I conceptualized this project almost two years ago and it took me quite a bit of last year to get it organized and refined. I called it Life Keys, made a website, didn’t like it. So I changed it to be themed as a Greek Philosopher named Dork of the Basement, made a website, didn’t like it. Then I settled on Life Lessons, made a website, and loved it! So now I have to write out all the content to hang on the topic structure I built. My first crack was launchhedd today in the form of thhe Life Lessons newsletter for the grandkids. I am already changing the format, I think. But I am off and flying high! The photo is Presley and Lilly from their earlier childhood. In the letter, I encourage them to revisit their childhood to reconnect with the things they love and their authentic self.

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We ate supper in front of the big screen with the lights off tonight to enjoy a favorite movie: The Hobbit. An M&M sundae took the place of birthday cake as we toasted J.R.R. Tolkien’s birthday with our mug of mead. Judging by all the celebrations I loaded into January’s calendar, I think I’m trying to cheer us up after a rough patch. It always works for me to take a litte time to savor life’s wonders - of which LOTR ranks high. It holds a very special place in my heart. It was the first book we read together and it felt like it was our first big adventure together. Humanity owes him a debt of gratitude for not just his work, but all the writers he inspired. "It is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at bay."

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I sure love those Stoic philosophers and enjoyed celebrating Cicero’s birthday. I decided I should go a day early because his real birthday tomorrow is reserved for the very special J.R.R. Tolkien. I have some special hobbit fun planned for Keith and me and don’t want these two giants to have to share the spotlight. Cicero is the second most influential man on Western Civilization after Jesus. He is pretty much responsible for all the elements of liberal democracy, like separation of powers, rule of law, and stuff like that. Considering the weight of his contribution to humanity, we don’t know near enough about him. His speeches and writings are legendary and what kept these ideas from fading.

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We signed up for this indoor walking club some time ago, but the weather had not driven us indoors until today when ice glazed our walkways. We donned our little badges and ventured off into a labyrinth of hallways, byways, dead ends, and super-sized ramps. It was delightful exploring the building and greeting other wolf walkers. So interesting and comfortable did we find this that we actually DOUBLED our walking time! (Next time I plan to howl at passers-by to make it more exciting for them.

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Keith and I each did our first entry into Chapter One of our Mosaic Memoir. Mine is about my mom’s Nativity scene when I was little and an unsettling tradition I carried forward. You can read all about it by clicking the image. I also spent about 2 hours putting together a comprehensive vision and strategy for documenting our family history which includes dispatch of memorabilia, photos, video, heirlooms, etc. I really hope we get this done. It feels overwhelming, but everything worthwhile always does!

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Yay! I finally got my invitation out to friends to join me in the Mosaic Memoir project AND I got the questions out to friends and family for the first chapter AND I got six wonderful posts written AND I published the website AND I launched Keith’s and my personal memoir project TODAY. HOORAY!

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