My Heart Is Full

So is my brain and my days of late.  However, memories made on October 31, 2015 require this entry.  For the record, I hope I am never too busy or distracted to stop and enjoy a holiday.  Halloween is one of them. Well, there are traditions I must honor, right?

 

The least of which is that ghost on our front porch who blows in the Fall wind.  He is at least 30 years old. Vince made it after we saw one in his hometown one year when our children were young.  Next are the grave stones we made are a little younger in age.  I know that if either of these didn’t make it out of my attic to adorn my house, I would miss them.  I assume others would notice their absence too since we receive a lot of nice comments about them. 

 

One big gift on Halloween has always my dad’s birthday, this year his 85^th. To have him and mom in Bloomington these last 18 months is beyond special.   Never in my adult life had I been able to be with him on his birthday.    

Another tradition is what is eaten before anyone goes trick or treating or any candy is handed out.  That’s chili.  It’s something I remember my mom making when I was a little girl.  I feel like I’m honoring her when I make it, so I continue to make it. 

And then there are our grandchildren.  Of course Dylan and Abbie are now a part of the activities.  Who doesn’t enjoy Halloween when little ones are excited about dressing up and pretending to be their favorite hero or cartoon character. 

Getting four generations together to experience all the day’s activities is a little hectic and maybe even a little stressful. However, what a joy is it celebrating an 85^th birthday, receiving hugs and smiles from a little princess while Spiderman spells out words (now that he is in Kindergarten).  And these are some memories that fill my heart, with love!  

Bathing Suits

I’m dreaming of that green bikini just like the one worn years ago.  I’m mostly kidding but an itty bitty part of me pines for those days when trying on, purchasing and/or wearing a bathing suit didn’t cause heart palpations.

Vacation is on the horizon for Vince and me.  In a few weeks we will take our trip away from winter and enter a week of beach sand, chasing golf balls, eating Ms. Annette’s delicious food and enjoying the warm sun in our shorts and yes, bathing suits.

God had other things in mind for this body. I know this much, His plan was not for me to be wearing a Speedo.  My granny suit will do just fine as long as it covers me adequately.    And by the time I get to Jamaica I promise that bikini song in my head will be deleted. 

Happy...

I’ve been a mom for 34 years.  By far my most often wish was for my children to be happy.  I don’t mean the fa la la la la la la la la kind of happy.  But the kind of happy that is sustaining during life’s grind and grit; an inner feeling of joy or contentment.

Recently our youngest, Vincent, made a commitment to go to school at Rutgers University.  Once the decision was made he couldn’t wait for the adventure to begin.   He was voted in as class president, has worked hard for his class and made great grades. 

Aryah charged forward and paused a few times and now is on track to finish an undergraduate program at ISU in the Spring of 2016 even though she is also a wife, a mother and working full-time. 

Courtney finished her degree at IU years ago.  She’s independent and driven. She has been creative in sourcing income while working hard on an exciting career so she can live in NYC.    

Aryah, Courtney and Vincent I know you work very hard and are accomplishing much. I really do believe you are happy but want you to often ask that question of yourself, "am I happy?"   For the record, I’m happy for you, I'm happy to be your mother and also very proud of you too!  

Reading

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page.”  St. Augustine

 

This quote is a favorite of mine.  It hangs on our refrigerator at home. I love it because I love to travel.  I love immersing myself in another culture, meeting new people and learning about their lives. This quote is also tied to another favorite pastime, reading. When I read I travel to far away places. 

 

Recently I picked up Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone With The Wind”.  I watched the movie years ago but never read the book.  For 3 plus weeks I read about the civil war, strong characters, southern customs, misguided actions and heartache.

 

Early on this book was irritating me.  It was a slow read.   I felt Ms. Mitchell could have made a greater impact by saying less.  And don’t get me started on Scarlett O’Hara.  Anyway, I finished that book yesterday and I could not make it to the library drop box fast enough.  Why, because I couldn't wait to be done with this book. 

 

Which leads me to point out an obsession of mine.  Finish reading any book I start.  It's not all together healthy.  But it forces me to experience the whole story, whether I like it or not.  I try to apply the same philosophy with any journey I take.  And my mother I can thank for that lesson.  She always said, "complete what you start."  Thanks Mom and thanks St. Augustine for sharing your wisdom! 

Outraged

Has anyone noticed lately our media is constantly using of the word “outrage?"  I have heard or read it in all formats and it’s starting to outrage me.  Well, maybe the latter is an overstatement.

Vince and I have been talking about this word’s use and so I googled it recently.  Is my premise supported?  Do your own search or keep your eyes and ears open and I think you will agree.  So what’s up with this? Is this the outrage decade?  Are people really this ticked off? 

My dictionary says outrage is “a viciously violent or grossly offensive act.” These acts are certainly happening everywhere, at home and abroad.  However, what kind of irks me is this term suggests that “the people” are outraged.  I know 2 or more persons make people :) but making headlines seems to imply that “the people” represents us…you, me and many others… 

Another over used media term is the phrase “critics worry.”  To them I would suggest they find another profession.  Worry is a waste of time even though they might be paid handsomely to worry. 

 

However, on a gentler side I would be grateful to see another “out” word used more often.  Outreach.  I believe you and I can be a part of a more positive act if only we reach out!  I am chewing over some ideas now.  Who are you reaching out to?

Lists

It’s been too long since I’ve made a blog entry.  I’ve not been stagnant.  I’ve been accomplishing a lot because I have crumpled up old lists to prove it. However, in an attempt to fill empty space here and cross one more task off my list I decided to enter my current to-dos.  Yep, I’m a List Nerd. It’s a critical guide for each day, so here goes…    

Change the oil in my car buy 10 golf club grips clean grass around the front porch deadhead all flowers fix roof shingle  pick up NY NJ OH PN maps from AAA pull weeds at entrance to golf course open savings account for grandchildren total May April June July Sales Tax call Rita at Uncle Bill’s church about Thanksgiving buy earring backs reorganize spare room deliver vanity to mom and dad’s apartment create phone list for mom hang hole-in-one plaques on the wall order golf course t-shirts check out jetpack from Verizon check out UMW Phoebe Circle for mom pick up prescriptions from pharmacy deliver receipts and credit card to church make bank deposit write blog entry.      

Sometimes the tasks in life run all together without any one standing out over the others. Sometimes a task will never be completed on its original list. It just moves to the next list.  However, regardless of format or age of a task a list helps keep me focused.  I’m grateful for all the lists I’ve made in my life.  I'm thankful I don't have to get this all done in one day. And I’m very happy when even one task is accomplished.

Inquiring Minds

I have been listening for days to a bird’s beautiful song.  I’ve asked customers if they know anything about birds, most said no.  I’ve asked if they could hear the song and many thought I’d lost my mind. So I did the next best thing, I searched the internet, my Audubon Society Field Guide, and I tried to find the bird through my binoculars.  Sadly, there was too much information to digest.  AND I discovered I get dizzy while looking through binoculars.

In the old days I would have contacted the library and talked with a reference librarian.  Instead, I decided to contact the local newspaper. Gratefully the H-T Outdoor Section Manager referred me to the local President of the Audubon Society.  Over e-mail and phone he directed my focus to...indigo buntings, warbling vireos and orioles.  With still no definitive match he came to the golf course to help me solve the mystery. 

Unfortunately, the bird wasn’t singing when he arrived.  So he played bird songs on his phone (which was a hoot) and I did my best rendition of the bird’s fancy song which I described as a “showtune”, which solved nothing (double hoot).  Fortunately, as he was attempting to leave, he heard what he thought was my bird.  With his binoculars and an explanation that birds put their own spin on the notes from time to time, he is almost certain that my bird is an oriole.

In case you are now curious, the song goes like this, “Do do do do do do do do doot.  Doot.   Do do do do do do do do doot.  Doot.”  I know its kind of hard to appreciate its beauty without the notes.  But I hope someday I can get it recorded. 

 

A birder I may never be, I'm just enjoying a sweet melodic mystery adventure. Now class, go out there and be curious!

Postscript.  After this writing my birder authority heard a bird over the weekend and he wrote me this e-mail message “I heard a couple of singing Orchard orioles on Saturday and thought, "that could be a showtune!"    (Triple Hoot!)