Miscellaneous Missives

The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before. It is not possible to keep it from coming, because it will. That's just how Advent works. What is possible is to not see it, to turn just as it brushes pas you. So stay. Sit. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon. ~Jan L. Richardson Today is the first Sunday of Advent. The theme for Advent this year at my church, which I am excited to pursue, is "Welcoming the Wild One." Sometimes the beginning of winter seems dark as the days become shorter and shorter. This is a time to remember that each week, as we light the Advent candles, a little more light appears bringing us closer to "the light," the celebration of the birth. Advent also reminds me that I often spend too much time worrying about the small things inste...

This morning I woke up early to start my day. First I checked weather.com to see what type of layers I would need for my walk. As I started to pull clothes out of my drawer, I was dismayed; it was a complete mess. Since it was Saturday, I took the time to organize the drawer. Next I decided while I had already lost focus of my goal, I would weigh in. My heart dropped as I looked at the scale. The scale showed nothing but ugliness. Most people would have looked at the large numbers and immediately went for the walk and/or to renew the YWCA membership. I chose another option and took a nap since I was feeling sorry for myself.

I spent last evening at the Cmon Inn in Park Rapids. It was fantastic. This morning I walked downtown and checked everything out before returning to my room to read some more before my adventures in the wilderness. As it turns out I didn't really need to walk this morning as we had the opportunity to hike and get exercise this afternoon. Let's say I am not strong enough to pull a sled full of wood (not even strong enough to help pull a sled full of wood). Lucky for me there were less challenging tasks such as swinging (it seems lighter people-- 6 year old-- go higher), stapling cards to trees (obstacle for the deer), smashing pumpkins (Gallagher does a better job), and cleaning up trash left (for at least twenty years???). Being in the woods was peaceful especially since it was too cold for the ticks. Life is good!

Grace This is a day for thanks. A day in which we see or hear or feel the wonders of the other moments of the year. This is a day for time. A day in which we think of pasts that make our present rich and future beautiful. This is a day for joy. A day in which we share a gift of laughter warm and gentle as a smile. Above all, this is a day for peace. So let us touch each other and know that we are one. For these and other blessings, we thank Thee, God. ~Daniel Roselle I do have a lot for which to be thankful. Words can never express my full gratitude, but I agree with this poem. Sometimes holidays become a time of stress instead of a time of taking a deep breath and being peaceful and gentle. Holidays should be a time of family, friends, and yes, laughter. Today I spent time with my dad's significant other's family. They are a motley group, but they (most in the group) know how to laugh and engage others in conversation. When I arrived earlier than my Dad and Carol, I felt...

It has always been my choice not to have children. I've always said that it was because I was too selfish. Tonight the true reason was evident. I returned home to find three boxes left out in the rain by UPS (thanks dumb ass). As I opened the door, I knocked Kitty Klaus (KK- only child) over as I was trying to get the boxes inside. Later as I was trying to get directions for my trip tomorrow, I realized I hadn't yet fed KK. Then as I was trying to look at weather.com and figure out which days I would be up north, I realized I had made no arrangements for KK. Luckily, L is in town and able to watch him. Many parents get their children pets to teach responsibility. My pet is all the responsibility I can handle. Maybe it has less to do with selfishness and more to do with lack of responsibility.

I come from a small family, so Thanksgiving dinner was never a grand event. We never had to figure out who was bringing what, where the meal would be, or at what time people would be seated. This Thanksgiving I will be going to dinner with thirty plus people which will certainly be new to me. When I asked about the time of dinner I was a bit perplexed. Everyone needs to be seated by 1:00. This is confusing. Isn't Thanksgiving dinner always between the two football games? What's up with everyone seated by 1:00?

Friday I posted two truths and a lie as my Facebook status: Two Truths and a Lie: I am thinking about the holidays because: 1) I need a vacation... now. 2) I have most of my Christmas shopping done. 3) I am eating nuts in the shell... cracking them give the holiday feel. The lie was that I needed a vacation... now. In reality I felt good about how life was going and had the majority of the weekend to myself to get the ordinary life tasks completed. My Christmas shopping is basically complete (if M & H would send any type of list it would be complete... different post). As I geeked on FB, I cracked nuts and felt at peace with the world and felt ready for the holidays. Today I spent nine hours and work without breaking for lunch and felt good about what I had completed. It helps that I work with wonderful people ("for the most part"). My meeting this morning "was typical" while my meeting after school was fun and productive. Driving home I decided to spe...