130. Ponies!
Today after checking out from Waterside Inn, I went back to Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge — and today I spent about an hour at the Pony Overlook off the Woodland Trail watching a herd of 12 ponies.
And it was Awesome.
129. Reading on Waterside Inn’s Balcony
I’m on a Personal Reading Retreat!
When I found out I get to be a Cybils judge this year for Young Adult Speculative Fiction, I was daunted by all the reading I’m going to need to do. When I talked with my coworkers about it, it occurred to me that I should just get *away* and read.
So — I booked two nights at Waterside Inn in Chincoteague! And I took Monday off work. It did take me 4 hours to get here, but I listened to an audiobook on the way.
But now the plan is to read and read and read.
I got here just in time to see the sun going down from the balcony. There’s a view of the bay, and it’s going to be a perfect place to read!
I’m going to try to finish my first book tonight.
But what a lovely place to do it!
128. Reading on my Balcony
Okay, I’m blessed because I get to read! I’m going to be repeating that for a bit.
I did notice that now I really <em>need</em> to read — the danger is that it becomes a chore and I start getting stressed out about getting it done.
So this weekend I reminded myself that I so love doing this!
And I finished a 600-page book and read most of that book out on my balcony on a glorious weekend.
This is the life! I am blessed.
127. My Own Personal 48-Hour Book Challenge
This weekend started for me last Thursday. I had two days off, then worked a day, then had two days off. (This was because I worked 6 days in a row the previous week.) So — I scheduled my own personal 48-Hour Book Challenge. I managed to read and blog for 31 hours and 40 minutes out of the 48! And it was just a lovely thing to do!
I got a great head start on Cybils judging. And I had a lovely time.
126. I Should Be Reading!
What I love about Cybils judging — I really should be reading right now!
I’d better get offline and go do that!
125. Becky’s Visit!
My sister Becky visited this past weekend, at the end of a conference she attended in DC.
We had dinner together, she went to church with me, we roamed around DC, and then roamed around Manassas Battlefield Park.
And did lots and lots of talking.
I’m so blessed to have my sister — and so blessed to have a chance to spend time with her.
124. A Cybils Judge!
Hooray! I’m a first round judge for the Cybil Awards in the category of Young Adult Speculative Fiction!
I’ve been a Cybils judge four times before, but this is the first time for this category. I’ve done Middle Grade Speculative Fiction and Fiction Picture Books. This will be a LOT of reading!
The cool thing about that: For three months, I need to feel guilty when I’m not reading instead of the other way around!
Another cool thing: This is going to be much easier since I’m single and have an Empty Nest. So it’s a *good* thing about those two things! Yay!
123. Concert!
Saturday night I went to a concert with Graham Saber, Ryan Stevenson, Hawk Nelson, and the Newsboys.
Now, I’m an old fogey and the flashing lights gave me a headache that lasted a couple days.
But the songs were worth it!
I bought some Hawk Nelson CDs and a Ryan Stevenson CD, and I’m listening to them now.
“Eye of the Storm” and “Diamonds” reaffirm what I believe — God used the hard times in my life, and He was there with me.
“Drops in the Ocean” and “Live Like You’re Loved” remind me how loved I am.
And a song I’d never heard before, “Thank God for Something,” just helps me be joyful.
So I’m thanking God for that song!
122. My Migraines Are So Much Better.
I had a bout with migraine this week. It started with a vestibular migraine with no pain (dizziness only) and ended with just slight pain. And I *think* it’s done, after four days. (I’m not pushing it, though, it still feels like it’s hovering around the corner.)
But whether it’s gone or not — It had been EIGHT WEEKS since my last migraine. And this one was just not very bad. It hit at a time when I had some time off work and was able to take it very easy, and that made it even less of a problem. (Tension exacerbates migraines. But it’s hard to not be tense when you have a migraine. This time, I was able to do it, mostly.)
So I just had four days with a migraine — and they weren’t bad days! This is crazy!
And I’m thankful. And also reminded what a blessing it is to be healthy. A little reminder not to take it for granted.
121. Just Joy
Today was a good day. I’m trying to figure out why, so I know what to be thankful for.
I got some good insights via various things, including reflecting and posting about Eighth Grade last night. I talked about those insights with some friends whom I email. I talked a little about my Empty Nest with others and how my son seems to be learning what he needs to do to find a job and how it was time. I’m thinking about how I’m in a waiting time in some sense — but a time I can deepen my relationship with God in another sense.
But what it all adds up to is a feeling of Joy. And I’m thankful.