Remember the days when I apologized for blogging about nothing? Is it me or do we all miss those days of me just rambling about nothing? Don’t answer for real but just incase, I’m going to practice getting back there. Because one day I hope that life is that mundane again.
Let’s see – I’ve been reading A LOT. I used to love my reading on the bus/commute time so I’ve picked that back up and everyday at 5:00 I leave my computer (I’m working at home remember) and walk out to my back deck and read. Sometimes I fall asleep but mostly I read. I’ve gotten through a lot of books this way. One difference that the commute did not offer (because I’d have to get off the bus) is that I find myself sometimes sitting there past 7 pm deep in whatever it is I’m reading. Here are some of my recent books:
White Fragility – Robin D’Angelo
Red at the Bone – Jacqueline Woodson
The Book of Longings – Sue Monk Kidd
Ancient Secrets of a Master Healer – Clint Rogers
Those Who Save Us – Jenna Blum
Walking Through Walls – Philip Smith
Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ – Levi
a couple by Harlan Coben that I can’t remember as I’ve already passed them on. ANYTHING by Harlan Coben is good.
Up next – Another Harlan Coben: The Boy from the Woods.
My new system is to stack the books up (I keep ordering new ones) and just take whatever is on top and read it. I’m thinking this way I’ll read the book when it’s “time” – you know like “time.” A couple of these books mentioned above I’ve had for a while and was just waiting until I was in the mood. Now I put them in the stack and make myself read them when they come up. After Harlan Coben is Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram Kendi. It’s very intimidating (in length and subject) but with my current line of thinking it’ll be time to read it.
I’ve been using that line of thinking in other areas of my life as well. Not sure that this is a new concept or one I haven’t shared before but because this is a rambling blog I will continue.
One night, when I couldn’t sleep, I was thinking about mom and how it’s near the end of her life, I mean it just is. She’s 88. Well anyway, I realized I need to get her life story down before she goes. So next day I called and we spent quite a while reviewing her life. Most of the stories I’d already heard but there’s more to go. I am truly amazed at how she lived at times during her life. She has taken so much in stride. How much is lost when our parents go, and as the generations pass? Ya know? I mean before blogging would we ever know what happened? Thank god for authors, books and historical novels. I am always amazed how people have survived throughout history, such as Nazi camps. Unbelievable. I copied this from the book Those Who Save Us:
“The world has gone crazy. To burn people in ovens..that we talk about this the same way we used to talk about whether Irene’s husband was going to leave her, or the price of turnips, or the weather.”
And this is historically true of that time.
I’ve been writing other notes down. Something will speak to me in a book or passage and I’ll write it down now (copying the source). My thought is to compile them all someday and then use them as one of those books you open randomly on a day when you’re looking for guidance. Have you ever done that?
My brother used to open the dictionary randomly and read a word a day. That’s pretty cool. I’ve tried that a couple times and sometimes the word fits something I’m doing. I don’t have my mom’s HUGE dictionary anymore. I mean it was HUGE. I wonder where that is. It was a family relic.
I’m missing a lot of those family relics.
Let’s see what else:
Recently I was dog sitting at a friends who has very large rooms in her house. I realized I’ve been living in closet sized accommodations since 2017. Although I may have one time thought I’d like tiny living, after stretching out in her house and not having to turn sideways to access the washer and dryer I’ve decided I’m back on the home search for BIG rooms and a yard. Any yard really. With dogs (other’s dogs) and children in my life again (Evan’s babies) I need a FENCED in yard. Primarily for the children. They were here for a visit the other day and as I was making dinner in the kitchen, those kids said they were upstairs and then I found out they were ½ way down the street at my neighbors. I should put shock collars on them when they’re here.
What else,
Oh, I joined this new group. It’s a group of like-minded individuals who try to increase awareness of one’s self. I initially thought it would be a good group for me to ensure that I make wise decisions and actually used the example (in my head) so that when I buy a car I am making the right decision. So since then,,,,I bought a car. A (used) Subaru Crosstrek. I have been buying cars for myself since 1978. This is the first car that I almost hate. Lol. So much for the group’s effectiveness. There is nothing wrong with the car. It’s fine and all but I just don’t love it. I barely like it. When I was buying it I guess I thought it was the “right” thing to do. I hate doing the “right” thing. It’s just not me. I am hoping that life is going to unfold in a way and I will be happy to have this car eventually. Maybe my next house will be in an area where I need all wheel drive and be happy to have such a car. In retrospect, I think I should have waited one more year.
Other than that I love the new group – we meet virtually once a month. I like it. Something I learned this past week, or that was suggested, is that when you get an urge or an idea, to act on it. It is living your purpose. That seems a little simplified but that was the gist. Obviously it needs to be an urge or idea with a higher purpose I imagine.
So here’s an urge/idea I had (besides looking at farmhouses). As background, in my current job and with my last job at Stetson I did a lot of Surveys. I have learned that I like reading the surveys and making sense of them – I guess analyzing. It’s not always (hardly ever) raw data, but the words and comments tell a story. So I’m thinking about a story. You know how one of those Facebook questions is “if you could have dinner with anyone ever who would it be?” Many people answer Jesus. Also, usually people pick a parent. So (I shouldn’t use so many so’s) Just for fun I am asking anyone who reads this to complete the survey linked below and let me know if you could ask Jesus one question what would it be (This is not a religious question – even if you don’t believe he existed – especially if you don’t believe he existed – even asking “who’s your real dad?” is acceptable – any question is acceptable) – AND if you would invite someone else (parent, Hitler, Joan of Arc) who would you ask and what one question would you ask them. Obviously you can respond in the comment section below but if you want to remain anonymous use the survey. But, don’t sue me if I write a best selling novel and use your question and don’t mention you 😊
Starting with today I decided I would follow through with a bunch of things that I’ve been waiting for the right time to do. Like write this blog, call a lawyer (just routine), put away beach stuff…you know…all that stuff that waits and piles up.
That day is today! Carpe Diem!
I hope you all enjoyed your weekend and were able to enjoy one extra day off from sitting in front of the computer. As has become my new habit, I sat on my deck all afternoon and finished a book. Although my exercise habit has really taken a nosedive, my reading habit has become all consuming.
Lets see if this link works: Survey says:
xoxox