Looking for a Tad More Energy in Everyday Ramblings

Hard to believe with the low light but I took this at noon a couple of days ago. This is the house originally with the sharpening shop on the ground floor on a triangular corner that I am writing a poem about. I started the poem gosh almost two years ago and because it is a narrative story about love and loss in the flu pandemic in 1918 it has developed in my mind way beyond the confines of the poem. I think about it often.

The characters are alive to me, Antonio and Nicoletta. It was an Italian family that lived here originally. I think somehow I may get lemon groves in the poem as I was listening to a story about the business of lemons and the exploding market for them when the powers that be discovered that they could stave off scurvy. And handsome Tony, a laborer who comes to board in Nicoletta’s father’s house is from the same part of Italy as her beloved mother. They say her name the same.

It seems sad to me that I haven’t returned to this project even though clearly I am invested in it still. But maybe this year as I seem to be settling into a workable routine.

So far so good in the gym going.

And my classes are doing well. I still need to do a bit more marketing to keep a large pool of people interested but I am making more than I am paying out in terms of room space and if I can keep up this pace I will cover insurance, licensure and continuing education in 2018.

A passion that pays for itself is a wondrous thing.

It looks like Carlo needs some dental work so as I wrap up my own I am starting to save for his. I was thrilled that the cats did not gain any weight over the last year. They are both stable and with pets that is so hard to get right. And I had an extensive workup done on Diego and he is healthy as all get out. Yippee.

Diego and Carlo (who are remarkably friendly cats) charmed the heck out of the staff at the vet’s office. There was a moment there where I thought I might not get Carlo back. :)

All that attention went to their heads a bit and yesterday they were both a bit more demanding of attention than normal. I think we have finally reestablished the usual order of things around here now.

Last month we were slightly below average on rainfall. That will not be an issue this month. It looks like we might get some partial clearing this time next week. But in the meantime my rain pants are my best friend.

There has been no ice though since Christmas, thank goodness.

I can’t wait until I can go hiking again and just generally enjoy being out and about. We still have a ways to go.

But in the meantime I am looking forward to a nice normal weekend full of the simple things I enjoy so much.

The Department of Transportation posted a cease and desist order on the growing encampment of folks living rough near here that was making me nervous. They should be gone by Monday. They gave them a week to get their stuff out before the staff moves in and clears the garbage.

That just can’t be a very pleasant job. I wonder if they use the jail work crews for that? Talk about a cycle of poverty…

As always there are lots of places in my life in which further engagement and activism would be appropriate and beneficial.

The trick is finding the energy.

Last updated January 26, 2018