jo burgess hannon

fit for today, fit for life

Tick Tock

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As Honey’s alarm went off this November morning the bedroom was pitch dark. I had been sound asleep and was convinced it was earlier than normal. I was shocked to see it was 7:15am.  Usually, by this time of day, I have brewed a cup of coffee and am deep into catching up on all the latest news my iPad offers. You know, reading the important stuff like my favorite decorating or fashion blog. I even commented that it felt WAY earlier and Honey said solemnly, “like 5:00am. ”

The question is not will we go through change, but will we grow through change.
John Maxwell

This post might fall into the category of “you know you are getting old when…” As time marches I am more aware that I need to allow myself the right to shift my outlook, change my ways. In fact, even encourage myself to explore fresh ideas.

Now I long for daylight savings to get here a little quicker.  NO! I love the light of late afternoon.  Don’t make the skies any darker and sooner.  Repeal the daylight savings program.  These past thoughts are pushed aside: I must be getting old to crave more light in the morning hours. (Then again, maybe the pre-dawn brain haze was just a sugar hangover from Halloween.)

I must be getting old, or at least older. Yikes.  So I’m going to try to remember this simple lesson: life is always changing and I can change, too.

 

Small changes, over time, can make a difference.

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tulips

We have had amazing weather this last year in the Pacific Northwest.  I have joked that if our blue skies and warm days are a result of global warming, then bring it on.  I swear this afternoon my bedroom felt brighter and lighter than yesterday and the day before that.  It might have something to do with this being the first winter with our new white doors and window frames all through the house.  It was so worth the effort.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I spent hours, days and weeks with a paint brush in my hand.  I think I might have to write a how-to on my efforts as I am sure I am not the only one that has a home full of contractor 90’s golden oak.

Back to global warming.  Well, not exactly.  I know I am ignorant on this topic.  I recently read an article on Leonardo DiCaprio.  Now there’s a face that can talk about our planet and I might listen.  Or at least watch.  Especially if he shaves off that Revenant beard. He mentioned in the article that in between filming scenes he would sit around and chew his facial hair.  Gross.  Anyway, after reading about his passion to eliminate the use of fossil fuels I looked out my window and was again grateful for the blue peaking through the clouds.

I love this planet, too.  I hope to see more of it in the coming years.  I recycle all I can so I contribute less to the landfills. I use compost bought from the local company who recycles our yard waste. I have even bought ladybugs and red worms to cut back on the chemicals used in my yard.

Admittedly, these are small contributions.  Even though I have a water filter and even though I make every effort to recycle the bottles, I still buy cases of water and some end up in the garbage.  I have thrown old underwear in the trash.  (It’s embarrassing to think about the workers at Goodwill pulling them out of the bag. And who wants them?) Even though I pull cans & bottles out of the trash after a party, I leave behind the used paper plates and napkins.

Here’s the thing. We got rid of the trash compactor in the kitchen update because we just didn’t need it. What was once the size of the garbage can is now the size of the recycle bin.  Probably at your house, too. That feels good. All the little efforts we make add up.  Let’s celebrate that and leave the planet saving to Leo.