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Thanksgiving 2017

Random thoughts November 20, 2017 Leave a comment

Suddenly the weather’s turned blustery and cold

Leaves that were just green say ‘Gosh, I feel old’!

They shrivel up, blow and slowly flutter –

They fall here and there, they clog up the gutter.

Thanksgiving is hours away – defrost the turkey,

Pull out the Pilgrims, traditional and quirky.

Gather the far-flung family, yes, even those who can be rather jerky.

Circle them ‘round though this year’s been full of chaos, fear and discord

(At least we know no one should claim to be bored)

This is the best time to put some thought into gratitude –

Genuine thankfulness – enough with the platitudes!

There certainly is a long list of recent strife

And maybe Aunt Sarah shouldn’t talk to Uncle Bob when he has the carving knife

But now is the moment we should take to say thanks for the good in our life.

A Hearty and Heartfelt Wish for a Plentiful and Happy Thanksgiving to All!!

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

Random thoughts December 16, 2014 Leave a comment

“There is the Christmas we believe we should have and there is the Christmas that we have.”

~Christopher Borrelli (Chicago Tribune)

I am close to 2 people who are self-avowed Scrooges. I don’t believe it because I know both to be warm-hearted and giving people. One just attended a Christmas chorale event with me in early December and was farther along in putting up festive decorations at her house than I was. (I rectified that this weekend.) So what makes each express such Bah Humbug?

How much of our Christmas is expectation, forced frivolity?

Yet another friend lamented the added pressure of her family’s Elf on the Shelf that has to do something every day. Her husband just backs away saying he isn’t creative that way. She would be open to the whimsy of the season, I think, if not for the outside pressure. I think this is true for each of these people.

Sure I am subject to those ‘if only’ thoughts of amazing, movie worthy Christmas experiences (just about any experiences). But then again, I have learned to find joy in many ways and many places. I loved starting my Christmas season with that chorale concert. And attending my work Christmas party this past Friday. I am slowly taking out my decorations and reminiscing over many of them.

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I’ve sat down to write my Christmas poem that goes into the cards that I send out, addressing a few each day. I do lament that I no longer have the time to devote to the Christmas baking of years past. I’ve occasionally tuned in to the local radio station that plays all Christmas music all month, but haven’t pulled out my own CD collection yet.

Christmas is about savoring and sharing joy. I hope that whatever that means for you, you are able to get into the Christmas Spirit this season.

My Gratitude List

Random thoughts November 25, 2014 1 Comment

The older that I get, the more I like the fact that we have set aside a national day for Thanksgiving, for gratitude. I only wish that we paid a bit more attention to this opportunity instead of focusing so much on the sales that now overwhelm this holiday. In honor of Thanksgiving later this week, here is my list of a few things for which I am thankful, in no particular order. And certainly not complete.

Kitten is feisty and eating and getting a bit more adventurous.

Much of my immediate family is gathering for the holiday, it will be good to see both my brother and sister’s families. I only wish my older son and daughter-in-law could make it.
Plenty of interesting things to learn.
I’ve had some good opportunities at work this year.
All my friends and family.
Good books to read.
The chance to write regularly.
Chocolate
Chances to share stories and experiences.
Whenever I feel like humming or bursting into song
Coming home to a dinner that my son has created
Christmas lights sparkling in the too early dark (yes, even the ones before Thanksgiving – I am more forgiving of the home décor than the demand to shop)
Coming across a forgotten favorite – photo, song, book…
Sitting around and chatting with friends
Offering or being the recipient of random acts of kindness

I hope that each and every person who comes across this post has a long list of things for which you are thankful this season.

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Holiday Hoopla

Random thoughts October 31, 2014 Leave a comment

Which is your favorite holiday? Today is a holiday that has seen a tremendous shift in meaning since it originated, and the coming months will bring other huge holidays that tend to be high on the list of favorites. Holidays are a great time to lift ourselves from our routine, celebrate family and friends, and connect with the past. And usually participate in the economy.

I haven’t put out a single decoration this year, though I have a sizable collection of Halloween dust catchers which have accumulated over the years of raising my boys. There are the tall, slim figurines that I bought in a kit and painted myself. And a hollowed out gourd, made into a ghost, that I bought on an afternoon spent in a quaint town with my mom and sister. The scarecrow made from a softball by a fellow mom who was trying to impress the other homeroom moms with her creativity. And plenty of other things, most of which have a memory or two attached.

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One of my favorite holidays is Thanksgiving. Because it is quieter and except for food hard to exploit with merchandise. Even though my dad and I would regularly lament that it was difficult to find Thanksgiving decorations. Now I have his and mine – mostly Pilgrim and turkey themed. I love that the focus is around family and friends gathering to share a meal and think about gratitude. (We won’t think about the fact that shopping for Christmas is encroaching upon this more serene holiday.)

I know plenty of people whose favorite holiday is this feast of Trick or Treat. I know others who refuse to partake in the fun for religious reasons. (To them I’d like to point out that Halloween is a contraction for All Hollow’s Eve, which is the precursor for All Saint’s Day November 1^st – and a day for religious observance. And was timed to counter a pagan ritual observing harvest and the coming of winter. The Monsignor at my old church used to hold a great Halloween party for the families.)

We need these holidays to brighten up our days as the natural light grows scarcer this time of year. Colorful décor, strings of lights, cheerful greetings for those known and not known – may all of our next few months be enjoyable – full of food, baubles and hoopla.

Happy 4th of July!

Random thoughts July 4, 2014 Leave a comment

Happy 4th to my readers. I hope that you have some sort of independence that you can celebrate. May your celebration be all that you want it to be, safely.

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“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

~Theodore Roosevelt

photo credit: Wikipedia

“Change does not roll in on wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.”

~Martin Luther King, Jr

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“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

~Nelson Mandela

Long Weekend Coming

Work Life May 21, 2014 Leave a comment

I just looked at the calendar and hurray we have a long weekend, for those of us who can take advantage that is. A bonus day, a holiday, a chance for something other than ordinary. Most of us who work in offices have had five solid months without a holiday break. (I’ve always been a bit bemused that the work calendar is weighted so heavily with holidays at the end of the year.)

photo credit: Wikipedia

I used to slog through these first months of the year, hanging on to my PTO days just in case they would be needed. And then I read the best advice, I’ve forgotten where, that we should take a day off every couple of months as a mental health day if for no other reason. Perhaps to attend to all the stuff that builds up; the phone calls, the need to research, and my favorite – a day off to plan for the next day off.

Because here I am rejoicing about this long weekend and realizing that once again I haven’t planned for it. I haven’t made any arrangements. And a holiday Monday is no time to try to make any of the phone calls that have been piling up. Like to the dentist – I really need to make a dentist appointment. And find a roofer – I’ve been putting off getting a new roof for a couple of years, but I really have to stop procrastinating.

Well, it is too late to do some things to make these extra weekend hours count, but it isn’t too late to figure something out. Plus, I imagine that I am in good company. Really good planners are shaking their heads at the rest of us, this is a fact, but so many of us could use a personal assistant to keep us on track.

We’ve earned this bit of down time. I hope that everyone gets to enjoy it in some meaningful way.