Saluting the Spirit

A couple of weeks ago, I participated in "Saluting the Spirit--Yoga for Cancer," an event sponsored by Better Bodies Yoga and several other yoga studios in town to raise funds and awareness for the Wings Cancer Foundation. It was held at the new Cancer Survivor Park (if you live in Memphis, you should go). We set up our mats around the labyrinth (used for meditation) and did Sun Salutations for 30 minutes. I am the one in the pink shirt and black pants on the right side of the photo. (Note to self: don't wear a hoodie during Sun Salutations-- it gets in the way). Sun Salutations are 12 poses performed in a flowing, repetitive sequence. It looks really cool with a whole group doing it. The weather was beautiful and the energy was incredible. My arms were sore for 3 days afterward, but it was worth it. I dedicated my practice to my mom and my mother-in-law-- both cancer survivors.

Goodbye, old friend

Last week, we had to retire our beloved 1960's coffee pot. The poor thing probably made more pots of coffee than the ones in most restaurants. I started to smell something burning while the coffee was brewing. I finally discovered the burn marks on the end of the cord and the damaged prongs on the pot itself. After some consideration, we decided that a morning cup of coffee was not worth burning the house down. So, I went in search of a replacement. We like the percolator style because it matches the decor of the kitchen and it does not use the paper filters. One of the local antique stores had one for about $14, but they had not been open for several weeks. I went to several department/discount stores, and finally found one on the clearance rack at Sears (as if nobody else wanted one). I brought it home and immediately put it into service. Ahhh.

What's the minimum word count?

The other day, like so many days before it, someone referred to me as "so quiet." It is nothing that I have not heard before in one variation or another. "Too quiet," "so quiet," "you don't talk much, do ya?" or "you don't talk enough." It is one thing to say that someone is "quiet" or "reserved"-- those are observations. But, when the qualifier words (too, so, not enough) are used, it becomes a judgment that I think is unfairly applied. The implication is that we are not normal or that there is something wrong with us. I wholeheartedly disagree. Now, I realize that these comments typically come from people that talk constantly and are insecure about it. Putting me or other "quiet people" down affirms them and makes them feel better about themselves. (That is my observation or judgment). Personally, I would rather be around someone that doesn't feel the need to fill every waking second with conversation or babbling or flat-out noise as it becomes sometimes. But, since I hear this so often, I am wondering-- what is the minimum word count, anyway? I must have missed that memo or was not listening when some extrovert shouted it from the rooftop. What I do is speak when someone speaks to me or when I have something to say. If I don't have anything to say, I don't say anything. If I have work to do, I do not talk, unless my work involves a meeting or telephone call. It is an effective system for me, but apparently not for the talking police. I seem to be falling short of the word quota. If someone could give me some guidelines for basic conversational situations, I will see what I can do.

You know, there is one person in this world that stands out above all others as someone that has NEVER told me that I am too quiet or that I do not talk enough. His name is Eddie Branch. What does that say to you?