Spring cleaning

Raking in the shadows

Stirring up winter’s leftovers, damp patches where the snow lay and where the mildew lingers. Leaves tossed into the warm wind and a breath of fresh air comes into the ivy.

Freshly stirred

The smell of the Earth, plants peeking up to promise that blooms will return color to the landscape. I am grateful for my senses and for the blessings of nature

tiptoeing through the tulips

Renewal

A young vineyard full of vigor and an old vineyard showing the effects of age and environment. I acknowledge that I will not revisit the energetic level of youth but I have pruning shears in my hand, and I seek the resilience of the old vine that is revealed when I chop away at the years of accumulation. Old cordons and new canes in old vines, woven together as the seasons have progressed. The vines stay alive through each year but they grow tired without attention and renewal and the time has come to tend them, to revive them. So many metaphors for my life are in the vineyard and the vines. What can I cut out of my life that is simply taking up energy …. where can I focus my attention to breathe new life into old roots …. my journey of renewal is a slow and deliberate process, like my progress in the vineyard. Resilience … persistence …. characteristics of a concord grapevine

Surrender

yielding to strengthen and restore

Upavistha Konasana

Seated wide legged forward fold .. sand bags to anchor thighs, securing down into sit bones, a block to support my forehead as I fold slowly toward the Earth. As I soften and yield to the stretch I feel a release from holding on .. from gripping.. in my body .. in my spirit .. and I fold more deeply until my forehead lightly kisses the block and I surrender … and a lightness comes in even as I feel my weight drawing downward.

I release from the fold, and rise, strengthened and restored.

Spring Yoga in North East

Yoga returns to the North East Arts Council, 25 Vine Street, upstairs

 

Wednesdays    10 a.m.     April 10 – May 15

per class $8 North East Arts Council member/$10 guest

six class pass $40 member/$50 guest

 

classes are appropriate for beginners and those with experience

Deb Phillips  certified Yoga instructor  [email protected]  814.725.4757

 

 

Hello Fresh!

Gorgeous Greens Farro Bowl. Easy to prepare and delicious!

Grape harvest season seemed like the perfect time to return to a home meal delivery plan. We had tried Hello Fresh this past winter along with a few others, and found their plans to be most consistently satisfying.  Ingredients arrive in great condition and we appreciate the information about the sources. I am happy to cook and it is a real treat to have the components delivered to our door. Everything I need to prepare nutritious meals without making a shopping list