First day of spring

We've been robbed!!!!

Chicago Union Station

Things we like at Chicago Union Station.

The Great Hall:

The activity for the trains is all underground and under another building but love love love the look of the Great Hall.  New since we were last there: it is used for private and public events. An awesome site and sight, it opened in 1925.

The Grand Staircase:

If you are a Kevin Costner fan, you know this as the "Untouchables" staircase.

Tabasco

I have to admit, I always thought Tabasco was a word like ketchup - a generic term for hot sauce.  Now, thanks to my New Orleans trip, I know differently.  I didn't acquire this information in New Orleans: rather, the train went through bayou country and it was so intriguing that when I hear Louisiana Bayou (this time on Sixty Minutes) I pay attention.

Tabasco: a sixth generation business.

Train trip!

and hunting for spring.

In February the boss called a meeting with those of us charged with keeping the computer system up-to-date.  Our software provider was holding a "summit" in New Orleans, and he wondered if we wanted to go. I am not a good flyer, so normally I beg off these engagements.  However, I knew the train went from Chicago to New Orleans, and somehow going  to New Orleans seemed like a really cool thing, so I said, why sure, if I can train it!

Our boss tries to work with individual quirks.  One of our service techs didn't want to fly to a conference, so the boss rented a car for him and let him go, so I knew there was precedent.  The boss smiled and said, book it!

It might be an overnight-er, I reminded him.

Book a sleeper, then.

Oh, I don't mind coach.

Book a sleeper.

So I did.  What a blast!

I took the Blue Water to Chicago.  I had to wait for the New Orleans train, so I went up in the Willis (Sears) tower to see frozen Lake Michigan.  Brrrr.

Unconscious Mutterings --- I have returned!

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Crunch :: Captain
2. Handle :: pan
3. Stoned :: drugged
4. Kettle :: pot
5. Worst :: best
6. Agreement :: rappaport
7. Keg :: beer
8. Legacy :: gift
9. Gig :: engagement
10. Nails :: bite

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Barn Living

Seeing a converted barn always makes me think of Grace Livingston Hill's book The Enchanted Barn

I thought they tasted stale.

Lay's Cheesy Garlic Bread Potato Chips Wins 'Do Us A Flavor' Contest.

Weather

Wearying.
That is all.

There's Nothing Like . . .

a birthday party for a one-year-old to brighten up the long winter!

Muttering we shall go

1. Wine :: white
2. Cooperate :: go along with
3. Dropped :: knocked over
4. Painter :: my brother
5. Binger :: drinker
6. Knot :: tie
7. Collar :: tie
8. Barefoot :: contessa
9. Town :: city
10. House ::home

get your mutterings here: http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Unconsciously muttering

1. Person :: of Interest
2. Children :: kids
3. Tweet :: twitter
4. Points :: score
5. Grill :: charcoal
6. Traces ::bits
7. Unsolved :: crimes
8. Lines :: circles
9. Fourteen :: 92
10. Coincidence:: no such thing

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

south end

south end
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

The south end of the barn! My friend Linn has done wonders with this side. New windows (using old glass), new door, patched side.

I need to walk down this way more often.

End of an Era

I have worked for my present company for 36 years. Now, the company is the same name, but it has had five different owner combinations in that time. Many of us have been here for a long time, but the longest-running employee was Eppie. Eppie came in 1967, raised four children, many grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She had a stroke in 1988, but came back to work part-time. She had numerous health issues, but she kept working. A few years ago she drove her car THROUGH the building. She was unhurt, but it was found at that time that her heart was in failure. But Eppie kept on working.

In October Eppie had another flare-up of health issues. At 77, you would have thought she would call it quits, but she still wanted to come back to work. Our boss is a gentleman, and he said if she got medical clearance he would let her come back.

She went to physical therapy, got an exercise bike, and worked on her return.

Monday morning she had another stroke, and passed on Tuesday. One of our employees had talked to her the week before about the Super Bowl pool. She had been in good spirits, and was still planning on coming back to work.

That's the way to go, with a dream. (Only I guess I'll make mine something a little different than working at 77.)

RIP

Good Ears!

The barn cats must have super hearing. I went out tonight for their feeding. I set out the dry food, called "kitties, food is out." Nothing. I went out to the garage to retrieve a package, took it up to the porch, then came back to open their moist food. Pop! went the lid. Out came the barn cats. Good ears.

A muttering we will go

I say ... and you think ... ?

Doorknob :: key

Arch :: door

Clay :: sculpture

Doves :: peace

Bloom :: flower

Curious :: George

Kissing :: cousins

Stomach :: flu

Courtyard :: surrounded

Shorts :: summer

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Robert Parker Lives on

My boss introduced me to the works of Robert Parker years ago. Parker was the author of the Spenser series. There was a TV show based on the character starring Robert Urich called Spenser for Hire back in the 80's. My boss is a great library user, so after I got hooked, he shared his Robert Parker books with me. Parker's books also include the Jesse Stone series (TV-movies starring Tom Selleck), and the Virgil Cole/Everett Hitch Western Series. Parker passed in 2010, but when there is a series characters can live on. Spenser lives on, with books written by Ace Atkins and Helen Brann. I'm not particularly fond of the continuation on that series. It feels as though Ace is trying to be too inventive with the character. The Jesse Stone books have been taken over by Michael Brandman. He has been the producer of the Jesse Stone TV movies, and seems to have a super good grasp on the character. (And his books read even faster than Parker's.) Robert Knott has taken over the western series. He did the screenplay for the movie based on Parker's book Appaloosa. Parker had not developed the western characters very much (only four books) and it is perhaps because of this that these are the books I feel have been transitioned most easily. A book review of Bull River, the most recent one, ishere. Looking forward to more of Virgil and Everett. And long may characters continue . . .

Not How I Really wanted to use my vacation time . . .

Third day this month that I wasn't able to get to work due to the snow. I tried to be tough today. Got up, got dressed, shoveled the big drift in front of the garage, gunned the little car out to the end of the driveway, made it onto Benton Road . . . which had not been plowed. There was a rut, so I decided to drive up the 1/4 mile to the corner. Mount Hope was only ruts too. Sheesh. I was afraid my little card would be buried. I came back home. This weather has to calm down one of these days. Doesn't it?

A Hunting we will go

A muttering we will go:

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Vex :: perturb
2. Ghost :: of Christmas past
3. Detail :: fine point
4. Further :: farther
5. Foxy :: lady
6. Hybrid :: energy
7. Maximum :: minimum
8. Wonderful :: life
9. Munch :: a bunch of fritos
10. Organize :: what I need to do!

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

I love baby curls

Alex Delaware

First new book of the year complete:  Guilt, by Jonathan Kellerman.  Kellerman writes the Alex Delaware series.  Guilt is the 28th in the series, which started in 1985 (and does not track chronologically).  Alex Delaware is a retired psychologist who has been recruited by LA police detective Miles Sturgis to aid in understanding and finding perpetrators of crimes.  (Delaware was able to retire at an incredibly young age due to stock market sales.)

Guilt starts with the finding of some old bones.  This is the kick-off to an old story, while some bones found a few days later are a new story.  Sorting it all out through psychological insights and good-old fashioned detective work gives us time to visit with our old friends Alex and Miles, and it is old friends that they have become through the years.

I like Kellerman's work in that he does not seem to get stuck in a PC view of the world, and I always get new insights from his books.

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

I like books.  I like movies.  Sometimes I like movies based on books.  Sometimes I like movies based on fictional characters.  And I always like Kevin Costner movies.

Shadow Recruit is a reboot of the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan series.  Unlike most origin stories, this one is not faithful to the time.  It restarts Jack Ryan in the present.  (Jack Ryan is an accountant turned CIA dude.) While a 2013 recruited Ryan is not part of the Clancy set, the spirit of the story is maintained.  And as Jack Ryan has been played by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, and Ben Affleck it hardly matters that we have yet another young actor portraying the idealistic young man.  Chris Pine was a great choice.  I loved him as the young Captain Kirk in the new Star Trek movie series and he does not disappoint as a young master spy.

And, of course, there is Kevin Costner as the recruiter.  I've followed Kevin since 1987's No Way Out.  He does American heroes well.  And . . . he just turned 59 on the 18th.  Let's hear it for the old guys!

Muttering again

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Voice :: Song
2. Counter :: Bean
3. Marked :: checked
4. Loving :: Caring
5. Coat :: of many colors
6. Pounce :: Cat
7. Dehydrate :: Water
8. Desire :: Want
9. Concern :: Care
10. Broth :: Soup

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Oscar & Alta

Untitled
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee
Oscar and Alta Bentley were the first owners here at the farm. Oscar had grown up on the farm just to the south. Alta had grown up on a farm four miles southwest.

Peek

The little barn cats have done a great job weathering this Michigan winter.

Remnants from the storm

And we're still Muttering

1. Funk :: melancholy
2. Marketing :: sales
3. Standards :: best practices
4. Best friend :: buddy
5. Search :: seek
6. Pizza :: Dominos
7. Singapore :: Eastern
8. Executive :: Officer
9. Find :: Hide
10. Jeans:: Comfort           
11. http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Need a little color

auggar5
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Too much white around here. And today it was grey. Revisiting August for some color.

Pinterest as Resolution Reminder?

Resolutions!

Will try it!

Winter Fun

In winter, I like to leave pop (pepsi or dew) on the back porch and let it turn into slushies.

I'm so easily amused.

When I'm 62 . . .

Just had a birthday.  A big one.  I joined the Social Security eligible gang.  I am 62.

I remember as a young worker doing the math.  I remember hitting 30 back in 1982, and thinking wow, 2014 is a LONG way from now.  There were changes made to SS in the 80's, and we wondered if it would still be around when we hit the age.

Those 32 years surely passed quickly.  And I guess there might be a little available.  Now to make the decision as to when to start the draws.

Kiddos, this time on this little planet goes in a blink.  Enjoy each moment.

Polar Vortex

Ice last week
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Sheesh! The week before Christmas we had an amazing ice storm that left many folks without power for up to a week. (That would be me, too, but as it was Christmas week I was spending time in town with relatives who had power. I did come out to the farm every day to take care of the cats.)

Next up, four days into the new year we have a Polar Vortex???? New word for good old-fashioned COLD snowstorm, I think. Brrr. Approximately 15 inches of snow, and now sub-zero temperatures.

Relief is in sight tonight, and we're all just hoping and praying the power stays on and the furnaces keep chugging.

Weather. A big reminder that we're not really in control.

Stay warm!

Through the Looking Glass

First Mutterings of a New Year

13 hours, 15 minutes ago

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Gravity :: Sandra Bullock
2. Universe :: Infinity
3. Jewels :: Crown
4. Velour :: Red
5. Bribes :: Incentives
6. Pen :: is mightier than the sword
7. Presents :: Christmas
8. Impressions :: Dents
9. Heat :: necessity
10. Pining :: Yearning

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Unconscious Mutterings!

Week 570

3 days, 22 hours, 32 minutes ago

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Once upon a :: time
2. Winston :: Churchill
3. Frost :: Jack
4. Flute :: band
5. Antlers :: reindeer
6. Jolly :: old elf
7. Mound :: hill
8. Gallery :: art
9. Trades :: mechanical, plumbing, electric
10. Flake ::snow

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Comedy :: Drama
2. Warning :: 2-minute
3. Bowling :: Green Ohio
4. Picked :: Chosen
5. Shotgun :: Riding
6. Accommodate :: include
7. Everybody :: All
8. Hypnotic :: spell
9. Penthouse :: Suite
10. Hockey ::Puck

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

falalalala . . .

It's so nice to drive home from work and see all the lights on the way.  Thanks, world!

Unconscious Mutterings

Happy December!  (I really don't care for November, but it is done now.)

Let's mutter!

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Taxes :: Death
2. Deter :: Hinder
3. Regret :: Rue
4. Consume :: Eat
5. 1600 :: Pennsylvania Avenue
6. Retire :: Soon, I hope
7. Console :: Soothe
8. Property :: Line
9. Return :: of the Native
10. Laughter :: the best medicine

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Directions :: follow
2. Juror :: jury
3. Cheating :: heart
4. Fact :: truth
5. Clue :: idea
6. Week :: 7 days
7. Enthusiasm :: elan
8. Smug :: snooty
9. Venture :: gain
10. Bench :: mark

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

It's Been a Long Time

Living in the Capital City of Michigan means we get to host the official state Christmas Tree!  There is a huge celebration called Silver Bells in the City on the Friday before  Thanksgiving.  About 100,000 people gather for a parade and the lighting.  I've attended for most of the 27 years it has been held.  Finally gave it up intentionally this year.  But oh the memories.About ten family members were there, so I got a great report.  Maybe next year . . . 

Last Week's Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Jealousy :: Envy
2. Twin :: Duplicate
3. Logo :: Emblem
4. Bang :: Whimper
5. Darts :: Board
6. Window :: Sill
7. Arcade :: PacMan
8. Sniff :: Cold
9. Tickets :: Policeman
10. Eraser :: Pencil

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

No no Nano, but a lovely wedding

Well, nanowrim.org probably won't have a completion from me this year.  Oops.  My brother and I shot a wedding on the 9th, and the editing ran into my writing time.  However, all is not lost! I have my notes and outlines and a good start, and it shirley is okay to write any month of the year.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Reality :: Show
2. Fanfare :: for the Common Man (I think that's the name of it)
3. Share :: partner with
4. City :: town
5. Stepping :: stone
6. Entitled :: spoiled
7. Movement :: restless
8. Review :: movies, books
9. Advertise :: present info
10. Largest :: biggest!

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Partner :: in crime
2. Villain :: evil
3. Signature :: Name
4. Homespun :: down-to-earth
5. Ultimate :: extreme
6. Don’t! :: Stop
7. Musical :: Chairs
8. Candor :: Honesty
9. Terrified :: Petrified
10. Virus :: bug

This is week 562 of the unconscious Mutterings.  I looked back in The Other Sides Archives.  I first did the mutterings back in February of 2003.  That's a long time.  Big big props to Patricia for maintaining the meme.  Is it perhaps the longest running one on the internets?

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Thanks!

And you know who you are . . .

It was a good October, in spite of being wild at work.  Thanks for being a sounding board this month.

November.  I have signed up for nanowrimo.  I've had a book about a young teenager who cuts hanging around in various outlines and forms for several years.  It needs to get done.  I don't know if it is a 50,,000 word piece or not (the requirement for NANO) but it needs to be done.  And this November has FIVE weekends!  Very conducive to bumping word counts.

Wednesday by a hair!

October 30.  Wow, this month has sped by.  Great advice in the last comments, Kim.  My sincere thanks!

Monday.

Best i can say is, I survived.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Poison :: Ivy
2. Las Vegas :: Elvis
3. Nanny :: babysitter
4. Tablet :: lined
5. Trail :: of Tears
6. Innocent :: guilty
7. Invited :: asked
8. Life :: death
9. Tormented :: bullied
10. Lousy :: bleah

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Color Report Saturday October 26

Color isn't going to be very strong here in mid-Michigan, I do believe.  There are single trees that are ablaze, but the general look is quite bland.

Friday's post

Cheating a little bit here.  I fell asleep before I could post.

This year I am once again considering doing the nanowrimo.org thing.  Try to write a 50000 word novel in a month.  It's been ten years since I completed the nano

Color Report from Saturday, October 19, 2013

not so much

Mystery Field

There's a mystery field a few  miles over.  It appears to me to be sugar beets, but it's been years since there has been a sugar beet factory in mid-Michigan. They are all over in the thumb area now.

The farm my mom grew up on (1/2 mile north of me) had sugar beets.  Mom only went to the factory with her dad one time.  STINKY! she says, even to this day.

I have a flickr friend who lives over by this field.  He's going to check it out for me.

The Heat is On!

Actually, turned in on last Friday.

Go the Distance

I don't think "Field of Dreams" is just about baseball.  *smile*

I love harvest time.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. dead :: cemetary
2. bangs :: hairstyle
3. future :: past
4. holistic :: total
5. circumstance :: pomp
6. past :: future (oh my)
7. fan :: football
8. happened :: occurred
9. room :: space
10. awful :: horrible

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Oops!

And there went Thursday and Friday.

Dark gray days and an awesomely weird week at work must not be very conducive to blog posting.  I will keep that in mind.

Kim from upNorth wrote in an email about seasons.  She loves autumn.  Her hypothesis, and I think it is a good one, is that your birth season might tend to be your favorite.  I pondered on this, and I think there is a lot of merit to it.  I was born in January, and for 30 years loved loved LOVED winter!  Christmas and sledding and birthdays and all sorts of good things.  Then the 80s happened, and with them the winter months had bad memories associated with them.  I think it was about then I switched to summer's warmth as being my favorite season.  However, as time passes, I could switch again.

Here in mid-Michigan we get a lot of gray days.  I mean Seattle-type lot of gray days.  We had been very fortunate that October started out so sunny, but this past week it felt like someone turned the lights out.  Doesn't help that those days are getting shorter and shorter!  However, great full moon tonight (with a tiny bit of eclipse) and it actually was clear enough to see it!

Okay, end of rambling for now.  Over and out!

Drat!

I missed Tuesday!!!

Would you look at that handle?

I HAD to pick this  pumpkin!  That handle is awesome!!!!

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Untraceable ::  anonymous
2. Senator :: legislator
3. Humongous :: huge
4. Drinks :: beverages
5. Ringing :: in my ear
6. Overloaded :: overwhelmed
7. Annoyed :: ticked off
8. Blondie :: Dagwood
9. Suits :: News
10. Deadly :: Sin

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Busy warm autumn day

Tomorrow may be the end of our warm snap.

Today we met with a couple we are shooting in November.

I'm tired!  Getting old, can't keep up with myself.

But I guess it's good to keep trying!

You've Heard of Flash Mobs? Well, now it is . . .

Cash mobs!  People organize them for small businesses that are starting out or going through a rough patch.  The premise is that a day is chosen and people show up and spend at least $20.

I had heard about them, and participated in my first one today.  There is a new coffee shop housed in a renovated old gas station.  You can drive or walk through and get artisan drinks and sandwiches.  I had wanted to try this place out, so this was a perfect way to make my $20 count.

I should have taken a picture though.  It's a really cool use for a really old building.

Technical difficulties

Hi! My laptop is having difficulties right now. I don't know how quickly it will finish updating. I do want to keep the streak going so this will have to suffice for today's post. It probably is good to learn  multiple ways of posting. Will just consider this episode an educational experience. **crossing fingers that update works**

How Low Do You Go?

This year, for the first time in a long time, I'm playing the "don't turn on your furnace until it's REALLY cold" game.  We had a cold spell in September, but the long forecast showed we were going to get warmer, so I didn't turn it on.  It got down to 62 in here, but then the thermometer started its uptick.

I'm at 66 now, with warm (70 degree) days and cool nights in the forecast.  I'm seeing how low I can go.  How low do YOU go?

Fear Not

I was listening to a radio pastor in the car on the way home tonight.  He said that the admonition "fear not" appears over 200 times in the Bible.

It would appear that fear is an age-old problem.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

One of the paths in my neighbors' garden

Mutterings . . .

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Latch :: key
2. Standard :: Oil (that dates me, I know)
3. 60 :: Minutes
4. Maple :: color, autumn, syrup
5. Final :: Four
6. Bickering :: quibbling
7. Diner :: all night
8. Nasty :: awful
9. Ohhh! :: *smile*
10. Leeches :: slimey

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Babies and Weddings . . .

make me smile.

Just attended a wedding of a young man we've known for twenty years to a terrific violinist we've known of for 10 years.  Perfect match!

50 Years Ago

fivewedding
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

This is the five little Peters on the occasion of Grandma Beatrice marrying Grandpa Larry. Grandma had been widowed in 1957. She lived with us or we lived with her except for the months she spent in Florida.

I think we must have been a handful. Also, she was just in her early 50's. She was a great example of keeping open to new experiences.

And Why Is it?

. . . that the slowest months at work are the ones where I make the most mistakes!  Maddening!

My theory is that the best rhythm for work is fast paced, and the slow months make me lose my rhythm.  Always have to have a theory!

October 2

Ah, ye olde accounting cycle.  I've worked in the same office for 35 years.  We've had different office managers, but the basic format is to complete a month on a given date, then start the next month.  For the last 20 years, we've tried to close the month on the 5th.  This means that all billings, job costs, payrolls, and any expenses for a month are recorded by the 5th.  The billings have to be done by the first for statements, and then the rest of the material must be allocated.

So for me, it is still September 30.  Happy October 2 to everyone else!!!

October Challenge

This is a test.  It is not merely a test.  It is a challenge.  At one time I used to blog every day, sometimes twice a day.

The challenge:  Can I do it for just one month?

Stay tuned!

Not Unconscious, but muttering . . .

Back to the mutterings.  September got away from me.  I'm tempted to try to do a post a day during October, but . . . 

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Spirits :: alcohol
2. Admit :: confess
3. Gift :: present
4. Barry :: Goldwater.  I'm old
5. Dredge :: flour
6. Pajamas :: nightgown
7. Cheating :: heart
8. Information :: knowledge
9. Ivory :: Snow
10. Past :: future

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Gotta Love those Case Tractors

http://jimtown.blogspot.com/2013/09/colorful-case.html#links

My Mom has some interesting Case stories.

What's it all about?

hum2

hum2
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

humming right along . . . hope y'all are too!

I am haunted by water

Final line of Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It.
Resonated again with me this week as I visited some old haunts by water.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Weird :: odd
2. Balance :: beam
3. Personal :: life
4. Reproduction :: print
5. Distraction :: nuisance
6. Articulate :: set forth
7. Shovel :: spade
8. Column :: row
9. Drastic :: dire
10. Bombastic :: politician

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Packing :: moving
2. Rent :: lease
3. Inspire :: motivate
4. Anti-social :: recluse
5. Common :: ordinary
6. Repeats :: again
7. Dracula :: vampire
8. Cross :: church
9. Short sighted :: 
10. Corrupt :: evil

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Things we are curious about . . .

Does anyone have any thoughts on the best health insurance to purchase if you are not covered by your work place?  I know this is all going to be rearranged in 2014 but was just wondering.

Unconscious Mutterings!

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Maintenance :: man
2. Tight :: end
3. Disillusion :: disenchant
4. Horizon :: sunset
5. In :: out
6. Humor :: good
7. Purchase :: buy
8. Delectable :: tasty
9. Stumble :: fall
10. Words :: meaning

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Butterflies . . . have to be fast!

Butterflies MAY be free, but they have to be fast to not get caught by my greedy little field cats.  Glad this one survived!

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Pillow :: Case
2. Calendar :: 12 months
3. Melissa :: Gilbert
4. Notebook :: Binder
5. Circumstance :: just the way it is
6. Technical :: difficulty
7. Bracket :: basketball!
8. Horror :: Show
9. Pink :: tongue
10. Polish :: nails

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

I guess I need this

When you feel sad . . .

And disheartened . . . what do you do to be good to yourself?

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Tears :: of a clown
2. Press :: full-court
3. Rowboat :: gently down the stream
4. Society :: page
5. Magazine :: glossy
6. Mars :: Venus
7. Gone bad :: rotten
8. Celebrity :: Star
9. Umbrella :: London
10. Core :: Apple

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Time really flies

newhome
Originally uploaded by Aunt Owwee

Seven years ago, I moved to the farm. The initials of this blog stood for My Year In The Country, because I wasn't sure I could do more than that.

Well, I did.

And while I still believe I live in Paradise, I now know that even perfect places have their problems to over come. And we just keep trudging along.

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Hook :: rug
2. Ringer :: bell
3. Hoodwink :: fool
4. Football :: autumn
5. Out of the way :: secluded
6. Skull :: noggin
7. Enough :: full
8. Scholarship :: college
9. Ruin :: destroy
10. Lawyer :: shyster

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Remembered. And still missed daily

Remembered. And still missed daily
Originally uploaded by wash52121

Sunday before Memorial Day . . . out to the cemetery to tend graves. This is my brother's pic.

The Party's Over

That was a lovely vacation.  Sleeping in, reading on the back porch, playing with the kittens, planting flowers in the window box, and seeing a couple of fine movies . . . lovely.  The weather was hyper-compatible too.  Blue skies, sunny days, perfect mid-May days.  Today was actually a little too warm.

Do I still feel burnt-out?  Yes, but I'm not a tired burn-out.  I am hoping a corner has been turned.

Thanks for listening!

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Arrow :: Bow
2. Hum :: Tune
3. Cornerstone :: Time Capsule
4. Flight :: Plane
5. Music :: Notes
6. Determine :: Find Out
7. Analysis :: Freud
8. Better day:: is coming!
9. Audio :: video
10. Meditation :: reflection

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

mid-May in mid-Michigan

There's no place I'd rather be.

The long winter, coupled with the April showers, has created a perfect May.  Blooms of all colors and the heavenly scent of lilacs and apple blossoms. 

Ahhhh.

(Doesn't hurt that the weather has been perfect either *grin*)

Crazy Cat Lady

Well, and of course I did become a crazy cat lady this year.

Burnout Means look for Change

As I've been looking  at different articles about burnout, I realize that it sure is a common issue.   Most burnout is job-related (check).  I have worked at the business I work at for 35 years come August.  In that time we have had five different owners/owner teams.  There has been change at each of these changes of teams, and I have always been able to adapt (one of my strong skills).  However, the last change that occurred  on April 1, 2012 (too funny, eh?) has been the killer.  Our owner, who is approaching retirement age (he is three years older than me) brought in a new second in command.  This young man is 28, graduated in Hospitality, and was chosen by the boss because he is a good friend from church.  The kid is arrogant as all get out, knows everything, has no innate curiosity, and takes credit for all good things that happen (including the weather).  Ostensibly he is sales and marketing manager, but in truth he is the little dictator.  Argh.

Okay, that is enough fussing for now.  I am on vacation.  Most articles on burnout suggest changing jobs.  Retirement age is coming up, and while I had always assumed I would go to 65, the times, they are a changing.

From Psychology Today.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/burnout

Burnout is not a simple result of long hours. The cynicism, depression, and lethargy of burnout can occur when you're not in control of how you carry out your job, when you're working toward goals that don't resonate with you, and when you lack social support. If you don't tailor your responsibilities to match your true calling, or at least take a break once in a while, you could face a mountain of mental and physical health problems

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. 537 :: a number
2. Horizon :: setting sun
3. Episode :: television
4. Character :: strength
5. Crossed :: the road
6. Shipping :: lanes
7. Jump :: rope
8. Bowling :: ball
9. Grumpy :: old men
10. Them :: They

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Burn Out

Sorry I haven't been around for awhile.  I've been trying to cope for the last year with Burn Out. I guess I didn't do a very good job.  HOWEVER, I have a week's vacation here in the heart of Michigan, in the prettiest most hopeful month of May, and life will get better.  Will you join me on my journey?

Recovering from burnout: Acknowledge your losses
Burnout brings with it many losses, which can often go unrecognized. Unrecognized losses trap a lot of your energy. It takes a tremendous amount of emotional control to keep yourself from feeling the pain of these losses. When you recognize these losses and allow yourself to grieve them, you release that trapped energy and open yourself to healing.

• Loss of the idealism or dream with which you entered your career
• Loss of the role or identity that originally came with your job
• Loss of physical and emotional energy
• Loss of friends, fun, and sense of community
• Loss of esteem, self-worth, and sense of control and mastery
• Loss of joy, meaning and purpose that make work – and life – worthwhile

Source: Keeping the Fire by Ruth Luban

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/burnout_signs_symptoms.htm

Unconscioous Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?




1.Mailbox :: letter

2.Creamy :: Soup

3.Deal :: Bargain
4.Eyeglasses :: Spectacles

5.Bag :: Lady

6.People :: Folks

7.Candy :: Easter eggs

8.Orange :: fruit

9.Frosting :: cake

10.Surrender :: cede

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?




1.Taco :: Bell

2.Serve :: self

3.Cubicle :: Office

4.Moonlighting :: second job

5.Creaky :: Steps

6.Bittersweet :: Sadness

7.Hop :: Bunny

8.Install :: Implement

9.Quick :: Rapid

10.Hybrid :: Car
http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?




1.Sweetpea :: flower

2.Fuss :: todo

3.Stocky :: stout

4.Reason :: together

5.Humble :: Poor

6.Purposeful :: motivated

7.Week :: seven days

8.Intimidate :: scare

9.Choice :: option

10.Coming home :: holidays

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?




1.Align :: Printer

2.Collar :: Starch

3.Orphan :: Annie

4.Program :: Play

5.Waves :: Lake

6.Accident :: Prone

7.Offices :: Law

8.Corrupt :: Warped

9.Tears :: of a clown

10.Family :: Tree

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/

Unconscious Mutterings

I say ... and you think ... ?

1.Schedule :: Train
2.Guest :: Towel
3.Stall :: Horse
4.Cold :: Hot
5.Editorial :: Opinion
6.Striped :: Circus Tent
7.Curtains :: Drapes
8.Cramping :: Muscles
9.March :: Madness
10.Folder :: Manila



http://subliminal.lunanina.com/