365 Inspirations—297: Sedona Skies

"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky."—Rabindranath Tagore

What a long day of traveling! We took a flight to Salt Lake City this morning, another fight to Phoenix and a two-hour drive to Sedona.

The best part: We arrived just as the sun was setting on the red rocks. Nothing like Sedona skies and sunsets. It takes your breath away.

My husband is leading a small yoga retreat here. On the way in, we stopped off at Tara Thai Restaurant for dinner, our favorite place from last year. We are staying in a condo at the Hyatt at Pinon Pointe for two nights and then on to another place possibly. We loaded up on breakfast/lunch food at the local organic grocery store called New Frontiers just as it was closing AND we made it back in time for a night dip in the salt water jacuzzi and a swim in the pool.

Tomorrow we will do yoga, hike one of the vortexes, swim and enjoy the great energy here.

Have you ever been to Sedona or the Southwest? What was your favorite place?

365 Inspirations—39: Bright Sun and Puffy, White Clouds

"Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air

And feather canyons everywhere, I've looked at clouds that way."—Joni Mitchell 

I think no one appreciates the SUN as much as a Seattleite. Basically because this time of year we don't see it much. When it does decided to show its face, the first thing I want to do is get on my walking shoes and head outside.

I have a split teaching shift today and only have a short time between classes. While in my afternoon class, I could see the bright sun from the classroom window and it was beckoning me to come outside.

As soon as I finished my class, I got in my car and headed straight for Greenlake Park. Well, actually I hit PCC, the local grocery store, on the way to the park because I hadn't had any lunch.

I sat in my car and had some fruit and a chicken salad. The sun was beaming into the window of my car and I felt so happy and warm inside while I ate my late lunch.

I then switched shoes in the Greenlake parking lot and pulled on a jacket, hat and gloves and headed out into the sun. It wasn't a completely clear day. It was one of those "puffy, white cloud" kinds of days. You know the ones—crystal blue skies, white clouds that look like different animals and shapes if you stare at them long enough, and bright sun.

I sat on a bench and let the sun hit my face as walkers, skaters and bicyclists passed by. I looked up at the clouds and swore I saw one that looked like a heart. I thought, Wow, look at that! A heart-shaped cloud. Just in time for Valentine's Day!

I'm now back at home and the sun is about to set. I'm heading back to the college for round two. I'm so happy I was able to get out and about today.

Have you spent time in the sunshine lately? Do you ever stop and look at the clouds and see shapes?