Raise your hand if…you’re feeling melancholic today.  Yeah, me too.

I did get to spend the day with family celebrating my niece’s 8th birthday, which feels warm and loving.  But earlier today I was looking at old family photos which put me in a somewhat sad, pensive mood. 

I guess it’s okay to look back as long as we don’t stay there.

Vermont wisdom for today…

Leaves have their time to fall.

Time cuts down all, both great and small.

Hope well and have well.

All together now...



Amen!

Today was one of "those" days.  You know the kind where annoyance is simmering just below the surface of your smile? 

We've had quite a few substitute teachers at school lately, which in middle school language translates to "let's see who can act like the bigger moron!"  The 8th graders are the worst offenders, and I'm in four 8th grade classes a day.  Top that off with my middle daughter's car breaking (not breaking down, just breaking) on her way to college this morning, then, when she took my van instead, it wouldn't start after her classes! See?  One of those days.

Here are more Vermont proverbs for today that I should take to heart.  Happy Wednesday Eve to you! :)

Behind the clouds the sun is still shining.

Slow but sure wins the race.

What you lose in the dance, you make up in the turnabout.

Vermont Wisdom

Hi there…I hope your Monday is going well.  If not, just remember that not only is it Monday, it’s also Tuesday Eve. :)

I’ve decided that on the days that I want to write but either can’t come up with the words, or can’t come up with the time, I’m going to try and post some of my favorite Vermont proverbs if you will.  You may remember that Vermont is my favorite state, it’s where I hope to live when I grow up, it’s where my husband was born, as was his father before him.  Sadly, I will always be considered a “flatlander”…I used to jokingly banter back and forth with my father-in-law about being considered a Vermonter by marriage, to no avail.  Oh well…

…I love the simplistic wisdom in many of these proverbs; it’s typical New England.  No nonsense, to the point, no holds barred.  I’ve often wanted to put them on bumper stickers to make the driver behind you stop and think. :) 

Ok, ahem.  Today’s proverb(s) will relate to Speech and Silence:

Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead.

Soft words break no bones.

If you have to whisper it, better not say it.

Never speak loudly to one another unless the house is on fire.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Owl

If I were to tell you that I could sure use an owl right about now, your response would probably sound something like this..."um, what?"

I'll explain. I am a strong believer in, lover of, and advocate of Reiki for anyone and everyone. When a friend, or even a "stranger", expresses an interest in finding a way of emotional healing, I will always suggest Reiki to them. It changed my life a few years ago; I don't know where I'd be today without it.

Anyway, during a session a few months ago, I had a "vision" of a beautiful, majestic owl that just sort of hung around for awhile. That's not so unusual, except that I don't usually "see" much when I'm having Reiki done, other than colors. When the session was over, I mentioned it to Michelle (my Reiki Master pal) and she looked it up in a book about Spirit Animals. Well, it turns out that my Animal Spirit Guide is, surprise, an owl!

I have loved owls for as long as I can remember. At one point years ago, I'd just put one of our babies back down after nursing them when I heard the most beautiful sound of an owl outside the window. I ventured outside onto the porch just to stand and listen (and I'm afraid of the dark!).

Every once in awhile, I'll awaken to hear the quiet sound of an owl in the tree outside our bedroom window and it soothes my soul.

It's been a long time since I've heard that, so when I say that I could use an owl right about now...you'll know what I mean.
**********************************************************
These first two photos are of owls that I painted. The third photo is of an owl that flew into one of our trees out back one day and rested there for most of that day. I was blessed to sit beneath it for over an hour, just the two of us.

Raise your hand if…you’ve been terribly ABSENT lately!  Hey, me too!  I’ve also been terribly blah lately, which bums me out because I’ve always been content with the winter months, sort of like a rest.  I have a feeling that I’ve got that darn SAD, though, which has a  hold on a few members of my family.  I have absolutely NO creative energy, NO ambition, NO direction.  And I don’t like it.

But I did get this Note from the Universe today and it actually made me feel better…

“What if funky, confusing, gray, lonely days were just part of a "system" that, in turn, created bright, rich, happy, friendly days?  What if they were just meant to give deeper elements of your creativity a rest?  What if they were deliberately crafted holidays, of a sort, devised by your inner psyche to relieve you from the pressure of artificial expectations?  Would you still bemoan them, wonder what's wrong with you, or fear that they'll never end? Or, Carol, would they kind of tickle you pink?

You party animal, you -
    The Universe”

What do you think?  It’s given me “permission” to stop berating myself about staying creatively quiet, and for some bizarre reason, I need “permission”.  Now maybe I can give myself a break and enjoy the respite.

I hope you’re having a good day and a good winter.  Stay warm and soak up some winter-sun when you can.

I say again, as always...


T.
G.
I.
F.

Raise your hand if…you feel really rotten about not posting anything on your blog for the past five days. Me too. sigh.

But on a brighter note, I did post on my Hot Flashes blog…apparently I’ve been in more of a sassy mood than a sweet mood lately.

 

Good Monday morning to you and may I say, I am NOT looking forward to heading back to work this morning! Our town closed the schools for two whole weeks this Christmas season to save on the energy costs, and it's mighty easy to get used to being home and being a domestic goddess!

The good thing is that I had a list of things to accomplish during this two-week break; the bad thing is that I only accomplished one a few of them. Sigh. I was rather unambitious.

Anyway, I hope everyone has a productive, safe, sunshine-filled week (living in New England gets you used to gray days this time of year, though a little more sun would feel nice). Tally ho, onward, and all that!

Raise your hand if...you hate it when kids spread their wings and fly. I really hate it.

Right now, at 12:19 a.m. two of my daughters are out in this scary weather...terrible wind gusts, blowing wind, zero degree wind chills. One of them has spent the last two nights near Boston and is driving home from there, very tired and all alone, in this weather. The other one is closer to home, but still driving in her little car.

I'm used to New England weather, been here my whole life, but these crazy winds scare me.

All I can say is that I won't rest easy until they are back in the nest.

Did I say how much I hate this?