Prompt for Dec. 7: Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Cali Harris)
Oh God. This sort of prompt makes me groan and feel totally inadequate. I can't think of a single decent response except to acknowledge the faithful few bloggers who read my posts, comment, write their own posts and (hopefully) enjoy my comments. We grow closer through our connections on-line. Does this a community make? I guess so although the word sounds a bit too contrived for my taste.
As for 2011, I've no pressing desires to forge any new communities. Maybe it's the word that turns me off.
Dear readers: no disrespect intended. Keep reading! I love you all.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Making Things
The #Reverb10 prompt for today comes from Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, an absolutely great book with wonderful week by week tips for living mindfully. MM gifted me the book earlier this year with Gretchen's inscription inside the cover. Very nice.
Here is her prompt for Dec. 6, '10:
Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
As I've done for the last 3-4 years, I waxed fall leaves in time for Thanksgiving and used them to decorate the table. Mom taught me the technique the year she and Dad moved out of their home and in to a retirement facility. I had always wanted to learn and she, figuring that she couldn't be gathering and waxing fall leaves as easily in her tiny kitchen, passed along her knowledge.
This year I dipped lots of leaves, small and large, yellow, red, and orange, into the melted paraffin wax. They were lovely on the Thanksgiving table.
What's needed are fall leaves: flattened and dry
A sturdy, large pot to melt the wax on the stovetop
Paraffin wax (buy in the grocery store), one package is plenty
A large bowl of cold water
Newspaper
Pick a sizable sturdy pot (something you can use year after year for this purpose), preferably something you won't need to clean of all the wax (it sticks like glue to the bottom of the pan!). I use the same pot over and over each year and for no other purpose. You can pick up a pot for a few bucks at a thrift shop and devote it to this purpose.
Melt the paraffin wax over low heat. When melted completely, turn heat OFF or to lowest heat setting. If the wax is too hot, the leaves burn and curl up on the edges. Using the stem of the leaf, DIP the leaf into the melted wax, covering completely. Let the leaf drip excess wax back into the pot. Then, transfer the leaf immediately into the bowl of cold water. This seals the wax on to the leaf. Then, place the dipped leaf on spread newspaper to dry off.
Repeat until finished. The leaves last one season. I usually pitch mine out around Christmas and wait until the following November to start in again.
As for the second part of this prompt....I'd love to learn how to make a quilt. When my Mom died, my friend Paula suggested that I make a quilt out of certain of Mom's sweaters and other special clothing (she had so many beautiful jackets). This is a great idea; thanks Paula.
Here is her prompt for Dec. 6, '10:
Make. What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make, but you need to clear some time for it?
This year I dipped lots of leaves, small and large, yellow, red, and orange, into the melted paraffin wax. They were lovely on the Thanksgiving table.
What's needed are fall leaves: flattened and dry
A sturdy, large pot to melt the wax on the stovetop
Paraffin wax (buy in the grocery store), one package is plenty
A large bowl of cold water
Newspaper
Pick a sizable sturdy pot (something you can use year after year for this purpose), preferably something you won't need to clean of all the wax (it sticks like glue to the bottom of the pan!). I use the same pot over and over each year and for no other purpose. You can pick up a pot for a few bucks at a thrift shop and devote it to this purpose.
Melt the paraffin wax over low heat. When melted completely, turn heat OFF or to lowest heat setting. If the wax is too hot, the leaves burn and curl up on the edges. Using the stem of the leaf, DIP the leaf into the melted wax, covering completely. Let the leaf drip excess wax back into the pot. Then, transfer the leaf immediately into the bowl of cold water. This seals the wax on to the leaf. Then, place the dipped leaf on spread newspaper to dry off.
Repeat until finished. The leaves last one season. I usually pitch mine out around Christmas and wait until the following November to start in again.
As for the second part of this prompt....I'd love to learn how to make a quilt. When my Mom died, my friend Paula suggested that I make a quilt out of certain of Mom's sweaters and other special clothing (she had so many beautiful jackets). This is a great idea; thanks Paula.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Letting Go of Something or Someone
Prompt for Dec. 5: Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author Alice Bradley)
This is a tough one. There are so many things I would love to release into the universe and never let bother me again but did any of that actually happen in 2010? 'fraid not. There are also a few folks who get under my skin consistently that I'd like to forgive and move on (equivalent in my mind to letting go) but did that actually happen in 2010? Again, 'fraid not. Those thorns continue to poke at me.
The only positive "letting go" step after lengthy consideration is something I've posted in "Things about me" on my Blog Home Page: "I overcame my fear of the fast lane."
The gripping terror associated with the freeway on-ramp when I'm at the wheel is largely GONE. I don't think twice about driving on I-5, I-90 and the like unless the weather is God-awful (snow, ice). Rain, even a downpour, won't stop me now. The images of horrendous accidents, mangled bodies, and fire banished themselves from my brain after almost twenty years of freeway abstinence (except under the most dire of situations where I HAD to drive the GD freeway).
What's responsible for the change? This and that. The need to get to Federal Way once a week for clinic, the car trip to and from Spokane, and practice, practice, practice in a car with great visibility. I don't actually drive in the far left lane....but anything's an improvement compared to taking secondary roads on the 55 mile round trip to Federal Way each Thursday.
I feel confident out there and that's a huge positive step.
Now, if I could just tackle the thorns of a different nature and let them go as well....
I guess I've made a teeny step. I no longer take offense when I whine to hubbie, "I'm sad." and he invariably responds with "Get your head out of your ass." Gotta love it. He's right.
This is a tough one. There are so many things I would love to release into the universe and never let bother me again but did any of that actually happen in 2010? 'fraid not. There are also a few folks who get under my skin consistently that I'd like to forgive and move on (equivalent in my mind to letting go) but did that actually happen in 2010? Again, 'fraid not. Those thorns continue to poke at me.
The only positive "letting go" step after lengthy consideration is something I've posted in "Things about me" on my Blog Home Page: "I overcame my fear of the fast lane."
 |
| I CAN DO THIS! |
The gripping terror associated with the freeway on-ramp when I'm at the wheel is largely GONE. I don't think twice about driving on I-5, I-90 and the like unless the weather is God-awful (snow, ice). Rain, even a downpour, won't stop me now. The images of horrendous accidents, mangled bodies, and fire banished themselves from my brain after almost twenty years of freeway abstinence (except under the most dire of situations where I HAD to drive the GD freeway).
What's responsible for the change? This and that. The need to get to Federal Way once a week for clinic, the car trip to and from Spokane, and practice, practice, practice in a car with great visibility. I don't actually drive in the far left lane....but anything's an improvement compared to taking secondary roads on the 55 mile round trip to Federal Way each Thursday.I feel confident out there and that's a huge positive step.
Now, if I could just tackle the thorns of a different nature and let them go as well....
I guess I've made a teeny step. I no longer take offense when I whine to hubbie, "I'm sad." and he invariably responds with "Get your head out of your ass." Gotta love it. He's right.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Cultivating Wonder
Prompt for December 4: Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)
I've a new interest in birds, feathered friends who take to the sky, who make noises, who appear solo or in groups everywhere if I bother to pay attention.
The crow, in particular, carries me to a contemplative place, opening the door to wonder and amazement. After all, she sent me a message in the form of a crow's feather, the color of midnight. Who am I not to be in a state of wonder when the crows caw from my rooftop?
I've a new interest in birds, feathered friends who take to the sky, who make noises, who appear solo or in groups everywhere if I bother to pay attention. The crow, in particular, carries me to a contemplative place, opening the door to wonder and amazement. After all, she sent me a message in the form of a crow's feather, the color of midnight. Who am I not to be in a state of wonder when the crows caw from my rooftop?
Three Days Behind on the December 2010 "Reverb 10"
Last year, during the month of December I participated in Gwen Bell's Best of 2009 challenge, blogging all 31 days of the month in response to a prompt...the best of this or the best of that. This year I'm a bit late on the draw having located an even bigger challenge this December 2010 called #Reverb10. Gwen has been joined by a number of others to offer fellow bloggers the opportunity to participate in what is now an annual event....
"an inspired response to (and evolution of) #best09. It’s an open online initiative that encourages participants to reflect on this year and manifest what’s next. It’s an opportunity to retreat and consider the reverberations of your year past, and those that you’d like to create in the year ahead. We’re connected by the belief that sharing our stories has the power to change us."
Hmmmmm. I had best get started. I'm 3 days behind.
1. Prompt for Dec. 1: One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell)
OK, my word for 2010 is cautious. Not much to say except I've been held back by cautious reaction to almost everything in my life. Not saying that's good or bad. It just is.
My choice of word for next year when 2011 draws to a close is go. This is the word I told myself over and over and over again as I trained for the triathlon.
2. Prompt for Dec 2: Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)
What I do is procrastinate; unless I have a pretty clear idea of what I want to say, I don't even try. The laundry, the trash, the computer; all pull me away from writing. Can I fix it? I certainly hope so.
3. Prompt for Dec 3: Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)
This is a rather literal reply to the prompt, but....it's true. I never felt so alive as the morning of October 12 when I stood by my mother's bedside with my sister and Dad in the hour after she passed away. There is nothing quite like witnessing death up close that makes one feel every beat of their own heart and to know on the deepest level that the one who has passed on has lost the vital force.
And on to today's prompt in the next post....
"an inspired response to (and evolution of) #best09. It’s an open online initiative that encourages participants to reflect on this year and manifest what’s next. It’s an opportunity to retreat and consider the reverberations of your year past, and those that you’d like to create in the year ahead. We’re connected by the belief that sharing our stories has the power to change us."
Hmmmmm. I had best get started. I'm 3 days behind.
1. Prompt for Dec. 1: One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell)
OK, my word for 2010 is cautious. Not much to say except I've been held back by cautious reaction to almost everything in my life. Not saying that's good or bad. It just is.
My choice of word for next year when 2011 draws to a close is go. This is the word I told myself over and over and over again as I trained for the triathlon.
2. Prompt for Dec 2: Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)
What I do is procrastinate; unless I have a pretty clear idea of what I want to say, I don't even try. The laundry, the trash, the computer; all pull me away from writing. Can I fix it? I certainly hope so.
3. Prompt for Dec 3: Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)
This is a rather literal reply to the prompt, but....it's true. I never felt so alive as the morning of October 12 when I stood by my mother's bedside with my sister and Dad in the hour after she passed away. There is nothing quite like witnessing death up close that makes one feel every beat of their own heart and to know on the deepest level that the one who has passed on has lost the vital force.
And on to today's prompt in the next post....
Struggling Towards the New Normal
My Dad is lonely. Mom has been gone for 8 weeks. The reality settles in like a bad dream that sticks. What to do? Just what I'm doing; visiting as often as I can, letting my (and his) emotions flow as they will, and reminding him that he is loved.
Earlier this week I worried over him; he was under the weather with some kind viral thing, so weak he had to be pushed about in a wheelchair, eating and drinking little and running a low grade fever. He got better and is pretty much back to normal now although his appetite is way down. I worry about that.
Last evening I stopped by to see him, a surprise as I had told him I wouldn't be there until Saturday. He was so glad to see me and even though I don't stay long, he's appreciative.
"What can I bring you, Dad?"
"I can't think of a thing.", he responds.
"What about some cashews? You used to really like those, Dad."
"That sounds good. Cashews. Yes, cashews; you could bring those."
And so, today I'll drop off the can of cashews (salty to encourage him to push back the liquid too) as well as a bag of cookies and some paperwork about an upcoming Christmas Concert at church and some of the AFH's holiday events. I'll encourage him to attend these, even without the love of his life.
Earlier this week I worried over him; he was under the weather with some kind viral thing, so weak he had to be pushed about in a wheelchair, eating and drinking little and running a low grade fever. He got better and is pretty much back to normal now although his appetite is way down. I worry about that.
Last evening I stopped by to see him, a surprise as I had told him I wouldn't be there until Saturday. He was so glad to see me and even though I don't stay long, he's appreciative.
"What can I bring you, Dad?"
"I can't think of a thing.", he responds.
"What about some cashews? You used to really like those, Dad."
"That sounds good. Cashews. Yes, cashews; you could bring those."
And so, today I'll drop off the can of cashews (salty to encourage him to push back the liquid too) as well as a bag of cookies and some paperwork about an upcoming Christmas Concert at church and some of the AFH's holiday events. I'll encourage him to attend these, even without the love of his life.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
How I'm Feeling Right About Now
Why so tired? Why the crazy dreams? Why the irregular heartbeats?
I feel like this (almost) melted snowman, reduced to a plop of frozen water crystals. Sigh.
I've the weekend off but next week am ON CALL for 6 days in a row. On the firing line, open to all that's possible from the archives of illness. Sometimes I'm flat out weary of renal disease. Sigh.
I feel like this (almost) melted snowman, reduced to a plop of frozen water crystals. Sigh.
I've the weekend off but next week am ON CALL for 6 days in a row. On the firing line, open to all that's possible from the archives of illness. Sometimes I'm flat out weary of renal disease. Sigh.
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