Reboot

I'm winding down this weekend. Considering putting in a movie that's been sitting on the shelf for a few days. If I do, chances are I'll fall asleep in my chair. Better set the alarm clock on LOUD, just in case.

Friday night was fun. I listened to some music outside at Town Square. My friend, Ken, showed up and we sat in our lawn chairs watching the kids turn cartwheels while we enjoyed the whiff of breeze that played through the buildings and teased us, making us think it was much cooler than the 85 degrees it was.

I woke early yesterday morning and drove into Houston to pick up Daryl so we could drive to Austin. I wanted to browse through some shops and galleries. We made the trip in great time. It was the first road trip for my new car and I've got to say that it handles beautifully. Daryl and I talked most of the way there. He has a way of helping me work through issues without getting worked up. I value his friendship so much.

We spent most of our time on Commerce and 6th streets, taking time for a yummy Tex-Mex lunch. I found a beautiful painting that I'm excited to hang in my dining room. It's one of the first figure works I've purchased and I think it's a great addition to my collection. It's also on paper, not canvas. I'm trying to think of the best way to display it. I could have it custom framed but at this point I'd like to do something a little more primitive. Still thinking...

As soon as we returned to the hotel room I shared my good news ("New Art!") via Facebook with my friends and family. It's so much fun for me to hear back from them that they're as excited as I am. Well, maybe they're not as excited as I am but they support me in my addiction and I appreciate that. It's really fun for me to hear from artists who support me purchasing art from other artists. I have one friend (Edgar) who is just about the most positive person I know. I will tell you that he is one of the people that Daryl and I really talked up when we were making the rounds in Austin.

Dinner last night was the only real disappointment in the trip, although there was something to be gained from the experience, to be certain. The food was way too salty for me and the crowd at the restaurant was unusually loud. Most of the time these things don't bother me so much.

I think I've reached some tipping point, a point of saturation. I've been taking yoga classes and have been doing a lot of reading about juice and raw foods. I'm not one to go overboard on an all-or-nothing diet but I think last night's dinner was an alarm in my head that was telling me that I just can't/won't eat that kind of food anymore - at least not regularly.

I went to the grocery store today and bought a couple days' supply of fresh produce and pulled the juicer out. Lunch and dinner were fresh fruits/veggies - in a glass.

Like I said, I won't go overboard but I think a few days of giving my body a break from the toxins of the outside world wouldn't be such a bad thing. I told Daryl I've got a new story idea that is begging to be written. I have two on the back burner. There's yoga classes twice a week. I can surround myself with really great people which isn't so hard considering my group of friends. I've decided not to go to the memorial service for my friend, Joan. She knew how I felt and I know she'd understand.

So the week's theme will be: starting over in a healthy, gentle way. This is the intention I'm setting and I'm giving myself the leeway to let myself slide into the place I need to be.