Tag Archives: Writing

Lower Price, Return to Teotitlan del Valle: 2018 Oaxaca Women’s Creative Writing Retreat with Gentle Yoga

Taking a Break

I made the transition from Oaxaca to California to join my family in care giving for our mother. My sister and I are taking alternating 24-hour periods. Our mom will be 100 on her next birthday, Valentine’s Day.

After writing this blog almost non-stop since November 2007, I’ve decided it’s time to take a break to concentrate of family, care giving and all that this requires.   Thank you for understanding and for continuing to stick with me in my absence. At this moment I don’t know when I will be back with you next.

Sunset at Las Cuevitas

Sunset at Las Cuevitas

Blogger’s Dilemma: What To Say and How Often

Perhaps I’ve been traveling too long and have run out of things to say about Oaxaca, and what would be interesting to know, see and do there. I left Mexico on August 19, 2014, not scheduled to return until early October, another two weeks from now. I am not there, so daily life is not out there in front of me.  I fear there’s not much to say that is current or relevant.

OaxStreetLifeJul28

I miss Oaxaca.  The suitcase life does not suit me. Since I left Mexico, I’ve visited family and friends in Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, New Mexico, and now, I’m back in North Carolina.  These visits are more than satisfying. They are essential touchstones. There are many more people around the country I want to see and can’t.

In the works are new eyeglasses and a possible knee replacement surgery — a surprising diagnosis. I’m getting three opinions on this surgery. Then, there is getting Rx’s refilled, seeing my dermatologist for the six month skin scan, changing my permanent address for my driver’s license and voter registration, and updating my computer technology — the essentials of life maintenance.

OaxStreetLife-16

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) advice says it’s important to post a blog at least three times a week to keep readers interested.

I hope you forgive me that I’m not able to do this now.  If I think of anything relevant to say, I’ll keep you posted!

I am inviting guest contributors!  Contact me. 

Guest Blog: Tlacolula Market Chickens by Janet Andrews

Tlacolula Market Chickens by Janet Andrews*

Large orange feet and toe nails sticking straight up in the air –  rows of them –  pull me away from the other sights, sounds, and smells of the Tlacolula Market.  The four toes of each foot are spread wide just like Beth instructed us to do with our toes in yoga this morning.  Wouldn’t you know it, chickens just naturally spread their toes for stability and connectivity to the earth while I, at age 74, am just learning how important it is to be connected to the ground I walk on.

But why are the chicken’s feet so orange, I wonder? My guess is they are fed yellow corn, but it simply may be that the chickens produced for the United States market have their feet removed before I ever see them.  My culture has a nasty habit of trying to sanitize and separate people from the frequently hard-to-take realities of life.  Later, I learned that actually Oaxacans feed chickens a concentrated Marigold flower powder to enhance the color of their skin and egg yolks.

Looking down from the chicken’s feet I see they are lying on their backs on a table with their feet facing the aisle. So I am now staring into an empty body cavity that is clean of entrails.  Again our yoga practice comes flying into my mind  –  “let go of your vagina as though it would fall from you to the ground.”   Well, the chickens would get a high score for accomplishing that, although I doubt it was for the same purpose we have in yoga.

These Tlacolula chickens, like the ones I encounter at home, have their feathers cleanly plucked, leaving their skin speckled in shades of yellow, tan, and red. Peering into the body cavity I see red muscle, yellow fat, and white fascia, cartilage and bone.  All combined, these images allow me to believe my Corpse Pose, Savasana, is a lot more relaxing than the chicken’s.

Janet'sChicken2

Market Chickens, photo by Janet Andrews

*Janet Andrews is from Tucson, Arizona, and participated in our 2013 Women’s Creative Writing and Yoga Retreat.  She came with the intention of writing more about her family history, which she did.  She also gave us this witty take on her experience at the Tlacolula Market.

 

 

 

Literary Journal Publishes Women’s Writing Retreat Essay

Minerva Rising Literary Journal co-editor and poet Dulcie Witman invited me to write a guest essay for their blog.  My essay, Women Who Have Something to Say, reflects the women’s creative writing and yoga workshop/retreat experience.

Minerva Rising Literary Journal celebrates the creativity and wisdom in every woman.  Their blog invites guest writers to contribute essays, stories, experiences, insights and perspectives.  The pieces are usually creative non-fiction written in the first person.

Minerva Rising publishes two editions per year.  It seeks submissions of written works that include photographs.  The current theme is “rebellion.”  Give it a try!

YogaFoodWriting-30 YogaFoodWriting-83