My very first blog! I’m a blog-virgin….

They say that the best way to start anything… is to JUMP IN.

Which makes me think of W E A T H E R and spring… flowers… fresh air… and, of course, spring cleaning. I got to thinking about home and spirit. It’s where we nest, dream, love, cook, rest and create. It’s more than furniture and what looks good. So, I am starting a series called “Spirit of the Home” and each time I blog I’ll pass along more info and tidbits to those of you who WANT your home to be filled with spirit and good energy. Here’s some “Spirit of the Home” advice:

It’s obviously SPRING so it’s time to clear out. Open all the windows and let the fresh air of spring dance through your home. Clean, clean, clean. Not with harsh chemicals but use some earth-friendly products. Even your clothes should be hung outside to air out after all of the months indoors. You’ll be amazed at how this helps. Did you know that the Chinese often boil plain vinegar in their kitchens and let it sit all day ? It cleanses the air and reduces colds. We do it and it seems to work — anyway the vinegar smell, while a little pungent, fades quickly. (Please don’t burn those fragrant candles in your house.)

T I P S

Feng Shui experts speak a lot about color, mirrors, lighting. It’s not that hard to understand, most principles of Feng Shui are natural to your spirit. Drape a few of those wedding twinkle lights on the fireplace mantle.

Decorate a mirror with them.

Find and place mirrors in auspicious places like at the entry to your home, at the end of a long hallway, over your stove! Yep, that’s right over the stove — you need to see what’s behind you!

OK now on to other stuff - MOVIES

……I just saw a few great movies you might love because they are sweet and about love, AND they are not just girlie movies. Snow Cake and My Life Without Me. Anyway, my dear, sweet friend Myra got me started on Netflix so I find myself lost in the cyber movie world. It beats standing in Blockbuster. So from time to time I’ll share these gems with you. Remind me to tell you how Myra and I met and have stayed friends for more than 25 years!

News about our kids

The same girlfriend is beside herself with joy to see her beautiful daughter, Anna, in a play in NYC. We Call Her Benny at the John Montgomery Theatre Co. 311 W. 43^rdSt. 212-758-3820. So if you are in NYC for the month of April, go see Anna Bridgforth (www.annabridgforth.com). She’s another Scarlett Johanson… even better! 

Speaking of bragging:

My niece, Beth Harrison,  just released her first book called, “Shedding Light on Genetically Engineered Food”. You MUST READ THIS. Go to my Links page and click on her book. I hope you will buy it.

 

My baby boy…

… Charles, age 26, is now living in Philadelphia and (I’m proud to say) he’s campaigning for one of our candidates. Many of you know who that is. Charles is also a kick-butt songwriter and plays frequently at the Sidewalk Café in the East Village of NYC! Ain’t too proud am I? (Charles, honey, can you not use bad words or sexual references in your songs when I come to hear you play?) Robert, age 20, is living a sort of “Into the Wild” life in Northern California, searching for his bliss. His idea of camping is hot and cold running water though. No worries there. Way to go Robert! Also a singer/songwriter.

Does the news lately bring you down?

Do you believe in collective energy? I do. I think that the more we think negatively about the war, economy, elections and all of the things that f r e a k US OUT on TV, the more we send those bad vibrations out to the universe. Let’s make a promise to stop and remind ourselves that we are in charge of our thoughts. Read “Miracles of Your Mind” by Dr. Joseph Murphy written in 1956 and still in print through Hay House. And turn off the news!

My new heroes are the 13 Grandmothers. Have you heard of them? You must go to their website. They are 13 women, grandmothers, representing all the continents who have gathered at various times to try to heal the earth. It’s beautiful. I want to be one!! go to www.grandmotherscouncil.com.  (Speaking of Grandmother’s — Mother’s Day is next month, and I have some really beautiful Blessings Bowls for Mom’s and Grandmothers!  See my webpage or next blog.)

The Next Chapter of My Life

Baby Boomers indeed are redefining career and work. I am about to change — yet again! Stop by and see me while I’m still in one place. I’m planning a few trips this year. Finally. After about 7 years of non-stop retailing, schlepping (I’m not complaining) and waving my magic wand in the store, I’m cutting back a little. I’ll have more time to find those great deals for you — so be sure you come out to our Charlottesville location for the monthly sales starting in June. Until then, stop on by the shop in Charlottesville Fridays and Saturdays in April. I will miss my customers who have become my friends. I love to hear about the children, grandchildren, pets, husbands, fiancés and just plain fun gossip. We all try to help each other…. some of the conversations get wild though. Let’s stay in touch!

Finally and in closing for now

I’m reading Create Your Personal Sacred Text: Develop and Celebrate Your Spiritual Life by Bobbi Parish and it’s wonderful. It’s the ultimate Baby-Boomer idea. We are such a creative bunch! I have sampled many religions and reexamined my spiritual side just as the author did, but I could never find anything this specific to address non-denominational spirituality. It’s perfect for me and will be fun to express my spirituality into my altered art books and journals. I also urge you to sign up for daily email reminders from www.soulfulliving.com. It is a nice pause in the midst of a hectic day… a mini-retreat.

I’ll see you next time… sweet dreams.

Love and Gratefulness,

Penny

(That wasn’t so hard was it? I kind of like this blog thing!)