Time for Bed TCC

Whew! My first two days on the new job are complete and all I can say is, What a whirlwind of newness: new information, computer program, workplace, names and faces, and even a new staff-only bathroom. Yes, it's a much different view from the backside of the library circulation desk when compared to standing on the front side.

I'm happy to be here. And I'm also perfectly content to have the rest of the week off before I head back to work next Monday. Today was overfull: primary voting day, an urgent plea from Frances to come pick her up in Ashland after I got off work this evening because her car's front brakes went out, and our first day pilling Namaste after the vet determined that he has Lyme's Disease. We've only just begun to give twice a day antibiotic tablets for a 42 day run. Oh, and did I mention that I worked six nonstop hours today with a 10 minute break?

By the time I began my TCC practice this evening I was t-i-r-e-d. By the time I finished my TCC practice this evening I was t--i--r--e--d--e--r. As my practice progressed and my mind and body slowed down from its fast paced day I began to feel my exhaustion multiply. By practice end I was in a state of what I'll call ultimate relaxation. My body is at its limit; my mind shut down its functions similar to the way I shut down the functions of nine computers at the library tonight.

TCC practice left me in an ultra-relaxed state and--no arguments here--it's time to head for bed.

New Beginnings

Today is my first day of work at the Bayfield Library (my work day begins at 1 p.m.). I'm excited to be back in the presence of books (it has been many years since I worked in two different bookstores in the Twin Cities) and I welcome my opportunity to get better acquainted with community members.

Yesterday afternoon Frances and I attended the farewell party for Karen, my predecessor in the library assistant job. It was a wonderful event full of warm sunshine, fabulous potluck fare, and friendly people.

Karen was one of the first residents we met when we moved to Bayfield. She joined my first T'ai Chi Chih class and, after I heard the story of how she chose to move to Bayfield (she hopped into her car in Chicago and drove until she didn't see electric wires hanging over her head), I knew that she was someone Frances and I wanted to know better.

Today and tomorrow Karen will train me in to take over the job she held at the library for the past five? six? seven? years. Could there be a better way for me to start a new-job day than with a T'ai Chi Chih practice?

I stepped into the lemony sunshine on the deck and observed small patches of sunlight as they flickered and danced in the dark, shade-filled woods. It was breezy but quiet; Frances and Namaste left earlier for the vet's office to discover why he's experiencing pain that wakes him--and us--up in the middle of the night.

The cat lounged in the shade of a flower planter in the corner of the deck. And me? I soaked and drenched and saturated myself with the generous rays of sunshine that flooded over me out of a brilliant blue sky. Early on in the practice flower stems and tomato plants jogged my attention. They jiggled wildly due to somebody's unintentional efforts. Soon two chipmunks ran out of their green shelter and pounced on each other before one dashed quickly away.

I interspersed my TCC practice with Seijaku. And now I feel calm, relaxed, and comfortable ... a wonderful way to feel on the first day at a new job.

Yellowing

I practiced T'ai Chi Chih tonight while darkness crept into the forest. As the light faded the highlights of yellow and gold on tree leaves and undergrowth faded too. My surroundings filled with dark shadows and the only sounds I heard were swoops of wind and, perhaps, a slow, careful footstep or two deep in the forest.

Fall Equinox is barely a week away and, suddenly, everywhere I look I see yellow. Today's lunch theme was yellow and red: yellow curried rice, yellow spaghetti squash with red tomato sauce, and stir fried veggies that featured yellow squash, zucchini, onions, and tomatoes. And the forest around me gains more shadings of yellow with each passing cool day.

Early on in tonight's practice I saw a hummingbird feeding in the jewel weed, a delicate blossom of orange-yellow. I'm relieved to notice a few hummingbirds still flitting through the weeds and to the feeder. A week ago Frances found a hummingbird hanging upside down on a wire fence we'd dropped over a planter on our front step (goose proofing).

At first we thought the hummer was in torpor since we've heard of them losing consciousness or becoming dormant when their nectar is too cold for their body temp (is that correct?). Concerned, Frances picked the bird up and held it in her hands to warm it but soon discovered that it was dead, not resting.

I practiced my t'ai chi chih way into the darkness and then silently picked my way to the bird feeders and carried them into the house for the night. Another day comes to a close.

Woodland Wanderings

I launched into this evening's TCC practice at 5:30 p.m., outdoor temperature 55 degrees. A chipmunk atop a tree trunk in our south ravine carried on a constant monologue while I moved. I assumed--wrongly--that the talkative interloper was a squirrel taunting Chiripa as she watched from the edge of the deck.

When I finally looked for the source of these on-going agitated grumblings I was surprised. You mean that teeny creature can talk that loud and that long? Chiripa maintained her Zen focus throughout. Though she watched with interest, eventually she went about her business as if no one was there at all.

After the chipmunk stopped its onslaught, a far away air-borne bird launched into a loud, echoing call. The haunting sound floated over the treetops until, finally, it was quiet. But, no. Another rustling, leafy sound emanated from the woods. When I squinted my eyes just right, I saw a deer digging into the earth with its front hoofs.

While I moved I watched the deer and they (I eventually spotted two though there were probably more) watched me. When I arrived at Joyous Breath, I saw a few ears twitching in response to my loud exhalations. At the Healing Sounds, my noisy aspirations drew barely a raised head. 

I felt gratified to be included in the activity of the woods. And peaceful. And calm. And, umm, just right.

Chi-Full

It was a quiet day today. I waited, wondered, and wanted to hear a decision regarding this part-time job for which I submitted an application. In the meantime I used my time wisely and made a huge batch of salsa from the outpouring of tomatoes harvested from our garden.

And then ... I did my t'ai chi chih practice. Late afternoon brought quiet clouds and grey skies. When I practiced, I felt like I was captured in a lull before the storm. A quiet calmness sifted through the atmosphere and fell upon me as I moved simply, softly, silently.

And then ... and then ... and then ... I got the phone call. The job is mine! I feel tremendous gratitude for this opportunity and anticipate that I will become better acquainted with the community as I serve in a role that--like my avocation as T'ai Chi Chih instructor--is also public, also works to educate, expand, and inform, and also quietly changes the people with whom I interact.

Next week I begin my two-day-a-week job as library assistant in the Bayfield Carnegie Library. Let the DVD and book returns begin!?!

T'ai Chi Chih Terminus

It was a wonderful day for an outdoor practice! After several days of rain, clouds, and--brrr--cold, today's weather was a delightful surprise.

Our TCC gathering was held at the terminus of a dead end road with a huge, ancient barn presiding over the property. We fashioned our TCC circle of eight in the middle of the road that led to the house and barn. It was a sun-filled area and there, within its blue-skied boundaries, we knew we'd stay warm.

Then, we moved quietly through our practice. Early on, one member of our circle pointed to an eagle flying overhead. Directly after completing Cosmic Consciousness Pose, we walked to a special place on the property, a medicine wheel, and re-formed our circle to bless the wheel and circle the energy.

A delicious potluck followed. While we ate we talked and talked and talked, balancing out the long minutes of slow silence that surrounded us during our TCC practice. What a lovely way to share the Chi and enjoy a beautiful fall day. One month from today--exactly--our next t'ai chi chih class session begins.

Just Desserts

My T'ai Chi Chih practice was a welcome reward after a day devoted to dusting off and polishing my resume. That task has always been a difficult one but this time, since this part-time job seems so right for me, I totaled my skills, laid them out, and will hope for the best possible outcome.

Right now I feel good about the efforts I made to convey my strengths and talents. And, after delving into a dark, quiet TCC practice on the porch, I'm content to trust the Universe on this one.

I practiced while Frances pulled in bird feeders and corralled and herded the geese to their pen. The darkness of dusk settling felt comforting and appealing after a full day dedicated to compiling a resume, application form, and cover letter.

Tomorrow morning I meet members of my Cornucopia TCC class for a morning practice and potluck at one of the students' homes. It's been cool lately and it's still unclear whether our planned outdoor practice and picnic will need to move indoors. It will be fun to have time to socialize and get to know each other better; normally we overfill our time together with TCC practice and unending discussion about the Tao.