No Man Is An Island

How many times does a man get back up on a horse after he has been kicked off numerous times? Does he give up and never get back up or does he simply change horses? My answer would be that he change horses if he can't tame the scared one bucking him off.

My husband and I have encountered a "horse" that has kicked my husband off many times. He is discouraged at being kicked off and I'm hurting because of it. Why can't that horse just let him ride and enjoy the happy spirit in which my husband comes to him? My husband is so sensitive to his needs. He never kicks him or surprises him with sudden moves. He always approaches the horse with a gentle voice and a smile. Although, my husband's approach is one of certainty and belief that the next step is best for the horse, the horse is spooked and bucks him off.

Trying to be members of a group of people that won't let us move forward is like that horse. They want to remain saddled and standing in the stable without ever moving forward to the place that is greener. The group of people won't accept change and is "spooked" like the horse at the slightest hint of it. My husband is offering a small morsel of change to the people and they won't accept it.

So, it is time for a different horse. We have lead the horse to water, but it just won't drink.

____________________________________________
Why the peaceful island with the lone house? It calms me to look at it. It is a place I'd like to be at times when I'm frustrated with humans.

Be Still My Soul

Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod

Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod, one night sailed off in a wooden shoe;
Sailed off on a river of crystal light into a sea of dew.
"Where are you going and what do you wish?" the old moon asked the three.
"We've come to fish for the herring fish that live in this beautiful sea.
Nets of silver and gold have we," said Winkin', Blinkin', and Nod.


The above is the first verse of a favorite nursery rhyme. In it Winkin' and Blinkin' are a little tot's sleepy eyes, Nod is it's head and the wooden shoe is the cradle rocking them out to dreamland. It is a very pleasant poem where the fish they want to catch are really the stars in the beautiful sea.

Calming thoughts on a stormy day.

Sunny Saturday Sanity

Around the beginning of each school year, it takes the Labor Day Holiday to bring some sanity to a teacher's nerve-racking, fast-paced, quick start. School is in session and summer has not ended. It was not suppose to end so abruptly at the beginning of August. The days have still been very hot and the grass is growing at neck-break speed.

Today is Saturday and I am once again in my usual summer morning fashion, sitting at my computer in my houserobe at 10:30 in the morning. That is something I've come to enjoy very much about summers without children at home. The opportunity to do nothing if I choose. Some younger parents might say, "I wish I could sit around on a Saturday morning." Well, I say to them, "You will in about 25 years." Hey, I feel no guilt. I paid my time to do this sitting around.

However, this school start has been busier than most because we have another family in our house temporally. My son's family has recently moved from Michigan to start a job in Houston. While they were looking for a house, they and their 2 children have lived with us. It has been nice to be able to see our grandchildren each day. They are so cute and smart. But even though I want to be with them, I have schoolwork to complete most evenings. Instead of working at my school the week before we had to return, I worked at home to prepare a suitable place for our company. I was happy to do that. I was in no hurry to get back to school. But I lost that week and it put me behind.

I wish I had the time during the day to be working around the house in preparation for everyone's return in the evening. I'm not very good at the whole planning meals for a week thing anymore. I am out of that habit and besides, after standing on my feet all day at school, I just want to sit down. So, our daughter in law, who is very good at planning and cooking, prepares her family's meals. We pretty much just take care of ourselves around here in the evenings. It seems to work, but I feel guilty not doing more for them.

This is our Labor Day Holiday and we will be off from work on Monday. An extra day to catch up on work around the house and also the work we brought home in our bookbags. Labor day is supposed to be a holiday from work. It is in reality a holiday for me to catch up on work. I like having this time to work alone and plan the next 3 weeks for my classes. I needed this break in our hectic beginning.

It is my understanding that next year our school district won't begin as early in August. I'll believe it when I see it. In the meantime, I have to clean house, wash clothes, plan lessons and grade papers. Labor Day, 2006...a sunny Saturday for my sanity.