What an exasperating month this has been! (Yes, Ellen, I know that exclamation marks should be used sparingly and only for special emphasis, but by golly, I've earned the right this time.)
Endless winter has had me pulling my hair out anyway lately. Taxes have been piled up on the dining table since the beginning (!) of February (I know, I know); it seems we've had every problem known to mankind, what with elderly parents with physical and mental situations, three teen-agers and one nearly teen-ager with various and sundry situations to deal with, and all sorts of illnesses and problems among the adults in the family.
The blues have become a way of life for just about everyone in our immediate circle this winter. The two-day blizzard was just about the straw that broke the camel's back, believe me.
Had it not been for the bluebird I think I might have run away from home. The Bahamas were sounding pretty good about that time.
Driving home after delivering someone to or from (who knows which?) school, a near liquid drop of perfect blue dipped its wings and soared up from the left pasture and across the road in front of the car, landing on the fence on the other side. It's a wonder I didn't go in the ditch. I've never been so glad to see anything in my life.
The day was cold and the temperature hovered near freezing. I told Ben that night that I hoped the bird didn't change its mind and return south but the next day (while delivering another child to another location) I spotted another bluebird leading what appeared to be several others. I got a really good look at only the one but I'm pretty certain there were four others.
The next day, things improved even more. The sun came out! (Note: another exclamation mark.) The temperature was warm. Spring was really coming. Really.
The beast within began (slowly) to recede.
This miracle of sunshine, that albeit off and on, has been a life saver in more ways than one. If ever there was a 'winter of our discontent' the winter of 2009 and 2010 has been just that around this house.
I suppose I just need to vent. My apologies for getting so behind on this blog. But I'm down to the last of the taxes. The appointment is made with the accountant for next week, I made it to my Missouri Folklore Society board meeting in Columbia today (about six and a half hours driving today...I drove to Lebanon yesterday and spent the night with Ellen) so I'm really worn out, but have things all under control for the conference in Neosho next November. Whoopee! (Note exclamation mark.)
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Crazy Busy
I unearthed a book I got last year this morning, Crazy Busy, by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. but so far I've been too busy to read it. I can tell I was too busy to read it when it was purchased also as there are several bookmarks stuck in the first two chapters.
Unfortunately my answer to everything, all my problems, is to buy a book about it. Now, if I were to actually read the book and to put the author's advice into action, perhaps I could solve the problem at hand. But, no, what I do is scan the chapter headings, tell myself this is a really good book and that I will read it thoroughly when I find the time, lay it aside and go on about my busy, busy life and, just as I did with this volume, forget all about it.
Searching my memory, I do remember buying it when I was at the Writer's Colony at Dairy Hollow last spring and I credit myself with knowing I did use a little of the information the book had to offer with the novel I was working on at the time. However, it could be put to a great deal of good use if I would only heed to some of the advice in my own life.
Too bad, though, that it will never happen. I'm just too busy.
I was saddened the other day when learning of the death from cancer of Winston Spencer Churchill, the grandson of Britian's wartime leader. I had made his acquaintance last summer when I was in the south of England, where I heard him speak and later shared a table with him at dinner. He was a lovely man who actually resembled his grandfather except for his wonderfully expressive blue eyes, and I quite enjoyed visiting with him at the event we attended.
We had a lovely day on Sunday with the entire family here to celebrate (a week late) Amy's twentieth birthday while she is home on spring break. I so enjoy her presence as she brightens the place up as much as the multiple crocuses and daffodils on the south side of the house. She will be leaving on Thursday but will probably come home for the summer to work and save money for the next year (third) as she is planning to study for at least one semester somewhere in Europe. Her major is Art History so there are very few places that wouldn't enrich her wealth of knowledge.
Got the taxes started today. Ugh.
Unfortunately my answer to everything, all my problems, is to buy a book about it. Now, if I were to actually read the book and to put the author's advice into action, perhaps I could solve the problem at hand. But, no, what I do is scan the chapter headings, tell myself this is a really good book and that I will read it thoroughly when I find the time, lay it aside and go on about my busy, busy life and, just as I did with this volume, forget all about it.
Searching my memory, I do remember buying it when I was at the Writer's Colony at Dairy Hollow last spring and I credit myself with knowing I did use a little of the information the book had to offer with the novel I was working on at the time. However, it could be put to a great deal of good use if I would only heed to some of the advice in my own life.
Too bad, though, that it will never happen. I'm just too busy.
I was saddened the other day when learning of the death from cancer of Winston Spencer Churchill, the grandson of Britian's wartime leader. I had made his acquaintance last summer when I was in the south of England, where I heard him speak and later shared a table with him at dinner. He was a lovely man who actually resembled his grandfather except for his wonderfully expressive blue eyes, and I quite enjoyed visiting with him at the event we attended.
We had a lovely day on Sunday with the entire family here to celebrate (a week late) Amy's twentieth birthday while she is home on spring break. I so enjoy her presence as she brightens the place up as much as the multiple crocuses and daffodils on the south side of the house. She will be leaving on Thursday but will probably come home for the summer to work and save money for the next year (third) as she is planning to study for at least one semester somewhere in Europe. Her major is Art History so there are very few places that wouldn't enrich her wealth of knowledge.
Got the taxes started today. Ugh.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Necessary Shopping
The time has come. I'm absolutely forced into taking a trip to Springfield. We're out of T.P. Really. Its an emergency.
Usually I go by Sam's Club every couple of months and stock up on several things, toliet paper being one of them. I've got lots of storage space and it really is nice to never have to think of this necessary item. I buy two or three very large packages and they last a long long time. But this time, except for trips up following the surgery which occurred on the first of November, I've not had a chance.
How strange to think I've not made the run to Springfield since October. This is incredible, especially considering that the toliet paper has lasted that long.
So tomorrow I'll replenish. And go to the doctor.
Told you. Spring is coming and the weather is warmer. I can go places again. Hurrah.
The other thing I need to do is spend some time with the granddaughter who lives there. Poor kid. She's been sadly neglected this winter. The youngsters here in town get plenty of attention but since the only time school has been out has been for a day here and there Allison and I don't get many chances to spend time together.
But tomorrow I'll make up for it.
Usually I go by Sam's Club every couple of months and stock up on several things, toliet paper being one of them. I've got lots of storage space and it really is nice to never have to think of this necessary item. I buy two or three very large packages and they last a long long time. But this time, except for trips up following the surgery which occurred on the first of November, I've not had a chance.
How strange to think I've not made the run to Springfield since October. This is incredible, especially considering that the toliet paper has lasted that long.
So tomorrow I'll replenish. And go to the doctor.
Told you. Spring is coming and the weather is warmer. I can go places again. Hurrah.
The other thing I need to do is spend some time with the granddaughter who lives there. Poor kid. She's been sadly neglected this winter. The youngsters here in town get plenty of attention but since the only time school has been out has been for a day here and there Allison and I don't get many chances to spend time together.
But tomorrow I'll make up for it.
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