June 27
What might happen if we gave a task our full attention and all the time it needed?
1966
Hard day. We went from Muskogee, Oklahoma to Laredo, Texas. That's a 7 AM to 10:30 PM drive. We're staying here for a day.
We listened to a Mexican radio station, but I couldn't understand a thing. Remember: LBJ's alma mater and ranch. Wonder Cave – direct route to LBJ ranch – the Devils Backbone. Today it was hot. Very hot. The trip to Matehuala will be very bad.
1978
Went to Baltimore today, to take EC's picture. I had a pleasant talk with her. She seemed to be convinced that I was somebody in the department, kept trying to impress me. Very odd, but I couldn’t think of a good way to dissuade her. Don't tell me these things; I don't have a thing to do with your future. It was 97° today and truly awful. Luckily a shower hit the area and it is now in the low 70s for a fairly comfortable night. The humidity however is over 80% so everything still squishes a lot. I have been practicing less piano because of the weather… My fingers get all sticky and slide off the keys, and my glasses keep slipping down my nose. Hard to concentrate.
Saw A today and had a pleasant chat; later there was an awkward moment as we passed in the hall, with nothing to say to each other. (Nod, smile, bob, look away)
Perhaps I will actually go to the library tomorrow! (Another neglected duty.)
1995
I have been a bad diarist! So we wended our way from Vasby to Goteborg to Copenhagen - - a cold and rainy week, but packed with new experiences. The sun came out at last 6/23 in Denmark, and since then it’s been a lovely trip through the Swedish countryside. The last day and a half in Rattvik and the Lake Siljan area has been spectacular. The weather sunny, warm and dry, the brilliant blue sky mirrored in a breathtaking lake.
2004
What I most yearn for in a retreat right now is clarity, energy and focus. I want to be able to shed some tasks and obligations without regret. I want to wake up on Tuesday eager to work, and not waste time playing computer games. I have not played games except for jigsaw puzzles in two weeks. I haven't missed them. I have gone to bed earlier and woken up earlier. I have watched less TV. I want to keep doing that!!
What might happen if we gave a task our full attention and all the time it needed?
Comment 2023
Clarity, energy and focus. Is that all? If I have to pick just one, it would be clarity every time.
2019
Yesterday went fast, once the caning crew got here. There was getting everything out of storage, there was coiling cane, then stringing the warp. I took a few cat naps in between.
Today I tell my "almost "story. I have told the story of almost not getting the University of Maryland job so many times, that should be easy.
Then at 2 PM I call Alicia and have a conversation with her, somehow. I still need to think about that!
It is so foggy today. Even foggier than yesterday. I kind of love it, except for the cold and damp.
Comment 2023
Nice reminder to always pack some warm clothes when I visit New England.
If I’m not complaining about the heat, I’m complaining about being cold. Heat is definitely worse; I thought I would get used to DC summers after a while. Instead I learned to love air conditioning.
2023:
The first full day at Star Island was the foggiest we’ve ever seen, and ended with chilly rain. Still, there was good company and good times. Regards to all my off-island friends, especially those who are not on vacation.
2024
Just three more days on Star Island. I ran out of knitting projects yesterday, so I took both a morning and an afternoon nap. That was a super idea, because it made it possible to stay awake long enough to enjoy the annual Burning Star ritual and evening chapel.
Here is a barn swallow congratulating me on my good planning, or telling me about its adorable babies.
And here is the view looking north from the awesome porch.
