The Chaos Theory

A friend once explained the Chaos Theory to me. In short, the premise is that the natural order of everything is chaos. We, as human beings try to make sense of it all by categorizing, sorting, making lists, naming. In other words cleaning our ever cluttered closets. It makes us feel better. Calmer. More in control.

Ha! Never have I felt the chaos and the resulting anxiety more than this holiday season. Why this is, I’m not certain. I think it might have something to do with having a baby in the mix. Nothing puts you more in contact with being helpless in the face of a whirlwind than an almost two-year old. Pure joy and exhaustion go hand-in hand. You know the saying, “men plan and God laughs?” Well, yes, exactly.

So here’s the thing. I realized that nothing matters except being in the moment. All my good intentions of the past year have been put to the test. Be here. Be now. That’s all that we have. It’s all that matters. Really notice. Savor. Breathe it. It’s gone in an instant.

Happy Happy Happy Holidays.

                                                             Joy... December 2017

THE BEEKEEPER'S APPRENTICE- DECEMBER 2017 BOOK SELECTION

December’s book selection gets highest honors. It was another one of (what is becoming a constant companion) my Audible Book selections. The Beekeeper's Apprentice, or On the Segregation of the Queen by Laurie R. King takes place in the world of Sherlock Holmes as imagined by Ms. King.

A retired Sherlock Holmes has retreated to his country home in Sussex. He is literally stumbled upon by a fifteen year-old girl on the downs. This chance meeting  develops into an unlikely friendship. This young girl, Mary Russell, an orphan, turns out to have extraordinary skills. Skills very similar to those of the great Holmes. Holmes recognizes this and thus begins a mentorship.

The slow development of their friendship and eventual partnership is a fascinating character study. Their first assignment together is a hair-raising, breathtaking mystery that keeps you riveted. Apparently I’m not the only one. I have come to discover that it was named "One of the Century's Best 100 Mysteries" by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.

I also came to discover that it is only Book 1 of a series of Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes adventures. I will be reading and/or listening to more to be sure.

Highly recommend.