Where I've Been, Where I am

It seems I've been "all over the place" lately.  If not physically, emotionally and mentally.

Physically, there was a glorious trip to Grand Teton National Park.  This event is shared with members of a good friend's family.  It is a wonderful time of relaxation, fellowship, activities.  Kayaking was wonderful.  There were bald eagles and ospreys to admire and watch.  Mountain lakes warm enough to dangle toes in--which was a very good thing as our feet got VERY muddy when we took side trips shore!  There were wonderful rocks, wild raspberries for picking, and the ever-changing weather to keep our eyes on.  Five members of our group went white water rafting and had an exciting trip down the Snake River.  That water was refreshingly cool every time it splashed over the raft.  Hiking offered new experiences and vistas as we ventured into previously unknown territory.  It was a very good trip, filled with blessings.

A death in the family, another family member in surgery for biopsies (benign, thank goodness), friends dealing with infirmities...  a little too much drama for my taste, but there it is.  Life is like that.

Now I am at Mercy Center in Burlingame, California for my first session at the Academy for Spiritual Formation.  Twenty-four hours after arriving I am no longer frantically thinking "What am I doing here!"  I've gone from frantic to curious to questioning.  That's progress of some sort.  As usual, I am basking in the music and worship (three times a day!).  The homily for this afternoon's service was exceptional.  An interesting "take" on the ten lepers.  Much to mull over.

I am challenged, tired, inspired, and blessed.

Blessing to you as well.

July 25

Blessings abound!

 It's been a long time coming--but a good friend and I went kayaking after a year of not going.  And it was marvelous to be on the water again.  So many things to see, hear, and smell.  Nature in her glory!  I probably overdid it a bit as I'm paying for it with some neck and shoulder pain but it was absolutely worth it.  There is a peacefulness that I won't even try to describe.

A friend instigated signing up for a glass fusing class so today we experimented with making six different pendents.  The "baking" won't be done until sometime tomorrow, so she will have to pick mine up for me because tomorrow my husband and I are leaving on

vacation!

We will be gone two weeks.  Going camping in the Tetons, kayaking, hiking, being with family, potlucks, playing games (banagrams here we come!), fishing, and just having fun.  It will be fabulous!

I am looking forward to some quiet time as well.  There is still some reading to be done before Academy starts in mid-August.  And, of course, some writing and thinking, and thinking, and writing, and more reading.  The last book is a bit dry, a bit too studious, and difficult to get through.  Did I mention that it's also the thickest?  :(

Fresh vegetables are springing forth from a friends garden.  We are enjoying cucumbers, basil, dill, zucchini, beets and fresh garlic.  The lettuce, green beans, and raspberries are finished--but we sure enjoyed them while they were in season!  Yet to come:  corn, peppers, squash, melon, and one of my favorites--home-grown tomatoes!  Yippee!

I don't know how often I'll have an internet connection over the next two weeks.  I'll try to post during our time away.

In the meantime, may you be as blessed as I feel right now!

A Second Opinion

We have just returned from a larger metropolitan area about 2 hours away.  My husband was getting a second opinion about a recommended surgery on his foot.  The specialist, to no surprise, recommended the surgery advised by the local doctor--but suggested a different method and a bit more adjustment to one of his tendons.  What he said made sense and my husband really enjoyed meeting and talking with this fellow.  And not just because he has a Harley Davidson and they got to talk bikes and automobiles!  So it is now official--we will be scheduling his surgery some time this fall after he has finished his fall projects and had the winter to recuperate.  We'll be making several trips to accomplish this with this doctor--but have decided it will be worth it.  Yee ha.  I don't always enjoy driving in the winter (especially north), but this is the best option.

We are blessed indeed to have the resources and opportunities to have our health concerns addressed within the realm of the "insured."  There are so many who are not likewise blessed.  And I wonder how in heaven's name they take of themselves.

I  was reminded today that my husband and I enjoy a fairly quiet and peaceful life.  It has its frustrations, but generally we are content.  And that indeed is a blessing that many folks seem not have. So I am grateful for all that is good in our lives.

Blessings to you too!

Good News

There has been much to be thankful for the last few days.  A good friend got a positive report at the doctor's office.  My daughter is healing well from her surgery and is looking forward to getting back to some activities thus far banned (river floating, swimming in her friend's pool, etc.)  Today I did a short trip in my kayak and have concluded that I can (and will!) do some kayaking on our upcoming vacation.  I don't think it can make my shoulder any worse and it was absolutely marvelous to be "on the water" in the warm summer sun.  A mostly good day...

Oh--and I have discovered the joy of having a wireless printer.  Yeeha!

Blessings to you!

Finding time

It's not that I don't like to write daily--it's difficult to find a good time every day.  I've got some thoughts in the back of my mind as to a solution.  Will see if it works.

Blessings most notable over the last few days:

A good appointment with a Spiritual Director (and helpful comments from a friend as well!).

Two chocolate bars to enjoy.

Fabulous news about a friend's macular degeneration.

Maintaining an even keel (for the most part).

Fun and games at church this afternoon.  Several folks showed up to enjoy Aggravation, Banagrams, and more!

The second floor mats ordered for my husband's car fit well and he was pleased with them.  The first set I ordered were NOT what he wanted and boy, was he gritchy!

So, there's a brief synopsis.  Not meaty, unfortunately, but enough to remind me of happenings!

Blessings to you.

Pleasant Summer Days

It's often quite warm here--on the desert side of Washington State--but the last couple of days have been  pleasant.  Today, my husband and I enjoyed sitting under an umbrella at a local Starbucks.  The temperature was pleasant, a light breeze was blowing, and we enjoyed reading a couple of chapters in our current book.  Times like these are blessings indeed.  May you have such blessings in your life as well!

Blessings to you!

Kid's Movies

My husband, a friend, and I went to see Despicable Me 2 this afternoon.  What a hoot!  We laughed most of the way through it--and some of the scenes were downright hand clapping!   And the entertainment continued through the credits.   We had a great time.

So I'm thankful for folks with imaginations and abilities to make such fun entertainment come to life.  As my husband remarked as were leaving the theatre, "It's downright amazing what people come up with!"

Thank you God for small things that make us laugh, smile, and feel good!

Blessings to you!

Missing the Point

So, it's been difficult to keep blessings on the brain the last few days.  Seems like there is a lot of not-so-wonderful stuff going on.  However, this morning I was reminded, unexpectedly, that it is indeed good to look for blessings and keep smiling.  So there you have it.

The liturgy this morning focused on "Deliver us from ourselves, O God."  Aren't we often our own worst enemy?

The silly little message this morning?  An espresso cup lid that had the word "SMILE" written so your eyes would see it as you took a sip of coffee.  And indeed, it did make me smile.  :)

So I am reminded once again that in the midst of everything, there are reasons to smile and it is a good thing to keep focused on those things.

Blessings to you!

Barley and Hops

A few years ago at a local Folk Music Festival a singer named Scott Katz sang a song that just made my brother and I laugh.  The title is "Beer is Good."  The first verse goes like this:  I don't wanna know the sad event that led you to forsake beverages of barley for the pleasure of the grape.  But I hear you sing the praises of your sulfite laden mead, and I'm thinking that a Heineken is all you really need.  Beer is good.  Beer is good.  Beer is good.  Beer is good.  Beer is good."  It continues on in a similar vein--a kindof rap and very fun song.  (If you care, the CD is titled "WRONG" by Scott Katz, Brown Bag Studios.  It's a great CD.  :)

At any rate, this evening I've been enjoying a "High Five Hefe" brewed by the Iron Horse Brewery in Ellensburg, Washington.  It's pretty good--described as a ginger honey wheat beverage.   Gee--ginger is one of my favorites and in a flavorful beer it is down right delicious!

I bought this bottle at a nifty shop in Ellensburg on a road trip a few weeks ago and this evening was the perfect evening to enjoy it.  Family drama has about done me in, so this large bottle of beer tasted wonderful with some sweet potato french fries.  Burp.  The dog enjoyed the fries as well.  :)

So thank you  God for providing the hops, wheat, ginger, and honey that went into this delectable beverage that has given me a soft/warmish feeling that offers me a bit of peace in the midst of a trying day.  I love my relatives dearly--but their trials and tribulations are both mind-boggling and wearisome. I'm reminded of the phrase that goes something like this:  Life would be a lot easier if there weren't so many people in it.

In the midst of all this I can still say that Life Is Good--and I am blessed in so many ways that I'm ashamed of being so snarky this evening.

Blessings to you this evening as well!

A Little Progress

There was actually some "down" time today to keep plugging away at a not-so-fun project that will be awesome when I finally complete it.  I'm updating my contacts, important dates, business contact information, and password information.  Whew!  Not only will this help me keep track of some things, but it will provide an accurate source of information should anything happen to me.  Not that I'm planning to depart the earth any time soon--but I've become increasingly aware that I'd better have information available for my husband if anything happens to me.  And it's a good exercise in organization as well.

"Down time" (or time not specifically set aside for something) is a rare commodity.  If nothing specific is scheduled, there are still the 'daily' intrusions of life: errands, laundry, menu planning, cooking, playing with the dog, being available for important people in my life, opening the mail, paying bills, keeping track of schedules, making phone calls, ad infinitum.  You know what I'm speaking of!

Sure, there is always something that needs "doing" but some spare time to concentrate on a project is welcome.  A bit of a blessing, actually.

Blessings to you!

Someone else doing the dirty work.

It's been over twenty years since my husband and I added the deck on the back of our house.  At the time, we also invested in a hot tub to relieve the aches and pains that construction would bring on.  So along with the redwood deck, we also got a redwood hot tub (yes, just a couple of years before they came out with the "no care" siding!).

At any rate, the first year and approximately every three years since we have repeated the treatment on the deck and hot tub.  It's not fun work, especially around the railings, and I've never considered it much fun.  As I've gotten older the chore has gotten more difficult.

So, when our currently living with us daughter offered to "do" the deck this summer I was overjoyed.  Unlike myself, she enjoys the warmer weather and seems content to turn on her iPod, grab the brushes and rollers, and work merrily away while the music plays on.

Talk about a blessing.  And the deck looks great too!

Blessings to you!

Thank God for Praise Band

Some days it isn't easy to find a blessing.  My daughter got news of a "2fer" surgery today.  Two procedures instead of one.  And then, poor thing, she will need a follow-up ultra-sound on a mammogram as well.  All this and menopause as too!

It was blistering hot today--the kind of heat that tires one.  And the family angst had both my husband and my daughter in tears.  We ended up in a group hug--smiles in the midst of crying.  We are on a long road of healing in this household!

So it's Monday.  And that generally means praise band practice.  And, between playing with a friend's dog who happens to show up for practice and playing the songs with the group, my spirit received a healthy dose of peace and thankfulness.  Praise band is always uplifting--thankfully so.  Music is a huge blessing in my life.

Thank you, God!

Only Change Is Constant!

A friend mentioned to me yesterday that I hadn't posted anything lately.  So I've pondered my lack of involvement with my blog and came to this conclusion:  The title "Life Goes On" strikes me as a tad negative when I'm actually trying to be more positive in my life.  So I've decided to go back to the original word that I based this blog on:  Berakot= blessing.  It seems like several "lives" ago that I originally dove into this.  Agilebabble was a reference to dog agility.  An activity that both my dogs and I have retired from.  And my "champ" Toby has since passed away.

At any rate, I am a blessed person and want to focus on that part of my life.  My apologies to anyone out there who preferred that "life goes on" phrase as the end of my blogs previously.  It doesn't feel "right" to me anymore.  So there you have it.

Blessing today?  Being able to change my mind about this blog and feeling like it will be more authentic as an instrument for my musings.

Blessings to you as well!

Balancing

A bouquet of flowers rests nearby on the table.  Originally obtained to adorn the altar at church Sunday, the bouquet now captures my vision on a regular basis and reminds me of God's glory in creation.  It is an informal presentation with joyous splashes of color:  lavender, yellow, pink, a bit of blue, and an amazing variety of greens.  Gazing at it makes me feel peaceful.

Which is not at all how I feel much of the time.  To say that life is complicated is an understatement.  Talking with my "best bud" today I remarked about feeling like I'm on a tightrope much of the time.  And even though I was speaking about a specific part of my life at that moment, I'm feeling like most things in my life are on a tightrope much of the time.

I am somewhat selfishly immersing myself in things that are important to me--only to find that everything seems connected anyway.  One of the books for the academy is a study of the Gospel of John.  I've always loved the beginning:  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  Is that just cool or what?  :)   So even as I grapple with Pazdan's discussion on "A spirituality of the fourth gospel" I am being challenged by her consistent nudging to apply that spirituality to my own life.  (I am also fervently hoping that we are not expected to complete all the exercises in all the books assigned for the academy prior to arriving there in August.  I could use some help with interpretation!)  At any rate, I have a lot to muse on regarding family "issues" and my part in dealing with them as
life goes on.

God help me.  Literally.

June is here!

And it was warm today.  With sunshine as well.  So summer really is on its way!

A meeting this morning has me musing on how difficult it is for many folks to let go of the way things used to be and venture forth into a future of other possibilities.  And to punctuate that concept, my husband and I went to a graduation celebration this evening with a group of people we see infrequently.  Twice I was asked how my quilting was going--a hobby that I'd pretty much given up several years ago.  But how were they to know I'd passed on to a different life?

So the days roll by for everyone and things change for everyone and its impossible to know what directions people's lives have taken.  One thing is sure.  Most people's lives have probably changed a fair amount in the last few years!

So the question on my mind this evening?  How do you discern when it's time to bid adieu to a tradition that no longer "works."

Another question?  A friend of mine was informed that she was someone's "soulmate."  What does that mean?  (And neither of us could quite grasp that this was a proper category for her.)

People are sure interesting as
life goes on.

Some things are timeless

When I was much younger a couple of years ago I enjoyed the writing of Peg Bracken.  Peg used to write a column for (I think) Women's Day magazine and published several books.  I have several of her paperbacks.  Back then, if you can imagine it, paperback books sold for 60 cents.  I can hardly believe it either!  At any rate, Peg popped into my mind today as I trundled out to the backyard and started tackling weeds and other unwanted plants that had sprouted where they really should not have.  I remembered some of her advice from so many years ago, the main point being that doing something when you have the time to it is better than never doing it because you don't have the time to do it "right."

So I'm ok with having accomplished about one third of each of the tasks I tackled.  They are begun!  And there will be time enough to finish them as the days go on.

And her advice on "How to Do a Lot of Things at Once?"  Forget whatever your fourth grade teacher told you about finishing one job before starting another and begin several projects at the same time.  You'll have to finish all them and so will forge ahead!**

So what have I done today?  Part of the weeding, tracked down some of the dates I'd lost when my calendar took flight, tackled two phone calls I'd been putting off, and made some progress on re-organizing my address book, my website list, and (ugh) my passwords.

Not one of the projects is near completion--but do I feel good about having a plan, starting on my way, and getting SOMETHING done.  This is a good feeling as
life goes on.

**From The I Hate to Housekeep Book by Peg Bracken originally published in hard-cover in 1958; reprinted in paperback in 1962.  Another "ha, ha"--  According to the cover of the paperback edition,  her book "The I Hate to Cook Book" was a hard-cover bestseller at $3.75!

It's been a bit discombobulated lately...

After a wonderful vacation it's back to the daily stuff.  The weeds have managed to rear their pointy little heads in my absence.  An MRI remains inconclusive (the radiologist and the dr. seem not to agree).  Best case scenario--bursitis, treatable.  Worst case--bone thickening may require scraping.  In the meantime, "don't do anything that hurts."  Let's hope the cortisone has some effect....

My husband has been doing serious work on his latest project--finishing the upstairs in the garage.  He's turning it into a small apartment.  For some reason, this is important to him.  I wouldn't place a high priority on it, but there it is.  Currently, he's doing ductwork.  In the process he has torn up my space in our atrium in order to access the attic.  So efforts to get organized are once again on the skids.   It really does seem that for every step forward I end up going one and half steps back!

So I'm in catch-up mode with a list of "things to be done."  And one is getting serious about preparation for the Academy coming up in August.  Happily, another member of my congregation is going to attend and I'm looking forward to having shared experiences and providing support for each other.

Still need to get brave about finishing the set up of the new computer, transferring files, figuring out the new (wireless) printer, ad infinitum.  Yeah--I have the patience to read directions, but some of the new techno-geek stuff isn't as easy for me as it used to be.  I've got this awful suspicion that my 3-year-old grandkids may know more than I do about some of this stuff!

How do some people have so much time to post to Facebook?  I barely keep up with reading it as
life goes on!

Small Things

Hummingbirds.  They are wonderful to watch.  My sister-in-law in Bellflower has three hummingbird feeders hanging near three sides of their house.  It's especially fun to sit at the dining room table and watch them as they flit about and dip their long beaks into the feeder. My friend got a great photo of one while we were visiting there the other day.

Today, while visiting San Eliejo Lagoon near Carlsbad, my friend spotted a hummingbird and we watched it buzz into a nearby tree.  There was a nest (!) and we found the bird sitting on the nest, perched so her head and tail feathers were visible.  The nest was so small that it looked like a thickening on the stem--a tiny brown teacup.  It was amazing.

And, while not exactly small, we were charmed by a 17-year-old tortoise named Franklin that resides at the visitor center.  He was amazingly sociable, lumbering over to us at the sound  of our voices.  We suspect that he was hoping for some fresh veggies....

Vacationing with the sisters is grand.  Relaxing and no pressure.  This evening we had artichokes and salad for dinner.  The Riesling went very well with the menu!  And so we're truly enjoying ourselves as
life goes on!

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Ok, so today it's a train.  My best friend and I are on the Amtrack Coast Starlight heading toward Los Angeles.  When we get there we will transfer to a train headed for Fullerton.  And then my wonderful younger brother will pick us up and we'll stay with him for a couple of days before heading for Carlsbad.

I could get used to train travel.  The food has been good and VERY plentiful.  (Burp.)  We've also had a wine tasting each afternoon.  The sleeper units are teensy, but there are pleasant places to hang out.  We've enjoyed the Parlour Car--have been reading, playing banagrams, and enjoying conversations with fellow travelers.    Having so much time to just relax and "be" is a treat indeed as
life goes on.

R & R

It's good to relax and actually be "on vacation."  We started out on a train from Tri-Cities, Washington to Portland, Oregon.  Having a sleeper car was a joy indeed.  We were treated so nicely--meals included, cheese and wine tasting each day, champagne on arrival (and offered at other times as well), a sleeper car to crash in, a parlor car to relax in, it was delightful!

From Oregon we travel the coast and enjoyed the scenery.  Arrived in Fullerton at 11:30 p.m. where my brother picked us up and took us to his home in Bellflower.

Being here is always a joy.  We enjoy each other's company no matter what we're doing:  running errands, playing games, sharing stories, having meals together.

I surely am enjoying this time as
life goes on.

What Day?

Consider it either really late Friday or really early Saturday.  Whatever.  For some reason my body doesn't seem to want to go to sleep at a reasonable hour these days.  So I've been getting up to enjoy the peace and quiet while the rest of the household has their eyes shut.

It was "Spa Day" for my stepdaughter and me.  My husband decided we needed some pampering, so off to the spa we went.  The massage was fabulous.  I could have stayed on that bed for the rest of the day!  Mary's haircut lightened her load a bit and framed her face nicely.  It was a pleasant morning and definitely a treat.

A lovely spring day today with the forecast looking good for the weekend.  I've been planning where to do some planting and looking forward to digging in the dirt, probably Sunday afternoon.  Saturday is already looking a bit busy.  Morning at church meetings, errands in the afternoon, and meeting a friend for "Frappicino Happy Hour" at Starbuck's.  All good things as
life goes on.

May Day

Blue skies, sunshine, fresh flowers in a vase--May Day started out pretty good!  And pretty much stayed that way.  Discovered a cool new app for my phone, had Pepper groomed and bathed, mealtimes with my hubby, yanked more weeds out of the garden.

The new app, Reminder Pro, works like a countdown clock.  I had a lot of fun getting a countdown clock for a friend a few years ago when he had "five years, four months, and twelve days" to retirement.  So when I went searching I found similar stuff on the computer and in the app store.  So now I know that I have 108 days until I'm off to the academy--and 70 chapters to read before then!  Better get started.  Especially on the "meatier" books.  (Yes, it's .64 chapters per day, but some books are more dense than others and if I aim for a chapter a day I might actually get it done before the session starts.)

And during that dangerous activity of blog-hopping, I found a yummy sounding recipe for Vegan Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal.  I'm going to try it--even if my husband absolutely loathes pumpkin.  He might not notice it after all.  If nothing else, a few of my friends may like it and we can nibble on it while we play banagrams.  Sounds like something to look forward to as
life goes on.

Big Books

Scrounging through some of my books yesterday, came across a few on my reading list.  Of course, the one that I picked up was a fat one--Ken Follet's "World Without End."  Shortly after starting it, I was reminded of two things:  (1) this is probably not the best time to begin a long, heavy-duty, historical novel, and (2) it's really not a good time to be reading a heavy book.  Literally.  It's pretty silly when picking up a book makes your shoulder talk to you!

But--perhaps I was meant to read a ways into the book for I came across a line that resonated with me:  "It was said that pilgrims should not spend too much time planning their journey, for they might learn of so many hazards that they would decide not to go."

Mmmm.  My biggest one?  Worrying too much about how to pay for college expenses and giving up a full-tuition scholarship after my freshman year.  Perhaps a little less "thinking" and a bit more faith in myself would have changed the course of my history.  Or not.  You can "what if" yourself until the cows come home, but there is no way to know how life may have progressed.

In cleaning some boxes out today I was enjoying the variety of hair styles I've had over the years.  Hardly recognized myself in some of those old photos.  It's good to have things to laugh at as
life goes on.

Sleepless--but not in Seattle!

But perhaps being sleepless in Seattle would be a little easier.  There's such much more going on there.  And living on a houseboat sounds rather romantic and peaceful.....

At any rate, there is way too much going on so turning off the brain at night is challenging.  In a fit of "gotta get stuff organized before class begins" I wandered through a local office supply store to see what there was to see.  Even in college, office supply stores were one of my favorite places (along with bookstores!)  The plethora and variety of products is amazing.  And now even more so--file folders in colors, an impossible selection of pens and pencils, and nifty stuff to look at.  So what did I get?  A wonderful children's dictionary that was half price (!) and will be a great resource as the grand kids get older.  :)

So pondering the organizational challenges of my office/study/craft room I got to pondering that it would be really nice if there were a way to organize my brain as well.  Separate space for each topic of interest and a way to keep thoughts from floating from one area to another.  And a switch for on and off as well.  Then maybe I wouldn't lie in bed at night with various topics flitting in and out of focus!

So, the best part of weeding?  Being able to see the results!  And I'm enjoying that as
life goes on.

Banagrams

A favorite game for lots of folks,  including some of my friends and relatives.  I also like to play it "solitaire"--it's a challenge to come up with new words and patterns on my own.

Today, a friend texted me and said "MDs (McDonalds) at 2:00?"  Yes!  We meet for beverages, conversation, and Banagrams.  A very good time.

We keep talking of a game time for some of the ladies at church.  Banagrams, cribbage, and who knows what else.  I do know one thing--I will not be attending 9 p.m. bingo tomorrow night.  Invited by our current house guest, all I could think of was the time.  I'm usually in bed by then!

A visit with my brother is coming up.  We'll be playing lots of Banagrams, survive!, and who knows what else.  Games are a great way to interact and have fun as
life goes on!

Small steps

So, it takes awhile to get motivated.  Today I finally called my health insurance provider to talk about a referral that I was finally going to take advantage of and the possibility of changing my primary care provider.  This was with some trepidation.  However,  Jessica at my provider's office, was amazingly helpful (even though she couldn't really recommend a physician..).  It helps, of course to have all your magic numbers available.  Even so, I finished the call feeling good about my options.

Then, the receptionist at the specialist's office was unbelievably pleasant, cheerful, accommodating, and helpful.  WOW.  She had a really fun giggle as well!

So--would it have been a good idea to make these calls shortly after being advised to do so (by another professional) on the 19th of April?  Duh.

Why is it that some of us (like me) put off doing things that we "know" might be a good idea?  I didn't do myself any favors by waiting.  And I might have gotten into the specialist a little sooner if I had called a week ago.

So--when that niggling in the brain says, "You could just go ahead and do it" maybe I should pay attention and just DO IT.  It would probably make things a bit easier in the long run as
life goes on.

Spaghetti

My husband makes spaghetti and meatballs in huge batches.  It ends up in the freezer and gets used whenever we're looking for a quick meal.  We will be taking in on a camping trip this summer.  It was a huge hit previously and he promised to make it again for this years' adventure.

So our home is very fragrant this evening.  Can't complain about that!

Started in--seriously--on the weeds today.  Got a fair amount accomplished with the help of a stepdaughter.  Weeding and conversation go well together.  It's going to be rough for awhile.  I am thankful to have the relationship I do with my spouse.  Would hate to be 50 and coming out of a relationship.

It's been a long day.  But we've got lots of yummy spaghetti and meatballs to look forward to as
life goes on!

Rescuing Hawk

A friend is very involved in dog rescue--mostly border collie.  Today, we drove to a farm outside of Mattawa so her current foster could be evaluated for herding.  And was it a farm!  Sheep, horses, cattle, dogs, cats and ducks all over the place.  Hawk wasn't immediately enamored of the sheep, but they caught his attention and he was soon demonstrating some herding behavior.  Funny, it was almost as if he "knew" that he was supposed to do something, but he wasn't quite sure what it was.  And, in spite of many "issues" in his city home, he seemed quite happy to be at the farm and had no problems whatever interacting with a new person and her menagerie.
 
How often do we expect the unreasonable from dogs (and people)?  Should a young couple with full time jobs, two young children, and a 12-year-old border collie really expect to bring a puppy into the household and have it work?  There first border collie was "no problem!"  Could it be that the situation was slightly different?  Like the first puppy had all of their attention, all of the time?  DUH.

BC puppies are known to be high energy and require lots of training.  They are smart as all get out and need guidance, rules, a firm hand, and affection.  Poor Hawk never had a chance in suburbia.

I hope he finds a good farm soon.  He'll be a wonderful farm dog for someone.  And much happier
as life goes on.

Time Flies

Getting to my blog has got to become more of a DAILY habit!  It's not that there aren't things to write about.  I let my 'tiredness' take over way too much--when writing is actually energizing most of the time!

It was a long week, not just for the nation but for me as well.  A lot of time and emotional energy went into preparing two worship services and writing a sermon.  It challenging and fun (?!) but time consuming.  That said, I had a good time.  It was gratifying to know that my message was appreciated by many members of the congregation.  It makes it all worthwhile.

This morning, on my way to Costco, there were several birds "bathing" in a small puddle at an intersection.  Talk about a grin!  As soon as I turned the corner, the two that had flown away were right back in the water fluffing their wings.  Isn't that just cool?

Wish I could say that life will slow down a bit now, but my husband's adult step-daughter arrived yesterday from Alaska as well.  She's experiencing the end of a long-term relationship and needs a place to regroup.  I feel for her--but this is going to make life really interesting for awhile.  On the plus side?  She's a smoker (bummer) but goes outside to smoke and plays with Pepper while she's in the backyard.  Pepper LOVES having Mary here!  So a new set of challenges
as life goes on!

Dogs and Vegetables

Pepper, our wonderful canine companion, is usually near the kitchen whenever I'm in "food preparation" mode.  She was there this morning while I was doing prep on my husband's dinner just in case he's on his own this evening.  As usual, Pepper was waiting for her "goodies"
Usually, the following gets tossed in her dish:  bits of carrots, snap peas, jicama, peppers, and celery.

Now, Pepper doesn't care for celery--but when mixed in her bowl with other veggies and her dog food she manages to get it down her throat.  Today--sans the dog food--she peacefully munched through the vegetables and left (very carefully, on the floor) the two pieces of celery!  Now there's a discriminating palate!

So, today I am envying Pepper's ability to know for certain what she wants--and what she doesn't want.  No black and white in the canine world.

If  only our world was so easy.  I get tired of the "if" word, the "but" word, the "except" word.  Short of escaping to some other place and living absolutely alone, we are stuck with ambiguity and difficult decisions.  And therein lies the challenge
as life goes on.

Monday, Monday

When I complained to my physical therapist about how painful it was to be on the computer, she smiled knowingly and proceeded to tell my why it's painful and what I might try to make it a bit better.  And yes, she could tell that I had "tightened up" as a result of my recent activity.  I had given up computer games for lent (and haven't returned to them), but in the midst of a project I am back at the mouse and keyboard more.  I'll use her advice--but it's not going to be a cure-all.  Bummer.

My husband and I started a new book this week.  It's The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce.  It is enchanting but a little too "English" for Rich.  It's grown on  him as we've gotten into it and I do some "editing" as I read (mailbox instead of postbox for example).  Today I re-read a phrase just to hear it again--and we agreed that it was a neat one:  "..they had made a decision in their hearts and minds to ignore the evidence and to imagine something bigger and something infinitely more beautiful than the obvious."  We've read Chapters 1 (Harold and the Letter), 2 (Harold and the Garage Girl and a Question of Faith), 3 (Maureen and the Telephone Call), and 4 (Harold and the Hotel Guests).  Chapter 5 is Harold and the Barman  and the Woman with Food.  The titles make we want to read straight through to the end--but Rich and I only manage a chapter or two a day so I'll be patient and share the journey with him.  There are 31 chapters; could take awhile!

So I have a bunch of springtime on the table next to me:  yellow chrysanthemums and "greens" that were on sale at the grocery store.  They are lovely and remind me that spring is indeed on its way, though the warmth is taking its time.  I was not exactly pleased when Rich told me the temperature this morning was freezing!  Literally.  :(

Out of town tomorrow; a fairly long day.  So until next time,
life goes on.

Holy Hilarity

We had an event at church this afternoon titled "Holy Hilarity."  And it was fun.  Creative, informative, and reaffirming of our community.  Services were also particularly enjoyable today--the music especially so.  Very uplifting, very good. 

Several  church "ladies" (of the older persuasion) have become excited about a game we played at our women's retreat--Banagrams.  So several of us more "middle aged" ladies are hoping to get a Banagrams party going soon.  It's been fun getting to know women of another generation.  Their wisdom is truly amazing and they are such fun!  I'm threatening to adopt a few of them as I could use some grandmothers!

For some reason I'm on a blue and yellow kick.  Not sure what that is about, but it started at Costco when I couldn't resist some flowers.  And now it's spilling over into the bedroom.  I think my husband will be really surprised at the change.

Speaking of husbands, his step-daughter may be living with us for awhile.  This was discussed over the phone while I was making dinner.  Now there is something to ponder--how this fits in with everything else that is going on and the effect it will have on the family.  (She is leaving a relationship of several years and moving back here from Alaska.)  Did I mention that there seems to be a roller coaster ride lately as
life goes on?

No excuses--time goes on!

So--it's April 13th and I've been more than lazy about writing.  However, it is a new day with new challenges approaching and so back to writing.

I've been accepted into the Academy for Spiritual Formation and on April 1st (no foolin') got an email that Session 35 at Burlingame, California is officially a "go."  There had been some hesitation to continue on with it due to small registration numbers.  (It had already been postponed from January.)  However-- a go it is.

Today I got an email from the Hospitality Coordinator, Jan.  A welcome letter; specific instructions for travel, what to bring, etc.; academy policies; driving instructions to Mercy Center; Mercy Center Guest Information; and an arrival schedule and special dietary information form.  Last, but not least, an emergency contact information form that will be opened only in the even of an emergency.

So something I've thought about for over two years is going to be a reality--and I am both excited and trepidatous.   A former participant writes that:

"To really enjoy it, if enjoy is the word, it helps to be one part monk, one part dogface recruit, one part student, and seven parts hungry to learn to pray!  Other than that, I recommend it to everyone." 

What have I gotten myself into?   And what is a "dogface recruit?"

I remain in PT for the bothersome shoulder.  Still a fair amount of pain, but my therapist says I am indeed making progress.  I was a bit chagrined to hear that it could take a year for a full healing.  Slow but steady, hopefully.

Spring is here--yahoo!  In spite of a black thumb, I'm hoping to do some things in the garden this year.  We'll see what happens!  I'm challenged right now to try and keep ahead of the dandelions.  Cute they are--but I have no plans to let them go to seed!

Puzzlements

Was it the King in "The King and I" that speaks of puzzlements?  I think so.  Yule Brynner, of course, was amazing.  At some point in my life (the eighties?) I saw "The King and I" live in Seattle.  I vaguely recall a group of women making the journey for the show.  I think that's the night that I shared a bed with another women who was just a tad taken aback when I cuddled up with her during the night.  Completely innocent-- I was merely trying to get warm.  Since then for whatever reason, I've developed into an "on the edge of the bed" sleeper.  My husband never accuses me of crashing into him during the night.

So Puzzlements.  There are so many!  But I ran into one again today, that I run into more often than not lately.  And I just don't get it.  Why is it that some women don't flush the toilet when they're done?  Lately, it seems that several times a week I go into a public restroom and discover an unflushed toilet.  Why?  It's not because the toilet is broken.  I know this because I go ahead and flush it!  Kids, perhaps?    I would throw this puzzlement out to the universe, but I doubt anyone would answer.  Yeah, it's not a big deal, but it sure is puzzling as
life goes on.

Oh those aches and pains!

Still in the midst of PT on my shoulder, I somehow have made my hip very angry with me.  Probably slept on it wrong!  Why is it as we get older that our bodies insist on complaining so much?  This is most frustrating. 

Pepper, my dog, has been fascinated with my PT exercises.  Especially the ones that require lying face down on the floor.  At first, she was convinced that this odd position meant playtime.  I have since convinced her that I'm busy and she lies nearby and watches.  Then there are the band stretches, followed by two different neck stretches (on both sides, please).    My constant gazing in one direction, unable to interact with her leads to an amusing array of behavior:  pitiful gazes into my eyes, pawing at my knees to get my attention, and just plain dejection when her antics don't result in any attention.  While writing this, she has "nosed" her leash and is sitting in front of the door with her ears cocked and a hopeful expression on her face.  She has, apparently, recuperated from the grandkids' visit and regained her energy.  The night after they left, she slept like a rock--not even waking up when my husband made a 2 a.m. trip to the bathroom.  She's not getting any younger either!

My husband and I are reading "Horses Never Lie About Love" by Jana Harris.  In the midst of the storytelling we are learning some surprising things about horses.  Today's revelation?  While foals are 'in utero' the hooves are equipped with little slippers--a finger-shaped protoplasm attached to baby's feet to protect the mother!  I've wondered about that (being kicked with hooves from the inside doesn't sound like much fun!). 

Spring flowers, blues skies, slippers on foals...  God is good as
life goes on.

The Grandkids

They are growing fast.  They'll be three in May and are deeply ensconced in that "It's mostly about me" stage of life.  It's a hoot to listen to them, to play with them, and to watch their minds working as you interact with them.  They are definitely 21st century children.  I Phones, DVDs, and televisions are totally familiar to them.  (I was a "bad" grandma for not having "Bugs and Bubbles" on my phone!)  Goodness.

We've been on the run since Thursday.  Up to Spokane for a dental appointment and a stay-over at my step-son's home.  Out to dinner to celebrate a birthday.  Then the kids down to our house on Friday so my husband and his son could attend a funeral.  I got to enjoy the kids while they were gone.  The house is quiet now and I've had a few minutes to catch up on some email and print out some pages for a songbook for the women's retreat.

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday and we heading into Holy Week.  The liturgy I've been reading has a special section for Holy Week and I'm looking forward to a bit of a change of pace.  Though I have been enjoying the Old Testament readings lately.  Pharaoh was a stubborn one!

With a somewhat calm week ahead (two physical therapy appointments, and only one meeting so far) I'm hoping to get back on a schedule of exercise, reading, and writing.  We'll see what happens as
life goes on!

Waiting for the rest of the world

Patience is a virtue.  How often have we heard that?  This virtue is not part of my chemistry, and I've been trying to develop it for years.  And, not to brag, there's been a change in my attitude much of the time.  Ok--so it's taken nearly sixty years and LOTS of conversations....

At any rate, the patience is being tried these days.  Why is it so difficult for people just to give you the information you ask for?   "Please help with this"....but the information highway comes to a complete halt when I ask for the information I need to help!  What's going on?

And--requesting information to make arrangements involving others--I get it a "yes, I've made the plans I'll let you know the details later."  Why not now? 

What's wrong with just responding and making the person asking (me) think that perhaps my need for information is worth the effort of writing a few more sentences on a response!

Twice this morning my husband asks me where something is.  The items are in his hands in moments.  Was I doing something when he asked?  Yes.  Was it important to him to locate the items?  Yes.  Did it place my plans for the day in dire danger by responding to his requests? No. 

So the question.  Wouldn't the world be a kinder, gentler place if all of us concentrated a bit more on being a blessing for others instead of doing the least amount we can get away with when someone asks for something?

A crabby day.  Things will look a little better as
life goes on.

Winnie, etc.

A good friend does dog rescue.  Mostly border collies, but others as the need arises.  I journeyed with her to Pendleton, Oregon yesterday to pick up Winnie--a female akita coming up from Baker City.  Hadn't been to Pendleton for awhile and, not surprisingly, things had changed.  The restaurant designated the meeting place no longer existed!  But there was a new DQ nearby.  The DQ was quite nicely decorated with the typical Pendleton theme--wild west, coyote, etc.  It was very nice and blizzards were buy one, get one for 99 cents.  Guess how we used up some of our waiting time?

Winnie.  She turned up at an animal shelter with buckshot wounds to her mouth and chest.  Owners were found but they declined to pick her up, surrenduring her instead.  Given treatment (including sewing her tongue back together) a rescue group found a foster home for her in Spokane.  Hence the "railroad" to get her up north.  One segment from Baker City to Pendleton, then Pendleton to Pasco, finally Pasco to Spokane.  There are an amazing number of people involved in dog rescue--transporters, foster parents, organizers.  I admire their passion and the results they can achieve.  (I can't keep track of how many dogs my friend has fostered, transported, and found home for!)

Winnie was a gentle, well-behaved, and affectionate girl of about 5 years.  How anyone could shoot her in the face is  beyond me.  Even worse, my friend told me of a cocker spaniel that had been dumped by its owners.  Tossed in a black garbage bag and thrown out of a car onto the freeway.  Someone noticed the garbage bag moving and stopped to check it out.  Severely matted, the cocker is now shaved and in foster.

I have no issue with people deciding that dog owner ship is not for them.  Caring responsibly for a dog isn't easy.  But take them to a shelter for Pete's sake.  Try to find another home.  Cruelty is a coward's way of problem solving. 

The sermon today was on grace.  I'm trying to muster some up for people who mistreat animals.  In the meantime, thank God for people who try to help as
life goes on.

The View Out My Window

From my "upstairs room" (really a space overlooking an atrium) I can look out and see the sky  and a view including the city of Kennewick on the southern side of the river and Pasco on the north side.  And yes--if I'm in just the right spot I can see the river as well!  The view is even better from the roof of the house.  I know this from having helped with roofing of the house a few years ago.  That was a fun and interesting project--but I don't plan on doing it ever again.  It's a good activity for younger folks!

At any rate, there is a pinkish tinge this evening with clouds spread over the sky.  We are often treated to beautiful sunrises and sunsets here.  A blessing!

Spring is rushing forward.  Forsythia are bright yellow, the neighbor's almond tree is in full bloom, the willows are showing their delightful spring green immersion, and color is around every corner.  WOW.  God spreads a glorious palette for us this time of year and I savor every sight and aroma.

In the midst of so much renewal and life, a friend of my husband passed away in his sleep yesterday morning.  I found myself humming Harry Chapin's song "All My Life's a Circle" several times over the past day.    Isn't music just amazing?

Feeling very blessed.  My husband took the time to go to one of his least favorite shopping locations (the mall) to pick out a turtle charm for my bracelet.  (I did so enjoy the sea turtles in Hawaii).  Isn't that just sweet?  And then he treated me to sweet potato tots with dinner.  Since he can't stand sweet potatoes himself, this is especially touching. 

Some days are very, very good. 

And I am especially grateful this evening that

life goes on.

Home from warm and sunny Maui

The trip was wonderful.  Sunshine, mild temps, relaxation, and fun.  Snorkeling was incredible.  Colorful fish, an octopus waving its arms around, and sea turtles.  The turtles were especially awesome.  Especially the one that swam by me unexpectedly.  That moment is permanently engraved in my brain.  :)

The sprained shoulder that my physician diagnosed a few months ago has been examined by a physical therapist who now informs me that I've a small tear.  Good Grief.  Her hope is that PT and time will be sufficient to "heal" it; although it is likely I'll be noticing the effects for the rest of my life.  Interestingly, Ann told me that the "bad" move I made this fall (picking up my granddaughter) didn't really cause the injury--only made it happen sooner than later.  Isn't getting old grand?!?  At any rate, I am now experiencing that wonderful thing called Physical Therapy and/or Pain and Torture.  I've been amazingly good at following instructions though:  icing the shoulder 3 to 5 times daily, doing my exercises three times a day, and taking an anti-inflammatory.

After arriving home we traveled to Spokane to pick up our dog, Pepper.  My stepson and his family took care of her while we were gone.  What fun  to see the twins.  And good to see Pepper as well.  The twins will miss her being at their home, but we assured them that a visit will be in the plans--definitely before their 3rd birthday in May.  Gads--time sure flies as
life goes on.

On Vacation

Don't know if I'll be able to blog until I get home.  In the meantime,
life goes on!

Only Change Is Constant

That phrase was offered to our Civics Class by a good teacher back in high school.  I won't say how long ago that was!  At any rate, one of the group's I'm in is wrestling with this issue as we begin to open ourselves up to accepting new members who have completed the same training we have.  It's an odd place to find ourselves in.  Our original class numbered about 18; twelve of us actually completed the course; only six of us have remained in contact through regular meetings where we share stories, offer support to each other, and do some "soulwork."  And yes, it will be a challenge to have a new member.  But I would like to think that the group now formed and new members who happen to find their way to us will offer each other blessings and insights that we can only imagine (or hope for).

Change being constant is frustratingly true.  And I'm especially sensitive to that particular facet of life these days.  A phrase in church this morning resonated:  "There is a certain winter in our spirits today, O Lord."  And a synapse in my brain cried "YES!"  It's been winter in my spirit and soul for awhile now.  Not that this is a new experience for me.  Living with depression has literally been the story of my life.  But the cycle this winter has been a bit different.  Not sure why--but having a label on my recent "state" is fodder for exploration.

We cleaned house today.  Our son and his twin children are arriving Tuesday for an overnight stay before they take Pepper home with them while we are gone on vacation.  Pepper has had a bath and haircut as well.  So we're about as prepared for the visit as we can be.  Ok--I've got to get the guest room prep finalized, but first I've got to get our stuff on the bed packed....

The other part of the house that still needs a fair amount of work is the space I call my own.  It's "upstairs" in the atrium off our family room.  It seems I'm always in some state of organization--there are way too many works in progress.  So I'll be buckling down tomorrow to a: get some items ready for the bag we check through for the trip and b: straighten up my room enough to get some peace of mind.  In the meantime, of course,
life goes on!

Movie Lines

"A Few Good Men" is one of my favorite movies.  Can't say how many times I've watched it (I have it on video), but it always captures my attention.  Jack Nicholson is riveting as the bad guy, Tom Cruise is an almost likable hero, Demi Moore ads the right amount of spice, and Kevin Pollack is just nice to look at--along with playing an interesting character.  So the movie line that's been on my mind lately?  The one where Tom Cruise finds out that Demi Moore will be accompanying him on a fact-finding mission (against his wishes) and he says, "The hits just keep on coming."  And that's what life has been like lately.  One darn thing after another.

So not much to sound off about without sounding like a whiner.  Until the sunset was blazing across the sky this evening and I reminded myself that life is generally good, God showers me with blessings, and spring will come.  And those "hits" will be survived, hopefully with some grace and gratitude.

I'm working on that as
life goes on.

Dogs!

Robin, a good friend, is involved in border collie rescue.  Today, Joan (from Idaho) drove up for a "meet and greet" that had been arranged for a couple from the Seattle area.  I ventured over to say a quick hello to Joan.  I met her a couple of years ago and have enjoyed interacting with her on occasion.  She wasn't staying in our area long, but a quick hello is a good thing when you don't have an option for a longer visit.

All activity was in the backyard, so I let myself in the house and headed out the back door.  There were four people and four dogs.  Robin, Joan, the couple looking into the adoption, and their other three dogs were there in addition to the young male that was up for adoption.  It was definitely "black and white" dog day!  Apparently, the couple have acreage and sheep--a perfect combination for borders!

It was fun to watch the dogs play and interact.  One, Gracie, was a bit shy.  She's on the small side and had a lovely face.  Her eyes reminded me of Toby--an Aussie that blessed us for a little over 13 years.  Thank goodness she wasn't like Toby at all in any other way.  The eyes nearly sliced my heart in two.

Robins dogs (Storm, Kate, and Quinn) were in the house and another foster dog was in the garage.  And Joan had her oldest border collie in the truck.  So.....nine dogs total.  All border collies.  All black and white.  And yes, I managed to say hello to each and everyone of them with belly rubs, playing ball, and lots of patting.

Did Pepper (my aussie/bc mix) notice?  You betcha!  I didn't think she would ever stop sniffing my pants, my coat, my hands.

I'm enjoying flowers.  A dozen red roses that my romantic hubby got me for Valentines Day.  They are still absolutely gorgeous, slowly opening.  And a friend gave me a pot of paper whites yesterday.  The flowers are lovely and the fragrance shouts "spring!"  And today was spring-like.  We had some blue sky and sunshine in the afternoon.  Always a blessing.  Hubby got to go out on his motorcycle, the dogs got to play outdoors, and there were lots of grins.  One of those quiet days that are a blessing as
life goes on.

Ash Wednesday, Valentine's Day, Lent

All at once--so much going on.  Class on Ash Wednesday was very good, though a bit long since we were given a mission of picking music for church services Sunday.  Even that provided fodder for good conversation.  Still, by the time I got home, figured out what to "do" for dinner, and looked at the clock I didn't really want to do the dash to church for the Ash Wednesday Service.  Some regret there, as I always enjoy Taize and the placing of the ashes on my forehead is a seriously sacred moment.  But if there's one thing I'm learning lately, it's that I can't do everything and keep my family life on an even keel at the same time.

So, for Valentine's Day I treated my husband to a day for "just us."  I did go to the gym, but afterwards was coffee and scones and relaxing back home before going to lunch (his favorite, soup and salad at Olive Garden) and topping off the afternoon with a movie.  We don't do "date" days very often so it's always special.

And Lent.  When I last visited my brother and his family in California I discovered hidden object games on the computer.  Keith and Jenny both like them and Jenny did warn me that they could be addictive--and she was 100% correct!  A wonderful combination of logic, hidden object screens, puzzles, and just plain "figuring things out."  My husband, by the way, was not enamored with this new distraction in my life and I've literally had to set timers when I get on the computer to "play."  So for Lent I'm giving up computer games and will be devoting the time instead to study or reading.  This will be a very good thing!

No regrets

about moving those many years ago.  Yep, used to be in Michigan and the snow on the east coast the last couple of days makes me really glad to be living in the eastern desert of Washington.  It is beautiful.  I remember many crisp winter nights when the snow glistened in the streetlights, the bright and lovely coating after a snowfall, the quiet of freshly fallen snow.  But I love to love it from a distance now.  The shoveling, the stuck cars, the slick roads, the inconvenience are things I just don't care to experience any more. 

Yesterday we had a Valentine's Carnival for the kids at church.  It was a blast to watch the little ones enjoy themselves so much.  There was face painting, cupcake decorating, a fish pond, a penny toss, and "make your own" valentines.  At times, it was hard to tell whether the kids or the adults were having the most fun--especially around the card making table!  I particularly enjoyed playing with the plastic frogs that "jump" when you press on their butts.  Doesn't take much to amuse me some days.  And a bit of frivolity is a good thing as

life goes on.

Busted!

Yeah,  I pushed my luck this morning.  My husband has never liked the idea of a dog on the bed, so Pepper has generally kept to her bed on the floor at the end of my side of the bed.  Just recently, I started letting her up--at first only on my side near the edge (where she never stayed for long) and then on the other side of me (on my flannel blanket)--where she was more content to settle down, relax, and snooze as I read.  So this morning we were enjoying the peaceful quiet of the bedroom and I heard my husband approaching.  Pepper, sound asleep, was slow to wake up and respond to my "Get off the Bed!" so we were caught.  Not a happy camper, my husband was unusually "not so bad" about the situation.  He only made a couple of snarky remarks as the morning progressed.  But I'm betting that we'd better behave for now.  So why is it that having Pepper next to me on the bed is such a comfort?  I'm not sure--but it is.

Costco was a zoo today but I plugged along to pick up some veggies and coupon items.  At the check out the lady in front of me put a separator on the belt so I could begin loading my stuff.  I gave her a grin and said, "Thanks!"  A moment later she caught my attention, gave me a grin, and said, "You would have done the same for me."  And I said, "You betcha--a little kindness makes the world a better place."  After that we enjoyed some bantering with each other and the check-out clerk.  It was a small but nifty feel-good interaction.  And things like that are one reason I'm glad that

life goes on!

Healing

A friend with constant health issues has been through a particularly tough time lately.  Several trips across the mountains (always a crap shoot weather-wise this time of year) and a surgery later she is finally "coming back to us" and feeling improvements in her health instead of feeling rotten much of the time.

A few us met at one of her favorite restaurants today so she could delve into a favorite food that she hadn't had since "Before the Surgery."  Afterwards, a few games of Banagrams at her house before we had to go our separate ways.

The best part?  Seeing her less-stressed face, having her snarky sense of humor back, laughing deeply from our guts, and just plain having fun.  What a joy it is to be blessed with wonderful friends to share all parts of life with (two of these folks literally booted my butt to the doctor when my depression got really bad)--the good, the bad, the sad, the frustrating, the joys, the fun, the wonder of lives, and the presence of each other.

I'm feeling the warmth of God's arms this evening for me, the people I care deeply about, and the whole of creation.  Yeehah!

Life goes on!

Another Sunny Day!

Blues skies again.  Hurrah!  We could get used to this....

Well, this morning I tried the "new" oatmeal at Starbucks.  It was ok--but not outstanding.  At least no better than I make at home.  Which probably speaks to just how much (or how little) steel-cut oats are in it.  Apparently the new blueberry topping isn't available in this area as I was unceremoniously handed a bag with the traditional brown sugar, mixed nuts, and dried fruit.  It was an ok breakfast sandwiched between a workout at the gym and a meeting at church.  Frankly, my usual quick breakfast of yogurt and cereal would have been just fine.

A group of people (?!) apparently had a swell time in the parking lot last night.  Garbage (fast food, mostly) was strewn over a wide area and a half-rack of empty beer bottles was close by.  As I pumped away on the stair stepper I decided that I would pick the crap up if I had an appropriate bag in the car.  So, armed with a paper shopping bag and some "doggy do" bags to put over my hand (almost as good as rubber gloves) I got what I could (some was under parked cars) and put it in a trash can.  And, a young gentleman headed for the gym stopped to help along the way.  Which I thought was really cool.  :)  The world is full of all types--those who don't give a rats behind about their impact on the environment being one type that really gets my goat.  So I've decided to keep materials in the car to "fight" pollution one mess at a time as the opportunity arises.  I'll be more intentional about having bags with me on walks.  It doesn't do any good to gripe about it if I'm not willing to be part of the solution.  So, perhaps there will be a little less litter as

life goes on.

February 1st, A Fine Day

My husband remembered to change the calendar in our dining room to February and it was a joy to come home and see it.  "Follow your heart--but take your brain with you!"  Good advice.  Wish I had the wisdom to follow it when I was younger!  (Don't most of us?)

A mammogram mix-up worked out when someone didn't show up for an appointment and I got to get in--in spite of my appointment being lost in computer space.  And then some time with a dear friend who is recuperating from surgery, our class communion at church, a walk in the sunshine, and coffee with a good friend.  And, believe it or not, harvesting broccoli and spinach out of the church garden!  In the midst of this blessing one of my classmates remarked, "God is good--all the time!"  It put a smile on my face and reminded me to remain aware of the blessings overflowing in my life.  Days like this are a blessing indeed.

And, wonder of wonders, I did well through the 24-hour fast for the class.  I limited myself to water and tea with splenda.  Before starting I sincerely asked God for his help by limiting by usual "hypoglycemic tendencies" and the fast went well--better than I expected.  I did have some assistance--a great summary of fasting by a fellow church member, a book of devotionals specific to eating issues, and the trainer at the gym pushing me toward better eating habits. 

This discipline thing is not easy (boy would I like some sweet potato fries and a burger!) but keeping at it is important.  And yes, even without fries and burgers

life goes on.

Sunshine! And the month of hope...

We've actually had some sunshine the last few days.  And is it ever wonderful!  Yesterday was in the fifties.  It looked good.  It smelled good.  It felt good.  A friend says February is the month of hope; it indeed seems to bringing good things along with it.  Starting today instead of tomorrow.  Yippee!

Even a little cheating can do damage to a weight loss plan.  I can blame no one but myself.  I chose to make pastries for church; and then I chose to eat some.  And then I chose to make pizza for dinner and had two pieces (instead of the just the one I told myself I could have).  They seemed like such tiny transgressions.  I could hardly believe that I'd only dropped 4 ounces in a week.  And Becky says that whole, "muscle weighs more than fat" thing just doesn't cut the mustard.  Which led to discussions on interval training, stretching, and a few new machines at the gym.  Sigh.

We had some good news regarding my husband's claim for health problems as a result of working near chemicals.  He is finally receiving some compensation for the damage done to his lungs and respiratory system.  I'm hoping he will be able to put some the pain and frustration with the "system" behind him now.  That would be a blessing!

So in the midst of winter, sun.  In the midst of disappointment, a ray of hope.  In the midst of "too much going on", some time for peace and the company of friends.

Life goes on.

Discipline

Discipline, as a word, gets a bad rap much of the time.  And yet, in one sense (that of self-control) it is the way to order our lives, a way to keep ourselves on track.  The "D" word has been in my life a lot lately:  at church, at the gym, in the application to the Academy for Spiritual Formation, in the back of my own mind as I wrestle with daily choices.  (Surely just one piece of shortbread won't hurt...)

Unfortunately, I'm the kind of person that can't eat just one potato chip.  It has to be a gene from my mother!  And splurge I did.  Saturday while I was baking the shortbread for church and Sunday as I passed through the Fellowship Hall where a few pieces of shortbread were left on the table.  Did they taste good?  You betcha!  Were they worth the double splurge?  Probably not.  It helps to bear in mind just how long it takes to burn calories.  So yeah, it was off to the gym this morning.  Where...

Can you believe it?  I was on the stationary bike doing about 10 miles/hour.  A couple bikes down from me was a man (middle ageish, fairly slim) who was peddling away very slowly.  His earphones were on; the tv screen was lit.  As I pondered his (slow) speed I though perhaps he was in recovery from surgery and taking things easy as he got "back into" things.  And then!  He had one of those tiny brown bags from Starbucks in one hand  and was dipping the other hand into the bag, grabbing a bit of brownie, and eating it as he exercised!  My first thought?  Geez, I wish I could exercise like that!
And then I chastised myself for the envy.  I know the realities of my physical fitness and limitations.  I also know the realities of my diet, cholesterol level, and how I feel.

So back to discipline.  I could surely use more in my life and will struggle on toward that goal. 

But would the world be bent out of shape if carrots tasted like chocolate?  Oh well,

life goes on.

CBS Sunday Morning

Whenever I get the chance to watch this show I wish they would broadcast it every day.  It''s informative, entertaining, engaging, and offers positive (!!!!) stories that actually make you feel good.  They also have a marvelous nature moment at the end of each show which is usually totally awesome.  I know this through a friend of mine; we leave for church before the show is over.

It was a mad dash this morning.  We were late getting out of bed so we were rushed and caught only bits and pieces of today's airing.  One story was absolutely marvelous.  A young mother diagnosed with MS, a family struggling financially, and a 9-year-old girl who borrowed money from her grandmother to begin a business.  Four years later the family finances have stabilized and the young lady is now putting her money into her college fund.  So what did she do?  Bought over one hundred hens, got an award for "good chicken farming", and is making over $15,000 a year.  And yes, her chickens live the good life.   It was an amazing experience to see the family's pride in their daughter and just plain amazing that a child of that age would  1) even think of doing something like that; 2) have enough faith in herself to jump into it; and 3) succeed so well.  (Yes, it was mentioned that she had no experience with any type of farming.)

It reminds me that one person can indeed change the world, or at least a small part of the world that they reside in.  And isn't that just cool?

Sometimes life is very, very good.  At any rate,

life goes on.

It could be worse

A few of us have been moaning about the weather here.  We've been in an inversion--which means cloudy and it's been cold, damp, and generally unpleasant.  Then, my stepdaughter living in North Pole, Alaska (yes, you read that right) told me it was 5 below there and the roads were like "K-Y jelly"--snow on top of freezing rain and the snow level up to her knees.  Can I say that I'm thrilled NOT to be there!

It's also 9 degrees in my home town (Michigan) so I will be happy for our coolish, dampish weather for now.  It could be alot worse.

I'm off to a friend's house tomorrow to watch the Australian Open Women's Final.  It will broadcast here at 6 a.m. so we will be enjoying it on her big-screen tv and sipping freshly-brewed coffee.  It's not unusual for me to root for the newby and/or underdog so I'll be sitting on the edge of my seat hoping that Li N manages to pull off an unexpected win.  Sloan Stephens lost in her semi-final; was disappointed at that.

Tennis?  I've enjoyed the sport forever.  When I was growing up our house was on the same "block" ( really four city blocks) as Ferry School (elementary) and the tennis courts were visible from our kitchen window.  I watched a lot of tennis and banged balls against the brick walls at the school.  Back then, tennis was broadcast on regular network television and I watched as much as I possibly could.  Probably drove my family nuts.  But I still enjoy it.  The game has changed immensely, players have come and gone, but the entertainment value is still there for me.  Chris Evert had a cameo role on CSI this week.  I remember idolizing her, of course.  She was one of the greats.

Overslept today but still made it to the gym.  Shrunk the day a bit, but

life goes on.

Unexpected wonders

At a meeting yesterday one of the members offered each of us a memento from her recent vacation to Glacier National Park.  (The group leader has been challenging people to "explain" their absences by bringing things back from their trips.)  At any rate, she had been cross-country skiing for several days and had nothing but excitement and happiness on her face as she described the weather, the scenery, and the experience.  So what was her gift?

A yellow cupcake paper cup to signify the sunny days
With a scrap of blue tissue paper in it to signify the blue skies
A small piece of moss
A small twig of  teeny pine cones
A small piece of fir tree--all items to "share" her experience of being in the woods
A piece of huckleberry taffy to savor the taste of Montana huckleberry

Isn't that just charming?  And there is just a touch of foresty odor to enjoy!

I'm touched by her thoughtfulness, originality, and generous gift of the time used to make these "touchstones" for us.

Pretty neat.

Busy, busy, busy

Life does seem to barrel by at times and it's not easy to settle down and write when energy has been used in some other place.  I've been preparing an application to attend The Academy of Spiritual Formation and it has been challenging.  I want to get in the mail tomorrow; give my three references information they will need to write the letters of recommendation, and wait to hear whether I'm accepted or not.  No idea how long that process will take.

I've also been working on a project for the new class at church.  Prayer cards were on my "to do" list.  This may sound boring to most folks but I like to dabble with projects with that.  I got the printing, measuring, and cutting done and then was blessed to have a good friend help me put them all together.  So they are ready for a meeting tomorrow.  The class begins Wednesday and I'm looking forward to it.

We'll get the results of my husband's tests tomorrow.  And a friend who has been dealing with some issues will have surgery next Monday.  And a firefighter I know from the City of Pasco has been diagnosed with a nasty cancer--at a very young age.  Another friends oldest dog, Stormy, had surgery today for cancer.  There are so many people I ask God to hold close and comfort.  Seems everyone I know has these issues to deal with.  And it seems to get more complicated and more widespread as I get older.

Haven't had much time to watch the Australian Open, but the quality of tennis has been outstanding!  Federer and Djokvic are experiencing some tough new kids and it's just another reminder that all things change...  And in the midst of change,

life goes on.

Sometimes very good, sometimes not!

The good news (I surprised myself!) is that I dropped 2.2 pounds and did not owe my exercise partner $20.  The bad news is that I totally indulged today and ended up in the red on my calorie count.  So the lesson here is that I can eat healthily and not feel deprived...and that rewarding myself for being so good by eating a little extra is a really dumb thing to do.  Dumb, dumb, dumb.  How many times did I watch my mom "finish" up food in the kitchen instead of tossing it out--or making herself a sandwich for a bedtime snack.  At her worst, mom weighed in at nearly two hundred pounds.  My sister was in tears one day when she had measured my mom for a sewing project and discovered that mom was literally as big around as she was tall.  Yes, there's a model of behavior I've tried NOT to follow.

So back to better intentions.  Thank goodness I've finally finished the leftover pasta with pesto sauce and I won't be tempted to indulge in that for awhile!  It's ok once a day--but twice (lunch and dinner) is gilding the lily.

I'm reading a book by Debbie McComber titled "One Simple Act--Discovering the Power of Generosity."  It's a fairly light read from the UMW reading list and packed with great stories, some of the studies done on why being generous is good for us (interesting!), and practical ideas for random acts of kindness.

So my husband and I were out for breakfast recently at a very small, locally owned and fairly new restaurant called Omeletz.  Open only Monday through Friday and only for breakfast and lunch.  The food is all home-cooked and luscious.  And yeah, alot of the menu items are things that should NOT appear on my food diary.  So I stuck with water to drink and ordered the pumpkin oatmeal with a side of just a tiny cinnamon roll.  The cinnamon roll was yummy and worth the indulgence!  The pumpkin oatmeal was good too!

At any rate, we were sitting at a table for four in a corner and seating was getting limited.  Our food hadn't arrived yet.  A young woman came in with an infant and when asked if a table for two was alright she remarked that her mother and another child would be joining them.  I looked at my husband and said, "We should offer them this table.  They'll be really crowded otherwise."  Well, there wasn't alot of enthusiasm for the idea because my husband does not like to sit in the middle of a restaurant when it's crowded.  But I offered the table to the young woman and was so glad I did.  Her look of astonishment was quickly followed by a hearty grin of gratitude.  And it worked out perfectly for the kids and adults.  Making someone else's life a bit easier was gratifying.  It was fun too!

I have a bumper sticker on my car that says, "Bark Less.  Wag More."  Wouldn't the world be a more relaxed and happy place if we all did that?  Ah well,

life goes on.

It's Official!

Well,  no surprise really.  The doctor verified that my cholesterol is up again.  So that makes the diet and exercise "thing" a top priority.  Sounds like a lot of people, huh?

A friend and I were talking over coffee this morning (nonfat, sugar free, latte).  Not only does food taste good, if it's available we're likely to indulge in it.  Yeah, there's a history of compulsive eating in the family but that's really  no excuse.  Especially when I can say--beyond a shadow of a doubt that my mom's battle with obesity came from exactly that. 

One of the disciplines we are planning to explore in the new class at church is fasting.  Fasting isn't a popular idea these days.  Gee--let me think about that  for a couple of seconds!  Still, one aspect of the discipline that intrigues me is a line offered by another person organizing the class:  When you are fasting and hunger becomes a conscious thought, when you would normally reach for food reach instead for God and let him fill you up.  That can definitely be pared down to:  When eating becomes a conscious thought.....  And this reminds me of yet another author and book:  Made To Crave:  Satisfying Your Deepest Desire With God, Not Food by Lysa Terkeurst.  She also has a book of devotions on the subject. 

So where is all this going?

I've been struggling some with spiritual issues for awhile now and cannot help but believe that taking care of my whole being means treating the body, mind, and soul.  On a daily basis, with intention. 

Living with depression  is a reality for me.  Genetics and chemistry.  Living better through chemicals is one aspect of my life not likely to change.  So it's often difficult for me to really "grab and go" on ideas/activities and the like even when my enthusiasm is high.   This time of year especially it is dreadfully easy to sink into that "Oh, I just don't feel like it" mood."  So I remind myself, over and over and over, that I need to kick myself in the proverbial butt and get going.  Thank goodness that I am blessed with a wise and empathetic friend who will keep me straight (when I allow her inside my shell).  Another issue.

First weigh-in is tomorrow.  If I haven't dropped a pound I will be very disappointed!  But,

life goes on.

Mid-January!

Good Grief!  Tomorrow is January 13th already.  Time does fly.

It's been an odd couple of days.  We actually had some snow yesterday morning (not in the forecast) and today I was driving home with blue skies and sunshine to accompany me as the weatherman on the radio said we were going to have a mostly cloudy day.  Do they ever check outside their windows?

A friend and I "share" a personal trainer at the gym for a session once a week.  We both got the "eating better" lecture Thursday and I can't say it wasn't deserved.  Add that to having a blood draw for a doctor's appointment coming up Tuesday and I will probably be in very deep doodoo.  I had managed to get my cholesterol down some last time, but minor surgery on a toe stopping my momentum in exercising and the holiday season (burp!) I'm sure have not been helpful in keeping it down.  In fact, I fear that it will be up again...  So once again I'll be telling the doctor that I really can get back on  track, get it down again, and keep it down.

The kicker?  Eating is so much fun! 

My husband watches Dr. Oz nearly every day and one of his "top 13" ideas for losing weight included a computer/phone app called "My Fitness Pal."  The trainer at the gym said, "good idea!" so it's on my phone now--which automatically syncs with the computer, of course.  (Feeling my age--I remember when the word was "sink" and it had nothing to do with electronics!)  At any rate, while the app is good for tracking both food and activity it has been very disheartening to find out just how caloric so many of our foods are.  BUMMER.

If I don't exercise,  it hardly takes anything at all to hit my target calorie count for the day.  BUMMER.

On the plus side, while cycling at the gym the other day I had a chance to start on Anne Lamott's book "Help, Thanks, Wow--the Three Essential Prayers."  It's going to be a good read and already has me curious about a prayer by Thomas Merton that she begins to quote and then says, "you can look it up for yourself."  So I will, sometime soon.  In the meantime,

life goes on.

You Gotta Do It Sometime!

And what is that we gotta do?  Housework!  Not my favorite thing.  Not my husband's favorite thing either.  But we share the load and usually get it done in a morning.  And that's what we did today.  So we're done with it for at least a week.  Yahoo!  Also got the laundry done. 

And though I'm not supposed to let anyone know, my hubbie is a very nice guy and helps out a lot around the house.  I'm grateful for that!

Balanced the checking account, paid bills, a kept at getting my office cleaned up.  Got to see a friend briefly for a few games of Banagrams.  (One of our favorites!) 

Managed to bicycle for an hour at the gym today.  Didn't do too badly on the eating plan...

So life goes on...

Monday, not a fun day

Well, my husband had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy this morning which made for an interesting day.  He's easy to take care of for the most part.  His first request was for a cup of coffee with cream, thank you!  He slept for quite awhile after that.  He was glad to get it over with--though he was not pleased with the results and necessity of repeating one of the tests.  Won't know more until the 22nd.    Ah well.  Baked potatoes with various toppings seemed to settle fairly well in his stomach this evening.  I'm making chicken soup tomorrow.

One of the member's of my spiritual caregiver's group is Buddhist.  She offers meditation at her home several times a week and I'm going to give it a try tomorrow.  She says, "if you'd like to learn more about meditation or just want to center yourself before or after a challenging time, let me know, and we'll work out something."  The phrase "before or after a challenging time" caught my attention.  There are so many things challenging me right now--and the thought of just stopping to clear my mind and listen seems like a good idea.  I tend to send a lot of "arrow" prayers heavenward; would like to be more intentional about prayer and meditation.  Fran's an interesting person and seems pleased that I'm showing up tomorrow.  Will see how it goes.

In the meantime, life goes on.

Epiphany

It is Epiphany today.  The end of Christmas--and it's truly amazing how few people know  that the twelve days of Christmas actually begin on Christmas Day and extend to Epiphany....

My husband is on a fast and cleansing for a medical test tomorrow morning so I've been hanging about the house and helping him out as I can.  I remember this process all too well and have a great deal of sympathy for him today.  We'll both be glad when it's over!

There is much filing to be done, but I daresay that it just sounds plain BORING.  Guess I did too much of it during my working life.  Still, some progress has been made in my room (even some shredding).  Slow but steady.

A bit down today.  Music at church a highlight for me as usual--but other parts of life a tad on the sad side.

Life goes on....

Words of Wisdom

In a previous life, around fifteen years ago or so, I worked at a combination quilt/gift shop.  The pay was horrid but we got great discounts on merchandise (fabric!).  So I acquired a wooden frame for Lang calendars--you buy a new calendar every year to put in the frame.  Lang calendars are available in lots of places--even Costco these days.  I usually get something like "Songirds", "Country Seasons", or "Flowers."

This year, when I went to scout out a calendar for the frame I wasn't very impressed with the selection at Barnes and Noble or CraftWarehouse.  So I wandered off to the temporary game/calendar shop in the mall to check out their selection.  And there it was--a new calendar by Mary Englebreit who happens to be one of my all-time favorite artists.  I'm familiar with most of her art so was pleasantly surprised to see some of her work that was new to me.  The theme of the calendar is "Step by Step" with each month having a great illustration and interesting message.

January - Girl in room looking at a close door.  "Doors are everywhere.  Open them."
February - Girl gazing up at Cupid while her dog is looking the other direction.
                 "Follow your heart but take your brain with you."
March - A young traveler at a crossroads.  "Choose Happiness."
April - A women sitting in a garden.  "The birds they sing at break of day.  Start again!!
                                                               I hear them say."
May - A women standing by a wall with a road in the distance.  "The question isn't who is
                                                          going to let me.  It's who is going to stop me."
June - A gnome building a castle on a tree stump.  "You are never too old to set another goal or
                               dream another dream."  Attributed to C.S. Lewis
July - Two trapeze artists swinging toward each other.  "Only Connect"
August - A young girl standing in front of a blank canvas.  "Begin Anywhere."
September - A variety of people holding lanterns.  "Let us all light one anothers' way."
October - People running from three monsters sitting around a table.  "Too many people go
                              through life running from something that isn't after them."
November - A driver in a yellow toy convertible driving on the sidewalk.  "Go Man!"
December - A young woman reading a book titled "LIFE."
                        "Instructions:  1.  Put one foot in front of the other.  2.  Repeat."

What an interesting assortment of messages.  And especially apropos as I'm wrestling with a decision on whether to do something or not.  It's been in the back of my mind for a couple of years now and I had just once again put the topic on the back burner so to speak.  Less than a month after "back burning" the topic it was raised totally unexpectedly during a meeting I was attending at church.   So.....
the door may be opening...  now what?

I'm thinking of an interesting article on advice that I read several years ago.  The author was disappointed when she asked her art teacher if she should major in art at college.  She was hoping for an encouraging answer (I'm sure!).  The answer she got was, "The years will go by no matter what you do."  True--but she felt cheated by the answer until she realized that it was up to her to decide if she would regret one decision over another after a few years had passed.

I'm not sure exactly where I'm trying to go with this.  But no matter what,

life goes on....

Details, Details, Details

Yes, I'm trying to get my space straightened up.  Piles of filing abound--but I'm making some headway.  If I do it in bits at a time is almost bearable.  The hope is that I'll get better organized and come up with a system to help me find those things I put in "really safe" places and then can't remember where I put them! 

Today I also bought a replacement for the mixer (30+ years old) that decided to stop working when I last was baking cookies for church.  The new one (basic Black and Decker, not too expensive) worked wonderfully this evening as I made some treats for a birthday gathering tomorrow.  Rich will also enjoy the pistachio biscotti.  He doesn't like chocolate so the girls will have plenty of the raspberry chocolate brownies tomorrow.  Both recipes were from the "Flat Belly Cookbook" so they are terribly bad....

I finally finished one of the books I'm reading for the United Methodist Women (UMW) reading plan.  This one is by Megan McKenna; This will be Remembered of Her, Stories of Women Reshaping the World.  At first I didn't feel much of a "pull" from it and considered setting it aside.  It got more interesting though.  The end had me enthralled.  So many emotions as I read it--frustration, sorrow, anger, hopelessness, admiration for the subject women, gratitude that there are women willing to do whatever it takes to change their world, appreciation for McKenna's research and writing.  One of her questions is especially intriguing:  "What if the original sin is fratricide (Cain and Abel), and the original story (Adam and Eve) tells us that there are certain rules one must break in order to become more fully human, and that choosing what will lead us to wholeness involves reaching for wisdom, though there are consequences?" 

Two more quotes from the book that I want to remember:

Holy Wisdom in your power, hold us fast in every hour.
Enclose us in your threefold wings spreading to embrace all things.
One pierces heaven's heights above, another touches earth with love.
The other moves with tender care in mystery through the cosmic air.
Holy Wisdom in your power, enlighten us in every hour.
                                                               --Hildegard of Bingen


And what do you plan on doing with your one wild and precious life?
                                                               --Mary Oliver, "The Summer Day"


Coincidence fascinates me.  I happened to find a book of poetry by Mary Oliver deeply discounted last year and gave a copy to a good friend this Christmas.  (Kept one for myself as well.)  And low and behold! Mary Oliver speaks to me out of some current reading.

And it is a very good question indeed....