It seems to rain all morning. I tried to capture the feeling inside the house. Unlike snow, rain is hard to capture sometimes; the farm is muddy, the animals are tucked inside the pole barn, and there is no sign of Zip. He loves snow, and the cold bug doesn’t seem to love the rain. Below is Thich Nhat Hanh’s short essay on The Art Of Mindful Living.

After writing this, I’m heading to the Mansion to see what the residents in my class make of my “Dammit Dolls,” my answer to the fighting in Bingo Class. Just bank the doll on the table when you lose or are angry and move along. We’ll see. Thanks to my Zoom Meeting friends for the idea.

There was more craft and creativity in window latches in the old farmhouses than in most new homes today.

Flowers brighten the day for me.

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The Art Of Mindful Living, by Thich Nhat Hanh

“Mindful living is an art. You do not have to be a monk or live in a monastery to practice mindfulness. You can practice it anytime while driving your car or doing housework. Driving in mindfulness will make the time in your vehicle joyful, and it will also help you avoid accidents. 

You can use the red traffic light as a signal of mindfulness, reminding you to stop and enjoy your breathing. Similarly, when you do the dishes after dinner, you can practice mindful breathing so the time of dishwashing is pleasant and meaningful.  Do not feel you have to rush. If you hurry, you waste the time of dish washing. The time you spend washing dishes and doing all your other everyday tasks is precious. It is a time for being alive. When  you practice mindful living, peace will bloom during your daily activities.“