Thursday, March 14, 2024

  SPRING CLEANING

Growing up in the Midwest, in a family of hard workers with strong ideas of right and wrong, I could always count on one thing. Every year the arrival of Spring meant something important: Cleaning Out. Cleaning Up. 


Almost an "off with the old and on with the new" attitude. But not quite.

Houses were swept, scrubbed, and polished until every surface mirrored my face and the fragrance of lavender greeted me every time I came home from school.

Furniture appeared in back yards--not for sale, but for airing.

Clotheslines sagged with heavy bedspreads, wool blankets, small-to-medium sized rugs. Also for airing.

Eventually, after the furniture and other household linens were back in place, out came our winter clothing. Once the wool jackets, coats, and sweaters appeared on the clotheslines, we knew it really was Spring. None of those things would be worn again until cold weather appeared, probably in November. (And you were on your own if you felt cold before the official date of hauling out woolies.)

In those days, not much was thrown away. "Make it do or do without" wasn't just an attitude of the Yankees of New England--it was the difference between having a sufficient something until money again became available to replace it. And, it was a matter of pride.

So I don't recall much of the old stuff going out and being replaced by new stuff. I do recall folks reusing clothing--cutting out the good parts of old suits to make a child's coat, for example. (Clearly, recycling is not a new concept.)

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Fast forward to today--yes, we recycle; been doing that officially for a couple of decades. We've had to re-learn the "make it do" philosophy during a year of COVID, especially when it came to having enough paper products or canned goods.

Then there's another category of Spring Cleaning: our attitudes.


There's a lot--a whole lot--of stuff in the news about diversity, racism, social justice, and more. We're encouraged to think of others. Help those who are having a hard time. If you can't donate money or goods, how about giving a kind word? Or a smile? Or just letting somebody in line ahead of you at the checkout when they have three items and you have a cartful?

It's been a while since I took my attitudes out for an airing--got them down off the shelf and dusted them, rubbed them with a cloth and some fragrant dusting spray to make them shine again. Maybe take them outside and hang them on a drying rack (no clotheslines around here) in the sun and breeze. I think it's time. And Spring is as good a time as any.

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Without our help, Nature comes along and does a super job of Renewal. Every year. Without fail. 

The church encourages Renewal--Easter is a grand celebration of the power of new life.

We can do it, too. It doesn't have to be expensive or labor intensive. How about it?




Thursday, March 7, 2024

 HAPPINESS IS . . .

One of my favorite gifts each Christmas is the Peanuts calendar from my son and daughter-in-law. Each month shows a picture defining Happiness--Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, Woodstock, Sally--sometimes in a group, sometimes alone.

Here are some highlights:

--JANUARY: HAPPINESS IS a new adventure. Perfect for the first month of a new year.

--MARCH: HAPPINESS IS a good book. That one could be on every month of my personal calendar.


--MAY: HAPPINESS IS being with friends. Where would we be without our friends?

--AUGUST: HAPPINESS IS an afternoon nap. Yesss!

--SEPTEMBER: HAPPINESS IS expressing yourself. The picture shows Snoopy painting a portrait of Woodstock. I don't do portraits, but I love to paint. (We won't talk about quality here.)

--AND THE LAST ONE, LEADING INTO THE NEXT YEAR: HAPPINESS IS staying cozy. Snoopy is nearly invisible under a huge padded jacket.

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As I mulled over the topic for today's post, I found myself remembering what it was like being a kid, what made me happy, what I looked forward to, what seemed to me to be the epitome of being happy.

At age 6--going to school. So much great stuff to do--books to read, workbooks to fill out, drawings to color, other kids to see and hear (a one-room school was a microcosm of life for me).

At age 9--discovering writing! Putting characters we'd heard about in the book read to us by Miss Kincaid into our own story! It was like walking through a secret portal into another universe, where my own words made the story.

At age 12--living in a big city. (Wichita, KS was about 300K population at that time; big city by my standards.) Finding out there were other kinds of people in the world--meeting my first African Americans as students in my school. Having male teachers. And discovering art--making puppets, fashioning clay images, painting with watercolors.

At age 15--getting a chance to write for the high school newspaper; acting in one-act plays; going to high school basketball games.

After high school, everything seemed to be going faster. Life was lived on an adult plane--college students were treated like serious contenders for honors and graduation diplomas.

Happiness came with studies--though I have to admit advanced math classes made me break out in a rash; my brain wasn't ready to deal with number logic--word logic, now, that was just my style.

Adult happiness--so much depends on the person--what they grew up with, what their expectations were about life, what resources they had, or didn't have, to make dreams become reality. Like many people, I learned to adjust my dreams and expectations to fit with the resources I had or could assemble.

In my late 20s, I could find joy in my young family; going to church; eventually returning to college to finish my education. 


Beyond that time, life didn't offer many different kinds of experiences. I did eventually work at a full-time job, which brought its own kind of happiness. I returned to writing fiction and found a writer's group of like-minded women. A short-term accompaniment job at a church became nearly full-time employment as the organist (never expected that!).

After retirement, and a rather long adjustment period in which I had to decide what I could do, what I could afford to do, and what I'd much rather do, I settled into mostly activities that called me to be creative--quilting, knitting; playing church music; watercolor painting, and writing.

Happiness is still a good book or an afternoon nap--or both! But there's always a new adventure around somewhere, waiting to be discovered. 

May you be blessed with happiness in your life!

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P.S.--If you find snatches of the "Happiness Is" song from You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown running through your mind today, do a quick google search--"two kinds of ice cream" will bring up several sites, and on YouTube you can hear it sung. Enjoy! Sing along!!


Thursday, February 29, 2024

 FEBRUARY 29TH!

Do you call this Leap Day? Some folks do.

This is the day added to the calendar to make up for the nearly 6 hours accumulated each year and in four years, that makes another (almost) full day; so that there are not 365 days, but 366. If you want a more in-depth discussion and explanation, google "leap year" and read all about it.

I always think of February 29th as an extra day, a special day, an unplanned day. It's a bonus we get for slogging through the previous three years of 365 days (plus those extra hours that make an extra day). It's actually much more complicated than that, so I recommend you do the above google search.

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So! What am I going to do with my bonus day? Wow, so many possibilities! Here are a few:

  • I just checked out 2 new Anne Hillerman books from the library, #6 and #7 in the Leaphorn-Chee-Manuelito series of mysteries. Started Book #6 the day I got it from the library, so I could continue with that. Might even finish it during my bonus day.
  • I'm publishing this post, since Feb. 29th is a Thursday this year. But I do that every Thursday, so even though it's a special event, it isn't really an extra-special event.
  • There's always a creative project waiting to be finished:
    • paintings planned or started
    • quilt tops waiting for the batting and backing to make them into covers for somebody to snuggle under
    • characters struggling to find their story (I've noticed they keep wandering around, like they're lost; but maybe they're just finding their places, and if they finally get settled, the rest of the story can take off. We'll see.)
  • I'm behind in letter writing; and even when there's no birthday card to send, I like to put a few thoughts together in a blank card. Getting personal mail (ads and such things don't count, do they) has always been a big deal for me; I'm trusting it's the same for other folks.
What I'm NOT going to do:
  • clean my house (there are 365 other days for that)
  • go shopping (definitely not my thing, unless I'm looking for art supplies, and even then I shop online at a couple of vendors' sites I like)
  • sort boxes of papers that have languished in the garage for more months than I like to think about--or even care about
One disadvantage for Leap Day--this time it's a week day. Nobody has lobbied for it to become one of the Monday-observance holidays. And the problem with a week day is, this is probably a work day. Even if you're retired, like some of us, it's still a week day and stores are open, the bank's open, the library, court house--if you're of a mind to do some errands, you'll have no problem.

I will close with this thought: I'm glad my birthday wasn't/isn't February 29th. I can't imagine--can you?--not having a birthday celebration every year? Having to wait three more years before the proper number of days have elapsed and those 23+ hours have accumulated to give us the 29th of February? What do those folks do--celebrate a day early? A day late? Not at all?

I won't even open the subject of those folks who opt to get married on Feb. 29th. I wish them well.

Next time we meet, it'll be March--Daylight Savings Time will be looming in our neck of the woods--and who knows? We may have 60-degree weather! Or snow!

Blessings,
Thursday's Child

Resurrection Lilies
Leaves already up!


Thursday, February 22, 2024

 3 WEEKS + 5 DAYS


Think you can make it?  In 3 weeks plus 5 days we'll have the Vernal Equinox, March 19th--and that, folks, marks the beginning of SPRING!

Here's some intel from The Farmer's Almanac online:

  • Equinoxes are the only two times yearly when the Sun rises due east and sets due west for all of us on Earth!
  • Get outside! Look around. Are worms and grubs reappearing? (The March Full Moon is called the "Worm Moon" for this very reason!)
  • Watch the arc of the Sun across the sky as it shifts toward the north. Birds are migrating northward, along with the path of the Sun.
  • Are you noticing that the days are getting longer? Did you know that the increasing sunlight inspires birds to sing? Cool, eh?
  • Are daffodils poking up their heads? Trees, shrubs, and flowers are sensitive to temperature and day length, too! Since ancient days, people have used natural events as indicators of when the weather is right for planting. For example: Blooming crocus are your cue to plant radishes, parsnips, and spinach.
  • Can you feel the Sun getting stronger? The longer days bring high temperatures. Both we and the animals around us discard our warm clothes and heavy coats!
  • Do you plan to garden? The first day of spring is a traditional day to start in the garden! There’s nothing more restorative! 
  • Are you craving fresh foods after a long winter? A Spring Tonic, using the early greens of spring, may be just the thing you need! Also, find some new fresh vegetables using what’s fresh and seasonal!
Many thanks, Farmer's Almanac, for all the helpful and cheerful information!!
-----
We all know--from bitter experience, if we're over the age of ten--that the arrival of Spring doesn't mean there'll be no more snow/ice/fog/slippery roads and sidewalks. But we do know there'll be more color in the landscape, and occasional warm breezes, and if we look in a mirror now and then, we'll see our lips are curved up instead of down.

So let's hear it for Spring!

Remember, 3 weeks + 5 days . . . you can do this!

Blessings,
Thursday's Child



Thursday, February 15, 2024

 MORE GLEANINGS....

In past years I've shared some of my "gleanings," those phrases and ideas and concepts that struck me as noteworthy and might appeal to others folks also.

Today, just past the middle of February, I'm in the crowd that's agitating for Spring! I do know that it'll come when it comes. But, really--isn't it nice to have something to cheer for?

I'm not a fan of any sport, though in my day I've held down the bleachers for my kids' events. But I do sense a need to have something to get excited about. (This may just be a fancy way of describing Hope, one of my favorite things.)

So today's gleanings are on the light side. You know, if you have a case of the grumps that you can't get rid of, somebody else's wit or humor might just shift your attitude a few millimeters.

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Everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. Mark Twain

No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar. Abraham Lincoln

Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. Mark Twain

I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly. Winston Churchill

Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen. Albert Einstein

Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes. Jim Carrey

Always remember you are absolutely unique. Just like everybody else. Margaret Mead

People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do. Isaac Asimov

I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member. Groucho Marx

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Did you get a chuckle or two? Or maybe a little smile tugging at the corners of your mouth? Well, good! You're on your way to having a good day. Oh, you got a growl? All right! Go with that. And have a better day because you got it out of you early on.

Until next time, have a blessed week.

Thursday's Child


It's on the way!



Thursday, February 8, 2024

 VALENTINE'S DAY - 2024 


[This post appeared five years ago--I can't think of one thing to add.]




VALENTINE’S DAY AND THOUGHTS ON LOVE



W
hether it was a little candy heart that said “I LUV U” or a big box of chocolates, Valentine’s Day comes with memories and smiles.
Here are some quotations I came across. Hope you find something to touch your heart on this day we celebrate Love.

Love is a friendship set to music.
Joseph Campbell

The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention.
When mindfulness embraces those we love,
they will bloom like flowers.
Thich Nhat Hanh

Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without
and know we cannot live within.
James Baldwin

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply,
without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know
any other way of loving but this,
in which there is no I or you, so intimate that
your hand upon my chest is my hand,
so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close.
Pablo Neruda

love is the voice under all silences,
the hope which has no opposite in fear,
the strength so strong mere force is feebleness:
the truth more first than sun,
more last than star . . .
e e cummings

You know you're in love when you don't want to fall asleep
because reality is finally better than
your dreams.
Dr. Seuss

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
..............
And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.
But the greatest of these is love.
I Corinthians 13:4-13


Happy Valentine's Day!

from Thursday's Child

Thursday, February 1, 2024

  A NEW WORD FOR A NEW YEAR

[I realize we're now into the second month of 2024, but it's still a NEW year, right? So in case you got sidetracked in January and didn't have time to do a little personal work, here's your second chance.]

The tradition of choosing a personal Word to Live By has probably been around since Moses was a pup. But it got a new lease on life a few years back (I covered that a couple of years ago so I won't go into it again)--now it's by way of becoming a tradition as firmly established as New Year's Resolutions. I do hope choosing a word won't fall into disrepute, though; resolutions have gotten a bad rep and though people try to refurbish them, dust them down, and call them something else, like Intentions or Goals, they still have a little of the old taint about them.

So, forget Resolutions, Intentions, and Goals. Pick your Word.

Go ahead, pick one. If you don't think it'll work, put it back in the pile and select another one. There are no rules when you're playing this hand. 

Here are some to consider:

LOVE - as in, love God; love your neighbor; love yourself

ACCEPT - think St. Francis--accept the things you cannot change

PEACE - a longing many of us have--peace in the world, peace in our lives, peace in our souls

JOY - where has all the Joy gone? Let's do a treasure hunt and find it. Then we can embrace it and allow it to fill our lives, give it away, spread it around.

BELIEVE - this has come to be a biggie over the past few years--Believe is on every pillow, wall hanging, and tea towel, not to mention tee-shirts, doggie sweaters, and soap. Believe in something bigger than yourself. Also, believe in yourself--and in your family--and in your neighbors--and . . . .

THINK - thinking is a great DIY project to start at the new year--amazing what kind of thing you can make using your imagination and the brain cells you already have on hand.

CREATE - your choice--something physical (like a painting, a poem, a set of shelves), something intangible (like space for new ideas in your life, ways to keep in touch with others during difficult times); something for others, something for yourself

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There you have it--seven words. Feel free to take one, pass them along; or find your own. Mine isn't the only deck to work with.

I'll give the final word to Mother Theresa:

     "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

Blessings for a new year!

Thursday's Child