12/13/2024

"There is hope in people, 

not in society, not in systems, 

but in you and me."

~Jiddu Krishnamurti

Just what I needed for right 

now. And, no need to go over 

those things that are troubling 

me within the system.

I needed to be reminded that

all I need to be thinking about

are my people . . . our children,

friends, those who teach us.

The children, albeit born of my

body, or born to me through

marriage . . . every single one of

them are absolutely phenomenal

people. We are sooooo blest!

And friends . . . I could tell tales

out of school. Fab peeps; make

no mistake. I am so blest within

these circles of friendship.

Methinks, I'll be concentrating 

on these gifts to moi and not

concerning myself with what

I consider as odious politics

within the system.

Bless our children! Praise god

for friends . . . and yes, I will

continue to learn from those

who teach me . . .

12/12/2024

Not only do we live in a 145

year old cabin, but yesterday

we went through some 145

year old experiences.

We had seen men installing

telephone poles, so losing

our electric was no surprise.

That came throughout the

afternoon and evening as

the outage lasted eight and

a half hours.

Funny how you do so many

things by rote. I put in a load

of wash, no electric! Went to

get a beer out of the fridge,

no electric! In the jane, tried

to flush, no electric!

On the fun side of these dark

hours, a fire in the fireplace

and candles glowing every-

where. So beautiful. Even

better, our friends came over

to see how we were faring

and we enjoyed the p.m.

together.

Funny . . . we were sound

asleep when the lights came

on. Go figure!

Sooooo, today we have electric

but I have to go to the dentist.

Methinks I'd rather have lights 

out!

12/11/2024

December . . . simply 

brimming with holidays 

begging to be celebrated! 

Rather promises to be a ton 

of naughty fun!

-13th, Friday the Thirteenth

-20th, Yule Eve

-21st, Yule

-24th, Christmas Even

-25th, Christmas

-31st, New Year's Eve

I'll be celebrating a great deal 

of joy in these upcoming 

December days. But, I fully 

intend to behave myself and 

mind my manners. Right?!

Still, I must be careful as I 

have no intention of drinking 

the lush. Mother is watching

after all! And, I better watch 

how much I eat as I always 

gain weight in December. 

Sooooo looking forward to 

visits from family and friends,

phenomenal foods, surprise 

packages and sweet drinks!

January is diet time; make no

mistake . . . and no drinks for 

30 days! Love me my dry

Januarys!

And, methinks 'tis a phenom 

idea to honor the promises I 

make to myself.

Cross my heart and hope to

die . . .

12/10/2024

~!@#$%^&*()_+/?

7° and 6" snow . . . and we

are still 11 days 'til winter.

I'd protest, but it's too cold

to march.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I'll shut up now . . .

12/09/2024

"What you think, you create.

What you feel, you attract.

What you imagine, you become."

~Buddha

 

I am overwhelmed . . .

Everywhere you turn, wisdom

abounds. Albeit ancient, old or

new, it's there for the taking.

Alas methinks, we've come to

the point where we're so busy

we don't notice said wisdom

that surrounds us.

We live in a world of Hurry!

Hurry! Hurry! Do! Do! Do!

We struggle to survive, to

make ends meet, to live yet

another day. Not much time

for wisdom.

I thought that retirement and

old age would at last bring

these to my door.  And yes, I

have the time, the inclination,

but perhaps not used to paying

attention.

I see one has to be consciously

at the ready to receive this gift.

Even, consciously searching.

I approach these latter years

of my life. Having said that,

I know I must find wisdom.

I need to learn to act within

the parameters of the wise.

I so pray I find the answers 

before 'tis my time to go . . .

Blessed be!

12/08/2024

"I am made of water,

of course I am emotional."

~Rupi Kaur

I much enjoy the the five

directions and elements. 

Part of my belief system

and ever so important to 

me.

I know this will not be

understood by one and 

all. Still, I find this has so

helped me to understand 

myself, and has served 

many of my friends as 

well.

See what you think . . .

North, Earth – wondrous,

glorious place where we live.

East, Air – that which allows 

us to breathe and represents

our intellect.

South, Fire – our love and

passion for life.

West, Water – gift of life

and blessing of emotion.

Center, Spirit – the greatest 

gift of all, that which allows

us to live with ourselves in

peace.

I so identify w/Rupi Kaur, 

in the above quote as I am 

water and ever so emotional.

Perhaps 'twill serve you as 

well.

12/07/2024

One of the things I dearly

love about winter is when

I can deal with it properly.

You know, like a normal

person; cold okay, mud

okay, snow okay!

Can't claim to do so every

day. Days when I get the

shakes, or the downs, even

tears. But today was fine!

Oh that's right, I had guests

in the morning and others

in the afternoon. And yes, 

I do know by now that this

truly helps. Makes a diff!

Really, the only thing that

scares me is I keep thinking

it's winter and that it's almost

over. And damn, winter does

not even start for two more

weeks.

Methinks an inheritance is

needed! Going to buy a little

cabin in New Mexico or AZ.

I'll leave Linda here and send

Dale there!

Ha! A split personality awaits!

12/06/2024

Sooooo loving me my friends!

In the afternoon, our neighbors

and besties came by. 'Twas

most lovely; I hadn't expected

them 'til the morrow.

Then came my dear, dear friend

from up north and today we'll

be joined by our third.

One might ask why this is so

important. Surely, we see our

friends all the time.

Living out in the boondocks, 

by choice, I might add, we do

not see many people. So bless

our neighbors who check in on

us weekly, sharing laughter, 

drinks and friendship.

I do love living here, especially

now that we're three quarters 

of a century. We have quiet on

the forest side and noise from

traffic on the other. I tune that

out completely. Alas, my guy

doesn't seem to be able.

So, what are all these musings

really about?! Just thinking

out loud?! Or, is there a reason?

Indeed, these ramblings are all

about gratitude. The people in

our lives make a difference in

the quality of our actual living.

This is Thanksgiving spilling

over into December. Bottom

line, my cup runneth over, as

the good book says!

12/05/2024

"Your time on Earth is limited.

Don't try to age with grace,

age with mischief, audacity,

and a good story to tell.

The Death Deck @case.kenny

Sooooo just what I needed 

to hear this early morn!

Still hear my mother telling 

me to be a good girl, my dad

suggesting I live a little . . .

Mom - Comb your hair and

put on a clean dress. Dad -

Put on some jeans and climb

a tree or two. Is it any wonder

I'm Linda to my mother and

Dale to my dad. Go figure!

This is good as well. I owe 

college to my mom and my 20

years in Mexico to my dad. In

fact, 'twas my dad who aided me

in leaving home at 15 whereas

mom wanted me to stay at least

another year.

So, 'tis my mother within that

washes the dishes and my dad

who whispers in my ear, "Just

let them drip dry!"

I want to be just like him when

I grow up . . .

12/04/2024

"Friendship is born at that 

moment when one person

says to another, 'What! You

too? I thought I was the only

one!" ~C.S. Lewis

No can do wait 'til February

to think of friendship! 

As I struggle with Seasonal

Affective Disorder, SAD . . .

I thrill in the reception of the

odd card, an occasional visit,

an unexpected gift, friends

checking in to see how I'm

faring.

There are friends who have

been there, done that. Others

haven't, but on some level get

that winter is a devastating

time for those who suffer SAD.

As I sit under my special light

each day, I think of the friends

who pay special mind during

these dark months.

It has also been recommended

to spend some time outdoors

each day. Here's hoping going

to and from the mailbox counts!

And bright blessings to each of

you who help me through . . .

12/03/2024

Can't help but wonder what

surprises the month of Dec

holds for us . . .

Will our children visit? Here's

hoping, but I know 'tis a busy

month for all.

What friends will we be able

to see, weather notwithstanding.

I would confess, visitors are a

fun happening; make no mistake!

Will we be trying new foods?

We have a close friend who is

a phenomenal chef. He lets us

try things on for size now and

again. Think I feel the calories

before he ever reaches the door.

What about Yule gifts & x-mas

presents?! I find myself in this

time and place of nigh onto a

hundred years old. Makes me

want to share my treasures

rather than rush out to Wally

World and buy just any old thing.

Sometimes, it's hard to let go of

one's treasures. But, ever so nice

to place them in the hands of a

loved one and know they'll be

cherished.

Just have to wait and see what

happens. Buy? Share? Guests?

Special foods? 

Still, I have this sneaking feeling

that December is going to be a

lot of fun . . . yes, I am working

on my winter attitude!!!

12/02/2024

Did our Dec shop this early

morn; most likely we'll not

be stepping out any more 

this month.

Hit the bank for available

shekels and off we went.

Did it all in three stores

and mailed my packages.

Upon arrival at the cabin,

checked my list twice in

honor of Mr. Clause him-

self. 

Realized we'd done three

bottles of wine for Yule

as well as groceries . . .

but where are the gifts?

Damn! Rather makes me

think we'll have to go to

town again. Don't like to

shop per se, but December

is a huge no, no.

Alas, methinks lack of

planning . . .

Come on over and we'll

share a beer!

12/01/2024

December falls under the

category of admonishment

for moi . . .

I have enough DON'TS I

could write another set of

Ten Commandments!

1) Don't spend shekels you

don't have.

2) Don't eat too much holiday

food.

3) Don't drink every day and

don't drink too much.

4) Don't use paper plates; 

wash the dishes already.

5) Don't go out unless in dire

need. 

6) Don't wrap presents; place

in bags as they are reusable.

7) Don't forget to send Yule

cards.

8) Don't drive on usual party

times.

9) Don't burn the house down;

watch that fire.

10) Don't let the mice in; it's

cold outside and they're waiting

in line to come in.

I know I complained about Nov,

but maybe we could go back to

it for just a few more days! 

Or . . .

We could just skip winter entirely!