My OperaCatchin' Up
Saturday, February 4, 2012 2:00:11 AM
Just realized that it's been quite a while since I posted something. Doesn't feel like it's been that long, with so much going on. But then again, it feels like Christmas was forever ago.
After the Moonshadow post, I spent a long time thinking about things. It was time to make some new habits, break some old rules, and stretch some boundaries. Made some new friends, solidified some old friendships, hugged some people who needed hugs, tried some new things, threw out a bunch of old baggage, and generally shook up my little corner of the world.
It felt good.
In the meantime, I've been able to meet my new grandson, and spend time with my family--build those bonds. Been able to get some much needed work done on my house, and even mowed my yard in the first week of January. Did that mainly to mulch fallen leaves, but the grass had grown so much, it really needed it.
On December 9, my computer graphics card finally died after two years of having had problems with it, so I was without my computer or internet until mid-January. Didn't even miss it, really, except reading the blogs on MyOpera. Caught up on my reading of real books and reorganized a bunch of stuff, donated a bunch of stuff, and trashed a bunch of stuff. Really got a lot done.
Most importantly, in the last few months I've learned a lot about the world around me and the people in it. And about myself.
The most wonderful lesson I've learned is that there is nothing--nothing--in this world more uplifting and inspiring than the sound of your grandchildren laughing. Whether in your lap or over the phone, that sound can lift one from the depths of depression, calm one's fears, and heal one's wounds.
And there is nothing in this world more important than love.
After the Moonshadow post, I spent a long time thinking about things. It was time to make some new habits, break some old rules, and stretch some boundaries. Made some new friends, solidified some old friendships, hugged some people who needed hugs, tried some new things, threw out a bunch of old baggage, and generally shook up my little corner of the world.
It felt good.
In the meantime, I've been able to meet my new grandson, and spend time with my family--build those bonds. Been able to get some much needed work done on my house, and even mowed my yard in the first week of January. Did that mainly to mulch fallen leaves, but the grass had grown so much, it really needed it.
On December 9, my computer graphics card finally died after two years of having had problems with it, so I was without my computer or internet until mid-January. Didn't even miss it, really, except reading the blogs on MyOpera. Caught up on my reading of real books
and reorganized a bunch of stuff, donated a bunch of stuff, and trashed a bunch of stuff. Really got a lot done.Most importantly, in the last few months I've learned a lot about the world around me and the people in it. And about myself.
The most wonderful lesson I've learned is that there is nothing--nothing--in this world more uplifting and inspiring than the sound of your grandchildren laughing. Whether in your lap or over the phone, that sound can lift one from the depths of depression, calm one's fears, and heal one's wounds.
And there is nothing in this world more important than love.
H82typ # Saturday, February 4, 2012 4:14:25 AM
Stardancer # Saturday, February 4, 2012 5:19:18 AM
Angelikiellinidata # Saturday, February 4, 2012 6:05:09 AM
Childrens' laughter is the best sound on earth! I am glad you had a great time with your grand kids!
and I am even happier that
all the cleaning and organizing made you happy
Moontan the TrueMoontan01 # Saturday, February 4, 2012 6:26:26 AM
Me, too. I haven't been arrested in a while now.
DavidRavo # Saturday, February 4, 2012 2:18:26 PM
It sounds like the computer breakdown was a very good thing for you.You sound happy in this post and that makes me happy as well. As far as kids go, I have none of my own, so I have enjoyed those of my brother and sister--all grown up now. My wife Robyn, loves little kids (other people's), and works a few hours each day in a daycare center at the nearby spa while the parents work out. It pays next to nothing (covers her expenses), but gets her out of the house and she enjoys it a lot!
Darkogdare # Saturday, February 4, 2012 7:16:23 PM
L2D2 # Sunday, February 5, 2012 7:12:39 AM
I missed you while you were away. I know what you mean about not missing the pc, though. Sometimes, we just need to do other things from time to time.
I am really enjoying my eReader I bought for myself. It's easier on my eyes than a book, because my favorite reading material amost invariably has very small print. Right now I am reading Anna Karenina by Dostoevsky.
studio41 # Monday, February 6, 2012 8:57:11 AM
nice and uplifting post, Star.
Adele BrandSittingFox # Monday, February 6, 2012 6:54:02 PM
devansdevans186 # Monday, February 6, 2012 10:01:51 PM
Keep smiling...............
Stardancer # Tuesday, February 7, 2012 3:49:51 AM
And thank you, Moon. Nice to hear that you're stayin' out of jail, too.
Hi, David! It sounds as if Robyn has a great idea about kids. My favorite uncle had no kids of his own, and looked upon my brother, sisters and myself as his, spoiling us rotten every chance he got. Your nieces and nephews are very lucky, and I hope they know that.
Darko, I'm really glad that I've had that time away from my computer. Coming back to it, I've found other uses for it, too.
Dostoevsky is one of my favorite writers, Linda. Only discovered him in my forties, so haven't read much of his works yet, but I'm getting there. Enjoy your eReader. Not something I've invested in yet, but they're kinda cool.
Thank you, Jill.
Thank you, Adele, it really was, and I'm glad to be back.
Thank you, Dave. You, too.
Loiscakkleberrylane # Tuesday, February 7, 2012 2:57:07 PM
Stardancer # Tuesday, February 7, 2012 10:24:44 PM
A baby cow? There's a story in there somewhere.
Loiscakkleberrylane # Tuesday, February 7, 2012 11:24:17 PM
Richardmusickna # Wednesday, February 8, 2012 3:17:49 AM
Stardancer # Thursday, February 9, 2012 12:54:53 AM
It's so much fun to learn with the kids in our lives.
Stardancer # Thursday, February 9, 2012 12:55:21 AM
Deb Plattdebplatt # Saturday, February 11, 2012 2:50:26 AM
I really need to do a lot of the same stuff (catch up on reading, reorganizing, donating, trashing, etc.
53north # Saturday, February 11, 2012 7:52:34 PM
I just had two years away giving back to Google on their help forums, seeing as I host my blog on blogspot (for the javascript and geotargetting the UK).
Ben Treinbentrein # Monday, February 13, 2012 1:40:11 PM
A friend of mine wants to disconnect completely - he wants to sell all his computers, phones, iPad(s)... Because he says that technology disables us from living life. And you've just proven him right.
I wouldn't be able to say anything about the laughter of grandchildren though - my son's only two, it's a bit early for that. But I sure hope you remember the laughter of your own children. It's very uplifting too.
Stardancer # Monday, February 13, 2012 10:45:12 PM
It's amazing how "lightened-up" I feel after having reorganized everything, too.
Stardancer # Monday, February 13, 2012 10:46:04 PM
Stardancer # Monday, February 13, 2012 10:54:52 PM
Originally posted by bentrein:
I think that's true to a great extent. I've seen young people texting the person sitting next to them in a place where silence wasn't expected.
We're going to forget how to interact with each other on a face-to-face basis eventually. How will we perpetuate the human race at that point?
Ben Treinbentrein # Tuesday, February 14, 2012 12:51:53 PM
Originally posted by Stardancer:
Like any species - we are also going to be extinct at some point. Hopefully not this week or next... And it may very well be our own fault - our own social ineptness. Although I read a nice book on the subject - The Possibility of an Island by Michel Houellebecq (originally French) (not to be confused with The Island
Deb Plattdebplatt # Tuesday, February 14, 2012 8:15:23 PM
Stardancer # Tuesday, February 14, 2012 11:01:40 PM
Deb, that sounds like a fun game, and I'm glad that you and your daughter have fun together like that, even though she's away at school. I'm not "anti-technology." Technology is a wonderful tool for keeping in contact with loved ones who are far away, performing tasks related to work and living, and escaping for short periods of time from the worries and stress of the real world. But it does become easy to rely on technology too much, and substitute technological contact for essential human contact. Computers, cell phones, and i-Pads don't reach out and slap us upside the head.
It was hard--really hard--for me, because I'm pretty shy, but it turned out to be worth it. It's still hard, but I'm trying to keep stepping outside my "box" and find that world out there, too.
Ben Treinbentrein # Wednesday, February 15, 2012 4:54:02 AM
Originally posted by debplatt:
Facebook certainly has good things too; I'm not denying that. However, internet-scrabble isn't a facebook invention. Nor are many of the other online games, and as you stated - you can do it without Facebook.
Originally posted by Stardancer:
Agreed, with one major but... We have as a species (some individuals are excluded, all generalisations are stupid, and all that) not yet gained the wisdom that should go hand in hand with our intelligence. We are very smart, but 'everything' is still driven by animal instincts; being the alpha-male, having shelter, reproducing. That is at the core of the vast majority of our actions.
Please prove me wrong - and only time can, there's no point discussing it because it's a theory that can not be scientifically proven - but I fear we won't be able to stop our greed in time.
Edward Piercyedwardpiercy # Friday, March 16, 2012 6:04:47 PM
"Seasons change and we change with them" goes the old song by The Tourists.
I am so glad things are going well for you. Perhaps they will get even better better better!
Stardancer # Friday, March 16, 2012 7:45:53 PM
Love ya' bunches!