Happy Saturday! Happy May! Happy mask choice time!
Yes, we can now decide whether or not we want to wear a mask or go mask-free in most places. We were hoping for this day. It’s here! But, we still have important choices about it and we need to respect each individual’s decision. Some people have health issues and want to continue to mask for an abundance of safety. Some want to help protect others. Some need a few days or weeks to stop masking. Going ‘cold turkey’ just feels weird. So, be kind to everyone, whatever their decision is right now.
Pet peeve of mine: People on social media who never use any periods, exclamation marks, and emojis! (Notice I just ended my sentence with one.) I may overuse them – I realize that. But, seriously, why wish someone a happy birthday and not make it ‘happy’? Or, send someone a note and not give a smiling face. This world needs more sharing of emojis! And, using other pics and videos is fun too. That’s what makes social media “social.”
It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. Does it seem like that is how we all are these days? Is it me or are people putting politics into deep division categories and people who believe ‘in the middle’ can’t exist. It’s all in – or not. There is no acceptance of having beliefs that might fall into the gray area, or seeing both sides and finding aa happy middle ground.
Last evening hubby and I sat with a couple of neighbors on our porch and rocked and talked, and sipped and rocked some more, and talked. It was a lovely way to spend a Friday night. Nothing better.
But, I do miss live music and being out with others who feel the same way! My first chance to do that has me in a dilemma. A while back, months ago, I got tickets to the Carolina Country Music Festival that takes place over a 4 day weekend each summer. Usually I go to the CMA Festival in Nashville instead, but since it was postponed due to CoVid, I got CCMF tickets instead. Not knowing, my hubby arranged and paid for a cottage for a trip to Lakeside, Ohio. Lakeside has been an annual event and time with family. Is this not the way life goes? Here I was in lockdown for a year and half, no live music anywhere, no vacationing anywhere – and now two things happen on the same week!! (Exclamation points needed.) . I have been in denial about it for awhile… but soon I need to make a decision. What to do, what to do??
Many of you know I read all the time. I’m on Goodreads.com – you can friend me and see what I read, what I like and don’t. Well, for something different after reading the heavy & sad book called Caste (about caste systems in the world, including here in the US) I chose a biography on Leonardo Di Vinci. Once upon a time, in college, I was an art major, and back then one of my favorite classes was an Art History class. So I knew a little about Leonardo. I thought I did anyway. This book was fascinating and I loved how history, the art world, and the rich rulers of the time all converged. Leonardo considered himself an architect, and an inventor, and he had a constant yearning for knowing how things worked and how to improve on them. Oh, and he was a painter! Ha A genius, never pleased with his work enough to call it ‘finished’ and never concerned with making money. A gay man who lived openly and often off the gifts of rulers and other artist friends. He was a fascinating man.
Speaking of Leonardo… At least the name. We had a friend & a past co-worker of Hubby’s died last week, Unexpectedly. Leo worked with hubby at Edy’s for years, and we went on business trips and g loved with him and his wife. Only 64 years old. My age. Life & death is a day by day thing. Leo left behind a wife and 4 children.
Which I guess makes me think about endings. This Sunday will be the last time the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church handbell choir will be led by Suzanne. She is starting a new and exciting chapter in her life. After many, many years of being the Music Director for our church she is retiring. No more having to be at both services every Sunday morning. She widowed a couple of years ago, and now has a new man in her life. they will wed in July. So, I am so happy for her in many ways. But, with endings comes sadness too. She is my friend, an amazing musician, and she has the ability to make everyone attempting music to feel accomplished. She is quick with a compliment, and never talks negatively. I thank her for telling me I could learn handbells, and her patience, and all the years of music we provided to worship. I also really thank her for giving me the push I needed to play my flute in church. I was pretty scared in the beginning, but Suzanne found the right music, and she gave me the “you can do it” smile each time we prepared, right before we started the first note.
I will finish today’s post with this:
To everything there is a season. Some seasons I want to last a long time. Some I can’t wait to end and see a new one. But, lately, as life changes I find myself saying it from time to time. Yes, to everything there is a season – and a time and a purpose under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck that which has been planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together. A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. A time to seek and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to cast away. A time to rend and a time to sew. A time to keep silence and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.
No, not from Footloose. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8.
Marla’s Musings 