Travel, Fun in the sun and good to be home

Elephant Butte, NM Summer Fun...I did some traveling this summer and this is a scenic place I enjoyed. My hubby and I had a picnic dinner here and felt the balmy breeze blowing.

Back to blogging, starting anew, travel on foot

After a much needed hiatus away from blog spot, and trip to Denver to see the sights, I'm back to blogging.

I loved the cool weather in CO., and interesting sights like the Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Art Museum. I especially enjoyed savoring delicious meals at Venice Ristorante and Water Course Foods.

My hubby and I decided to use public transportation so the quote below resonates with me and what we did.

It's nice to be back blogging. Hope you all out there will let me know what's up with you.

Quote for the day: "The true traveler is he who goes on foot, and even then, he sits down a lot of the time."

Colette, Paris From My Window, 1944, French novelist (1873 - 1954). I found this quote on quotationspage.com

Exercise Improves Mind Body Health

Isn't it wonderful? More and more research is pointing to the fact that there's a direct correlation between aerobic exercise and brain cell health and even cell regeneration.

Here's a new report for you to see. Brain Cell Health and Aerobic Exercise

I'm grateful I spotted this study. It encourages me to keep up with my exercise routine. I love to get out there for aerobics in a natural setting. I never have been one to go to a gym for treadmill walking. My preference is to commune with mountains, flora and fauna, streams, a river, or sea. Time flies as I hike and walk outdoors, probably because there's so much of interest for me to see.

What's your take on the study and what motivational techniques work for you to keep you active and vitally alive? 

Which kind of aerobic exercise do you enjoy the most? Swimming, biking, hiking, Zumba, walking, or running rev up your engine and improve blood flow to the brain. Exercise is good for your whole family, so plan times when you all will be able to get outdoors for fun and health.

My quote for the day is: "Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity. " John F. Kennedy

Your feedback and sharing a link to the post is greatly appreciated. Please comment in the space provided below. Don't forget to click publish after you're through. 

Improving My Blog, Need Input, Open for comments

Just read Deb Ng's post on http://www.freelancewritinggigs.com/ about 10-turnoffs-keeping-readers-from-my-blog. It made a lot of sense to me.


This is my first blog and I am a newbie-I am open to receive comments and information from you about ways to improve my blog, as long as you are respectful and constructive in your criticism or praise.

I provide at least one quote, each time I blog, because I do want to give the reader food for thought. When I post, my intention is the following:

I believe it's never too late to learn something new. For work (as a freelance writer) and pleasure (empowering and creative) I find I'm excited about learning as much as I can about on-line journal writing (my definition of blogging).

Now it's time for you out there...Please respond with your defintion of an "effective" blog or what attracts you to a particular blog you follow.


"Imagination is the eye of the soul." Joseph Joubert, French essayist, moralist

In Health & Peace, Nan

Life Happens, Blogging on back burner, Motivation

I've noticed as I age, time rushes ahead much faster than it did when I was a youngster. And two quotes about time resonate with me today.

"We must use time as a tool, not as a couch." John F. Kennedy

"Time goes, you say? Ah, no!

Alas, Time stays; we go." Austin Dobson

Much has been happening in my personal life that required time, energy, and attention. Thankfully, my schedule is flexible and I took the time I needed to care for my recuperating spouse, attend to home management items, and still fulfill my commitment to myself to work on my memoir. Self-care routines like cooking nourishing meals and exercising beat out blogging.

Well, here I am back at blogger. Happy to have the few moments to spare and glad I blog only when I want to. What freedom!

I've noticed that some bloggers lose interest in one blog and move on to other things. Are there any out there who want to share the "Why" this happens? Please comment if you can. I'm curious as to why one would put the effort into blog set-up and posting and cut it loose, without an explanation (well, that's what I think, when I see a blog that doesn't have a closure statement).

Until next time...

Pins and Needles, In Between, Powerlessness

This is a post about the in-between. Did you ever have moments of vagueness, confusion, and uncertainty? This is one of my most vivid and unsettling. My husband needs an operation. I am sure that it is necessary and will help his condition, but my "agita" doesn't stem only from fear of the unknown.


I am dismayed that a condition that was supposed to have been corrected by surgery in 2001 has reasserted itself. That old powerless state is here once again. Drat!


In order for me to have my wits about me when we go to see the surgeon today, I need to vent right now. I know I can't control my husband's physical condition, but I certainly can send positive vibes his way. I don't like it that he has to undergo this operation and be in the hospital, but if I accept the reality of the situation, I may have less stress, resistance, and find an opening to see the opportunities for healing and health. Yes, I need to find hope and sound thinking. Are there any of you out there who face similar challenges and want to share about it?



Quote for the day-
"God grant me the serenity


to accept the things I cannot change,


Courage to change the things I can,


And wisdom to know the difference." The Serenity Prayer



PS. For those who can help with blogger quirks-this post was written and will be posted on 2/17/10, but I used a draft from 1/30/10 that was taking up space on blogger. I'm not sure what date will appear as the publishing date. If it doesn't print the actual publishing date, how do I change it? Your help is appreciated.

Snow and nature

This is a photo of snow on the Catalina Mountains... Isn't it grand? The picture was taken Saturday 1/23/10. Today, I am finally settling down to blogging again and that's why it appears now.