Note

NOTE: Commentary is made as a private citizen and not as Regional Coordinator for Silent No More or any other ministries.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

A DAY OF QUIET


John Lubbock once said, "Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the blue sky, is by no means waste of time".  

That's exactly what I did on Monday.  I took advantage of a Quiet Day Retreat offered by Mission San Luis Rey.  It started at 9:00 a.m. and ended at 4:00 p.m.  I was assigned a room with a bed and desk (no television) with a window that looked out on some beautiful flowers.

Bed and Desk
View from Window
 
I was free to write, nap, walk around the beautiful grounds, pray in the chapel and, of course, attend Mass at noon before being served lunch. 

My original plan was to start working on my devotional in progress so I put on some music (I did bring my IPad) and got a little done, but nature called.  Wandering through the gardens I realized it had been quite some time since I've taken time in silence ... to just "be".  The weather was gorgeous (of course this is San Diego County) and a light breeze flowed through the rose bushes, sending their sweet aroma swirling.  I walked completely around the mission grounds, taking in all the sights and sounds. 

Mass was held in the main church.  It was nice to see so many in attendance on a Monday afternoon.  I spoke to a woman who was there with her three children.  She told me she was taking them on tours of all the missions in Southern California for their Spring Break. Her ten-year-old daughter told me all about the ones they had seen already and spouted off facts on each one.  What a fun and exciting way to learn more about our faith and its history.  Kudos to that mom!

After Mass and lunch, I returned to my room and laid down.  Listening to the birds chirp outside and enjoying the breeze coming through the window, I centered myself.  I didn’t sleep but kept my eyes closed.  I prayed for the intentions of my family and friends and reflected on all of God’s blessings.  Before I knew it, it was time to leave.  Oh, how I would have loved to stay a while longer, but there are other Days of Quiet scheduled down the road. 

John Lubbock was right -- my quiet day was not a waste of time.  I was able to put life’s worries and stress into proper perspective, thus allowing me to reenter a chaotic world refreshed in mind and spirit.   









Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Old Phrases - Where did they come from?





I received an email from a friend the other day about where commonly used phrases originated.  It was so interesting, I thought I would share.....  enjoy!!!!


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 








Thursday, March 12, 2015

Au Revoir





For the past few months,  a hyperactive brain shot words down my arms to waiting fingers.  Smoke and flames erupted from the keyboard as each letter reached the screen.  My family knew if they heard tapping to steer clear, walk softly, speak in whispered tones and keep a fire extinguisher handy.  Of course, most of the time the inferno and tapping went unnoticed even by my two dogs and parrot ... all doing what is normal at 2 a.m. -- sleeping.

After finishing Series III, Volume IV of  The San Francisco Wedding Planner - Drama, Decisions, and Departures, I transitioned to my other work in progress.  Last week I submitted the fourth and FINAL volume of Grave Obsessions - Unholy Vengeance.  (Wanna sneak peek?  Click here.)
It hurt saying, "Au Revoir," to my characters.  They were my best friends, confidantes and coaches in the middle of countless nights.  Offsetting grief and loneliness, however, was the realization I can now rest and return to a normal sleeping pattern for a while. 

Yeah, right.  All attempts at staying in bed are futile.  The mind nudges a hunched over body towards the living room, inching closer to a beckoning laptop tucked securely under the end table.  For a few minutes, I resist the temptation. Turning on the television, I search out a movie for distraction.  Unfortunately, because HBO knows normal people are snoring at that hour, they schedule movies hovering well below the "B" rating, in fact,  below "Z" would be more like it. I surrender and lean over the arm of the sofa, pulling my nighttime companion onto my lap. 

Stay tuned for previews on my next project (yawn).    



Saturday, March 7, 2015

THE BENEFITS OF WRITING?



There are many benefits to writing.  One can temporarily escape from reality and avoid the stresses of everyday life or emotionally explode without being institutionalized.  It goes without saying what one could do with someone that angers them. 

ALERT!  My train of thought derailed after that paragraph, plunging my mind into a deep, contemplative mode (yikes!).  Come on ... take the plunge with me.



It would bring my mental state into question, but with all verbal communication I would like to try writing what I want to say before actually saying it. Granted it would take a little more time to have a conversation, but the concept is compelling.  Sound silly?  Well, considering the numerous times I've said something I wanted to take back, it could prove to be a reasonable alternative. My words would not be impulsive, but carefully considered.  I would have the opportunity to revise and most importantly erase anything that might be misunderstood, confusing, inappropriate or hurtful ... Just Sayin'.



By-the-way ...you just encountered the ramblings of a sleep-deprived author.





 


Tuesday, March 3, 2015

A Funny Thing Happened ...



Last week my friend invited me to a spur-of-the-moment "Girls Night Out" at a resort and casino where she was offered a free room. After thinking about it for a nanosecond, I dutifully called my husband to ask (beg) permission to spend (throw away) a little (little?) of our fun-time cash.  Of course, he said I could (or suffer the consequences) and I hurriedly packed and hit the road ... away from my laptop and my latest work in progress.  Woo Hoo!

I enjoyed driving through beautiful desert landscape and made a mental shopping list of what I was going to buy with the millions I planned to win. (On penny machines?)  I texted my friend upon arrival and she was already in full gaming mode.  She told me a key was waiting for me at the front desk and to go ahead and drop off my stuff then meet her in the casino.  I could feel the pull of my favorite machine, so I rushed in, got the key, threw my suitcase on the bed and headed out.

To get from Point A (Hotel) to Point B (Casino) you have to walk down a long (and I mean long) corridor.  It took forever before the exciting sound of jackpots reached my ears.  I found my friend and we chatted for a few seconds then went our separate ways due to different tastes in slots.  Thirsty from the corridor journey, I ordered a coke before allowing a video poker machine to suck up my first twenty. 

About a half hour passed and I was still playing on the same twenty (a good sign) when my cell phone rang.  It was my friend. "Patti, the front desk called me. You left your IPad on the counter."  (How did they figured out it was mine?) I cringed.  Not only would I have to leave a good machine, but also go back through that never ending corridor.  I walked at a pretty good clip, making terrific time.  I thanked the desk clerk and decided to call my friend and let her know all was well and would be back shortly.  (I was exhausted and planned on sitting in the lobby for a few minutes)  I reached in my purse but the cell phone wasn't there.  Thinking it may have settled on the bottom, I rummaged through the notepads, Kleenex, and who knows what else, but nada.  My pants pocket?  Nada. 

When I left to pick up the IPad left from the front desk, I left my cell phone on the video poker machine.  I had to get my phone before someone grabbed it.  (It was a brand new Blackberry replacing the one I had previously left on another machine ... at another casino.)  I almost cried.  Garnering as much strength as possible, I sprinted (okay, walked fast) down the corridor of coronaries. My brow was dripping wet by the time I reached the machine, mascara flowing down my cheeks.  No phone.  The security office was on the on the opposite end of the casino, but raw fear propelled me to get there before my chubby legs gave out.  In a Marilyn Monroe (breathless) voice, I asked the guard if a cell phone had been turned in.  Holding up a purple case with a white label, he said, "Patti J. Smith, right?"  Jackpot!

 
There is no moral here...  I just wanted to share this silly story in case someone needed a laugh.