ENJOYING THE LIGHT RAIN

After days of a nasty cold, I got to my last water coloring class at the Upper Duck Pond in Lithia Park.  We met beneath some spruce trees that sheltered us from the rain.  It was fun to watch several groups of young kids scamper by, enjoying an overcast day after yesterday's heavy rains.  The park is truly beautiful when the trees are so wet; the bark is much more distinctive and well-defined.
      We sat in our shelter of trees, and first sketched a small area of the pond, then bit by bit, painted in the details.  I didn't have my camera along, so this photo is from 15 months ago.  Ducks seem to love the rain!  Grateful we are getting this much needed rain in June, for we are under real drought conditions, more so than I can ever remember so early in the summer season.  Birds were chirping, happy for the moisture too.  I took a short walk, but was careful to not overdo it.  I chose to frame my simple painting, then needed a short rest after lunch.  Happily my caregiver Tanja came by, and with her encouragement, we got rid of some serious clutter in my living room, and created a sweet altar area, including my new painting, some soul cards, and a photo of Taryn and me walking along the beach at my mom and dad's Memorial Celebration last August.  I look forward to seeing my granddaughters and their parents in about two weeks!
    I'd forgotten how sweet it can be to be outside in light rain.  Sometimes I do get frustrated with being sick (this was unacceptable in my family, so I do need to be my own best friend when ill).  Listened this morning to a CD on De-stressing the Brain, and one suggestion is going for gratitude and quietly affirming my worthiness of having good friends, good health, appropriate self-care and accepting help from others too.  The Buddhist idea of loving kindness in the midst of life's challenges instead of reacting in ways that only add to the stress.  All for now.  May we all learn to be more loving, more tender toward ourselves!