We had a beautiful and meaningful weekend. Next weekend is my official Birthday Celebration, we are going to see two plays, one Saturday and one Sunday, and we are staying overnight in a motel.

My day started, as is the custom now, at sunrise in my garden with my Iphone and Leica 2. What a fantastic idea it was to get a Leica (two, actually); they have changed my life and greatly expanded my creativity and confidence.

We canceled our annual trek to the ocean in October, which is not the right time for vacations for us.

Tuesday, I will be at the Mansion for our second official Mansion Men’s Group Meeting, and on Wednesday, I’ll conduct my meditation class in the morning.

 

 

 

On Thursday, Maria and I will return to Bishop Gibbons. She will help Sue Silverstein set up some sewing machines; I’m meeting with Trish.

I am talking with her about the possibility of my teaching a blog class. Boxes of books are on the way to Bishop Gibbons from Alaska, thanks to the Bright Lights Book Project in Palmer.

Alys Culhane has agreed to supply the books Trish needs to re-stock the school’s library.

Her group collects books from recycling centers, libraries, private homes, and collections. The books will be free to the school.

Maria and I are having good and meaningful talks about sharing our finances. I needed some help in recent weeks, and between the two of us, we have already re-organized and re-thought several different things.

I was overwhelmed by rising costs, shrinking donations, and the urgent needs of the people we serve. I’m getting it together now, with some help.

This is important to me.

Because of my fear and troubles, I was reluctant to reach out and share my feelings and worries. I also understand that I am an impulsive human being, and that is something I need to work on.

We all s  struggle at different times to have the resources we need in life; this is something I need to think about and prepare for.

 

Humility is all about understanding that the resources I want, need, and expect will not always be available to me. These are challenging times, and I want to protect the Army of Good and keep it alive and functioning.

So far, so good. I’m on a soundtrack. I am facing issues I’ve met all my life; there never seems to be an end to them. Maria is a beautiful and supportive help; our marriage has never been s stronger or better.

I have a wonderful therapist who knows me well and smacks me around when necessary.

 

The Army Of Good is important to me, and I intend to keep the idea alive and active. That means thinking through our projects carefully, respecting the need and worries many people are experiencing, and continuing our good and essential work on behalf of refugee children and the Mansion residents, where people struggle at the edge of life.

It’s a high-wire act, but I’m good at those and eager for the challenge. I believe very strongly in what we are doing. I will never walk away from it.

My gardening and flowers have helped to transform me, yet again, I love gardening, I love the flowers, I love arranging and re-arranging them, and I love taking photos of them.

As I approach my 75 th birthday, something of a landmark for me, I want to take a deep and honest look at myself. One is never too old to change and learn and grow. There are many things I want to accomplish in the remaining time I have on this earth; I ask every day how I can be a better man and a human living a meaningful life.

I often fail, but I sometimes succeed, and that hope will drive me forward.