Monday, September 26, 2011

You May Say I'm a Dreamer...

But I'm not the only one :)


(Baby Me in Brooklyn, NY)

A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.
Oscar Wilde

A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.
John Barrymore

All human beings are also dream beings. Dreaming ties all mankind together.
Jack Kerouac

All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.
T. E. Lawrence

All of us failed to match our dreams of perfection. So I rate us on the basis of our splendid failure to do the impossible.
William Faulkner

Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Dreaming men are haunted men.
Stephen Vincent Benet

Dreaming or awake, we perceive only events that have meaning to us.
Jane Roberts

Dreams are the touchstones of our character.
Henry David Thoreau



Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions.
Edgar Cayce

Dreams are true while they last, and do we not live in dreams?
Alfred Lord Tennyson


Tonight I enjoyed reading through these quotes, as lately, I feel as though I've been dreaming, yearning, and pleading within myself for more. It's been an unsettled existence, but not unhappy, just seeking the next move. Mulling over the chess move of my opponent and willing myself to make the most careful and informed placement for what may happen next. It's exciting, really!

And it's a focused, structured, and yet open future.

Health. Vehicle. Occupation. Medical School. Family. Location. Knowledge. Travel. Opportunity. To name a few.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Pinterest

Pinterest has certainly piqued my interest!

It has me dreaming about vacation and time. But it's also convicted me that I need to make the time for these project to revitalize myself after long days and rough weeks. It's another tough, draining year, but we'll survive with a little help from pinterest.

Look for me on there, as that's where I've been :)

Monday, September 12, 2011

Monday, Monday

I had already determined that today was going to be lousy. I hardly got any sleep, the weekend ended far too quickly, and far too much down time was spent grading! I wasn't quite ready.

But the students had decided that today would be anything but the dreaded Monday. This happened even in my hardest class with everyone there!

Yes, I'll take every Monday just like it was today. With time to write in my own Day Book, students getting straight to work, many opportunities to add silent speedball points, and solid work on menu choices for the novel, there's hardly anything I would change!

So Monday, you are allowed to visit again, but I am content with moving on to Tuesday :)


And I might, just might, be the only one who is hoping for a little more rain because my husband just surprised me by buying me a pair of galoshes. Keen galoshes, no less, with a cozy, fuzzy lining that will be comfortable in winter, spring, summer or fall! I wouldn't mind a good splash in a puddle now...

Saturday, September 10, 2011

My Evening Outlet

Do you ever receive a gift card from someone and then wait 9 months before actually using it? Eek! Well, I do!


Today I went and purchased beads, clasps and stringing wire to make some new pieces of jewelry to jazz up my wardrobe and outfits, as well as to feed my creative urges.

Walking up and down the bead aisle in Michaels is such a fun thing to do! The colors are beautiful, grouped in warm and cool colors, brights and naturals, plastic and glass, wood and stone; a true feast for the eyes and to the touch.

If only my tastes weren't for the most expensive beads... Fortunately, there was a sale and I had a gift card.


So, after spending an hour on that aisle and two hours at home, I now have one new necklace and three new bracelets. Playing with combinations of colors and beads and then stringing and restringing made for a fun evening.

In the end I have discovered that simple is still my style.
I still feel like I am playing dress-up sometimes.
I am, after all, only 25. Right?



****Speaking of which.... HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY to my dear cousin, Julie! I hope that you are having a wonderful square-dancing jamboree this evening!!! Wish I could be there. Love you.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Laws of Nature

Recently we witnessed a snake's attempt to devour a toad.


We watched as the snake bit the hindquarters of the poor creature, amazed that it would even attempt this feat.


And just as we thought that the toad had met the end of his existence, he began to move, struggle, and fight back. Still the snake kept its steadfast clasp.

Then the toad made another valiant effort and kicked its way out of the snake's hold.


Quickly the snake slithered off and the toad sat with goo and saliva-covered legs, but it was safe.




Sometimes life just isn't fair... and sometimes it is. The laws of nature were reversed that day. It's refreshing to see that happen. A reminder to keep trying and be resilient. The outcome just might surprise us.

Monday, September 5, 2011

To Make You Feel My Love

Great weekend with great friends! It does my heart such good.


Now here I sit and try to catch up on lesson plans and grading and laundry. It has poured since we came home, so we haven't even unpacked the car! Can't say I am looking forward to that :)

This song came on Pandora and it always relaxes me. Where would we be without music to calm our nerves and cut right to our souls.

To Make You Feel My Love - Mick Mcauley & Winifred Horan Version

When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love.

When the evening shadows and the stars appear
There is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love.

I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I wouldn't do you wrong
I knew it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong.




I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue
I'd go crawling down the avenue
You know there's nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love.

The storms are raging on the rolling sea
And on the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain't seen nothing like me yet

I could make you happy, make your dreams come true
Oh, there's nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
To make you feel my love


The lyrics work for a couple in love, but they also apply to our group of friends. We do have those friends who would go to the end of the earth for us, and we for them. There's often nothing that they wouldn't do. We are thankful for those who could come this weekend and those who couldn't. We are thankful for their compassion and joy.






Thursday, September 1, 2011

Labor Day Camping!!!

It's finally arrived!

Ever since graduating from college I have thought it would be fun to get a group of friends together for a few days. Well, this has finally come to fruition! After a year of feeler emails, voting, and organizing, we will all arrive at the same state park tomorrow night. Everyone's signed up to bring one meal and knows their tent group! 3 campsites, 14 people (two had to back out due to family stuff with the hurricane), and 4 dogs. Too fun.

We plan on making this a tradition, as Labor Day is not a common family holiday and it's a great way to ensure that we spend time together for at least one weekend a year. There are many friends who could not make it this year, but plan on coming in the future. Perhaps one day we'll upgrade and head to a beach house, but for now we are happy to be together around a campfire and in the great outdoors.

We are very excited. Pictures to come!

Here's a picture of our hike to McAfee's Knob with a good friend, Malcolm, and his friend.

We actually did this hike on the day when most of our family was experiencing the hard rains of hurricane Irene. I suppose we are too far west and therefore only experienced extreme humidity and then dry breezes. Afterwards we went to The Homeplacw where they serve family-style and ole country cooking. Did I mention that it's all you can eat? And it's not a buffet! The perfect post-hike meal.

Who wants to visit and head there?

Have a wonderful three day weekend!