The Secret to Happiness

First of all, let me tell you that I do not know the true secret to happiness.  In fact, I doubt there is a single actual secret to being happy.  I did learn today, however, that there is some science toward becoming a happier person.  I learned this while listening to this TED Radio Hour podcast, which is definitely worth spending 45 minutes listening to.

I have had much more free time over the past winter than I expected.  It seems that in months gone by, when I've had a lot of time to myself, I end up feeling morose and lonely.  This winter, however, I've felt really happy - with exceptions when L has an episode, or when I'm feeling particularly overwhelmed.  I have been wondering lately what made the difference...did my attitude change, or was it due to my aging hormones, or WHAT?

One of the segments of the TED Talk I linked to above, by Matt Killingsworth, may have the answer to that question.  He has collected data that shows that mind wandering is not an escape from something that makes you unhappy, but actually a cause of unhappiness.  Therefore, like my therapist several years ago advised me, people are actually happier when they live IN THE MOMENT.  Wow!

This has always been really difficult for me to do.  My mind wanders a LOT...especially when I am alone.  My personal answer to the question, "what is making you feel happier?", is (in short) technology!  For the past several months since I have discovered that I can easily download and listen to podcasts on my phone when I am working around the house, I am being entertained and educated, instead of destructively mind-wandering. 

Podcasts, my friends, are the secrets to happiness...so it seems.

The Truth Comes Out

My Dad has become the official historian of our family, spending hundreds of hours researching genealogy for not only my family, but those of JP (yep, we're actually 5th cousins a couple of ways), my sisters-in-law, and my Mom.  I've been told many family stories over the years, passed down from my grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and many of them have been "fleshed out" so to speak by my Dad's research.

One story however, he has been unable to confirm.  Although I have claimed for most of my life that I am a cousin (albeit distantly) to Clark Gable, it appears that is not true.  My Dad has been diligently researching the connection for months now, and he has simply not found one!

He was able to find another connection with a movie star though, and not only that but also the 40th President of our Country - both JP and I have distant relatives in common with Ronald Reagan!  Furthermore, we are all (including Ronnie) distantly related to our illustrious first President, George Washington, upon whose home turf during the winter of 1777-78 I recently walked!

Clark, I'm sorry, but I'd much rather claim Mr. Washington as a relative than you, it's over.

Educational Leave

We have been out of town for the past week - taking an educational leave in the Lancaster area.  While JP was at his Medical Conference, the girls and I worked on homework sent along by their teachers, made use of the Hotel pool, visited my cousin on her nearby Dairy Farm, and explored educational opportunities in the surrounding areas.

First, the obligatory Lancaster Co. buggy picture:

We spent a chilly day at Valley Forge, learning about the winter of 1777-78 during the Revolutionary War.

General Anthony Wayne, for whom
 Waynesburg is named!



L was intrigued by the artillery

National Memorial Arch

 

Inside one of the 1000 huts in Valley Forge built by and for the Brigades during the winter of 1777-78.  They slept 12 to a hut!

JP joined us for a trip to Philadelphia, where we visited the Franklin Institute.

One of the reasons that I wanted to visit the Franklin Institute was because of this little guy:

 

This is an automaton, built in the 1800's by Henri Maillardet.  The Franklin Institue acquired the piece in 1928, but were unable to discover the history or creator of the automaton until they could restore its function.  When it is working, the "Draughtsman-Writer" will make 4 drawings and 3 poems, the final one of which includes the line "Written by the Automaton of Maillardet."  I learned about this after perusing the graphic novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, (upon which the movie "Hugo" is based.)  I found it completely fascinating.  You can read more about this machine here.

We also were able to spend an evening with JP's sister & brother-in-law, and visit my Grandfather's estate in Frazer.

This is the house, on Route 30, that my Grandfather built in the 1940's, in which my father and his 6 brothers and sisters grew up.  The white buildings behind it are the Laundromat and Car Wash of Speedi King, the business that my Grandfather started, and which is now owned and run by my uncle.  (You can enlarge the pictures slightly by clicking on them.)

 

Up the hill is the community garden run by Frazer Mennonite Church, the property for which was donated to the church by my grandparents.  Behind it (by the white car) is the house that my grandparents lived in from the 1970's on (it is now the parsonage for the church.)

My Dad helped to build Frazer Church in 1960.  Both he and my Mom, as well as JP and I were married there.  Both of my grandparents, my uncle, and a great aunt and uncle are all buried there.  This area is saturated with connections to my roots.  JP's too - when we first got engaged, his aunt heard about it from my grandmother at Frazer church, where they both attended!

Where's the Bear? #19

The Bear is getting a bit of kitty therapy with Ernie today.  This is what happens if you sit in the sunshine near the Kitty Kastle!

Spring Has Sprung

I realize that I was a bit premature in changing my blog background to a Spring theme, but I couldn't stand the dark colors and snow for a minute longer.

 

I took a walk around the yard today and noticed all the flowers blooming.

 

 

 

As well as the ones that promise to bloom in the near future!

 



 

The Spring Peepers are singing their little hearts out down by the creek.

 

 

 

We made it through another winter on the Ridge!

Where's the Bear? #18

Today the bear spent the afternoon out of doors in the sunshine, hanging up laundry!

Flipping Birthday Party

We attended a fun Birthday party last weekend, that was held at a Gymnastics Training Center.  The girls got their first taste of the parallel bars!