Thoughts of late...

As much as is possible, give freely.

As much as is possible, be content with what is freely given.

"Yesterday is just a memory.
Tommorrow we may never see.
Today is like a gift.
That's why it's called the present."

I know these words may sound a tad hokey but when I consider each day and each moment a gift, negative emotions flee and I am left with joy and appreciation for the gift of another day. Tommorrow may never come and on days when I truly understand this, words of love and appreciation flow from my heart to those I hold most dear.

Lesson of the Two Wolves

I like the Native American folk tale about the two wolves that live inside each of us. A grandfather is explaining this idea to his grandson. He says one wolf fills him with hope and reminds him how great life is, and the other fills him with doubt and tells him how nothing is worth the effort. The grandson asks his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The grandfather replies, "Whichever one I feed."

Lies

According to research, people lie an average of 55 times a day! These lies include the "How are you?" questions in which one replies "Fine", when in fact one is feeling lousy. Still--55 times a day on average? Wow.

Tommorrow I am going to try and catch myself in these little "lies". I hope to keep the number under 10! Want to join me?

Waterfalls

Waterfalls are mesmerizing and will speak to us, if we listen. Twenty-two years ago I stood before a beautiful waterfall on the Road to Hana in Maui. I was on my honeymoon and something about that waterfall was so full of promise...like the life that lay before me. There aren't a lot of waterfalls in Texas but there is a small one about 15 minutes from my house. I think I'll drive out there soon and see what the waterfall has to say to me...perhaps it will speak of promises yet to be realized.

I read that a good "rule" for deciding whether it is ok to pursue a particular course of action is this:

One of the great rules of life is that you can give yourself all the pleasure you like, just as long as nobody else is getting pain because you're giving yourself pleasure.

I know there are exceptions to every rule but this rule seems pretty right on to me. Sort of like "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." What do you think?

God Grant Me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change...

Courage to change the things I can

and Wisdom to know the difference.

Please pray for a miracle for my family, that somehow right and love and mercy would triumph. That somehow six hearts could be mended and knit together. It will take a miracle.

Thank you.

"Some say that we are different people at different periods of our lives, changing not through effort of will, which is a brave affair, but in the easy course of nature every ten years or so...I think one remains the same person throughout, merely passing as it were on these lapses of time from one room to another, but all in the same house. If we unlock the rooms of the far past we can peer in and see ourselves, busily occupied in beginning to become you and me."
J. M. Barrie, from the Dedication to his first edition of Peter Pan.

My friend, Ampersand, posted this song at her blogspot for some cyberfriends who might to need to hear it. I was one of those friends. I'm passing it along to you, in case you could use a dose of encouragement too!

"When I took a tadpole puddle home, I realized just how much things can change overnight!"
Zoe Lewis, from the fantastic CD "Small is Tremendous"

If you ever have a chance to hear Zoe Lewis, run don't walk. She is remarkable, quirky, a poet, a storyteller, a comedian, an extraordinary musician and she has a strong dose of wanderlust that she pursues with a passion. Here's a link to her website, where you can read more and hear one of her songs:

http://www.zoelewis.com/

Remember, small is tremendous!

"Love is like a butterfly: if you
hold it too close you can kill it,
but if you don't hold it close enough,
it can fly away."
~~Anonymous

Smiles & Hugs

Amma
I love her smile!

Below is a review from amazon.com. I was inspired to buy the dvd after reading the review.

"Darshan: The Embrace, is truly a film of great inspiration. Rather than focusing on Amma's verbal teachings, the film exquisitely zooms in on Amma's physical presence, her dark radiant face, her arms reaching out to thousands of devotees, her legs barely able to walk after a non-stop 21 hour marathon of constant embracing. Such images say more than words ever can. It brought tears to my eyes.
The film beautifully captures the feel and colorful look of the Indian countryside, and the pure madness, filth and chaos of the cities, as devotees embark with Amma on one of her seemingly endless tours. And what is the final message here? That there is such a thing as Pure Unconditional Love. Is this not a message of hope during our troubed times? Darshan captures what is deeply essential the way all great art does; by taking the viewer beyond words." --David Fields

Brokeness

Former Evangelical Perspective: The broken tree represents Christ's body broken for me. It represents the wooden cross Christ hung upon. Two trunks; one dead and one living represent the death of Christ and his resurrection. In the midst of brokeness, there is still life and hope.
Current Spiritual Perspective:What can the tree teach me? Life is a mixture of joy and sorrow. My life has some parts that are broken and it also has green growing parts. The tree may be a bit lopsided, after cutting away the broken branches, but I'm a bit lopsided too. There is a quirky kind of beauty in a lopsided tree...it's weathered the storms of life and now has a different kind of beauty. In it's "brokenness" this quirky Tulip Tree will still soak up the sun, put forth beautiful flowers and provide shelter for all manner of creatures. My former evangelical perspective and my current spiritual perspective aren't so far apart after all: In the midst of brokeness, there is still life and hope.

Foodies

This morning I was preparing Ampersand's Tuna Salad(white albacore, cranberries, diced red onion, s&p, and mayo) for lunch, while Christy was unloading the dishwasher and talking about Paula Deen. If you are from the South or watch the Food Network, then you know about Paula Deen. She is funny and a good Southern cook. Christy was telling me about a marinated shrimp salad that Paula prepared and she listed the ingredients. I suppressed a chuckle because she sounded so grown up (she will be 12 later this month) but mostly I wanted to chuckle because she sounded like me! Two foodies. Actually, all the kids are foodies and fairly adventurous eaters. Ana and I dream of attending a class at
Ballymaloo Cooking School in Ireland. Nicole whips up a pasta sauce for mushroom ravioli that is to die for. Christy has taken to watching the Food Network and cooking "Eggy in a Basket" or "Toads in A Hole" or "Popeyes"(that's what Paula Deen calls them). Nathan is the guinea pig that is happy to try anything we cook up. He also makes perfect fried eggs!

"One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating. ~Luciano Pavarotti"

This is my song, oh God of all the nations,
a song of peace for lands afar and mine

This is my home, the country where my heart is,
here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine

But other hearts in other lands are beating
with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine

My country's skies are bluer than the ocean
and sunlight beams on clover, leaf and pine

But other lands have sunlight too and clover
and skies are everywhere as blue as mine

Oh hear my song, oh God of all the nations,
a song of peace for their land and for mine

Hymn from Finlandia

Forest Gump

If you have never seen this movie, do so soon. If you have seen it, watch it again soon. This is one clarifying, purifying, rejuvinating movie. My eyes are swollen from crying and my side hurts from laughing but I'm so glad I watched "Forest Gump" yet again. This movie puts life, in all its up and downs, in perfect perspective!

A Blessing

".... May you be embraced by God,
in whome dawn and twilight are one, and may your belonging inhabit its deepest dreams within the shelter of the Great Belonging."
John O'Donohue

Religion and Spirituality

"I believe there is an important distinction to be made between religion and spirituality. Religion I take to be concerned with belief in the claims to salvation of one faith tradition or another-an aspect of which is acceptance of some form of meta-physical or philosophical reality, including perhaps an idea of heaven or hell. Connected with this are religious teachings or dogma, ritual, prayers and so on. Spirituality I take to be concerned with those qualities of the human spirit-such as love and compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, a sense of responsibility, a sense of harmony, which bring happiness to both self and others."
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama

How would you distinguish between "religion" and "spirituality"?

What Color Of Green Are You?

You Are Apple Green

You are almost super-humanly upbeat. You have a very positive energy that surrounds you. And while you are happy go lucky, you're also charmingly assertive. You get what you want, even if you have to persuade those against you to see things your way. Reflective and thoughtful, you know yourself well - and you know that you want out of life.

What Color Green Are You?

I really don't think this is my color but I've gotten it twice now. Does this sound vaguely like my enneagram confusion angst? The only thing that sounds like me is the "reflective and thoughtful" part. lol I am not super-humanly upbeat or happy go lucky. I don't always get what I want. Oh well, there must be some corner of my psyche that is apple green.

Splendor Over Broken Glass
Ageless times ago my Babka told me
so --that the forces at work inside of me
held abundance.

As a child I found her stories sounded
like Christian fairy tales.

Now as a grandmother, I know abundance
comes during times of stillness
and from a mind
alert to wisdom's brief moments.

What appears as disease,
divorce or loss,
is possibility disguised
waiting for an action or reaction.
Even injustice that ends in death --
closely holds rebirth.

Like splendor over broken glass
opportunities emerge
mysterious.

from "A Crone's Crossing", Mary Fogarty

WhatNots

These WhatNots sit on top of the corner bookshelf in my "College in the Closet". Where did the word "WhatNot" come from? Is it even in the dictionary? A little history on my WhatNots, left to right and back around:

Swan... holding my burdens and annointed with lavender
Tiny bottle of bubbles...I keep them on hand for celebrations
Angel...a gift from the heart of someone special
Gold Treasure Box...made by my youngest daughter and it holds more WhatNots
Red Candle...given by a friend
Red & Pink Stone...given by a friend
Stamp...with Mother Teresa's words, "Every act of Love is a work of Peace..No matter how small!"

P.S. According to Webster,
Whatnot: 1)a nondescript or indescribable thing or, sometimes person
How would you like to be called a "Whatnot"?
2)a set of open shelves, as for bric-a-brac
OH DEAR, now I must go look up....
Bric-a-brac: 1)small, rare, or artistic objects placed about a room
2)knickknacks
OH DEAR, now I must go look up...
Knickknacks: A small ornamental article or contrivance: gimcrack
OH DEAR, what is a "Gimcrack"?
Gimcrack: An ornament, showy but cheap or useless
Well, Well, I hope you learned as much as I did on this little rabbit trail!
Technically the Title of this post should be "Bric-a-Brac on a Whatnot" but I think I'll leave it at WhatNots and call it a night!

Rocking the Boat

I read the following analogy, regarding co-dependency, HERE.

"....I never liked to "rock the boat." What if it tipped over? Who would help me to get it back up straight? How would I handle other's reactions? Especially those in the boats around me, since I'd have made ripples in the water we shared. Oh my goodness - others might get angry at me! Gasp! Or act in ways that might cause either of us pain.

So, is it good to never make the water ripple? Good for whom? It certainly isn't good for me when I am feeling unhappy and controlled by external forces beyond myself. I was out of control of my own craft. I never knew quite where I was going...

I didn't steer my boat of life without checking with other boaters in my waters to make sure I didn't cause a ripple effect. Though inevitably this is most impossible. Sometimes I hit a rock (I am tired, or am not seeing the results I want), sometimes I collided with another boat. My boat rocked - yet, I tried hard to first steady the other boat - at any cost. My cost.

It is very expensive to maintain such smooth waters. Much of my energy is used up. It is hard work trying never to ripple the waters or the other boaters. Much harder work than paddling along and simply deciding how I'm going to steer my course when I do hit one of life's inevitable rocks. Maybe I could let my boat run over the rocks and see what happens. If what happens is destructive to me, I could steer my boat away from the rocks (remove myself). My choice. Same thing if I collide with another boater.

I have the option of expending my energy to right the other boater's craft, or I might firmly tell the other boater, "This is not okay, this way is not working for me." Then I could listen to the boater's response. The boater may resist, or may listen.

Maybe it is time to sit for a while and enjoy the sun. I don't have to allow my boat to capsize. Nor do I have to adjust my course because the other boater is not happy with my boat - unless, of course, I truly want to adjust my course. I certainly no longer adjust my course because the other boater is not happy with my course when I know my course is right for me!

The other boater may eventually be ready to discuss how we may both float around the river in harmony. Maybe the boater could decide on a neutral place that can work for both of us. Or maybe the other boater will decide that the best option is for us to have minimal contact at present. Or that our contact will limit itself just enough to keep the waters flowing around other boats we may have in common.

This boater and my boat may never totally agree with each other. But perhaps they can decide that while they both are paddling in different directions, they are aiming towards the same destination. Therefore at times it is better for each to stay on its own path and only meet when absolutely necessary. Or not. For now. Or forever, as time will tell.

Though one thing is for sure, each boater needs to "Trust in Thy Self", and know they can handle whatever decision they make to follow their own navigation system and the consequences associated with their path.
If my boat is going where I want it to, then its likely the right path for me. If I don't like where I'm going, then maybe I need to adjust my course. If I cross paths with another boat, each of us individually must decide how to steer our respective courses. What ever direction I choose to steer my boat towards is the pathway I create. I may never know where the pathway may lead, but I will know I am in control of my own rudder. I am responsible. I am in control of the only thing I have any control over: me!

And that is all I need to work on.

Each boater is responsible for his own craft's course. Neither knows the outcome, so why trust those outside of the Self for answers? Only time will tell if the chosen path produces the desired results. Oh, it's OK to hear the other boater's opinion and weigh it, but...
No boater can tell another what steps will be the "right" ones. It is all just predicting, and predictions are never guaranteed. I think I'd rather trust my own hunches than someone else's.

So each boater can do no better than to trust it's own rudder. There are no guarantees...
Knowing there are no guarantees, why put your boat in some other captain's hands? Who knows where you want to go better than you do?

TRUST THY SELF! And look at where you can go!

Conflicted Enneagram?

Allrightee, a year ago when I took the enneagram test I came out a cross between a TWO and FOUR. Some friends that know me didn't think I was a four. Most women/mothers are conditioned to be a TWO. This morning, just for grins and after reading a friends blog where she talked about being a FIVE, I decided to go online and take the freebie short test. To unnamed friend, I also have the FIVE characteristic of reading tons of books and doing lots of research. Anyway, during this mornings test I tried super hard to be honest about my character and with a therapy session under my belt, I did change a couple of answers after some honest reflection. Instead of getting a "clearer" reading, I got multiple personalities. I had a 3-way tie between TWO, FOUR and SIX. If I averaged them that would make me a FOUR. Perhaps I shall never REALLY know my enneagram number. What number are you if the thought of never knowing concerns you?

free enneagram test

free enneagram test

free enneagram test
What number are you?

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

I stole this from Ampersand's blog. She finds the coolest stuff!

Ampersand suggested we all do a "13 Guilty Pleasures" list and since I'd feel guilty if I didn't take her up on the offer, well here we go!

1)Staying in my robe until lunch.

2)Reveling in the knowledge that it is spring break and I don't have to do any grading of papers or runnings kids to classes and yet, dh doesn't get a spring break from work.

3)Hitting the send button at amazon.com, all the while knowing I have 5-6 new books(from amazon.com) that I haven't had time to read yet.

4)Real butter.

5)Massages....I love them but the expense causes guilt afterward.

6)Staying up till 3 am, reading, knowing I'll be exhausted the next day but doing it anyway.

7)Weekend getaways ALONE, sans kids or husband.

8)Not going to church on Sunday, rather going down to the gazebo to meditate, journal, read, ponder and listen to the birds.

9)Taking classes: art, spiritual, writing, cooking

10)Weekend getaways with girlfriends

11)Keeping a fire going all day when it's really not that cold outside

12)Filet Mignon and Lobster

13)Buying Oprah magazines off the rack instead of subscribing

Susan

I Am From...

I am from catching fireflies in a mayonnaise jar on warm summer nights. I am from banana popsicles dripping down skinny arms and falling asleep to the hum of the air conditioner. I am from bedtime stories read aloud by my Mama and perfect bbq chicken cooked over charcoal by my Daddy. I am from playing "trolls" with my little sister, dressing up my fat cats and making big wishes upon the first star. I am from parents that loved each other and the security that bestowed.

I am from Southern Baptist roots, hellfire and brimstone, Lottie Moon offerings and missionaries from mysterious places, noisey church socials, "Jesus loves the little children", thrice baptized just to make sure and I am from questions. I am from EFree, the Vineyard, the Toronto Blessing, intercession, praise and worship, dreams that speak for God and I am from questions. I am from Bible studies, lots of home groups, out there workshops, spiritual seeking and I am from questions. I am from walking the labrynth, opening the closed doors, seeing the Oneness and I am making peace with the questions.

I am from the South. I am from the Gulf Coast of Texas, mosquitos that swarm you, beach water that warms you, moss filled oak trees that shelter you, jumbo shrimp and handcranked ice cream that fills you and hurricanes that change your life. I am from a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins that shared feasts at Thanksgiving and cookouts in the summer. I am from playing "Annie, Annie Over", "Hide and Seek" and "Dodge Ball" with my cousins. I am from sleeping on cots under the stars at Huntsville State Park and from playing teacher with my big blackboard and dolls. I am from big paper bags filled with Halloween candy collected on a fun-filled night, from days of bycicle riding with my best friend Judy, from nights of clandestinely watching television through the crack in the hallway door. I am from climbing trees, reclining under trees and playing in treehouses. I am from weekly trips to the library and summer afternoons of reading.

I am from dancing in my go-go boots to Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Are Made For Walking", from drill team dancing at Friday night football games, from country western dancing in old wooden buildings, fom disco dancing under sparkly strobe lights and from slow dancing to "Surfer Girl" in the high school gym. I am from county fairs; riding my high school's float in the parade, marching in the parade, feeling my stomach drop as the ferris wheel went over the top, feeling sorry for the animals in the rodeo and sharing sticky cotton candy with my boyfriend.

I am from the land, from grandparents that were farmers, parents that did not want to be and the longings I had to return . I am from grandmothers that grew hollyhocks and tomatoes, irises and strawberries, pear trees and okra. I am from farmers markets on Saturday, from picking peaches in the orchard and blackberries along the railroad tracks. I am from lasagna beds, raised beds, square foot gardening and planting vegetables with my kids.

I am from two generations that didn't go to college. I am from working hard to pay for a college education, from college capers with girlfriends, from learning the hard way, from dancing to Willie Nelson at the Broken Spoke, to margaritas and mexican food on Sixth Street, to flying kites at Zilker park, to the orange victory light in the tower at University of Texas, to running the Capital 10,000, to hearthighs and heartbreaks, to driving with the windows down and singing "Ride Like the Wind", to receiving my Bachelors and the victory that it represented.

I am from YUPPYville, two piece suits with bowties, tall high rises and cubicles, EEO reports and conducting interviews, moving up the ladder, avoiding advances of bosses, and falling in love with the dark eyed guy that worked with my roomate.

I am from the StayAtHome Moms Club, four darling children, chubby hands bearing flowers, tea times to treasure, homeschooling highs and lows and laughter to last a lifetime. I am from family vacations at the lakehouse, tubing at Schlitterbahn, cheering for my children and crying sometimes too.

I am from the highs and lows of marriage, making lemonade from lemons, understandings that keep me going, silent ships passing in the night, fun filled ballroom dancing, memories that have multiplied and till death do us part.

I am from backburners and moving things forward. I am from seekers, explorers, travelers, writers and artists...all those that dream inside of me. I am from deep friendships and forever family. I am from living in the balance and finding joy in the journey.

Namaste,
Susan

Need Direction?

Labyrinth Walking Online

"I believe happiness and joy are the purpose of life. If we know that the future will be very dark or painful, then we lose our determination to live. Therefore, life is something based on hope...
An innate quality among sentient beings, particularly among human beings, is the urge or strong feeling to encounter or experience happiness and discard suffering or pain. Therefore, the whole basis of human life is the experience of different levels of happiness. Achieving or experiencing happiness is the purpose of life."
His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Come visit me....

here! This is my new home and where I'll be spending most of my time, for the forseeable future. I hope you will stop by and say "Howdy".

Carpe Diem!
Susan

Another Day!

Lately, I've been thinking about what it means to "wake up" and how we do that all our lives. Look here. We wake up to new understandings, to new goals, to new ways of loving and living. I was visiting "Mice and Moonbeam's" blog and discovered an awesome James Taylor song that I'd never heard before. The title is "Another Day" and I can't get over how nicely it meshes with some of my thoughts of late. James was kind enough to use my name in his song!

ANOTHER DAY

Wake up Suzy
Put your shoes on
Walk with me into this light
Finally this morning
I'm feeling whole again
It was a hell of a night

Just to be with you by my side
Just to have you near in my sight
Just to walk a while in this light
Just to know that life goes on

Wake up Suzy
Put your shoes on
Walk with me into this light

Another night has gone
Life goes on
Another dawn is breaking
Turn and face the sun
One by one
The world outside is waking

Morning light has driven away
All the shadows that hide your way
And night has given away
To the promise of another day

Another day
Another chance that we may
Finally find our way
Another day

The sun has begun
To melt all our fears away
Another day
Another day

Oh wake up Suzy
Put your shoes on
Walk with me into this light



Here's to WakingUp!

Susan

How old are you?

I AM FIFTY
It feels round in my mouth
and full of energy.

Fifty is a landmark,
to remind me where I have been
to show me where I want to go.

Fifty is a sailboat
waiting for the wind
and sailing forward when it comes.

Fifty if a gift,
a half century of life
and appreciation for the living to come.

How old are you? How does it make you feel?

Susan

PERSPECTIVE!

I woke up and discovered....It's A Small World After All!
Sing it with me, please.

REST

"Night With Her Train of Stars And Her Great Gift Of Sleep"

by Edward Hughes, paints a nice picture of how I am feeling. I need to sleep on this blog for a little while. I am waiting for words to share. I'll be back after a brief respite or when the words come back.
I am continuing on with my photoblog so you can catch me there.

A Different Perspective...

In My Own Language

Valuable message! Be sure and watch the entire video.

Susan

Judith Orloff May Change My Life!

This book has been in my stack of "to be read" books for about 6 months now. Today, I picked it up and began reading. Can I just say "For such a time as this!" The advice in this book is perfect for my mountain climbing adventure, described here. ahhh, synchronicity!

If you want to read more about "Postive Energy", go here.

Susan

Inspiring the Artist Within!

“The aim of an artist is not to solve a problem irrefutably, but to make people love life in all its countless, inexhaustible manifestations. If I were told that I could write a novel whereby I might irrefutably establish what seemed to me the correct point of view on all social problems, I would not even devote two hours to such a novel; but if I were to be told that what I should write would be read in twenty years’ time by those by who are now children and that they would laugh and cry over it, and love life, I would devote all my own life and all my energies to it.”
Leo Tolstoy

Wise man, that Leo! You can read more about him here.

Carpe Diem!
Susan

Strapping On The Boots!

An online friend asked how my doctors appointment went yesterday. The appointment was to get the results of extensive blood work I had done mid-December. I am posting my response here, as a reminder of the mountain I have to climb and as a declaration that I do intend to climb it!

"Well, it was a follow-up to extensive blood work I had done. This past year I have not taken good care of my diabetes and it showed. I have HUGE work to do or I'll have to begin insulin shots instead of continuing with oral diabetic meds. The doctor believes I can do it IF I am willing to WORK really hard. I am willing but AM I willing? I think Rachel mentioned somewhere how we know what to do but we don't always do it. I "think" the bottom line for why I don't take care of myself comes down to 1)24 hours in a day where I am busy taking care of so many people and I put myself last 2)food is a reward and a cheap easy one 3)I don't think I can spend the time on myself to exercise and buy good food and cook good food.
I know this is all ridiculous because if I don't spend the time it will be harder on me and my family when I have major complications. So, I've got some mental/emotional work to do as well as major lifestyle changes.

I'm fighting the feel sorry for yourself because you can't help having this disease because your parents have it, it is rampant in both sides of your extended family, yada yada. However, it boils down to "YOU HAVE IT, SUSAN" and you need to get your head out of the sand and do something about it."

So, for the good news. My pulse is fantastic, my cholesterol is good, my thryoid levels are good(I have hypothyroidism), no damage to the liver from the diabetes, well doc says everything is good except the blood sugar levels.

I had the blood drawn mid December and made some changes right away. I bought a treadmill and tv. I'm consistently walking 3 days a week and working up to five. I stopped drinking Coke (well almost stopped, cut WAY back) and switched to Coke Zero, water or tea. I AM taking my medicines. I have had a hard time remembering to take them consistently. That is ridiculous too but something about me...maybe it's subconscious resistance...who knows?

John and I went out to dinner and then came home. My first step towards improving the diabetes was to only eat half my meal. There wasn't really anything we wanted to see at the movies and I needed to think about the doctor's orders. I had gone straight from the doctor to dinner with John, so I was a bit down during the meal. Anyway, it's weird but I came home and started cleaning out the medicine cabinet and the pantry. I threw away at least 6 bags of expired meds, old boxes of this and that, old jars of marinade, amazing what all was in there. My overriding motivation was TO KNOW what was in my pantry and medicine cabinets. Somehow that seemed a good place to start.



So, I'm making a list of more nutritious foods to get at the store today, I'm making a schedule for myself with taking care of myself as a priority and I'm counting my blessings that there is something I can do to improve my blood sugar levels.

I would appreciate prayers, good wishes, advice or anything people want to offer. I have a huge mountain to climb and I'm strapping on the boots."

Susan

FRIDAY MISCELLANY

1)I'm going on a date tonight, with my hubby of almost 22 years. We are going to "Texas Roadhouse" for a good steak and excellent margarita. Afterward, we plan to take in a movie. Any suggestions?

2)Check out THIS DAY IN HISTORY to find a bit of trivia about a great poet and author that was born on January 19th. Rather tragic life.

3)The ice has finally melted, so I will be out and about today. I did enjoy the ice dusting and crunching for a few days. Here is a photo from our backyard to prove that yes, we did have ice in Texas. Do you know the difference between an "ice spike" and an "icicle"?

4)Thought for the day, paraphrased from the book "Welcome To Your Crises".
Mourn your loss but also celebrate the doorways loss opens for you....you liberate your latent self by doing so.

5)TGIF!!!!!!!!!! Do something fantastically fun today and then tell us about it!

ADIOS AMIGOS!

Getting To Know You!

1)If you could travel anywhere, where would you like to go?
2)If you were sure you could not fail, what would you attempt to do?
3)If you had one month to live, how would you choose to spend your time?

If I could travel anywhere, I would visit England, Ireland and Scotland. Those three count as one place to go. ha! I'm part Scotch, English, German and French so I could see two of my native lands with this one trip. Practical,eh?

If I was sure I could not fail, I would write a best seller or hike the Appalachian Trail from end to end.

If I had a month to live, I would spend it with those I love the most. Plus, I'd eat lobster three times a day!

How about you?

Susan

A Two Post Kind of Day!

"I HAVE A DREAM!"

If you have never listened to Martin Luther King's famous speech, here is your chance to do so. I hope that we all have dreams such as this one.

Susan

Library Haul

I left my list of y'alls book recommendations at home, due to the unexpected nature of yesterday's library trip, but managed to come home with quite a haul of books. I have the usual suspects: quirky home design books, yummy cookbooks and self-help books.

The roads are icey and we are home- snug as a bug in a rug-and happy to read the afternoon away.

Susan

FLOOD!

After 24 hours of rain, our normally gentle creek rose about 10 feet and became quite ferocious! We determined that is was going to overflow the retaining wall and flood our lower terrace about 15 minutes before it did so. Actually, I had been predicting this for over an hour but we won't go there. We scurried around in heavy cold rain, sans umbrellas, moving the gazebo furniture and benches so that they wouldn't be swept away or broken by the powerful water.


The gazebo under about 4 inches of water. One watches helplessly.

The rain has abated and the creek is back to "almost" normal. We will see what the next few days of icey rain bring. Fortuanately,for now, our fence held and none of the terrace bricks were swept away. We are without internet access and I'm having withdrawal. Nathan asked me to take him to the library and it didn't take much to persuade me, as I knew there were computers with internet access available. haha!
Icey roads may keep us home for a few days.

Stay warm and dry, everyone!

Susan

FRIDAY MISCELLANY

1)Did you know that a CORD of wood measures 4 ft. x 4 ft. x 8 ft? You country types probably know this. We are having a cord of wood dropped off in our driveway and I do mean "dropped" off. There will be chunks of wood all over the driveway. As we have done, for the past several years, the family will carry wood in antlike fashion from the driveway to the far corner of the backyard, where we will stack the cord of wood into a large rectangle...4 ft. x 4ft. x 8ft. I understand it will be raining this afternoon, which will add to the moving adventure. I think maybe I'll be cooking up some grub while the others move the firewood. They will be hungry when the project is completed.

2)Have you heard of Altered Books? My eldest daughters made one in their college collage class this year. They are the newest rage and quite unique.

3)MOVEON.org is a good place to look for rallys and other activities aimed at getting us out of Iraq or at least letting the powers to be know that some of us want to get out of Iraq asap. There was a rally last night, 30 miles from my home, but I had a prior comittment. I hope to make the next one.

4)I might as well share a recipe that would be good for Super Bowl, or anytime for that matter.

HOT BEAN DIP
1 can(16oz) refried beans
8 oz. cream cheese
4 oz. montery jack with jalapeno, grated
4 oz sharp cheddar, grated
8 oz. sour cream
1/2 taco seasoning packet
20 drops hot sauce
Mix softened cream cheese and sour cream. Add 4 oz of both cheeses in and save the rest for the top. Add beans and spices. Pour into buttered dish and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or till hot. Serve with chips. It's also good in flour tortillas with slices of avocadoe.

5) "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Lao-tzu
This is a favorite quote of mine that inspires when the task seems daunting. How about sharing a quote that inspires you?

Susan

How Many People Have YOUR Name?

HowManyOfMe.com

There are: 5 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

"CRIMSON DAWN" by Edward Raymes


"We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn."
Henry David Thoreau

How do you keep yourself awake?

Susan

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS, PLEASE

I am starting my 2007 book list and would like to solicit recommendations from you! I am a sucker for books, with shelves overflowing throughout the house, and I truly believe you can't have too many books! This is the one place where I part company with the wise simplicity gurus. I love simplicity books, and own several of them, but they take it a bit too far when they suggest limiting books. haha

What would you recommend I read this year?

My recommendations for you:
Fiction: "The Scent of Water", Elisabeth Goudge
NonFiction: "A Walk On The Beach", Joan Anderson

Happy Reading in 2007!

Susan

After The Rain...

The overturned backyard whiskey barrel, also used as a goldfish pond in warmer weather, topped with leaves and a sheet of glassy water. Mesmerizing.

Susan

ANIMAL FOSTER CARE, PART 2

We only thought we had a home for Little Vanilla. As it turns out, the family was unable to meet the criteria we set forth for adoption. Seriously, pekingnese need to be inside most of the time, at least kept out of extreme temperatures, and this family wasn't sure they could do that. Plus, pekingnese aren't that happy to share their family with other dogs and these folks had two german sheperds. We all wanted it to work but in the end, we felt Little Vanilla had a better chance of finding the best home, if he went to the Animal Shelter.

This morning, John and I took this most adorable dog to the Animal Shelter. Prior to our leaving, tears had been shed by all the girls in the family. It was rough. John and I pull into the Animal Shelter and there are two carloads of families getting out. I say "Hurry John, let's get him inside and I'll talk to these people and tell them what a great dog he is." We scurry in as fast as we can....carrying this gigantic dog crate....and I eye the crowd in the waiting area. I announce, to no one in particular, "We have the perfect dog here. He is the sweetest thing, if anyone is looking for a dog." The Animal Control person comes over and takes him out of the cage. They run the scanner over him and there is no microchip. They ask if he is neutered and I shrug. She proceeds to feel around a bit and pronounces him "neutured" and says "Oh, that's really good." John asks "How do you know he is neutered?" I say "John!" and all the little kids standing around are all ears now. The woman says "The packaging is missing." John sort of snickers and thankfully, we proceed without further discussion of neutering technique. Everyone is oohing and ahhing over him, even though the folks that have come in are looking for kittens. I ask the lady, "What will happen to him?" and she says "He is neutered, so we will keep him until he is adopted." I didn't let myself think about what happens to those poor critters that aren't neutered. Then she says, "With a face like this, he will be adopted in no time." I said, "Oh I hope so but please make sure it's someone that will keep him inside because these kind of dogs have breathing problems." She sort of looks at me like, "Lady, you are asking a little bit much here." Anyway, so we are filling out paperwork and she said she was going to check the phone register to see if anyone had called in with a lost pekingnese. Lo and behold, she proclaims "Yes, we have a call describing this dog, lost in the Bird Creek area!" We excitedly said, "Yes, we live on Bird Creek." So, she calls the number and finds Little Vanilla's owner.
I break out into the HALLELUJIAH chorus(at least inside I"m singing). The owner will pick up Little Vanilla this afternoon. YAY But I'm not done yet. I say to the Animal Control woman, "Have you noticed how matted his fur is? That seems sort of odd to me. I hope these people take good care of him." The woman said, "Oh no, his fur is great compared to what I've seen before. We had a pekingnese come in here last week and I had to completely shave him." I say "OK" sort of skeptically. Then John asks if she would have the owner call us, so we can know that everything is ok with Little Vanilla. Then he laughs and says "Our kids might want to visit him sometime." Another woman that works there came over to me and said, "Y'all sure are nice people." awww I turned around to Little Vanilla because I wanted to pet him one last time and he was gone. gulp
So as we head home, I call the kids with the good news. John has managed to get the name of the owner and looks up her address on the internet. They go find the house and come to report the condition. It's a nice house and only 1 1/2 blocks away. Why I didn't think to call Animal Control on Tuesday, I'll never know. Maybe it had something to do with the four of us having the flu. Or maybe we just needed Little Vanilla in our lives for a few days.

It's been good knowing you little Vanilla and I hope we meet again!



Susan

If you REALLY knew me....

Have you heard of the "If you REALLY knew me" game? I played it last night,
with a couple of good friends.

OK, I'll start with 3 "REALLY knew me" statements, to give you an idea of the game.

1)"If you REALLY knew me, you would know I love to ride horses but haven't in years."
2)"If you REALLY knew me, you would know I get angry when someone is mistreated or belitted."
3)"If you REALLY knew me, you would know I could eat lobster 3 times a day".

So, let's play the "If you REALLY knew me" game. Tell me at least one(but you can tell more)thing about yourself that if I REALLY knew you, I would know!

TGIF!

Susan

Color Today Blue!

I have a dream of equality for all people, no matter their race, their gender, their orientation, their loud voice, their quiet voice, their stilled voice....I have a dream that that all people can have a voice that counts.

Today, I despair of that ever happening. Feeling blue and hoping to see sunshine tommorrow.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

What would you like to create, do, see or enjoy in 2007?

Susan

Naivete

"Naïveté (from French; commonly Anglicised to naivety) is the state of lacking experience or understanding and/or having a lack of sophistication; innocent simplicity. Much usage of the term appears pejorative — employed when the speaker does not wish to value child-like innocence or a child-like state."

I've been told that my perspective on some things is "naive". Do you see the characteristic of naivete in a negative light? Do you respect the opinions of those you consider "naive"?

I've been chewin on my newest label. It's not actually that new as I've been called "Naive" before. I do find it generally used in a dismissive way. When I agree that "yes, I am naive", am I dismissing myself or accepting a truth?

Just something I'm pondering this morning.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Susan