Yoda: “Yes, run! Yes, a Jedi’s strength flows from the Force. But beware of the dark side. Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. Easily they flow, quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will, as it did Obi-Wan’s apprentice.”
Luke: “Vader. Is the dark side stronger?”
Yoda: “No, no, no. Quicker, easier, more seductive.”
Luke: “But how am I to know the good side from the bad?”
Yoda: “You will know… when you are calm, at peace, passive. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.”
Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back
I’m feeling that way today. Calm, at peace, passive. I’m doing what I can and letting the rest slide.
Dad Windu is officially unemployed, and that’s ok. We can meet our basic bills – home, utilities, food – on his unemployment benefits and that’s about 3 steps further than many families right now. Chalk one up for common sense, frugal living, and good luck over the years.
DW’s getting some (long overdue) things done around the house. We’re keeping Padawan Learner’s life as normal as possible, with both trampoline class and piano lessons for the time being. We’re surprisingly relaxed about the whole process, one of the side benefits of waiting for this to happen for.months.now, and taking our time enjoying the holiday season, our families and friends. We’re entertaining job postings from all over the U.S. and DW is working his network here at home.
We bought Padawan Learner some new snow boots today, nothing like a winter storm to highlight the need. He got off easy from shoveling snow the last 4 days, “I’d love to help, but I don’t have any boots. Bummer.” How a kid that wears a EEEE width can just walk in and find boots that fit, several pair no less, is beyond me. I think there’s a widespread athletic shoe conspiracy in force every six months when he’s outgrown yet another pair of shoes.
Calm, yes. Passive, I doubt it. If I’ve learned anything about you from your blog, it’s that you have a boundless sense of humor, as well as your fair share of Jedi warrior fortitude.
May the force be with you!
I’m sorry about DW, but I’m glad y’all seem prepared to deal with it in a positive and headstrong direction. I wouldn’t expect anything less from your family.
Snow boots are just boots, right? I guess waterproof boots. We don’t need that sort of footwear here. Well we do get rain, but not snow.
I’m rambling. My comment must be over.
I’m with Sandra, may the force be with you.
Sandra: OK, maybe passive was a bit of a stretch.
Mom #1: They are generally waterproof to make them good for sledding and being out in the sleet and such, but more importantly snow boots are super insulated because it gets so cold up here. We always have some days in winter that are below 0 degrees F – remember that’s already 32 degrees below the freezing point. We also get the “wind chill factor”, which is what the air actually feels like when you factor in both the temperature and the effect of any winds. For example, this week we had a high of 11 F with a wind chill of -4 F. I know!
So sorry to hear about Dad Windu. That really stinks. Hope things get better quickly!
You guys have got SUCH a great attitude about this whole sucky prospect, and I’m in awe of you. Kudos to the whole family! Enjoy the snow for me (except the shoveling, of course).