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402 days. 402 (plus or minus… mostly minus) posts.

Tag: cookies

October 25, 2015

Day 1035: A Manifesto

This evening I went searching for an old blog from a couple of years ago, in order to find a factoid that I’ve since lost.

I didn’t find what I was looking for, but I did find the below manifesto, from February 13, 2013. I had forgotten all about it. I’m reposting it tonight in the hopes that 1) it will cement itself deeper into my being (although I no longer have a fish… rest in peace, Brian Boitano The Fish), and 2) maybe it will trigger you to remember your own version.

A Manifesto

I will wake up every morning glad to be awake. I will be open and honest. I will feed my fish. When I fear I’m becoming closed off or closed in, I will gently peel back my layers.

I will turn my face to the sun. I will change directions. I will sleep soundly.

I will look for the light in others. I will be confidently intuitive. When my confidence fades, I will be happily self-conscious.

I will be smart. I will be savvy. Maybe not savvy.

I will be wrong sometimes. When I am wrong, I will admit it. I will eat cookies. I will cook lentils. I will smile at children and I will pet puppies. I will swim like a turtle. I will not judge others. When judgment creeps in, I will notice it and take a breath. I will not be perfect.

I will love my family. I will hug my friends.

I will be so quiet that I can hear every leaf shifting on every tree in my neighborhood. I will laugh so loudly every leaf will shift. I will cry. I will let go.

I will stand up for those who can’t. I will water my plants. I will lose hope. I will find joy. I will remember to buy toilet paper before the last roll runs out. I will ask for help and I will help others.

I will dance. I will rest. I will write.

turtle glide

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February 17, 2013

Day 85: Girl Scout Cookies

As a continuation to the continuation about happy things Midwesterners can think about while they wait for spring, this is the perfect time to post about Girl Scout cookies. In central/southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, it’s currently cookie season (as if you didn’t know). 

I bought cookies yesterday from a lovely young woman in her last year of Girl Scouting. As she stood outside the grocery store in downright bitterly cold weather, she cheerily told me how much she’ll miss the program when she graduates, and that my Thin Mints were lovingly “pre-frozen.” She then explained to the gentleman behind me why cookies cost more this year and what she plans to do with the money she earns (a trip to France with her troop). She was smart, articulate, outgoing and a good saleswoman (“You know, a couple of packages of Trefoils would be very tasty with those Samoas.”).

If you’re wondering whether or not you should support Girl Scouts by buying cookies, the answer is yes. The girls in green sashes and brown vests are doing more than peddling delicious goods; they’re learning how to be leaders.

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February 13, 2013

Day 81: Manifesto

I will wake up every morning glad to be awake. I will be open and honest. I will feed my fish. When I fear I’m becoming closed off or closed in, I will gently peel back my layers.

I will turn my face to the sun. I will change directions. I will sleep soundly.

I will look for the light in others. I will be confidently intuitive. When my confidence fades, I will be happily self-conscious.

I will be smart. I will be savvy. Maybe not savvy.

I will be wrong sometimes. When I am wrong, I will admit it. I will eat cookies. I will cook lentils. I will smile at children and I will pet puppies. I will swim like a turtle. I will not judge others. When judgment creeps in, I will notice it and take a breath. I will not be perfect.

I will love my family. I will hug my friends.

I will be so quiet that I can hear every leaf shifting on every tree in my neighborhood. I will laugh so loudly every leaf will shift. I will cry. I will let go.

I will stand up for those who can’t. I will water my plants. I will lose hope. I will find joy. I will remember to buy toilet paper before the last roll runs out. I will ask for help and I will help others.

I will dance. I will rest. I will write.

turtle glide

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February 5, 2013

Day 73: Get Yourself Some Tim Tams

Before I left for Australia, my dentist and I had a little conversation while he filled my new cavity:

Dentist: So, you quit your job, eh? Any big plans?
Me: Huh. (“Yes, but I can’t say much because my mouth is busy.”)
Dentist: I bet you’ve got some big plans.
Me: Uh huh. (“Seriously, how am I supposed to answer you?”)
Dentist: Like what?
Me: Unh… Au-ha-ia. (“Australia.”)
Dentist: What?
Me: Au-haaa-ia. (“Australia.”)
Dentist: Australia! Wonderful! You know, I went there once. I came back with an extra 15 pounds and a bad rash.
Me: …Uh… (“…I am both sorry to hear that and afraid you’re going to tell me more.”)
Dentist: You know what you have to get while you’re there, right?
Me: Eeeh a hahh! (“Hopefully not a rash!”)
Dentist: What?
Me: …Uhh. (“…Nothing. I’m sorry I said that.”)
Dentist: Tim Tams! Get yourself some Tim Tams. They are delightful little cookies!
Me: Ah hoo ahiee, iigh? (“As soon as you fill my cavity, right?”)
Dentist: What?
Me: Ehh. (“Never mind. Also, my mouth is tired.”)
Dentist: Just don’t ruin this new filling. I’d feel pretty badly if I encouraged you to eat a bunch of cookies and then you came back here with more cavities. And try not to get a rash. It was awful.

Well, Dentist, I’m happy to report I continue to be rashless. And you were right; Tim Tams are delightful. I anticipate my “1 biscuit” = “5 cookies” translation might be slightly off, but I promise I will floss sometime between now and the next time I see you.

Tim Tams

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