New Direction

For nearly four years now, I've struggled to find a good direction for this blog. I think I've finally come up with something I like that I can also manage.

A few times a week--perhaps even every day--I'm going to post one or more of my favorite parts of that day. Not necessarily THE favorite, since that's hard to quantify and I'm not sure I really want to--just a favorite, or two or three.

It'll be good practice for me, and hopefully it will make pleasant and occasionally uplifting reading for you.

Here's to many favorite moments shared.

Impressive, Yet Insufficient

Last year we bought a solar oven, for two reasons: 1) So we can cook if the power goes out, and 2) so we can cook without heating up our house on hot days. All summer I've been trying out various recipes, and this morning I prepared a dinner recipe that needed to simmer all day. The weather report promised clear skies by 10am. It lied.

I couldn't even see a ghost of a shadow until 2pm, but even with so little sunshine the solar oven managed to heat up to 150 degrees. I was impressed that it could double the outdoor temperature on a cloudy day, but that still wasn't enough to cook our dinner. I had to finish it in the oven inside. Good thing it wasn't a hot day.

Correction

Actually, Daniel DOES find my singing relaxing, but Joy doesn't (and she tells me so in no uncertain terms). If this family were a strict democracy, Joy would be out of luck. It happens to be a biarchy, though, and we try to keep it a benevolent one, so I try to keep my musical outbursts short or let Joy choose the song.

Sometimes, though, you just gotta sing.

Sing a Song

I find singing soothing in stressful situations. Too bad my kids don't feel the same way.

Great Benefits

Parenthood is like any worthwhile career: There are times when it's boring and times when it's aggravating, but there are also lots of times when you feel incredibly blessed to be part of something so rewarding and wonderful.

One big difference is that with a career, you may change the world, but you may not. By contrast, as a parent you make an indelible impression on your child's life and indirectly influence every person they will ever meet.

Also, you get to hug your coworkers on a regular basis. :)

Song Association

I always sing a hymn or Primary song to my three-year-old when I put her down for a nap. I usually ask if she has a preference, whereupon she asks for a song about painting (I sing "Primary Colors") or bed time ("Did You Think to Pray?" - "Oh, how praying rests the weary . . .").

Today she asked for a song about hangers, so I sang "Hold to the Rod." :)

I Couldn't Agree More

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." -- Groucho Marx