One Lap Around the Sun

All I Would have Missed

2009-03-02T10:44:00.000-08:00

I still drive by the street where the cop protected our life on that Saturday. While everyone else will remember it as the day my father died, I have considered every time I drive by Beech Street how things would have been so different had we been killed that day.

Since this will be the last official post for this blog, it seemed appropriate to finish with the highlights of the last year. I have often wondered why I was still here, and instead, I look back on all I would have missed:

My daughter's 18th birthday.
Another year with my husband

Great books from my Cali cousin,

Reconnecting with my cousin Karen
Co-writing a play Elyce Times One, that placed in the 100 of Writer's Digest Wrting Contest
The reading of that play with the best local actors of our city

My husband's laptop gift
Writing book reviews /getting books and meeting delightful people
New On Line friends: Roberto, Kathy, Greg
Starting a writer's group
My daughter in her senior year, as a full time student

getting her temps,

and getting accepted to culinary school

My husband winning the football pool, even though he doesn't watch football
The new friendships formed among writers I respect and enjoy

Friends who have seen, heard read me when I was being a jerk, but love me anyway.
The softer side of my husbands strength
Seeing all my siblings in one spot five years after the 1st time in 17 years
Meeting my first born daughter's adoptive mom
The memory box of military memorabilia Mary Lou is putting together,

and all the lunches we had together as a result of it.

The first, second and third glossy magazine publishings
My sister's book being published and coming in 2nd place
Winning first place in one category of a writing contest

The long awaited return of my sainted brother
The love of family and friends

One of the most beautiful flower arrangements for Valentines day of 09 (above)

The Jesus blanket sent to me from the church

The finishing of my second screenplay
One of the most speacial Christmas seasons in a long time with many friends,

and some different but very cool family

Theese aren't in the order of their occurence and there are more things. Just because they aren't in the forefront of my mind doesn't mean they aren't important. Things jump out all the time and make me smile. You are one of them, trust me.

I am glad to still be here.
I hope this year is even better than last, but it has been real, hasn't it?
I'll still be posting on The Radical Write. Have a wonderful life.

It's Coming to a Town Near You

2009-03-01T06:44:00.000-08:00

Who's In?

http://www.scriptfrenzy.org/

Johnny Pot with Moog

2009-02-28T02:40:00.000-08:00

You'd have to know my dad to appreciate this weird little tune. Yes there's a story involved, it does involve pot and it was a very long time ago.

But I didn't forget it.

See You

2009-02-27T18:59:00.000-08:00

Nowhere

2009-02-26T07:24:00.000-08:00

There are songs that would make great soundtracks to various parts of ones life. Bruce Springsteen's Radio Nowhere could have been the lead song for the Will Smith movie, I Am Legend.

But there are other times, like, when the black canopy sprinkled with heavenly glitter is the only thing awake while you're sliding down highway 40 going due west.
Your radio probably lost that last station 100 miles out of Albuquerque and for all you know, there is no one else alive...
Check it out...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmLt6kcZ72Q

Can You Inspire?

2009-02-25T07:08:00.000-08:00

Can you express a way to make this world a better place? Have you survived something that others might need help getting through?
If you think you have a story, want to help, want to inspire and love to write, draw or create check out this site and see how you can contribute.
http://www.helpinspireothers.com/

Mortimer Adler

2009-02-24T05:05:00.000-08:00

"In the case of good books,

the point is not how many of them you can get through,

but rather how many can get through to you."

Mortimer Adler

2009-02-23T05:14:00.000-08:00

"A house without books is like
a room without windows."
Horace Mann

Dreams

2009-02-22T07:45:00.000-08:00

To the degree we're not living our dreams;
our comfort zone has more control of us

than we have of ourselves.

Peter McWilliams

2009-02-21T04:53:00.000-08:00

"A library is thought in cold storage."

Herbert Samuel

YA Fiction Author Rises From Down Under

2009-02-20T08:33:00.000-08:00

Gregory Victor Babic

has just broken into young adult fiction with The Profile.

Tenth grader, Danni MacCormack just received a Medallion for Journalism award, and is about to take on the most enterprising endeavor of her young life. Her single mother Ellen, and grandmother Mabel, are bursting with pride.

The story begins in Middlewood, Australia a sort of ghost town waiting for a divine intervention. A town whose heart otherwise seems to be beating its last. The town is a twitter when the surprise guest speaker of the Annual Speech Night, Mr. Dean Lawrence Polking, arrives. He's a homegrown boy turned magnate that has returned to invest in Middlewood High School, and his old stomping grounds, with the grandest architectural retail structure the world has ever seen.

Curious, Danni decides to interview him, but there's a catch: Dean Lawrence Polking has never granted a personal interview ever. The story really gets going when Danni and her friend Kitra make a bet that neither wants Danni to lose.

After studying all the information gleaned from several sources spanning decades, Danni discovers a possible inroad. A personal interview will be granted to the individual who discovers the meaning behind the initials of Mr. Polking's company, HRL. What takes place after that is a fascinating toller coaster ride that rendered the book unputdownable. The charming and quirky characters were so believable, that as I read, I watched the whole thing unfold as if watching a movie.

The book is a bit rocky at the beginning, but by the time Danni makes her bet, it becomes a fast-paced read. Find out how this tenacious girl keeps moving forward in the face of daunting circumstances, and what she discovers along the way.

I enjoyed this book immensely! As most of you know I am not a big reader of fiction, but this read almost like a movie. Bravo, Mr. Babic, I look forward to you next work!

How Much?

2009-02-18T04:31:00.000-08:00

My daughter wants a puppy for graduation.

This isn't a big surprise, she loved critters.

We just got over cats and I need a break.

Although she's talking small dog.

I wish I could say yes, but she's going to get a job,

be driving, going to school... so here's my answer,

HERE! This one never makes a mess, shivers, eats

or whines. What more could I want?

This one is free!

A Day in Outer Cyburbia

2009-02-17T09:34:00.000-08:00

We were gliding along on techno perfection while the antivirus days went into a single digit countdown. With three days remaining, we paid and began the download that would cover three computers for another year.

But six hours later, (ain't dial up grand?) there were still tweaks and restarts and two hours of it...only to discover that the download failed.
In the meantime, another company contacted, another payment and another download. There were insurmountable software conflicts rendering the new download unsuccessful. Stress escalated while we burned up cell minutes and time trying to locate the process by which one recoups financial refunds.

Many unsavory words later, the XM radio sputters like frying electric bacon and falls silent.
Not a good week. (My always Indian Tech Support people are not sure what to do with a dead radio, and have to call me back...)

The AV countdown zeros out and our computers are as unprotected as naked babies at a hungry wolves convention after a 40 day fast. We go to a physical location and purchase AV software with a real disc and paper instructions. It works on the old XP desktop and we think, what the heck. It'll be easy. It's self maintaining. No worries.

The downloads, at a local coffee shop goes off with out a hitch. Three little laptops in 40 minutes, bing bing bing! All three current and completely up to date. There are glad tidings galore.
Until a tool bar turns up missing. The protection continues, but it keeps squirreling away the toolbar download into quarantine, treating it like a virus.

At home, glad tidings disintegrate, when we realize the software is self-preserving, or more aptly, self absorbed. It will get online, but not allow ANY pages to load. This is unacceptable. We are mostly home PC users with (ho hum) dial up.

I call tech support after five hours of agonizing and they instruct me to do two things: change the Vista firewall, (I do, no change) or take out the software.

Then we discover there is a no return policy on opened software.
Instead of slamming the phone down, I try talking in a calm voice not my own, what's plan "B"? After moments of uncomfortable silences, "Mr. C" writes notes to the desk and gives me a customer number, and his name to show the return desk. Stating, "I can't fix it, and they really should give your money back... I can't promise they will..."

The next morning, I decide to do the unusual. I am alone in the house and say, "The Lord's favor is upon me. And such and so Computer software Company is going to return my money. I say, Jesus, go before me and prepare the way. I thank you that they returned my money. Thank you Lord."

Sure, I put on make up wore nice clothes and even, I never do this normally, wore that fragrance no man can resist--(Or so they said on Sunday morning) Vanilla. My only objective is to restore peace to our house and our budget. Get the money.
the deck is stacked against me. They already have the money, and their longstanding policy is NO RETURNS on software unless defective. It wasn't. The soft ware works great in the wireless places. I walk in minutes after they open and I am first in line. I explain the story.
I am remembering one thing--God plus one is a majority.
"We don't take returns on software," he says.
"I know," I say. "Here's the name of the tech, and the number of the problem we were having. "

This customer service guy is not a people person. He is dark haired young pleasant and skittish as a cat dancing in a frying pan. He keeps looking at me without so much as moving one facial muscle.

"Well, let me go talk to..." He gets side tracked.
"Do you need the card to credit the account?"
"Yeah," he says and he does the transaction anyway, even though they NEVER... "the reason we don't is because you have to give an email address to get the code."
"Yeah, I know."
He credited the account. It was almost as if God Almighty had control of him, despite his complaints, he proceeded. I'm thinking there is something to this talking out loud, like, Thank you Lord for selling my screenplay for 70G's! Thank you Lord for funding Sam's college education! Thank you Lord that XM called me back today and offered a free replacement radio! Thank you that all my friends are wildly successful financially, personally, spiritually and in their work!

From now on, you may see me talking to myself out loud a lot more.

I left there and went straight home.
And you want to know what was totally crazy?
Every light for 24 miles was green.

Revelation Song

2009-02-16T01:50:00.000-08:00

This is one of those songs that I just can't get enough of, and I listen to it at least once or five times a month... I put it here so I can easily access it myself, and now you can too. Wink wink.

If I crank it up with my headphones, it almost feels like a song that could be sung in heaven... I hope it blesses you.

Memorable

2009-02-15T03:24:00.000-08:00

We have a coffee house we frequent, my husband and I. We drink bottomless cups of coffee and the wireless is almost always working. The last few tims we've been there, we've run into the same patron. What's unusual is that I barely remember seeing strangers in public places unless they've done something memorable, like, be rude, say something rude, you know. Polite people, unfortunately, are easily forgotten, unless they are servers in restaurants. Any way.

She sat next to me in another chair for hours, I presumed, listening intently on a blue tooth device to the tirades of someone on the other end who needed to bend an ear.
The woman looked distraught at times, smiled at other times, and even spoke to her client in gentle comforting tones. On one occasion, she sounded like she was scolding the person on the other end.
What makes this particular woman unforgettable, isn't her calm Mona Lisa smile, or even her long curly raven hair. It isn't even that she doesn't shave her legs, she doesn't, and even though that is something slightly memorable. Even strangely admirable because it's so anti-conformist.

I listened to Revelation Song, Mazzy Star's Fade Into You for the third dozenth time. I found several other songs to listen to so I wasn't eaves dropping on private counseling sessions. Truth be told, I did listen. I put the headphones on never enabling them, and listened as best I could anyway, without looking at her, so she never knew I could barely make out her whispering voice, softer than a mother to her new born.

My husband looked at me kind of strange when he would be on the other side of her. But I thought he was just being funny.
After I saw her the last time, I thought her a kind soul to listen to the breaking hearts of others on her own time. I wondered why the people on the other end never complained about the loud coffee house grinding of beans the squealing of steamed milk, or even the blender whining to crush ice.
She steepled her fingers and listened as if searching the grainy wood floor for answers, at at times, she even appeared to be praying. At other times, her brows furrowed and she seemed to be bleeding for the person she listened to, she looked as close to someone on the verge of tears as anyone I'd ever seen. She often shook her head or raised her eyebrows knowingly.

I thought her to be infinitely patient. I wondered where she worked the rest of the time and how she billed for such odd office calls.
One night, I noticed she had three different drinks all at different levels of abandon. Clearly she'd been at this for hours. I wondered who the troubled soul was on the other end of that phone.

Then I discovered, there was no phone. She didn't have a blue tooth on either ear. No phone in her folded hands.

But I asked her name the next time I saw her and introduced myself. I wonder what it is about people in their own little world that gets to me. They don't all freely engage with the exterior one as Lindey does when I ask to plug in next to her chair, or if I can take the seat next to her.
She is always pleasant and sincere.
And memorable.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T02:06:00.000-08:00

" Love, love, love..."

think Beatles, think hopeful things/

Believe that all you need is love

Consider the source of that love

and tap into it.

I hope you are having a wonderful Valentine's Day

and that no matter what your life circumstances are

there is someone who loves you even more than me.

Gotta love God.

Cartoons

2009-02-13T04:07:00.000-08:00

I sometimes stumble accross hilarious sites while looking for photos.

Here's one that had me laughing most of the morning...
Toothpaste for Dinner

Slaying the Query Demon

2009-02-12T05:21:00.000-08:00

I've always heard it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Usually, I don't ascribe to such things--heck, yes I do. I just can't be a blind rule follower. I read the information regarding publishers, their requirements double spaced, typed, snail-mailed Time New Roman (boring) with clips and a query. It's a little daunting at times.

I want to move into a new vein of writing, and the one thing that prevents me is having the right clips. Lo and behold, I discovered a publication that would at least commit to reviewing the work. They'll even make suggestions. Even though it's already completed in my own perspective, they want to see it. Can you believe it? Opening door?

I actually have one such article completed. It's ready to travel. But there's the matter of the letter of introduction. I know I'm not the only one who wrestles words onto paper, in fact, another writer friend recently agonized over similar trouble.

Having read truly atrocious magazine queries I think I'mon relatively safe ground. There's even a website that offers query letter helps. Between the two of those, I'm stamping envelopes this week. Then I start thinking, "Why do I feel so light headed? Why is my heart racing?"

I realize that every time I think about this I start holding my breath. So if that's you too just breathe... let it go. I'm leaning on this one verse, not a request, but a command:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you."

Matthew 7:7

How can I travel all this way, stand in front of the door and then wait, doing nothing? Because I'm afraid? Of what? It seems silly when I write it out. And I have to say, the next part of the verse should be incentive enough to follow through...

"For everyone who asks receives;

he who seeks finds;

and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

Matthew 7:8

Judge Roy Moore

2009-02-11T02:47:00.000-08:00

"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."

Revelation 22:7

~~~~~~~

America the beautiful,

or so you used to be.

Land of the Pilgrims' pride;

I'm glad they'll never see.

Babies piled in dumpsters,

Abortion on demand,

Oh, sweet land of liberty;

your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly

poisoned by cocaine

choosing to indulge their lusts,

when God has said abstain.

From sea to shining sea,

our Nation turns away
From the teaching of God's love

and a need to always pray.

We've kept God in our temples,

how callous we have grown.

When earth is but His footstool,

and Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a government

that's rotting at the core,
Appointing Godless Judges;
who throw reason out the door,

Too soft to place a killer

in a well deserved tomb,
But brave enough to kill a baby

before he leaves the womb.

You think that God's not angry,

that our land's a moral slum?

How much longer will He wait

before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God,

from Whom we cannot hide?

What then is left for us to do,

but stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children,

will humbly turn and pray;

Seek His holy face

and mend our evil way:

God will hear from Heaven;

and forgive us of our sins,

He'll heal our sickly land

and those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful,

If you don't - then you will see,

A sad but Holy God

withdraw His hand from Thee.

~~Judge Roy Moore~~

Gregory Victor Babic

2009-02-10T05:32:00.000-08:00

A Grand resource

It has been a joy to discover Australian author, Gregory Babic’s book, Words to Inspire Writers. As a huge collector of quotes and verses, a 300 author 1,100 quote tome was one just I couldn’t pass up. I've been reading through the gi-normous book of quotes amassed here. My heavens! What a vast body of work! It truly is impressive.

As a book of days with three quotes per day, Babic has designed the passages to carry writers through three stages of a daily writing process: the preparation and planning stage, the creation stage, and “…the Post-Writing or Celebration Stage of Publishing and Marketing.”

I like being surprised daily by the vast number of brilliant authors, spanning thousands of years, from whom Babic has gleaned priceless gems of wisdom. The index in the book’s finale is worth double its weight in gold, and truly simplifies finding favorite authors and quotes. It seems impossible to peruse such a fine volume and not come away inspired and enriched. I’m happy to reference Words to Inspire Writers and recommend it to friends and writers.

It takes two to speak the truth—one to speak, and another to hear.
Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

Electric For Bob

2009-02-09T19:52:00.000-08:00

This is for my friend who is going to get wireless service this week. I hope you love listening to this tune.

John Clark

2009-02-08T02:19:00.000-08:00

I just love this guy's style of work, and I like where he starts.

JOHN CLARK

Baptism by Fire

2009-02-07T03:47:00.000-08:00

This is my all time favorite living artist, Cornelis Monsma.

I think his work can heal you if you look at it because there is so much Holy Spirit in it. Whether or not that is true depends.

He's a prolific painter and I visit this site over and over

just to see what he's up to.

Would you like to see what else he's done?

Click here: Cornelis Monsma

The Light

2009-02-06T01:27:00.000-08:00

Forgiven by Stacey Lee Christian

I found some really beautiful work on this site so I wanted to pass it along to you. I remember once wondering what kind of work would I produce as a Christian, and dreaded the thought of being limited to one book to draw from. They clearly think outside the box.

What do you feel looking at this one?

Want to see more?

The Lord's Art

Ain't Grandma's Religious

2009-02-05T02:13:00.000-08:00

This extensive body of work showed at one of the Christian galleries in Philadelphia and now He has a web site. I love the bright colors. I'd proudly hang one of these in my funky house.

Check it out at this link: He Qi

2009-02-04T06:56:00.000-08:00

If you're into quirky art, you might want to check out this site by clicking on the link below. It is really
different looking and reminds me of
Shel Silverstein....

I'd be curious to know
what you think...

Story People

Because I Still Miss You

2009-02-03T07:14:00.000-08:00

I always knew this song would be about Dad.

Remembering

2009-02-03T06:41:00.000-08:00

I've been looking at various types of artwork lately. I don't know if it means I will get back into drawing, or painting myself. I seem to spend a lot of time cutting wood lately.

But this week, I'll be posting interesting abstractions. What images come to you? What thoughts? If you want, you can tell me what you feel when you look at them, starting with this one...

Memorial at Yad Vashem

Pavlova on Success

2009-02-02T06:31:00.000-08:00

To follow, without halt,

one aim:

There's the secret of success.
Anna Pavlova

2009-02-02T04:42:00.000-08:00

I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. I either start in November or February with a life style change, so that I don’t lose heart when my regimen doesn’t go according to plan. It's a lifestyle change, meaning I'm adding it to my life no matter how long it takes.

This stems from having failed at diet programs after being obsessed with the scale. Four years ago I began one that required food combining. Although I felt better, and lost a few pounds, I quickly slid off track when my weight plateau-ed. When restarting the program, the hyper-fake voice of the author set me on edge.

I’ve walked, because I heard it’s great for losing 20 pounds. That never happened. I felt more fit, and continue to work out, but I think the trick with walking is to stay out of the kitchen as long as possible…

I’ve biked, crunched, ellipted, Jane Fonda's with aerobic, I synchronized with Denise Austen, exercised, lifted weights and Pilate-ed with several different instructors and I’m not complaining about the strength and flexibility I’ve gained, but I didn’t lose weight. I had a very fit and toned heavy body. Not thinner not lighter.
I tried making peace with my size. Then a sale would come along and my husband would take me shopping for clothes. When the size I chose didn’t fit, all I could see in the mirror were all the lumps and curves. All I felt was a growing disgust with a body that seemingly refused to take the right shape and be less all the way around. I promised to starve myself thin again, and fail after a few days. I’d eat lo-cal, no fat, no sugar, no taste foods. All to no avail.
Meanwhile, my exercise buddy shed weight like a snowman in a heatwave.

The most weight I’ve lost in the last five years is about ten pounds, and that might be a stretch. It didn’t stay off and when it came back it brought a few friends.
When I heard someone lost 40 pounds with this book and kept it off, I thought, that’s what I need! A Christian Twelve Step weight loss program.

The book arrived Saturday. The first chapter is so easy, this blonde had no trouble reading through the first lesson. Even though I didn’t know what to expect, I already feel different. I’m only on the first chapter which breaks into daily lessons. I'll finish in twelve weeks. I’ll let you know at the end of each week, how much I’ve lost. Forty pounds in three months would be amazing, but I would be thrilled with 20—my pre-wedding weight. Especially, if I kept it off.

Lunatics in Charge

2009-02-01T06:22:00.000-08:00

It is my opinion that the result of desensitization,

is that horrible things no longer shock us.

In the moment that our consciences are cauterized,

we become blind to truth

and we lose compassion for our fellow man.

In spite of all our technology, the free fall decline of man is inevitable.
~~~
It is no measure of health
to be well adjusted
to a profoundly sick society.
Krishnamurti

Nietzsche on Love

2009-01-31T06:18:00.000-08:00

There is always some madness in love.
But there is also always some reason in madness.
Friedrich Nietzsche

Classic Billy

2009-01-30T01:10:00.000-08:00

When the Free Bird crashed I was in high school in a small town in North East Ohio. I never dreamed at that time that I would ever find myself having Thanksgiving dinner with the family at the table of the youngest brother, Johnny VanZant a little over a decade later.

It seemed surreal to visit the mausoleum in Orange Park, and sit on the bench that Charlie Daniels had inscribed with a poem as a tribute.

Johnny had just released Brickyard Road and was trying to decide if he would form the Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Band. I had taken a job with his first wife, Cindy as a window decorator at the area malls.

Johnny signed the deal of course, and his life was forever changed in ways none of us could ever have foreseen. But crash survivor Billy Powell signed on to play the music we loved so much, and we got to enjoy him a while longer. I chose the tune above so you can see a little more of the classic keyboard player

Save me a ticket on the other side, Billy, and our condolences to the family and the band.

And Counting

2009-01-29T05:45:00.000-08:00

The countdown clock is racing toward April 1. At present there are just 62 days until Fade In! I can’t wait. It’s not just going to be a Frenzy, it’s going to be an Über Frenzy!

Are you in?

scriptfrenzy.com

A New Venue

2009-01-28T01:38:00.000-08:00

The jury's still out about whether I will continue this blog past March, but I'm getting my feet wet in another venue.

Check it out here: The Music and Arts Journal

Power Prayer

2009-01-27T08:10:00.000-08:00

Every once in a while I feel like I get one over on Mother Nature. My friend Bob and I had a meeting marathon late yesterday with a laptop clinic and a Drama Brainstorm meeting, (all good) just hours ahead of a new wave of inclement weather some of which could be ice.

Our pantry is more than half full, we have chopped wood, news papers for fire starter if need be, candles, water and a mountain of books including my new Robert Frost poetry book that I've barely dipped into yet.

On the radio they're forecasting five to seven inches of snow over the next thirteen hours. What? I'm ready for winter to be over. I'm ready for a pick and choose climate-controlled external environment.

This morning I was surprised to find snow on the ground and a notice for a two-hour delay. Yay! A sleep in!

Three, five or seven inches of snow? How much is too much? If we get a packing snow (which is in the forecast) then we'll line the drive way with snowmen. Kim P will be making snow angels.

What will you do if we get a major snowfall?

I'll be praying the power lines hold.

What's In a Name?

2009-01-26T07:06:00.000-08:00

Honey, Sweetie, Sugar-Pie?

Or the quick-to-spring-from-your-mouth expletetive?

We've all been called something besides the name we were born with. Some of us have nicknames, or pet names or secret names!

This name game came in an email from my friend Sheri W.

Follow the directions in parentheses. It's actually really fun...

1. YOUR REAL NAME: Julie Maree Morrison

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME:

(first 3 letters of real name plus-izzle.): Jul-izzle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME:

(favorite color and favorite animal): Purple Monkey

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME:(your middle name and street youlive on/or neighborhood if it's a number) Maree North-Hill

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your lastname, first 2 letters of your first name) Morju

6. YOUR SUPERHERO/CRIMINAL NAME: (Your 2nd favorite color, and favorite alcoholic drink): Green Stolie

7. YOUR IRAQI NAME:(2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your lastname, 1st letter of your last name,2nd letter of your momsmaiden name, 3rd letter of your dads name, 1st letter of asiblings first name, and last letter of your moms firstname) Urmebay

8. YOUR WITNESS PROTECTION NAME:(parentsmiddle names:) Margaret Andrew

9. YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, and the name of one of yourpets):

Black Yuki

10. YOUR HOOD NAME (first 3 letters of your first name and add -iqua or -shea): Juliqua

Get the facts on National No Name Calling Week!

January 26th-30th

No Name Calling Week

You Look Fabulous!

2009-01-24T08:13:00.000-08:00

You are a really faithful blog reader

and I appreciate you!

Who doesn't want to hear a compliment?

I am on a quest to give everyone I meet today a compliment about their hair or their clothes, or how well they drive or do their job.

WHY?

It's National Compliment Day!

January 23rd

2009-01-23T01:38:00.000-08:00

Today is John Hancock's birthday so it only seems fitting that we should celebrate National Handwriting day!

If you're like me, you have a drawer full of long thin pointy things that you never touch because you work on a keyboard all day. But most likely, they're pens or pencils.

To celebrate the day, get out a piece of paper and a pen and write a letter longhand. Don't worry if you don't have access to all those fancy fonts. Don't panic that your handwritten letters don't look as machined as the ones your laser printer spews out. Mail it to a friend far away. Or, if you're short on time, send a postcard to someone you haven't talked to in a while. You'll make their day.Don't for get to sign it with your John Hancock!

Seems Questionable

2009-01-22T07:29:00.000-08:00

It's answer your cat's questions day!

Seriously, I know you think I make this stuff up, but why bother when truth is stranger than fiction?

I'm not up on everyone's cat's names anymore, so if you have one post it in a comment, I'd love to know!

Holiday

2009-01-21T02:43:00.000-08:00

It's national hugging day!

In Cognito

2009-01-20T10:03:00.000-08:00

While watching television the other day, I almost missed Campbell’s soup touting the fact that their select soups are MSG free. Meaning no Monosodium glutamate. I thought there had been a ban on MSG back in the 80’s, didn't you?

Although I have yet to confirm that, it was on the table as being problematic, I decided to so some research about MSG.

It’s back, and it’s turning up in all the wrong places, mainly our food and according to some people, even in vaccinations. A site that is warning about the ills associated with MSG www.rense.com/general52/msg.htm lists alternative names and other additives with which MSG is added and therefore dodges the legal requirement to be listed.

There are also 115 cited studies that link MSG to obesity, as one astute writer put it, “MSG is the Nicotine for food.” and causes addictive over-eating. A second major concern, aside from all the medical difficulties associated with obesity,(diabetes, heart trouble, neuropathy, vein blockage and stressed adrenal glands) is blindness.

Lately two friends of mine suffered ocular troubles with no apparent cause for onset.
Armed with new information, I sauntered to my pantry hoping against hope that I didn't have any MSG laden foods lurking there. Much to my dismay, I was proven wrong.
Out of 14 cans of soup, one of them Campbell’s Mushroom, all fourteen listed Monosodium glutamate. I put them all in a grocery bag and intend to return them to the store where I bought them.

Additionally, every other brand of soup I had contains Msg.

These ALWAYS contain MSG:
Glutamate Glutamic acid, Gelatin Monosodium glutamate, Calcium caseinate, Textured protein, Monopotassium glutamate, Sodium caseinate, Yeast nutrient, Yeast extract, Yeast food, Autolyzed yeast, Hydrolyzed protein (any protein that is hydrolyzed), Hydrolyzed corn gluten, Natrium glutamate (natrium is Latin/German for sodium)

And as you can imagine, there are many more names under which such a chemical is hidden.
These OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing. I'll give you the short list of the ones I see in my own food labels:
Carrageenan, Maltodextrin, Malt extract, Natural pork flavoring Citric acid, Bouillon and Broth, Natural chicken flavoring
Soy protein isolate, Whey protein isolate, Natural flavor(s) & flavoring(s), Enzymes anything Seasonings (the word "seasonings"). There are easily two dozen more, and much more information of which to plumb.

They advertise the things that are good for us and make you pay more for them. Ask yourself this one thing, if it’s good for you, why do they keep changing the name and trying to hide it? They haven’t hidden things that are good from us, have they?

For more information check out this site: http://www.truthinlabeling.org/hiddensources.html
I'd be interested in what you think.

A Solar System Break

2009-01-19T06:18:00.000-08:00

How's your monday going? A little too harried? Too much Inbox not enough Outbox? Grab a relaxing cup of tea, your headphones and maximize your screen. It's less than a ten minute break.It just might do you another world of good.

And you can always come back next monday.

A Little Peace and Quiet

2009-01-18T02:05:00.000-08:00

I know how much you appreciate a moment of peace, so here are two.

Which is First?

2009-01-17T03:51:00.000-08:00

Art imitates life.

Life imitates television imitates life.
Julie Morrison

Books

2009-01-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

"My books are friends that never fail me."

Thomas Carlyle

Perfect Day

2009-01-15T12:26:00.000-08:00

"My two favorite things in life are

libraries and bicycles.

They both move people forward

without wasting anything.

The perfect day:

riding a bike to the library."

Peter Golkin, museum spokesman

Completely Different

2009-01-14T01:59:00.000-08:00

Now for something completely different... A nod to my favorite drummer, Prince Richard and to Sean Barber who told us about the Blue Men Group.

Ray Bradbury

2009-01-13T12:24:00.000-08:00

"My stories run up and bite me on the leg-

I respond by writing down everything

that goes on during the bite.

When I finish, the idea lets go and runs off."

Ray Bradbury

Thinking

2009-01-12T12:32:00.000-08:00

"Reading is thinking

with someone else's head

instead of one's own"

Shopenhauer

Bryce Courtenay

2009-01-12T12:20:00.000-08:00

"Each of us has been designed for one of two immortal functions,

as either a storyteller or as a cross-legged listener to tales of wonder,

love, and daring. When we cease to tell or listen,

then we no longer exist as a people."

Bryce Courtenay

And Counting

2009-01-11T13:43:00.000-08:00

I had the same hit counter for a few years when all of a sudden, it quit ticking. Has you counter ever done this?
So, the search began.
I wanted one with fun designs that I could stick in my starting count. One company had beautiful designs but they only started me at zero. No deal!
Not after working so hard to get my numbers up.

I finally settled on a great little company called amazingcounters.com
Check them out and get yourself a little something!

What Is Your Heart Singing?

2009-01-10T01:35:00.000-08:00

Early Warning

2009-01-09T05:57:00.000-08:00

We've been having a lot of fun haven't we? I write most everyday, and you come over and read. It works for me. It felt synergistic, didn't it? I am more disciplined than ever about writing every day.

What you don't yet know, is that 40 days from today, I will have completed my one lap around the sun. I thought it only fair to give you a heads up.

Maybe I'll keep going like this, another lap around the sun.

Maybe I will start another blog... the "Margins Blog". It's for people who leave room in their lives for things to happen. They aren't so duty bound to their schedule, they aren't legalistic about daily attendance... I'm thinking about it and a few other opportunitues. I've been asked to post on the Music and Arts forum and I'd be honered to do that. If all the daily blogging were channelled into filler articles for one year, I might develop an income base. I think it's a worthy goal.

I'm weighing the options. You've been a really faithful reader, so whatever I decide, I promise to let you know. I won't leave you hanging if there is anyway around it, okay?

Of course, if you have an opinion, I'd love to hear it.

Bounce

2009-01-08T01:15:00.000-08:00

It's hard to say why I'm driven at all. I heard someone say, Hope springs eternal. I guess in a nutshell, that's me.

I can have the worst day and some how, the feeling comes over me that maybe tomorrow will be a better day. It isn't always. But I keep on believing that it could be.

Sometimes when it was just the two of us, things were really hard on my daughter and me. I'd wonder to myself, what is it all for? Is there a point to any of this?
Sometimes, she would get down. I'd tell her, believing it with all my heart,"It won't always be like this. It's going to get better."

Maybe because I want to believe when we're hitting rock bottom, it has to get better. There's no where else to go from there but up. Have you ever seen a hard rubber ball hit the floor? It can only bounce as high as the force with which it hit.
Here's to falling harder. And while you think about that, listen to Martina sing Anyway.

2009-01-07T01:44:00.000-08:00

I'm a week into January feeling the most reflective I ever have. All the thought provoking songs coming to mind in a stream... The ones that pull at the heart, the ones that make you wonder how long winter will last, when summer will return.

I picture Anne Sexton and Sylvia Plath in dark print dresses, having tea on cold iron patio furniture, in a misting rain, under a cement colored November sky. Until their hair hangs in dripping strands and their faces shine wet. Talking about end times.

But only theirs.

In Your Head

2009-01-06T00:48:00.000-08:00

The first time I saw this video on MTV years ago I was disturbed by the imagery and practically ran out to get the CD. The song itself triggers less than pleasant memories of home. I think I somehow hope to be absolved of them the longer I listen to the music. So far it's been like trying to view a train wreck through a mirror.

Years later I see that I identified with something of the violence in Ireland. Being half Irish myself. This has become one of my daughter's favorite tunes although I can't imagine why. We did our best to prevent her being in an environment like this, and succeeded so far.

Does this clip move you in any way?

Angeline Arms

2009-01-05T00:33:00.000-08:00

You wonder sometimes how you survive some things in life. When you look back at the wreckage of your soul, if it was someone else you think, "I'd feel something more about this."

But it's not someone else's life. It's mine. And I think of how my shock meter is so bent, that the things that should shock me don't. That I talk about a relative's attempted suicide like milk is two bucks a gallon surprises some.

People don't always know how you got to be where you are today. If you're blond or beautiful, if you're smiling and relatively happy, if you are successful or seemingly so, people may even think life's been easy.

and nothing could be farther from the truth.

Thank God for guardian angels.

Telescope Eyes

2009-01-04T00:01:00.000-08:00

Does anyone ever really get used to being edited? Or do we just thicken our hides put our crash helmets on and plunge ahead... head first, at the speed of light?

Why do we do this?

Is it the nature of the writer to write? To be heard? To be understood?

At one time or another, I have wanted all of those things. It is always touching to me to not only be understood, but to touch the heart of the one who reads, to haunt the minds of others with the stories that haunt me. To leave my questions in the hearts of someone in whom they just might sprout and grow. To hear the words, "You moved me, that was brilliant. Great story."

I hear this song Telescope Eyes by Eisly when I'm being edited. I try to remember that the editor's job is to clarify what I have left muddy, to peer into the dark corners that I have painted over.

Even when it hurts. Especially if it hurts.

Kudos to Elizabeth Oliver of Rambler for shining the light where I didn't want to look, so that in the process I can become a better writer. I believe every great editor is a great writer.

before your eyes

2009-01-03T01:14:00.000-08:00

If you're standing in the woods
and a year passes,
will you hear it?

Frozen Thoughts

2009-01-02T04:45:00.000-08:00

Pretty sure this sums up how I feel
about starting a new year in the dead of winter or celebrating

my first birthday without my dad around.

I'm really glad for my new family and friends.

But sometimes, I still miss my cat...

Seeds and Butterflies

2009-01-01T02:55:00.000-08:00

Julia makes me crazy with ideas.
I have been working on those insane pages. I've missed a few days even. I may do as my friend Kim, who says some weeks were 8, 9 0r 11 days.

I like the sound of an 11 day week.

What insights do I glean? That everything can be brought to life with words. The muslim woman getting a sleep study done might be of interest to you. We were in the sleep study clinic today getting a new mask for my beloved.
Or maybe you'd like to hear what we found out about those new notebooks at Microcenter? Or how much faster my laptop runs now that I got a 4 gig ready boost? (Really fast!)

And like Jack, ideas trip off the brain and sound so promising...

But wasn't that my just a few days ago printing off all those pages? Hundreds of pages of incubating essay ideas that are like money in the bank if I'd just eat my peas and carrots and drink my milk and give birth to them.
And stop running errands long enough to have a linear thought. I love vacations, the idea that when it ends, I will have saved up ideas like seed packets, sprinkle them out into the soil of my mind and after a few hours of watering, they will turn into magic beanstalks.

Julia's book is like magic butterflies in a way. All we have to do is catch them... and while you think about that,
listen to one of my favorite tunes by Mazzy Star.

True

2008-12-31T10:01:00.000-08:00

Cornelis Monsma

Healed

May all your wishes for the New Year

come true.

Any Sky Watchers Out There?

2008-12-30T05:06:00.000-08:00

2008-12-29T09:31:00.000-08:00

Now that the holidays are calming down a little, and you've had a chance to think about it, did you get what you wanted out of Christmas? Or Chanukkah?

I got to see the smiles of everyone I got a gift for. I sent out almost all the cards I hoped. It seems there's always a few people that I think of after the fact.

I even sent an email card this year. It was really cool. If you haven't seen it, you should go there now...

http://ecard.ashland.edu/2004admission/index.html

Curious?

2008-12-28T09:25:00.000-08:00

"People without curiosity are like houses without books:

there's something unsettling about them."
Nikki Gemmell in "Cleave"

I've been designing furniture with books in mind. We have so many, there isn't one room in our house without them. I thought outside the bookshelf and designed a couch with arms to accomodate book storage, seats that flip up to store books in, and across the back of the couch, a book shelf or three.

It isn't the kind of furniture you move out of the way with your hip.

It took me 25 years, but I'm finally down to one vice.

Books.

Thoreau

2008-12-27T05:46:00.000-08:00

If thou art a writer, write as if the time were short,

for it is indeed short, at the longest.

~Henry David Thoreau

Have You Set New Goals?

2008-12-26T08:58:00.000-08:00

If you're like me, you managed to reach a few goals this year. In reflection, it's been a blessed year despite the negatives that occurred. It only magnified to me how much God shows up in my life everyday.

I write goals, not resolutions. The difference is that goals are like the rails on which the new year will track. Even if my 'car' doesn't move that day, the goal is there the next day. My yearly goals fit in with longer range goals, which if you haven't written them down, it's a good time to do so.
I have goals for spiritual, mental and physical as well as work and play.

Maybe I'll make it to an artist retreat one of these days. Maybe I'll get to be on the set of a movie I wrote one day, and revisit New Mexico...

I accomplished a few bonus things this year: an honorable mention for Alyce Times One, succeeding at NaNoWriMo, and my own writer's group with very inspiring people that I really respect.

I think I did alright, considering how my year began.
Here's what I have so far...

1. Take bigger risks.
2. Dare to get an agent.
3. Write something new everyday
4. Read half the books you already bought (before buying new books)
5. Tweak or finish one essay a week from the "Needs Work" file
6. Use work out strategy everyday.

I have a few more of course, I have to keep a few things a mystery. But how about you? Do you know what you expect to accomplish next year?
What are your goals?

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T05:37:00.000-08:00

Best Gift

2008-12-24T05:33:00.000-08:00

If I never got another gift in my life,

I have been blessed more than a great many people.

I am grateful to those who shared the most precious gift with me.

Jesus.

No matter what happens on this earth,

what ill befalls me, it gets better after this.

Christmas in Focus

2008-12-23T04:45:00.000-08:00

You knew it was coming, didn't you? My anti-Santa blast for the year? Sam and I kicked him out years ago and life has been good ever since. Sam may well have never understood his part in the holidays because we didn't promote him as the focus.

And he still isn't.

If I want to focus on a Sainted Bearer of Packages, my local post office, UPS and FEDEX get my vote. This showing up once a year with all the goods doesn't really get your name in my book.

When I consider story telling and the power of myth attached to even a small grain of truth, it proves true that we remember good tales evenif they're false.

Truth is, a story of a benevolent guy filling stockings would go largely unnoticed in today's society. What happens in Germany, didn't stay there. Why?

If I could have anything I wanted in this life, I'd ask for St. Nick's PR man.

Let It Snow

2008-12-22T07:25:00.000-08:00

Keep warm!

What is Your Best Gift?

2008-12-21T03:28:00.000-08:00

Some of us have been giving gifts a long time. Some years we manage to get the one thing our loved ones really wanted.

Many years ago my new husband and I sent a gift to an extended family member whom I had never met. When it arrived, she called to tell us how insensitive and impersonal the gift had been. I was horrified by the ingratitude. Clearly not subscribers of the philosophy, it's the thought that counts.

I think about one of the pastors at my church. He buys his wife gifts every year and then after ward, they review the gifts. He has a knack for getting the wrong thing. He admitted that he chokes almost every year. I keep hoping he'll tell us a story about giving her the perfect gift.

A couple of married acquaintances in Florida drove each other crazy by taking back every gift the other bought them.

I like to give. I came from a large family that believed in making gifts and investing your self in them with one's time and talent.

"Those are the gifts people remember," my dad said. I didn't have a lot of money, but I tried to give one gift that might last--I made Christmas cards for my friends. (I heard later that many people saved them.)

I like to give so much that I forget that others like to give to me. When people give me gifts, I am always always surprised because I never expect them.To the exasperation of my famly, my lists are usually short. Maybe it comes from years of being a single mom and being grateful for every little thing, a phone call from some one remembering you, a card in the mail, a hug.

I'm blessed and grateful no matter what I get. I cherish the time I get to have with people. I believe it's the thought that counts. At the top of my list of blessings I count my family and friends. The ones who believe in me. I believe spending time with one another still matters.

Ten Holiday Questions

2008-12-20T03:06:00.000-08:00

1. During the holiday season, how do you spend your time?
We wrap a lot of gifts and have friends over.

2. Do you make holiday crafts with your family?
Sometimes we make ornaments.

2. Is there a signature item you always bake,make or prepare?
I used to make toffee until I gave up sugar. Now I bake banana nut bread.

4. Do you call distant family and friends?
Call a sister and brothers and one friend.

5. Do you go to lots of parties?
Not usually. Traveling is pretty dicey.

6.Do you like to cook? If so what?
Love to. Dinner with all the trimmings is my specialty.

7. Do you address and mail out Christmas or Hanukkah cards?
Mostly Christmas cards.

8. What is your most memorable Holiday?
I have several, but aside from recent ones with my new husband, spending a little Christmas with both of my daughters together was one I'll cherish.

9. What made it special?
I had just made contact the month before with my eldest daughter after giving her to adoptive parents 23 years before.

10.Did you get a special gift?
Yes, Her prescence.

What Are Your Favorite Tunes?

2008-12-19T04:51:00.000-08:00

I am partial to Kenny G's version of the Chanukah song. I really don't think there's enough songs out there Celebrating Hanukkah on mainstream radio. (Unless you count Adam Sandler's version.)

My daughter tells me every year that she just HAS to hear "Chestnuts", the original version by Nat King Cole, or it isn't a good year. She never seems to tire of it, or Paul Mc Cartney's A Wonderful Christmas Time... this one's for Sam...

If one song really makes it for me, is just about any rendition of I'll be Home for Christmas, even though I haven't been able to for over twenty years. But I am a huge Michael Buble fan... enjoy.

It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without...

2008-12-18T04:24:00.000-08:00

For me, it wouldn't be Christmas with out The Holy Entourage...Twinkle lights and...

...Seeing The Snowman at least once...

and I can be anywhere to celebrate, including the tropics,
a caribbean yacht, the beach,
as long as they don't forget the music !

What can't you live with out at Christmas?

How Do You Keep Warm?

2008-12-17T04:14:00.000-08:00

Where Do You Cast Your Benevolence?

2008-12-16T03:07:00.000-08:00

Toward the starving children?

The homeless?

Do you know a single mother?

Do you remember our soldiers?

Our elderly?

What Kind of Lights?

2008-12-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

When it comes to decorating, how do you illuminate?

Shout Out to NM

2008-12-14T05:56:00.000-08:00

Wishing a Merry Christmas to my Westy girls...

Where Do You Like to Be?

2008-12-13T05:44:00.000-08:00

In the woods...in the city...

On the coast...

In the desert?

What Makes Holidays Great?

2008-12-12T02:34:00.000-08:00

Is it snow...?

Old World?

2008-12-11T05:32:00.000-08:00

What makes it Christmas for you?

Religious?

2008-12-10T05:24:00.000-08:00

What do you celebrate?

Modern?

2008-12-09T05:18:00.000-08:00

How do you decorate for the holidays?

A Few Trees

2008-12-08T03:54:00.000-08:00

Although I had my doubts about how the holidays would go this year, this Season is turning out to be strangely comforting in many ways. It helped that it snowed. Tiny little crystals all day long.

I like powder snow. It's easy and fast to shovel. I liked thinking that quite possibly my writer friend Kim and her son laying in their yard making snow angels. I like thinking if the sun came out for any length of time, it would all disappear like cotton candy on the tongue.

I'm not so fond of the red
and green since my mall decorating days.
I prefer the blue/purple and gold/silver of Hanukkah.

But I love the lights. I think my favorite time of day in winter is after sundown before Christmas. It almost looks like a skyful of stars has landed on earth.

Good Will Toward Women

2008-12-07T05:05:00.000-08:00

It's the holiday season, Christmas is on it's way. I expect shoppers to be rude, I expect to get cut off in traffic, I expect someone to say Happy Holidays everywhere I go, even when I insist that it's Christmas.

I even expect snow to fall.

What I do not expect is people to be pleasant, for complete strangers to give gifts to strangers in a public place or to find a clerk that is willing or able to help me find items on my list.

But that's what I saw.

In Bath and Body Works, a Black woman gave a White woman a coupon good for a home fragrance oil, a seven dollar value. It blessed like a gift from heaven.

Smaller stores weren't as crowded and a clerks came out from behind her glass counter barricade to help me find at item we'd hunted for in two other stores. And then tossed in a few free samples as stocking stuffers.

Surprise!

I was blessed! I guess I just wanted to tell you, it's not all bad out there.

Spread random joy. It's contagious!

winter night

2008-12-06T05:39:00.000-08:00

Great shot Jerry. I think about a night some 2ooo years ago with one amazing star in the sky. I've been watching the alignment of two stars in the southern night sky. Wondering of there would ever be another night light so strong to let us know that He is coming....

Go Fish@ Christmas

2008-12-05T04:31:00.000-08:00

There are things that I'm willing to let slide, what you think of immigration, who you want to vote for and whether or not a person's sexual orientation is ordained at birth.

Then December hits and one thing only matters to me. The coming of Christ, His birthday. What he sacrificed so that we could gain.

You want to believe in your God, I want to believe in mine.

You can wish me well in your language and I will wish you well in mine.

I don't have a problem if you want to celebrate your holidays, why do you have a problem with mine?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!!

Roots

2008-12-04T17:26:00.000-08:00

French Christmas

2008-12-03T05:20:00.000-08:00

Whether you are near or far,

I hope you are keeping warm with love ones,

remembering good times,

and counting your blessings.

Sparkle

2008-12-02T17:25:00.000-08:00

Reverent Awe

2008-12-01T17:18:00.000-08:00

Shout Out to SCC

2008-11-30T05:14:00.000-08:00

This is a shout out to my cousin who lives in Santa Clarita

who I think of often and think of fondly.

I think about when the fires go out and the smoke clears,

how great it must be to winter there.

Illuminating the Winter

2008-11-29T05:10:00.000-08:00

I think the best part of Christmas is the lights.

Because it reminds me about the verse in the book that talks about not keeping our light under a bushel basket.

With all that good news being shared,

the world is being illuminated

And with out those little shining lights...

it just isn't Christmas.

Black Friday

2008-11-28T17:05:00.000-08:00

In those solitary moments of Black Friday, far from the madding crowd, you will find me where there are few others, sans sales receipts, sans shopping bags and with out "deal of the day" stories.

Peacefully reflecting on all I still have to give thanks for.

Giving Thanks

2008-11-27T05:33:00.000-08:00

I sit in my living room this morning as the fragrance of baking turkey permeates the entire house.

I feel among the blessed for several reasons: I have two extremely dear friends attending, as well as my ever enigmatic and interesting brother and his entertaining son.

My husband is home and in good health and my daughter has decided to spend the holiday with the lot of us after a three year hiatus. I anticipate lively conversation a lot of laughing and a few surprises. (All good)

We are having a relatively traditional dinner, if a low fat version, that will no doubt be squandered by the time we have pecan pie. Hope your is grand and that you are surprised when you count your blessings how many there are. Happy Thanks giving.

Just in Time for the Holidays

2008-11-25T17:36:00.000-08:00

I was able to do an astronomical amount of writing

while my husband was hospitalized and tests were run.

Today he was discharged with a new medication

and I was finally able to finish my novel.

My first ever.

Happy happy Thanksgiving!!!

Preparing the Heart

2008-11-25T06:40:00.000-08:00

My husband is hospitalized since yesterday with lightheadedness and a racing heart and some chest pressure.

Today I watch the snow fall out side the window, so fine it looks like crystallized salt. Amazingly he is in good spirits.

I'm hopeful that he will be released today and we can celebrate Thanksgiving (and many more years) with more gusto than usual.

Are you with me?

Kind Words

2008-11-24T05:49:00.000-08:00

I'm sure it isn't because the snow is falling that I am already feeling something of the Christmas Spirit hitting me.
I was in the grocery check out line of the Peach Lady this week. I asked her how people were treating her. She said she wasn't getting enough hours at work. She wondered aloud if she ought to be trying to find another job?
"I don't know, I said. "The big three are in big trouble, and if they start letting people go, that's even more people looking for a job. Seems like you got a good thing going here, ya know? People have to eat."
"You think I should stay?"
"We'll just pray to the Good Lord for more hours."
"Wow, you've really helped me," she said. I thought she might be kidding. But she was practically gushing. "I think I just need to adjust my attitude and keep on. Thank you, I'm not even kidding."
"You're welcome. You have a good holiday if I don't get back here before then."
"You too! Have the best day in the world. Really. I mean it."

Wow.