Our 15 year-old grandson is in town for a couple of weeks and much of my “free time” has been consumed by attempting to entertain a teen whose favorite reply to most questions is, “I don’t know.” His favorite questions are, “What’s there to eat? And “What are we doing now?”
At the moment he’s back on Heather’s computer looking at sports news and likely trying to add things to our Amazon shopping cart, while I am hiding in the living room trying to write a post for this week. Frankly writing anything intelligent isn’t going to happen. I had delusions about writing about this really interesting book I just read on Lectio Divina (divine reading), but that faded half way through watching Wonder Woman at the theater this afternoon. Somehow massive explosions and ancient gods duking it out during WWI spoils the whole contemplative mood of the ancient practice of quiet reading and mediation.
Yeah, I did like the movie – come on what’s not to like about massive explosions and the bad guy getting his due. Well, there was just a little too much CG and special effects for my liking and I would have liked more story telling with fewer dead bodies on-screen.
So instead of writing anything that requires real thought, I decided to take the low road and update you on my 2017 goals. Yup, I am still tracking them. Mostly for days like this when life interferes with my lofty writing goals.
The goals with updates in-line:
1. Self publish my cancer poetry book.
Heather is doing some art for me on this.
2. Finish writing my novel.
I’ve made some progress, but unlikely I finish this year.
3. Start a new poetry collection and actually submit some to literary magazines.
Been thinking about it…
4. Keep doing stuff in the workshop. First project is a total shop reorg.
Been doing this. The reorg is about 2/3 done
5. Build a new ladder for the kitties (poor dears only have one).
Sadly, Boots needed a bed more than a ladder.
6. Exercise more and keep my FitBit happy.
I have exercised a bit more, okay, they moved my desk at work ten feet further from the kitchen so I have longer walk for tea. FitBit is only a little happy about that.
7. Participate in a protest march or two.
Did one.
8. Write my elected leaders on a regular basis.
Have written them, but not as often as I wanted.
9. ROAD TRIP!!!
DONE! And all the details posted here.
10. Keep this list someplace where I can find it next year.
Turns out on that the search function on the blog helps me keep track of this.
11. Attend a writer’s workshop.
I signed up for two, wasn’t accepted for one workshop, but am going to one in August.
12. Don’t adopt any more cats – the house is full.
So far, no new cats have moved in.
That’s it for this week as I’ve just been informed that it’s bedtime and someone needs to separate teen from computer.
Till next week,
Andrew
Andrew's View of the Week 
I was very into Lectio back in the late 90’s early 2000’s. Then, in the mid 2000’s, like most of my other spiritual disciplines, it went by the wayside. I think it corresponded to when we realized that we were actually a gypsy family and couldn’t live anywhere longer than 2 years. Still, I’d love to hear the thoughts on the book you read.
And I loved Wonder Woman! I believe I’m a distance cousin of hers….
So what and how much food did he eat?
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I’ll be writing more about my version of this. I’ve had a number of pastors try to teach people this, and most I think got it wrong. Mostly I am trying to used this method to go in-depth on one book of the Bible.
and he ate lots.
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it really is a very powerful way of experiencing Scripture. Will be interested in reading your take on it.
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I’ll keep you updated.
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Good for you keeping yourself honest.
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Two or three times a year, I am honest.
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Who was it – oh, you know, ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’; Douglas Adams, that’s the fella. He said ‘there’s nothing sweeter than the rushing sound a deadline makes as it’s going past’, or something like that. That may be the only thing Douglas and I have in common.
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Ah, yes one of my favorite sayings…
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I had goals — I’m sure I had goals — dang, I should have written them down. (I suppose there’s no rule I can’t write a few now.)
I’d say you’ve been making good progress. Well done!
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You set a goal to have goals. Maybe just one or two to start. Maybe something easy like, “Sleep daily,” or “Write about google.” Wait, you did that one – hey, cross that off the list. 😉
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With 17- and 20-year-old sons, I hear “I don’t know” so often, it sounds like one word. In fact, oftentimes I don’t even get that. I get “IDK.” 😄
And yes, the kitties need that ladder!
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Yup, there are times when, “IDK” is a major conversation. I have all the material for the kitty ladder. Now if I just had the time.
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Q: Where are you going?
A: Nowhere.
Q: Who are you going with?
A: Nobody.
Q: Whatcha going to do?
A: Nothing.
It doesn’t matter what order the questions are in, the result is the same. 15-years olds are a trip (more so in retrospect, years later) and we need them in our lives. We reach the inevitable time when their lives move on, and Summer visits are no more.
It appears that you have a helper ready to assist you with your list. Happy Summer, Andrew.
Ω
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It’s a mixed bag. He can be irritating at times, but likely this is the last time he’ll come out for a summer visit. Sadly, it’s almost time for him to move to adulthood.
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You will both have fond memories of your time together, Andrew. With luck, he can pass it on to his nephew when the time comes.
Ω
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Good luck with trying to think with a 15 year old to entertain!
Meanwhile, I was impressed with your ‘to-do” list and amazed that I am working on a blog post about the same thing…. only my list is not as impressive and noble as yours. Will publish it today and you will see the difference. 🙂
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I’ve kind of giving up on thinking until we send him home.
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I’m glad to hear Wonder Woman is good. My son (who’s addicted to superheroes) is visiting so we likely will be seeing it.
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He’ll like it. I found it better than your average superhero movie.
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You have a hefty list there, Andrew. I like your posts on your woodworking. Hope to see more.
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I’ll be out in the shop again soon.
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Well, in my world, that is a pretty successful carrying out of the list!
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Actually, I was a bit surprised myself that I got much done.
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