for not updating regularly. I am going to write a novel in November and so I may not update here until December. A novel, you say? I have joined the crowds of wannabe novel writers and signed up at "NaNoWriMo". The mission, if you decide to accept it, is to write a 50,000 word novel before the clock strikes midnight on November 30, 2006. They tell me it's all about quantity rather than quality. It's a long freewrite. I'm reved up and ready to go!
See you in December!
Susan
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Sing Around the Campfire
This past week found me driving the backroads of Texas. Nathan, Christy and I headed down to the Gulf Coast(Lake Jackson, Texas) to visit my folks for a few days. We managed to arrive on one of those perfect Texas Blue Sky kind of days.
I had planned to spend 24 hours with two girlfriends while the kids hung out with the grandparents. Plans proceeded on course and after visiting with folks a couple of hours, my friend Susan whisked me away in her new Chevy Cavalier. We drove to Jana's newly purchased land(former plantation in the plantation days) that covers 417 acres. Jana met us as we drove up to the beautiful hilltop that will one day be her home. For now, it's clearing and building time. We gathered wood for a bonfire then set out in the "buggy" to explore the land. We had some adventures: had to gather rocks and fill in a low place so we could cross the creek "Bridge", I had to drive like a maniac through mosquito infested low lying area, we spotted a huge buck deer, drove down fairy lane and discoverd gorgeous purple flowers of unknown name, saw lots of happy cows and beautiful birds and woodland creatures. We rounded a bend and Jana showed me MY tree. It was a HUGE Oak-breathtaking-with limbs that touched the ground and vines and spanish moss and oh my! I hopped out of the buggy and hugged my new tree friend. I can't wait to go back with my journal and a blanket and sit under that tree, writing the afternoon away. Eventually we made our way back to the front 40 acres where Jana's home will one day stand. It was getting dark so we got our campfire going. Susan had candles for us and we lit those too and we sat inside the circle of towering oaks, tossing limbs on the fire, chatting, Susan played the flute and I banged on the drum, we gazed at the stars and moon and bared our souls, as women are prone to do. We felt like powerful women. Something about starting a fire and keeping it going makes you feel powerful. Good times. We sang songs around the campfire...or maybe we just hummed them. Lots more happened but I'll save that for a later post.
The next couple of days Nathan, Christy and I visited old favorites places and restaurants...we used to live in Lake Jackson. We had big plans of visiting Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas but the best laid plans didn't turn out. Weathermen predicted severe weather on the day of planned trip so we took those lemons and made lemonade. We went to Hastings and bought books, came back to the folks and read. Our reading was interspered with visiting and eating and walks, when it wasn't raining. Good day after all.
We got home on Friday, I washed clothes and packed again. The next morning, bright and early, I commenced on another trip with my sister. This time we went to my inlaws lakehouse in Kingsland, Texas. Lake LBJ has been giving me doses of sanity and serenity and serendipity for 25 years now...that's how long I've known my husband. Sis and I whiled away our 24 hours sitting on the patio, taking naps, talking, walking, eating, watching "Just Like Heaven"(awesome movie) and reading. ahhh We didn't sing around the campfire but we had the feeling one has after singing.
Now I'm home and like Dorothy so wisely said:
"THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!"
Susan
I had planned to spend 24 hours with two girlfriends while the kids hung out with the grandparents. Plans proceeded on course and after visiting with folks a couple of hours, my friend Susan whisked me away in her new Chevy Cavalier. We drove to Jana's newly purchased land(former plantation in the plantation days) that covers 417 acres. Jana met us as we drove up to the beautiful hilltop that will one day be her home. For now, it's clearing and building time. We gathered wood for a bonfire then set out in the "buggy" to explore the land. We had some adventures: had to gather rocks and fill in a low place so we could cross the creek "Bridge", I had to drive like a maniac through mosquito infested low lying area, we spotted a huge buck deer, drove down fairy lane and discoverd gorgeous purple flowers of unknown name, saw lots of happy cows and beautiful birds and woodland creatures. We rounded a bend and Jana showed me MY tree. It was a HUGE Oak-breathtaking-with limbs that touched the ground and vines and spanish moss and oh my! I hopped out of the buggy and hugged my new tree friend. I can't wait to go back with my journal and a blanket and sit under that tree, writing the afternoon away. Eventually we made our way back to the front 40 acres where Jana's home will one day stand. It was getting dark so we got our campfire going. Susan had candles for us and we lit those too and we sat inside the circle of towering oaks, tossing limbs on the fire, chatting, Susan played the flute and I banged on the drum, we gazed at the stars and moon and bared our souls, as women are prone to do. We felt like powerful women. Something about starting a fire and keeping it going makes you feel powerful. Good times. We sang songs around the campfire...or maybe we just hummed them. Lots more happened but I'll save that for a later post.
The next couple of days Nathan, Christy and I visited old favorites places and restaurants...we used to live in Lake Jackson. We had big plans of visiting Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas but the best laid plans didn't turn out. Weathermen predicted severe weather on the day of planned trip so we took those lemons and made lemonade. We went to Hastings and bought books, came back to the folks and read. Our reading was interspered with visiting and eating and walks, when it wasn't raining. Good day after all.
We got home on Friday, I washed clothes and packed again. The next morning, bright and early, I commenced on another trip with my sister. This time we went to my inlaws lakehouse in Kingsland, Texas. Lake LBJ has been giving me doses of sanity and serenity and serendipity for 25 years now...that's how long I've known my husband. Sis and I whiled away our 24 hours sitting on the patio, taking naps, talking, walking, eating, watching "Just Like Heaven"(awesome movie) and reading. ahhh We didn't sing around the campfire but we had the feeling one has after singing.
Now I'm home and like Dorothy so wisely said:
"THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!"
Susan
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Simple Sunday
Today was a TEXAS BLUE SKY DAY! I swept and swept. I love to sweep on a cool day like today, outdoors preferably. I swept the back porch and cleaned all the chairs, tables and the porch swing. * contented sigh* Then I made my way down to the gazebo and swept away the leaves and dirt from the strong storm that blew through a few nights ago. I sat down and watched the little birds flitting through the trees around the gazebo. I listened to the bubbling of the creek down below and I breathed deeply of the gorgeous day. It hit me....I am not at church and I don't miss it one bit. This Simple Sunday, in which I have swept and cleaned and inhaled nature, has been "Church" to me. It has filled my soul. It has made my heart sing. It has made me thankful. I'll take that kind of Simple Sunday any day.
Susan
Susan
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Reflecting on Today
At a forum I frequent, a friend asked us to reflect on our day. I wrote the following response and wanted to post it here for posterity. So, when one of those inevitable frustrating, down in the dumps kind of days comes along, I will look back and remember this lovely Fall day when all was right in my little corner of the world!
"I woke up to 50 degree weather, ahhh FALL has finally arrived in Texas! I flung the back door open, as well as several windows. Next I wrapped up in a blanket, grabbed a cup of coffee and headed out to the backporch. I simply enjoyed the smell, the feel, the sound of Fall. Last night, John and Nathan filled the firebox with wood and I gathered little sticks for kindling, in hopes that this week we will dip down in the 40's and have a fire in the fireplace. I'm hopeful! Fall weather makes me frisky and happy! Weather affects me a lot.
Christy, Nathan and I decided to enjoy the cool morning and start school in the afternoon. Christy rode her bike a bit and Nathan worked on a computer program and I read some. I reflected on how one of the perks of homeschooling is the flexible schedule.
After Christy & I came back in, I decided to go over to Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center and walk the labrynth. Glorious! I stood at the entrance and asked for "peace to fill every corner of my body" and then I began to walk. Oh Tia, the ground is covered with mulch and leaves. Anyway, I simply meditated on that thought, interspered with asking for "joy to fill every corner of my body". I listened to my footsteps. I stopped at the 3 trees that form a U, a snuggle place. I leaned back against them and thought about how trees are a sheltering place. Then I thought about my children and how they come and go under the sheltering tree(me) and it's right for them to do so. I thought about how leaves fall and that's like things falling from our life that no longer need to be there...not all bad things. Good things fall too when it's time. I reflected on how I need to let go of some things in my life, trust that this process is natural and right. It was a wonderful time of reflection and I left feeling very peaceful.
I came home and did a bit of housework, checked email, TD and IM'd with a friend then it was time to start school at 1pm! Oh yea, I supervised Christy making a perfect grilled cheese sandwich. Simply joys.
At lpm I said "Christy, let's do Spelling Power down in the gazebo." We both like to do school outside when the weather allows. I was calling out words for her to spell and one was "nature". I said "Nature can teach us many lessons." About 5 seconds later, 3 HUGE hawks flew over the trees and landed in the top of one that was in our line of vision. I said Christy "Look, I've never seen hawks that big." Then two more landed in the tree and then 3 started fighting. I said "Wow Christy, what are they trying to teach us?" She said "Well, there's plenty of room up there but I guess they all want to 'rule the roost;". I started laughing and said "I think you are right". Those three flew off and 3 more landed on our roof and then 2 more flew down the creek. I remarked to Christy that this was better than National Geographic! We watched them for a while, then went back and finished the Spelling Power lesson. It was cool to have this moment in the middle of our day and I felt blessed again that we were homeschooling. Nathan came down and we had a rather uneventful Spelling Power lesson but the happiness and peace lingered.
Later, Nicole (18dd) arrived at the house to type up a college paper-her computer is not working. Before she could type, she needed food so she made a grilled cheese sandwich and we chatted a while about her classes, boys and the dessert she and older Sis are preparing their grandparents tommorrow night. That made myheart happy. I hadn't known they had invited them over till today. These are my inlaws and we have had some rough moments over the years but I am blessed by their interest in the children's lives.
Hmmm, what next? I think I went back out to read. Consistent theme here...outside! It wasn't long till Adriana(20dd) showed up and we made coffee, went down to the gazebo to talk. She had been to lunch with a new boy "friend" and we chatted a bit about that. I managed to remember my lesson from this morning, about me being the sheltering tree and them going in and out. I chose to not worry and to remember what it's like to make these important discoveries about life.
So, John came home and we all(the four kids and parents) sat in the den talking a bit. The big girls headed back to their apartment, John went to play tennis, Nathan got on the computer, Christy & I watched "Survivor". I felt all was right in my little corner of the world...not perfect, but right where it's suppossed to be for TODAY.
Susan
"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be found in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story." Max Ehrman
"I woke up to 50 degree weather, ahhh FALL has finally arrived in Texas! I flung the back door open, as well as several windows. Next I wrapped up in a blanket, grabbed a cup of coffee and headed out to the backporch. I simply enjoyed the smell, the feel, the sound of Fall. Last night, John and Nathan filled the firebox with wood and I gathered little sticks for kindling, in hopes that this week we will dip down in the 40's and have a fire in the fireplace. I'm hopeful! Fall weather makes me frisky and happy! Weather affects me a lot.
Christy, Nathan and I decided to enjoy the cool morning and start school in the afternoon. Christy rode her bike a bit and Nathan worked on a computer program and I read some. I reflected on how one of the perks of homeschooling is the flexible schedule.
After Christy & I came back in, I decided to go over to Cedarbrake Catholic Retreat Center and walk the labrynth. Glorious! I stood at the entrance and asked for "peace to fill every corner of my body" and then I began to walk. Oh Tia, the ground is covered with mulch and leaves. Anyway, I simply meditated on that thought, interspered with asking for "joy to fill every corner of my body". I listened to my footsteps. I stopped at the 3 trees that form a U, a snuggle place. I leaned back against them and thought about how trees are a sheltering place. Then I thought about my children and how they come and go under the sheltering tree(me) and it's right for them to do so. I thought about how leaves fall and that's like things falling from our life that no longer need to be there...not all bad things. Good things fall too when it's time. I reflected on how I need to let go of some things in my life, trust that this process is natural and right. It was a wonderful time of reflection and I left feeling very peaceful.
I came home and did a bit of housework, checked email, TD and IM'd with a friend then it was time to start school at 1pm! Oh yea, I supervised Christy making a perfect grilled cheese sandwich. Simply joys.
At lpm I said "Christy, let's do Spelling Power down in the gazebo." We both like to do school outside when the weather allows. I was calling out words for her to spell and one was "nature". I said "Nature can teach us many lessons." About 5 seconds later, 3 HUGE hawks flew over the trees and landed in the top of one that was in our line of vision. I said Christy "Look, I've never seen hawks that big." Then two more landed in the tree and then 3 started fighting. I said "Wow Christy, what are they trying to teach us?" She said "Well, there's plenty of room up there but I guess they all want to 'rule the roost;". I started laughing and said "I think you are right". Those three flew off and 3 more landed on our roof and then 2 more flew down the creek. I remarked to Christy that this was better than National Geographic! We watched them for a while, then went back and finished the Spelling Power lesson. It was cool to have this moment in the middle of our day and I felt blessed again that we were homeschooling. Nathan came down and we had a rather uneventful Spelling Power lesson but the happiness and peace lingered.
Later, Nicole (18dd) arrived at the house to type up a college paper-her computer is not working. Before she could type, she needed food so she made a grilled cheese sandwich and we chatted a while about her classes, boys and the dessert she and older Sis are preparing their grandparents tommorrow night. That made myheart happy. I hadn't known they had invited them over till today. These are my inlaws and we have had some rough moments over the years but I am blessed by their interest in the children's lives.
Hmmm, what next? I think I went back out to read. Consistent theme here...outside! It wasn't long till Adriana(20dd) showed up and we made coffee, went down to the gazebo to talk. She had been to lunch with a new boy "friend" and we chatted a bit about that. I managed to remember my lesson from this morning, about me being the sheltering tree and them going in and out. I chose to not worry and to remember what it's like to make these important discoveries about life.
So, John came home and we all(the four kids and parents) sat in the den talking a bit. The big girls headed back to their apartment, John went to play tennis, Nathan got on the computer, Christy & I watched "Survivor". I felt all was right in my little corner of the world...not perfect, but right where it's suppossed to be for TODAY.
Susan
"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be found in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story." Max Ehrman
Thursday, October 12, 2006
More and more
the following quotes from "The Red Book" ring true to me! A year ago these words would have smacked of heresy and hocus pocus new age, but now they make sense and bring me comfort. What a difference a year can make. Que Sera Sera!
"Your relationship with the divine should dance and sway, should at all times be dynamic and energized and fluid, CONSTANTLY REDEFINING ITSELF(emphasis mine) as you progress. You are always growing, and your consciousness is continuously expanding; so should your relationship to divinity, as well as your expression of it. Attach too strongly to some spiritual practice or definition of the divine that's working for you now, and you could prevent that energy from moving, from evolving, from releasing when it needs to, in order to make room for new awareness, new lessons, and new wonder. It's a beautiful inverse relationship: The less clingy and attached you are, the more pure, flowing experience you get to enjoy."
AND
"All these spiritual techniques and practices are just tools; they are here to help you realize your true divine nature, but they cannot do the work for you. Tools are meant to teach you how to get to a certain point, a point where you can eventually let them go. They can show you the door, but it's up to you, and only you, to walk through."
Susan
"Your relationship with the divine should dance and sway, should at all times be dynamic and energized and fluid, CONSTANTLY REDEFINING ITSELF(emphasis mine) as you progress. You are always growing, and your consciousness is continuously expanding; so should your relationship to divinity, as well as your expression of it. Attach too strongly to some spiritual practice or definition of the divine that's working for you now, and you could prevent that energy from moving, from evolving, from releasing when it needs to, in order to make room for new awareness, new lessons, and new wonder. It's a beautiful inverse relationship: The less clingy and attached you are, the more pure, flowing experience you get to enjoy."
AND
"All these spiritual techniques and practices are just tools; they are here to help you realize your true divine nature, but they cannot do the work for you. Tools are meant to teach you how to get to a certain point, a point where you can eventually let them go. They can show you the door, but it's up to you, and only you, to walk through."
Susan
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Can I just say "DITTO"?
My friend, Julie, is one smart cookie. She often writes about things that are on my heart and she says them better than I could! :-) So, just go read her UPI column and you will know what I am thinking about today.
UPI Column
Susan
PTID Member
UPI Column
Susan
PTID Member
Thursday, October 05, 2006
ONE POST PER MONTH!
How's that for consistency? Time is flying. So much has happened this past month. Our two oldest daughters moved into an apartment about 15 minutes from home. It's working out well! We still see them almost every day but I don't have to remind them to pick stuff up or ask if they have any college homework(I try not to) or when they will be home or any of that annoying stuff that 20 year olds don't like to answer. :-) When they come, they want to see us and visit. When they go, they are free to pick up or not pick up their apartment, do their homework or not, etc..etc..
and I don't have to worry about it. Well, not much anyway. ;-)
We are in full Fall swing around here. Homeschooling in a mostly "relaxed" way though I'm determined to keep up with math this year and also do a bit more in the way of structured English(read Grammar and creative writing). Nathan is in 10th grade now and really has to stay on track to be prepared for college. He is self motivated and takes outside classes in Math and Chemistry, so he on target. He is currently immersed in a game called "Trolls and Tunnels". It seems to take a lot of creativity and he is enjoying the challenges. Christy, our youngest, is in sixth grade this year. What a fun age! She is always excited about something...be it some tidbit from one of her books...or the VERY large spider she discovered in the backyard. Yesterday she asked if I knew that George Washington had false teeth. Not only that, his teeth were made from horse, cow and elephant. I wonder what he looked like when he smiled? hehe Oh, and he made sure his horses got their teeth brushed daily.
I'm learning some new stuff too. I took a yoga workshop in August with the two oldest girls. I've been practicing some, as well as reading up a bit on the various types of yoga. John and I just finished a four week ballroom dance course. We learned rumba, chacha, waltz, foxtrot, triple swing and bolero! We have a very cool ballroom here in town where we can go dancing every Friday night. Oh, I'm also learning about EFT....it's an alternative health thing. You tap on various parts of your head and say some affirmation type stuff and it's good for you. :-) I've also been doing some deep relaxation with tapes. I'm learning to chill at the ripe old age of 49. Speaking of....only 3 more months till I hit the BIG 50! I am really excited about moving into the 50's. I expect more freedom and more joy and more of everything! WOOHOO
Now, I need to get MORE sleep. So off to bed!
Sweet Dreams!
Susan
and I don't have to worry about it. Well, not much anyway. ;-)
We are in full Fall swing around here. Homeschooling in a mostly "relaxed" way though I'm determined to keep up with math this year and also do a bit more in the way of structured English(read Grammar and creative writing). Nathan is in 10th grade now and really has to stay on track to be prepared for college. He is self motivated and takes outside classes in Math and Chemistry, so he on target. He is currently immersed in a game called "Trolls and Tunnels". It seems to take a lot of creativity and he is enjoying the challenges. Christy, our youngest, is in sixth grade this year. What a fun age! She is always excited about something...be it some tidbit from one of her books...or the VERY large spider she discovered in the backyard. Yesterday she asked if I knew that George Washington had false teeth. Not only that, his teeth were made from horse, cow and elephant. I wonder what he looked like when he smiled? hehe Oh, and he made sure his horses got their teeth brushed daily.
I'm learning some new stuff too. I took a yoga workshop in August with the two oldest girls. I've been practicing some, as well as reading up a bit on the various types of yoga. John and I just finished a four week ballroom dance course. We learned rumba, chacha, waltz, foxtrot, triple swing and bolero! We have a very cool ballroom here in town where we can go dancing every Friday night. Oh, I'm also learning about EFT....it's an alternative health thing. You tap on various parts of your head and say some affirmation type stuff and it's good for you. :-) I've also been doing some deep relaxation with tapes. I'm learning to chill at the ripe old age of 49. Speaking of....only 3 more months till I hit the BIG 50! I am really excited about moving into the 50's. I expect more freedom and more joy and more of everything! WOOHOO
Now, I need to get MORE sleep. So off to bed!
Sweet Dreams!
Susan
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