Year Two, Day 208: Someone to Sip Eggnog With

There is a feeling of excitement in the air in Portland today. A bit of snow has been forecast tonight!

But if you are a native Portlander, you know to take this with a grain of salt. Or a flake of snow. Chances are we will see a light dusting overnight. Portland Public Schools will panic and close all the schools. Traffic will be a mess.

And people like my Montana native friends from church will chuckle and shake their heads.

Then, sometime in the near future, there will be no snow forecast, and we will wake up to a winter wonderland!

I am a skeptic. I don't trust weather reports.

I look to the birds. When I see many birds gathering and then suddenly flying south en masse, I expect to see a change in the weather.

I haven't seen any bird activity today. But there is a little nip in the air!

I am usually a bit of a Grinch around the holidays. I don't like to even think about Christmas shopping, hear carols or see decorations until after Thanksgiving. This year is different. I am feeling a warmth in my heart, a spring in my step and my spirit is singing with joy. Perhaps its after surviving that hateful political campaign.

Or losing weight and getting my groove back.

Or my rejuvenated romantic spark?

Whatever it is, I am feeling the holiday spirit! I am feeling the urge to watch "It's a Wonderful Life" and string popcorn and cranberries.

I gave my daughter money for a Christmas tree this morning.

Now I just need someone to sip eggnog with!

I am teaching today. Had a lovely day in church. Met a very nice man, "M" at Starbucks. We had a nice conversation. He had lovely blue eyes. Not sure if this is romance, but I am staying true to my belief that internet dating can be civil and kind.

We were civil and kind. I told him I am crazy busy with recitals and concerts until after the holidays. I may have to sip eggnog alone, but I do need to keep my mind focused on work. It helps to have this lighthearted holiday spirit! Maybe my heart is expanding, like the Grinch at the end of the movie!

I am heading to the gym after teaching and going home to a potroast my daughter put in the crockpot.

I am feeling merry and bright.

And I hope you are feeling the spirit too!

Happy Sunday!

Comments

Year Four, Day 328: Success at Last!! This is What I Do

Hello My Long Lost Friends! Or, perhaps it was I who was lost? And now I think I am beginning to find myself! Under layers of fat, and self loathing! How's that for an opening line! Or perhaps the title of a novel: Layers of Fat and Self-Loathing! Today I stepped on the scale. I am weighing myself every morning these days. I was shocked! I told my partner the scale must be broken! Yesterday I weight 186. Today 185! I have been on a strict intermittent fast for the past 10 weeks. I have officially lost 12 pounds! And the best news is I think I not only can stick to this way of eating, I am actually beginning to really enjoy it! And look how far I've come! I've been writing since May 12, 2015. Over 8 years now! I know this blog post says Year Four, Day 328, but there have been many pauses in blogging. For instance, when I am not pleased with progress or simply have no words! I was 53 when I first began blogging. I am now 61. I honestly feel better than I did 8 years

Year Four, Day 335: "Crisis Fatigue"

Hello Friends! I have missed you! I have been so utterly exhausted and downright depressed, that I couldn't summon enough energy to even lift my fingers to this computer keyboard to write. Apparently there is a mental disorder for people going through crises. Crises such as pandemics, systemic racism, political division, unemployment, police brutality, civil unrest.... It's called "crisis fatigue". When humans are presented with a threat, adrenaline is released to give us quick energy. This is called the "fight or flight syndrome". But when threats are overwhelming, and perceivably continuous, like this year, it overwhelms the system. People can feel numb, depressed, anxious and irritable. Yup. That's me. I guess I'm quite normal after all! I found an interesting article that describes crisis fatigue, especially in relation to current events. But it doesn't really address how to take care of ourselves during these unsettling times!

Year Four, Day 247: What Happened in Vegas...

Expectations can be brutal. Especially when reality dashes them against the rocky shores of our souls. How's that for an opening line? I was so excited about my recent trip to Las Vegas. I haven't travelled anywhere in so long. I do believe I have been bit by the travel bug. I want the freedom to go places I have never been, see things I have never seen and experience life as a stellar adventure! My kids are young adults with families of their own. I have my role as Zma, as Teacher Zita. But I am on a quest to find Zita. She's hidden someone deep inside. Covered in layers. Like an onion. I like the onion analogy. Notice the outermost layer of an onion - dry and papery. As you peel off layers, the inside is juicy and sweet. I have paid my dues of sacrifice, shame and self deprivation. What I want now is to embrace the life I have remaining. Have you seen the life pie chart? I don't know where I read this, but it stuck with me. Draw a circle. And then divide it i

Soul Runnings

Search This Blog