It’s another day in Philadelphia. The weather is getting cooler… nothing too alarming, just a fresh reminder that it is Fall. I am preparing for a good night sleep to wake up “early” tomorrow to go to Yoga class. I am attending a gentle yoga class lately as my left ankle is still on the mend from my spill down the stairs in May in France. I am encouraged by friends saying that, alas, it takes a long time for these things to heal. I am really fortunate that there is a sweet little yoga studio walking distance from where I stay. I have been going once a week, but would love to go more often! A yoga class always provides the time and space to treat my body and my yoga practice with the honor and attention that it deserves. I love yoga!
Tonight we went out for a little dinner…. me and the family I am staying with – mom, dad and the two boys. Wednesdays is kids eat free night at one of the local restaurants. I am finding this community is quite a “small town”, already running into familiar faces at the coffee shop and the yoga studio. The restaurant we went to last night is run by the husband of the owner of the yoga studio I attend. Yes, it’s a small community feel.
I have continued my balance here of house attendant, quasi-chef, and marketing/small business assistant extraordinaire. On a good day you can add Reiki Practitioner to the mix. It helps to keep it interesting to be able to mix things up a bit… yesterday preparing dinner and grocery shopping while today designing “apps” for my hosts’ Facebook fan page. All in a day’s work!
My hosts have created quite an interesting world for themselves here. With two boys age 4 and 7, the oldest boy attends the local Waldorf School and the youngest attends the local co-op nursery school down the street. In Waldorf education, the oldest is learning unexpected things like how to knit. I’ve learned a few things about Waldorf schools since I have been here… like they don’t start teaching kids to read until third grade and all students are asked to have no “screen time” (television, computers) during the week. From what I can see it is an enticing learning environment where the child I stay with seems to be thriving and exploring on his own… including reading very well at the age of 7.
These boys here are really quite something. The oldest is so bright and attentive. A few weeks ago from the back seat of the car he said to his mom, “Turn off your brights!” when she had forgotten and left them on when an oncoming car approached. I don’t remember doing that at the age of 7! The youngest, age four, is full of mischief! On the car-ride home tonight I was sitting next to him in the backseat. He got the hiccups and I offered to use my sisters method of getting rid of hiccups when I was a kid – tickling! Of course he loved it, squirming and laughing… but it didn’t get rid of his hiccups. He’d scream, “stop”, so I’d stop tickling him and then a hiccup would escape. And then of course he would say again “tickle me!” until he couldn’t take it anymore.
But for now, it is my private quiet time at the end of the day. The boys are in bed… and likely the parents too… and the house is quiet until the greeting of the morning noise of the boys. So I’ll sneak a little quiet time for myself… tucked away with a family in Philadelphia. Yet another unexpected stop on my unplanned journey!
Photo taken of 2nd National bank in the historic district of downtown Philly, neighboring sights like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. It’s great to be so connected with our nation’s history here. Things and places that were like ideas in a story have now come to life!
Gypsy Woman 
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