Bloganuary Day 1 Following the Leader What is your greatest challenge?

Snow!

Today is notable not just for the first day of the new year, but because there is snow on the ground. For the first time this winter I awoke to white and cold. Not as much as this photo from a dozen or so years ago, but still.

I have subscribed to this fun-sounding WP activity – Bloganuary, but could not find what today’s prompt is, so I am following the leader (another blogger) who indicated the subject of the day is – What is your greatest challenge?  

At my advanced age there are reams of topics that could be discussed. But truthfully, my very biggest challenge, I mean the VERY biggest, is staying out of my own way.

A bit difficult to explain, and over-thinking something might make more sense, (or worse yet, those times when I under-think something.)

The idea of just letting things unfold naturally, or following instinct, is a tease.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Each year I make a list. Call it what you will (goals/intentions) it comes down to resolutions. Though that seems to be a bad word, in a way.

“Oh, I don’t make resolutions, they are intentions.”. You know. That sort of thing.

Anyway, I discovered that by writing them down, and revisiting the list about six months later, that I was making progress. Actually getting somewhere.

At the end of this year (which was just yesterday, btw), I felt like the whole of 2023 had been a failure. Two steps back sort of thing. And I really had no desire to revisit my original list.

BUT WHEN I DID – I found successes, and the one thing I thought had been a failure actually was just a – didn’t make my goal but did make progress.

So, my biggest challenge is not that I stopped doing something, or started doing something, or let impulse rule, but that I got in my own way. Perhaps made too much of something in my own mind.

It’s not on any list, (stay out of your own way), but it is present in thought. Along with thinking outside the box, trying something new, look at it differently.

My old blogging pal from 2011, Celi or Cecilia at the kitchensgarden has added a new perspective to her lists she calls the What Then Method and it has me thinking differently already.

And though there are specifics that can be measured, my motto for ’24 is quite simple:

I will find a way. and What then.

2024

123123 poetry

123123

There is a certain poetry to these numbers. A cadence that settles a restless soul. I like it.

I like New Years Eve alone. I bustled about changing bed linens, and tidying (sorry to all my Scottish relatives and friends who actually clean.). I have done that in the past but somehow this year it seemed unnecessary. Not sure why, except I am questioning the ‘necessity’ of anything these days.

I enjoyed the days of my youth where NY’s was spent partying and dancing, laughing, and eating. But now it is quiet I seek.

For the last few years I have set goals/intentions for the following year, and was quite surprised when they worked. Somehow, just stating a thing seems to make it happen. Probably an awareness thing.

There is a certain magic to NY’s Eve alone. A comfort. And of course at my almost advanced age (76) the idea of ‘in bed, asleep, and waking up to the NY sober and rested has great appeal. I found the joy of that decades ago. In my forties.

Whatever it means to you. If anything. I wish you a year of success, joy, and health. (believe me at 76 the health thing becomes so important.)

Random New Year Morning Thouights

Passing Thoughts

* Under ‘Some Things Never Change’, countless millions continue to start the NEW YEAR with some sort of resolution, whether it is couched under that title or another. THIS IS CALLED HOPE. For some a serious undertaking. For others, not so much.

* The world has learned that the American process is not functioning. Congress as oversight to a dangerous president doesn’t work and has failed the country and the world. THIS IS CALLED PAINFUL TRUTHS. As suspected by many for years, the greatness of the Red White and Blue is empty rhetoric.

* To win an election properly one must have a better candidate. When people demand change, even the devil can appear a saviour. For a time. To win an election one must perceive accurately what the NEED is. Right or wrong, the country demands NEW. New thinking. New approaches. Paradigm. Step outside. Old, established, proper, will no longer do. THIS IS CALLED PROGRESS. In a dramatic way the Old Guard must be ready to step aside.

* Canada no longer appears as pristine as a snowflake. A Prime Minister and family who shame the country dressing up in Pretend and grinning like idiots for all the world to see. And that doesn’t even address the Politics of the country. THIS IS CALLED LAUGHING STOCK.

* The Western World and all first world countries have been faced with refugees and this will only grow. Developed nations having lived dramatically different lives than those in third world countries will find their world changing quickly. THIS IS CALLED REALITY ADJUSTMENT.

* More good deeds will be done. More trickery attempted. FAITH will win out. Without it all is lost. Faith in something. You choose. Faith in God. Faith in Human. Faith in Self. Faith in other. THIS IS CALLED LIFE.

MAY 2019 BLESS YOU WITH PEACE, PROSPERITY, SUCCESS, AND LOVE

Damn the Resolutions Enjoy the Party!

This New Years  for some reason had an unusual peace about it, at least in my mind.  I did not look ahead, did not plan, I just took one day – no – one minute at a time and lived it.  I just was.

And no I was not stoned or under any influence, or zipped or zapped on enthusiastic thoughts, I just was.  I am wondering why such a simple thing is so difficult to explain.  You will just have to take my word for it.  Every thing seemed as it should be.

Dec. 29th we, my brothers and sisters had our annual Brothers and Sisters dinner at S &D’s house.  You may recall last year this same brother in law created raucous laughter and joy that lasted the whole year when he tried to compliment my sister, his wife of 46 or so years on the new recipe she used for the lasagna, by saying how moist it was and that for 35 years he had always found the lasagna dry and how perfect this one was – at which time she yelled ‘WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT FOR 35 YEARS YOU HAVE BEEN EATING DRY LASAGNA?’

That line lasted for the year and when we arrived by BIL said he wondered what he would say this  year at which point one of my brothers said it was his turn.  Mind you his line which I shall not repeat here did not bring roiling laughter mostly because his wife did not find it as funny.  It was a fabulous evening and my BIL and Sis are great hosts.

Normally if there is not a house party somewhere I don’t usually go out and my sis J and I will spend a quiet eve.  This year my other bro and SIL got last minute tickets to my fave place The Commercial Tavern in Maryhill.  I’ve posted on some of the past concerts that took place in this very old, very quaint country bar.  J & I succeeded then in getting what probably were the last 2 tickets available.

We did rest up during the day because sundown comes relatively early for us and on this night we were ‘going to be like big people and stay up late’

Like our Brothers and Sisters dinner the evening was delightful, effortless and perfect.

The Commercial Tavern as you may know is owned by Paul Weber.  He and his family are incredibly talented especially his sister Sue for whom I feel a particular attachment.  Not for any definable reason, just one of those things that happen occassionally when you meet someone.  A very spontaneous reaction.

Paul Weber The Commercial Tavern

Paul Weber and Steve Richtaritsch (Black Forest Band)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And don’t believe for one moment that sax in country music isn’t sexy.  Steve Richtaritsch who manages and plays in Black Forest Band is the best.  Steve said that many years before when he first met Paul he suggested they play together and Paul hesitated wondering how a sax could ever fit in with country.  Well fit in it did.

Sue and Hubby getting ready to rock ‘Red Solo Cup’