Summer, Summer, Go AWAY!

I know I will probably regret feeling this way in January or February when it's cold, snowy, and icy or all three but I'm going to say it anyway. I hate summer and I want it to be gone. Our house is comfortable and I've been hiding out in it since Springtime, when it first got hot and the humidity passed 50%. The folks on TV love to go on about records but this one didn't surprise me: Summer 2010 in the northeast U.S., was the hottest since 1871, when official meteorological record keeping commenced. I had a bad feeling about it when the temperatures at the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival--always the first weekend in May--was 98 degrees. And, as for that argument about the Humidity VS. Heat, I just don't go there. I think they both suck.

Outer Banks retreat

A few weeks ago we had a phone call from my sister-in-law. A friend had offered her the use of a beach cottage in the Outer Banks and, in turn, she invited Paul and I to join her and her husband there. It was such a delicious surprise! Within 48 hours, I had bought a new bathing suit, Jack was sent to the doggie hotel and we were on our way. For five days, the weather was perfect. The four of us spent our time hanging out at the beach, reading, eating simple meals (most specifically, barbecue from a local landmark carry-out) and just visiting. It was so simple, so relaxing and probably one of the best vacations of my life. Ann and Ossie: Thanks for the memories!

Cousins' Update

Here are a few shots of our darling granddaughter and her adorable cousin. I was reading to Cora--we were discussing the gentle art of accessorizing--and Lilly came onto the scene with her mom holding her as she practiced a few steps. Clearly, Cora did not appreciate that I was no longer focused on the magazine.

108 Sun Salutations

June 22, 2010

This week, the local chapter of Yoga For Good hosted an event at a nearby college to support the Wounded Warrior Project. It was called, "108 Sun Salutations" and that's just what it was--yoginis gathered together to perform the yoga pose, or asana, called "Sun Salutation" to celebrate the Summer Solstice. Even after eight years of yoga classes, I had to ask, "Why One Hundred, Eight?" (Why not 14 or 23 or even 1?) The answer is that in yoga, 108 is a significant or sacred number. Someone who has studied Indian philosophy may be able to supply a reason, but I can't. It just is.

In preparation for the event, our weekly yoga class had been concentrating on the study of this basic yoga pose for several weeks, so our beloved yoga teacher, Phyllis, and several fellow students attended the early evening session as a group. It was held in the beautiful dance studio at Washington College and when things got going, the room was filled nearly to capacity with approximately 75 yoginis. The hostess explained the rules as an introduction: Do what you can, rest when you need to, leave when you want and ENJOY. As we all went through our postures, a small group of musicians, a drummer, guitarist, and flutist, improvised a lovely musical soundtrack for the movements. When I found it necessary to take a break, I sat watching the others. The variations within the synchonicity was very interesting. Some were doing very smooth, mediatative sequences, others were more athletic in their motions. I noticed three friends doing their poses together and their dancelike movements reminded me of a ballet.





Afterwards, we enjoyed a light buffet of hummus, homemade pesto, veggies and fresh bread. Paul and I had attended primarily to support the yoga community and its charitable efforts, not knowing what to expect but we agreed that it was really fun and interesting. Summertime in Maryland is not my favorite season but I'm hoping to celebrate its start next year in exactly the same way.