spring sprang sprung

Smelling snow melting.
Smelling a job well done: clean laundry somersaulting in the dryer.

Feeling sun on my face.
Feeling cold breeze on my bare feet.

Seeing orange: sunlight through my eyelids.
Seeing blue sky.

Hearing wind chimes.
Hearing wind.

Tasting tangy chives.
The last of the chocolate Easter eggs.

Knowing it's spring.

Rita Dove

Discovering and enjoying her poetry.

healing circle

Reiki. Tones. Tarot.

Sage smoke, stones, and sound.

Mushroom risotto and fresh asparagus.

Curry, couscous, and chocolate.

It was healing circle day. I met friends in a home full of beautiful stones, located on the high bank of a small stream. We had lunch and then took turns on the table.

I saw T as a river goddess, smooth grey mud and rippling water. D got a bilateral stereo shoulder massage and a vibrating tuning fork on her forehead; she said she saw pineal calcifications shatter and fall away. During my time on the table I felt comforted by memories of my ancestors.

Then we did Tarot and all the cards were good ones.

bedbugs

Heard a story on the radio* about bedbugs. So of course I worried about an infestation.

Just like back in nursing school, when we all thought we had every disease we studied.

I learned a lot about bedbugs. They get excited when they detect your breath, or the warmth of your skin. They can adjust their feeding schedules to your sleep schedules. They can walk from your apartment to mine: across the hall or through the walls, entering in tiny cracks. They poop, and their poop can look like black mold (Borel, 2015).

So of course I went on a search. I looked online for photos and more information. I pulled back the sheets and inspected my mattress. Got down on the floor and peered at the baseboards. I cleaned and investigated. No critters. Nothing that looked like black mold. Nothing.

Just like nursing school. Guess I'm going to live another day.





* Dave Davies interviewed Brooke Borel, author of Infested on Fresh Air, 4-8-15 Fresh Air

Reiki in the hospital

Another meeting today about our new program: Reiki at the infusion center. That's a place where people walk in and relax in a recliner while a nurse administers an intravenous medication. We're hoping to share Reiki with the clients and staff there.

We have policies and procedures, we have administrative approval and a fabulous Reiki practitioner who's ready to start. Next step is an educational presentation for the staff.

It takes a long time to start a new program; but it's good to do it thoughtfully, carefully, mindfully, and respectfully. Soon, hopefully, clients can have Reiki with their chemotherapy or antibiotic medication.

it's in the details

sometimes the most important nursing happens in the smallest moments

It's Easter, the stores are closed

Saw a lot of pagans circling around grocery store parking lots today.

"The parking lot's empty."
"Really need that thing."
"Are the lights on?"
"Maybe it will open in half an hour."
"Drive up to the door and look at the sign."
"Try that other store down the street."

I finally found an open market and got some coffee beans and cremini mushrooms and a pint of potato leek soup.

Easter

A cold and windy winter. Now spring is late, 3 weeks late.
Snowflakes swirled as I drove down to see my grandson and his parents.
His mom filled plastic eggs with small pieces of tangerine, metal cars, and chocolate kisses. He crawled around and opened the eggs. His dad made us tiny breakfast sandwiches: miniature bagels stuffed with pepper and onion omelets; topped with pickled onion, greens, and spicy mustard.

Snow is predicted all week; daffodils are budding along the south wall.
A long winter, but love and flowers renew my heart.

changes

Full moon, lunar eclipse or two, and planetary alignments are influencing change and release.

This is a time to let go of situations that no longer serve you. Release anger and pain in healthy ways that don't harm or demean others. Do some yoga. Be Reiki, share Reiki. Meditate... shhhh.... listen.

This is the perfect time to ask questions and receive answers.

Now do what feels right. This is a good time to make healthy changes. This is a time of opportunity. Shift a little or make a leap. Fill out that job application, talk to that person, go to that job interview, sign up for that class, make plans for that trip. Spend time with dear family and friends; people who hear, nourish, and support you.

Be well.