GiST #35

We are having such a rough time, financially, physically and emotionally. Still, I feel rich in blessings and it helps to focus on the small every day things that make me happy.

1. Anger can be a good thing when it spurs me to do something positive. I have felt so discouraged about what's happened to the health care reform bill and was feeling pretty apathetic. Words like 'passing this is better than nothing', 'paying ransom to hostage takers' and so on fueled a lot of anger and resentment, as did the whole idea of a *mandate* for health care coverage...but everyone's forced to buy a junk package from the health insurance companies that created the problem in the first place if they can't afford something better. So I've begun writing, emailing & calling about it again. It may be an exercise in futility but at least I'm doing something.

2. There's a lot of snow on the way just in time for my birthday tomorrow! If the snow sticks around, we may have a white Christmas this year!

3. I've been finding more beautiful Christmas music through others' suggestions and explorations of my own. Just a few:





4. While I was surfing around Youtube, I came across "The Marvelous Toy" by Peter, Paul & Mary and enjoyed the memories of my high school days with The Ethnomusicological Society. We were a small group of folk singers and our sponsor was our guitar teacher, Mr. Hiller. Our name was really cool because it just meant we sang a variety of folk songs from all over. Pretty fancy! "The Marvelous Toy" was always a lot of fun to do. I wish I had a recording of us performing the song. Here is Peter, Paul & Mary:



5. I feel like I've accomplished a lot today and am very satisfied.