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I'm a woman entering "the third chapter" and fascinated by the journey.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

The turning

Today was the shortest day of the year, tonight the longest night. For those of us with a tendency to photosynthesize (as my long-suffering spouse says I probably do), this is the real New Year, the time after which the days get longer and the light returns. I don't do resolutions, but here are some hopes for the next year.
  • Less restlessness. As the number of days behind me increases, I find myself wanting to experience more of the lives I haven't lived. This is not necessarily a problem, as long as I don't get too distracted to enjoy the perfectly good life I have.
  • Less time on the computer. A good start is the fact that I have no online classes this term, for the first time since 2009.
  • More time with friends. Most of the time, grading papers can wait a few more hours. The humans in one's life should always not be squeezed in around work.
  • More time outside. 
  • More wildlife. I am hoping for the pileated woodpecker to put in another appearance in our oak trees--and if this year's snowy owl irruption found its way to Parkersburg, that would be a great beginning for the New Year.

3 comments:

David said...

I was thrilled to see my first (up close anyway) pileated woodpecker. It was attracted to the berries of our oldest dogwood. I've added more since we moved here and can't wait until they provide a huge feast for wildlife.

Perhaps adding more dogwood will ensure the return of your pileated woodpecker.

Rebecca said...

David, we have lots of baby dogwoods, so we can hope.

David said...

I can't wait until we have a lot of baby dogwoods...but, by then, I may have planted all that I can fit, and have no room for the new ones.

If you've got the babies, there have to be some mature ones with berries nearby...enjoy the pileated on those until your babies mature.