Ladybugs in the House

 

While i was on retreat last week in our guest cottage, i noticed lady bugs clumped in the corners of the living room above the windows. I had just vowed not to harm any living being for 10 days, and there were dozens of ladybugs sharing my retreat space. Oh, how i wanted to get out the vacuum cleaner and suck them up.

Now, now Cheryl. That's not a very kind or harmless thing to do.

I took a deep breath and got the broom and dustpan. I could knock the ladybugs down with the broom, sweep them into the dustpan, and then throw them into the garden.

There. It wasn't so hard to be kind, after all.

Garden Statues in Winter

In this season of Christmas decorations, my sweetie and i have a difference of opinion about what should go at the front door.

He, a concert pianist, prefers the one he calls "young Beethoven" shivering by a little fire. I prefer my meditating frog, who looks like he's doing tumo--the heat-generating meditation done by Tibetan monks sitting naked in the snow.

Our compromise:

• Beethoven at the front door
• Froggie at guest cottage out the back door, where i can actually see him often :)

In this chilly season, what are your reminders of your best intentions?

This morning, i did a self-retreat and meditated for 5 hours in the guest cottage. Do you think Froggie had anything to do with it?