53 at 53: what keeps me cvlized

It’s my Birthday and I am sharing the things that keep my life cvlized:

1. Flowers: If I had nothing else in life I would want a flower. If you have flowers you have joy, hope, art, promise love energy and happiness. I want all notions of real flowers, things I’ve grown or foraged. Things sent as gifts, things found in corner markets. Honestly the thing that keeps Manhattan civilized is the bodegas filled with flowers on a busy street corner. I can’t always take them home but I can soak them up as I walk by. I have almost 600 bulbs in my yard now and I know that under this blanket of cold they are busy manifesting something inspiring.

2. The Breville to Go blender: This blender chops everything including difficult food items and frozen foods. It does liquify quickly so it may not be a go to item for other types of things that might be better served in a food processor. I have tried many blenders and this one really rocks. It is pricy but watch for sales.

3. doTERRA: These essential oils are terrific for all your needs.

4. Skin care: Saranghae: It’s working for me and I am a skin care snob

5. MNS 3 by Advocare: The best vitamins EVER. I am not selling them- just letting you know that nothing has worked this well for my whole body wellness.

6. 32 oz water bottle. fill twice and done for the day

7. Lemons- lemon in your water and lemonade out of life

8. Skip the Booze. Seriously. I quit ALL booze once I realized it was a source of my pain and swelling. There is a point when it stops serving you. You’ll know when. Until then moderation is always key.

9. Limited dairy: I am a cheese addict so this one is rough

10. Walk: and discover the world around you.

11. Kettle bells and small weights for home

12. Facial from a medical esthetician: IF you are anywhere near the upstate New York Area I recommend Crystal Walker.

13.Time for a meal as family, no phones or TV, just conversation, even though these days that conversation is between me and Ro Ro my cat….who I can’t live without.

14. River Cottage Veg cookbook

15. Linen sheets, I love them in all seasons

16.Journals for Joy memories

17. Beach perfume by Bobbie Brown

18. Smeg tea kettle: I love mine. It is also designed in a way that you do not mistakenly put it back on the gas range and then turn on that range forgetting that it is electric. (I have never done that…nope)

19. Make up Foundation favorite: Sisleya foundation: Warning its massively expensive but I use about 1/2 of what I ever used before. This is a plant based foundation that really feels good and looks natural. Take good care of your skin and cut back on make up. It has been my personal challenge lately. The older you get the more make up can make you look old, so come out from behind the daily mask and save it for special occasions.

20. Singles for my wallet to give away. Bringing a smile to others.

21. CBD bath bombs: Take the pain away!! I currently have 12 in my possession….

22. Nature: Put your feet in the earth. We are made for it.

23. Cetephil, almond oil, clove oil for my always dry skin

24. Fry boots: especially in the country. They have really held up.

25. Nettie Pot for those of us with breathing issues it is a nightly life saver.

26. Melatonin: I’d tell you about it but..I’m sleepy

27. Mortar and Pestle: I am getting in to grinding spices and the value of leaving the spice whole until ready to use.

28. 4 cup french press: The coffee is better and I waste nothing.

29. Trader Joes salted creamy PB….and a spoon

30. Any book by Ann Voskamp and other great spiritual reading

31. Anything by Gabriel Garcia Marquez: Love in the time of Cholera is my favorite.

32. Readable cookbooks: Ruth Reichl: My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes that saved My Life: is a great and inspiring life healing food read.

33. Memoirs of a Geisha: I couldn’t put it down… as a matter of fact I think I will pick it up again.

34. My laptop

35. Harney and Sons chocolate mint tea. It fools me into thinking I am having desert.

36. A great pair of heals…Don’t think I forgot the power of a great shoe.

37-53: Space: The space to be you. Honestly at this point I need nothing. I don’t actually have 53 great items to share or 53 pieces of advice to give. Obviously I like an epic read and quality over quantity.

Remember the Majesty of God and the power of who you were created to be. So many times I have made myself small without knowing it. I rose only to who I needed to be to survive or believed I was only as big as others allowed so they could retain the power. At this point there is no time left to be small. It compromises my ability to give. It limits my creativity. It is not the me that God made. It’s not the you either.

At this time when I should “have it all” I am pairing down to the most essential things in life, and that is how I intend to live my great second half. I am leaving some open space for discovery.