My heart is heavy today, for a few reasons. I've seen on Facebook that some who are connected with me in reality and some who are known only by Facebook interaction are suffering. Some are truly troubled, others are irritated by things in their lives. I've given them some prayer time, and much thought. I know that these things will pass, and most will come out of these troubles having learned something from them, and with growth because of them.
As for me, I have an irritation. There is an association with one who seeks, unfailingly, to attack me in some form or fashion, regardless of what I say. This one is a disagreeable person, even when I attempt to avoid conflict, it comes directly at me. I've tried to ignore it, I've tried to rationalize it, I've tried to be understanding. I'm not one who cares much for dissention. Apparently, I rub this one the wrong way. I cannot avoid this one, as we are members of the same group and often have interaction with the other mutual friends. Overall, I have a very pleasant experience and have had with my fellow Facebookers. This one, though, is my thorn in the flesh.
I'll get through this without further incident.....I hope. It'll be a mind game on my part, not to in any way acknowledge the presence of one who seems to want an all out war of words with me. Right now my head is telling me to do just this, when inside I'm feeling annoyed that I can't type a thing without some negative reaction from that one.
Ahhhhh well, such is life, I suppose. Nobody is loved by everyone....I'll just stick to the ones who care about me, I guess.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Saturday Morning Thoughts
It's Autumn.....at least the calendar tells us that it is. The weather here in upstate SC has other plans, however. It's predicted to be 87 degrees before the day is done. I think that's too warm to call it Autumn here, and Mother Nature thinks so too, I guess. There's not a sign of colored leaves yet.
My mind quickly flashes to my home town, where Fall is beginning. The end of the tourist season has come, and the natives are rejoicing over that and the cooler weather. I allow myself to drift into thoughts of the place.
The ocean beaches are deserted at this early time of day while I write. But for a million footprints in the sand from former visitors there, you'd think no one ever came to view the sea. Those of us who are drawn there, know that what we see at this hour hides the truth. Before the sun has even awakened, the surf casters will be on the beach in their waders, readying their gear for a catch. The sea birds will dive and soar at the first glint of the sun, competing with the human fishers for a harvest from the ocean.
Photographers with their digital cameras, lenses and paraphernalia will also arrive to catch the early light. Some who must make a daily trek along the shore will come too, in order to get their exercise....or to calm a spirit. Others will arrive in their cars soon, to sit and stare at the ever-changing sea. Still others seem to think it is their duty to go every morning, to be sure that no one has pulled the plug and let the ocean drain away.
Today, as I do on many other days, I remember the way the ocean claps as it hits the sand, spraying foam high in the salted air. I listen to the rhythms of the waves that sound deep within my soul. I am far from my native home, but it is not far from me. I smell it. I hear it. I see it. It is deeply embedded in me, as if the salt water runs through my veins. Because I cannot visit today, I visit my memories.
The sands are carried by the sea....and the sands of time have carried me to a different place in the world. A place where pine trees grow tall and the heat of day arrives later and the sun sets over mountains. Still, as the sands of the beach drift in the Autumn winds, covering the footprints of those who were there, and though I have drifted to an inland home, my own being there on that beautiful island can never be erased. It is all a part of who I am, and will always be so.
My mind quickly flashes to my home town, where Fall is beginning. The end of the tourist season has come, and the natives are rejoicing over that and the cooler weather. I allow myself to drift into thoughts of the place.
The ocean beaches are deserted at this early time of day while I write. But for a million footprints in the sand from former visitors there, you'd think no one ever came to view the sea. Those of us who are drawn there, know that what we see at this hour hides the truth. Before the sun has even awakened, the surf casters will be on the beach in their waders, readying their gear for a catch. The sea birds will dive and soar at the first glint of the sun, competing with the human fishers for a harvest from the ocean.
Photographers with their digital cameras, lenses and paraphernalia will also arrive to catch the early light. Some who must make a daily trek along the shore will come too, in order to get their exercise....or to calm a spirit. Others will arrive in their cars soon, to sit and stare at the ever-changing sea. Still others seem to think it is their duty to go every morning, to be sure that no one has pulled the plug and let the ocean drain away.
Today, as I do on many other days, I remember the way the ocean claps as it hits the sand, spraying foam high in the salted air. I listen to the rhythms of the waves that sound deep within my soul. I am far from my native home, but it is not far from me. I smell it. I hear it. I see it. It is deeply embedded in me, as if the salt water runs through my veins. Because I cannot visit today, I visit my memories.
The sands are carried by the sea....and the sands of time have carried me to a different place in the world. A place where pine trees grow tall and the heat of day arrives later and the sun sets over mountains. Still, as the sands of the beach drift in the Autumn winds, covering the footprints of those who were there, and though I have drifted to an inland home, my own being there on that beautiful island can never be erased. It is all a part of who I am, and will always be so.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Critters...
Suffice it to say, I'm not thrilled with certain types of creatures. Yeah, yeah....I know...."All creatures, great and small....the Lord God made them ALL. " All that is GOOD, but I don't know if He had it in mind for us to like everything He made. I do appreciate His creativity and diversity of His wonderful handiwork, however....I'm not a fan of some of His art. I liken it to my non-understanding of abstract art or rap 'music'. I just don't care for it, mostly.
In this case, I don't understand the need for flies. They are pesky little creatures who land without a thought on things like piles of dung, and directly go from there to a plate of food, with no consideration whatsoever for the one who was about to devour that food. I also don't see why God chose to make mosquitos. Now, what earthly good can there be in an insect that buzzes in your ear and gnaws on your skin, causing it to erupt in an itchy, red bump.....or worse yet, that may cause you a deathly illness?! Then there are fire ants. They are not your common picnic invader, they are tiny red versions with huge, invisible teeth that clench the nearest skin clad human body part with a vengence, leaving a burning, incredibly itchy area that lives on for days. What's the point, I wonder?
I'm also not thrilled with spiders of any sort. I attempt to avoid those at all costs. There are certain ones of those who seem to be prone to penetrating the epidermis as well. Best to leave all of them to themselves. There are other insects that jump, fly or land, sting, bite or annoy. Thankfully, a fly swatter is a good weapon for most, but it does little about gnats or no-see-ums that seem to like to swim in whatever beverage I've just poured for myself.
Ok...you have a point if you've said that most of the above have been created as a food source for some other of God's creation. I get that, but why must this food source be so annoying to humans?
Insects was not even a thought when I began to write this peice. I had something else in mind.... reptiles. I'm not going to even enter the word for long, squiggly, cold-blooded things. Those, and even the thought of them, make my skin crawl. But, here in the southeast, we have some other critters of reptilian descent....lizards. They don't usually bother me, except to scare me out of my flip flops when one streams silently past on the front porch. Right now, though, I'm extremely bothered by the fact that a 6-7" blue one has made it's way into my sunroom, and I can't find it. I saw it....well, it's tail....as I entered the room yesterday afternoon. He's lucky he made it past me before my foot landed on him. I'm lucky too, because I think I'd have passed out.
So, until my Hero can catch this danged thing, I must share my favorite room with him. I'm not happy about it at all, but if there's any good that can come of it, maybe he will catch the gnats or other little insects that fly in whenever someone opens the door to the outside. Or....maybe he's lying in wait somewhere so that when my husband exits to enjoy his coffee on the back steps, old Blue will dart for the open door! I'll bet he's no happier inside than I am to have him.
Siiiiiigh...CRITTERS!
In this case, I don't understand the need for flies. They are pesky little creatures who land without a thought on things like piles of dung, and directly go from there to a plate of food, with no consideration whatsoever for the one who was about to devour that food. I also don't see why God chose to make mosquitos. Now, what earthly good can there be in an insect that buzzes in your ear and gnaws on your skin, causing it to erupt in an itchy, red bump.....or worse yet, that may cause you a deathly illness?! Then there are fire ants. They are not your common picnic invader, they are tiny red versions with huge, invisible teeth that clench the nearest skin clad human body part with a vengence, leaving a burning, incredibly itchy area that lives on for days. What's the point, I wonder?
I'm also not thrilled with spiders of any sort. I attempt to avoid those at all costs. There are certain ones of those who seem to be prone to penetrating the epidermis as well. Best to leave all of them to themselves. There are other insects that jump, fly or land, sting, bite or annoy. Thankfully, a fly swatter is a good weapon for most, but it does little about gnats or no-see-ums that seem to like to swim in whatever beverage I've just poured for myself.
Ok...you have a point if you've said that most of the above have been created as a food source for some other of God's creation. I get that, but why must this food source be so annoying to humans?
Insects was not even a thought when I began to write this peice. I had something else in mind.... reptiles. I'm not going to even enter the word for long, squiggly, cold-blooded things. Those, and even the thought of them, make my skin crawl. But, here in the southeast, we have some other critters of reptilian descent....lizards. They don't usually bother me, except to scare me out of my flip flops when one streams silently past on the front porch. Right now, though, I'm extremely bothered by the fact that a 6-7" blue one has made it's way into my sunroom, and I can't find it. I saw it....well, it's tail....as I entered the room yesterday afternoon. He's lucky he made it past me before my foot landed on him. I'm lucky too, because I think I'd have passed out.
So, until my Hero can catch this danged thing, I must share my favorite room with him. I'm not happy about it at all, but if there's any good that can come of it, maybe he will catch the gnats or other little insects that fly in whenever someone opens the door to the outside. Or....maybe he's lying in wait somewhere so that when my husband exits to enjoy his coffee on the back steps, old Blue will dart for the open door! I'll bet he's no happier inside than I am to have him.
Siiiiiigh...CRITTERS!
Monday, September 23, 2013
Where There's Smoke....
Apparently somebody thought my life wasn't exciting enough. To remedy that, a certain occurrence took place as I cooked my dinner last evening. The frying pan caught fire, shooting flames nearly as high as the bottom of the microwave which is located above the stove top. For that reason, it was impossible for me to smother the flames with the lid of the pan without getting burned.
Not wanting to end up in the Atlanta Burn Center, I grabbed the phone and dialed my Mom's house, where Mike had just gone to deliver some peaches and let him know that there was a pan on fire. He raced across the street to our house with the speed of a champion sprinter. He quickly extinguished the fire by placing the lid over the now-shorter dancing flames, as the smoke alarms were screaming all over the house, and the smoke was filling every room.
We opened all the windows and turned on the ceiling fans and exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen. Before long, the smoke was out and by bedtime we were able to close the windows again.
However, this morning, when I got up, there was the distinct smell of an over-done steak and burned fried onions.
Maybe Fabreze will use my story for their next advertisement. The whole incident should be turned to something worthwhile.
In the meantime, while I wait for the royalties to roll in, let me encourage every young woman to marry a fireman. Let me remind every cook that surprises can happen, and that even though 'a watched pot never boils', a watched frying pan can catch fire. Let me tell you that smoke alarms are very annoying when they randomly go off without cause (or when batteries need replacement) but they are extremely important to have in working order. Do not slack off on this list bit of advice.
And remember....where there's smoke, there is almost always a fire. Be careful.
Not wanting to end up in the Atlanta Burn Center, I grabbed the phone and dialed my Mom's house, where Mike had just gone to deliver some peaches and let him know that there was a pan on fire. He raced across the street to our house with the speed of a champion sprinter. He quickly extinguished the fire by placing the lid over the now-shorter dancing flames, as the smoke alarms were screaming all over the house, and the smoke was filling every room.
We opened all the windows and turned on the ceiling fans and exhaust fans in the bathrooms and kitchen. Before long, the smoke was out and by bedtime we were able to close the windows again.
However, this morning, when I got up, there was the distinct smell of an over-done steak and burned fried onions.
Maybe Fabreze will use my story for their next advertisement. The whole incident should be turned to something worthwhile.
In the meantime, while I wait for the royalties to roll in, let me encourage every young woman to marry a fireman. Let me remind every cook that surprises can happen, and that even though 'a watched pot never boils', a watched frying pan can catch fire. Let me tell you that smoke alarms are very annoying when they randomly go off without cause (or when batteries need replacement) but they are extremely important to have in working order. Do not slack off on this list bit of advice.
And remember....where there's smoke, there is almost always a fire. Be careful.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
What I WON'T Be....
Do you remember the days of your youth when people would ask you what you wanted to be when you grew up? I do....and I remember what I said, too. I met those goals, and left some of them behind. I've often thought of what my answer to the question would be if posed to me now...now that I've seen and become aware of so many more options. I haven't settled on that answer yet.
I do know, however, what I won't be. I won't be several things. I will never be a college student working toward a specific degree, because I've never liked school. Please don't misunderstand. I do enjoy learning, but at my own pace, and in ways other than sitting in class rooms or lectures with boring instructors. I'm not an avid reader, unlike so many of my friends are. I enjoy reading, but only things that interest me, not long books. I will never be a mathmatician, bookkeeper, tax preparer, accountant, or anyone else who works with numbers. We have never been compatible... numbers and I, I mean.
I will never be a race car driver. I abhor speed demon driving, or riding, for that matter. I'm not a terrific passenger, because I'm always jamming my foot on the imaginary brake, or grabbing the bar above the passenger door when driver is flying down the curvy back roads or on the horrendous interstate highways. But, unless I want to stay at home, doing nothing....which I do not, I must endure those harrowing experiences of speed unleashed.
I will never be a window washer or leap from tall buildings with a single bound. I will never climb mountains on foot paths, or rock walls inside buildings or outside of them either. I don't like heights at all. I get dizzy. I won't be a miner or one who explores the beautiful under world of stalactites and stalagmites. I'm a bit claustrophobic. I'll never be a world traveler, though I would consider that should by bank account allow it. I'll never be a clown or a comedienne, although I think it would be fun to be one, I'm not that funny. Besides, clowns often scare people, especially little kids, and that would not be fun.
No, I'll never be any of the above....or a myriad of other things. But, do you know what? I'm not the least bit upset over what I'll never be. I know who and what I am....a very happy wife, a loved daughter, an available mother and a loving Grandmother. I'm completely content being ME...whoever that is at the moment, and I wouldn't change a thing!
I do know, however, what I won't be. I won't be several things. I will never be a college student working toward a specific degree, because I've never liked school. Please don't misunderstand. I do enjoy learning, but at my own pace, and in ways other than sitting in class rooms or lectures with boring instructors. I'm not an avid reader, unlike so many of my friends are. I enjoy reading, but only things that interest me, not long books. I will never be a mathmatician, bookkeeper, tax preparer, accountant, or anyone else who works with numbers. We have never been compatible... numbers and I, I mean.
I will never be a race car driver. I abhor speed demon driving, or riding, for that matter. I'm not a terrific passenger, because I'm always jamming my foot on the imaginary brake, or grabbing the bar above the passenger door when driver is flying down the curvy back roads or on the horrendous interstate highways. But, unless I want to stay at home, doing nothing....which I do not, I must endure those harrowing experiences of speed unleashed.
I will never be a window washer or leap from tall buildings with a single bound. I will never climb mountains on foot paths, or rock walls inside buildings or outside of them either. I don't like heights at all. I get dizzy. I won't be a miner or one who explores the beautiful under world of stalactites and stalagmites. I'm a bit claustrophobic. I'll never be a world traveler, though I would consider that should by bank account allow it. I'll never be a clown or a comedienne, although I think it would be fun to be one, I'm not that funny. Besides, clowns often scare people, especially little kids, and that would not be fun.
No, I'll never be any of the above....or a myriad of other things. But, do you know what? I'm not the least bit upset over what I'll never be. I know who and what I am....a very happy wife, a loved daughter, an available mother and a loving Grandmother. I'm completely content being ME...whoever that is at the moment, and I wouldn't change a thing!
Thursday, September 19, 2013
My grandfather had a close relationship with my grandmother's family, and even though she'd been gone for years, he'd often go across the bay on the ferry to visit them on Shelter Island. Sometimes he'd take me too. That day my friend, Sandy, came along with us. Grampa surprised us by bringing a picnic along for us...he made the BEST tuna salad sandwiches, and he brought a whole loaf of them. Sandy ate as many as she could pack into her tummy that day! We had our day-long visit with my great Aunts and Uncles, and some cousins and their kids. We played on the tire swing that hung from a huge old tree in the front yard, near the stand where Uncle Bill sold bouquets of bright gladiolas that he grew in the field behind the barn. We explored the large yard, and we danced around in the kitchen with old Uncle Charl swinging us around and around 'til he lost his balance and bumped into a big kettle on the stove, dumping all of Aunt Ardis' canned pickles to the floor. She chastised him with a stern, 'Now Charl! look what you've done!" And she shooed us out with him behind us. We decided to find something less rambunctious to do, and we went into the right hand barn building to make music on the old player piano. It was dreadfully out of tune, but it didn't matter to us.
After a big supper at the big dining room table, with all the family gathered together, the old folks went to the front room and visited some more. Before long, it was time for Grampa to load us up and head for home. Sandy and I piled into the front seat, with me in the middle. We crossed the water on the small car ferry, arriving on the North Haven side in 10 minutes. We started up the hill toward Sag Harbor and that's when we ran into the fog. Grandpa wasn't a speedy driver, by any means, but he slowed down even further to meander through the veil of damp air as the sun began to set. We made our way along Rt 114, through Sag Harbor, and pointed toward East
Hampton. It was 'scary' foggy....at least to me. Grampa pressed his foot a little harder on the gas pedal, and then let it up. In a few minutes, Sandy and I were giggling at the forward and backward 'see saw' our bodies did with every push and let up of that gas pedal. I'll bet Sandy remembers that day, that tuna, and that foggy ride home, even now, some 55 years later!
After a big supper at the big dining room table, with all the family gathered together, the old folks went to the front room and visited some more. Before long, it was time for Grampa to load us up and head for home. Sandy and I piled into the front seat, with me in the middle. We crossed the water on the small car ferry, arriving on the North Haven side in 10 minutes. We started up the hill toward Sag Harbor and that's when we ran into the fog. Grandpa wasn't a speedy driver, by any means, but he slowed down even further to meander through the veil of damp air as the sun began to set. We made our way along Rt 114, through Sag Harbor, and pointed toward East
Hampton. It was 'scary' foggy....at least to me. Grampa pressed his foot a little harder on the gas pedal, and then let it up. In a few minutes, Sandy and I were giggling at the forward and backward 'see saw' our bodies did with every push and let up of that gas pedal. I'll bet Sandy remembers that day, that tuna, and that foggy ride home, even now, some 55 years later!
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Getting to Know....
There are times when you think you know a person really well, and suddenly they present you with something new....something you had no idea about. SURPRISE!!! You didn't know so much as you thought you did.
All this can mean is that you can learn something new every day, if you pay attention. That's not a bad thing, is it? Lessons follow lessons, and hopefully they make some impact on you that you can add to your file called 'wisdom'. These lessons are given to us that we might learn from them, and I enjoy learning them, though they aren't always the most pleasant events that bring those lessons about.
Hearing the new things from an old friend gives pause. It brings curiosity too...'what else do I not know'? Now that sort of thing doesn't make a lot sense to me, because I have long ago accepted this person as they were, so what else I don't know will only be a learning experience in the future, should I continue to accept this person as he/she is. That's pretty much my nature, so I'm quite certain that we'll remain buddies in the years to come, unless I'm presented with something dangerous or criminal.
These thoughts just flow right now....they don't need to be pondered. I'm one who likes surprises...and lessons too, so I'll be accepting of them. I think the only thing I can say to sum all this up is this: You just never know EVERYTHING, nor do you need to. Keep what is needful, shun the rest of it.
All this can mean is that you can learn something new every day, if you pay attention. That's not a bad thing, is it? Lessons follow lessons, and hopefully they make some impact on you that you can add to your file called 'wisdom'. These lessons are given to us that we might learn from them, and I enjoy learning them, though they aren't always the most pleasant events that bring those lessons about.
Hearing the new things from an old friend gives pause. It brings curiosity too...'what else do I not know'? Now that sort of thing doesn't make a lot sense to me, because I have long ago accepted this person as they were, so what else I don't know will only be a learning experience in the future, should I continue to accept this person as he/she is. That's pretty much my nature, so I'm quite certain that we'll remain buddies in the years to come, unless I'm presented with something dangerous or criminal.
These thoughts just flow right now....they don't need to be pondered. I'm one who likes surprises...and lessons too, so I'll be accepting of them. I think the only thing I can say to sum all this up is this: You just never know EVERYTHING, nor do you need to. Keep what is needful, shun the rest of it.
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