On this first day of my being 60, I am not writing the blog post I had planned; living in the moment is like that or so I am learning. Certainly, I thought about this particular post much more than I usually do—I kept considering it my first blog post of my next decade–but by mid-week, that ego balloon went airless.
The last week of my fifth decade proved to be a week of surprises, mostly in the form of sugar, but not entirely in the obvious way. For the most part, my system no longer tolerates sugar in any form other than what it produces itself. Generally, this is not a statement I have to consider but in my last post, I mentioned that I had an appointment with a practitioner of Eastern medicine. Not so surprisingly, she and I had different interpretations regarding Eastern medicine–and sugar–but rather surprisingly, I agreed to try two different remedies at least one time, which proved to be more than enough.
Buoyed by the possibilities presented by the practitioner, I decided to have one (1) glass of red wine, my first in three years. Although my glass of wine and my dose of “remedies” were days apart, literally, my week collapsed before Wednesday noon. I am more recovered than not and leaning toward awareness.
I suspect I was caught up in birthday bliss for it has been a week of gifts beyond remembering the lesson of sugar. Once again, I discovered that I really can, and should, trust my instincts and not my ego. It was not my instincts that chose the remedies or the wine but my ego filled with the idea of birthday, a balloon born to burst. I am reminded of Georgia O’Keeffe–“To see takes time”–a sentence for the rest of my life, yet another gift.
I was pleasantly surprised by lovely flowers from Dr. Mac and all of the sanctuary “critters” at secondchancefarms.org. As you can see, EmmaRose wasted no time in her inspection, and yes, all are “kitty safe” petals.
Cooper and I began our morning on the Gulf of Mexico, near this palm tree at St. Mark’s Wildlife Refuge but here is where we will both end our day.
Almost always, Cooper takes command of the remote. Like me, he is a bit ambivalent about television but he has a preference for the remote.
Thank you, Dear Reader, for stopping by to read my posts and to chat, from time to time. It is such a gift you give, and I am most grateful, always.
“Once during the day, think of who you are as living energy and not as a goal to be achieved or obstacle to be overcome. Feel yourself without inventory” (Mark Nepo, The Book of Awakening).
KM Huber's Blog 
Happy belated birthday and I can’t think of a better place to spend it than at an animal sanctuary, as they are love in it’s purest form. Looks like Cooper has the remote under control, as it should be. Hope you have a wonderful, happy and healthy year : ) Stephanie
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Hi, Stephanie!
Thanks for the warm wishes. To spend a birthday at the animal sanctuary would’ve been grand but the lovely bouquet of flowers from all of the “critters” and sanctuary staff is the next best thing. I always enjoy my visits there but my role is purely administrative. And yes, Cooper is great with the remote.
Karen
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Belated birthday wishes–all the best for this new and exciting decade of your life!
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So happy you did enjoy your day – that Wildlife Refuge sounds like the perfect place + a double rainbow – wow! We do invest so much in milestones but they so often disappoint. I am glad you are so positive now Karen – lots more to come I’m sure! Happy Birthday again!
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There was definitely no disappointment with this milestone, Diana, and in many ways the gifts continue. I am incredibly grateful and so appreciate your warm wishes. By the way, your pictures of the Thames are stunning: http://dianajhale.wordpress.com.
Karen
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Happy birthday – and I hope all goes well for you in your 60th year, and for the years to come.
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Thanks, Matthew! My sixth decade is off to a great start!
Karen
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Happy birthday! May this decade be full of writing, good health, lots of energy, and many good excursions! I appreciate the honesty and integrity which shines here.
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Thanks for the birthday wishes and lovely compliment, Beth. Both are much appreciated. Best to you in your book launch; I am excited for you.
Karen
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Sorry to hear that your glass of red wine ‘turned-on-you’ Lol. I try to have a glass of red a few times a week, as it boasts plenty of heart benefits. But…I’ve been doing so for quite a few years. Ha. (My father has been fermenting wine for many years – and wine was served with most dinners as I grew up.)
As always, go with your instincts. I have learned, just as you have (and I seem to have to learn the hard way often), that they rarely steer you wrong. Have a wonderful week, Karen!
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Yes, the only way I know how to learn is thoroughly, a.k.a. the way that includes the most obstacles. Glad to have found a kindred spirit! As you no doubt know, when we do learn we don’t forget. As I am now completely recovered, I really do suspect the two remedies more than I suspect the wine but I’m not anxious to try my theory. As appropriate, please drink a glass for me.
Karen
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Happy birthday! It sounds like your reminders about following your instincts are a wonderful present for this next decade. 🙂 EmmaRose looks like she’s doing a great job with her inspections, and Cooper is doing such a fantastic job of manning that remote! You are so lucky. And lucky to receive flowers, too. Thanks for sharing your day with us.
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I suspect I will be reminding myself to trust my instincts as my last thought on this Earth. You are so right in that one’s intuition is such a gift. EmmaRose continues her inspections daily, and well, you know what Cooper is doing. I do indeed know how very fortunate I am. Thanks for stopping by, Kim.
Karen
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Happy birthday! Think of all you’ve learned, all the paths you’ve traversed in six decades…and more to learn ahead. More to write about too, so keep at it, and we’ll learn from one another.
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Thanks for the birthday wishes, Ann. It was a great day and the decade is off to a wonderful start. How right you are about all the paths and their various directions with so much more to discover. And yes, we will continue to learn from one another.
Karen
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Congratulations, on the birthday, and more importantly on your growing self-trust. 🙂 Best Wishes for today, this week, and this decade.
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Appreciate the warm wishes. Just read your post, “Sometimes the Answer is YES.” That is quite a gift as well.
Karen
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Happy birthday! Glad the sugar episode is over! Here’s to trusting our instincts!
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Exactly on all three accounts! Thanks for joining in the celebration.
Karen
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May this new decade be filled with happiness, good health and double rainbows! Happy Birthday!
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Thank you, my dear friend. It really is off to such a great start.
Karen
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Happy birthday to you! Your post reminds me that, no matter how old and wise we get, there are always new lessons to be learned (or relearned!) I will pray for your health, and for your opportunity to continue sharing your insights with us for the decade to come.
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Very kind words, Mike, and thank you. There is a lot of practice in life and plenty of opportunity for it, as you say.
Karen
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Happy Birthday. Thanks for sharing it with us.
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Thank you, dear friend.
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Happy birthday, KM! I hope this year is filled with many blessings for you on your journey. I’m glad you have recovered from your exposure to sugar in time to enjoy the day!
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Hey there, KJ!
Today has dawned even more sweetly as I awoke to double rainbows! Thanks for the warm wishes. I am so glad our paths have crossed.
Karen
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Happy birthday dear friend. I look forward to every one of your posts, the thoughtful reports on your journey. I am about to turn 61 and despite some very disconcerting events in my 60th year, I mark it as an extremely good one. Decade birthdays, at least for me, bring the urge to revise and rethink. If our lives were novels, I wonder what draft we would be on by now? Probably a number too high to count.
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Ah, Adrian! I see decade birthdays the same way! Had never considered the number of drafts of our lives but I suspect it is a number beyond count. Thanks for the lovely compliment and best to you on your day.
Karen
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