(not necessarily in that order)
Halfway through our longish layover in Istanbul.
It’s been a lot of hours since we left San Francisco, plus we’re now in a time zone ten hours ahead.
In fact, it’s already Wednesday afternoon here, so I’m taking a few minutes to write “today’s” blog post.
First time in Turkey and I’m very much enjoying the people watching!
Well, it’s almost time to board our flight. We’re flying Turkish Air to Istanbul and from there to Milano.
I got a bunch of my Italiano Automatico recordings transferred from laptop to phone so I can spend time on the plane making the mental shift to Italian (finally!).
Now I’m posting today’s blog, before heading into the twilight zone of jet lag. ✈️
It felt a little crazy but this morning — in the midst of packing; dropping off recycling and garbage; and learning we had to get the car smog checked today — we actually took a few minutes to visit Crystal Hermitage Gardens and witness the beauty of the tulips before heading off to Europe for four weeks.
The truth is, I was feeling a little crazy, but as I stepped into the lower gardens and literally drank in the view you see in the above photo, with its incredible beauty and palpable peace, I was able to stop. To be still. And to simply appreciate the blessing that Crystal Hermitage Gardens is to each of us and to the world.
To be honest, it made it that much harder to leave. But we’ll be back soon.
I’m almost mostly ready. Suitcase is packed but there are still a lot of little details to handle early tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, it’s taken until after midnight to get this far. Arrgghhh!
Tonight students from Living Wisdom High School of Palo Alto blessed us with a rousing performance of a large portion of the Oratorio.
It was heartening to see and hear young people who really get Swamiji’s music. They sang with great energy, devotion, and some really beautiful voices.
There’s a part of me that feels a wee bit envious as I try to imagine what it would have been like to know about Education for Life and be singing Ananda’s music in high school!
It’s fun to think about but I know better than to really go down that rabbit hole. 😊
P.S. You might notice a few familiar — and distinctly older than high school — faces in the choir. A few key students couldn’t make the trip, so Keshava recruited a few “ringers” from the Village.
Hopefully I can make my “fiction” somewhat believable, since my life is all about to-do lists from now until we leave early Monday morning!
No, I didn’t actually visit India this afternoon, but having lunch with Nayaswami Dhyana was the next best thing.
Dhyana has been one of my favorite Ananda teachers ever since I heard her give a downright thrilling Sunday service over New Year’s weekend way back in 1999. I’ve always loved her combination of deep wisdom, down-to-earth practicality, and delightful humor.
She’s been serving with Ananda India for over twenty years now (hard to believe!) and it’s always a joy to learn about the progress of the work there through her photos, videos, and stories.
Of course, I’m still waiting (im)patiently to see if all for myself. 😊
Yes, it’s that time of year again: the Springtime at Ananda Tulip Festival is officially underway!
Visit the Crystal Hermitage Gardens website for information, then come and immerse yourself in beauty.
There are times when an appropriate medication is the only way to go.
Today I’m feeling extremely grateful for the Rx that seems to have finally ended my recent malady. I’ve had my first completely “normal” day in almost a week; what a relief!
I’ll still follow the doctor’s recommendation to get some bloodwork done, mainly as a precautionary measure. But my energy is back and I feel confident that I’ve turned the corner.
The eclipse happened, but Ramesha and I pretty much missed it because we were on the road all day, from 9:15 to 6:00.
We had a variety of errands and medical appointments that took us from Grass Valley to Auburn then all around Grass Valley once again. I’m grateful for the fact that we actually accomplished a whole lot, thanks to grace and serendipity.
But we just didn’t have the bandwidth to pay close attention to the eclipse as well. Listening to the Gyatri mantra while we drove around was the best we could do.