Quotidian Quotables

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no [one] could have dreamed would have come her way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now."

-- attributed to Goethe

I love good quotes. But I'm bad at writing them down when I come across them, so I forget them all. But maybe the essence is stuck in my consciousness somewhere.

Since I've been using Facebook, I've been blogging much less. I guess cause more people read my FB messages than my blog. I do like the silly and serious things my friends write on FB; it truly feels like an online community.

These are photos of the dressmaker's studio where I went last Tuesday with a friend who is having her wedding dress made there. I can't post a photo of her dress, cause it's a secret. I'll just say it's pale pink dupioni silk. The wedding is this weekend, on Long Island. I'll go out there very early on Saturday with M. and the girls, taking the ferry across the Sound, then driving a couple of hours till we get to the venue. I'm staying overnight. Still waiting to hear if Bindi is allowed to come, although she won't attend the ceremony and dinner.

Still doing physical therapy for my knees, and riding the stationary bike and swimming some. This physical therapist is the best I've had so far, and it's about time. I've been walking Bindi, trying to farther and farther (further and further?) each day. She loves her walks. And congrats to my niece E. and her husband, who just adopted a very handsome six year old greyhound named Phil. He needs some work in the training department, but what dog doesn't? What human doesn't?!

Watched Immortal Beloved on the telly the other day, the story of Beethoven's life, with Gary Oldman and Isabella Rossellini. It was fascinating, although how much of it was true I do not know. According to the movie, Beethoven's deafness was likely caused by his father's cruel physical abuse of him as a child. The soundtrack was lovely.

I've signed up for the gospel singing workshop again, the one I did twice when I lived in Guilford. But now the director is doing another one in the town right next to mine, so I've got no excuse not to do it.

I've started keeping track of how much money I spend every day. It's crazy. Pet food, coffee, doctors' co-pays, a new modem, gym fees, farmer's market, vet bills, meals, gasoline, airline tickets, postage, dvd rentals, supermarket. Living on a pension and social security disability is just not enough. And I'm not even an extravagant spender. When I was pulling down a salary, I didn't have to pay attention as closely as I am having to now, and I do not like it.

My guitar teacher moved away.