www.cosmotropismstoryproject.org

I found this through a friend on Facebook.  And I'd like to spread it near and far and wide. The idea of this little project appeals to me because since I read about it, then sent in a three sentence turtle story and wrote to offer to release the turtles out in the world, well, since then my creative juices have begun to flow. 

So often in my writing I reach stale spots;  while I write for myself I try to please my, ahem, audience.  I recognize that I don't write for others really but let's be honest we all enjoy some feedback.  Good is better than bad.  But feedback is feedback.

Keep in mind the stories are not about turtles.  Mine just happened to be.  I doubt I'll have another three lines about turtles in my lifetime. I've sent in one turtle story and plan on sending others as the mood strikes.  But what better place to practice my skills than right here in my blog?

My first turtle story:

That pond down the road, dark and deep, its branches sprouting forth from the murky bottom once Spring decides to show her pretty face, is home and protector to many little souls throughout the long cold Winter. Sunshine and blue skies remind me to slow and look (and maybe stop) to see the painted turtles as they venture forth from the cold water onto the sun-warmed bark of branches no longer Winter lonely. This family of turtles, just one gift from Mother Nature reminds me that Old Man Winter is our necessary evil; but is he?   KZ 2015

Driving along last night I was inspired by twinkle lights on a screened in porch:

Ahead in the dark the ambient glow of a now over get-together makes me wonder 'what did I miss?' Passing by, chairs akimbo, littered tables, muted view through dark screens, twinkle lights let me know I was uninvited to this soiree.  No longer on the list of 'must invite' lists of my youth I find that age has its benefits and its blessings.   KZ 2015

This is a good one Mare.

She said, in a somewhat insulted tone, "What. You won't say it?" which took me right out of the confused wondering in my head:  "Why did I just tell her to have a good weekend?  It's Wednesday for c-sake." 

Light dawns over Marblehead Harbor.  

"Oh, no, of course I'll say it."  pause.  "I was just wondering to myself... never mind. Happy New Year!"

I'm telling you, some days my brain is like pea soup.  In a fog.  Trying to get out of a box.  I am not worried about Alzheimer's or Senior Moments.  I'm busy.  And thinking about what is next on the list.  Where do I have to go, what do I have to do, who do I have to call, next?  It's a regular rat race in my head.  

Tomorrow is a new opportunity to stop the rat race.  Slow it down.  Pace myself.  Why am I always in such a hurry? I don't have an answer myself so I don't expect you to have one.  But maybe you have an idea or two.  [insert chuckle]

I'm not big on New Year's resolutions but I do know that it is important for each of us to find and set a goal.  Goals give us something to work toward.  

Whether it's a bad habit we want to rid ourselves of (you know, like that cellulite that follows me around everywhere - what?  That's not a habit?) or a better job, home, apartment, car, trip. Whatever it is that we think will improve our lives, and by the sheer standing next to us, the lives of others, we should do.  We all need a purpose, don't we?

Well, I think we do.  I'm fairly certain you'll agree with me on that point.  Without purpose, what's the point? Anyway, the lady at the store was a bit put off that I didn't respond immediately with my "Happy New Year!" wish.  And that's what made me realize I need to get rid of that rat race in my head.  For my own sake and the sake of those around me.  

We'll all benefit if I become more purposeful in my listening. 

So that's it.  That's my resolution.  To slow the rat race down by being more purposeful in my interactions with others; listening, speaking, observing.  It's really not to tall an order. I think I can manage it.

Happy New Year my friend.
Kathy

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Oh my. 

Your e-mail arrived and I had a chuckle.  I know you'll think yourself foolish believing the blog is specifically for you.  Don't. You are my wonderful on-line, e-mail, snail mail friend Mary. 

'Mostly Letters To Mary' was penned primarily to get me back in to writing.  Something.  Anything.  I had such a very dry spell.  In my head I was writing voraciously.  Yet somehow I could not lift pen to paper and the keyboard was even worse.

Busy.  Lazy.  Tired.  Bored.  Uninspired.  Depression.  Self conscious. No confidence.  Any or all of the above?  Who knows what puts that wall up between thoughts in your head and expressing those thoughts?

What happened one day after a note arrived from you was a "eureka!" moment.  I thought I'd try writing to someone instead of for an audience (or myself) and see how it went.

I'm still struggling a bit with thoughts to paper but I'm thinking more about writing and I am, at least, writing to you.  Pseudo fashion.  I admit.

So the short of it is, I didn't start the blog for you.  I was inspired by your note writing.  You reminded me that writing is good for the soul.  And if someone else wants to read it, why not?

All the best,

Kathy

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Eve and as I walked to my desk this little voice said, "Your heart is feeling light tonight."  

Don't know where the voice came from or how it knew but it is an apt description of how I feel this evening.

I have one last package to wrap.  Well and a box full of dog sweaters, harnesses and toys so I guess it's really two boxes that need wrapping.  And then it's time to snuggle up in new Jammie's and a Christmas movie and my favorite people. Honestly who could want more at Christmas time?

Not me.  So Mary, it's a short note.  But it is carrying wishes to you for a peaceful, happy Christmas spent with the ones you want to spend it with.  I would not be surprised if you were out in the world giving of yourself (and some coffee) to those who need you.  You've always been quiet about your generosity - an admirable trait indeed.  

Carry on and have a happy day.

Merry. Merry.  

Kathy

Tell me Mary.

What is wrong with the world today?  Rhetorical.  Of course. You'll have your thoughts on what is wrong with the world. And I have mine.

The simplistic presentation of my thoughts should not be confused with a lesser understanding of the world.  I know you know I am much deeper than that.

As much as I love the media (well, some of it anyway) we are fed a steady stream of doom and gloom.  There isn't a day that goes by that we don't hear about a shooting, homicide, kidnapping; a person held captive for however many years. There is child abuse, domestic abuse, terrorism, drunken or texting while driving mayhem and deaths. There is a steady flow of 48 Hours mysteries to be watched, taken in.  

On and on and on it goes.  

I have to ask:  Where did all the good go?  

There is good.  I refuse to believe there isn't good.  It's everywhere.  And yet ...

When someone does something remarkably human that benefits some of mankind (or even all of mankind) it becomes a political pancake served up with a Republican or a Democratic syrup.  Maybe I should say liberal or conservative syrup.  Either way.

Why can't good just be, you know, good?  For the sake of good.  Not turned in to someone's issue of the day.

We are giving the younger generations skewed ideas about what is and what isn't important.  We forget their young brains aren't fully formed.  Maybe we don't.  No, we do. Where we should be teaching kindness, courtesy, respect we are teaching it'sallaboutmeandtoobadifyoudon'tlikeit. We're teaching them that everyone deserves to be idolized and famous.  

Nope.  Not everyone does. Not even me.  Or you.  

I know when I say we need to go back to 'basics' and teach the youth of today (include young adults if you will) what life is truly about, and how to live a life well without drama, strife, cruelty, demands and unrealistic expectations, someone out there shakes their head and thinks, "the woman is nuts."

Well maybe I am.  Am I?

Kathy

Hey! Hello!

It's been a busy day.  And a very good one at that.  

After a weeks' worth of angst over my still inoperable vehicle, I'm just offering that crap up to God.  He'll take care of it. 

Let the fun, family time begin.  Today Husband drove Miss Emily, myself and the two dogs up to (although they tell me it's down to) Kennebunck to meet Sis and Brotherinlaw.  I haven't seen them since her Halloween in July cookout and she's been a busy beaver having had a total knee replacement and the the requisite difficulties one in ten patients have.  She's a trooper though and is working hard at getting back on her feet and behind the wheel of the car.

When I inquired about how the drive to meet us was, she rolled her eyes rather dramatically, heaved a huge sigh and said, "I can't ride with him."  Ah but you did.  Silly me, I suggested on the return trip she close her eyes.  Sleep is not the goal.  Just not watching where he's going is.  I don't think she appreciated my suggestion.  But it is exactly what I did on the ride up and the ride home.  

Really Mary, when they arrived and got out of the car, I was a bit stunned at how old both of them look.  Being ten years older than I am I expect some more aging than myself, but with canes and grey hair and many more wrinkles than I recall, well.  What I could tell her was that although she has lost a lot of weight (and she's not me, she can't afford to) she looks good albeit a bit tired.  She is tired.  

I know we all worry about how we look and I try to resist the urge to tell someone they look great when they know they don't and I know they don't.  When someone has already told you they don't look good, don't lie.  Don't be brutally frank either. That's another little life lesson.  Being older the

re is a little wisdom.  Not much.  Just some.  And only about some things.  Mostly I'm a reckless live-er.  Know what I mean?

We had a quick lunch, exchanged the contents of our car trunks and I happily waved off our dead aunt's kitchen table and chairs that I have used for years and had put into retirement. Nice corner of space just opened up.  Now to fill it!

Uh-oh.  Dog urgency. Going to close here. 

Be Well.  Write soon.  Love your news.

Kathy

Mary. Mary.

While I wait patiently for your next letter to arrive in I keep filling you in on daily dribs and drabs.  They are not nearly as interesting conversation as are the items you bring up.  

But.  These dribs and drabs are the fiber of who I am. They are a part of my make up so-to-speak.  Like cellulite and weight, I'd like to get rid of some of them. Most often I think of these nuisances as just that. Does that mean I too am a nuisance? 

So this week I have packaged three Santa gifts and tomorrow they go out to three recipients I've never seen or met. I tell you this not for kudos.  There is a life lesson here. 

This is called paying if forward.  Or as in the 'old' days, doing a good deed. Today I dropped an unexpected gift to someone and she later told me, "That made me so happy!" Believe me, I didn't spend a lot of money and I had Miss Emily sign the card.  It made Someone's day.  And because it did, it made mine.  

Life lesson # 23 (just give it any old number you want) You will feel good when you make someone else feel good.  

I keep wondering if my state of mind is typical of Christmases past.  I don't recollect myself being a person who is easily thrown in to an 'I am trying not to be a crazy lady' state. But if I'm honest, I think I have more Christmas seasons behind me - just that way - than I have recognized before this. Wow. Food for thought. 

I often say that it's the little things in life that will make or break me.  I'm am much better at the big things. I think I'd rather be good at the little.  Great would be even better.

Anyway, Christmas is just around the corner and while I'm not nearly ready in terms of shopping, wrapping and baking, I am ready to relish the day with family.  And for most of us, isn't that what it's all about?

Til soon.
Kathy