Self-care

The idea of self-care is something I aspire to.  You know, putting myself first, eating well, allowing only positive self-talk, partaking in hobbies & activities I fully enjoy, finding time to be creative, exercising, seeking solitude and moments for reflection, journaling, practicing gratitude, living in the moment.  These are all things I try to do, need to do, want to do.  But all of these things I just listed, no matter how beneficial, rewarding or valuable, sometimes seem like another to do list. 

Does anyone else feel that way?  

This is what I kind of feel like doing this afternoon - sleeping so hard that being on the floor of a loud, rumbling C-17 couldn't keep me awake.  This actually is a photo of me, asleep en route to Christchurch, NZ after spending 13 months at the South Pole.  Boy, was I tired.

I especially feel that way when my body is telling me to take it easy.  To sleep in.  To relax.  To just be.  And even more so when I'm living in this amazingly beautiful place.  It can be really difficult to give myself permission to look inward for what it is I need that could truly fall under the umbrella of self-care when I'm simultaneously fighting off feelings of guilt for not wanting to do a whole hell of a lot.  Today is one of those days.  

This is what I would like to be daydreaming about today - hanging at the beach on the South Island of New Zealand.  This is part of the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin.

But you know what?  Instead of beating myself up for not loading up my back pack and hiking into the back country for miles and miles today, I'm going to do what will put my mind and soul at ease, not to mention my feet and back.  I'm going to write post cards & letters.  I'm going to consume more chapters of the book currently on my e-reader.  I might go take a leisurely drive or walk to sit by a river later today....or not.  I'm going to go to bed early.  I'm going to take a long, hot shower and shave my legs.  I might treat myself to dinner at a restaurant.  I'm likely going to daydream a little.  And anything else I choose to do today is going to be on my terms, for my benefit, for my peace of mind, and that is more than okay.

Doesn't this look like a yummy plate of stir fry made with loads of fresh veggies and love by Tim?  If only I had a kitchen, some groceries and the boy here with me.

 

This is who I'd like to be spending and ending my day with.  (On the beach in Florence, Oregon during a road trip back in 2008.)

Relaxing in the park

These are a few of my favorite places to take deep breaths, listen, enjoy the breeze, welcome any wildlife that chooses to show itself and relish the stillness.  My Calgon-take-me-away spots.

Those of you who know the park are fully aware that this last spot isn't an easy one to have to yourself.  But it is possible to avoid the crush of people and imagine the Lower Falls is there solely for your viewing....at maybe 6 a.m.!  Sometimes just looking at this photo is enough to instantly let go of any stress in my day.

Yellowstone critters, big and small...and a view

a bull elk grazing near Canyon Village

a killdeer on the shore of Yellowstone Lake, just off the boardwalk of West Thumb Geyser Basin

Bighorn sheep ewes and  lamb on a steep hillside across from the Gardner River

an American white pelican fishing on the Yellowstone River - these birds have a wingspan of about nine feet!

my first black bear of the season strolling through the sage near Highway 191 where it passes through the park

an obstinacy of bison in Hayden Valley - love those little red dog calves

A bison rolling in the dirt.  It is believed that they do this to coat their fur to prevent insects from biting them.  I enjoy watching since that giant hump of bones, fat and muscle prevents them from rolling completely over and they stir up great clouds of dust.

One of my favorite views in the park.  These are the wide open spaces I dreamed about while living in New York for most of the last year.  Even the prettiest of river valleys cannot compare to this landscape.

first round of Yellowstone photos

Morning Glory Pool

a section of bacteria mat formed by the runoff from a geyser

my favorite building, the Old Faithful Inn

Old Faithful Geyser.  I'll never tire of seeing her erupt.

bear track spotted at the Upper Geyser Basin, just a few feet from the boardwalk

De Lacy Creek with a glimpse of Shoshone Lake, the largest back country lake in the park

Coming home

That is how I felt as I got closer and closer to Yellowstone.  It is how I felt when I checked in to start my summer job in the park.  Lots of hugs and "what are you doing here?!?!" comments from so many old friends who still work here, some of them having done so for decades.  My motor memory remembered the twisty, hilly drive up from the north entrance to Mammoth Hot Springs where I was happy to see the usual group of elk lounging on the grass.   More old friends, hugs and catching up.  Then on down to Old Faithful, spotting the occasional lone bull bison along the way.  Man oh man, it feels good to be back amongst the wilderness, the wildlife and the wildness.

Being here makes the long, at times stressful, 2200 mile drive across the country seem like a distant memory.  Aside from the sheer exhaustion I'm still trying to shake, that is.

Hoping for lots of adventure, outdoor time and great conversation this summer.  You know, the best things in life.  

One of my very good friends lives in a house where this is the view from her front porch.  Lucky her!  It's a guest ranch just north of Yellowstone.  This is where I spent the night before going into the park.

I have been thrown right into work so I haven't explored yet or taken any pictures.  I'll be sure to take some soon and post them.  Meanwhile, here are some lovely flowers from the rose garden in my hometown.  My aunt and I walked around and around, drooling over these beauties.  I'm so grateful the city workers and volunteers put forth the effort to provide something so exquisite for everyone to enjoy.

Epic (TV) inspired jewelry blog hop

Today is reveal day for the Epic Inspiration Jewellery Design Challenge and Blog Hop hosted by Melissa Trudinger of Bead Recipes.  End of April, she proposed a challenge to look to a favorite TV show(s) and then create jewelry inspired by a character or clothing or the overall aesthetic of the production.  

Her words specifically:  

"Design at least one piece inspired by the series, by the characters or the setting, the costumes or the story, even a particularly inspiring line from the show."
 

Immediately, I thought of Downton Abbey and Mr Selfridge.  As much as I enjoy these shows for their interesting plots, characters, and historical references, I keep watching in large part for the clothing and jewelry.  Remember the fashion show Lady Mary attended in Season 5 where she said "Oh, yummy" about one of the dresses on a model?  That's pretty much how I have felt about both of these shows since episode 1, season 1.  Stunning stuff! 

I also thought of Grantchester and Vera and The Bletchley Circle and Endeavor and Inspector Lewis.  Then I went old school and thought of Little House on the Prairie and Facts of Life and, heaven help me, The Donny and Marie Show.  I know, I'm dating myself.  

In the end, these are the pieces I came up with:  

The pendant is actually a cluster clasp of glass beads from a vintage necklace I found at a garage sale.  The other beads are also glass.  The rose is from my stepfather's garden.

Here's a close up of the back of the clasp / pendant.  The stamped letters read JAPAN.

This necklace was inspired by the character Hildegard Staunton (played by the lovely Pheline Roggan) in episode 1 of Grantchester.  I could see the character wearing this necklace in post-WWII England with a sweater set, wool skirt and shiny black heels. 

This pair of earrings was inspired by Mrs. Isobel Crawley (played perfectly by Penelope Wilton) from Downton Abbey.  They're kind of old-fashioned in that they are twist on earrings.  The faceted beads are much more shiny in person, and the silver / pearl flowers are rather feminine, I think.  I could see her wearing these on a social outing that is less formal than dinner at the great house.  Don't you love her relationship with the Dowager Countess?  God love Maggie Smith - Lady Violet is hands down my favorite character on the show.  She always has the best lines!

These were inspired by Lady Mary's character, also form Downton.  They are quite simple, but they're long & dark with a bit of sparkle & swing - kind of like Mary.  Michelle Dockery does such a great job portraying this character, from the sibling rivalry to the grieving widow to the woman taking charge of her heritage and romantic life.  I have moments when I think she is cruel, but her granny puts her in her place often enough to humble her.  (Remember the line "A lack of compassion can be as vulgar as an excess of tears" Lady Violet zinged her way after she insulted Lady Edith, AGAIN?  Love it.)

The connector is from Kabela Designs, and the chain came from Stinky Dog Beads.

Green-yellow pearls, garnet rounds, Czech glass, glass / brass chain, faceted glass seed beads,  faceted glass round as the pendant.

This necklace came about after looking at stills of Lady Edith, again from Downton.  I have a fondness for her character (could she please catch a break in season 6, Julian Fellowes???), and I adore the clothes and jewelry Laura Carmichael gets to wear while playing her.  Like her, this piece is delicate, classic, and feminine. 

For anyone interested, Downton Abbey's current costumer, Anna Robbins, has a Twitter account where she posts about the clothing & accessories used in the show.  It's rather fun to read.

Please visit the other participants to ooh and ahh over their creations.  The list is below:

Melissa Trudinger             https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/ (the hostess)

Karen Mitchell                   http://overthemoon-design.com/

Andrea Glick                      http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Karen Martinez                 http://www.fairiesmarket.com/

Lennis Carrier                    http://windbent.wordpress.com

Lindsay Starr                      http://phantasmcreation.blogspot.com/

Mona Arnott                     http://bijouxgemsjoy.blogspot.com/ 

Lee Koopman                    https://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/

Shaiha Williams                http://www.shaihasramblings.com/

Veralynne Malone            http://veradesigns.blogspot.com

Elisabeth Auld                    http://www.beadsforbusygals.com

Kelly Schermerhorn          http://meanderingwithkelly.blogspot.com (you're here!)

Dini Bruinsma                    http://www.angazabychanges.blogspot.nl

Jami Shipp                          http://www.celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com.au/

Terri G                                  http://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/

so long Hudson Valley, hello Mohawk River Valley

Hanging out in my hometown at my parents' place.  I'm in between our drafty farmhouse with the amazing bird life in the back yard and living the national park seasonal life.  I've a different kitten to play with, familiar green spaces to find respite in, and plenty of family to spend time with.  

Life is indeed pretty good.

these bloomed just before we moved out - lucky us!

My little sister's cat, Mula.  She's just started showing me her belly.  I've yet to rub it as she can be quite sassy.