Monday Afternoon Reflections - October 22, 2007

Dear Family and Friends,
I have felt better this past week, although I have still needed plenty of sleep. I really think that the Grief Workshop and all that it has stirred in me, not only about losing Ray, but about all of the major losses in my life, has moved me through the deep fatigue that requires so much sleep. I was blessed this weekend with having the time for that kind of sleep. With my current teaching schedule, I even could sleep in this morning, and I did. I feel rested and ready to reflect on my life and to share those reflections with all of you this afternoon.
I've continued with the Curves Challenge. I'm into the fifth week of really cutting back on my calories again, and I'm pleased to report that it's going well. I've lost eight pounds. Finally, those five pounds that I put on in France have come off again, and I'm hoping that once I come to a resting place, I can just maintain my weight. I made it over to Curves for workouts several times this past week. That aspect is also so very important. Because of this regimen I'm on, I've not tried to have many meals out, but even on a week like this, I ate out three times.
One time was when I rode over to Lafayette on Tuesday night with JoLynn Marcantel for a Theresians District meeting. She and I had dinner at Zea's before the meeting, and the salad was so pretty, I just had to photograph it. (See Photos #1 & #2) The meeting following moved along nicely. I'm loving the room we're now meeting in with couches in one big circle. I feel like it's opening up the group for me. Maybe it's the second year into this kind of position when friendships begin to blossom. I'm enjoying it. Plans for the Lenten Retreat are underway, and I just hate that the Bamboo Weekend conflicts with this each year. Last year I thought about straddling things and going to both, but I have decided that my retreat for Lent will always take place in the bamboo groves of Avery Island, where I have special people who gather just once a year. I just can't miss it.
Another meal out this past week was for PrimeTimers at my church. (See Photo #3) That was quite a day for me. I didn't know whether I was going to make it. I was asked to help administer the PSAT test at my school that morning, and while that test was going on, all hell broke loose in my rental business. After two weeks of no one calling for repairs or other problems, suddenly on this particular morning, I got three calls. I ended up having to leave the test. Thankfully, I was only a proctor, and this didn't really pose a problem. I had to get Lanier Plumbing and Ted Baker involved with the three things that happened, and by the grace of God, I still managed to get to the PrimeTimers luncheon and the faculty meeting at 2:00 p.m. and to my spiritual director's office by 3:00. The speaker for the PrimeTimers luncheon didn't show up for some reason, so that was a disappointment, but it probably worked out best for me anyway.
My third meal out this past week happened yesterday spontaneously. On a whim, I called Barry and Lynn Rhodes to see if they'd like to attend the Lake Charles Symphony performance yesterday (See Photo #4) They agreed, and before we knew it, we were surrounded by other friends who also came. I spotted Phyllis Morgan and Celena Perry, and we sat right next to them, and then a little later Lynn spotted two of her Quilting Guild compatriots, and Carol Thompson and Suzanne Lee also joined our party. In fact, they joined us for dinner at O'Charley's after the performance, and Barry was an awfully good sport to listen to so much "girly" talk over our meals. When we snapped the shot leaving the restaurant, we laughingly called ourselves "Barry's Harem." (See Photo #5) It was a good time for all.
By the way, the symphony performance was really good, too. All three pieces conducted by visiting Conductor from Alexandria, Louisiana, Joshua Zona, were compositions by Schumann. During the first half of the performance, the Overture to Manfred and "Spring" lulled us into a restful place. We all talked about how relaxed we felt and how sleepy. But in the second half, when David Friend on piano stirred us all into musical frenzies and crescendos, we were in rapt attention, awaiting the next movement of the Piano Concerto in A Minor. We left the Rosa Hart Theater awake and ready for that fun meal at O'Charley's. On the way out, many patrons were enjoying a piece of the cake that was given in honor of the Lake Charles Symphony's 50th anniversary year. I was surprised to find out that the Junior League fifty years ago was responsible for this wonderful addition to our cultural life in Lake Charles. They were the ones who offered up this cake, and the whole auditorium sang "Happy Birthday" before the afternoon's performance.
I was supposed to partake of another meal on Thursday at the 2007 Women's Commission Fall Conference, but it was such a mob scene at meal time that I opted not to go listen to the Keynote Speaker of this Conference, Dixie Carter. I also didn't get to hear Eleisha Eagle play and sing. But I did spend some time going through all of the booths on the ground floor of the Civic Center. (See Photo #6) I was happy to meet up with women in the community to add to women's health and other occupations. Christus St. Patrick Hospital was passing out royal blue tote bags that I know I will use on my trip to China in June.
I called my sister Debbie numerous times again this past week to check up on little Woody. Every day the reports kept getting better, so we thank all of you who put this little companion in your prayers. His back seems to be healing well, and hopefully he won't have any further problems.
At choir practice on Thursday night, Bob Emanuel asked me if I'd be willing to be Worship Leader for Sunday's Dedication service, and I agreed. This time, finally, I feel like I've got the routine basically down. By that I mean, I think I'm remembering properly to tell the congregation when to stand and sit, and I made sure this time that I had all of my prayers prepared. There are several. This was the Sunday when the congregation met afterwards to nominate new elders for the Class of 2010. I'm one of those, and I look forward to sharing the gifts God has given me with my church family. I'm hoping I don't end up in the kitchen much, but otherwise I'm really quite open to trying some new things.
Unfortunately, travel plans are going to prevent me from going to the planned orientation for new elders on November 11th. I've got a number of weekend trips on my calendar over the next six weeks. This coming weekend, my family is gathering in Nacogdoches, Texas, for fall birthdays. We'll be going Friday in time to see Emma march playing her French horn at her high school football game that night. The birthday party will be on Saturday. Then the weekend of November 9th, I'm flying to Dallas to meet my friend Barbara Corry's new little Chinese daughter. Five-year-old Anna Zhulan sounds precious and so vivacious on the phone. I'm sure it will be quite an experience. I will also connect up with my old friend Cindy Wood on this trip. Then the weekend of November 30, I'm flying to Harlingen, Texas, to join an old kindergarten friend of mine, who will be enjoying two weeks on South Padre Island with her family. The DeGroffs live in Burwell, Nebraska, and their sons and families will come from wherever they live. Patty Taylor DeGroff and I correspond and stay in touch through phonecalls and birthday cards, but I think it's been maybe 28 years or so since I've seen her in person. On a whim, when she told me this past week she was going to be in Padre Island, I suggested I join her and her family for a few days. I also look forward to this getaway weekend. God is leading me some very interesting places...
My class of eight girls continues to bring me joy and much intellectual stimulation. This past week we discussed Luigi Pirandello's short story called "War" using another creative thinking strategy. We were looking at the both the physical and psychological indicators that author gave us in determining the personalities of his characters. (See Photo #7) This is a story about war that is unusual in that it's about a conversation among parents of soldiers having their own battle of who might suffer the greatest loss. None of the characters have been given names, and it was interesting to put them into the focus of the hero's journey paradigm, for each one of them really represents Everyman. It was a class period that gave me a real sense of teaching being an art.
Homecoming was over a week ago, but there were still signs in the Commons this past week of the Cinderella theme. Liz Mueller was walking by when I was photographing some of the decorations, and she had me pose again this week as a Cinderella. (See Photo #8)
Signs that I'm moving in some manner in myself and in my soul continue to happen in my house and in my wardrobe. I replaced my garbage can and my clothes hamper recently, and as you can see, Abbakadabra likes the new hamper very much. (See Photo #9) I've made more trips to the Women's Shelter with items and clothes I no longer need. And I've also added to my cobalt blue fowl collection recently. Here is a Murano Dove of Peace in blue.
I hope in my own little ways I'm working like this dove for peace in the world. May my letter reach out to you and give you some connection and some contentment somehow. Many blessings on each and every one of you...
With love, Linda
"Whatever you do may seem insignificant,
but it is most important that you do it."
--Gandhi