So this is it - 2007 next

Did you feel it? It was that thing that put a little weight on you. It was that thing that made your bones a little stiffer. It left your hair a little grayer, and maybe there are a few more lines in your face that were gifted to you. It was that thing that left you a little broke in that bank account of yours and maybe brought up the numbers on your credit card balance – (yes, I have a balance on my credit cards, and as much as I try, it still remains). So - That was the year passing.

But hopefully, it didn’t take your smile. It didn’t come to do that. If you lost that, you did that on your own. Go look in the mirror and get it back, if that was the case. You need it. It’s going to be the thing that keeps you beautiful.

I'm always amazed, somewhere inside, when I get here. I'm always thinking, “okay this is a great time for a do-over”, and then, next thing I know - I'm here again!! Another year – gone in 60 seconds!

I always have Resolutions. And this year I gave a few out to other people that they should have! Boy, have I become bolder and bolder in my OTJB transportation through the time zone.

I gave my 80-year-old mother in the law the resolution that she will stop fussing at and scolding her 53-year-old daughter for dumb stuff. Totally dumb freaking’ stuff!! I mean, come on, you are 80! It's over, mom.

Message to mom: She is who she is and she's a damn good woman you got there for a child, now leave her alone. Rejoice in all her positive attributes because she has so many. After all, it is she who will decide your nursing home.

I told my father in law he must resolve that he will get paid attention too. It’s just the way it is in this family, and he is really fortunate that that is the case. Please stop acting like your children are doing something so awful because they remember your birthday and buy you so much at Christmas. It’s annoying. They love you. Let them.

I told my own kids to resolve to understand that I am getting older. I can’t out run them anymore, nor do I wish too. I burn things now, my cookies aren't always perfect any more (wah), I don't make your favorite foods like I used to because I can't even remember what they were, and besides I don't use a lot of those ingredients anymore because we have learned they will kill us. (Ummm, you guys seem just fine though...ummmm?). But I do remember that I was (and am) always happy when you came in the door and when I see your face, each of you, I always know there is a heaven.

And boys, if you date a girl that has a name close to your last girlfriend's name, I will call your new girlfriend by your old girlfriend's name. Deal with it. It's not the end of the world.

I told my mother she must resolve to come to terms with the fact that I am no longer 14 years old, and I told my father - I'm no longer 12. And yes, I make mistakes - (didn't they?) - and yes, my children WILL make mistakes, and WILL make a bad grade now and then in school - and they will lose things - and show up late for dinner once in a awhile. In case you hadn't realized it, mom and dad, my kids are human.

However, I love my children and support them –

No.

Matter.

What.

Period.

Amen.

I love my kids, dad and mom, and feel like I have no reason to talk badly about them. And will not. I have good kids. End of story

Okay. So that’s all I think I should say about that. Enough boldness for now.

I hope you all make the most out of the days that are presented to you. I am going to try.

I hope your days are good and prosperous. I hope you lean out of your comfort zone and make a day now and then, good and prosperous for someone else. I’m going to try that too.

My best to you, each and every one. Happy New Year to you all.

Tu Tranquilo,

Miss Roxie

Short clips

1. I still have not checked out this 'new blogger' thing. I'm just so afraid that I will do something that will just mix it all up. I have to find a day to get with Leslie over at Bona Vita Rusticanda Est. She's my main source of computer teaching. My kids go to fast for me. Leslie is patient. (Oh and if you click on that link, you will see a happy banana. But not for long, I know it's headed for that blender.)

2. My father in law turned 90 yesterday. He was in a bad mood that anyone was paying him any attention about it. I'm not clear on the reason. But he has been this way every since I have known him. He gets kind of 'mad' at me, because I tell him, 'every year you say you don't want it, but every year you know this is going to happen, so why get angry?' I'm not sure I should have said that.

We went out to dinner for his birthday. He did not want to go. We had a cake and sang to him and gave him presents after dinner at his house. He did not want the cake or the presents. I don't know what to make of it.

What do you do? If someone says, 'don't do anything! I don't want it.' Do they really mean it? His daughter is afraid that if we ignore it that his feelings will be hurt. She says, 'he says he doesn't want anything, but he really does.'

Why do people do that? It must be some kind of fear of rejection or disappointment issue.

He gets around really well. He has really great legs even though he says they are weak and he doesn't trust them. So maybe he feels unnerved going out, not sure what his legs are going to do.

We are decided on getting a cane for him for a gift, but we didn't come through because we didn't find one that was cool enough.

3. Christmas here was good. One of the sweetest Christmas' I have ever had. I have some photos that I will eventually post. Madam Blueberry loved her rain boots. They are so cute!!

4. Tonight my sister's here with Nathan and he sleeps over here while she and her husband Gary sleep next door at Bills'. It works out great.

They are here for the preNew Years' party on the 30th. Should be fun. My sister sings well so it's always fun to get her up there to sing.

And at the party we were going to announce Steve's 90th birthday and drink a toast to him, and I wonder, will he get angry? Should we even worry about it? The man deserves a toast. Right?

Tomorrow I am cooking for things I'm taking to the party. Spinach Balls (really good), a taco dip platter (really good and easy), and finger sandwiches. Oh yea, and I think I'm cooking meatballs too. It'll be fine. It's the Spinach Balls people really, really like.

Here’s the recipe for those few who might be interested --

1 box frozen spinach thawed and water pressed out of it really, really well.
1 cup cheese - and kind you want
1 box of stuffing - any flavor you like (I mix cornbread and savory herbs)
2 eggs for each frozen box of spinach
1/2 cup chicken bouillon flavor
1 TBS flour

Mix everything to together really well. Make sure the stuffing is moistened by whatever it's in.

Form the balls - about an inch in size. Now I let mine sit in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before I cooked that. But anyway, I transferred them to a tray and cooked them for 35 minutes. They are good and they hold together well.

They are the type of recipe that if you don't have one thing, you can find another thing and it will be well.

4. So Saturday +Seldom Seen and the Reminders+ are playing at my brothers. They got some rehearsal time in, not as much as they might love, but it all seems to work about well from the vantage point I have.

It's all about family. And having fun. And working together.

Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family. Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for granted. ~Paul Pearshall

The lack of emotional security of our American young people is due, I believe, to their isolation from the larger family unit. No two people - no mere father and mother - as I have often said, are enough to provide emotional security for a child. He needs to feel himself one in a world of kinfolk, persons of variety in age and temperament, and yet allied to himself by an indissoluble bond which he cannot break if he could, for nature has welded him into it before he was born. ~Pearl S. Buck

Family -
Fam i lee
Fa mil y
Fam i ly
F am I ly

We are connected before we are born to those people of whom we don't know and most often will never know. Maybe once, at Aunt Cleo's wedding, will cousin Bobbie come with Callie Mae and sit in the back and smile all knowingly, probably the only relative willing to give out all the answers to the unanswered questions about Charley, Uncle Buck and the covered wagon from Mr. Marshall's barn. We say nothing and the story is all is lost.

Family - we loose the little parts of the stories all the time. What difference does it make if we fill it up with a really good story instead of one so sad? Could it really do all that damage for little Kelley to know that Uncle Joe went to jail for shotting craps on the side of the milk barn? Life goes on. What fear would be realeased if we just went ahead and told all the stories?

Give them the proper light and the proper love. Love conquers all. God's in control. Truth is truth is truth.

There is craziness in every mix of people. You can bank on it. And if everyone seems sane, well guess what? Look around and count the statistics ~ ummm, maybe it's you.

Pursuit of Happyness

In the movie, Chris Gardner says something about Thomas Jefferson writing in the Constitution that we have the right to the pursuit of happiness because

"Maybe happiness is something we can only pursue; maybe we can never have it."

Very interesting thought. I’ve never looked it that way.

I think everyone should see this movie. One good review I read was here.

a quote from that review:

"In many ways, this movie is perfect for our economic moment—a time when "getting ahead" seems less and less plausible and more and more people feel the nip of creditors at their heels. With the middle class squeeze, the line between making it and poverty is increasingly thin. A prolonged illness. A lost job. Unexpected bills. It's not that hard to identify with Chris, so it's uncomfortable to see him and his son sleeping in homeless shelters and bus stations. Still, his determination to be a loving and providing father never wavers."

When I went to the theater to see it, I knew nothing about it. I just watched this guy continue. Continue, and continue, against incredible odds. While taking care of his small son, he just seemed to be able to hold it together because I think he believed that if you are committed to taking care of your child, all will be well.

I can’t imagine being evicted from my apartment and have no where to live, with my child...
I can't imagine my life coming down to such desperate measures that I really need the $14.00 a friend owes me...
I can't imagine riding on the subway all night because I have no where else to go, with my child...
I can't imagine sleeping on the floor of a bathroom in a subway station, on a hand made toilet paper bed, while someone bangs on the door, with my child....
I can't imagine running across town and standing in line at the homeless shelter, hoping to get in because there is a limit for head count, and there are many homeless, and knowing that maybe I won't get in, with my child.....

I wonder how many people in this world would do, or could do, what this guy did to survive in order to honor the responsibility of taking care of his child?

Our attitude reigns. Our attitude rules not just our outcome, but also those around us.
It could change the world if minds would just focus on that.

This father's dedication to take care of his son may be the thing that actually saves him from drowning in a sea of despair and poverty. One never knows what God will send one for the necessitations of one's survival. I know my children gave me a great sense of purpose.

During all Chris Gardner’s trials, I kept thinking, “where is his family?” I still don’t know the answer to that question, but it sure renewed a whole appreciation for the relationship I have with mine.

Simplex arguo

Today I took care of both my nephews. Zack is 7 and Jake is 3. They were very good, actually, and I was quite happy about that because I'm feeling a tad bit under the weather.

When I was making lunch for them, Jake had his feet on the counter.

I said to him, with my eyebrows raised and pointing to his feet, "Young man, what is this?"

He said, "This my feet."

I said, in a very serious tone," And what are you going to do with them?"

He said, "I'm going to walk on them."

Three year olds. Can't get any easier than that.

The How Angry Are You Quiz

I looked up an Anger Quiz after my episode in the drugstore today ~ and seems to me, I'm okay!!!

You Are 9% Angry

You're so laid back, no one could ever accuse you of getting angry. While there are a few little things that may annoy you, you generally play it cool. In fact, your calm attitude tends to provoke people with anger problems. They may think you're screwing with them, but that's just the way you are!

How Angry Are You?

Just wait your turn.

I usually roll with the punches and just make a joke later when people are rude in public. At least what I consider rude, and maybe I was brought up in an era of to much politeness. I just do not know anymore.

I do know that I try hard, when I'm in public to be nice, patient with others, and wait my turn. Thus far in my life I've been able to keep enough control that I have not run with scissors.

This afternoon I had a small encounter at the drugstore.

I was in line. I was buying one thing. Cough medicine.

I had waited my turn behind people who had many more purchases than I. I wasn't thinking anything in particular, just waiting. Then my turn came up, and the cashier began the simple transaction.

From behind me I hear a voice speaking. I turned because I was not sure if the voice might be talking to me, but she was talking to the cashier. The cashier that was completing my transaction.

I looked at the woman speaking and said, 'would you mind waiting just a minute until she's finishes with my transaction? I do need to go somewhere.' I didn't say it meanly. I just said it. I didn't say it sweetly. I just said it.

I turned back around and the woman behind me that had been speaking before said, 'Well, that was not very nice."

I paused for just a second. That second of making a choice. Surely, I would just let it go. Surely I would.

Nope. I did not.

I turned back around, and said, "Excuse me?"

And she said, "That was not very nice."

At first I was thinking, she was meaning herself ~ that she was not very nice to interrupt the transaction in progress. But then I realized she was not. She was saying I was not very nice in asking her to wait her turn. I was not very nice in asking her to wait until I had finished being waited on before she could ask her questions about the CD man being on duty.

I said, "You interrupted the cashier during my transaction."

She said, "It didn't take up that much of her time. It didn’t slow her down that much."

At this point I thought to myself ~ there is no point in talking to this woman.

What was she thinking about? That it was okay to interrupt someone else’s turn if you are going to ask about the CD man being on duty yet? It would be okay to interrupt to ask for an outside line should you need to call 911. That would be okay. I’d even give you my phone. Heavens, I have lent people my car!

Was she so blind as not to see that the cashier –stopped- waiting on me so that she could address the woman’s question?

I was surprised enough at myself that I had said "Excuse me?" but now I hear myself attempting to explain to this woman that this was my turn, and that she had interrupted during a transaction of business and it was not her place to do so. I thought to myself, "Self, you are an idiot. Just quit talking."

So the husband wished me a nice holiday, and I wished the same to him.

Then I got to thinking. How will this woman play back the story to her friends and family? Will she tell how this lady raised her eyebrows at her and said “Excuse me?” with her eyebrow raising voice because she interrupted the lady’s turn in the drugstore line with her question about the CD man being on duty? And will she also be upset that I interrupted her being able to ask any more questions of the cashier until I got my change and was able to leave and she actually had to wait until her actual turn?

No one enjoys confrontation. Especially ones of this nature. Ones involving total strangers and cough syrup. I probably should have let it go. But for some reason, this day, I could not.

I’m sorry lady, but you were in the wrong. You need to learn to wait your turn.

When in doubt -- Socks!

It's practically Christmas. And I am practically out of ideas for gifts and the ones I have purchased are pretty much very practical which makes them, in my opinion, a tiny bit boring. I don't want to have a boring Christmas (selfish silly me). I want a little pizzazz for everyone!

And I am not a materialist. I just like to have fun with watching people open their gifts and smiling. Okay. I get some self-satisfaction if I choose something that a person really, really likes. I'm human, so sue me.

I did come up with a gift for Madam Blueberry, which I had to laugh about since I hadn't intended on posting about it at all, but the Thread of the Shoes (- which I learned about here at Leslie's -), I found hysterical since it so related to the gift I got her, but I can't tell you, just in case she reads my blog ~ but I think it's the coolest idea I came up with. Maybe not *ever* ~ but in the cool catagory nonetheless especially from someone who didn't have an idea in the first place.

And I do know and relish the true meaning of Christmas. I do know that I have many, many, many blessings to count, and I am very happy with my life and my family, and we are planning a fun time together during the two weeks of holiday time, -- I think the true meaning of Christmas is Love Conquers All because Hope was delivered and Forgiveness pronounced as a top requirement for Complete Living. Can't get better than that, the way I sees it.

But, I want to find some pizzazzy gifts! I'll continue to keep my mind open. But I am running out of time, aren't I? And my mind is running out of space.

I looked to see if there was a Pizzazzy gifts.com and there was not. Mostly florists with 'pizzazzy' used as an adjective.

My oldest son has me hooked on perusing Overstock.com ~ they have a way to help you find everything for everybody and anybody which would be easy and lovely to do should one have no budget. That budget does get in the way.

It requires us to be sensible in our frugalnessitates of the frugalness. Very hard job, that. It's difficult to find those three gifts that give joy, represent and provide hope, either together or by themselves, and make people smile.

What I find I've done in the past, is buy people what I would like to have. It seems to work well ~ as far as I know. I've never keep track of how many people have regifted items I have given them.

There was a time in my life I would have felt an offense had someone regifted a gift I had given to them. But that time has passed by me now. I have regifted many things, and I totally understand ~ it's the thought that counts.

I do try to get things that the individual person would like. But let's face it, we all can't do that for everyone, now can we? But when in doubt ~ SOCKS are the perfect gift!

There are some pretty cool socks out there! As a matter of fact, there are so many socks, it makes it really hard to choose.

One can totally express themselves through their socks! Get out there, take your shoes off, and show your socks!! Support the troops socks, handbag socks, cat socks, cow socks, wine socks, martini socks, monkey socks, oh how I wish I'd found this site sooner socks.

I think socks are so cool, that whoever said they need to match, is wrong. As long as they feel comfortable to you, what does it matter? Wear one red and one green this Christmas. Buy two different pairs and switch them over. It'll be trendy!

So this week will find me at the mall, looking around for some really cool socks for everybody on my list!


I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it. ~Author Unknown

Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change. ~Author Unknown

The Parable of the 9 cookies

It was doggedee rainy here today. Just pouring. It looked like it might be snow at first, that slow falling and each piece looking so defined. But no, it was water as in rain. I got soaked. Head to pretty much toe.

I took Jacob to the library, and he used the umbrella. He's 3 feet tall. I am not. He also has a radar that causes his feet to pounce in every puddle.

One of the ladies in the library today has a very mobile 16 month old. He's like a little wind up toy. She sets him down, and he just walks in a direction till he comes to something and then grabs that something and turns and moves on...it's so funny to watch. I said something to her about him being just the right height to grab things off the Christmas tree. But the mom told me they don't put up a Christmas tree because they don't believe in them.

She said something about she and her husband being Catholic and Jewish. I have friends and family who are Jewish, and they put up Christmas trees, so I was interested and curious, because I am about others beliefs and cultures - in a good way -- but she said it was because they do not want to celebrate the commercialism of Christmas. They give their child one gift. I wanted to hear more about what she had to say, but it was difficult talking while children are running around and not listening to Miss Vanessa. Maybe I can talk with her again sometime, but it's doubtful I'll see her again before Christmas.

My sister in law told me about another lady who said they give their children three gifts only. Three gifts because the Christ child received three gifts. And the three gifts they give represent (somehow) gold, frankincense and myrrh. I remember as a kid having to look up what 'frankincense and myrrh' were.

I am still not overwhelmed with the Christmas spirit. And to that, I do not fault Christmas. I love Christmas.

I baked cookies. They were so good. I ate 9 of them last night. At this rate I'll gain 20 pounds before the 25th. I freeze mine right away, and then they are marvelous!

I baked banana bread. Two kinds. One with All Bran cereal in it for those who may need to increase their fiber with good tasting stuff, and one with applesause instead of oil so as not to clog any more arteries than necessary. My 20 year old said, "Please, Mom, stop already with the changing of the receipes. Let us have our fat and good tasting stuff. We're all going to die anyway."

I still have shopping to do. But not because I haven't been shopping. But only because I can't think of what to buy!! Or what I really want to spend money on!! I am not a very good consumer.

When I reach these weird blue funky moves, I reach around all over for words -- The Bible and Shakespeare are my favorites --

"Love all, trust a few. Do wrong to none." (All's Well That Ends Well)
-- William Shakespeare

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
-- 1 Peter 4:8

But it remains about love
and love conquering all,
and giving regardless of how you feel,
and tolerating that one more thing you thought you couldn't tolerate,
and be sensible
and take a walk after you eat those 9 cookies,
and oh yes, probably make that phone call you've been thinking about making,
and address that card you were thinking about addressing,
and, yeah, go ahead and say I'm sorry ....

In an old movie they said, "love means never having to say you're sorry."
That's a nice sentiment. But love means go ahead and say it. Then you don't ever have too.

The following is about Saying you are Sorry being a good thing. It's a 5 page read, but it's good. Here is an excerpt ....

"Far and away the biggest stumbling block to apologizing is our belief that apologizing is a sign of weakness and an admission of guilt. We have the misguided notion we are better off ignoring or denying our offenses and hope that no one notices.

In fact the apology is a show of strength. It is an act of honesty because we admit we did wrong; an act of generosity, because it restores the self-concept of those we offended. It offers hope for a renewed relationship and, who knows, possibly even a strengthened one. The apology is an act of commitment because it consigns us to working at the relationship and at our self-development. Finally, the apology is an act of courage because it subjects us to the emotional distress of shame and the risk of humiliation, rejection, and retaliation at the hands of the person we offended.

All dimensions of the apology require strength of character, including the conviction that, while we expose vulnerable parts of ourselves, we are still good people."

This article is not from a spiritual stand point at all. It's kind of like - just the facts, 'mam. So be sure you take that into consideration should you decide to read it all, and it is showing some wise insight, which really to me, is nothing more than common sense from a worldly perspective.

In my opinion this ~
love means, say you are sorry, bake the cookies, eat 9, take a walk, and admit to yourself you are sorry that you ate them. Then all will go better with the world.

Protons jiggle in the sun

I had my MRI yesterday. I'm sure it will turn up nothing of consequence, but before my doctor will sign off so I can exercise at the gym, I had to have one --
anyway,
After it was over, I told the tech that I felt like I was on a ledge the whole time and falling off to the side. He said, that made sense because actually what he was doing was separating my protons and that could make you feel lopsided.

The protons are like first made crazy and then they calm down and chill, emitting "radio signals" that enable the computer to pick up the image they form.

Protons are most abundant in the body in the hydrogen atoms of water ...
Water content...
Water ...

That got me thinking ...

We are all a large percentage water. Some books say 70 some still argue it less, but nonetheless, we are _all_ a large part WATER.

Somehow that makes us more the same than different. The only thing different about water is how it's taken care of, as to how pure it is, you know, drinkable or contaminated or pure or polluted. Meaning to me, it's something we have power over - taking care of the water in our body.

We are always looking at the outside for differences instead of in the inside for samenesses.

Water affects everything. There is nothing on the earth that water does not affect. Think about it. Even just a little puddle of water somewhere is affecting something.

Kids jump in them. Cars run through them. They dry up and other things get dumped in them, they never go away, they just move somewhere else.

Where am I going with this? I'm not sure. I'm just thinking out loud.

. .... .. .... There’s no clear dawning yet.

I did think for the minute that people who are in good health are generally in good spirits, but then I thought, ummmm, I know people who take really good care of themselves and some people don’t really want to be around them, so what’s that all about?

Another dimension of the being – that third dimension, that one that does the non judging, non dictating, non reacting part of us – is that one always there? Do we all even have that part, each of us?

Ooops, sorry, I have slipped over in that black hole area where all thoughts are allowed, but not necessarily connected quite clearly enough. I shall quiet that area now. There will be more to connect later on.

Good night, all.

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Restful Thinking

I have always written. Just as a means of survival. I have never been diligent about saving my stuff. But it shows up here and there.

My mom was going through some old pictures and found one of my old poems from 1980. I was a widow then. My oldest son was just about four. I felt like I was handling a lot, yet handling nothing.

It’s funny now, how reading this poem brings back the memory of each and everything I mentioned in it ~ this was a real day in my life ~

Restful Thinking
~~Miss Roxie

When you see a mommy resting,
Leave her be.
Because she deserves a break today,
You see ...

She fixed your breakfast
Washed four loads

Mowed the lawn

And folded clothes

Cleaned the bathroom

Darned two socks

Untangled all your shoelace knots

Sewed up Ernie

Washed the dog

Saved you from ‘the great big frog’

Fixed your lunch

Wiped up your drink

Washed all the dishes in the sink…

And now, as the clock rounds one,

She wonders about what’s left undone,

But ‘tis of little matter now,

Because as the angels watch and smile,

Mommy needs to rest awhile.

There just may be some value to this

Three minute angels ....

Relief of tension and stress from head, shoulders, and next -- who couldn't use that in the course of their work day?

Mi Hat Su Hat ~ Be prepared

Regardless of a blue funk or not, one must shop for Christmas. I did some online shopping this morning. Gosh, I am just amazed as to how close to Christmas we really are!!

I went to the mall this evening. I decided to wear my Santa Hat. While I was in line at Bath and Body Shop, a little boy in a stroller asked his mom, 'why does she have Santa's hat?' -- His mom, a young woman, shushed him.

I'm an old woman, so I just smiled and said to him, "This is my hat." He asked me could he try it on. His mom, the young woman, said, 'no, no, that's her hat.' But I was already handing him the hat. I guess she wasn't too upset with that, as she let him try it on.

I didn't ask for it back.

You should have seen him. He was so cute. He actually had put it on backwards, but no one said anything. I just stood there smiling at him. He was smiling just looking so pleased with the moment.

His mom was the one to decide he should give it back to me. I didn't ask for it back because I wanted to make sure he had it on long enough to feel whatever it was he thought he was going to feel wearing that hat. One never knows the power of a Santa Hat, does one?

I'm going out again on Thursday. And again, I'm going to wear my hat. Matter of fact, I've got an idea. I have a couple of extra hats here, I may put one in my bag and take it with me. Just in case someone else might find some power in the hat.


Wisdom alone is true ambition's aim � Wisdom the source of virtue, and of fame� Obtained with labor, for mankind employed� And then, when most you share it, best enjoyed.
--Alfred Whitehead

I miss my friends

Friendship

I think a while of Love, and while I think,
Love is to me a world,
Sole meat and sweetest drink,
And close connecting link
Tween heaven and earth.

I only know it is, not how or why,
My greatest happiness;
However hard I try,
Not if I were to die,
Can I explain.

I fain would ask my friend how it can be,
But when the time arrives,
Then Love is more lovely
Than anything to me,
And so I'm dumb.

For if the truth were known, Love cannot speak,
But only thinks and does;
Though surely out 'twill leak
Without the help of Greek,
Or any tongue.

A man may love the truth and practise it,
Beauty he may admire,
And goodness not omit,
As much as may befit
To reverence.

But only when these three together meet,
As they always incline,
And make one soul the seat,
And favorite retreat,
Of loveliness;

When under kindred shape, like loves and hates
And a kindred nature,
Proclaim us to be mates,
Exposed to equal fates
Eternally;

And each may other help, and service do,
Drawing Love's bands more tight,
Service he ne'er shall rue
While one and one make two,
And two are one;

In such case only doth man fully prove
Fully as man can do,
What power there is in Love
His inmost soul to move
Resistlessly.

By: Henry David Thoreau

found on Poet Seers, kind of a cool site ....

Look! Up in the sky ....or just around

Space Shuttle lights up the sky today --

the National Geographic photo of the day ...not your average run of the mill reindeer?

Can you tell what we have here? Maybe. big things. in the water.

This is cool. Reminds me of a story called Roxaboxen. I want to send that book to Miss M.

These are all just cute - little bunnies, little penquins, and I am fond of polar bears ....

Blue Funk

I have been in a kind of weird mood - not of the holiday spirit kind - and I was searching around online for nothing in particular and came across something - The Astronomy Picture of the Day site --

If only my Blue Funk did look like this!!

This was taken on my anniversary two years ago. Is that not phenomenal? Who can believe that is real?

or this ...

Super Earths?

Rosette Nebula?

The Eagle Nebula?

Some beautiful stuff, that.

Heaven is so far of the Mind
That were the Mind dissolved—
The Site—of it—by Architect
Could not again be proved—

'Tis vast—as our Capacity—
As fair—as our idea—
To Him of adequate desire
No further 'tis, than Here—

~~Emily Dickinson

Parts of December till now

“Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together….”

Carl Zwanzig.

So many of the blogs offer up opinions of politics and such - I might start doing that -- it seems a tad boring to post about personal things only, but this is my blog and I do use it as a diary for my life ....so that will always be part of it

On the 5th I had to go to a place and choose some grout for some outdoor tile work that's to be done at my front door. It's seems, that when, the house was under construction, the plumber was working here and did not realize that the concrete crew had just poured concrete around the porch (which is two sides).

The plumber threw a big bucket of water out the front door and then proceeded to walk out. So it looks 'weird' with water lines through it and two huge footprints going out. That's at my front door. Very attractive, yes?

The plumber felt bad, even though I still maintain it's not entirely his fault -- someone should have alerted him to the fact that concrete was being poured -- but never thee mind -- he says it's his fault and is footing (haha, no pun intended) part of the bill for the new tile walkway.

anyway, while I was there at the tile place, I was with Jake and have now realized that these people at Floors Direct think I am crazy. Jake did this little thing where he gets right smack dab behind me, and I can't see him; you see, I turn and he turns. he thinks it's delightfully funny, in a three year old kind of a way.

So, I'm all like calling, "Jake! Jacob!" (and his brother's name is Zack - and sometimes (all of us) call things like 'Zake', instead of Jake --) And he's not answering, just turning when I turn - and smiling - and then one of the clerks comes from around the counter to say, "mam, the little boy is right there."

Did I feel like a crazy person? Yes.

Moving along. the next night was my sister in laws birthday. We went to a great restaurant on the water. Just so lovely, beautiful sky, just wonderful eating outside....

After two glasses of Merlot I realized I really didn't even need dinner, the great company, the view, the wine, and all was wonderful, such laughter a family can make. Maybe an appetizer or something, but really, I didn't need any food. I felt full with enjoyment. Well, on that, and the two big pieces of cake I ate - haha. Oh yeah, Madam B's sweet young boyfriend's little sister Jazzy turned one today - so more cake!!

Other big incidents in a Day-in-the-life-of-Jacob-and-me - I made a hopscotch and played terribly. You try it_ anyone_ 60 or up! Give it a shot. You others, better try it before it too late! I felt like I was carrying a 50 pound weight we won't say where!

I also tried a hoola hoop! How almost embarrassing! I need much more practice. I did well with making a chalkboard road though. I even had a train track and stop lights and everyone who came home and parked on it got scolded by Jacob! LOL. He was only made happy if they promised they would move their car before the sun came up.

Next week is my MRI - on my back. I joined the gym and because I had physical therapy here, they suggested I get the doctor to sign off on which exercises I might have to go easy at. And well, he says, 'exercise? you can't exercise. you have to have an MRI."

Well. like I didn't move to China, WHEN were you going to tell ME about this? (Oh, only if I joined a gym? What a way to work this. I'm not sure yet, who knows what they are doing regarding the doctors in this town. I've had three different diagnoses from three different doctors for whatever it was that put me in the emergency room twice, still have a numb leg, and no one knows what happened really.)

On the list - shopping for the two charities we choose.

Wonderful thing - Came home from work today and Madam Blueberry had the tree done and it looks so wonderful. It's a lovely tree all by itself. She choose it. I was impressed. It's impressive. And simply decorated, I like that. And there was Christmas music playing. It was great.

She is peachy.


”The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts.”
~~John Locke

What is the real price?

I know this is a capitalistic society, and I know that's in some ways supposed to be free and good, but it seems to me, it's getting a little crazy ...

Having just moved down here, my sister in law, and ourselves, have a need for some furniture, and have decided to look around for awhile at the really, really expensive furniture stores. Just to familiarize ourselves with quality, etc.

Well, last weekend, my sister in law fell in love with this beautiful dining room table. Really, really gorgeous wood and just an elegant design but too pricey at the sale price of $2789.00.

here's the table -- you can click to enlarge.

So, Wednesday she got a call from the salelady who had helped her and the message was, 'call me, I've got some news on your table.' That's all she said. Sis didn't bother to return the call, but we went back in there today, as a friend was visiting and we wanted to look again ...

Seems the table is being taken off the market and they are selling --in this beautiful place called Arhaus -- this table for $750.00.

She got that table for

Seven hundred and fifty freakin' dollars. I do believe that is a lot less than two thousand seven hundred and eighty nine dollars!

They have 17 left.

Now. Don't that make ya' wanna just slap somebody? I mean, my sister in law was so drooling over that table, she was close to writing a check if the woman would have come down just say $200.00 the first week -- and now the price is like $2000.00 less??

I find that just incredibly weird!!

I know, I know, be grateful and happy that she's getting the table at a great price. We did jump up and down like idiots in the store ...but still ~ is that game playing or business or what? Are there any kind of rules about this stuff, or is it all just the luck of the draw -- like where you find yourself and when?

Oh yes, and I realize I'm getting a little hostile lately -- I think I might join the gym tomorrow to get out some of this aggression!!

The Holy Yerba Basil Matte Life Experiment

This is a new herb to my knowledge but there is much information about it and seems it has been around for a very long time. Sometimes I wonder about how we ever get as sick as we do when these old remedies are available ~~ I mean, isn't our cancer and illness rate higher than other countries where they use these old fashion herbs and remedies?

But the one I am using is called Holy Basil. It's promises are good. I have a 30 day supply so I'll let you know how it goes. Of course, no one will know if it prevented any cancer in me, so what can we tell? Maybe I might be less stressed? I don't know.

Perhaps I'll be looking for that calmness and sense of well being that it talks about.

I will tell you this ~ I had window of time yesterday in which I could do 4 fours of work -- work that usually boring to me. But I was able to sustain it. I did rest twice with a cup of Yerba Matte - which I love and think I possibly crave now -- so I suppose we have to put that into the scenario , also.

I wonder does that interfer with my study as Yerba Matte is suppose to lift your alertness neurons as well.

Oh well. Let's call this a study on adding things of Well Being and Alertness. If I find anymore, I'll add them too. Hope altogether, they don't give me cancer. haha. Just kidding.

So, I have daily devotional and meditation with God.

Deep breathing.

And today I will be adding the Bar Method Workout.

I have been walking, but want to add more walking --
as in walking without breaks in order to tell Jacob,

'no Sweetie, you can't pet that kitty,'

'no, honey, you can't open their mailbox',

'no, Jacob, you can't knock on that door,'

'come out of their yard, Jacob,'

'what do you have there, Jacob?'

'no, dear, that looks like .....'

'no, Jacob, goodness don't touch that!'.....

Oh shoot.

"Let's go home, Jacob, and wash your hands."

Such a small thing for some

My bedroom is clean. Top to bottom, side to side, clean floor, clean sheets, clean furniture, etc, and all at the same time!!

I still need bedroom furniture, but I am not really concerned about that right now. That's a someday, and I'm sure it will help to have some nice furniture, but having it totally neat in there right now for the FIRST time since I moved in LAST August is just phenomenal!!

Let's see how long it lasts....

It was a major accomplishment for me. I focus on my needs last. Yes, well, isn't that just like most moms anyway...We become people we don't recognize because we don't put time into ourselves, and then society tells us things like 'we are out of touch', 'we are overweight', 'we need a makeover', we need an update in our wardrobe', but nobody makes banana bread like we do, and nobody makes chocolate chip cookies like we do, or whips up a spinach quiche that is our favorite, or makes spaghetti sauce that is to die for, or mends a torn lovely, or lends that perfect ear and makes that great cup of tea or coffee ....

no one.

Mom.

I'm glad I'm one. It makes me happy.

Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family. Most of us would give our own life for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family for granted. ~Paul Pearshall

Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie
Which we ascribe to heaven.
~William Shakespeare,
from All's Well That Ends Well