Garfield Monday

You know what the grumpy cat looks like. He is cocooned in his blanket, nose barely out, and determined not to face what Monday demands.  I didn’t plan on starting that way.  I rose with a determined list, much like one you probably have.  I would have breakfast and look at the parts of the paper I could live with.  My daily Mini Crossword – maybe a whole blog on that – would wake up my mind. Like you who work from home or even keep a home running from where you are, I started the process of washing sheets and cleaning kitchen counters.  I had one issue to tend to and would go forth for a morning walk.

Disruption began with a small crack in the wall.  The CPA wrote he thought he had figured out why the IRS has disliked me to the point of not paying for two years.  Hooray for that.  However it involved putting all on hold while I dug around and contacted third parties to find papers that would validate the claim. Like dominoes waiting to fall, steps two and three are on hold until step one reports back.  Scratch the walk.

John Donne wrote, “No man is an island.” Being sheltered in place for me does not mean I have become invisible.  I had a plan for the week about contacts I wanted to make in an acceptable manner. You know, be a helper.  Someone decided they wanted to revise and expand that plan, and suddenly I had a deadline. All morning I have shifted file cards:  call person A, respond to e-mail B, search for the piece of paper from 2018. Whoops, listen to the voice mail.

Now it is a day half gone.  Thank goodness! Thomas Moore, the 20th century priest, uses the word re-collect as that time to draw back all that has been scattered. I have taken this time to look at where I am, and how you have been a help by listening visually. I have a good story next week about my mother and me and cooking.  Our pastor has a devotion I can join at noon. A tasty left over awaits for lunch.  And, tomorrow is Tuesday.

 I have made myself calm and content like a young child in its mother’s arms. Deep down inside me, I am as content as a young child. Psalm 131:2