We left for Europe in mid-December immediately after our Ananda Village Christmas concert, then spent two weeks with family in Lugano and one week visiting Ananda Assisi.
Add another ten days or so of laying low in order to recover from pneumonia, and it feels like a really long time since I’ve done anything musical!
Which I think is why I’ve been feeling rather out of sorts and kind of rudderless.
But the good news is that I’m singing for Sunday service tomorrow and will hopefully continue on a regular basis going forward.
We’ve actually had an interesting time saying goodbye to 2024 and “bringing in” 2025.
For one thing, we’ve been so busy as our time in Lugano draws to a close that we didn’t get much of a headstart on packing.
Today’s plan was to have lunch at Silvio’s, followed by a quick coffee/tea with the Lo Menzo’s, then home to get everything ready to leave first thing tomorrow morning.
Except “lunch” lasted from noon until a little after 3:00 and coffee/tea went from 3:30 until almost 5:00. By the time we got home I was pooped!
Little by little I managed to get it done, but as I sat down to write I realized I haven’t given a single thought to the year that’s ending or spent a single moment pondering my goals and intentions for the year ahead. Oops! Maybe there’ll be an opportunity on the train to Assisi tomorrow.
Regardless — I wish you all a Happy New Year and a 2025 filled with blessings!
We have a small view of Lake Lugano from the little house where we’re staying. It’s outside of Lugano, in an area called Figino; the most direct route into the city or to visit Ramesha’s family is to drive past the shopping center in Grancia then take the autostrada.
But this morning we went the long way around, following the lakeside from Figino to Morcote and on into centro Lugano.
Lakeside in Morcote
You can see it on the map below. The light red square with the red dot in the middle is the approximate location of our house; the green line is our usual route into Lugano; and the yellow line is what we did today.
Lago di Lugano
Lago di Lugano has quite a funny shape, being rather long and skinny. But that just means there’s a lot of lakeside property for people to enjoy.
I’m taking the easy way out tonight and using what Ramesha already wrote for Facebook…
“We’re in Lugano, Switzerland visiting family for Christmas. The day after we arrived we were invited to sing a few songs during a small Christmas party* for a group of people who are a part of a special governmental probation program; they all did some time for small crimes, and they’re now being helped to transition back into society. We sang some Ananda songs, and they experienced the power this music has to uplift consciousness and open hearts. We were really grateful to be able to meet them and be part of this very important program!”
I have to add, however, that we were pretty exhausted and still quite jetlagged. To make things even more interesting, on the way to the party we missed a turn due to the rain and ended up on the autostrada, completely stopped in traffic due to an accident.
So, we arrived really late…but of course it was the perfect timing. And it was a total joy to share with these lovely and receptive souls.
* In Lugano this type of informal Christmas party with friends and colleagues is called a “panettonate,” because you eat — that’s right! — panettone.
I can’t quite believe the moment is already here. Well, the truth is I can believe it, but I’m not ready for it! I’m close to finished with my packing, but I’ve got to get back to it.
It’s amazing how you can feel connected to someone you never actually met or talked to. This gentleman — Jörg Wolters — is a beautiful example. I couldn’t begin to guess how many times we saw him playing his organ on the streets of Lugano; I found it to be absolutely delightful every single time.
Originally from Germany, with his top hat and long red beard, he was a well-known face throughout Ticino (Switzerland), performing for over 30 years as a street artist.
The City of Lugano paid homage to Jörg on its social media profiles: “With deep sadness, we say goodbye to Jörg Wolters, better known as ”Barbarossa” (“Red Beard”), the organ player who with his music brought joy to our streets for over thirty years. A face known and loved by all, Jörg embodied the spirit of freedom and joy of life that he shared every day with his smiles and his music. His presence will remain indelible in the memory of Lugano and in the hearts of those who had the pleasure of meeting him.”
When we were in Lugano last May, I was inspired to capture a few moments on video. I will miss his smile and cheerful music the next time we visit.
Today was our first “town day” together since getting back from Europe.
We usually find time to get coffee amidst our various errands. But this morning was different. We weren’t okay with getting our coffee in a paper cup with a plastic lid. It just didn’t feel right.
So, we went to Flour Garden, where we could request our drinks in ceramic cups. Infinitely more civilized!
I don’t know if this is a permanent change, but we’ll flow with it for as long as it lasts.
When we drove up to the Village from Palo Alto on Wednesday, I was actually congratulating myself on how well I felt. Neither of us were feeling super tired, so I figured a couple nights with melatonin to establish the sleep schedule and I’d be home free.
Instead, my chest started feeling tight on Wednesday night. By Thursday I was dealing with a serious cough and Friday saw the addition of congestion.
I had to sleep sitting up because the wheezing and coughing got worse when I laid down in bed. I did steam treatments, essential oils, tea with honey, and sun baths. If I sat still I would fall asleep.
But bit by bit I’m turning the corner. I even left the house today for the first time since we got back from Europe.
But between being sick and events being cancelled due to COVID, I haven’t connected with a single friend since getting home.
It’s very, very strange.
So, what occurred to me during my time in the sun this afternoon is that Divine Mother has put me into a forced time out. I mean, we were constantly on the go in Lugano — fun, but also exhausting. And we were constantly on the go before we flew to Lugano — also fun and productive, but exhausting.
But now? Three days (tomorrow will be the fourth) of no events, no meetings, no nothin’.
And what’s the lesson? I guess it has to do with not going, going, going until the only way you’ll get a break is by getting sick.
