Sunday, March 13, 2011

A quiet week

I've not done much blogging this week and if I hadn't signed up for the 'Favorite Picture Book Blogfest', I might not have done any at all. Part of the reason is that this is my busy week- getting my son back and forth to school means leaving the house at 7 and not getting home until 6:30 or later leaves me with little energy to write anything, even a blog entry. The other reason is that I also spent some time updating my resume as a new position opened up at work and I had to have it all polished up and sent in by Friday. It was done Thursday afternoon but it always takes time to get that sort of stuff done. But even today I find little interest in writing with all of the tragic news coming from Japan, the ongoing rallies in Wisconsin and the rest of the country which seem to have little or no effect in slowing down the corporate takeover of the government run agencies (and they should be government run!) and on a more personal level, the loss of work for teachers and support staff in my son's school district as well as a four day school week which is simply stunning, to say the least. We've also experienced job loss in our home as result of budget cuts on the part of Denver Public Schools and as Denver looks at balancing it's budget for next year, my position may not be cut but we will be under increasing pressure as the library will not be able to replace workers who transfer positions, retire or quit and of course we will still have at least five unpaid days off next year, and of course there will probably be increase in cost of our benefits (again) *sigh* And with the last remnants of the winter blues still clinging to my sleeves I am just too worn out to write anything beyond an explanation of why I am not writing anything. So, perhaps what I need, perhaps what we all need is poetry and the peace that comes with a new day:

Sea of the Morning

Here let me stand, that, for a while, I too
may gaze on nature. Marvellous blue tints
of a morning sea and an unclouded sky
contrasting with an amber-coloured shore, —
all luminously beautiful and grand...

Here let me stand and think I see these things  
(I really did see them for a moment,
soon after I had stopped) —
and not, here also,
my fantasies, my reminiscences,
the incomparable idols of delight.

~~C.P. Cavafy, translator

8 comments:

  1. Hi Danette; sorry to hear you're a bit down...but hopefully tomorrow is a better day and the week ahead will give you a change to take a breather.

    Good luck with the job application, and remember this: every day we're closer to spring ! Hang in there !

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  2. I find it hard to write too with all the earthquake and political stuff. It just doesn't seem important to play with imaginary people when so much real stuff is happening. That said, I do know that stories are important, that reading makes us more empathetic and stronger people, that good readers tend to be able to reason and not just swallow whatever people tell them is truth. Sometimes I have to take a news break. It's hard on my heart and spirit.

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  3. Hi Zella: It's actually pretty outside just a bit cool so I know I'm in the homestretch and I do feel better. Thanks!!!

    Lauri: I do actually try not to watch too much television with all the bad news that is currently going on (I learned after 9-11 that I couldn't immerse myself in that stuff. I was on the couch for a week! YIKES!) but my heart still hurts for all the victims of this tragedy. And you are so right about the importance of story and reading-- and I actually believe that creating beauty in fiction is as important as creating beauty in a work of art. It touches the best part of ourselves! So... Thanks for reminding me that I need to keep on creating even though I don't FEEL like it today.

    Thanks to both of you!!!

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  4. Many of those woes sound all too familiar, Danette :( Just know that you are not alone in struggling with those kinds of challenges.

    Best of luck with the job application. I hope it goes well for you.

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  5. Botanist: Thanks! I know I'm not alone in all this, which helps! A lot of cities are are talking about cuts and a lot of teachers all over the country are facing difficult working conditions! It's just a difficult time, period. Hopefully, the job situation we are facing in our home won't be a crisis, but only time will tell. :)

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  6. Oh, good luck with the job application! A change is always good. I hope you get some rest too. Sometimes we just need some quiet time. And a little cheery drink! * clinks glass* Here's to a peaceful week! ;-)

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  7. Talei: Thanks! I am hopeful on the job front! My boss thinks I have a good shot at it! And I could use some rest. The good news is that I have a three day weekend coming up if I can get through the next four days (which are 9 hour work days *frowns*) Definitely could use the drink! *clinks glass* A quiet week!

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  8. So sorry to hear about the challenges you are facing. That poem and photo are gorgeous and calming! Sending you some positive thoughts...

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