The light was terrible in the room so these pictures are a little grainy, but even with less than perfect photography skills, she is crazy adorable. Miss Cambria Joy is nearly 5 months old and becoming more irresistible by the day. Every week she grows and changes and delights us.
As I attempt to become more healthy in body and mind it appears that I am going through a short period of semi-numb. I say "short period" because I will not tolerate anything else. For now, every time I sit down to post to this blog I get that scary white page syndrome; blank page, even blanker brain. Not that I ever fooled myself in thinking I was an enchanting writer, but I could usually find a thing or two to say about something. So, in a valiant effort to get my head back in the game of life and blogging, I'm just going to start with the past couple of days and hope a spark takes hold.
Uh-huh...(throat clearing). Friday I worked my usual half day, though it was perhaps even crazier than usual (more on that later). When I got home Amazing Husband and I decided to have a date night - The Green Zone and dinner at Lino's. Normally we both do some research on our movie choices, but this time we both dropped the ball. The commercials made it out to be another Bourne type film, but it was nothing of the sort. I admit to being a little sensitive, especially in the area of war, but I almost walked out on this one. It takes place during the early years of the Iraq war and the search for the UMDs. Made me want to move to some neutral, peaceful country where people are more important that power. Matt Damon was very good in it, but that's as far as I'll go. Dinner afterward, with my fantastic husband, was lovely, and reasonably quiet. We spent a bit of time at Border's and called it a night.
Saturday our store hosted a meeting of 38 owner/operators of independent Fair Trade stores. My boss, bless her, was a basket case all last week trying to get the store ready for this event (hence the crazy Friday). I came in Sat. am about 9:00 meet-and-greeted, etc., and then sat at my computer and took notes all day. At first, it was sort of refreshing to hear people get up and talk about what brought them to the fair trade movement and their passion for ending global poverty. About 7 hours later I was ready to poke my eye out with my pen. The purpose of the meeting was to possibly form an organization of support for the independent store owner and I hope they worked something out. I left about 5:00 and there was no end in sight. The birth of anything, even an organization, can be a messy thing. I did have a front row seat to the Rockford St. Paddy's day parade. It was pretty short and the highlight was a green dog. Gotta love Rockord.
There has been knitting and reading and general welcoming of Spring. Meditation has become a daily practice and I am better for it. We are about a month away from the one year anniversary of Mother's death and I can feel it sneaking up behind me. It's ok, though, as I am better prepared now, and my little army of support stays close. One more day toward brighter days.
Yesterday, when I did my first morning log in to facebook, I learned that Forbes Magazine has declared Rockford, IL, (home of the sock monkey...I kid you not.) the town where I was born and still live today, to be #14 on the Most Miserable City to Live In list. Technically, I live in Machesney Park, which is a northern suburb (village connected to the north end of Rockford...not sure it actually qualifies as a burb), which, to be honest, makes Rockford look damn good, so everything is relative in life and geography. At least we aren't #1.
The criteria Forbes used had to do with crime and unemployment, and there is no question that Rockford has more than its share of both. The crime part isn't something that has ever been a big issue for me, and I work in an older, sadder part of town next door to the needle exchange program. The crime is there, but I've managed to avoid it, though have witnessed the drug problem frequently. The unemployment is horrible and has touched several people I know and love.
For me, who has lived here for-ev-er, its problems are different than those Forbes touched on. Rockford is stuck in a conservative box that I don't ever for-see it breaking out of. I'm not sure it wants to. Part of the problem is that we are located close enough to larger, or trendier cities that most of us make fine use of on a regular basis. I certainly do. Perhaps if better shopping/dining/museums/films/theater/education/art were not quite so close at hand Rockford would step up to the plate and provide for itself. Maybe not. I've heard the powers-that-be talk about it since I was old enough to grasp the concept, and that's been several decades.
Now, I'm no authority to talk here, because my idea of a great evening involves my husband, a fireplace, knitting needles and Netflix, but I think most of us that have lived here a long time have stopped looking close to home for our entertainment/leisure time options. It's the proverbial forest from the trees scenario. Rockford does have some really great qualities, but my jaded eyes have lost the ability to see them. Perhaps it's time for me to become a tourist in my own town and rediscover the positives that Rockford has to offer.
Case in point: this photo is of Anderson Gardens. It's located ten minutes from my house. The only time I go there is if visitors come from out of state and we have to figure out how to entertain them.
Jane resides at the Burpee Museum of Natural History in Rockford. Confession: I have never, ever, been inside this museum. Ever. What is up with that?
So, before I spend much time complaining about where I live, I guess I ought to take some time to really get to know her first. The real her, and not just what I think I see.
Still, is a Trader Joe's too much to ask for?
Oh, be still my heart, it's that time of year again. The Cadbury Caramel Eggs are back on the store shelves. There is no other taste so good/ so bad for you treat that can hold a candle to these little golden beauties. I warm them in my hand and try not to gobble them too quickly. The chocolate is creamy and the caramel center perfection. Yum. Oh, yum.
Once upon a time, when I worked at the library, there was a patron who was a particular favorite of mine. He was also as frugal as the day is long. Each year after Easter, he would go from store to store finding the caramel eggs on sale, put them in egg cartons, and then bring them to me. Bags of them. He got such a kick out of my insane love of the Cadbury Caramel Egg. I miss you, John McDougal. I hope you and yours are doing well.
While I'm sure you are all just thrilled to learn that I grow weak in the knees over CC eggs, the main purpose of this post is to see if my facebook settings are correct and my posts appearing, as they should, on my page. Hope it works!
Happy Valentines Day to all you lovely and well loved (by me!) people! xoxoxoxo
I was walking down the aisle of our local grocery store yesterday and took a minute to better observe the store remodel we have endured the last few months. The walls and floors look quite nice , but now I have no idea where anything is....which ticks me off. I'm getting there. Each week we go I get a better lay of the land, but most shoppers still push their carts around like lost souls. I got to wondering if I were a visitor to the area if I would find this a nice store to shop in? Then I had a really profound and overwhelming thought; I want to move.
Now, if I were a normal person I would chock this craziness up to end of Winter restlessness, but I'm not even remotely normal and I think all seasons should last as long as they are intended to last (even Summer, which I dislike). I love Winter, and yet, maybe I'd like to experience Winter somewhere else. Midlife crisis, maybe? I'd say I'm a little old for that. Boredom? I rarely get bored. Maybe just good old wanderlust. Could I really belong somewhere other than Northern Illinois?
When I returned home I enlisted the aid of Find Your Spot. Find Your Spot takes you through a lengthy, and free, questionnaire and then offers up a number of places they think would suit you well. The majority of mine were in Vermont, Maine, and Oregon. Progressive, four seasons, not too many people, a library, and a yarn store. Not more than an hours drive from theaters and museums, and a large body of water.
Not listed, was where I think I really need to be, Grand Marais, MN. In fact, if I could wiggle my nose and work magic, I'd be there right now. To be fair, I've never visited any of the places Find Your Spot selected just for me, and maybe there are a few I might love.
Despite my itchy feet, I won't be going anywhere. The ties that bind are strong here and, let's face it, unless we win the lottery, the cost of living here is what we can afford. Still, it's fun to dream.
What we should all be doing on a Sunday.....napping.
Frank
Maddie
Magnolia
Himalayans have the most beautiful eyes.
All photos taken by Amazing Husband and his amazing camera. Isn't that last one of Magnolia lovely?
Happy Super Bowl! Hope your team wins.
Last night I dreamed of Dunham Lake. I was floating on the cool water with the sun on my face. The loons swam nearby and the eagles flew overhead. It was a remembering dream. Memory imprinted in the cells of my being as the perfect place in the perfect time. A place that I know and that knows me. Or knew me, once upon a time.
Dunham Lake, near Siren, Wisconsin is where my father's parents immigrated from Sweden and Norway and where my parents eventually retired to. I spent every summer and Christmas holiday on that lake from the day I was born until my parents sold the place when I was in my thirties. I grieve it's loss like I do any loved one lost to me. Perhaps more so. Dunham Lake, and the woods surrounding, were my best childhood friends, sanctuary, teacher, and protector.
But here's the thing; I've dreamed about my lake a million times and each time I wake up feeling sad and lonely. Today, I woke up feeling peaceful and grateful to have the privilege of such a memory and the opportunity to dream of it in such detail. What changed?
For the past two weeks I have been meditating 3 times a week. I found a Gaiam DVD, "Meditation for Beginners". It begins with 15 minutes of yoga followed by 20 minutes of guided mediation and the honest truth is I pretty much suck at meditating. My brain cannot stay focused on my breath for more than a minute without wandering off in all directions. During the meditation the guide talks about how the positive results of this practice may not be readily apparent, but after time you will begin to see subtle changes in your life, emotions, dreams, or sleep patterns. I have to admit that my response to that was to be a little skeptical. After last night I'm beginning to have a bit more faith in the process.
The discipline of meditation does not come easily to me. Just the act of sitting still for 20 minutes makes me a little crazy. As with any thing new, time and practice lead to improvement (I hope) and I'm a little excited to see what other changes may come about from this new venture.
Saturday it was southwest to "A Single Man" (Colin Firth was robbed last night at the Golden Globes, I don't care how good Jeff Bridges was.) and Sunday north to "The Young Victoria". After previously cursing Rockford for it's lack of film variety, I do have to admit that it is quite conveniently located between Chicago and Madison. I'm a glass half full kind of girl. :-)
So anyway, The Young Victoria. Oh, how I adore a good costume drama. Seriously, any time period, any subject matter, if they are dressed authentically I'm all about it. Cultural history is endlessly fascinating to me. Put them in costume and then tell me about how they loved each other......brilliant, and it was. Where Saturday's viewing was constrained, quiet, and deeply emotional. Sunday's was huge, historical, overwhelming in detail. I adored it.
Emily Blunt, who I have always enjoyed, was really wonderful as Victoria. Rupert Friend (who I first fell in love with in "Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont" and is a must-see if you haven't) was the perfect Albert, conflicted, surprised to feel genuine affection, and then completely in love with Victoria. Theirs was an epic time in England's history and an epic love. At the end of the film they tell us that the two were together for twenty years and had nine children. Albert died at age 42 and every morning for the rest of Victoria's life (she died at 81) she had her maids lay his clothes out to honor him. That choked me up a bit.
There is a good bit of political maneuvering and were I better student of English history I would have enjoyed it more, though I was more than able to ignore the who-is-who-and-why to enjoy what they were wearing. :-) Still, it was a beautiful story about a young queen and the love of her life. You really can't ask for more than that.
I don't have the reference for the quote above, but I wish I did. Some deep stuff, there. I think a lot. I analyze and plan and contemplate and while that in itself is not a bad thing, perhaps I take it to an occasionally unhealthy level. So what to do? I certainly don't need more thinking. An action is required. I've decided to commit to meditation.
I have meditated before without much success. It's the thinking thing. The desire is not so much to learn to control thought, as to set it free. To achieve a level of awareness that is not constrained by the thought. Easy, right? :-) Yeah, not so much. I'm ok for the first 10 minutes or so and then what we're having for dinner, or what is on the schedule for this week or whether the dogs are out or in.....too much thinking.
After a cursory search it appears that Rockford doesn't have much to offer in the meditation department, and please, if you're local and have a resource to share do so. Lots of yoga, which is in no way a bad thing, but no mediation. I would love a yoga class for old, uh.....squishy...women, but that's for another day. I need a guided meditation class. Please.
In the meantime, while I decide whether I'm willing to drive to Madison, or the suburbs to find a teacher, I have a DVD and a library full of books. And a brain full of thought. It's a place to start.
Hello again! Welcome to a new year, a new decade, a new face on Woolly Mutts. It was way overdue and is a bit of a work in progress, but a good place to start, none the less. I avoid resolutions in general. I can find other ways to disappoint myself, but I do intend to become more faithful to this blog. Wenders, a long time friend and blog reader (as well as writer) asked me for a review of my new Kindle and now is as good a time as any. You might want to get comfy and grab a beverage, cause there is much to say about Kindle, both positive and negative.
Before I get into specifics, let me remind that I am, at heart, a book girl. There is nothing I don't love about a book. The smell, the weight of it in my hands, the adventure that book and I take together. I worked in a library for nearly 10 years and never, ever met a book I didn't like. Love, even. However, I am also a lover of the gadget. It it has a power source and buttons I am probably interested. Kindle is the meeting of both worlds.
And there he/she is. Apparently, many Kindle owners choose to give it a name. Not sure about that, yet. You can see it has the screen, a full keyboard, page turn buttons, menu, home, and a teeny, tiny joy stick thingy. (I am so technical.)
To give you some idea of the size, here it is a top of an average sized hard cover book. It is small and very light.
I was lucky enough to get a case for mine (thanks Sonya!), so here it is, in the case, same book.
A quick overview; Kindle holds up to 1500 books, uploads them in less than a minute (my experience has been more like 20 seconds) from the Amazon store, either from your computer or straight from the Kindle itself. It also will display newspapers, magazines, text files, and blogs for your reading pleasure.
The good:
*Small and light with a non glare screen. The display looks almost exactly like a page in a book.
*It keeps your place without even asking it to, and does so for every document that you are reading. If, like me, you read while having a meal, there is no struggling to keep it open or need to prop up to get the right view.
*You can highlight, annotate, clip sections for later use. The little controller moves a cursor any where on the page. Place it in front of any word and the definition of that word appears (like magic) at the bottom of the page. Fabulous!
*When it goes to sleep a new picture appears on the screen. Some times it's the picture of an author, or a field of butterflies, or a tree of birds. I get a kick out of seeing what picture will appear next.
*As earlier reported, books appear in the Kindle less than a minute after you request them. Amazon also offers LOTS of free books in lots of genres AND (this is so cool) you can order the first chapter of any book for free so you can sample the book before you buy. There a number of places that offer free books for the Kindle and I have heard, though not experienced yet, that some libraries have a Kindle download program. (LOVE libraries!)
*Newspapers from 15 countries can be delivered daily to your Kindle. You also get a free 14 day trial of each newspaper before you commit. I am currently enjoying a trial of The Independent, a UK newspaper. There are also magazines and blogs. There is a cost for all, including blogs. I haven't experimented too much with the built in browser, but have read that it supports Google Reader, so you could read your blogs using the Kindle.
*Lovely long battery life. I just plugged it in today and I've been reading it, on and off, since the 27th. I've read one complete book and almost half of another along with daily newspaper reading.
*PDF files. Oh knitters, this one is tres cool. When you register your Kindle you get an exclusive email address where you are able to email documents and images. A large number of my knitting patterns are in PDF form so I can email them to the Kindle to have available instead of the paper copy. I adore this feature. Same is true for Word docs.
*You can search any publication using word or phrase. Great tool if you're studying a particular subject.
*Text size is customizable and it has the ability to size up to extremely large print. You can also change how many words appear on a line and the screen rotation.
*It will read to you and it's a pretty good voice. I was expecting the sort of computer voice that isn't appealing to listen to, but you can choose a male or female voice and the rate that it speaks. If you're engrossed in a story and have to leave for work, you can just have it read as you drive and then pick up reading again where the voice leaves off. Fantastic feature!
The not so good:
*No color. I understand the necessity of black and white, but I am hoping that someday they will be able to over come this hurdle and offer a color version.
*The screen can not be brightened. The screen is calibrated to be seen at any angle and in most lights with no glare, but it still feels a bit dim to me. Having said that, after I begin reading I hardly notice it and I can and have read in sunlight or with a lamp and had no trouble.
*You can't format a pdf file. Having the knitting patterns in the Kindle is fantastic, but it would be even more so if I could make the text larger. Again, color would be better in this instance as well.
*You are only viewing one page at a time so you must hit the "turn page" button more often than you would turn a page. This sort of annoyed me at first, but after using it for awhile I don't notice it as much.
*It's not a book. Some times it just has to be a book.
Overall, taking the good and the not so much into consideration, I adore my Kindle. LOVE it. 5 stars, two thumbs up, standing ovation. This dedicated book lover is just crazy about her Kindle!
If you are a Kindle owner and have tips or comments to share, please do so!!!
