Mica's Nautical Adventures

Mica delights in new adventures with his own little tribe

And I delight in his delight!

The boat FASCINATED me  says Mica :)

Jungla de jazmines

At this time of the year, at any corner's turn, a jasmin jungle might envelop you in a cloud of scent...be prepared to be drunk anytime....

This is November's blossom, Jazmin de leche, Milk jasmin, so sweet and subtle

Jasnin everywhere and on my desk too... (another variety, the kind you purchase at the street booth) Also wonderful, not as subtle and delicate, but handy :)

I've decided to start training my kids in the use of public transportation. 

I got my driver's license only two years ago overcoming great fears.  I was so bored and sick of myself for not being able to drive. I decided to go for it and take driving lessons. I thought that, even if I wouldn't dare to take the driving test, at least I'd take some lessons, and then lowered my expectations even more and said to myself that even if I wouldn't take the entire course I'd take at least the first lesson. I ended up taking 8 lessons and then 10 more. And then some more!  The teacher told me that I needed those extras not because of my abilities but because of my attitude :-D 

I wasn't going to argue with his logic. After a million lessons I took and passed the test. I started to drive and I loved it. I've never expected to love driving so much after all my fears and procrastination but I did.

And since I drive I've been shamefully lazy to use public transportation so my kids are completely unused to it. 

It's time to make the effort and start training them into using the bus. At Theo's age I knew how to take the bus and had way more street smarts than he has now. That needs to change and now's the time. Is this city more dangerous now than when I was a kid? I don't know! 

For the Holidays!

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At the park

Another morning of practice. Parks in the city cleaner than ever.

We choose a very old, wide tree. Trying to calculate how old it must be. He looks very healthy and strong.

Tui Sou, the art of pushing hands. Principles are: first align and find your own center. Then connect wrists. Connected but centered. Don't lean heavily, don't withdraw. Then "listen" to the other's person energy. Then start moving and stick to the other's energy. (like magnets)

In some traditions tui sou is a self defence  practice and looks very dynamic and fight-like from outside, but in ours it's done very slowly and with the purpose of supporting and enhancing both practitioners  health and vitality, emitting and receiving Chi.. Even if you're (gently) thrown off centre and loose your root, that's an opportunity to learn from your weakness and how to strengthen back. There're no mistakes, only learning!

A self-confident, brave creature has the courage to get really close! I'm surprised!

It's so rare that these come so close to people. He lets me delight in its beauty. I've never been successful getting a pic of a cardinal. Hey gorgeous! Love your hat!

One cardinal, two cardinals....


And a family with ten babies!! And two very lovely and protective parents. How cute!!

Stormy weather and scary things

Scary things...like a mummy contest

Some people care about costumes, birthdays and scary things

And some care about....well....other things

Very stormy, windy and rainy today

Text book nap afternoon but busy...

Clouds over the lemon tree...a few lemons left since its November. The tree yields fruit from May to November....Will this be my last lemon season at this house? One more?

In preparation I'm trying to make new little lemon plants that hopefully will become trees.

Babies from my beloved tree. Be careful Meli, and shower them with love and attention!

And this lemon plant is a year old and seems to be happy, not because of but in spite of me :-D