Beauty

[just bee]

Definitely a seasonal change going on.  I'm getting ready to take the dog out and it's still dark.  It's 0600 and it's still dark.

It's coming...

[geezerette]

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@just bee wrote:

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@geezerette wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

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@geezerette wrote:

@just bee

That sounds delicious!  

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@geezerette

Why is everyone awake at this hour?

I know why I'm awake -- I took a night off from work and the dog has been wanting to go outside to investigate trespassers.  He wouldn't rest, so out we went.  Can you say Skunky September?

But back to this tart.  The photos were mesmerizing.

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@just bee

I was going to ask that same question!  I normally am awake about this time but lately have just been crawling back into bed.  I just happened to stay up today--I have to start implementing all those resolutions I've been concocting in my head.  Trying to get in my Pilates before I get the dog out for a change.  Too often by the time I get back from her walk I've been skipping my exercises and it's starting to take its toll.

New month, new routines! 

This is will probably last until noon...

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@geezerette

Ar, ar, ar, ar, ar!

Reminds me that my QVC Pilates Performer has been living in the hall closet since... well, since I bought it.  There was a brief period... I did use it... I did like it.  Then it went into the closet and that's where it has lived for...  Good grief, it had to be the Clinton administration.

I don't get it.  I actually endorse stretching.  Don't want to jinx it, but even at my age I am still pretty limber.  I like yoga very much.  Very much indeed.  I'd like it even more if I actually did it.

Yoga and Pilates have been a challenge because as soon as I get on the floor, any dog I might have at the time assumes I've had a seizure and goes into panic mode.  Suddenly they're Lassie and they're all frantic and wild-eyed, looking for help.

Maybe I should be one of those people that spends more time on the floor so the dog doesn't go into crisis mode.  Something's wrong: Mom's on the floor.  Must find help.

This is why walking has been my main mode of exercise.  The dog is comfortable when I am in an upright position.  I know he checks me out while I'm sleeping.  Sniff.  Sniff.  Yes.  She is still breathing.  I will eat today.

Here's to a sensible September.

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@just bee

And that is why I have a stand for my Pilates machine!  I have to admit that I do use my machine and have for years, more or less regularly (some times more regularly than others).  It's the only form of exercise I have done consistently.  All my other machines ended up as clothes racks.  Something about the idea of exercising laying down appeals to me.  I tried yoga, but I'm much too clumsy and uncoordinated.  I need the machine to keep me in position.  Admittedly, sometimes I do have a tendency to doze off.

I do like the yoga clothes, though.  Comfy and casual.  That whole healthy, hippy lifestyle thing.  No makeup, suntan, one long salt-and-pepper braid hanging down my back.  Ah yes, to be Ali McGraw...

[just bee]

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@geezerette wrote:

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@just bee

And that is why I have a stand for my Pilates machine!  I have to admit that I do use my machine and have for years, more or less regularly (some times more regularly than others).  It's the only form of exercise I have done consistently.  All my other machines ended up as clothes racks.  Something about the idea of exercising laying down appeals to me.  I tried yoga, but I'm much too clumsy and uncoordinated.  I need the machine to keep me in position.  Admittedly, sometimes I do have a tendency to doze off.

I do like the yoga clothes, though.  Comfy and casual.  That whole healthy, hippy lifestyle thing.  No makeup, suntan, one long salt-and-pepper braid hanging down my back.  Ah yes, to be Ali McGraw...

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@geezerette

Hmm.  Maybe I should send you that prAna catalog.  These are not my people.  I was fine with buying a few pairs of their Meme pants, but then they rewarded me with a security breach.  Had to replace another card.

Listen, fools.  You're based on the West coast -- aren't you supposed to be good at this stuff?  (Clearly they're not.)

But the pants are working out.

prAna: Yoga, Travel, & Adventure Clothes With A Conscience!

Really?  Your clothes are made in China.

I should go out and water the roses.

[geezerette]

@just bee

Maybe that's why I can never bring myself to get into that whole routine.  I can't handle the hypocrisy.  

At least that's what I tell myself...

Stop!  And water the roses.💦🌹💐

Or you will get this: 🥀

Enjoy your day!🌞

[just bee]

And speaking of California...

Tonight, in Santa Fe, they're setting Zozobra on fire.

Lived here since '95 and I have to admit I've never participated.

[just bee]

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@geezerette wrote:

@just bee

Maybe that's why I can never bring myself to get into that whole routine.  I can't handle the hypocrisy.  

At least that's what I tell myself...

Stop!  And water the roses.💦🌹💐

Or you will get this: 🥀

Enjoy your day!🌞

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@geezerette

Backatcha!

As I was walking the dog (and listening to the radio) this morning, I heard about the British dog walking study.

I'm not sure how much time was spent -- or how much money -- but they have determined that walking a dog makes the dog happy.  Similarly, making a dog happy makes the person walking the dog happy.

Really???  That never would have occurred to me.

Back to those roses...

[geezerette]

@Sweet_Serenity

You definitely are an inspiration!  I've been following some of your other threads about your lifestyle changes and it sounds like you have indeed had a life-altering experience.  I commend and congratulate you!

I can attest that what you say is true, as I have experienced much the same.  Cleaning up the diet improves the body and mind in ways that are amazing. Proper nutrition has the ability to allow the body to heal itself from so many ills.

I have not gone vegan--I am an admitted omnivore.  And unless my lifestyle changes drastically in the future, I foresee always being so.  But getting rid of so much of what our society today takes for granted and eating more "real" has improved my health.  It's tough and takes determination and a lot of changes.

Good for you, and I sincerely hope that you continue to see good results from your hard work!  And welcome to the Compact Thread!

[geezerette]

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@just bee wrote:

And speaking of California...

Tonight, in Santa Fe, they're setting Zozobra on fire.

Lived here since '95 and I have to admit I've never participated.

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@just bee

All right, I'll bite.  Just what the heck is a "Zozobra"?

[Sweet_Serenity]

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@geezerette wrote:

@Sweet_Serenity

You definitely are an inspiration!  I've been following some of your other threads about your lifestyle changes and it sounds like you have indeed had a life-altering experience.  I commend and congratulate you!

I can attest that what you say is true, as I have experienced much the same.  Cleaning up the diet improves the body and mind in ways that are amazing. Proper nutrition has the ability to allow the body to heal itself from so many ills.

I have not gone vegan--I am an admitted omnivore.  And unless my lifestyle changes drastically in the future, I foresee always being so.  But getting rid of so much of what our society today takes for granted and eating more "real" has improved my health.  It's tough and takes determination and a lot of changes.

Good for you, and I sincerely hope that you continue to see good results from your hard work!  And welcome to the Compact Thread! 

Funny thing is started with wanting to reduce my breast size from there learned and keep learning power of plant based lifestyle. Not sure why? From the beginning never was differcult in fact complete opposite easy as breathing and tastes sensations take my soul to new heights of awareness. Learning plight of animals and farmers profoundly affected forever changed my life. Thank you.🙋

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[just bee]

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@geezerette wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

And speaking of California...

Tonight, in Santa Fe, they're setting Zozobra on fire.

Lived here since '95 and I have to admit I've never participated.

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@just bee

All right, I'll bite.  Just what the heck is a "Zozobra"?

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@geezerette

It's the furry thing that's living in my printer.  (I was sitting here a few days ago and was bitten by something.  When I sat down today I saw something run inside the printer.  Coincidence?)

No, actually, that's not Zozobra.  Zozobra is Old Man Gloom (OMG). 

This doomful specter is a monster who is created and is reborn annually because of our own nefarious and woeful deeds throughout the year. In order to lure Zozobra out of hiding, the city leaders invite him to Santa Fe's largest celebration, the annual Fiestas de Santa Fe (celebrating its 305th year in 2017). With his enormous ego urging him on, Zozobra accepts this invitation, recognizing it as his best opportunity to invade the heart of town, destroy all hope and happiness, and rob the city of its most precious possession, its hope...

Howling in fury and waving his arms, Zozobra manages to chase the torchbearers away, but his victory is short-lived when the crowd begins the age-old cry to “Burn him!” Called forth by the goodwill of the crowd, Zozobra’s eternal enemy, the Fire Spirit, materializes from the hopes, dreams and faith of Santa Fe's citizens. Once summoned, the Fire Spirit battles in the darkness to vanquish Santa Fe’s oldest foe. Waving a pair of blazing torches, the Fire Spirit dances, tormenting Zozobra, who shakes his arms in rage as he glares balefully down at his enemy. The crowd’s fervent desire to see the monster defeated is realized as the Fire Spirit sets Zozobra alight in a towering blaze of fire and smoke.

Under a sky lit by celebratory fireworks, the flames consume Zozobra, and he collapses at last into a smoking pile of embers. The crowd dances joyfully as they sing the Fiesta Song, and the centuries-old Fiestas de Santa Fe return to bring happiness and hope to the people of Santa Fe. Having vanquished gloom for yet another year, the Fire Spirit disappears into the starry night. But alas, gloom will rise again out of man's failings, faults, and selfishness to accumulate in the next year's Zozobra. And once again, the Fire Spirit must be summoned to overcome gloom in an ageless dance that mirrors the eternal battle between darkness and light.

That's the condensed version.