Monday Musings

Well hello there!  We are just back from our special days away.  Once again impressions were made.  Friendships strengthened.  Joy restored.  New people met.  And a clearer vision what really matters.

There's just something about a home convention.  You get to go a few times beforehand when it is full of bugs and spiders and dirt everywhere and in a couple weeks it is all ready and the anticipation is high.  Then we all gather.  It seems year by year I know more and more to the point I could almost name 80% of those there.  There's something really nice about that.

I stood on the grounds with more than several and and had a five or ten minute visit.  As we chatted I desperately wished they could come home with us and stay several days so we could continue the visit.  There's never enough time.  

I was once again a member of the "Loo Crew".  I think it is now the 10th or 11th year I have gotten to walk around with a plunger in hand looking for trouble.  I had a secret giggle when someone tentatively came in while we were cleaning and said, 'can we use these?'  I loudly said, 'oh yes we're open for business!'.  Then I realized how punny I was.

People stop me on the grounds to thank me for doing the job.  I appreciate it.  But the job isn't really all that hard.  Dirty?  Yes sometimes.  Rewarding?  Definitely!  And really, how many go up to the ladies in the salad department and tell them how lovely they did for each meal?  Who contacts the guys that get up at dark o'clock and thank them for peeling potatoes and carrots.  Who tells the guy driving the old blue pickup to the dump that they appreciate him taking stuff to the burn pile?  Yes, I think I'm thanked way more than I should be.  There's so so much hidden effort and sacrifice to make those days so rich and possible.

The food?  Oh my!  We go to be spiritually fed.  And we richly were.  We also were naturally fed as well.  For some reason every meal was just delicious.  Maybe it is because I'm usually the sole cook around here and it is so nice to sit down to a meal already prepared.  Maybe it is because I'm hungry for not snacking between meals.  Maybe it is because Wisconsin really knows how to cook a good pot of spaghetti.  Maybe it is because I'm surrounded by a throng of people that emulate joy.  Or maybe it is just good food.

Due to circumstances due to a high school sport, I had to return for one day.  I have never wanted to not be home as bad as I did that day.  Thankfully, I could listen in to what I was missing and I could hardly drive fast enough to get back up there again.

We brought home an extra teenager to deliver to his home.  I liked what he said.  "I used to be an introvert and didn't want to talk to people.  But then I realized I won't get to know other people if I just stand there and don't say anything.  So now I'm trying to just go up to other people and visit even though I'm not that comfortable doing it.  It makes me feel better doing it though."  I think at 17 he knows more than a lot of people.

So we are back to normal living again.  I always feel bad for the Chairman as he really has to put it in high gear the week before we leave and immediately upon returning home.  Last night he slept about six hours.  I asked if he was tired this morning and he cheerfully says, 'no, I'm fine!  I hope you have a good day'.

I have had a good day.  But there is lots done and more to do.  Hope you have a good week!