I heard it on the evening news.
Monday, January 18th, the bluest day of the year.
This is supposed to be because we have all suddenly awakened from our Holiday Bliss to discover: a) credit card bills from Christmas; and b) back to work responsibilities (collectively hereinafter referred to as “Freaking Sucky Reality”).
Okay, maybe that was a little harsh...
No.
It wasn’t.
I will not retract it. It was good sarcastic legalese (see “See More Here” on the right-hand sidebar, or click on this link, scroll down under “Specialized Training, etc”, read that last line there, and you might understand). :)
Who needs Monday, January 18th?? Crap, I was blue beginning Monday, January 4th, when I had to go back to the “day job”. I have been existing in a seriously blue Post-Holiday Fog ever since. **sigh**
I’m working on it, though. I believe in good attitudes. I believe in making choices about who we want to be, and how we want to feel. That doesn’t mean it’s easy, instantaneous, or without the occasional temporary failure.
I’m in such a state of Temporary Attitude Failure right now.
I’ve tried the chemical boost. No, not drugs (per se). I’m talking about red wine, margaritas (no, not in the same day, and not everyday - and not in excess - well, okay, I had 3 margaritas at one sitting last weekend but I had a heavy TexMex meal and a designated driver), chocolate - dark and milk, mac and cheese... **sigh** Alas, no joy. LITERALLY.
No.
Joy.
I’ve tried making sure I’m getting 8 every single night (hours, not minutes).
I’ve tried the Patchouli/Sweet Orange Bubble Bath Solution. Very nice, but no go.
I’ve been on the indoor bike off and on, but I’ve only done one really hard weight workout after the holidays.
It has become obvious this calls for the following Absolute Guaranteed Cure for the Blues. Here’s the recipe:
1. Put on your workout clothes and socks, dummy (dummy is me, not you).
2. Plug the iPod into the surround sound system and set it on the Absolute Guaranteed Rockin’ Workout Playlist.
3. Turn that mother on and rock that volume up so the walls vibrate just enough to feel it, but not so much it scares the cat (or so the neighbors can hear it - which would have to be pretty loud, because their houses and mine have a reasonable distance between them). Luckily, kitty doesn't scare easily - he's a rocker at heart.
4. Go into the gym (f/k/a one of the spare bedrooms in my house).
5. Slip your mitts into those weight-lifting gloves, put your butt and back on that bench and start pumping some serious freakin’ iron!!!
6. Then rock out some curls, overhead tri extensions, upright rows, bentover rows, etc. - you get the picture.
7. After all that, sit your butt down on that indoor bike and pedal off some serious speed for some serious minutes (like 18 or 19 mph for 45).
8. Finish with a protein recovery drink (a/k/a protein fruit smoothie made in my own blender).
9. Shower - when your legs quit wobbling. :)
10. Kick back in bare feet with an nice, refreshing glass of iced hibiscus tea (unsweetened - I’m a purist when it comes to herb tea).
11. Reflect on how good life really is.
Ahhhhh......
I’m off to fill this prescription, people. Be back soon with a better post and a better attitude.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
THE FRUIT OF THE VINE
The holiday vacation is about to come to an end. **sigh**
It has been a great break - much needed. I have re-grouped and re-prioritized and I am ready to move forward on many goals.
I have some great plans for the new year, and I’m excited about that.
There were a lot of good things I thought about/discovered/decided during this time off. Most of them were big things, and too personal for this blog. I also made some real progress on the next novel, which is very exciting and good news for me.
Symbolic of good discoveries during this time is a bottle of wine I found. Finding it was total chance. I stumbled over it in the wine section of my grocery store! I had a good feeling about it. It has a good price point. I took a chance, and as soon as I un-corked it I knew my small risk had paid off in a big way. It’s a beautiful Zinfandel from Sonoma called Rancho Zabaco. It is smooth and rich and it spoiled me for some other wines I had. That’s how good it is.
I’m hoping that’s a harbinger for how my new year will go. I don’t drink champagne (it gives me a headache), so the Rancho Zabaco is what I drank to ring in my New Year. Maybe the new year will be as nice of a surprise as this new wine. I hope the year goes down just as smoothly - for all of us.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
It has been a great break - much needed. I have re-grouped and re-prioritized and I am ready to move forward on many goals.
I have some great plans for the new year, and I’m excited about that.
There were a lot of good things I thought about/discovered/decided during this time off. Most of them were big things, and too personal for this blog. I also made some real progress on the next novel, which is very exciting and good news for me.
Symbolic of good discoveries during this time is a bottle of wine I found. Finding it was total chance. I stumbled over it in the wine section of my grocery store! I had a good feeling about it. It has a good price point. I took a chance, and as soon as I un-corked it I knew my small risk had paid off in a big way. It’s a beautiful Zinfandel from Sonoma called Rancho Zabaco. It is smooth and rich and it spoiled me for some other wines I had. That’s how good it is.
I’m hoping that’s a harbinger for how my new year will go. I don’t drink champagne (it gives me a headache), so the Rancho Zabaco is what I drank to ring in my New Year. Maybe the new year will be as nice of a surprise as this new wine. I hope the year goes down just as smoothly - for all of us.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON
I am still slogging away at my book project, but wanted to stop and wish everyone a very Happy New Year!
Tonight we will have a "blue" moon to herald our new year. The moon will not be really blue. It is the second moon within one month, and those are typically referred to as "blue". They are rare, hence the phrase "once in a blue moon". The last one we had was in 1990.
For more info on blue moons, you can read this on Wikipedia, or you can go to this article on ABC News.
Also, this is the beginning of a new decade. The last one wasn't so great - globally or personally; but, I'm trying to focus on the good parts and build on those for the new year and decade.
I am reminded of Mr. Dickens who said in "A Tale of Two Cities":
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair..."
I think our last decade *was* a bit like that - for me personally, it surely was. Let us grab on to the best of times, the age of wisdom, the epoch of belief, the season of Light and the spring of hope. Let's make those the things we take into our new decade.
Let's make the good parts happen more than once in a blue moon.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
Tonight we will have a "blue" moon to herald our new year. The moon will not be really blue. It is the second moon within one month, and those are typically referred to as "blue". They are rare, hence the phrase "once in a blue moon". The last one we had was in 1990.
For more info on blue moons, you can read this on Wikipedia, or you can go to this article on ABC News.
Also, this is the beginning of a new decade. The last one wasn't so great - globally or personally; but, I'm trying to focus on the good parts and build on those for the new year and decade.
I am reminded of Mr. Dickens who said in "A Tale of Two Cities":
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair..."
I think our last decade *was* a bit like that - for me personally, it surely was. Let us grab on to the best of times, the age of wisdom, the epoch of belief, the season of Light and the spring of hope. Let's make those the things we take into our new decade.
Let's make the good parts happen more than once in a blue moon.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
THE GREAT BOOK PROJECT
Well, folks, nothing interesting to post today. Sorry, The Great Book Project continues (and is nearing its end). I am knee deep in book stacks and dust. Now that all the books have been moved, I'm on to the last phase, which is the shelving. I'm going in. Wish me luck. :)
Polla Filia,
J.F.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
Monday, December 28, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO REDUX IN PICS
I am in the midst of many things today, so I'm posting some previously unpublished photos from my trip to San Francisco in August.
These are photos of Mr. Steinbeck's resting place in Salinas,California (the flowers in the bunch with the yellow ribbon around them are from me); the Pacific Ocean from Monterey, California; and the Great Mr. Steinbeck's camper truck, Rocinante (named after Don Quixote's horse), which made the trip around the United States with him. That trip was immortalized in his non-fiction work "Travels with Charley: In Search of America". This happens to be one of my all-time faves of his.
Check out the inside of the truck. I think it is so cool he slept there as he and his dog drove all around the entire Continental United States.
Enjoy!
Click on the photo for a larger view.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
These are photos of Mr. Steinbeck's resting place in Salinas,California (the flowers in the bunch with the yellow ribbon around them are from me); the Pacific Ocean from Monterey, California; and the Great Mr. Steinbeck's camper truck, Rocinante (named after Don Quixote's horse), which made the trip around the United States with him. That trip was immortalized in his non-fiction work "Travels with Charley: In Search of America". This happens to be one of my all-time faves of his.
Check out the inside of the truck. I think it is so cool he slept there as he and his dog drove all around the entire Continental United States.
Enjoy!
Click on the photo for a larger view.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
NEW YORK STATE OF MIND
I am missing New York City lately. I haven’t been to the Great City in a while. As soon as I am able I will arrange a trip there, but it may be a bit. Meanwhile, here are some photos I like.
I shot all of these on two separate trips - in fall one year and in early spring in another year. The last photo of the Flatiron building in snow is not mine. It’s an old photo shot in 1920, but I just love it, so it’s here, too.
Meanwhile, click on the link below and listen to the Piano Man himself sing the song while you enjoy the photos. :)
New York State of Mind-Billy Joel
Click on the photos for a bigger view.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
I shot all of these on two separate trips - in fall one year and in early spring in another year. The last photo of the Flatiron building in snow is not mine. It’s an old photo shot in 1920, but I just love it, so it’s here, too.
Meanwhile, click on the link below and listen to the Piano Man himself sing the song while you enjoy the photos. :)
New York State of Mind-Billy Joel
Click on the photos for a bigger view.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
THE HONOR OF BEING LOUIE’S KID
“Every day I remind myself of all that I have been given.”
-- Luciano Pavarotti
Yesterday was the day after Christmas. Great day for sales, and to spend more time with family.
For me, it is and always will be the anniversary of the last time I ever saw my father. I was living in Dallas at the time, and my parents lived in Austin where I was born. I had driven home for Christmas. I was working at a big blue-chip law firm in Big D, and I had to leave the day after Christmas and drive back to the big city to get back to work. No rest for the wicked (or weary, depending on who you talk to).
I stood with my Dad next to the driveway of my childhood home (which is no more). We had discussed when I would come home again, and I told him I thought I would come back in mid-February for his birthday. I hugged my Mom and said bye, and then I hugged my Dad and said “I’ll see you next time.” Who knew next time would be on the other side of life?
I drove away and never saw him face to face again. Three weeks later he suffered a major heart attack and died instantly. I had spoken to him on the phone only two hours before. His back was hurting and he was going to take a hot shower. When he got out of the shower, he had the heart attack and it was over.
I don’t morbidly remember this day each year. I remember it with joy and gratitude. Joy at the great, close and wonderful relationship I had with my Dad, and I remember it with gratitude for having such a father.
All men should strive to be the kind of father my father was. Here was a mechanic and machinest working physically hard for a living every day. He came home from a hard day's work, read the newspaper, had dinner at the kitchen table with his wife and kids, and asked us about what we did that day. He had three daughters, and all of them loved and idolized him.
He wasn’t all syrupy and mushy, though. He was a tough guy - a man’s man; but, he was loving and giving to his kids. He would praise us often for doing well in school, or in some other effort. He didn’t spank or yell, but if you dis-obeyed the rules you would be grounded - and you DID NOT ask for early reprieve on a grounding. There were no bicycling privileges when you were grounded. You needed to spend your time only in your yard, and in contemplation of how you would improve yourself and amend your ways. Consequently, we followed Dad’s rules. I was the worst of the three of us, getting a two-week grounding (with the bicycle put up on high hooks in the garage). I had ridden said bike outside of the approved area for riding my bike without an adult (I rode it all the way down to the creek and was riding it through a culvert when Dad came looking for me - I had been gone a long time). This rule was (of course) one for my own safety. I never did it again.
Think about it - this man disciplined his children without threats, spanking or yelling. He was firm and consistent, and he showed love and praise often. I never argued with him, or questioned him - not out of fear, but out of admiration and respect.
After regular work hours, my Dad restored old American vehicles for himself and for others, and he did repair work on their older cars, too. From the time I was a teen, I worked in the garage with Daddy on these cars. I continued doing this after I was grown and moved away to Dallas. I would come home on a weekend, and Daddy and I would be in the garage on a Saturday up to our respective elbows in grease. I had my own creeper for rolling under the jacked up cars. I would roll in from one side and Daddy from the other and we would get to work. In work under the hood, both our heads would be hovering over the engine while we collaborated on the repairs.
Once the work was done, it was time for a cold brew. I would go inside and get two bottles and bring them out to the garage. The two of us would lean back against the workbench with our refreshment and feel the relief which can only come from cold beer after a hard day’s work. Then the family would all get dressed and we’d go out for Mexican food. Daddy and I would frequently go play pool afterward. We were notorious for playing until three in the morning. My pool playing is rusty now, but I’m resolved to practice and get my skills back. I used to run the table, so watch out! :)
You can see why I would have a feeling of gratitude for a fabulous Dad such as this! I’m also grateful I got to speak with him one last time before he died. I’m grateful my Dad never suffered or knew what hit him. He was gone before he even had time to think about it.
I am most overwhelmed and grateful for having a Dad who was also a man of remarkable character and ethics. Streams of people consistently remarked on this at his funeral - and it was standing room only that day. A man such as this compels people to come and pay respect.
There isn’t enough gratitude for being the daughter of such a man.
So I remember December the 26th with joy and gratitude. I am honored to be Louie’s Kid.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
-- Luciano Pavarotti
Yesterday was the day after Christmas. Great day for sales, and to spend more time with family.
For me, it is and always will be the anniversary of the last time I ever saw my father. I was living in Dallas at the time, and my parents lived in Austin where I was born. I had driven home for Christmas. I was working at a big blue-chip law firm in Big D, and I had to leave the day after Christmas and drive back to the big city to get back to work. No rest for the wicked (or weary, depending on who you talk to).
I stood with my Dad next to the driveway of my childhood home (which is no more). We had discussed when I would come home again, and I told him I thought I would come back in mid-February for his birthday. I hugged my Mom and said bye, and then I hugged my Dad and said “I’ll see you next time.” Who knew next time would be on the other side of life?
I drove away and never saw him face to face again. Three weeks later he suffered a major heart attack and died instantly. I had spoken to him on the phone only two hours before. His back was hurting and he was going to take a hot shower. When he got out of the shower, he had the heart attack and it was over.
I don’t morbidly remember this day each year. I remember it with joy and gratitude. Joy at the great, close and wonderful relationship I had with my Dad, and I remember it with gratitude for having such a father.
All men should strive to be the kind of father my father was. Here was a mechanic and machinest working physically hard for a living every day. He came home from a hard day's work, read the newspaper, had dinner at the kitchen table with his wife and kids, and asked us about what we did that day. He had three daughters, and all of them loved and idolized him.
He wasn’t all syrupy and mushy, though. He was a tough guy - a man’s man; but, he was loving and giving to his kids. He would praise us often for doing well in school, or in some other effort. He didn’t spank or yell, but if you dis-obeyed the rules you would be grounded - and you DID NOT ask for early reprieve on a grounding. There were no bicycling privileges when you were grounded. You needed to spend your time only in your yard, and in contemplation of how you would improve yourself and amend your ways. Consequently, we followed Dad’s rules. I was the worst of the three of us, getting a two-week grounding (with the bicycle put up on high hooks in the garage). I had ridden said bike outside of the approved area for riding my bike without an adult (I rode it all the way down to the creek and was riding it through a culvert when Dad came looking for me - I had been gone a long time). This rule was (of course) one for my own safety. I never did it again.
Think about it - this man disciplined his children without threats, spanking or yelling. He was firm and consistent, and he showed love and praise often. I never argued with him, or questioned him - not out of fear, but out of admiration and respect.
After regular work hours, my Dad restored old American vehicles for himself and for others, and he did repair work on their older cars, too. From the time I was a teen, I worked in the garage with Daddy on these cars. I continued doing this after I was grown and moved away to Dallas. I would come home on a weekend, and Daddy and I would be in the garage on a Saturday up to our respective elbows in grease. I had my own creeper for rolling under the jacked up cars. I would roll in from one side and Daddy from the other and we would get to work. In work under the hood, both our heads would be hovering over the engine while we collaborated on the repairs.
Once the work was done, it was time for a cold brew. I would go inside and get two bottles and bring them out to the garage. The two of us would lean back against the workbench with our refreshment and feel the relief which can only come from cold beer after a hard day’s work. Then the family would all get dressed and we’d go out for Mexican food. Daddy and I would frequently go play pool afterward. We were notorious for playing until three in the morning. My pool playing is rusty now, but I’m resolved to practice and get my skills back. I used to run the table, so watch out! :)
You can see why I would have a feeling of gratitude for a fabulous Dad such as this! I’m also grateful I got to speak with him one last time before he died. I’m grateful my Dad never suffered or knew what hit him. He was gone before he even had time to think about it.
I am most overwhelmed and grateful for having a Dad who was also a man of remarkable character and ethics. Streams of people consistently remarked on this at his funeral - and it was standing room only that day. A man such as this compels people to come and pay respect.
There isn’t enough gratitude for being the daughter of such a man.
So I remember December the 26th with joy and gratitude. I am honored to be Louie’s Kid.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
Friday, December 25, 2009
BE THE GARDENER
“Out of damp and gloomy days, out of solitude, out of loveless words directed at us, conclusions grow up in us like fungus: one morning they are there, we know not how, and they gaze upon us, morose and gray. Woe to the thinker who is not the gardener but only the soil of the plants that grow in him.”
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
Attitude is what it is all about.
I have two weeks off of the “day job”. I covet these two weeks. I covet them passionately. I am almost through the first week. I have a bit more than one week left.
I have been working on a project here in my house. I am moving some books around from one room to another and vice versa. It is a re-organization project I have needed to do for a long while. It relates to the office I have in which I do my writing, and it relates to cleaning up another room in the house.
Also, I am going to clean out my bedroom closets when I am done with the book project. Goodwill is going to “inherit” the stuff I get rid of (that is, the stuff which doesn’t go to the trash can).
I was fretting yesterday about knowing these two projects are going to take another three to four days to complete. The projects are eating into the remainder of my two weeks off!
I was getting my knickers into a little twist over it.
Then I took a deep breath. I took a few more deep breaths and said to myself, “Self, you have two brilliant weeks off. They are being used for a good purpose. There will be ample time to play after the projects are done, and you will feel refreshed when they are finished. You will be satisfied to finish them, and it will make the remaining time off all the better. Quit your lame whining and knickers twisting.”
Attitude switch over occurrence. **click**
It is the day after Christmas and yesterday I got quite a lot done, thank you very much. I had my Christmas festivities with the fam yesterday. Then I came home and did some work on the computer, and I worked a bit on my book re-org project. I am very happy I was industrious enough to accomplish a good deal - especially for a holiday.
So, I am going to be the gardener come what may. Out of damp and gloomy days, solitude, and any loveless words directed my way, I will not allow anything to grow like fungus. I will not be the soil of the plants that grow in me. I will instead be the gardener and cultivate something more - more than fungus, more than whatever plants grow of their own accord. I will be the gardener who tends the plot and brings it to beauty.
So, my friends, let us all Be The Gardener.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
Attitude is what it is all about.
I have two weeks off of the “day job”. I covet these two weeks. I covet them passionately. I am almost through the first week. I have a bit more than one week left.
I have been working on a project here in my house. I am moving some books around from one room to another and vice versa. It is a re-organization project I have needed to do for a long while. It relates to the office I have in which I do my writing, and it relates to cleaning up another room in the house.
Also, I am going to clean out my bedroom closets when I am done with the book project. Goodwill is going to “inherit” the stuff I get rid of (that is, the stuff which doesn’t go to the trash can).
I was fretting yesterday about knowing these two projects are going to take another three to four days to complete. The projects are eating into the remainder of my two weeks off!
I was getting my knickers into a little twist over it.
Then I took a deep breath. I took a few more deep breaths and said to myself, “Self, you have two brilliant weeks off. They are being used for a good purpose. There will be ample time to play after the projects are done, and you will feel refreshed when they are finished. You will be satisfied to finish them, and it will make the remaining time off all the better. Quit your lame whining and knickers twisting.”
Attitude switch over occurrence. **click**
It is the day after Christmas and yesterday I got quite a lot done, thank you very much. I had my Christmas festivities with the fam yesterday. Then I came home and did some work on the computer, and I worked a bit on my book re-org project. I am very happy I was industrious enough to accomplish a good deal - especially for a holiday.
So, I am going to be the gardener come what may. Out of damp and gloomy days, solitude, and any loveless words directed my way, I will not allow anything to grow like fungus. I will not be the soil of the plants that grow in me. I will instead be the gardener and cultivate something more - more than fungus, more than whatever plants grow of their own accord. I will be the gardener who tends the plot and brings it to beauty.
So, my friends, let us all Be The Gardener.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
Merry Christmas
Today has been a great Christmas so far. My niece and nephew loved what they got from their Theia (that's "aunt" in Greek, and that would be me).
I made out like a bandit with bubble bath, Starbuck's card and chocolate. :9 Yahoooo!!
The best part, though, was the time with my family and for all of us to be together.
Kitty is happy, too - he had some yummy catnip.
Hope all of you are having a wonderful Christmas and have a Fabulous 2010!
Polla Filia,
J.F.
I made out like a bandit with bubble bath, Starbuck's card and chocolate. :9 Yahoooo!!
The best part, though, was the time with my family and for all of us to be together.
Kitty is happy, too - he had some yummy catnip.
Hope all of you are having a wonderful Christmas and have a Fabulous 2010!
Polla Filia,
J.F.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
BLOG NEW YEAR
“For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice.
-- T.S. Eliot ”
I have seriously neglected this blog for a while. I could make all sorts of excuses, but I won’t. There may be reasons, but the truth is, I have not done as I should.
My New Year’s Resolutions for this blog are as follows:
1. I will blog regularly, although some blog entries may be just short thoughts, or things that cracked me up, or flabbergasted me.
2. I will blog on a variety of subjects per the sidebar to the right (see “About Me”). I am a writer and sometimes I will blog about writing, but I will also post about art, wine, racing, fitness and nutrition, travel, and anything else that floats my boat, including a lot of nonsense just for fun.
3. I will sometimes post only in photos - with or without captions.
4. I will post on the mundane and the magnificent and all sorts of things in between.
5. The posts may not always be interesting to you, but the posts will be true to me - a sincere offering on whatever the subject of the post, even if it is just nonsense and fun. Sometimes - okay, more than sometimes - I am just goofy. :)
So, today I wish you the Merriest of Christmases, the Happiest of Holidays (if Christmas isn’t your thing) and a very, very Happy, Prosperous and Safe New Year!
[Translated Version]
Merry Christmas!
Polla Filia,
J.F.
-- T.S. Eliot ”
I have seriously neglected this blog for a while. I could make all sorts of excuses, but I won’t. There may be reasons, but the truth is, I have not done as I should.
My New Year’s Resolutions for this blog are as follows:
1. I will blog regularly, although some blog entries may be just short thoughts, or things that cracked me up, or flabbergasted me.
2. I will blog on a variety of subjects per the sidebar to the right (see “About Me”). I am a writer and sometimes I will blog about writing, but I will also post about art, wine, racing, fitness and nutrition, travel, and anything else that floats my boat, including a lot of nonsense just for fun.
3. I will sometimes post only in photos - with or without captions.
4. I will post on the mundane and the magnificent and all sorts of things in between.
5. The posts may not always be interesting to you, but the posts will be true to me - a sincere offering on whatever the subject of the post, even if it is just nonsense and fun. Sometimes - okay, more than sometimes - I am just goofy. :)
So, today I wish you the Merriest of Christmases, the Happiest of Holidays (if Christmas isn’t your thing) and a very, very Happy, Prosperous and Safe New Year!
[Translated Version]
Merry Christmas!
Polla Filia,
J.F.
Friday, November 20, 2009
REVERIE
“Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it.”
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I’ve used the above quote before, but for this nothing else seemed so a propos.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I am contemplating the fact that this will be the first one without my mother. She died last December right before Christmas after a lengthy illness. My father died many years ago from a heart attack.
It is odd to approach a holiday as an orphan. Last year at Christmas I was not in any kind of mind to even think about holidays and orphanhood, so fresh was our loss.
This year it weighs heavy; but, I must feel it, and then cast it off. I move on to much, much brighter days, with a renewed energy, and a much better grasp of life. There is more in what I just told you than I could ever write in this one post.
Just remember that life is all in the attitude, and no matter what comes, as dark as it may be, you can always seek the light, and walk toward it, and embrace that way of being. The darkness can only encompass you if you lie down and let it.
I am not lying down. I have walked in a new direction, and I will dance along the way.
So, as Thanksgiving approaches I am focused on all I have, which is far too much to recount - and I am focused on all I know I will have, and achieve. The next chapter is going to be absolutely *Fantastic*!!
Remember:
“Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it.”
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Indeed, I know it.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I’ve used the above quote before, but for this nothing else seemed so a propos.
As Thanksgiving approaches, I am contemplating the fact that this will be the first one without my mother. She died last December right before Christmas after a lengthy illness. My father died many years ago from a heart attack.
It is odd to approach a holiday as an orphan. Last year at Christmas I was not in any kind of mind to even think about holidays and orphanhood, so fresh was our loss.
This year it weighs heavy; but, I must feel it, and then cast it off. I move on to much, much brighter days, with a renewed energy, and a much better grasp of life. There is more in what I just told you than I could ever write in this one post.
Just remember that life is all in the attitude, and no matter what comes, as dark as it may be, you can always seek the light, and walk toward it, and embrace that way of being. The darkness can only encompass you if you lie down and let it.
I am not lying down. I have walked in a new direction, and I will dance along the way.
So, as Thanksgiving approaches I am focused on all I have, which is far too much to recount - and I am focused on all I know I will have, and achieve. The next chapter is going to be absolutely *Fantastic*!!
Remember:
“Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it.”
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Indeed, I know it.
Polla Filia,
J.F.
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