Marathon shopping!

One more note about the elephant.  I'm sure you may wonder what prompted that whole thought.  Well, at the service Sunday night there were people from many different denominations who, I'm sure, find what we do in the Episcopal church a bit odd for them.  Yet, we were all able to worship together because we have one thing in common that surmounts all our differences.  I wish the rest of the world could work things out that way.  Wouldn't that just be too awesome? 

I went shopping with some of my girl friends today in Ocala.  Now they are shoppers!  They have their route they know blindfolded and where to go for the best bargains.  They leave me in the dust.  We didn't break for lunch, which I have to say was wonderful at a delightful Thai restaurant, until 2:30.  Had to keep to the route. No one bought much really.  We each had our own list of what we were looking for, yet I'll have to say my list was the longest.  That should be expected since this is the first shopping I've done since we got back here in October.

I'll leave this sport to the pros, I think.  It is an arena not really meant for us amateurs usually.  I enjoy giving it a go once in a while, but I think once will last me for quite a while.  You have to build up stamina for that kind of sport if your going to get serious about it.

Elephant chapter two

It started out pretty chilly going down to the trail this morning, but by the time I got there it had warmed up enough for me to shed my jacket.  It actually was a perfect morning to be out, even though I felt pretty sluggish the first mile or so.  Must have been the quarter pounder with cheese and the rich, gooey piece of brownie we brought home for a late supper last night.  I did wash it all down with skim milk, though, so that should have made a difference. So today it is toeing the line with a turkey burger for dinner piled with veggies, baked sweet potato fries and a whole wheat bun.  Michael loves his burgers anyway he can get them.

So to further discuss the elephant.analogy. If the blind men stay just where they are and only get to know the part of the elephant right in front of them then they will never really get to know what the whole elephant looks like. What a limited view of an elephant, if you only know its tail or its trunk. They would probably think the whole elephant is nothing but tails or trunks.

However, if they all sit down and share what they have learned, then it opens up a whole new understanding about what an elephant looks like and what a wondrous creature it is, too. Different information adds to the elephant understanding, not the same repeated over and over again. The elephant is much more complex than trunks and tails.

Or if one blind man wants to learn all about the elephant he could work his way around the elephant until he arrives back where he started.   Then, if he liked another part better than the part he had known so well he could always go back to that part.  Maybe, after being all around the elephant, he found that he liked the ears better than the trunk.  So he goes back to the ears and remains quite happy there after.

So the more we share what we have learned about God, the more we will know about Him. And the more we explore other aspects of Him, the more we can either be assured of the truth for ourselves or find a new dimension to the truth we always knew, or thought we knew.

Okay, like the cereal commercial used to say, sometimes I feel like a nut and sometimes I don't.  I guess, contrary to what some may believe about what I have to say here, today I don't.

It's all about the elephant in the room

It's is interesting how a piece of paper can talk to you.  Yesterday I sat down to paint a picture of roses.  However, after I had applied the wash (water with a little paint for the back ground) the paper just didn't speak of roses, but a quiet lake scene that just had to come out.  So that is what developed.  I do need to get some new brushes, though, so that I can get the effect I want.  So today I'll try to get to the roses, if the paper speaks to me in roses.

Tonight we have to go back to church for a rerun of this morning's service.  Same program, just a different audience, as this is the 5th Sunday service when the churches in the community come together at a different, church.  This time it is ours and I'm a reader.

This lends itself to the story of the elephant and the blind men, describing what the elephant is like. They each describe the elephant from his own experience with the creature.  That's the thing about God, we all have a different experience and different expression of Him, based on where we come from in our experience with life and our past.  No, God doesn't change. He is the same always.  But, we, in our humanness each know Him  somewhat differently. I think God understands that.

And you might say,"Yeah, but the Bible says__".  Right, and your understanding, from where you stand, might be different than where I stand.  None of us is the same, therefore, none of us sees things the same.  But, we can agree on a few God given principles and respect each other and love each other, regardless of these differences. Loving one another is one principle that the blind men can't help but see the same, from what ever point of view they have of God.

And since this is Sunday I can preach my sermon and be just fine with it.  Amen

Memories of paths gone by

The weather was perfect on the trail this morning, with some vapors wafting off the grass along the sides from the dew. Many of my fellow occupants were the weekend users, taking advantage of a free morning:  a privilege I am able to appreciate  daily.

As I "good morning"ed everyone, I heard a " morgen" from a passing lady.  It only took a moment for it to register and I shouted back a "morgen" to her as I went by.  That sure did give me flashbacks to my runs while I was in Germany for 12 years. 

I would put aside my lesson plans and committee work for an hour, change into my running clothes and head out to the trails through the woods behind the school.  The dirt trails were easy on the legs and the variety of paths kept the routes interesting. Then, I would come back, refreshed and ready to tackle a few more hours work for the day.

When I went back for a visit a few years ago, I noticed that the paths were closed and you couldn't go across the bridge, crossing over the autobahn into the woods, any more.  Before I left in 2002 a few dependents of a soldier from the base had thrown huge rocks over the side of the bridge on to the autobahn, striking several cars and killing a woman driver.  Talk about ugly Americans.  I don't know if the boys are still in the German prison or not, but I think they got off with a lot lighter sentence than they would have here.

I would have hated the loss of access to the woods for my destressing each day.  Those woods were a lifeline for my survival.  I would take my class across the bridge into the woods where we would sit on the ground and learn all about the levels of growth in the forest, from the ground cover to the canopy and the animals that lived there.  It was a great way of bringing the classroom to the out of doors, with just a few steps across the bridge.

 It sure doesn't take much to stimulate thoughts about days gone by in me.  That's what  "living life to the fullest" is all about, memories to carry you into the rest of your life.

A busy day doing nothing

After getting a bit of housework done this morning, I went over to a friend's house to play dominos with a bunch of ladies. They really like to play that game.  It's ok, but I just hate to waste an afternoon with nothing really accomplished.  Okay, so I did accomplish some socializing time and "they" do say we live longer and are healthier if we have good friends and socialize with them.  I must be very healthy and going to live a very long time.

My roses are getting away from me, since I haven't had time to paint them yet.  You really have to do it on their time, not yours or your window of opportunity is gone.  I'll stay home tomorrow and do it.  I looked at the authors' event for tomorrow and only saw one of the authors talking about anything I could use.  After all, I don't plan on getting a book published or anything.

My window of opportunity closed when Michael ate my tomatoes and I ate my avocado, too.  You really can't put things off when you are dealing with flowers and vegetables.  You must seize the moment. Guess I'll have to go out and replenish the supply, if I want to get any more practice in.

A new series of art class classes begins in February and I don't want my teacher to think I haven't been getting any homework done. I always like to try and impress my teachers with my efforts. I found it refreshing to be painting fruits and vegetables for a change.  The roses will be an interesting challenge, especially when I try to make them all look as fresh and lovely as they did a week ago.

If anyone is keeping track, our recycling project is slowly coming together, with the second meeting of minds Feb. 7th.  We will try again for me to attend via conference calling.  They assured me it will work this time.   We have everything done except the money, the catapult for the entire thing. We are looking in every nook and cranny for it and hope we can pull it out of the hat soon.

Proud to be an American, still

 

I decided to take a walk on the trail today, since I wasn't crazy about working up a sweat, I thought. It was pretty warm, so didn't prevent that. But, walking you have a lot more distractions that stop you along the way, than you do when you run.  Today, an Englishman, whom I've seen biking daily for years, was walking with his bike along the trail.  I stopped to ask if he had had a break down and needed help.  He showed me his out stretched hand, blacken with grease, holding the nuts and bolts from his bike. After we determined there was no way I was going to be able to help him, we got to talking. He started out by ragging on how America is no place for old people and how he wished he'd never come here.  He said he reluctantly came, when he was a young man of 23 with his family, only able to become a citizen because his brother was already here.

After he complained for a bit and I had bitten my tongue for as long as I could, I said I was proud and glad to be an American.  If he hadn't been so my senior I would have said a few more things that were going through my mind.  Such as, if you don't like it, than why don't you just leave. Maybe that attitude adjustment is exactly what he needed.  We may not be perfect, but, if you don't just believe what the media wants you to believe about the state of affairs, we are better than any other alternative.

On a lighter note, how are them onions?

And an even lighter note, I read an article in the local paper today that really brought back memories.  She was talking about uncontrollable laughter we get sometimes, usually at the least opportune time.  So, it really got me to remembering the times that has happened to me.  It is usually at my own expense, but at times I have to admit it has been at the expense of another. 

I still start laughing every time I remember seeing my sister with her pants caught in the barred wire as she was trying to squeeze through while wearing her cross-country skis. I almost was unable to be of any assistance to her in her plight I was laughing so hard.

I also can't help laughing again when I think of my daughter(I won't incriminate the one) who grabbed the piece of cake off the kitchen counter and popped it into her mouth as she ran down the basement stairs to her room.  The next thing I heard were her shrieks as she came storming back up with a mouth full of sugar ants.  Well, it was funny and still is.

Of course, I know she can't help laughing every time she remembers watching her sister(I won't incriminate the one) tumbling down the basement stairs to the family room with a bowl full of popcorn exploding over her head. 

I guess you had to be there.
    

  

Let me explain

A note about yesterday's entry.  Sometimes it is a lot easier to believe the ideals when you are sitting on the sidelines. Yes, it would be very had not to be judgemental when in the trenches, dealing with humanity everyday.  What I really meant to say was that no one should be judged for things that are beyond their control, such as age, race, looks.  Things like that.  I do judge people for their bigotry against the innocence of the world.

Now, on a happier note, after a short run, a kayak ride on the lake and a new haircut, you just can't find anything wrong with the world.  On a warm, sunny morning paddling across the lake, watching the light glint off the water, was a pure pleasure.  A breeze came up, making the trek a good upper body workout to boot. Once we got across and into the waterways the water was calm and all was quite peaceful, if it hadn't been for the loud motor sound coming from somewhere.  You never can tell from where, the way sound travels across water.

I worked my way into the lily pads and grasses so that I could get a closer picture of the egrets and ibises on the shore.  Every time got a picture framed up, though, the camera shy bird would take off, making it impossible to get the shot I wanted with my unsophisticated equipment.

There is a book fair hosting 28 authors, giving sessions about writing, this Saturday. I thought I might go.  After all, writing in my blog and writing a few articles for the local Lewistown paper does sort of make me an author, I think.  Actually, anyone who writes, either for her own pleasure or for others, qualifies as an author, I would think. If I'm going to play with the big boys, then I guess it would be a good idea if I learned some of the rules of their game.  It sure couldn't hurt.

Baffles me all to heck

I'm sitting out on the lanai, writing in my blog and a couple of silly sandhill cranes happen by. They are something to watch, with their noisy honks and big bodies.

It was interesting to watch the people at the church potluck on Sunday.  Pastor Gene had said for the oldest members to get their food first, with the youngest pulling up the rear.  Everyone just sat there, stealing a look around at the other people sitting around them.  No one considered himself to be older than anyone else there.  The woman sitting next to me and I looked at each other to determine which of us was more elderly.  I didn't want to be rude, but she was obviously older than I. So how do you politely defer to her without insultingly saying," Well, Dearie, I do believe you are the senior to myself."?  Eventually, with the encouragement of those in charge, the brave or honest got into line.  Michael and I held back for quite a while, and any one knowing Michael, knows that took self restraint.

Why is it that the human tendency is to put up a self made yard stick where we value others by our own artificial standards, though?  I was with a small group of women at the church yesterday. One woman lamented that her son would not accept her bi-racial grandchildren. She said," After all it isn't the children's" fault"". Wait a minute now.  The children's "fault"?  As if to say that someone was at "fault" creating these beautiful children?  The one at fault is the biggot who thinks he has a right to judge what is acceptable about the human race.  He would be right if he recognized his own biases and hatred, and then did something about his irrational thinking. 

Why do we do that? We have to pump ourselves up some how at someone else's expense. Always. It is never for their benefit. The first time I saw those four wheeled, creeping bikes on the trail, my first thought was,"So you take the lazy way to ride a bike".  When I realized that this was a way for older people and those with back problems to get out and enjoy some exercise and fresh air, I was ashamed of myself.

But for some reason we think that because some one is of a different religion or political persuasion, or segment of society,or what ever, they are lesser than we are.  Yet, the truth is that the lesser person is the one who judges others for what ever reason. And the worst ever are those who say someone is less than they are because the person is of a different race, or older or what ever beyond their control, as if their is something they should do about it. Sure does baffle me.

I like to think so

Sometimes I need to go to the top of the mountain to regain balance in my life.  If I can't literally get there, then a picture of some of my favorite mountains in Montana helps. Today has been one of those days of going from the bottom of the mountain in frustration to the top in renewed hope and energy.  This project will come together yet, I am certain, but not without climbing many mountains first.

I get all kinds of inspiration while I am out on the trail in the morning.  However, when I finally get back to my computer to write in my blog, there seems to be a dam holding back those creative juices, with only small holes letting some of it flow.  But this is, generally speaking, what I was thinking about today.

I like to think that when we say, in our Pledge of Allegiance," one nation, under God", we understand that that means the Golden Rule, too, and that means every one is our neighbor, whether we like them or not and we need to treat them as such.

I like to think that when we buy foods sold in bulk we are not only thinking about saving a buck, but how it means less packaging going into our landfills.

I like to think that when we go to church we are trying to think divine thoughts and not derogatory thoughts about  the person in front of us.

Just a few  of what I think about when out on the trail. Nothing profound, really.

I did talk to a city official today who offered this observation, " Sometimes you need to do what is right even if it means it isn't the most profitable decision to make."  Now that is profound, coming from such an unlikely source.

A rose is a rose

I thought these roses that Michael's son, Dax and his daughter sent me were absolutely gorgeous. I told him I plan to try my hand at painting them, understanding that I certainly won't be able to do them the justice they deserve.  The colors are so variegated that it will be a fun study to try.   After seeing the watercolor work for sale at the festival yesterday, I realize how far I have to go before my work will be acceptable for display in any ones home.  It is not my intention to ever sell my work, but I would like to be good enough to feel that I can give a piece  to one of my children without fearing it will end up in the attic.   That is my only goal, actually and what a challenge that will be.

The paper today had an interesting article about Ft. Hood, Texas.  They have enbarked on a recycling endeavor with the goal of one hundred percent recycled waste.  That is quite an undertaking and admirable, to say the least.  What they can't reuse or recycle they will use to generate energy.  They will work with the surrounding communities to combine their efforts for the greatest efficiency and profit.  Then, they will share their program for implementation with other bases.  So encouraging to hear about such a positive effort being undertaken by our own military installations that can become the model for us all. Recycling is becoming the norm where ever you look today.

I had an interesting e mail from a friend today.  She had done her own little research project and found that, contrary to what we may believe, there are many products on our shelves that cost the same, if not less, than those made by other countries.  We just need to do some comparison shopping when at the store.  I know I intend to start, not only looking at nurtional information, but the manufactoring trail of each product. I really would like to help our own work force out the best way I can.

Now, I'm going to have to start taking my meals along with me on my shopping trips, it'll take so long.  

Manatees everywhere!

Today ended my extended birthday.  Of course, Michael had to remind me that today was also the first day of my 72nd year.  I never think about it that way, probably for self preservation.  Anyway, we took the kayaks to Crystal River out on the gulf and over to the Three Sisters Springs where the manatees winter. It was pretty crowded there, with the Manatee Festival taking place at the same time there. Kayak rentals were doing a great business as well as the pontoon boat tours and snorkelers swimming among the manatees.

I tried to be sure not to disturb any of the manatees and let my boat just glide by them, but you couldn't help going right over them, too, there were so many.  You can see them in the water in front of my kayak. They're pretty cute when they surface for air with their snouts stretching out.

After we came back to shore and secured the boats on top of the car, we walked over to the festival.  I have to hand it to Michael, that part he was not looking forward to and was only lured there by the aromas and promise of food.  He took it all so well. We walked the entire festival after eating a cold, over priced, pulled pork sandwich then headed back home ready for a well deserved rest.

We intend to have a restful afternoon tomorrow (it is Biblical, you know) after church, the annual meeting there and taking communion to the shut ins. We have been on the go pretty much, with movie(great) and dinner(delicous) last night.  Now it's dinner at Nancy's tonight.  Guess I'd better go jump in the shower.

One day a year

Bringing home the road trash from my morning run.

One day a year you get to be self centered and do what ever you want.  That's on your birthday.  So I've had 71 selfish days in my life and counting. Yes, this morning, picking up trash on the road is what I wanted to do today.  Helping with the house work a bit was also what I wanted to do.  I didn't want Michael to have to do it all.  He's not one to leave it for another day, either.  It's nice to be able to put yourself first and not feel any guilt. 

It impressed me to see a young gal running on the trail this morning.  Most of the people are getting up there in years that I see each day, but she was a cute young thing, pumping out the miles.  The reason I am impressed by young people getting fit is that they aren't waiting for the doctor to say, "Your going to die soon if you don't start taking care of yourself".

 It is harder to project into your future when you are a young 20 year old and foresee all the ills you might end up with if you eat that Paula Deene food and become that couch potato. The young usually feel that they are immortal or at least indestructible and none of that bad stuff is going to happen to them.

But, it does if they don't watch what they put into their bodies and let their muscles waste away and smoke those cigarettes.  Then one day they hear the bad news from the doctor and can't go back and have do overs.  Sure, anything you do healthy from then on will help, but it doesn't erase all the abuse you did completely. 

So it is the youth who are doing it right the first time that I really admire.

So I am selfishly dragging Michael out to the movies and a nice place for dinner today.  He says he hates going to the movies but he does like to treat me on my birthday or our anniversary or Valentines Day.  Especially a long one. I can do it today and feel no pang of guilt what so ever.  That's what birthdays are for.

My Mother Said

There'd Be Days Like This, My mother said.  That song has been running through my head all day, expressing my frustration, it seems. I know life isn't just a bed of roses every day, but we like to think it is.

First, I thought my tomatoes and garlic in watercolor class were coming along pretty well until I saw everyone elses in class. Theirs were much better,capturing the true essense of the tomatoes, I thought.  You kinda get that idea when the teacher says," Nice". to you and,"Great!" to the lady next to you. Ok, I'll show it to you. I did learn a lot, though, and will work on my technique.  That is the last class until they get settled into their new building.  But, I intend to get better between now and the next sessions, I hope.

Then I lost a quality paint brush somewhere between the class and car.  I hate that.

I guess my frustration is more based on trying to contact some vital person for the recycling program who seems to be avoiding my calls.  She may as well give in because I just don't give up. In fact, I think I'll go call her again right now.

By the way, if anyone is checking, Michael said he is beginning to feel better.  Maybe, with some TLC tomorrow will be a go, after all.

Co-vert birthday luncheon

My friends are pretty funny, actually.  I was invited to a lovely luncheon at Harriet's today. A wonderful chicken salad with lots of fresh strawberries, melon and grapes.  Just the way I like it.  And for dessert another friend had brought a delicious key lime pie, a specialty of hers. It was a delightful afternoon visiting with friends that I just haven't taken the time for much lately. Then, as I was leaving, they say, "Oh, by the way, here are some birthday cards for you".  All quite subtle, actually.

You see, there seems to be some unwritten, but understood, premise that we don't make a fuss about each other's birthdays.  No presents and things like that. The problem with that is that no one really abides by that rule.  Yet, they say they do.  So you just don't know how far to go for anyone else.  For instance, Nancy declared at Christmas time that we were not going to exchange anything, period. But I don't trust that, knowing from experience.  I just know that she will be the first one to break the rule and be at my door with some lovely home baked goodie.  I think.  But I don't want to take a chance and be the first to break the rule.  So, I bake up a bunch of shortbreads dipped in dark chocolate, wrap them up and get them ready.

And sure enough, there she is with her goodies that she just happens to have on hand is getting rid of before they go north for the holidays.  But I'm ready and whip out my shortbreads, just in the nick of time.

So now Harriet has a birthday in two weeks.  So I will do the proper thing and have a luncheon a day or two before her birthday, because it really isn't for her birthday.  It just happens to be about that time.  And I will give her the giraffe scarf (she loves the African theme) that I bought for her when I was back north at our African Team Ministries booth at the Chokecherry Festival.  It's not a birthday present.  I just happened to have it around and thought of her. I'm learning.

Michael is still sick with his cold. I baby him, at a distance, as much as I can. I'm taking the Echinacea that I bought for him.  It was too late for him, but it is working great keeping me virus free.  So far.
I'm wondering if he'll be well enough for all that I have planned for my birthday. It is a two day event, actually.  Day one, we go to see War Horse and dinner at a nice restaurant on the water.  Day two, we go kayaking on the gulf with the manatees, followed by lunch at the Manatee Festival. Any ideas how to get him well fast?

Sure, Bob

Sunday I had to read at church for Bob, who was home sick. He sounded sick on the phone anyway, but after reading the scripture selection appointed for that day, I got to wondering.  It was from Paul's letter lst Corinthians all about fornication and not hooking up with prostitutes. I could see myself reading that to all the gray haired men and women in the congregation and even had nightmares about it the night before.

Pastor Gene was able to dig beneath the surface of that message for the kids about not messing up your body or anyone elses just as you wouldn't mess up the church with graffiti. Good level for them, I thought as the teenage girl showed me the tattoo she had made on her arm.

Most of the time you really have to dig beneath the surface when you read scripture like that.  The Native Americans call our planet mother earth and creation as sacred, to be respected and cared for. How right they are. You can substitute the earth we were given to care for and not desecrate in place of talking about our bodies, which we were given to care for and not abuse. Same thing.

Michael's cold sounds worse, and makes me cringe everytime he coughs or sneezes.  I've made two trips to CVS, as his symptoms have developed and hope this time I got it right.  So the next thing to do is go and make him some chicken soup, I guess, since the cookies didn't cure him.

Grrr!

I prop my paintings up with Michael's trophies so that I can view them(my paintings not the trophies) with a critical eye.  First, I look to enjoy the results.  Then, I keep coming back to them, critiquing how I can improve the flawed parts of the work.  I'll really need to concentrate on the trees for a while.  That means painting lots of trees, until I get them right.  Then I'll work on wharfs.

Went to Ocala yesterday with my friends to see the play Rumors by Neil Simon.  It is always fun to share a few laughs with good friends.  It was very funny, with well timed humor.  Only I don't think that the gray and dyed haired audience appreciated all the swearing.  It sure puts me off.  I don't really think it makes anything any funnier, actually. Simon doesn't have to resort to it.  He is good enough without the cussing.  I mean bad cussing.

I went for, what I guess more appropriately should be called an excursion this morning, a five mile run with trash pick up and walking backward up the hills along the way.  I really appreciated the burn my buns got the last time I did that, so figured it would be a good think to throw in now and then. You see, I don't consider another birthday depressing the way some people in my age group do.  Rather, I enjoy and look forward to the challenge.  Life still has so much ahead to look forward to. I just want to be ready for it.

I've started mini composting.  I'm keeping the coffee grounds and crushed eggshells in a small plastic container.  Then I take them out to my azalea bushes, dig a hole in the mulch and bury them.  We'll see how it improves the plants, over time.  I'll let you know.

Michael has a cold.  I identified it before he did.  That didn't stop him from an eight mile run, though.  Now I'm babying him by baking cookies and making him my healthy oatmeal. Air kissing going on, believe me.  I may sympathize, but no way do I want to share it with him.

So he shows me a cartoon this morning, referring to me.  The husband says,"You get more beautiful every year.  Just like fine antiques".  Grrr!

Simple rules of life

Life really doesn't need to be as difficult as people make it.  The rule of, if it is a good thing and you can do it, then do it, is the only rule you need.  Really, it is that simple.  Don't analyze it, ponder it, rationalize it, procrastinate it or put your negative spin on it. 
For instance, if you can walk, then walk.  If you can run and have half an inclination, then run.  If there is a bathroom that needs painting at the church, you have a couple of hours free, and you can do it, then do it.  If the dishwasher needs emptying, then empty it now rather than later. If you have ironing to do(as I do right now) then get it done.  If you have a container that could be recycled, then rinse it out, put it aside, and recycle it.

The time one puts into talking ones self out of doing something, can be spent in just getting'er done.  And after you do it, take a moment to reflect about how it makes you feel.  Don't you feel great when you get back from a walk? You don't have any self reproach for not doing your part in helping someone out.  We waste a lot of energy on that one.  When you go to get dressed, you can go directly to the closet and put the garment on and when you have dirty dishes you can put them right into the dishwasher, keeping the kitchen neat and tidy.  See how much less effort daily life takes?

I've heard, " It is easy enough for you to say" or " It is easier said than done".  Neither statement is true. The satisfaction one gains from a clear mind and a healthy body is priceless and way better than the alternative.

There, the ironing is done(and I hate ironing).  Do I feel good about getting it out of the way, though?  You bet.  Now I can move on to doing the things I really find rewarding, like my painting.  And I don't mean painting the church bathroom.

Here is an interesting exercise.  Go through your entire house and count up how many number 1 and 2 plastics you have in your home.  Check the number on the bottom of the containers.  Just be sure the lid is on tightly, before you turn it over to check.  I always learn things the hard way.  You will be amazed with the number.

Old people aren't dead yet

Class yesterday.
I went to a concert at the Coastal Region Library at Crystal River today with my friends. I was fascinated with the venue and decided a person couldn't go wrong with the combination of performers they had billed.  One was an ex detective from Miami and the other had been a forensic doctor performing over 3,000 autopsies in Miami over his career.  They were billed as Dick and Doc. Dick was a very versatile violinist with a delightful sense of humor to go along with his repertoire.  Doc was an accomplished pianist who hardly ever looked at the piano.  Playing  everything by heart they flowed from one selection to the next. They were absolutely, incredible talents.

As I sat there I got to thinking about how much talent we older people have to contribute to society still.  What is great about it is that there is no longer the pressure and absorption of our time and energy to provide a living for ourselves and family anymore.  So, we can devote what ever amount of ourselves to what really makes us happy and fulfilled.  These men had been successful in their careers and now were able to devote themselves to their increible talent that had sat on the shelf for years and free to share it with everyone without charging a dime.

Too often I hear from seniors that they have already given and are ready to just sit back and relax.  You can sure carry that too far sometimes  using that for an excuse not to get involved.  We keep crying that we don't want the government to do everything for us all the time.  So the natural conclusion is that those who can and have the time, should. And they would all be the happier for it, too.

They need to ask, "What makes me feel good, lying on the couch watching hours of tv or getting involved".  It wouldn't take them long to figure it out.

All that wonderful talent and energy going to waste!

It's pulling together!

I was so excited when I got the phone call yesterday that our recycling project has found a home.  It is the original home we had hoped for.  We promised we would not make a mess and if we do we will clean it up.  Isn't that all your mother ever expected of you? 

The price quotes came in for the baler, the cement slab, and the shed for our site and the volunteers are coming forward.  There is actually a glimmer at the end of the tunnel, I do believe.  Now if the grants come through quickly, quickly isn't even fast enough for me, I am sooo impatient to get this project off the ground.

I don't think that most Montanan's are wired as impatient as I tend to be.   They are generally a pretty layed back bunch and figure there is never any need to rush into anything.  That must be the litmus test for being a true Montanan, your blood flows a little slower than some.  That can be a good thing most of the time; saves having too much stress in your life.

It just makes it a bit frustrating for those of us who want everything done yesterday and our way. Maybe I could use a transfusion from one of them.  I'm sure they would like to give me one, at times.

Rainy days are nice.

We had anticipated this rainy day for a week.  I was actually looking forward to it; an excuse not to dash out the door doing some form of exercise program or what ever. So I knew when we got up this morning we could kinda kick back, make up a batch of my ulta healthy oatmeal(apple, walnuts,flaxseed,wheat germ)  and plan an inside day.

Well, it didn't rain much until we tried to walk out the door to take a walk around the neighborhood.  After two false starts, we gave it up.

It's a day free from the stress of trying to put together the recycle project, since it is now in the hands of someone else for  the day.  Roger is making a visit to the site for the project to be housed and will get back to me on Friday.  What a relief not feeling as if there is something I should be doing everyday.  Now, just sit back and wait for the feedback to come in.  For once someone else is taking a lead.

So I'm going with my friend, Harriet, to Floral City to look at a new art expression, giclee.  It is photography on canvas.  She is really a good photographer and loves trying out new approaches to her pictures.  So, I'm taking her to see the work of the man doing it around here.  Fascinating work.  I discovered it when I was at my art class last week and knew she would be interested. 

So the rain has let up and we are off.  Got to hand it to this retired life style.  When the mood hit,s you you go with it.  Got to go.

I feel like a pinball!

Yesterday was a very frustrating day, working on the Recycling Project.  I felt like a pin ball in a pin ball machine, knocked from one post to the next, not really getting anywhere.  And certainly not winning the prize.  Following the advice of one source, I would call another source of information, which would more than likely cancel out the advice of the first, causing me to return to the original and sending me in yet another direction. Prices, dimensions, figures all floating around in my head and not really amounting to much help, I didn't feel.  Yet, I suppose that each little piece either verifies or or nullifies and eventually makes me a little better informed and better prepared for the next direction I take.

So this morning I took a bike ride down to Floral City to clear my head and decide what my next direction would be.  It worked well, actually.  It is interesting about the trail.  Each day there is a different personality to it.   Yesterday, I didn't see but a few people on my way out.  Yet today there was a steady wave of activity the entire distance.  Big, serious bikers amongst the creeping spider bikes that hug the road on 4 wheels, ridden by some definitely seniors. I wove my way around groups of dog walkers and inline skate enthusiasts on the way down and a group of military pt trainers out
jogging on my way back.  I could tell there are several groups of women who have made a resolution to exercise and lose weight. 

I always kick myself for not taking my camera with me.  At Floral City there was an older couple in a wooden wagon pulled by a pair of horses and their big old dog hanging off  the back, as they trotted down the street.  Not something you see much these days and worth capturing.  As they rode under the live oak trees and spanish moss it was quite picturesque indeed.

It was inspiring to see the couple carrying their bag of litter that they collected along the way.  I thanked them for what they do for us all.  People come in all different types, to be sure.  One day I picked up a plastic sack along side the trail, obviously holding some dog's do do and left behind.  I thought I would wave judgement and just pick it up and deposit it in the next trash can.  When I got up to the trash can, a man standing there chewed me out for picking up his dog do do sack, because he was going to get it on his way back. Now was that something that had run through my mind? Never.

So much for my good deed for the day back firing.  I hope my good deeds with this "project" aren't backfiring on me.  Sometimes it feels like it.

I'm not complete if I don't

Thoughts run through my head through out the day about what I want to share with my blog friends.  I just must pick up my new computer and and let it go.  My day just isn't complete anymore without putting my thoughts down in my blog.  It really is quite satisfying for me to have an outlet for what is rattling around up there.  If you don't have a blog, I recommend it to anyone who enjoys journaling.  It is a lot easier to type your thoughts on the computer, where you can delete a thought with a flick of a finger, than to hand write and be committed to what comes out of the pen.

Today after church, I gave Michael a choice for our brunch..  Did he want the usual healthy two egg, four whites omelet with all the veggies or biscuits and gravy?  I had vowed I would never make him unhealthy biscuits and gravy, his most favorite breakfast, again. I didn't want to be part of defiling his diet and contribute to ruining his health. It had been a long time since I did.

 However, I over heard him tell someone that I will never make biscuits and gravy for him.

So I thought I would just leave the choice up to him. And, of course, he chose biscuits and gravy.  So we stopped by the grocery store and we bought the sausage.  I figured that since we were there, we might as well buy the ingredients for a pizza, too, and go for broke with the diet. 

Of course, both items had to be made completely from scratch, so that I could still be in control of what went into them. He enjoyed the biscuits and gravy and I must say that was the best pizza I have ever made.  The sauerkraut sprinkled on top made it superb, in my book, thanks to my daughter's introduction.

This afternoon we decided to try our hand on the tennis court with the balls and rackets that my daughter bought for the kids to use when she was here.  I must say, it sure was a whole lot easier when I had my little kids shagging the balls than chasing after them myself.  I didn't realize what a workout you could get playing tennis.

Ignore if it bores you.

I was asked to blog my progress in my art classes, but if you aren't interested I can certainly understand.  I'm not bragging when I post my pictures, basically just passing them along for what they are worth and hope we all see progress over time.

Sorry they got washed out in the process.  Our lesson was about value, contrasting light to dark.  These are supposed to be opposite values; where there is light value in one, the second has dark value.  I'll have to work on my photography, though.  I'm enjoying the process of down loading pictures from my camera and inserting them into my blog, now that I have figured it out.

I walked instead of running today, even though I have to say it takes about the same amount of time for the same distance.  The sun came out on my way down the trail. I noticed a man, who had to be older than myself, dusting off a bench beside the lake and settling down to soak in the warm rays.  We shared our appreciation for the results of the sun's glorious beauty on the lake, as I passed by.  My parting comment was for some reason,"Where there is the sun (or how ever you want to spell it) there is always hope".  I always did want to share my dad's pulpit.

On the way home, I thought I would try walking up the hills backward to give a few other muscles a chance to be sore for a while.  My sister does this in her exercise class,  so it must be a good thing to do.  However, a gal was coming down the hill behind me on her bike and warned me she was there. It was time to turn around and watch where I was going.

I think it is ok to look back from whence we came once in a while in our life.  But we don't want to spend too much time there.  We won't make much progress if we don't turn around and concentrate on where we are going in our life.

That isn't just true in our goals set to move us forward, but it can be said about the mistakes we made in the past.  Take recycling.  So you threw it all in the garbage before.  Now let it go, turn around and make it right.

Guess I'd better bake today.  Looks like we have run through most of our holiday goodies.  Besides what else do we elderly retirees have to do all day?

Thanks!

I really appreciate your feedback.  It keeps me motivated to get my thoughts together, pick up the computer and put something down.  Believe it or not, I also appreciate constructive criticism, too.  I'm not as thin skinned as I may appear, maybe.  I do listen to other points of view, then weigh them with what I consider truth.  I do believe we all have our own truth, based on our experiences, background and exposure.  I try to see how it all works together for a new point of view, if necessary.

It was pretty foggy when I headed out on my morning run on the trail.  The sound of church tower music drifted through the fog that covered lakes and obscured my fellow trailers on the way out.  But, by the time I was heading back towards home, the fog had lifted and the sun shone brightly through, making all thinks clear again. That's  what the sun, how ever you want to spell it, does for us.  Sometimes,  we feel like we are going around in a fog, with no real direction or insight into our life.  Then the sun appears, allowing our vision to clear up and life takes on a whole new clarity.

I just finished reading an incredible book, Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand.  It is about the life of Louie Zamperini beginning in the teens when he was a troubled youth until he was introduced to running.  He ran in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.  It continues with his incredible trials during the 2nd WW.  It is not a story for those who can't handle some truly terrible human suffering.  But, it is well worth reading it to the end. A true story of the resilence of the human spirit after enduring the unbelievable.  After reading this book, your own aches and pains will seem totally inconsequencial.

Much to do.  People to call, art lesson homework to complete and of course tea time!

How quickly we forget!

I had my first art lesson this morning for the first time since last spring.  It all felt so awkward, trying to get the feel back.  I'm not ready to post the result of that class.  I'll work on it and we'll see later. Sure does say something about staying with it.  You don't improve any with the paints in the closet and the pallet dry. A few lessons will help bring back some of that feel, I think.  Now I'm not saying I'm some kind of "real" artist any more than I claim to be a "real" runner, so please reserve judgment, thank you.

 It gives me some diversion from the more serious aspects of life and helps me lighten up a bit. I don't know if I was spinning my wheels or actually getting somewhere yesterday on the recycling project, but I sure spent a lot of time on it.  My butt even got sore from sitting here at the computer and talking on the phone all day.  We're inching along, though, with parts beginning to fit into place.

I've made a resolution to try and buy closer to home.  For instance, instead of chasing the lowest price out to Walmart, over five miles away, I'll check the prices in the ads at the closest grocery store for their special of the week, then stop at the local veggie stand for the rest.  That is what my meals will be planned around.  I'm sure with the saved gas it will help pay the difference in the price.  Actually, we probably can even do better, in many cases.

Need to go and figure out the actual amount of square footage our operation is going to need and get some figures for constructing the facility.  This isn't some grandiose operation, but we do need to get some details for figures to give to the grant writer.

Do you see why I need my painting? Otherwise, the recycling operation is all that I think about.  Pathetic, I'm sure.

This is Florida?

The weather was cold this morning, barely 20 degrees!  It's supposed to be cold again tonight.  This just isn't good for our tropical plants, believe me.  I worried about my orange tree surviving out there all night.  So this morning I hurried out back, put the hose under it and turned on a trickle of water.  Sounds strange, but that is what the people with the orange groves do when it freezes, to save their trees.  I hope it works because that tree is pretty important to me.  It is like an icon, something to look at to remind you of something important to you.  My parents were important to me.

My parents gave us $100 for Christmas almost ten years ago.  So I decided to buy an orange tree to remember them by.  Since this was once an orange grove, I thought that a fitting thing to do, and we do like oranges.  The grandkids love to go out first thing in the morning and pick oranges for everyone before anyone else is up for the day. Family always likes to have their picture taken by my tree,too, a symbol of Florida. The oranges were particularly sweet this morning.  The cold does that to them.

I read in the SECO (our electric co.) flyer that by rounding your bill up to the next dollar, you can help heat the home of someone who can't afford to heat his home.  In fact, they had over one million dollars available for that use.  Of course, one person can't accomplish that by himself, but if we all did that we sure could heat a lot of homes for some very unfortunate, cold people.

That is the effect of each of us just doing a little more to improve our environment, too, making it a more beautiful place for us all to live.  The tendency is to say, "What difference does this little can make or this bottle thrown into the landfill?"  Yet, look at what can be accomplished collectively!  It is truly amazing the impact we can make when we we each do our part.  Alone, together we make a difference.

Upcycling is the new word.  Using what you have without increasing your footprint on the earth.  I use the word repurposing, but it is basically the same.  Look at the object you were ready to place into that recycle bin and see if you can think of a way to reuse it, saving you from the need to go out, burn gas and buy that item.  For instance, I have been inspired by Julie to reuse my bread sacks for storing things in the refrigerator.  They are strong and hold plenty. 

The little rings that come on the top of juice, etc. to seal them, can be collected and used for little girls to make glittery rings at their birthday party or sleepover. Just spread glue on them and sprinkle some glitter and you have a gorgous ring for fanciful little girls.  Kids are great at coming up with ways to repurpose, or upcycle, if you prefer.

Recycling Tidbits

I've always enjoyed looking for natural objects that are part of my environment and adding them to my home decor.  It's a good feeling of bringing the outdoors in, so that I can marvel at God's creation from inside  our home.

 The first picture is of the objects washed ashore after a storm on Maderia beach. I found them one morning while walking along beach combing( a favorite pastime of mine).  My friends laughed at how excited I was about finding all of these "treasures" and had doubts about my sanity when I insisted on taking them all home with me. Some didn't fare as well as others and had to be discarded when they began to stink.  But, I did keep several items and gave others to a friend who could also appreciate their natural beauty.  The woven basket is from a friend of Michael's from Ethiopia he worked with in Germany. Interesting combination, I think.

I added a killdeer bird egg that had been abandoned by its mother that I found in the grass. She laid her eggs on the ground and a snake got one, so she must have given up on the other one. I left it in the house while we were gone and Michael was sure we would have a bird flying around when we returned.  We didn't and I had a lovely addition to my collection.

The second picture is of the seed pods from the lily pads on our lake.  I gathered them up while kayaking one day.  They had cobwebs in them and who knows what kind of critters inside originally.   However, I eventually got them cleaned out and put them in a display with some beautiful baskets found at a flea market.  I love them all.  They all really speak to me.

A few tidbits about the importance of recycling: Did you know that by recycing just one aluminum drink can you will save enough energy to power a 100 watt bulb for 20 hours, a computer for three hours or a TV for two?  Imagine the impact it would make if we recycled them all!  Yes, what we do does matter.

Here we go again!

Since I had intended to use my blog originally to discuss and show my work from my watercolor classes and how it develops over time, and since I am starting up with a new teacher this week, I thought I should display some of my previous work.  That way we can all appreciate the improvement, hopefully.  Hopefully, I'll improve and hopefully, you'll appreciate seeing the results. 

Elaine, emailed me about taking up the captain position with our Relay for Life team again this year.  I begged off, with the reality that I really do have a plate full right now, trying to get this recycling project off the ground.  So what happens?  As I am lying in bed before sleep took over last night, I had brain storms going off in my head.  You get me started and I just can't turn it off.  Of course, going out for my run in the morning really gets the oxygen flowing, generating an over load of thoughts.

So, what do you all think of this idea?  The theme this year is magic from the national organization.  So I thought of taking that idea and twisting it around to: "It's not magic, it's not voodoo, it's just what you do".  Or something along that line.  Then we would be  walking education boards, showing all the things you can do to prevent getting cancer i.e. eat your veggies, go for a walk, get a colonoscopy, stop smoking, eat lean meats, eat your fruit, avoid chemicals, get a mamogram.  You get the idea.  Then we write a rap or song and demonstrate the lesson. 

There is much more to all this, but we'll just save some of the ideas for later.  Don't want to overwhelm everyone with it all.  Just so that I can keep straight where I'm going, when  I need to get there, with what and with whom.  That can't be all that hard to do.

Sad Christmas tree

We got the tree put away for another year and all the evdence of Christmas past stored in the garage. I must say, there is a lot less sorrow with taking apart and storing a fake tree than there is putting a live one out by the curb to be destroyed by the trash men and put into a landfill. 

When I was a child in Panama we would take our dried out fir tree to a big open lot with all the other trees each family brought after Christmas. Every one had a live tree in those days. By the time they were shipped to Panama from up north they were already pretty dry when we put them up and decorated them, with piles of pine needles to be swept up each day.

  In the evening we would burn them in a huge bonfire.  We would all stand around it, watching until the last tree had burned to ashes.  It was a glorious sight! Then we would bring out our hotdogs and marshmallow and roast them on sticks in the embers.  Now that was a fitting end to a tree that had served us in a proud and noble way.

I talked to my art teacher today about the upcoming class begining this week.  That gets the juices flowing and the excitement for a new class started.  I'm looking forward to a new and refreshing approach to the lessons. New year, new beginnings!  Some of the old and some of the new.  That's when life is truly good.