It takes courage

It take courage to set out on your own. To see what you want, and despite a lack of support, to go for it.

It's breathing and putting one foot in front of another. All the while remembering to enjoy the journey. We only travel this way once.

Blessed by Music

Last night was the first time the public had the opportunity to hear her play the bass clarinet. Family and friends gathered for the concert topped off with ice cream. So proud.

RIP Maya

You taught us so much. Thank you

These are my besties.

Most are daughters.
Some are nieces.
One is missing.
They are all dear.

Where has the time gone?

The Fine Art of Communication

I do love seeing the cousins together.

I want to eat cake like this...

Is that so wrong? I'm getting older. I could be a grandmother; my great niece's grandmother. I'm learning to live each day to it's fullest.

A weekend of firsts.

At 53 I'm constantly amazed at the increments of growth that still take place in my life. Just in this weekend I've realized I'm physically stronger than I've been in years. The clue was how light our canoe seems to be. Really? It was such a struggle before...

Also I'm able to negotiate the space between the dock and a kayak without assistance. Never have I been able to do that. Never.

So I guess the lesson is: Never Say Never.

Went kayaking in the fog. Made it across the pond just fine but on the return trip got disoriented. It was interesting and made me glad I was on a pond with close familiar shores and not on the ocean.

There are still secrets...

In cleaning the small kitchen mirror at The Shack I found this old picture on its back side.

Thank you for sharing your slice of heaven with us.

Where do you hang your hat?

Where do you call home?

These Gentle Reminders

Are So Good

I beg to differ...

Confirmation Sunday

Twenty four of my children said YES to Jesus' Army Sunday afternoon. Some of them were my students for 5 years, some just for two and one for 16 and counting. I've watched them grow and change over our time together. All great kids now enlisted in Christ's fold.

I didn't think I would cry during the service Sunday. Especially with all that was going on that day, but I did. So touched I was with each of them.

Rough Road

The first leg of the Boston Brain Tumor Ride was the worst. The road had been graded and scarified in preparation for repaving. The ride was bumpy at best. Terrifying at times with thoughts of catching a tire and going down. Slowly we pedaled, elbows and wrists aching from the jarring, with high anticipation of the end of this rough patch. Wherever that may be... For afterwards we would fly.

And I thought how appropriate is this patch. For many cancer warriors never get to see the end of their rough roads. Then I knew I could ride this road for them.

And The Second Miracle...

A few years ago I was asked to knit a thumbless mitten for a friend's brother in law. The gentleman had a brain tumor and has had strokes that left his right hand deformed.

Of course I knit the mitten. No worries. Then last winter the call came, the mitten had been lost. Would I knit another? And of course I would and did.

Fast forward to the ride yesterday. We started early. We pedaled like fiends. I'm trying to sneak a Chevy Traverse out of a crowded venue and I have driven into a no car area, via the unblocked back way. My heart is racing. Anxiety climbing as I see two woman pushing a man in a wheel chair about 20 feet away. How did I get myself in this position????

As one woman turns I see it is my friend who asked for the mittens. I wave, yell HI. She yells back, "Put that car in park!" She runs over to the driver's door, and pulls it open. Throwing herself on me in a hug. We hug. We kiss.

She says, "I want you to meet someone." And I then know... The man being assisted is her brother in law. The other woman is her sister.

On the way to the event my friend had just pointed out our house to her sister saying, that is where the knitter lives. And her sister replied some day she wanted to meet me.

We shook hands. We chatted briefly. It was truly a blessing. My life is truly richer for it. Thank God.

Miracles Happen

Yesterday was paved with miracles. The first blessing is having this woman as my dearest friend, and 4 time Boston Brain Tumor riding partner. We are opposites. I'm a planner. She is a wait and see person. I'm tall. She is petite. She thinks outside the box. I'm the person who built the box. She is the mother of wonderful boys. I'm blessed with girls.

We arrived at the event and Prajna, knowing I had a time constraint, decided not to ride her hybrid commuter bike but instead went to the road bike rental tent and asked if they had any spares. The gentleman replied, "Only one, that small bike up in the rack."

Amazing they had only one extra not reserved bike. And it fit her perfectly. How does that happen? We finished 25 miles in 1 hour 38 minutes. My dearest friend, thank you for the blessings of your friendship.

Today

Today is the ride. But it is also the day my daughter and 23 of my students get Confirmed in the Catholic Faith. It's a huge day.

Boston Brain Tumor Ride

Tomorrow we hit the road pedaling. Yoda is packed and ready to ride. It's our  4th year taking on the challenge to fight Brain Cancer. Praying for many more opportunities to practice: What We Do Matters.

Thank you for financially and spirituality supporting our efforts.

Life Lesson

When we all push to be first, no one moves. Instead we create gridlock.

Moving Forward

I made a billing mistake.
It was discovered by a customer.
I owned it.
My process was reviewed over a firm discussion.
Changes suggested and will be implemented.
Growth happens.
Moving forward.
And it's okay.

Today starts my second year at work.

Is there a good side to every situation?

Heading out for a quick ride between meetings, while checking the pressure in my rear tire, the tube went flat. A squeezed in and much anticipated ride became a tire changing lesson.

First panic. It's been a while since I took care of a flat. Tire off. But having trouble getting the tube out. Tube out then can't get the tire reassembled. My meeting is in an hour...

Watched a YouTube video. Tire reassembled. New assembly won't hold air. Now sadness. Headed off to Landry's Bike Shop in Natick, where I purchased my bike and take her for service.

Jerry offered to help. He gave me a hands on lesson on changing a tire. Explained to me where I may have gone wrong. And in 10 minutes I left with a perfectly assembled and inflated wheel and a new spare tube.

Happiness. Home. Bike reassembled. Meeting attended. Took the bike for a very short ride to check on the wheel's integrity. All is good.

Worn Out

Long miles. Trusted Tevas both sandals have been worn through the sole. And still comfortable. Like dear friends who walk through life with us. Never complaining.

Understood

There can only be fun

When good friends gather.

Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to go forwards

Still not satisfied with the fit, I'm recutting 3 pieces. Showing once again how stained glass mimics life.

Beauty And The Beast

Saw opening night of the Framingham High School Production of Beauty And The Beast. The perfect touch of Disney. A love story which shows love is more than meets the eye.  Maddy ran the sound board. Yeah!!

So... What is next?

Reaching for the impossible.

And now part 2

The other day a key at work was mislaid. I asked the boss. He asked me back. We sorted it out. But the situation begged a bigger question regarding the money, believing me and trust.

"Can I trust you with my money?"

My answer was silence. I handle all the money. All the payments. All the checks. Everything. All that day, eye brows raised. Questions and inferences flew.

I was raised by my parents to not touch (take) anything that does not belong to me. Period. But I could not tell the boss, yes you can trust me. For it is his job to be vigilant and it's my karma to be honest.

Actions speak louder than words.

jeff noel writes: Live so that when someone says something negative about you, nobody believes it.

That is my goal.

Would you believe me? Part One

Last night out for a walk, I passed the corner where about a year ago I moved the dead cat from the middle of the busy road. And I wondered if the owner believed me.

The story unfolded this way. Driving down the road I came across a dead cat. Not totally squished but looking as if she had been just hit. I pulled over and checked on her. She was dead. And thinking it would be terrible for her owner to have her mutilated more, carefully picked her up and carried her to the sidewalk. It was then I noticed her ID tag with phone number. I called. Told the voice that answered where we were and that unfortunately their lovely cat had been hit. Told them it wasn't me, but that I had stopped to check on her and moved her body to the sidewalk. I told them I was sorry for their loss.

As I was getting back in my car a young man was running up the street in street clothes carrying a towel, obviously not a jogger. He looked frantic. I waited. He was the cat owner's son. I guess in some people's eyes, he was the cat's brother. I directed him to the body, which I had laid under a tree. Again, apologizing for his loss. We wrapped up her body, he thanked me for calling, and we parted. I don't really remember what he looks like or which house he came out of.

But last night as I walked, I wonder if he believed me. That I wasn't the person involved in that unfortunate accident.

Part 2 tomorrow.

It all adds up

The good and the bad
What we do matters
The good and the bad

Lucky enough to be part of a CSA

CSA - Community Supported Agriculture. We are very lucky to belong at Stearns Farm. Where yesterday's work crew planted 1000 onions and leeks.

It was great to touch the soil. To get genuinely dirty.

Do you see the difference?

Carved out 90 minutes to work on fitting the pieces. Stopped working when exhaustion and frustration started to out weight progress. Suspect it will take another hour for the final fittings. In looking at before and after pictures I see so little difference. But it's there.

I haven't touched this project in weeks

Maybe today will be the lucky day. Must finish it to make way for another.

We all deserve to be

Respected
Cared For
Loved
Revered
Made To a Feel Special

Without exception or question.
As in a bouquet on a branch each flower is beautiful unto itself.

Database Corruption

We have a database issue at work. Too long in the details for here. But last night I found myself back at the office, working at everyone's computers to find and solve the problem.

I think I found it. It's funny when the computer warns the user that you are the source of all that is evil. I seriously laughed out loud when my coworkers computer displayed this warning.

Yeah, she won't be touching the database again any time soon.