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a donut discovery
On 17, Dec 2011 | 2 Comments | In sharing, Uncategorized | By Natalie
the whole place was
extra courage.
On 15, Dec 2011 | No Comments | In noticing | By Natalie
start.
…hesitate.
start again.
then…stop.
i watched a young girl
do this precise
dance
while trying to cross the street
this morning.
cars passing her by the many
she struggled to know
when.
to make that move.
that step.
i wanted her to be careful.
the cars were moving too quickly
for neighborhood streets and
paying no mind
to a little girl
in a purple hood.
you can do it,
i heard myself whisper inside
my thoughts.
those first steps often require
the most intention.
and courage.
directions were being hollered
from across the street.
“go, go, go!”
“no, no. wait wait!”
“come on!“
but still she hesitated.
something hesitated.
no doubt she could do it
on her own.
she looked more than capable with
a younger-brother-hand
tightly
encased in her own.
no doubt she’d done it
countless
times before.
but sometimes the road.
the same as yesterday
looks different
today.
the thing you did yesterday
it feels unknown today.
different somehow.
another car.
“not yet!”
“wait wait!”
“no, no, not now.”
and sometimes
even those trying to be helpful
are just words
floating
in the space around you.
the intention
and courage are inside.
you know they are.
but summoning them
in that moment
seem impossible.
there i was.
standing next to the
purple hood.
sometimes asking is the
hardest part.
i put my hand out.
found her wide brown eyes
staring back at me.
“maybe we can go together.”
i ask.
she breathed deep
and nodded up at me.
and together we went.
both
fully capable on our own.
but together nonetheless.
sometimes we need
that extra
courage.
to do the very thing
right in front of
us.
today.
may that extra courage
find you.
mine did.
– n.
changes like: bangs.
On 13, Dec 2011 | No Comments | In sharing | By Natalie
things change.
and sometimes there is nothing
around you reflecting
that change you feel.
what can be done?
sometimes nothing.
but sometimes
something must be done.
something drastic.
to remind you everyday
of the change you
feel all around.
and of the change you
feel within yourself.
this past week.
i did that something drastic.
uh-oh.
i got bangs.
i didn’t just get bangs
anywhere.
i went to the cutest, most
shabby-est of chic-ish interior
shabby-chic has ever seen before.
i tell no lies.
this is not something to
joke about.
that’s how perfectly
fabulous it was.
where was i
you ask?
why! this lovely place,
yes you did just read
correctly.
salon & creative space.
um-hello?
if only i wasn’t so busy
eye-goggling mirrors,
wallpaper & chaise lounges
pillows & birdcages
lamps & wall art…
if only i wasn’t so absorbed
in the act of
you know, getting bangs…
i would have snapped some
photos to share.
because this place.
this salon & creative space
must be known.
but alas
the only visual i can share
is what can be found on
their website.
no matter.
you’ll just have to visit
yourself i guess.
tucked between the hour car rental
& the bird cafe
BANGbang is nestled cozily
into a weathered brick exterior.
right in the Kingfield
neighborhood.
as my stylist
stood snipping away
layer upon layer of locks,
she remarked,
“why didn’t you come after 3pm?
then you could have sipped on a
glass of wine.”
oh why oh why
didn’t i?!
instead i enjoyed my
orange juice.
next time, i promised
my palate.
i had to ask her.
as she snipped snipped away.
because what she was doing
was pretty typical.
yet how she approached it
…something was
different.
“each head of hair
is my canvas,” she remarked.
“to create, style and transform.
that’s the fun part.
the creating.
helping to create
the change for people.
that’s why i do this.”
and that,
is precisely what she did.
style & trim.
here, here & then suddenly
… there.
an artist in her
own right.
her work
reflected something deep
inside that
was begging to be
expressed.
BANGbang assisted me
in that expression.
“there!” she said,
twisting me around to see
her final touches.
“i’m done here.”
good, i thought.
now my work begins.
to settle into
the change inside
as well as the change
that is now
staring right back at
me.
“oh yeah, and pop in
anytime
for a bang trim.
they’re free!”
i can’t exactly remember.
but i think
i might have hugged
her.
have you been to BANGbang?
do tell. do tell.
– n.
one. then two. then twenty.
On 04, Dec 2011 | No Comments | In noticing, remembering | By Natalie
one.
then two.
then five.
then twenty.
and then one hundred thousand.
all
falling
together.
and hours later.
our world is.…
sweaters.
tugged in tighter.
warm beverages
cupped between thankful
hands.
cozy-ers cozy in to their
someone closer.
and the candles lite hold
the color
of our glowing, flickering existence.
and hours later.
our world is….
have i ever seen this
brillance of new
before?
every time i ask myself.
my collection of memories seem
to encourage me that…
yes.
in fact i know this.
but the shimmer.
gentle gracing.
resting.
delighting.
being.
all. it all is new.
every time.
new again.
and hours later.
our world is
completely changed….
covered.
…..in snow.
it’s the best, right?
– n.
music in the mail.
On 30, Nov 2011 | No Comments | In sharing | By Natalie
about my new apartment here.
on this side of the
ocean.
it’s the mail slot.
it’s old.
it’s from the 1920’s.
but you know, sometimes the mail
from the tug-o-mail.
until later.
any joiners?
come.
we can sit and
rub our goosebump-ed arms
together.
-n.
rub your arms moments: are you listening?
On 30, Nov 2011 | No Comments | In remembering | By Natalie
i once had a teacher
who would rub her arms
full of goosebumps and implore
her class,
“shhh! shhhh!!
did you hear it?!
weren’t you listening?!”
sometimes C’s.
and told us we weren’t trying hard enough,
just when we thought we were.
she marched out when we were
us with silence, when we
she made us do it
again & again & again.
we would say, i’m no good.
it didn’t matter.
because she taught us
what she was.
she taught us these things.
she taught us
our own voice.
she taught us to
notice the moments.
she would gasp.
and glow.
her excitement
and wonder penetrating the room,
rubbing her arms.
“did you hear it?!
are you listening?”
the body knows beauty.
but she taught us to listen for it.
and appreciate it.
this teacher
she doesn’t know.
she can’t.
of how often my mind wanders to her.
to her classes
where she would push and push us.
bubble with pleasure
rubbing to her arms…
because of her,
there is always something for me
about a choir…
those moments.
only envoked by voices
working together.
to create
those moments of perfection… harmony
and utter beauty.
hmmm…
it touches something deep inside.
do you hear it?
are you listening?
may choirs find you.
or
may you find them.
and may you notice
the moments.
and rub arms full of goosebumps.
let the season begin,
natalie.
revisiting old friends.
On 22, Nov 2011 | No Comments | In remembering, sharing | By Natalie
poetry. no i mean poetry.
On 10, Nov 2011 | 3 Comments | In Uncategorized | By Natalie
i have two friends
who first introduced me
to poetry.
and not just the rhyming
imagery, prose and verse.
i mean the kind
that when the reader
reaches the end of the poem,
the reader will never
be the same.
poetry that is
earth altering
jaw clenching
wind knocking.
poetry that exposes.
poetry that disrupts.
disturbs.
poetry that introduces you to
a piece of your soul
you never knew was
in you.
so i thought i would share.
these words…today.
today
when the changing of seasons
is in the air.
today
when the busy people
busy around.
today
when dreamers dream.
today
when occupiers occupy.
today
when the trees groan and bend
to the will of the wind.
today
when hopefuls beg themselves
not to give up.
but i must warn you.
only read if you are ready.
only read if you are ready…
this poem is by a brilliant man,
wendell berry.
entitled:
Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front.
do you have a poem that
you love?
and loves you?
please share.
– n.
good-bye shampoo {the hair experiment}.
On 03, Nov 2011 | 4 Comments | In Uncategorized | By Natalie
part 3: the reasons why.
Great research has been done about how most commercial shampoos contain
Take a gander at just a few of the chemicals often found in our shampoos.
- Coal tar — a proven cancer-causing chemical
- ZPTO — known to offer side-effects such as headaches, naesua, or strong alergic reactions
- Menthol — which has yet to be safety tested for it’s side-effects
Surprisingly, baby shampoos are even worse than adult shampoos because they contain higher levels of ethylene oxide to avoid the eye irritation. But this chemical is a proven endocrine disruptor. An endocrine disruptor is a chemical that negatively affects the hormone system, specifically known to cause learning disabilities, sexual development problems and much, much more {read what the EPA has to say here}.
Not only are we pouring these chemicals onto our heads and bodies, but we are polluting the water systems in our sewage system as well. Learn more about how buying cosmetics has affected our planet: the story of cosmetics.
So the hope of shiny, thick, full, smooth and glossy locks of hair…must we throw this dream out the window?! No no no. Don’t you worry. There are other options…
part 4: so where can we turn?
In the past, I have been a purchaser of those natural, organic, very expensive, green, beautifully packaged, very expensive, enticingly bottled, shampoos and conditioners. I love them. I love how they smell. I love how soft they make my hair. I love how pretty they are. But because these shampoos are high quality and pretty fabulous products, made with {mostly} good ingredients, they are $$$ expensive!
Now, this normalization of your hairs oils typically takes anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. The blog world supports this assertion, leaving people with varying levels of greasiness for what could be days or a month. Not sounding so fun anymore?
Just think about it. How long has your hair and scalp been used to this oil-striping-shampoo? It has to get used to a new-normal. Give your locks a break!
Once you are standing in the shower, dump a little baking soda, nickel size amount into the palm of your hand. Turn off the shower stream {if you choose}, then let a few drips of water hit the baking soda, creating a little creamy paste substance. 
 |
And there you have it!
{Look here for more coconut oil secrets}
Coconut oil for skin and hair can be found at your local grocer for anywhere between $7 to $10.
Now, now, before you go blasting me for my lack of personal hygiene, I would just like to say, let’s remember back to the days of reading Laura Engels Wilder and how the knobby-kneed-me admired her all the more when I read she only bathed once a week. Obviously she is my {weekly} inspiration.The oils our skin and body produce are important. By showering everyday we are depleting our body and hair of their natural ways to hydrate and replenish themselves.
It is important to note, that if you want to try the baking soda hair experiment, while still showering once or even twice a day, you will not like what happens. The baking soda substance will build up into your hair and let’s just say…yuck!
My suggestion? Start off easy. Try showering/washing your hair every other day. It will take your body a few days perhaps weeks to adjust, but in the end, your skin, your hair and the earth… will thank you.
part 7: and what now?
Try it!
And of course let me know what you think.
Have you already been doing this kind of thing for years? Do you think this is the weirdest thing you’ve ever heard? Do your own research. Let me know what blogs, articles or research you find. I always love to learn more! Happy experimenting.
– n.
remember what we’ve known.
On 02, Nov 2011 | 2 Comments | In Uncategorized | By Natalie
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