December

What do I love about December?
- The beautiful, pure winter crystal light that comes only in the Winter.
- The forest, with its bare trees and the floor covered with crisp, bright, golden, crunchy leaves.
- A layer of snow on all the tree limbs, silently stunning.
- Time, time, time to do whatever you want to.  Work is winding down, winter trips haven't started yet.  Days to just play.
- Florida in December - 70F, walks by the beach in shorts and t shirts.  Cuban, vietnamese food.  Sunsets, warm breezes off of the ocean.  Watching dolophins along the shore.
- Books.
  1.Tony Blair's - A Journey.  
  2.Daniel Amen's - Change Your Brain, Change your body.
  3.Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche - The Joy of Living
  4.Daniel Goleman - Emotional Intelligence

 (2-4) above have really increased my internal sense of well being and happiness.  If you read them as a result of my blog, they're my Christmas present to you.  Happy New Year all.

Pets

I have a pet, a beautiful, warm, furry, tailed adorable, 4 legged fuzz ball.  He is warm, spirited, handsome, super cute, winsome, elegant and the best little being on this planet.  He curls up next to me in the evenings.  In the morning, he comes up to me and closes his eyes as I scratch and pet him.  He radiates health, happiness and super abundunt joy.   He makes me a better person.  He expands my heart. 

Friends

I talked to a friend last week.  Just being with people who are concerned about you and have good advice is very restorative.  Be with people, you not only admire, but also only wish for good things for you.  It shines through. 

Sunday

A perfect day today.  I spent the morning in the forest with my dear companion and pet.  He is so happy frolicking in the woods.  He climbs trees, rubs against my legs, smiles at me.  His smile is a caress from the sun.  We came back and all of us went back to bed, to cuddle together and read the Sunday papers.  Perfect, with the sun streaming in and so warm, under the covers.

We went out for lunch.  I indulged myself: pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, a large pitcher of my favorite caffeine free tea.  Again, a booth with the sun streaming in.  Afterwards, a walk in the woods with my best friend, overlooking the Croton Reservoir.  Stunning.

Back home for tea and a slice of custard pie.  Yummy!   Custard pie in October, perfect!   More Sunday papers and then house cleaning, dinner and an hour at the piano.

What a wonderful Sunday - music, nature, pets, friends, comfort food and perfect tea.  A blessing to all out there.

Some wonderful walks in New York

www.wonderfulwalks.blogspot.com

What I am grateful for

1. A beautiful home and neighborhood
2. Health
3. Independence
4. My closest friends
5. Strength of mind, spirit and body
6. The gift of each day

Nature and Exercise

A beautiful day today.  Sunny.  Leaves are green and slowly becoming yellow.  Golden, gentle sunshine.  Went walking for an hour today and it was glorious, just experiencing this perfect temperature, sun, sidewalks, trees and people that were likewise enjoying this fine weather.  Gratitude for health and sunshine.