A Late Report

“Late” seems to be the theme today. I was up late last night working on home projects. I slept in late this morning. I was barely on time for my drawing class. After walking the dogs, working in the yard and fixing supper, I am now, late in the evening, finally sitting down to write my Tuesday blog.

I had a little trouble coming up with a theme. I’ve been publishing a blog for seven years now. Since I most often write about myself and my own experiences, I feel like raw material is getting rather scarce. I’m afraid I’m getting repetitive. Looking for inspiration, I went through a couple books of writing prompts; nothing piqued my interest.

When I was about to give up hope, I remembered: my “birthday list!” Each year, for my birthday, I have published a list, corresponding to my age:  favorite people and life-changing books have been the theme of past birthday lists. Of course my birthday this year is long past; I was in Chicago then, having a glorious time with my youngest daughter and her family. That’s okay, I can do the list now. Late. Because that’s how my day is going.

66 Random Things That I Know

1. The sky is most beautiful, here on Beaver Island, in the fall of the year.
2. The water in Lake Michigan is warmest in the fall. That probably holds true for other bodies of water, too.
3. In places where there are evergreens among the deciduous trees, fall colors are most breathtaking.
4. Water, too, provides a good backdrop for the changing autumn colors.
5. Winter apples need a frost to bring out their juicy sweetness.
6. If you count the seconds between the sound of thunder and the flash of lightning, that is how many miles away the storm is.
7. Sleep is better when it’s raining.
8. A jet stream is a weather pattern. Until I was forty years old, I thought a jet stream was a contrail. A contrail is the white trail that a jet leaves in the sky.
9. Cheap wine is better appreciated if you can’t see the label.
10. Better vodka is worth the extra cost.
11. A good haircut can be life-altering.
12. Sisters and brothers who grew up in the same household are more alike than even they know, no matter what their current differences.
13. It takes about thirty days to form a good habit or to get rid of a bad habit.
14. Either can be turned around in one moment of weakness.
15. I think lateness is a way of revolting from life experiences that are not ideal.
16. I believe procrastination is a side-effect of perfectionism.
17. And perhaps what looks like laziness is actually the inability to act because of a lack of direction (or too many directions to pursue).
18. Dogs are comforted by familiar voices.
19. Pigs are some of the smartest animals.
20. Chickens respond to novelty.
21. You can move a chicken at night, without them knowing. Just drape a cloth over them to keep out the light, pick them up and carry them to their new location.
22. Having the right tools for a project makes a big difference.
23. Bicycling is easier on the knees than running.
24. Cheaters never win.
25. Honesty is the best policy.
26. Summer always goes too fast.
27. Humidity makes hot weather feel hotter, and cold weather more bitter.
28. Most savory dishes can be improved with something from the onion family, or by lemon.
29. Butter is now healthier than margarine.
30. When it was new, margarine was sold as a block of white fat. The purchaser had to stir in the little packet of yellow colorant to make it look like butter.
31. Friends that I know only through their writing are still true friends. Sometimes I know more about their lives and inner feelings than people I see every day. Likewise, I often reveal more in my writing than I ever would in “real life.”
32. Letter writing is a great way to communicate.
33. Everybody, deep down, wants to be accepted, appreciated and loved.
34. Morning glories and moon flowers are more likely to sprout if the seeds are nicked before they are planted.
35. Dogs have the right attitude toward life.
36. We are all born with a sixth sense. It can be recognized and nurtured or denied and buried. In either case, awareness and practice will always improve intuitive ability.
37. Anyone can learn to draw. If they want to.
38. People that are good readers and enjoy reading, have a richer life than those who don’t.
39. A book doesn’t have to be high literature to be good. It only has to speak to the reader at the time.
40. That said, there is a lot of lousy writing out there.
41. That holds true in the art world, too. If you like a piece, good. Enjoy it.
42. Good teachers change lives.
43. Continuing to learn, through life, is the best way to feel truly alive.
44. Music communicates with us through our beating heart.
45. Games are good for the mind.
46. Plants have feelings.
47. All life is precious (though I still set mouse traps this time of year).
48. Daughters are more fun than sons (says this mother of two girls).
49. Grandchildren are a blessing.
50. Grocery shopping when hungry is never a good idea.
51. A good experience, in a restaurant, is expected. Often food and service needs to be over-the-top before it is recognized.
52. Inadequate service or a bad meal in a restaurant will be noticed right away, and never forgotten.
53. A word of encouragement or praise goes a long way.
54. Coming from a boss, it’s great incentive.
55. Coming from a co-worker, it builds camaraderie.
56. A compliment from a stranger is easier to believe than the same from an acquaintance.
57. We are all, generally, too stingy with our feelings.
58. Everyone deserves to hear something nice.
59. A day can seem interminably long, when doing something unpleasant.
60. Hours speed by when doing something enjoyable
61. On that same theme, children seem to remain at two years old much longer than any other age…
62. Until they reach their teen years, which drag on for a lifetime.
63. But all in all, children grow up way too quickly.
64. The longer you live, the more loss you have to bear.
65. It’s always worth it.
66. Life goes on, like it or not. May as well find the silver lining.