Apologies

I should apologize for my extended absence, but as I think about it I won't. The best thing I can say is that I have been busy and blogging has been on the back burner. I love writing and I love this forum, but I realized that this has been an escape as well. At the end of 2008, I listed 100 things I wanted to do in 1001 days. That was a challenge I saw on someone's blog. I made my list and low and behold I started doing them. The more I worked on my list; the less I sat at the computer. Working full time, being a wife, mother, and grandmother, and trying new things takes a big chunk out of my day! To top it off, I read...voraciously. I have noticed that I miss these "jottings" and I miss writing about what I have read. (I have a separate blog for that.) So I guess I am going to give this another try. What is one more obsession to juggle?!

1. The last band I saw live was well Neil Diamond (I know he isn't a band!).



2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is crisp turkey skin....oops I mean family.



3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is Ha! Ha! Ha!



4. Thoughts of retirement fill my head.



5. I wish I could wear jeans everyday.



6. Bagpipes make me think of police officer's funerals.



7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to reading, tomorrow my plans include wieght watchers and Sunday, I want to ignore tomorrow!

Bookworm Award

Jan in Edmonds over at Jottings from Jan tagged me with the Bookworm Award. I'll play along.

Here’s how it goes.Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56.Write out the fifth sentence, as well as two to five sentences following there.Pass this on to five blogging friends.

"But this case was different. 'We had that game already,' said the father, 'and my son was bored to tears with it. The commercial sold him on something we already owned.'" (56) Unplug the Christmas Machine by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli

I tag

Sally http://sally906.blogspot.com/

Les http://lesleysbooknook.blogspot.com/

Joy http://www.thoughtsofjoyblog.blogspot.com/

Jenclair http://bookgarden.blogspot.com/

Calista http://smsbookreviews.blogspot.com

Am I Satisfied?

“Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it.”
Margaret Thatcher quotes (British Politician and Prime Minister. b.1925)

I have been overwhelmed with all that I have to do and all I really want to do is work here and read. I don't want to disagree with Lady Thatcher...but then I always have been too critical of myself. (sigh) Now can I go read?

Autumn

The trees have been beautiful in our area this fall. I did not take this picture but it is pretty representative of my area here in Maryland. When I left work today, the air "smelled" like fall. I am not sure I can describe how that smells but I could feel the coolness inside my nostrils. There was a touch of burning with a hint of dampness. That is not an apt description. I am sure I could be much more "sensory" with effort but the important thing was today felt as though Thanksgiving is just down the road.

I usually host the family dinner on Thanksgiving but this past February we moved from our entertaining friendly home to a smaller condo. I love the condo and it is just what we wanted but I am not sure Thanksgiving is a "buffet" type meal. My sister-in-law will host it instead. I am not trying to get out of my usual role. I love my home at Thanksgiving because it is extra clean, there is plenty of food (and then leftovers), and there is always an abundance of books ready for me to cut into! I love Friday because it is my day to enjoy the solitude with my books and to laugh at everyone trying to get holiday sales. I can still do that. I just have to make sure I get my house extra clean anyway.

Veterans' Day

Have you thanked a Veteran lately? I admit that I often take for granted all the freedoms that I have. Simple things - such as writing this blog - saying just what is on my mind. Oh yes, I know that to be in good taste I need to "self" censor, but I can write about my freedoms without the fear that someone else will step in. Just last week I was able to vote for the man who will lead our nation and I was able to have a voice in the policies that will affect my state in the future. No blood was shed in this process. My voice was heard. In some instances, my views fell with the majority and in some, my views fell short. The important thing was that I had the chance to speak. There are not many places in the world where others can say this. I work in a "public" school. The doors are open to all who live within our boundaries. The education is there for the "picking!" This is a freedom! In just a few weeks, I will celebrate a holiday important in my religion. No one will stop me. This is a freedom!

I guess my ramblings lead to this: all of these freedoms are thanks to a Veteran. I did not have to fight because they did. Today, I took time to remember this. My favorite radio station played the Star Spangled Banner. It took me by surprise; it took my breath away; I cried.

101 Things to Do in 1001 Days - Revisited

If you scroll down the page or look for the post in June 2008 you will see my list of things to do in 1001 Days. I have updated it to show completed items. I am doing some things. I am having fun trying to complete this.