An unexpected musical discovery

Yesterday was pedicure time, so I spent about an hour in the chair at Jivani’s (my friend, neighbor, and aesthetician) while she made my toes beautiful.

Although she usually has Ananda Music playing, yesterday she was taking a break from Radio Ananda and listening to an all-classical guitar radio station. I didn’t tune into it so much at first, but bit by bit it grabbed my attention.

I finally made a comment along the lines of, “Wow, this is a really good guitarist!” I might have commented on the intonation, the facility, the expressivity, etc.

Then I was curious to know who this “really good” guitarist was, so I used the Shazam app on my phone and discovered that it was none other than Andrés Segovia, who ranks first on all the lists of “greatest classical guitarists of all time.”

The piece I heard was Castillos de España by Federico Moreno Torroba. All eight movements are delightful but 2. Torija (Elegía) just knocks my socks off. It’s so beautiful I can’t help crying as I listen to it.

Levels of self-care and nurturing

Ever since my time with Ananda LA, regular pedicures have been part of my self-care routine.

But as I’m following guidance (both external and intuitive) to take my nurturing to another level, today I decided to also treat myself to a manicure.

Isn’t it pretty?

Levels of processing

These last few days before the bone marrow transplant are feeling rather strange, so I find myself processing, in ways both nurturing and slightly less so.

Realizing it was my last chance for at least a month, I took a chance on a local salon and enjoyed a wonderful pedicure. I especially enjoyed having my feet encased in plastic bags filled with some sort of heated and scented oil. A wonderfully nurturing treat.

Slightly less nurturing is the way I find myself reverting to “treating” myself with less-than-optimal food choices. But I refuse to make a big deal about it because I know it’s just a temporary coping mechanism.

And this too shall pass.

Treating myself

I know, I know… given the serious issues we’re all facing it seems rather silly and superficial, but…today I was able to enjoy my first pedicure in four months (thank you, Jivani)! It felt sooooooo good, and I can’t help but smile every time I glance down at my toes. 😊

There’s something about having one’s feet soaked, exfoliated, scrubbed, and massaged, and one’s toenails trimmed and painted, that feels so very civilized.