This short entry is my first since February. I was forced to abandon my writing for over a month following the arrival of Emma, a Jack Russell puppy who kept me busy 24/7. Now that she's 4 months old and (mostly) housebroken, I'm hoping to resume my writing. I haven't written a word in two months! I find that in order to write I need large blocks of time, so I didn't even make the attempt. I didn't want to get totally frustrated and resent our newest addition every time I was interrupted. I'm back! I can hear the church bells ringing in the town square as I write this. Thanks for waiting!

I'm an author!You can find my work at http://Writing.Com/authors/acp751
 

Today marks the beginning of the 4706th Chinese New Year. Based on the solar calendar, it is always the first day of the second new moon following the winter solstice, which took place on December 21st of last year. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year, the day the sun ("sol") stands still ("sistere"). In other words, we are halfway through winter, a fact of which I am grateful.

To celebrate, many Chinese throughout the world will wear red, which is the color of fire and thought to drive away bad luck. Children will receive "lucky money" in red envelopes. Buddists participate in the religious ceremony of "Pure Light" in which they honor and reunite with their ancestors. The fifteen day holiday season ends with the full moon, which is February 21st. The Lantern Festival features fireworks and parades of the "Dragon Dance". These "frightening" creatures beat off all devils, paving the way for a year of good fortune.

This is the Year of the Rat, which indicates the start of a new 12 year cycle. Folklore describes the day Buddha (or God) named the twelve "Earthly Branches": He instructs twelve animals to cross the Yellow River to him, tells them he will name the years in the order in which each animal reaches him. In a clever maneuver the rat jumps on the back of the Ox, hops onto the shore at the last minute to win the race. The rat has the first year named in his honor, as well as the control of the strongest water element.

2008 is also a year of "Yang Earth" or "Big Mountain", which corresponds to the strongest of the earthly forces. This year unites the most intense energies of earth and water to create an unstable state, much like a ship on a turbulent ocean. The captain of such a ship needs a "Plan B" if he and his crew are to survive. Our country may be in a similar situation this November.

Observing the Chinese New Year provides a second chance to many of us who have experienced a slow start in meeting our January 1st resolutions. The first week of February seems to be the time every year when I decide to really lose that ten pounds and to really try to reach those goals I listed a month ago.

Why do I need this extra time every year? Perhaps it's because short little February leads to March and that means spring. I can see the light flickering at the end of winter's tunnel. At 5:30 pm yesterday it was almost dark as I was watching the does in our back yard. I found myself wondering which of them would deliver the fawns we'd see in June.

Chinese Astrology predicts that 4076 will be both exciting and unpredictable. Hopefully the crew of our ship will be ready for an altered course. Happy New Year!





 

Here's a silly little self-indulgent tirade. My size 4 jeans are tight and it really ticks me off. I haven't been eating anything "bad" (ice cream, chocolate, cookies) and I still have 8 more pounds than in early December. It seems like unless I diet, I gain weight. It's so tiresome, but here I am, on another diet. I thought I'd kill two birds by cleansing my body as well. I've made up my own diet of raw foods, 6 almonds, V-8 juice, and Pomagranate Juice. We'll see how I do. Bruce mentioned my extra weight was probably because I haven't been running. Maybe a little, but right now it's in the forties outside, pouring down rain, and I refuse to get out there. The treadmill is boring and running inside with the heat on is not a pleasant experience. Maybe I should dust off my Pilates tape and give it a go. Ugh.
         I just wish for once my weight would stay where I want it. And I wish my knees and joints wouldn't hurt and these cracks on the tips of my fingers are SO painful. Can't seem to avoid getting them either. While I'm at it, I wish I felt like I did when I was 21, or 33, or even 47, instead of the 53 going-on 60 that I am. Whine, Whine. Life is so hard.
         Rant over. Happy February! Spring is a little closer, Thank God!

I'm an author!You can find my work at http://Writing.Com/authors/acp751
 

This was such a big day for me. I finally have a story I can run with. This comes after FOUR false book starts the last six months. I have a real good feeling about this one being a keeper. I've written the first 2,000 words. YIPPEE!
 

Don Imus describes the latest episodes of Election 2008 as "enormously entertaining". To many viewers, it is quickly beginning to resemble a championship fight. South Carolina brought out the beast in Hillary, prompting her to accuse Obama of being a "Chicago slumlord" who had worked for Antoin Rezko, an alleged criminal. The next days Drudge Report showed a picture of Bill and Hillary posing with the same man.

It's becoming glaringly obvious that Billary will say or do anything to secure the win for their team. Bill has become a weak link here, as he seems to have little control over the words that emerge from his mouth. Most recently he commented on Barack's overwhelming win in South Carolina as being reminiscent of Jesse Jackson's track record in the state. Huh? There is but one similarity between these two individuals. Why doesn't Bill just go ahead now and throw Hillary overboard with the brick tied to her foot? Al Sharpton tells Bill: "Shut Up".

In contrast, Barack seems to prefer the higher moral ground, calmly pointing out the distortion of facts by his opponent. His appears to be a class act in comparison, one that is not punctuated with the insulting language and scoffing innuendo of his competitors. The Clinton tactics have left a sour taste in the mouths of many Americans, including many in Washington. Today we witnessed a powerful scene at American University as we watched Barack stand on the same stage with three members of the Kennedy family, who passionately and eloquently voiced their support. If Kennedy can recover the very important Latino vote, Team Clinton will have a very competitive race to the finish. February 5th will be a compelling episode which will reveal each team's relative strength in the big arena.

Meanwhile, John Edwards patiently waits at the back, like the abandoned little brother. Because of his failure to alienate either democratic camp, he has placed himself in a prime running mate spot for November.

Remember the Republicans? Mitt and John are trading insults, but are hardly stealing public attention from the Democrats. In an amusing article in the National Review last week, White House Correspondent Byron York mentioned that most Republicans are becoming afraid of Obama. He described his recent experience at a Columbia, South Carolina rally for Barack. Accompanied by a Republican friend, he witnessed "one of the best political performances anyone has seen this year". His friend remarked that he was reminded of the scene in Jaws, in which the hometown sheriff "realizes how big the shark he's tracking truly is, and says, 'We're gonna need a bigger boat.'"

This show is real and has Americans buzzing. Everyone has their favorite team, but it's much too soon to predict the outcome of this race.




 

Live, from Manakin Sabot, Virginia. It's Sunday Afternoon! It is still winter here, unfortunately. I went outside, briefly, to get the paper. It is so-o-o-o-o cold and windy....I know, I know, I'm a total weanie...What about the poor folks at the football game in Green Bay today, where it'll be ZERO degrees. What can I say, those people are a little too fanatic about their football.
Just wanted to drop in and say hi. Hope everyone is staying warm. More profound literary works of genius to follow. Come back!

 

         Ho-Hum. Another Monday has arrived. I'm dressed to run but have no inclination to do so. It's dreary and cold outside. My legs are achy from the dampness in the air. I truly dislike winters in Virginia. We won't get any snow AGAIN this year, I can bet you. I grew up in the Northeast and I miss the excitement that a major storm generates. I'm sure those who are experiencing the snowstorm today in New Hampshire would gladly change places with me, but they'd eventually realize they miss the flurry of activity.
         At least something HAPPENS when it snows. Cars get stuck in the road. Good Samaritans help pull people out of ditches. The power goes out. People fire up their gas fireplaces, or light their sterno, or even go to a hotel, which is something I'd love to do right about now. Before the storm hits, there's the frantic dash to the grocery store, where you see all your neighbors. We buy extra jugs of water, because if we lose power, we also lose water. I still remember when I had to wash my husband's hair in our kitchen sink with bottled water a few years ago. It was, at most, 50 degrees in the room. What a hoot. It still makes me laugh when I think of the look on his face.
         I also feel sorry for our poor teachers. They follow the weather reports with hopeful anticipation, but in Virginia they are continually disappointed. My poor daughter told me on Saturday that we were probably going to get some "very cold rain" on Sunday night. Maybe the temperature will drop, and they'd all get a snow day. In Virginia, a half inch of snow will close the schools. Annie is teaching today, of course. Poor thing. It's just not fair.
         The best thing about a major snowstorm is that it makes you appreciate things you take for granted otherwise. For me, it's coming home safely, where my dogs always wait behind the door to welcome me. My husband will be at his computer, perusing his travel or baseball sites. Now that he's a bigshot college professor, he's looking forward to spring break and baseball's spring training. He's also probably keeping a close eye on any weather fronts "threatening" our area's otherwise uneventful forecast.
         I am definitely looking forward to Spring,when I can return to my running with more gusto and see how many fawns there are this year in our backyard. But right now it's January 14th in Virginia, and I need to embrace my good fortune in living every day, no matter what the weather provides.
         Yes, there's nothing quite like a cold rain in the middle of January.
 

Today is Friday, January 11th. Some days I have to look at the calendar just to find out the day of the week. None of the days feel like they used to when I was working outside the home. Every day had a framework and a feeling attached to it, and I always knew what day it was. Monday, ugh. Tuesday, still ugh. Wednesday, getting better. Thursday, almost there. Friday, hooray! Saturday, wonderful. Sunday, bittersweet.

I woke up this morning believing it was Saturday. When I realized it was only Friday, I felt none of the jubiliation of yesteryear. Today is another day to write. My goals are simple; I want to write better today. I want to write something that others will want to read. I can write about anything. Knowing this is exciting and liberating, but stressful as well.

I can't blame a boss who asks too much of me or coworkers who are difficult. It's just me here now, asking too much of myself, criticizing myself at every turn. Actually, my old coworkers were much nicer to me than I am to myself.

I am suffering from a disease known as "TMI", or "Too Many Ideas". From my research on the subject, I've learned the treatment for this is to simply start writing, anything. Now that I've written this, I hope my symptoms will diminish and I'll be able to move on today.

Happy Friday everyone!
I'm an author!You can find my work at http://Writing.Com/authors/acp751
 

         Bruce left a few minutes ago for his new job teaching at JRCC. This is great cause for celebration; I thought the day would never get here. The last week has felt like a morgue around here. Usually, I was sitting right here, trying to figure which one of my amazing ideas to write about first. I started using index cards to organize my ideas, phrases and character profiles. They covered every inch of space on my desk. Every now and then I'd venture down the stairs to keep him company, but he'd be far away most of the time. When he climbed the stairs at night, I'd quickly clear the desk for the next day. I'd put the cards in ordered, rubber-banded piles. Big, brightly colored paper clips kept pages together. I was, and still am _________. I can't think of another word for overwhelmed, but that's what I am. I feel like a child in a pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey game, blindfolded and sent spinning. I am confused, but trying hard to find my place. But, that's enough about me.
         Bruce spent his days brooding. While he sat in his recliner, pretending to watch TV, I knew what he was thinking about. Like a good wife, though, I'd ask, because he wouldn't tell me otherwise. I didn't want him to feel alone. He was anxious about his first day of work, and I couldn't say a thing to change it. He was so distracted, he wasn't even taking his blood pressure, which, in turn, made me anxious. He'd forget about simple things, like eating, or feeding the dogs. I felt frustrated with him, and more than a little annoyed. But, I understood the deal.
         He was focused on all the things that could go wrong his first day on the job. His student list would be inaccurate and instead of 21 students, he'd have 30. This was upsetting, because 21 was too many already. Then he would think about the parking pass he didn't have yet. He came up with a plan. He'd go to the office early the following week, but he bet he wouldn't be able to get the damn thing. The scattered woman who he'd been talking to on the phone told him she wouldn't be there that day. He'd get there and he wouldn't even be registered in the computer yet. Nobody would be able to help him. His car would be towed. On from there, he'd go to the classroom early, so he could set up for his lecture. The audio-visual equipment either wouldn't work, or he wouldn't be able to figure out how to work it. Worse yet, it might not even be in the room at all.
         He believed all these horrible things would happen before the first student entered the room. The students themselves made up the stuff of his real nightmares. He didn't share these thoughts with me; I assumed they were too terrible to mention. Some of them wouldn't speak English; others would be drug addicts with knives. They would be texting their friends while he tried to teach them. None of them would look him in the eye and he would feel ridiculous and stupid. He would know, quite simply, that he was a failure.
         While some of this might happen, most of it will remain right where it was then, in his head. Tonight he'll reflect upon his day and realize it was much better than he'd imagined. The parking pass wasn't a big deal and security didn't tow his car. The equipment was where it was supposed to be. Best of all, he will realize that he can make a difference for many of these students. He can teach. After all the worry, he will know, quite simply, that he is a success.
         This is the way it always is with my husband. Like Eeyore or Chicken Little, he sees the sky falling. He is prepared for every calamity, never surprised or saddened by life's inevitable pitfalls. His is a life of pleasant surprises.
         I am different. I have the idea that good things will happen if I expect them, and they usually do. Unfortunately, I don't ever have a "Plan B", so when the bad s--t happens, I'm at a total loss. I'm disoriented and scramble to recover my bearings. The outcome is unproductive. I become bitterly disappointed.
         Who can say which way is better? Obviously, it depends entirely upon what life delivers. Both ways of thinking have merit. It's of great value to be prepared for the worst. On the other hand, expecting the best can save you a lot of needless, unproductive worry.
         I am so thrilled for him, because he will be a wonderful teacher. As he left the house this morning, he mentioned the possibility of my filling in for him at times. Is he kidding? Now, that would be my worst nightmare!