and just like that...

It's August!

Actually, since the last post - aliens reprogrammed my brain.

Back then, I was intentionally practicing simplicity, ie, knowing when to stop (or say no). Ohm.

Suddenly, one look at the calendar and I see deadlines ahead, Mr. Robinson!

Teaching a calligraphy class, illustrating thumbnails for a children's book, designing a memorial program, designing a flyer, making lemon bars, calligraphing a commission piece, and developing a business plan - all things for other people... and I haven't even touched on things that are sprinkled in between these daily endeavors, like medical appointments, eating, sleeping.

Sigh. Deep breath. Reframe.

I'm on a committee to orchestrate a Picnic Under the Trees by my HOA. 

Last year, I organized a luau so that we could meet neighbors. When we moved here in early 2020, the pandemic was blooming and all kinds of things shut down. No welcome party for us. Wah, wah.

So with vaccines and boosters behind us, I thought it was time to host something that everyone was invited to and could participate in. A luau! Everyone loves a luau! I'll do all the decorations!

A huge canopy, several tables, ice chests, games, and enough potluck goodies to feed SoCal were all generous contributions by our new friends. Everyone came early to help set up and stayed and stayed and stayed. The luau went 2 hours beyond the 3 hours planned - and no one wanted to leave!

So many people were heartened by our little get together and it was a wonderful thing to reflect on.

Neighbors are still thanking me for it and occasionally ask if there's another one. Oui! Voila! But this time I'm enlisting more help and "simplifying" all the things. Inhale. Exhale.

Since the writing of this post: flyers are done, memorial program is done, lemon bars are done - that's 3 down and 4 to go. Breathe in. Breathe out.