Lifestyle of Learning 2023 Edition: Volume 11

 November 1 - 15

"To conclude, therefore, let no man out of weak conceit of sobriety, or in ill applied moderation, think or maintain, that a man can search too far or be too well studied in the book of God's word, or in the book of God's works." - Francis Bacon

I have read Beyond the Limelight: Some Pioneer Recollections of Missouri and Oklahoma, Johnston's Shut -Ins State Park by Harry H. Johnston; How Should We Then Live by Francis Schaeffer; and The Raven and Other Favorite Poems by Edgar Allan Poe.

- I am listening  to these podcasts: Let's Talk Memoir, X22, Zone 7, The Hillside Strangler, Devil Town, The Fall Line, Witnessed: Fade to Black, Dark Valley, The Snake River Killer, and Gone South.

- I have continued to do some weightlifting.

- I've been dancing!

- I am taking Hillsdale's online course The Genesis Story: Reading Biblical Narratives.

- I went for a walk at the botanical gardens. I got some exercise and made some seasonal natural observations.

- I did more public speaking. It does get easier the more I do it.

- I am reading Home-Making by J.R. Miller, Heroes of the City of Man by Peter Leithart, The Children's Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tales of Troy by Padraic Colum, Off the Beaten Path: Nevada, Roll of Thunder, and Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor.

An Update on My 23 Hard Things in 2023

1) Write 12 snail mail letters. DONE. I completed this goal in June but have continued to write letters. In October I wrote a letter to my friend Sara and Aunt Carol. 18/12.

2) Initiate three dates with hubby. DONE. I continue to invite him on hiking ventures. This has been a pleasant way to connect.

3) Purge 1200 items. DONE. I reached my goal in July but still attempt to purge 100 items per month. In October, I purged 231 items. 2121/1200.

4) Read 48 books. DONE. In October,  I read 28 books! Including books of the Bible, I have read 146/48 books. Excluding books of the Bible, i have read 80/48. I have absolutely slammed this goal!!!

5) 12 of the 48 books read are to be books that I own. DONE. I read 26 books from my personal library in October! 52/12.

6) Have one adventure per month. I hiked at a new location, hubby and I had a picnic (that may have been a first), I did some public speaking, and I helped a committee at work pull off a celebration, our ESOPtober celebration. I'm doing new things and stepping into new roles.

7) Make and maintain a minimum of six monthly journals. DONE.

8) Make 36 blog entries. I made three blog entries in October. 28/36.

9) Repair camera. DONE. 

10) Repair mandolin and learn to play one song. DONE.

11) Dance. Doing it and loving it! I am really making progress on this goal. Dancing is becoming more natural. One evening I was caught by my youngest following a new dance tutorial. "Are you dancing?" "Um

12) Learn to tiptoe (move like a child). DONE. Still can do.

13) Learn to skip (move like a child). DONE. Still can do but not smoothly and, dang it, my foot keeps acting up. Ugh.

14) Do one cartwheel, although a round off will do (move like a child). Nope. I havent even tried yet.

15) Remove tree from front yard. DONE.

16) Repair front porch stairs. DONE.

17) Write a letter to Carole's mother. Written but not sent, still uncertain.

18) Take vitamins a minimum of 275 days this year. 258/275, need 17/61.

19) Floss teeth a minimum of 275 days this year. 231/275, need 44/61.

20) Track expenditures a minimum of 275 days this year. DONE. 283/275.

21) Do not go to Andy's alone. Still a fail. I went three times in October! Ugh!

22) Try 15 new smoothie, salad and vegetarian recipes. I tried two new recipes - roasted parmesan broccoli and a vegetarian chili with sweet potatoes. Both are soooo good! 12/15.

23) Complete at least 75% of Balancing the Sword Volume 1. DONE.

 

"Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them." -Madam C.J. Walker