Women's Retreat

I spent last weekend in Leakey, Texas. I was there attending my Unity church women's slumber party. This is what I came back to Texas for!

To reach Leakey, you leave the populated San Antonio behind and travel to Medina. There you pick up State Road 16. I was completely unprepared to have to down shift as I traveled out of steep grade areas. I found myself giggling out loud, alone, from the sheer joy that the beauty of the drive brought me. The visitor's website boasts, "Swiss Alps of Texas, with elevations up to 2400 ft and deep canyons cut by the Frio and Nueces Rivers." Doug and I have finally found where we want to be in the Hill Country.

Our retreat talks lead us to ponder our power as women. Discussions ended with the metaphysical reading of the part in Revelations where a nameless woman/mother is victorious, ending with the head of the serpent under her heel. We did freak out fellow visitors with our percussion chants and scarf dancing - until they learned we were a church group (they thought we were practicing witches!).

I returned home from my retreat indeed feeling powerful. The goddess nature is less appealing to me than that of the female warrior. This retreat was beneficial, helping me to be able to articulate that for myself. After all, the women who've made history weren't exactly known for their feel good chanting with a bunch of ladies and waving scarves around overhead (Goddesses do have their purposes).

We were hosted at River Haven Cabins. I would highly recommend Margie and her husband's site. Cabins were cozy and comfortable with views of the river. The meals were catered by the Frio Canyon Lodge Restaurant. It was as if Paula Deen was cooking our meals, including the Gooey Cakes. Each of us brought our own fixings for breakfast, here's mine:

CABIN BREAKFAST

Cottage cheese
Cubed watermelon
Sliced bananas and strawberries
Granola
Raisins

Inspired by a salad I had many times at News Cafe in South Beach, Miami

Doug Turns 60!

This past weekend we celebrated Doug turning 60. Doug was fortunate to have high school classmates, college buddies, friends known from est, Supercuts and now Investools, family and friends from near and far present.

We hosted out of towners to a casual Texan meal of pulled pork bbq on Friday. Saturday was the big event, catered by El Jarro de Arturo. Sunday we said goodbye to those who had traveled with Broadway Bread bakery goods, fruit salad and lattes.

We are grateful to everyone who was able to make it, as well as all those who called and sent well wishes. Photos of the event can be viewed at our photographers site, Marks Moore Photography.

My Words

Word, n. - 1. group of letters or sounds that represents a concept. 2. talk or conversation. 3. promise. 4. tidings

Blessing - request a divine favor

Jubilant - rejoicing

Movement - the act or process of moving, which is to change one's place or position, to advance

Passion - very strong emotion

Prosperous - be successful

Showing Up

During this morning's church service, we were invited to show up and reminded to be present. The context was spiritual mastery yet I could not help but think that our showing up and being present means more than we realize.

I had the pleasure of participating in the grand opening of Studio C Pilates Fitness, Boerne, TX yesterday. The two women operating the studio have been a part of my teacher training class. We were treated to complimentary NIA and Pilates classes. A reception followed with a beautiful display of wines, berries, meats and cheeses and homemade salsa and hummus.

As the event was winding down, Jean made a point of expressing her sincere gratitude for my being there. Something in her manner conveyed to me that it had meant a great deal more to Jean than I realized that I was there as she was launching this new venture.

It is likely that the emotional residue from my interaction with Jean yesterday magnified the phrases of show up and be present in my minister's lesson today. I have been in Jean's shoes recently, hosting a Ladies Night In and planning Doug's 60th birthday celebration for this weekend. I can identify with the planning, preparation and expense Jean and Dana put forth to ensure their guests had a good experience.

All kinds of invitations are coming our way. An artist sends notice that she will be featured in a gallery opening. A couple will want to share a birthday dinner with you. An admired lecturer writes of a workshop retreat he is leading. A coworker values your company for the debut of a moonlighting business. A friend wants you to join them for a coffee. We can't attend everything we are invited to and invitations are not obligations. But we might be more sensitive to the invitations that are extended to us. We can sense that it is important that we show up as much as we are able to. Our being present matters.

"Movement is life & life is movement." - Studio C Pilates Fitness

"Peace be within you." - Psalms 122:8