Noticing the Big in a Small Life

A friend of mine has been healthily dieting for months. She has lost 17 pounds. I learned this after she wore old pajamas a few days ago for a midnight snack. Walking back to her room, she tripped over the now drooping pajama leg, fell, and broke her clavicle.

I called to commiserate with the danger of more narrow hips. She sniffed.

"I'll just have to shorten the elastic on the waistband," she said.

Did I mention she is parsimonious?

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I haven't had a cold in years. Allergies, yes. Cold, no. Think I got one after the kid last week sneezed in my face--one foot away-- three times while I changed his diapers. Allergies didn't help.

I'm better. Doing the soup kitchen tomorrow. Drinking a lot of homemade soup at home.

I love spending time with my fifth-graders. They are so smart. To my astonishment, they are beginning to retain. I wonder if that has anything to do with my loving them and teaching, but I don't know.

A 90-yr-old friend died Sunday and was buried yesterday. Short illness. She was already packed when she got sick enough to go. Metaphorical, people. I went by to see her the day before she died. She had that intent, peaceful appearance of someone busy leaving and "closing the office".
She was so at peace.

For so many, what a boring week. For me, almost transcendent.

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Thank you, Jesus. Sincerely. Heartfelt.


My fifth grade granddaughter just brought over scratch gingerbread cookies she made, still warm.

Just when I think life is good, it gets better.(Oh, just yum!)
Quiet lives have many events of importance.

Plans for a minimalist holiday

It's the holidays. The grocery hasn't put the turkeys on sale yet, but the Christmas music was pouring through the loudspeakers.

I am a lousy shopper. I keep hoping to improve. Another grocery had turkeys for 59 cents a pound, so I did buy one for the food bank, because they begin distribution on Monday. For me, I'm waiting. I've never gotten one of those $3 turkeys others buy with such regularity, and I want one.

We'll see. I have no plans for it other than to eat it sometime. Turkeys are non-existent or hellishly expensive the rest of the year. Weird. This is the right time to buy hams, too. I remember wanting one for Independence Day a few years back. I couldn't find one. I ended up using re-heated deli ham, which worked well for four of us.

Gracie and Brodie are great joys as companions. But. I bought a new blanket. Gracie has eaten a huge hole Right In The Middle of it. I buy socks. If I put them in the clothes basket, she eats the toes.

I look at my home, and realize the new rug has three corners chewed on. The recliner needs to be put out. Brody's untrimmed nails did the damage there. I know where to buy a good chair to replace it....when I'm sure I'll get Brody's nails trimmed regularly enough to avoid the damage.

This year is an experiment. I don't want to see the lights. I don't want to hear the music. I want to buy minimally. I don't want to do what the rest of you do this holiday. I want to care, to love, to read, to sit outside, to laugh with friends,
I will put up my artificial tree with lights included. I bought a live wreath. I sing. I bought a poinsettia. My handcarved creche will be displayed.I have been invited elsewhere with family for Christmas.I'll stay home. I want to do simple. Be home. Sit quietly.

I have the joy in my neighborhood to be able to sit quietly. I am lucky.

I love family. It is not my reason for Christmas. We will see and love and laugh together. Christmas will be quiet.

Peace. Maybe I will sleep at times. But it will be heavenly peace.

I hope. At Christmas, don't we all?

(Apologies to Thanksgiving.)