Meredith Kendall's Blog, page 87
September 25, 2012
eating disorder
I taught nutrition yesterday. We watched videos about anorexia and bulimia.
It's Fluffy. I realized that she has an eating disorder.
The alarm went off this morning at 0630 and I poked my toes out of bed. Fluff chose that moment to vomit on the floor. The 2 year old hardwood hickory floor. Really? When I'm letting you out in like one minute? Yah: really. Buh-jork, heave, upchuck on the floor. Dang. Let her out, cleaned it up. Mostly grass: hmmm..
She binges on grass, then purges. My dog has bulimia.
*my apologies to those people and families who truly live with this insidious condition. I do not mean to mock or minimalize your experience. I am attempting humor, my coping strategy for a challenging life. Be well. Live long and prosper.
It's Fluffy. I realized that she has an eating disorder.
The alarm went off this morning at 0630 and I poked my toes out of bed. Fluff chose that moment to vomit on the floor. The 2 year old hardwood hickory floor. Really? When I'm letting you out in like one minute? Yah: really. Buh-jork, heave, upchuck on the floor. Dang. Let her out, cleaned it up. Mostly grass: hmmm..
She binges on grass, then purges. My dog has bulimia.
*my apologies to those people and families who truly live with this insidious condition. I do not mean to mock or minimalize your experience. I am attempting humor, my coping strategy for a challenging life. Be well. Live long and prosper.
September 20, 2012
Reiki share
Just got home from the most wonderful Reiki share. What made it so great? The hearts, gratitude, and beauty.
I've been working at this cancer center for 3 1/2 years. The center kept growing, and this week they moved to a new space. They opened today, and this evening we had a Reiki share.
The new space? It's the top floor of an old factory. The original wooden beams in the high ceilings were covered with tar. Workmen blasted them with walnut hulls and today they gleamed smooth gold. Stone and walnut floors. The walls curve in shades of green.
The windows are enormous and the views, oh the views. We can see all over our city and our sister city. The copper onion domes of the Kora Temple shrine, the sand drip spires of the basilica, the hospital, the river, hotels, office buildings, and the trees beyond.
The Reiki practitioners at the share were beautiful people. We ranged in age from 20 to 70, multicultural, multinational, and multicontinental. Hearts were open wide, energy flowed, and laughter burbled.
I kept thinking, "Look at these wonderful people in this beautiful space. How did I get here? I am so lucky and so grateful." I kept checking in with my guides and ancestors. I tried to ground myself- but the space is so airy, so expansive, I kept floating away.
There were 13 of us. We introduced ourselves and talked about Reiki. We toured the new space, admiring the architecture and views. We discussed the techniques for sending distance Reiki. M offered a blessing. We meditated and did self-Reiki. We went around the circle and said the names of people to whom we wished to send distance Reiki.
We broke into 3 groups and went to the brand new Integrative Medicine rooms and shared Reiki. After feeling chilled I suddenly burned with heat. My hands throbbed with the energy.
We met again and said goodbye. N brought vegies from his garden and we all took some. Where are mine? They didn't make it home with me. Somewhere there are small bags of cherry tomatoes, a hot pepper, and some tart concord grapes.
I feel so lucky. How did I get here?
oh yeah, I remember.....
I've been working at this cancer center for 3 1/2 years. The center kept growing, and this week they moved to a new space. They opened today, and this evening we had a Reiki share.
The new space? It's the top floor of an old factory. The original wooden beams in the high ceilings were covered with tar. Workmen blasted them with walnut hulls and today they gleamed smooth gold. Stone and walnut floors. The walls curve in shades of green.
The windows are enormous and the views, oh the views. We can see all over our city and our sister city. The copper onion domes of the Kora Temple shrine, the sand drip spires of the basilica, the hospital, the river, hotels, office buildings, and the trees beyond.
The Reiki practitioners at the share were beautiful people. We ranged in age from 20 to 70, multicultural, multinational, and multicontinental. Hearts were open wide, energy flowed, and laughter burbled.
I kept thinking, "Look at these wonderful people in this beautiful space. How did I get here? I am so lucky and so grateful." I kept checking in with my guides and ancestors. I tried to ground myself- but the space is so airy, so expansive, I kept floating away.
There were 13 of us. We introduced ourselves and talked about Reiki. We toured the new space, admiring the architecture and views. We discussed the techniques for sending distance Reiki. M offered a blessing. We meditated and did self-Reiki. We went around the circle and said the names of people to whom we wished to send distance Reiki.
We broke into 3 groups and went to the brand new Integrative Medicine rooms and shared Reiki. After feeling chilled I suddenly burned with heat. My hands throbbed with the energy.
We met again and said goodbye. N brought vegies from his garden and we all took some. Where are mine? They didn't make it home with me. Somewhere there are small bags of cherry tomatoes, a hot pepper, and some tart concord grapes.
I feel so lucky. How did I get here?
oh yeah, I remember.....
September 14, 2012
election ads
I hear you're tired of those election ads.
No TV: haven't seen a single one.
Am sadly lacking in the language and experience of popular culture.
No TV: haven't seen a single one.
Am sadly lacking in the language and experience of popular culture.
September 13, 2012
the land of Oz
Got to play with a $60,000 manikin today. So fun!
Theme: The Wizard of Oz. Nursing students and a patient with right-sided weakness.
Dorothy was the nurse.
Patient's spouse was the Scarecrow.
The Wizard sat behind the curtain and controlled the manikin/patient.
Tin Man and Cowardly Lion were unruly children.
Goal: Dorothy needed to gel in, ID patient, communicate therapeutically with family, and assess patient.
The students demonstrated an unexpected talent for acting and a commitment to compassionate care.
It was a great day.
Theme: The Wizard of Oz. Nursing students and a patient with right-sided weakness.
Dorothy was the nurse.
Patient's spouse was the Scarecrow.
The Wizard sat behind the curtain and controlled the manikin/patient.
Tin Man and Cowardly Lion were unruly children.
Goal: Dorothy needed to gel in, ID patient, communicate therapeutically with family, and assess patient.
The students demonstrated an unexpected talent for acting and a commitment to compassionate care.
It was a great day.
moving
Our cancer center is moving.
What once seemed spacious is now cramped and crammed full of wigs, blankets, books, pamphlets, and desks.
The new space is on the 5th floor of an old factory. The ceilings are way up there, the windows are enormous, and the views spectacular. The gold onion domes of the Kora temple shrine: right there! The sandy spires of the basilica, the hospital, the river, and the woods beyond: all laid out in stunning detail. I walked around the exterior of the space, admiring the views. The interior is gorgeous too. Giant disc lights in the main lobby. Stone and walnut floors. Stretches of soothing green walls curve towards offices, kitchens, gardens, and massage rooms. A Reiki room too, of course.
Everywhere you look: interesting textures, sunlight, old brick, and impressive views.
What once seemed spacious is now cramped and crammed full of wigs, blankets, books, pamphlets, and desks.
The new space is on the 5th floor of an old factory. The ceilings are way up there, the windows are enormous, and the views spectacular. The gold onion domes of the Kora temple shrine: right there! The sandy spires of the basilica, the hospital, the river, and the woods beyond: all laid out in stunning detail. I walked around the exterior of the space, admiring the views. The interior is gorgeous too. Giant disc lights in the main lobby. Stone and walnut floors. Stretches of soothing green walls curve towards offices, kitchens, gardens, and massage rooms. A Reiki room too, of course.
Everywhere you look: interesting textures, sunlight, old brick, and impressive views.
September 8, 2012
storm
Puffy pinky-gray clouds are sliding rapidly across the sky. They flash with silent lightning. Black holes open up in the clouds, but no stars are visible. The wind is hot and wet.
It's eerily quiet, except for the flapping of my deck canopy. It's being shredded by the wind. There are long rips, hanging threads, and big holes. Every few seconds the wind grabs it and it billows up and down, flaps in and out.
Through the holes in the canopy I look again at the holes in the clouds. No stars, just silent intermittent illumination. The clouds slide in a flat plane below the black bowl of sky.
It's eerily quiet, except for the flapping of my deck canopy. It's being shredded by the wind. There are long rips, hanging threads, and big holes. Every few seconds the wind grabs it and it billows up and down, flaps in and out.
Through the holes in the canopy I look again at the holes in the clouds. No stars, just silent intermittent illumination. The clouds slide in a flat plane below the black bowl of sky.
September 7, 2012
it's Friday
I'm slowing down and it feels good.
September 6, 2012
just for today
do not anger
I've been thinking about this Reiki principle recently. When I drive down Lisbon St in the afternoon, on my way home from work, other drivers weave in and out between cars, cut me off, and go through red lights. I get angry.
I don't even want to drive on that street because I feel so angry. I would take Sabattus St, but: the construction.
So it's Lisbon St and anger and I'm not supposed to get angry because I'm a highly evolved supremely spiritual Reiki practitioner. heh. I get angry.
Now what? Step back, look at it, and change the pattern. Find the opportunity. OK, how about if I realize that I can't control other drivers. Good start. What if I slow down. Maybe the aggressive driving I see in others is actually a trait of mine that I would like to change. What if I tell myself that if I slow down and chill that I am banking good karma. Ok, yeah, I could try that. Sounds like a bargain and I'm all about the bargain.
Just for today, no- wait- today is too big. Let's try the moment. Just for this moment, I will not anger. I will slow down.
I've been thinking about this Reiki principle recently. When I drive down Lisbon St in the afternoon, on my way home from work, other drivers weave in and out between cars, cut me off, and go through red lights. I get angry.
I don't even want to drive on that street because I feel so angry. I would take Sabattus St, but: the construction.
So it's Lisbon St and anger and I'm not supposed to get angry because I'm a highly evolved supremely spiritual Reiki practitioner. heh. I get angry.
Now what? Step back, look at it, and change the pattern. Find the opportunity. OK, how about if I realize that I can't control other drivers. Good start. What if I slow down. Maybe the aggressive driving I see in others is actually a trait of mine that I would like to change. What if I tell myself that if I slow down and chill that I am banking good karma. Ok, yeah, I could try that. Sounds like a bargain and I'm all about the bargain.
Just for today, no- wait- today is too big. Let's try the moment. Just for this moment, I will not anger. I will slow down.
September 5, 2012
Green beans
are growing faster than I can eat them, almost.
I pick them all week. Weekends I snip and steam a big pot. Maybe add some early carrots. I scoop out the hot vegies and dump them into lunch containers, containers to which I've added, in various combinations: balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, Italian seasoning, hummus, hot peppers, slivers of garlic or ginger, and/or pinches of turmeric. Chill.
Lunch. I add seeds: sesame, chia, flax, and sunflower.
Meanwhile, I planted peas last month. Am waiting to see if I'll get a second crop. And there are armloads of kale out there.
I pick them all week. Weekends I snip and steam a big pot. Maybe add some early carrots. I scoop out the hot vegies and dump them into lunch containers, containers to which I've added, in various combinations: balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, Italian seasoning, hummus, hot peppers, slivers of garlic or ginger, and/or pinches of turmeric. Chill.
Lunch. I add seeds: sesame, chia, flax, and sunflower.
Meanwhile, I planted peas last month. Am waiting to see if I'll get a second crop. And there are armloads of kale out there.
September 3, 2012
hummingbird
in my garden yesterday and today. When I first spied it, thought it was a dragonfly. Then it lit onto a lilac branch, still for two minutes. Never before saw one sit that long.
The hummingbird liked the morning glories, hibiscus, and echinacea.
The hummingbird liked the morning glories, hibiscus, and echinacea.
