Photo Credit Brad Bradley

Thai Pork soup, Thai Tea and Kimchi at the Krathong Festival at Thai Buddhist Temple Wat Punyawanaram, 4490 Aurora in Melbourne. We used to go there often, the temple was in a private home in the 90’s until they built the new larger one in 2003.  http://watpun.org/
Visiting Daily: 7AM to 8PM
Meditation Daily 7-8AM and 7-8PM
Thrift Shop: Wed to Sunday 9AM-4PM
Thai Food: Every Sunday 10AM-2PM

Thai Kitchen off Aurora at Wickham Road was a favorite after worship lunch spot for years until the new temple opened.  It was a weekly routine for years, church or temple, then giant bowls of hot Thai soup. It deepened my understanding of Thai Buddhist culture and my love for all foods Thai.

I have a habit of feeling guilty when I choose to spend time alone rather than with a friend.  It’s not just that I have a lot of things around here waiting to be done, it’s also that I enjoy my own company and look forward to time alone to garden, to paint, to do home projects and repairs.  I like doing things alone because only when my attention is focused within can I access the inner voice of my internal guidance system. If someone or some sound is present, my attention goes to them rather than within.  In the silence is when I get to spend quality time, pleasurable time, with Spirit and inner guidance.  And it’s not just an empty mind space, although there are times it is that as well. I found that once you tap into inner guidance, if you’ve got an inquisitive nature you can enter into constant conversation with the voice in the head, asking questions, discussing answers, working out issues past and present.  Continue reading →

If I was smart, before I launched into a big project like cutting and weaving thorny green palmetto fronds, I’d put on gloves and a heavy, long armed work shirt. At least I had on heavy jeans and yard boots. My hands and forearms are shredded. But, coconut oil to the rescue, I heal fast, 2-3 days will be good as new.

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Today I tore down and rebuilt the nature wall across the back property access left by the tree cutters. I didn’t build it well before, so I pulled all the bamboo down and layered it proper.  The wall started out with a frame similar to this shown to the right but using bamboo rods. I secured the rods with living grape vines and then overlaid with palmetto stumps, fronds and potato vine. I forgot to leave a space for me to sneak out of.

Nothing that happens in the world needs to affect our happiness. During a storm, the small, slim willow bends in the wind while the giant oak may break and fall. A storm may rage on all around us, yet we be completely safe and untouched where we are.

I’m turning into my mother. For months I’ve been haunting yard sales and thrift stores for a couple of pole lamps. Yesterday I had the bright idea to just go to Home Depot and buy them new. We’re only talking $24.97 each. I now have full bright light capability in every room. I kinda like it. I usually keep lights dim and sounds low when I’m not working, finding it more restful. The brights though are invigorating.

To everyone who’s not thrilled with the election results, this too shall pass. Think of today as a good lesson in surrendering, going with the flow and offering it up. Remember that whatever happens is the will of God – and if we’re in the midst of God’s will — like it or not — how can we not rejoice? It doesn’t end here. The best is yet to be.

RELATED:  Life after the election: It’s up to me what I experience because it’s up to me where I choose to place my focus

Lots of people are unhappy with election results.  But that’s always the way.  Lots of these people didn’t vote. But that’s always the way.  At times like this we are encouraged to practice knowing that nothing that happens in the world needs to affect our happiness.  It helps to remember that during a storm, the small, slim willow bends in the wind while the giant oak, firmly rooted, may break and fall.  A storm may rage on all around us, yet we be completely safe and untouched where we are.  Entire neighborhoods may be devastated in an earthquake, yet that one lone house on the cliff remain intact.  Continue reading →