Books of the year

Here is my list of favorite books that I read (or finished reading) this year:

1) A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold

2) Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

3) Celtic Benediction by J. Philip Newell

4) Eating Mindfully by Susan Albers

5) Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh

There are others I also enjoyed reading, but these had the most impact on me.

Christmas thoughts

OK, I admit--I enjoy listening to some of the Christmas songs that are played 24/7 in the weeks before Christmas. I always enjoy the classic version of "The Little Drummer Boy" and the instrumental version of LeRoy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" (which may have a lot to do with memories of high school band). There are other songs that I'd just as soon never hear again-- "The Christmas Shoes", the Hippopotamus song, and thankfully, I never once heard "Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer" this Christmas season. My favorites, though, are the traditional carols, particularly those reflecting the spiritual essence of Christmas. I didn't go to Church this year to celebrate the birth of Christ, as I've come to find most Christmas services to be dry and lifeless. I wonder sometimes if anyone really comprehends what the birth of Jesus was like. It was a desperate situation--no room at the inn, taking shelter in a cave/stable, and Mary and Joseph wondering what on Earth God was up to. I, too, wonder sometimes what on Earth God is up to, when I look at my life and the way it's been up to this point. I know God is working in my life, but I don't understand His plans. I know He's working because I received the gift of healing several months ago at a Catholic healing service. My arm had been sore, numb and tingling, for several weeks. Some people prayed over me at this service, and by the time I left, my arm felt normal again. And it's been fine ever since. I don't feel disappointed in God, but I'm very weary of listening to leaders of the Catholic Church make decisions about things based on fear and an inability to see any viewpoint but their own. There has to be a better way out there, but I haven't found it yet. I'm finding a lot of inspiration in exploring a Celtic understanding of Christianity. But I have yet to meet anyone following a similar path so for now, I'll go it alone. In the meantime, I hope you had a blessed Christmas and may the angels be with you always.

Christmas scenes

Just a few pics of my Christmas decorations and a very bored boxer. enjoy!

Why didn't I try this sooner?

Sometimes a little thing can make all the difference in the world. For more than a year, I've been having trouble with pain in my feet, brought on by (I believe) a cheap pair of shoes and a lot of walking on the job. the soles of my feet became inflamed, and if you've never experienced it, it hurts. Like tiny arrows digging into your feet all day long. I bought new shoes, got some Dr. Scholl inserts, and even took a narcotic-strength pain reliever, but the pain persisted in my left heel. Finally I tried something simple: I took any anti-inflamatory medicine and WooHoo! For the first time in over a year, I can walk without pain in my feet! It's amazing how much this one little change has improved my mood. I feel like ME again. I've been so down on myself over the past year, never making the connection between how I felt emotionally and the physical pain that I felt. Heck, I'm ready to take up jogging I feel so much better.
OK, you get the picture. sometimes when just one little thing is out of whack, it throws off everything else. Take care of the tiny little detail and watch everything else fall neatly into place. Have you ever experienced this type of situation? I had a great day, hope yours was great too.