Let's just start by saying that Halloween has never been "my thing."  My mother wasn't into it, so we didn't get excited about it when I was young.  And while yes, I may be adept at other artistic endeavors, making costumes, and the crafty sort of paraphernalia that goes along with October 31 - well, no, thank you, it's not in my wheel house.

I decided it was time to push past a comfort zone about the whole thing this year.  Signed up not just to be a volunteer at Cape Cod Church's Trunk or Treat event - that's way too easy - but instead to actually DECORATE my car, and go in COSTUME!!!!!!!

The theme was "cartoons."  Took me far too long just to choose one.  My first two ideas were already taken, so I landed on Cinderella - with me as Fairy Godmother.  In truth, it was inspired by a blog post I wrote a little while ago - titled "Im-possible" - based on a song in the Rogers and Hamerstein version.  (you can read the blog HERE if you missed it.) That was October 20.  I had roughly ten days to come up with my ideas.

Thought I might decorate the car as the coach.  That was WAY too elaborate.  Ended up instead with a diorama inside the back of the car.  And me in costume as Fairy Godmother herself (God bless the children tonight who thought I was Cinderella!  At age 56?!  LOVE IT!  Bring on Prince Charming!!! oops - that's another blog entirely - back to the topic at hand...)

Spent the past week picking up some of the parts  I would need. A friend's Fisher Price toy castle.  A styrofoam pumpkin.  Some glitter spray and tinsel.  A magic wand and tiara.  Didn't start to actually assemble it until about 2 o'clock this afternoon.

May I say that about 20 minutes into the endeavor I started to laugh out loud?  At myself?  For how ridiculously absurd it was that such a task should be such a challenge.  Threw myself into the project, acknowledging that I didn't have to do it perfectly, and could let go of comparing myself to all of the others who would certainly have far more elaborate set ups.  And I simply had FUN!!!!!!!  Loved every minute of it.  

It turned out - okay.  Not great.  But passable enough that some of the kids recognized it.  

Most important?  I never knew I could have so much fun handing out candy to several thousand children!!!  It was a DELIGHTFUL Halloween night!!!  

Though next year, remind me, please, to choose a warmer outfit? Perhaps a polar bear?

xo
​Mimi

ps - one of my friends at the church handed me some Bible verse fortune cookies she special ordered (too cute!) - mine was (random) - Matthew 19:26 With God all things are possible.  Not so random.  Remember where this started?  Fairy Godmother - Impossible?!  Just can't make this stuff up!!!!!

Do you know the difference between good tired and bad tired?

Good tired comes at the end of a day where we feel like we used the day well, in whatever we did.  Maybe it was work.  Maybe it was play.  Maybe we volunteered.  Or mowed the lawn.  Or cleaned out the garage. 

Bad tired, for me, is the result of frustration.  Or anger.  Or irritation.

Tonight I am good tired.  I did a LOT of music today.  Played the service at Christ Lutheran Church.  Attended worship service at Cape Cod Church.  Worked two hours as rehearsal accompanist for the Falmouth Theater Guild.  Then back to Cape Cod Church for Christmas Choir rehearsal, asked to step in as alto section leader since the regular leader was sick (poor dear...wishing her FAST recovery.)  

That was a whole lot of music.  And church.  And time at the piano.

And tonight, I am good tired.  A day WELL spent. Working together with a whole bunch of wonderful people, who added so much to my time.

Now, I go to sleep with the sound of a gentle late October rain.  

Thank you, God, for blessing me in the simple things.  AND in the big things.

xo
Me.

I just spent the past three hours going through "stuff"  Office stuff.  Piles that had been sitting on the floor for weeks.  Files of papers.  Throwing out old things.  A desk drawer.  It started this morning with a drawer in the kitchen that I call my tool drawer.  Screwdrivers, my hammer, and a whole bunch of junk that just ended up there.  

I have a whole lot of thoughts about this but honestly it is 11:14pm and i just want to drink a cup of Sleepytime tea and go to bed because it is a long day ahead tomorrow.

So, if I forget, please remind me to write more about the "stuff" topic.  Because it is important stuff rolling around in my head right now that I want to share.

Nite nite.

xo
Mimi
​

Watched the movie "Miracles from Heaven" tonight with a group of women.
Let me say - my tear ducts got a good cleaning.

Based on a true story, it says.  Which raises all kinds of question.

Most important - it raises the question I posed a while back.  Do we REALLY believe in miracles?  We pray for them.  We hope for them.  But when we hear about them, how much do we try to logic our way through them?

Some call it magical thinking.  I call it trust. In God, above all else.

Going to keep it that simple tonight.  Love to each of you.

I'm going to go pray now... some people in my life who I know could use a miracle or two.  

xo
Mimi

I read a FB post today that quite sarcastically did what I will call "Millenial bashing".  A video that depicted them as lazy and extravagant.  And I spoke up.

Initially because my own daughter is a "millennial" who has a work ethic that puts my own to shame.  As do her friends.  Yes, they live in Brooklyn.  And they go out on the town more than I do.  AND they are investing in IRA's, and working hard at their careers, and paying their own way.  

After I posted my rebuke, about an hour later as I mulled it over (rarely do I "rebuke" on FB because I don't want to incite debate) it occurred to me that the video in essence was a form of racism.  No - not based on the color of someone's skin - so maybe racism isn't the word I am searching for at 11:33pm (I'll come up with the more appropriate word while I sleep) - but in the sense of bashing an entire group because of the less than favorable behavior of a few.  If one looks hard enough in ANY group less than favorable examples may be found.  As well as favorable ones.  Back in the days, a similar group of youth were called hippies.  How quickly one forgets.

We find what we're looking for, now don't we?  Seek the good, and the light, and you will find it.  Look for evidence to the contrary, and, well, there it is.

Day 95.  oops - I was supposed to stop a few days ago!  Oh well!

xo to all.

Mimi

Thank you to Mark Batterson, in his book Chase the Lion.

THIS is why I wrote my novel.  And THIS is why I will continue to write. 

I think it speaks to a whole lot of creative endeavors.  What is yours?

xo
​Mimi

I have intentionally not "gone political" in my blog postings of the past 93 days as I do not want to incite back and forth tyrades.  Simply does not fit within my intentions.

I saw this photo on someone's FB feed today, and my response was "peace."  Then I added something to the effect of "we need a comeback of civility and decorum."  Things that have been so lacking in this particular election season, on both sides.  We need to seek ways to LISTEN to one another.  Hear another's viewpoint.  We learn from one another that way.

Walked this morning with a dear lovely friend and discovered we were in disagreement on a social issue.  Did not launch into finger pointing or name calling, but rather had thoughtful discussion of how and why we each came to our understanding of the issue.

This, I believe, is how bridges are built.  How peace is found.  How wars are prevented.  And how love is engaged into daily life.

Just my thought.  You needn't agree.

Civility and Decorum  Look it up.  Oh, what the heck... I'll provide the links below for you.

Drop the F word from your language (yes, even my Boston friends.).  Choose words that uplift rather than tear down.  Think before you speak.  Or take it a step further if you dare and pray before you speak.  Ask for words that will enlighten rather than degrade.

Want to join the movement?  What movement, you ask?  My movement of one... toward the return of civility and decorum.  Kinda like the 'random acts of kindness thing' - but with words, and listening.

xo
Mimi

CIVILITY 

DECORUM

God is love.  God created us to love.  God calls us to love.

It really does break down that simply.

And when we fall away from that - when we get caught up in egos, and agenda, and aspirations that wander from that calling - it becomes stress, and angst, and annoyance, and ugly.

God creates beauty.  Beauty is love.  Just look around.

I know - maybe TOO simple, and that's why we do our best to complicate it.

Maybe it's why we love our dogs so much.  They are - all love.  Unconditional love.  One of the best examples of God in action.

I told you it was simple.

xo
Me.

It's become a habit.  A good habit.  Can't resist one more post.

Thank you again to all who have joined me in the past 90 days.  Would love to hear from you.

Not sure I want to stop at 90.  Time will tell.

New class is forming.  I'm excited about this.  Read more HERE.
Delaying start by one week to allow more to join.

Considering adding another class time on Monday afternoons 1:30 - 3pm.

Love you all.  This one is short - but heartfelt.  THANK YOU for joining me in this miraculous life and faith journey.

xo
​Mimi

Crossing the finish line today on the 90 day blog challenge.

Surprised, honestly, that I completed this without missing a single day.  Truly thought there would be at least one day that I would forget, fall asleep, wake up the next morning with an "uh oh!".  But that didn't happen.

I took up the challenge because I wanted to get back into a writing practice, every day.  And I did. 

What happens now?  Well, first, I will intentionally NOT write a blog post tomorrow, in order to break the streak.  Unless of course I feel inspired to go to 100 (!)

The good news?  I have two new writing projects underway.  The daily writing will continue, even while not as a blog.

The odd news?  The three blog posts that had the most readership according to the website stats each had the word "out" in the title!  What's THAT about?! 

So - the blog is over.  And I'm out.  Wearing my faith in God to guide my life on my sleeve in a good number of the writings.

Temperature outside has dropped ferociously today.  No doubt that fall is here, swimming is over, and we begin the wild march to the winter holidays.

90 day blog challenge is over. My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you who has read even just one blog post in the past 90 years.   I was humbled, and honored, by your following, your comments, both online, and in random conversation.

Feels like there should be some sort of fanfare as I say goodnight on Day 90.  But there isn't.  Just another day.

I will finish with an image of the completed commission painting, picked up today by the newly engaged couple discussed back on AUGUST 27 - DAY 34 OF THE BLOG. The beginning of the sky was posted on DAY 77.

Every ending a new beginning.

Nite nite.
xo
Mimi