Life Junctions LLC

This time of year, when we think about improvements we want to make, we tend to add habits and goals when it may be better to subtract.

I was reminded of this when I popped into an estate sale in my apartment building. My younger daughter was searching for kitchen things for her apartment when she moves out of the dorms next year. I wasn’t planning on getting anything.

But, when I saw this set of rose-colored stackable refrigerator boxes, I couldn’t resist, even though I knew there is no extra space in my kitchen cabinets.

But of course I did. I just had to be willing to get rid of stuff. I tossed out least a dozen reusable water bottles and coffee mugs. (We still have a decent supply.)

This made me think about other things I add to my to project list every quarter like organizg old photos or having them and old DVDs converted to digital files. I may decide to never do these things but for now they are definitely off my 2026 list.

So, what might you subtract?

“Science investigates; religion interprets… The two are not rivals. They are complementary. Science keeps religion from sinking into the valley of crippling irrationalism and paralyzing obscurantism. Religion prevents science from falling into the marsh of obsolete materialism and moral nihilism.” - Martin Luther King, Jr., “A Tough Mind and a Tender Heart”

I bought Strength to Love for my Dad but I found the book on my Mother’s bookshelf. During her last days earlier this month I read from it while by her bedside.

My younger daughter had asked me to make sure she saw flowers when she opened her eyes. I got to the Seoul flower market too late but managed to find a poinsettia pop-up!!

(Sorry no knitting notes. I was just not in the mood. 😞 But I recently picked up my needles again, so please stay tuned.)

Doing something hard yet important can feel challenging because our brains can picture the worst based on the past. Meanwhile, we can’t imagine “new and good” possibilities the future can hold.

A couple of weeks ago, my brother and I made an unplanned trip to Seoul. My mom’s health has taken a serious turn. I braced myself for more heartache having watched Alzheimer’s take more and more of her over the past 7 years.

What I couldn’t have imagined was the odd peace and moments of sweetness, like my brother giving our dad a haircut.

The next time you’re facing something hard, something you dread, remember: alongside the difficult, there may be something surprising you couldn’t have imagined. It may not cancel out the bad, but it is good nonetheless.

Has something like this surprised you too? Please share them in the comments. I’d love to hear from you. ❤️

“Her father always said that the price for hearing gossip was having someone else gossip about you.” - , Pretty Girls

Sharing two firsts:

My first foray into Karin Slaughter’s world. Despite that this book scared and disturbed me, I could not put it down. And of course, there was wisdom in it to learn from too!

Learning a new needle craft: Sashiko!! I was drawn to it because it is simple and beautiful. Now I’m taken by its origins. The Japanese used it to strengthen the cotton and to repair it as a way to give their towels and clothing longer life!