Rain - It's What Happens Here

Good morning from Portland, Oregon...

I arrived almost a month ago and have had a major time adjusting to the coolness of the weather here. Even a sunny day when the temperature rises to 70, I keep waiting for it to get so much hotter - and, alas, it does not! Then, my friends want to stay out of the sun cause they are too hot - oh my!!!

The almost daily shifting in the sky of clouds, sun, shadow, fog, mist and/or rain is a constant delight, I must say - and can be quite distracting when driving. I actually have found myself stopping on the side of a road just to enjoy the view overhead. Lovely.

In many ways, coming back has been somewhat of a culture shock - especially grocery shopping. The first time I set foot in Safeway again, I audibly was saying to myself, "Oh - look at that" or "How fantastic" - or "How do I choose"!! It is not that we do not have supermarkets in Baja - we do, but the selection is so much more limited. I have been wanting to just go to New Seasons or Whole Foods and "hang-out" - like one would go to the movies. And then the discovery of gelato - specifically pistachio gelato at a local spot in Sellwood. It puts ice cream to shame....

Visiting with my family and friends has been grand, and I have discovered that my 96 year old step-mother does not have health insurance. So, I have appointed myself her advocate and am now researching possibilities to ease the huge - HUGE - pay-out for prescriptions each month. It is somewhat daunting.

When I am at home in Mexico, I swim almost every day - sometimes several times a day, as the pool is about 50 feet from my door. It has made a huge difference in how I feel physically. Honestly, I was somewhat apprehensive about coming to Oregon and putting my body back into this cool and more humid environment especially without my pool.

Then - along came 24-hr Fitness and built a facility just two blocks from where I am staying off of SE Holgate. Yeah. I will now be able to walk a short way and swim which will allow me to maintain my progress. Just have to determine the best times to go...

As I have lost a couple of clothing sizes, I am now on a quest to put on some pounds - along with my exercise. Desserts are the answer! And Papa Haydn (an excellent restaurant with a bountiful and beautiful and delicious dessert menu) is just a few blocks away. Remember that old poster: "Life is short - eat dessert first!" I agree!

It is also delightful and soul-warming to connect with my spiritual family on a regular basis. I do miss the music and the focus on positive shifting of consciousness that is shared in a community. Hopefully, I will be able to bring some of this uplifting and life-altering awareness to the new friends I am making in Mexico through classes and shared study. At least that is my current intention.

Since I desire a deeper and expanded spiritual focus in my life, I trust there are others where I live who desire the same. As Emma Curtis Hopkins teaches, "if I see a need, it is mine to fill." So I am....

Please stay tuned....I will return....

Remember,
You Are Loved In All Ways
Lynn