Ah, it has been one of those weeks...

I always wonder about those folks who are able to keep their houses immaculate, their cars clean and shiny or their calendars straight.  I try, but none of these are natural or developed strengths.

Proof yet again was exampled this week.

In my planning mind, which is superior, but which is also a bit of a mirage, lies my prep to delivery calendar.  It is based on guidance from a former Professor of mine.  I guess it's a research ratio; 1/3 time devoted to researching, 1/3 time devoted to reading, 1/3 time devoted to writing.  Every time I follow Dr. Clinkscale's Golden Rule of Research I am able to present good quality work and not have huge, dark circles under my eyes.  I am not feeling like I constantly in need of coffee or carbohydrates - or both.

I had the Rule in mind as I prepared for my presentation to the College Women's Club of Pasadena on April 8th.

 My topic was going to be women, in this case Latinas, and the legacies they left in the San Gabriel Valley and the Greater Los Angeles region.  Part of the talk would include the idea that who they were, the skills they developed, and their positions in society were a legacy of the dominant culture of their time.  Meaty stuff.  Good stuff to think about.

I began Monday, March 31st, by weeding and then categorizing Christmas items for storage.  Doing physical work helps me clear my head before a presentation.  I had all the counters filled with twinkle and holiday delight when I heard the phone ring.  Normally I don't listen to the vm, but this time I did.

It was a reminder call for my presentation.  Set to take place on the next day, April 1st.

The Golden Rule of Research went out the window and I heated a cup of coffee.  I was glad that I had already been ruminating on what I would present and was at the stage where I mostly needed to put together slides and write out what I was thinking in my head.

Hugo Reid Family Statue,  Preston L. Prescott, sculptor
Source of photograph unknown

21 slides later, I was ready to present.  I'll share a bit of the talk on the blog over the next few days; I have to get back to organizing and storing the twinkle.