Random Thoughts

Sometimes it's the little things in life that make one say, "Hot damn! How cool is that!" Like an electric tea pot. Or, more specifically, my new Capresso H2O Plus, glass, cordless, safety kettle. Gone are the days of going to the creek for water, building up the fire and waiting for the pot to boil. Okay, I never had to go to a creek or even prime a well. And, while as a Girl Scout I built a pretty good fire, the flames were better suited for making S'mores than boiling water.  In all honesty the only water I boil is for tea. It's not that big a deal. What is a big deal, is the fact that I often turn on the wrong burner.   I've been known to turn the back burner up to high, under the empty tea kettle. Maybe others have done  have done something similar ... once. Let me just say I've done it more than that. Out with the old and in with the new. Even though it wasn't my birthday when the postman delivered a box from Amazon, I couldn't wait...

Happy Birthday, Gracie Eleyiana Grace Ellington 9/5/2011 Little Miss Sunshine Sept. 2012

"Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose." Tennessee Williams A note from Weneki on November 8... Oh happy day, KDub!!! I am so lucky to call you, friend! Here's to you, Gorgeous Girl! I raise my glass to you. To your generous spirit. To your love of movies (romantic and action-packed and everything in between). And flowers. And dark beer. And whiskey. And tea!! And the power of now. And the phrase "poop poop peedoo." And glassy babies. And quilts. And tasty meat. And stories of love. And HGTV. And pink pens. And your amazing fam. And your silly dogs. And the Oscars. And Hawaii. And cute clothes. And men in kilts. And cake frosting. And lunch getaways where we solve all the world's problems while nibbling the smallest bag of tater tots. You are the bravest of brave. Hardest of workers. And very kindest of friends. You make me laugh, and really see me (one of the most wonderful gifts you can give someone). So, so ha...

"A light exists in Spring Not present in the year at any other period When March is scarcely here." Emily Dickinson For some the month of March is all about climate change. Winter's cold and dreary doggedness is pushed aside by sunshine and budding plants. Jon Katz writes of the "mud" season. Hopefully even in upstate NY and New England, the days will soon become warmer and the mud will make way for green, green grass. I live in Florida where we won't have much of a mud season. The temperatures will rise overnight, the azaleas will bloom, then it will be hot. For some March is synonymous with basketball. Not me. Even though Wendy played basketball in high school, I never did learn the rules, positions or strategy other than to get the ball in the basket. March Madness makes me think of Zubin, not basketball. Actually, March in general makes me think of Zub, who we lost too soon too long ago. After he died, Wendy and I went to the daffodil farm to celebrate ...

I drank caffeinated tea last night so my mind was still a buzz way past my usual lights out time. As I watched the clock turn over from one day to the next, I realized it was the 65th birthday of my X ... x-husband, not x-friend. Even as time marches on, I find myself re-thinking many of the times we spent together. What a blessing it is to remember more of the good times, the joy and laug hter, than the long dark days of a dying relationship. Again, I must qualify that statement by saying, that the marriage failed, but the relationship is still on track. We've both moved on, have new partners and drastically different lives. Still we share 20+ years of friendship, 2 children, 1 grandchild and many friends. Somewhere along the line the strict military man I married developed an "open mind" and a kind of gentle understanding. I don't know if I can come up with 65 reasons why knowing Jim makes me smile, but in the AntiJen spirit of birthday posts I'm going to try: 1...

"Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time." Jean Paul Richter (German novelist and humorist) Dear Wendy, In honor of your special day here is my wish for you: 1. A sunn y day with blue skies and big, white, puffy clouds 2. Crow si ghtings 3. Oolong tea in a pretty cup 4. Celebratory phone calls 5. Dog hugs and kitty kisses 6. A new hoodie 7. A long soak in a warm, bubbly tub 8. Fresh fruit of your choice 9. A handcrafted felt purse 10. A tall frosted glass of delicious iced tea 11. Baby coos and smiles 12. Good music 13. Chocolate chip cookies 14. Tim e to ponder old memories 15. Homemade guacamole 16. Sunflowers 17. Chocolate chip cookies 18. Time to dream new dreams 19. A cake full of candles 20. Money in your pocket 21. Kodak moments 22. Something silver 23. A gathering of good friends 24. An urban walk 25. A nap! 26. Michael Connelly books to read 27. Cousin capers 28. Brown things to warm your heart 29. Pork chops and applesauce 30. Crispy clean sheets toppe...

"What we need are more ways to experience our interconnectedness - it is a precursor to deep love. So in this quickening light, with the dawn of each new day, let us look for love. Let us no longer struggle. Let us ever become who we most want to be. As we begin to be who we truly are, the world will be a better place.” John Denver Last week I attended a funeral. While I believe memorial services are an important part of the grieving process, I find it a little strange that a person's death is often the only catalyst for his friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family to come together to celebrate his life. In my opinion, that's kind of backwards. It seems one's life should be acknowledged while a person is still alive to enjoy it, learn from it, and be blessed by it. In other words that's what birthdays are for! Maybe I'm just thinking that way because today is MY birthday! My father, who is going on 92, thinks I'm past the age of having birthdays; or should...

November 30, 1973 Jacksonville, Florida It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. On a chilly November night, a week after my original due date had come and gone, I decided the pain I was having on a fairly regular basis was not gas, but the real thing. I was in labor. This should have been a good thing, however, I was home alone. There was no one to drive me to the hospital or to watch Big Sister Wendy. The expectant father was at the airport picking up the expectant baby sitter. When Dad got home, we headed for the hospital, in the MG. No easy task getting in, considering my size. As we neared the railroad crossing that is known for its lengthy trains, we were in luck. No bells or bars to dodge. And don't think for a minute that James wouldn't have tried to beat the train! He was, after all, a Naval Aviator! I checked into the labor room, Dad was asked to wait outside. That was back in the days before everyone in the family was allowed in the pleasantly decorated ...

Before I got a computer of my own, before I had an email address, and before I even knew what a blog was, I was a little put off by a technology that in essence did away with snail mail. In fact, although it seems a little foolish now, I formed a club (basically of one) I named Down With E-Mail and voted myself president. I hated the thought that computer generated mail would take the place of tear-open-the-envelope-and-see-the-handwriting-of-an-old-friend correspondence. I felt like a Pony Express girl in an Internet world. You see, I love letters. Although I'm not always the best at writing them, like my dog who waits for the mailman to drop letters through the slot in the door, I always feel a little tease of excitement at the thought of being a recipient at mail time. I like fine stationery, vellum envelopes, multi-colored pens, pretty cards, funny cards, foot cards, cards with my name on them or just plain blank cards. But what I really go for are the stamps. I'm not into ...