Month: February 2026

I loved seeing the large crowd that walked behind the Buddhist monks into downtown Richmond yesterday! It had to have been the largest crowd of their trek, I’ll need to look up some stats! Couple more days til they are here in Fredericksburg. Our new governor Abigail Spanberger declared February 2nd as Peace Day in Virginia. Wow, do I love that, makes me tear up.

One of my prized treasures is my Oma’s laughing buddha – after she passed away this is one of the items of hers that I kept. I never asked her about it, why she had it, where she got it – I guess I’ll never know but now it is mine and I have it up as high as it can go on my fireplace mantle and facing my front door. He was a jolly Chinese monk named Budai, I did a quick search on him.

Happiness & Contentment: His constant laughter signifies joy and finding happiness in the present. Abundance & Wealth: His large belly and sack symbolize endless giving and prosperity.
Good Fortune: He brings positive energy, wealth, and blessings, making him popular in Feng Shui.

When the monks are in DC they are going to ask Congress to make Buddha’s birthday a holiday in the US. I’ll be curious to see how that goes. I’ve been thinking about the time that Jillian told her art class that she was a Buddhist when they were discussing religion while they worked, she was in 3rd or 4th grade. Her art teacher sent me a note to let me know it caused quite a stir “the kids were telling her that she was going to go to hell!” She wanted me to know in case it upset Jillian that they said that. I don’t remember that it did but I do remember when she was a senior, one of those kids told me that he couldn’t believe he said that to her and it bothered him that he did. I told him that he was only saying what he believed to be true at that time and that we didn’t ever think badly of him or the other kids. Jillian said she didn’t even know why she said that, she remembered me saying that if I related to anything it would be Buddhism since I believe living things deserve a chance, that humans aren’t the only living ‘things’ on this planet. I eat a vegetarian diet, I take bugs outside, I’m thankful… I couldn’t walk 2300 miles for peace but I do try to be mindful and compassionate in my day to day life. Peace.Begins.With.Me! Bye for now!

The moon was so bright last night that my yard looked magical. Today after stuffing myself into my yoga pants, taking my first yoga class since November and then doing sauna and cold plunge, Mike and I worked on the ice on our driveway. We were able to get a lot done and tonight the magic will be gone, covered by chunks of ice that we threw from the driveway and into the yard. My Oura ring clocked that I got into Zone 4 – I really need to focus on getting my heart rate up this year. I would be so happy to get my cardiovascular age down, right now my ring says it is 3 years younger than my actual age. I don’t even know what ‘age’ I want it to be, maybe I’ll shoot for 5 years younger.

The Venerable Monks are walking 2,300 miles for peace and today is day 100, stopping in Richmond. They will be here in Fredericksburg on Thursday. I work until 2pm, I hope that I get to see them and Aloka the Peace dog. They are walking from Ft. Worth Texas to Washington DC, on schedule to complete their walk on Feburary 10 or 11. May the monks and all beings be well, happy and at peace. Bye for now!