Thursday, November 22, 2012

The End is Near

They say the world is ending on December 21st which I think is total crap. Why can't it wait until after Christmas at least? Give us one more tree. One more round of carols and baked ham with cranberry sauce at my mom's. That would be a great way to go out. But no. Four days before Christmas, they say it's going to just be over.

I wonder how it will happen. Will we know the world is ending or will it happen while we are all asleep? I wonder if my dog will sense it first like she does when she can feel a storm coming hours before it actually hits. I'll have to pay attention to her.

I suppose if the world does end, there's no point in preparing anything. But I might try to wear my favorite black sweater a few more times as well as my black cowboy boots. In fact, I might put that stuff on the day before so I can go out wearing my favorite outfit, just in case it happens early.

They say the world is ending on December 21st which I think is total crap.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Influenza

Pretending to feel ill, I would call my mother into my room, peer through half-open eyelids, and whine with a deep, throaty moan. Promptly, she would stand up and rip the covers off of my bed, demanding that I get up and get ready for school. I was a faker.

As an adult, I pretend to be well. Muddling through a fever or a cough or an overall feeling of ick, I pull on clothes, slap on makeup and head to the office. Unless I am stricken with the influenza. It holds me captive for it's traditional 24-48 hours. I am powerless.

The only cure is waiting. Waiting for the fever to break. Waiting for the upheaval to cease. Waiting to feel normal enough to do simple things like sit up in a chair. When the worst of it ceases, crackers calm the stomach and flat soda washes down the crackers. And then it seems that almost instantly, good feelings return and influenza is gone. At least for another year.


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Patience


Patience. It's not my strong suit. You would not know it because I have always believed if you act like you have something long enough you will eventually have it. But I struggle in the process.

I struggle on the road when the cars up ahead will not clear a path to my destination when I am running late again. I struggle at the store when I'm caught behind a shopper with a cart full items that were neglected by the clerk who was in charge of tagging prices. I struggle as I sit in class and listen to the seemingly endless stories of my fellow students. I struggle as I listen to my mother tell the same story for the third time in an hour. 

I pretend to let pushy, relentless cars into the line during the hour-long wait on the highway costumed as a parking lot. I pretend to engage in joyful conversation with the grocery gatherers who surround me in the checkout lane. I pretend to listen earnestly in class. I pretend to hear every repeat story for the first time. I pretend my way through the struggle.



Monday, November 19, 2012

Change


Change isn’t always easy but in most cases, it is necessary. -me
“In a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks.” -Warren Buffett
“By changing nothing, nothing changes.” -Tony Robbins
“Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.” –Jim Rohn
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” -George Bernard Shaw
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.” –Michael Jordan
“As soon as anyone starts telling you to be “realistic,” cross that person off your invitation list.” –John Eliot
“All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.” –Walt Disney

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

God Bless America

Today, Shiloh came home from the groomer with an American flag bandana wrapped around her neck. I didn't need the reminder of what an important day it was in our country. Shortly after I picked her up, I voted in the election for the next president of the United States. Unless I am in the company of like-minded thinkers, I tend to keep my political beliefs to myself. I don't need to add politics into the conversation mix. I am fully capable of angering folks without it. But I will say this...

I wish the campaigning had not been so hateful this time around. And I wish the supporters of various candidates hadn't been so hateful. I think there is a fine line between staunch support and hatefulness. I think we need a new rule. If you wouldn't say it (whatever "it" is) about your mother or or grandmother or the person most near and dear to your heart, you shouldn't say it.

I do hope that everyone got out and cast a ballot today though. No matter who that ballot supported. What a patriotic effort! What a great day to be an American! God Bless America.

Sunday, November 04, 2012

Ah Chava's

Scooping pools
of melted white cheese
into my mouth
with crunchy tortilla chips

I savor the flavors
I wash the tasty goodness down
with a gulp of frozen mango margarita
from a glass rimmed with sugar

When the bowl of tortilla chips is empty
I feast on soft tortillas stuffed
with grilled white fish
dressed in pico de gallo
with rice and beans on the side

Finally, cheesecake
dipped in batter
and deep fried
Ah Chava's

Saturday, November 03, 2012

Rest & Relaxation

Sit still.
Calm down.
That can wait until tomorrow.
Just do what you can do.
Ask for help.
Let it go.
Lie around on the couch all day long.
Watch a movie.
Close your laptop.
Turn off the phone.
Take a long stroll.

But I need to catchup.
I have so many emails to read.
There are meetings to set up.
The floors need mopping.
When was the last time somebody dusted that lamp?
The dog smells like wet dog. She needs a bath.
Groceries.
Laundry.
Make the bed.
I have been painting that back room for two months.
Someday, I'll buy furniture for the dining room.
I should call my mom.
I should visit my aunt.


Sit still.
Calm down.
That can wait until tomorrow.
Just do what you can do.
Ask for help.
Let it go.
Lie around on the couch all day long.
Watch a movie.
Close your laptop.
Turn off the phone.
Take a long stroll.


Friday, November 02, 2012

Trick or Treat

On Halloween night, a teenage girl in Michigan carried a bucket door to door collecting candy for a 10 year old boy in Missouri. A boy whom she did not know and may never meet.

Due to our extended trip to New York, my nephew missed Halloween. Amongst the horrors and painful stories that came out of Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey and all along the east coast, a night of trick or treating did not seem important or even appropriate. But it would have created a welcome diversion from the panic and the daily efforts to get home.

As we chronicled the extra days online, our friends shared our nervousness. They sent encouraging messages and offered thoughtful prayers for a safe return. And one friend, sent a note offering to Trick or Treat in honor of Kirk. It touched us deeply. Something small and simple can have a profound effect on someone.

While my nephew will never forget the trip to New York or Hurricane Sandy, he will also never forget the box of candy that arrived in the mail when he got home. The box that came from a family he did not  know and may never meet.


Thursday, November 01, 2012

Breaking Out

Early this morning, before day break,  I whisked my family from the hotel and piled them in the black of a sleek black lincoln town car. Our driver, Tony, carted us through the newly opened Lincoln tunnel into freedom which is also known as New Jersey. Our weekend in New York grew to a week and while there were wonderful times and great experiences, boarding the plane that would carry us home was a welcome event.

I hope that in the coming days we will only remember the good parts, the parts before our lives became a constant cycle of trying to break out, to break free from the storm ravaged states by which we were surrounded.