Quote of the Week

An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language.  - Martin Buber

So, what am I saying?

Wouldn't you like to know?

I love you!

Runaway Muse

When my muse up and decides to take a trip, probably to some lush tropical island, she does me a favor.  She leaves me with exactly 55 words with which to create my next post.  The problem is she doesn't tell me which 55 words.  That's something I have to figure out on my own.

Written for Friday Flash 55.

Good Morning To All!

There is nothing extraordinary about this sunrise...unless you consider that I snooze right through most of them.

 

Between the time change making sunrise later, and my inability to sleep any longer this morning, I saw the sun rise.  Lest you think I'm a total slug, I do get the occasional glimpse of dawn breaking when I make my way to the kitchen to feed our...

Awesome Cat

Rosie's internal clock tells him (and me) when it's time for breakfast!  After which I pad back to bed.

He has been dubbed an "awesome cat" in part because of all his health issues, and how he takes it all in stride and remains a happy, loving kitty.

Quote of the Week

Image Source:  Wikimedia

There are good ships, and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea. But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be.  - Edward "Ted" Kennedy 

I found this while searching for St. Patrick's Day quotes and sayings.  I like the rhyme, the warmth and the truth of this saying.  

Here's to friendship.  Cheers!

Spring: Friend or Foe?

The flowers are blooming, and the trees are budding.  Mother Nature decorates with brilliant colors and sprouts tender leaves.  Dandelions dot the landscape like yellow stars in a sky of green.

Noses are sneezing and sniffling; eyes water and foreheads wrinkle in pain.  Spring is praised for it's beauty and cursed for it's allergy-inducing pollens.




Written for Friday Flash 55.

Designer Beauty

Spring bursts brightly forth

From the barren winter ground

Designer beauty

Written for dVerse Poetry.

Quote of the Week

Listen or thy tongue will keep thee deaf. 

-Native American Indian Proverb

If you are always talking, the only thoughts, ideas and opinions you will ever hear are your own.  This is akin to being deaf, for you will never learn anything new.  Hear...Listen...Learn.

Monticello

A Lesson in Patience

The mama cat sat staring into the weeds at the edge of the farm.  Only the tip of her tail moved.  "Patience is a virtue", she tells her litter, as they watch her.

Suddenly she pounces into the weeds and turns back with a plump field mouse.  Our patience has been rewarded.  We have dinner."

Looks like there's no dinner for you guys!

Written for Friday Flash 55.

It Finally Happened!

You may remember several years ago I had a Day of Mourning after my car died.  That led to two years of searching (some might say I'm too picky) for another car.  As you know, we keep our cars for a long time, so I searched high and low for a car that would meet my wants and needs.  You can read about some of my adventures in My Quest for Wheels and More Car Stuff.  

Fast forward to the present.  The search is finally over, and I am the proud owner of a 2006 Toyota Highlander.  

Happy Birthday to me!

It has the power seats I need, and it even has a sunroof!  Now we have two reliable vehicles and hubby can actually drive his "new" car...after nearly two years.

Quote of the Week

Argue for your limitations and, sure enough, they're yours.

- Richard Bach

Arguing for your limitations is like betting against yourself, and when you bet against yourself you never win.  We are quite often our own worst enemy, so do yourself a favor - believe in yourself and be your own best friend.

The Door

Image Source:  Spiros Vathis

Before her stands a mysterious door.  Though afraid, she finds herself drawn to it.  She has a key.  The lock turns; she crosses the threshold.  She needn't have been frightened.  This is her dream come true.  A world of merry-go-rounds and games, hot dogs and popcorn, cotton candy and soda fountains.  It was...a carnival.

Written for Friday Flash 55, this was inspired by an episode of the "The Ghost Whisperer", where a door suddenly appears in the middle of the street.

The Voices Are Silent

Image source: Anuj Kumar Pradham

The voices are silent
Their silence brings
A different kind of agony
No chaos or anger
Only confusion and sadness

The voices are silent
They were my enemies
And strangely my friends
Their silence brings
Truth and despair

There is no freedom
Even with the silence
There is no escaping
Where they made me go
What they made me know

With or without them
I have no self
No peace, only pain
No joy, only misery
No life

Edited to clarify:  This poem was written and posted for dVerse Poetry, and is purely fictional and not reflective of my life.

Quote of the Week

Don't let life ruffle your feathers.

Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect, it means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections. - Unknown


Once you have made this decision, you are in control of your happiness, and this is the greatest gift you can give yourself.

The Diner

It had been a long day and their relaxing swim had left Edith and Francine hungry.  "Are you ready?" called Edith from the hallway. 

"Almost.  Just looking for my slip-ons", replied Francine. 

"They're by the door where you left them.  Really, Francine, you are getting absent minded", chided Edith.  So now that we've solved the mystery of the missing shoes, where do you want to eat?"

"How about Mexican?  I heard there's a new place on Channel Road across from the drug store."

"No, that's too heavy.  You know I get heartburn on the travel day if I eat too much", Edith reminded.  How about that little deli on the corner...no that closed last year."  I know how about that diner on Main.  That place always has such good food."

"And cheap, too," retorted Francine, "but you're right.  That's another thing that hasn't changed in the last 20 years.  Do you remember the first time we came here?  We ate at the diner nearly every night."

"Of course I do", said Edith quietly.  That was the year Chester passed away, and the year I had gall bladder surgery.  Neither of us felt like fixing meals."

"Yeah, they had the most delicious BLTs.  Why they even had a garden and grew their own tomatoes.  Home grown are so much better than store bought.  I think they do something to those.  They don't even look like tomatoes."

"Those sandwiches were huge, and only $1.25."  You just couldn't beat it."

"That was 20 years ago.  Prices on everything have gone up, but they are still a great value," said Edith.

"Well you always were the frugal one.  Shall we go?"

The sisters drove to the diner to reminisce over juicy tomatoes, smokey bacon and crisp lettuce, the things memories are made of.

When they pulled into the parking lot, they saw that the place was packed.  "Apparently, we aren't the only ones with this great idea," exclaimed Edith.  

Then they saw it, in the window was a banner.  The diner was having a 20th anniversary special...  You guessed it.  BLTs for the long-ago price of $1.25- while supplies last, of course. 

Written for Write on Edge.  You may remember Francine and Edith from The Beach Cottage.

My Favorite Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day to us!

We're not like everyone else!

But it works for us!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day yesterday!

Quote of the Week

To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly. 
- Henri Bergson

As long as we exist on this earth, we are constantly changing, growing and evolving.  Change is important, but not always easy.  How are you creating yourself?

Jane or Janet

The following is a fictional story written for Write on Edge.  

Jane packs her bags and head for the beach.  Two glorious weeks...days spent lying in the sun and dancing the nights away.  You see, Jane is plain.  Jane works long hours as a waitress, saving for her annual trek to the sea.  

Here she becomes Janet.  Janet is cute, fun loving and carefree.  "It's amazing what adding a "t" to your name can do for your confidence" she said to herself.  Free from the waitress uniform, the pony tail and name tag..."Jane".

Janet settles into her lounge chair, with her music and and an ice cold Diet Coke in her hand.  "Life is good" she sighs.  As she slathers on suntan oil, from several chairs away she hears, "Can I help you with that?"

It's the blond, beach bum surfer dude she'd seen earlier.  "That would be great, thanks!  By the way, my name's Janet"  

Jane would never do that; Janet does.

They chat for a while and it turns out the surfer dude is actually a trust fund kid.  Richard G. Harding, III, but more commonly known here at the beach as Rick.  He, too, has a double identity.  He desperately wants to shed his rich kid persona while Janet is trying to escape her dull life as a waitress. Often times people want what someone else has - those with straight hair want curly, brunettes want to be blond, you know that whole "grass is greener" thing. 

"I know a great club where they have an awesome DJ and the best margaritas in town, if you're interested" Rick invited.

Again not something Jane does.  She gets off her shift at the diner, goes home and watches reruns until she falls asleep with her cat.  Dull!

Janet, however, responded with an enthusiastic "I'd love to!  I am staying at the Windsor, room 423."

Rick and Janet danced the night away on a sea of margaritas, and then talked until the wee hours exchanging phone numbers, email addresses and friending each other on Facebook.  

That night Janet found something that had been missing for a long time.  She found the real Jane.

After meeting Rick and rediscovering herself, she legally changed her name to Janet, since Janet helped her find herself.  They are now married and live at the beach.  Rick still surfs but Janet is no longer a waitress.  Both have found their greener grass.

Golden Sky

The late evening sun

Casts a golden glow upon

our upturned faces

Written for dVerse Poetry.

Quote of the Week

Image Source:  Wikipedia

The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief. - William Shakespeare, Othello

You don't have to steal or be stolen from to experience this.  Every time we smile at someone who was rude, petty or hurtful, then we have one-upped them.  Those who take pleasure in others' discomfort are thwarted by the very thing they sought to erase.

Nursery Rhyme Redo: This Old Man

Image Source:  Imelda's Photostream

This old man, he played dumb

He played blackjack for my rum

So what the heck, stack the deck

And give the man a loan

This old man is in the zone

There are more verses with different variations.  The origin is uncertain, with the first recorded version in  Anne Gilchrist's Journal of the English Folk Dance and Song Society (1937).

Groundhog Day 2012

Image Source:  Aaron E. Silvers

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day, the day a groundhog predicts just how much more winter weather we will have.  But, it is not just some random groundhog wandering out of his hole in some farmer's field.  No, this is an EVENT!

It all takes place at 7:20 tomorrow morning at Gobblers Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.  Phil, the celebrity groundhog, will make his appearance and give his prediction.  According to the legend, if he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather.  If not, then we get an early Spring.

Phil has been doing this for about 125 years, so he must be getting good at it by now.  You can read more about Phil, and the history of Groundhog Day here.

I am eagerly awaiting Phil's prediction because as you can see, it has been a mild winter so far here in the sunny South.  For us to really have winter now, Phil would need a sunny day indeed.  

I spied this daffodil yesterday while taking advantage of the warm weather to work in the yard.  It is not unheard of to see them in January, but are usually a bit later.

These snowdrops are normally the first flowers of the season, and they are right on schedule.  

So whether we pull out our straw hats or toboggans, hats off to Phil for 125 years on the job.  If you'd like to watch the ceremony, it will be webcast here.

Quote of the Week

Image Source: Wikipedia

Benjamin Franklin said:   

A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned.

A penny is just a penny, right?  You find them in parking lots, shopping malls and restaurants.  So insignificant you often don't know you've dropped them, or don't bother to pick them up.

So why would we want to save our pennies?  Remember when you were a child, filling your piggy bank with pennies, nickels, dimes and the occasional quarter?  It was not a lot, but you learned the value of saving money.

I took my virtual piggy bank filled with a my savings of a penny a day for one year ($3.65) and calculated how much I would have after 50 years ($182.50).  Allowing a modest interest rate of 3% compounded quarterly, I would have $439.98.  OK, that's still not a lot of money, I will admit.  But, that is just the savings of one penny a day - one penny that might otherwise go unnoticed in a parking lot.

The point here is that small amounts add up over time, and even mighty oak trees were once acorns.

For my calculations, I used an online compounding calculator.

The Sillies

This is the kind of silliness that happens when you have a new phone, a stuffed animal and a glass of wine all in your possession at the same time.

Uh oh, Tiger down!

  

What do you think the tiger would say if he could talk?

No tigers or plushies were harmed in the creation of this post.

Beyond The Night

Though the sky at night be red

Tell me of the day ahead

Speak to me at dawn's light

Of things beyond mortal sight

Walk with me upon the grass

Where others before have passed

What do they know that I know not

All the things that time forgot

Written for dVerse poetry.

Quote of the Week

As I was walking up the stair,
I met a man who wasn't there.
He wasn't there again today.
I wish, I wish he'd go away.
- Hugh Mearns

I have come across this one many times in my quest for quotes, and always passed it over because it didn't seem to fit.  But I like it so it is this week's quote.  

What does it mean?

Some things that come to mind are, of course, ghosts, or figments of our imagination.  The thought that we are seeing people from our past, and talking to them as though they are real.  Or maybe it is an event that troubles us and causes us to see what isn't there.

On the other hand, it reminds me of a Dr. Seuss story I had on an old record when I was just a sprout.  It was much spookier back then.

The Pants With Nobody Inside Them

Most of you have read or listened to Dr. Suess?  What was your favorite tale?

The Golden Rule

The Lego store in the Mall of America

From the Golden Rule to the modern catch phrase "what goes around, comes around", the lesson is the same, and that was the lesson shared once between two kindergarteners.  Alex knew Bobby didn't have many toys, and offered to let him play with his new Lego set.  Both boys felt better about themselves after that.

Written for Friday Flash 55.

The Rose Garden: Allison

This is a continuation of the Rose Garden series. You can read parts one and two here: The Rose Garden and The Restoration.

One night as Gerald sat on the porch watching the sun set over the garden, he paused to take note of how well the yellow roses were doing.  He had taken quite well to the slower paced life here in Louisiana.  He'd gotten on with a design firm in New Orleans and worked most days from his virtual office.  On evenings like this he would sit and tell his mother all about his life and his latest project on the house.  Of course, had anyone seen and heard the conversation, they would say "poor Gerald, talking to himself again."  

But tonight was special, and even though Gerald wasn't so sure people were wrong, he still spoke.  "Mama, I've got great news.  I've met someone.  Her name is Allison.  She's the most wonderful girl...and Gerald continued on, his words tumbling one over the other in his excitement, nearly forgetting he was alone on the porch.  He concluded by saying "you will love her, I know you will!"

As he got up to go in for the night he said, I'll bring her around soon.  I can't wait for you to see her."  Indeed folks would think him a might touched in the head.  But they didn't know what he knew, what he thought he had seen and heard.

The house and gardens had been completed and restored to their former beauty.  All but the old brick walkway...Gerald remembered the words whispered on the wind.  He had also kept the renovations true to the era of the house.  Later that week he would plan a picnic dinner in the garden for Allison.  He felt sure his mother would be there.  She still loved her roses.
 
Gerald had decided that informal was the best thing for dinner in the garden, so he set the table with some attractive floral plates, tumblers filled with sweet iced tea, and of course, a fresh bouquet of roses.  The main course was a traditional Cajun jambalaya with homemade cornbread with creamy butter, and Beignets for dessert.

Soon Allison arrived in her white BMW convertible.  It was a beautiful day for a drive with the top down.  Her heels clicked as she walked along the brick walkway to the garden; her pale blue dress matched her blond hair and deep blue eyes and swayed gently as she approached.  Gerald watched, his eyes twinkling at the sight of her.

"Hi Gerry, I hope I'm not late."  Her soft Southern accent was music to his ears.

"Allison, you look lovely today, and of course you are right on time.  Please, come have a seat."

After enjoying the dinner and some quiet conversation, they strolled around the garden, and Gerald pointed out some of the different roses and where they came from.  The garden had always been his Mother's passion, so that is where he began the restoration.  They paused at the yellow rose bush, and he explained that his Father had given it to her the year before he died, and that it was her most prized bush.   A sad smile briefly touched her lips.  "Oh Gerry, that is so sweet.  They obviously adored one another."

As they returned to the table for dessert, there across Allison's plate was a single yellow rose.

Quote of the Week

Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours.  - Swedish Proverb

Good advice and things we could all benefit by doing more or less of.

Chickadee at Lunch

Like many of you, I love all the little critters of the world, and there is a special place in my heart for the Chickadee.  I spied this little guy having lunch at a very interesting feeder.  It is a piece of real wood with suet inserted into it.

My Mom used to feed the Chickadees, and they got so used to it they would gather in the tree and call for their lunch.

The Nature Channel

Dood relaxing in front of Nature TV.

We "turn on" Nature TV on for him every morning.  However there isn't much on his favorite channel today.  It is a rainy, dreary day, and Dood is nowhere to be found.  I suspect he is curled up in his box in the basement. 

Yep, I know my cats!  

Where do your cats (or dogs) like to sleep the rainy days away?

Quote of the Week

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.
- Abraham Lincoln

Image Source:  Wikipedia

During our journey from childhood to adulthood, our beliefs, morals and ethics are formed. Our character is figuratively where we place our feet, and we back this up with our actions.

What If?

The sun stopped shining?

It would get cold and dark, and we'd all die.

It never rained again and our water sources dried up?

We'd have no food or water, and we'd all die.

You won the lottery?

It wouldn't save you if there were no sun or water.  Be thankful for what you have.

Written for Friday Flash 55 and Magpie Tales.
For clarification,  I am not against the lottery, but know that money doesn't fix everything either.

A Taste of Florida

Madeira Beach

I always get a peaceful feeling watching the sun set over the water.  

Citra, Florida

There is such beauty in Nature, and a few oddities such as this very tall palm near The Orange Shop in Citra, FL.

Hubbard's Marina - John's Pass

What great advertising!

Breakfast at Nina's Cafe

It's important to start your day out right.

Fried clams and french fries at the Sea Hag

So you can eat like this later.

Feeding the Pelicans

These birds have a good thing going here.  They know when the fishing boat comes in and flock in to await lunch.

Thanks for joining me as I look back on some of the "kodak moments" of our vacation.

In Honor of a Principled Man

Today's post honors another of the great men in my life, my father-in-law.  It was with much sadness that we said goodbye to him just before Christmas. 

My father-in-law, like many men of his generation, was a true gentleman.  He drew people to him with his kindness.  He respected everyone, in all walks of life, with "yes sir", or "no ma'am".  He led by example, and inspired those around him to become better people.  His sons will tell you that there was no finer role model than their father.

He had a remarkable memory, which was most evident when he met someone new.  He would ask their name, where they were from, etc.  When he next saw them, he would call them by name and ask how so-and-so was back home.  That made everyone feel special.

He was an avid golfer and had been since his college days.  It was often (and incorrectly) assumed he was on the golf team, but he would correct that misconception, stating that he played WITH the golf team.  This demonstrates the honesty and integrity with which he lived his life. 

There was a message left on my answering machine from a college friend of his with whom he had played golf.  He told of them playing 9 holes of golf in 45 minutes (they wanted to get a round in between classes).  He also said "he was a principled man and all around good guy". 

Even though he wasn't part of his college golf team, he was an excellent golfer and won numerous trophies, held a lifetime membership at his golf club, and won the club championship several times.

He served his country in the US Navy during World War II, and later worked as a traveling auditor for the railroad - golf clubs in tow, of course.

He lived a very full 85 years, and bore the discomforts of surgeries and illness with the same great humor that made his eyes twinkle when he told stories of his grandchildren.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and friend to many.  While he enjoyed pastimes such as Scrabble and the NY Times crosswords, two of the greatest pleasures in his life were his family and golf. 

Indeed, he enriched everyone's lives, and will be greatly missed.

Season's Greetings

Merry Christmas
from our house to yours!

"Deck the Halls"  Christmas music in Johnson City, TX.

I'll be taking a short break for Christmas.  Enjoy the video, and I'll see you in about a week or so!

Quote of the Week

Animals make you feel good, too.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
- Maya Angelou 

This is a powerful statement.  Whether good or bad, people will remember the emotions you inspired in them.   Let's hope that people come away from us feeling uplifted and good about themselves.

Gray Days

Once upon a time in the land of trolls, unicorns were revered, and the brilliant blaze of the morning sky meant safe passage.  Gray days were to be feared for that is when the trolls came out of their hidden lairs beneath the bridges. Woe unto anyone who dared venture forth on a gray day.

Written for Friday Flash 55.

Nursery Rhyme Redo: Patty Cake Patty Cake

Image Source: FreeFoto.com

Patty cake, patty cake bakers man

Bake me a cake in a jelly roll pan

Patty cake, patty cake bakers wife

Lived in the bakery all her life

Patty cake, patty cake bakers girl

Toss the dough and give it a whirl

Patty cake, patty cake bakers son

Bakes up a real fine honey bun

Posted for dVerse Poetry.

Quote of the Week

For it is in giving that we receive.
- Francis of Assisi

This is true no matter the season, and no matter the gift.

On the Edge

Sophie on the edge

Position precarious

Prepare for landing