Do you see snow like this...
Snow fell on the autumn landscape,
white-out
on Monet.
Concealing brilliant hues,
yellow, orange, red, and gold.
Leaving in its wake
a blank canvas,
stark,
sterile,
void of interest.
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Or like this...
Geese cut through
Thick, grey winter skies…
A cold wind blows.
Dancing in the downdraft
Glittering fairies on the wind
Cling to everything.
Cloaked in softness…
The desolate landscape
Becomes a wonderland.
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Be Happy!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Blog log...
6:30 – Got out of bed and stumbled into the living room where Marvin was already snuggled under a blanket on the couch, watching the news. Made my way to the kitchen, where I debated whether I needed to get warm (coffee) or wake up (diet coke) worse. Warmth won out.
7:00 – Packed a lunch for Marvin so that he wouldn’t have to worry about negotiating the icy streets at noon. Put in two extra pieces of banana bread…just because.
7:15 – Made sure the garage door shut as Marvin pulled out…it has a habit of popping back up if the temp is below freezing. Went back in to find that diet coke.
7:45 – Got in the shower…cascading, hot water is sooooo fabulous!
8:45 – Left to run errands before the weather hits. The wind is blowing, and the temp is cold, but the air is dry. Thick, heavy, grey clouds blanket the sky above me. I watch for deer…hoping that they have the good sense to stay curled up in a nice warm thicket somewhere. I pass a opossum pancake in the road…I blink back tears as my heart breaks for his opossum family in the loss of their loved one…I hate PMS.
9:05 – I picked up printer paper at Office Max…where I was offered a cup of hot coffee by a monotone 20 year old…whose mindless inquiries reminded me of an old ‘B’ movie…in black and white.
9:15 – I went through the drive through at the bank to make a deposit. The girl in the window pronounces my name right…I wonder if she knows my son.
9:20 – I am perusing the food aisles in Dillons while I wait for my prescriptions to be ready. People are subdued…most in a hurry…all on a mission. I call both kids to offer to run errands, pick up groceries for them etc, so that they won’t have to brave the snow packed streets after a long day at work…both decline.
10:10 – I finally leave Dillons after correcting a mix-up over prescriptions and insurance. I am reluctant to let a carry out person help me…the weather has intensified while I have been shopping…and I am sure that by the time they leave work today, every carry out person here will be frozen to the bone. I take my own cart out. Once outside, I regret my decision. Not only is it snowing …the wind is blowing so hard that it is snowing sideways. I open the trunk and reach into the cart for a bag…the trunk blows shut. I turn to reopen the trunk and the cart takes off. I retrieve the cart, hook my foot behind the front wheel, hold the trunk open with my left hand and empty the cart with my right. All the while, my purse is beating the crap out of my side as it flaps in the wind…and my face is covered with a thin coating of watery eye goo, running make-up, and snot…and it is frozen. I wonder if this is what a chemical peel is like.
10:30 – I pull into the garage…unload the trunk, and wait again to be sure that the garage door stays shut.
11:00 – The mailman pulls up to the house next door…I watch out the window, hoping that he drives right on by our box. Nuts….he stopped. I pull on my heavy coat, scarf, gloves, and slip my feet into the shoes that I left by the door…then decide that if I am going back out there…I will make it count. I go back upstairs, pull the trash bag out of the kitchen can, put in a fresh bag and tie the full one shut. As the garage door opens, it moans and groans…I think to myself “Shut up you wiener!” Stepping out into the blizzard I am reminded of the trunk incident…as I fight with the garbage bin.
11:15 – Boogie with Stu (Led Zeppelin) helped make quick work of cutting out another blanket! Rock is awesome!
1:13 – After taking time for a bowl of the nastiest chili soup I’ve had in a while (Campbells Southwest Chili), I finish tying the third blanket! It is still snowing…like the very Dickens (whatever that means). I begin to cut the fourth blanket.
2:32 – Just as I finish tying the fourth blanket, “Old Time Rock and Roll” begins to play…and I pause to feel it. Heavy snow is still coming down, though the flakes are smaller (usually a sign that the end is near). Weather.com shows much more heading toward us…we’ll see...but I think they are wrong.
3:36 – The snow has stopped. I think about going out to measure it…but the wind is still blowing…hard. The high winds have drifted the snowfall enough that I think an accurate measurement will be almost impossible…there are huge areas that are barely covered…while the areas next to those appear to be several inches or more deep. It is beautiful.
Be Happy!
7:00 – Packed a lunch for Marvin so that he wouldn’t have to worry about negotiating the icy streets at noon. Put in two extra pieces of banana bread…just because.
7:15 – Made sure the garage door shut as Marvin pulled out…it has a habit of popping back up if the temp is below freezing. Went back in to find that diet coke.
7:45 – Got in the shower…cascading, hot water is sooooo fabulous!
8:45 – Left to run errands before the weather hits. The wind is blowing, and the temp is cold, but the air is dry. Thick, heavy, grey clouds blanket the sky above me. I watch for deer…hoping that they have the good sense to stay curled up in a nice warm thicket somewhere. I pass a opossum pancake in the road…I blink back tears as my heart breaks for his opossum family in the loss of their loved one…I hate PMS.
9:05 – I picked up printer paper at Office Max…where I was offered a cup of hot coffee by a monotone 20 year old…whose mindless inquiries reminded me of an old ‘B’ movie…in black and white.
9:15 – I went through the drive through at the bank to make a deposit. The girl in the window pronounces my name right…I wonder if she knows my son.
9:20 – I am perusing the food aisles in Dillons while I wait for my prescriptions to be ready. People are subdued…most in a hurry…all on a mission. I call both kids to offer to run errands, pick up groceries for them etc, so that they won’t have to brave the snow packed streets after a long day at work…both decline.
10:10 – I finally leave Dillons after correcting a mix-up over prescriptions and insurance. I am reluctant to let a carry out person help me…the weather has intensified while I have been shopping…and I am sure that by the time they leave work today, every carry out person here will be frozen to the bone. I take my own cart out. Once outside, I regret my decision. Not only is it snowing …the wind is blowing so hard that it is snowing sideways. I open the trunk and reach into the cart for a bag…the trunk blows shut. I turn to reopen the trunk and the cart takes off. I retrieve the cart, hook my foot behind the front wheel, hold the trunk open with my left hand and empty the cart with my right. All the while, my purse is beating the crap out of my side as it flaps in the wind…and my face is covered with a thin coating of watery eye goo, running make-up, and snot…and it is frozen. I wonder if this is what a chemical peel is like.
10:30 – I pull into the garage…unload the trunk, and wait again to be sure that the garage door stays shut.
11:00 – The mailman pulls up to the house next door…I watch out the window, hoping that he drives right on by our box. Nuts….he stopped. I pull on my heavy coat, scarf, gloves, and slip my feet into the shoes that I left by the door…then decide that if I am going back out there…I will make it count. I go back upstairs, pull the trash bag out of the kitchen can, put in a fresh bag and tie the full one shut. As the garage door opens, it moans and groans…I think to myself “Shut up you wiener!” Stepping out into the blizzard I am reminded of the trunk incident…as I fight with the garbage bin.
11:15 – Boogie with Stu (Led Zeppelin) helped make quick work of cutting out another blanket! Rock is awesome!
1:13 – After taking time for a bowl of the nastiest chili soup I’ve had in a while (Campbells Southwest Chili), I finish tying the third blanket! It is still snowing…like the very Dickens (whatever that means). I begin to cut the fourth blanket.
2:32 – Just as I finish tying the fourth blanket, “Old Time Rock and Roll” begins to play…and I pause to feel it. Heavy snow is still coming down, though the flakes are smaller (usually a sign that the end is near). Weather.com shows much more heading toward us…we’ll see...but I think they are wrong.
3:36 – The snow has stopped. I think about going out to measure it…but the wind is still blowing…hard. The high winds have drifted the snowfall enough that I think an accurate measurement will be almost impossible…there are huge areas that are barely covered…while the areas next to those appear to be several inches or more deep. It is beautiful.
Be Happy!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
It's been a day...
A dreary, cold Wednesday. Heavy cloud cover, temps in the 30s, and…believe it or not…thunder, lightening, and hail mixed with sleet…off and on all day! Very strange!
I decided not to risk the icy highways unnecessarily today, so I stayed in and had a very productive day!
1 - After almost 2 hours online, I found another position to apply for, so I did that first!
2 – I got out the gift wrapping paraphernalia and wrapped all of the gifts that we have purchased so far…except one…which I will have to find a box for.
3 – I cut out and tied two blankets (to be given as gifts).
4 – I made a loaf of banana bread.
I usually don’t even turn the TV on during the day…I much prefer music. Today, however, I was working with the blankets on the living room floor, so I turned it on. In my estimation…daytime TV is the most pitiful…absolutely pointless thing possible. I flipped through channel after channel…Tyra Banks and an entire audience in their underwear…Megan Mullaly and some guy doing a sorry Tom Cruise imitation (jumping up and down on her couch)…and three different mock court shows, with outrageous people suing each other for stupid things, while manic judges presided…I finally came across an old movie channel and listened to Cary Grant lament being stuck on the island with all those females (Father Goose)…for an hour or so while I worked. It’s sad that a movie older than dirt…is the best thing on.
The forecast has changed during the last few minutes. We were only supposed to get a little sleet today, then cold but dry tomorrow…now they have decided that we will have a ‘significant winter event’ during the night tonight, and throughout tomorrow! Sounds like a good day to finish the last two blankets!!
Be Happy!
I decided not to risk the icy highways unnecessarily today, so I stayed in and had a very productive day!
1 - After almost 2 hours online, I found another position to apply for, so I did that first!
2 – I got out the gift wrapping paraphernalia and wrapped all of the gifts that we have purchased so far…except one…which I will have to find a box for.
3 – I cut out and tied two blankets (to be given as gifts).
4 – I made a loaf of banana bread.
I usually don’t even turn the TV on during the day…I much prefer music. Today, however, I was working with the blankets on the living room floor, so I turned it on. In my estimation…daytime TV is the most pitiful…absolutely pointless thing possible. I flipped through channel after channel…Tyra Banks and an entire audience in their underwear…Megan Mullaly and some guy doing a sorry Tom Cruise imitation (jumping up and down on her couch)…and three different mock court shows, with outrageous people suing each other for stupid things, while manic judges presided…I finally came across an old movie channel and listened to Cary Grant lament being stuck on the island with all those females (Father Goose)…for an hour or so while I worked. It’s sad that a movie older than dirt…is the best thing on.
The forecast has changed during the last few minutes. We were only supposed to get a little sleet today, then cold but dry tomorrow…now they have decided that we will have a ‘significant winter event’ during the night tonight, and throughout tomorrow! Sounds like a good day to finish the last two blankets!!
Be Happy!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Bad boy...bad boy...
I spent the afternoon running errands, trying to beat the cold, wet, blustery weather that is coming tonight! It is so amazing outside today that it seems inconceivable that by midnight, the change will be so drastic! The temperature right now is 70 degrees…the sun is shining, and a warm breeze is blowing…and it is November 28! How weird is that! By this time tomorrow…heavy cloud cover, COLD winds, temps in the 30’s and freezing rain! Holy cow!
I was pulling out of Sonic (on West 21st), watching the traffic fly by at 40-50 mph, bumper to bumper…wondering how there aren’t more accidents…when the guy in front of me decided to shoot across four lanes of traffic. Unfortunately, the girl on the other side of the street had the same thought at the same time! You guessed it…they hit head on! They had neither one had enough time or space to pick up much speed, so they smashed together with a loud metallic bong…each one bounced backwards a few feet…then they sat there staring at each other as though they couldn’t quite process what had just happened. Finally, after several seconds, they both pulled across into Sonic to survey the damage and exchange info. Thankfully…both were driving POS’s.
Do you ever watch people…and imagine what their theme song should be? As I was going into Wal-Mart today, an aging, tattooed man with a long gray pony tail, sat just inside the foyer. He was wearing a Harley T-shirt, and sporting a doo-rag …obviously appraising every female who entered the store…I chuckled as “I’m a Girl Watcher” by the O’Kaysions ran through my head! Once inside…I was passed in the aisle by a guy who strutted for all he was worth, obviously, in his world, he was all of that AND a bag of chips…I wanted to shout… “You’re So Vain” (Carly Simon). Then…as I tried, unsuccessfully, to reach an item on the rack in front of me, a little boy paraded back and forth (between me and the rack). His mother stood by…oblivious to the child as he prevented me from touching the item in question. He was definitely…”Bad To The Bone” (George Thorogood)! And I had to wonder…”What cha gonna do when they come for you…Bad Boy…Bad Boy!”
My mind is weird.
Be Happy!
I was pulling out of Sonic (on West 21st), watching the traffic fly by at 40-50 mph, bumper to bumper…wondering how there aren’t more accidents…when the guy in front of me decided to shoot across four lanes of traffic. Unfortunately, the girl on the other side of the street had the same thought at the same time! You guessed it…they hit head on! They had neither one had enough time or space to pick up much speed, so they smashed together with a loud metallic bong…each one bounced backwards a few feet…then they sat there staring at each other as though they couldn’t quite process what had just happened. Finally, after several seconds, they both pulled across into Sonic to survey the damage and exchange info. Thankfully…both were driving POS’s.
Do you ever watch people…and imagine what their theme song should be? As I was going into Wal-Mart today, an aging, tattooed man with a long gray pony tail, sat just inside the foyer. He was wearing a Harley T-shirt, and sporting a doo-rag …obviously appraising every female who entered the store…I chuckled as “I’m a Girl Watcher” by the O’Kaysions ran through my head! Once inside…I was passed in the aisle by a guy who strutted for all he was worth, obviously, in his world, he was all of that AND a bag of chips…I wanted to shout… “You’re So Vain” (Carly Simon). Then…as I tried, unsuccessfully, to reach an item on the rack in front of me, a little boy paraded back and forth (between me and the rack). His mother stood by…oblivious to the child as he prevented me from touching the item in question. He was definitely…”Bad To The Bone” (George Thorogood)! And I had to wonder…”What cha gonna do when they come for you…Bad Boy…Bad Boy!”
My mind is weird.
Be Happy!
Monday, November 27, 2006
Aftermath...
It’s over…Thanksgiving has come and gone in a flurry of activity! Here’s a recap –
Thursday – Dinner at Chas’s house! All of the Ark City crew…was invited. We ended up with 11 for the day…not a bad count when you consider how many showed up last year (0)! The meal was spectacular with ‘melt-in-your-mouth turkey’, parmesan garlic smashed potatoes, Stuffing, gravy, and all the trimmings! We ate until we could eat no more, then the men moved to the living room for football on the big screen, and the women gathered around the main table for an afternoon of conversation. As usual, the talk was lively and varied…with lots of laughter! At one point however, my sister made some comments that could not have possibly caught me more off guard…about the past. I have always felt that the three of us were very close growing up…I have always felt a special bond with both of my siblings. However, it seems that she did not feel the same. I now wonder if perhaps my brother shares her lack of those feelings. That could explain a lot these days. I have been saddened in recent months at what seemed to be a lack of any desire (on their part) to stay in contact…to maintain a relationship. I lay awake almost all night on Thursday…her words echoing in my ears. At first I cried…then I replayed the years in my mind…trying to understand how she could not have felt that same connection. Perhaps the closeness that I felt was due to the fact that I was the oldest, the caretaker, and the protector…a little girl playing the part of the mommy. Different people deal with situations in different ways, so perhaps they simply dealt with the ugliness of our childhood by detaching their hearts…while I searched desperately for someone to love and be loved by. I truly don’t know. A part of me hurts deeply…I feel like I have lost something, but I guess it isn’t possible to lose…what you never had. I know that I will continue to consider these things…to try to figure it out…maybe for the rest of my life. One more kick in the gut from the past.
Friday – We celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary on Friday! 33 years, married to the same wonderful man! If I had it to do again…I would do it just the same! We spent the day Christmas shopping, then around 8:00 p.m.; we went out to Botanica and took the holiday light tour…wrapping up the evening at the Hotel in Old Town! It was a wonderful day!
Saturday – More Christmas shopping, then home to unpack, and put up the outdoor Christmas lights! In the evening, we made a Blockbuster run, and picked up The Da Vinci Code (watched it Saturday), and Ice Age, The Meltdown (watched it Sunday). Both movies were very good…Ice Age was hilarious, and Da Vinci Code…was good…but disturbing. I am well grounded in my faith…so to me it was simply a movie…fiction. I shudder to think of the impact that it could have on someone not aware of Biblical truth…someone searching for truth.
Sunday – Church, lunch with the kids, then home to finish those outdoor Christmas lights! By evening, we were both exhausted. We made a late run to return the movies to Blockbuster, then drove through the ‘Lights on the Lake” display at Heartspring. Finally, a hot shower, warm PJ’s, and some IM chat, while Marvin beat me at Deal or No Deal!
28 shopping days until Christmas!
Be Happy!
Thursday – Dinner at Chas’s house! All of the Ark City crew…was invited. We ended up with 11 for the day…not a bad count when you consider how many showed up last year (0)! The meal was spectacular with ‘melt-in-your-mouth turkey’, parmesan garlic smashed potatoes, Stuffing, gravy, and all the trimmings! We ate until we could eat no more, then the men moved to the living room for football on the big screen, and the women gathered around the main table for an afternoon of conversation. As usual, the talk was lively and varied…with lots of laughter! At one point however, my sister made some comments that could not have possibly caught me more off guard…about the past. I have always felt that the three of us were very close growing up…I have always felt a special bond with both of my siblings. However, it seems that she did not feel the same. I now wonder if perhaps my brother shares her lack of those feelings. That could explain a lot these days. I have been saddened in recent months at what seemed to be a lack of any desire (on their part) to stay in contact…to maintain a relationship. I lay awake almost all night on Thursday…her words echoing in my ears. At first I cried…then I replayed the years in my mind…trying to understand how she could not have felt that same connection. Perhaps the closeness that I felt was due to the fact that I was the oldest, the caretaker, and the protector…a little girl playing the part of the mommy. Different people deal with situations in different ways, so perhaps they simply dealt with the ugliness of our childhood by detaching their hearts…while I searched desperately for someone to love and be loved by. I truly don’t know. A part of me hurts deeply…I feel like I have lost something, but I guess it isn’t possible to lose…what you never had. I know that I will continue to consider these things…to try to figure it out…maybe for the rest of my life. One more kick in the gut from the past.
Friday – We celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary on Friday! 33 years, married to the same wonderful man! If I had it to do again…I would do it just the same! We spent the day Christmas shopping, then around 8:00 p.m.; we went out to Botanica and took the holiday light tour…wrapping up the evening at the Hotel in Old Town! It was a wonderful day!
Saturday – More Christmas shopping, then home to unpack, and put up the outdoor Christmas lights! In the evening, we made a Blockbuster run, and picked up The Da Vinci Code (watched it Saturday), and Ice Age, The Meltdown (watched it Sunday). Both movies were very good…Ice Age was hilarious, and Da Vinci Code…was good…but disturbing. I am well grounded in my faith…so to me it was simply a movie…fiction. I shudder to think of the impact that it could have on someone not aware of Biblical truth…someone searching for truth.
Sunday – Church, lunch with the kids, then home to finish those outdoor Christmas lights! By evening, we were both exhausted. We made a late run to return the movies to Blockbuster, then drove through the ‘Lights on the Lake” display at Heartspring. Finally, a hot shower, warm PJ’s, and some IM chat, while Marvin beat me at Deal or No Deal!
28 shopping days until Christmas!
Be Happy!
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Just a few of the things I am thankful for…
*My family...the most wonderful husband and children on earth! Their love for me and for each other, and their never-ending tolerance and acceptance of my multitudinous eccentricities... overwhelms me!
*Our faith and salvation…an immeasurable gift.
*Friends…in far away places…caring and sharing…life.
*Prosperity…a warm, dry, clean home…full of love.
*Memories…good ones to warm me…bad ones to warn me. I thank God for both.
*Chocolate…the true angel food.
*Diet Coke…to help alleviate the guilt of the chocolate.
*Sunshine…to warm my skin and lift my spirit.
*Warm breezes...touching my face, tousling my hair, calming my heart.
*Rock and Roll…it really does sooth my soul.
*The written word…it frees my mind.
*Astounding sunrises…which start my day off with joy.
*Amazing sunsets…which give me peace as the darkness comes.
*The Geese…for their beauty and grace.
*Laughter…it really is the best medicine!
Be Happy!
*My family...the most wonderful husband and children on earth! Their love for me and for each other, and their never-ending tolerance and acceptance of my multitudinous eccentricities... overwhelms me!
*Our faith and salvation…an immeasurable gift.
*Friends…in far away places…caring and sharing…life.
*Prosperity…a warm, dry, clean home…full of love.
*Memories…good ones to warm me…bad ones to warn me. I thank God for both.
*Chocolate…the true angel food.
*Diet Coke…to help alleviate the guilt of the chocolate.
*Sunshine…to warm my skin and lift my spirit.
*Warm breezes...touching my face, tousling my hair, calming my heart.
*Rock and Roll…it really does sooth my soul.
*The written word…it frees my mind.
*Astounding sunrises…which start my day off with joy.
*Amazing sunsets…which give me peace as the darkness comes.
*The Geese…for their beauty and grace.
*Laughter…it really is the best medicine!
Be Happy!
To be or not to be...Politically Correct...
I was recently made aware (by a dear friend), that I have been guilty of being politically incorrect. I confess…I am.
In my estimation…”Politically Correct” has come to mean some very disturbing things. To be “Politically Correct”…is to never offend anyone, anywhere, anytime, in any manner…at any cost. I believe that the cost…is too high. In times past, facts were facts…truth was truth, right was right, and wrong was wrong. Not so anymore. Since the rearing of the ugly head of PC…we have become more concerned with verbiage…than with substance. We spend so much time, considering whether a statement is PC…that we fail to analyze whether the event that we are describing, is moral or ethical, whether it is right or wrong. We have sacrificed too much…in the quest to be known as a “Politically Correct” people. Like so many things…this concept has run amuck.
Lady Justice stands proudly…with her blindfold firmly in place. At her inception…she wore the blindfold…in an effort to convey justice and freedom…without discrimination. Perhaps we should add ear plugs and a gag…and a new meaning to her accoutrements. See no evil…hear no evil…and offend no evil.
I submit to you…that life…is not politically correct. While I do not suggest that we abandon all sensibilities…I do suggest a moratorium on “Political Correctness”…and a return to common sense, honest communication, decency, morality, and ethics.
Be Happy!
In my estimation…”Politically Correct” has come to mean some very disturbing things. To be “Politically Correct”…is to never offend anyone, anywhere, anytime, in any manner…at any cost. I believe that the cost…is too high. In times past, facts were facts…truth was truth, right was right, and wrong was wrong. Not so anymore. Since the rearing of the ugly head of PC…we have become more concerned with verbiage…than with substance. We spend so much time, considering whether a statement is PC…that we fail to analyze whether the event that we are describing, is moral or ethical, whether it is right or wrong. We have sacrificed too much…in the quest to be known as a “Politically Correct” people. Like so many things…this concept has run amuck.
Lady Justice stands proudly…with her blindfold firmly in place. At her inception…she wore the blindfold…in an effort to convey justice and freedom…without discrimination. Perhaps we should add ear plugs and a gag…and a new meaning to her accoutrements. See no evil…hear no evil…and offend no evil.
I submit to you…that life…is not politically correct. While I do not suggest that we abandon all sensibilities…I do suggest a moratorium on “Political Correctness”…and a return to common sense, honest communication, decency, morality, and ethics.
Be Happy!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
U S Airways...
As long as Muslims continue to blow themselves up...we will continue to fear for our own safety when confronted with actions such as the ones preceding the removal of the six Imams from the US Airways flight on Monday. What right thinking person wouldn't? How are we to know when they are simply praying for safety as they travel...and when they are 'cleansing' themselves in preparation for a suicide mission? The rest of the world should not be made to feel guilty, or ignorant...for acts of self preservation...such as ejecting suspicious people from a plane. Perhaps the Muslim community as a whole...is not at fault...but they need to wake up...and look at the state of this world in the light of reality. Are they really surprised that we...non-muslim people are suspicious of people who suscribe to a faith which tells them to kill the infidels...when we ARE the infidels? They have the right to believe what they want to believe...but they need to understand that in doing so...they also agree to accept the consequences of that freedom...just as the rest of us do!
Random thoughts...
I worry about things…it’s in my nature.
I worry that I will die, having left undone…all of those things that I keep putting off. That there will remain behind…dust bunnies under the bed, smudged up windows, and an overflowing junk drawer…and I will be remembered as a slob…whose only real attribute was procrastination.
I worry that I will die, having spent my time cleaning the dust bunnies from under the bed, washing the windows, and sorting out the junk drawer…and I will be remembered as that soulless person…who spent all her time cleaning stuff up…and missing out on life.
I worry that I laugh too much.
I worry that I don’t laugh enough.
I worry that I think too much.
I worry that I don’t think enough.
I worry that I will never find a job that I can find pleasure in doing…and be so inspired by…that I look forward to it everyday.
I worry that I will never see my name on the cover of a book…
I worry that if I do see my name on the cover of a book…it will be a sad, pathetic failure.
I worry that “Life sucks, then we die” may be true.
I worry that…that one person in life…who I strive so hard to please…may never be pleased…but will always ask…where the extra 3 points went…
I worry that…I worry...
I worry that I will die, having left undone…all of those things that I keep putting off. That there will remain behind…dust bunnies under the bed, smudged up windows, and an overflowing junk drawer…and I will be remembered as a slob…whose only real attribute was procrastination.
I worry that I will die, having spent my time cleaning the dust bunnies from under the bed, washing the windows, and sorting out the junk drawer…and I will be remembered as that soulless person…who spent all her time cleaning stuff up…and missing out on life.
I worry that I laugh too much.
I worry that I don’t laugh enough.
I worry that I think too much.
I worry that I don’t think enough.
I worry that I will never find a job that I can find pleasure in doing…and be so inspired by…that I look forward to it everyday.
I worry that I will never see my name on the cover of a book…
I worry that if I do see my name on the cover of a book…it will be a sad, pathetic failure.
I worry that “Life sucks, then we die” may be true.
I worry that…that one person in life…who I strive so hard to please…may never be pleased…but will always ask…where the extra 3 points went…
I worry that…I worry...
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
It's coming....
'Tis' the season! Christmas is appearing in our house...a few items at a time!
A remote village...
A Wiseman, a shepherd, and travelers
The Angel, shepherd, and wisemen
The Holy Family
Be Happy!
A remote village...
A Wiseman, a shepherd, and travelers
The Angel, shepherd, and wisemen
The Holy Family
Be Happy!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
What's a Heaven for....
The day dawned partly cloudy and mild, and has gone downhill from there. Weather wise that is…the day as a whole hasn’t been bad. I sat at the computer, taking online assessment tests for an interview tomorrow…until almost noon. Having finally completed them...I had a bite of lunch (baked potato and peas), then started my daily chores. Shane called from Vegas and we chatted for a bit, then I hit the shower about 1:40. After make-up and hair…I sat back down at the computer and made a somewhat lame attempt at a Christmas card list. As I set up my spreadsheet, Sugar sat on the foot of the bed…her chin resting on the windowsill…looking wistfully out. After only 6 entries…I began to feel guilty…she looked so sad! So, I put on my shoes and we went for a walk!
I must say, the walk was much more enjoyable than the spreadsheet! About 10 minutes into our stroll, the wind picked up and we could feel a bit of moisture in the air…although it wasn’t raining. We did not, however, let the unfortunate weather dampen our spirits…we walked the whole mile! Sugar sniffed every single mailbox, tree trunk, garden, water hydrant, pile of poo, and most of the blades of grass along the way! Although she eyed the honking geese at the pond warily, she made no effort to chase them…which surprised me! Along the route we were greeted by a school girl, who was absolutely taken with Sugar, and we paused to allow her to pet ‘that sweet dog’, we passed a group of city workers, who were putting up Christmas lights in the park, and a little ways in front of us was an older couple, walking a huge black lab. As we rounded the corner (almost home), the sun disappeared entirely, and we picked up the pace a bit…anticipating the warmth of the house!
Dinner is now in the oven, and I am strongly considering unpacking Christmas decorations! I have already set out a new ‘long legged’ Santa, and a couple of decorative gift boxes (adorned with Reindeer)!
Just a note…I am changing my tagline…from “Be Well!” to “Be Happy!”…as a personal admonition to everyone…myself included…to strive each day for every bit of joy possible! Of course…there will be days when we don’t achieve our goal…but…as Browning said “Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?” So…keep your eye on the prize…whatever you judge that to be!
Be Happy!
I must say, the walk was much more enjoyable than the spreadsheet! About 10 minutes into our stroll, the wind picked up and we could feel a bit of moisture in the air…although it wasn’t raining. We did not, however, let the unfortunate weather dampen our spirits…we walked the whole mile! Sugar sniffed every single mailbox, tree trunk, garden, water hydrant, pile of poo, and most of the blades of grass along the way! Although she eyed the honking geese at the pond warily, she made no effort to chase them…which surprised me! Along the route we were greeted by a school girl, who was absolutely taken with Sugar, and we paused to allow her to pet ‘that sweet dog’, we passed a group of city workers, who were putting up Christmas lights in the park, and a little ways in front of us was an older couple, walking a huge black lab. As we rounded the corner (almost home), the sun disappeared entirely, and we picked up the pace a bit…anticipating the warmth of the house!
Dinner is now in the oven, and I am strongly considering unpacking Christmas decorations! I have already set out a new ‘long legged’ Santa, and a couple of decorative gift boxes (adorned with Reindeer)!
Just a note…I am changing my tagline…from “Be Well!” to “Be Happy!”…as a personal admonition to everyone…myself included…to strive each day for every bit of joy possible! Of course…there will be days when we don’t achieve our goal…but…as Browning said “Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?” So…keep your eye on the prize…whatever you judge that to be!
Be Happy!
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Patriot Guard...
We attended the local Veteran’s Day parade today…an annual event honoring veteran’s of all wars. The parade was short…about 20 minutes…but it was nice. I’m not usually a very patriotic person…I love this country…I just don’t feel the need to wave a flag and shout out my loyalties. At any rate…the past two parades which we have attended have evoked a deep feeling of respect in me…for the Patriot Guard. I've been moved...almost to tears...as they ride by. I’ve been asking myself…why? It hasn’t taken long for the answer to become apparent. I have deep respect for them…because they have the courage of their convictions. They don’t just talk the talk…they go out of their way…to walk the walk. They grew tired of people who abuse the intent of our constitution…and instead of sitting around moaning about it…they acted…and continue to act. They rally together; in defense of those who are being harassed…they put themselves between the bully and his victims! I applaud them…and respect them! If only each one of us…could follow that example…myself included!
Be Well!
Be Well!
Friday, November 10, 2006
What a difference a day makes...
We awoke to a cloudy, dreary, blustery day...but the tree in the front yard continues to evolve! It is breathtaking! This photo doesn't do it justice.
Be Well!
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
From my desk...
Our baby tree...finally turned red...a bit behind her peers this year! The view from my desk is beautiful!
Be Well!
Be Well!
A Walk In The ...Dark...
My walk last night was a bit hairy. I went alone, and it was dark. I am a coward. Time to begin using the treadmill...for the winter...sigh. I despise daylight savings time...and winter.
My feet moved faster
As I strained to see…
Darkness pressing in
On all sides…an ebony
Weight on my countenance.
Shadowed trees in vague relief
Sinister bushes crouching low
Muffled noises in the night
The wind whispering “Run”
Into my terrified ears.
Heart racing…
Breath ragged and quick
Frustrating fear…one more
Blow to my sagging soul…
Be Well!
My feet moved faster
As I strained to see…
Darkness pressing in
On all sides…an ebony
Weight on my countenance.
Shadowed trees in vague relief
Sinister bushes crouching low
Muffled noises in the night
The wind whispering “Run”
Into my terrified ears.
Heart racing…
Breath ragged and quick
Frustrating fear…one more
Blow to my sagging soul…
Be Well!
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Tuesday tirade...
It’s finally here…Election Day! I am definitely interested in the candidates…and I hope all of mine are elected (yes…I can say all of MINE…because I voted)! Moreover…I am anxious to see the mud slinging…the endless political phone messages glutting my answering machine, and the ‘second grade mentality’ commercials…STOP!! If there had been one candidate, whose sole message addressed the issues (as I see them of course)…without any backstabbing, gloating, grandstanding, mudslinging or pontificating…I would have voted for him. Just a simple, “My name is Otis Fudpucker…I am pro life, pro family, pro democracy, pro death penalty, I have a brain, I do possess at least a modicum of common sense, I do not lie, cheat, or steal…and I will stand against those who do.” It would have been a done deal! Enough…thank heavens it’s almost over.
Thanks to the moron whose bright idea it was to ‘fall back’ (daylight savings time), my evening walk is now in total darkness…at 6:00 p.m.! What’s the deal with that? What earthly good does an extra hour of light in the MORNING do anyone? I can certainly drive to work in the dark…and I would rather have it stay dark until NOON…than get dark so early in the evening! This time of year depresses me anyway…but its effect is only worsened by depriving me of sunlight during the only time of day when I can ordinarily take advantage of it! So…to the HIICODST (head idiot in charge of daylight savings time)…WAKE UP DUMMIE…WE ARE NOT NOCTURNAL!
The world is out of control. Newscasters spew forth vitriolic rhetoric in the guise of reporting, casting dark shadows of doubt and betrayal on those foundational things that we hold most dear. One man’s idiocy and moral ineptitude DO NOT doom the entire Christian population to extinction. Child molesters and murderers are released into our society…then the justice system seems shocked and appalled when they molest and murder again. The real solution is to mandate that any future offenses of those pieces of slime who are released…be paid for by the idiot who released him. Thus…if a murderer or a molester becomes a repeat offender…the judge/attorney/doctor…who deemed him ready to walk among us again…would share equally in future guilt and punishment. By the way…I’m certain that Otis would be for this!
Lastly, as my tirade comes to an end…I would like to thank the neighbor down the street for unknowingly lifting my spirits…when I needed it so badly last night. We had walked along in silence for about a mile…the result of an earlier disagreement…which had been resolved…but was still causing that 'kicked in the gut' feeling. Although it was only 6:20…the darkness was thick…and heavy around us. The rhythmic sound of our footfalls, and the occasional barking dog split the night at odd intervals. I blinked back hot tears and wished for yesterday…or tomorrow…anything but now. Out of the darkness…a twinkle caught my eye. As we neared the front of the house down the block…we were caught totally off guard…by Christmas! The big picture window was filled with a glorious, sparkling, fully dressed tree! This magical scene spilled out into the yard, with lights, and ornaments. It was a small display…but so timely! I paused, not wanting to miss any detail, barely breathing, I whispered, “It’s beautiful!” My mate shook his head and rolled his eyes at the very thought that they already had 'that stuff' up. I smiled again…and thanked them…silently.
Be Well!
Thanks to the moron whose bright idea it was to ‘fall back’ (daylight savings time), my evening walk is now in total darkness…at 6:00 p.m.! What’s the deal with that? What earthly good does an extra hour of light in the MORNING do anyone? I can certainly drive to work in the dark…and I would rather have it stay dark until NOON…than get dark so early in the evening! This time of year depresses me anyway…but its effect is only worsened by depriving me of sunlight during the only time of day when I can ordinarily take advantage of it! So…to the HIICODST (head idiot in charge of daylight savings time)…WAKE UP DUMMIE…WE ARE NOT NOCTURNAL!
The world is out of control. Newscasters spew forth vitriolic rhetoric in the guise of reporting, casting dark shadows of doubt and betrayal on those foundational things that we hold most dear. One man’s idiocy and moral ineptitude DO NOT doom the entire Christian population to extinction. Child molesters and murderers are released into our society…then the justice system seems shocked and appalled when they molest and murder again. The real solution is to mandate that any future offenses of those pieces of slime who are released…be paid for by the idiot who released him. Thus…if a murderer or a molester becomes a repeat offender…the judge/attorney/doctor…who deemed him ready to walk among us again…would share equally in future guilt and punishment. By the way…I’m certain that Otis would be for this!
Lastly, as my tirade comes to an end…I would like to thank the neighbor down the street for unknowingly lifting my spirits…when I needed it so badly last night. We had walked along in silence for about a mile…the result of an earlier disagreement…which had been resolved…but was still causing that 'kicked in the gut' feeling. Although it was only 6:20…the darkness was thick…and heavy around us. The rhythmic sound of our footfalls, and the occasional barking dog split the night at odd intervals. I blinked back hot tears and wished for yesterday…or tomorrow…anything but now. Out of the darkness…a twinkle caught my eye. As we neared the front of the house down the block…we were caught totally off guard…by Christmas! The big picture window was filled with a glorious, sparkling, fully dressed tree! This magical scene spilled out into the yard, with lights, and ornaments. It was a small display…but so timely! I paused, not wanting to miss any detail, barely breathing, I whispered, “It’s beautiful!” My mate shook his head and rolled his eyes at the very thought that they already had 'that stuff' up. I smiled again…and thanked them…silently.
Be Well!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Uno...our way!
Last night was great! The kids came for lasagna and hot rolls, after which we sat around the table and visited for a while. After cleaning up the supper mess…we settled into a marathon Uno game!! It was fantastic!! For the next three hours or so, we laughed, threw marshmallows at each other’s mouths, created an entirely new vocabulary (not for the faint of heart), laughed until we cried, teased, taunted, discussed relatives-movies-news items-politics-religion…all with our own twist, oh….and played Uno too! About half way through the evening, we paused for dessert of fudge brownies topped with melted Hershey bars, with vanilla ice cream on the side! The introduction of more sugar took our already soaring spirits even higher, and our laughter echoed through the neighborhood in a maniac, symphonic cacophony!!
We haven’t had so much fun…since last week! I treasure nights like those, and I wouldn’t give them up for anything in the world!! If every family had times like these…the world would be a better, happier place!
Be Well!!
We haven’t had so much fun…since last week! I treasure nights like those, and I wouldn’t give them up for anything in the world!! If every family had times like these…the world would be a better, happier place!
Be Well!!
Friday, November 03, 2006
Just a thought...
A Footnote…
A footnote in the life and times
Of those we love so much…
Destined to the lonely realms
Of “I remember once…”
Life goes by in a swirling mist
Never slowing down…
A quick, hard ride…of hopes and fears
The end comes fast around.
When they stop to reminisce…
What thoughts will be of you?
A vague remembrance…lost in time
Or the lasting things you do.
The times you came and made them laugh
Or soothed a shattered soul…
Which things will slip away…and which remain
No mortal mind can know.
So do your best, laugh a lot
…If that be who you are.
Forgetting not, that in the end
We’re all just shooting stars.
Copyright©2006 by VSchoonover. All rights reserved.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
A novel....alrighty then...
A month ago, I was “let go” from my job. The day my employer let me go, he assured me that my job performance had been fine, and that I had been a “good fit” with the other employees…they simply didn’t have time to train me for the position that they hired me for, and had decided to hire a “trained, compliance officer” who had already been through the training, tests etc…and could just step in and take the position and duties over.
There were circumstances in play at the time (which are too lengthy to recount here), but suffice it to say that I strongly suspected that they might be in league with the employer who I had left to take that job…to teach me a lesson…and get even with me for leaving the first employer, and for filing a claim against him with the labor board. The first and second employers were “good buddies”, and had been for years.
Bear in mind that I have been gone for a month now…yet things continue to unfold. Below is the updated list of reasons that they claim for my dismissal, with the dates that each was added:
1– No time to train me (the reason that they gave me, when they let me go). Sept 29
2- Excessive use of internet and email (the reason that they gave the labor board in an attempt to keep me from collecting unemployment benefits).
Mid October
3 – They found out I was writing a novel (the reason they gave one of the brokers recently, when she inquired directly about my dismissal) November 2
Holy cow…I only wish that I were writing a novel! How bizarre is all of this?! To top it off…they posted an ad yesterday…online, for my position…with no mention of compliance training. All of this is, to me, further assurance that my original suspicions were correct. What I don’t understand, is why a group of professional, educated people, don’t have the sense to at least get together and decide on which lie to tell…and stick to it…together.
Be Well!
There were circumstances in play at the time (which are too lengthy to recount here), but suffice it to say that I strongly suspected that they might be in league with the employer who I had left to take that job…to teach me a lesson…and get even with me for leaving the first employer, and for filing a claim against him with the labor board. The first and second employers were “good buddies”, and had been for years.
Bear in mind that I have been gone for a month now…yet things continue to unfold. Below is the updated list of reasons that they claim for my dismissal, with the dates that each was added:
1– No time to train me (the reason that they gave me, when they let me go). Sept 29
2- Excessive use of internet and email (the reason that they gave the labor board in an attempt to keep me from collecting unemployment benefits).
Mid October
3 – They found out I was writing a novel (the reason they gave one of the brokers recently, when she inquired directly about my dismissal) November 2
Holy cow…I only wish that I were writing a novel! How bizarre is all of this?! To top it off…they posted an ad yesterday…online, for my position…with no mention of compliance training. All of this is, to me, further assurance that my original suspicions were correct. What I don’t understand, is why a group of professional, educated people, don’t have the sense to at least get together and decide on which lie to tell…and stick to it…together.
Be Well!
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