The Hustle Award

Addie emailed last night. Our field hockey playing daughter Addie, after the muddiest game ever, had just received her college's very first "Hustle Award." It was for the player with the best team spirit who played the hardest and fielded the most balls.

What's that saying, "It's not whether you win, but how you play the game." Addie's team may not have won yesterday, but we are so proud to know that she is being recognized for leading in team spirit and playing her best with all her talent and skills. To be awarded for being the hardest playing member of this team is quite an achievement.

When Addie puts her mind to something, she also puts her heart and all her energy to the task. Her Hustle Award is an inspiration for all of us. Way to go!

79,999 More To Go

One of Jenn's service projects in Thailand is to help build dams. This morning, at the local Rotary meeting, a portion of Jenn's journal about this project was read aloud, and pictures of Jenna in Thailand were passed around. From the It's a Small World! Dept, we learned that one of the Rotary's projects is to help build dams to provide clean water for people in various parts of the world, and one of our local leaders had just returned from Chiang Mai where Jenn has been working!

Jenn, I know you won't mind, so here is a portion of your journal that was read this morning:

"...today I had quite the satisfying day. Most of my class decided they wanted to head to the hot springs and get spa treatment massages (it’s all incredibly cheap here- 80 baht an hour for a massage- no kidding). I decided to jump on board with another service trip instead so I hopped on the back of a truck and headed with just a few other people (the real troopers of the group) to help build a dam with the thai international Rotary (you can tell that one to Ed, pa) who plan on building 80,000 dams all over Thailand. We started off the morning by making cement blocks out of these really old school molds. It was a real art. The sweetest old man was instructing me what to do, but I could only follow along. It was just like icing a cake… mmm cake… Anyway, after spending the morning building the blocks, we learned what they were for. We got to meet the monk who would be walking on this 12foot walkway every night under the stars just chanting a few words under his breath as he walked back and forth, back and forth for the next couple of years. He even invited us to stay over one night if we wanted, since there were only a few of us so it would be possible. I might take him up on that next weekend… we shall see. In the afternoon, we actually got to start working on the dam project, which really just involved hiking up a mountain many times with sand, cement, and rocks over and over again. It was incredibly tiring but also so worth it. I feel like I was a part of something important and making that difference I always feel so called to do. It was cool to be able to construct a dam out of water from the stream, some random bamboo sticks from the forest, and stray dirt piles. Usually when I think of service I think exclusively of helping people, but to focus on nature and the environment will also help me to appreciate what I love most even more."

Thanks, Jenn, for your good work and for making us proud!

Rest of the Week

Per Geo's request, I am updating on the rest of the vacation week. With me still recovering from pneumonia, it was pretty low key.

A Georgia O'Keefe exhibit has been featured at the Shelburne Museum, so we took that in, along with other exhibits on the grounds. What I especially appreciated were O'Keefe's representations of Lake George.

Another day found us on the road, with Lucy, to Manchester. We really didn't do any shopping, but we did enjoy the drive there and back. Geo had the opportunity to see the Bose products at the store. Am trying to convince him to get the noise-cancelling headset, but so far, he is not buying.

And another day during the week, again with Lucy in tow, we visited President Calvin Coolidge birthplace and historical sites. A delightful day. Plymouth Notch is a place with rural beauty and charm, seemingly far removed from the fast pace of our modern day. It was so relaxing to be there, especially sitting in the Adirondack chairs on the porch of one of the old buildings, just taking in the scenery. The day was overcast, but the rain held off. We took part in the cheese-tasting - I favored the cheddar smoked variety, and we bought an apple pie. We also purchased a newly republished book of Calvin Coolidge letters.

We also took time to see Little Miss Sunshine. I also read a few books, the best being Julia Alvarez's SAVING THE WORLD (two novels in one, cleverly written.)

Now if I read my last paystub correctly, I still have some "Use or Lose" vacation time. More time off before October!

Hermit Day

DAY ONE OF VACATION

I packed a box of food, a change of clothes and a stack of books into the Blubaru and headed for our Kamp on the lake. My escape from chores, phones and the usual routine.

When I am here the necessary and not-so-necessary distractions seem to peel away and peace seeps back into my soul. Our Kamp neighbor Mr. Murphy used to call this place a piece of heaven, and if heaven were not like this, he's not so sure he would want to b there. I think he was referring to the beauty and the peace.

I prepared a Thai meal (okay, Jenn, it was pre-packaged), hot tea and cookies, and I enjoyed my meal for one. I brought out my stack of books and decided to start the easy one first, the one about Grace Coolidge, wife of President "Silent Cal" Coolidge. I really liked the references to Vermont, places we've actually visited.

It was very still this evening - hardly a ripple on the water. I let myself sink into the silence to be renewed.

I do miss you guys. I'm thinking of Addie playing up a storm on the field hockey team, and Jenn somewhere in the hot springs of Thailand this weekend. Geo- you were only three phone calls away.

Peace be with you always.

Comings and Goings

July has come and gone, and we’re nearly into the middle of August. Addie will be returning from Buffalo on Sunday to leave for college on the 17th. A highlight of her summer was her 5 day all expense paid trip to DC. Jenn is leaving for her semester in Thailand on the 19th. We’ll miss you guys!

I’m recovering from pneumonia. It sure has slowed me down, but maybe I needed some slowing down. I’ve had an excuse to put my feet up and relax – Dr.’s orders. Now if I could just get rid of this cough.

Geo is having an enjoyable weekend of summer activities – he’s with a group who will be sailing this morning. Yesterday he enjoyed the pool. He’s not one to usually go swimming, but the pool was so inviting, the weather and water temp just perfect. Who could resist?

I will meet him for prime rib dinner later this evening.

It promises to be a busy workweek again. It’s the week for gathering Labor Bureau stats, and is always the most hectic week of the month for us. Good times.

I’ve slowed down. I wish the whole month would slow down. Summer is zipping by way too fast.

It's the end of June and ...

Jenn has finally recovered from her Kolkata trip. So good to have her home again. She is tackling some home projects for us - a few rooms are receiving new coats of paint. She's doing the painting, and selecting the colors. Beachwalk is going in the hallway and one wall in the living room.)

News from Addie is that she has a new job with a nonprofit in NY state. She's living with a friend for the summer and then returning for her senior year at college. Yes, this will be her final year as an undergrad!

Geo is recovering from a bad cold that has slowed him up quite a bit. He's blaming Jenn for sneezing on him!

I'm involved with so many projects from work. I've got to schedule some vacation time. It's going to be "Use or lose."

Seems that the rain here has been on-going for weeks. More thunderstorms predicted for today, and isolated storms during the week. Walking in our yard is like stepping out on a huge wet sponge. We need some sunny warm and balmy days to dry out. The farmers are really hurting with flooded fields and no relief in sight. Weatherwise, this seems to be an unusual season.

Empty Nest

Exciting times here. Jenn very recently arrived home from her service trip to Calcutta. Addie, after a full semester in Paris - and traveling to London and Dublin, is now en route to Buffalo, NY via Canada until the beginning of senior year.

Saying "Good-bye" to Addie last night, I felt a little like I did when I put her on the schoolbus for her first day of kindergarten. She was leaving my world to enter a new world of her own.

Addie and Jenn have changed and matured so very much during their intercontinental trips. I admit I still feel very protective of them, but as they are venturing out on their own, I am assured that I not only have two very talented and caring daughters, I feel like I have two new "best friends."

"Welcome home, Jenn," and "My thoughts and prayers are with you, Addie, for more new adventurous beginnings!" Love, Mom

The Nest

Outside of our living room window, deep in the dense cedar tree, there is a lot of activity. Seems that a small bird has chosen this very spot to build a nest. I'm disappointed that I cannot actually see the nest. I cannot see the progress that is being made as it is being shaped into a first home for the baby- birds- to -be.

That a nest is being built is certain. The little bird is busily flying in and out from the cedar with strands of dried straw. The branches of the cedar are shaking while the bird is here. The spot chosen for the nest is a perfect one. Up against the house it is somewhat protected from the weather, and deep in the branches the nest is hidden from human sight.

I couldn't help but make this an analogy to faith. Faith is like that hidden nest that is being shaped. It cannot be seen, but - if we are observant - we know when it is there. We know that it is there because of all the activity that goes into shaping it, and all the activity - "the works" surrounding it and emanating from it.

Just as the bird uses dry straw to build the nest, I think faith is built from a lot of the "dry straw" of our lives - the lifeless down to earth stuff that seems to be of no useful purpose to anyone, and most of all to ourselves. If we pick up those parts of our lives and bring them to faith - the true active belief in the power of Life itself - any of that can be shaped to nestle the beginnings of new life and hope for the future.

So I am thinking, what is the dry straw in my life that I can pick up to shape into potential for something new and wonderful to happen. Just as it is for the busy bird, it will take focus, determination and diligence.

I am very eager to see the new birds in the cedar tree.

Extravagance

Father Michael challenged us to identify with some of the characters in the Passion Scripture readings. One of those he mentioned was the woman who poured out the costly contents of the alabaster jar to anoint the feet of Jesus. She did not just take a portion of the precious contents, but she broke the jar and poured out all she had. It was an extavagant gesture. To many it seemed that the contents were wasted. She could have graciously used a portion and saved the rest.
Father Michael challenged us to be extravagant in our relationship with Jesus, to be extravagant with our time. He asked us to think about "wasting time" with Jesus in prayer.
I thought about all the other times I waste, whether it is listening to the same news over and again, or surfing the net, or lingering over that second or third cup of coffee. And that may not be so bad. But I never thought of wasting time with Jesus.
We think about "setting apart some time" for the Lord, and that is a good thing to do. But how about lingering in prayer when we could well be doing other things? How about "wasting time" with Jesus. I just never thought about it in quite that way before...being extravagant with my time.
No time with the Lord is wasted. But why not be more generous?

Glimmer of Light in a Bleak Situation

From Peggy Noonan's April 6, 2006 column, another take on U.S. presence in Iraq:

"...Our troops in Iraq are the best of us: brave young men and women willing to put themselves in harm's way for their country. But they are by and large something else: very good, and kind, and generous human beings. Every day for three years they have, as part of their mission and in their off hours, been interacting with Iraqi kids and young people. Those kids, those young people, having been exposed to who Americans are--their kindness, their helpfulness, their humor and good nature--will never forget it.

Will this have implications for the future? Yes, I do believe it will. After World War II, half of Europe had been defeated by America, bombed by it. And yet America had the broad support and affection of Western Europe in the crucial quarter century after that war, in part because of efforts such as the Marshall Plan, but also because of exposure, both prewar and postwar, to American GIs. Europeans came to know who Americans were. American leaders and diplomats did plenty to help America's standing, but in the end the glory went, I think, to the GI Joes, and some Janes too, who won and occupied with American grace.

We will find, down the road, that many in Iraq will hold affection and respect for America because of the Americans they met and came to know in our armed forces in the first years of the 21st century. And this will have implications, and they will not be unhappy..."

For the full column, click on this title for the link.

Psy Chi

Friday, March 31, Jenn was inducted into the National Psychology Honors Society Psy Chi. Quite an achievement. I hear that only about 30% of Psych majors enjoy this distinction. We attended the ceremony as proud parents.
I recalled so many other award ceremonies that we have attended as proud parents from Preschool through High School days, and now at the collegiate level. I remember Jenn receiving the "Best Smile" award as a "Mighty Midget" toddler, and the "Best Coordinated" certificate from Mountain Bike Camp because the counselors were so impressed that her socks always matched her biking outfit. (I'm still not sure what that has to do with mountain biking.)
Anyway, Congrats to Jenn, for all her achievements.
And she is still well color-coordinated and her smile still dazzles.

Local and not so local news

It was so good to see Jim and Kay back from Florida. The sunshine state agrees well with them; they look wonderful.
Mr. and Mrs. M. are back from Egypt -I do hope they'll share their videos and pix with us.
Addy returned safely to Paris from London. She sure packed a lot of sightseeing into 5 days. And from the pix she emailed, she has certainly mastered the use of her new camera.
Jenn and BF Sean spent a day in Boston - and somehow found themselves in the midst of a peaceful protest. They never experienced a protest before. They report "it was cool." Reminds me of how far back in time the 60s are, with all the marches, sit-ins, be-ins, vigils, etc being so common on all our campuses.
Jenn says she feels like a real college student, tons of reading to do, papers to write, meetings to attend, and she's out of pocket change. Her near immediate goal is a successful trip to India. She has a lot of people supporting her in this, and we are grateful for her taking part in this service trip.
As for my wonderful birthday brunch, we'll have to do it again when we are all back together.

A Birthday Brunch

We enjoyed a fabulous brunch at the Tuscan Kitchen. Our first time there. It was Geo's surprise for me. Excellent. We sat at a table behind glass and overlooking the dessert table. Desserts included everything from chocolate cake, cream puffs, cannoli, cheesecake, and creme brulee (why do all the best desserts start with the letter "C"?) The creme brulee was to die for delicious.
Geo, a mimosa, and an outstanding meal - what a great way to begin a new year!

The Serenity Prayer

I've never taken "The Serenity Prayer" very seriously. I'd read it as far as "to accept the things I cannot change," and thought I'd rather see, work for, pray for a lot of change. I still feel that way.
Last night I went to a Lenten prayer service. The priest asked us to read this prayer for as many days as we'd like, each day taking just one line and imagining what our life would be like if we actually lived that way. Using this approach, I thought I'd give this prayer another try to see if it could actually be meaningful for me. Surprisingly, I now believe that this could result in a lot of change!

Lord, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things that I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.

Jeffery Deaver's THE TWELFTH CARD

Just finished the novel Dorothy sent me. I don't usually choose current suspense thrillers, but gave this one a go. It became quite the page-turner about 1/2 way through.
I liked the way Deaver blended historic fiction with current fictional events, like 2 stories happening simultaneously, and he kept the reader wondering how they would tie together, right up to the final chapter.
I picked out a few favorite sentences:
From chapter 36, "...This's home. And you know what you do with your home, don't you? You change what oughta be changed and learn to be proud of what you can't."
From chapter 44, "Early Wednesday, the autumn air cold and clear as fresh ice."
And, not least, throughout the book, "Word." Now that's one of Jenn's favorite responses. (That gave the book some authenticity to me, and made me smile.)
There are five other Lincoln Rhyme/Amelia Sachs novels by Deaver. Geo has read a few.
THE TWELFTH CARD interested me enough to read another, and I just may go for the series.
Thank you, Dorothy. Aunt Marie, the book will be in the mail on its way to you.

Feb 25, 2006

Our wedding anniversary. Cold blowing snow, a typical February day.
Geo and I met for dinner with four other couples at Jenn's favorite restaurant - Three Tomatoes. I must say, food and service were excellent, and I am adding this place to our favs, too.

Earlier Geo enjoyed the Mardi Gras parade, bigger crowd and better than ever, says he. He met Jenn and a few of her suitemates there, all vying for the beads and candy.

Later that night we went to the Capitol Steps performance at the Flynn. 'Twas an irreverent and hilarious take on current (imagine Cheney with his hunting gear) and not-so-current ( think a bloated Al Gore) politics. The real Senator "Don't Mess with Jim" Jeffords was in the audience, along with campaigning Rich Tarrant who'd like to take his place. With major crises all over the world, and what I'd call a bleak political scene in the U.S. for Dems and Pubs alike, it felt good to laugh at the politics of it all. We need a little humor now and then so we do not take ourselves all so seriously.

Tonite is our dinner for two - restaurant, reservations, and table selected by Geo weeks ago. I am really going to enjoy this quiet and leisurely celebration.

Valentine Roses and More

Yesterday the Fedex guy pulled into our driveway, and no - he was not delivering another work assignment from Boston. This time it was a long box filled with 2 dozen roses from Geo. They are multi-colored, each one uniquely beautiful. Today they are just beginning to open and they are gorgeous. I asked why they came yesterday, and Geo said he couldn't wait, and he was assured that with good care, they would last through Feb 14. Thank you, Geo.

Geo said he was inspired to order them by something he read in the Wall Street Journal. You know, this is at least the second gift I know of that came to me through an inspiration from WSJ. The other was a hand-crafted cherry wood jewelry box. I say, let's renew that subscription!

I talked with Jenn yesterday. Over the holidays she learned to knit. When she went back to the residence hall, she taught her suitemates and even one of the guys to knit. Word has it that they are all making scarves for themselves and friends. Guess it's a relaxing thing to do when they're hanging out together. With all the different colors and textures of yarn, it can be addicting to start a project, then watch how it's turning out.

As for the new year reading, I've slowed up on Rick Warren's book, although I am about 2/3 through it with lots of underlining. I promise to finish it, Addie. Steve Covey's is a library book, which I've renewed. I'm more than 1/2 way through with sincere intentions to finish that one as well. Now I have to figure out how to knit and read at the same time. Maybe books on CD?

This morning I need to finish a report, then it's off to the hospital for my volunteer day. Geo has a Dr appt this aft, then it's phone calling for work this evening. For sure I will be taking time "to smell the roses."

Thank you again, Geo, and Happy Valentine's Day, with love.

Valentine Cake

Jenn is stopping by this evening. She loves cake. So I put this together really quick:

3 oz pkg cherry jello
1 box white cake mix
1/2 cup oil
4 eggs
1 tsp almond (or vanilla) extract

Dissolve jello in 1 cup hot water. Cool. Combine mix and oil, beating in eggs one at a time. Blend in cooled jello and extract.
Pour into well greased and floured 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until done. Frost with a buttercream frosting.

Leadership, Installment #2

Jenn, you asked for it, so here it is: "Focus and execute."

1. Become trustworthy
2. Manage things; lead people

From what I've read, Covey says that a leader communicates to others by words and actions that they are valued and they have tremendous potential to accomplish great things. The leader unites individuals in an organization to become a team by building on the strengths of each one. The strength of one person compensates for the "weakness" of another.

To build an effective team, focus and execute. In other words, zero in on what matters the most, then figure out how to make it happen. Here are the four leadership steps:

- Be a role-model. Set the best example for your team. Be trustworthy (Say what you'll do and do what you say.) Keep a can-do positive attitude.

- Together with the team, determine team priorities. When anyone helps set the priorities, s/he connects emotionally, and will then more likely invest the time and energy needed to achieve.

- Set up manageable systems to achieve results - a way to get things done.

- Empower the team to get results using their talents and skills. Let each one take ownership of their tasks, being responsible to achieve the goal. Remember, HOW the task gets done is not as critical as getting it done. Let creativity flourish.

Well, what do you think?

Share The View

Here's a thought-provoking story a friend shared with me:

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man wasallowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed.One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendents to take the body away.As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

...There must be a message in that story somewhere. Perhaps there is beauty in the world that can only be seen, not with our physical eyes, but with our spiritual eyes. And maybe we have the opportunity to share that beauty with someone who may not see it and be discouraged. The two guys in the hospital developed a wonderful friendship. The guy who did the sharing may have gotten more out of it than the guy who was listening, because he was challenged to describe the beauty in a way the other could see it as well, and he shared of himself and his insights with the other.

She's Arrived!

Just received a call from A. She's sounding happy to be in Paris. Some drama before arriving...not only was her first flight from Burlington cancelled, after boarding the following day, everyone was asked to leave the plane because of mechanical difficulties. She waited all day in the airport before boarding for her connecting flight. She made it to Newark with no time to spare. In fact, they held the plane for her while she literally ran to make the flight. Then for a surreal experience, she met Bly, a classmate from her school, on the same flight to Paris.
Addie reports very little sleep on the plane, so she actually pulled an all-nighter. Her luggage did not arrive when she did, but it will be delivered to her sometime today.
Addie is staying in a Parisian flat with a young woman and her 4 yr old daughter. She starts classes today, a 20 minute metro ride to the school. Among her classes are an Intro to the Louvre, and French fashion.
May she have a safe and happy Spring semester!

Bon Jour, Addie K.

I just returned from taking Adriene to the airport. After a cancelled flight last night - due to fog - she is now en route to Paris. We are so eager to hear about her arrival, her new adventures and travels, and about the family with whom she is staying. I gave her all the motherly advice I could think of, but I forgot to remind her to keep a daily journal. Now she does not need all these motherly reminders, but I feel so much better when I give it my all imparting my wisdom.

Believe me, dear Adriene, you think you'll remember all the details of your trip, but 20 years from now -- No -- just one year from now, you will forget a lot. So use a blog, and/or a handwritten journal, and promise to record in it each day. I can't wait to see all your pix. Promise one for me at your favorite bridge!

Geo is at another winter sports weekend. He's supposed to snowshoe, but with our unseasonably warm weather, the snow has disappeared! Imagine that! for Jan. in VT. (Latest weather report has winter advisories, so snow is on the way!) So I hear he will go rock-climbing. Yes, you've heard it here, Geo is rock-climbing. Sean M. P., you may have another partner on your next adventure in Mexico!

Jenn is off to lunch with Becca (and friend), the last time they'll get togeher before the semester begins. Saw Becca yesterday - she looks terrific. So sorry we won't all be together for Superbowl, our neighborhood tradition. It may be a smaller group this year, with the girls off to college to get more knowledge.

On the stove at this very moment, homemade chicken soup ( complete with Kluski). Needs my attention. Gotta go, miss you, Addie K., with all our love.

It's All About Keeping Promises

Had an enjoyable conference in Albany. An easy drive both ways.

So Jen's interested in working on new habits for the new year. How about leadership habits? Covey has a lot to say about that. I'm about 1/3 the way through his book on the eighth habit.

What is the number one main quality of a leader? Central to leadership, according to Covey, is trustworthiness. People are motivated and inspired to accomplish projects by leaders who earn their trust. If one is not trustworthy, she may (or may not) be a good manager of tasks, but she will not be a true leader.

How does one become trustworthy? That needs to start with yourself. You need a certain measure of self-esteem and confidence before you venture to make significant contributions in your community, or sphere of influence. Covey says it all boils down to making and keeping promises first of all to yourself, then to others. Start on a small scale for self-esteem and trust to grow.

For example, you decide to rise early in the morning to go out for a walk. You set the alarm for 6:00 AM. The next morning at 6:00 AM the alarm rings. You've already made the decision to rise early, so the automatic response should be to get up. HOWEVER, there's the power of choice. You immediately decide to get up, OR, you decide to roll over and go back to sleep. If you go back to sleep, you have just broken a promise to yourself. You've lost a little self-esteem; you've demonstrated to yourself that you were unable to use your will power to follow through on a decision you had made.

We do this over and again throughout the day: we decide what it is we are going to do, then we either accomplish it or we don't. When we "walk the talk," say what we do and do what we say, we become more trustworthy and we grow in good character as we freely make good choices. So we need to decide and plan carefully what it is we want to do, then follow through. Our self-confidence grows and we may then continue to choose to do bigger and better things.

What do you think about that?

The Challenge

A new year, a time for new beginnings.
Addie picked up a copy of Warren's The Purpose Driven Life. She challenged me to read a chapter a day. Simple enough. I've taken her up on it. Today is chapter three: What Drives Your Life?
I've also picked up Covey's The Eighth Habit. Now Covey recommends a chapter a month of his book. The concepts are a bit more complex. It's interesting reading the two books simultaneously.
Today I'm off to Albany for a conference. I'm looking forward to few days change of pace. I'm taking along Rick Warren and Stephen Covey. Also Raymond Chandler. Away from the usual routine, maybe I'll get a little more reading accomplished.
Should be an easy pleasant drive. I hope the weather is cooperative.
An easy beginning to what promises to be a very busy month. More later...