2022 Wishes

"Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art. It has no survival value. Rather, it is one of the things which give value to survival." C. S. Lewis

"Survival is insufficient." Star Trek Voyager, ep. 122

May your 2022 be filled with things which give value to survival.

Friendly Reminder

Thank goodness for my friends. I've been maintaining a sprint pace for far too long, and I'm overdue for a rest period. Academia has done away with Spring Break this year, and I'm feeling the lack way down deep in my bones. 

 

Also, there are just So Many Things that are interesting and exciting to be part of right now. The upside of remote-everything is that the buffet is open and one can pile her plate as high as ever. (Did I mention I'll be on the SAAP panel tomorrow? I will. I'm looking forward to it, but my Zoom-avoidance is cranked up to the max.) 

 

The latest mini-series will launch later this month on the APA Blog, and I'm excited about it. I'm also ready to give series development a bit of a rest. This one is about Technology and Philosophy, a topic dear to my heart. It follows Climate Matters, Genology of Philosophy, Philosophy as a Way of Life, and Recently Published Books author interview series. Along with the existing Black Issues in Philosophy and Women in Philosophy series, and my editing plate is rich and full. I work with some of the best people on the planet and I'm proud of what we are publishing.

 

I've enlisted Tank to be my wingman on burnout prevention, a position he's got a lot of experience with. Not a full day passed before:

 

Me: I can't wait for this term to end so I can do NothingWhatsoever for two months!! 

Also me: Shiny!!

Tank:

Definitely going to need to put this picture beside the computer.

Community

So many phone calls today, reminding me that despite the isolation, I have a Community. Life is rich and good, even though hope was hard today.

 

Judy and I had a Jedi Council of two, and it was a special treat. We'll check in with the guys next month, and it was nice to have some girl-time. We talked about education generally and teaching specifically, and she was instrumental in helping me set down my guilt for being reluctant to teach, at least in the traditional sense. 

 

During my conversation with Tank, we talked (as always) about everything and nothing, and I felt heard and seen. I am very blessed.

As I was walking Little Dog under the waning sliver of moon, I smiled. Tea was steeping back in the apartment, extra ginger in the infuser along with the loose leaves, and simply being out in the night spring air was delightful. I told Tank about the Quaker pilgrimage I want to take and the book that will come of it. Just talking about that helped hope be more available and less weighty.

 

In between naps, it was a productive day. Philosophy posts were edited, schedules updated, and a new series launched. I wrote the first draft of the conference paper for Saturday (I am of course also helping host the panel. Why am I like this?) The conversation with a delegate about educational policy and leadership got rescheduled, as did the meeting with a philosophy student. I messed about with Writing. 

My brain has had a lot of activity lately, so I doubled up on the milk and had some salmon. Tiu is a big fan of the fact that I don't eat the skin -- he thinks it's divine. He seems to be recovering from surgery very well. Bonus: he's overall calmer, though still playful.

The line about the sweaters makes me laugh.

Every. Single. Time.

Gifts of Friendship

This week has been a roller coaster of emotionality, and honestly I'm worn out. I've been tired since September. Acupuncture and physical therapy help, but still -- this winter has been difficult.

This morning a friend brought a care package: wooden bow breadknife from the Adirondacks, live-edge cutting board from a tree in Connecticut, homemade pepper jelly, almond butter, yogurt, and granola. Enjoy your bread and tea, he said. If he only knew.

Then the evening mail contained an unexpected package: a book a friend had written a while ago about seeking our way in the world. Ever keep heart! he signed it. If he only knew.

I've been so isolated for so long that I think I've forgotten how to be celebrated.

The gifts of friendship sustain us through dark and lonely times, reminding us that we are not alone and that we are worthy just as we are, wherever and however we are.

Thank you, Friends.

A Mile Walked with Friends

Roanoke Regional Writer's Conference 2019

Some things

Some things:
I believe that grace is in our daily lives and in our choices if we so choose.
There is grace in integrity, a grace of dignity if we choose to make commitments and live by them.
There is grace in simplicity, a grace of elegance in finding the least that we need and living in that arc between too much and too little, an elegance of enough.
There is a grace to ongoing revelation, a grace of intimacy that comes only when there is an abundance of mystery without secrecy
There is a grace to presence, a grace of identity that happens when we are still enough to witness without ego.
This is how a utilitarian Taoist cyberpunk monk ends up in the silent meeting of the Religious Society of Friends.

Holiday retrospective

Reading the book from John Kern. Again.

French Toast with Hearts

Ponies

Gingerbread family, all ready for decorating

Spiritual Formation retreat

Spiritual Formation Retreat at Priestfield.

Mandala Journaling Workshop
Chanting Workshop
Spiritual Friendship

Roanoke Friends: Harvey, Judith, Tony, Ellen
Also met: Alan, Amy, Janet, Valerie, Susan, Janet and Dayna.

Reading chosen: Practicing the Presence of God

Dinner meeting coming up to discuss the reading: Wednesday, September 27th at 6 pm at the Friends Meeting House.

Tuesday evening after chanting

We had a wonderful time at chanting again, and Vivian was delighted to get to attend finally. She was really engaged, singing and also playing the instruments. It was delightful.

Bonus: afterwards we got to talk with Sport the dog.

Sunday, funday

We had a grad time of it on Sunday, from Meeting with Friends to harvesting the garden to stopping by the library. The summer seems especially designed for our enjoyment. Vivian continues to enjoy the greenway and her bike, and -- bonus -- she has begun meditation on her own. Pretty cool. Check out the Little Free Library that we found! We are thinking of starting our own.

The weekend in pictures.

Hair Appointment at Candy's

Getting Advice

After Meeting, waiting on the singing

She was in love with reading all weekend -- this was how she rode everywhere.

Ready for the adventure.
(Let me point out that it was 80 degrees out)

Cooking is serious business

Making our own ketchup for the burgers.

The Park!!

Heading to meeting

Gathered and Singing

Playing with Zane

Girls on Campus

Solar Return

Manage less. Miracle More.

Friends at Work

Building community. Nurturing nature.
Another garden day filled with great conversation, sprouting ideas, and interesting ideas to explore.