Musings for November

I, like most everyone else, am waiting to get back in to the yard and finish picking up the leaves, but with the rain, it is either too wet, or I am working. Jason and I have started working two different days, but had to give up because of the rain. I am so hoping that tomorrow afternoon will be mild and dry enough to finish up. Maybe it will have to wait until spring which wouldn’t be the end of the world, but it seems that everyone is out making sure there are no leaves in sight, and I get caught up in the clean craze.

Actually I know that they are great for mulch and add nutrients to the soil, but somehow we’ve all gotten in to the habit of thinking they are messy. Some times I believe that we are never messy. I have come to dislike pristine lawns and yards that look as if they are designed from a book. I took out my front lawn, and – yes I think it looks a little messy, but I don’t mind at all. It seems more natural to me and I love the bushes and flowers that “mess” up the yard much more that lawn that has to be watered and cut so often. I’ve enjoyed this year of no mowing in my front lawn and hope to turn the little lawn left in my backyard and side yard in to more bushes and flowers. Hurrah for messes!

I am working fifteen hours a week at the Center and loving it. I still work a few hours with Home Instead, which I also enjoy. My dear friend Jane, who is at Hillside Lutheran Village, is getting a little weaker, and although we took her swimming this summer, I’m afraid we won’t be able to do that next summer. She has become very dear in my life and I both look forward to seeing her and rather dreading that she may be failing a little more when I go out to sit with her.

We had a Fall Festival at the Center on Thursday and had over a hundred children come in costume to eat hot dogs, play games and just enjoy. It is such a joy to watch little ones in costumes who aren’t even sure what the occasion is but enjoying the fun and laughter. I was working at a miniature golf game, and had a little four -year-old who kept coming back and back to play. He had never experienced a small putting green and a chance to hold a golf club and try to get the ball in the hole. He alone, was such fun to watch and he and all the others made the evening such a delight to participate in.

I had an opportunity to say why I thought Obama should have gotten the Nobel Peace Price on a television channel. I happened to be volunteering at Global Village when they called and asked if I would speak about it. I didn’t see the result, and I know they are always cut, and I always wish I’d had more time to think and be more eloquent with my words, but don’t often get that opportunity.

I, for one, do believe it was a good thing. I know it was early and many said it was too soon, but after all the bad PR our nation received from Bush, it was like a breath of fresh air to have that award given to Obama. I also am thoroughly sick of the right wingers and others being so critical. Yes, it is early in his presidency, but HE IS TRYING! So many who are being judgmental think everything should change overnight, but look how long it took Bush to have the whole world looking at us with horror and disgust. I believe very much in his integrity and character and is doing the very best he can. Think of the tremendous pressure he is under, and I wonder about those who are quick to judge could do any better. I think not. Give him a chance!!!!

I believe he is trying so hard to remedy so many wrongs in a short time, and I see the world opinion of him being honorary and hopeful! I would like to have more of our citizens do the same thing. I wish he could pull the troops out more quickly, but look how long this mess has been going on. No one else has been able to salvage the Middle East, but he is trying his best. Let’s back off and give him some time to turn world opinion and events around. As a nation we have screwed up things badly in many nations and been supportive of repressive regimes and dictatorships, so we need to lighten up, support our president and recognize that we have been known as the world’ arrogant bully thanks to Cheney and Bush. Let Obama create a more peaceful, moderate role for the United States.

I wish it were as easy as I make it sound. I know it is not. We have been years holding on to our position of power and bullying, and it’s going to take years to reverse it. If we can. My hopes are on Obama.

I have been a little depressed because of the time of year, but I’m still learning to take each day at a time. I’ve read several mysteries by Janet Evanovich just because they are such a hoot. Her characters are truly weird and entertaining. For example, she has a grandmother who spends much of her social live going to visitations just to see how the deceased looks, and then has many opinions about the job done by the funeral director. Stephanie Plum, who is the bounty hunter, and the main character in the book is always being set up because she isn’t married and the situations can be hilarious. Anyhow, they are light reading, and I read her four, five and six titles. He books have a number in each title, and I had picked up some of her earlier titles at our church book sale. That is always a treat for me to pick up a couple sacks of books.

I also read Moo, A Novel by Jane Smiley, Islands by Anne River Siddons, First Family by David Baldacci and Lucky by Alice Sebold. They all had a little more substance and plot than Evanovich’s but I enjoyed them all. Happy Reading!!!