Track 9 to NYC

Track 9 to NYC
dropping off "my guys" at Hamilton Train Station

Thursday, April 26, 2012

PEACE, IT'S WONDERFUL!!


A major moment the other night.  I was up at midnight, having been roused from a sound sleep by Rennie, who wanted me to know it was time for the kitties midnight feeding.  Knowing John was working like mad on a painting that needed to be done by the next day, I dragged myself from the embrace of my blankets & set out to feed our clowder of cats.  Guess John heard the activity, because I heard his studio door open & close & within moments he was walking into the kitchen.

As I finished with Gryf's dish (between the island & the pantry) and was making my way to Rennie's (near the fridge) - John rather sheepishly opened the upper pantry door, took out a can of Pirouette Rolled Cookies, and asked, "Is it okay if I have some of these."  

Oh my - what a stricken look came across his face as I broke it to him, as tenderly as possible, that I actually needed those cookies, had plans for using them for Bryn Athyn Bounty baking AND that I'd happily nip out to Giant for some working-into-the-wee-hours cookies.  Rather downcast, he declined.

Well, it took less time than needed to move from Rennie's dish over to the The Great Ballou (Ballou, for short), waiting rather impatiently over by her stove-side dish, for me to notice my messed up priorities!  Much to Ballou's disgust, I moved over to the pantry, opened the upper cupboard door behind which was the can of coveted cookies, reached over for it, picked it up... and noticed it felt considerable lighter than I'd expected.  

Opening the lid & peering inside, my suspicions were confirmed ~ the sealed-fresh bag had already been opened & half the cookies long gone.

My guess is that not that long ago, my response would have been to become huffed & indignant at such a plundering of what was clearly intended for my baking, not John's nibbling!!!  Instead, I was swept with the most unusual experience - silently shaking with laughter over John's dilemma at HOW to break it to me that the deed was done AND being thrilled that humor rather than upset has become my default in such a scenario!

Without touching the bag - which I couldn't have noticed had been opened - I put the lid back on the canister, handed the whole thing to John, and told him that I really & truly wanted HIM to have them, because I was so proud of the piece he was working of & so aware of how many hours he still had in front of him. 

Still chortling over the situation.  And I totally understand how it came to happen.  And thrilled I've FINALLY gotten to such a healthy response.  

Peace, it's wonderful!!! 

SUPER NATURAL

Realized that I've been blessed with a super natural life.  


Yes - not one word.


As in it's SUPER and I'm constantly amazed at how NATURAL it all feels. 


Well, how it's all felt since 10/01/01.  


So many people to thank & bless that I'm able to feel that way.  Big goofy grins to all!!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Really Quite Remarkable

Sigh... I'm still a relatively lousy letter writer & fairly abysmal when it comes to remembering birthdays!

Not so my sister, who is a delightful letter writer and who seems to remember everyone's birthday!

Big smiles earlier this week, spotting the return address on an envelope. A letter from Mim!! She'd caught a whift of some really awful smell and got an immediate sense memory of the two of us driving through Georgia, down I-95 past the coastal town of Brunswick. WHEW! To this day, neither of us have smelled such a stink!!! And we were miles away.

Great fun to suddenly, in my mind's eye, be driving down the interstate, Mim at the wheel of the van, trying to hold her nose & steer at the same time.

So long ago, yet feels just yesterday.

I've always WANTED to be a good letter writer/card sender. More like Mim, who's an excellent letter writer, part of a tool box of social skills that she uses to deftly forge & maintain connections with the wide range of people she's met in her world travels.

Maybe one reason I never got into the letter writing swing of things is never feeling like I had much to share. My life has been far smaller than my rather epic older sister. Not less, just smaller. Way less traveled, way fewer richly-textured experiences.

Mim really is quite remarkable.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Building Off AI

Okay, I truly, intensely dislike acronyms. So, the title is the ONLY place where you'll find me using the one for Appreciative Inquiry's. (Most people reading it think "artificial intelligence.") Like way too many acronyms, it hides its meaning. (Unlike the acronym for Operation Iraqui Liberty - OIL.)

A lot of folks in my home town hope the current Appreciative Inquiry process happening throughout our community will reveal heartfelt dreams, yielding insightful visions that can translate into meaningful future plans that connect & nurture. Personally, the process has already proved a boon for me - it got me thinking about all the stories in my home town, so many of which have been lost forever, so many of which are waiting for someone to capture them for the current as well as future generations to enjoy. Much like Viola Ridgeway did, in her day.

Story circles, spinning off of Appreciative Inquiry.

First up - locate what Mrs. Ridgeway already accomplished. Move on from there.

FUN!

Storytelling as Community Connection

Imagine what might happen if we gathered together and shared our stories? Is that part of what Appreciative Inquiry is all about? How does Appreciative Inquiry use collected stories as a catalyst to reinforce community?

Imagine a community story book! What an incredible bond that could be, and what fun it would be to make happen. Story telling as connective tissue.

How is Appreciative Inquiry different from what's being disucssed, if at all? Isn't it all about identifying core values & seeing how they fit into current/future actions? Identifying core values & guiding principles sounds like what the Bryn Athyn community is focused on right now.

Digital storytelling - entwine the schools & the Appreciate Inquiry process. Using the stories as discussion points for high school students.

Story circles seems a natural build off/deepening of the Appreciative Inquiry process.

Honoring, celebrating the past without become shackled by it - so important!

Every story is the story that should be told. Not just the good stories or the bad stories, but the authentic stories.

My hometown is remarkably connected IF you are within one of many established circles. If not, it can feel exclusive, excluding.

Imagine an evening at MPAC combining an evening of digitalized stories and people -live- sharing stories from the stage.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

I choose to live in trust

And I absolutely, positively trust the Universe egged me into transforming my baking style from whipping up sugar-laden, fat-infused baddies to nutritious, healthy goodies!!

And I AM GRATEFUL!!