Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Ennui

The cure for boredom is curiosity.
There is no cure for curiosity. ~Dorothy Parker


Hi - remember me?

I used to post to my blog on a fairly regular basis. I used to read blogs on a regular basis, as well.

Lately, I haven't done much of either.

Nothing's really been wrong - I think I've just been in a state of ennui. Yep, that's it: a general lack of interest. Not just in blogging - in everything. I think I'll blame it on hormones. I blame everything on hormones these days!

Oh, I've kept busy...


I've been tutoring at the jail twice a week.

Mark is doing extremely well, and really keeps me on my toes. We've moved into high gear because he's due to be released December 23. I want to expose him to as much GED preparation reading and writing as I can before he enters an adult education program in January.



I've been quilting.

I finished this little cowboy-themed table-topper for two dear friends of mine who recently married. I'm also working on several Christmas gifts, which I can't post here until after the holiday, just in case certain people read my blog!


I led a discussion for the first time at my book club.

We talked about the book Pope Joan, which is fascinating for those of you who love historical fiction, like I do. It takes place in the 9th century, so we had an interesting discussion about women's roles then versus now. Thank goodness a lot has changed! Was there really a female pope? Read the book and see what you think.


And today, I volunteered for four hours at a local polling place.

I think this is what drove me to blog after such a long absence: I want to share with everyone what a wonderful experience it was this morning, to be part of the voting process. We had been warned of issues that might come up with voters or demonstrators, asking us to document things with camera phones, etc. I was pretty upset about it all yesterday, wondering what in the world has happened to our country that we're so bitterly divided.

But opening the polls this morning at 7:00 AM and finding a line of cheerful and proud people waiting to vote contradicted every bad thing we'd heard might happen. Yes, we are still very much divided in our nation, and I hope whichever person is elected will work very hard to unite our country once again.

However, the greatest thing I saw this morning was a Mom and Dad with their young adult son. It was his first time voting. They were taking pictures of him in front of the fire station where we were located, standing next to the "polling place" sign and the American flag. The young man was grinning from ear to ear, pointing to his "I Voted Today" sticker. I know it sounds corny, but it was a proud moment to be an American.

* * * * *

So, I'm hoping that my feeling of ennui has passed and I can once again feel engaged in life. The holidays are fast approaching and this is way too busy of a time to feel blah! Forgive me for not keeping up on your blogs, but know that I'm going to do my best to catch up on things.


Until next time...

28 comments:

jovaliquilts said...

It felt so great today to see the enthusiasm in this country! I wore my "I voted today" sticker until it fell off!!! So great you volunteered at the polling station.

Needled Mom said...

So great to hear from you again. You have been missed.

What a wonderful experience it must have been to work at the polling place today.

Glad to hear that Mark is doing so well. Hopefully he will take the right path and utilize all the hard work that you have done with him.

Kathy said...

I wondered what had happened to you! Glad you're ok. Always liked the word "ennui", btw! lol

Linds said...

It is lovely to see you posting again - you have been busy!

Manuela said...

Ennui is a fantastic word Pattie and I've certainly had my share of that feeling but lately it's been go go GO!

Well, quite the bit of history in the USA today. Let's hope we see some of the change that was promised--we'll all be affected by it!

RunningNan said...

I agree. You have been missed!

The quilted topper looks so nice!

It's ok.. I've been jumping back on the blogging wagon. I've been feeling better these days, so I'm blaming everything before on horomones too!

Glad to see you back!

Hanlie said...

I've stopped apologizing for my periods of withdrawel. It's not as if you're doing NOTHING!

I wish I'd been in the USA yesterday! But I watched the whole thing on TV right through the night... and cried buckets.

SL said...

Thank you for posting your experiences at the polling place. Your story about the cheerful/excited voters caused me to tear up. Much as I teared up yesterday at all the wonderful things happening.

carla said...

here's hoping it has passed or is on its way out of town.

Ive missed reading your posts and had hoped you were merely off FROLICKING.

Miz.

Megan said...

Guess I wasn't the only one who missed our Pattie updates ;)

Deborah said...

Tears sprang to my eyes when I read about the Mom and Dad taking pics of their son. What a wonderful country we live in that we have the privilege to vote for the person of our choice.

Deborah said...

Oops, I hit the "Publish" button too soon. I'm so glad you're back. I've really missed you.

new*me said...

welcome back! Sometimes you just need a fresh perspective...........like living!

Carole Burant said...

Dearest Pattie,

I had been thinking of you, noticing you hadn't been blogging and wondering if everything was ok. I'm glad to hear that you're well and just haven't felt like blogging:-) We all get to that point at times and there's nothing wrong with taking a break from it. Just don't stay away completely!! lol

Good to hear that Mark is coming along so well...he will truly be thankful to you for the rest of his life!!

I can well imagine how wonderful it was to see people coming in to vote and being proud of it, especially that young man voting for the first time! xoxo

grammy said...

Funny how we miss a blogger when they don't post. It reminds me of knocking on a friends door ans hollering, "Any one Home?" Well glad you answered the door. Love the quilt. They must be western lovers.

Cammy@TippyToeDiet said...

I *love* that so many young people embraced the process this year!

Glad to see you back. A little breather now and then is refreshing and energizing!

Kathy said...

Good to see you back on your blog. The story about the parents and son at the polling place was wonderful. There are just so many people out there that don't even bother to vote. People forget what a priviledge it is to be able to vote. I'm glad you shared your experience with us.

carla said...

hope you are feeling better...

Diana Swallow said...

Have I told you how proud I am of you for helping this young man learn to read?

I've been a bad blog buddy to so many people too, I'm hoping to change that.

Wendy said...

You have been busy -- but you've been missed here. Look at all your comments!

I'm doing a giveaway starting today. Come and get in on it. Will that shake off your blue funk? ;-)

BTW, loved the voting story.

Brightcetera said...

Hey, remember me? I went AWOL too. No guilt, please :)
You really know how to occupy your time and are quite the dedicated volunteer, Pattie. You've certainly been busy.

jillytacy said...

I hope you're feeling better. It's great that you were able to volunteer at the poles and that you're still tutoring. Volunteering is a great way to make a difference in the world around you.

Nonnas News said...

Sounds like you have been keeping busy!!

Natalia said...

Good for you! Miss seeing you around but sounds like you've been doing some great stuff!

Wendy said...

Pattie, just a quick pop in to say thanks for participating in the giveaway. I appreciated your comments. Thanks for sharing what was important to you and the fun you have at Thanksgiving. You've been a kindred spirit and a support to my little sister blog!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

Natalia said...

Hey Patty, I have a new blog location and I'm doing a giveaway! It's a bracelet my sister designed. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment! :)

new blog is at: www.nataliaburleson.com

Brightcetera said...

Just stopping in to say Hey There!
I accidentally deleted my blog & so my link address has changed. I hope you'll come visit again soon!

prashant said...

What a wonderful experience
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