February was a lovely month of love letters.
Well, actually, it was a pretty cold and snowy month of love letters. Crummy weather, made just a little better through the act of bringing a little more love into the world. Twenty eight letters was an ambitious goal considering my usual energy level most days of the week... So I am ok with the fact that I think I got about 18 letters out into the world, with 3 more awaiting addresses. Of those, 8 were to strangers, and were left at gas stations, the gym, grocery store, Walgreens, and on a bench at Wade Oval. I will never know if they accomplished their mission of brightening someone's day, but I like to think that they found their way into the hands of the people who needed them the most.
The other letters went out to friends and family, about half of those to old friends who I have not seen in years, but who came into my heart when I looked at my bin of stationary. I've not heard back from most of those yet-- but then, several were only sent out a few days ago as it took a while to track down addresses.
I've had lovely, heart warming responses from the recipients of 5 of my letters, and those have been affirmation enough to convince me to carry on this tradition.
There are so many more people who deserve a letter, who deserve to be told just how amazing they are, just how much I love them. I've decided I'm going to keep that stationary right where it is and try to send out a letter or two a month from now on. So if you've not gotten a letter yet, do not despair. You are in my heart! I am just waiting for the best time to do you justice...
In the meantime.... March has come in like a halfhearted and lazy lion, and it is time for a new thirty days....
At school this month I am studying poetry with my students. I am making these reluctant little writers of mine create their own poems ( yes, I am a glutton for punishment!). I figure the least I can do is join them. So for this month: a poem every day. I can't promise they'll be good. But I like the idea of stretching my creativity a bit, giving a nod to some actual writing, beyond Facebook status updates and chronicling the escapades of my children....
At the African Dance and Soul Food Potluck
Drum beats
Pound out the shape
Of community
Collected
Faces of our children
All
Sizes and colors and shapes and
They are so real
They shine
Joy
Gleams out from the dancers
Feet flying
Pounding
Ringing
Twisting and turning
My heart
Into the shape
Of home.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Friday, February 15, 2013
February 15
While I have not been keeping up with the blog particularly well, I am pleased to say that I have been keeping up with the letters! This week letters have been penned to: an old friend, a stranger, a teacher, a family member, and a dog breeder. I have to credit Nat with the idea for that last one. It's not that I feel any particular love for the dog breeder. It's the dog I love. And, I suppose, I could write a love letter to Corydon. But a big part of the joy of this month's challenge is in imagining the response of each person as they read their letter. Cor, for all her perfection, cannot read. But Fran, her breeder, can, and I hope she will enjoy a random letter waxing rhapsodic over one of her dogs.
You may wonder how I go about choosing my letter recipients. I'll tell you, there is no method to it. I do have a small list of people who I definitely want to get to before month's end-- but that list is full of the major players in my life and it's not every night that I am up for a letter of the significance they deserve. Instead, I am just going with what is on my heart at the moment. Sometimes what is on my heart, is exhaustion, the need for a short and sweet missive to let me check "letter writing" off my list for the day. Sometimes the events of the day will bring a person to mind, like a wonderful choir rehearsal the other day that inspired me to write to my high school choral director. Frequently, the people I am pulled to write to, are those who are not in my life on a daily basis right now. The people I miss. The people who continue to affect me, even at a distance.
There are so many people in this world to love. And so many ways to feel that love.
I am enjoying this month.
You may wonder how I go about choosing my letter recipients. I'll tell you, there is no method to it. I do have a small list of people who I definitely want to get to before month's end-- but that list is full of the major players in my life and it's not every night that I am up for a letter of the significance they deserve. Instead, I am just going with what is on my heart at the moment. Sometimes what is on my heart, is exhaustion, the need for a short and sweet missive to let me check "letter writing" off my list for the day. Sometimes the events of the day will bring a person to mind, like a wonderful choir rehearsal the other day that inspired me to write to my high school choral director. Frequently, the people I am pulled to write to, are those who are not in my life on a daily basis right now. The people I miss. The people who continue to affect me, even at a distance.
There are so many people in this world to love. And so many ways to feel that love.
I am enjoying this month.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
February 4, 5, 6, 7, 8...
Days fly! But the letters are flying also. Some have reached their intended audience. Some are waiting for updated addresses (in this age of Facebook it is easy to forget that mailing addresses exist...). Some have been sent out anonymously to find their way in the world and its kind of lovely that I'll never know where they went.
I think love letters to strangers, left in public places, might be my favorite.
Well, those and the love letters that get me a wonderful hug in return.
Letter tally since last I posted: One letter to an old friend (that's the one waiting on an address); one to a family member; one to a soldier stationed abroad, one to the wife of a soldier; waiting at home; another to an unknown stranger.
I had great plans to take a photo of each of my letters, to post here on the blog. I am struck by how very reticent I am to do that, now that the letters are being written. Turns out, its a private thing to me, this letter writing. Even those letters that are going to strangers, that contain nothing the least bit personal-- they're private. Between me and the person who finds them...
I've been reticent, too, to write letters to people I know. Its not that I'm short on people I love, nor on the sentiment to give to them. But when I set pen to paper, its a lot of pressure, trying to find the perfect balance, the best way to celebrate and endorse that wonderful person without crossing over into platitudes and mushiness.
Never fear, I have a list! I'll find a way to balance out these more challenging letters with the quick notes to strangers. Those practically write themselves-- no need to hold back on the platitudes when I don't even know who I'm writing to...
I think love letters to strangers, left in public places, might be my favorite.
Well, those and the love letters that get me a wonderful hug in return.
Letter tally since last I posted: One letter to an old friend (that's the one waiting on an address); one to a family member; one to a soldier stationed abroad, one to the wife of a soldier; waiting at home; another to an unknown stranger.
I had great plans to take a photo of each of my letters, to post here on the blog. I am struck by how very reticent I am to do that, now that the letters are being written. Turns out, its a private thing to me, this letter writing. Even those letters that are going to strangers, that contain nothing the least bit personal-- they're private. Between me and the person who finds them...
I've been reticent, too, to write letters to people I know. Its not that I'm short on people I love, nor on the sentiment to give to them. But when I set pen to paper, its a lot of pressure, trying to find the perfect balance, the best way to celebrate and endorse that wonderful person without crossing over into platitudes and mushiness.
Never fear, I have a list! I'll find a way to balance out these more challenging letters with the quick notes to strangers. Those practically write themselves-- no need to hold back on the platitudes when I don't even know who I'm writing to...
Sunday, February 3, 2013
February 1, 2, and 3
Hello, world! Sorry for going dark on you there. Vegetable consumption, as it turns out, does not make for inspiring blogging. It does make for decent health (one slight sniffle for the month of January, not bad) and some slight weight loss (though a stressful last week at work undid some of those strides) and a lot of increased awareness of what, and how, I eat. What will I take forward? A salad at every dinner. Raw veggie snacks for the afternoon. Two veggie sides whenever possible. A desire to do more to improve my diet, when I have the will power, and lack of stress, needed to avoid the things I should NOT be eating, more thoroughly. Never did get to the introduction of copious quantities of leafy greens. Perhaps in a few months we'll focus on eating again...
But for this month: It's February and the world is abuzz with LOVE. I personally have taken quite a liking to Valentines's Day over the past couple decades. This is only surprising if you happen to remember the 14 year old who painted her nails black on Valentine's Day, in protest against the unfairness of a world focused on romance.
What that young lady didn't quite understand is that Valentine's Day can be about so much MORE than romance. I suppose its easy for me to say, having landed myself a man and all, but the romantic love piece is almost a side note. To me, these days, it's all about letting out the love you feel, all the time, towards ALL the people in your life. It's about taking the time to let them know how much you care about them, to express your joy in them through hearts and doilies and copious quantities of glitter.
Really, its all about making Valentines. Heart shaped love letters to the world. An embrace with words. A smile wrapped up in an envelope. Taking the time to make the love I feel, tangible.
So for this month, I am writing love letters. They won't all be Valentines (though some of them will) but they will send out embraces and care and I hope, joy into the world.
I will write 28 letters in 28 days. Handwritten, with purpose and care, and mailed or handed by the end of the month.
Some of them will be to people in my life right now. Some may be to people who shaped my life in the past. Some of them will be to strangers whose story I know. Some will be to strangers I will never know. This writing to strangers bit-- You may remember I gave it a trial run in December when I came across this website with the mission statement of "The world needs more love letters."
Indeed it does. I think I will enjoy adding to the count.
Anyone care to join me? We can never say "I love you" too often. Who do you need to tell, today?
Off to a slow start with blogging but here are my first 3 letters, ready to go out tomorrow. Two to strangers, one to family....
And here is my letter writing bin. I went through all my old stationary (some of which I used for letter writing back when I was that angsty 14 year old...) and combined it here. Excited to see how much I can go through this month!
But for this month: It's February and the world is abuzz with LOVE. I personally have taken quite a liking to Valentines's Day over the past couple decades. This is only surprising if you happen to remember the 14 year old who painted her nails black on Valentine's Day, in protest against the unfairness of a world focused on romance.
What that young lady didn't quite understand is that Valentine's Day can be about so much MORE than romance. I suppose its easy for me to say, having landed myself a man and all, but the romantic love piece is almost a side note. To me, these days, it's all about letting out the love you feel, all the time, towards ALL the people in your life. It's about taking the time to let them know how much you care about them, to express your joy in them through hearts and doilies and copious quantities of glitter.
Really, its all about making Valentines. Heart shaped love letters to the world. An embrace with words. A smile wrapped up in an envelope. Taking the time to make the love I feel, tangible.
So for this month, I am writing love letters. They won't all be Valentines (though some of them will) but they will send out embraces and care and I hope, joy into the world.
I will write 28 letters in 28 days. Handwritten, with purpose and care, and mailed or handed by the end of the month.
Some of them will be to people in my life right now. Some may be to people who shaped my life in the past. Some of them will be to strangers whose story I know. Some will be to strangers I will never know. This writing to strangers bit-- You may remember I gave it a trial run in December when I came across this website with the mission statement of "The world needs more love letters."
Indeed it does. I think I will enjoy adding to the count.
Anyone care to join me? We can never say "I love you" too often. Who do you need to tell, today?
Off to a slow start with blogging but here are my first 3 letters, ready to go out tomorrow. Two to strangers, one to family....
And here is my letter writing bin. I went through all my old stationary (some of which I used for letter writing back when I was that angsty 14 year old...) and combined it here. Excited to see how much I can go through this month!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
January 19
We've made it halfway through our month of vegetables! And I'm finding myself in that part of the Thirty Days where my motivation wanes a bit. So, a blog entry and reflection to get myself back on track...
We got off to a good start, carefully weighing out endless portions of carrots and broccoli and lettuce. Thank heavens for watermelon, which weighs in well...
Challenges this month:
* packing lunches for work-- not used to so much chopping in the morning!
* getting in enough fruit-- this one surprises me a bit as I tend to think that I like fruit. But I am never motivated to just eat an apple or a banana. If someone would purchase, prepare and keep on hand a fruit salad, heavy on the berries, I'd have no problem eating a half pound a day...
Perks:
* Four pounds of Christmas weight are off! Could be the fact that I've been back to the gym three times a week, or it could be that I find I really do have less room for all the other parts of the meal, after eating a bushel of greens.
* I think my skin is evened out a bit. Not too many other drastic physical changes to note but one does feel healthier as one crunches away on broccoli florets and cucumber on the drive home...
Goals moving forward:
* Keeping up the good work! Trying trying trying to make this a habit.
* Weigh out the daily fruit and introduce more variety to make that part work.
* Try some cooked greens as a part of mealtimes
* Pay more attention to the eating choices around the veggies-- watch the sweets, less meat, etc. Nothing drastic, just keeping up the consciousness for these next 11 days...
Friday, January 4, 2013
January 3
New Year's Thirty Days time!
Going to jump on that "get in shape for New Year's" bandwagon-- trite as it may be-- as I am feeling the effects of a busy, cookie-filled December and need something to jumpstart my path towards a healthier me...
I've been inspired by the "Eat to Live" diet (the book for which I got as an NPR pledge gift). I am interested in this program because it does not purport to be a diet, rather a way of eating that is in tune with our human physiology and that builds health and strength. The more I read and learn about what the author calls the "Standard American Diet" (or SAD, isn't that cute?) the more I am convinced of the toxicity of refined sugar and flour, our over-processed and unnatural way of eating. The crux of this plan is to base your diet on fruit and vegetables, while limiting ( or possibly eliminating) animal products, sugars and refined grains.
The reason I am even considering something so radical? The plan is presented as a series of 10 steps and I am pretty sure I can get through to step 4 without a problem. Even if I can't ever reach the semi-vegan, twigs-and-berries existence that this doctor insists is the key to health... it certainly can't hurt to have more veggies, right? Also, this part of the plan does not restrict any foods. It just says to add in the green matter to your regular diet. The natural offshoot is supposed to be that we will gradually, and without resentment, begin to eat less of other foods and feel more satisfied by life in general.
We shall see. It's worth a shot. And I could use some vitamins and fiber to get myself back on track after the holidays...
This month: Steps 1-3 of the "Eat to Live" diet.
1. Eat 1/2 lb of fruit and 1/2 lb of raw veggies each day.
2. Chew everything thoroughly.
3. Gradually increase to 1 lb or fruit and 1lb of (raw or cooked) veggies daily. Include a lot of kale.
So far, so good. Nat has joined me on this venture, though he has let it be known that he will not be cutting out most animal products when we reach step 6.
We've bought a small kitchen scale and are dutifully portioning out piles of bananas, apples, berries, celery, carrots, broccoli, lettuce and more lettuce...We've learned that watermelon is great because it's really heavy. And that it takes A LOT of salad to make 1/2 pound. And that it really keeps you busy at mealtime to eat that 1/2 lb of salad...
Also, it's hard to change the habit of inhaling one's food with minimal chewing. It is going to require a lot of vigilance to make myself really chew each bite...
Now, I like salad. And I don't mind carrots and broccoli raw if I have something to dip them in. But I think one of the challenges going forward will be finding ways to keep this veggie overload interesting. Salad ideas, anyone? Healthy dips? What is your favorite vegetable to eat raw?
Going to jump on that "get in shape for New Year's" bandwagon-- trite as it may be-- as I am feeling the effects of a busy, cookie-filled December and need something to jumpstart my path towards a healthier me...
I've been inspired by the "Eat to Live" diet (the book for which I got as an NPR pledge gift). I am interested in this program because it does not purport to be a diet, rather a way of eating that is in tune with our human physiology and that builds health and strength. The more I read and learn about what the author calls the "Standard American Diet" (or SAD, isn't that cute?) the more I am convinced of the toxicity of refined sugar and flour, our over-processed and unnatural way of eating. The crux of this plan is to base your diet on fruit and vegetables, while limiting ( or possibly eliminating) animal products, sugars and refined grains.
The reason I am even considering something so radical? The plan is presented as a series of 10 steps and I am pretty sure I can get through to step 4 without a problem. Even if I can't ever reach the semi-vegan, twigs-and-berries existence that this doctor insists is the key to health... it certainly can't hurt to have more veggies, right? Also, this part of the plan does not restrict any foods. It just says to add in the green matter to your regular diet. The natural offshoot is supposed to be that we will gradually, and without resentment, begin to eat less of other foods and feel more satisfied by life in general.
We shall see. It's worth a shot. And I could use some vitamins and fiber to get myself back on track after the holidays...
This month: Steps 1-3 of the "Eat to Live" diet.
1. Eat 1/2 lb of fruit and 1/2 lb of raw veggies each day.
2. Chew everything thoroughly.
3. Gradually increase to 1 lb or fruit and 1lb of (raw or cooked) veggies daily. Include a lot of kale.
So far, so good. Nat has joined me on this venture, though he has let it be known that he will not be cutting out most animal products when we reach step 6.
We've bought a small kitchen scale and are dutifully portioning out piles of bananas, apples, berries, celery, carrots, broccoli, lettuce and more lettuce...We've learned that watermelon is great because it's really heavy. And that it takes A LOT of salad to make 1/2 pound. And that it really keeps you busy at mealtime to eat that 1/2 lb of salad...
Also, it's hard to change the habit of inhaling one's food with minimal chewing. It is going to require a lot of vigilance to make myself really chew each bite...
Now, I like salad. And I don't mind carrots and broccoli raw if I have something to dip them in. But I think one of the challenges going forward will be finding ways to keep this veggie overload interesting. Salad ideas, anyone? Healthy dips? What is your favorite vegetable to eat raw?
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