Tiger Woods Overload

I'm officially sick of hearing about Tiger Woods. Admittedly, I wasn't eager to hear about him a decade ago, but since his accident I've heard way more than I wanted. Let me clear up the story for you so we can all move on:

1. People don't have accidents and refuse to speak to the police unless they have something to hide. That may include, but is not limited to:
a. being impaired due to alcohol
b. being impaired due to drugs (legal or illegal)
c. being involved in a domestic dispute of some sort that will look very ugly for your image

2. People cheat on their spouses. This is not something unique to celebrities, but they simply have more opportunity for it. I'm about to incur the wrath of some, but many men are likely to cheat when presented with the opportunity to do it and not get caught, and self-respecting women don't give married men the opportunity. This would include but not be limited to:
a. trying to seduce them
b. saying anything other than "no" when they try to seduce you

This should not be construed to mean that I think all men cheat. I do not. And men do not have a corner on that market, either.

3. Tiger isn't very smart. If you're a celebrity, someone is going to brag about bedding you. He isn't alone in this fantasy that such things can remain private, he is just the latest in a long line of those caught with their pants down, as it were. Which, again, begs the question of why it's news. It's an old story - cross out last celebrity's name, write in "Tiger."

So, to recap - stupid move, impaired judgement on multiple levels, scorned wife wielding weapon. What more needs be said?

Christmas Homes Tour in Hutchinson Kansas

Today was the Houston Whiteside Christmas Homes Tour. And, we got a little snow to set the mood. Truthfully, it was more like sleet, but I'm choosing to call it snow because that is much more atmospheric sounding.

One of the houses had live music from a high school group.



My favorite house had a room decorated with old Santas. I chatted with the guy who owned them for awhile, thinking I should know him. Finally, we figured out where we knew each other from. He was not the home owner, but helped them decorate the "Santa Room."

I loved this Gale Santa, sitting on the bed.



And this one that still works.



He plugged it in so I could get a little video of him moving.



There were others from his collection around the room.





In another house they were using their collections on trees - one was spoons and another was old hankies.








I love seeing these beautiful old homes, but I always want more Christmas decorations. Of course, that's always a given for me at any time. This was the best year as far as decorations. The Santa collection really made the day for me.

The Tree is Finished

I finished my tree today. Although it's not my typical kind of tree, it's pretty. I'm glad I did one. Years ago I got the idea in my head that not putting up a Christmas tree was something for "old" people.



Have you ever noticed how older people often say, "I'm not putting up a tree..." or "I won't be here at Christmas..." Well, I've only spent Christmas Day in my own house once in my adult life, but I still want to enjoy the season and a sparkly tree. Anyway, that got stuck in my head - no Christmas tree is an "old" thing.



I know lots of people don't put up trees, and the reasons are varied, but in my mind for anyone who's an adult - not a college student or in transistion of one sort or another - deciding to not put up a tree is an "old" thing. And I'm just too young to be "old" yet.




So, although I couldn't do my usual decorating this year, I'm very happy to have my little six foot tree up.



I've noticed in just the last 2-3 days that I'm feeling significantly better, which is great. I'm not pain free yet, and I still move slowly, but I am just feeling better in general.



Tomorrow is the Houston Whiteside Homes Tour and I had thought I might not go because I'm not climbing stairs yet, but now I'm thinking maybe I'll go and just do the lower floors of houses. It seems a shame to miss out completely. And I love to see the decorations and the older homes.



I had hoped to go to Wichita today to see the lights at Botanica. But, it didn't work out to do that after all. I took advantage of the afternoon to work on a lot of things around the house and to return some things. Then Greg, Sharon and I went to see Planet 51.

I definitely recommend it. It's a cute movie. I think maybe we were the only adults without children in tow, but it was fun, and had a lot of in jokes included.

Christmas at the Hutchinson Zoo in Hutchinson Kansas

We went to the Hutchinson zoo tonight for a Christmas event. They had some trees decorated by various groups, and the train took you for a ride through some lighted areas. We rode the train three times.

It was cold. In case you can't tell from my multiple layers and the blanket they provided. I felt like I was channeling Ralphie.

It's not the most elaborate display I've ever seen, but it's free and happening a few blocks from my house. It's hard to beat that. And I love the train. The train ride does cost $1.50, and it's worth every penny. Times three.

Here you can see the new building from the train.





The trees all had to be decorated with items that could withstand the weather. Some were pretty creative.







If you're local, don't despair - you've not missed your chance. You can go tomorrow night, or next Thursday, Friday or Saturday. It's from 6-8 and you will be able to ride the new train.

Unsettle Their Minds

Education is not to reform students or amuse them or to make them expert technicians. It is to unsettle their minds, widen their horizons, inflame their intellects, teach them to think straight, if possible.
--- Robert M. Hutchins

I ran across this quote and the concept of "unsettle their minds" really struck me. I love that idea - unsettle the mind. When you think about it, isn't that really the time we come up with the most creative ideas? When our brains are a little bit off their normal tracks?

I suppose the trick is to find ways we can "unsettle the mind" while still being able to function enough to think straight.

Tonight I was in a situation where we were brainstorming and I realized just how much I enjoy that. It's interesting to put your mind on a particular path and branch out from there. I like the free form nature of brainstorming. I think it's best when the mind is "unsettled."

I will be thinking more about this in coming days. The Unsettled Mind. Sounds like a book title.

The Day

I continue to make progress on the Christmas "chores" at hand. I want to put a few more decorations on the tree, and the ribbon for garland and then it will be done.

I've been working on my Christmas letter. (Yes, I'm one of those people who writes the dreaded/beloved Christmas letter. If you don't want to read it, just throw it away. I'll be none the wiser.) Because I'm not hosting a holiday party this year I'll not mail nearly as many items as usual. And I have no sense of urgency about getting the invites in the mail.

These days I'm still moving rather slowly, so it's taking me awhile to do everything. I wrap a present or two, put a few decorations on, and then I'm ready to rest. At this rate it will be a wonder if I'm done before Christmas.

Tomorrow is going to be a busy, busy day so I must get some rest. Unfortunately, one of my favorite Star Trek The Next Generation shows is play - the Traveller, for those of you who are fans. I have a toy of the Traveller on my desk at work. I used to keep one of Picard and the Traveller on my desk. Picard to remind me of what leadership should look like and the Traveller to remind me things aren't always what they seem.

Regardless of my love of Trek, I must sleep.

A Season for Everything

Life, indeed, has a season for everything.

Sometimes we slip into a season we didn't anticipate or desire. You take stock of yourself one day and realize that you're deeply embedded in a life you weren't expecting. Then comes the moment when you have to decide if you want that life or if it's time to change.

Sometimes we tumble head first into a season of life we seek. We jump off the bridge, dive into the cold water, and hope we can hold our breath long enough. Just long enough. We want to get to the moment when we're comfortable enough that we can tread water, just for awhile, to fully grasp who we are now.

Every life has some seasons of discontent, and hopefully some seasons of pure joy. We all just hope there are more of the latter than the former.

The other day I heard a phrase: "I always grieved for who she might have been." Isn't that a sentiment we can all apply to people in our lives? Sometimes to ourselves? Who she might have been. Who we might have been. Who I might have been. We are all just trying to become the people we are meant to be. We just don't necessarily know who that is.

Robert Frost, that master of seasons, wrote of the road less travelled, although he never used that phrase. He was sorry he couldn't take both the roads because having to choose meant leaving one road untouched. The seasons we choose are like that - choosing one means leaving others behind.

But, of course, we don't always get to choose the seasons of life. Some are thrust upon us while our protestations fall on deaf ears. Some seasons push us to the limit and beyond. Some seasons are all too brief, and some seem to stretch on endlessly.

Regardless of how we get there, by choice or default, I can only believe there's something to be gained from each season. Each season, however we get to it, is part of making us who we are meant to be.