Long Hollow

To have courage for whatever comes in life – everything lies in that.

St. Teresa of Avila

I paid bills yesterday.

Watching our balances dwindle away, I realized there's a good chance I'm going to have to give up on my book and my personal history business and my photography – or at least put them up on the shelf again – and just try to find another regular job that bores me to tears and doesn't pay much, but will bring in enough to keep us afloat.

I'll continue trying to work on my dream projects in my spare time, but I've been doing that for years. I know (for me, at least) it's doesn't work very well. I can't keep scrimping on sleep or "husband" time. Tom gets tired of seeing me glued to the computer. 

But if it comes to that, so be it. I have too much to be grateful for to whine about it.

I refuse to give in too easily just yet, though, so I did something I've debated with myself about for a long time: I broke down and added a tip jar to my blog.  Part of me thinks it's a little presumptuous; the other part thinks, Why not? Artists and musicians and even waitresses get tips…why not writers?

So there you have it. I so desperately want to keep working on my book and making money doing things I love, that, in addition to juggling a few part time jobs, I'm willing to put a jar out there for spare change.

If you're inclined to add to it, thank you. If you're not, that's fine with me… I hope you still keep reading! No matter what, I'll keep blogging. It's something I need to do to maintain my balance, like running and praying and taking my morning walks.

But I won't mention the tip jar again, and I won't be offended if you don't or can't pitch some pennies in it, don't worry. I just wanted to explain its appearance in case anyone noticed it.

And now for my week's collection of Sweet! moments…

Sunday: your dad wearing a sombrero while the restaurant staff sings "Happy Birthday"; running and squealing in the rain with your kids; the rain coming to an end for your drive home; watching a really good Korean "western" with your middle son; getting the call that your oldest son made it home safe

Monday: finally tackling Lesson 1 of the Photoshop Elements class you signed up for (for the second time!); a friend texting a reminder to you about the full moon; feeling autumn in the air at dusk as you photograph the full moon

Tuesday: stepping outside before the sun rises and hearing frogs belting out a happy song to the misty moon from the now-wet pond; capturing a photo of a coral sunrise; helping your son tie his tie for a job interview; revisiting the State Library for the first time in ten years; helpful people; lunch with your son at an Austin icon; water in the pond!; purple flowers; the hum of happy dragonflies; your son and husband cooking dinner while you work

Wednesday: your water-loving old dog's ecstatic face as he swims in a pond for the first time in months; getting a Post of the Week for Sisters of the Sea from Hilary at The Smitten Image (thanks again, Hilary!)

Thursday: hanging out with your son on his 23rd birthday; finding a few books you need CHEAP at Half-Price books; cyclops cookies; the look of surprise on your son's face when he opens his birthday present

Friday: sleeping late after a late movie night with your son; cool mornings that gently warm up; crisp autumn blue skies; butterflies and dragonflies following you on your walk; a call from your traveling sister; good news on your neighbor's puppy who was hit by a car yesterday 

Saturday: autumn mornings; walking on a country road with your sweetie; considerate customers; friends and family of a wedding couple transforming a room via beautiful decorations for a wedding reception; talking shop with a professional wedding photographer (and discovering one of the cameras he uses is just like yours!) 

Hope you're having a Sweet Saturday!