,42°f/5.6°C, cloudy but clearing to be a really nice day.
After my last post, I thought i had better look for some good things to share. Life is such a roller coaster, isn't it. It feels wrong somehow to just go on about our business when sadnesses fall on us, and yet what is the alternative? As my mother used to say, pull up your socks dear, and get on with it. Still, it feels fitting and right to pause, remember, and appreciate those who leave us behind, and speaking their names keeps them alive in our hearts.
So I am rummaging through my last couple of days, seeking the bright spots, and there are many. First, my son #3 is heading to the Philippines for a month's vacation, so i put him in touch with my cousin Bob in England who has visited those islands many times, and was married to a Filipino lady. Well, as it turns out, Bob's brother Joe, who i have never met, will be in the Philippines at the same time as my son! Talk about a small world. My English relationship are a scattered lot: some are in Australia, some in Canada, one was and may still be in Spain, and I believe one was in Finland. Then of course, there are many still in England. So bright spot #1 is that perhaps my son will be able to meet his second cousin while he's on vacation.
Bright spot #2: after a very busy day of pulling Christmaa from our booths, we rushed home to feed the critters, then left again for the bi-weekly open mic. We debated just skipping it, but I am so glad we went. The lineup was varied and interesting, with some new voices that really added to the mix. I even sang three ballads (West Virginia Mine Disaster by Jean Ritchie, and the traditional Railroad Boy and Pretty Saro). I don't think anyone recorded me, but here are a couple clips of other presenters.
McKenna Hope was our featured presenter of the evening.
The third good thing: we picked up our checks for the last 2 weeks of December, and found that we'd had the best month we have had since starting our booths. Money can't buy happiness, but it will buy badly needed new tires for the truck.
Add in spending time with friends, lovin's from the dogs, phone conversations with sons, and a fridge that is still working (fingers crossed!), and all in all it has been a nice couple of days.
...Susanna, I hope that more than three good things come your way.
ReplyDeleteI think you made the right decision to get out to Open Mic. We have to force ourselves sometimes.
ReplyDeleteMy mother used to say, "Suck it up, buttercup" :)
ReplyDeleteAfter the past five days of national news (especially yesterday's shooting) and feeling pretty unwell these days, I needed some good things. Thanks for sharing them. Well done on the booth and open mic, too!
ReplyDeleteThere is good news. A good reminder to look for it.
ReplyDeleteYes, a balance of good things/news and just focusing on them is needed more and more these days. Your English side of the family sounds like a world-wide family of cousins! So glad you've helped your son with his vacation plans.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to hear some good news. We sure need it.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping for more good, bright spots to lighten these dark days.
ReplyDeleteYes, we all do need money.
ReplyDeleteGood news is always nice to see and read about. Thanks for sharing yours.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad there are some bright spots to brighten your week.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your friends passing in your past post. I sometimes wonder how many of my old friends who I have not talked to in quite a while have passed. Great news on the booth sales!
ReplyDelete