Update for Thanksgiving Week 2020- Look Local!

My Sunday post felt a bit negative. I was feeling negative, however, I aim to maintain a positive but realistic tone.  On Monday things felt better and I want to share the direction I took to move to that place. 

I looked local.

This feels a bit like- "look for the helpers" when you see an accident or tragedy on the news. My local started by buying fresh produce for Thanksgiving.  I did some of this on Saturday at the Farmers Market.  Bryn Bird did a great job promoting products for the holiday on Facebook so I bought more: Birds Haven Farm OnLine Ordering!  You can too!  Thanks for the challenge to bake with real pumpkin.  I'm saving this for a weekend activity- excited to pick up later today!

Joe and I are making our list for Christmas Giving and thanks to the kids we've started a bit! Again- focus on the local.  The world needs help, and we support international care through our church and Rotary. As we think about gifts for family and friends, we also think about our philanthropic pledges and direction.  Year-end will be here soon and now is the time. It feels good to give. Included in this giving is renewing memberships- The Works: https://attheworks.org/and Dawes will appreciate our support and yours! (Once a fundraiser always a fundraiser).

You will also be happy to know Joe was able to work with Ferguson Customer Service- the replacement fridge is coming next Tuesday! Woo hoo- we're making do with the fridge that keeps things okay, a cooler with ice on the porch, and strategic meal planning.  Oyster stew supplies will be procured the day of if it works in the COVID rotation.  I've come to terms with the differences we need to accept this year.

And speaking of...Turkey Trot- We registered to support our local food pantry, you can too- if you did already- thank you! https://www.granvilleturkeytrot.com/give-thanks-today-registration  A virtual event for 2020- no surprise. Granville Leithausers will do our own walk/run event- looping from our home- so if you are out on NG road and see us- give a honk or bell ring or hello! I'm excited to cook, bake, and embrace family holiday time in my life on Newark-Granville road. I hope you are keeping it real, sharing as needed (reach out!), and finding ways to stay positive during these challenging times.  Stay well, get care when needed, and a special thank you to all the health care, first responders, front line workers keeping us safe and dealing with the increased stress during the pandemic.  The Look Up Center will be delivering more meals than ever-  Life on Newark-Granville Road- Grateful for all of that goodwill!

Blessings- looking beyond and keeping it real- sharing is caring.

COVID -19 or Salmonella- the dishwasher decided this was the weekend to break. We can't blame it- it has been running nonstop since March.   Good news- a black Friday special got us a deal, a new one will be installed a week from Wednesday. Blessing- in our life on NG road we'll learn how to appropriately wash and sanitize dishes.  The fridge continues to have temperature flux.  Joe has been way more patient with Ferguson and I've hit my limit.  The blessing I guess is not hosting Thanksgiving.  Sigh....I wish I was hosting Tgiving - it has been a long time since I roasted a turkey on turkey day.

We're watching 60 Minutes and it isn't helping the "mood" I'm in this Sunday.  The story about the missing students in schools due to COVID?  Way too many - way too many and certainly COVID isn't the only reason.  My kids are not missing school. And then the story about those having extended issues post COVID diagnosis- concerning- but just as concerning was the announcement that one of the doctors (who looked young and healthy) interviewed died of a heart attack after filming the story.  This will be a show I watch again and I hope you will as well- let's discuss: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/public-school-enrollment-coronavirus-pandemic-60-minutes-2020-11-22/

COVID is serious, we're taking it seriously on NG Road and beyond. I also want to take seriously the missing kids at schools around the county, the other health issues that kill in large numbers: heart disease, cancer, mental health implications.   Mama said there would be days like this.  Days like this make earlier days in the weekend all the more meaningful- being outdoors and catching up with my dear sister-in-law- a date that had been pushed back due to COVID for months. How good it felt to be in church volunteering, serving- less than 10 - very distanced, with masks- but still there and finding ways to beyond Zoom!  Supporting the basketball team's early practice....easy to find the blessings in my life on Newark-Granville Road.  It is important to look at what is missing for others and how to share our blessings beyond our lives on Newark-Granville Road.

Moments- Here, There and Where-Time Away with Joe

Happiness is.....time away, vacation, a break, a road trip. It was long overdue.  This week it was time with Joe, playing resort golf, not working, being in warm temps, and even though it rained a fair amount and the ball did not roll it was wonderful!

I'm easing back into the work that waits- not Joe- he is out there raking leaves!  My school exam needs to be finalized, the PEO nut orders are ready for delivery and there is so much more...but here I am at the kitchen table watching Game Day from Augusta- wow! Now that is synergy, I wish I was a fly on the wall when that idea was hatched- well done!  Being on a golf trip, watching/listening to The Masters, listening to one of Clare's favorite podcasts- two episodes on golf- it all ties into a great package and made for a great week! (Hall of Shame is the podcast by the way.)

What an interesting world we're navigating, what a tightrope we're balancing, and have been. Who with, where, and how we engage- always with a mask- staying safe, keeping others safe, but maintaining mental health and supporting business and employment.  Joe and I recognized the deal we took advantage of was to keep the cogs of the travel world moving.

Life on Newark-Granville Road is in the moment today- here, there, and where? I am grateful for this chance to be at this table. I am grateful for yesterday's moments that provided relaxation, escape, joy, and comfort. Moments in the future to dream, plan, and anticipate.  What future courses will we play and explore? Holiday planning - the joy of giving and making traditions- updating, starting new, and prioritizing with care.  Savoring the past, being in the present, and mindful of the future is the future and not promised.

I also must acknowledge and say thanks to all that voted- the election certainly is providing fodder for our conversations on NG Road.  Our country really is the great experiment in democracy and figure eights of growth seem to be pulsing. I had not realized the timing of my grad school class- History of Philanthropy was so appropriate.  My final project looking at historic perspectives on Alexis du Tocqueville is enlightening.

All Saint Sunday- all the more meaningful this year.

 I have a beautiful basket that was filled with delicious, thoughtful items and delivered to me in Maryland when my father was dying.  I kept the basket and filled it with the cards and words that comforted me at that time.  This evening I poured a scotch, lit a favorite candle and visited the sentiments.  I listened to our FPC church service for All Saints Day as well and loved the visual of all our saints in the balcony Karen and found the hymns beautiful Marcy and Phillip. Prayers of gratitude to all our saints and yours. 

I made my grandmother's chili this weekend and labeled it- GaGa Chili.  I reached out to some folks missing their saints but don't have everyone's emails easily at hand.  So I put it out to the universe and one way is via the blog.  In my life on Newark-Granville Road I'm so grateful for the love and support I feel here and now and all the love in the past and that has made me who I am.  Amen.

Granville Proud- Please Take Time to Watch the Film: Represent

Thank you Bryn Bird- for running, serving and being vulnerable- Brene Brown would be proud! Putting yourself out there for the election alone- then allowing this video/cinematographer to capture and share it- wow! You make us #GranvillleProud and put a light on so many other great folks:

• your family
• farmers
• Melanie Schott
• Michelle Newman
• your campaign team and event hosts
• Three Tigers/ Mai Chau
• Two other amazingly brave, smart, talented women in great locations- so cool to visit their cities via this film. I lived in the Detroit area twice!
• and so many more

Blog readers- take the time to watch this film, here is the scoop from the PBS Site:

Leading up to the 2018 midterm elections in the heart of the Midwest, three women take on entrenched local political networks in their fight to reshape politics on their own terms, in Hillary Bachelder’s nuanced, “fly-on-the-wall” documentary.  “Heading into the homestretch of this year’s election, Represent feels like a balm,” writes Monica Castillo on RogerEbert.com. “A reminder that, win or lose, there’s something to be gained by reigniting people’s interest in civil engagement.”  

Watch Represent here:

 https://www.pbs.org/video/represent-qwgttx/

I was teary watching and value the commitment to our communities these folks have- past, current and future.  I have so much more I could say about elections, running and serving. Back to Brene Brown and her book- Dare to Lead:

Dare to Lead | Brené Brown

https://daretolead.brenebrown.com

Daring leadership is a collection of four skill sets that are 100% teachable, observable, and measurable. The foundational skill set of courage-building is “rumbling with vulnerability.” Once we have built these rumbling skills, we can move on to the other three skill sets: Living into Our Values, Braving Trust, and Learning to Rise.

In my life on Newark-Granville Road I try to see all sides. I try not to use the H word- hate.  I don't hate those with opposing views because I don't want to be hated for mine.  I can really dislike. I learned this from my mother.  (Bryn I love how this show documents and preserves your relationship- beautiful with your mother. She is smiling) I try to respect other points of view and vantage points. I will vote and respect those leading that are committed, positive, poised, learning, growing, listening.  Michelle you got my vote for this very reason, Bryn you too. And I voted for Melanie- two signs in our yard that year. Fascinating to see the point about one vote as strategy in the film. I remember our conversation about this Bryn.  This film is jammed packed and so beautiful...the whisper to your daughter about doing it for her.  Hand on heart and sigh...thank you.

Above all else- vote- thank you to those that did and those that will. and those helping voting happening- I talked to a student going to help with counting- awesome! Take care of you and support those that are vulnerable!  We all are and that is why Kindness must carry the day in our life on NG Road.

Oh what a beautiful morning...and evening.....

THANK YOU TO THE COLLEAGUE SENDING THIS READ:

NY TIMES -FINDING COMFORT IN THE THE INBETWEEN SEASON

Please click and read.  Then I ask you, what is lifting your mood? This connects to my earlier post in the week about finding the joy!  So much else to post about but this is where I want to put my time and unite in this cyer space.  Today was beautiful and nothing made me happier than Sally sharing her thoughts.  It inspired me to anser the author's question.

What is lifting my mood? When the universe sends serendipitous messages...some call them god winks, some just chance.....and I notice.  In this 24 hour cycle, it is the "in-between season" or what I've blogged about myself..the transition time- the hardest/but important times.  This beautiful NYT piece: Finding comfort in the in-between season by Melissa Kirsch was sent to coworkers as the perfect p.s. to a meeting earlier in the week.  I read it and enjoyed the responses and links.  My fifteen-year-old daughter did not read it. 

My fifteen-year-old daughter is the last child at home, giving us our own in-between time as we look forward (yes!) to being empty nesters.  She is learning to drive and each morning drives to school with one of her parents in the passenger seat. Some times this is the only time one of her parents leave the house in a day.  Today was a gorgeous fall day. The sunlight, the leaves, something only the in-between time can provide as we have lush green sparkling with frost and brown tree bark's rich texture creating an otherworldly landscape. Our daughter and her parents have come to an understanding that we really will not talk with her in the mornings. She reacts to irritants with passive-aggressive sounds (door slams, grunts, sighs, increased radio volume) and her mature parents (better with coffee) respect accept this.  Today we navigated the drive well and then she said it...she said with appreciation in her voice: : what a beautiful day, it is different, I'm getting a Thanksgiving vibe and at the same time we all need to be outside today." Yes- the in-between time from the mouth of my babe.  This lifts my mood: sharing beautiful words, nature, and where we are right now in our lives on Newark-Granville Road.

And the evening ended well too- golf and then a beer with Joe and Peter. 100 Plus women...more topics to blog about or call and ask me!

Seeing the Good

 “It’s easy to spot a red car when you’re always thinking of a red car.

It’s easy to spot opportunity when you’re always thinking of

opportunity. It’s easy to spot reasons to be mad when you’re always

thinking of being mad. You become what you constantly think about.

Watch yourself.” – Denzel Washington

Newark Rotary President Barb Quackenbush shared this quote last week and it has stayed with me. Then this morning I read my colleague Mandi's Facebook post inspired by her worship yesterday- seek the joy.  Mandi reflected on the good the in the past few months of COVID times and it made me smile and think.  

It can be so easy to see the not good, the scary, the problems.  The change to "red" status in Licking County certainly put me in that place. I'm grateful to Mandi and Barb's for the reminder.  I certainly do love our community, our home, my work, my family,  and my friends.  The time within and with is a COVID blessing. Yes, a blessing.  Bane and Blessings, the double-edge swords, the continuums that are everywhere!

My day started with yoga (online)- a class I'm in probably because I'm not traveling.  A class I'm grateful for an need.  I've had quality time with Joe, Sally, and Lucy- time that will always be treasured. At the same time, I am grateful Peter and Clare are where they are- so happy, in their place.  Our time together in the spring was a blessing as is our time away now....life provides so many opportunities to be happy, to be growing and learning.  COVID certainly has me growing and learning and not just in the IUPUI graduate classes.  Working on zoom and how to work remotely are new skills.  The reset and relook opportunities cannot be ignored.   In my life on Newark-Granville Road I can't say I have achieved greatness during COVID but I can say there have been many great moments, filled with joy and I am grateful.