Laryngitis kept me home from work today, so I'm blogging at an unusual hour for me.
As per usual in the life of a mom, I have much to do. Because of my non-existent voice, I have some extra time to accomplish stuff I'd normally have to cram into a weekend or an evening. So I'm blogging between minor household chores, sewing badges on my daughter's Girl Scout sash, & assembling a lined dress I cut out for myself over four weeks ago (it may actually be nigh on FIVE weeks ago, now!). As much as I'm able, I'll make an effort to accomplish all this stuff today, as I may find myself doing other things over the weekend that I'd originally planned to achieve over the course of today.
On the bad news side, looks like I'll be giving my husband's annual camping trip at the beach a miss, darn it! I usually enjoy going to the Grand Strand with the girls & the dog, but since I'm ailing enough not to be able to communicate, sleeping under the stars in 50 degree nights might not be the wisest choice. Maybe the youngest daughter will be amenable to s'mores made in the backyard to make up for it.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
I think I've been whacked between the eyes!
Those who know me VERY well know patience is a virtue that I find quite lacking in myself. Since early February I've been in a small group Bible study entitled, "Experiencing God." It's been educational & a bonding experience with my peers. We're all members of the local Episcopal church, but there's a diverse array of Christian traditions represented, from former Southern Baptists to lapsed Roman Catholics, a former Lutheran, a friend who joined the church after her daughter joined the youth group with one of my sons, & myself (the only native Yankee Episcopalian from the high church tradition).
With that in mind, & with a nod to my constant quip regarding St. Augustine's maxim, "The reward for patience is more patience," is that God needs to hurry up & deliver (!), I present two teachings I received from an Orthodox Christian priest e-friend, which figuratively whacked me in the noggin in the past week or so:
Meekness is the buttress of patience, the door, or rather the mother of love, and the foundation of discernment, for it is said, "The Lord will teach the meek his ways." (Psalm 24:9) It prepares us for the forgiveness of sins,; it is boldness in prayer; an abode of the Holy Spirit. But to whom shall I look? Even to him that is meek and quiet. (Isaiah 66:2)
St. John Climacus (of the Ladder)
Be patient, my child, be patient. It is for us to acquire humility that we are allowed to be tempted. These are medicines which cure our sick souls. Rejoice that God is caring for your wounds. Bless him that he considers you his child and disciplines you in order to teach you wisdom from his law. "Blessed is the one whom you will discipline and teach," and "What son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline you are illegitimate and not sons." (Hebrews 12:7-8) But our temptations testify that we are children of God, and this is cause of much joy and honor. So take courage, my child. "Wait patiently for the Lord and do good." (Psalm 26:14)
Elder Ephraim of the Holy Mountain (Mt. Athos, Greece)
So much for patience in abundance. More like, "hurry up and wait," huh? *sigh* Better luck in the coming years, I hope!
With that in mind, & with a nod to my constant quip regarding St. Augustine's maxim, "The reward for patience is more patience," is that God needs to hurry up & deliver (!), I present two teachings I received from an Orthodox Christian priest e-friend, which figuratively whacked me in the noggin in the past week or so:
Meekness is the buttress of patience, the door, or rather the mother of love, and the foundation of discernment, for it is said, "The Lord will teach the meek his ways." (Psalm 24:9) It prepares us for the forgiveness of sins,; it is boldness in prayer; an abode of the Holy Spirit. But to whom shall I look? Even to him that is meek and quiet. (Isaiah 66:2)
St. John Climacus (of the Ladder)
Be patient, my child, be patient. It is for us to acquire humility that we are allowed to be tempted. These are medicines which cure our sick souls. Rejoice that God is caring for your wounds. Bless him that he considers you his child and disciplines you in order to teach you wisdom from his law. "Blessed is the one whom you will discipline and teach," and "What son is there that a father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline you are illegitimate and not sons." (Hebrews 12:7-8) But our temptations testify that we are children of God, and this is cause of much joy and honor. So take courage, my child. "Wait patiently for the Lord and do good." (Psalm 26:14)
Elder Ephraim of the Holy Mountain (Mt. Athos, Greece)
So much for patience in abundance. More like, "hurry up and wait," huh? *sigh* Better luck in the coming years, I hope!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Mercy--it's Friday!
I'm wisely blogging before I run out of steam, after having worked until 6:30 pm in an attempt to get all my job-related paperwork caught up. (Not QUITE there, but I'm substantially closer than I was at 8:00 this morning!) During my travels to meet with the clientele yesterday, I happened on a poster that fits well with my blog theme. I wish I new who deserves the credit, because that person WASN'T identified on the poster!
(ahem) and I quote:
"The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence; the second, listening; the third, memory; the fourth, practice; the fifth, teaching others."
Guess the blog puts me on steps 4 & 5 jointly?
Happy weekend to all!
(ahem) and I quote:
"The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence; the second, listening; the third, memory; the fourth, practice; the fifth, teaching others."
Guess the blog puts me on steps 4 & 5 jointly?
Happy weekend to all!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Plotting
Literally, that is. I had a great idea occur to me over the weekend that I plan to develop in the coming days into a fairy tale of my own creation. In addition to that, I have some work I wrote while living abroad that may be tweaked a bit for submission to be considered for my application to work on my MFA in Creative Writing.
In short, the fairy tale is based loosely on a real life situation, but should be obscure enough that none of the guilty, the innocent, nor the wildly imaginative can identify themselves!
In short, the fairy tale is based loosely on a real life situation, but should be obscure enough that none of the guilty, the innocent, nor the wildly imaginative can identify themselves!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Remember Stewardship "of all"?
Me too, but I was firmly reminded of it yesterday as I faced a daunting uphill climb...literally! As a seasoned veteran of more than a few hikes up, down, AND around the countryside of both the northeastern USA & merrie olde England (plus a few Alpine meadows in northwestern Italy), the idea of a trek up Stone Mountain in Georgia didn't faze me. "How high could it be?" I thought, not even recalling until we reached the base of it that this is, after all, the southern portion of the Appalachians!
Stone Mountain, on the side opposite the carving of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, & Stonewall Jackson, is quite walkable if you're into pretending you're Heidi of the Swiss Alps & aspire to emulate a mountain goat. On its more climbable side, Stone Mountain is very much like my childhood home in southern New England: steep hunks of granite; however, UNLIKE anything up there, this thing rises tor-like nearly 800 FEET above the surrounding relatively gently rolling countryside. Good thing I didn't know until we reached the top that there's a cable car that takes less hardy souls up & down!
Back to the need for physique stewardship...I have GOT to be far more dedicated to my gym time than I've been of late due to sinus infections, children with walking pneumonia, travels to swim meets, my work schedule, ad infinitum! Yes, at the midpoint of my 40s my physique is now far more maternal than athletic, having birthed four children (& still raising two of them to adulthood!). It's time to remember I'll be no good to anyone if I don't take care of ME FIRST (the cardinal sin to many a mom's mind!).
Back to the Y tomorrow...
Stone Mountain, on the side opposite the carving of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, & Stonewall Jackson, is quite walkable if you're into pretending you're Heidi of the Swiss Alps & aspire to emulate a mountain goat. On its more climbable side, Stone Mountain is very much like my childhood home in southern New England: steep hunks of granite; however, UNLIKE anything up there, this thing rises tor-like nearly 800 FEET above the surrounding relatively gently rolling countryside. Good thing I didn't know until we reached the top that there's a cable car that takes less hardy souls up & down!
Back to the need for physique stewardship...I have GOT to be far more dedicated to my gym time than I've been of late due to sinus infections, children with walking pneumonia, travels to swim meets, my work schedule, ad infinitum! Yes, at the midpoint of my 40s my physique is now far more maternal than athletic, having birthed four children (& still raising two of them to adulthood!). It's time to remember I'll be no good to anyone if I don't take care of ME FIRST (the cardinal sin to many a mom's mind!).
Back to the Y tomorrow...
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Self Investment
It always pays, no matter your age. It's all about outlook. As the granddaughter of a woman who "finally" completed her BA when I was 5 (after starting it at the more "traditional" college age, then married & raised a family before finishing) & earned her MS when I was 12 & she was a relatively new widow, I'm a firm believer that "age is but a number."
I wish I could get that truth--as well as the "good things come to those who wait" idea behind delayed gratification--through to more of the youth I work with on a daily basis. My own seem to understand. Though they can be impatient too, at least my daughters are seeing how a good work ethic pays off now that both of their older brothers are more than halfway through college (the older one graduates this August).
Some of the kids I work with may get it in theory, but the moment things don't go as they want them to, they lose patience, quit, and figure it'd never be theirs anyhow because it's too hard to obtain it (whatever "it" is, usually an education).
Any suggestions on beating it into these youths' heads...WITHOUT literally beating them? ;) (I'd never want to do that--they've had enough hard knocks already!)
I wish I could get that truth--as well as the "good things come to those who wait" idea behind delayed gratification--through to more of the youth I work with on a daily basis. My own seem to understand. Though they can be impatient too, at least my daughters are seeing how a good work ethic pays off now that both of their older brothers are more than halfway through college (the older one graduates this August).
Some of the kids I work with may get it in theory, but the moment things don't go as they want them to, they lose patience, quit, and figure it'd never be theirs anyhow because it's too hard to obtain it (whatever "it" is, usually an education).
Any suggestions on beating it into these youths' heads...WITHOUT literally beating them? ;) (I'd never want to do that--they've had enough hard knocks already!)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
A Reassessment of Priorities
The map of my life would, I suspect, be somewhat less than fascinating.
In terms of roads, those around and between NYC and Danbury, CT dominate most of the first years of my existence. For a time after marriage, I'd include a number of motorways and roundabouts, which I mastered navigating while driving on the opposite side of both the road AND the car (mind the fen drainage ditches!) during my tenure as a resident of eastern England. Most of the rest is monopolized by the dirt roads and interstates of the Carolina sandhills, with occasional forays to my native garden spots.
In terms of achievement of life goals, parenthood has trumped all else. Two of my offspring are now nearing completion of their undergraduate degrees, a third is now in high school, and the youngest is moving on to middle school next fall. Our home is securely our own, thank heaven. The careers of myself and my husband revolve around youngsters, which keeps our outlook young, though we're often exhausted at the end of a full day's hard work with other people's children.
I've concluded it's time to explore some new "lifescape" again. A couple of my long-held private goals need to come out of hiding to play before I utterly lose the will to pursue them. One is my MFA in Creative Writing, most likely focusing on creative non-fiction or prose given my career of trying to resolve "hard luck" situations on behalf of children. The other is something I've dreamed of since my early childhood lived out near LaGuardia Airport--to play the harp. The former is easy enough; there are two (2) programs I have my eye on & have requested information on "low residency" options for (one at my alma mater). The other, however, may take some dedicated research & creativity to make occur--harp instructors aren't exactly easy to find in NYC where there are several professional orchestras, let alone where I live now!
Tune in & turn on to how this all turns (not DROPS!) out (hopefully before I attain an age that starts with a different digit!).
In terms of roads, those around and between NYC and Danbury, CT dominate most of the first years of my existence. For a time after marriage, I'd include a number of motorways and roundabouts, which I mastered navigating while driving on the opposite side of both the road AND the car (mind the fen drainage ditches!) during my tenure as a resident of eastern England. Most of the rest is monopolized by the dirt roads and interstates of the Carolina sandhills, with occasional forays to my native garden spots.
In terms of achievement of life goals, parenthood has trumped all else. Two of my offspring are now nearing completion of their undergraduate degrees, a third is now in high school, and the youngest is moving on to middle school next fall. Our home is securely our own, thank heaven. The careers of myself and my husband revolve around youngsters, which keeps our outlook young, though we're often exhausted at the end of a full day's hard work with other people's children.
I've concluded it's time to explore some new "lifescape" again. A couple of my long-held private goals need to come out of hiding to play before I utterly lose the will to pursue them. One is my MFA in Creative Writing, most likely focusing on creative non-fiction or prose given my career of trying to resolve "hard luck" situations on behalf of children. The other is something I've dreamed of since my early childhood lived out near LaGuardia Airport--to play the harp. The former is easy enough; there are two (2) programs I have my eye on & have requested information on "low residency" options for (one at my alma mater). The other, however, may take some dedicated research & creativity to make occur--harp instructors aren't exactly easy to find in NYC where there are several professional orchestras, let alone where I live now!
Tune in & turn on to how this all turns (not DROPS!) out (hopefully before I attain an age that starts with a different digit!).
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Blessed Quiet...but not much peace!
It's going to be a peculiar week for me, in that I'm only working two days & off the other three. My first work day was today & it was frightfully busy. Hoping Thursday is somewhat less hopping so I can get more accomplished before I take Friday off.
Meanwhile, here at home hubby has been engaging in yard work that includes adding to a bonfire in which he destroyed firewood that was starting to rot, mowing the lawn, and just generally cleaning up the back yard. For the first time in living memory, we haven't got a swing set out there anymore; our youngest turned 11 on Easter & is not much interested in outdoor play that doesn't include her bicycle at this point. Right now said youngest child is at a friend's house until close to her normal bedtime, so I'm blogging while the teenager takes a shower & hubby finishes up the back lawn.
Due to spring break, my other "mercy" activity of recent weeks (a Bible study with a small group from church) has been cancelled for this week. So I'll wisely use that time to work out at the local YMCA instead. Heaven knows I need both about equally!
Just wish the floating pollen would float away in puddles...not supposed to rain here again until Thursday.
Meanwhile, here at home hubby has been engaging in yard work that includes adding to a bonfire in which he destroyed firewood that was starting to rot, mowing the lawn, and just generally cleaning up the back yard. For the first time in living memory, we haven't got a swing set out there anymore; our youngest turned 11 on Easter & is not much interested in outdoor play that doesn't include her bicycle at this point. Right now said youngest child is at a friend's house until close to her normal bedtime, so I'm blogging while the teenager takes a shower & hubby finishes up the back lawn.
Due to spring break, my other "mercy" activity of recent weeks (a Bible study with a small group from church) has been cancelled for this week. So I'll wisely use that time to work out at the local YMCA instead. Heaven knows I need both about equally!
Just wish the floating pollen would float away in puddles...not supposed to rain here again until Thursday.
Monday, April 5, 2010
I've reconsidered some personal priorities for the next twelve months or so.(Easter...renewal...good timing, huh?) I have joined SparkPeople.com with an emphasis on improving my overall health rather than focusing strictly on my perpetually nefarious goal of weight loss in hopes that EVERYTHING will improve including the number on the scale (and a few other numbers, e.g. BP, blood sugar, serum cholesterol, etc.). I'm not getting any younger, but before I start visibly showing my age... ;D I'm optimistic that I'll see some visible change before my eldest struts across the Littlejohn Coliseum stage on 8/7 to receive his degree! ~:o So it is that I'm embarking on a plan of documenting my progress along with just the daily stuff I usually vent about in this space, reminding everyone that we all do our best & NEED to be our own best cheerleaders (GO TEAM--& I DON'T mean "team Jacob" or "team Edward"!).
Hope everyone had lovely Easter/Passover holidays looks forward as eagerly as I to spring springing forth (perhaps with a tad less pollen than the vast dunes of "yellow snow" I'm seeing in my little corner of Carolina!). Hope you're sneezing/sniffling less than we all are around here but seeing just as much green & other festive colors in the yard.
Hope everyone had lovely Easter/Passover holidays looks forward as eagerly as I to spring springing forth (perhaps with a tad less pollen than the vast dunes of "yellow snow" I'm seeing in my little corner of Carolina!). Hope you're sneezing/sniffling less than we all are around here but seeing just as much green & other festive colors in the yard.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter Critters
Easter brought bedlam to my not-exactly-quiet normal routine. I love having all of my children at home, and generally like hosting the family dinners for holidays, but when I'm doing it around the choir obligation we have at our church for not one but TWO church services, I'm pooped before the lamb ever hits the oven, much less the dinner table.
Most of the so-called "bedlam" ensued late in the afternoon of Good Friday. Hubby returned from a shopping trip with our birthday child with her new pet bunny...PLUS three chicks he plans to build a coop for! Mercifully on myself (yes, I CAN be taught!), I had the presence of mind to take vacation Friday, Monday, & two other days this week while hubby & the girls are ALL on spring break from school. (The oldest is already en route back to his apartment & his younger brother plans to depart shortly, as both have classes early tomorrow morning.)
Most of the so-called "bedlam" ensued late in the afternoon of Good Friday. Hubby returned from a shopping trip with our birthday child with her new pet bunny...PLUS three chicks he plans to build a coop for! Mercifully on myself (yes, I CAN be taught!), I had the presence of mind to take vacation Friday, Monday, & two other days this week while hubby & the girls are ALL on spring break from school. (The oldest is already en route back to his apartment & his younger brother plans to depart shortly, as both have classes early tomorrow morning.)
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