Ambivalent

In my most recent post I wrote of being a multipotentialite. Perhaps ambivalency is a sub genre of that diagnosis. I waver between deciding the following:

As a lover of listmaking here is another list:

1) I am indeed ambivalent regarding the sale of my current travel trailer. It's 29', wonderful open floorplan, two very comfy recliners and plenty of storage. I paid $28k and the newest models are selling for as high as $39k. Mine is a 2021 model and I could ask as low as 26K and be happy. To sell or not to sell?

2) I am ambivalent regarding purchasing an Airstream. I very much want to own a small Bambi but Hubby is not keen on spending more than two nights in it. See how that would curtail our travels? However, I could join the clubs and caravans and have a really awesome time traveling and socializing with other Airstreamers. Mom and Dad did just that and I am inclined to follow in their footsteps. Not all bad, eh?

3) I am ambivalent regarding my recent membership in the weaving school. Do I have time? Should I stay in it? I am quite sure that once I begin weaving it is going to be my happy-go-to-hobby, next to my fiddle and piano, that is. I can unjoin in a couple weeks, but spending $19/month for a few months won't be too big of a debt.

4) I am ambivalent regarding how much gardening I should tackle. This hobby will probably work itself out as I spend a couple hours each morning before it gets too hot. I need to start small with one or two beds and/or backyard areas and proceed from there. Just take it bit by bit and poof (!!), blooms will delight all visitors to my yard, birds, butterflies, hummers and more, I hope.

5) I am ambivalent regarding my piano. Strangely, I am entertaining the act of returning to piano lessons. Shhh - don't tell. I know it would be another commitment but oh, such joy in accomplishing difficult classical music with a teacher that knows more than I. This is a secret thought and probably will not come to fruition. Shhhh.....

6) I am ambivalent about signing up with Story Circle Network to become a book reviewer. This offering is available to all members and I am truly interested, not only in reading the free new books that women have written, but then creating wonderful reviews. The latter takes practice and knowledge. I would enjoy the challenge.

Maybe tomorrow morning I will list activities I am NOT ambivalent about....just a thought!

Being a Multipotentialite

                                                                   Here I am! 

      Maybe my posts have already revealed this diagnosis! 

1) I joined another online school yesterday to motivate and challenge my beginning weaving commitment.

The school is called School of SweetGeorgia (https://www.schoolofsweetgeorgia.com) and includes all fiber arts. I need to delve into theories of color, design as well as the mechanics of my loom. This particular option was in my price range - $9 for month one and then $19/month thereafter. Or I may join for a year and add $148 to the $9 I already paid. I think it will be a great beginning for me as my rigid heddle loom and small backpacking loom have been dormant. 

I plan to create tapestries, but am not opposed to simply weaving an easy towel or placemat. I do NOT need another diversion but as a multipotentialite, diversions are commonplace for me.

2) We leave this park in one week. I am ready as is The Hubby. We are eager, very eager to return to hot Texas and the home we barely spent a few nights in before chasing the volunteer position up here in beautiful North Idaho.

3) Another diversion I am googling about is lamp redoing. I have a vision of a booth lit with rescued lamps from thrift stores and garage sales. This is certainly not a new idea. However, it is a lit up idea for me - a vision instilled in my noggin with gorgeous one of a kind lamps redone in a variety of unique ideas. Don't you think it could be brilliant? And I want my motto to be:

                              Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

Catching Up with Myself

It's been awhile since I have posted. No particular reason other than being focused on relaxing, reading and working in the Junior Ranger room here at Farragut State Park, Idaho.

It's coming to a close and for that I am grateful. Everything is hunky-dory here in the park. It's just that I want to be in my new-to-me home in Texas. I feel as if I am biding my time. I am more than ready to tackle all those projects we left after spending a mere ten days in our "new" home. 

What else have I been attempting? 

1) Reading and participating in Story Circle Network's book club that meets bi monthly. It's not particularly structured, more like conversing with a couple friends about the books and how it "sets" with one another. I may/may not continue with this zoom. The fee has been waived. We discussed Laura Davis' The Burning Light of Two Stars last evening.

2) Writing with Jill Badonsky twice a week. She provides funky prompts, not the usual stuff and I am entertained. I am going to post several poems I have written later this week. I pay $23/month for this opportunity - it's a month-to-month commitment.  The others are very gifted participants, both in writing and artistic endeavors. Yes, I feel inadequate, but that is why I am following Jill. She is VERY upbeat, witty and creative, Thus, her following seems to be very talented and creative.

3) Being with Granddaughter and Daughter here in the park. We have been to the beach and geocached. The latter took several hours and we found 7/8 boxes. It's a challenging program from the Junior Ranger room. The geocache backpacks are loaned for free and each contains a $200 Garmin with coordinates programmed in it.

4) Shopping on my days off at thrift stores finding children's books for my Little Free Library bookmobile. I am eager to resume our farmer's market visits on Saturday mornings. Goodwill has 49 cent children's books and they are lovely. I buy about 20 books each visit, maybe more.

5) No weaving yet. And that hobby was to unfurl this summer. I had better spend a couple hours after work today beginning the process, at least on the small hand loom. My granddaughter received a loom for Christmas and I have prompted her to continue the activity. She is interested is seeing my loom(s). Oh dear, I am not very knowledgeable yet.

6) Selling on Craigslist a couple towing items that Dave transported up here in the truck bed. I just listed the tow bar we used on the Scion when we had the Class C and the bike rack we used on the Class C. Money is lost as my asking prices are low, hopefully some interest will be shown. There is a Coeur d' Alene swap and shop site I should also be putting the items on.

7) Sitting by the fire and working on my current Bible study, Beth Moore's Psalms of Ascent. I love it. This is my first study by her. She is very popular among women, but alas, I have not been in the right loop for years. I read a recent autobiography of hers spontaneously and that started me on this particular journey. 

8) My fiddling has taken a back seat to everything. There is no reason other than sitting outdoors by the fire and hummingbird feeders is a delightful escape. I want to resume my hour per day fiddle practicing. I want to be back in the routine. 

For now, it's off to the Junior Ranger room for six hours of fulfilling my commitment.

Talk more later!

Review Mirroring It

                           

 “Sometimes we don’t know why we’re on a certain road with God until miles have made their way to the soles of our feet.” from Stepping Up, by Beth Moore.

Review Mirroring It

as life follows its curves

motives contribute to change 

the bends, the detours

of delights and disturbances.

the certain road might

vanish we are distracted

dismayed 

disappointed.

my feet are calloused rough

bunioned toes angle

unbecoming but functional.

soles know my story

a different kind of soul seeks

to transport me as that road

that certain road 

becomes where i have journeyed 

all along… 

through the years… 

and it’s ok.

The above poem was written this morning in response to a Jill Badonsky prompt:

• Open a book and grab a sentence, make it your own and keep going.

I am currently working my way through Beth Moore's Bible study, Stepping Up, on the Psalms of Ascent. I thoroughly enjoy her literary approach to this study. Needless to say, I love this particular sentence from Day One, page 13. I am just beginning and excited to have this resource.

More about Jill's class next blogging effort and the possibility of becoming trained in her method of creative life coaching.

Bob, The Gadget Man

I think it might have started with the spiral zucchini cutter. I didn’t have one so Bob generously gave me 

one, “Here’s your delayed wedding present.” I had just married Dave a few months earlier and was attempting to eat healthier pasta that summer. I did….twice!

Then we invited Bob over for homemade doughnuts baked in my air fryer. He just had to try it! Only he used a silicon doughnut making mold and gifted me with one. I tried his process once and returned to my metal doughnut pan baked in the ole’ oven. But then… I went doughnut - sugar free.

Most recently Bob gave me a small red and white plastic egg poacher/cooker to be used in microwaves. I have not tried it. However, the coffee lady at the farmer’s market uses one in her coffee stand to cook the egg for her egg/muffin/bacon sandwich. I watched the perfect egg emerge.

Bob’s most recent acquisition is not a gadget. It’s a major commitment - a Blackstone outdoor griddle. Guess the receiving line for gadgets has closed down. He is in the big time of grilling’. What to gift him with? He is out of my kitchen ballpark? 

How about a cast iron garlic roaster? Doesn’t every boastful dude, “I’m making tacos on my Blackstone,” need one?