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Books Review: Seven Days in Utopia, Golf’s Sacred Journey and The Sequel

18 Feb

We saw the movie.  I knew I needed to read the book, bonus found the sequel.

The movie starring Robert DuVall and Lucas Black is warm, genuine and inspiring.  In my youth, I took golf lessons and followed tournament play.  As an adult, I played in a golf league after work.  I’m fond of movies about baseball…Field of Dreams, A League of Their Own, The Natural…  Frankly, it never occurred to me that there were great stories and lessons to be told about golf.  (I don’t count Caddy Shack.)

Seven Days in Utopia narrative differs between the movie and the book.  (Both are equally time well spent.)  The book has more details on honing technical golf skills.  There is an opportunity loss, if practice is dominated by driving range parameters.   Improving skills means practicing with up and downhill lies, behind trees, bare ground, deep grass…and more…

What is extraordinary about the lessons?  The originality, experiential and spiritual nature of the situations.  Watch or read for yourself.

 

 

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First you hear them, then you see them

14 Mar

Sandhill cranes 2019 spring migration.

Check out this video:

Sandhill cranes fly in a “V” formation at a fairly high altitude.  The image is faint as they move from right to left across the screen.

We have been lucky to be outdoors in the early afternoon frequently this spring.  It appears to be the best time to see them in flight…over a half dozen times (central Indiana).

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sandhill_Crane/sounds  (There are 3 audio clips.)

View one of Indiana’s greatest wildlife spectacles at Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area. Each fall, thousands of Sandhill Cranes visit the area’s shallow marshes.

I was introduced to sandhill cranes 20 years ago at the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area.  They feed and stay overnight during their migration.  Large groups are VERY loud and not a pleasant chorus.  However, it is VERY impressive and you remember their chatter.  I love spotting them on the move.  You hear them first!

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A Walk in the Woods

1 Aug

My walk in the woods at Cumberland Gap National Park:

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More from Houzz: Unique Home Libraries

11 Jun

In this era of digital books this article makes you want to reach out, take a book off the shelf and turn pages!

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Seven Global Concepts

10 Jan

Seven Global Concepts…inspiration for the New Year?

https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/blogs/amp/7-cultural-concepts-we-dont-have-in-the-us?__twitter_impression=true

By Starre Vartan Dec 30, 2014

Very thoughtful blog post, beautifully illustrated concepts

Friluftsliv              Norwegian being outside is good for mind and spirit

Shinrin-yoku       Japanese forest bathing

Hygge                      Denmark togetherness, coziness

Wabi-sabi              Japanese embracing imperfections

Kaizen                     Japanese continuous improvement

Gemutlichkeit     German means more than cozy (peak in winter)

Jugaad                   Hindi innovative fix (frugal)

I read about “forest bathing” in the American Way magazine (Dec 2016).  https://americanwaymagazine.com/woodland-cureThey claim 25 percent of the Japanese population walk in wooded areas. The author forecasts doctors writing a prescription to get outdoors…instead of blood pressure medication!

Being outdoors:  good for the mind and spirit…I think of Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods, understatement-walking the Appalachian Trail. This same article refers to wabi-sabi which finds beauty imperfections. (Growing up, we called it “character”.)

The Kaizen concept is familiar to me thru my career in manufacturing. I like the “jugaad” notion. Many times that comes up when you least expect it trying to extend the life of clothing, furnishings, appliances, etc.  https://www.graphicproducts.com/articles/what-is-kaizen/

Explore the links included.  Great information.  Happy New Year!

 

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Friday Photos: Cake

8 Dec

Heavenly!  This year’s Christmas decorations at The Cake Bake Shop in Indianapolis  feature pink roses and swans.  Gail and I shared a pot of Afghan Chai tea in real cups and saucers.  The owners are American entrepreneurs at their best…service, style and quality!  The press release is out announcing the opening their second shop in Carmel, IN.

Carol and Gail

Our December birthdays tradition at the Cake Bake Shop in Indianapolis.

https://thecakebakeshop.com

Check this out:  The Cake Bake Shop makes Oprah Winfreys O List!

http://www.bakemag.com/Trends/News/News-Home/2018/1/Indianapolis-bakery-to-be-featured-in-Oprah-Winfreys-O-List.aspx?cck=1

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Covered Bridge (Parke Co IN)

8 Nov

Turkey Run State Park hiking trail (foot traffic only) AKA Narrows Covered Bridge

Modern concrete bridge directly behind the original covered one (notice the arches).

Downstream view

 

Built in 1882. The purpose of covering the bridge was to extend the life of the wooden supporting beams (safety).

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Perfect souvenir? circa 1985

11 Oct

Needlepoint canvas purchased in France

“Margot, Creations de Paris.  LE CASTEL d’apres Laura”

Yes, this canvas was well within my budget for a souvenir from France in 1985.  The merits also included being light weight, easily packed and a remembrance of travels while needlepointing.  The problem is… it is still unfinished in 2017…over 30 years later!

I’m back to work on it with great lighting, a support frame and good seating.

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Book Review: A Year of Biblical Womanhood

29 Aug

Love this!

This book has sat on my shelf for years.  This morning it captured my attention and held my attention all day.  Smart, witty, insightful, creative, knowledgable, curious, honest…

Rachel’s year of Biblical Womanhood was naturally organized with monthly themes based upon scripture.  Each month Rachel had a TO DO list for herself based upon scripture (sometimes the list included cooking, sewing, sleeping in a tent).  Occasionally, photos and her husband’s journal entries are included.  Raised evangelical, Rachel explored this subject with correspondence exchange with a Jewish woman, 3 day retreat at a monastery, Amish and Quaker experiences, extensive internet research, short stories of women of the Bible….and an extraordinary curiosity.

Fantastic resource!

Another review:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/23/a-year-of-biblical-womanhood_n_2006184.html

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What’s blooming in the Moon Garden?

6 Jun

Oak Leaf Hydrangea

http://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/flowers/create-a-moon-garden

Campanula, EH Frost

http://www.perennials.com/plants/campanula-poscharskyana-eh-frost.html

Iris, tulip and peony blooms have come and gone.

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