My friend, Jamie, HATES to go to the doctor. Actually, I can’t say I blame her, because she’s had some lulus of visits with the doc. But, today she went. And so did I. No….I didn’t go with her…..I went to my doctor.
It’s frustrating to make up your mind that you need attention and take the step of going to the doc, and then be told that they need to do a phalanx of tests to eliminate the possibilities. And even more frustrating to be handed from doc to doc as you try to find out what’s wrong, because each doc wants to take more tests!
I understand the necessity of the tests. It’s just that those of us who are not in the medical profession want to be able to come in for just one visit and get things corrected and waltz out as good as we were at 20.
It doesn’t work like that.
Angst
I’m loosing on-line friends. A number of people have decided to call it quits in the blogging world. Writers of blogs I’ve read regularly, and people I’ve just come to know.
It seems that several of them have packed it in because their blogs were beginning to become too personal. It’s the nature of a blog to disclose ever more of yourself, and perhaps they felt there was risk in being so open.
And the Moon on the Crest of the New Fallen Snow…
Actually, there doesn’t seem to be much of a moon tonight. Perhaps it hasn’t risen yet. But it’s amazing how bright it is outside. When I turn off the lights in the living room this evening, I’ll have a clear view of everything outside due to the city light reflected off the snow. I should be able to see if the deer are passing through, looking for sunflower seed or ear corn.
Tonight will be the last night of our Christmas tree. I should have taken it down this morning, but I held out for one more day. A Scottish friend pointed out to me that I should leave it up until January 5th, which would be the twelfth day of Christmas. Sounds good to me…..I hate to see it go. One lamp is providing a pool of light over my keyboard, and the rest of the room is dark so that I can enjoy the tiny colored lights that cover the tree.
This was a beautiful tree. I mourn that we cut down a living tree to decorate the house. I think it’s time to consider an artificial tree for future Christmases.
And with that….it’s time to call it a night. Sleep well!
Visitors
Just out of curiousity, I visited Site Meter to see how many visitors I’ve had since June 23 or so. It seems that in about three days I will hit 6,000, if the current rate continues.
It always astounds me to find that people visit my blog. I see the kind of numbers that Sgt. Hook and I could have been a contender and GutRumbles rack up, and know that I will never draw that type of audience, but I’m delighted to know that there are so many of you passing through here.
Thank you, one and all, for your visits!
Snow
I spoke too soon. I thought we had dodged the bullet where the snowstorm was concerned. This morning when I woke, the skylights in the bathroom were covered, and I found snow falling thick and fast. It looks foggy because the snow is obscuring the view of nearby houses.
The snow is coming from the Northeast. Traditionally, our worst storms come from that quarter, as they swing around over Lake Michigan and come steam-rollering in. Snow is sticking to the northeast sides of the trees in the grove behind me, and there are several inches of snow on the ground already. The cardinals have come to feed early, and theired feathers stand out against the bright white snow.
Dear Husband has earned his halo today. He was up early to take care of our dog, and he took on the chore of filling the bird feeders. The birds thank him, and I thank him.
I think we’ll be doing inside chores, taking down the Christmas tree, sorting through personal papers for tax preparation, sewing sashing on a quilt. It’s time to settle in and let the winter flow over us.
Happy Winter, all!
Ode to Sgt. Hook
Actually, not only to our beloved Sgt. Hook, but to the 25th Infantry Division.
This morning they are featured on the front page of the Chicago Tribune. Above a 7 x 5 picture of men training under live fire in the field, is this caption:
“Known for it’s valor, a Hawaii-based division wraps up training for its first full deployment since Vietnam. Next stop for 10,000 soldiers: Iraq and Afghanistan.
Kirsten Scharnberg wrote: “A cannon fires promptly at 6:30 a.m. and Maj.Gen. Eric Olson, commander fo the 25th Infantry Division, begins a brisk, steady jog. One by one, each group falls in behind him until the entire division, some 10,000 soldiers, is running in formation. Someone begins to chant, in cadence: “Airborn Ranger, where have you been? Around the world and back again. Sound off, one-two. Sound off, three-four.”
I encourage you to go to www.ChicagoTribune.com to read the complete story. If my link should not work, look for “Famed 25th gets the call” in the Sunday, January 4, 2004 Tribune. They have devoted an entire page to the history of the Division and the training they have received to prepare them for their coming deployment.
Work in Progress
I haven’t talked much about the fact that I am a quilter. It’s my passion to machine piece traditional blocks in today’s fabrics, and to hand quilt them. Right now I am in my scrap quilt stage. As a beginner I created a number of Amish style wall hangings because the color choices are limited and simpler than most of the quilts made today.
The Advice Lady Is In
I have a piece of advice for you. It comes from my wealth of experience and observation, and is absolutely free. On second thought, maybe I should charge you, so that you feel my advice is valuable.
Heck….I don’t want to be bothered making change….so free it is.
This is what I have learned, and you would be wise to take it to heart so you can avoid having to learn it the hard way: Do not assume that you can change another person.
It astounds me how many times I have heard someone tell a story about a friend with a flaw, and how they felt obligated to tell that friend how to improve themself. In not one of these stories has the friend asked for assistance with their flaw. In most cases, they don’t even perceive they are flawed, and might have merrily gone their way enjoying life until their “friend” set them straight.
Prayer of St. Francis
This morning I was allowed to sleep in, and I bounded from bed ready to address my day. I made the bed, did a few loads of laundry, cleaned the kitchen, and worked on the binding for my niece’s quilt. I potted up the geranium slips that had grown roots, and got them settled in a sunny window. I watched a little TV with Dear Husband, and tried a new recipe. (It was a dud, but it was the thought that counted.) I fixed a healthy meal for my family, and generally had a relaxing day. All the while my mind was absorbed with the idea that New Years Day is the time when we choose to alter our lives for the better.
New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day is a time when we reflect over the past and plan for the coming year. I no longer make formal resolutions, but I always hope to improve my life.