I was planning to share a very ordinary and wonderfully uneventful afternoon feeding the birds. Still am. It wasn't until a conversation at the store earlier that though, that I realized how eventful it actually was.  While checking out I was visiting with the cashier and noticed her name tag.  It read 'Jinks.'  I commented that it was a great tag and there was a story there.  She said, no really, it's my name.  She went on to say that her father thought he was done with babies and then she came along. He figured he was jinxed.  I guess he thought that was funny.  As we talked though she noticed an error she made typing in a code, shook her head, and said, "See, I am just a jinx. Name fits" 

People, hear this. 

In that moment it was driven home to me better than any parenting book I have read how powerful our words can be, how they can build up little people or break them down.  Forever. Somehow, in her mind, there was more to the name than a funny joke. There was a message, still intact and in force, many decades later. 

I think of the words that flow from me regularly.  I think of St James saying that blessing and cursing come from the same mouth and that this should not be. "Can fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?"

It's easy to be gentle spirited on days like these. Not as easy when the going gets rough, when things are less than idyllic. Stories like these remind me to be more mindful, less flippant, and not to assume that our words won't be taken literally in growing hearts. 

Afternoons like these are not optional.  It is necessary, all this tying of heartstrings.  It affirms to a child over and over that no matter what the circumstances of our lives when they entered into the story it all got a whole lot better by them being there. 

No jinxes.  No mistakes.  We are blessed and not cursed. Oh that our words would always reflect that.

Outside:  We had our first rain yesterday.  It was overcast today.  That is noteworthy because it is the first such days since we arrived in UT a month ago.  A month?  No way.  

Wearing: We are solidly into spring clothes now. Except that we only have the suitcases of clothes we came with. Fortunately we located the thrift stores.  We also located Old Navy but are trying to exercise restraint. 

We are listening to: Classics for Kids It'sBrahms this month.  I think we can keep up with this plan.  A new composer each month with several podcasts.  A track of songs.  Spotify fills in some more. 

Towards fitness:  As last year came to a close there were more and more excuses reasons to skip workouts. It was cold in the conservatory where the treadmill was.  It rained alot. There was just so.much.to.do.  And working out would have helped.  I didn't do it though. When we began our first hike – a vertically challenging climb – the consequences were loud and clear.  Movement has come regularly since but it was this clip that really inspired me.  At 77 she is running many miles a day – with her husband – and teaching strength training.  The story is incredible.  

I don't plan to be a body builder but was super motivated to get stronger and make the most of the middle ages.  In some ways it is easier to do this now versus in my 30s when childcare and stress sucked all the available energy.  Since home is still my gym of preference I have been working through the Fitness Blender videos for the past few weeks. It's been….humbling.  My balance is subpar as is my upper body strength.  It is all improving though.  That's what matters.  

In the kitchen: We got a waffle maker.  30 yrs of married life and I JUST got a waffle maker.  What took me so long I ask??  So the new breakfast of choice is obvious.  What may not be so obvious is how Paleo-friendly a waffle maker is.  I am working my way through various grain free waffle recipes.  This one was a hit, not quite as heavy as the coconut flour version I tried first.

We are reading:   Persuasion for me.  I started and stopped as we moved but am well into it now.  Wonderful as expected.  I am a committed and loyal Jane devotee.   We found a copy of Garth Williams illustrated Farmer Boy and the littles are listening to that.  Ok, except Tess who begged to be let off tonight because she wants to read it herself and doesn't want to hear what happens til she does.  

 Big Thought:   There have been a couple separate chats with friends about lent and scripture and a virtues and vices book study we sat in on.  Generally the consensus was that when reading spiritual works, particularly the bible, it's best to read in the first person, singular.  Best to just assume it was written right to us personally and the counsel applies directly to our lives versus, you know, to other messed up people who should really listen to this stuff already.  The focus in our own minds and in discussion can and often does stray easily from interior admonition to fixating on others' behavior.  Obviously that's not fruitful to either ourselves or the "others" in question. 

Super good relevant read here.