Unexpected

Unexpected sunbeam



Dear Laurel,

It's almost here--on Wednesday evening I will see a dream fulfilled, only it doesn't look like I thought it would.  Sounds like a Biblical theme, doesn't it?   It was an unexpected God-thing the way it came together with a phone call from someone I didn't know.  This new opportunity is still about community, serving, and the church, but now it is focused on offering resources to serve, support, and care for some of the most valuable and vulnerable of our society--our elders, and their families.  It's a paradigm shift in the dream, but  I'm ready, I know my stuff, and I'm excited. 

All my best,
Kate

I'm not there yet

Dear Sonja,

  Do you feel pushed this year?  I can't believe the feeling of Christmas pressure that caught me by surprise this evening.  The first card of the season arrived in my mailbox today.  The neighbors on both sides have their outdoor lights up and shining brightly. The ads are talking hurry, hurry and won't last long!  Stop. It's only December 1st, I just turned my calendar today. I'm not behind, and I haven't missed anything. I had to take half a second to refocus.  My method of peaceful preparation is simply different than theirs.  If that pressure tries to bite you just tell it no.  See you soon!

All my best,
Kate

A beautiful way of seeing

Dear Laurel,

  I smiled the whole way through this short video--couldn't help it, because he's right. I loved the colors and the questions and the ideas.  I think you'll love it, too.  (I found the link at CuriousAcorn.)

All my best,
Kate

A winter luxury

Dear Sonja,

  I love to hear about the small luxuries people allow themselves--especially from people who live a simple lifestyle and their idea of luxury has nothing to do with a trip to Saks Fifth Avenue.  This is a good one:  My friend and her husband put a hot tub in their small, one-car garage so they can enjoy a hot soak in all kinds of wild weather.  When it snows they open the garage door so can lean back and take it all in--hot water and snow, who cares what the neighbors think.  Perfect!  I just checked with her, and if we get the predicted snow this weekend they'll be opening that big door.  What are you going to do for yourself this winter?

All my best,
Kate

Transition

Dear Laurel,

  Sometimes I wonder if we are the first generation to struggle so hard with the transition of aging and everything that comes with it.  People are talking about it everywhere I go.  It seems that it's a surprise no one was expecting--at least we didn't expect it to feel like this.  Culturally we're caught between those who worked in one job for a lifetime and those who expect to change careers at least five times, parenting is over, and relationships have changed--it's no wonder we feel a nagging unrest.  My grandparents told me all about life and growing older, but they didn't mention this in between part that has us on the road to somewhere we've never been before.  Maybe we're the first ones, or maybe we're just learning to talk about it.

All my best,
Kate

Open table

Dear Laurel,

  Something fun happening here! Last summer I posted (to my base of nearly 200 carefully screened) Facebook friends that I was making ice cream... a handful of friends chimed in and said they wanted some, and a party was born.  Yesterday one of those guests posted (to her nearly 200 carefully screened Facebook friends) that she was making soup and bread and would have space for 7 guests for dinner.  Four people said they'd like to come.  What a fun group it turned out to be--an unusual mix of people who came ready for good food and good conversation. Now the eldest of those guests, a woman in her 70's says she's going to give it a try. I'll be planning an open table dinner soon, too. Maybe you'll come!

All my best,
Kate

A new word

Lilac buds ready to bloom in October

Dear Sonja,

  My mixed up little lilac is ready to bloom again--I think I like its tenacity.  It bloomed in August, too.  It was strangely wonderful to be surprised by that sweet scent in the relative warmth of summer, and now we're ready to do it again.  I looked it up and learned that the word is remontant, as in remontant flowering.  It is not uncommon for shrub-like plants that normally bloom in the spring to jump to life in the fall.  There's something about fall weather that awakens blooms that were set early in the spring.  I think there must be a life lesson here, either for those who bloom unexpectedly or for those who are surprised by sudden beauty.  What do you think? (Smile)  See you on Tuesday.

All my best,
Kate

So much alike

Dear Laurel,

  I'm in an unsettled frame of mind today.  I'm circling a big thought, walking around it trying to gain perspective; poking it and then backing up to see if it makes any difference.  So far it's not working.  Yesterday I came across the blog of the woman I wanted to be.  I dreamed of that life--not fancy, not wealthy, but sure in my place of service and calling.  I clicked on the amazon.com link and saw the book she wrote 10 years ago, about the same time I was writing a proposal for the same kind of book.  She was deeply influenced by the same people who influenced me; last weekend we cooked from the same cookbook. We are so much a like, but different in our experience.  More than anything I am startled to see this glimpse into her world; circumstances changed my life and opportunities so dramatically that I had no choice but to pursue my calling in a different way.  Startled, and maybe a little wistful. I'm sure you'll be hearing about this for a while, thanks for bearing with me.

All my best,
Kate

Octoberish

Fairy Laundry  

Dear Sonja,

It must be October--beautiful, sparkling fairy laundry festooned across the most surprising spaces.  I hope there were wonders in your yard this morning, too.

All my best,
Kate

Neighbors

Multnomah Falls

Dear Sonja,

Earlier this week a nearly reclusive neighbor called and left a quick message: "I need help, call me."  She'd been in a serious accident, totalled her car, was banged up and badly shaken. She needed to tell someone. And she needed access to a car so she could charge her phone. (Doesn't own a wall charger.) She agreed to let us park one of our cars in her driveway, and we gave her the key. She has gone back to quiet. We  leave notes and home baked treats in the car for her, and sometimes there's a note for us. It's a privilege to help in a way that really matters to her.

All my best,
Kate

Unexpected sweetness



Pike Place Market - Seattle

Dear Sonja,
   For all of its hardship life does have many moments of surprising sweetness.  In a flash (this morning) I took a chance and introduced myself to a stranger and was immediately rewarded with a liberal dose of genuine kindness.   What that man said brought a surge unexpected joy that relieved me of a weight of sadness that I'd been carrying for some time.  I guess you always need to be ready to catch the sweetness because you never know when it will show up.  Talk to you soon.

All my best,
Kate