What I Love About the Season

My dear friend Pax so aptly blogged about some of the recurring annoyance of the holiday season. I'm feeling less pressured this year - don't ask me why; I couldn't say. In any event, here is a list of the things I love about this time of year:

1. People working together to create a warm holiday celebration at the office.

As government employees we are not permitted to celebrate on the clock, so we put together a Holiday Event within the confines of the office. Everyone uses their official break time to come together to celebrate. People sign up in advance to bring a dish and help out in general. It turns into quite an extravaganza. It can be a feeding frenzy, too, but that's in keeping with the season.

2. Red and green.

These are colors that I would not stomach together most of the year, but at Christmas they are beautiful. Throw in a little gold and silver, some candles and light strands, et Voila! Seasonal bliss.

3. Fruitcake.

I like a good fruitcake. No, not the grocery store version with rum extract, but the real stuff. It's hard to find a good one locally anymore. Anyone know where to get one?

4. Christmas shopping.

I actually like shopping. I rarely have to buy something for anyone I don't really care about, and buying for those you love is a joy. I do try to avoid the crowds, for the most part.

5. Christmas songs.

I haven't been inundated with them this year, and it's refreshing not to have them overplayed. I love them when they aren't forced on me 24/7. It's nice to know all of the words, and most of the melodies are simple enough even for my feeble voice. OK, there are some exceptions, but I still sing them when no one else can hear me!

6. Decorated homes, from the simple to the sublime.

My exterior decorations are limited to a candle in each front window and a wreath on the front door. I really appreciate the folks who take the time to put up elaborate displays, and I'll ride around several evenings from now 'til Little Christmas to enjoy the view.

7. Christmas cookies.

No further explanation needed.

8. Christmas Eve.

It's still magical to me, pregnant with soon-to-be fulfilled wishes and dreams yet to come true.

9. The wonder of the winter world.

I love the woodlands in winter. I love feeding the birds and finding deer prints in my yard. I love crisp air and cozy fires, hot toddies and long, cold nights.

10. Layers of shared cultural history.

Remember the year in the 1960's when we had a huge snowfall on Christmas Eve? Remember finding a bike under the tree? Remember your quirky extended family, all in one room at one time? Remember getting Dancerina for Christmas, or Charmin' Chatty, or Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots? Remember the year in the 80's when it was 70 degrees on Christmas Day in the North, and everyone wore T-Shirts and played touch football? Remember waiting to watch Rudolph every year, and Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree?

Maybe I enjoy Christmas more these days because I've learned to eliminate a lot of the unnecessary stuff - overdone gifts, excessive outings and responsibilities. I only send a few cards these days, and I do a lot less work. I look forward to the serenity that you can find in the season.

I wish each and every one of you a beautiful holiday season, exciting or serene - whichever you prefer. No matter what you celebrate, or if Christmas is just an extra day off to you, may it be rich in all of your favorite things.

Leftovers

In keeping with my personal tradition of doing things bass ackwards, I made a full turkey dinner today. Yes, I had a nice relaxing Thanksgiving Day with no need to cook. Then I turned around and did all of the work today, the day before returning to work. And I am pooped! Now I remember why I had foresworn cooking Thanksgiving dinner in the past. So now, of course, I have leftovers.

We made it to the mall oh, so very briefly on Black Friday. I was so proud of myself - I directed my companion through all of the back roads and we avoided the heavy traffic. My companion was going to the DMV (actually, in NJ it's the MVC - Motor Vehicle Commission) to renew a driver's license. It was my advice to include a birth certificate amongst the various pieces of documentation required to renew a license these days, but, alas, this went unheeded. I spent a total of about 10 seconds looking at the racks in the first (and only) shop I entered before my (irate) companion tracked me down complaining that the MVC would not renew the license without a birth certificate or passport. We left the mall.

I decided not to let the day end on this miserable note. I took off on my own for upper Cape May County and did some antiquing all by myself. I didn't buy any antiques, but I saw some potential future purchases. I also checked out a favorite garden center with all of its holiday displays, but I'm not ready to concede that the Christmas season is upon us, and I didn't buy any decorations.

So that's it, my backwards holiday weekend in a nutshell. The fridge is full and the kitchen is clean, so I have no reason to complain.

No Leftovers

There are no Thanksgiving leftovers in my household today: no turkey slices chilling in the fridge, no gravy congealing in a bowl. My family went out to eat for Thanksgiving dinner. Judging from the crowd at the restaurant, this is the trend for the future.

We had a lovely day. Everyone was well rested, no one had to sit in the up-and-down seat (where the hostess sits because she gets up and down throughout the meal), cocktails were served. We relaxed and enjoyed each other. I got a chance to catch up with a nephew I haven't seen in awhile. My brother is in town from Florida, and I got to talk to him for a bit. We went back to Mom's for dessert. Mom isn't well enough these days to go out for dinner, and she wasn't up to having us set the meal up at her house, as we've done in the past. We still got to spend time with her and with each other, which is really the important thing, when all is said and done.

In a quirk of fate, we must go to the mall today for something unrelated to shopping. I haven't been to the mall on Black Friday in years. I'm not big on driving in heavy traffic and shopping in crowds. However, since I'm going to be there anyway...

Free

Max is running free again now. No more pain from arthritis, no more trouble breathing, no more frantic trips outside in the middle of a cold, wet night. I'll miss you, Max. You were the best dog I've ever known.

Fave Foto Friday 'n' Stuff

I'm settling into the new house pretty well. An old retriever mix dog (Lab and Golden) has taken up residence here, too. He has been an outside dog all of his life. That doesn't sit well with me, but you know what they say about teaching old dogs new tricks.

Still, Max has arthritis, and he's near the end of his time on Earth, so I can't just leave him outside. His run takes up just about half of my roomy 2 car garage, so he has lots of space. I'm gradually introducing him to the inside of the house.

The garage stays tolerably warm right now, since it's attached to the house and it's insulated. The plan is to have him stay in the house overnight once the garage gets to be too cold. That will mean sleeping downstairs with him, since he can't climb the stairs and he'll need someone to be here to let him out on demand. I don't mind too much, since there's a fireplace (gas log) down here. The TV and computer are down here, too. Might be fun to camp out with Max!

I'm accustomed to small dogs, so a large dog is a big change for me. Everything is bigger, from the amount of food they eat to the amount of food they recycle. And the shedding! Oh, the shedding! But Max is just the sweetest animal. He helped me weed the garden last weekend, popping his head under my arm at odd intervals for a cuddle. I've never before had a dog that could be left off leash without a fence. Max is reliable that way. Besides, I can outrun him (poor beast).

Here's a picture of my buddy for Fave Foto Friday. This was taken in the midwest in September:

Fave Foto Friday

Here's an image from my recent vacation in the Midwest:

Double Back

It's been an odyssey, but I finally have internet access once again! Cable is NOT available at my new address, had to set up satellite service for TV and DSL for internet access. YIKES!!!

More later. I'm off to bed. I have house guests right now, and I have an early appointment tomorrow.

'Night all.

Back!

Made a not-so-quick trip up the road this past week. I'm home today, and desperately in need of sleep after the grueling 1200 mile ride. More to come.

I suspect that at least one fellow blogger will recognize the image above!

Question

Anybody know of a place to get good, affordable veterinary care in the Millville/Vineland/Mays Landing area? Suggestions appreciated!

How to Reconstitute a Zombie

The secret's out. To reconstitute a zombie, give her a shower. I know it for a fact, because it worked for this zombie yesterday morning.

Got up bright and early yesterday to participate in a friend's movie-making adventure. Pax relates the gory details deliciously over at his blog. Suffice it to say that we all had a blast, and that we each took about half a ton of sand, dirt and corn starch (zombie makeup) away with us. That shower felt oh, so good!

Maybe I should have remained a zombie for a few days. Do zombies feel bug bites? I kind of doubt it! One scene required us to play dead on a sandy shore for several minutes. The side of me that was against the sand has several insect bites today. Sand fleas, ants or chiggers, who knows? They left their mark. Just the universe exacting payment, I suppose.

Filming was done at a remote pond Down Jersey. The environment here is a unique combination of sandy, desert-like areas juxtaposed against fairly dense woodlands. There is a deep pond here, with a reputation for some of the best fishing in this part of the state. There is access to waterways which, if followed for several miles, would eventually take you to the Delaware Bay, then on around the southernmost point of New Jersey to the Atlantic Ocean.

This area represents both the best and the worst of the New Jersey pinelands. There is beauty here, but the pond owes its existence to sand and gravel mining, which scarred the pristine forest and harmed the nearby waterways by creating a problem with saltwater intrusion. Waterways that had been freshwater ecosystems became brackish.

The desert-like portion of the landscape is maintained by human activity, mostly dirt biking. Hardy juniper ground covers would take over these areas, followed by scrub pines and then hardwoods like oak, if human activity ceased.

I am enough of a realist to comprehend that human activity will not cease, though it would be nice if some of the most pristine areas were to be maintained in a forest primevil state. I suppose dirtbikers need a place to ride, fishermen need a place to fish, boaters need a place to boat and so on. What disturbs me is the mindlessness and selfishness with which humans often pursue their leisure activities, leaving mounds of trash behind, beligerently riding in areas were riding is specifically verboten.

Despite my posthumous fleabites, we saw very little in the way of animal and insect activity at this location yesterday. Not many birds about, saw a fly or two, but no bees or snakes or the like. Didn't even see any squirrels. I'm sure the creatures are there, but we only saw a couple of dogs (both off-leash) and people doing their thing.

I don't know what the answers are when it comes to balancing human desire and greed for resources with the needs of all living things. I do know that desire and greed are two very destructive forces, both on a personal level and on a universal level. Greater minds than mine will have to propose a solution. I hope I have the courage to sign on when they do.

Netherworlds

Some of the finest hours I’ve spent in life have been passed in netherworlds created by screenplays or fancy of fiction. I most recently passed several hours in the netherworld constructed by J.K. Rowling in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The imagery throughout the story was so real to me that I feel as if I had already seen the movie. I remember the battle scene visually and viscerally, not as a conglomerate of words and phrases.

When I was a child, I would sometimes cry when I finished a particularly compelling novel. I had entered so fully into the plotline that I became part of the story. I had a true sense of loss upon my return to reality. I wanted to be in that other world, in that other time – not in this one. This occurred as a facet of my overactive imagination, not because my childhood was unhappy or troubled.

Emerging from a netherworld is as much a physical experience as a cognitive one for me, like waking from a deep sleep to a slowly increasing awareness of the buzz of life around me. I feel the mist slowly begin to lift from my mind, and I sleepily begin to respond to external stimuli.

I was a slow, intense reader as a child, prone to remember phrases word for word and able to retell storylines in great detail. Sadly, education and employment have given me new “skills.” I read much faster now, looking for key thoughts and developing an overall sense of the material. This is a necessary evil for someone who must review masses of information daily and reduce it to a summary of significant points. When I read now, there is almost always an overlay of sound in my head, a cacophony of reminders to get to the point, to ignore minor details and find the facts. I look forward to the time when I may once again consume each word and digest it, slowly savoring nuances. I want to immerse myself in the text, like a skinny-dipper on a moonlit night, alone in the enveloping coolness of the water.

The magical power of words built my netherworlds, like chanted spells binding me to the tale, weaving me into its fabric, and broken only when the text ran out and the story ended. As a mid-life adult buzzing madly in the midst of the beehive of my life, I suppose I long for the netherworlds of my childhood as the ultimate repose. Perhaps the real joy of later life will be found in escaping once again into the enchantments of those netherworlds.

Busy Days

Lots of busy days ahead, getting the house set up and moving in. Up for today: visit Mom, buy a washer and dryer and put up a mailbox.

I've pretty much decided to go with a front loading washer. They cost more (ouch!), but they save an incredible amount of water and energy. A top loading washer uses up to 60 gallons of water for a full load of laundry; a front loading unit uses about 14. That means less water pulled from the well, less water heated, less detergent used, and less water and detergent discharged into the septic system. Front loaders are also more effective at cleaning, and they get a lot more water out of the laundry during the spin cycle. That translates to shorter drying times. Basically, I'll use less water, propane and electricity, and I'll put less stress on my septic system if I buy a front loader. It's a win-win situation, since what is good for me is also good for the environment. There are some minor drawbacks to front loaders, too, but with a well and septic, it's the way to go. Advice would be appreciated from anyone who has experience with particular brands of washer/dryer combos.

Tomorrow will be a day for cleaning (floors and counter tops, which still have some dust and grit from the building process on them), ironing (window treatments) and moving small items. No need to describe the coming days any further, you get the gist. I have a vacation coming up in September, and I hope to be pretty well settled in by then, which will free up my time to putter in the yard.

MERCY!!!!

I am rattled beyond belief today. Settlement is tomorrow. Tomorrow morning I will pretty much empty the contents of my bank account and hand it over to a mortgage company. The mortgage company will then proceed to take most of my income every month forever. I see trips to Tuscany and Provence, cruises of the Mediterranean, now beyond my reach.

I ended the work day today with an incomprehensible collage of sticky notes on my desk. Most of them made little or no sense. I'll try to sort it all out when I'm back at my desk on Thursday, hopefully in a calmer frame of mind.

I really am rattled.

Witching (and Wizarding) Hour

I'd never been to the mall at midnight until last night. Only one of the four or five doors at the entrance was open for the Harry Potter fans trickling in to pick up their copies of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Security guards on Segways eyed those entering the building, watching to make sure they headed straight for the escalator that would take them to the Borders Express upstairs.

The mall was dark and warm, the air conditioning having been turned up a few degrees for the night. Silence reigned, except in the small area outside of the bookstore, where chaos seemed to have taken control. There had been a celebration leading up to the witching hour, and salespeople dressed as witches continued to call out numbers for prize drawings. Since I was there only to pick up my preordered copy of the book, I didn't try to snag one of the little blue tickets needed for the prize drawings.

Mistake.

At the stroke of midnight, the crowd (not huge, but still too much for the small mall store) massed together to find their way to the registers to make their purchases. Incomprehensible instructions were given, which seemed to cause shifting of the crowd, but still, no clear lines were formed. Then, an imperious security guard began ordering people out of the store. A young girl nearby explained to me that customers were being taken in order of the numbers on their little blue tickets.

It was 10 past midnight at this point, and only a few people had left the store with book in hand. I had no idea where to obtain a ticket. Even if I came up with one, I'd be the very last customer served. While I could have abided an orderly line, the chaos in the store and the ill-will of the security guards made staying unpalatable to me.

I left.

I drove across the highway to Walmart, where peace and order marked the early moments of the new day. A simple line had been constructed outside. Bookmarks, posters, cupcakes, candy and wristbands were distributed to all who waited to enter the store, just a few people at a time. I waited no more than 5 minutes before gaining entrance. I was guided to a customer service desk where 2 clerks with stacks of books assisted with purchases. 5 minutes later I was home and beginning my journey into the final tome in the Harry Potter series.

As for Borders Express, I'd probably still be waiting in that mob right now...

Tearing My Hair Out

With settlement on my home purchase just a week away and some of the finer details unresolved, I'm tearing my hair out. To add another cliched saying to this post, it never rains but it pours. I have a vacation coming up in September. I'm desperately trying to get ahead at work so that I won't be BEHIND when I get back. Add into the mix medical appointments (routine, but time consuming) and the impending settlement, and, well, things are stressful! And now Mom isn't feeling too well.

My sister has been wonderful - she lives near Mom and does all that she possibly can to help her. I think Mom might have to go back to the hospital again soon. She's been dwindling physically and mentally. She recently asked my sister about my brother's wife, who died 6 or 7 years ago. I guess Mom had forgotten that she was gone, and she cried when my sister told her about it.

Putting it all in perspective, the settlement stuff will fall into place, or it won't. I'll be warm and dry and well-fed either way. I'll get stuff done at work or I won't. I'll make every effort to stay on schedule, but, if I don't, it will be there when I get back. It's the people we love who count, and all of the other things can go hang.

By the way, it really does look like I've been tearing my hair out! I've got the worst case of the frizzies ever, and I can't seem to conquer it. Any suggestions???

Making Sunday Pudding

Looking at my last post, I realize that I left out some critical bits of information. I've grappled a bit with my own religious affiliation in recent months, and I even considered converting to Catholicism at one point. I had to examine what I believe about God, the church, divine revelation - the whole lot.

I know many sincere Catholics, and I respect and admire them. I'm far too ingrained in protestant ways of thinking to convert with ease. Pity the poor priest who might have had the task of instructing me!

The Pope and the hierarchy of the Catholic Church are probably convinced that he actually does represent Christ on Earth, and that the Catholic Church is the only path to God. I am not convinced of that, so I obviously would not make a good Catholic. I respect those who do believe these things. Their beliefs are at least as reasonable as some of the things Protestants believe. For the record, I don't completely swallow the Protestant KoolAid, either.

I was raised in the Methodist Church. What I believe about God and faith could not be summed up neatly in a booklet about Methodist doctrine. I don't believe exactly what any one denomination believes, swallowed whole in an undigestible mass.

I guess the Pope's recent statements irked me a bit. They struck at the core of my sectarian and religious beliefs about freedom. However, as part of that freedom, every religious group has the right to define itself without intereference (as long as it does so peacefully). We each choose our religious, political and personal affiliations. More important, we choose just how much influence each of those thing has on who we are and how we go forward in life. I guess, in the end, the proof is in the pudding.

No Surprises Here

The conversation around the office lunch table invariably swings to the news of the day. First up for discussion over tuna sandwiches and diet Snapple today was the Pope's recent statement that the Catholic church is the only denomination that counts (one true church/faith kinda deal).

Reactions in the room were interesting, with the Catholics among us expressing the most incredulity. We non-Catholics were essentially unmoved, for two basic reasons. First, we already knew that the Catholic church held that position, so it wasn't news to us. Second, the Pope holds no authority to us. We don't think he speaks for God, and we don't think he has better access to God than anyone else. His opinion is fairly irrelevant to us, unless it impacts public policy or inspires genocide.

Any really interesting conversation (let me put my Geek hat on) today centered around Harry Potter. Discussions about the latest movie (released today) and the 7th book (to be released on 7/21; yes, I'll be in line at midnight) were animated and full of anticipatory speculation. Most people seem to think that Harry will make the ultimate sacrifice. He might be a horcrux (OK, I did mention the Geek hat, didn't I?), or Neville might turn out to be the wizard in the prophecy after all.

Those of you who have not followed the story have already tuned out on this post. Those of you who know the HP saga must have a guess about the final outcome of the series. What do you think?

A few of my predictions:
Ginny Weasley will play a significant role
Snape: friend, not foe (though never friendly)
There are a few surprises yet to be learned about Harry's family history
Harry might die, but Voldemort will not win
Neville and Luna will play important roles, as well
Draco Malfoy could make an unexpected change for the better
House elves, goblins and giants will factor into the final fray

OK, so I've dissed the Pope and exposed my interest in the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Am I a wanton liberal, or what?

2nd Monday and Stuff

Today felt like Monday all over again. After having the day off yesterday for the Fourth (funny how we almost never call it Independence Day), getting up for work was like getting up on a Monday morning. 2 Mondays in one week, yikes.

Not that I'm complaining...

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Maybe I watched too much of the 'Twilight Zone' marathon yesterday. One episode I saw was about a man who went back in time to the day of Lincoln's assassination. He wanted to stop John Wilkes Booth from completing the deed, but he couldn't do it.

Ever wonder how the world might be different today with just one small change in history? Imagine what would have happened if Benjamin Franklin had decided to remain loyal to the throne of England. He moderated much of the angry debate in Philadelphia prior to the Declaration of Independence, he persuaded many to join the fray, and he was the tie to our important French allies at the time of the war. He was a diplomat's diplomat.

Where would the US today be without Ben's influence on our history? What if he had used his considerable intellectual powers on behalf of Jolly Old England? Cricket, anyone? Would there ever have been a George Bush or a war in Iraq?

All questions, no answers. Like I said, too much 'Twilight Zone.'

Phew!!!

I know it's been quite awhile since I posted. I'm glad to see that the Room was still here waiting for me!

The home purchase I was planning back in April didn't pan out, and that's a good thing! I've found something I like much more, and I'm expecting to sign contracts this afternoon. Cross your fingers for me, I'm really hoping this one will stick. Sure, this house costs more, and the interest rates have gone up, but at least the taxes are lower...

The house is new, and it's in the woods. It's quiet and private, everything I want in a home. It's an American classic in style: it's a bilevel. I knew I wanted the home the first time I stood on the patio. There is lovely swirled design imprinted into the cement. Shortly after they poured the patio, a turkey (a big one, judging from the size of the tracks) came by and wandered up to the doorway to take a peek inside. Hey, people pay big bucks to have their cement texturized. This design was donated by mother nature. Hard to beat that!

Hope the turkey is a frequent visitor. And DON'T get any funny ideas about Thanksgiving dinner!!!

Earth Day

The time has come to pay attention to our Earth and her needs. Check out the Earth Day website.

Mercy!

Mommanator over at Grannie's Ramblings told me today that it was time to dust off the Room. She told me she needs some new reading material, so here it is, fresh off the presses just for you, Mommanator!

I signed a contract to buy a home tonight. The sellers have agreed to my offer, and, if they sign the contract as expected, then I'll soon find myself in the midst of the maelstrom that accompanies real estate purchases.

The home in question is modest but relatively new. It's in a neighborhood, but the lot is large (1.5 acres). It needs some landscaping, so I'll be calling on all of my gardening friends for advice in that realm! I enjoy yard work, but I don't have much expertise when it comes to proper planting techniques, purchasing stock, etc.

In other news, my Mom has been in and out of the hospital and nursing care. She's home now, but we're working on setting up assisted living for her. She's not too good about taking her medication, and she's not particularly interested in eating. My siblings and I are doing our best to keep her well, but she needs a little more help than we can give her.

My office moved a couple of weeks ago. Fortunately, I have less than a 10 minute drive to work right now. That will change if my plans to purchase the house go through.

The new digs are nice, though moving was a major effort. I have a nice cubicle with a window. It offers a lovely view of some sort of maintenance yard, complete with trucks, piles of stuff and a warehouse. The view should improve when the large oak trees on the office property leaf out. No matter what, it's nice to be able to see at a glance what the weather is like. I see birds from time to time, too.

All in all, I think it's fair to say that my life has been a little bit crazy lately. Sorry for the long absence from posting; hope some of my blog friends find their way back for a visit soon. I'll try to be a little bit better about posting from here on out. With a little luck, I won't be touring real estate anymore, so I should have more time available. So, welcome to anyone who finds their way back to the Room. It's nice to have this virtual real estate to return to as my real life accommodations shift and change!

In Stitches

Heard a reporter (think it was on CNN) the other day talking about a violent event somewhere in the world. She described the group behind it as having a wonton disregard for human life. Yep, she pronounced it just like the name of your favorite Chinese dumpling. I howled.

Time For Tea

I had the pleasure of the company of two of the best friends a girl could have for a dining adventure last Saturday. We took our afternoon tea at The Vintage Rose Tea Room in Millville, NJ. My friend Zelda described the outing over at her blog, Garden of Eden.

The fare at The Vintage Rose was sumptuous. The ambiance was elegant and peaceful, but not at all haughty. The tea sandwiches were a dream, the scones were perfect, the desserts were heavenly and the tea selection was impressive. Clotted cream and lemon curd accompanied the scones, of course. The tableau was charming, with floral table covers reaching to the floor, silver service, and Royal Albert Old Country Roses china to hold the delicacies. The gustatory delights were presented on china plates on a three-tiered silver server. Cloth napkins were provided, of course. We dilly-dallied over our repast, enjoying the finest tea, food and company available.

I wish Virginia Gal lived nearby; I'd love to take her there for a treat one Saturday soon! I know she loves tea, and she is a bit of an Anglophile. I'd enjoy a chat with her over a cuppa.

It seems that Millville has played a prominent role in the more posh of my (admittedly limited) outings recently. I described a chic meal out at Winfield's in Millville in a post in December. These venues really are a surprise and a delight, tucked away in unpretentious little Millville. Will wonders never cease!

Noisy Neighbors

I'm not talking about the folks upstairs, although they ARE noisy. That's a story for another day. There were quiet mornings around here for the last couple of weeks. The pond had frozen over and the wildlife had deserted us for greener pastures, errr... wetter waters. All that ended late last week when the deep freeze eased. I was awakened shortly after dawn by the calls of the ducks who had returned to the pond. They are joined from time to time by a small flock of Canada geese, who give new meaning to the word noisy! I've even heard the geese in the middle of the night, honking just outside my (first floor) bedroom window.

Yesterday morning I was up early and sat down to check my email. I heard the oddest noise, and I wondered just what the neighbors were up to now. I peeked out my window to behold three enormous turkeys parading around on the lawn just outside The Room; another voice had been added to the daily cacophany of nature sounds to be heard here, unexpected in such a populated location.

As loud as my feathered friends can be, their noise never disturbs me. Human noises often annoy me to no end, but most of the sounds found in nature are comforting to me. Guess that's why my current home search is focused on more rural settings. Wish me luck!

And Now for Something Completely Different...

...allow me, please, to introduce the multi-talented (dare I say ingenious?) Evil Chicken. The name is deceptive, because EC is actually one of the kindest people I know, and he has a degree of moral courage that would put most of us to shame.

In any event, stop by his place, Chicken Scratch, from time to time. You never know just what you'll find there!

Fave Foto Friday

Here's a little something for FFF. I know I've been woefully AWOL lately; sorry! Life's been coming at me fast. I'm on my way out the door in a few minutes, so I don't have time to reply to any comments right now. I hope to have a chance this evening or tomorrow. Hope everyone is well!

Stretched Out

Some Days

(today was one)

I feel like a used paper clip

-form slightly skewed

-less useful than before

I can still function to handle the big things

(for a short while...if I must)

but smaller things

elude my grasp.

Ducks and Drakes

OK, here they are, finally, the real decoy, errrr... McCoy. Anywho, these are the ducks who inhabit the pond outside The Room.

Not the greatest photos, I know. I'll get better ones at a future date.

Allow Me to Introduce...

...my very good friend, the Mommanator! Her blog is up and running, and it's ready for prime time. Stop by and show her the love!

Room With a View

The windows here at The Room overlook a pond occupied by a small flock of Mallard ducks. Recently, a group of Canada Geese has been in residence, as well. Here is a link to the sound I wake to each morning. The pond is just outside of my bedroom, and the ducks seem to favor my side of the water at sunrise. They take a morning stroll across the lawn at about 7:00 am every day; I suspect that one of the neighbors throws out some seed at about that time each morning.

One poor drake has a backwards foot. I don't know whether this is due to a birth defect or an injury. It makes him a bit of a pegleg, and he hobbles when he walks. The social worker in me wants to connect him to services. I wonder if there is a local nature group or veterinarian who might be able to correct his defect. He's still pretty functional, but I wonder how well he will be able to evade the cats lurking around if he's caught any distance from the water when one appears. I guess that's natural selection, but I don't have to like it.

I don't have any photos of my ducks to share right now. I'm posting this at night, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow to try to take a picture. I'll shoot for an image of the ducks for Fave Foto Friday this week. Here's an image of a Mallard I found online:

Melting

Photo found at Komo TV website

Global warming is a topic of great interest to me. Frank at iFlipFlop posted recently about the unprecedented high temperatures we're experiencing this January. While one warm January does not a melted planet make, there seems to be an overall trend toward warm winters in the eastern US that is hard to ignore.

An article at cnn.com dated January 4 adds fuel to the fire. According to the article, an ice shelf the size of 11,000 football fields snapped free from Canada's Arctic 16 months ago (August of 2005), something scientists consider to be an alarming occurrence. Global warming is considered to be a, "major contributing factor," and this is seen as evidence that we are, "crossing climate thresholds." Earthquake monitors located 155 miles away picked up the collapse.

Fave Foto Friday

This is a photo of my sweet little Maxine at about age 1. I wanted to end the year with one last remembrance of her.

5 Things You Don't Know About Me (and Maybe Didn't Want To)

OK, here goes with the, "5 Things," meme. I was tagged awhile back by Frank at iFlipFlop to do this meme, but the holidays and Mom's illness slowed me down a bit.

1. I love to travel, but I'm a terrible homebody. Coming home from somewhere (the mall, a party, a vacation) is one of my greatest pleasures.

2. I'm in a bit of a transition period right now, so home doesn't exactly feel like home. I'll probably buy a house sometime in 2007.

3. I'm generally pretty quiet. When I'm home alone, I don't often have the TV or the stereo on. I love music and I love entertainment (I'm going to see Trans Siberian Orchestra in AC tonight), but it usually just doesn't occur to me to make noise. Can't someone invent a truly quiet washer/dryer/dishwasher/heater that's affordable to the masses? One thing my new home is likely to have is a separate laundry room, hopefully far from the main living area!

4. My current digs won't allow dogs, but cats are allowed (for an additional monthly fee). I love all animals, and I had a chance to adopt a kitten on Christmas Eve, but I'm allergic to cats. Another reason to buy a house soon!

5. I doubt very much that I will live in New Jersey after I retire. New Jersey has become crowded, traffic-jammed and noisy since I was a child, and has lost far too much of its woodlands and wetlands, in my opinion. The wide-open spaces of the Midwest beckon.

I hope everyone had a lovely holiday. Christmas was odd for me this year, with Mom sick and the family a bit hectic, but I survived.

I had a lovely dinner out with a friend last night. We dined at a fine restaurant in Millville, of all places! Winfield's is surprisingly chic and urban in decor, and they have quite a martini menu. I had a tartini, which was delicious, and included muddled raspberries in the mix. I also had a nice glass of merlot with my steak au poivre (one of the specials last night), and (the ladies will appreciate this) I had creme brulee for dessert.

Well, time to gear up for the New Year. Here's to a spectacular 2007 for all!

Oh! Christmas Tree

I've been tagged by Frank at iFlipFlop to do a 5 Things You Don't Know About Me meme. I'm working on it, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, here is glimpse of Ms. Merci Humbug's Christmas tree.

Who's A Humbug Now?

The lights are on the tree, following a moment of inspiration on Saturday morning. There are ornaments and candy canes decking her boughs, as well. The garland has yet to be bought and applied, but I'm confident that another moment of inspiration sometime very soon will result in a glorious, finished product.

Now there's more shopping to do, and gifts to wrap, and cards to write, and Christmas dinner to plan...

Who's A Humbug?

Ok, so there's been a fresh cut Christmas tree in my living room for close to a week now. It has a tree skirt at the bottom (which needs to be ironed before anyone actually sees it) and an angel on the top (yeah, I know that should go on last; tough). That's it. I've bought lights to put on it, but so far I've lacked the motivation to start the tedious process of winding them around the tree. I have ornaments (still in boxes), but I haven't purchased any garland yet. I'm not taking any bets as to whether or not there will still be garland available in the stores by the time I get to the point where I need it.

Christmas seems to sneak up on me every year. I'm finding it hard to comprehend that the Big Day is just a little over 2 weeks away. I haven't done any baking yet, and I might not. I still have some shopping to do, and I still don't know for certain what I'm doing on Christmas Day (though it's sure to involve family in some way, shape or form).

Underneath it all, I'm not sure that I care that much. It'll all get done. Or not. In the long run, what difference does it make?

Fave Foto Friday

Here's another photo from my visit to Grounds for Sculpture:

Looks like my posting has pretty much been limited to FFF lately. I've been on the run, with Mom in a nursing/rehab center following a few weeks in the hospital. I've completely lost track of the holiday season,though I hope to shop for a tree this weekend. A Merry Christmas Season to all!

Fave Foto Friday

This photo is a memory of a near-perfect day:

FFF

Here's my contribution to Fave Foto Friday this week:

I took this photo at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ. It's a beautiful place for a walk. Expect to see more photos from my visit on future FFFs.

Just an aside: my Mom is ill and is in the hospital, so my posting here and my visits to other sites are a bit infrequent these days...

Fave Foto Friday!

I love this photo because I took it. I was there.

This is one of my favorite places.

Poem

Wrote this poem in high school. It's not great, and it's a bit too dramatic, but I like it.

End of A Romance

Another torn leaf

Soars from a tree

In a death-crash of grief-

Finally free.

Another Monday

It's 6:45 am. Coffee is brewing in the kitchen as the dawn begins to light the sky ever so gently. I can hear the distant drone of traffic out on the highway. Coming at such an early hour, the noise indicates that this is a weekday, and the world is ready for business.

I have a few brief moments to ponder before I must busy myself with the ordinary Monday things and take myself off to join the masses headed to the workaday world. I feel resistant this morning, wanting to extend the relaxed glow of the weekend a little longer. I don't want to be drawn back into my weekly routine - the sameness of it, the chains it places on me. I am conscious of it now, tugging at me against my will. I will become unaware of it once it has me in its clutches, until I am set free again, albeit briefly, at the end of the week.

Maxine 6/6/90 - 10/6/06

Merthiolate

I had an interesting conversation with a couple of coworkers the other day. We started talking about the joy of skinned knees in childhood. Remember how messed up your knees (and palms and elbows) could get from falling on the cement? How often did we run home yelling, dripping blood all the way?

Our moms were staunch believers in iodine (applied after washing the area thoroughly with a soapy washcloth) as the first line of defense against infection. I wonder, was it really sanitary to use the stick in the bottle (attached to the lid) over and over again on our wounds? They didn't wash it before putting it back into the solution, did they?

My mom had an especially brutal tool in her arsenal: a big red spray bottle of merthiolate. This stuff was bright red in color, went on cold, and, no lie, hurt more than iodine. I remember seeing commercials for Bactine, which was supposed to be painless. I begged Mom to buy it, but she insisted we had to use up all of the merthiolate first. I don't think we ever did, and I'll bet she still has that red bottle somewhere, ready to torment me at the first opportunity.

Turns out that merthiolate is actually one and the same product as thimerosal. Thimerosal is the antibacterial, anti-fungal preservative that is being eliminated from vaccines and other products because of safety concerns. Apparently, it's almost 50% mercury. Thanks mom.

As for the skinned knees, I am told that today's kids mostly miss out on that bit of fun. Seems they play inside more than out, and are less active in general. Pity. Nothing quite beats the glory of skinned knees, wounds earned on the field of childhood play.

Grand Remercie, Mes Chers Amis...

I hope Frank will correct my French grammar, spelling, etc. It's been a long time...

I am blessed with some kind friends who have been very considerate, thoughtful and supportive over the last several weeks, and I cannot say enough to thank them. Two girlfriends have kept checks on me and helped to look out for me (Zelda and Mommanator), even though they have challenges in their own lives right now. I can't begin to describe how much they have meant to me.

In his own inimitable way, Pax has kept my thoughts positive and focused on the best aspects of the future, always ready with plans for good things. And he always boosts my self esteem when I'm a bit low. A chat with Pax is always a great way to start the day, along with a trip to Pax's Coffee Bar.

Another friend volunteered readily to do some heavy lifting in spite of a bad back. I will never forget his generosity of spirit.

One last friend provided me with some much needed respite in the form of an impromptu midwestern vacation, and has been there to revive my spirit as often as necessary, day or night. Thank you, from the depths of my heart and soul.

So an enormous hug and a big bushel of thanks goes to each of my very dear friends. I hope I have the opportunity to repay each of you in kind.

Lovely Lazy Saturday

Today was one of those lovely, lazy Saturdays. I slept late, went out for breakfast at 3pm, then came home and took a nap. Might take in a movie tonight. All in all, a perfect day. How did you spend your Saturday?

Changing Rooms

A Room Somewhere was closed for the last few weeks because my real-world, physical space moved. I’m writing this from a new room in a new town, though my virtual Room will remain comfortably the same, at least for now.

I managed to sneak in a vacation with a dear friend in September. I went to school in Indiana, and I came to love the Midwest while I was there. I had not been back since graduation (literally decades ago), and it was wonderful to see the heartland again.

The waves of grain were just beginning to turn amber while I was there. It was beautiful to see the moon hanging low in the sky over acres and acres of corn and soy; what a welcome sight to someone who can’t see the horizon at home because she lives in such a highly developed area. And the stars! The stars are bright and sparkling and abundant, with no light pollution to obstruct your view of them.

You all know how I like a quiet place. This visit with my friend fed my heart and soul in ways I can’t describe. I took long walks each day (sometimes more than once in a given day) along a country lane. The fresh air and exercise made me hungry as a big bear, and the home-cooked meals were filling and satisfying. It really was a perfect little idyll for me in the midst of a tempest.

I love being close to the ocean, but the East Coast is such a frenetic place to live anymore that I think I could leave the ocean for the farmlands. I’m sure the years from now to retirement will take me down many unexpected paths, but I think I may have found my heart’s desire along the country roads of the US Midwest.

Waking Room

I'm crossing all of my fingers and toes, and, with a little luck, I'll be able to turn the lights back on in the Room this weekend. It'll take a little magic and a lot of help from Comcast, but I think I just might pull it off. Hope to see you all soon!

Room at Rest

The Room is going to take a nap for awhile. I won't have access to a computer for awhile (except at work, and I don't like blogging on the sly), so I can't post and I can't get to email, either. I hope to be able to stop by your blogs from time to time, so I'll still be around.

See y'all soon!

Oops, I did it again...

I've been Home Alone this week, and, wouldn't you know, I set the alarm off again last night. Happened somewhere around 1:00 am. It only went off for about 5 seconds before I got to it, so maybe it didn't disturb anyone too much.

Sorry neighbors!

Landslides and Moonshine

Someone sent me various versions of Landslide (the song that seems to follow me lately), including the Dixie Chicks' version, which I like as much as the Fleetwood Mac version. I've burned all 4 to CD, along with a sweet little song called Kentucky Moonshine by Pure Prairie League. I heard a friend sing it today, and I had to track it down. Guess there's been a country theme to my day today.

Thanks very much for the Landslides and for the beautiful Kentucky Moonshine. Now I really AM going to bed! Goodnight!

Alarm Me! And everyone else...

Errrg. Just set off the alarm taking one of the dogs out. Boy, does that hurt your ears! Turned it off pretty fast, so I don't think I annoyed the neighbors too much. And NOW, I get to try to go to SLEEP.

GOODNIGHT!

Another Weekend Gone

Another weekend gone: one in an endless procession of nondescript breaks from work. Nondescript was OK with me this time around; I needed the rest. I nearly fell asleep while driving on Friday, less than half a mile from home. I know it happens to everyone sometimes, the sudden jerk of the head, but this was worse than usual. Let's just say that my car would have lost in a match-up with the oncoming SUV. I was seriously sleep-deprived last week. I think I totalled about 15 hours Sunday night through Thursday night. I'd fall asleep each night, but I had trouble staying asleep.

Today was an OK day. I did a bit of shopping at the mall and at Borders (had to try to find the song that made me cry when I was walking through Walmart on Friday), and I took a ride past my old house late in the afternoon. It's out in the country, and it's a pleasant drive. I'll post about that house one of these days; it was the only home I ever really fell in love with. I call it my Manderley, for those of you familiar with Daphne DuMaurier's Rebecca (though not because it's a mansion, or has a seaside cottage on the grounds; I've never been that rich).

Anyway, I turned off of my route home from the mall to head up Cumberland Avenue. Doesn't it sound green and bucolic? It is! I was immediately distracted by a small sign with an arrow that said, "Yard Sale." I made a quick left onto who-knows-what road, intrigued by the concept of a yard sale in the middle of nowhere.

Half a mile or so up the road, on what I think was a farm (I didn't stop to look too closely) some folks appeared to be clearing up the last evidence of the sale. It was late in the day (5-ish), so I guess it was silly to think a yard sale would still be in full swing. Wonder if they pulled in any business? This is truly a back road through the woods, with very little traffic - lovely and peaceful, but not yard sale territory.

I turned around a little way up the road, went back to Cumberland Ave., and cut over to my old street. It has an equally lovely name, but I'll leave that detail out. ;) You really can't see much of my old house from the road - it sits WAY back in the woods. The driveway appears to be in need of a new load of stone, and weeds seem to be poking through. Oh well, it is the country.

Still not ready to go home, I cut back up Cumberland Ave. This time I rode through with the sun roof and the windows open. I wanted so badly to just pull over and enjoy the peace and quiet, but it didn't seem like a sensible thing to do, so I headed for home.

I finally ate dinner (which was also breakfast and lunch today - I was so distracted by shopping that I forgot to eat) at about 6:30. As soon as my laundry comes out of the dryer, I'm for bed. 'Night all! Sleep tight.

Pandora's Box

I found Pandora's Box in my attic last week. Having reduced a bit lately, I've been shopping my attic for clothes that fit (as well as several local department stores; have you heard the scream of anguish from my bank account?) I came across a box packed several years ago marked, "small clothes." All things being relative, most women will recognize that the clothes we called small several years ago would qualify as absolutely miniscule today.

I actually let the box sit out for a couple of days, and I thought I had decided to return it to the attic unopened. I should have known better than to tear the packing tape off of it, but what would the world be like if Pandora had been a woman of good sense? I proceeded. What was inside? Rare treasure, indeed!

1)Tiny little chinos from the late 80's, with tapered legs and high pleated waistlines. Bought at The Limited. Black and khaki.

2)Two knit dresses barely big enough to fit my Charmin Chatty doll (I still have her, though she's in terrible condition). One green and slinky, one black and white striped above an empire waist, and black below the waistline. Both with the obligatory padded shoulders of the 80's. The black dress has two gold buttons just under the waistline, giving it a military flair. Can't believe I ever wore these to work!

3)Several pairs of shorts.

4)An acid-washed denim jumper with a high, tight waist. I remember wearing this on a date to a comdedy club in Philly, with a walk along the waterfront afterwards. I loved that jumper. Guess that's why I saved it.

5)One truly pretty outfit with a royal blue skirt in a silky fabric and an oriental-inspired wrap top in a matching print (same fabric).

6)A pretty black knit dress with long sleeves, an empire waist and a dirndl-style skirt falling from the waist, fuller at the bottom. This would be a great dress to dance in; it would flow with every movement.

And so, discontentment has been loosed from the box and into my world. I want to wear these clothes again, or at least be able to wear them. They'd look ridiculous out on the street in aught six, especially without the big permed hair to go with the shoulder pads.

I'd better take another look in the box. I think I may have packed hope back into it along with the clothes and sent the whole kit and caboodle back to the attic.

Followed By A Song

The song Landslide by Stevie Nicks seems to be following me these days. I heard it again last night just as I reached the end of a long wait in line. I don't believe in giving mystical power to happenstance, but I was a bit taken aback. I posted about this song back in July.

Hope the song can lull me back to sleep for an hour or so. I seem to fall asleep for a few hours, then wake up for a couple, mind in overdrive. I'm tired. A quiet weekend is just the ticket for me right now. Gotta make it through Friday first. An outing with the Breakfast Club should start the day off right. Pax, Zelda...see you at 8:00!

My Quiet Place

This is one of my favorite places. I've only been there once, and I'm not sure whether or not I'll ever return. It's a forest in Sitka, Alaska. This is where I send my spirit when it needs rest. I keep prints of this picture at work and at home.

Wordless

This week finds me at a loss for words. While I often cannot find just the right words, it's rare for me to find myself silenced. Right now, the words are locked in my heart, and my pen can't seem to set them free. I suspect that I am asking words to do something that words, no matter how fine, may never accomplish.

I think I'll rest a beat to refresh my heart. Maybe I'll find some wordless way to do what my poor, powerless pen cannot.

Fresh! Hot!

IT'S ABOUT TIME!

CNN is reporting that the US and France have agreed to a draft UN resolution to end the fighting between Hezbollah and Israel. What took them so long? Not enough death and destruction?

Has anybody heard any reports that the US government has called for a cease fire, aside from the pending UN resolution? The last I heard, we were saying something to the effect that we respected Israel's right to defend itself.

Yield Sign

Sometimes nature has a way of slowing you down when you need it. My weekend plans might be on hold because I'm exhausted. I was fragmented at work yesterday. It was a bad hair day, and my face is kind of splotchy - I think I'm allergic to something. I fell asleep right after dinner, and I woke up a bit after midnight feeling generally lousy. Maybe I'll pack my husband off to the barbecue today. That would allow me to spend a quiet day at home alone. Reading, sipping tea, enjoying the garden - mmmm, sounds nice!

I'm going back to bed now. Maybe I'll feel different about it when I get up later this morning. Maybe I'll feel like baking a pie and heading out to a barbecue. Maybe.

Whoever thought we'd be glad for a forecast high temperature of 93 because it meant a cooler day? Remarkable!

We have a barbecue with friends on tap for this weekend. Yet another barbecue! I'm thankful for the end of each summer because I'm ready to forswear barbecues for awhile. It should be a balmy 87 degrees this time around. I know that's a vast improvement over the 97 degree temperatures we've had for the last several days, but I've never been one to sit out in the sun (I burn, blister, peel and freckle, but I don't really tan), so 87 sounds high to me. I'll find a shady spot, and I'll pack plenty of sunscreen.

I have managed to take the edge off of my glow-in-the-dark skin with Jergens Natural Glow Lotion. While I wouldn't qualify as tan by most people's standards, at least I won't be guiding ships into harbor when I go to the beach.

In spite of the type of gathering, I'm looking forward to seeing my friends. This is an annual event with a group of guys my husband has known since childhood and their wives. Of course, that means we're going to hear about their youthful exploits all over again. I seriously don't know how these guys made it to adulthood without death, dismemberment or incarceration. We'll hear the same highlights and the same squabbles over details we hear every time this group is together (several times a year). That's OK. The ladies can withdraw to another table to discuss modern history.

I've been asked to make a sour cream apple pie for the affair, and I will oblige. I'm glad all over again for the lower temperatures, since running the oven in the extreme heat is not my idea of a good time! Yes, we have air conditioning, but, still, the idea baking anything when it's close to 100 degrees outside is anathema to me.

So, what's on for your weekend? Anybody have super plans to make the rest of us jealous? Right now, I'd probably be most envious of the person who said they were going to stay home and read a good book!

In Her Element

Zelda at Garden of Eden posted about the allure of rain today. I love the rain. I don't mind getting wet, and I love the rhythm and freshness of it.

My favorite element, however, is wind. I love a strong, steady wind that washes over me. In Ireland, we visited Inis Mor on a windy day. The ferry ride to this island off of the coast of Galway was rough, what with the troubled waves of Galway Bay and the powerful winds that came with the day. We climbed Dun Aengus and stood atop a cliff, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean with no walls no fences no guards to interfere with the view, all in the wild, wild wind. One does not go quite to the cliff's edge on Dun Aengus; to do so could be quite perilous.

Maybe I connected with my Celtic heritage while I was there. Inis Mor is a hard, bleak place, with a rugged, determined beauty. I imagine in that place a Celtic maiden of a century past, with a hard life and few pleasures. A powerful wind would seem like a portent, like a god bearing strength and power. No wonder the Holy Spirit is compared to a mighty wind.

I imagine my maiden standing near the edge of that cliff, a dangerous, exciting place to be. The deep teal of the roiling waves below match her Irish eyes. The wind assails her, enveloping her while passing over her and through her, eliciting exhilaration to her very core. Alone on that cliff she would turn her face to the sky, lift her hands palm first into the air, and let wave upon marvelous wave of wind flood her senses, commune with her soul.

I must confess that in unguarded moments I am that maiden. I cannot help myself, I must turn my eyes to the sky, open my arms to the wind. The wind releases me, blows the dust from every forgotten corner of my neglected spirit and sets my restored essence free.

We've lost our connection with the elements, and we are embarrassed to speak of our reactions to them. What a waste, what a shame. Rather, we seek sophisticated pleasures and unnatural highs, things that serve to divorce us from the boldness of the wind and the cleansing of the rain. It is good to set contrived indulgences aside from time to time to allow elemental delights to take hold once again.

8/1

August 1st already, and September will be here before you know it. Big changes are coming over the next several months. Some of my very best friends at work will be moving to a different office soon, leaving Zelda and me outnumbered in the lunchtime melee (it can truly be an uncomfortable situation) at our office. Zelda, maybe we will have to seek out an alternative lunch site.

A massive reorganization of our services is on tap for this fall, and the entire office is expected to change locations late in the year. The reorganization will probably leave me with a change of supervisor (boo), making life much more complicated. The move will put me closer to home, which is a good thing, but I'm not so sure that the new location will be as convenient for running errands on lunch break and that sort of thing.

I'm relatively philosophical about most of the changes (though I'll really miss a couple of friends). We will adapt, and the new situations will become normal to us once we establish new patterns. I'm a little bit concerned about the possible layout of the new office, since the folks in nearby cubicles (dratted world of Dilbert that we work in) have a huge impact on the quality of your workday. Oh, well, plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose is especially true in bureaucracies.

Antidote

Here's a little antidote for the extreme temperatures we're experiencing right now. This photo was taken in September of 2004. It is a picture of a section of the Hubbard Glacier in Yakutat, Alaska. Wish I was there now!

Mercy!

Tonight is surely the buggiest night since prehistory, nay, since the dawn of time. It is in my backyard, at any rate.

I just took the oldest hound out for her evening constitutional. She can't see anymore, and she can't navigate the two steps from the door to the ground, so I must carry her out into the yard. I can officially report that all of the insects have left the woods tonight to congregate on my back door. It's a veritable bugs' ball out there, and the toad patrol is missing in action once again! Not that they'd be very effective at climbing the door to get to these big bugs, but any help would be appreciated. I suspect the toads have been overwhelmed and carried away by the masses of giant insects creeping and flying around out there. I had to use a broom to sweep off the door before I could open it to come back into the house. The other dog had to go out, too, but he was on his own. I sent him out unescorted. He can make it down the steps on his own, so no way in tarnation was I going out there with him.

In spite of loving nature and the woods, I am an insufferable coward when it comes to most insects. I love my dragonflies and lady beetles, and I can tolerate most other creepy crawlies when they keep their distance. When they invade my space, I cry for mercy. I hope I didn't wake the neighbors.

If it were not for the potential for insect invasion, I could probably live alone in contentment. As it stands, if I lived by myself, I'd probably be found mummified in a corner some day, kept at bay by an errant wasp or spider. So now you know the quality I value most in a man: the ability to efficiently and effectively eliminate any and all insect visitors from the household as soon as my first scream for help is issued. A willingness to handle all outside tasks (like taking the dogs out) on buggy nights is a highly desired optional feature (one that wasn't functional tonight). Quite the job description, no?

What Women Want

Pax Romano posted today about Mel Gibson’s most recent public relations SNAFU. Mr. Gibson was arrested for driving while intoxicated. While in the process of being arrested, he is alleged to have made anti-Semitic and sexist statements.

I might not be able to speak for all women, but I know what I find sexy. This isn’t it. I confess to having skipped a few heartbeats for Mel back in his Lethal Weapon days, but sorry behavior and small-mindedness are too ugly to be outweighed by a pair of pretty blue eyes. While I believe in forgiveness (he has apologized), it’s hard to make a fallen sex symbol sexy again.

I am fortunate to know several good, kind and intelligent men. I think it’s the blessing of middle age to be able to see into a beautiful heart and love it. The wrapper is appealing because what’s inside is so attractive.

The title of this post is What Women Want. Well, to me, the most attractive things a man can possess are an intelligent mind, an interest in the world, and a willingness to consider his companion’s ideas while sharing his own. Discussions of religion, politics, travel, literature and world events are far more intriguing than flexed muscles, and a kind heart trumps everything, at least in Merci’s world!

Everybody Needs a Little Time Away

I'm in a frame of mind where I could use some down time - time to think, rest, and just be. I can't do it right now, since my Mom is here, and we have a family event this weekend. Next weekend there's an annual barbecue with friends to attend, so it won't happen then, either. Maybe I can manage an early trip to the beach one Sunday for an hour or so alone.

I'd love a real getaway - a couple of days in a quiet, beautiful place. It would be difficult to arrange an escape at this time of year without a bit of travel, since we're at the height of the tourist season, and I can't think of anyplace to go that isn't teeming with humanity. During the off season, I could probably find a quiet little B&B somewhere.

Where do you go and what do you do when you need some time alone?

Tended

Like a lover
Who comes
Late in life
Midsummer
Rouses
In my garden
Latent treasure
And elicits

In rich measure
Fiery blossoms,

Fervid pleasure

-merci

Too Stupid

Without going into great detail, I did a lot of stupid things today, some just ordinary stupid and some, well, a bit more so. Stupid does more to make you cringe, to mar your self-image, that just about anything else. The only thing that's worse than stupid is mean. I don't think I did anything out and out mean today, so there's that.

My very kind boss has already forgiven one glaring error. I guess the only thing left to do is to turn around, show up tomorrow, and be less stupid, errrrr, be brilliant, yeah, that's the ticket! Sounds like a plan. Let's see how it goes...

Spiced

Funny how your tastes change when you cut out junk food. I rarely crave sweets anymore, though I still must have a piece of chocolate from time to time. A small amount is supremely satisfying to me now.

I still want pizza about once a week – some things will never change. I have no real desire for pasta, though I still love a good sandwich. Soups and salads taste marvelous to me, and there are a lot of good diet soda options these days.

My biggest potential downfall right now is tortilla chips and salsa. I struggle to keep myself from eating the whole basket. In fact, Mexican food in general is nearly irresistible to me. There is one Mexican restaurant near my office where they serve a marvelous chicken in mole sauce. Hmmm, might have to sneak off for lunch one day this week. If I don’t eat the chips, and keep the rice to a minimum, it might not be such a terrible lapse for me.

I’ve developed the oddest taste for hot peppers. I’m not usually crazy about very spicy foods, though I do remember many summers ago having been on a Big-T cheesesteak-with-hot-peppers kick. If memory serves, I was even eating hoagies with hot peppers at the time. But now I seem to want to nibble on plain pepperoncini, which would have been unimaginable to me in the past. I’ve even packed a couple in my lunch for tomorrow. Fortunately, peppers are very low in calories, and they’re fat free, so why not?

Come to think of it, a cheesesteak with hot peppers would be a tasty diet break sometime soon. I think I’ll allow myself one or the other (cheesesteak with hot peppers or chicken with mole sauce) this week. I might have to hold out on the cheesesteak until I can find a companion for a road trip to Philly. I must confess that I have never had an actual Philly cheesesteak. I know, I know – I grew up right over the bridge from the City of Brotherly Love, and I’ve never consumed their most famous product. I must make amends soon.

Of course, I work in a town with an extensive Italian population and many good Italian restaurants. I have to guess that I will be able to find a respectable cheesesteak with hot peppers for lunch if I look hard enough!

So, cheesesteak or chicken mole. Anyone want to join me?

Post Party Blues

So who was up 6:30 this morning, in spite of not having gone to bed until 4:00 am? Moi, of course, because those silly hounds of mine were demanding an audience. I must bow to the Truth In Blogging Act, and pause to confess that I did manage an hour or two of sleep earlier in the night, albeit on the couch, wrapped aroud one of said hounds.

I now find myself nodding off as I type, so I think I shall once again retire. Sweet dreams, all. Stop by for leftovers later, 'kay?