Wasted Days and Wasted Nights...

Well, "wasted" is a bit dramatic but I couldn't resist the song lyrics! Ever have on of those days? Nothing seems to click or fall in place? Man, did I have it today!

First, I couldn't meditate - in fact, it was the opposite of meditation. I aggravated myself. I thought about irritating things. I kept trying to center but no good came of it. Sheesh! Then, I couldn't find my keys and since Lynn was going to be gone tonight, it was pretty critical that I be able to get into the house without assistance. Never found 'em. Used the spare key. My new co-worker was texting or talking on his cell phone all day and listening to mp3s. Not a good sign. There is water in my basement from running the washer. Something is not right there. Got locked out of my online banking service and tried to reach the call service when I got home - as they are the only ones that can help you restore functionality - only to learn that they now close at 5pm. Okay so I've got to get this fixed while I'm at work? Really?

By this time, I've lost interest and inspiration, unfortunately.

I did go to the hardware store to get food for the birds.

And, Ming, our new old cat suddenly decided he likes me. He has insured that I will not escape this relationship (however short it may be, ultimately) unscathed. Rats! I thought I might. Our other 4 cats (yes, we will no longer be known as the "female couple" on our block, from now on we are officially the "Cat Women") are in various stages of freak-out over the presence of Ming. Felix just wants to eat his food. Everybody wants to use his litterbox. One of our cats is fascinated by his fancy water dispenser but too chicken to get to close to it.

Finally, tonight he decided he had had enough of all this. Instead of watching from a perch on the bed, he stretched and yawned and hopped down to confront the other cats. they spread like wildfire. He licked his lips, yawned again, ate a bit more and curled up in his favorite spot and closed his eyes. I hope he is happy here. He's old and quiet and not very active but he seems to really enjoy some love and attention.

So it wasn't a total bust...

Tomorrow is a fresh start - or in Scarlett O'Hara's own words, "Afterall, tomorrow is another day...!"

Getting Unstuck Part 2 - Beautiful Spring Morning

The rain barrel was much simpler to make than I thought! We were so excited about the simplicity of this that we bought our own pipe tap so that we can make more easily. We have all the tools now (doesn't take a lot - drill, scroll saw, channel locks, pipe tap)! Yay!

The hardest thing does seem to be obtaining food quality barrels - well, just making the calls, actually. We've been so busy at work that I haven't been able to even think about it.

Change is in the air lately, folks. I don't know what it is but it is there. I wake up in the morning with solutions to problems I didn't know I had or had long forgotten. Mechanical problems, logistical problems. Things like how to make a particular adjustment to a photo or how to load the recumbent bike onto the bike rack. Random. My mind is working all this out in my sleep, though.

???

While I'm awake, my subconscious and unconscious are smacking me with truths from both my past and present that I have glossed over or just flat-out denied. While I sleep, I am figuring out all the little details to tasks I have questioned or been unable to do in the past.

Interesting times.

Getting Unstuck Part 1

First, let me state the obvious: You cannot know what you do not know. There.

The "List of Things I Do Not Know" is extensive. The "List of Things I Know" is growing - it is very closely related to the "List of Things I Did Not Know".

Some of the things I am learning are much harder to learn and to know than I ever imagined.

Today, however, I am going to learn to construct a rain barrel. That will be a very good thing. I will post more after the class.