My friend Cara has been learning all about wild edible and medicinal herbs lately and has turned me on to this beautiful healing world. Last week we had fun making our very own healing salve from the weeds growing in our yard. side not: You might be thinking to yourself how cute it is that Jetta spelled magic with a "j", but I have to be honest and tell you that it was me. Yes, it's true, I am the world worst speller. I guess all those straight A's in spelling I got after countless hours of drilling with my Mom should have been used for something else. I have to admit that after learning that our idea of "correct" spelling was merely created by the whims and mistakes of people in the 13 and 1400's, I felt some satisfaction. Who says that Majic isn't spelled with a "j"? Don't you hear the "j" sound? Am I really the idiot, or are the people who decided to stick that "g" in there the ones who we should be questioning? Sorry, I guess I have a lot of pent up issues when it comes to spelling.............. deep breath.....aahh
Now, my family loves ice cream and bacon. But putting the two together I have never tasted. Jetta wanted to make dessert to add to the cook book we are writing. So we looked in the fridge and came up with this. Banana coconut ice cream with clusters of honey nuts and bacon. It was delicious! This was one creative cooking collaboration that will definitely make it into the book. We can't wait to share the recipe with you soon!
My Grandfather used to beg me to sing. He would tell me "God gave you this gift to share with the world." He was so proud of me and would bring recordings of me with him everywhere to share with others. He even got his dentist to put my recordings on rotation. He was my number one fan. At the time, all of his support felt more like pressure. I always loved to sing, but as life progressed, I was not sure I was willing to endure the criticism that comes along with putting yourself out there. And this singing thing was like opening up my heart and hoping to God that nobody crushed it. I guess I chose flight rather then fight, but there was still that song that wanted to get out. I pushed through fear for many years, performing but not truly letting that song take flight. I helped others with their songs and felt such purpose and satisfaction in seeing their voices set free to sing. My students are my greatest teachers and now my own children are bringing back the joy of singing to my heart. For that is why I love singing. Without the joy, it has no life. I try my best each day to share that joy with my students and my own children and deep down, with myself. And it is working. One song at a time the pressure has faded to a softer tone and I am feeling that heart song coming back to me. Last night I was inspired by two amazing humans who are definitely singing their songs and sharing their gifts with the world. I think we all have many gifts to share and I know that I a sharing many of mine, but there is still one that is scared and needs a little inspiration. Thank you Cynthia Dawn and Bob Sima for honoring your own hearts and inspiring others to do the same. Life can take us on many journeys and we can spend much of our time just trying to keep up. As a mom, there are so many diapers to change and dishes to wash and boo boos to kiss that it can be hard to remember to sing. But if I can do all those things with a song in my heart, it will carry me and guide me along the way. Life has sure taking me full circle. From that little girl who sang "God Bless America" at the top of her lungs from the top of the giant mud hill in our back yard for all the neighbors to hear and who begged all her friends to sing in the talent shows at school, to the teenager who went to music school and felt the pressure shut down places in her that she wanted to protect and now slowly seeing that the danger has passed and it is time to come out of hiding. Baby steps. I wish my Grandpa was here now, I would sing him a song. He would always ask for just one more song and listen with his whole being and love in his eyes. Now I know, he recognized something in me that was much more than singing a nice song. He saw my soul enlivened and knew that I must sing. Just like in Cindy's book "Indigena", I guess we all have those that are here to show us who we are and to remind us of our song. So, today I am sharing a song I recorded some years ago and I hope my Grandpa is listening. I was inspired by Cindy and Bob to reignite the fire on a passion I had tucked away. I hope that you are inspired to do the same.
This is a special moment from the past week that I want to stop, savor and enjoy. If you are so inspired, please leave a comment for me with your own special moment and check out other moments this morning atsoulemama.
We celebrated May Day today by picking flowers from our yard and making little May Day baskets to give to our neighbors. The kids collected the flowers and we used paper and ribbon to decorate. Jetta had so much fun delivering them door to door spreading a bit of cheer. Then we headed out to the beach to meet with friends and enjoy the beautiful weather. A good day.
