Long Hollow

Loving Me Some Pooh

“What day is it,?" asked Pooh.
"It's today," squeaked Piglet.
"My favorite day," said Pooh.”

 

 

The calendar says it's Tuesday, but it's Monday for me.

I'm already a day behind.

I arrived home late last night after a long, unplugged weekend, overflowing with friendship, laughter, tears, food, fellowship, sorrow, family, wine... (okay, and maybe a little tequila, too)...

There was my Diva gathering, a joyful experience.

Then Sunday morning a quick trip to Deer Park for the memorial service for another friend's husband who passed suddenly last week, a bittersweet time of memories, tears, hugs and laughter.

Afterwards, dinner on Clear Lake with another friend and her husband... sweet fellowship, delicious food and a glorious sunset.

The evening and the next day, hanging out with my parents (and a quick jaunt to see my sister)...a relaxing, heart-enriching time, just soaking up the sight of them.

But now, back home, back to "Normal", I'm drowning in laundry, unread emails, unread blogs, and unwritten words.  

So I'm going to take Pooh's attitude and be happy for today, just as it is. 

It's my favorite day!

Happy Monday, er, Tuesday!

(Thanks to Pete and Katie and others who reposted this on Facebook so I could see it!)

 

Gray Skies, Love, and other pieces of my morning

Gray skies accompanied me and the pups on my walk this morning, but they didn't reflect my thoughts for a change. Even though I'm missing Tom, it's been easier for me to focus on my blessings lately...just in time for Thanksgiving!

Because of that, I was able to appreciate the soft gray sky and the balmy breeze. We've started the Texas Winter Dance...two steps forward, one step back. If I haven't lived here all of my life, and I hadn't been watching the weather forecast warning of a cold front headed our way, it would be easy to believe we were skipping right over Winter and right into Spring.

Lately, I'm doing a better job taking each day as it comes...actually, each moment as it comes...and being grateful for it, all by itself, rather than as just another stepping stone into the future.

I confess I've had a little help from Mother Teresa with the attitude adjustment. Along with my coffee in the quiet house every morning, I like to read something inspirational or reflective - just bite off a small piece and chew on it till the next morning.

A few days ago I started re-reading her book No Greater Love. The effect on me is like throwing open the windows to let in sunshine and fresh air. If you haven't read it, I encourage you to, no matter what your beliefs. I believe her wisdom and insight go beyond religion, and there's something in her words for everyone. Her Christianity is plain, but she's not preaching. Of course, I'm a Christian, so maybe that's just my perception.

I'm including the section I've been chewing on today, so you can see for yourself...

"Always be faithful in little things, for in them our strength lies. To God nothing is little. He cannot make anything small; they are infinite. Practice fidelity in the least things, not for their own sake, but for the sake of the great thing that is the will of God, and which I respect greatly.

Do not pursue spectacular deeds. We must deliberately renounce all desires to see the fruit of our labor, doing all we can as best we can, leaving the rest in the hands of God. What matters is the gift of yourself, the degree of love that you put into each one of your actions.

Do not allow yourselves to be disheartened by any failure as long as you have done your best. Neither glory in your success, but refer all to God in deepest thankfulness.

If you are discouraged, it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about people's opinions. Be humble and you will never be disturbed. The Lord has willed me here where I am. He will offer a solution."

Okay, I guess she does mention God in there quite a bit. But her words do encourage me - I hope some of you find encouragement in them as well, and the others aren't offended.

To lighten this up, here's a little Thanksgiving humor, courtesy of my friend Cheryl...(I'm grateful for my crazy friends...) 

Hope you're having a wonderful, reflective, peaceful Thanksgiving week.

 

Connections

 

Here I am sitting on another Friday facing a jam-packed weekend and I haven't even mentioned the last one yet! How did Friday sneak up on me like this? Has it really been a week since I helped surprise Lexie for her 50th birthday? (She's the one in the blue birthday sash.)

I didn't actually know Lexie in high school - the youngest of my '77 classmates crossed over to the new decade months ago, but through Facebook I've gotten to know a few "youngsters" who graduated after me. Let the 50th birthday parties roll on!

Friendship is often compared to a garden and rightly so. These new friendships are sprouting from seeds planted unknowingly years ago - through old boyfriends, older siblings, dusty memories - and nurtured by contact on Facebook.

In Lexie's case, I worked with her sister Ellen at DuPont ages ago. I remember Ellen bragging about her little sister and being surprised that I didn't know her. When Lexie's name popped up on someone's Facebook page, I recognized it right away and sent her a message asking about Ellen. Next thing you know, I had not only reconnected with Ellen, but developed a friendship with Lexie as well.

Still, I was glad I arrived at the party with my friend Shari (we became connected through my old boyfriend - her husband!) These were her classmates and it was dawning on me I had never met many of them face-to-face; our high school was split between two campuses, so the two years difference between us meant we never attended school in the same building. I only knew them by their tiny little Facebook profile pictures. 

Within minutes, any nervousness I felt was gone. My garden grew immensely that night.

The other treasure of last weekend - getting to spend time with my parents, siblings, niece and all three of my kids. My oldest drove in from Dallas so he could see everyone in one visit (except for Tom - he begged off... too many cars to work on and too many weekends away from home for him!) I snapped lots of pictures... frozen memories to tuck away... but I'm respecting the Girl's wishes and not posting them here.

This was a fast week, but then, it's been a fast month. A fast spring! Summer is right around the corner and I have a feeling it's going to try to break a record by zooming past before I knew it was here. 

Before it does, I'm going to force myself to slow down this weekend and keep in mind the holiday tucked in at the end - Memorial Day. While I go about my business, I'll think about those military men and women who have died for our country, in the name of freedom. 

 

Running in Circles

A father's birthday celebration. A sick child. I was in limbo.

The critters were fed, bills were paid, I was showered and dressed, ready to hit the road to Pasadena, but I just couldn't go out the door. Although the child is technically an adult, not living at home and there was really nothing I could do, for some reason I just couldn't move a step farther away from her. Just in case she needed me.

My parents supported my decision not to come for the celebration. They probably would have even chastised me if I showed up there: they've always been the same kind of parents...on stand-by for us, 24-7.

The good news is my baby's fever broke - her cough, sore throat and asthma are all much better. Tamiflu and Prednisone - wonder drugs!

I've been craving a day at home to make a dent in this  mess, and one had been handed to me. But I took a look around and immediately felt stressed - where do I start? There was no way I could get it all done - cleaning AND organizing - so in the end I chose organizing. Dirt I can overlook (up to a certain point), but having things out of place, piled up, waiting to be returned to their proper spot, or, worse yet, still waiting for a proper spot...oh, someone hand me a paper bag! I'm hyperventilating again!

It was still a matter of focusing in one area and I chose my desk. After several hours of work, I'm happy to report that most of the piles are gone, files are returned to the file cabinet and others are shredded. It feels pretty good. Someone walking in my house wouldn't notice a damn thing different, but I feel like a teeny bit of weight is lifted off my shoulders.

Besides swimming through paperwork today, Tom and I took the dogs for a walk (Frankie still won't come with us. What's going on?) We climbed to the top of the hill near the curve, where a gazillionaire had started preparing to build his underground house, then just stopped. We haven't been up there in months - since before the triple digit temperatures - but nothing has changed. Such a mystery! It was a gray day, but the temperatures are down in the 50's - perfect for a walk on a country road to the top of a hill with a wonderful view of the hollow.

Charly climbed the hill with us. I'm starting to think he's got a few more years left!

Besides checking on my baby's condition via cell phone (wonderful inventions - how did parents survive long-distance relationships before?) and celebrating my dad's birthday vicariously over the phone, I  worked on my book, moved the laundry around, and practiced folding fitted sheets (thanks to a how-to video my friend Kim posted on Facebook. I'm hoping one day I'll be able to fold them without having to watch the video!)

That still doesn't seem like much for a whole day at home, though, does it?

Oh, I also caught up on some of my emails and came across this cartoon from my high school yearbook teacher - it's perfect for forgetful, always-running-in-circles-and-never-getting-anywhere procrastinators like me (thanks, Bob!) Happy Saturday!