February 1, 2010

February 1, 2010 at 2:34 pm (Daily Ramblings)
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The days are just flying by! 

I’m reminded once again how fleeting time is.  Every heartbeat is a moment lived, and it’s how you spend those heartbeats that matters.  Hearts can stop beating, without warning, it’s important to remember that. 

We are constantly bombarded with messages about living life to its fullest, living life-like each day is your last, never going to bed angry because that might be the last experience you have with someone and would you want that to be their last experience of you; using the ‘good stuff’ instead of saving it and never getting around to using it at all and what a sad, sad waste that is, etc., etc., etc.  I am always drawn to these messages, especially the ones that come attached to breathtaking photography.  They make me question whether I’m living my life to the best of my abilities, and whether I’m doing justice to the life I’ve been granted.

I know I’m not the only sap who’s emotions and thoughts are manipulated by these kinds of messages, they tend to resonate — deeply — with lots of other people.  Lately, I’ve begun to wonder how much stress this adds to our lives.  It seems that this is a fairy-tale standard of goodness against which we are constantly having to measure ourselves. 

Anger, frustration, fear, sadness, depression — all these are feelings and states of being which we are told are undesirable and which, if we only focus on love and positive thoughts, can be banished from our lives.  I’m beginning to wonder if that’s really all that wise.

Most great change comes about because of negative feelings.  Persecution, discrimination, and human rights violations tends to lead people to demonstrate and protest which then leads to conflict or war, political change, and new laws protecting the rights and freedoms of people and other living beings.  The desire for something better is the driving force, the motivation for attaining feelings that can/should be positive.

This is true even in our personal relationships.  Someone in an abusive relationship is going to have a hard time seeing what’s good in their life when their reality is a nightmare of fear, grief and depression.  Those same dark feelings, however, can be the catalyst that inspires someone to claw their way out of darkness into light. 

But, being told–constantly–that feeling angry instead of forgiving, envious instead of satisfied, oppressed instead of valued, bitter instead of grateful, is bad, is just as harmful as believing that you deserve only what you have.  Everyone deserves to be happy, that’s true, but living with your head in a cloud, thinking warm fuzzy thoughts isn’t going to get you there. 

I believe that all this motivational ’stuff’ floating around out there is causing an epidemic of societal anxiety.  It’s leading people to constantly question the validity of their lives and to find them constantly lacking. 

It’s forcing people to go in to debt as they strive for ‘meaningful’ experiences like trips to exotic lands in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, or, an authentic cappuccino.  It causes husbands and wives to walk away from marriages and families because they’re not feeling ‘valued’ or ‘appreciated’ instead of trying to work out their problems — because, you know, why should you have to spend even one moment being sad or unhappy, when the ‘perfect’ relationship is out there just waiting for you? 

It leads parents to spoil their children by giving them everything instead of making them work for what they want.  What if, for instance, the last thought little Johnny or little Janey ever had of you was that you’d said no to their request for a new Nintendo DS or to their demand that they be allowed to stay out partying with their friends?  How sad would that be? 

This guilt being heaped on us, be it through the internet, television, radio, books and seminars is debilitating.  A perfect example of this is the story that surfaced about the kids on a cruise just after the disaster in Haiti.  These kids had probably planned and saved and worked hard for that trip (well some of them were probably sent by over-indulgent parents dealing with guilt issues, but, anyway. . .) and, through no fault of their own, their cruise path led them past Haiti. 

So, they did what kids on a cruise would do — they enjoyed themselves.  All of a sudden the media gets wind of it and suddenly these kids and the cruise line are painted as unfeeling, thoughtless, selfish, arrogant, every negative adjective that could be used to describe them, was. 

How, I ask is that right?  Should the cruise line stop sailing past Haiti because the island was devasted by earthquakes?  After all, it’s still there.  Putting blinders on or changing sea routes isn’t going to change that.  And, it’s not like nothing has been done to help Haiti.  $6 billion dollars worth of aid, so far, has made it to the island, but asking or expecting the entire rest of the world to wear black and go in to mourning is plainly ludicrous. 

Another good example of how this whole morality wave has turned into a tsunami is the Jay Leno/Conan O’Brien issue.  Personally, I say: who cares?  But, a large proportion of the North American population, including Oprah, thinks this is something somehow definitive to our culture.  What a load of crap!  I don’t care why Jay Leno did what he did, and I don’t care how Conan O’Brien feels about it.  Both of them make obscene amounts of money and live lives none of us could even hope to imagine.  Are they good people?  Are they deserving of what they have?  Only they can answer that, and really why should it matter to me, or anyone else?

It’s not surprising that since the Tiger Woods scandal, the attempted bombing of an airplane over Christmas, and all the other tragedies and travesties that have happened in the past month that there has been a proliferation of ‘feel good, live your life for the moment’ type of messages flooding my inbox. 

I appreciate the sentiment, just not the guilt that seems to follow.  I think from now on, I’m just going to listen to my heart and stop paying attention to all the pretty messages that somehow make me feel like my life is not good enough.  Because, believe me, I enjoy every heartbeat of it.

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January 26, 2010 at 1:10 pm (Writing Samples)
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KLarson©2010

Setting Goals

At the beginning of every new year I sit down and write out some goals for myself — things I want to accomplish, things I think I need to do.  Most of the time they get forgotten, but a couple of years ago I came up with this list of writing goals.  I keep a copy of it taped to the wall beside my desk as a daily reminder of what I hope to accomplish as a writer. 

Have I managed yet to double my income as a writer?  No.  In fact, I’ve made no income as a writer, but I don’t let it get me down.  I have, however, stuck to my goal to write for at least one hour everyday (most days) and I have written quite a bit of work that if I would develop a back bone I could submit. 

No matter how much I write, though, there’s still this nasty little voice inside me that says:  they won’t like it, they won’t buy it, they won’t read it — why would anyone want to read THAT?  I tell it to shut-up and leave me alone, but like all bullies, it’s pretty persistent. 

Still, though, I keep trying.  I’ve had successes in the past, and I’ll have successes again – it’s just about developing my confidence and refusing to give up. 

More than anything I use this list of goals to remind myself that I have to keep trying in order to keep growing.  It’s also helpful whenever I start listening to that little voice as though it’s telling the truth, to weigh what I have accomplished against what it’s telling me I haven’t.  Pursuing goals is tough, hard work and it’s tempting sometimes to want to give in to that little voice that’s telling you you’re wasting time.  Having a visual reminder of what’s important and why has been a huge help to me. 

This little list could be adapted for any goal.  Feel free to ‘borrow’ it and make it your own if it’s something you feel can help you achieve yours. 

Wishing you much success in whatever you pursue.

 

 Writing Goals for 2010

  • I am going to become a successful writer this year.
  • I am going to be making enough money writing that I will double my income.
  • I am going to do what I’ve always wanted to do, and what I was born to do – write. 
  • My focus will be short stories and personal essays.
  • I will target magazines and on-line publications that publish these forms of writing.
  • I will publish my children’s book and write another one.
  • I will spend at least one hour every day writing, but more when I can manage it. 
  • I will make whatever personal sacrifices I must to achieve the above goal.
  • I will make writing my main priority, second only to family, in my life.  Work and school will become third and fourth.
  • I am a writer and I am successful.

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The Last Oracle, James Rollins

January 20, 2010 at 1:14 pm (Book Reviews)
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The Last Oracle
Author: James Rollins
Published:  2008, Harper Collins, New York, NY

This is the first of these books I’ve read.  And, it will be my last. 

I was given this book as a gift; the blurb on the back of the book sounded very interesting so I had fairly high hopes starting into it.  It’s an espionage thriller with a plot involving bioengineered autistic children, a threat to annihilate all the world leaders and replace them with one puppet controlled by an evil military regime, and mystic ties to an ancient civilization of oracles.  Unfortunately, it’s just over-blown pulp fiction.

Rollins is an adequate writer; he keeps his story moving along in a nice, formulaic style.  He has pretty good research backing up his plot, though it’s not as in-depth as say, Dan Brown’s.  (The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons).  Rollins, a considerably better structural writer that Mr. Brown, but lacks Brown’s creative imagination.  His characters are merely wooden stereotypes.  I think the most interesting one so far is the obviously twice-doomed Monk.  Everyone else is just flat and uninteresting, even the children the evil Russians have experimented on.  Which really, is quite sad, because you’d think with children involved, the emotion would be ramped up.  Oh, and don’t forget the animals. 

This book, as I’m presuming is the same with the others, was clearly written with the idea of a movie deal in mind.  I can just see Nicholas Cage in the role of Commander Gray Pierce (are your eyes rolling?), Rollins’ steely eyed, square-jawed, university degree-d hero.  Then add a big guy like The Rock to play his sidekick, Kowalski; a petite, little known blonde actress to play the smart,  bookish though very attractive Dr. Elizabeth Polk, and a host of other lesser-known but recognizable actors to play the other assorted characters that overrun this story.

It’s your typical spy/thriller with lots of guns, swords, globe-trotting, ties to ancient history and racial stereotyping.  Only the Americans are good enough/smart enough/resourceful enough to save the day.  But wait!  He does throw in an American villain or two — just to keep things kind of realistic, I guess. 

The problem, for me, is that I could have liked this book if only some effort had been put into making me want to like it.  it’s an interesting concept, but I’m reading it now simply to see if it plays out the way I’ve imagined it will.  I’ve seen enough of these kinds of movies to have a pretty good idea of the outcome. 

If you like books you can read with your eyes closed, then this one’s for you.

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It’s Friday!

January 15, 2010 at 2:18 pm (Daily Ramblings)
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January 15th already!  We’re already half way through our first month of the second decade of 21st century.  Amazing.  There’s that whole time thing again.  It just seems to get away from me, and there I am turning in small circles wondering what just happened. 

Truthfully, these first fifteen days have been pretty good ones.  I’ve made some personal resolutions that I — so far — have managed to keep.  I don’t know how many people have read The Secret, or any other literature about the Law of Attraction, but I got interested in it a few years ago and picked up a few books on the subject. 

At first, I was skeptical, but as I read more I came to realize that it’s not a wierd and kinky cult, or fly-by-night gimmick someone dreamed up just to make themselves rich.  It’s a philosophy by which you can control the chaos in your life.  A way to bring harmony and happiness into your life. 

I’ve dismissed some of the wilder claims — like if I want to have 20/20 eyesight — all I have to do is think I have it and the universe will grant my wish.  Physiologically, that is nonsense.  I’ve worn glasses since I was a kid, I’ve got bad eyesight, end of story. 

However, when it comes to establishing a sense of balance in my life I’ve found the teachings of  The Secret and the Law of Attraction very useful.  It’s a pretty simple concept really.  Think positive, act positive, believe in the power of yourself and your abilities and your life will be a positive life.  And it’s true.  I find that when I focus only on things that have positive energy, that make me happy — even in the tiniest of ways — I feel so much better about myself that I then start feeling better about everything else around me. 

By feeling good about myself I can start to focus on the good in others.  Even in people I am in conflict with.  It allows me to look at them objectively and try to see what is good about them — and believe me, there is something good about everyone — even your worst enemy. 

Simply, it’s a live and let live philosophy.  I’ll concentrate on what makes my life worthwhile, what makes me happy, what brings me satisfaction and you concentrate on yours.  And, hopefully, we can coexist in harmony. 

An old friend of mine, one whom I think of often and wish well constantly, used to tell me all the time “it’s the power of positive thinking, Kath, just think it and it will come true”. 

Well, Sandi, you were right.  All those years ago, young and naïve as we both were, you were so much wiser.  It took me 30 years to get what you were saying, but I finally figured it out.  I hope your life is what you dreamed it would be.  Mine is getting there.

For more information about The Secret follow this link: http://www.thesecret.tv/

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Monday, January 11, 2010

January 11, 2010 at 1:28 pm (Daily Ramblings)
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Well, it’s the official start of the 2nd week of the new year.  It feels like the 2nd month! 

What happens to time as we get older?  There just seems to be so much less of it the older I get.  No matter how organized I try to be, how much I try to simplify my life, how much prioritizing and goal setting I attempt it just all gets away from me and I’m left rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off. 

I’m up (or try to be up) every day at 5 a.m. so that I can get some writing done.  I’m lucky if I get a few scratches down in my journals and manage to post to this blog once or twice a week.  Where does that time go?  I know that I’m not just sitting staring, slack-jawed into space because I can feel my heart racing as I anticipate the day ahead of me. 

It seems that I am perpetually living in the future.  As I write this I am already in the middle of February contemplating the Family Day weekend.  I have already been to Calgary on Feb. 4th and 5th and am wondering when, exactly when, it will be that I have time to go looking for the new vehicle I need.  Spring Break is coming up — at the end of March — maybe there’ll be some free time then.

Time is a very tricky entity.  When we were kids it moved so slowly and leisurely it drove us nuts.  We, who wanted to move at a lightning pace couldn’t stand it — we were forever lamenting that things took so long.  Then, one day, I can’t exactly say when it happens, time catches up with us.  For a brief time we live ‘in the moment’. 

Everything is beautifully synchronized — we can manage every detail of our lives and our kids lives and work and manage a home and have fun and it’s all so good and we think we’re on top of the world and nobody has ever been so totally in control of their life as we are at that illusory moment in time. 

And then. . .

it passes.  Time speeds past us and we’re left spinning in its wake wondering just what on earth has happened to our ability to manage our lives.  In my 50’s now, I am constantly playing catch-up.  I get up earlier in the morning than I ever dreamed I would.  Ten years ago had someone told me I’d be getting up at this time every day to write, work, take care of house work, send emails, check Facebook, journal – you name it — I’d have said they were crazy. 

As a kid, or, even as a young adult, I can remember sleeping in til 10 or 11 o’clock on a weekend, getting up and managing to accomplish all sorts of things and still having time to just ‘be’.  To sleep in past 8 o’clock on  a weekend seems utterly irresponsible now.  How could I possibly, when I have so much that needs doing and so little time to do it in? 

I actually find it depressing to admit that I am often in bed by 10:30 on a Saturday night — but if I’m not I don’t have the energy to get up and try to wrestle my next day into submission.  Any ’spare’ time that I might delude myself I have, time that I might like to sit and read a book in, or take up crocheting again in, or pursue my photography hobby in, is generally taken up by all the stuff that has somehow managed to get away from me.  If I want to do any of those things I have to schedule them in, or worse cheat myself and deliberately play hookie from all my other obligations.  And then where does that leave me?  Scrambling to find more time to try and make up for lost time.  Forget about just ‘being’! 

Anyway. . .

as I sit here trying to get this rambling thought down semi-coherently I’m beginning to worry about what time it is, because I still have to go get on the treadmill, have a shower, make lunch, change the laundry.  .  .

Enjoy your day, make the most of your time — it really does go by in a heartbeat.

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Thursday, Jan. 7/010

January 7, 2010 at 1:57 pm (Daily Ramblings)
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It really feels wierd writing the date like that! I wonder if I should just go ahead and start adding the 2 – it’s only one more keystroke, after all.

Just as a strange little aside — Tim and I watched 2010, the sequel to 2001 A Space Odyssey, on the weekend. I didn’t want to watch it, but he kind of forgot to change the channel and before I knew it I was sucked into sitting there watching what was perhaps the MOST boring, pointless movie I’ve ever seen. (Not that the first one, 2001, was really any better.)

My thoughts after the movie were that here was this vision of the future that showed us on the brink of war with the Russians while the destruction of the planet was imminent. Technologically, things looked a little more advanced than they do in reality, but not glaringly so. Of course war was averted, and earth winds up with two suns — a kind of gift from the sinister/benevolent monolith (it wipes out a planet to give birth to some new ones and the new sun. All very symbolic and rather stupid.) Anyway,. . .

. . . in comparison, what’s going on here on planet earth seems a lot more dire than it did in this hoaky little movie.

Movement around the globe is slowly becoming more burdensome, racial, religious, economic and environmental tensions seem to be ramping up to disastrous levels, while our obsession with technology (in particular games and entertainment) continues to grow.  None of these things appear to be related, but I wonder.

Going back to the theory of 2012, where the world is destroyed through our own negligence (as predicted thousands of years earlier by an ancient culture using human sacrifice, hmmm. . .) perhaps the powers that be (those with the $ that control our sad, ignorant little existences) know that the end is near and they have engineered this crazy scheme to keep us all corralled in our own countries.

Problem with that hair-brained theory is: what the hell for, and why would they care? More than likely they’d be like the big Russian in 2012 who was out to save only him and his fat kids. Philanthropy, it would seem will remain an idea exclusive to those who cannot afford it.  

And, much as I admire President Obama and all that he stands for and hopes to accomplish, why is it that the Americans suddenly allowed a black man to become their leader?  Or, more correctly, why did the secret society that controls the world (oh, come on now!  we’ve all seen the movies and read the books that tell us about this secret organization made up of the richest, most powerful people in the world that controls EVERYTHING, don’t try to pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about) let him be elected?  The answer is simple — because it’s not going to matter!  In a couple of years the earth will be destroyed and we’ll be nothing but a galactic nightmare.  Unless, of course, the Chinese manage to build those arks. 

Hey, isn’t there a big dam project going on in China? 

Seriously, I choose to believe that President Obama was elected because people realize that skin colour is irrelevant, and because they recognize the need for change. 

I do believe we are being discouraged from too much global travel, but for more practical reasons — to keep us safe from terrorist attacks, to curb fossil fuel use, to help keep our economies strong by forcing us to spend our vacation dollars at home. 

Racial and religious tensions are no more an issue today than they were hundreds, even thousands of years ago — but at least now we don’t burn people at the stake or keep them as slaves.  (Well, maybe that still happens – just not in North America.)

And our obsession with technology?  Well, that’s what a creative, curious intelligent species does — it invents, and because we’re all about instant, self-gratification, it only makes sense that we focus on things that entertain the masses. 

While in the background the really serious, sinister work takes place. . .

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Just After Sunset — finished

January 5, 2010 at 1:38 pm (Book Reviews)
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I finished Just After Sunset by Stephen King right before Christmas.  I have to say I loved it.  Mr. King has re-discovered that old familiar voice we devoted fans of his love to hear. 

The stories are smart, funny, poignant and relevant.  Even the final story, as disgusting as it was.  The thing with King, when he is at his best, (and I would have to say Just After Sunset is representative of some of his best work in a long, long time), is that he draws you into the story effortlessly.  Once there, you feel as though you know these characters, these situations.  And that’s because you can relate them to your own experience, your own deep, dark thoughts and hidden fears.  It’s a fun ride.

Of the thirteen stories that comprise this collection I’d have to say my favorites are: 

Harvey’s Dream
Willa
The New York Times at Special Bargain Rates
Ayana
The Things They Left Behind and
The Gingerbread Girl

Each of these stories touched a personal chord within me, that made me sit back and think: “yeah, exactly” or made me shudder with the very real possibility that there but for the grace of God . . . 

I particularly liked Willa, because I could see myself in her.  The practical, logical, let’s just face this situation for what it is attitude she has, and, of course, it’s a nice little love story.  The writing in this one is tight, clear and unsentimental, but at the same time very evocative of the emotions people in such a sad situation would experience.  Highly recommended.

The Gingerbread Girl is just a great survival story.  It’s exactly what we would imagine we would do in a situation like that.  (Whether we could pull it off like the heroine in the story is doubtful, still the imagination likes to think we could.)  I just loved this one.

Ayana has shades of The Green Mile all over it.  It’s a gentle story about kindness and paying it forward and just what that costs.  The writing is superb.

The Things They Left Behind, although a little ‘out there’ for me was wonderfully written and a take on 9/11 that I hadn’t read before.  King captures beautifully that sense of hopelessness some of the survivors of that terrible day experienced.  It’s a tale of atonement and personal guilt when neither is justified. 

And, although I didn’t mention it in my favorite’s list I’d have to say the end story, A Very Tight Place, has stayed with me.  It’s full of the usual themes, guilt, fear, hatred, madness, over-wrought emotion, violence and the imagination’s desire to do nasty, nasty things to people we can’t stand or understand.  Suffice it to say it’s a great, satisfying, albeit yucky, read. 

Anyway, I hope you’ll give this collection of short stories a try.  If you’re a die-hard fan like me you’ll love it.  If you’re a newbie I think you’ll be surprised at just how wonderful a writer Stephen King is. 

Post me and let me know what you think.

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Jan. 4th, 2010

January 4, 2010 at 1:08 pm (1)
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A new year, a new and open road.

A new year, a new start.  Don’t we all say that just after the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve?  Even if we don’t speak it out loud, it’s in our hearts.  Everyone wants a new start, a do-over, if you will.  A chance to shed our sins, our failures, our disappointments and our bad selves.  Like the New Years’ baby we want a future filled with bright promise and adoration. 

Unlike the New Years’ baby, though, we’ve got a lifetime already lived — which we tend to find wanting, hence the New Years resolutions – and, generally, we’ve come to find that adoration is reserved specifically for babies and movie stars. The one by default and the other because we’re envious.  Add a new resolution.

This year, I’ve resolved to be happy with who I am, and with what my life is.  It’s a pretty good life, on most accounts.  I’ve got a family whom I love and who loves me in return.  I’ve got great friends to share my stories with, and who accept my sometimes-strangeness with kindly laughter.  I have a decent job that — most days — makes me feel like I’m contributing something to the world, rather than just taking from it.   I love my home, money-pit though it is, and am grateful to live here.  There is so much abundance in my life, and sometimes I forget that. 

This year, I resolve not to.

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Merry Christmas!

December 24, 2009 at 4:31 pm (Daily Ramblings)
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Well, it’s Christmas Eve.  Technically, it’s Christmas Eve day, but, so what?  It’s exciting!  I can’t wait to see the looks on my grandchildren’s faces tonight when the go to bed anticipating Santa’s arrival.  The absolute best thing about Christmas is children.  Presents are nice, but joy is better.

This has been a tough year, and I don’t think any explanations are needed as to why.  But. . . it’s also been a pretty good year, too.  The States have a President they can be proud of, Canada has earned a reputation as being a leader in self-restraint and sound governance (and I’m not a Conservative, by the way) and James Cameron has finally released Avatar.  (Not that I’m at all interested in seeing it, but I know millions are, and so, therefore, their wish has come true.) 

I think, movie-wise, the more important film this year was District 9.  It didn’t get much praise, and wasn’t around long, but the ideas and social commentary contained in that story have stuck with me.  It’s a disturbing look at discrimination.  Very profound in its delivery.  Was it Oscar-worthy?  No.  But definitely thought-provoking.  Avatar will be all about the special effects, the sound track and how much it cost to make.  Substance?  Hmmm, can you say Titanic? 

Back in the real world. . .

The past year was pretty damn good on a personal level, too.  We traveled to the Dominican (had our eyes opened, there), then went on a month-long motorcycle trip to Nova Scotia and back.  That was simply amazing.  Had my eyes opened again, this time to the beauty and open-ness of people both in Canada and in the United States.  That trip has created a desire to re-visit many of the places we passed through, with the aim of staying longer to enjoy them. 

As I’ve gotten older different things have become important to me, and I am extremely grateful for that change.  It’s no longer mostly about what I want, or what I think I want.  It’s more about seeing the people I care about happy and successful and fulfilled in their lives.  Despite the economic downturn, or maybe even because of it, I’ve seen that happen for several people this year. 

My brother-in-law has taken a major leap in going back to school to become a teacher.  My son has discovered new reserves of personal strength in light of how the economy has affected his company.  One of my brothers took a huge risk this year and bought his own business.  There are many more examples I could relate, but I think you get the picture.  Happiness is all about your frame of mind and what you’re willing to give of yourself.  And it makes me  happy and proud by association. 

What a leech I am!

Well, that’s it for now.  I wish everyone who has taken the time to read my ramblings (and I do know I ramble) much love and a very Merry Christmas!

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11 Sleeps til Christmas

December 14, 2009 at 4:47 pm (Daily Ramblings)
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My God I can’t believe how cold it’s been!  Apparently, there are reports that Alberta, in particular the region we live in, is currently the coldest place on the planet.  I don’t know if that’s true — I have my suspicions that Antarctica might still be somewhat colder — but it sure feels like it at the moment. 

Buses are cancelled in our division today, and so I thought good I don’t have to go out in this weather.  But duty made me try.  I went out to start my car — it had been plugged in since 1 am Sunday — and it barely started.  When it did it made this nasty, unhealthy sound, like an ancient electric can opener that no longer has enough juice to even scratch the surface of the lid it’s supposed to be cutting through.  I let it run for about 10 minutes and even after that it still sounded rough, so I decided that even though I’m barely 10 minutes from where I work, I’m not going to chance it.  The fear of freezing and of being without a vehicle are just to great for me.  I’ll go out and run the car every couple of hours for 10 minutes, hopefully that will enough to keep it from seizing up. 

Just the few minutes it took for me to run outside and deal with the car was bad, I can’t imagine having to be out there for any extended period of time.  Although, once upon a time when I had a dog, I would have bundled up against the frigid temps and gone out for a brief walk.  That’s one of the reasons I do miss having a dog for a pet — it forced me to get out in winter even when I seriously did not want to.  Dogs need their exercise, and so do humans, but where dogs will gleefully step out into the cold, concerned only about what new smells they might discover, most people won’t even bother to stick their nose out the door.  That’s me, right now. 

This kind of weather inspires a sort of inertia within me.  Being cooped up, inside with nothing but the computer and the TV for entertainment I find myself doing little or nothing.  Although I have tons of things I could be doing like:  reading, crocheting, baking, cleaning, doing laundry, finishing addressing Christmas cards, writing, putting the finishing touches to the decorating, cleaning my closets, dusting my dressers, straightening up the spare bedroom, the list goes on and on and on.  I just don’t want to do anything, except, well, read, maybe.  That requires no effort, and curled up under a blanket I just might drift off and have a little cat nap.  Such ambition!

But. . . I try not to be too hard on myself, it’s not often this kind of weather locks us into our cozy, comfy homes where we’re forced to enjoy a few moments of peace and quiet.  Most of the time it’s go, go, go.  Especially around Christmas.  The need to feel like we’re doing more, being more is incredibly high around the holidays, so if nature gives us a day off I think we’re wise to take advantage of it. 

Eleven more sleeps til Christmas — I’m looking forward to seeing my grandchildren on Christmas morning as they tear through their presents.  I want to see my son and his wife enjoy their first Christmas in their new home, and I’m so pleased we’re invited to be a part of that happiness.  For Tim and I, that’s what it’s mainly about now:  We’re on the outside, looking in, and what we see is what makes us smile and brings us joy. 

An update on the Christmas tree:  it got decorated yesterday and it is absolutely lovely!  I will post a picture here as soon as I get one taken. 

Ho! Ho! Ho!

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