Stepping Off the Edge of Perfect and Polished Into the Chasm of Random Uncertainty

I actually have some time to blog. Well, I could be grading papers but why when the room is quiet and the computer is beckoning? So now that I have time, I have no topic in mind. No topic that is polished and ready to type. So I decided to write the random stuff that pops into my head. I'm a little frightened already.

I have been reading, rereading mostly, Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh who was married to Charles Lindbergh. I've had the book a while. I am not sure where or when or why I bought the book. I do remember reading, perusing rather, a biography of Charles Lindbergh several years ago. Perhaps that prompted the interest in her book. At any rate, it is a lovely little book. I'm not sure what the original cover looked like (It was first published sometime in the fifties, I believe), but my paperback copy is a lovely light shade of turquoise with an embossed shell on the front. Like this. So, as I was reading through this I found myself thinking that this author apparently knew exactly how I would feel way before I was even born. There are tons of blog posts I could pull from this book, but for now I'll just say that I've been inspired. I've always loved the beach and even dreamed of having a small beach cottage someday for me and my family. Lindbergh apparently took some time (about 4 weeks, I think), leaving behind her five kids and husband, to escape to a little house off the coast of Florida to think and write. That is every writer's dream, I'm sure. Even back in the fifties she recognized the need for women (the book is primarily addressed to women) to take some time regularly to be alone, to center themselves, to be still. I think we all need this--time to process all of the junk life throws our way. I have a friend who seems to have a fear of any unscheduled time as if she is afraid of being alone with herself. I think people like this who call themselves "people persons" need quiet time more so than people like me who thrive on solitude. People like me will find solitude come hell or high water, but people like my friend have to make themselves find it. We all need to recognize our need to disengage from our daily routine and just be still and quiet. Jesus withdrew to pray and encouraged His disciples to "come apart and rest awhile" (Mark 6:31). Psalm 46 tells us to "be still and know" God.

Well, that's about as random as I'm going to get right now. And on second thought, my title is kind of presumptuous--as if I ever stood on the edge of perfect and polished! I can dream though.

Random Thoughts Pulled Randomly From my Head and Slapped Down Here

Big government is BAD!! The U.S. government is getting bigger. I'm so disgusted with it that I'd move to another country except that I don't know of one in any better shape.

Parents are the best teachers for their kids. Education begins at home, always.

It's been a rainy day.

I'm rather weary of checking in on blogs that recap and analyze TV shows. Oh, I know, that's the blogger perogative, but as someone who doesn't watch any of these shows, I find it rather dull reading. American Idol, Lost, 24, Dancing with the Stars, The Bachelor--bleh! I'm sick of hearing about them.

I'm wondering if it is normal to have four or five books going at the same time, or is that a sign of insanity? My husband says it's a sign of insanity.

Lately, I find myself daydreaming about living in England, or somewhere Englandesque. But then there's that pesky big government issue again.

Nobody should be forced by law to send their kids to school. Stupid big government!!

Mass, compulsive, institutional schooling is detrimental to children's well-being. Yeah, I know that's rather a strong statement, but if you'd been reading what I've been reading lately, you'd feel the same way, or you should.

I thought my brain was more full than this, but apparently not. It's empty for now.