Dear Reader:

As a child I remember getting a rather negative impression of terms like ” inventory ” and ” stock.” My uncle ran a dry-cleaning store and every Christmas he and his wife would talk about closing up three days before the New Year to conduct a complete ” inventory” of clothing not picked up or paid for vs taking ” stock” in the sum amount made on the total number of goods dry-cleaned.

My uncle and aunt would sigh collectively… and even as a child… I could tell it was one of their least favorite ” chores” to do annually.

Since I taught history and civics ( but not economics) I never thought much about economic terms like ” stock” and ” inventory” as anything especially relevant to my life or profession.

It wasn’t until I was working on each student’s accumulative final grade – at the end of one nine weeks term …that it dawned on me one evening …that what I did every nine weeks was taking inventory of the progress made by individual students… I was taking ” stock” of everyone’s advancements ( or not.)

Then as my smooth life’s race track ( over time) became cluttered with more life hurdles to jump…I realized I needed to step out of the race occasionally and take ” stock” in the direction I was heading. Maybe it was time to try another track.

I needed to ” sit down and determine, within myself, which things are worth valuing and which things are not; which risks are worth the cost and which are not.”

There is one component of inventory that seems to address me- work/in-progress items… like half-built laptops. I know now that as long as I am still breathing… I will be a work in progress! And as long as I am progressing into becoming as better person… that ‘s okay with me. ( Completed items just collect dust.)

So until tomorrow…

And speaking of races… the race was on yesterday for Rutledge, Lachlan, and Eloise. Mollie said she thought she would break down crying over Eloise starting kindergarten but to her surprise… she got more teary-eyed over leaving Rutledge at the middle school!

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

Another God Wink! A little white feather fell right in front of three hibiscus blooms! Thanks Angel for thinking of me!