Multi-tasking a Catastrophe?!

It seems our cat Sophie is concerned that we are trying to do too many things at once.  Today, she apparently thought I shouldn't be trying to record scores in Jupiter at the same time I'm watching not one, but two webinars!  Here's her solution, at least in part (at left).  Of course she didn't realize that she was only adding to my distractions  instead of decreasing them :)  So it goes in my Life in the Time of Corona!

Gratitude Unlocked...

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie

The day after Thanksgiving has dawned bright and beautiful.  For the third time in my life I did not spend Thanksgiving Day with family and even though I did pass a delightful afternoon with the families of two colleagues, I still felt a little bit empty.  For so many years Thanksgiving Day has meant lots of family--upwards of 30 people from four very connected families have gathered together to ask the Lord's continued blessing.  And of course they still gathered...but without so many this year.  The two oldest members of the group and one other are no longer with us, having passed away within the past year (one most recently a week ago). My youngest sister and her family, my oldest niece and her new husband, and a nephew were not there, nor were several others.  I missed them all.  And I imagine those who were there realized the absences keenly, too.

And yet.  There is much to be grateful for. My aforementioned close-knit family.  My colleagues and friends who make each work day a pleasure.  My students--past and present--who keep me going day after day.  My church family that is loving and nurturing.  My cats, faithful companions for the past decade.  My friends--near and far.  The list could go on an on.  I am truly blessed.  And for the actual Day of Thanks, even though I was not home with family, it was enough to be with my work family, with people who love me enough to count me family, and with the promise of being home soon for Christmas.  

Paper Whites · 365 Project

Paper Whites by Rondi Aastrup · 365 Project

My mother shared a picture of the Paper Whites blooming from bulbs she received at Christmas time. I received some then, too, and planted them nicely when I got back to sunny Arizona. I thought I'd give them a chance to grow in peace by putting them outside in my protected front patio. And I had been pleased with their progress...until I saw these pictures. Mine are just a couple of inches tall...nubs, really...while hers are full-blown blossoms! I might have to bring them inside to get some warmth so they can grow faster, but they haven't frozen and are growing, so maybe I should let them grow where they are. The nasturtiums I planted at the same time from seeds are a few inches high, too. So...maybe...maybe... We'll see!

A Thankful Heart

Today is Thanksgiving Day.  I'm supposed to be on my way to a friend's house for dinner.  Well, in every other year of my life save one, I would be on my way to a family member's house for dinner.  Instead, I am home with two cats and 3 dozen birds...counting my blessings all the same.  I'm in Arizona instead of Massachusetts because I went home in September and October and am going again in December.  I'm not a millionaire and you almost need to be if you are going to fly across the country once a month.  So, I stayed put in the Valley of the Sun this year.  I'm in my own home instead of a friend's because I succumbed at the beginning of the week to a barrage of germs that came forth from my hacking and sneezing students.  I was hoping to escape this year, but now I'll have to hope it's just this one time...and that it is short-lived.

So, as I said, it's just me and the cats...and the 3 dozen birds swarming my bird feeders.  Nothing exotic, just house finches and sparrows and juncos.  Oh, and the doves.  Three varieties of doves....  Still, there is much to be thankful for.  I don't need any Facebook statuses, text messages, TV commercials, or days off from school to remind me that I have more than my share of things to be grateful for.  Tuesday in my last class, one of my students asked me to share with the class one of the most exciting things I've done in my life.  She was jut trying to make conversation, and thus avoid having class, but she caught me up short.  I really didn't know what to tell her.  I couldn't think of anything...not because there's nothing, but because there are so many things...literally.  I ended up saying that I've been very lucky, that my life has been very exciting, at least by my definition.  She just looked at me, thinking, I'm sure, that I was just trying to avoid her question...which I kind of was...my definition of exciting probably wouldn't match that of a 17 year old girl's.

Still...I come back to being grateful...grateful for all the things that have gone on in my life to make me who I am, imperfect as that being is.  I have an amazing family that's full of beautiful, smart, funny, vibrant people spanning several generations and two continents.  I have scores of lovely friends spanning decades in age and length of friendship.  I have a job I love, I work with people I like and respect.  I belong to a church that feeds my spirit and soul.  I live in a place that, while not my beloved New England, is at least tolerable most of the time.   I can't complain.  I am, in fact, most grateful...

For the Birds

I am having fun attracting birds to my little patio out back. During August and September, I had a plethora of hummingbirds.

Then all of a sudden bees took over the feeder, keeping the hummingbirds at bay. So I removd the feeder until I can figure out how to keep the bees away.

I put up a finch feeder and have been inundated with cheery little house finches.

But that's not all. I have had a verdin visit, several mocking birds (including a cute chubby one),

a chatty gila woodpecker,

a pair of curve-billed thrashers,

>

and a dark-eyed junco. My cats are fascinated by all the birds on the other side of the glass =)

The Way of Love

1 Corinthians 13 (The Message)

¹ If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. ²If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. ^3-7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

^8-10Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

¹¹When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

¹²We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

¹³But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

Photos: My niece's birthday cake, my family, my ragdoll kitty "Teddy"

Evolution of a Work Station

I like to multi-task. Or at least I find it hard not to multi-task. I have a nice "easy" chair (reclining rocker) in my living room where I spend most of my evening hours with my laptop on my lap and a cat (or sometimes two) draped on the back of the chair. I am usually doing schoolwork, or blogging, or playing Scramble on Facebook, all the while watching TV (news, Red Sox, and sometimes a TV show).

For months, now, I've been looking for a suitable table/storage vehicle to put next to the rocker so I can keep things (remotes, writing utensils, USB cable for camera, etc.) handy as I'm working. Yesterday, I hit the jackpot. I found just the thing at Home Goods for a very reasonable price. I happily brought it home and proceeded to set it up.

First, I had to find a lamp as the floor lamp would no longer work in that spot. I didn't have any with a small enough lampshade, so I tried switching some around in the hopes of finding something smaller. I was not pleased with the results, so went back to Home Goods today and found one that perfectly matches the cabinet in style and color.

Next, I found a lace placemat that would work as a table topper. Then I wanted flowers to discourage against cluttering the top up with stuff. I tried a silk arrangement first, but it wasn't the right color. Finally, I brought some from my sister's gardens (I went over there for supper of corn on the cob, salad, and vegeburger sandwiches...yum!). Of course Teddy had to smell them right away...and bite them as well (I had to move them back out of his reach)! The vase comes from the island of Syros, Greece. The basket is a gift from a student, years ago.

Peaceful, easy Feeling

There's nothing like a whole day stretching out ahead of you with absolutely nothing you have to do but read, sit out in the sun, relax, enjoy the good company of family and friends. My sister keeps asking me if I'm bored, and I keep saying "absolutely not!" I am loving being able to just sit and read. In the daylight no less! It's a rare treat, let me tell you.

Right now I'm reading Mike Lowell's memoir of his fight with cancer and winning two World Series with two different teams in the space of four years. I gave this book to my nephew for his 8th grade graduation present and since I've already finished the books I brought along, I've had to start on the ones others have brought. It's quite interesting, I must say. I don't read a lot of sports books, but as these books go, this one is enjoyable.

Today, we made our own games to play-- battleship, the dot game, others like that. We also watch the hotel cat play with lizards (she's doing it right now as I type, in fact). I don't think I could live this way forever...but for now, it's exactly what I need.

Today's pictures are of some of the cats we've observed and/or made friends with. There are many, many of them everywhere, most of them thin and battle scarred. The one with the kittens lives at the campgrounds where we eat most of our suppers. The first day she had just one kitten with her, but now she has three. They are getting fatter because we keep feeding them =) The one sleeping on the stone wall is the one who lives at (or near?) the hotel and keeps catching the lizards.

A Sly Way with Rhythm

I carried my life, like a stone,
In a ragged pocket, but I
Had a true weaving song, a sly
Way with rhythm, a healing tone.
~Jay Wright

This is a wonderful poem that was on a poster I got for April's Poetry Month. I wanted to post it back in April but kept forgetting. Tonight, while sorting through the stacks of things that have piled up on my dining room table, I found it again, so here it is. I just love the imagery!

Photo: Teddy talking to me, singing his own weaving song =) I was trying to capture his cute mitted paws when he began a conversation. He's such a soft, cuddly kitty who delights in perching on the back of my chair and giving me head butts =) The picture makes him look kind of mean, but he's really the sweetest thing.

May and Amaryllis

I've been trying to grow 5 Amaryllis this Christmas season. Two are re-blooming attempts from last year. So far, they both have long leaves, but only one has produced a bud...so far.
I keep hoping the other one will do something. Then I have three new bulbs, but only one is doing anything. It has four beautiful blooms on one talk stalk.

Tonight's picture captures the elegant Louisa May on the arm of the couch having the appearance of peering through the leaves at me.

All Creatures Great and Small

My parents have been frustrated lately because all their birds seem to have disappeared over the past few weeks. All summer and fall, the yard was teeming with all kinds of birds. Suddenly, there was not a bird to be seen. They have tried and tried to figure out what's happened, but so far have not found the answer.

I spent the past four days with them and only on the last day did I see any birds at the feeders and in the trees. The second picture here shows about 13 goldfinches in a birch tree. A few minutes later, about twice as many were there. And later, there were about a dozen mourning doves feeding on the ground. An improvement, but not the variety they are used to.

Meanwhile, the family cats have been enjoying all the attention they've been getting from visitors during the holiday. They are, in order, my parents' Maine Coon cat "The Colonel" Joshua Chamberlain, my sister's two Rag Doll cats "Misty" and "Remy," and my two cats "May" and "Teddy."

The last picture is one I took out my car window as I was leaving the grocery store this afternoon. I saw this hawk sitting at the top of a tree surveying the traffic below. I can't imagine he would find anything tasty forf his lunch in such an environment, but it was a treat for these eyes =)

Christmasy Nooks and Crannies

There are several reasons I love this time of year. Family gatherings are the single biggest reason, but there are others. Christmasy nooks and crannies are one of them. Last night we were at my middle sister's home for supper and gift-giving (they all came to my place afterwards for hot drinks and gifts) and tonight I am at my parents' in Maine. The pictures here show some of the touches of Christmas in their two homes.

My sister lives in a good-sized home as she entertains quite a bit--mostly church or school gatherings. She and her family are so generous, sharing the comfort and beauty of the home they have created. I like it best, of course, when it's just the family as it was last night. There's room enough for all 11 of us however we want to be...cozy in one room or scattered throughout the rooms. As an interior designer, she has an eye for color and beauty, but as a thrifty New Englander, she also has an eye for a bargain. Her home is elegant, but not extravagant.

My place, by contrast, is very small. There is only one room where we can all gather, with little room for anything else. Books take up most of the space in each room,k so when the whole family comes, it is a close, full room. That's why we eat at my sisters and just have drinks at my place! It's hard to stay out of each other's way...good thing we don't mind being cozy with each other.

My parents' home is spacious, too, with a cathedral ceiling in the living room. My dad is a musician, so there is always music filling the air. Right now, for example, beautiful Christmas music soars through each room, and candles are lit in each window, creating a feeling of warmth and completeness.

Tonight, it will be just the three of us, but tomorrow, the rest of the family will join us and we will laugh and talk and enjoy being together. I look forward to the time with everyone.
But for now, I'll quietly enjoy the nooks and crannies.

Thanksgiving gratitudes

I'm thankful for so many things. There are the more abstract things that include purpose and contentment, but there are very tangible reasons for them. Among these are...

1) My parents, who are still in relatively good health at nearly 80 years old and who are active leaders in their church and community.

2) My sisters, who are my best friends, and who are actively making a difference in young people's lives through their work in Christian education.

3) My nieces, who are beautiful, smart, creative Christian collegiates.

4) My nephews, who are smart, funny, talented, young Christian men.

5) My brothers-in-law, who are good fathers, good providers, good Christian husbands.

6) My colleagues, who are excellent, interesting, and dedicated Christian teachers.

7) My Bible study group that supports and challenges me on a weekly basis.

8) My friends, some of whom I've known for more than 35 years.

9) My two furry house compansions who make me laugh and feel important every day.

10) My health and peace of mind and soul.

11) The beauty that surrounds me here in New England.

12) Days off from work like today that afford me the opportunity to reflect on the blessings in my life, and then later join many of them at a big family dinner.

Meet Dustin

So..my niece is home...and the kitten has a name. I went over for supper and to welcome her home. After we ate, we tossed around some names for the new kitten. We knew it would have something to do with the Red Sox. We all are huge fans...so we tried out Fenway, Manny, Jacoby ("Jake"), and Ellsbury. But we finally landed on Dustin (Rookie of the Year), "Dusty" for short. It suits him.

He's adorable...and playful...and fits right into this household of cat lovers. There are two other cats already there (Misty and Shadow), and they aren't the happiest that there's this tiny little animal running around, but they are growing to accept him. Soon, they'll be a happy family.

New Kitten

A month ago, the cat my sister has had for 15 years, ran out the back door and down the driveway to explore the yard. She has not seen him since. Mittens was a present for my niece the Christmas before her brother was born and he has been a pal ever since. The family is devastated at his disappearance, but last weekend, my sister and I went to visit a cattery to see about getting a new kitten. Not for a replacement, but perhaps as a distraction.

If you've ever visited a cattery where there is at least one (potent) male, you know what I mean when I say you can smell it before you see it. Whew! But...seeing the adorable kittens makes you forget what you're smelling as you enjoy their playful sweetness.

These are ragdoll cats. My sister already has one bluepoint ragdoll. My own is a seal point mitted. They are hilarious, friendly, laidback, soft-as-a-rabbit cats. They make excellent pets, and if I had more space in my condo, I would have brought home one myself. But then I remember that the two I have are already a handful. Best leave well enough alone for myself. My sister? This afternoon she brought home the little boy here in her lap. He will get his name when her daughter comes home on Tuesday.

Technical Difficulties

I've been having technical difficulties for the past month at least. It started with my laptop crashing on a fairly regular basis, to the point where I had to final admit I needed a new one. There were a few hoops to jump through to get the new one ordered and then the two-week wait for it to be assembled and shipped.

In the mean time, a friend loaned me his brand new HP laptop that was fully loaded with most of the programs I use regularly, but not all. This limited me in what I could do, never mind that most of the people I work with don't have the latest versions of Word or Publisher, or other things I use to communicate with them. Still, I appreciated the generosity of this friend to let me use his new toy before he even got to do much with it. Limited or not, it was far better than not having anything at all, which is where I'd have been without it.

When the new laptop finally arrived on Wednesday I was all excited. Imagine my shock and dismay when I discovered that there was no software loaded or along with the computer rendering it useless to me for anything except e-mail. I am still waiting for that to arrive.

Then there's the fact that my several-times-dropped digital camera quit in the middle of an event at the end of October which forced me to buy a new one (which I got at a bargain, but hurt all the same). Add all this up, and you have a rather expensive reason for the lack of recent posts here. I hope to be back on track by next week.

All this adds up my not being able to do much with the blog, what with having no programs to work with, or no camera, or no way to edit, etc. I expect to be back to normal sometime next week. I can't wait until I have everything all together in one place, working (I hope) at optimum speed and quality.

Meanwhile, here are some interesting (to me) pictures that have been collecting in the new camera until I could download them today. The first picture is of the ivy that grows on the gymnasium wall at school. I think it looks pretty cool in it's fall colors. Next is a collection of basketballs in our gym waiting for the kids to finish their warmups so they can do drills. Again, it just looked cool to me. Then, there are my two funny housemates, May (the calico) and Teddy (the fluffball). The final two pictures are of birds lined up on the top of two stores that I visited on Sunday last. I just thought it was interesting how they all gathered up there in a row like that. It's too far away to see what they are, but I just liked the idea of all those birds lined up, looking down on all the shoppers =)