CoodeIndigo

This time next week I'll be boarding a Turkish Airlines flight to Tel Aviv. Mild travel anxiety is starting to seep in. I haven't done much thinking about the things we'll see or do; I figure it'll all be good, plus we're generally at the mercy of the guides, so I'll just go along. Being with Johnny and Joe N and Judith, Jean and Gigi is the best thing -- what a great gift to share this time with them. I've been asked to participate in a panel on women peacemakers during the Pax Christi gathering, so I need to do some work to prepare for that.

It's rainy and chilly this evening, so I'm glad to be under my roof without a reason to venture outside again. Today was some face-stuffing: R & J's "cookie" party, though none of the delicious offerings were technically cookies, as far as I'm concerned. Squares of fudge are not cookies, for instance. But I ate plenty. MCL had a New Year's open house which was pleasant -- got to see some folks I rarely run into -- and the sweets were plentiful there too. NOW, NOW I start the sugar fast ...

Nothing like taking the first workday of the new year off. And I was so productive! Checked in at the YMCA about my swimming lessons (yes), deposited a check at the bank, picked up my fake synthroid, bought stamps and mailed cards and bills, and wrote a chatty letter to an old friend who is far away, and serendipitously ran into another acquaintance and made tentative plans for lunch in the near future. Bought some containers for my Christmas stuff, put said Christmas stuff away, and finished off the last three episodes of "Broadchurch." (Don't get me started.) AND made some good headway in Book of Ages. That is a Friday well spent, I'd say.

Nothing like starting off a year listening to Julie Andrews narrate "Great Performances" on PBS: "The Vienna Philharmonic, under the direction of Zubin Mehta, and the Vienna State Ballet celebrate the New Year at Vienna's Musikverein with a concert that features selections by the Strauss family." I've tossed the Christmas tree on the sidewalk, and dumped the ornaments on the futon for future sorting. I've finished off the last of the milk for cocoa, and have laundered towels and the tree "skirt." Upcoming events for this year: a trip to Haiti, swimming lessons!, lots of work for Ecumenical Advocacy Days, a pilgrimage to Palestine, and my 30th high school reunion. That only gets me through the beginning of June. I expect the second half of 2015 to be equally busy -- one thing will be the publication of Kimberly's book. Something to consider: Drawing classes? [Update as of Jan. 3: Drawing classes through the Smithsonian are SOLD OUT. ...