Message from Janet

Happy New Year! Got Resolutions?

2012-01-03T12:40:00.000-06:00

I usually don't make resolutions. However, I have one for this year:

DON'T WORRY!

I learned last year that worry doesn't accomplish anything. It sucks the joy out of life. So many times--almost every time--that I allowed worry to overwhelm me, the thing I feared didn't happen. Or it did, but in a way that I would never have imagined.

Worry takes a lot of psychic and physical effort. It causes stress, anger and frustration. Worry does not change the outcome of any situation.

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Jesus asked. (Matthew 6:27)

The apostle Paul wrote: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)

Prayer rather than worry. Prayer accomplishes something. Worry accomplishes nothing.

As Saint Francis wrote: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference."

May your new year be filled with serenity.

Seasons Greetings

2011-11-26T13:42:00.000-06:00

In keeping with the "seasons" theme of my previous post, welcome to the Christmas Season.

As stated before, seasons in Central Texas have little to do with the weather and a lot to do with activities. The football season is winding down into playoffs, Thanksgiving has come and gone, the Christmas shopping season has arrived. Thank you to the businesses that waited until Thanksgiving or the day after to put up Christmas decorations. Especially--thank you to the radio stations that did NOT play Christmas music until after Thanksgiving.

This time of year gets too busy. Not all of it is productive busyness, but busyness we impose on ourselves, trying to either evoke or create a memory. My best memories of this time of year are accompanied by music. I loved the Christmas programs as a child and as a teacher. It's something I miss from teaching. I'm happy I still have the opportunity to make music with the Seven Dutchmen. And my computer is loaded with favorite holiday music.

We're trying to be ahead of the curve more this year, making plans for gathering with friends and family throughout the next month.

More than anything, I want to remember this is the season of Advent, when we look to and remember the coming of Christ into our world. I want to remember to take time for reflection, to worship and to wonder, that God so loved the world, He gave us His Son.

Seasons

2011-09-06T14:33:00.000-05:00

It's the day after Labor Day. Summer is over.

The weather is cooler--just in the 90s instead of the 100s.

Seasons in Central Texas aren't the same as in other parts of the country. Our seasons have little to do with weather. Fall, winter, spring and summer are calendar labels. Texas seasons have more to do with activities and customs.

For now, it's time to put away the white shoes until next Easter. Football season has arrived, with the first non-district and non-conference games being played. It's time to gear up for the County Fair. Oktoberfests are just around the corner.

Some of my favorite past and present fall events: Back to School. Marching band. Going to football games. The County Fair. Playing polkas. My birthday. Hallowe'en. Making venison sausage. Eating venison sausage. Wearing those cute long-sleeved sweaters once the high temperature drops below 70.

I understand in some parts of the country, fall means bright foliage, the first frost, even snowfall. Days of bringing in wood for the fireplace, of checking the central heat. We'll probably run our air conditioner until Thanksgiving. In fact, I remember years of wearing a sleeveless dress on Thanksgiving!

It's not the weather that makes a season. It's the changes of time, the traditions, the activities, the holidays. It's the gatherings, the relationships, the celebrations. It's welcoming the new and relinquishing the old.

Whether or not the temperatures or the foliage change . . . Welcome, Fall!

Updates & Changes

2011-08-16T15:04:00.000-05:00

I completed my novel, working title, Guardian Angels. Such a relief! I've been working on the book for three years! I told my husband I wanted to mail it off to the publisher, although it was the middle of the night. He suggested I wait until the next day. After a good night's sleep, I realized I had mentioned an important fact in Chapter Two that I never followed up on. Shoot. Rather than jumping right back in and making the changes and re-printing, I decided to let the story gel for a while. Sure enough, more changes have come to mind. I started making notes--I now have five pages of hand-written notes of changes to make, new scenes to add. Just yesterday I realized a significant fact about the heroine's internal conflict, some growth she'd made through the story. If I'd sent the manuscript off that night, the story, though good, wouldn't have truly been complete.

Writing by the seat of the pants is the way I write, but sometimes, it's hard. I'm thankful I haven't had to write to a deadline yet. I'm not sure I could, or that the story would be as complete as I would like it to be.

In the meantime, while I'm letting the story gel, I decided to make updates to my website and this blog. I know I don't give the blog a lot of time and attention. I decided that by adding some stand-alone pages (which I just found out can be done) that I can post more variety. I'll have an Opinions page, and one on Meditations. Hope you enjoy the changes.

Spring

2011-03-16T12:45:00.000-05:00

The mountain laurel is in bloom. That sweet, sweet scent floats like a melody on the air, one-of-a kind and unmistakable. I saw some pink primroses in bloom along the side of the road. I'm looking forward to seeing the first bluebonnets.

The weather is mild--March came in like a lamb. It's wonderful to be outdoors, and gardening fever hits pretty hard. The lawns are starting to get green, signaling it's time to get out the mower.

Spring is a time of renewal, of growth, of change. It's tempting to rush into the season with the renewed energy after almost hibernating through the winter. Spring cleaning, spring planting, spring forward into Daylight Savings Time, spring break!

However, to get the most out of spring, take time to savor it. Walk thoughtfully through the mild days. Do some mental and spiritual spring cleaning. Sweep away stale thoughts, toss out old or false ideas, open the windows of your mind to fresh outlooks. Renew your mind by concentrating on "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T16:33:00.000-06:00

What does Valentine's Day mean to you?

I was thinking about that earlier today, and realized what I looked forward to most about Valentine's was mail.

Remember making Valentine mailboxes in school? I practiced and practiced cutting hearts. I pored over the box of assorted Valentine cards, trying to pick just the right one for each of my classmates. I LOVED receiving and opening each and every card.

For me, Valentine's is hearts and flowers, cards, pink and red and white, lace doilies, fun and . . . mail!

I'm Gonna Mail Myself to You
(Woody Guthrie)

I'm gonna wrap myself in paper
I'm gonna dot myself with glue
Stick some stamps on top of my head
I'm gonna mail myself to you

I'm gonna tie me up in a red string
I'm gonna tie a blue ribbon too
Climb up inside my mailbox
I'm gonna mail myself to you

When you find me in your mailbox
Cut the string and let me out
Wash the glue from off my fingers
Stick some bubblegum in my mouth

When you find me in your mailbox
Wash the glue from off my head
Fill me up with ice cream sodas
Tuck me into a nice warm bed.

I'm gonna wrap myself in paper
I'm gonna dot myself with glue
Stick some stamps on top of my head
I'm gonna mail myself to you

2011

2011-01-01T23:53:00.000-06:00

New Year:
Resolutions.
Good intentions.
Empty calendar spaces.
Expectation.
Anticipation.
Possibilities.

Let the old year go. Don't hold onto disappointments or regrets. Don't look back. The page has been written and cannot be erased.

Turn the page. Start a new story. Let faith carry you forward and lead you to hope all things, believe all things and endure all things.