Enjoying

Insanely Happy Looking At The Morning Moon

/ Ally Bean / 29 Comments

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This past Tuesday morning was unusually clear so that when I looked  up into the sky around 7:30 a.m. EST I saw the waning gibbous moon.  I was aware that I might see the moon in the morning after I read this, and I knew from a similar event last year that if I had my camera with me I might get a photo of it.

Above is the best photo that I took.  Too cool for school, huh?

I like the moon more than the sun.  For one thing I don’t have to apply any sunblock or don a hat before I go outside to see it.  But the real reason that I like the moon is that the gradual changes associated with its rotation keep it fresh and fascinating.

Nothing stodgy about it.  A bit eclectic, even.

Seeing this moon photo I remembered a quote by Paulo Coelho about the moon.  It is in Veronika Decides To Die, a novel which I read years ago but have to admit that I don’t remember much about.  All that stayed with me from the novel is this quote which, I feel, makes a perfect ending to this post.

“She didn’t quite know what the relationship was between lunatics and the moon, but it must be a strong one, if they used a word like that to describe the insane.”

Improving Ms. Bean: One Step At A Time

/ Ally Bean / 21 Comments

And now for something different…

I’VE NEVER been one to talk about medical issues on my blog, and I’m not about to change that policy now.  But today, by bending my own personal blogging rules just a bit, I’m going to share with you, my gentle readers, that I am overweight.  Not much, actually.  But enough for me to decide that it is time for me to change some of my evil less-than-healthy ways.

TO WIT, and finally getting to the point of this post, I bought a fitbit.  I chose the Zip one, which is a small pedometer that you attach to yourself each day.  Then it does all the work for you by keeping track of your steps.  All you have to do is walk.  A lot.  And have a desktop computer or a smart phone that you use to see all of your stats.

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IF I were a cynical woman, at this point in my post I’d tell you that this little gadget has confirmed that I do move.  Most days.  More than I can believe.  Yet I am plump.  Which I kind of like, but that’s the sort of statement that could get my Woman Card revoked, so I won’t focus on the body image topic today.  Nor will I be cynical, because I am a paragon of good health and positive thinking.

I’M ENJOYING my Zip.  It’s a groovy fuchsia color, and has this cute little [mostly] smiley face on it.  Sometimes the smiley face sticks its tongue out at me when I’ve been sedentary for too long.  I like that.  Technology with a bit of motivational attitude is exactly the sort of thing to get me stepping more.  And maybe, just maybe, weighing a few pounds less.

I’ll let you know. 

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[A message to the FTC: I didn’t receive any compensation of any kind for my opinion here about this device.  I know that you worry about such things, so you can rest assured that, as usual, there is nothing here for you to see.]

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My Report On Periwinkles, A Spring Flower That Is Often Overlooked

/ Ally Bean / 24 Comments

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I call these vines, which are growing in the shady area around the base of our deck, Periwinkles.  Currently the lavender-blue flowers, which contrast so beautifully with the dark green leaves, are in bloom.

Aren’t they pretty?

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“Originally a native of southern Europe,… ‘Periwinkle’ is thought to be an old Slavic word, pervinka, meaning ‘first’ and referring to the early spring flowers.”

~ C. Colston Burrell

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A few years ago when the landscapers put these Periwinkles around the deck, a little plastic gardening tag embedded in each of the plants told me that they were called Vinca minor, not Periwinkles.  Since then I’ve come to realize that sometimes these trailing vines + flowers are also called myrtle.

Such a humble plant to have three names.

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“Periwinkle vines gently embrace one another, clinging gently to their surroundings, and therefore are associated with fidelity in folk magic.”

~ Feri Tradition

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According to the Victorian language of flowers, Periwinkles mean early friendship.  This makes sense to me because they bloom early and because they look approachable & non-threatening.

Who doesn’t feel comfortable around simple little flowers on sturdy vines?

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“Through primrose tufts, in that green bower, The periwinkle trailed its wreaths; And ’tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes.”

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I’m glad that I snapped a photo of these little flowers.  They’re easy to take for granted.  I imagine that it’s difficult to be a periwinkle, especially when you are surrounded by showy daffodils, pushy tulips & spazzy forsythia who get all the springtime attention.

Makes me adore Periwinkles even more.

The Return Of Five Senses Friday

/ Ally Bean / 15 Comments

It’s been a long time since I did this meme.  It originated a long time ago on a blog that is now defunct.  However, this wonderful idea lives on.  If you wish, you may play along in the comment section below or on your own blog.

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FEELING:  relaxed and happy.  well-rested.  ready to throw myself into new projects, dreamed up during my quiet days at home during our snow emergencies.

HEARING:  energy.  the fan of the furnace as it keeps this house a cozy temp.  the clickety-clack that my keypad makes when I type anything.

TASTING:  coffee.  bold, yet not harsh.  the way most of my days begin.

SEEING:  prettiness.  sunshine streaming through the open wooden blinds in the living room, illuminating the artwork that hangs on the wall above the loveseat.

SMELLING:  lime zest & cyprus.  freshness.  all because I washed my hands with my favorite kitchen soap before I sat down in our home office [across the foyer from the living room] to write this post.