A Fresh Start

You may have a fresh start at any moment you choose, for this thing that we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down. - Mary Pickford

Late last January, I made this blog entry: "Aunt Sandi Says is off to a slow start for 2012. But . . . I am resolved to renew my blogging."

The first 8 months of the year I managed 17 blog entries. Not too spectacular. I gained some momentum in September and - 41 entries later -  I have a total of 58 for the year. (image from www.123rf.com)

The beginning is always today. - Mary Shelley

I have to admit a feel a little bit proud of myself.  Not because I wrote over 50 entries (some people write 365!).  Not because the entries I did write were all that significant or profound.  Because I kept at it - even when I felt like a failure for not writing in my blog for weeks at a time.

Be willing to be a beginner every single morning. - Meister Eckhart

What really helped me get going again was picking a day for a fresh start. I selected the first day of Autumn, and set a goal to make some sort of blog entry every day until my birthday on October 8. Once I succeeded in achieving that goal, my blog entries were more frequent for the remainder of the year. (image from http://livingwithra-nan.blogspot.com)

Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet? - L. M. Montgomery

With the end of 2012 only hours away, many people are thinking about a fresh start in 2013.  But, January 1 is only one of over 300 days that have the potential to be a fresh start for me - or for you.  The first day of Autumn worked well for me.  The first day of Spring may work well for someone else.  A birthday or holiday might be good - or the day after a birthday or holiday.  Any day is a good day for a fresh start, and each of us can have up to 365 every year. (image from www.123rf.com)

I want every day to be a fresh start on expanding what is possible. - Oprah Winfrey 

Where in my life would I like to make a fresh start today? Hmmmm.   Renewing my job search? Keeping in touch with friends and family?  Having a neater and better organized home? If I sit quietly for a few minutes, and if I'm honest with myself, I know I will come up with an  achievable goal just like I did the first day of Autumn. And, this is not a one-time, one-goal deal!  Who knows where I'll go next? (image from http://livingwithra-nan.blogspot.com)

Where would a fresh start take you?

(Thank you to www.goodreads.com for these great quotes!)

On Living

We are always getting ready to live but never living.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson is one of my favorites, and today this quote caught my eye.  It often seems like I'm waiting - waiting for the house to sell, waiting for the job offer, waiting for my health to improve, whatever.  But, while I'm waiting, am I living?

www.lifehacker.com asks a similar question about practice vs. action.  Is practice (getting ready) keeping me from acting (living)?

... We often prepare endlessly while never actively pursuing what it is that we want. Practice is certainly important, but - without applying it to real action - it is nearly pointless.

It's easy to get bogged down in a path of endless preparation. You want to be your best. You want to come out of the gate being great. You don't want anyone to see the imperfect process, filled with failures, that leads you to something great. 

While you don't want to move forward until you're ready, often times you're ready before you know it. And, there's a value in failing - it's one of the best ways to learn. So, if you've been privately practicing for awhile now, consider moving forward. You may not feel ready yet, but better to give it a shot than wait forever.

Louis Pasteur

The role of the infinitely small in nature is infinitely great. - Louis Pasteur

Feeling a little sorry for myself for having to spend Christmas week at home with the flu, I happened to notice that today is the birthday of Louis Pasteur.  A French chemist and microbiologist, he was one of the founders of medical microbiology.

Pasteur is remembered for his work in the causes and preventions of diseases.  His germ theory of disease led to the creation of vaccines for rabies and anthrax.  The general public knows him best for inventing a method to treat milk and wine in order to prevent it from causing sickness - pasteurization.

Too bad he didn't live long enough to do some work on colds and flu.

Boxing Day

The second day of Christmas is also called Boxing Day in some countries. It is a secular holiday that is traditionally celebrated on December 26, which is also St. Stephen's Day, a religious holiday.

According to Wikipedia, the exact etymology of the term "boxing" is unclear. The European tradition, which has long included giving money and other gifts to those who were needy and in service positions, has been dated to the Middle Ages. It may come from a custom in the late Roman/early Christian era, wherein metal boxes placed outside churches were used to collect special offerings tied to the Feast of Saint Stephen. 

In Britain, it was a custom for tradesmen to collect "Christmas boxes" of money or presents on the first weekday after Christmas as thanks for good service. Another English tradition was to allow the servants of the wealthy to visit their families on the day after Christmas, since they would have to wait on their masters on Christmas Day. The employers would give each servant a box to take home containing gifts and bonuses, and sometimes leftover food.

The First Day of Christmas

According to www.traditioninaction.org/religious/h003rp.ChristmasCarolAlexis.html :

We are all familiar with the carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

We have all smiled indulgently at the extravagance of the lover who showered upon his beloved so many fantastic and inconvenient gifts. Every day of the Christmas season she received a new token of his love, each more fabulous than the last and increasingly numerous, until she was the proud possessor of twenty-three birds, some valuable jewelry, a varied assortment of musicians and entertainers, and eight milkmaids.

But it is more than a rhapsody of strange and delightful nonsense. It is a song of Catholic instruction. Dating back to the 16th or 17th century, it was created as a memory aid to help children learn their Faith. The “true love” is no earthly suitor, but God Himself, Who gives His wondrous gifts to “me,” every baptized person.

Check out the above link to find the significance of all the elements of this song, from partridge to drummers, according to Alexis Reyes.

And, Merry Christmas to all!

A Gaelic Blessing

Deep peace of the running wave to you.

Deep peace of the flowing air to you.

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.

Deep peace of the shining stars to you.

Deep peace of the gentle night to you.

Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.

Deep peace of Christ,

of Christ the light of the world to you.

Deep peace of Christ to you.

What Brightens Us

My sister and I visited St. Mark Presbyterian Church this morning here in Portland. They were having a special carol service with lots congregational singing and three beautiful anthems by the choir. At the beginning of the service, the pastor acknowledged the sad events of the past week and then asked what brightens our holiday time even in the midst of darkness.  Several people spoke up about their families, their health, and so on.  This afternoon I started thinking...

What brightens my holiday time? 

• The level of care - and caring - that Mom is receiving at Lydia's House (Alzheimer's facility) in Mennonite Village, Albany, Oregon. 
• The fact that all members of our family have a home and some kind of work, and the hope that even more people will have these things by next Christmas. 
• The Winter Solstice coming on the 21st which means the days will start getting longer again. 

I plan to keep adding to this list as Christmas approaches even in the darkness of our recent tragedies.  Will you join me?

Sad Days

Edna Magnuson

The memorial service for Edna Lucille Magnuson yesterday was lovely.  One of the many highlights was the display of some of Edna's artwork, including this collage she created after 9-11.

Edna was an award-winning artist and used her creativity in a variety of crafts.  She helped found the Art Rains Art Gallery in Astoria, Oregon, and was a member of the Trails End Art Guild in Gearhart, Oregon.

(Click on the photo at right to see a larger view.)

December 1

Sunny skies, wet leaves, gorgeous colors.

Thanksgiving Day / Every Day

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.  - Edward Sandford Martin 

49 Gratitudes

As my seventh day of seven gratitudes closes, I am thankful I actually remembered to make my list every evening.  Amazingly, I had very little repetition even though I was focusing on one area of my life (health).  I shared my first seven gratitudes on November 15, and I continued to keep a private list for the six days following.  Today's list included:

• I am grateful for the sweetness of favorite sounds, sights, smells, and tastes.

Sounds. Watching NCIS last night, I understood Ziva's desire to hear Puccini's opera music because it reminded her of her late sister. When Tony played the music for Ziva at the end of the episode, it sounded beautifully sweet and sad to me, too. What other sounds are sweet to me? The voice of my son, the cooing of almost any baby, the roar of the ocean, and the trickle of a stream on the rocks. Do your ears hear favorite sounds you are thankful for?

Sights. One that is sweet to me is the sight of an elderly couple holding hands. The sight of a happy baby always makes me want to smile. I enjoy seeing a youngster demonstrating grown-up manners by holding a door open or shaking hands - they are so cute! The view of the red rocks against the blue skies of Sedona remains both sweet and powerful in my memory. What favorite sights do your eyes see are you thankful for?

Smells. Brewing coffee and frying bacon come to mind almost immediately, as does the smell of cookies baking. The Evening in Paris fragrance my mother wore when I was a girl, the scent of a green Christmas tree, and the salty tang of the air on the ocean shore have all been precious to me. Does your nose recognize some favorite smells you are thankful for?

Tastes. Butternut squash ravioli at Pastini's is sweet as ambrosia to me. A slice of ripe, red watermelon tastes delicious after a winter of no watermelon. Perhaps a lover's kiss or a cold drink of water or a hot cup of cocoa has been especially sweet at times. What favorite tastes on your lips and tongue are you thankful for?

Hope And Sense

Hope is not the conviction that something will turn out well, but the certainty that something makes sense regardless of how it turns out.  - Vaclav Havel

7 Health Gratitudes x 7 Days

With Thanksgiving Day just one week away, I've decided to put my 7 Gratitudes x 7 Days into practice again - with one significant difference.  My intention is to think of as many gratitudes as I can in regard to my health.

People who know me may have heard me moaning and groaning about my health a bit (okay, more than a bit).  But, since what we are grateful for tends to increase, I thought I would put my attention on those things I appreciate in relation to my physical health.

Here are my 7 Gratitudes for today:

• my ears that hear music
• my cholestrol that is normal
• my hair that is thick and healthy
• my yoga instructor who is wonderful
• my B12 supplements
• my feet that support me in standing and walking
• my teeth that chew my food

Doing And Being

From a newspaper clipping circa 1990:

For me, the balance between doing and being is the most important and dangerous question. If I am guilted or lured into achieving too much and lose the stillness at my center, then it takes me a long time to regain it, and I do violence to myself or those I love because of fatigue and pressure. I have had to give up "winning big" because I love my life when I am connected to it, and I hate it when I get caught up in competition and deadlines.  - Judith Duerk, Circles of Stones

Colder Temperatures

It is now officially "late autumn" at my home.  I know this because I started turning on the heat this past week to warm my apartment.

Every year I challenge myself to see how early in the spring I can turn the heat off and how late in the fall I can turn it back on.  It's a way to save a little energy and a little money.  I think it also symbolizes for me that I always hope for the longest possible period of good weather each year.

Thankfully, there are some good things about the colder weather. I can use my oven whenever I want, without worrying about how hot the weather will be. This week, I experimented with slow roasting some vegetables in the oven - delicious!  And, eggnog lattes are back at Starbucks!

You've Probably Seen It By Now

Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama

Photo: Barack Obama's Twitter

Election Day

"A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation." 
            -  James Freeman Clarke

"There are always too many Democratic congressmen, too many Republican congressmen, and never enough U.S. congressmen."
            -  Author Unknown

"People often say that, in a democracy, decisions are made by a majority of the people. Of course, that is not true. Decisions are made by a majority of those who make themselves heard and who vote -- a very different thing." 

            - Walter H. Judd

The Measure of Leaves

The Measure of Leaves

Leaves drift softly earthward toward the grass

Spring and summer blend from green to gold
And so the seasons come full turn and pass
Day follows day and each of us grows old.

Somewhere there is a bright new shining day
And as these seasons pace and turn
We will live in joy complete and never say
That for younger days our hearts still yearn.

                                                                                    - Corby Magnuson

Trust This Truth

Another great post from Liz (www.lizlamoreux.com):

May you remember to reach out for support when you need it. May you know that there really is always a hand waiting to hold yours in the dark. May you give yourself the gift of knowing you are enough.

Leo Tolstoy

I received a Tolstoy quotation in my email today. After a bit of research, I discovered that he is the source for some interesting lines:

One should strive not to lie in the negative sense by remaining silent.

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.

Some mathematician has said that enjoyment lies in the search for truth, not in the finding it.

Death destroys the body, as the scaffolding is destroyed after the building is up and finished. And he whose building is up rejoices at the destruction of the scaffolding and of the body. 

Love hinders death. Love is life. Everything, everything I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is connected only by that. Love is God, and to die—means that I, a part of love, return to the common and eternal source.

- Leo Tolstoy, novelist and philosopher (1828-1910)

Yesterday

Late morning:  I go to the bus stop to get the bus to the Convention Center.  After waiting a few minutes, a man arrives. He introduces himself, offers to shake hands, and we chat a bit until the bus arrives.  Once on board, he sits across from me and continues to make occasional conversation.  At one point he mentions football, and a discussion of Beavers and Ducks ensues, with other passengers joining in.  After he leaves the bus, a woman who was in on the football discussion continues talking with me, this time about Jewish holidays.

Early evening:  I go to the bus stop to get the bus to go home. There are not many passengers at first, but more board at every stop.  Somewhere along the line, I realize that four of the five people in my immediate vicinity are on smart phones or tablets or some kind of electronic device.  One man has a white cord snaking up to his earphone.  As more people board, and I look around the bus, I notice that the screens of some electronic devices illuminate their users' faces with an unearthly glow. I suppose I could strike up a conversation with someone, but they all seem to be engrossed in what they are doing.

If You Like The Weather...

After last weekend's rain, we were blessed with a few days of sunshine before the rain returned this evening.  If there's one thing we know about the weather in Oregon, it's that it's liable to change.

Dave Thurlow, host of The Weather Notebook, said this in 1997: 

A weather saying that is common in New England goes, "if you don't like the weather, then just wait a minute." New Englanders tend to be proud of their changeable weather; however, they don't always understand that weather is just as changeable in other parts of the country.

We've found the same saying applied to the weather in Texas, Missouri, Alabama, Michigan, and Washington. California, of course, has the saying that "if you don't like the weather, you're crazy." This business about "liking" weather has significant meaning to people in many parts of the country, not just New England. People not only like their weather, they seem to be proud of it. So why are some people so tuned in to the weather?

In this day and age, it's not like we have to run home and tend to the livestock at the first sign of a storm. Cars and planes are slowed down by the weather only about five percent of the time. There has to be something about weather that transcends the daily comings and goings of life.

Maybe it's our full menu of weather treats across the country. Maybe it's the joy of the changing seasons. Or maybe we feel that something that is most familiar and shared with our neighbors, such as the weather, is something we pay attention to. So, if you didn't like today's weather, then just wait until tomorrow. (www.weathernotebook.org/transcripts/1997/04/24.html)

The Rain Is Here

If you live in the Portland area, you know the autumn rains began on Friday after weeks of sunny weather.  I don't mind the rain so much - maybe because I grew up in the Willamette Valley.  However, the longer the rain continues, the more likely it is that complaints about the weather will follow.

I remember a nursery rhyme:

Rain rain go away,
Come again another day.
Little Johnny wants to play; 
Rain, rain, go to Spain,
Never show your face again!

According to www.rhymes.org.uk, this rhyme originated in the 16th century at the time of the Spanish Armada. The British defeated the Armada, in part because of the stormy weather. Apparently the rain was a valuable ally.

There Was No Debate

There was no debate in my mind about whether to watch the debate this week.  I spent some time with friends (with no television), then went to Fred Meyer to pick up photos and a prescription.  I feel I used my time wisely, and I look forward to getting a good night's sleep.

Happy Birthday

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
- Edith Wharton

(painting shown is by Libby Caldwell)

Still Blooming

Even though it's autumn, some flowers are still blooming like it's summer.

I find it interesting how the seasons overlap. Not only do flowers bloom while leaves are falling, but sometimes the seasons of our lives seem to overlap, too.  Old age and childhood seem to co-exist in my mother now.  Sometimes I see an adult acting like an adolescent - or vice versa.  There is not a clean edge or a sharp dividing line between each stage - which can be a little disconcerting.  I can never be quite sure what to expect next - from the weather or from people.  Maybe that's why I never know what's going to pop up next on my blog.  Maybe that's the way life is supposed to be.

Mad Hatter Day

Twinkle, twinkle, little bat!
How I wonder what you're at!
Up above the world you fly,
Like a teatray in the sky.

Among the many minor holidays, October 6 is listed as "Mad Hatter Day," probably because of the paper tag showing in his hat band. (The tag is believed to be an order to make the hat and shows its cost as ten shillings and sixpence.  But, it could be interpreted as October 6.) 

According to www.holidayinsights.com, Mad Hatter Day is a great day to be silly.  Why not celebrate silliness by wearing a top hat, asking unanswerable riddles, and spouting nonsensical poetry a la Lewis Carroll?

"Why is a raven like a writing-desk?  Have you guessed the riddle yet?” the Hatter said.
“No, I give it up,” Alice replied, “What’s the answer?”
“I haven’t the slightest idea,” said the Hatter.”

Words

When playing on-line word games, I am amazed at some of the words that are allowed.  Apparently, my vocabulary is more limited than I realized.  I'm not talking about big words - I'm talking about 3-letter words.  Did you know...

• ais are South American 3-toed sloths
• mir is a village community in czarist Russia
• oka is a unit of weight or capacity
• oud is a musical instrument of the lute family
• ras is a family of genes that undergo mutation

“All the ideas in the universe can be described by words. Therefore, if you simply take all the words and rearrange them randomly enough times, you’re bound to hit upon at least a few great ideas eventually. Sausage donkey swallows flying guillotine, my love assembly line.
”

                 ― Jarod Kintz from www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/words

We'll Take Fall Together

Shall we take Fall together,

go sifting through the fallen leaves
and gaze upon the golden hues,
while waiting for the freeze?
We walk a little slower now,
our warm days have all but gone,
we will have to bundle up,
now that Fall has come...

                  - Gary Davis

(from www.familyfriendpoems.com)

Debating the Debate

I had quite a discussion with myself prior to tonight's debate.  Did I really want to watch it?  Would I feel "out of it" if I didn't watch it?

Like many politicians, I compromised.  I had the TV turned on to the debate, but I kept busy doing other things while staying within earshot.  Now that it's over, I'm not sure whether or not I'll "watch" the next one.

I didn't think that anyone gave a stellar performance, and that includes President Obama, Governor Romney, and Jim Lehrer.  If I had to vote for someone based on the televised debate alone, I would try to think of a write-in.

Fortunately, I can do my own research and make my decision based on the candidates' records of public service rather than a media event.  The value of the debate, in my view, is debatable.

The Fallen Leaf

October is the fallen leaf, but it is also a wider horizon more clearly seen. It is the distant hills once more in sight, and the enduring constellations above them once again. 

                        - Hal Borland

(photo shows leaf found on my welcome mat today)

October Already!

Darn the wheel of the world! Why must it continually turn over? Where is the reverse gear?  - Jack London

London's words sound like how I feel when I realize it's already October 1 and the year 2012 is speeding by. How can it possibly be only three months until the end of the year?

His references to wheel and gear also remind me of how quickly technology advances and how slow I feel I am to keep up with it. 

All of this has me starting to get a little panicky, but then I see this poem by Cindy Cheney:

IME

Like a petal in the wind

Flows softly by




As old lives are taken

New ones begin




A continual chain

Which lasts throughout eternity

Every life but a minute in time

But each of equal importance 

(photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/japanate)

Remembering Laurence

I went to a beautiful morning get-together on the grounds of Pittock Mansion to honor our beloved friend Laurence on the second anniversary of his passing.  

We sat in the sunshine and talked about our memories of his life, both personal and professional.  Just before we left, we shared a prayer and the reading of one of Laurence's favorites:

Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

(Psalm 103:1-5)

Are You Registered?

Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting.  - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Here in Oregon, the deadline for registering to vote in the November 6 general election is October 16.

Now is the time to do it:

• if you are 17 or older and are not registered
• if you've changed your address
• if you want to change political parties

For information about voter registration, go to www.oregonvotes.org.

September Days

"By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,

With summer's best of weather
And autumn's best of cheer."

                         

-Helen Hunt Jackson

(photo from http://juhatik.blogspot.com)

    

Happy Endings

Now that our mother has been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, Hospice has entered our lives. Mom will continue to live "at home," which happens to be a wonderful Alzheimer's facility called Lydia's House in Mennonite Village, just south of Albany, Oregon. The staff there will now be working with Hospice representatives "to improve the quality of [Mom's] last days by offering comfort and dignity." (see www.hospicefoundation.org)

Hospice is not a place but a concept of care.  Special emphasis is placed on controlling pain and discomfort.  The emotional, social and spiritual impact of the disease on the patient and the patient's family and friend is also addressed.

I've heard this program unofficially described as a "happy ending."  We are comforted in joining with Lydia's House and Hospice in providing for our Mom's happy ending whenever it may come.

Being Right Versus Being True

"Being Right is driven primarily by facts, and not by Truth. Being Right is having accurate descriptions of "what happened." Being Right is about having the facts in your favor; it's about getting the upper hand in an argument; it's about winners and losers — for when YOU are right then others are wrong. And where does Being Right put YOU in relation to others: an enemy, adversary, competitor, opponent, or rival?"

"Being Right is not the best way to "win friends and influence people." Being Right is the booby prize! The real prize is in Being True. Being True means having integrity of character. Being True is the holistic unity and expression of existence: heart, might, mind, strength, and soul."    (from Matt Moody at http://www.calldrmatt.com/Facts&Truth.htm)

I can read the statement above and agree with it, but it sometimes seems hard to live out in everyday life.  As I grew up, I was so often rewarded for being right.  Decades later, being right is not as rewarding, but I'm still figuring out how to be true.  

The Game Is Afoot

I am intrigued by the contemporary Sherlock Holmes series on PBS, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. The traditional stories, now accessorized with cell phones and nicotine patches, are updated to appeal to new audiences.  (photo above from BBC/Hartswood Films for Masterpiece)

Now, USA Today says, "When CBS rolls out its prime-time Sherlock iteration this fall, Elementary, Holmes will be living in 21st-century Manhattan unraveling mysteries on a new continent, even as BBC's Sherlock, a co-production with PBS' Masterpiece (where it airs in the USA), prepares to film its third season back in the U.K." (from www.usatoday.com)

Perhaps the actual game that's afoot is to see who gives this century's winning performance of the legendary detective. (And, don't forget Robert Downey, Jr.)   Elementary premieres Thursday, September 27, at 10:00 p.m. on CBS. It stars Jonny Lee Miller (as Holmes) and Lucy Liu (as Joan Watson).  (photo at left from www.starpulse.com by CBS Broadcasting)

From Facebook

I saw this yesterday on my sister's Facebook page:

Of all the preposterous assumptions of humanity over humanity, nothing exceeds most of the criticisms made on the habits of the poor by the well-housed, well-warmed, and well-fed. 

-Herman Melville

Does this remind me of anyone?  Maybe even myself?

Back to the Future

When my son was about 12 or 13 years old, we lived in an upper-story apartment that became very warm on summer afternoons and evenings.  To cool off, we often went to the nearby Laurelhurst Theatre where we could view movies at discounted prices in air-conditioned comfort.

One of our favorites was the 1985 film Back to the Future, starring Michael J. Fox.  It combined time travel with high school life and family relationships in a hilarious comedy.  I lost count of how many times we saw that movie together - and eventually its two sequels.

My son is now an adult, living across the country.  I remember sharing good times with him at the movies every time I see or hear anything about Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, or Lea Thompson.  I am still smiling.

Autumn or Fall?

Today began my favorite season of the year.  The temperatures are cooling.  A sense of anticipation is in the air as we move into a new school year, the World Series, harvest time, football season, and the upcoming holidays.

To Autumn

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run...
-John Keats

Fall Wind
Pods of summer crowd around the door;

I take them in the autumn of my hands

Last night I heard the first cold wind outside;

The wind blew soft, and yet I shiver twice:

Once for thin walls, once for the sound of time.
—William Stafford

Snail Patience

This came into my mailbox today from Liz Lamoreux (look her up at www.lizlamoreux.com):

my hope for you (for me)

snail patience :: a poem note postcard from Chickadee Road

Japanese Garden

My sisters and I visited Portland's beautiful Japanese Garden a few weeks ago.  What a beautiful and peaceful experience!  No litter, no cellphone chatter, and - with a pass borrowed from the local library - it was free of charge.  All we had to do was to enjoy the pleasure of this green and gracious garden.  

Memorial Days

The traditional Memorial Day (formerly known as Decoration Day) on May 30 is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service (see www.usmemorialday.org).

For me, these last days of May have prompted a different kind of "memorial days."  I've been thinking about the Saturday in May 2010 when I moved out of our family home in Corvallis to an apartment in Portland.  I was a little sad, but I was also excited that I was about to start a new chapter of my life.

I've also been thinking about my friend Laurence who entered the hospital during the last days of May 2010 to receive a bone marrow transplant.  He battled many challenges in the days that followed and served as an inspiration to many with his strong faith and unfailing gratitude.

Today I am indeed in the midst of a new chapter of my life, but it doesn't look like what I hoped it would be. I have had my own health challenges. I have not found my dream job - or any regular work.  I have been slow to make new friends and explore my local community.  Life feels pretty discouraging at times.

The story of my friend Laurence has not turned out as I had hoped either.  After five months of progress and setbacks, he passed away.  He is sadly missed by many friends and family members.

In times of despair and grief, I find it easy to lose hope.  Yet, it is in the memory of braves ones who have gone before me that I sometimes find the strength to keep going.

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.  (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

The Smoker - Part 2

Following my experience on Friday evening, I looked on the Web to find out about the full moon. I discovered that the full moon would actually be Saturday, May 5. And, it would be the biggest and brightest full moon of the year 2012. People would be watching and taking pictures all over the world. Some referred to it as the supermoon.  

A perigee moon, or SuperMoon, on May 5, 2012 near Palm Springs, California. The moon appears especially big and bright during this once-a-year cosmic event as the full moon is at its closest to the Earth in its elliptical orbit. The perigee side of its orbit is about 31,000 miles closer than the opposite, or apogee, side. (David McNew/Getty Images)

I emailed all my family to be sure to look for this biggest and brightest moon of the year.  I walked out to the street last night and admired its appearance.  I looked at photos of it from all over the world on my computer.  Wow!  It's hard to believe I became aware of all this because of a guy smoking a cigarette in a parking lot.

The Smoker

I was walking back to my car with a cartload of groceries.  Next to a car parked nearby, a man stood smoking a cigarette.  I wondered why he was standing outside his car to smoke.  I started thinking about how few people I know that smoke.  I was thankful I'd never been a smoker.

As I loaded my groceries into my car, the smoker spoke to me.  "That's some moon, huh."  I looked up and saw the glowing roundness of the almost-full moon in the eastern sky.  Even from the lighted parking lot, I could see darker and lighter areas on the lunar surface.  It was pretty amazing.

I mumbled a response, got into my car, and drove away struck by what had just happened.  As I was busy with my groceries and thinking about the smoking habit, the smoker had looked into the sky and recognized the beauty of the moon.  And, he had taken the opportunity to point it out to me.

Once again, I had been reminded to raise my eyes heavenward and look at the bigger picture.

Artists Of Being Alive

The most visible creators I know are those whose medium is life itself;

The ones who express the inexpressible without brush, hammer, clay or guitar.

They neither paint nor sculpt. Their medium is being.

Whatever their presence touches has increased life.

They see and don't have to draw. They are the artists of being alive.


                                              - J. Stone

7 Gratitudes x 7 Days

There are many books out nowadays that address the topic of gratitude.  In fact, I just Googled "books gratitude" with over 43 million results.  Clicking on the first result, Amazon.com, I found that they had a list of 36 items under "Books about Gratitude."  No doubt some of them are helpful, but recently I've been looking at gratitude without the aid of a book.

For the week leading up to Easter Sunday, I'm making a point of writing down seven things I am grateful for every day. Even though I'm trying not to duplicate gratitudes already listed, it seems the more I look for what I am grateful for, the more things to be grateful for show up in my life.

It seemed appropriate when I suddenly realized yesterday, that the greeting cards I was creating contained spring flowers and colors with the message "thank you."

The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!  (Henry Ward Beecher)

The Best Things In Life Are Free?

I recently discovered that my branch library has a "Cultural Pass to Adventure" available for checkout. If reserved in advance, these one-day passes admit a specified number of adults and children to Portland area attractions such as the Washington County Museum and The Pittock Mansion.  I've been wanting to go to The Japanese Garden for some time, and now I can go for free!

On top of that, a friend asked me recently if I would be interested in a free pass to the Portland Zoo - I haven't been to the Zoo for years, although I live only 20 minutes away.  This is another outing where I can take my camera along for some practice.

With the price of so many products and services rising, it's nice to know that some of the best things in life are still free.  Watch for them!

Spring Is Sure To Follow

An old proverb says "No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow." With the temperature near freezing tonight, it's hard to believe that winter is over. But, as I drove today, I saw some of the trees blossoming and spring flowers blooming.

Another sign of spring is the start of baseball season. I spotted a high school baseball team running out onto their practice field, and I know my son is closely  following the major league games as they begin this week.

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. (Hal Borland)

From My Nephew

My nephew, who is currently living and working in South Carolina, emailed to his family recently.

We enjoyed one of the few comfortable Spring afternoons in Charleston today. It was so nice (80 degrees, humidity holding below 30%) that the entire team ended up eating lunch outside, including our bosses and customers! We might have a few more days like this, but the odds are against us. You PEOPLE complain about rain back in paradise. Our rain is suspended in mid-air six months of the year. We get wet just walking to our car.

He felt homesick for Oregon after watching this video:  http://youtu.be/Q-w0klt0610  After I viewed this sample of the wonderful things our state has to offer, I am grateful to be living where I am.

I admit it's true I don't always appreciate what I have.  Thanks to the younger generation for reminding me!

Discovering Beauty

I am reading several different books right now, one of which is The Scrapbooking Journey written by Cory Richardson-Lauve.  Here is one of the things she says about discovering beauty:  

As I've grown older, my visual acuity has increased. Not physically - I've become more and more nearsighted as each year passes - but spiritually - life stuns me more and more with its beauty.  Things I would have walked by fifteen years ago - a striking flower, the sun sparkling on the water, a photograph of the light reflected in someone's eyes - stop me now. Sometimes we get so accustomed to something that we no longer "see" it - let alone see the beauty in it.