Without pictures for now, but maybe worth something somehow.

I can't seem to make my computer post pictures to this blog. I know that someday I will figure it out, but for now, it's all in the words.

I have been amazed over the past few weeks with the experiences I've been having reconnecting with people on Facebook that I haven't had contact with for 20 - 30+ years. It has surprised me how much emotion it has brought to the surface to recall experiences with them and to place them (in my mind) in their current situations, and somehow try to process it all in my mind and heart. It's been sweet and happy. I had no idea how happy other people are to also try to communicate with me. I have often felt like I might be a little too demanding or impulsive about wanting to know how my old friends and acquaintances are, and at times have felt a little overbearing about trying to keep in contact. So over the last decade or two I have backed off and tried to accept that as normal and let it go. Now as I've been "friended" by people, and I have taken the time (and importantly have seen them take the time) to "catch up", it has sort of rekindled my faith in humanity. I guess that may be putting it a little strong, but I have felt so grateful to be a part of a general interest in peoples' lives. I've been surprised how important it has been to me to see people working at being happy and productive. It's gratifying to see us all, these many years later, working toward largely the same kinds of goals.

Though I have many other subjects I've been thinking on, that's all for tonight.

Shoveling Snow

Todd usually performs snow removal at our home, but yesterday he needed to leave for work before that happened, and anyway, I had plenty of time to lend my back to the task. I admit that I turned first to the old little Toro snowblower, but couldn't keep it started. So I shoveled. Invigorated by the exercise and fresh air, I did a spectacular job. Using the back side of the shovel, I even scraped up teh underlying ice from Sunday's storm. Many times I thought my back was going to break, but I changed positions and all seemed to be well. I even took pictures of me with my work-out partner and the admirable job that we did together on the driveway and walks.

It was a frustrating afternoon. I began to think that I had rheumatoid arthritis, or some other chronic and terrible ailment. Though I have been struggling for months with tendonitis in my foot and arm, now everything seemed to hurt, and magnified! I began to emotionally make plans for a very sedentary rest of my life. Then Todd came home, and after complimenting my excellent snow shoveling, commisserated with me about my aches and pains. He made a shocking observation ... couldn't I hurt because of the shoveling?

It snowed again over night. Just an inch or two to move. Of all the nerve. ... I spent very little time shoveling today, just clearning the walks. My back screamed and cramped the whole time. The majority of the driveway will just have to remain snow covered. I feel I have just learned a life lesson ... what does it mean? No matter how well you clear the path, it will always snow again. Or, the joy is the journey, not the destination. Or, endure to the end, and you never know when you're there, so just keep going. Well, I'll keep mulling it over, while it keeps snowing.

The Oyster Gardeners Begin