Bfth's Boring Blog

  I was reminded that today in the church calendar is the baptism of the Jesus.  While I don't remember ANYTHING about my baptism (since I was less than 6 months old but a photo shows my mother wearing a light blue suit with me in her arms just outside the church's back do), I DO remember a few things about my son's baptism.  Although it was almost 20 years ago, so my memories are a little dim and once again I rely on photos to guide me. Our son was baptized on the first Sunday of Advent.  It was right after Thanksgiving (as it usually is).   He did not wear a "traditional" christening gown (like the other baby that was baptized that day), but my mother had purchased a 3 piece outfit for him that we struggled to get our 3 month old in:  a button down shirt, corduroy pants and a pull over sweater vest.  A style that he continues (sometimes) to wear.  I don't think he wore shoes.  (Rest assured, he wears them now!  It was just that when he...

  Nothing earth shattering, although maybe some of the below will be though provoking... Is it colder this January than previous years?  Is it just me?  I have waited for the bus in winter before, haven't I?  For the past two days (the first two days of the new year where I am required to be in the office) have been brutally cold (at least for NJ) and so windy.  (I'm so tired of the wind shaking the house all night long.  It's why I'm so tired.)  I've been taking an earlier bus just so that I have less distance to walk and less time to wait outside for the bus.  With that said... The first "close" (meaning closer to my house) that comes after six in the morning (because I refuse to get on a bus before six in the morning...I mean I know I am an early bird, but even I have my limits...at least for now), has gotten earlier and earlier.  Yesterday I was grateful for that....

Dear Mom,   We should be celebrating your birthday.  Instead I am trying to remember if I was actually with you on your last birthday 3 years ago. I don't think we were.  That Christmas (2021) we had Covid and I didn't come to see you until the last day of 2021 when it was safe.  When your full-time caregiver had her first holiday so I stayed over for a day (or was it two?) Three years ago seems like an eternity.   My Google photos tell me that your grandson and I did come to see you later in the month.  It was the next to last time you saw him.   I should have been there for your birthday, but...Hindsight is always 20/20.   You said it always snowed on your birthday.  This year the snow came a little early.  If you were still living at the Jersey shore I don't know if I would have made it.  The snow in North Jersey was next to nothing, but further south...you never know with weather patterns.   This, the day ...

  Here we are in the first FULL week of the new year.  (Honestly, I don't think Wednesday-Sunday should have really counted for anything.  Although I was busy at work, we are still working in 2024 until the end of business today and quite frankly, it's been so crazy that I feel like we never really moved into a new year.)  Today is the first day back to school. (Unless you are further south in NJ where the snow is falling...in the "north" we are expecting some snow, but nothing like what the south is supposed to get.  How crazy is that?  New year, but the world continues to be an upside down place at times.)  On this gray and cold Monday (which also happens to be Epiphany), I am ready to start fresh. I am focusing (or at least trying to) on taking care of things that matter and facing the day to day with as much positivity as I can.  You know that's going to be a challenge when I head back into the office tomorrow.  How positive can I be when...

 For many years I have never had a pet. Mostly that has to do with the fact that I have terrible allergies. So having cat or a dog is out of the question.  It made it difficult for my son who admittedly loves cats. It's just something we can't have not have.   As a result of not having a pet I have become that cold-hearted b****. I don't understand the pain that comes with the loss of a pet. I just don't get it. Or I just didn't get it. Recently his cold-hearted b**** has had karma slap me straight in the face.   When my husband and I purchased a house in the Poconos, it came with a pond. That pond was full of koi.  I know the previous owner loved the koi. Each one had a name. They were many of them and they kept having more babies, so some were unnamed. I loved sitting outside this past summer. I'd watch them swim. Sometimes they would leap out of the water. When I would feed them with their favorite snack Cheerios, they would rush to nibble them...

 New Year, new hope.  Isn't that how it is for most of us?  We expect much of a new year.  Perhaps we expect too much, putting unrealistic expectations on the 365 days that are ahead of us. 2025 may be a new year, but we can't expect miracles to suddenly happen as the calendar turns for 12/31/24 to 1/1/25. So as we enter this year, I have this "realistic" prayer. As we enter this year of 2025, grant me: Patience as I navigate the complexities of life Stability as I traverse the rocky path of life Courage as face circumstances that make me uncomfortable, ill at ease, or frightened Wisdom as I make decisions throughout the year   Willingness to listen and learn, as we are never too old (or too young) to do both The ability to continue to grow as a person. (You CAN teach an old dog new tricks, if only you are willing) The wherewithal NOT to dwell on the past, but to focus on the now with an eye towards the future Faith in myself and tho...