a full day, indeed

A muggy pool. A cement seat made comfortable by the blanket and pillow we remembered to throw in the car last minute. Several hours spent watching my firstborn compete. A quick visit with a person I hold dear, even though I don't spend any sort of regular time with her.

A brief tour of her new home. Shared joy at their good fortune. Happiness that I can call her "friend".

(Karianne, Chris, and my boy in their beautiful, charming new home. In the car Chandler said it was SOOO cool to meet Chris because he looks like Esteban on Zack and Cody....made me smile. I'm not sure a couple can be much more beautiful than they are.)
A two-season drive home. Rain turning into sloppiness on the road. Slushy snow causing drivers to take leave of their brains and drive like they're on drugs. Keeping my cool despite their idiocy. (Mine was only in check because I had two babes in the car)

Two kids sleeping on the way home. Time to ponder the deeper meaning of life. Recognizing that real life is full of joy for the taking---in watching my boy become a better swimmer, in seeing my girl writing letter-like symbols, in catching up with a friend, in driving through the beauty of rain and snow with a reward of bright leaves at the end---if I'll just open my eyes to it.

A joyfully full day. Indeed.

participating vs. spectating

After coming out of the fog of my life, henceforth know as "My Marriage", I see things so much more clearly. Some things were not too foggy at all---I've always liked people, always valued friendships, always tried to make time for them--not always successful with that one. Other things were nearly completely clouded over; a cataract of sorts, over the lens through which I saw Life.

I'm sure we all have some sort of filter hindering our view of what is real, true, good, and right...at least to some degree. Our upbringing, schooling, interpretation of some rule or regulation, a friend's opinion about, a celebrity's support of, or any number of things that influences us and how we live out our life.
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With the Filter of Ickiness off, I am definitely becoming more of a participant than a spectator. And I like it. I'm taking a cue from a friend. She moved to a brand new city for a new job and she decided that she would not turn down any (within reason) new opportunity, invitation, etc. in her new setting.

She found herself meeting new people she might now have met otherwise, taking risks that paid off beautifully in her life, and experiencing more joy than if she had stuck to her old routine.

I'd like a helping of that, please.

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So here's to much more participation in this thing called Life, and a healthy serving of anticipation for all that might be waiting for me!

October's Jewels

I found one of Great-Grandma's poems very fitting for the season, and I hope you'll enjoy it on this lovely October day.

October's Jewels

While strolling down the street the other day

I chanced to see some jewels on display;

And thought, "How like October's brilliant weather;

The jewels that are gathered there together".

October morn wears crystal beads of frost

But as the sun climbs higher, they are tossed

Aside, and amber girds her throat at noon;

Her taste in gems is fickle, and she soon

Discards the amber for opals rare....

The fire of sunlight through the hazy air.

When evening comes, and misty veils of smoke

Cling 'round her shoulders like a gauzy cloak,

She clasps them with a moonstone, milky fair,

And places stars of sapphire in her hair.

Clara B. Salzman 1897-2004

triginta novem

...or perhaps treinta nueve, trente neuf, or XXXIX. Whichever way I write it, it still means the last year of my 30's. And it started today......

When I Grow Old

When I grow old, I hope 'tis never said...

"She traveled always where her pleasures led".

But rather may they say, "Wherever she went,

She found some happiness....and was content".

~Clara B. Salzman 1897-2004

It was a day filled with a tiara and purple boa at school, several renditions of "Happy Birthday" by people under the age of 10, a dinner with some guests I wasn't expecting, generous gifts, a guitar serenade by my favorite 3-year old, a shirt and earring picked out by my favorite 8-year old, and an overwhelming feeling of contentedness, making my Great-Grandmother's poem very fitting today.

I can't wait to see what this year has in store for me.

My punkin heads....

Our day included a trip to the "farm" about 25 minutes away. Feeding the animals, riding the cow train, going in the corn maze (sans the corn), and, of course, picking out some pears and apples in the store.

Although this little farm seems so commercial in some ways, there are still some simple pleasures. Tractor tires to climb on and jump off, animals all around to look at and play with, pumpkins everywhere.

What a fun little start to our day. Hoping yours was good too!

The Journey

There's a Michael Card song called Joy in the Journey. It's a song I first heard years ago in college when I went to concert of his on campus. A friend recently renewed my interest in Michael Card---and this song seems to hold a particular significance these days.

There is a joy in the journey,

there's a light we can love on the way

There is wonder and wildness to life

and freedom for those who obey...

I am being reminded of snippets of Joy in my days---small things that would never have entered my mind as being particularly significant a few years ago. A simple toast to Chandler's 1st day of 3rd grade and a simple breakfast of Dutch Babies with berries. Joy!

A morning hike with Grammy. A Grammy who offered to come here to visit when I was feeling overwhelmed with work. She played with the kids for a few hours while I went to work and got caught up---Joy!

Climbing "Shark Rock" with my kids. Recognizing the joy on their faces as we're out and walking and just "being".....Joy!

Seeing my kids interact with my mom in a relaxed easy way. Realizing how significant the relationship is between my kids and my mom----and seeing glimpses of how significant my relationship with my mom is becoming to me--Joy!

pseudo camping

We were invited to camp Labor Day weekend.

With school just starting---for me---the week before I had much to get done. So instead of packing up and going for the entire weekend, we made it a day trip instead......most of the fun, none of the work.

The kids got to ride dirtbikes with Uncle Jason and Matt and their friend/cousins....Chandler was disappointed that all the bikes there were too big for him to ride alone, but Jason was willing to go with him on the trail.

The river seems to have some magical pull...at least for my kids---most kids, I think.

The song of the river ends not at her banks but in the hearts of those who have loved her. ~ Buffalo Joe