I write about my life experience as part of my spiritual path.  I have learned that whatever I’m going through is likely what everyone else around me is going through. That’s why we find ourselves all together. When I tell my story, however, I’m mindful that I’m telling someone else’s story as well. Unless they’ve given me permission to name them, I don’t mind changing names and details, but one friend asked me to write nothing whatsoever.  I was spending a lot of time with her several years ago and gaining valuable insights. One reason I was involved in particular projects with her is because they inspired me to thoughts and ideas and revelations in other parts of my life.  Words and phrases she said to me triggered a line of thought that led to an inner awakening. I journalled about it and wanted to share what I wrote.  So when she said I could mention nothing, that left me with an entire area of my life that I couldn’t write about, for as long as I knew her. That’s not only a hassle, it’s inauthentic. It was easier to stop spending time with her and get involved with someone less conditional.
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I did a Yelp review for Pho Bolsa Vietnamese Restaurant Palm Bay, FL :  I gave it 3 stars because I tasted only one soup which I’ll be back for. I went today for the first time. Pho Bolsa opened last month at the former site of Fiesta Azteca and it’s been completely redone inside. I eat pho and asian noodle soups all over town. PhoViet on Hwy 192 is my current favorite.  At Pho Bolsa, I had the vegetarian noodle soup $5.95. It was full of broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, carrot, squash and tofu as well as rice noodles.  A very flavorful broth, frankly I expected just broth and noodles, so I took the vegs home with half the broth. The beef pho looked good but I wasn’t in the mood for slabs of meat. The stirfry dishes looked good and were served beautifully plated. There were 7 tables, 17 diners at 12:30pm. Service was timely and  pleasant. No basil accompanied the bean sprouts, lemon wedge and jalapeno but the broth was so flavorful, I didn’t ask for it. They have a tom yum on the dinner menu only, it’s served as a noodle soup for $10.50. I will return for that and for the pho as well. Pleasant, serene atmosphere, ambient music, I sat in the main dining room, a wide open space with a high ceiling, natural and overhead lighting. There is more cozy seating in the other side. Don’t be fooled by the paper menu with items crossed off, there is nothing shabby about Pho Bolsa. Good food, pleasant people, I’ll be back.

Golden Pothos

I’ve been enjoying working in the yard the past few months. The landscape here changes with every drop of dew and every blossom. Yesterday I pulled all the thin, cut bamboo poles out of the garden and lined them up to choose by size to weave a fence for new area.  I cut my 80 feet long giant golden pothos into manageable 4 feet lengths and planted in the front berm. The pothos was a giant wall, leaves twice as big as dinner plates, until the cold dropped the leaves and left me with only one 80 feet long bare strand. I first prepared the ground for it by stabbing a shovel into the ground to break up the roots, then pulling up all the crabgrass and wedelia. I planted the cuttings in 3 horizontal rows 8″ (20 cm) apart and 8″ deep. I watered it all in then covered with several inches of mulch. That part of the yard is closest the street but it’s also under high shade all day. I thought I’d spend some time and effort making my yard pretty for whoever passes by.    Continue reading →

Digging in the yard I am reminded where old boundary lines were as I encounter the old bricks. Each year as I dig, I widen the boundary a little bit to give the plants more sun since every year the oak overhead covers the area with a little bit more shade. It hurts as I run into the boundaries unexpectedly and even though they are embedded deep and they are heavy, they are relatively easy to move with a little leverage from the shovel. I smooth the land out and fill it back in and move my boundary several feet wider in the never ending quest to stay in the light.

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold that the bird froze and fell to the ground in a large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped a load of hot dung on it. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of shit, it began to realize how warm it was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung. The cat promptly dug the bird out, killed him and ate him.  Lesson:
1. Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.
2.  Not everyone who pulls you out of shit is your friend.
3.  If you’re warm and happy in your pile of shit, keep your mouth shut!