Clogging @ La Villita!

My friends Dana and Jack Macfarland from Houston are in town this weekend.  They are part of a clogging group called, Texas Lovin’ Cloggers.  Dana is a friend from my high school years in Del Rio.  Anyway, I talked Sarah into going downtown to La Villita tonight to visit with them and stay and watch their performance. 

It really turned out to be fun and interesting!  Dana and Jack are such a cute couple, fun to be around, gracious, hospitable, interesting.  Dana is a retired elementary school teacher and Jack is retired from engineering (oil related, I believe).  Anyway, they were really good in their performance…very creative, choreographed and rehearsed.  Jack has been clogging for about 10 years and Dana for the last year.  It really looks fun and something fun for all ages…there were little 3 & 4 year olds all the way to seniors!

I hope I meet some really great people here in San Antonio like Jack & Dana!  Would be so fun to have some people like that to hang out with.

(I love you Sarah and kids…but…you can’t entertain me ALL the time!)

Sarah took me down the river to a really great StarBucks that is one of those music places…where you can pick and choose cd albums, listen, download music and create your own specialized cd’s.  Fun!

Slowly, but surely, I’m finding my way around SA!  Thanks for going with me Sarah!  Maybe we’ll get everyone excited about dancing at some point!

For Mary…

THREE WISHES

I wish I could go shopping with you, Mary

You find the most fabulous trends!

I wish I could go swimming with you,  Mary

Your sand castles just blow me away! 

I wish for Chile’s BUFFALO FAJITAS with you,  Mary

You make eating out such fun!

All my wishes this eve are just about you, Mary

Night Night!!!

 

 

Priorities

God

Family

Friends

Self

Why am I last?

Because I have been taught not to be first.  And, I understand that.  It’s just that when I’m last, I have nothing left for me…I’m spilled out…empty…depleted…

Then, I start the pattern all over again and spend all of my time with God whining, crying, imploring.

What’s wrong with this picture?  I know what’s wrong…it’s out of order.

God

Self

Family

Friends

Work

That order works better for me…not “for me” in the selfish sense, but, “for me”, in the sense that if I take care of myself before trying to meet everyone else’s needs first, then I’m a better servant.  All it requires is a little quiet time alone with God, some serious paper planning, followed through by action.  Then, I’m ready to meet the world around me.

I look for my “Tuscany” experiences everywhere.  A five-minute stop by the road to reflect on the wildflowers that I so dearly love to see.  Which leads to memories of the Hill Country and mom’s love of color and dad’s love of living free, which leads to watching birds and remembering how much mom loved them and they loved her - it truly was an amazing thing to see - how the birds came around her with no fear - how she talked to them fully trusting that they knew her intent.  I inherited that love for them.  It’s the only type of pet that suits me.  They are free to come & go and talk to me if they wish.  They bring me much joy.  They drown out the ‘white noise’ around me…sigh…all this cool wonderful breeze before summer hits and the neighbors are running their air conditioners non-stop.  What a pity at the wonder they are missing, the money they are expending for electricity…not to mention the waste.  Not being judgemental, just reflecting…I wonder why people are so afraid of facing the elements head on?

This is me…taking care of myself.  Writing.  Reflecting.  Rambling.

Okay..on to Priorities:

Important tasks for June:

  —> resolve my internet needs by May 31 (include a new cell phone and minute plan if possible)

  —> complete the blessed resume process again

  —> resolve the job hunt challenge

There are other priorities such as family, grandchildren, friends but those are commitments I make weekly…I just needed to get the big ticket items out on paper and develop some way to keep myself focused on the ‘musts’ of this life!

I had a dream last night.  A vivid dream.  I woke up with this thought playing over & over in my head…”A little child shall lead them” … It was an appropriate line based on the facts in the dream which I won’t go into.  Suffice it to say, at the least, it was a nice segue into morning prayers for myself, my family.  I love waking up that way.  It gives me hope that in the messed up personage I inhabit in this journey, I have small windows of hope that I am forever connected, even in sleep, to my Creator who loves me and ever draws me to His presence.  I don’t ever want to live outside His presence.  My security and sense of propriety rests in His love for me.  I don’t understand His love for me.  It is beyond me.  But, I know I want it, need it, hunger for it.  And, I am glad of heart when I am reminded that it, His love, is mine to have.  It’s the only thing this life offers that is concrete…His love and the love that extends between family and friends.

Off to exercise so as not to be stiff and then to work!

Question to all of the 2-3 people who actually ever look at this blog…

I have two blogs…one is this one where I can share things with others, the other is a private blog just so I can freely write.  These two blogs are not linked to each other on purpose.  My question is this:  Is it possible to have a third blog and link it to Gracy2 blog site?  The reason I would like to do this is, that I want a specific blog where I can house my poetry separate from my journalling and I would like to share the poetry but just have it linked to Gracy2 … make sense?

Anyone out there know the answer?  I did quickly review WordPress home page and did find a link to blogs featuring writing and/or poetry…just didn’t catch on how to link my two blog sites.

Scripture Reading for May 1, 2008

“A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life.”  Proverbs 14:30 (LB)

• Breathe
• Pray
• Be grateful

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise - dwell on these things.”  Phillipians 4:6-8

• Give thanks always, when I wake and when I sleep
• Give thanks always, when I fear and when I dream
• Give thanks always, when I am sad and when I am glad

The whole book of Phillipians is wonderful.  But, Chapter 4 has always been one of my favorite chapters.  The complete chapter contains really solid exhortations from Paul to the church to rise above circumstance and in truth and spirit compels them to take courage and be strong in faith and to be happy and content.

The year Mandy was born, we were living with Gramma and Grampa in Laguna Vista and I was working at a local convenience store because it was ‘convenient’ for me to work close to home so I could spend as much time with the children as possible.  During that time of our lives, I was trying to figure out how to create a future for 3 children and myself and so I had enrolled in correspondence school through UT @ Austin.  I was taking an English class and happened upon a small paperback book entitled “84 Charing Cross Road” by (? need to research that!).  I fell in love with the book, the writing and a little bit of life again after reading this book.

Recently, Sarah gave me a free Blockbuster rental coupon and I stopped by the local store a couple of days ago to see if I could find something interesting.  The coupon was for a ‘non new release’ so I wasn’t sure what to rent.  Side thought:  When I go to the library, I always remember books that I’ve read and how they impacted me…so many.  But, I discovered as I was perusing the movies that not many movies I’ve watched have made a lasting impact…at least not enough to want to watch them again.  The ones I do want to watch again, I own or have recorded from TV.  Interesting.  Anyway, as I was scanning the titles, I found ‘84 Charing Cross Road’!!!  Naturally, I chose this one.  I have watched it 3 times this week!  Such good writing, such good acting and memorable dialogue!  A highly recommended movie!

I won’t give away the script except to say that, once again, the effect it has on me is to remind me of hope, remind me that we all struggle through daily life, remind me that joy is free for the taking, sadness comes but we have the strenght and the will to choose to rise above and continue on in spite of and because of our situations.  The movie is a bit bittersweet in its ending but so true of life.  It gives me hope that dreams can come true…the core of your dreams can come true…the outer edges of how they come true will change and change and change.

Which leads me back to the scriptures for today…be anxious for nothing, don’t worry, give thanks and be at peace.

P.S.  These two particular passages are really beautiful if read in the King James Version — very poetic.

John Donne (1572-1631) - English Writer

I recently heard this following quote from the English writer, John Donne and want to share it as it is very beautiful.  I do not know the origin of the excerpt other than it was quoted as coming from “Poetry & Selected Prose of John Donne” — I do not know the volume or the work and have not yet researched it.  I quote it only as something that spoke to my spirit, not as an authenticated quote and for no other purpose than to catalogue it for future research.

“All mankind is one volume.  When one mand dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book but translated into a better language.  And, every chapter must be so translated.  God employs several translators.  Some pieces are translated by age, some by sickness, some by war, some by justice.  But, God’s hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again for that library where every book shall be open to one another.”

I wait impatiently for that day.  For that day, when all makes sense, when one and all can look upon another with openness and kindness and love and acceptance…understanding the beginning and the end of our purpose in this life.

My sister said something to me yesterday that reminded me why I so enjoyed ‘84 Charing Cross Road’ — I’m not sure I remember exactly what she and I were talking about or exactly what her thought shared was.  It just triggered a spark within me…and it is this:  Perhaps, it’s not the answers to our questions that is as important as the recording of our questions and the happenstances we experience along this journey.  The thing we are searching for, I believe, lies in between the lines we read, in the spaces between our shared thoughts, fleeting like butterflies, hard to catch and maybe even dying when we do touch them.  Perhaps the answers to our questions are not meant to be ‘had’, to be contained, but, perhaps they are simply meant to be thought about, written about, shared with others, but left to be free on their own.

And, then again, maybe I know nothing at all.  LOL!  But, for some reason, it seems important to write it all down.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!

Happy Birthday to Sarah

Happy Birthday to Sarah

Happy Birrrrrtttthhhdaaayyyy tooooo Saaaaraaahhhhh….

Happy Birthday to You!!!

Aren’t you glad I didn’t call you at 4 am to wish you Happy 32!!! 

 

Things to remember!

• post my thoughts about the woman who was killed here in san antonio this past week — and what i heard her son wanted to do on behalf of the murderer…it was quite moving.
• post a blog about the new word i heard in a song lyric from mary chapin carpenter!
• adri asked me on sunday why i couldn’t open some sort of business that the family could help run…we had a very interesting conversation about big business versus small business, corporations versus family owned enterprises…he had so many great questions!  my desire to have a business of my own just won’t go away.  i’m getting too old to still be dreaming, aren’t i?  i remember alaina and i having the same questions and wanting the same thing.  we should listen … ‘out of the mouths of babes’ … daddy…how do i do it? 
• write a blog about the book I am currently reading:  Bella Tuscany by Frances Mayes
• finish a conversation Adri and I were having about the book he is currently reading (something to do with greek mythology — which i adored as a child!)
• plan the camping trip for sometime this year — budget budget budget — this camping thing with the grandchildren is important!
• really want to have something special at my apartment for hannah and claire (emma and amory probably won’t be able to come)…but i hope someday they will know how much i wanted them to come
• write a blog about 84 Charing Cross Road (find out why there is no way to underline in this blog —book title must always be underlined for pete’s sake and for my own!)
• compile my book reading list
• enter all my poems in a poetry journal
• enter all my songs, lyrics in my music journal and including the lyrics i’ve collectged from other favorite artists
• scarpbooking…i must get back to scrapbooking—set a night soon to invite someone over to scrapbook with me,,,Sarah,,,who else?
• see if i can squeeze out enough gas money to see if mary will meet me for window shopping the next time i have a sunday off…maybe sarah will want to go…invite mandy?
• update my personal blog with some key postings
• don’t worry yet about oil change for the car…i bought 1 quart of oil tonight and the guy at auto zone (i love auto zone because they always offer to help you with whatever it is you are doing to your vehicle - within manageable reason.  The clerk put my oil in for me tonight so i wouldn’t have to buy a funnel…and I agree with his assessment that my oil still looks very clean and I probably don’t need to have an oil change just yet.  A few months ago I learned how to change my own air filter - thanks to the help of the auto zone clerk there in Indiana — Power!  Awesome!  Car dealer wanted to charge me $56 for a filter and installation — I paid $8.00 at auto zone and go to help install it — so simple!  I also change my own windshield wipers, add my own power steering fluid, transmission fluid…check the air pressure in my tires as well as the measure the tread depth on my tires.  There are so many things that can keep one busy.
• blog about mine and claire’s op this morning to sit and watch deer in the woods!
• playing in the backyard today with the children
• call Mira about the next get together at the retreat center in Bulverde…they’re reading The Shack which I’ve already finished — see if the library has a copy - i cant’ afford to buy one just yet…
• take the book Self to work with me on Tuesday so I can give the ISBN # to the customer who came in on Sunday…I promised!

back to my movie “84 Charing Cross Road” — the dialogue is really good!

This Teknikal Wrld..

Did I spell that rite???  Oh, I so remember my youngest daughter’s kindegarten teachers and their “whole language” idea-ology…and our many ‘talks’ about how to teach children to read and SPELL .. a novel idea for the times.  Oh well, I do know that ‘rite’ is spelled right as in, correct.  I do know that ‘teknical wrld’ is really spelled ‘technical world’.  What I don’t know is this:

• If I want to reply to a comment left on my blog, where do I reply…on my blog’s comment or on the blog of the person who left the comment on my blog?  Obviously on my blog if that’s where the comment was left, then that’s where I should reply…it’s just that my logic rarely matches the technology of the day…so I was just checking!
• If I want to test a dvd at work for a customer, can I use the dvd machine I have there or is the preview screen there running a streamed in video or is it hooked up to a dvd player and why wouldn’t I know this w/out asking???
• How in the world am I going to get set up for HDTV…oh!, never mind, I just saw an advertisement on the ION channel that gave me the website where I can find more info:  www.dtv.gov   — the government…R U KDG ME!?!?  I don’t think I like HDTV …

Oh … 3 dumb questions are enough for tonight…tomorrow I have to figure out where the oil stick is in my engine so I can check my own oil….bother!

 

 

Wishes…

I wish I could make a decision about my financial situation

I wish I could meet some interesting people and make some new friends

I wish I could see my estranged daughter and the grandchildren

I wish my son a good year of growth and change

I wish my estranged daughter good health and a sound mind

I wish I could go to Tuscany

I wish I could hurry up and get my Spanish classes in progress

I wish I could get my health insurance going

I wish I could go to Chiles and eat hot wings and have a Shiner Boch

I wish I could go dancing at Green’s

I wish I could take Sarah out for her birthday

I wish I could get my an oil change for my car, get the stereo fixed and get it detailed really good

I wish I could buy a stereo for the house

I wish I could get some new clothes for work and for fun but I’m waiting for size 6!

I wish I could find time to volunteer somewhere reading out loud for people…maybe older adults

I wish I could learn to dance

I wish I could sing in a band

I wish I could go to Honduras

I wish I could write better so I could get my life down on paper

I wish I could see Karen and Beverly

I wish I could go visit Mary and go shopping

I wish I could take Adri, Ean and Alaina camping

I wish I could have Hannah, Claire, Emma and Amory over for a tea party

I wish everyone could come over and go swimming with me and have a cookout

I wish I could get all the books read that I want to read

I wish I would get up off this couch and go work out….   I think I will!!!