Book Musings: Sky Sweeper

Sky Sweeper Book 2016

Sky Sweeper

We’ve read this book a couple of times and simply love the story. Young Takeboki needs a job and wants to do something that brings him pleasure. He becomes the Flower Keeper in the temple garden.

All throughout his life, friends, family and local people urge him to move on and do something more lucrative. Yet, being a Flower Keeper continues to give him pleasure until the end of his days. Beautiful story about the joy and peace of living life as you like and doing what brings you pleasure! xoxo

Book Musings: Peace is Every Breath

June 17 2017:

Wonderful Thich Nhat Hanh book with everyday mindfulness and meditation practices.

From washing your face, eating breakfast, and brushing your teeth, simple and easy reminders to bring one back to the present moment. I’ve also read this one out loud to Thomas and Lillian.

I greatly enjoy all of Thich Nhat Hanh’s book. Always easy to read. No deep, philosophical points to get lost in. Simple and easy.

… excerpts from the book:

“Waking up this morning, I smile.
Twenty-four brand-new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully each moment
and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.”

Following the Breath

Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know this is a wonderful moment.

peace is every breath book 2017

Book Musings: Anything but Ordinary Addie

June 10 2017:

Anything but Ordinary Addie – The True Story of Adelaide Herrmann – Queen of Magic

Wonderfully illustrated and written! We learned about Addie the Great, a person we’d never heard of before!! She was once one of the world’s most famous magicians. Now looking forward to reading her memoir which was discovered after the author of this book searched for it for 10 years!! GREAT book!!

Anything but Addie Book 2017

Book Musings: Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom

June 3 2017:

Nelson Mandela – Long Walk to Freedom

Beautiful picture book of Nelson Mandela’s autobiography.

“Never, never, never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another … ” ~Nelson Mandela

I offered to split this into two nights. Thomas and Lillian emphatically replied, “No!”

Yes, it was loved!

Nelson Mandele Long Walk to Freedom Book 2017

Book Musings: The Awakened Family – A Revolution in Parenting

May 27 2017:

I highly recommend this book to anyone considering becoming a parent, who is already a parent, and anyone who works with children. Another that came into my life in divine and perfect timing. xoxoxo

Our Children, Our Awakeners

“In my illusion, I thought I was going to raise you
To be whole, complete, and worthy,
To be educated, kind, and wise,
To be a leader, empowered and free.

I was deluded to think I knew it all,
fooled by my age and might.
I thought I had it all together,
Ready to teach, inspire, and change you.

Only now, after so many moments
With you
Do I realize how foolish these ideas were,
How baseless and grandiose.

I now understand ….
That it is you who is here to teach me,
To guide, lead, shift, and elevate,
To transform, awaken, and inspire
Me.

I now realize how I had it wrong,
Upside down and outside in,
It is you who are this perfectly designed clarion
To wake me up to my true self.”

A New Commitment to Shedding Expectations

“I shed my expectations and agendas,
Knowing they stem from my small mind-space.
Instead, I will enter my expansive heart-space
And release you from meeting my needs,
Expecting only that I do this for myself.

When I see you, I will no longer reflect
My fears, insecurities, longings, and drama.
Instead, I will clear the mental cobwebs
That cloud the shine of your brilliance
So that I can be a mirror of the diamond you are.

As my agendas melt away, so does the hollowness I feel,
Leaving only wholeness in its place.”

Awakened Family Book 2017

Book Musings: The Hidden Life of Trees

May 6 2017:

The Hidden Life of Trees – What They Feel, How They Communicate

A wonderful book that came into my life at just the right moment! Using scientific discoveries the author describes how trees are like human families. Specifically, how they communicate, support one another, share nutrients, and warn one another of dangers.

The Hidden Life of Trees Book 2016

Book Review: Alice Waters and the Trip to Delicious

April 29 2017:

Alice Waters and the Trip to Delicious

Wonderfully fun book about an amazing woman I’d never heard about. Alice Waters owns Chez Panisse in Berkeley, California. She also travels thousands of miles to help grow Edible Schoolyards – a concept she began in her own city.

Edible Schoolyards began in 1995 and there are gardens all over America and in twenty-nine other countries … And still growing.

Alice Waters also led the change in restaurants and how chefs operate. Instead of looking for the best recipes, they now seek the best ingredients; locally grown and flavorful.

Loved, loved, loved learning about Alice Waters and passions!

Alice Waters and the Trip to Delicious Book 2016

Book Review: If You Love Honey

April 22 2017:

If You Love Honey – Nature’s Connections

I deeply LOVED this book!! Magnificent illustrations and incredible story detailing how ALL of nature cooperates in making honey. It moves from dandelions, earthworms, mushrooms, the old oak tree and blue jays and their part in honey being available for us.

Thomas and Lillian loved it too! Further detailed information in the back of the book was great too. Plus, this book was published in Nevada City, CA! I didn’t even know there was a publishing company located there.

Dawn Publications is dedicated to inspiring in children a deeper understanding and appreciation for all life on Earth. Love, Love, Love …. I will be checking out all the books they’ve published!

If You Love Honey Book 2016

Book Review: A Philosophy of Walking

April 15 2017:

A Philosophy of Walking

This was one of those books that chose me. I wasn’t at the library, nor a book store, just getting a cup of coffee in the lodge and there it was … front and center in the newly begun resident lending library ..

If I had time and space I’d most likely quote more than half the book! Yet, here’s a wee bit …

“Walking is the best way to go more slowly than any other method that has ever been found. To walk, you need to start with two legs. The rest is optional. If you want to go faster, then don’t walk, do something else: drive, slide or fly. Don’t walk. And when you are walking, there is only one sort of performance that counts: the brilliance of the sky, the splendour of the landscape.

The Native American regarded the Earth itself as a sacred source of energy. ……. The Lakota was a true Naturist – a lover of Nature. He loved the earth and all things of the earth ….

….. walking is movement, the heart beats more strongly, with a more ample beat, the blood circulates faster and more powerfully than when the body is at rest.

Landscapes summon the walker and make him at home: the hills, the colours, the trees all confirm it. The charm of a twisting path among hills, the beauty of vine fields in autumn, like purple and gold scarves, the silvery glitter of olive leaves against a defining summer sky, the immensity of perfectly sliced glaciers … all these things support, transport and nourish us.”

A Philosophy of Walking Book 2017