She did not simply like to read. She read voraciously, fiercely, carnivorously. She would lie in wait and pounce on unsuspecting books. She would rend and tear the paper-flesh of fiction and nonfiction alike, leaving barely a binding or a smear of ink, then lie down in the shade, sated. -- 5/28/2012

Apologies

My apologies for not updating my scheduled pages this week.  My sister's health has taken center stage lately and my blog has been an after-thought while I focus on her.  I will be back in full force over the next few days and especially on Sunday with Druid Works.  So tonight, I'll leave you with one thought -- a saying my sister is fond of.

Be excellent to each other, my friends.

Getting back on track and setting a schedule

Hello, all.  It's been a little while.  I'm getting back on track here and will be writing more frequently.  :)

I'm setting up a loose schedule for categorical postings, such as Druid/Dedicant work, Opinions/Rants, Favorite Authors/Books.  Thursdays, I think, will be my Favorite Authors posts -- so you can pick up something new to read for the weekend.  I have many friends that are authors, and I want to highlight their work.

So, keep watching and reading this space and tell your friends.

Brenda

Questions to ponder: Names

Here are a couple of questions to ponder:

When you name a child or even a pet after a god or a hero from myth or history, what expectations do you have for their behaviors, personalities, and futures?  Do the stories influence your choice or is it simply that the name sounds "cool"?  Do you take into account the personalities and actions of those with the name originally?

And further, when you meet a person named for a god or mythical hero. do you have certain expectations of their personalities or behavior?

Do you believe that the name foreshadows the person?  In giving a child a name like Loki or Hercules, what characteristics are you hoping your child will display?

On Being Naive

Sorry, but you don't recognize me. Your knowing smirk only reflects what you think you see. You don't think I truly understand your pain, that I've never been where you are, so I couldn't know. Just because I'm quiet about my pain doesn't mean it's not there. I may not join in vilifying your monster, but that doesn't mean I haven't faced my own…and won.

Many see me as privileged, idealistic, and naive as to the way the world works.  In many ways, they're right.  I am privileged and idealistic.  I am not, however, naive.  To mistake my optimism for blinders is to grossly underestimate me.  I simply refuse to allow the monsters to win.  You may never see my pain or my scars, but understand this, I am battle-worn.  I have been tested and found true.  

Monotony & Melancholy

Monotony

Melancholy

Every day is the same.

Eye issues keep me from going anywhere on the spur of the moment, even when money allows. Always having to rely on others for transport even the short distance to the library sucks. And being treated as an inconvenience is galling.

Forced isolation is horrible for an extrovert. I shudder to remember the days before I "plugged" in to the internet, in those days before social media exploded and broadened my circle of interaction. Many mourn the loss of face-to-face exchange, but for those of us who are effectively homebound, electronic socializing is a lifesaver.

And so my days are filled with ersatz socializing. Or napping. Ambition gives way to somnolence and sloth. I try to keep some semblance of discipline: no sleeping till noon; I keep a mostly proper meal schedule; fairly regular bedtimes. And I make a strong effort to go out to physical meetings at least twice a month. Definitely not as active as only a couple of years ago, but still something. In the end, it's not much good; the goals I set for each day go unaccomplished. Sometimes even the most basic chores are put off.

Lifting myself out of this morass is herculean. A task I know in my very soul I am capable of but still unable to make the first move. Ambition without motivation? Motive without action? The story of my life. Great dreams and plans on paper and no ambition to put them into action. Even the promise of fame and fortune have never been quite enough. Is it complacency or fear? Am I just lazy? 

Yuck

I hate cold, rainy, yucky days when I'm stuck inside with no sunshine coming through the windows.  Rain on a sunny day is a thing, right?  Why can't I have that now?  Rainy, yucky days tend to depress me.  I begin to think.  Not just any random thoughts, though.  Old toxic thoughts.  I think about past mistakes, past hurts, past anger – things I no longer have or ever had any control over.  Imaginary hurts that never happened and potential hurts that probably never will.  I brood.  I'm restless and bored.  There's plenty of constructive activities with which I could fill a rainy day – reading, watching movies, crocheting – but instead I brood.  Or eat.  Or sleep.  Napping usually keeps my mind quiet for a while.  Unless the brooding thoughts seep into my subconscious. Then disturbing angry or frightening dreams add to the general ickiness of the day.  Usually, though, I don't do any of that, I sit and play games online or cruise Facebook and brood a little more.  And wait.  I wait for Spring.  I wait for Winter to give way to burgeoning Life.  I wait for the bright greens of new plants and bright yellow sunshine. 

Pffffttttt, it's only February.  Where's my yarn and Netflix?  Maybe a little chocolate, too.