October has always been my favorite month. I really like fall, but September is frequently just a continuation of summer. October brings the cooler days and nippy nights, sometimes even some snowthat doesn'treally stay.It's just a teaser for winter. This year we got several snow storms in the early part of the month, then we got down to the sunny days and cool nights. On the 24th we had a gorgeous Harvest Moon. It was probably so colorful due to the the coming temperature inversion last week end. The air was horribly smoggy. When I was coming home from work and passing the Great Salt Lake, it almost looked as if the world dissappeared into mist as I looked out.
Even though there's 31 days in October, it felt like less. The month just whirled by. It's hard to believe that it's November tomorrow! Hopefully, the nice weather willcontinue for awhile. I'm working an extra day a week for the holidays and I'm dreading driving in snow. The extra time is playing havoc with my blog writing as well.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Count Your Blessings
I was reading a quote from Charles Dickensthat every man should count his blessings, as any man alive has many. We should not concentrate on the past, as everyone has some problems and disappointments. That's a loose quote, but the meaning should be clear. I'm sure that each and everyone of us has had problems and disappointments in the past, done things and said things that we regret. The secret is to learn from those mistakes,then move on. As far as blessings in the"now", well, we're alive and breathing, then go on from there.
I had my handicapped daughter for one of her twice monthly overnights last night, She went to sleep around 9:30 p.m. and slept all night. That was a great blessing. Sometimes, we're lucky if she's able to sleep 4 hours. The traffic into town to take her to her workshop was pretty well behaved. Another blessing. It's a pretty day, despite the building up of smog, the skies overhead are a beautiful blue.
I went to my lawyer to finally get some things finalized that have been hanging for quite a while. I discovered that I had more money in the bank than I thought, a mixed blessing though, there are still too many checks that haven't been cleared yet. Oh well, I'm just getting used to debit cards and paying online I guess, think things should be quick, quick, quick.
Another blessing, I have no credit cards. It can be interesting living on a cash basis, sometimes quite liberating. I have no doubt that this will prove, ultimately, a very big blessing indeed.
I have a wonderful and supportive family. I have super grandchildren and my granddaughter is having a birthday next week, my oldest grandson is in college and the youngest one is becoming a wonderful young man.
My health is relatively good. It's been a little over a year since I first went to work in a job that requires me to be on my feet for hours. I remember coming home and soaking my feet most nights. I haven't done that in quite a long time. I can do my day and still have some energy left on most days. A true blessing. there are many more, but you get the idea.
I had my handicapped daughter for one of her twice monthly overnights last night, She went to sleep around 9:30 p.m. and slept all night. That was a great blessing. Sometimes, we're lucky if she's able to sleep 4 hours. The traffic into town to take her to her workshop was pretty well behaved. Another blessing. It's a pretty day, despite the building up of smog, the skies overhead are a beautiful blue.
I went to my lawyer to finally get some things finalized that have been hanging for quite a while. I discovered that I had more money in the bank than I thought, a mixed blessing though, there are still too many checks that haven't been cleared yet. Oh well, I'm just getting used to debit cards and paying online I guess, think things should be quick, quick, quick.
Another blessing, I have no credit cards. It can be interesting living on a cash basis, sometimes quite liberating. I have no doubt that this will prove, ultimately, a very big blessing indeed.
I have a wonderful and supportive family. I have super grandchildren and my granddaughter is having a birthday next week, my oldest grandson is in college and the youngest one is becoming a wonderful young man.
My health is relatively good. It's been a little over a year since I first went to work in a job that requires me to be on my feet for hours. I remember coming home and soaking my feet most nights. I haven't done that in quite a long time. I can do my day and still have some energy left on most days. A true blessing. there are many more, but you get the idea.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Moody
Today I'm feeling a bit down and I can't quite figure out why. The sun is shining,though we're starting on a new weather pattern of more frequent storms. I guess I should get out and enjoy the sun while I can. Maybe that's what I need is a little more mother nature. My work days were busy with lots of cooking. Yesterday was laundry day, plus I cleaned out a closet. I actually got my sewing machine up and running last week and started on an outfit that I've had cut out and waiting for over a year. Unfortunately, the pants are summer wieght fabric. Oh well, I'll wear them anyway.
I used to meditate every morning, but since I moved in with my Aunt, I don't manage to do it very often. Maybe that is what is making me feel out of balance. I keep planning on renewing my yoga practice, but don't. I could be lazy, or just have not quite enough motivation or maybe energy. Of course the activity would boost my energy,but where to find the initial energy to start with?
I just rejoined AARP. I went to thier web site to see what they have.On thier games and humor page they print a cartoon called "Bound and Gagged"that is really cute. Also on the site is the results of a poll about how people over 50 feel about death and dying. 94% believe in God. Something like 74% believe in heaven and 66% believe in Hell. I may have the numbers a little off,because I didn't write them down, but I'm close. I was a little surprised that there weren't so many who believed in Hell. Maybe by the time you get into your 50s, you start taking responsibilty for yourself and stop blaming "the Devil" for your problems. Just a thought.
I used to meditate every morning, but since I moved in with my Aunt, I don't manage to do it very often. Maybe that is what is making me feel out of balance. I keep planning on renewing my yoga practice, but don't. I could be lazy, or just have not quite enough motivation or maybe energy. Of course the activity would boost my energy,but where to find the initial energy to start with?
I just rejoined AARP. I went to thier web site to see what they have.On thier games and humor page they print a cartoon called "Bound and Gagged"that is really cute. Also on the site is the results of a poll about how people over 50 feel about death and dying. 94% believe in God. Something like 74% believe in heaven and 66% believe in Hell. I may have the numbers a little off,because I didn't write them down, but I'm close. I was a little surprised that there weren't so many who believed in Hell. Maybe by the time you get into your 50s, you start taking responsibilty for yourself and stop blaming "the Devil" for your problems. Just a thought.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Just Ramblin
I just received an ecard from my Granddaughter, Caitlyn. I really love hearing from her because it's almost like she's right here and I can hear her. She writes just like she sounds in person. It's always a bright spot in my day when I hear from any of my Grandchildren or from my Son or Daighter-in-Law. Since the Grandkids write infrequently, it's fortunate that my
daughter-in Law keeps me a little better posted, otherwise I wouldn't know what's going on. I know I could pick up the phone and talk in person, but they are all so busy, that it is hard to catch them at home. Holidays are hard, 'cause though I miss them all year, it seems most acute around the Holidays.
We've already had two snowstorms in the mountains. It gets warmer between storms. In fact, yesterday, it got quite warm, in the 80s in SLC. Today is a perfect Fall day, sunny, clear and in the mid 60s.
I heard on the news yesterday about the 14 year old boy in Cleveland, who shot 4 people and then turned the gun upon himself. While it is fortunate that he didn't kill anyone but himself, it is quite horrifying to think of a 14 year old with no reason to live. What is wrong with our society that leads these young people into a state of mind where they seem to feel their only option is violence and death?
While we need to address the problems of the depressed and hopeless, we must not forget the many young people who view life positively and look for ways to serve others, and there are many of them. I read a column by Thomas Friedman today. He had been to several colleges, talking to students. He's very impressed by their idealism and willingness to do their part to improve the world. He does, however, label them the "Q" generation,because they use the internet to communicate with others of thier mindset, but they don't get out and get vocal. He thinks they should be protesting, and certainly, they should be voting. I'm not sure about that, except for the voting part. The internet has been changing things. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how effective it is about changing the way politics is carried out. By the way, Friedman calls us the greedy generation. Ouch!
daughter-in Law keeps me a little better posted, otherwise I wouldn't know what's going on. I know I could pick up the phone and talk in person, but they are all so busy, that it is hard to catch them at home. Holidays are hard, 'cause though I miss them all year, it seems most acute around the Holidays.
We've already had two snowstorms in the mountains. It gets warmer between storms. In fact, yesterday, it got quite warm, in the 80s in SLC. Today is a perfect Fall day, sunny, clear and in the mid 60s.
I heard on the news yesterday about the 14 year old boy in Cleveland, who shot 4 people and then turned the gun upon himself. While it is fortunate that he didn't kill anyone but himself, it is quite horrifying to think of a 14 year old with no reason to live. What is wrong with our society that leads these young people into a state of mind where they seem to feel their only option is violence and death?
While we need to address the problems of the depressed and hopeless, we must not forget the many young people who view life positively and look for ways to serve others, and there are many of them. I read a column by Thomas Friedman today. He had been to several colleges, talking to students. He's very impressed by their idealism and willingness to do their part to improve the world. He does, however, label them the "Q" generation,because they use the internet to communicate with others of thier mindset, but they don't get out and get vocal. He thinks they should be protesting, and certainly, they should be voting. I'm not sure about that, except for the voting part. The internet has been changing things. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how effective it is about changing the way politics is carried out. By the way, Friedman calls us the greedy generation. Ouch!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Me Thinks He Doth Protest Too Much
Recently, Pres. Bush said, again, that The U.S. does not torture. Has anyone kept track of how many times he has seen reason to make this comment? It seems like a lot. Makes you wonder if he's protesting too much. If it were really true, that the U.S. doesn't use torture, he'd not need to keep saying it.
Yesterday I read an article from Harper's Magazine online written by Scott Horton on the subject of torture. He talks about our "enhanced" questioning techniquics and the rendition policies that supposedly aren't torture and are viewed by the Bush Administration as an important part of fighting terrorism. I wonder what kind of Presidency Bush would have had if 9/11 had never happened. How would he have gotten us into Iraq? I'm sure it was on someone in the Administration's agenda from the very beginning.
Back to Scott Horton's article. He talks about torture being a crime greater than most because it corupts the core of state and society, a rot that spreads quickly, destoying other values. It breeds secrecy and tyranical expression of the power of the executive and imperils the democratic institutions. He goes on to point out that love endures and overcomes, while hatred can only destroy.
Yesterday I read an article from Harper's Magazine online written by Scott Horton on the subject of torture. He talks about our "enhanced" questioning techniquics and the rendition policies that supposedly aren't torture and are viewed by the Bush Administration as an important part of fighting terrorism. I wonder what kind of Presidency Bush would have had if 9/11 had never happened. How would he have gotten us into Iraq? I'm sure it was on someone in the Administration's agenda from the very beginning.
Back to Scott Horton's article. He talks about torture being a crime greater than most because it corupts the core of state and society, a rot that spreads quickly, destoying other values. It breeds secrecy and tyranical expression of the power of the executive and imperils the democratic institutions. He goes on to point out that love endures and overcomes, while hatred can only destroy.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Really Cruel Veto
Today is a beautiful, sunny day. It's in the 60s, but we're starting to get a south wind blowing. This will blow in a storm in a day or two. It's too bad we can't guarentee a storm blowing in on President Bush as a response to his veto of the SCHIPS spending bill. His reasoning is that it puts us on a "slippery slope" toward national health care. I suspect he doesn't want to cut money from his war or offend the health insurance industry, though I can't see how providing health insurance to children who's parents can't afford it could possibly cause the insurance industry any problems. After all, they aren't losing customers at all. These are children who go without health care unless SCHIPS is there. These children go without basic care, wellness check ups, many vacinations, etc. They have to be sick enough to go to an emergency room. It very often ends up costing hospitals and/or State programs more money than SCHIPS would, not to mention children having to get sicker and take longer to heal.
My suggestion to those who care about children's heath, is to write, call or email your State Representative and your Senators that you want them to override Pres. Bush's veto. Surely, with all the money we're spending on Haliburton and Blackthorne, we can spare some for our children's health!
My suggestion to those who care about children's heath, is to write, call or email your State Representative and your Senators that you want them to override Pres. Bush's veto. Surely, with all the money we're spending on Haliburton and Blackthorne, we can spare some for our children's health!
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
The Secret to Happiness
I read a news article today about a new study done about happiness. According to this study, Americans report being happy more than Europeans and Japanese, and report being happier. The study was about quality and quantity of happiness. It found that many Americans are very happy, but that they have such high expectations, that new happy experiences aren't always what they expect. It also found that nearly anything that went wrong with thier lives was cause for frustration and unhappiness. My opinion on that is that these people were looking outside themselves for happiness, rather than looking within.
The thing that drew me to the article was a story of a man who was in Italy when he was 70 years old. He was riding a bycycle down a hill, going fast, when he hit a bump. He was thrown over the handlebars and sustained head and spinal injuries. He lost part of his memory, the use of his legs, and though he could move his arms, he couldn't pick up small objects with his fingers. This man is now 80 years old. He still cannot walk, but has regained his memory and made other strides in being more self sufficient. While many might expect him to be bitter and unhappy. However, he says he has never been unhappy. He accepts responsibility for going too fast and causing his accident. He feels joy in being alive and is grateful for any progress he makes in being more able to take care of himself.
I feel that this man knows a great secret. Number one, he takes responsibility for his own actions and equally important, feels gratitude for all that he has. This man probably does not have the ups and downs that the people in the study have. He looks to himself to create his own happiness and his gratitude probably sustains him. The article doesn't mention anything about the man's religion or spiritual practises, but I would bet he is a spiritual person whether or not he belongs to any organised religion or not. It seems to me that we could all learn a lesson from people like him.
The thing that drew me to the article was a story of a man who was in Italy when he was 70 years old. He was riding a bycycle down a hill, going fast, when he hit a bump. He was thrown over the handlebars and sustained head and spinal injuries. He lost part of his memory, the use of his legs, and though he could move his arms, he couldn't pick up small objects with his fingers. This man is now 80 years old. He still cannot walk, but has regained his memory and made other strides in being more self sufficient. While many might expect him to be bitter and unhappy. However, he says he has never been unhappy. He accepts responsibility for going too fast and causing his accident. He feels joy in being alive and is grateful for any progress he makes in being more able to take care of himself.
I feel that this man knows a great secret. Number one, he takes responsibility for his own actions and equally important, feels gratitude for all that he has. This man probably does not have the ups and downs that the people in the study have. He looks to himself to create his own happiness and his gratitude probably sustains him. The article doesn't mention anything about the man's religion or spiritual practises, but I would bet he is a spiritual person whether or not he belongs to any organised religion or not. It seems to me that we could all learn a lesson from people like him.
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