Sorting Things Out

written by

Jeannette Zink

February 14, 2016

It Does Not Matter …

the distance;

the years;

the baggage;

the challenges;

the disappointments;

the reasons.

What Does Matter …

the heart will always know

the things of importance;

the heart will sort things out;

yes, the heart will always know

what does matter;

rest now weary soul,

the heart will sort things out.

Snowflake Hearts

written by

Jeannette Zink

January 31, 2016

The snowflake hearts were beginning to twirl downward just slightly east of full moon’s glow.  It was definitely the beginning of a theatrical stage-setting and mystical venue for a historic blizzard.  The nice weather people had succeeded in forecasting the approximate time for the arrival of the first snowflakes and their anemometers were primed to measure the howling winds that were promised to reach the criterion for blizzard conditions.  Most of the weather reporting viewing community had abided by the expert guidance to stock their shelves with enough non-perishable eatables to sustain a hearty soul for at least 3 days or more.  The acquisition of water, milk, toilet paper, chips, hot chocolate, batteries and hand warmers were all on the “must-have-to-make-it-through” this historic Blizzard of 2016. 

I was as prepared as I could be for history to make its dramatic entrance in my little part of the world on the east coast of North America.  In fact, the nights and days to follow were best described by the great literary connoisseur and author of the simply stated descriptive opening sentence to any story – Snoopy of Peanuts fame … “It was a dark and stormy night.”

The fear of losing power, a literal and emotional prospect, was my big psyche monster under the bed.  If the snow drifts were to accumulate up to the levels of the predicted 30 – 40 inches, how could I possibly keep myself warm for several days until my power had been restored?  The variety store hand warmers would not be enough to make it through this monster of a storm.  I would have to face my other fear – fire – and test the fireplace in my home, a perfectly fine fireplace that had never been used in 13 years.  My brother, who lives a mere 1,800 miles from me, was so kind and supportive to give me the step-by-step instructions on how to check out the fireplace.  So, putting on my be strong and be brave armor, I began my expedition to explore the safety net of power alternative, if needed. 

My strength in opening the fireplace flue damper was surely tested, but I did finally manage to open the damper.  I could almost see the glimmers of light from the heavens, which was the indicator there were no bird nests obstructing the escape hatch for uninvited smoke vapors; and, the cold chill of blizzard winds definitely invaded the confines of the fireplace – another sign, I determined, that the fireplace was ready for use, if I absolutely… back against the proverbial wall … kind of moment arrived, and I needed to touch a flame to the simulated firewood gathered for such an occasion.

The next opposition to surmount was the closing of the fireplace’s damper.  I am now going to share with you a key mental note from my fireplace checking experience… use your Smartphone camera to take a picture of the “before opening the damper” setup.  To be more specific, the camera must capture the image of where the vital “lug” goes in the essential bracket.   Because it will be at this decisive moment when you may question … how does one know with unquestionable certainty that the damper is closed? … that you will save yourself a lot of grief and valuable home heat by just taking a refresher view of the camera’s photo of that precious “lug.”  I was not so clever to employ such strategy, and my mental camera was a bit foggy.  Thus, I did not return the lug to its proper position and the night’s cold chill found its resting place in my fireplace.  However, the next morning upon my check of the blessed fireplace, my instincts told me something was amiss.  The thought of flue dampers and lugs were twirling in my anxious minds-eye.  I turned to modern day technology and search engines to explore the possible mishap in my fireplace checking adventure.  Thank you to the people of Google-land for solving my dilemma.  I was able to find a picture of what constitutes a successfully closed damper and exactly where the royal “lug” goes in the bracket.  I am so proud of me and I am so grateful to Google-land!!!  With this drama now resolved, it was now time for a hot bowl of gluten-free quinoa and a cup of hot apple cider.

The Blizzard of 2016 did indeed arrive, all 24 – 40 inches of snowflake hearts with the winds of 40 – 60+ gusts; and, blessedly, few people lost their power … literally and/or emotionally.  New skill sets were developed … fireplace check-up and lug placement.  But, most importantly, the love and support of my family 1,800 miles away were never as close to me during these monster-under-the-bed-scary-times as they were during this historic Blizzard of 2016.  Thank you, my dear and beloved family, and thank you gods of power for never leaving my side!

Stay warm, my kindred spirits, and be of encouraging heart … it is now just 7 weeks until the astronomical spring will come tap dancing on our souls and refreshing signs of renewal will set in motion our hopes and dreams of boundless warming possibilities.   

You may enjoy visiting my blogs:

http://jeannettesartandstories.blogspot.com/

http://doodlngwithwordsbyjeannette.blogspot.com/

Sometimes I forget to release the Pause button

written by

Jeannette Zink

January 17, 2016

It is the season of winter… my mood now synchronized with the pause button on any electronic device … life set to hibernate (pause) until the first sighting of spring.  The image of tea leaves settled at the bottom of my cup, as if huddled in a state of hiatus; patiently wait for the bitter fingers of freezing cold to perform their burlesque cabaret -- tossing gloves of warmth to the cheers of a more temperate agreeable climate.  Just to get through the first three months of a new year is the goal… that’s how to survive … just to get through.

The only problem with this lifeboat survival tactic for the dreadful days following the winter solstice is that surprisingly “life is happening” during this same time slot.  There are things to do, places to go, and goals to be achieved within contracted expectations.  One cannot require life to pause.  Life itself perpetually moves forward in an upright tray position … whether we hibernate or not; whether we want to move forward or not … life is in motion.

What to do with this dilemma … living vs. hibernating … is one for the mystics, literary essayists and the Bible to address.  In my state of lethargy, I turn to one of my favorite English essayist, James Allen, and to one of my favorite books in the Bible, Book of Proverbs, to find the antonymic wisdom in this season of my freezing discontent. 

The title of James Allen’s 1903 essay, As a Man Thinketh, was influenced by the biblical Book of Proverbs, chapter 23, verse 7 (King James):  “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”  Mr. Allen’s literary application of this verse was one man’s attempt to help all mankind to pull the strings of cerebral thought to a higher level of understanding and bring … perhaps, kicking and screaming … to a place of tolerance and insight for the possibilities that may challenge our winter melancholy of thought.  Might there be a better response than my personal favorite: “No, I cannot take this.  I am going to my warm and safe state of hibernation.  This too shall pass.  See you in the spring.” Could the key to our circumstances be endured beyond our sense of suspended reality simply by forming “thoughts” that transform us, as if our winter solstice magician waved their wand of mercy, to a more positive place of receptive gratitude for this special moment in the four season cycle? 

I, for one, will gladly cast my vote to give Mr. Allen and the biblical verse a try.  As I type this essay, I find myself shivering and dreading going outdoors.  The sunshine-filled sky has now been brushed with the paint of overcast gray tones.  The trumpets sound the imminent arrival of the royals – Queen of Snow and King of Ice.  With this dismal imaginary, I hold tight my hot cup of cocoa and nibble on the Proustian madeleine  cookie in hope that the Remembrance of Things Past will metaphorically spring forth, my winter of spring-like content.  A time when a weary cold night is greeted by the friendly local meteorologist’s forecast for a prolonged and gradual warming trend.    

Thus, with the determination of an Allen-ish decree, I embrace the weeding of my mental winter garden.  The weeds of misery and woe replaced with a sunnier disposition clothed in woolen comfort and toasted by the aroma of hot apple cider.  I hug tight the philosophy that each day will somehow progress at the pace of each ticking second no matter how grumpy my attitude toward the day.  Why, I ask the winter gods, do I covet despair when delight is just as easily an open market commodity all the ready for acquisition?  Good question, one can almost hear the gardener voice with the struggle to unearth each useless mental weed.  The seeds of good and fruitful thought are far more pleasing and productive to the betterment of all things great than one second of wintry glum.  So, why wait to release the pause button on life?  The universe is moving on, with or without us, and it can be a beautiful ride, if we just let it happen. 

Thus, the gardener’s rake and shovel, tools for eradicating the undesirable twigs, prepare the landscape of beauty rendered seed by seed.  These are also my tools, my support group, for a proverbial winter clearance.  The mother of all winter sales … all bad moods are up for grabs … all must go … the great clear out … making space for the wonders that surely lie in wait to salute each fresh New Year. 

Please do not waste one second hibernating under the guise of winter doldrums.  Life is worthy of more than the effortless wish to just get through so to harvest the warmer days of spring.  Each day is a gift and deserves our utmost attention. 

My kindred spirits … please don’t forget to release the pause button on your life … life is happening, now.  Hop on the winter sleigh ride … it just might be fun… regardless the thermostatic setting.

Blessings to all and try to keep a warm heart and have faith … spring will be here soon!  Until then, enjoy each glorious day.

You may enjoy visiting my blogs:

http://jeannettesartandstories.blogspot.com/

http://doodlngwithwordsbyjeannette.blogspot.com/

Dancing with Daddy

“an Adalyn Grace poem”

written by

Adalyn Grace’s great-aunt

Jeannette Zink

January 16, 2016

Yesterday, I danced on top of daddy’s toes

 holding tight to his strong fingers of love.

Today, I danced in daddy’s footsteps

clapping to a tune that only we could hear.

Tomorrow, I dance in the arms of daddy’s unconditional love

 remembering the music

 from a time when …

I danced on top of daddy’s toes

holding tight to his strong fingers of love.

Love you, Daddy

Adalyn Grace

“20 years from today”