The Hit List - Down to Earth

Last week, my husband was away on his yearly camping thing. I used to join him on these excursions back in the day (when you are fresh in love you do these things).

But after a few years, I stopped going.

Truth is, I hate anything rural and getting back to nature gives me the heebie jeebies. My theory: if I’m being attacked, at least in the city someone will hear me scream.

Yeah, it’s nuts but I grew up in the boonies and it was never a good fit for me.

My soul is an urban one and I move much better to the pulse of city life. I need concrete and the convenience of a restaurant or coffee shop that I can walk to.

But my man must have some green in his world. He needs to feel the sun on his face and the soil sinking underneath his feet.

Which is why he ripped up our lawn and turned our yard into a secret Zen-ish garden.

Over the years, it’s morphed into a sacred and lush landscape with carefully timed blooms and blossoms as well as some yummy herbs and raspberries. I love walking through my yard and admiring his handiwork. This mini urban garden is about as close to nature as I get.

Nature is not stupid. It knows I’m not to be trusted. Unlike my green man husband, I kill every plant that I get my hands on. I am unofficially banned from the garden. Even house plants are not safe with me – or my cats for that matter. TaoZen loves to tear up any botanical delights that show up in this house.

But I’ve finally found a plant that I can manage (and the cats can’t get to). My husband planted a morning glory just for me. I’m in charge. It’s thriving. And so am I. Every day, this plant brings me great joy. Maybe, just maybe, there is a bit of the country girl lurking inside of my hip hop soul. (I’ll never tell.)

“A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in–what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.” ~ Victor Hugo

Other stuff:

I’m down to earth but not down with earth. These people are living the earthy dream: Living off the grid. I would so not be into this! But hey…whatever floats your boat. (PS I can see my husband doing just fine in those settings.)

This artist is painting female nudes as they really are.

And this artist has photographed herself in nothing but granny panties since 1974.

This woman liked everything she saw on Facebook for two days. Not sure if I want to try that.

I LOVE this post by Maggie Patterson: Don’t Flush Your Brand’s Reputation Down the Toilet. If you’ve ever invested money in a course or coaching and been left disappointed, you’ll be nodding your head in agreement.

Nope, My Super-Fit Sister is Not My Trainer. A must read post from Shenee Howard.

This fashion blogger uses Photoshop and comes right out and shows you. YES.

Do you get upset when people unsubscribe/unfollow/troll your blog? Don’t. Read this post by Sarah Von Bargen instead.

The situation in Ferguson has been completely out of hand with the police acting like over zealous thugs. Check out some of these photos. (PS I used to shoot photos of riots for an anarchist newspaper. Oh, the things I saw! But that’s a story for another time.)

From Black Girl Dangerous: Things to Stop Being Distracted by When A Black Person Gets Murdered by Police. This.

Cecily McMillan’s post “I Went From Grad School to Prison” is another riveting post for your Saturday reading.

5 Things Women Couldn’t Do in the 60’s: why I am a proud feminist. Because I remember being told “you can’t do that” all the time.

Like everyone, I was very sad to hear about Robin Williams. This post by David Wong, Robin Williams and Why Funny People Kill Themselves, is very moving and worth checking out. I also highly recommend reading this article by the always sage Esmé Weijun Wang: On Robin Williams, mental health advocacy, and small gestures of comfort.

Ever get a tarot reading but draw a blank on what to ask? Not sure how to frame your questions for maximum usefulness? Never wonder again! This post by Alexandra Franzen spells it out clearly. (I got a lovely little shout out in there too! Woot!)

My cats are demanding some better furniture around here, y’all. Keep dreaming, furballs.

If you are a fan of the Napoleon Hill books, you may want to check out Think and Grow Rich for Women: Using Your Power to Create Success and Significance by Sharon Lechter. Get the lessons with a feminine perspective.

I love K-Pop. It’s cheesy good fun. This book The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Nation Is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture from Euny Hong is on my reading list.

On my wish list: Make It Mighty Ugly: Exercises & Advice for Getting Creative Even When It Ain’t Pretty by Kim Piper Werker and Kate Bingaman-Burt. For those times when my creativity is shut down to a pinhole.

Want to learn how my creative process works? Sign up for my Intuition to Income class and get the deets. Registration closes on Friday August 29th!

What I’m Grateful For:

My home in the heart of the city

A husband who makes it pretty

Help and support

Friends who get me

Order

Heaping bowls of pasta

Being down a few pounds

Long walks on a nice day with my man