April – Creative Meanderings

Yoga Writing Retreat

Apr 292024

For some time, I have been thinking about going on a retreat for myself. I hadn’t been on one since my yoga teacher training program when we went to Bali for a week. At that time, I didn’t love the retreat experience, but was very glad I had done it.

Since arriving in Italy, I’ve made some amazing friends yet not quite felt fully integrated with them on an intellectual and spiritual level. Thankfully, I’m starting to get to know my weekly yoga classmates more , but these things take time. Also, occasionally, I look at emails received about retreats in the area or see them posted on acquaintances’ social media. However, I struggle to justify paying over a grand – either USD or Euros – for something I’m not sure I will enjoy or with people I don’t know I will like, especially if I could spend that money going on holiday with M or even a personal retreat to somewhere.

So, it was the Universe’s answer to my inquiry on something more reasonable as well as if I can make some like-minded friends on a deeper level, when I received a random email about a yoga writing retreat to be held within 1.5 hours away from home.

Although I was a bit nervous about it, I went with an open mind and heart.

Having returned, I can’t believe how fast the three days went by and how relaxed I felt amongst total strangers. We all came from different places in life, but were united in our interest in yoga and writing.

I’m very proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone, opening up with my writing, and listening to my heart. Through this experience, I have more confidence in my writing ability and feel more motivated to do what I love most – write stories and poetry!

If you’re ever unsure about doing something like this, let me know because I’ll convince you to go for it!

Here’s a poem I wrote for our closing circle:

Before I came, I admit this retreat idea was terrifying
As an introvert, life outside my head is mystifying

However, of like-minded friends l am in need
So, with trust in the Universe, I followed her lead

What could be better than a combination
of yoga, writing and fellow female inspiration?

To Elizabeth with gratitude
Thank you for your beautiful attitude
Toward the forming of our words
And the open spirit of letting us be heard.

To Amity with grace
Namaste for creating a sacred yoga space
For stretching our bodies and minds,
But, dang all those binds!

And Ria, whose next move stands on the brink
I see you in shades of sweet pink

Oh lady in orange, Lauren
A word I’d never use for you is “borin'”

For Eva, there are shades of green
In heart and spirit, we understand even if not knowing what all our words mean

Not just your hair, but red for Mariella
As grounded and sweet, Che bella!

Let’s not forget Martin
After all that delicious food, a diet I have to now be startin’

So with a warm heart
I’m sad we will soon be apart
But I won’t be a sap,
Thank goodness for WhatsApp!

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Long Weekend Visit to England

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Apr 222024

We have wanted to see the ABBA Voyage concert since we first heard about it. Using technology the band is a digital version of their younger selves playing and singing the songs from times gone. Although at first it was a bit surreal, by the end it was almost as if it were a “real” live concert. Of course, there was some mindshifts in that clapping was really only for the live band and live back up singers, but then it was also for the mutual appreciation of the music. I did say, though, it was the only concert I’ve been to where people actually moved backwards instead of forwards to see the images on the screens and the average age-group probably needed eyeglasses. 🤪

After the concert, we went on a 24-hour whirlwind tour of England to visit M’s family. From long country drives to city sights, we had a rather lovely long weekend. Next time, though, I hope to stay for a few days of relaxation in London as I’m growing to love it more each time we visit. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Social Season Has Begun

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Apr 152024

This weekend was very full and very very fun. That’s all I can say about that. The pics only tell a small part, but you can imagine the rest. 😀

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Spring Has Sprung

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Apr 122024

It’s that time of year again. Flowers are blooming. Sun is shining most days with a slightly cool breeze. Days are cool in morning and evening, but comfortably warm midday. Eyes are itching and watering. Nose is tickling leading to sneezing and sniffles. And, a lovely layer of pollen lands on everything that stops for a short period outside. 🤪

Sarcasm aside, I do love this time of year. It’s nice to sit in the warmth of the sunlight and get some Vitamin D soaked up naturally. Still, I am balancing my time in and outside. The good thing is that I have plenty to keep me busy on the computer. The bad thing is that I sometimes feel guilty for sitting in a cool, darker room when it looks so lovely on the other side of the window.

In any case, like with most things, it’s all a passing of time. Therefore, I am making the most of the season while it lasts.

All is well from this past week. I have a nagging sense that I am not living up to my ability to dig deep into thoughts when it comes to writing or my poetry. Of course, the poems can be added to later so it’s enough for me to write out the ideas of them for now. However, something is just on the edge of my mind that I think will open up a new perspective on how to manage the more spontaneous lifestyle that we lead a bit better for a schedule-proned/dependent person like me. It’s just not yet in full formation, but it’s coming – I can feel it.

In the meantime, I am enjoying the days, spring colors, and lots of activity! Happy Friday! (OH, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY today to my mama!!! 🎉❤️)

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Livin’ the Life

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Apr 082024

This image about sums up my world these days – a bit of chaos, distracted by the sun, the world keeps on moving, emails and writing take up the time I do find myself with before other things come up to take me away.

Life is good.

The sun is shining most days now. The temperatures are rising. Social season has begun and the flowers are in bloom. Aside from my allergies not cooperating, everything is beautiful.

So, I am still writing and doing work, but less so in some spaces. We’ve also had visitors and been socializing more so that my usual schedule is a little off. With more travels coming and taking in as much of the lovely weather as possible, I may continue to be a little more sporadic, but I’ll post when I can!

Off to warm up in the sun!

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Ankle Recovery: Week Seven @Home with 1 crutch

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Apr 282023

Last week was the last of the two-crutch walk, and on Monday this week I was OK’d for just one crutch to hobble on. In actuality, I could mostly hobble along without, but there are those moments when the terrain is uneven or unpredictable, so the crutch still helps.

It’s been satisfying to be getting around. M has gone off again for a few days and I kept the dogs with me this time. Plus, I am able to drive into town and around without any difficulty. This has really helped my motivation and sense of confidence in returning to normal life. I’m still not able to do a long drive as the lack of movement makes it sore, like when sitting at a restaurant. However, the short drives around town for appointments and errands is perfectly fine.

So, with a taste of regular life again and having successes in each day with the pups, I feel more like myself again. The extra peace and quiet with M gone has definitely helped as well since I was starting to get a bit frustrated with life.

I am expecting that next week I will be OK’d to go without my crutch and the weather is improving that I might be able to get myself to the pool for my physio exercises. In the meantime, I do my yoga stretches and try not to do too much – though that is a challenge.

Anyway, all is looking good overall. Another week down!

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Finally Spring!

Going Mental 1 Response »

Apr 262023

It was a late winter and the colder temps have lingered much longer than we either expected or wanted. Both M and I are sun seekers. ☀️ We thrive in warmer temperatures and sunny climates. While I prefer the temperate warmth, M enjoys the more sweaty ones. 😅 So, we agreed that we will not be spending another mid-winter period here because the cold and rainy days do not suit us. However, we are still left with a delay in the spring weather this year.

Thankfully, I think that we are nearly to the point when Mother Nature flips the switch to begin heating up the outside so that we can bat away the bugs and sit by the pool working on our tans. It has been a bit grey and wet today, but we enjoyed a beautiful mild weekend. The wisteria tree was in the town of Todi, not too far from us, where we met some new friends for lunch. So, with the various spring blooms coming out in their full colorful glory, we stop to enjoy and sigh relief that the cold is on its way out.

Another plus is that while my ankle is on the mend, I am not feeling as if I am missing anything yet since early spring pollen flurries usually keep me indoors anyway. By the time all of that passes and the temperatures are suitable, I shall be fully walking 🚶🏽‍♀️on my own two feet! 🤞🏽

So… finally SPRING!

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Ankle Recovery: Week Six @Home on My Feet

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Apr 212023

Don’t let the picture fool you – my foot does not like to be confined to a shoe! 😝

However, there has been progress. Two days of physiotherapy down with some pretty significant swelling that has been deemed normal for the situation reveals that the body is truly something strange and amazing. Trying to do some yoga poses on the wall has dismayed me as I found what used to be so simple and easy to be a struggle. My brain really needs focus and concentration to rebuild trust in the movements and positions.

Still, I can put more weight on the right foot. Not quite full weight, but it is definitely improving each day. With more exercises and another three-visit week ahead of physio, I am hoping that this time next week, I’ll be writing standing on both feet equally. 💪🏽

In the meantime, slow and steady wins the race, right? 🐢

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Getting Back on Schedule

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Apr 182023

Years ago, I realized that being a planner and detailed scheduler gave me a sense of security and comfort. I discovered later that it was a reaction to having some kind of control over my life – something that I didn’t have early on in my development. Furthermore, I learned that it was a positive habit, so the reward feedback encouraged me to maintain the behavior.

Nowadays, I need it to reset my mental state and feel balanced. ⚖️

With two months of my previously scheduled life thrown by the wayside, I felt it was time to get myself back to “regularly scheduled programming” and reset. Despite having tried it a few weeks back, it didn’t take as my body and mind were not ready.

However, knowing that I was near getting the green light to return to a biped state 🚶🏽‍♀️, last Thursday I felt it was time.

First, I listed out the tasks that I have either been putting off for far too long or the ones that I know I need to get done regularly. Then, I broke down those tasks into daily chunks and put them on to my Todoist app that I use to guide my daily activities. This is a great and simple method of feeling a sense of accomplishment each day for me. It is second to making the bed each day knowing that at least I achieved one “good” thing for the day. 😁

Next, I went to my Google calendar to schedule in when these activities are to be done throughout the day. Now, some of you might be thinking this is just going too far, but I am a big believer in maximizing my productivity. So, I achieve this by also setting aside the times in which my tasks can/should be done. Before any reader moans or rolls their eyes 🙄 at this, note that just because they are in my calendar or on my to-do list doesn’t make it an absolute. I am quite flexible with my times and tasks since about 90% of what I do is designed for and determined by myself, so there are no severe consequences of any kind should I decide to procrastinate, reschedule or even skip something. 🤪

Generally speaking, this scheduling and listing is used as a guideline for me each day.

The question might arise as to why I do this. My answer is that it helps me. It works for me. I achieve a fair amount by doing it. So, why not? Besides, it’s also pretty! 😝

The truth is that I do not have a 9-to-5 job. My work is freelance and on my own time. My passion/life’s purpose is to write – on my own time. In this world of constant distractions, living by chaos-led direction, and a myriad of other excuses/reasons that our creative brains are able to come up with to justify our methods, I choose to channel and redirect so that I can feel content at the end of each day and still find the time to enjoy life fully. I do not want to go to bed at night wondering, “What did I do today?”.

Instead, I have a task-list that gets ticked off as proof of having achieved. I have a calendar scheduled as a guide for those moments when I might think, “What was I doing?” or “What should I be doing right now?”

This brings me security and a sense of calm. Who doesn’t want that?

~T 🔥🐉♋️

Ankle Recovery: Week Five @Home

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Apr 152023

Progress at last! After two months since the fall and nearly six weeks since the operation, week 5 at home was one of anticipation as I have started to become bored with being incapacitated on two legs. Although there is still patience required, I can see an end to the wait for life to return to “normal”.

The doctor(s) have given me the green light to start putting weight on the ankle/foot, do more intense physio to walk and return to light activity, drive even, and whatever else I can do within reason. The joy is real and my eagerness is on edge, but I am trying not to go too crazy.

The bandages also came off today. The pic isn’t pretty, but it is looking good.

So, now I am mindfully stepping with the help of my crutches. I have only once or twice put full weight on the foot, but that is still a ginger action since there is still bruising on the bottom of my feet and around the ankle. Plus, the muscles are not quite ready yet. I get a bit of swelling in the foot and toes if I do “too much” so I keep an eye on it and remind myself to rest as well.

Each step is one towards a return to freedom and regular life again, so I continue with a smile and bolstered hope!

~T 🔥🐉♋️

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