Peace

It's been a peaceful day, starting with coffee and reading Mists of Avalon for at least the 4th time, to a nap on the couch with Lola (who has probably never napped with a person before), as evening fell. Gravy, two kinds of cranberry sauce, and roasted vegetables are cooked and in the fridge, leaving just chicken, stuffing, and cinnamon apples (for dessert) to be made tomorrow. Linda and I will sleep as long as Lola and Yeti allow tomorrow, then breakfast on strong hot coffee and bacon sandwiches (the sandwiches are a holdover from an odd Thanksgiving morning trek the fathers and uncles took us kids on..a hike in the woods followed by bacon sandwiches cooked on a campfire. Perhaps getting the kids out from underfoot was their 1960s contribution to the festivities? Anyway, the scent of bacon is an inextricable part of Thanksgiving to me). It'll be a quiet, gentle day with movies and maybe Scrabble, a walk with the dogs and a snuggle with Elf. That's alot to be thankful for!
Wishing you all peace and deliciousness with those you love.

Living to Tell the Tale

The presentation is done; before 5 pm I was back in my office, relieved, critiquing. The local paper had their reporter at the meeting (usual process, I'm told), and a quick read this morning reveals he got the important points. And I survived--without resorting to Rice Krispie Treats! Thanks to Wild Magnolia and Akasa, bloggers-in-arms who lent me support and words of wisdom!
And I've woken to a frosty pink dawn. I've got Yeti and Lola asking for their walk, I need to work until noon, and then five days are all mine!

Tongue-Tied

To some this may sound like such a little thing, although others will understand. Early this evening I have to give a presentation to the president and board of trustees. It's a little presentation, 3-6 minutes (depending on how fast my nerves drag me to the finish line...six minutes would be me doing it perfectly). On the one hand, since this has been hanging over my head for over a year (date kept getting changed), I'll be so glad just to get it over with. On the other...I am terrified of speaking to groups. My face turns BEET red, my voice shakes, I critique myself the whole time, my throat gets dry, and I speak too quickly. This isn't exactly a presentation on brain surgery; it's basic, just meant to update them on changes we've made, good things we're doing, but every cell in my body is vibrating with dread.

Psst...

Recently a magazine I read posed the question "What would you tell your 16 year old self if you could go back and talk to her/him?" I've thought about this alot and here it is:
"Psst...hey you, with a cup of coffee in your hand as you edit your article for the latest of the high school newspaper and try to delay going home as long as you can--listen to me; this is important! First, it's a cliche, but this too shall pass. One day you're going to be able to forgive your mother, and you're going to miss her. Alot. Second, what seems so urgently intense now isn't going to matter. SAT scores, whether that new guy likes you, who is dating whom, just isn't going to matter; you'll be lucky if you even remember all the names!  Third, and most important of all: if you want something badly enough, if it's what you dream of doing and being, don't let anyone or anything get in the way. The path you follow may change, you may have to bushwhack a little, get your hands and knees bloody, climb mountains and cross deserts, but if you can be tough enough, you can carry that backpack full of dreams exactly where you want to be."
Alas, no one told me these things, and it's taken me another 35 years to figure all that out. I wish I'd known then what I know now.

How about you? What would YOU tell your 16 year old self ?

Living In the Moment

Animals teach us to live in the moment, something I'm not always good at. But Lola, here in front of the pellet stove, is demonstrating the technique: