The Weather

Today, December 30th, 2008, we had 11 inches of snow fall between morning and evening. It was beautiful. Since we were inside most of the day (me and the boys I nanny for), I could look out and see the pure white snow falling against the dark sky. When it was time to go home, I could hear the buzz of many snow-blowers clearing paths at each home. The snow was thrown back up into the sky in miniature flurries. Festive!

Sometimes when it's raining, I like to look out at the reflections of the lights against the wet streets- the elongated streaks of color. People with their umbrellas make the day seem cheerier, although the day itself tend to have a lazy-day feel. If I could, I'd wear rubber goolaches to protect my leather shoes from getting wet. If it's raining, I will go ahead and wear my plastic pink heels because they can be dried with a paper towel. Match that with my polka-dot umbrella, and I've got myself a romantic day!

Sunny days are sunny. Too sunny. I think it's almost best when I can describe the day as "sultry". I picture real lemonaide and a lovely well-worn porch. Until I can get the porch, I'll have to make do with our AC, but I look forward to the day I have a porch and a fresh glass of lemonaide! ... and Autumn, is there anything as beautiful as the colors in autumn?

Back to winter wonderland: Today was a good day. Tomorrow, with my fresh new batch of 24 hours, I think I'll... start out with a prayer of thanks, a delicious cup of dark roast coffee, and a focused plan for the New Year.

Happy New Year! May your next year be a tad-bit lighter in spirit, love, myrna

I think I want more of THAT

Those that have and those that have not... it's been on my mind. When we go shopping, I think 'We have not so many things!' When I'm home with family I think, 'Wow, I couldn't possibly want anything more!' How does that happen?
Who decides what I want and what I don't want?
Do I know what I need and what I merely want?
Does that make you feel as crazy as it makes me feel?

The mere surplus in our homes and the clutter of our lives- it makes me crazy. To keep up with the speed of technology, one needs to invest hours of learning. To have money for entertainment, one needs to work hours at a job to enjoy a fraction of time with those hours spent.

I imagine the people born in simpler times dreamed of indoor plumbing, electricity, refridgeration, oven cooked food, ... cars, mass transit, planes ! Oh how could we want anything more? Except I think I need a clutch in my 5-speed, our computer needs an overhaul, I'm working overtime for holiday cash, etc...

Here's my relief when I think my head is going to cave in from so much conflict: It's just this way. It is what it is. Why try to do everything all at once? One friend once said to me when I said, 'I don't have enough time... ' (and this changed my life): We All Have The Same 24 Hours.

Oh goodie! What should I do with my 24 hours right now? Right after I blog, I'm going to get a tall glass of water, wash up, and select a fabulous book to settle in with before bed. And tomorrow? A brand-new set of 24 hours!! I think I'll write a list tomorrow, and I think I'll stand outside and imagine we're all standing out from the earth. :)

Preoccupied...

When I stand outside, I don't feel like I'm standing out from the Earth right now, I'm just thankful I'm stuck to it! I have a head cold and it tends to take over all my thoughts and feelings for intervals of time. I believe anyone can get preoccupied: money concerns, personal illness, grief, loss, conflict in relationships, conflict of any sort... Anything could preoccupy us. Right?

Since when do we decide to give our living moments away to unaccompanied thought?

Everything we experience deserves some time, but nothing is worthy enough to take all of our thoughts and time. Preoccupation is a thief! It not only steals the moment, it robs us of making a memorable past. How can we take in any of our blessings if we walk around with a bag over our head?

Here's the remedy for preoccupation: Hand the ball of concerns to Jesus. He will gladly hold all your concerns while you live fully in the moment. When it's time for some concerns to be dealt with, He will hand you what you can resolve. He will wait with you and live with you, and guard all our concerns until the time is right for us to live them fully. What can describe how amazing it is that our God of the Universe will guard our concerns? I know that "Love" is the describing word -- it just doesn't seem big enough.

So if you find yourself struggling with preoccupation, try gargantuan love. :)

The speed of light

The blink of an eye. How many blinks a day? Dunno. The speed of light-- that's crazy. There are so many magical systems in place; the world keeps turning, living things constantly growing, the many systems of a living being, the sun continuing to rise for us... and we don't even notice.

Did you ever stop to think that we're actually standing "out" from the earth? We're not really standing up-- that's an illusion. If we looked at the earth from a stellar viewpoint, it might look like a fuzzy ball with so many people sticking out from it. Then again, that would be if we saw it without buildings or trees, etc. because they are all much taller than a person. Even so, next time we stand outside, let's envision us standing out from the planet Earth! Just for fun--

Transitions

There are transitions in everything- writing, music, life. Sometimes I love the time I'm having and I just want it to "freeze" in the moment. But it keeps moving along, like a slow running stream.

When I was 23 years old, I asked Great Grandma if things slow down when you get older. She said, "No, they just get faster and faster." Fair warning- I took it to heart. I decided to enjoy where I'm at and remember that it only gets faster.

... That has proven to be mostly true. When I was little, a day seemed like a week. A summer seemed like a year. Now summers breeze by and I think they feel like weeks, not months. It's only those stolen precious moments with those we love that can make time stand still. When I'm absorbed into the moment, when I can later remember the smells and sounds, that's when time runs just a little slower for a while.

Smokes

I get this feeling, craving really, every single fall: I want a cigarette. I think it's that beauty, the serenity, the ideal campfire mode. I want to take it in. I want to bring something in internally-- that's not sweet.
Soooooo, I bummed a cigarette from a friend. I told her that if she gave me the cigarette, I wouldn't have to buy the whole pack, but I would indeed buy a pack. MMMmmm, I had a smoke. First I (I, me), I get to light it. That's one of my favorite parts. The fire, the spark to the tobacco- making my cigarette start to burn it's leaves. Then you take the first puff. That's awesome. Then I'm smoking - similar to drinking a great cup of coffee. There's nothing like the first sip. After that, there's just more. Then... a buzz. Yep, I got a buzz. I laughed!; felt like I was woozy.
That's only the beginning of a cigarette though. My hands stunk. I washed several times when I got home and they stunk until the next day. gross. My breath turned sour, and I couldn't smell a thing. I was driving home and the view of the autumn splendor was tainted! I couldn't smell the crispness, I started an immediate headache, and I could feel it in my stomach that nicotene was real.Then I got home and tried to eliminate the after-effects. The night was tainted. I needed headache medicine, I drank water, and my hands stunk. Then, early a.m., was the 5 minute fart. I tell you what- smoking one cigarette isn't worth it!!

I like campfires.

Really???

Who would have guessed that tonight I would start a blog. I can hardly navigate my way around simple emails let-alone starting a BLOG. Well, here I am! Is there a purpose to this blogging? Is it mind-clearing on public display??

I'd best behave. No opinions from me tonight.