1/12/2015 1 Comment 'Nough SaidSome days there's not much to say...practically nothing. Nope nothing at all. I suppose that's when you know enough has been said. Amen.
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1/11/2015 3 Comments Sometimes: A Poem in WordplaySometimes I write poetry. Not often. I'd like to do more. This one is playing with words, something I like to do. I wrote it earlier this evening. For fun. Hope you enjoy. Let me know....
********** Sometimes Sometimes a little bit Is just a little bit. Sometimes quite enough is not quite enough. Sometimes the heart just loves a bit, sometimes just enough. It is a little bit like trying enough and often like not trying enough. It is what it is and sometimes what it is not. The heart only knows what the heart knows; not a little bit, not quite enough , Yet if one listens, it is always just right. 1/9/2015 1 Comment Quick Now....Quick now! Before it's too late! Quick, before it melts! Hurry, quick now, before he gets here. Some things seem so urgent that if they are not immediately attended to, something bad will happen. The opportunity will be missed. The snowman will melt before you get a picture. He will come in a catch you before you can hide the evidence. Quick, its almost morning. The clock will strike midnight and a new day will begin. There are no more opportunities to do what should have been done on this day. Like this blog. Like I intended all day to write it for this day, the ninth of January. In a few minutes it will be the tenth. Time is flying as usual. And the only way to slow it down is to stop and do what must be done. And so I did. Quickly, before it was too late. Thank heavens. Another regret avoided. Another blog written. And tommorrow is of course, another day. 1/7/2015 3 Comments Curbing My ExcitementAgain today, something strange happened to me. I am beginning to wonder about this New Year, this 2015. Yesterday was about an epiphany. Today its about, well, I guess its about trust. Or maybe its about knowing that things will work out just fine. And there is no reason not to accept good fortune when it comes by way...without guilt. But even talking about it, I realize I am superstitious about some things. Don't want to "jinx" it. What, you might ask, am I talking about? Well, its simple. For about three months now I have been in the throws of replacing my beloved 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee that had a major stroke in October when it blew a head gasket. Now even writing that, I feel so materialistic, but, I do need transportation...sold, reliable, earth-friendly transportation. I need a vehicle to transport myself places, to transport others, to carry my dogs and, well, that is safe. Today after much research and with the assistance of an auto broker, I think I found that vehicle. It is a 2015 Suburu Outback. Green. It has lots of bells and whistles that I have to admit appeal to my ego. But it also has a raft of safety features: rear view camera, drive assist, Eyesight (a feature that senses objects around you and gives you the heads up when you're too close to another car. It actually will slow you down! I am convinced I need these features. I won't go into detail, but age and such is taking its toll. Well, that is a bit of an exagergation, but the fact is, in today's traffic environment, I need all the help I can get. So what's the problem? I got a loan with a good rate, payments I can afford thanks to my financial advisor's guidance and advice (I need her too). It is even a gorgeous shade of green that makes it different from the run of the mill cars on the road. I like different. So, again, what's the problem? That little voice in my head keeps saying, "don't get too excited." Crud. I hate that voice. I know it is just my good sense trying to keep me safe. But come on. Oh well, I won't know until tomorrow for sure. And if it doesn't work out, there are other Suburu's that will come along. (Apparently this particular model with all I wanted on it it hard to find, just rolling out, etc.). So maybe I will get just a tad excited. Even just at the possibility. Dreams are not bad. Its making them happen. And accepting the dreams coming true are really a good thing. (Little voice cries out, "Really? A new car is a dream come true? Really? Just transportation, just a means to get around. Why not a Mazda 2 or a Smartcar? Not that there's anything wrong with those.) Okay, stay tuned. In the meantime, I will curb my excitement. After all, happiness comes from within, not our "stuff". But the right "stuff" can help. 1/6/2015 2 Comments Wake Up CallSomething happened to me today. Something that was a bit like a wake up call. Strangely enough, it happened at a memorial service. (Yes, this is the second one I've attended this year already. Life can be ironic sometimes). It was like a call from the Universe. It was a true "wake up call". The service I went to was for a most wonderful woman, a member of my church. She was one of those ladies of the "old school" where manners and graciousness mattered, yet she never put on airs. In fact, I would say she was one of the most down-to-earth women, no, people, I have ever had the pleasure to meet. She was a gem, a joy, a fine example of what it means to be a good person. Whenever I'd see Jeanne in church, she was put her hand on my arm and say, "Come by and have a cup of coffee with me." And she meant it. And I did several times do just that. I went by and had a cup of coffee and some banana bread or cookies with her. She made good coffee and baked a mean banana bread. And she made great conversation. She not only talked about church goings on, but on city politics and events and how the Lakers/Cardinals/etc were doing. To put it succinctly, Jeanne was interesting. She had lived a long and full life. But more than that, she was full of joy. Joy. She liked people, loved her family and the church and could make anyone feel welcome anywhere, any time. So I went to her memorial service because, well, I couldn't have been anywhere else. And I learned so much more about her. She was one of 12 children. She was married to her husband, a man she still referred to as "My Jim", for just shy of 60 years. Two children, four grandchildren and many grandchildren. She never worked, but, as one of her grandsons noted, her work was making life better for everyone around her. And she did that just be being herself. So on this day of Epiphany in the Christian church, it seems appropriate that this celebration of life should bring a wake up call to me, if not everyone present. The call? Take time. Take time to get to know the people around you. Visit. Have a cup of coffee. Don't be too busy to converse. That is what life is all about. Jeanne knew that. And once again I am reminded of that. Don't put off visiting. Don't forget to ask how people are...and really listen. Everyone has a story. And if you are tuned in, you might just learn something. If I had such a thing as a resolution list for the New Year, this would be in the top five. In any case, it is time to incorporate this into my mission. And so there you have it: another wake up call. |
Rob McMurray,
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