Commit Me . . .

I'm sequestering the inspiration to go run 16 miles today. Ordinarily running is something I look forward to. However, four of the fourteen miles of my last long run were on this trail. 

The Mississippi River will be my starting and ending point again today. I'll begin in Riverside Park, run to Onalaska on the marsh trails where I'll turn around after eight miles and repeat those eight miles . . . going the reverse direction. For those who wonder, eight miles from Riverside Park gives a turnaround point one mile north of the Kwik Trip by the Onalaska Dairy Queen. Commit me.

Quote of the Day: "You'll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind." Irish proverb.

My Latest Obsession . . .

I've easily abandoned Facebook because the replacement product is like crack and I'm addicted.

Pinterest is my new online obsession.

On Pinterest, you express yourself by pinning or repinning pictures.

The pictures can be humorous, controversial, breathtakingly beautiful, ugly, informative, etc.

By posting pictures, you create a visual image of yourself. That's the idea.

You can watch other peoples boards by following them. Expect to be followed.

Let it be noted that the picture to the right has a highly controversial dialogue attached that suggests the picture is racist. Those who posted who are from the Asian race found it hilarious, not offensive.  

Everything Happens for a Reason?

I've been hearing this statement forever.

And, lately, I've been questioning the use of the word "every" here.

I also struggle with the use of this statement as if the words have power to follow us and make sense of our actions and choices.

I don't see a reason for cancer. I don't see a reason for child molestation. I don't see a reason for some daily choices, especially mine.

I do think that we take comfort in the words. And, maybe that is reason enough to hold on to this American Proverb.

However, perhaps for our choices and actions, we should think more clearly about the laws of natural consequences and say something like "I wonder what good will come of this."

Just thinkin'.

Yes, things do happen for a reason. Some things anyhow. And, sometimes, things just happen. And, sometimes, we make things happen.

Boy, how did I get all philosophical tonight?!?!?

Things Have Gotta Change Around Here . . .

It's a new year and I have few resolutions I can share.

More time with family and friends.

Less worry.

More massages.

Less stress.

More chocolate.

Less time on the computer.

More time in the hammock.

Less sadness.

More laughter.

. . .

More unconditional love.

Happy 2012 to All!

Perspective.

Merry Christmas to all . . . . And to all a "goodnight."

Tuesday's Best

Even without sound, one can hear the computer monitor hit the ground. Merry Christmas and "hello" unemployment line.

Only thing that can top that today is . . . well, it'd  have to have kids or puppies . . . or both.

The Snow Globe Proxy

This fall I decided to paint my dining room, which as many of you understand, then led to the grave inadequacy of my existing dining room chairs. And now I'm well on my way to a whole new dining room look complete with new dining room chairs and new window treatments and new ceramic wall art (by Josh Blanc) which I found in a wonderful art studio in downtown Minneapolis.

And while the dining room is still incomplete, it occurred to me that if I move the living room furniture to the soon-to-be-finished basement, I can have a whole new main floor look.

I blame this partly on my 2011 discovery of Anna, my interior designer, who has endured my wish list of the "look" that's me and has been my partner in crime, so to speak. She entertains pix texts from me, like these, She's gone shopping with me for the perfect "chair" for the living room. Furniture store after furniture store, she's spent hours finding choices for me.

My new "look" is homey, sleek, and curated. My colors are shades of grey with punches of color in strategic places. Anna's husband and our mutual friend, Bill, moved the sectional to the basement and Anna's husband is welding my new coffee table which will be topped with repurposed, old, and so-ugly-it's-beautiful wood table top. Gotta love Anna!!

This decorating journey brings me to December 19 with no Christmas decorations anywhere in the house. Until tonight, that is, when Izzy excitedly jumped (note: this is her normal behavior - Miss Happy, Excited, in-Love-with-the-World Izzy) in the car after piano lessons and showed me her gift from Miss Catherine, her teacher. A Snow Globe! Izzy's first snow globe is our proxy for all Christmas decorations. Here it is proudly placed on the fireplace mantle where the stockings usually hang.

Happier Holidays!







Quote of the Day:
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.
Confucius