Where did January and February go?

I always thought ah-ha moments were for big events like discovering the theory of relativity or winning a Pulitzer Prize. But I just had one - in 7 days March will begin. Then comes the questioning: What happened in those two months? Did any of the things I dreamed about in 2011 continue or get started?

I am happy to say, "yes!"

I'm writing, but not blogging. In 2011, I was invited to join a group of folks interested in writing. I count time spent with the other writers an honor and a priviledge. I receive constructive criticism and encouragement in a non-threatening environment. I am humbled to be allowed to spend time with such a talented group. I have begun to put a story to paper - at the baby-steps level. This is exciting to me. Listening to them is inspiring and a lesson - the old two ears, one mouth = listen twice as much as you speak. I have little to give to these folks, but I am hoping to grow as a writer; to move from the dream about it stage to the I'm really working through the nuts and bolts of it stage.

I'm going to the gym regularly. It isn't my favorite thing in the world, but I feel good about myself. I am stronger and happier. And there are areas of my body where small, forgotten muscles are coming back to life.

I'm eating healthy. Previous aches and pains that I thought were part of growing old, that simply had to be accepted have become less severe or vanished entirely. Apparently many of my pains were caused by the food I was eating which in turn caused inflammations. I feel more joy on many levels as though I have been given a rare second chance to go and live!

My daughter's wedding plans are progressing nicely. Every time a new decision is made, there is so much joy. August 17 is a day we are planning, yet I am enjoying most days. The extremely rainy days that last three or four days in a row are sometimes not enjoyable by me.

I'm reading a lot more, watching TV a lot less. As I read I am paying attention to writing style, language, perspective, character and the story. This is helping me as I put pen to paper or fingers to a keyboard.

I am renewing friendships by saying yes more often. I am having fun! One should not underestimate fun. Why a few moments of fun can sometimes carry me through several days of just getting things done.

the Holiday Season is rapidly approaching

Tonight I will pick up my son from the airport. I am so thrilled that he will be home for Christmas. And Tara and Curtis will be here too. Each year when that happens I treasure it as a precious gift.

Friday, is Tara's 30th birthday. I was hoping to have a few of her friends join us for a family birthday celebration. Alas, the December 23 birthday date is not conducive to parties. Over the years we struggled with that, but usually were able to invite enough classmates, neighbors and friends to have successful parties.

This may be the last birthday dinner where the original four of us are together as well. And again, I treasure it as a gift. And this year our family is plus one as Tara's Curtis will also join us.

I was invited to join a group of writers because of my friendship with Margaret. Margaret has chosen to not attend but I'm attending. I've only been able to attend a few times (less than 10) and already I feel like I am making new friends. It is a wonderful group of people and a wonderful feeling being around their creativity and energy. Their associations with education and teaching remind me of my student days and how each new class frequently brought new friends. Then once I began working the 40 year-rut plan, I made some new friends at work, but really stopped making new acquaintances.

Now meeting new people reminds me of how getting out in the world brings so much richness. I get to hear fun stories from their past adventures, share a worry with them about an aging friend or family member. And, I get to marvel at their creative genius as I hear new works in the formative stages. For me it can be exhilarating.

Yes, you can  color me purple, or whatever color you associate with "weird," but it is all good. I love it.

People make the holidays, even a regular Tuesday that at a quick glance appears to be a "normal" day is special if you allow it to be. My job is to remember and give each day or life a chance.

Saturday Morning

A chilly gray morning, typical for December in the Northwest.

I woke up feeling so happy today. Look around my home and you might question that. I have Christmas mess everywhere that I need to clean up. Add that mess to the normal routine things and it might seem overwhelming. But I'm getting a slow start to the day and it feels wonderful.

My kitty Rascal has decided to lean on my left hand, and keeps using his paw to carefully pull my fingers off of the keyboard. He's not a fan of multi-tasking. He seems to think mama and me time is just that. No reading, no concentrating on TV, no reading the paper. A lesson I should apply to family.

How many of us wish for do overs? The wisdom of the moment, if we pay attention the first time around, it is easier to live in the now and there might be fewer regrets. Seize the moment.

What a wonderful time of year.

Friday Reflections

A writer friend of mine said to me recently that perhaps writing about things is more than writing and also a healing process.

I've finally started putting pen to paper and have the first seed to that "Pulizer Prize" winning novel that I've been joking about writing for years. And it isn't easy. Understatement of the year. Even as I mentally try to give life to characters, and borrow on life's experiences, I uncover pain. It takes all kinds of forms, the pain I see in my beloved Nation, the pain of loss I see around me or in the news, the pain I see in folks separated from God, pain of illness, pain of aging.

But when I go a little deeper, in the midst of pain is great love. And for each loss that comes our way, a new reason to love comes if we give it a chance.

My plan for my day, to work myself ragged with Christmas preparations. Cleaning, preparing, and just getting ready. I think when I don't go overboard there is no better way to honor and respect than to do these chores with love in my heart. Perhaps a joyous soul is in the end, the greatest gift we can give to our family.

Sunday and the sun is shining

Yesterday I woke up and had a mental list of chores to accomplish. Then I had the opportunity to go for a drive and see the sun and snow. At the time we were living under a fog bank and the opportunity to see sun was something I couldn't turn down. Now I'm having my morning coffee, thinking about that chore list and the sun is streaming in the skylight.

Tonight I'm going to see the Nutcracker with Tara and need to be ready and have a few things done first. I think the chores will go easy with sunlight streaming through the windows.

And yesterday, of all things, I got to see the Christmas tree lighting in Leavenworth. It was jam packed with people so that you could barely move and I totally enjoyed the experience.

What an economic miracle, the success Leavenworth has experienced. I used to say that Leavenworth was my favorite place in Washington. But that was years ago and it has doubled and tripled in size since then. I'm not sure it is still my favorite as I'm not normally fond of crowds. But the charm of the area still tugs at me from time to time and I'm lucky enough to go there now and then.

Back home again

We're back home from a trip to Hawaii. This is our third day back - and it snowed yesterday and this morning the snow was still stuck. What a change from Hawaii weather to winter in Washington - I think it is still officially fall, but it already feels like winter.

Think of the words "back home again." I think they mean a something different to everyone. When I was in the airport in Hawaii I was thinking of coming home to our house - a specific address. But I am thinking that back home again, is really when we are surrounded by people we love and who love us back. That doesn't have to be family - but it often includes family.

This time of year I start getting sentimental and my mind starts remembering many memories and people. So many loved ones have already passed on, but on the other hand new people to love come into our lives if we give them a chance.

I think "back home again" is a state of mind not a location.

All I Have is Now

My friend Bethany has an active blog, not like my blog that has zero followers. I'm watching/listening to a DVD about Benjamin Franklin. In it there is a discussion about writing and having a plan. They are talking about a plan on two levels.

One level, having a plan for a piece that one is writing.

A second level, a plan for your life. This is where goals come in. If we want to write, not only should we create an outline for our piece, but we must plan to write. Thinking about writing and writing are not the same thing.

Back to Bethany, her blog is inspiring me to write. She now has a place to write at home, and a book completed. Me -- what can I say, I've been thinking about it!