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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. -Proverbs 1:7

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding.-Proverbs 4:7


Monday, May 26, 2014

Arlington

Memorial Day 2014
 












I had this bright idea we should walk over the Memorial Bridge to take us from Virginia into D.C.  Umm....it seemed like a better idea when I first had it.  That's kind of a long walk when it's 90 something degrees outside and you've already been walking all over the cemetery.  I need to google how far it actually is from the cemetery to the Smithsonian Metro stop.  It goes without saying half of us did not wear appropriate footwear for this type of journey.

Looking out over the Potomac
 

All that walking made us hungry.  Not that it is any great doing to talk me into Chinatown for dinner.







Saturday, May 24, 2014

What if?

I'm one of those people you would suspect is really quiet (unless we know each other), but also one of those people who has to sometimes work out their life outloud.  Even if that "working it out" includes talking publicly with imaginary people.


What if I just stopped and hung out with my flowers for awhile?  Gave up all of whatever it is I am doing and said "enough"? 

There are two camps of people in my life...they are opposite in every way.

The first would be well-meaning and would say "You should continue on.  You will regret it if you don't."

I'm thinking about that second camp.  We haven't said anything to each other in awhile.  I have an idea of what they'd say.  Pretty sure I wouldn't like it.  Even though there would be some truth.  Convoluted truth, maybe, but truth, nonetheless.  They'd also ask where I went even though I am right here.  Physically, anyway.

And then, I have about two people who are really wise.  I love them for it.  The huge elephant present there is what they know and would like to say is something they also know I have to come to on my own. 

To the first camp, will I?  Will I really regret it?  I don't know that I will.

To the second, I hear what you would say.  I get it.  But, putting it into practice only means, for me, leaving one extreme for another.  The problem with the other is I associate it with so many things I hate.  Laziness, for one.  Tell me what it looks like absent of laziness. 

To Princess D and the other D,  I am almost there.  I've got a hold on the elephant's tail.  I don't know what I'm running from.

Sooo....


What if I refused to take another step for awhile?  Just stopped?  Not just one thing, a lot of things.  How do I do that?

The final nail in this proverbial coffin came in the mail today.  I've been anxiously waiting for it.  Not because I use planners, I just like the idea of them.  (And, it's new paper.  I have a thing for new paper.)  Not because I have even the slightest idea of what or where I'll be teaching next year. 

Because there is a part of me that is constantly making plans.

 
What if I just left this blank for awhile?  Would it kill me?
 


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Walking on Eggshells

 

Broiled salmon with sautéed kale and garlic-y white beans
 
Evidently, it has been so long since I've cooked real food that everyone here thinks something is wrong with me.  Which means everyone is being nice.  Which means I might just let them think there is.  Even though everyone knows if I was really upset I'd be baking chocolate chip cookies.  Duh.

Ryan said "We should eat stuff like this more often." 

"Yeah...we should."

Maybe we will.  I'm craving the simplicity of times past.  Including 15 minute dinners made out of actual food.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Spring Break 2014

Pictures for my Gram.  I intended to post incrementally by the day, but internet access there was spotty.  The other thing is I didn't take as many of and the kinds of pictures I thought I would.  I forgot about that, or something.  Anyway...

Sevierville, Tennessee

Home of Dolly Parton




Nashville








 Out in the middle of nowhere, somewhere.



 You know I make us visit roadside attractions; I find them interesting. 

Bush's Bean Factory
 

 Gatlinburg

Ripley's Aquarium
 


 Dollywood


I think it's cool there is a working church at Dollywood.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Grotto Falls









 
 
1.  It was a good day.
 
 
2.  It's really strange to be somewhere that is completely covered with pollen and I'm o.k.-ish.  My eyes are black, but that's it.  I'll take it.
 
 
3.  Totally out of shape.  The hike was only 1.5 miles.  Up a mountain.  I lived, but barely.
 
 
4.  Somewhere, there were bears.