Return to the Ocean

Friday afternoon - WSM Noah and I set out on date "night" (we start at 4:30 p.m. since I am in bed by 9:30 p.m.)  We head for the beach.  Different time of the day, different feel to the ocean.  The air is slightly cooler as the sun descends.  The sand however is warm and inviting to our feet.

We find a little dune by the sea oats with a clear and unobstructed view of the ocean.  There is a feeding frenzy going on and we are treated to a most spectacular view of pelicans diving in for their meal.  Must be a lot of fish near the shore today.

We are sitting on the sand, feeling the winds, listening to the ocean's beat, enjoying some rays of sunshine.  I start to sing  - a sanskrit mantra, allowing my voice to harmonically converge with nature.  I am calling the birds.  I am singing them a melody of peace and love, inviting them to come out and play with me.

And then WSM Noah tells me to lean back, lay down, let the beach support my head and gaze up at the sky.  I lay back and relax my muscles, feeling the Earth's heat through the sand, synchronizing with her heartbeat, her tempo and allowing my eyes to gaze in wonder at all the clouds.  And I sink back into old memories, wonderful feelings.  I used to love doing this as a child.  Head back on the earth, being still and watching the clouds dancing and story telling. Watching with wonder and awe at the mathematical formulations intimated by the swirls and shapes I see playing out in the sky.

And I feel such peace in my soul, such connection in the Here and Now with the elements that surround me and are part of me.

Life is good!!!

The Ocean

Today was my first day back.  Actually my first time in 2008.  I'd forgotten what it felt like, the joy and pleasure of immersing myself and letting the water permeate my skin and change my constitution.

I set a sacred date with myself today.  After cleaning the house and doing some laundry, I knew I needed to detox and cleanse and be one with nature.  I hopped into the car and 10 minutes later, I am sitting in the sand.  I create and close my circle of shells, sponges and feather.  I soak up the sun and warm up my bones.  I meditate and quiet my mind as I listen to the waves lap the shore.  I ask for permission to enter.  And then I run down to the water.

The water is so cold.  Freezing to my warm blooded organism.  And yet, I keep on approaching, preparing to dive in to the next wave, knowing that head on approach makes it easier in the long run.  Submersed in the water I become and out I jump, shivering and breathing in deep, acknowledging the cold.  And tasting the salt.  And then I leap into the next wave.  I open my eyes underwater, marveling at the motion of the sand on the ocean floor.  Feeling saltiness and a little sting, my eyes adjust.  I jump up again and feel my body warming up as I acclimate to the water's temperature.

So crisp and invigorating.  So cleansing and pure.  So much fun!!!  When had I forgotten how much joy the ocean brings me? 

I feel the molecules of ocean water penetrate my skin and start exchanging and squeezing out the old water cells filled with toxins of sadness and fear.  The process of osmosis is taking hold and shifting my energy.  From my head down to my toes, I embrace her sandy, salty waters and open myself to the healing process, feeling the balancing of my body's water content and the ocean's liquid.  I become one with the ocean and I surrender.  I fall back.  And the ocean embraces me and holds me.  I float.  

As I lay there in the water and look up at the clear skies I remember the sensation of going with the flow.  Letting the waves caress me and take me up and down as I release any muscle tension and let go; accepting the gentle and loving rhythm of the ocean, flowing under me, through me and within me.

MOM

When Mom heard about my Re-TREAT, she decided to check it out for herself.   She took a train from Deerfield Beach to Winter Park (lovely little town with great boutiques and restaurants) to come spend a few days.  Here she is with Leo on her shoulder.

Mom and I have a really great relationship now.   Over the years, we have indulged ourselves in Mother-Daughter retreats and even traveled to Europe together 3 times to be with the "girls" (my grandma and my auntie). Lately, we are exploring a new facet of our relationship - business partners. 

However, it was not always this way. Growing up, my family was a tight little unit. My dad, my brother, my mother and I. There was no such thing as Mother-Daughter time. We did it together or we didn't. 

And as I grew up, I was an overweight teenager - hiding all my issues under a thick cloak of food and skin.   And shopping with Mama Goddess Myam was always a major DRAMA.  Truth, I hated shopping with her. I always wanted the most expensive things and she always said NO. In fact, she would walk into a store and go right for the sales rack. And that would infuriate me. Back in the day, you could never find things for fat people on the sales rack. That was reserved for the teeny weeny people which my Mom used to be.  

In the here and now, Mom and I ventured out of the house to buy food to create meals. And there just happened to be a SteinMart. So we stopped and shopped and laughed and tried on clothes. And it was fun. And then we went to Ross. And there, we didn't try on any clothes but went shopping in the back where they have all these home furnishings for very cheap prices.  So far, so good. We called it a day and went home to the dogs, the Meow and the birds.

Day 2 - we ventured a little further. Mom loves garage sales and can spot a neon sign from a mile away. So, I indulged her. And for my patience, she found a big bag of feathers and alot of shells to use for my arts projects. And then she found an Estate Sale (yes, Goddess Bliss, thank you for turning me on to these) - and I bought these lovely boxes to play with.  And then, we went all out. Consignment stores - these are her favorite. She gets a certain joy out of finding a most beautiful dress at a fabulous price. I ended up with Ralph Lauren sunglasses, a PINK XOXO purse and some great jeans that I bought for $2.50.

We had an opportunity to bond and LAUGH and cook together and rewrite HIS-STORY. Goodbye to all my shopping samskaras. Hello to new possibilities and RETAIL THERAPY.

(Posted:  A New Moon Soul Card - speaks for itself!  Tee Hee!!! )

Metaphormosis

Zeko Meow

My name is Zeko.  I am the Elder of this  Household.  I sat at your interview, Goddess Sharon.  I sat on Goddess Diana's lap and purred my approval.

THINGS THAT WILL KEEP OUR HOUSEHOLD RUNNING SMOOTH AND ENSURE CONTINUITY WHILE GODDESS DIANA & WSM NOAH ARE GONE:

There are four more residents in our home:  Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.  Two are in the bedroom and two in the living room.  They need some water on Saturday.  Feel their earth as an indicator if they are sated.

As an ELDER in this house, I love to keep peace here.  If I choose to sit on you or be near you, that is because I am absorbing your energy and removing any toxins you may have carried in and replacing it with my good vibes.  When I'm done, I'll start licking myself to balance it all out.

Feel free to ask any questions you have, I will answer it telepathically or if you don't hear me, watch my ears or tail.  They always show the Way.

Elly Belly Meow

Welcome to the Ark Goddess Sharon.  

We are so glad you chose to visit us and keep us safe and happy in our home.  I am the pickiest and the most talkative of the residents of this home.  

Depending on my mood, you may or not may not see me.

These are the things we need to keep us grounded and purring:

1. PLEASE REMOVE SHOES AT THE DOOR.

2. Take out food from fridge so it can set to room temperature.

3. Tomorrow's food is in the freezer - pull it out and place in fridge to defrost.

4. Open door to our outdoor garden sanctuary.

5. Clean my litter box, please.  We are all so very fastidious.  Please take the garbage remains        out and dump them in one of the garbage bins as you leave.

6. Clean my water bowl and give me some fresh water from the pump.

7. FEED ME.

8. Wash our food bowls before you leave.

Zeko will tell you more...

Residents of our Home

When we go out of town, we have always had friends or neighbors come over and take care of our Meows.  And as much as that has been appreciated, our Meows sat down with me and told me they preferred some consistency if I was going to travel alot this year.

So we interviewed a few people to see if they would connect with the littlest residents of our home.  And when Goddess Sharon came over, Zeko, our oldest meow, decided to sit on my lap and participate in the interview process.  It was quite unusual and telling behavior.

Before I left for my cruise, I sat down with each Meow to see what they were expecting from Goddess Sharon in my absence.   Crone Goddess Ruby was the first to share with me.  This is what she dictated to me:

Message from Crone Goddess Ruby

Welcome Goddess Sharon to this humble abode.  I am the Queen of this home.  I am usually found on the master bed lolling around and catching up on my beauty sleep.  

I love getting brushed and I love my medicine too.  If you just bring it to my mouth, I will indulge you with good behavior and drink it all up.  

When you feed me, the aromas will so intoxicate me, I will probably sing you a melody.  Now I may be small, however I am very wise.  I am looking forward to getting to know one another.  Meow!!!

Day 2 at Sea - Cozumel

We met for breakfast in the Dining Room.  So much food!!!  Still feeling full from the night before.  And yet, once the food is in front of you, it seems that there is always a little room to eat some more.

I had never been to Cozumel.  The ship was docking at 11:00 a.m. and I had a feeling it would be a mad rush off the ship.  So we decided to convene with the Elders and the Great Aunties at 2:30 p.m. for our Mexican adventure.

WSM Noah and I got off the ship at noon once it received clearance.  Walking down the pier from where our ship was docked to the building with Duty Free and shopping, I could not get over how turquoise blue the water is.   

 Through the craziness of shopping kiosks and out the building we went to get a cab for the 10 minute ride into downtown Cozumel.  We walked through downtown and were a little bit disappointed.  Lots of American bars and stores selling gold and souvenirs and T-shirts.  It did not seem like we would see any Mexican culture at all.

In fact, Cozumel used to be a sleepy little island until the cruise ships began to come.  Now, Cozumel gets 4 cruise ships a day except on Wednesdays when it is visited by 8 ships.  Therefore, it caters to the tourist industry.

And it was hot in Cozumel.  A lot like Florida in the summer and this was at 10:00 a.m. (2 hours behind ship time).  However, we were blessed with some awesome sea breezes.  We walked back to the port and our ship and found some lovely cowboy hats for the Great Aunties.

At 2:30 p.m., wheelchairs and caretakers in tow, we got off our ship - not a person in sight, smooth sailing all the way.  We wheeled right down the pier and through the shopping plaza and waited for just the right taxicab (van size with a little step) for our group.  And so we drove the 3/4 mile to Discover Mexico for our little adventure.

Discover Mexico is a wonderful find in Cozumel - this place was like like being in one of Epcot Center's pavilions.  We were greeted warmly and offered refreshments.  We took a group photo before our tour.  That's me in pink between Dr. Bernie and Uncle Josh.

And then we went inside an air conditioned building and were seated in a big hall with four big screens.  The lights were dimmed and we watched a 15 minute movie with amazing sights and wonderful sounds of all the beautiful places and things to do in Mexico.  And then we were escorted into an Art Museum where our very knowledgeable guide, Ramon, took his time as he explained to us the different art work that graced the halls.  We oohed and aahed  at the colorful and beautiful art.  The tapestry below is but one of the awesome pieces we had the

 honor to see.

We were then led to the outside portion of our tour.  After meeting some fabulous Macaws and Cockatoos, we followed our tour guide Ramon through a most informative tour of miniature relics of all the pyramids and major sites of Mexico.    

For more pics, go to Cozumel &  Cozumel sights.

 

Day 1 at Sea - Key West

We slept with the doors open so we could hear the ocean and feel the breezes.  And of course, peek out at all the stars in the sky.  As we docked in Key West the sun came up to greet us.  What a beautiful morning!!!

WSM Noah and I were among the first people off the ship.  We took the shuttle into downtown Key West.  We walked on Duval Street and approximately 12 blocks to Pirate Scooter Rentals where Dave hooked us up with  a 6 person electric cart. What a blast!!!    We took her for a spin and drove to Smathers Beach to soak up some sun. 

At 9:15 a.m., we returned to Mallory Square to pick up the Elders and the Great Aunties as they were disembarking from their shuttle.  We got everyone seated and seatbelted and away we went.

WSM Noah lived in Key West for seven years in his previous lifetime.  He drove and showed us points of interest like the Truman Annex, Hemingway's House and back to the Southernmost Point (sign that says that Cuba is 90 miles away).

We stopped to get some genuine Key Lime Pie - one huge serving and seven forks so we could all sample some sweetness before lunch.   The electric cart ride was breezy and comfy.  And then we stopped for bathroom breaks.  And then we went to find some conch.  We found a nice spot on the water called Dante's where we filled up on conch fritters and chowder.  Yum, yum, yum.

And then we cruised down Duval Street and dropped the Elders at the shuttle to go back to the cruise for a nap.  WSM Noah and I took our cart for another little spin and a walk through Key West' cemetery.  I met an awesome tree and we communed.  She allowed me to take a picture in her arms.

We then dropped off our cart and did some shopping before picking up the shuttle back to the boat.  At 2:00 p.m. the Century set sail again.  We napped and walked around the ship and set up massages for the next evening.  We turned on the 24 hour Cirque de Soleil channel and enjoyed one of the shows we had seen in person, La Nouba.  So nice to see it from so many angles after seeing it live.

And as the sun was descending, we got dressed all fancy for Formal Night in the main dining room.

For more pics of our adventure in Key west, check out Key West &  Cool Sights

1st Seltzer Family Reunion

I just came back from a lovely cruise with my Great-Aunties Sylvia and Maggie (the Seltzer sisters).  Great Auntie Sylvia decided to spoil her sister a/k/a Margaret for her 89th birthday, with a cruise adventure.  Auntie Maggie flew to Florida from California on Tuesday for the beginning of a splendid trip.  Soul Mama (Noah's Mom) booked tickets for all of us on Celebrity Cruise Lines' Century ship.  And what a lovely ship it was.  And with a most wonderful sailing itinerary as well.

Thursday at noon, WSM Noah and I went to Miami's Port to get registered and checked in.  The boarding process was simple and fun.  And 15 minutes later, luggage-free and with a Celebrity ID/credit card, we went to check out our room - a lovely stateroom on the 8th floor with a balcony overlooking the port.  We then went to meet & greet the rest of the members of the family and walk them through the registration and boarding process.

By 1:30 p.m. we met up at the Lounge on the 11th floor and had lunch - a smorgasbord of culinary choices and appetizing dishes to eat.  We ate and talked - happy for this adventure to begin.  At around 2:30 p.m., sated and slightly tired, we wheeled the Great Aunties and accompanied their caretakers to the StateRoom on the 5th Floor.   We parted ways so they could unpack and nap with a promise to return to escort them to the Dining Room for early seating dinner.

At 5:00 p.m., we sat on our balcony (with a table and two chairs) and watched as the Celebrity left the Port of Miami.  The ship turned around in Biscayne Bay and sailed right out of the Port into the open sea. 

     

We explored our stateroom and all the choices available to us on this ship.  The best part is that everything is interactive through the room's TV screen. 

At 6:00 p.m, we met for dinner and were blessed with our waiter Hector from the Phillipines and Irwin from Ecuador.  Two of the nicest people you could ever meet.  It seemed that no matter how difficult our request was (hot steaming soup that had to be carried out on another platter because the bowl was burning hot), they were ready to serve and please.

And what a  blessing to be with the Matriarchs of this family and to share their wisdom and observe their mannerisms.

Our adventure has just begun!!!

For more pics of our adventure at sea, check out Cruise