Stepping Away from Sugar

I knew I was in trouble. I could think of nothing but treats! I was at Costco with my friend, Margaret, and needed to purchase Halloween candy for the Trunk or Treat. I grabbed the candy I love best, gooey and chocolatey and oh-so-satisfying. And I knew that if I made the mistake of opening that bag before I gave it to Allan I would be truly sorry--and so would he.

So I made a decision. It was time to stop eating candy and cookies and cake and doughnuts and pie and ice cream and anything else that would feed my addiction to sugar. I have done this in the past around the Christmas holidays, but never as early as this. But it's something that I have needed to do to get my eating back in control.

I haven't missed the junk that much. I have had a few difficult times, including manning the desserts (cake, cheesecake, brownies, shortcake cookies, etc.) at a funeral luncheon. I have withstood it all, and had the wonderful added benefit of daily nasty headaches and sinus problems disappearing. What a testimony of staying away from all that sugar and junk! So far I have gone 9 days without treats, and I am doing just fine, thanks to sugar-free Swiss Miss.

So, come January, when the holidays are over, and the last of the wonderful fudge and See's candy and peanut brittle and shortbread cookies and caramel corn and toffee are eaten up, maybe I will slip back into my old habits. Or maybe, hopefully, I will have found joy in the people I am with and the wholesome food that actually nourishes my body.

It could happen.

Election Time

I have always loved autumn and this time of year, because it brings me home a bit and gives me the opportunity for reflection. Autumn has traditionally been election time, too. This year I have taken the time to contemplate the issues, candidates, and future of my world and THE world. I have an opinion on everything, although it sometimes feels like my opinion isn't very valuable as far as the big picture goes. After the vote on the big bank bailout, I reassessed my feelings and commitment to the values I have developed and espouse.

I believe in freedom. I believe that our founding fathers desired to create a country where men were free to make the choices that would guide their lives. I did some reading of political party platforms, studied the actual constitution and ammendments to it, and pondered and meditated on the issues and candidates. I have also been doing some reading of history, the non-traditional type that brings forth the familiar stories with information, writings, and perspectives that I had not heard of in my traditional American education.

My vote is in. Those children of mine who are voters have their votes in as well. I am happy to live in a country that gives us that chance to cast our ballots for the leaders of our choice, even if the choices aren't the greatest. I am grateful for our ability to gain information and knowledge, and for the power we have to educate ourselves, ponder the matters that have meaning for us, and then follow our consciences and vote accordingly.

Is our system perfect? Certainly not. Do we really know who runs the government? I do not believe so. Are the citizens of this country capable of creating better leadership than we have right now, or may have this next 4 years? Definitely. Are we able to discover and uncover the truth better than we do with the polluted media on all sides of the issues and candidates? Resoundingly, yes. My hope and prayer is that all who are able to make a difference through personal study and education within the family and society do so. Future generations will be blessed because of it.

Fall is in the Air

Well, summer is winding down. This summer has been one-of-a-kind, with Silas being here full time for the first time in years and years. My garden is flailing, but my membership subscription to my local farm is going strong. I need to set a goal around making compost and building my soil better for next year.

My creative projects are growing. I found some sinks on craigslist to replace our old ones in the bathrooms, and I am totally looking forward to swapping those out tomorrow. I am beginning to make Christmas gifts, starting with some sewing and crochet ventures. My health goals continue to be on my priority list, including training for next year's STP and taking off a few more pounds. The surface of our small deck is refinished, and before November I am hoping to restain the rails as well. My walking partners are steady and true, so my mornings have an early, energetic start.

Autumn is my favorite time of year. The fresh crispness in the air and the feeling of a brand new start are always encouraging to me. So forward I go into the new season.

Rainy Day, Rockin' Night

I am enjoying the cool summer rains we have had the past few days. My garden is finally growing with the help of mother nature, and I am watching the progress of some zucchinis and pumpkin plants. This wonderful rain is also helping with the farm where I receive most of my family's veggie needs as well. What a blessing.

Yesterday began the Kitsap County Fair, and I had a lovely evening enjoying the food, art, and children's displays. Contemplating the wonderful food was great, too. I ended up sharing a roasted ear of corn with my hubby. I even enjoyed more rain last night, when I attended the the Three Dog Night concert. It was so fun! My husband Allan and son Silas went. I haven't had so much fun in my town in a long time. There was one man who danced the night away as the band commented on how we must enjoy the weather here, because we live here. Though we were good and soggy by the time we got to our car, the time at the fair was well worth it.

The cooler weather continues today, robbing some of us of our motivation to do anything, including chores and eating right. But the blessed relief of clouds and rain are my favorite part of living in the Northwest, and the unique (at least to me) opportunities we have on the Kitsap Peninsula because of that have made the summer beautiful and enjoyable.

Creative Bursts

Our Artist's Way group completed its journey early this month at a final meeting at our local experimental garden park. It was a lovely night, and I was not bothered by the mosquitos at all. One friend shared work she completed on a book that included photos of my daughter, in her cap and gown, and me! Another artist shared the music she was working on to play for us on her harp. The painter in the group brought her first painting and illustration for a children's book she is planning. The lady who spends many hours supporting her children on the sidelines of the hockey rink brought her beautiful handmade green and lilac afghan.

I, on the other hand, didn't bring anything. I have completed quite a few previously unfinished projects and am putting a slide show together of photos that present the things I have done during our Artist's Way journey. Most of the projects have been small and not too significant, and rarely artistic at all. But finishing things is a great way to fill home and life with feelings of cheer, accomplishment, and pleasure at the beauty offered to self, family, and others.

I finished the quilt I began a year or two for my husband, the one for which he chose the colors and fabric. It graces our bed now. Some chairs from early in my parents' marriage have finally been painted by Chloe and me and are on our outside patio beside the one Cecilie completed long ago. I have even had some visits from lovely people when we enjoyed those chairs! Our front door received a much-needed coat of fresh bright paint, to liven up the outside and keep the moisture out of the lovely wood. I began a drawing project, and will continue. I have done some gardening, both in pots and in my homemade raised beds. I finally chose fabric and completed a valance for our little kitchen. I entered untested waters and began this blog and a website, as well. And last but certainly not least, I learned how to use my digital camera, finally.

So, out of the joys and difficulties that life inevitably presents to me, I have been able to get lots done, learn some new skills, find joy in the oddest places, and contribute part of myself to make the world a more beautiful place. And along the way I had the chance to share with and gain from some sisters who were doing the same. Thanks, girls!

Note: If my slide show is not available, stay tuned. It's coming. I am working out the kinks and figuring out how to do it.

Summer Vacation

My vacation options are limited this summer, and I haven't been able to do much traveling. Yesterday, though, I had the chance to ferry to Seattle with my parents, who are visiting from sunny southern California, and my daughter who made a special detour to be with us. We spent a couple hours at Pike Place Market, enjoying the crowds of good-natured tourists and shops and sights there. Since I used to work in the city, and even had desk space at the market, I showed them some of my favorite places, and learned some new things along the way.

One thing I learned was that the famous pig, where I meet people (and I am not the only one!) is named Rachel the Pig. Another new thing was that the office I left in January on Western is no longer part of Pike Market Medical Clinic. My sweet memories of and experiences with colleagues, clients, and coworkers there are all that are left. One last thing I re-learned was that Pike Market is still terrific, a fun place to visit, shop, people-watch, eat, listen, breathe in, and enjoy live music. It was a feast for the senses, a breezy lovely day to be a tourist.

I savored a cheesy onion roll from the wonderful Russian bakery. We all passed the Creamery and pointed out the wide variety of fresh eggs I used to hand-pick to bring home after work. My very favorite place to visit at Pike, though, is the little rummage sale just past the kitchen shop. I don't know what drives that corner of the market, or who runs it, or how it comes to be where it is, but it's really my sweet spot. And it didn't let me down! I am, after all, a recycling junkie, and can't pass up tables of others' wares without taking a peek.

I wasn't planning to buy anything, as I really never am, but I couldn't resist a little quilt top, backing, and fabric for binding. Cecilie paid for it and pronounced us good. I think it will be my grandma quilt, and it will wait for a little one to come over and use it. I will always remember the pleasant time I had with my folks there, and that precious visit to the market.

Parenting Unruly Teens

This summer has been a challenge. After the disaster of my sprained ankle I had the opportunity to spend more time pondering the mysteries of life, including the mystery of teenagers. Since we have 5 of those between my husband and me, this wasn't too difficult to do. We have the lovely added bonus of having our daughter's homeless teenage friend staying with us, too.

When my children were young it was somewhat infuriating when things were tough and my mentors and friends would chuckle at my parenting challenges and warn me about what was ahead. One friend, to whom I confided, "I'm afraid to raise teenage girls," gave me the comforting comment, "You should be!" And here I am in the throes of it all.

Actually, I made the mistake, since my own youngest is a boy, of thinking recently, "Thank goodness, I am almost through with these difficult teen years. He hasn't been nearly as hard as those girls...." He has always been an easy, enjoyable child.

Why do children turn to unhealthy activities (sex, addiction, piercing, tattoos, and heaven knows what else)? What can we as parents do to prevent these from going on to our precious but defiant offspring? My son has been cut off from most of his friends and regular activities because of some poor choices. This has been most difficult on him and all of us who care about him.

I simply keep telling myself a few things, such as, "This isn't about me." "Don't take his behavior personally." "The others are enjoyable adults; he is getting there, too." "He is only growing up." And, thankfully, he is.