I scurry around lining up extra chairs in my living room to provide additional seating, running the lint roller over the upholstered furniture to remove the cat hair and checking the bathroom to make sure all seems tidy there. It’s my turn to host book club and promptly at 7:00 pm the ladies will begin to arrive.

There are eleven of us in the group, all female.  We have been getting together about once every 4-6 weeks since 1999; and, though a few members have dropped out over time, the make-up of this current group has remained the same for the last several years.

We’re a diverse group, ranging in age from late 30s to late 60s. We take turns hosting.  We always have –

        Wine, M&Ms, and Red Licorice     

- a tradition since the first meeting or so; and then, whatever else the hostess wants to serve to keep us nibbling all evening.

Now, it’s unusual for us to spend more than about 5 minutes actually discussing the book we were to have read.  In many cases, not everyone has even finished reading the book (some haven’t even started it!).

I would submit that though we started out many years ago with the idea of really discussing and analyzing good reads, we have evolved into a “friendship” club.  In this day and age of social media, like Facebook and Twitter, it is sometimes tempting to just use a laptop, smart phone or tablet to stay connected with friends.  Our so-called book club serves as a constant incentive to ensure us face-to-face time with our peeps.  In my opinion, this results in much more satisfying relationships.

(Actually, I think we all take comfort in the fact that our loose structure causes no one undue angst about getting a book read before the next meeting – no pressure.)

So, though our love of reading is what brought us together, our varied interests and ages are what fuels the great conversations we have.  Sometimes the entire group will engage in talking about a topic – anything from current events/politics to pop culture to do-it-yourself home projects to family gossip.

Sometimes small groups within the large one will go off on a tangent of their own.  It’s not unusual for several conversations to happen at once.  (This can make for a very noisy room.)  Then, the only problem is – which conversation should I join in?  I want to hear what’s being discussed in each one!

We’ve done some field trips over the years.  One time we stayed in a hotel in downtown Minneapolis and watched movies all night while gorging ourselves on the pot luck snacks we brought with us.  A couple of times we have gone to movies that were based on books we have read (or not).  On one of these occasions our hostess for the evening smuggled several varieties of movie candy into the theater (think Dots, Milk Duds, Sweet Tarts and the like)and we passed the packages back and for the across the row all evening.  It reminded me of going to the movies as a kid (only maybe then, we weren’t so good at sharing our treats).

Notice how sweets are always part of our activities!

We’ve experienced lots of life happenings in all our years together – births, weddings, broken engagements, on-line dating (some great stories shared with this one), cancer, job changes, house moves, house fires, retirements.  I think, in some small measure, sharing discussion about these events has eased the stress (whether caused by joy or sorrow) of the persons experiencing the issues.  If nothing else, we can count on several supportive friends really listening and caring about our situations.

I feel very fortunate to be part of this group.  I am in awe of these smart, talented ladies I call friends, and look forward to our lively discussions each month.

The evening ends with the announcement of the next book title.  We are all eager to see what the hostess has chosen, as she gets to make the selection.

At this point, we are optimistic, with good intentions, of getting the book read!

But, really, whether we read the book or not, we look forward to getting together again next month.

I hope you all have the opportunity to get together with friends.  Don’t be afraid to find a group or start a group – use the guise of a book club!  I think you will find it very rewarding.

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How do you make room for face-to-face time with your friends?  Do you have a social group or groups you belong to?  I’d love to hear about them. 

Please leave your comments below.

I am feeling great today – must be eating enough protein and getting enough rest.  I just read Oprah’s What I Know for Sure column in her September 2014 magazine issue.  She talks about how we live in a state of  constant change, how we  need to make ourselves over daily in order to keep moving forward, and how to stay in that “steady makeover mode” in order to create the life we want.  She got me to pondering her advice and actually coming to the conclusion that I am working on making some changes in my life, so maybe I am moving forward!

Isn’t that special?!

So, what am I currently doing to keep moving forward?

• listening to Radio Disney on SiriusXM radio (in my car), in hopes that I can relate to the kind of music my grand kids are starting to enjoy – whatever they call today’s popular music.  This could take me awhile to learn the names of the songs and the artists who sing them; I tend to listen to music from the 50s to the 80s.
• taking a writing class – on blogging; I already mentioned this in a previous post.  For the most part, my classmates are accomplished, experienced writers, some with advanced degrees – not necessarily experienced bloggers, but nevertheless, it is somewhat intimidating for me to be in the midst of all this intelligence.  It is really interesting and fun to read what they write though, and I know I will learn from all of them.
• wearing dangle earrings – this is part of my new quest to dress differently.  I tend to dress in a very classic, conservative style.  I admire those women who dress with a bit more flair – more artsy maybe.  I can’t even accurately describe what I am thinking; I know it when I see it.  Think clothing from J Jill, maybe Chico’s – hard for me to say since I buy most of my clothes in consignment stores; but changing my earrings from tiny hoops to something bolder is my first step in this change process.
• upping the difficulty level on my elliptical machine workout.  For now, I am just raising the level for 5 minutes of the 20 minutes I work on the machine, but it is a step forward.
• trying to eliminate refined sugars from my diet – yeah, right – this change is not going so well.  I am afraid I am incorrigible when it comes to quitting sugar!  Halloween candy at work and home right now is not helping.

You know, the wonderful thing about change is, we can change our mind about what we want to change every day, every week, every month…  Next week, I may decide to work on something else.  As long as I keep my vessel in good shape (see one of my previous posts for this concept), I can do anything I want to do!!  (Okay, so maybe I missed my window of opportunity to become an astronaut…good thing that has never been one of my ambitions.)

What are you doing to keep moving forward?  

Would love to hear from you – could be my next inspiration.

It seems appropriate to have something in my life be scary during October what with Halloween occurring this month.  I have signed up for a 6-week online course from The Loft entitled, Becoming a Standout Blogger:  How to Create, Write & Grow a Compelling Blog.  (Really?!?)  Though I’m hoping to get ideas and tips on how to make this blog more interesting so you keep reading and hopefully enjoying it, I have to admit I am facing the beginning of the class this week with trepidation.

1. I haven’t taken a formal, several-week class for many a year.
2. I have never participated in an online course.
3. What if all my classmates are accomplished writers – maybe even published – can I keep up with them and not embarrass myself?

On the other hand –

1. I am rather proud of myself that I have the courage to embark on this endeavor.
2. I am grateful I can take this class from the comfort of my home.  The use of technology in this way is bound to teach me something I don’t know.
3. I have always felt that you learn more in situations where you maybe are not the smartest or most accomplished person in the group.  Watching how others do things can be a great learning experience.

So, if you can be patient, I hope to come out of this scary experience with some new insights as to how to keep you interested in my posts.

Please stay tuned!

First the fog, then the beautiful sunshine sparkles on the lake.  I was at Luther Park, a rustic church camp near Danbury, Wisconsin, for yet another silent retreat.  (I’ve enjoyed a few over past years.)  I had a wonderful view of the outdoors in my little camp type room as I sat at the desk positioned in front of the window.  Also, in the room were two sets of bunk beds and an additional single bed.  I didn’t have to share the room last weekend, but during camp times this tiny space can sleep 5 people!

I don’t know how many acres Luther Park encompasses, but there are several different trails to walk through the woods and two different lakes that provide wonderful scenery to enjoy.  Benches scattered throughout the property provide welcoming places to sit and ponder or pray.  The weather this past weekend was cool, but sunny – very fall like and lovely.

Some may find the silence of this type of retreat deafening; introvert that I am, I love it.  The peaceful calm of nature renews my spirit.  It didn’t hurt that I really had no responsibilities while I was there other than respecting nature, the camp buildings, the staff and the people who were enjoying this respite with me.  Our meals were all prepared for us.  Though maybe not as healthy as my food choices at home, I thoroughly enjoyed eating some of the foods I grew up eating – jello, pudding, fruit cocktail and whipped cream salad, iceberg lettuce, huge white dinner rolls.  (Obviously, that wasn’t all we ate, but those are the choices I found amusing.) I would guess this is standard fare for the young campers that spend part of their summer there.  I just felt grateful for the kitchen staff that worked hard to keep us sated.  I didn’t have to plan or prepare the meals and that was a gift!

There is a wonderful, large outdoor labyrinth on the grounds of Luther Park – actually, newly added this year.  I’ve never really “gotten in” to labyrinths, but the setting in the woods for this one is so beautiful, that I felt compelled to give it a try and walk it.  The first evening our group actually walked it (in silence, of course) in the dark with the only light coming from the 24 votive candles we had scattered about the circuits earlier in the day and lit just before walking, along with a few flashlights.  I admit it still took me awhile to feel anything special about the walk, especially since it was a group walk.  As I settled down, however, I did find some inspiration and perhaps, had a new aha moment.  If you are familiar with labyrinths you know that unlike a maze where you often can get lost and feel frustrated that you can’t find your way – a puzzle, if you will – you cannot lose your way in a labyrinth.  The path eventually brings you to the center, and when followed, back out again.  It occurred to me, quite simply, that my higher power (Spirit or God for me) will always show me the way; I will never be lost in life, if I follow the path.  I do, however, have to sometimes be patient (not one of my strong suits).  I concluded the patience bit as I noticed some of the labyrinth paths are longer and thus I needed more time to walk them – signifying to me those times in life when my options are not as obvious;  the shorter paths signifying those times in my life when answers come quickly – my way is immediately evident.  Either way, ultimately, if I trust in Spirit, my path is made clear and I find my way.

I walked the labyrinth again the next day, alone this time.  I went into the path with the thought, “Okay, Spirit, what do you want to say to me today.”  Pretty much came to the same realization as the night before – very reassuring.

I spent the rest of the weekend walking the trails, gazing at nature, journaling, coloring mandelas, reading scripture from the Bible, and pondering life.  I slept in a sleeping bag on one of the bunks in my room and enjoyed two very restful nights.

When I spend time not speaking to anyone, and not connected to technology, TV or radio, as I did this past weekend, my senses are heightened.  I hear more of nature’s sounds – the sound of the wind moving the tree branches, the chirping of the birds, twigs snapping and leaves rustling as I walk through the woods.  My food tastes better as I take the time to enjoy each texture and aroma.  Slowing down like this allows me to really see things more clearly – not only mentally, but physically.  I am more apt to notice the way the breeze makes the leaves on the trees wiggle, or the way the sunshine creates sparkles on the water as if there are thousands of diamonds shimmering in the light.

Ah, silence – very calming!

Though I knew I would write a blog post about my retreat weekend, I wasn’t bright enough to think to take any pictures of the lovely setting; so, these pictures off the internet, though not of where I was, are a good representation of the scenery I experienced.

I’d love to hear how you renew your Spirit, leave me your comments below.

I love watching movies.  Now that I am only working (outside the home, as they say) part-time and have more free time, I have even ventured into the theater by myself to see a matinee, and find I am very comfortable being alone that way.  Regretfully, I’m not very excited about much of what is offered in theaters these days.  I’ve tried online Netflix and wasn’t too impressed with their movie options; plus, I don’t like paying the monthly fee since I already pay a Direct TV bill each month.  Going to the Red Box to find a movie is too inconvenient on the spur of the moment.  So, most often, I turn to the TV for my movie watching.

For the most part, I don’t have regular TV programs that I watch.  OK, I do tune in to Downton Abbey, Dancing with the Stars if I recognize the celebrities that are competing, and I can’t even tell you how many times I have seen each Friends episode on late night TV (is 10:00 PM late?).  But, I confess I do turn on Direct TV to find a movie to watch when I want to do something mindless.  Most of the time, I can discover something that will entertain me – never mind it is usually a movie I have already seen – more than once – sometimes to the point of being able to recite some of the dialogue right along with the film.  I have a friend (and maybe some of you agree) who thinks it is a ridiculous waste of time to watch a movie more than once.  I happen to disagree.  Apparently, the cable/satellite TV personnel also think we can be entertained over and over by the same movie – every few months they seem to air repeat movies.

My personal preferences for movies are romantic comedies – think Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, Diane Lane movies.  I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot when I do happen to find something I haven’t already seen.  But, as I said, I’m not adverse to re-watching something.  I enjoy watching movies for the diversion they provide from worries, responsibilities or the drudgery of housework.  Sometimes I turn something on to entertain me while I make a meal, dust or clean bathrooms.  (I move quickly during the commercials!)

While watching movies, I can fantasize about different life styles.  Never mind most of movie content probably isn’t realistic, but it provides a good escape.  Who isn’t in love with the beach house in the Diane Keaton movie, Something’s Gotta Give, or Ms Keaton’s wardrobe in that movie?  Some movies offer spectacular scenery of parts of the country or world I may never see or that I can’t visit very often.  A couple of evenings ago, I stumbled on and watched The Horse Whisperer – Robert Redford, Kristin Scott Thomas, and a young Scarlett Johansson.  The Montana scenery was breathtaking.  It’s been said that laughter is really good for us – some movies can provide me with a good belly laugh.  Some movies make me cry, and who doesn’t need a good cry once in awhile?!

Every now and then, dialogue from some movie can come in handy in every day life – “Anyone, anyone?” from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; “Dong, Grandpa is talking to you!” from 16 Candles; “Thirsty, kids?” uttered by Chevy Chase in Vacation.  My husband recited that last line to me just last night when I mentioned I was thirsty.

I am rambling here.  I could go on and on naming the many movies I love, my favorite actors, favorite scenes or favorite lines I remember.  Guess I just want to encourage and endorse watching those movies you enjoy more than once.  There’s nothing wrong with a little mindless entertainment now and then!

Two of my favorites –

Leave me a comment here if you have a favorite movie you watch over and over; or, if you have a great movie line you like to recite.  I’d love to hear from you.

Does anyone else have a flower garden that is looking pretty sad about now?  I’m so disappointed in the way my back yard is looking.  Rationally, I know plants are stressed because of the drought we have experienced the last month or more, but I still feel badly that the stunning landscape that was my back yard just a few weeks ago seems to have disappeared.  The hostas’ leaves are turning yellow, the bacopa and geraniums in a couple of planters have quit blooming; even the impatiens in my window boxes look awful – all leggy and very few blossoms.  This is all happening in spite of faithful watering and fertilizing.   But, hey, the weeds certainly have prospered! I do expect the loveliness of the gardens (I have six separate flower beds – mostly perenniels) to wane as fall approaches, but this the third week of August, seems a bit early – even in Minnesota.  Fortunately, I am not planning to entertain anyone in my back yard any time soon, so I am the only one dismayed by the unsightliness.

I’m thinking I probably need to pull the impatiens out of the window boxes and replant them with the 3 for $9.99 mum plants that Cub is currently offering.  I don’t like giving in to fall until the calendar actually says it’s fall, but I may not have a choice this year.  Mums, to me, stand for fall.  In past years, I haven’t had to replace the impatiens until early October when I substitute cute little pumpkins for the flowers.

Meanwhile, I guess I should count my blessings that I did have many plants that did well, as always, this summer.  It’s just easier for me to worry and stress over the things that have not gone so well.  I found the following quote from May Sarton – author, poet, journal keeper, now deceased – that puts things in perspective, and maybe if I keep re-reading it, I can move past the disappointment of the messes in the yard right now –

A garden is always a series of losses set against a few triumphs, like life itself.

Isn’t that the truth?!

Gardening is my passion.  If I had been thinking more clearly, I would have written something about gardening earlier in the season when everything was looking lovely.  I could have included some nice pictures.  Now, I am hard-pressed to find anything to photograph that would impress you.  How about these marigolds, which actually have a funny story, I think, that goes with them.  I started them from seeds under a grow light in the early spring, thinking they were the common short, garden type marigold that lasts until hard frost in the fall.  I generally use the short variety for filler in one my flower beds.  Little did I know these would grow to be monsters.  (I know, I should have read the seed package more carefully!)  Had I known how tall they would get, I would never have planted them where I did, and among the shorter variety marigolds.  You can see, they are doing well.  The bees love them! (Look closely, and you can see the sad impatiens in the window boxes on the shed in the background.)

Ok, I feel better now that I have whined a bit.  I am grateful that for the present, anyway, I have nothing more important to worry or whine about than my garden.  I keep others in my prayers that are not so fortunate.  For me, life is good, and I am ignoring the wind!

Really, if you’re able, there’s no easier or more enjoyable way to get some good exercise than taking a walk.  All you need is comfortable, supportive type shoes, the ability to take or make time, a safe place to walk and you can be off.

I prefer to walk outside whenever possible as opposed to walking on an indoor track.  However, here in Minnesota sometimes because of inclement weather (read that sub-zero temps, icy surfaces and snow, or very high heat and humidity), I have to depend on the track at our local community center to get my walking fix.  I’m here to tell you walking outside is a much better workout and much more interesting.

As for the workout outside being better (i.e., more intense), climbing the hills in my neighborhood, dealing with the weather elements (sometimes WIND – my enemy, heat, rain) and maneuvering on different surfaces (asphalt, concrete, gravel, sand) make a walk outside harder work than on a flat, easy-on-the-feet-and-legs indoor track surface in an air-conditioned/heated building.  I can get my heart rate up into a good workout range and feel like I’ve really worked my muscles when I walk outside.  Unfortunately, I don’t experience those same feelings when I walk inside.  (Don’t get me wrong, I do think walking inside is better than not walking at all…it’s still exercise and you are burning calories).

As for being more interesting to exercise outside, there’s lots to see, hear and enjoy while walking through the neighborhood, in a park, on a beach (one of my favorite venues), or through the woods.  Circling the same oval track multiple times in a boring non-interesting building doesn’t create the same excitement. (Well, sometimes it is interesting to watch others at the gym as they go through their routines.  People watching – hmm, look what she is wearing; or, look at what he does with that exercise ball – can provide a diversion to the boredom of a track.)  Music in my ear buds can also help get me through the routine inside; but, I never  wear headphones while walking outside.  I think it is important to be aware of traffic – vehicles and other walkers/runners/bikers so as to avoid accidents.  I want to be able to hear any impending danger.

While searching for activities to do with my two young grandsons, I came across the idea to go for a walk and involve them in a scavenger hunt-like game.  Seems to me anyone of any age could enjoy this idea while walking.  It could add some interest to your routine, or even provide the impetus for taking the hike.  Make a list of things to look for, smell, or hear on your walk and then see how many items you can check off the list on your trek.

Here are some ideas for your list –

• see or hear a robin or cardinal
• hear an airplane/helicopter
• see a rabbit or squirrel
• see a cat sitting in a window
• find a maple leaf
• hear the sound of a workman’s hammer or chain saw
• dodge a puddle
• see a “hot” car as my grandson would say
• find a heart-shaped rock
• smell dinner cooking aromas emanating from one of the homes you pass
• see a butterfly
• hear children playing

You can create your own list, adapting it to the area in which you are walking.  At the very least, it will help you stay in the present moment while you exercise, leaving your cares behind.

Happy Walking!