Succulent storytelling

Yesterday morning I was having a conversation in my head. You know, the whole idea that there are no new ideas in the world? That we keep telling the same stories over and over? And how that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t tell them anyway? I came to some really powerful revelations.

First, did you know:

11% of 30+ year olds maintain a personal blog

and

there are 152 million blogs on the Internet?

Infographics via @kevwrex 

What is going on with all these blogs? I couldn’t regularly read even 100 in a day without making it a full time job. Somehow these personal narratives are serving a purpose. And then I envisioned how we live our life in circles. The Google+ developers must have had the same idea.

Christopher David Ryan

We make friends, and we say they are now “part of our circle.” We become interested in, or at least exposed to, the things they are interested in. Suddenly we find ourselves in capoeira class or traveling the world with middle schoolers thinking, “Huh, ten years ago I never imagined I would find myself here.” We are led down a journey of life--experiencing, learning from our mistakes, searching for purpose, loving, and being loved. We seek out the comfort and wisdom of those around us as we create the life we feel we want to live.

And this is why we all need to retell the same stories.

The common threads that weave through our lives guide our actions year after year. Our surroundings shift, and we revise our stories to fit more modern times. Nowadays as “the digital world bleeds into the physical world and personal relationships migrate to the web,” we find ourselves with friends and guides whom we’ve never met in the flesh. These relationships can be as important as the people we see at the office or in the mommy’s group. We can’t predict where our next bit of wisdom may come from or who might need to hear our stories. Our circles are widening with surprising friendships, like bloggers who drive to Canada and stay in the homes of bloggy friends they have never “met.” (Great post from {not your average ordinary}!) I believe that we find each other for very particular reasons. Some friendships last for years and others for just a brief instant, still, they are no less powerful. We have but one job—to share our stories with anyone who cares to listen.

Feeling supercharged, I grabbed SARK’s book Succulent Wild Woman off the shelf to read in my breezy backyard. I have a hard time finishing books (I’m usually in the middle of 9 things at once), so I opened to the page bookmarked with an old receipt. And naturally, here’s what it said:

And if that wasn’t enough to let me know I was on the right track, this Succulent Wild Bird suddenly glided across the backyard and landed in my orange tree, 

as if to say, "Helloooo, over here! Yes, you! You got it!"

[Birds have recently become my personal messengers!]

So, that’s it. No more hiding behind “there isn’t enough time” or “what if it’s not good enough.” It’s time to daringly share our stories, succulent or simple.

I am a storyteller, and whoever wants to listen is more than welcome.

Please...come and join me!

First drafts

Opening the door,

light spills
 

early morning magic.

Glittery sparkleshine

comes from you alone.

I hear your words,
 

see your visions,
 

feel your dance
 

radiating wonder.

SF AIDSWALK

Today I participated in my third San Francisco AIDSWALK in Golden Gate Park. This was my second time performing here as a musician with the Panhandlers Steel Drum Band.

Early morning view of the start line

From the reports I heard, 25,000 walkers raised over $3 million dollars to support services that improve quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS. The Panhandlers have been donating their gift of music at the event for at least 12 years.

Being at the starting line is a beautiful and overwhelming experience. We begin to play while the crowd eagerly waits for the gates to open. Once they do, a flood of people walk right towards us before turning to continue down the route. All of their collective support, excitement, and togetherness washes over us as they dance, smile, and holler past us. As you can imagine, this city feels the affects of HIV/AIDS more deeply than most other places in the country. Last year I secretly wiped away a tear or two in between songs.

The route is a loop so the walkers pass us again on their return to the finish line. Event volunteers wave pom poms and ring cowbells to celebrate each walker's return. Once they reach the finish line, people really stop and dance, come close to curiously look at our drums, and take group pictures.

That's me in the hat!

I really love the community feeling amongst the walkers. Groups from many large corporations come and walk wearing specially designed team t-shirts. Individual walkers come, too. Many people brought dogs and/or kids. The first dog to reach the finish received a huge cheer! I think he was both proud and overwhelmed.

Even the weather cleared, leaving us with a beautiful view of Sutro Tower through the eucalyptus trees.

I'm so honored to be a part of this event. I hold close to me those I know and have known whose lives have been affected by this disease. They are fathers and sons and children, women as well as men. In 2011, they live with less fear and greater comfort, thanks to those who have worked to bring a cure ever closer.

This is the power of community. Where do you participate with your community?

{If you have an extra minute or two, take a peek at this video to share in the magic of today's event!}

Garden dreams are growing

Early on in the spring I posted about my plans for a summer vegetable garden bed. Since we rent our little cottage we call The Grass House, we are limited in our renovation abilities. Still, an empty corner of packed dirt called out to be tilled. I'm happy to report--things are growing! Here's a sunny update on what's blooming (during the coldest week of our summer so far.)

Loosening the clay dirt

First I have to give enormous, love-filled thanks to my Ben, who ended up putting in all the manual labor as I sat in the director's chair with a swollen foot. He is above and beyond expectation and simply the dreamiest. Thanks also to my mom, another great backyard gardener who helped put the bed in, and Ben's parents who gave us their old cement bricks.

Oh boy.

I was excited to try some options that would maximize the small space. Notice that the bed is more a trapezoid than a rectangle. Great idea for using a corner space but if you don't spend time on measurements and angles, you'll end up needing to break some bricks to make them fit.

We decided to put the second layer of bricks face down for stability. It's holding well!

I loved seeing this bed come together and dumping it full of rich compost to amend the soil. Between the end of the school year and hobbling on crutches, it took awhile to get our plants in the ground. Finally we found sun gold tomatoes, watermelon beefsteak tomatoes, a volunteer cherry from Ben's brother-in-law, and zucchini all from my favorite local nursery, Wegman's.

The zucchini were apparently a tasty midnight snack for some creature (maybe the neighbor cat?) and we decided to wall the bed with netting until the plants become more established.

Zucchini with two blooms

My big success!

I had originally planned to line a small upper tier with another layer of bricks for herbs. This would give the bed an interesting shape and allow the center plants to be reached more easily. In the end, I decided against it. The space didn't really allow for it with the plants I had, but I'd be curious to try it in the next round. I planted some lime basil and cilantro seeds around the tomato plants. I read somewhere that planting basil next to tomatoes brings out their flavor. We'll see if they sprout.

Late addition--mixed greens in an oak barrel in the shade!

On my mind...

I'm a rule follower. I'm also very true to my word.

So when I say something like, "I'll post here every day until July 31st" it would take a major catastrophe to stand in the way.

Even if I feel stuck.

So far today I received a clean bill of health at the dentist, purchased a fantastico chocolate fudge cake for a birthday celebration tonight, and marveled at my newly blooming dahlia. I discovered some awesome new blogs and a new band. And I thought a lot.

from Arizmendi Bakery, San Francisco

"Dinner Plate"

Not every day can provide for a full essay on self-discovery or philosophy or education or anything else, without putting in some major hours. So it's time to build my chops in another genre called

SIMPLICITY.

(I even have the urge to write the word in fancy, scripty, swirly font. Darn it!) Realizing that I love writing and I love BIG projects has been important. And while I'm excited to share some more of my bigger ideas and contemplations, I also want to give them the time they fully deserve. It's important that we communicate just what we mean when we put our words out into the world.

I'm taking a breath and letting it all go. I'd love to hear about how other people have broadened their styles. Have you found it challenging to keep your ideas small and specific?

Take a chance on a smile

Earlier in the spring I went out for a walk in the neighborhood with my sweet pup, Millie.

She was enjoying the early scent of dew kissed grass, and I was enjoying the quiet of the world waking up. Approaching us was a long-lived, distinguished gentleman out for some morning exercise. When he got close enough to fully take in the cuteness of my quirky, fluffy Millerific, he said to her,

"Well, what a nice surprise!"

I imagined that he took this route every morning and had never come across the pair of us jauntily heading toward the park. My heart grew warm and a smile overflowed with the idea of something so simple bringing so much joy to this kind man. We exchanged happy wishes and continued on, feeling a little more connected, more solid in our place in the world.

I love this about my neighborhood. It reminds me of people from my grandparents' generation, back in the 1930s and '40s. Nearly everyone I pass while out and about says hello or waves. And why not? We're sharing a common space and a common purpose as we go about our day, walking down the street. Even research has shown that smiling affects our mood and general health, relieves anxiety, and helps us connect with others. 

So take a chance...smile at a stranger, share a 'good morning'...it's likely you'll leave them feeling happier. And happiness is contagious.

Happiness is...

photo by Instagram

Big Chocolate Chip Cookies! ...watching these 4 oz monsters melt into a giant cookie pie in the oven and then eating the gooey insides right off the cooling rack.

photo from My Baking Addiction

Nectarine Galette! ...making my own crust and not having it fall apart everywhere. Deliciously fresh summer stone fruits. Serving dessert to my family and friends on my favorite platter from Grandma's house.

photo by Bryan Matthews

Pinterest dessert boards - where I found these delicious recipes!