The Things I Remembered...

The things I remembered, I remembered because of color.
Because of the cinnamon trees and yellow sunlight, because of
black waters hiding unknown things in its depth, because of
the brush strokes that made the paint thick and the cheek blush.

The things I remembered, I sang out loud because I felt lost or
confused, or even in love. Because the chords of the song were
attached to my heart and the way he played the guitar made me cry.
I sang to the corn fields and to the humming of the lawn mower.
I sang to the mourning dove outside my window.

The things I remembered, I painted on my bedroom walls. The words
from a song that shaped my life, the images of things that sparked
emotion - stars, angels, flowery shapes all in gold acrylic. Because of
the path my life was leading, and the path that lay ahead.

The things I remembered, I remember still. In times when my faith is
challenged and in times when my ambition is unfaltering. I remember them
in my actions and in these words. Because they are unforgettable, because
they are my story. Because my story is not yet finished.

Sarah Skeen Photography

I have always appreciated excellent photography, but was recently inspired specifically by Sarah Skeen's photography to create my first slideshow of her work put to music. Sarah has a keen eye for intricate detail in everything from the new fronds of spring ferns to the fragility of a fading animal fragment. She captures images that evoke a variety of emotions, while maintaining a clear and carefully planned frame. I'd like to share this with you, but also encourage you to check out her Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/sarahskeenphotos.

Enjoy...

Strange Dreams

I am usually pretty good at decifering the meaning of my dreams when I remember them, but I have had two in the last week that I can't put my finger on unless they are just a culmination of the books I've been reading and other media my eyes and ears have absorbed. Maybe you can help me out.

The first dream started inside a house I did not recognize. I must have been sitting on the floor or a very low couch because the big picture window to my right seemed above my head, yet I could still see out of it. There were pine trees and sky, nothing else and it seemed like a gray, dreary day. (I suppose I could connect that with the gloomy weather we've had lately.) The inside of the room was dark and the only other person I "sensed" being there was my father. He was also to the right of me, but I never saw or looked at him. It was quiet in the room and I felt like we were waiting for something. Then, I looked out the window again and there was an owl perched on the branch of the closest pine. He was huge and had very prominent brown feathers with a bright red breast. He looked right back at us while he perched. I pointed him out to my father, "Look at the owl!" as another one flew in and purched on a pine farther away. The owl closer to us started to fly away, but hovered at the top of the pine just like a humming bird. I could even see the buzzing, flittering action like a humming birds tail. That was it. The End

The second dream began inside a huge, old theater. The kind that should actually be spelled theatre because it has those antique, ornate, dark carved walls, with ceilings as tall as the sky and long velvet drapes hanging everywhere. I was seated on the right of the room, waiting for something to begin, although I have no idea what, when all of a sudden the lights went out. Everything was pitch black with only hazy light streaming in from some high (there's the high windows again) arched windows behind and to the left of me. All of a sudden, amongst whispering (nobody seemed to be making much noise) there was the rumbling of a train in the distance and then growing louder until it whizzed by those windows and finally made that peeling sound of metal grinding against metal as it stopped. That's when people started to worry. Everyone near me started talking about "the Hands, not the Hands," some of them even trying to crawl under seats and hide. Not me! I got out of there. Next thing I know, I'm in a dark, wet, street running away - the typical dark street and sidewalk you would see in some horror movie.

I guess I must have escaped and made it home because the next thing I know, it's the morning after and I'm sitting and talking to a guy who apparently knows how to ward of these "Hands" and protect myself. He showed me a garment that had some sort of talisman weaved into it, then he showed me something that caught my interest even more - jewelry. Each ring or bracelet was different. Intricate designs decorated each piece, carvings, crosses, some pieces had metal that was completely twisted into the most graceful shape that perfectly wrapped around your finger. He slipped one on his finger and said, "Here's how it works. When a Hand is near you, you must bind their arms in front of them and get as close as you can to their face. Then, when you are sure they can't move, you say the word of release. Each piece has a different release word. This particular one is hike." As he said the word, this tiny little creature with legs everywhere creeped out of the ring, searching, crawling up and down his arm and, finding nothing, vanished. I soon found out what that little bug was looking for. A Hand came crashing into the room, lunging for me and I immediately grabbed for another ring sitting on the table next to me. We struggled, and I remember thinking while I fought with him that he was very attractive. Finally pinning his arms, I leaned toward his face, released the grip of my right hand and brought it to his face saying, "Strike!" Another creature appeared from the ring and crawled onto the Hand's face immediately racing toward his forhead where suddenly a small opening was appearing as the Hand was writhing, crying out to let him go. The bug pushed into the opening and it closed up behind it. Then, with less than a small woosh, the Hand disappeared and a new ring pinged to the floor. I picked it up and stared, amazed. The guy that was there with me told me how well I did and that I would be a great fighter. I had similar run-in's with these "Hands" for the rest of the dream until I woke up.

Phew! So, do you think am I totally mad? What does it all mean? Is it just a random creation of my brain or is my subconscious trying to tell me something? I'd love to hear your interpretations. Maybe there are pieces of the dream that mean something and other "fillers" from current events. Maybe I've read one too many fantasy novels. Either way, they both stood out to me enough to question them. I try to write all of my dreams down when I remember them. In fact, my sister-in-law gave me a journal for Christmas two years ago that I use for that purpose. I love journals! But that's another blog...

My First 5K

I'm not talking about money here. My sister-in-law has talked my other sister-in-law and I into preparing to run our first 5K this year. Right now that goal seems impossible. I am not good at running. I've never been interested in running. I like to walk, enjoy the scenery, just get some fresh air. Now, I find myself seeking advice on training to be a better runner. A co-worker has given me challenges to try on the treadmill to build up endurance. It's tough! How many of you out there actually like not being able to breathe? Not me! The first time I tried running on the treadmill, I felt like I had just put on my legs for the first time. It is unnatural to me to be moving on something that is moving. Shouldn't one of us stay still? I suppose when the weather finally breaks, I will be able to run outside, but for now I'm trying to keep track of my progress and push myself to get better.

I've started my training using a half walk/half run method. I walk for two minutes, run for two minutes, alternating between the two at a comfortable speed. My biggest pain so far has been my shins and it turns out that if I run at a slightly higher speed, the pain lessens. From what I've been told, the impact is greater on your shins at a slow jogging speed. It's like stomping in place - not good. I've also been using the ellyptical and recumbent bike for additional cardio exercise. The biggest thing I've learned so far is that rest is just as important as exercise. Your muscles need time to recooperate and actually get stronger when given rest in between workouts.

My next step will be running at more extended intervals, gradually increasing my speed and endurance. It's a whole new experience for me and I'm actually surprised at how good it feels. Not only am I getting much needed exercise, but my body is feeling the other positive effects as well - better breathing, better sleeping, better appetite. I think I like this. Now off for a run...

My Apologies

Dear Readers,

I'm so sorry if you had to see the public bashing one of my dear neighbors decided to post. Apparently I don't live in as nice of a neighborhood as I thought! This comment has been deleted. I will not tolerate negative or personal digs here. If you would like to make a mean-spirited comment, you are more than welcome to email me directly with your complaints. It is inappropriate to make such remarks publicly, especially if you are coward enough to do it anonymously. My apologies to those of you that come here for the right reasons.

Sincerely,

Mander