October 14--Dance or Not

We can choose to hate the rain or dance in it.  --Joan Marques

    I live in an area where we rarely hate rain; mostly we badly need it. We are more inclined to dance in it unless there is lightning, which is often the case. 

    But that's not really the point of the quote. My parenting words are haunting me right now. I used to tell the sons that even though they had a must-do chore, they always had a choice--they could do the chore with a good attitude or a bad attitude. I recently had a must-do that I am very opposed to, and I did it with a bad attitude. I cannot muster any good feelings about the event. So I'm "hating the rain" on that one. 

    Control is the issue here. We can't control the weather, so we can enjoy it or not. We can't control other people, so we can accept them as they are or not. Sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do, so we can do so pleasantly or not. Being human, sometimes I'm into "not." 

    Today I feel like dancing,

        Leta

My golf ball collection reminds me to "dance."

October 13--Fulfillment

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things only hoped for.  --Epicurus

    I am in the midst of spoiling right now. I'm desiring considerably more time with my new grandson than I am experiencing, and yes, I remember that a grandchild has been a blessing long-hoped for. I am also in a quandary about what to do with myself this winter since I am no longer doing taxes. The end of that job has been a much hoped-for joy, but it has left me with a "what-do-I-do-with-my-life?" dilemma. One might reason that more time with my grandson would take care of both these items. We shall see. I am a firm believer that the answer shall come through me. I am considering options. And I am trying to stay focused on one day at a time and not wish my life away. 

        Leta

October 12--Another Birthday Already?!!?

Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time.   --Jean Paul

    I have an October birthday, and that feather is coming up in less than a week. Between grieving my sister-in-law and uncertainties about the future, my birthday feels kind of irrelevant this year. 

    Recently a friend said that her mother makes her father's favorite cake and takes it to the senior center to share in honor of her deceased husband. So I asked my husband where he'll be taking a carrot cake to celebrate after I'm gone. That got a big laugh. That is, however, an annual birthday treat for myself--a big slice of carrot cake. Note that I don't get a whole cake, because I would eat it all. One piece is enough. As fast as birthdays come around, I don't spend much time dreaming of my birthday treat. 

    Mmmmmmm...cream cheese frosting!

        Leta

October 11--The BEST!

Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year. 
--Ralph Waldo Emerson

    "Best day yet!" Long ago I read a story somewhere that a 90-something gentleman responded with that exclamation whenever he was asked how he was doing. Clearly that stuck with me. 

    Is it the best day of the year when a beloved sister-in-law passes? I expect it was, in fact, for her, even though not so for those of us remaining. Is my birthday the best day of the year? Christmas? The 4th of July? The third Wednesday of May? I note that I tend to put a lot of judgment on a day before it even starts, based on what I see on my calendar--is it stuff I look forward to or dread? And why do I have those sentiments? "Best day yet" seems to be a much more promising attitude.

        Leta

October 10--All Four Seasons

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.  --George Santayana

    I am hopelessly in love with spring, because it brings Opening Day of baseball season. 

    However, I've always lived where there are four distinct seasons, and I like it that way. I'm not very fond of extreme heat or cold, so the changing seasons here in Kansas give us a much needed break from the extremes. I am as in love with fall colors as I am with spring flowers. I love warm-weather golf as well as the "long winter's nap." (OK, I'm a year-round napper.) 

    Am I happier because of all this? I guess so!

        Leta

The autumn colors of Colorado

October 9--Astonishing!

You must not pity me because my sixtieth year finds me still astonished. To be astonished is one of the surest ways of not growing old too quickly.  --Colette

    Every photo I received of my new grandson astonishes me, even at 66. He's a perfect, growing, smiling, cooing, bright-eyed spiritual being in a sweet new body. He's a miracle creation, a whole new human from two cells in a mere nine months. If that process doesn't astonish you, maybe you are growing old?!!? 😉

    Another astonishment in my life is our dog, Barney. His goofiness is a continuous delight. Halloween decorations are starting to appear outside homes. Barney has been known to bark furiously at a pumpkin. We saw yesterday a yard decorated with random fake body parts and bloody dolls. Barney sniffed at a couple things and decided that giving them a wide berth was his best strategy. 

    Lastly I'll give a nod to the magnificent beauty of Mother Earth. There's no end to the astonishment our Mother can create, from the most serene sunrise to the most violent hurricane. She provides our every need, worth pondering and appreciating. 

        Leta

Kansas sunrise

October 8--Beauty

Life is beautiful.  --Leon Trotsky

    I noticed on my recent visit to Ohio that most of my family members were wearing some sort of "Life is good" clothing. I've been a fan of LIG for years--most of my tops come from that company. It turns out that my recently-transitioned s-i-l Sue was also a big fan, and has given LIG gifts for years. Sue's kids offered me something to remind me of her, so I selected one of her LIG shirts. That's much better than a knick-knack!

    Grief was strongly with me yesterday and lots of soul-rinsing happened. It's a beautiful thing to be able to hurt so much because we love so much. 

    Below is some of the beauty I've noticed lately.    

        Leta