JournalChatter

As I look at the calendar, I realize that Thanksgiving is fast approaching.  I still have my Thanksgiving cards waiting for me to fill out and send. I've started my shopping list, in the hopes that I will have everything needed on hand. I know there are so many other things that I need to do before that day arrives.  Rather than dwell on all there is to do, I would rather sit back and reflect on what it is that I can be thankful for over this past year.

This year has brought me many changes.  Last fall I sent my oldest - my daughter - away to college.  This past year has been my personal journey in watching my roles change in my own life story.  My son is a senior this year, so this journey is speeding up towards becoming an empty nester:  a new definition for myself. 

This past year also brought me growth and understanding to what I want to do with myself, how I want to define myself.  I have found I want to contribute.  Contribute to what is a whole other story, though!  My passions are many and I need to focus on what it is that I can be most useful.  The past few months have brought me great satisfaction.  I was deeply involved in the political process and met some wonderful, like-minded souls - neighbors, and now friends - that were as equally moved as I was by this chance encounter. What started out as simple volunteering became a passion, and from that passion I came to understand a few things about myself.  I believed in this cause and I threw myself into it, in hopes that I would leave no regrets, "leave it all on the road" was our motto. Seems bikers have that expression, to leave all your energy on the road, give it your all before you stop.  That's what I did, knowing that I could never go back in time and do it over again.

And so, I came to understand something about myself.  That I could do whatever I put my mind to.  Yet I also realized that I could not do it alone. That our team of people were what inspired me, drove me, pushed me to reach that next level.  It was combining my efforts with others that made the difference.  And I still agree with this realization.  That finding my passion alone is not enough, that finding like-minded friends to join in this journey is what is required for success.

And so I come back to Thanksgiving.  What am I thankful for this year and what should I look forward to in the upcoming year?  It seems that Thanksgiving forces us to reflect on our past and think about where we want to go for our future. I know New Years has the same effect to us, but without reflecting on where we've been, we cannot really decide where we are going. So I look back over the past year, my personal growth towards finding my new way in this world.  I know I want to contribute.  I am closer to figuring out what that means.  I know I am grateful for not taking the safe and known path, but for stepping out of my safety zone and trying something new.  I know I want to remain involved in the political process, to find those issues that I am passionate about and making sure my elected officials are held accountable to their promises. 

I know this all, and wonder what amazing journey lies in store for me in this upcoming year. I would have liked this journey to have been sped up and been faster, yet, I know that I'm savoring the journey, the experiences, the days of juggling my many tasks.  So for this week, I will focus on welcoming my daughter home for Thanksgiving weekend.  Focus on spending some time together again as a family, to gather with friends on this holiday weekend and know that this is all just as important as my own personal journey, feeding my family, feeding my soul.

The Medicine Wheel

Has changed me.

My river is deep and flows in the south. My spirit and self wealth rises in the east. My mind calls upon the wisdom of every breath the earth exhales in the north. My body will strengthen through awareness and love; it will guide me on my path in the west.

Let this flow and then I will be.

You've probably all wondered where I've been.  What have I been doing that has kept me from writing on this website.  Well, as you may suspect if you've been keeping up with my journal, I've been volunteering with the Barack Obama campaign for Change.  I have been a team leader for Voter Registration in my area.  And what a wonderful experience it has been!  I recently was invited to our local Campaign For Change office one evening after hours to be thanked for my work. I've been tirelessly putting in many hours hosting voter registration drives all over my county in Colorado.  What has happened by this army of volunteers is something miraculous.  You see, our county has always been republican.  In matter of fact, one year ago, there were about 27,000 more republicans registered than democrats.  By the last day to register new voters, October 6, one week ago, a change has occurred.  A change completely unexpected by those in the Obama campaign.  By our tireless efforts and long hours, we've changed that around.  There are now about 2000 more democrats registered in this county - a shift seen here, and across the country.  A shift that shows America is tired of being on the sidelines.  We all want to join in and make sure we are heading in the right direction. 

There is still plenty of work to be done: phone calls, canvassing, reaching out to people to make sure they vote.  Its going to be a long hard journey.  I've already got plenty of stories to tell, stories that raised my spirits, and stories that did not.  Maybe one day I'll have the time to write down a few of them, share them with you.  Right now, I'm on my way out the door again, another day, another volunteer opportunity...

Had a day off from work yesterday. Spent a good part of it cooking and preparing an Italian Sunday meal on Friday. The day was wrong but the feeling seemed right. I picked up my grandchildren from daycare and invited my grown kids over after they finished work to enjoy the lasagna and meatball and italian bread. Of course I had to include a salad on the menu for my dieting daughters. They graciously provided the wine. Then they managed to drift in as traffic allowed their late arrival. The Sunday dinner served on Friday was a family success and the day of the week mattered little as we casually sat around in my tiny kichen enjoying more the company than the feast. Enjoying more the conversation than the cramped surroundings. Such is the enormous pleasure of family. Ignoring the huge problems in the world outside my small abode...life was good.

 

October 5, 2008 - The Wizard and Dominick

What a wonderful two days we had this year at the Land of Oz.  The weather was perfect and we had approximately 8300 people visit Beech Mountain just to attend Autumn at Oz.  This makes two years in a row of perfect weather.  We're hoping to make it three for the October 3rd and 4th of 2009!  Y'all come!!

October 3, 2008

Photo opportunity at The Pinnacle Inn Resort on Friday afternoon brought many people out.

October 4, 2008

The first day of the event, Saturday, brought over 4500 people to Beech Mountain.  You can see the beginning of our colors changing.  It's a great time of year to be in the High Country of NC.

Weather here in my home state, Florida, is simply oppressive during the summer months. Thankfully, I’ve learned to tolerate it! I even love to languish under a palm tree with the warm breezes slowly swaying the palms, creating an illusion of a hothouse paradise. But sometime this month we are going to wake up in the morning, walk outside, and languish in the luxury of cool fresh air.

 

Now, I’ve nothing against indoor air conditioning, but honestly—nothing feels or smells that same as glorious fresh air. Reminds me every day why I’ve continued to live here so long. So, bring on the outside air conditioning…we are all patiently waiting!