Whims





I’m a whimsical creature, tending to give myself over to new ideas and passions regularly. Right now, I’m a fitness junkie. This year was a big birthday year for me, and I decided that I was going to be fit. I joined a gym in late February, and with the exception of our vacation and a three-day excursion to Chicago, I’ve gone to exercise 4 times a week. I started out slowly, doing some cardio and then light weights. Now, I’m up to an hour on the treadmill and have increased my weight workout. Wow! I feel so good! I think I’d like to make this a permanent addition to my life. Now on to the next whim…

Most of us are good at just a few things. (I mean really good at them.) As a musician, I’m trained in the choral arts, and am pretty good at teaching, directing, etc. This year, I have decided that I want to become proficient in another musical genre in order to grow in my craft. Although I’ve just begun on my journey of self-improvement, I’m finding that it’s already challenging me to the point of humility. I’m going to keep at it though. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, to coin a phrase.

My third whim that I decided to chase this year has been to rediscover my long lost talents at cooking. Years ago, an incredibly tough tragedy struck our family, and I stopped cooking. I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t remember what I’d put in the food or to turn on the oven. I don’t know how Don and the kids survived, but somehow they did. This year, the whim to try cooking again took me in its delicious grasp. I try a new recipe at least three times a week, and it’s been great fun! Don and the kids have been happily eating all manner of wonderful new dishes-- for the most part. The other night I decided to make barbecued chicken on greens with chipotle dressing, but dinner didn’t turn out as planned. You see, while I was busy trying to pull it all together in the last 10 minutes of preparation, my 5 year old was dancing circles around me, the phone was ringing, and my husband was trying to tell me about something to do with the insurance settlement for the car… I was a little distracted, and failed to read the recipe correctly. It called for 2 tbs. Ancho chilies… I put in the whole can.

“Wow, Vicki, this is really good,” my prince of a husband said as he wiped his brow.

I couldn’t answer, as my mouth was on fire.

“A little hot, maybe, but good.” He ate all of it.

What love! What devotion! What was he thinking?

So for now, I’ll continue to chase my whims… pray for the family.