Irrational Hope

The good news: I have been able to use a few of the gourds that are giving me grief.

Pumpkin Soufflé… decimated. Butternut Squash with Brown Sugar… in process of demolition.

That just leaves the Spaghetti and Acorn Squash. And because my brother-in-law likes to see me sweat, he showed up at our house today with some Jerusalem Artichokes.

Ey-yi-yi! I was all excited because he said “artichoke” as that’s one of my favorites… and then I saw the ugliest, rooty thing I’ve ever been asked to eat or prepare.

So… if you have some ideas for my Jewish Artichoke problems, please let me know!

The other things I’ve been thinking about lately is the idea of Irrational Hope.

A gal came into the office yesterday to tell me they were getting ready to move out of their storage unit. Her husband lost his job and they have to move to another town to live with family members because they can’t afford to stay here anymore.

She was weighed down heavily. “Every day there’s another load of crap that gets put on my head,” she said.

I know she’s not the only one who feels this way. In fact, too often lately I’ve felt the same.

So, what to do about that? How to overcome the heaviness of life, the stress of the holidays, the worries of the present and future?

My first thought is: Irrational Hope.

What can I do today that is so hopeful, so full of promise, I can’t stand it? What thing is so far removed from the permission I give myself on a daily basis that I’m afraid of its audacity?

What have I forgotten to dream about lately? How do I bring that into my life?

I’ve come up with a list of those things I have let fall by the wayside.

One is to apply to Semester at Sea, the program I worked for more than 10 years ago. I’ve been holding myself back because I’m not solo anymore, it would take finding the places for Lizard and the girls.

But… it’s something that could be worked out, if the motivation was there. And the boost of energy by at least taking a step in the direction of “what-if?!” has been invigorating.

What could you do that would speak of Irrational Hope? What would it cost to just try? I think you should do it! And then tell me about it so I can celebrate with you!