Reaching Out with Gratitude

Hello Friends,

We’re into winter weather & confines,
Short light, long dark,
Grey hours filling many days.
Makes biking seem something of
Another time.

I'm riding stationary bike,
Attending exercise classes at Senior Center,
Walking my condo building hallways,
Which are ice-free, flat, warm.
Being active in different ways.

During fall I rehearsed with St Olaf Chorale,
Non auditioned, all women
Mostly students, some emeriti wives and profs.
Concert was Nov 30 and so satisfying,
Directed by Dr. Anton Armstrong of St Olaf,
We sounded melodic and delighted to be singing.
A privilege to be part of that.
Want to listen? Click here.

Thanksgiving in Viroqua at David's new-to-him old house,
Kitchen transformed and up-graded
Let David cook wonderful food for ten of us.
Mid-west family members got to gather there.

Though 2019 seems still just a date,
Organization program planners are
Starting to fill their calendars.
My benefit!
I have three 2019 gigs booked so far.
(Click here for details)

If you know of groups, or places where my talk would
Fascinate an audience,
Please, please let me know.
I will contact your group.

Did you know that May is
"Older Americans Month"?
I qualify for that descriptor.
I can help fill your speaker calendar.

Any of you have contacts with
Zonta or Serpotimist groups?
Those seem likely audiences.

I'm deliberately using my "Five Keys"
For up-grading my frequent winter discouragement.

Commit: 
To being physically active.
Stationary biking, exercise classes, walking halls.

Get Help:
Asking for help and for networks to expand my speaking reach.

Connect:
Rehearsing music with others delighted to be singing.
Learning names of exercise buddies & chatting after class.
Thanksgiving spent with family members was of-the-heart connection; a gift.

Find Humor:
Class called "Drums Alive" makes me laugh.
Real drumsticks used to drum on large, inflated exercise balls,
In time to music, following teacher's movements.
Means that we drum, move, laugh because combo is
So Much Fun and funny.
Who would have thought?

Recommit:
Just what that word says.
I have lots of days when I just want to hibernate,
Never mind any benefit of physically active.
I have to push pretty hard to get myself out of my "cave.”

One-day-at-a-time, like
One-pedal stroke -at-a-time,
Moves into time of greater light.
I want to appreciate each day,
Not wish away what I have.

May we all treasure moments.
These are our days.
​
Enormous gratitude to you for 
"Coming along" with me this year—
Sharing the journey makes it shine.

Sending hugs to each of you,
Lin