Gotta Put That Stuff on the Schedule

Posted on by gracesmuggler

— I didn’t get to have any time outside yesterday. And it was 71 degrees. That made me sad.

I planned to do that when I got home from work, but driving home, I remembered that I had a Zoom during the last hour of daylight. I could have come home earlier, but I had forgotten about that meeting. I’m usually better at this, but I didn’t plan well.

I need time outside.

— So far this week, I’ve had no social connection outside of work and providing care. I typically put social time into my schedule deliberately where I’m not doing either of these. I’m usually better at this, but I didn’t plan well.

I need social, ‘just be’ time.

Time to course correct. What about you? What do you need to make time for?

–Renee Roederer

Who Loved You Into Loving?

Posted on by gracesmuggler


In my spiritual tradition, today is All Saints Day. It is a day to remember and honor those who have shaped us, particularly those who have died. It can also be a day to honor those who are living. We ponder people over time and how we are connected.

Fred Rogers used to say,

“From the time you were very little, you’ve had people who have smiled you into smiling, people who have talked you into talking, sung you into singing, and loved you into loving.”

Who has done this with you and for you?

–Renee Roederer

The Nopelings

Posted on by gracesmuggler

Two Scenes:

Last month, a friend had a major repair issue with his apartment, so he and his dog stayed with me for about three weeks. It was fun to have a pupper in the house. And this dog isn’t just any dog. He’s my favorite pup in the whole world. I enjoyed playing with him and receiving snuggles.

Early in his time here, I was going to let him out, and before I could open the screen door, he just ran into it headlong and bounced back, confused. I mean, he could see outside — what the heck! Poor, buddy. Then for the rest of the time at the house, he had a hard time believing he could walk through the fully open threshold once I did open the screen door. It was super cute. Sometimes, we had to show that our hand could move through the open area, and a few times, we had to step through to coax him. He would walk to the door hesitantly, then start to move through, then hop through the open area so pleased with himself. He did it!

Months before, in June, I went to open my mailbox, a task I do six days a week. And to my great shock, BABY ORB WEAVER SPIDERS fell out. And even more mysterious, they were DEAD. Again, I say, what the heck!

It’s been 4 months since this happened, and still, every day, I open the mailbox so hesitantly. Some part of me still expects the Nopelings.

Touche, pupper friend. I get it.

–Renee Roederer

The Day the Crayons Quit

Posted on by gracesmuggler

I was present at a church service yesterday as a guest preacher, and when it came time for the Moment with Children, no children were present. I was not leading this section, but someone had prepared a lesson, so she decided to direct it toward the entire church of adults. And this sweet thing happened. Folks from the choir didn’t want her to feel alone at the bottom of the chancel, so they said, “We’re going!” This group of Boomers sat on the floor around her while she read a book.

It was a darling, funny book, and it had a great message for adults too. It was certainly a more creative sermon than my own.

So today, whatever your age, I would like to present, “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywalt.