Soundtrack: These days I toggle back and forth between Taylor Swift’s latest albums (Folklore and Evermore), the yoga class playlists I create on Spotify — you can follow my Spotify channel HERE — and my latest Audible purchase, in this case Beauty: The Invisible Embrace by Irish poet John O’Donohue. I have been totally enthralled with the gorgeous readings of poets O’Donohue and David Whyte. My previous Audible listen had been Being Ram Dass, which was pretty good although I will admit that I made it through “only” 15 of the 18 hours. I had to surrender at that point.

Bookshelf: I just finished Dusk Night Dawn: On Revival and Courage by Anne Lamott, which at times made me laugh out loud and at other times made me long for the Anne Lamott whose writing I fell in love with years ago. This one felt a little rushed, like she needed to get a COVID-related book out there before it was too late. I would have preferred a more thoughtful book that did not need to respond to COVID but responded instead to the human condition that exists with or without a pandemic. Maybe I was just cranky when I read it. Still worth your time, for sure, especially if you are a Lamott fan. I guess I just expect more from one of my writing heroes. I am currently reading a bunch of yoga-related books, including Radiant Rest: Yoga Nidra for Deep Relaxation and Awakened Clarity by Tracee Stanley. This is a book that’s as beautiful to look at and hold as it is to read. And, of course, I’ve been reading along with my own book of Lenten reflections, Not By Bread Alone. It’s always interesting to me to see what I wrote more than a year ago and how it applies to life today.

Menu: We opted to do a big Palm Sunday dinner yesterday since ham is not something our girls will eat — one vegetarian and one who eats only poultry. It was nice to set the dining room table on a non-holiday and break out the good china. Alongside our ham was homemade mac and cheese and roasted asparagus. We’ll be doing chicken/tofu parm and pasta for Easter dinner, so that’s something delicious to look forward to. Dennis has been cooking up lots of amazing meals lately — Thai chicken, pork chops pizzaiola, turkey dinners on random weekends. We’ve been eating far too well over here, and the scale shows it.

Viewfinder: I’m loving the signs of spring outside my window and the funny furry friends who keep us company every day. I remember at this time last year how consumed I was with the birds at the feeder and the bright green buds pushing up through the earth. Every single thing felt like a sign of hope in the midst of fear. This year it feels like a sign of hope that we have made it through the worst of the pandemic. I am already getting out onto our deck every time the temps rise and the sun comes out, sipping my coffee or wine (depending on the hour) and listening to the persistent cardinals high up in the trees calling to one another and the less showy but still delightful sparrows and juncos and robins pecking around near the feeder. Life is good. Here are a few shots:

Datebook: The big news at our house is that four out of five Pousts have received our first vaccines, all last week in four different locations. It felt like a great sigh of relief, and I can’t wait until we can get our second round. Easter is just a few days away, so that will be a day to celebrate, especially since we will see Olivia this week for the first time in months. I’ll be at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany on Easter morning for Mass with Bishop Scharfenberger at 11 a.m. Join us if you’re in town! And a few weeks down the road is Chiara’s Confirmation. Since she has chosen my dad as her sponsor (and Helena as her name in honor of my paternal grandmother) I’m hoping my dad and stepmom will be able to visit. We have not seen them since Christmas 2019, which is just crazy. Can’t wait to be together again.

GPS: Other than my excursion up to South Glens Falls to get my vaccine, my beautiful “lava-orange” Sante Fe doesn’t get much of a workout. I head into the office three days a week now and over to Jai Yoga School several times a week to teach or take classes. That’s pretty much the confines of my world at this point. Oh, and physical therapy for a back issue, although I hope that will wrap up this week. Essentially I don’t need a GPS and rarely drive more than six miles at a clip. I’m hoping that as the weather improves and our vaccines kick in that will change. Maybe we’ll even get to go on a vacation this summer, although that’s still a long shot. Here’s hoping, for all of us.

Have a peaceful and prayerful Holy Week. Spend some time in silence in the presence of God, even if you can’t get to a church due to COVID concerns. Just make some time to be present to this special time in our Church year. If you’d like a little Holy Week inspiration, check out this beautiful video message from Lutheran pastor Nadia Bolz Weber:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nadia Bolz-Weber (@sarcasticlutheran)

The post Manic Monday: Holy Week Edition appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

Soundtrack: I’m toggling between a few things: Advent at Ephesus by the Benedictines of Mary. Gorgeous! The playlists I create for my yoga classes, which you can find on my Spotify. And yet another new Taylor Swift album, Evermore. And, of course, the occasional Christmas carols. Lots of good music going on over here.

Bookshelf: As it turns out, I’m toggling over in the the book department as well. On my nightstand in hard copy format is The Long Loneliness by Dorothy Day, which I have started multiple times and am now finally getting around to reading fully. Powerful. When I’m in my car I’m listening to Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty on Audible. Loving this one so much I’ll probably buy the hard copy as well. Lots of helpful tips for prioritizing our lives and living more fully.

Menu: It’s been a carb-heavy season so far, much to the chagrin of my waistband. Homemade pizza last night, pasta and meatballs the night before. Mexican ordered from Los Panchos in Delmar — delish! That’s become a pandemic favorite. It’s among some of the local restaurants we had never visited or ordered from until COVID hit. La Empanada Llama is another new favorite for orders in. If you’re local, give them a try!

Viewfinder: Since I’m teaching so much yoga these days, lots of photos of Jai Yoga School or home yoga practice make their way into my feed. In addition, I’m doing an Instagram series on Christmas ornaments we pick up whenever we travel. Ornaments on location. Here are a couple of images from both series. And, if you don’t already follow me on Instagram, you’ll find me @MaryDTP518.

Datebook: In addition to working from home most days with visits to my “real” office once or twice a week, I am teaching at Jai two times per week, sometimes more if I’m subbing, as has been the case the past two weeks. You can find me in-studio or online for Gentle Yoga on Sundays at 11:!5 a.m. and for Invigorating Gentle on Mondays at 6 p.m. Today (Dec. 14) I also happen to be teaching Detox Yoga at 4:30 p.m. If you’d like to join me in-person or online, register at Jai Yoga School.

GPS: Not a lot of traveling these days. Most days my car doesn’t leave the garage. It pretty much drives to Jai Yoga School and back. That’s about it. We didn’t travel for Thanksgiving and we won’t be traveling for Christmas, because COVID. Stay home, stay safe, wear your mask when you’re out. This has been a Public Service Announcement.

The post Manic Monday: Advent edition appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

So that beautiful blossom you see here? We all know what’s just on the other side of surrender. Blossoming, beauty, transformation. The same is true for us, if we trust the process. This week, can you loosen your grip and let go enough to begin the transformation. It doesn’t have to be all at once. Even just a small loosening will allow your petals to unfurl. Blossom today, right where you are planted.

And now, on to the rest of our show.

Bookshelf: I always have multiple books going, usually a few different types. I can only read one novel at a time, and at this point that novel is The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett. This book has been sitting on my bookshelf unread for years. Not sure why. But, last week, when I was going remote camping, I needed something light and okay to get wet, so I decided that was the book. I’m loving it, but I’ve always loved Ann Patchett. (If you haven’t read State of Wonder, go get it and dive in. So amazing.) I am also just starting Mary Karr’s The Art of Memoir, which I picked up at at Dove & Hudson used books in Albany recently. It had been on my Amazon Wish List for years. Now it’s on my nightstand. I’ve become a big fan of memoir in the past couple of years. I can’t imagine I’ll ever write one, but I’m intrigued by how others do.

Soundtrack: I haven’t been listening to a ton of music lately, but when I do it’s often the new Taylor Swift album, Folklore. It’s a beautiful album. Even if you’re not typically a Swiftie, it’s worth checking out. I also tend to listen to a lot of spiritual music that verges on weird. Okay, it’s straight up weird. Wahe Guru by White Sun is one of my current favorites. I find it so soothing. Sometimes I just tell Alexa to play it while I’m making the bed or getting dressed. Calms my nerves. Now, what I AM listening to regularly, are my latest Audible selections. I just finished I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou — and read by Maya Angelou. Powerful, poetic, painful. If you have never read this book, I highly recommend listening to Maya tell her story. I’m following that up with Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequest. Another beautiful book, one I wish I would have written. As the title suggests, it’s about being present in our own lives in a very God-centered way. I may buy the hard copy after I finish the audio version.

Viewfinder: So much beauty out there in the world, despite the challenges we all face, individually and collectively, these days. I cannot get enough of the Rose of Sharon in my backyard and the birds and bees flying around and entertaining me on a full-time basis. Here are a couple of shots from the yard:

Menu: Lots of fresh produce this time of year, so that means lots of good meals, some cooked over a campfire. (A special kind of awesome.) Just yesterday I made Giambotta, which is the Italian version of Ratatouille, a vegetable stew chock full of summer goodness: eggplant, zucchini, green beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, and garlic, of course. Oh and lots of fresh basil torn up and thrown in at the last minute. You can serve it over crusty bread, over rice or couscous, or over pasta, as was our preference (big surprise). Here’s a photo of the end result:

GPS: We did not get to do a family vacation this year due to COVID, so that was a great disappointment, but I was lucky enough to be able to catch a few days of mother-daughter camping with Chiara up in the Adirondack Mountains. We spent one day at Pyramid Life Center before heading to a remote camp site nearby. What makes it remote? We have to bring all our gear in by canoe and kayak. We paddle everything across the lake, firewood included, and set up camp in a beautiful little spot where we can listen to the loons as we sleep in our tent at night, float around in crystal clear water, read as we swing in a travel hammock or sit by the fire, and generally forget the real world. There is zero cell service, which is a beautiful thing. And I get to spend quality time with my daughter and another mom-daughter duo.

Datebook: Some good news on the datebook front. Finally after months of quarantine and social distancing. The retreat I’m leading at Pyramid Life Center in September is ON. I have nine people signed up so far. Room for about 10 more while maintaining social distance requirements. Stillpoint: Creating Calm amid the Chaos will be offered Sept. 11-13 at the always beautiful Pyramid Life Center. It will be semi-silent (silent breakfasts and evenings after closing talks). There will be an opportunity for kayaking, hiking, collaging, journaling, praying, talking, and, above all, resting and renewing. The cost is only $150 and that includes the retreat, rustic accommodations, and all meals, all in a socially distanced setting. Below is a photo from my recent visit to Pyramid and one from a previous retreat. Sign up HERE if you’re interested (just scroll down in the dropdown until you see Stillpoint), or shoot me an email if you have additional questions.

The post Manic Monday: Blossom where you are planted appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

Bookshelf: So this weekend I thought I’d thin out my book collection. It didn’t take long for me to remember that there’s a very good reason my book collection is out of control: I love them all!!! Even the ones I never finished, or haven’t yet picked up. Almost all of my books have some sort of story or connection attached. It was a favorite book during college, it was the book that got me to expand my writing, it was the novel that sucked me in and changed me forever, it was the spiritual book that introduced me to new places in my soul. Bottom line: No books were harmed during this exercise. In fact, I had two more books arrive via Sunday USPS delivery: Rewilding: Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening Nature, which may have been an overreach on my part since it looks very outdoorsy and challenging, and One Degree Revolution: How the Wisdom of Yoga Inspires Small Shifts that Lead to Big Changes,” which looks like the perfect complement to my yoga teacher training and life in general during this time of isolation. I’ll let you know if I tackle any of the fire-stoking, shelter-building and trail-blazing in Rewilding. If you don’t hear from me for a while, send a search party. I’m lost and completely ill-equipped to forage for food (another activity in this book).

Now Playing: This isn’t really playing now, because I’ve already seen it, although it’s free for viewing during the pandemic, so I might watch it again, and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves silence or wants to learn to love silence: In Pursuit of Silence, a meditative exploration of our relationship with silence, sound and the impact of noise on our lives. You can watch it free HERE. I loved this so much that I then purchased Notes on Silence by Cassidy Hall and Patrick Shen. It’s so marked up with neon pink post-it notes, the pages are more marked than unmarked. Check it out, and let me know what you think. And if you try these and want more, go check out the podcast Encountering Silence, which is what I used to listen to as I drove to and from work — back when I used to have to leave the house to work.

Soundtrack: Although music is a staple here in the Poust House, this week I have to share with you the Audible book I am devouring: What to Remember When Waking: The Disciplines of an Everyday Life, by poet David Whyte. I ended up with this book because Audible recommended it for me. I had never heard of it before and clicked the “purchase” button because I figured, Why not? It sounded pretty good. Oh, it is SO much better than good. It is beautiful, astounding, heartbreaking, soul-filling, mind-stretching… I could go on. I plan to buy the print book, because see above adjectives, but if you are going to give this book a try, by all means, go with Audible. His reading of this book is as good as the writing of this book. I actually found myself weeping at one point when the author read one of his poems about his daughter and the slant of light on her palm as he carried her. It is a gorgeous book that I believe I’ll come back to again and again whenever I need a dose of beauty, peace, inspiration, and perhaps a nudge toward transformation. Go buy it. You won’t be disappointed.

Viewfinder: My camera is usually pointed at something we’re serving up for dinner or something spotted in my yard. It’s that kind of pandemic. Maybe that will change in the not-too-distant future. Let’s hope. But here’s a quick glimpse of what I’ve been seeing and snapping this week:

Menu: Lots of good food happening over here, but this was definitely one of the highlights: a nutella-strawberry crepe whipped up for me by Olivia. It was unbelievably delicious, and I am unbelievably spoiled.

GPS: I have not left the premises since the April 29 outing I posted about here last week. How crazy is that?!? Still locked down. Although I have to admit that I am pretty content living within the confines of my house and yard and slowing down long enough to soak up the everyday beauty all around me. Not that there aren’t also everyday annoyances, but, overall, I’m pretty lucky to be locked down in such a beautiful, comfortable spot with my whole family at home. #grateful

Datebook: Coming up on May 23 is my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training midterm. I have not taken a midterm since I graduated from college in 1984. The struggle is real, especially when anatomy is involved. But, I’m chugging along, taking practice tests, reading and re-reading and trying to remember where the heck the “h” goes in every Sanskrit word. Is it after the “b” and “v” but not after the “d.” I’m working on it folks, getting closer every day. I am so excited to be shifting back into forward motion on this training and to know that maybe certification and registration as a yoga teacher is not that far away. This goal has been a long time in the making.

See you next week. Stay safe, stay happy, stay true to you.

The post Manic Monday: poetry, podcasts and more appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

Overall, this past week has brought with it very strong feelings of gratitude. As I knelt in church last night, I had an overwhelming sense of joy for the many blessings I’ve received lately — Noah’s restored health, the kids’ safe return from their school trip, Noah’s many college options, my own busy work schedule, the chance to see some old friends.

I hope you have a blessed and grace-filled Holy Week. Here’s the Manic Monday run down…

Bookshelf: I’m working my way through At Least You’re in Tuscany: A Somewhat Disastrous Quest for the Sweet Life by Jennifer Criswell. As my faithful NSS readers already know, I love anything that has to do with Italy. I like this book, although I don’t love it. Yet. Maybe I’ll feel differently by the end. It’s not bad, but when I read a book about Italy I want to be transported. I want to smell the food and feel the cobblestones underfoot. Yes, I ask a lot of my books about Italy.

Menu: It’s been an unusual week of eating for us with both big kids away for five days. Lots of easy-to-make treats. Like this antipasto: 

GPS: Although I’ve been close to home, my kids are traveling far and wide. Noah and Olivia spent the past five days or so in Williamsburg, Va., with the Bethlehem Lab School. Despite rain every single day, they had a great time. Noah departs for a 10-day trip to Italy on Good Friday. I’m reading the detailed itinerary this morning and just cannot believe I don’t get to go. I am so jealous. He’ll hit spots I’ve never seen — Verona, Venice, Padua, Pisa — as well as places I have — Florence, Assisi, Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Capri. Eighty teenagers and 19 chaperones. Imagine moving that group through 10 cities in 10 days?!? Please say a prayer for their safety.

Datebook: Last night Noah decided on Le Moyne College out of the many wonderful options he had. So, come fall, he’ll be headed to Syracuse to major in biology. He picked it specifically because it is not only Catholic but Jesuit, which makes perfect sense for my science-minded faith-filled boy. I am so proud of him.

Viewfinder: A few visual highlights from the past week….

Noah and Olivia in Williamsburg, Va.

My sweetie found Chianti from the winery we visited when we were in Siena this fall — Coltibuono.

A touch of spring despite cold, wintery weather. Thank you, Paula!

A reunion of colleagues from Catholic New York during Dennis’ baseball draft.

Soundtrack: Here’s a new song Dennis downloaded for me. Funny thing is, I had snapped a photo of the artist/title of this song when it was on SiriusXM recently because I planned to download it for him. Kismet. It’s called “Made for You” by Alexander Cardinale. Enjoy.

The post Manic Monday: Family, friends and feeling blessed appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

Menu: We prepared for Lent with Fat Tuesday pancakes at the kids’ request. There’s something especially fun about breakfast for dinner. We added in some bacon since Noah said he was going vegetarian for all of Lent except Sundays. The rest of us decided to join him in that endeavor. Well, Olivia was already there, but Dennis, Chiara and I signed on for that sacrifice as well. Chiara did it under duress and was given permission to eat meat at school when she buys lunch. I think eating school cafeteria meat ranks as a sacrifice all on its own.

Here are our yummy Mardi Gras pancakes, made with Kate’s Real Buttermilk, our favorite for pancakes and Irish soda bread:

We followed that up on Ash Wednesday by breaking our fast with loads of veggies over linguini, and we rounded out the week with vegetarian split pea soup, mushroom and onion quesadillas, and vegetarian penne a la vodka for the kids on Saturday while Dennis and I had sole Francaise at Milestone Restaurant for our weekly date night.

Bookshelf: This week I’ve got a few books going at once, which is never good because it means I’ll remember nothing. I’m simultaneously reading Home-Based Business for Dummies because I’m trying to expand my reach, as well as Adult Faith: Growing in Wisdom and Understanding because I’m taking a class at my parish during Lent. In between I’m looking at guidebooks to Italy because I’m thinking about leading another pilgrimage next year.

However, because I never seem to finish any book, I recently purchased Read More Books Now by Brandon Vogt, a 10-video course with bonus materials to help me read faster and retain more. Just started that, so check back in a couple of days for more on how that’s going. But, if you’re interested in checking it out right now, click HERE. If you purchase it by Thursday of this week, you’ll get it on sale with the bonus material, so don’t wait.

Viewfinder: Lots of fun things going on this week thanks to my children. Here’s Chiara attempting to snowboard using a regular sled. (We’ve promised to get her real snowboard lessons, if not this winter then next.) She’s pretty good, and she’s a daredevil, so I think she’ll be a natural.

And here’s my little snow bunny up close. Too cute:

As you know from earlier this week (if you stop by NSS regularly), Olivia is leaving positive post-its in random places as part of her Lenten practice. Yesterday morning we came down to the kitchen to find the one below. We also spied her leaving a “You are wonderful” note inside a worship aid at church. I love these kids.

We capped off our weekend with a winter martini in our Oval Office glasses that we found in an antique store on South Congress in Austin years ago. Austin — where it’s warm right now, or at least not -11 degrees. Did I mention that I’m not sure why we ever left? Sigh.

GPS: We head back out to SUNY Oneonta this week with Noah for a Scholars’ Day event. It’s on his short list of possible college choices along with Siena, Le Moyne, and possibly SUNY Geneseo, if they ever get to sending those acceptances out (March, we hear).

Soundtrack: Heard this on The Coffeehouse on SiriusXM this week and went directly to iTunes to buy it. Check it out:

The post Manic Monday: Our main goal is staying warm appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

Bookshelf: I finally have my own hardcover copy of Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less, which kept surfacing and resurfacing in my life until I finally figured I should borrow it from the library. After one renewal and lots of notes, I decided that this was one to have on my shelf for handy reference and so Dennis can read it when I’m done. Good book about doing what’s most important in life, not setting a long list of priorities that make everything equally important but picking the ONE thing at that moment that is MOST important. Hard to do because it always means a trade-off or a sacrifice.

GPS: I was blessed to be the leader/speaker of the 22nd annual Christian Mothers’ Retreat at Christ the King Retreat House in Syracuse this weekend. Our topic was my favorite: “Broken, Beautiful, and Beloved: Learning to See Ourselves through God’s Eyes,” and, as always, I got more than I gave. At least from my perspective. What a wonderful group of women and so inspiring. They started this retreat on their own 22 years ago with no parish or diocesan or organizing group as a sponsor. Just a bunch of moms who wanted spiritual nourishment and community. They are like one big family — godparents to each other’s children, best friends, encouragers, supporters, listeners, pray-ers. We talked about our brokenness and our belovedness and how to fit prayer into our very busy lives. And we made collages, my new favorite activity. Here are some of the ladies at work in the dining room.

Menu: Last night we made a Turkey dinner with all the trimmings. All of the yumminess of Thanksgiving with none of the stress. And we have enough leftovers for another mini-Thanksgiving during the week. I highly recommend doing this some time during the year if you love Thanksgiving but never feel like you get to relax during the meal. And we always have something to be thankful for, right?

Spiritual Signs: Although I love to pray and write a lot about different prayers devoted to the saints, I am not one to go to the saints very often. In particular, I never pray to St. Therese of Lisieux. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love her and her story and her Little Way, but I’ve just never felt compelled to call on her intercession. Then on Friday, I was reading about Pope Francis and his penchant for calling on St. Therese to take up his prayer needs and give him a sign. And the sign St. Therese is said to leave is roses. Again, it’s just never been part of my prayer life. But on this day, as I headed to Syracuse with some special prayer needs, I decided to call on St. Therese, hoping for a sign but not expecting one. I got to my retreat house room, put my bags down and looked for someplace to hang my clothes. I slowly opened the only door that could be a closet in the beautiful old room with a fireplace and enormous old-fashioned bathtub. I was worried I might be going somewhere I shouldn’t, like another person’s room. As the door swung open I could see hangers and stepped in all the way, and when I did, I was floored. There to my left, in what amounted to a big storage closet, were four giant vases filled with red roses. Velvet ones, mind you, but roses nonetheless. I have to say, she got my attention and I will not be so quick to ignore her in the future. To top it off, the next morning, when I told two of the women sitting in the conference room about the experience, one woman pointed to the wall behind where I was sitting, and there was a picture of St. Therese. Okay, I got it. You’re listening. I may have to go back and re-read her Story of a Soul.

Viewfinder: Two spontaneous shots to share with you, and by spontaneous I mean not quite in focus or thought out in advance.

Here’s the gorgeous sunset from the driver’s seat as I returned from Syracuse on Saturday evening. It was so jaw-droppingly beautiful I couldn’t help it. I just picked up the iPhone that was in the cupholder next to me, aimed it out the window and hoped I managed to capture even some of the magnificent sky. Here you go. Sunset at 65 MPH:

Meanwhile back at home…Olivia took out the garage-sale guitar we picked up for her a few years ago and decided to give it a try. So I tuned it up and showed her a few chords. I love this photo of Olivia playing and Chiara in the background in our living room. I have to admit that this photo of Olivia reminds me of myself when I was her age and played guitar day and night. Makes me smile:

Soundtrack: A little music for your Tuesday. This one is a new (to me) favorite: “Shelter” by The Strange Familiar.

The post Manic Monday: Oh, wait. It’s Twisted Tuesday. appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

Bookshelf: Still reading Thich Nhat Hanh’s You Are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment, and still trying to discover the magic. I’m not so good at the present moment. I’m incredibly good at the next moment and totally entrenched in the last moment but not so adept at the now moment. I’m working on it.

GPS: Well, as I’ve already mentioned above, we’ve been spending a lot of time on the road, this last time without our trusty GPS known as Katniss. No far-from-home plans on tap until we head back to the Jersey Shore — North Wildwood next time — in August. My happy place. Okay, any time I’m at the ocean (or by a lake) it’s my happy place.

Dennis, on the other hand, plugged in the GPS and had his own adventure this weekend, when he headed to St. Mary’s on the Lake (George) for a retreat. I have to share the awesome shot he took from his kayak, over there on the right. Doesn’t that just make you breathe deep and relax your shoulder muscles, or is that just me?

Menu: Lots of great eating this past week — from the delicious NYC bagel at Zucker’s, to the homemade fettucini at Monte’s in the Village, to the delicious tofu dish and miso soup at Pan Asia in Forked River, NJ, to the homemade (by me) birthday dinner of seafood scampi for Chiara (her pick).  Maybe I should stick with yogurt and salad for a few days…Nah.

Viewfinder: We have had too many great views to share them all here. NYC alone provided so many wonderful shots, and not just of the obvious stuff, although I have to admit that getting close to the Statue of Liberty was a highlight. Haven’t been there since my fifth-grade field trip. This time we just went with a water view — Staten Island Ferry. How is that still free? A couple of shots from our week…

Statue of Liberty

Chrysler Building – my favorite

In Central Park

Soundtrack: Lots of great music was played during those many hours of driving, so it’s hard to choose one song. Here’s an old one that’s back at the top of my playlist thanks to Dennis: Collide by Howie Day.

The post Manic Monday: On the road again appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

Before we get on with the rest of Manic Monday, just take a look at that beautiful July sunset over the Stewart’s Shop near our house. Don’t forget to look for God’s beauty in unexpected places — like when you’re at a gas pump a mile from home.  Anyway, away we go with the rest of Manic Monday…

Bookshelf: When I was at the library last week, working at one of the desks hidden behind the fiction section, I had the sudden urge for some easy-to-digest spiritual food for thought. One of my favorites in this category is Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, whose writing always inspires and whose Buddhist philosophy actually complements my Catholic faith life quite nicely. So I picked up You Are Here: Discovering the Magic in the Present Moment.

GPS: I had a chance to put my driving-as-prayer suggestion into practice when I hit the road on Friday and headed west to see my childhood friend, Kari, who was staying with her sister just outside of Syracuse. We have been friends for more than 40 years, although we rarely get to see each other anymore. Doesn’t matter though. We pick up right where we left off in high school. It was a wonderful almost-24 hours of friendship and laughter and sunshine, of good food on the deck and beautiful children splashing in the pool, of quiet conversations late into the night and early morning coffee shared before the kids woke up. Such a gift. I am blessed.

Viewfinder:  Syracuse one day, the Bronx the next. Dennis and I took the kids to the Bronx Zoo, an almost-annual tradition that we all love. It was a beautiful day for it, although by mid-afternoon we had surpassed steamy, as evidenced by my willingness to knot a broken hair tie and pull my hair into a ponytail because I couldn’t take it anymore. The animals were in fine form despite the heat. The grizzlies were frolicking in the pool; the gorillas were resting but full of quizzical and serious and playful looks; the tigers were on the move; the monkeys were putting on a show as they swung from vine to vine. We always become members of the zoo when we make these trips because it not only saves us money but allows us to become part of the Wildlife Conservation Society, which does amazing work to make sure animals that are endangered or close to extinction manage to survive. And in case you have issues with zoos, know this: The grizzly bear you see here, as well as the others that live with him are considered “nuisance bears” because they continually worked their way into human territory. If not for WCS and the Bronx Zoo, those bears would have been put down. Instead, they’re climbing rocks and playing together in a pond.

And here’s a lovely peacock who was walking around in the food court. You know me and peacocks. Couldn’t resist a photo when he was walking right in front of me.  Unfortunately, he was almost off screen by the time I snapped this. Still, look at those feathers! (You can click on it for a closer view.)

Menu: After our day at the Bronx Zoo, we headed to our favorite restaurant on Arthur Avenue: Dominick’s. No menu, no prices, no credit cards. They pretty much tell you what you want to eat, and we are never disappointed. We were stuffed to overflowing and took home enough for at least three more dinners. Here’s my stellar cavatelli with rapini in garlic and oil. Delish. Next time, however, we will go on a Saturday so we can go to all the other shops.

Soundtrack: This one makes me happy. And I do believe we’ll be okay.

The post Manic Monday: Rocking the Bronx. And Syracuse. appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.

Bookshelf: Last minute change-up last week because some writers I know said they loved this book: I Remember Nothing by Nora Ephron. Some of it I love; some of it bores me, but a lot of it speaks to me as a writer and as a 50-something woman who can’t remember anything.

Menu: We have been doing A LOT of eating out these days between special events and our new weekly date night, so this week we’re going to try something different: eating healthy for a while. Boring, I know. But it doesn’t have to be. And we’ve still got Olivia’s graduation dinner at Sam’s to look forward to on Thursday. Around here, even when we’re eating healthy, fresh pesto made from the basil growing on our deck is always high on the list. That bowl of glorious green over there on the right is the first batch we made last week.

GPS: We’ve been hitting the Town Pool lately, trying to make sure we get our money’s worth out of that family membership. It’s been too breezy for me to even consider jumping in the water, but I do love sitting in the warm sun, especially now that all three kids are able to handle themselves in the pool without assistance. (Last year Chiara was still a little too young, at least in my book.) When pool weather first approached, I got that queasy feeling in my stomach at the thought of putting on my bathing suit since I’m ten pounds heavier than I was last summer at this time (see weekly date night and unhealthy eating referenced above.) But for the first time in my life I have to say that I didn’t really care. In fact, Dennis has been telling how prefers me at this weight over my more angular lower weight. So it looks like a win-win for me. I went out and bought two new dresses to celebrate. Being over 50 really is pretty freeing.

Sideshow: It wasn’t really a sideshow, as far as I’m concerned. It was the main event. Lucinda Williams concert at The Egg last week. Amazing. I wrote about my love affair with Lucinda HERE, and that’s a photo from the show up top.

Viewfinder: Here’s the cool photo collage Dennis made of our overnight date night in Albany this week. So fun. (You can click on image to enlarge it.)

Soundtrack: When Dennis and I were sipping cocktails at the Capital American Lounge & Eatery on North Pearl at the start of our big overnight date night (which I wrote about HERE), I was captivated by a song playing in the background. So Dennis used Shazam to figure out what it was: Ella Eyre performing “Love Me Like You.” When we got home yesterday, I purchased not only that song but Deeper by the same artist. Both are great. I love discovering new (to me) artists. (And I love her big curly hair.) Here’s “Love Me Like You.” Enjoy.
http://youtu.be/dvMz_6UB1L4

The post Manic Monday: On the edge of summer appeared first on Not Strictly Spiritual.