Songs are always going through my head, some welcome, some annoying. Right now I have the song from The Sound of Music in which Maria sings about having confidence in many things. I remember seeing the movie as a young child and being entranced with it. We had the album from it- I still have it along with other albums I can’t seem to give up but never listen to and yes, we have a turntable- which I would listen to over and over. That Christmas my mother bought my grandparents an album of their recordings sung by them and I was crushed. I thought the actual family sang the songs that were in the musical. I guess I got over it in time. I recall also as a child seeing Maria at their lodge in VT when we ate lunch there. She was wearing the traditional clothing of Austria.
Right now I need confidence in good things. They help to counter concerns about self centered decisions being made at a national level. Not surprisingly the things that help me to relax and have confidence about the future are largely outside and in the form of plants and animals living out their lives unaffected by goings on. I have confidence in the peace and beauty of my healthy plants.
Confidence that these tomato plants will grow and provide food for us at the end of summer and give tastes from summer all winter long after I freeze and can their fruit.
Confidence that this elderberry bush that was so little last year will produce fruit this year:
Confidence in the eggs that our chickens provide.
Confidence that the puppies we help in a tiny tiny way to raise will someday be great companions for plucky disabled people.
Confidence that my friends from all areas of my life and I will be there for each other in times of happiness and tears. ( Because now the song from Fiddler on the Roof jumped into my head: “sunrise, sunset…”)
College friends in Norway in 2015 at Laura’s condo. This summer we will celebrate the big 60 at a house in Maine. We are wiser now and won’t leave our food for a minute in case a sea gull wants it…
These are a few of my favorite things 🙂 that give me confidence.
I feel a little sad when we drop them off and wonder about them afterwards but our mindset is that we are doing this because we like being around dogs but don’t want one full time. We know that their higher purpose is to be a loving companion and helper for someone with a disability. As an OT and a person who would very much want a dog if I were disabled I feel purpose in having one each month. After all the training is complete including training with their soon to be owner they have graduations for the people and their dogs. At orientation they told us that the prisoners are allowed to go and most end up crying. I feel tearful right now thinking about seeing these puppies we watch all grown up and leaving with their person with whom they will share such a special bond.
First in September are three classes I am teaching at the Fiber College of Maine. fibercollege.org Again the 5 class Sheep to Shawl workshop at Assabet Valley Vocational High School’s adult ed program called Assabet After Dark, an overview of the Sheep to Shawl process at Weir River Farm in Hingham MA, then we are bus trip leaders to Rhinebeck for the Sheep and Wool festival. In November I will share a booth with my friend Dorothy at the New England Fiber Festival Nov. 5-6. 2 more workshops are pending. More on all of those as the time gets closer. Lots of excuses to dye. As if I need any. 
woolgatheringwithbetsy 