I get a rare moment of solitude today. I am home from work for the morning to take children to doctor appointments, but lucky for me, I have a little lag time in between. I am sitting in my quiet house, with only a few tinkling from the dog's collars, and I can breathe. Sometimes we forget in the day-to-day hustle of our lives, that we need some time to just breathe and reflect. I try not to do too much reflecting, because then I will just feel bad about all the things I'm not doing while I sit here breathing all Zen-like and stuff.

But it is nice, this quiet time. If you listen you can hear all the sounds your house makes when you are away. I can hear the second hand moving around my living room clock. The heater just clicked on and I hear a small whoosh of air. The slightest breeze and my old house creaks a little. It's a nice sound, that creaking. Like the house is enjoying the quiet too and just took a big cleansing breathe before settling in for a few hours of peace before we all invade her again. I wish I could do this more often — sitting still.

You probably shouldn't sit still too long because you are liable to fall asleep or begin to chant.

The weather has been beautiful here and after going to the local farmer's market I decided to fry some doughnuts. Not the most logical step after returning from seeing stalls and stalls of fresh produce, but it works for me. The doughnuts turned out delightful if I do say so myself. You can find the recipe at my recipe blog.

I went out and took a few pictures the other day so I could show everyone our house, our neighbor's peonies (that grow into our yard so they are technically mine too) and the awesome sign our neighbor has on his side gate.

I wrote this column for the Arts section and thought it was a lot of fun. Feel free to add more of your life lessons.

Robert Fulghum wrote that all you really need to know in life you learned in kindergarten. He included things like play fair; warm cookies and milk are good for you and share everything. While this poem rings true for most times in a person’s life, it doesn’t cover some of the things students encounter in college, specifically at the University of Idaho. So, to demonstrate the concept here is a new list:

Some of the things you need to know about college and life you can learn at the University of Idaho

·        Warm cookies and milk may be good for you, but they’ll cost you more than $5.00.

·        Fifteen minute parking really means 15 minutes.

·        Elevators, no matter what you may think, are slower than taking the stairs.

·        Bullies aren’t just found in grade school.

·        You don’t think you could possibly make more than 500 copies in a semester and then you do.

·        Throwing away your garbage takes a Ph.D.

·        It’s possible to alienate all your friends and co-workers with social networking sites.

·        Just because some one is legally an adult, doesn’t make them a grown-up.

·        Going to WinCo on Sunday is like trying to part the Red Sea.

·        Women’s centers aren’t just for girls.

·        Drinking copious amounts of caffeine doesn’t guarantee you’ll stay awake during class.

·        When the ad says the apartment is 800 sq. ft., only about 300 of it is livable.

·        Sometimes you wonder why “Animal House” is not considered a documentary.

·        Projects that require you to work in a group don’t always promote good relations.

·        Uggs and leggings are not a fashion statement — they are a necessity.

·    

·        College students couldn’t communicate without their opposable thumbs.

·        You should look both ways before crossing the street, even in a crosswalk.

·        Covering your mouth, washing your hands, using hand sanitizer and staying home when you’re sick   won’t always prevent the spread of illness.

·        It’s okay to miss your mom. 

      Happy cows can come from Idaho, even if they have holes in their sides.

·        Just because you don’t like something doesn’t mean it isn’t important to someone else.

·        Paying for classes you don’t attend is a waste of money.

·        College doesn’t really prepare you for real life, real life prepares you for college.

·        No matter how old you are, it’s never too late to get an education.

·        Getting the mail can be the most exciting part of the day.

·        Some textbooks were never meant to be read, they were meant to make someone money.

·        You might need notes from your waitress one day, so make sure you tip.

·        The word ‘orientation’ is a misnomer.

·        Misnomer means giving something a wrong or inappropriate name.

·        You don’t care what a misnomer is.

·        Home-cooked meals are cause for celebration.

·        You’re not as smart as you think you are.

·        Having money left in your wallet at the end of the month is an amazing feat.

  And…

  No matter how hard it gets or how overwhelmed you become, you will get through it.