Thoughts - September 29, 2016

This quote, found by Beth, related back to our current podcast episode.

"One of the dreariest spots on life's road is the point of conviction
that nothing will ever again happen to you." Faith Baldwin.

I've known way too many 'old' folks who just kept achieving and living to think this quote is aimed at them. (case in point, Dad wrote his book, "Stories of a WV Country Doctor" when he was 80 - and went on to do book signings, etc). No, I think the dreariest and saddest thing is when this happens to folks at any time in their life - a twisted and deep sadness in their souls (and imaginations). Perhaps we are called to be on the look-out for these people - and make sure things are 'happening' in their lives! (though, to be honest, there are some things that probably wont happen again in my own life.....I could run that mile, fall in love, go back to school, hike through the Appalachian Trail.....but there is a chance I won't. Perhaps as long as we can dream it or watch it unfold in our family and friends' lives, it's still happening. - Beth Almond Ford

Episode 25 - Achieving Your Bucket List

Crooked Road Cafe

41st Annual Meadows of Dan Women's Club Craft Show

Enchanting little bag by our friend Ruby Boyd Asbury, found at the craft show

A Little Sweet...

Millennium Falcon Knitting Needle Gauge by MythWorksUK 

Dragon Scale Gauntlets by Stephanie Soikkeli

It's all about dragons on Ravelry this week with the hot Dragon scale mitts patterns

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dragon-tears-fingerless-gloves

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dragonscale-gloves

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dragon-scale-gauntlets-2

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/dragon-scale-gloves-2

A Little Tart...

Achieving your bucket list

Blue Highways Revisited

 

1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die by Peter Boxall

Quotes:

“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” - Michaelanglo

“The question isn't who is going to let me; it's  who is going to stop me.” - Ayn Rand

“If we are growing we are always going to be outside our comfort zone.” - John C. Maxwell

"There are two ways to face the future. One way is with apprehension; the other is with anticipation - Jim Rohn

A Little Unexpected...

The One-in-a-Million Boy by Monica Wood

Music Attribution

Reverie (small theme)
by _ghost
featuring Pitx

ccmixter.org/files/_ghost/25389

CC Attribution (3.0)

Drops of H2O ( The Filtered Water Treatment ) by J.Lang (c) copyright 2012 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/djlang59/37792 Ft: Airtone

Don't Be Scared ft. Christine Autumn by Calling Sister Midnight (c) copyright 2015 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license.http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/romancito/50155 Ft: Klaus Neumaier, Christine Autumn

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Thoughts - September 28, 2016

“When you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one, and a lily with the other.” Chinese Proverb.

I can only imagine how this proverb makes some folks shake their heads....what a frivolous thought! Sister Lois K Almond had it on her bulletin board decades ago and I remember reading it when I was young. Frankly, it probably saved my sanity one scary night back in Vermont. I was working long shifts as a nurse, recently divorced with a nine year old - and had two pennies (so to speak...it was actually ten dollars). What that young boy and I bought was a loaf of bread and expensive ice cream...our lily. I actually get tears thinking about it. And, yes, my dear child understood (he was born 'old') and he asked to invite his little neighbor buddy in to share. Which, of course, we did. - Beth Almond Ford

Thoughts - September 27, 2016

"Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place."
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

This is so true that I'm not even sure what to say about it.... There are times when humor simply shows up. It can be as simple as the antics of a baby animal, a witty friend. Sometimes we have to go searching for it - the writings of authors such as Carl Hiaasen or David Sedaris or Mark Twain; the comedy of Jerry Seinfeld or Steve Martin; satire like the old tv shows "Soap" or "All in the Family" - even 'funniest home videos' or the like. There is a newsletter someone used to send to me - "The Laughing Jesus" (and there is the Laughing Buddha statues, of course) - and my departed friend Ty used to tell me all the time - "We act - God laughs!" - an old Yiddish saying. Gosh, Ty could make me laugh. Surround yourself with friends who make you chuckle - a great and saving thing! - Beth Almond Ford

Thoughts - September 26, 2016

"Books don't take time away from us," she said. "They give it back. In this age of abstraction, of multitasking, of speed for speed's sake, they reintroduce us to the elegance - and the relief! - of real, tick-tock time." From the novel "Home Safe", by Elizabeth Berg.

When I left the nursing profession a number of years ago, I took off my wrist watch. It was a tool to use often, especially when checking vital signs. It was a "freeing" moment. Yet, there are certainly enough clocks around - just here in my immediate surroundings there are clocks on the radio, the oven, the microwave, the iPad, the cell phone. As certain programs come over the radio waves, I know it is time to hop in the shower, head out the door, pour that last cup of coffee. For most of us, time rules our lives. Perhaps that is what makes those rare days of vacation, the abandoning of clocks, so precious. Whether it is reading, gardening, hiking, exploring, walking on the beach, immersion in a hobby or just sitting on the deck, we discover what the author calls elegant time - a time of contented sighs, deep breaths, dreaming and remembering. Ahhhh, relief! - Beth Almond Ford

Thoughts - September 25, 2016

"Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not." -Samuel Johnson, lexicographer (1709-1784).

Fake it til you make it comes to mind with this quote. There have been times in probably all of our lives when we just weren't fond of someone - for no obvious reason. But we remained kind and watched our manners. Next thing we knew (perhaps years later), a wry fondness develops for the person. Or it may be a family member - "I love you, but I don't like you"....but choosing not to show animosity. Years ago, I chose "kind" as my word, something to aspire, a way of life. It's not easy and I fail miserably at times, but I know it is in my power. - Beth Almond Ford

Thoughts - September 24, 2016

“That's the difference between me and the rest of the world! Happiness isn't good enough for me! I demand euphoria!”
― Bill Watterson, Weirdos From Another Planet: Calvin & Hobbes Series: Book Six: A Calvin and Hobbes Collection.

Well....we all know ecstasy is a powerful moment, so powerful that many (including St Francis of the animals) called it a religious experience. I think some folks fear euphoria or ecstasy because it is a lack of human control. But I think it is a good thing to search it out, be open to the experience, be willing to let loose. Frankly, I think the euphoric moments in our lives can carry us through and propel us onward in the day-to-day. - Beth Almond Ford