- It was a busy night in our yard; we had the barred owls competing for territory, which is a horrible cackling sound, as opposed to their normal “Who cooks for you?” call. Then, I think, we had the racoons. I tried to find a good audio clip but it sounded like a truncated slide whistle sound. Youtube indicates it was probably little trash pandas. But the sounds kept waking me, and my husband, throughout the night and I did not sleep well at all. Of course today, it is all rainy and gross. But we’re almost to daylight savings and I cannot wait for later sunsets
- Yesterday was a doozy; just uncertainty in online courses led me to being very stressed and worried and yes, I was a bit weepy in my office. I prayed too, as noted in my Wednesday post, and while I felt temporarily better, wen I lay awake at 4:44 in the morning, still stressing, I realized that I had not yet given my worry over to God. Now I am not one to do this kind of thing, usually, but I know that it’s a way to get my mind right so I can move on. Which, really, is what faith is good for, right? Steel yourself for the difficult tasks in life. Life ain’t easy; and it’s not always going to be smooth sailing. These are tough times, with our birdbrained administration and soaring prices of everything, I’m having a very bad go of it. But I’ll make it because “Tough times make strong men.” (Or women.)
- I am for sure counting down now; this time next week will be the final day of Session! Now, I am sort of superstitious in that if I think something will go similarly to the last time, then it probably won’t. So I’m not going to get my hopes up that they’ll quorum call at 10 then Sine Die by 11 like last year. But one can hope eh? I don’t even care if I have to use my leave that afternoon; if we’re gone before noon I will call that a win! I need to catch up and then, that evening, the brewery we collaborated with is releasing our beer! So, naturally, we have to go, right? What a way to celebrate the end of Session.
- Someone I knew from middle school has had a tough go of it the past 5 years. Something about her husband being an addict who then abused her and the kids (more mentally than physical, I believe) so she moved away from him but I know they had a lot of family court issues where the kids were forced to visit dad even though they didn’t want to. Earlier this week her 13 year old daughter went missing! I cannot even imagine what that must have felt like for my old friend. The only solace she took was that her daughter had said she’d run away if forced to spend time with the dad so she knew, at least, that her daughter was purposely hiding out. Luckily, they found her late last night. I know I breathed a sigh of relief for her!
- OK, so despite the bad feelings of late, I am for sure looking forward to tomorrow’s overnight trip to St. Augustine, even if it is going to rain. We will bring beer to share, meet new people, see how they brew, and maybe even go to a cool restaurant. I really need this weekend to right my attitude.
incognitusscriptor.com 
How scary for your friend! Glad she was found safe. How awful that the daughter chooses to run away rather than spend time with her dad. Sounds like a real prize.
Enjoy your weekend away! I’m CRAVING such a getaway.
We have quite a few quick weekend trips on the books and I am SO looking forward to them!
We’ve had a couple of stressful days here. I meditate, Mary relies on the Rosary and Candy Crush. I recommend either approach. I think the idea behind the whole “tough times make strong people etc.” is not to let yourself get lulled into kicking back and taking it easy. Stay tough even when times aren’t.
I understand that visitation rights are a good thing, but I think I make an exception when one of the kids is so traumatized by having to spend time with the parent that they’re willing to run away from home to avoid spending time with the noncustodial parent is cause for conern. I hope your friend is able to work things out.
Have fun in St. Augustine!
Yes, I too play those twitch type games to relax. It does help, mostly because I think about my issues while doing it and usually, work through them. And thanks!