Halloween fun

These are photos from the neighborhood where we stayed in Sacramento.

The Halloween decorations started going up very early in October; people were really into it!

We liked these best because they were rather light and joyful.
The feet sticking out of the plant (on the left) is subtle but quite effective.
I thought the guillotine was a nice (though gruesome) touch.
Can you see all the “bats” on the side of the house?
Creepy, kooky, spooky, and ooky!
Okay, this one’s not about Halloween, but was so fun I had to share!

Wonderful to be back

What a joy to be back in the Temple of Light singing and chanting once again!

My ultimate happy place, enjoying my favorite healing activity, with some of my favorite people.

Evening light

I’ve always loved the beautiful view from our apartment, but there’s nothing like being away for a couple of months to raise my appreciation to a whole other level!

I sat in the last rays of the sun early this evening and marveled at the light and the quiet as the day drew to an end.

Moments of magic for which I am deeply grateful.

No place like home

I’m starting to feel like I’m really, truly back.

Went to the office for the first time this afternoon, where I was greeted with a lovely “welcome home” message and had a chance to connect with team members I haven’t seen for two months.

But I really knew I was back when I glanced down and saw this humongous spider on the floor by my desk. We hardly saw a spider in two months of living in Sacramento, but we’re definitely back in the country now!

Self-love tips

I love these reminders to stop and reflect on the differences between how we treat ourselves as compared to how we treat our plants (or our pets or our friends).

Of course, the next step is to not just think about it, but to incorporate our insights into new actions and habits.

Not so easily accomplished, at least in my experience.

Home again

It’s been a long day — packing up in Pacific Grove, driving to Sacramento to pick up the rest of our stuff, then finally back to Ananda Village.

Overjoyed to be home, but pretty tired when all is said and done.

Beautiful “welcome home” flowers and card
More beautiful flowers

Pacific Grove – Day 4

One final shot of the coast this afternoon

Another perfect day.

We leave tomorrow, which would feel pretty sad except that we’re finally heading home to the Village — which makes us happy.

Spent time in Carmel today, enjoying a delicious breakfast at Katy’s Place, then window shopping on Ocean Ave
Finally caught some pelicans in flight

Pacific Grove – Day 3

Mural at the Butterfly Grove Inn, next door to the Monarch Habitat Sanctuary

Our third day in Pacific Grove started with a very relaxed morning: waking up; hanging out; eating breakfast; hanging out some more; sitting in the sun in the yard; making coffee and sitting in the sun to drink it; followed by taking a nap!

Then we headed out — first to see the monarch butterflies in their habitat sanctuary (the videos are my best attempt to capture a bit of the butterfly magic). Then to walk along the coastal trail, followed by lunch (once again with a beautiful view).

A perfectly beautiful, sunny, relaxed vacation day.

Butterflies are the embodiment of “Lightly I Fly”
The monarch butterflies really loved the bottlebrush plant
This hummingbird really loved the bottlebrush plant as well
Butterfly bench
Lunch with a view

Pacific Grove – Day 2

The sun came out this morning!
I went down these stairs to get closer to the water and a fuller experience of the ocean
THIS is exactly what I needed! Being on the coast, breathing the ocean air, listening to the surf — it’s truly therapeutic for me.
We were enjoying the view when a sweet young woman (a Pacific Grove local) came up and volunteered to take our photo. She said it was because we looked really cute together!
Ramesha enjoying our delicious dinner and beautiful view
The view from the Beach House restaurant at Lovers Point