Even in tough times... it's the little things that make things special.
SNOW
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Good Stuff!
While rearranging my home office & reviewing my personal library, I rediscovered a gem! The Word Museum: The Most Remarkable English Words Ever Forgotten written by Jeffrey Kacirk is filled with words & their history. "Ninny-broth" was a term used for coffee back in the mid 1800's & "curglaff" is the shock that you feel in bathing when you get into cold water.
It is so entertaining to read these unusual terms. The English language is such a jumble of origins and some of the slang of years ago is so much more challenging than all the techno-speak & IM stuff of today.
I guess I must be a "quidnunc"(an inquisitive person; always seeking for news)!
It is so entertaining to read these unusual terms. The English language is such a jumble of origins and some of the slang of years ago is so much more challenging than all the techno-speak & IM stuff of today.
I guess I must be a "quidnunc"(an inquisitive person; always seeking for news)!
Friday, January 9, 2009
The little speck of dust ...
If you were to cite an experience that truly makes you feel insignificant in the larger sense of the universe, what would you say it is?
Excerpt from If--- Questions for the Soul by Evelyn McFarlane
One experience was watching the events unfold on September 11th. I recall watching people jumping from the towers, watching the carnage on the streets & feeling useless! It was VERY uncomfortable to watch (and you never really got away from it, as it encompassed all media). I felt naive in my understanding of world politics and religion, not being able to comprehend how a country could concoct such an act upon others.
I cannot say that I am much wiser. I do make attempts to "go beyond the headlines" with current events to understand more of the world that I reside.
I am still naive in many ways, maybe too trustworthy of people. I wish I had the ability to judge a person's true character so I don't invest time & energy on them if they become inconsequential.
Excerpt from If--- Questions for the Soul by Evelyn McFarlane
One experience was watching the events unfold on September 11th. I recall watching people jumping from the towers, watching the carnage on the streets & feeling useless! It was VERY uncomfortable to watch (and you never really got away from it, as it encompassed all media). I felt naive in my understanding of world politics and religion, not being able to comprehend how a country could concoct such an act upon others.
I cannot say that I am much wiser. I do make attempts to "go beyond the headlines" with current events to understand more of the world that I reside.
I am still naive in many ways, maybe too trustworthy of people. I wish I had the ability to judge a person's true character so I don't invest time & energy on them if they become inconsequential.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Random thoughts ...
Going through my 2008 Flavia calendar in an attempt to be more organized, I rediscovered a quote that made me instantly think of 4 specific people in my life.
Some people come into our lives,
leave footprints on our hearts
and we are never, ever the same.
leave footprints on our hearts
and we are never, ever the same.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Parenting a teenager
Not sure if the title is an oxymoron or not. I have made a career working with parents of young children. The terrible 2's and ferocious 4's got nothin' on this teenager business! I am so very out of my comfort zone with a child who I thought I knew so well (heck, we shared my body for 9 mos.!!)
Not that parenting can ever be learned from a book or some wise statement (Lord knows I've tried!:)), but there are some pearls of wisdom out there of some survivors. This wisdom I accept willingly, not out of desperation (yet) but out of the puzzlement that has become my son.
The suggestion of having pictures of your teen around the house to comfort you when it was okay to be seen near you is a strategy I have recently implemented. My home (and a bit of my heart) seems to echo in his increasing physical absence. During the holidays, I found myself feeling melancholy; missing his wit,exuberance & engineering.
I have resolved to make the remaining family events when we are together to be those that will bring a smile to our hearts.
Teenagers require a sense of humor, but also a healthy dose of love and understanding in an unobtrusive way. Not sure if my kid understands that I know this, but now he does.
Not that parenting can ever be learned from a book or some wise statement (Lord knows I've tried!:)), but there are some pearls of wisdom out there of some survivors. This wisdom I accept willingly, not out of desperation (yet) but out of the puzzlement that has become my son.
The suggestion of having pictures of your teen around the house to comfort you when it was okay to be seen near you is a strategy I have recently implemented. My home (and a bit of my heart) seems to echo in his increasing physical absence. During the holidays, I found myself feeling melancholy; missing his wit,exuberance & engineering.
I have resolved to make the remaining family events when we are together to be those that will bring a smile to our hearts.
Teenagers require a sense of humor, but also a healthy dose of love and understanding in an unobtrusive way. Not sure if my kid understands that I know this, but now he does.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)