Let’s hope!

 The first post on the first day of a new year--no pressure, right? Well, not much since this will be our 3,691 daily posting, but who’s counting? In a little while we’ll be watching the “border battle” between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers. If the Vikings win, it will be a pleasant surprise.

Meanwhile, the Weather Underground web site is currently forecasting 7.4 inches of snow on Tuesday. They’ve been regularly revising the forecast over the past few days. The National Weather Service appears to be firmly committed to “A winter storm is still on track to impact the area Monday evening through Tuesday. Heavy snow, freezing rain, and rain are all possible at times - depending on how far north or south the storm tracks.” I have an appointment Wednesday morning and I can’t yet sort out whether I should reschedule because the roads won’t yet be cleared. That may be tomorrow’s challenge. Remember Harvey Cox has taught us that “Not to decide is to decide.” One piece of missing information is what options are available for rescheduling from Wednesday.

a burst of hope

Photo by J. Harrington

The snow may be welcomed by the Granddaughter person. Her grandmother recently got a kick-sleigh and, until today, the Granddaughter wanted no part of sitting down for a sleigh ride. Somehow, her parents convinced her otherwise and today we saw a brief video of a seated two-year-old enjoying a ride propelled by dad. I’m choosing to interpret this as an indication I need to have more faith in the future. Peter Leschak, a local author, offers a similar perspective in today’s Opinion Section of the Star Tribune.

In fact, by coincidence, the first book I finished reading this year, a Christmas present from the Better Half, is a short collection of Emily Dickinson poems entitled Hope Is the Thing. May our year be fulll of well-founded hopes and our needs be met so we can keep the faith.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers

By Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -

That perches in the soul -

And sings the tune without the words -

And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -

And sore must be the storm -

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -

And on the strangest Sea -

Yet - never - in Extremity,

It asked a crumb - of me.

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