Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The Passing of Another Year



Years ago I read a theory about how time seems to fly faster and faster the older you get. The reason as it was explained - and it makes perfect sense - is that when you are 1 year old, a year is 100% of your life. As you age, each year becomes a smaller slice of the whole and so seems to pass more quickly. I don't know if it's true but its one of my favorite odd things I've read or know along with the fact that elephants in the wild use a midwife system for giving birth.

It's 21 degrees out and snowing hard here at the moment... only 1-3 inches expected, though, which isn't so bad, I guess and it will look pretty when it's done. Angel looks to be closing out the New Year with a major terrorist run. She was already heading for the stove this morning - a new past time for her. I don't know if she likes hearing me shriek or what. Then she gives me the "Who me? How could you accuse me of such a thing?" face. Tara Grace is her usual virtuous self. Even gave me a kiss this morning... although she did decide I should get up about two hours earlier than I wanted to. This involves a fair amount of gravelly voiced complaints, walking in circles and head butting so that I have to put a pillow over my head to protect myself.

I watched a great movie the other night - my last of the year, I guess. It's an old movie that my therapist had recommended numerous times. When I first added it to my Netfix list, it was "VERY long waiting list" for ages and then "not available." The title - V for Vendetta - put me off so I didn't mourn not seeing it that much. Then it came up again and I checked Netflix and it was there and available. Came to the house and I kept it sitting around for four days (I hate it when I do that... I feel the bargain price ticking away with each day) and then finally put it into the VCR the night before last. GREAT movie! Loved it! Brilliantly written and performed.

On the whole 2008 has been a pretty good year for me. I started my blog in February and have had great fun writing it. It has introduced me to lots of wonderful new people. I got my new camera in March and that has been a daily joy. I've had so much fun with it! Now, thanks to my neighbors, I have a printer/scanner and can run off some of my own and Shannon's pictures and scan in old paper photos before they crumble into dust.

I've made new flesh and blood friends, had my home cosmicly harmonized resonanced (see Dennis Puffett), gotten new pots and pans that really really don't stick.... Speaking of cooking equipment... I have finally conquered my fear of the microwave Nate and Dan found for me. It's old and I think I need to increase the time for things but it works. The house didn't catch fire and nothing blew up. I started out with frozen corn in a packet on Sunday and then last night did a more complicated thing. Not sure that I'm going to be a microwave junkie, but I'm glad I'm not afraid of it any more. But back to 2008. Read some good books - the last of the Harry Potters, The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, the two latest books in the Thomas Covenan series, and Marley and Me among my favorites. I don't read enough any more, but I'm hoping to get back to doing more of that.

What else did 2008 bring my way? Schwans and less stress about getting groceries. Barack Obama and a future with a man of honor and intelligence leading my country. January 20th can't come soon enough. And of course one of the highlights of the year was my nephew's visits, augmented by a keyboard. Angel and Tara Grace have both been healthy. Tara Grace is evolving and seems to be healing both physically and emotionally from her days of abandonment and deprivation. That is such a delight to see.

I know there's a lot I'm forgetting. The Universe has been good to me. It did take away my beautiful tree, but it gave me a 12-year old friend in return. And I learned that my home owner's insurance works. I can't say enough good things about Travellers. They picked up half of the enormous cost - and they were really nice about it. I survived even though the tree didn't.

Anyway, I have much to be grateful for. Even in hard financial times, I'm hanging in there. Next year as my Christmas gift to Shannon, Nate, Dan, Sue and Mary, I'm attuning them to reiki. I have to go back and relearn how to do it, but I'm very excited to be sharing what brings so much joy to me with the five of them... delighted that they love reiki and each asked to learn how to do it. Terrified that I will disappoint them when we have our workshop. Grateful that I have my kind therapist to help me work through that.

I'm deeply troubled by some things - the push back against change and hope - laws against gay marriage, violence in Israel and Palestine and elsewhere in the world. I don't envy our new president the world of trouble he is inheriting, but I'm glad that he is the one inheriting it.

I could probably ramble on and on, but Tara Grace is sitting on my mouse and a Angel is across the room looking for all the world like she's planning something. I'm off to take my shower and then visit around the net... and maybe I'll see if I can finish off the 2nd of the three books my niece Cindy sent me. Amy Tan's latest...

I wish you each and all a gentle, joyful end to 2008. May the new year bring peace and better, kinder days to all of us in this country and around the world. Thanks for visiting my blog, for commenting and encouraging me. It is much appreciated.





HAPPY NEW YEAR!!


16 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a nice stock-taking and wish list for the changing year! And those cats are too adorable for words! Have an nice relaxing evening (I'm spending mine with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin!) and a happy start to '09!

Dianne said...

OMG! how you capture those two so beautifully!!

I'm spending mine with Anderson and Kathy too!! they're hilarious together

and I also have the entire season 4 of Lost to catch up on

Peace and all good things Raven

Finding Pam said...

Your cats are so beautiful! Stay warm and blessings.

gabrielle said...

So much to be grateful for. I am happy to hear that all in all, 2008 was a gentle year for you.

I am thankful for the virtual community of open hearted, curious and talented people and exceptional cats I have met.

I didn’t know this about elephants. It’s lovely.

Blessings for a new year arcing towards harmony within and without, inspiration from the deep and tender friendship.

Terry said...

Dear Raven..I am in a hurry but I will come back later.
What I am telling you is you should not be telling our Teach untruths!
You should of said you will see her next YEAR!!!..Ha!

Got to run.........Love Terry
Gotta' come back and see those kitties though!
Maybe next year, eh?

Melli said...

I would say it hasn't been a bad year as years go! I'm looking forward to '09 - I think it's going to be a very interesting year! As a matter of fact - I think the next 4 -- MAYBE 8 - might be very interesting! Only time will tell.
Happy New Year Raven! Is Wordzzle THIS week?

Felisol said...

Dear Raven,
You are so clever with your grateful list.
I choose not to feel ashamed, but to learn from you.
Look for the stars under the wintery sky.
We were actually out on a small view point at midnight, Gunnar, Serina and I, and there they were, Orion, the Pleiades, Venus, The Big Dipper, Polar Star and all the others on the Milky way.
The fireworks were just phony junk in comparison.
I wish you, Tara Grace and Angel the best year you've ever had.
With so much reiki energy your home must be a wonderful place for both people and animals.
My the Lord bless you and keep you safe,-always.
From Felisol

Carletta said...

Hi Raven,
I'm exhausted but wanted to come by and wish you a Happy New Year!
I'm so glad you have been a part of my blogging year.
Stay warm. We had flurries today too and expect to be in the teens tonight. It was 75 in Virginia Sunday so I'm so confused. :)
I'll come back later and read all these interesting things I see that I missed.
Best Wishes my friend!!

Carletta said...

Me again.
I just left here and saw your comment over on mine.
No, it wasn't my birthday. Lily's Mommy's birthday was also over the holiday. It was my 34th anniversary though. Thanks for the wishes.

Anonymous said...

I love that first picture on your blog. That baby needs her face kissed!

Gattina said...

For me too the past year was good ! It will be my 3rd year now of blogging and I enjoy it so much, just as you do. Our screen is a kind of window to the world.
Happy New Year to you and that all your wishes will be fulfilled !

Akelamalu said...

The explanation for time flying more quickly as one gets older seems logical.

Happy New Year m'dear. x

storyteller said...

I appreciated your explanation of the apparent speeding up of time as we grow older. I've been aware of the phenomenon for a while and have alluded to it from time to time in my posts ... and as I type this I seem to recall you leaving a comment or sending email in response to one previously. I put much less effort into MY 2008 'reflections' thus far ... opting instead for the Review Meme I missed last year, but perhaps I'll get around to reflecting over the next few days on one or more of my blogs. As always ... I love the photos. I'll keep my eyes open for the movie and perhaps watch it on your recommendation. Happy New Year to YOU ... I'm glad we encountered one another in this 'virtual' world.
Hugs and blessings,

Travis Cody said...

I get the names of your kitties mixed up...the picture at the top of this post is just terrific. I love the expression on her face.

That face is one of the reasons we put up with some of the less desirable antics of our kitties. That...and the head butts.

And the snuggles.

And the face pats.

And the deep purrs.

You can tell I'm a cat guy, can't you?

Happy 2009!

Quiet Paths said...

A very special assessment of the year. I remember when the tree went; I felt awful for you because I am a tree person. So glad the microwave is working out. You'll use it more the more you use it. Ha! Thanks so much for all the encouraging words you leave on my posts. It's been a pleasure getting to know you better. Here's to a new year! Blessings, christine

Unknown said...

Happy New Year, Raven!

May you be blessed with much happiness and many joys in 2009!

May the world be blessed with Peace & Justice in 2009!