I want to preface this post with some facts about Faith: I worked for IBM for 13 years, I use electronic health records and computers at my current job daily, I am constantly on the computer at home, and I own a smartphone. I am connected. That said, the library threw me a bit.
Yes, the library. I finally joined the library at the age of 49. I don't count the years in undergraduate and graduate school because those were forced, sort of like an army draft. This was by choice, sorta. To be honest, I ended up at the library because I was looking for a larger community room to reserve for a class, and the library happens to be right on campus at work. In order to reserve the room, I needed to be a card carrying member of the library. Boy have things changed. Although they still have books and the Dewey Decimal System, it is so much more edgy. The card catalog is online, for one. Super exciting. There seems to be fewer books on the shelves, but you can do a library loan with a click of a mouse. And there is self checkout. Just like at the grocery store.
So here I am, I've gathered up all of my gardening books (you see, I am preparing for 50), and I am ready to check them out. I walk over to the self checkout, where the machine scans the bar code on your card, then scans the bar code on each book you want to check out, and Viola! Right? Right?
Wrong. I find myself trying my darnedest to scan my over-sized composting book. Shit. The book just doesn't seem to fit under the scanner correctly. I try waving it under the scanner, turning it sideways.. anything to get that book scanned. I am about ready to abandon it (despite that fact that I have been saving kitchen waste for a week now!) when I notice a second bar code on the book. Aha! Feeling like I've just solved a Mensa puzzle, I turn the book around, fit it perfectly under the scanner, and Viola! My first successful checkout from the library since Elementary School. I am elated! I turn around to leave, head held high. Bring it on. I am so ready for the next challenge.
And there she was, standing behind me in line. Braids in her hair. Wearing a plaid skirt, white shirt, and matching plaid tie. You know the type. Standing there with her hands on her hips and a grin on her face. A stack of books for her next book report. With a look that said, "come'on old lady, you do this at the grocery store every week." But I didn't care. I just smiled back as if to say, "you'll see some day." Anyway, nothing was going to deflate me. I mastered the online check out at the library. I have a compost book and some kitchen waste. I can do anything. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks :-)
Write-on,
Faith
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Goals and lists and inventories.
Everyone needs goals as they approach their big 5-0, don't they? Or maybe a bucket list. I mean, it is mid-life and there isn't too much time left! Better get crackin'. The crisis is right around the corner!
The funny thing is, I am feeling pretty fortunate in life. Don't get me wrong, things have not always been easy, and there's been both good and bad, but I really can't complain (of course that doesn't stop me from doing it from time to time, just ask Paul).
So maybe before developing this long list of goals and aspirations, I should stop to take inventory of all that is good in my life.
I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful dog and a nice home. I have been fortunate enough to have, and succeed at, two very different careers in my life. The second bringing me to California, with breathtaking coastal views and unbeatable weather. Every morning, I begrudgingly drag myself out of bed to start my day. Oh, I used to be a morning person, but that was in my 30s :-) I share turns with my husband to take our yellow lab, Lexi, out for her morning walk. This is one of my favorite times of the day. The other dog owners are out for their morning walk, we nod as we pass one another. The sun is just rising over Mt. Hamilton to the east and shining on the tips of the foothills by our home. These days, there is a nice crispness to the air. I use this quiet time to drift into thought and enjoy the company of the happiest animal on the planet - our Labrador Retriever. Life is good. (oops, is that a copyright infringement??).
My family, although far away now, remembered to call me to wish me a happy birthday :-) My 16 year old niece was my maid-of-honor in my wedding.
And, I have close friends around me. I may not have ever been the most popular kid in school or more recently in adult social circles, but the friends that I do have I cherish very much. These are deep friendships, the kind that when you haven't seen someone for years, you can pick up where you left off, with a nice, easy, comfortable conversation. Some friendships have become more remote as our lives have changed, but that doesn't make them any less important. Others are still very active in my life. And ALL have influenced me in so many ways.
Not a bad inventory to have :-)
Now, where did I put that pen so I can make my bucket list for the next 363 days!
Write-on,
Faith
The funny thing is, I am feeling pretty fortunate in life. Don't get me wrong, things have not always been easy, and there's been both good and bad, but I really can't complain (of course that doesn't stop me from doing it from time to time, just ask Paul).
So maybe before developing this long list of goals and aspirations, I should stop to take inventory of all that is good in my life.
I have a wonderful husband, a beautiful dog and a nice home. I have been fortunate enough to have, and succeed at, two very different careers in my life. The second bringing me to California, with breathtaking coastal views and unbeatable weather. Every morning, I begrudgingly drag myself out of bed to start my day. Oh, I used to be a morning person, but that was in my 30s :-) I share turns with my husband to take our yellow lab, Lexi, out for her morning walk. This is one of my favorite times of the day. The other dog owners are out for their morning walk, we nod as we pass one another. The sun is just rising over Mt. Hamilton to the east and shining on the tips of the foothills by our home. These days, there is a nice crispness to the air. I use this quiet time to drift into thought and enjoy the company of the happiest animal on the planet - our Labrador Retriever. Life is good. (oops, is that a copyright infringement??).
And, I have close friends around me. I may not have ever been the most popular kid in school or more recently in adult social circles, but the friends that I do have I cherish very much. These are deep friendships, the kind that when you haven't seen someone for years, you can pick up where you left off, with a nice, easy, comfortable conversation. Some friendships have become more remote as our lives have changed, but that doesn't make them any less important. Others are still very active in my life. And ALL have influenced me in so many ways.
Not a bad inventory to have :-)
Now, where did I put that pen so I can make my bucket list for the next 363 days!
Write-on,
Faith
Monday, October 24, 2011
The who, what, when, where and why of my blog
The "Road to 50" sounds sorta like the "Road to Hana" doesn't it? and the more I think about it, the journeys might have more parallels then at first blush. The Road to Hana is long and winding, sometimes enough to make you sick! It can be difficult to drive at times, but then you turn a corner and, pop, a beautiful waterfall appears. I suspect the road to 50 might be similar. I am sure there will be some challenging parts, but intertwined will be these precious moments to hold on to for a lifetime.
To be honest, 50 doesn't scare or bother me. Now, 45 was another story! At that time, there was a big transition in my life, and I had the stark realization that the plans laid out in my 30s were not materializing. Not married, no children, and far from my hometown in rural upstate New York. 45 slapped me in the face like a frozen January day. So what did I do in response?? Throw a party :-) Yes, I am not one to bury my head in the sand and hide, attacking things head on is more my style.
Why journal the trek to 50 then? Well, to be honest, I have wanted to try my hand at blogging anyway. I am not much of a writer, but as of late my prose has definitely surpassed my verbal skills. The road to 49 was a wild ride.. new dog.. new house.. new husband, but I was so busy with all the "new" that I didn't start blogging at the time. So, here I am. That simple. So, if the musings of a middle-aged, married, pre-menopausal woman are interesting to you, feel free to join me on my journey to the big 5-0. I cannot promise anything to profound or esoteric, but I hope you will enjoy.
And with great trepidation I hit the "publish post" button.
Write-on,
Faith
To be honest, 50 doesn't scare or bother me. Now, 45 was another story! At that time, there was a big transition in my life, and I had the stark realization that the plans laid out in my 30s were not materializing. Not married, no children, and far from my hometown in rural upstate New York. 45 slapped me in the face like a frozen January day. So what did I do in response?? Throw a party :-) Yes, I am not one to bury my head in the sand and hide, attacking things head on is more my style.
Why journal the trek to 50 then? Well, to be honest, I have wanted to try my hand at blogging anyway. I am not much of a writer, but as of late my prose has definitely surpassed my verbal skills. The road to 49 was a wild ride.. new dog.. new house.. new husband, but I was so busy with all the "new" that I didn't start blogging at the time. So, here I am. That simple. So, if the musings of a middle-aged, married, pre-menopausal woman are interesting to you, feel free to join me on my journey to the big 5-0. I cannot promise anything to profound or esoteric, but I hope you will enjoy.
And with great trepidation I hit the "publish post" button.
Write-on,
Faith
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