Riding the Pooka

Dressing For Success with One Breast

Built in the 1880’s the house where I spent my early childhood had three front doors and two staircases. My father’s medical practice took up about half of the downstairs, and its entrance used the north door on the front of the house. The other two, which lead to the private residence, were permanently locked. The central entrance foyer, with its beautiful…

Nothing but Blue Skies, (I mean big freaking storm and it’s alright)

Actually the blue skies are only in my heart- outside my window a big storm is breaking- trees are swaying, rain is lashing against the windows and the kitties are restless. As a large storm begins to swirl around the North Coast I wanted to send out a quick note, least the electricity go out for…

Don’t Think about Pink Elephants

There is a certain looking-for-trouble aspect of the oncology world that rattles me. I am going in for my yearly mammogram next week. A ridiculous activity geared to make money versus because it makes sense. Everyone in the equation knows that I have an extremely dense breast, and that my mammogram will be inconclusive – a breast…

Runner bean blossoms and fire wood.

This post was written August 22, 2015, it is another one that I put away until later. This is later. I’ve been in a land far far away as of late. I’ve been reading a really good book. I’ve been reorganizing my studio, and I went on a four day camping bike adventure with my all my…

Ley, Lady, Ley

“Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead I long to see you in the morning light I long to reach for you in the night Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead.” Bob Dylan Have you ever walked into someplace…

Integration – “Feel your tension body letting go of you.”

Have you ever noticed how you feel in your body when you are completely relaxed, and yet strong and ready to respond? I imagine stretching awake from a refreshing nap taken in a sunny place on soft grass. This is inhabiting your mammal body. Contrast this to the tension body– that collection of movements and…

Riders on the Storm

Here is a long post written August 29, 2015. Just as we were receiving the first wave of much needed rain after a record breaking dry spring/summer. “Riders on the storm Riders on the storm Into this house we’re born Into this world we’re thrown” Jim Morrison, The Doors In my new job at the clinic I am responsible…

playing catch up.

Last year I wrote several posts that I never pushed the “Publish” button on. Over the next few weeks I am going to upload a few of them that still seem to hold truth for me. Much Love- iris

Is There Anybody Out There?

Hello! Hello! Hello! Happy Year of the Fire Monkey! And apparently at our house this is also the Year of the “White-odd-eyed-three-legged-deaf” cat! And Happy Year of the “Scruffy-green-eyed-post-barncat-RatBag” Too! The darkness is lifting around here. Spring is pushing up daffodils, pushing out pussy willow buds, and inspiring song sparrows to cut loose. I’m not sure…

Daring Excursions

My last post was on Cinco de Mayo when Joe and I had a beautiful walk in the woods, which were green and bursting with spring lushness. Since then I have been making slow progress on my 2015 intentions, specifically the massive house reorder a’ la Marie Kondo. My weeks are divided between working at the…

The Saturation Point

Oh happy May. Saturday Joe and I went for a delightful walk on an old logging road into the state forest behind Alderbrook. Immersing ourselves in bird song and the verdant growth of unfurling spring leaves. We spoke of what nurtures, of what fills up our batteries, and how to prioritize joyful activities. Both of us have a…

Life changing magic.

Anyone who knows me well knows that, in the words of my friend Gila, “You guys are ALWAYS cleaning your house!” True, and unfortunately our house is still usually in a state of mild to severe chaos. In other words, messy. During the dark days of founding the bakery, when it was sometimes difficult to…