A Little Update

Some of my blue transferware

• I haven't been posting, just lurking a lot.  I regularly read the new posts on my blog roll (see on left), but haven't been leaving too many comments.  I like to comment, as an encouragement to the blogger.  It's like I've been pseudo-hibernating.  Sitting at a party, watching quietly, alone in a corner.  Not lonely, just content to be a spectator for a while.

I've been thinking a lot about knitting (and doing just a little), and thinking a little about crochet (and not doing any).  I want to knit cardigans, socks and a beret or two.  I want to crochet a granny square blanket.  More on this another time.

I'm obsessed with fashion.  I'm not a fashionista.  I pay little attention to the latest hot trend.  I love classics and vintage styles.  I like looking at fabrics and sewing patterns and designing a seasonal wardrobe with a "collection" look to it.  These wishful dreams bear little resemblance to what is in my drawers and closet.  And I haven't been sewing, but I want to be.  My sewing room isn't up to it.

Which brings me to my current season:  I am very gradually de-cluttering.  And organizing.  And getting into better routines (a la Flylady).

• I am job-seeking.  Which differs from my "career" building.  I have ambitious long-term career plans, but I need to be making a living in the meantime.  So, among other efforts, I'll be adding some listings to my etsy shop, sort of a combined de-cluttering/income-making activity.
• I have started Weight Watchers. I feel hopeful that I will do better with this than I have in the past.  It doesn't feel so hard this time, and I am seeing some results.  I am significantly overweight with creeping cardiac risk factors.  But my real motivation is vanity and my obsession with clothes. Being overweight makes dressing well a real challenge, not to mention being comfortable in one's clothing.  I am working on being able to blog about this, i.e. with photos of myself, but I am a bit shy about photos of myself, and a lot embarassed about being sooooo biiiiig.  I am working on this though, and this little self-confession is a start.  It occurs to me that I have such a small readership that it doesn't much matter what (or if) I post!  And anyone who knows me knows how fat I am.  It is only I who is shocked by pictures of me. (!)

 

• The pictures have nothing whatsoever to do with the content.  Just here to give you something pretty to look at.
• That is what is up with me.  So now I've greased some rusty gears, and laid the groundwork for some future follow-up topics.

Blizzard

Home Sweet Home

We survived!  And never lost power, even with all that wind.  We got close to 3 feet, but who can tell;  the wind howled and sculpted the snow, drifting into piles here and sweeping the ground bare there.  So where do you measure a reliable depth?

Lady Tamara Underbite

 Yesterday, the warmth of the sun enabled a little melting, and then as the sun set, the top of the snow froze in a little bit of icy crust.  Little Tammie, only a little over 20 lbs, found that she could skitter along the top of the snow, without falling through.
Not so for that big boy below, her brother.  He tips the scales at about 45 lbs, and not particularly overweight, according to the vet!  Just big boned!  (me too)

It is snowing again today.  A nice, gentle snowfall, no wind.  big, fat fluffy flakes.

More pictures soon......

His Massiveness, Duke of Cocker Spanieldom, Lord Biband Tucker
 

Normally, the dogs go out a few times a day, being allowed free run in our yard, which is bordered by an Invisible Fence.  Last week, it stopped working


Too excited to stand still for camera

due to a break in the wire somewhere.  But what can you do about it with all this snow on the ground.  Their range has been restricted to the driveway, quite limiting.  So, I've been walking them on leashes, to run off some x-s NRG.
Our street is a dead end, so there is little traffic, and we can just saunter down the middle like it's just a wide footpath.  The banks are a few feet high, so all they can see is snow!  I let them off the leashes a little so they can run and run.  They have such good traction, and I sure can't keep up.  They stop to catch their breath and eat some snow, getting it all over their furry muzzles.   If you have ever seen a breed description for Cockers, they always describe their dispositions as "merry"  and I can attest to that.  (Although, that is only when they are awake....)  If you need a dog for a cheering companion, this may just be the breed for you.

Pride in Heritage, Or Personal Responsibility, Or Something.....

I've often thought about the impact of one's heritage on one's present and future.  Most of us recognize the value of family stories in shaping what we value and what we become.  Social workers recommend that children who are fostered and/or adopted have some sort of album chronicling their lives to take with them and reflect upon to help them feel grounded.  I remember hearing a well-spoken sociologist describe the appeal that belonging to gangs has to disadvantaged youth in inner cities.  It seems there is a deep need within each of us to belong to a community of some sort - a deep need for belonging.  So, it shouldn't surprise us that so many people seek self-worth in their ancestry, or their contemporary affiliations.  I have been re-visiting these concepts recently for 2 reasons:  1)  I have been visiting blogs whose main focus is on "preppy" lifestyle (which shouldn't surprise you too much when you consider my current temp work); and 2) I have been watching and re-watching anything and everything PBS offers about Downton Abbey, which so aptly (and charmingly) explores social classes, ethics of heirarchy, etc.

In my last post, I mentioned that I had taken seasonal work in retail.  Chances are, you have heard of the company.  I have been taking phone orders for L.L.Bean, a company that was founded here in Maine 100 years ago.  I can't help it -- even though I can take no personal responsibility for the aesthetic and success of the company, somehow I feel proud of the company, its history and its products.  What's that all about?  I admit that I feel pride in being a "Yankee", but I'm also aware that in the big scheme of things, it just doesn't matter!  In God's eyes, we are all, each one of us, equally beloved.  He has numbered each hair on our heads, and His love for us exceeds the human heart's ability to fathom it.  And so, to me, in my calmer moments, it seems folly to pay too much heed to one's own heritage.  After all, just as we do not wish to suffer judgment, or worse yet punishment for our ancestor's trespasses, why should we hope to garner accolades for their attributes?  It seems to me that what matters is now, the present, and how we go forward from here. 
The Brits, have a saying, I think, something like:  "End how you mean to go on."  I mis-paraphrased it the other day, something like:  "Start how you mean to finish"; and while I think that thought has merit, it misses the meaning of "End how you mean to go on."  EHYMTGO implies that right at this moment you are at an important decision point.  You are involved in something which needs concluding, and should not be abandoned.  It almost seems that it warns against turning away and ignoring something you have botched.  I can't think how many times I have wanted a fresh start (daily), and how many times I have rued my actions or inactions (nightly).  But if I judge myself too harshly, I risk being paralyzed with shame, self-loathing.  In order to escape such punishment, I might minimize the impact of my own unwise decisions or actions.  Far better to acknowledge the error of my ways, and learn to make wiser decisions in future.  As Oprah says:  "When you know better, you can do better."(And in most cases, not only can you do better, but you have an obligation to yourself and others to do better.)  One of the most effective rebukes is: "Tut, tut! You know better than that!".  Another wise person (anyone know?) said something like:  "Those who ignore history are destined to repeat it."  What a gift it is to realize that we can learn from the mistakes of others!  I suppose that is another reason to be realistic about one's ancestry, and careful not to glamorize their achievements.  Surely there are lessons to be learned.
EHYMTGO insists that you learn from the past and tie up the loose ends and resolve to do better going forward.  I suppose this is important to me now also because we are in the New Year, and I am again plagued by the question of resolutions.  I think they are a good thing, in general, reserving a time on the calendar for reflection and EHYMTGO-ing.  And yet I rarely make any (beyond my usual triad:  Lose weight, eat more nutritiously, and get more exercise), and it seems these I never fully keep, so what's the point?  But I'm going to continue mulling this over, and maybe post again....

These are a few….

I have started a seasonal job.  I don’t know how long it will last, exactly.  The company is in retail, and so is consumer-driven.  I really like the work, the people and the superior ethics of the company.  I’ve worked exactly 9 days so far, and the first 5 was training.  I’m not kidding when I say it has been FUN!
Yesterday, when I got ready for work, I was listening to Maine Public Radio (<<<lUv>>>).  The classical music program was beginning and the first piece was a beautiful  arrangement of one of My Favorite Things – yes, the song from The Sound of Music.  I felt so blessed.  (Don’t tell my dogs, y’know, about the kitten thing.)
What are a few of your favorite things this Advent Season?

What’s new? What’s news?

This newspaper business was housed in a small building that looked like it may have been residential at one time…
Well, here’s what’s new with me.
The company I worked for continues to struggle in this economy, as well as the general growing pains that plague any new company in the first years.  In order to survive they have actually had to trim personnel.  And one of the trims was me.  Sigh….
Since then, we have had Hurricane Sandy, who helped us cull the weaker roof  shingles from the herd we keep on top of our house.  And brought down 3 or 4 trees and several branches.  So, not too much damage.  And the tree segments will be cut up for firewood, and all the stray branches broken up to be used for kindling.   One of the trees that came down was one my DH had been eyeing a couple of weekends ago when we did a big push fall clean-up in our yard.  So, I guess Sandy was a help to us, and not just a hindrance.  We lost power for 30 hours, but it was warm outside and we didn’t need heat anyway.  So we used candlelight and flashlights, and cooked things that were in the freezer on our propane grill outside.  I had had the boys bring it up on the screen porch before the storm, amid their protests that it could stay right where it was.  They complied when I asked which one of them was willing to stand at the grill in the rain when there was cooking to be done.  (I mention my small inconveniences very carefully.  I am hoping not to sound complaining when we got off so lightly compared to the damage and loss Sandy wrought on so many in NY and NJ and thereabouts.  As I’m sure you are, I am keeping them in my prayers,
And, of course, like everyone, we have had the excitement of a contentious presidential election.  I don’t know how much of our Senatorial election has made news in your area.  But one of our beloved Senators who has been in Washington for years (Olympia Snowe – I even love her name—suggests a wise guru on a mountaintop) had decided not to run for re-election, specifically citing the frustration of grid-lock and divisiveness in the Senate.  We, as a state have replaced her with our former governor, Angus King (another interesting name –  I heard a comic make reference to a Burger King menu item!), who is an Independent.  I was hoping that the election would clear the air of the negativity, and bring a new resolve to get along and get some work done.  I think that has happened to some degree,  but in my world, there are some who are not ready to let go of what for them was a crusade of sorts.  Now, in defeat, there is a funereal air pervading each day.  Please don’t make any assumptions about my political persuasions.  I of course had a preferred Presidential candidate, but I could be content with either outcome, because I know that God is in control, and not constrained by who is in the U.S. White House.
I’m sorry of the lack of recent posts.  I have so much I want to post about, and I will do so as often as I can.  It will be difficult as I am in an all-out job search in a lousy job market.
So, what’s new with you?

You can stand a little more fall color, right?

Good!  Here are some more pics of our Sunday afternoon in Castine.
Hungry for lunch, we looked for a place to eat in Castine.  We had no idea how tiny and quiet a town it was.  Apparently most places were closed until next summer!

We stopped at this house because I wanted to take a picture of the ship, and when the yellow lab came out barking, the lady who lived there came out to see what all the racket was for, and then talked and talked, giving me hints on where we might try to get a bite. (Basically, 2 spots:  a sub sandwich counter at a gas pump, and a place she referred to as “The Variety”.) 

The ship was quite a surprise as we came upon it.  I knew that the Academy had a teaching ship, but truly I had no idea where to look for it.  We drove further and there it was!  They were changing companies.  Different groups of students inhabit the ship for a week or two at a time, and apparently they change on Saturday afternoon.
I don’t know what is inside the building on the left, but there was an observation deck on top, which was easily accessible, and from which point I took a few pictures, some of which I posted last time.

If you have exceptional eyesight, you can see the name “State of Maine” on the bow.  You can see the brick wall of the deck I’m standing on, and I just really loved the tugboat.  Wasn’t there a tugboat starring in a very old children’s book?  Anyway, that’s what it reminded me of.
We found The Variety and ate there.  I had a crab roll, Jeff had a haddock sandwich, and our only Maine-born boy (who won’t eat seafood) had a turkey club sandwich.

I met a couple of students who had just gotten off the ship, and came by The Variety for a slice of pizza.  They told me they didn’t mind if I included them in the picture (although I may have failed to mention that the pic might end up on my blog).  They are first-years, my Evan’s age, so I wanted to make sure they were eating right, studying hard and getting enough sleep.  But I didn’t.  Okay, maybe a little.  I did ask if they were homesick, but they aren’t really too far away from home.  And as future merchant marines, they had better not be homebodies – they’ll be traveling all over the world.


Inside, The Variety was tiny, and looked like it had once been a soda fountain/ice cream shoppe.  There were even those rotating stools at this counter.  There were about 4 tables in the place.  TiNy.

All the walls had that beautiful wood that you see behind the shelves.  It was heavily and beautifully oiled or something.  It reminded me of well-cared for yachts.   Ship-shape and all that.
Just a little more of Castine next time.

Busy Weekend,…You?

So, when we talked last, I was having a rollercoaster type of a week.  (Thank you for the kind words in the comments.) Some of the challenge was what was going on around me, but sometimes I  think that what goes on in my head and heart determines how all the rest affects me.

So, like the rain falling in a Russian novel, perhaps all our rain and clouds and fog and mist and wind has had a cleansing effect on my outlook.
 

Sean’s last football game of the season was Saturday afternoon.  I couldn’t believe I didn’t bring my camera.  My sports shots are consistently terrible, but I’m sure I could have gotten a couple of worthwhile pictures.  Our team suffered a humiliating loss.  And it was against our traditional arch-rivals.  Ah, well…

On Sunday morning, instead of church, we drove up the Maine coast to Castine.  Evan plays “club” Lacrosse for University of Maine, and they were playing against Maine Maritime Academy.

Evan standing in his defense zone, watching a rare moment when our offense was pressuring the Mariners’ goal.

We had never been to Castine, and really knew precious little about the academy.  If you have never heard of a maritime academy, it is a college-type school to train students (I think they are called midshipmen?) how to run and navigate commercial vessels.   Like tankers and other huge ships.  They are not a military institution, but I get the impression that they are run somewhat like one.

We went directly to the LaX game, and were immediately struck by how small the campus is.  And it really looks no different to me than any other small New England liberal arts college.  Old brick buildings, ivy, gardens, students running around in athletic gear.  Well, and the occasional phalanx of uniformed, um, cadets? Midshipmen?  Whatever, you get the idea.

The game was unmitigated disaster for Evan’s team.  I’ll just say that Evan’s team did, in fact score (in the single digits).  And the MMA Mariners scored in the double digits.

We got only about a 5 min visit with him after the game, as their vans were hitting the road immediately to get back to Orono.


We drove around a bit, taking in the stately homes overlooking the river as it met the Atlantic.  Each one was picturesque.  It was partly cloudy, and the sun would peek between and around the dark saturated clouds, with startling frequency.

  You’d be warm and remove your jacket, and then the breeze would kick up, and the sun would be obscured and you’d put it back on.  The foliage is probably just past its peak, but it would come alive in the direct sunlight, to best advantage when it had clear blue sky for a backdrop.  Then in the overcast, the subtlety of the colors would yearn for your attention, and as your eyes adjusted, the texture and detail would gain prominence, lovely to behold.  You’d forget that the colors were supposed to be past peak, and you’d breathe in the crisp autumn musk and sigh.




And that was just part of the day!









More soon……