sick day

I came down with a cold last week Wednesday & thought that I was all better yesterday. Woke up this morning feeling rotten--blew my nose for an hour & a half, then took some cold medicine & went back to bed. Finished reading 2 novels I was in the middle of--one a story I will give to a young friend who is 13, Time of the Eagle: A Story of an Ojibwe Winter by Stephanie Golightly Lowden, about a 13-year-old Ojibwe girl in the 1870's after smallpox wiped out her family band. The 2nd was also a YA novel, Blown Away! by Joan Hiatt Harlow. This told the story of a 13-year-old boy living in Islamadora in the Florida Keys during 1935 & the horrific hurricane. It was very moving since I was there & saw the devastation--the railroad bridge with huge chunks missing, & drove on the highway they had been in the middle of constructing. It gave me a good feel for that period of history of the Keys. Now time to return to bed.

Sabbatical

Went through the manuscript & removed all named persons from whom I do not intend to seek permission to quote. Added to both introduction and conclusion to address more of Reader C’s comments/questions: Explain more about Quaker beliefs & how they resonate with me, and then, if this is home, why are SDAs drawing me? Why is confusion valid—why is being Quaker not enough? How to reconcile Quaker discussion on all days holy versus 7th day? The journaling was a response to the call from God but the book is how to communicate the lessons learned. Why am I being compelled to speak right now—what am I trying to tell people: The point is that “live & let live” or tolerance, is not enough; have to seriously grapple with each other’s beliefs & move to love and acceptance even of differences & uniquenesses.

Sabbatical

Created an Acknowledgments page & added material to the introduction to reply to Reader C’s comment: “Add more about the challenges and frustrations of living in these times, giving a little more body to the person/location from which I have dialog and journey with the Friends and SDAs.” Also started working on the 1st publisher's Proposal form.

Sabbatical

Working on “close editing” to remove any reference to GVSU, Library, or work in the manuscript, based on Reader B’s recommendation. Slow going.

Sabbatical

Talked with a faculty member (who has had books published) to discuss the publishing process. She advised me to simply submit proposals to publishers without adding more “framework” in to the manuscript, and to stick with my vision of the book in journal/diary form, not to re-write it in chapters or essays. Also advised me to take suggested changes from publisher editors/readers.

Dec. 25

Merry Christmas everyone! Wishing that you may have the ability to give up hope for a better past, find forgiveness, and from there create reconciliation and peace.

Blizzard Tantrums

I am having a tantrum-y day. Our driveway plow hasn't come but the garbage & recycling still had to go out. At 6:45 a.m., it was still ok--about 4." I carefully placed the bins well out of reach of both the street & driveway plows, I thought. Later I looked out of the window from my "control center" as I was working, and saw that both bins were tipped over into the driveway & recycling was scattered. So I bundled up & went out. The garbage bin had filled up with snow & I had a struggle to right it & move it to the other side of the drive, even farther out of the paths, I hoped. The recycling was worse, as bits were everywhere & picking them up with thick mittens was difficult, & trying to cram it all back into the bin.... Later, I saw the garbage picked up. Watching the grabber arms come out of the truck sides gave me an idea about how far apart the 2 bins need to be in the future. About 11:00, after I prepared some correspondence to be mailed, I bundled up & went out. The recycling bin had been sent flying yet again by the street plow, I guess. I had a full-fledged tantrum out in the blizzard, trying to pick it all up & beating the junk into submission. Pulling the garbage bin back to the garage was a several-minute hike in heavy, wet snow now up to my knees. I wonder where our driveway plow is? Good thing I decided not to go to campus today. To work off my tantrum, I shoveled the sidewalk & path to the utility boxes, then righted the squirrel-tipped bird-feeder. Soon I'll go back to work on my annual activity report. I am not good with feeling cooped-up.

Still, this has given me a chance to do a "dry run" on using my new desk & office space. I need a mousepad, & for warmth, my fingerless gloves, felted hat, & thick slippers over wool socks. I need a small container for pens & pencils. I'll be glad to have my office computer set up at home, with the separate keyboard & monitor for ergonomic comfort. Otherwise, I feel ready to go!