"It's impossible to explain certain things that are not related to regular life. What we are trying to do...we're all like that, we try to explain certain things that (are) unexplainable.

Everything that's around here, it's made out of the same material. But there is another thing, it's very important, but it's not made of the material; you see it's made of something, but it doesn't belong to this world. You see, the real world is not here."

- George Balanchine

Practice stories can become real stories, at least in my case of pretending to move. Now I am moving. Wait, I'm not moving, at least not yet. Actually, I have no idea. What I do know is my father said to be careful not to become so burdened with physical possessions that you can't do what you want, and he knows what he's talking about. During this purging process, I came across an article in Real Simple magazine about getting rid of 50 things that promised I would feel lighter and happier. So, not counting the 25 what-nots I previously gave to my students, here's to making space:

7 bags of stuff donated to Vietnam Veterans who nicely pick it up for you
2 pots returned to ex
2 books returned (and read!)
8 dresses distributed to happy new owners
3 pairs of shoes that actually made someone jump for joy!
3 tiny tables
2 broken containers
4 cute glass milk bottles I'd carted around since 2002
1 vase
1 massive fan
2 furniture items (1 cot + 1 chair left behind by former roommate)
1 pile of paper associated with a terribly "nagging task"
1 box of sidewalk chalk I'd been meaning to give my cousin's kids (apparently called my first cousins once removed)
1 bag of rosacea supplies for my dear fellow sufferer
5 shelves and the associated project
2 gifts (1 book + 1 item I shouldn't wear for several more decades)
5 expired products

Marigold. He mistook my name. The flower guy at the farmer's market flattered me. I surprised him, I think, with my ease. I actually felt like a breath of fresh air, and before I breezed on, he handed me a wild red zinnia that I shyly adored.

Origin of flirt

earlier flert, flurt ; from uncertain or unknown; perhaps Old French fleureter, to touch lightly, literally, move from flower to flower; from fleur, flower

The next day I landed in the sweetest house, one I was fantasizing buying. Its entry way was filled with these little buds all laid out on a screen like I'd never seen before. Dried marigold (calendula) is favored in natural health remedies and now by me. I wish I understood these things. Sometimes I wonder if God is just checking our attention. Actually, I think they're signs that he's  paying attention.

It has something to do with noticing. And being noticed. It all seemed so abundant when I went towards this place I already love, someplace I long to go. Like God's saying I'm here. Come here and you'll find me. I'll find you. We'll know each other in this magical land of marigold.

Up in those mountains, surrounded by fields like the Sound of Music, I felt on top of the world: light, peaceful, easy, at home. Somebody actually said to me "you look happy." I recall being told that I look tired, sad, upset...but I can't remember the last time someone looked at my face and said what was true, I was  happy. When I returned home, someone said "you seem at peace." Just beforehand, I remember hearing her negativity and feeling slightly puzzled and detached, relieved it wasn't my modus operandi.

I went to the store where they were sampling this local craft beer made with...marigold. I went to church and saw Lexi wearing a bright green tank and golden yellow cardigan like a human...marigold. 

Synchronicity. Something is right after all. Yes, my name is Marigold.

10 tips for reducing stress that I'm just re-posting from its original source so that I can throw away this article that I've been transporting in my summer reading bag since 2012. #11 should be stop carrying around stuff from the past!

1. Identify stressors (make a top 10 list, then strategies to shorten the list)
2. Eliminate unnecessary commitments (think carefully about each one and its stress/value or give/take ratio)
3. Stop procrastinating
4. Get organized (from physical space to finding shorter routes from A to B)
5. Arrive on time
6. Understand what you can't control
7. Stop multitasking
8. Make room for relaxation
9. Help others
10. Exercise

 Anything you'd like to add?