Good Joke...

Nothing like a good joke.
I got this from the Prairie Home Companion site .
The good people over at the Prairie Home like a good joke so much they have a spot where you can share your jokes with them and they have archives of jokes too. Cool Beans?

George W. Bush is at a press conference and Moses walks in. Bush says "Hello, Moses." Moses doesn't speak. Bush says again, "Hello Moses." He still doesn't respond. So Bush asks, "Well why aren't ya talkin'?" And Moses finally says, "Last time I talked to a bush I got stuck in the desert for forty years."

Sad thing is we very well could be "stuck in the desert" for 40 years or more.

Classified

[I know what it's not. It is not a limerick. It isn't a haiku or a sonnet. Is it a poem? An ode...? A rant? A rave? A doxology? A wish, ...a dream, ...a cautionary tale....? Maybe you can tell me what it is? All I know is, I should have paid more attention in English class!]


There you are again. ~…
on holiday at the end of the world.

Someday you will take me there.

You who are strong and true ~ my love
Like the ocean waves beating life at a steady pace ~ you see us flowing together…
You have come to me, relaxing at the bulkhead, you have turned to me, again…and again… “Anybody could always be wrong�…you’ve said ~ but you are not… this is righ… and you know you have power to span any distance, or pain, nationwide, if need be …you take your courage from the plan of salvation and you pressed me to you and like the shores to the sea I feel myself giving… we sway… we nearly dance ~ our words and spirit rocking, sweet, sweet baby ~ rocking… and I am back to where I’ve always belonged. You have such, a warm embrace!

Yes.
You know me.
Yes.
You get me.
Yes.

We’ve been delivered.
For all who are chosen, pure, and true come home, in God’s wisdom and time…

Together we shall bask in the warmth of each other, and glow,
Brave, and renewed, in the majesty of Sunrise,
Love, is kissing your face and holding your hand … and…

We can skip our lucky stones across the shallow inlet waters ~ bowing often down together, in gratitude, in prayer.

and when we feel ourselves en-hungered we can take each other in and offer up our broken hearts …and the bread of sacrifice …and reaffirm the sealing love of the one who paid the price.

You ~ and I
… we’ll be sustained in time immortal, as we walk in diligence, obedience, and faith, together we have dared serve hope on love again ~enough to trust and dream and be. …come,

…through faith and time we’ll see each other peaceful, and at the end of the world.

Someday you will take me there …

Believe!

Celebrate Your Life!

Happy Birthday ~ Today!

You say it's your Birthday, na-na-na-na-na-na, na-nah!
~ Well, it's my Birthday too, yeah! na-na-na-na-na-na na-nah!

How's this for full circle? -> I'm living in the very house this OLD B-day photo of me, was taken in.
I'm the one in the light blue, front and center to that cake.
YUM! Chocolate! [Proof my parents were very good to me!]
Looks like m'posse ~ cousins, an Aunt, and Momma ~ are gearing up to help with blowing out those candles!
BTW ~ I count like 10-12 candles.
I don't think "they" were going with the traditional 1 candle to mark 1 year of age... no way Mom was hanging on that tight to me at 10 or 12!!! LOL!
Must have been going for the light-show, special effects deal this year??? [Big, big smiles for all of you!]
Hope you can count as many blessings on your special day as what I already have on mine!

Love & Love some more, people.... Cheerios2U!

Memorial Weekend

Yea!
Memorial weekend once again!
A time for honoring our fallen heroes.
A time for remembering freedom's cost.
A time for decorating the graves of the dead... and... in doing so, perhaps we'll be prompted to share the living stories of the great things they had to teach us.

You gotta know where they all are, it sure does help to know where they all are.

I was reminded of that 2 seasons past when my Aunt Dona came up from KS. She visits here most Memorial weekends because this is where her parents, grand-parents, and a great-great-great-grand are "resting". There is a nice spot marked for her someday. It is a few feet north, and a tick east, of that big, beautiful pine tree which stands watch there. When she finally does go to ground, she will be laid down between the baby son she never got a chance to laugh with, and raise up ~ along with the other 5 children she had, and the baby brother that left this world before she, herself, ever came to be.

I remember, she came out to my place and opened up that car trunk of hers and she had a huge collection of decorations in there. Everything.... She had the patriotic, Red, White and Blue stuff, for our veteran kin, she had playful ~ pinwheeles and cherubs, for the children and the babies (I thought that was especially cool) and like I said, everything in between. Then we went up together and she was remembering one's I'd either forgotten or that had been laid down, while I was out drawing insights into my life, listening to wind walking through the deep canyons, and reflecting what light I had to see with, upon the vermilion rock faces of the high Colorado desert plateau. I've joyed in wondering off to quiet, majestic places. I like to be still, sometimes, and drink in the knowledge ~ the testimony of all creation ~ of the great I am ~ of the Living God. And it's good to return, and touch home base, and honor your roots. I've come to realize they've been buried, generations deep, into fertile ground.

5-6 years ago I got a "place" up there too. .. and if it does, in fact, end up being my final resting place, I'll be with several other dear family members. Another favorite Aunt, Phyllis D. found this parcel of gravesites for sale, posted on a bulletin board at a grocery store in Aurora CO, of all places. Her and Uncle Dale offered me the option of buying in on one: $150.00 bucks for "perpetual care". I thought that was a smokin' deal. Uncle Dale still thinks it's a hoot that it was my first real-estate purchase! [I don't mind going with the long term investments!] Could be, I'll never get to use it. I like the general, carefree thoughts of never knowing where & how you'll end up... but I also like telling folks that I've got that off my to-do list! Hehehee...

Ah! Memorial weekend! has always been a special time for me.
It is the first big partay weekend of the summer.
And more years than not, it marks my birthday celebrations with great joy, and vitality for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness ~ ah! Baby! How good it can be!!!

Here's a quote attributed to Mother Jones: ~ "pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living!"
Right on, Mother. Wishing all of you a great, SAFE, JOYFUL and wondrous ~ holiday weekend!
Cheerios2U all!

Blogger is as Blogger does....

OK! I can get to my Blog again.
I was going a bit nutz last night because "Blogger" wouldn't let me on.
[Thank you Op ~ for your encouragements]
I could go to YOURS, but I couldn't go to mine.
I had FEAR that all would be lost, and that I was gonna have to start over. [shudders!]
Tell me... what you've been fearing? ........or tell me a good clean joke! Hehehee...
LOL!
Happy to be back in the groove, here!

Happy Wednesday!
Cheerios2U!

Things are not always as they seem...

What a marvelous trip yesterday! I didn't get much sleep the night before ~ but, hey! That just has a tendency to keep me quiet and reflective anyways... perfect for the journey!

I made an offering of prayer for many of you while I was there. .. . .. . .. . on my way to church this morning, I remembered I'd forgotten one person I had really wanted to add to the list. Then, when I got to the church, I was pleasantly surprised to see them! I got to sit right beside them! [Beam!] And, I am therefore making up a new list, which includes this friend. I'll send it to the prayer rolls and I'll be sure to personally pray about the concerns myself, (that's just how I am). . . so... having said that, now's your chance! Anybody needing an extra wing and a prayer out there in the blogosphere? Leave your comment and I'll toss you in there, I'll gladly give you mine ~ whatever I have stowed up in that realm. What a deal huh?
The woman is feeling very fine now ~ amazing what a little sleep and some tender mercies will do for me!!!

On the lighter side ~ this joke got told in one of the "talks" this morning... going along with some discussion, on how sometimes, things aren't always as they may seem at first.... :

A burglar is entering a home in the dark of the night.

The burglar is trying to keep things as dark as possible so no one will notice he is burglaring...[That's the way is was told people! Heheheee...] When... out of the darkness the burglar hears this voice saying, "Jesus is watching you." burglar looks around sees nothing in the dark and then once again, hears this voice saying, "Jesus is watching you." burglar gets out a flashlight, shines it all around and discovers a parrot sitting on a perch, looking right at them. "Did you just say that Jesus is watching me?" the burglar asks. "Yes," said the parrot. "Oh!" Said the burglar, relaxing a little, and then asks, "What's your name, parrot?" The parrot says, "My name is Moses." "Oh!" Said the burglar, "What kind of fool names their parrot 'Moses'?" The parrot replies, "Same kind of fool that names the rottweiler, Jesus."

.... ok. maybe you had to be there.
I thought it was kinda funny. ...................
Have a blessed Sabbath Day you all!
And Cheerios2U!

Bittersweet

[Note: started this post on Wednesday night ~ didn't finish it until Friday. Some heavy hearted commentary so... u'll know... going ... in... D~]

What a day ~ bittersweet... Gave me a lot to think about.
Life, people, can turn on a dime.

Up at 5:30 AM... Alarm had been "signaling" me for a good hour!
It was Mother's idea to be out of town by 6 AM.
I propped the good eye open and tried to make sense of th' time staring at me. I remembered the anguish in her voice, and the tears as well ~ that she'd left on my machine just this past Sunday morning. She'd called me out before sunrise that day too...
"Not gonna make it outta town, by 6 AM, Mom." I muttered to myself.
Why is it, I could be up, spry and ready to slay dragons yesterday morning, but... To the dot, 24 hours later, I'm 'dragging the sleigh' ~!? Hummmm. SO NOT in the 'good mood' this morning and that's foreign to me. . . But then I know I'll be facing grief today. . . And no matter how hard, nor how much I'd rather not, to go to that raw place, I know, when I see her, my Mother's good friend Effadale, heck, MY good friend, Effadale... Her pain ~ the exquisite pain ~ of loosing a much loved son, will wash over me & I will be grieving her loss with her.
"The funeral is at 10 am and I just know there'll be A LOT of people there. So I really think we should get there as early as possible." .... Now, my mother's voice was in my head and reminding me of why she wants to have the early start. I suspect she's leaving time for a stop for a fast food breakfast along the 2 1/2 hour drive. Still I'm turning it over in my mind. I don't see reason to show up an entire HOUR early... I figure if we're enroute by 7 we'd be golden.
I swing my legs over the edge of the bed and the phone begins to ring. . . "Hi!" Mom says. "Do you want me to just go on out and wait in my car? You know? For you to just pick me up when you drive into town? Or do you want me to come out there...?"
(Oh man! She sounds way to chipper and eager to be on the way. Now I gotta explain myself to her... )
"Mom. NO. I'm up. I'm going ~ but I slept past my alarm... So I still got to finish getting dressed" [couldn't bring myself to tell her I hadn't even started yet! Is that evil of me? Hehehee...]
"O. OK! I've got ta go the the ATM anyway. I'll do that and then you'll just swing by here - right?" she says. .. .
Yeah. Right. ... I'm considering everything all at once. Checking car fluids, getting gasoline, cringe! -> ATM=$, I need that too... Is it better to go black velvet skirt and black T-top or the gauze floral skirt I've been trying to hold down these past few windy Sundays and match the black T-top to that...? Where, for the love of everything, is that long lost T-top I'm thinking of ... Basement, I'll bet!? Check clock: 6 AM I should be on the road... It's gonna be a long day.

And it was. The situation trying at best. A man, tired from working hard and traveling great distances has some beers with his friends. Gets behind the wheel of a vehicle and starts that last leg home. Some how he looses his bearings on the Tom Osborne express way and begins driving South in the North bound lanes. Several motorist use cel-phones to call the Highway Patrol ~ but before the law can intercede ~ the man collides head on with a family: A father, a mother and a little baby. The man, Effadale's son, is instantly killed. The little family badly hurt, most of all the baby who is thrown from her restraints ~ suffers sever head traumas... She is evacuated to Omaha. Her parents are kept at Hastings for a couple of days and released.

Mother is a good friend of Effadale's brother and sister-in-law, Louie and LaVeeda, who travel to Effadale's side to comfort her and help in whatever manner possible. They plan on returning to McCook , Monday afternoon so they can prepare what is needed for in coming family and the funeral on Wednesday morning. They are westward bound at the half-way-home point on highway 6 & 34 ~ cruise control set at 65 mph ~ the posted speed limit. ..... They approach the junction for the Kearney turn off and Pick-up truck traveling in the east bound lane pulls a left handed turn directly into their path. Poor LaVeeda tried to hit the break ~ she never made it. The officers on the scene noted that the cruise control was still set... The force of the impact spun the car and badly broke the contents: 2 very sweet and loving senior citizens, salts of the earth... Had they not been in a full sized car and wearing their restraints to boot, they'd have been toast. Instead they are in Kearney ICU ~ both horribly bruised and broken. I'll spare you the lengthy list of their respective injuries.

The plan is to attend the funeral and drive home by way of Kearney and see Louie and LaVeeda as well. It is a splendid day in Nebraska-blue, blue skies with the fluffy cloud puffs, painter Bob Ross always referred to as "Happy", because of the huge storm cells passing the week before all is emerald green... The rising sun is illuminating every nubile leaf on every tree. Mother is alternating introspective with happy chatter. I'm enjoying being ALIVE! Right along with convinced my driving her here and back is the absolute thing to do ~ even though I shy away from funerals, people. Close to Hastings I spot Long-horn cattle rather close to the roadside... All laying down in the green grasses of a hilly Noll~ babies, calves, tucked away here and there among the herd, water shimmering in the low wash of the gully 'round about them. It is pure peace and pastoral. I commit it to memory thinking as we pass by that one day I'd like to paint that scene. This rhythm of the road, and the lay, feel and look of the grasslands will be the highlight of my day.

We arrive at St. Cecilia's at 9:30 AM, we sign the guest book, receive the program, and are ushered to a Pugh. We are immediately joined by other friends and acquaintances & looking at the program I notice the service will begin at 10:30... [Not feeling ssoooo guilty about over-sleeping the alarm when I see that!] So plenty of time to meditate... to pray for the family that was in the other car, for Effadale and for Louie and LaVeeda, for whatever and whom ever comes to my mind ~ I let it flow... and I'm taken back 6 months... To early December the weekend I discover Mother is not "feeling as well" as she'd let on to everyone around her ~ the weekend Louie and LaVeeda are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.... What a happier time! All their family and friends together~ including the one we'd just passed by in that open casket just inside the sanctuary doors... Prime Rib and all the trimmings...! Family photos, thank heaven for that! I look up and read the Hymns selected for the service, reflecting upon the Lord's tender mercies... And how His is the power, the only one I know of and can bare testimony to ~ that can bring "good" from the adversities, which in a moments' notice... Can strike & bend us to our cores. I am reminded of His hand moving through my life just now, and the untold happiness I'm basking in, because of the love I feel both for and from Him... I am reminded of His hand as it is moving through the lives of these friends of my family's... And I feel a strengthening. The Hymns we rose to sing proved miraculous in their power to unite and sooth... The talk was amazing... and familiar as the truth always just seems to be, I had already been 'lead somehow', to read for mine own self, all the scriptures quoted at this service last night. I am becoming so accustomed to 'serendipity' these days I no longer question it, I just feel humbled and very, very thankful for it. There's more to the story that I won't trouble you all with here....

Just want to wish everone a HAPPY, SAFE, BLESSED, weekend, maybe spread some LOVE around you, if you please...

As for me, I am heading for holy ground, in the mile high, this [Sat] morning people... and believe you me ~ I'm taking more than a few of your 'bittersweet' heartsongs with me there! Loving you all.... Cheerios2U!

For thus sayeth the Lord of Host: ~ ...whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels found round about you, to bear you up.

Take with you...

Take with you words, strong words of courage:
Words that have wings!...
Take with you holy words,words that know God:
Words that are sacred as healing waters.
Pure as light, and beautiful as morning,
Take with you tall words, words that reach up,
And growing words, with deep life within them.
Take with you holy words, words that know God.

* Take with you the heartfelt words,
which were the first words, and the last.
Take with you the words, "I love you". ..
because they're true, sown true...
words which were all ways and always,
~soulful, burning and true.

I'm working on a post about my yesterday... it was a bittersweet one. I thought I'd throw this quote to you for consideration while the story is being refined on I-Blogger. I am not sure who to attribute it to (?) as I found the above in a book of quotes, where nothing was referenced. The (*) indicates my own addition to the original quote... which, has a story of itself, that which is not quite ready to tell yet.


I like to collect good quotes... care to share any favorites of yours? Please, feel free...

The Graduate

What a lovely weekend!
All the graduates ~ radiant in their triumph and hansome in their youth!
I hadn't been to so many "senior parties" in like, over 25 years or so! And these were so much better than what I remember... [Big, bright smiles!] Lots of "mid~western" cooks out doing themselves ... assorted sandwhiches, fruit bowls, chips, dips, salads, BBQ just about everything, then on with the cakes, ice creams, fruit punches, soda pops and dare I say it,... ice cold beers. Throw-away cameras tossed about on the tables to encourage the capture of spontaneity on the spot! Mild temperatures and a breezey gusts stout enough to keep flies and mosquitoes away were making the backyard sceens the best events happenin' all day!
[Note to self: Sew some [fishing] sinkers onto that gausey skirt!!! If it's going to be a sunday favorite and it loves to sail up and away in even the gentlest caress of prairiewinds... you need to give it some help!] Ahem... lol!

Ah Graduation! What a marvelous event.
I don't believe I fully appreciated my own graduation as much as I do all the ones I'm seeing now [different perspective from the distance of those 25+ years! ]
Life changing event for both parent and child... I see that clearly now.
25 years ago I was highly "bothered" ~ just wanting to get this school thing DONE and get on with my life!
I saw High school, for the most part, as a dull repeat of Jr. High ~ all except for my art and science classes.
I had to quit a [rather exciting, high paying, hard working] job "gandy dancing" for the Burlington Northern Railroad to even finish my senior year of High School. (that bugged me) Then about 1/2 way through that last year of Sr. High ~ I got a 3-11 job at the Electric Hose and Rubber factory [Yes. Girlfriend here, is an "ex-hoser"]. I didn't mind the work or the pay, which got me things Mom couldn't afford & a few things I, in no way, wanted her to know about! (Cringing to this day! <- it is a red flag, people, when you're doing things your Momma should never ever know about! lol! )

I was talking about repressed memories and this came up talking to the graduates yesterday: One had noticed they did not get their graduation certificate in the special binder they were handed at the ceremony. I told them it was that way with me ... but I was kinda sweating it a little bit... fold back 2 1/2 decades of time...

I remember The Vice Principal called me into his office a couple weeks before graduation. (That bugged me) He told me there was a possibility I would not graduate (that bugged me) because I had several "tardys" on my record for my 1st period class. (That really bugged me!) This news and his attitude did not sit well with me. (You got it! It "bugged" me!) I told him I thought he was full of Chit, that I was currently pulling an 'A' in that class. And~further more ~ I felt I was doing very good considering the 3-11 job at the local hose factory that I was holding down in addition to my school schedule. I went on to bug-out on him, by tell him that if he didn't want to graduate me because of a few tardys on my so called record, he could go straight to HELL. Matter of fact, I left his office telling him that. (I was bugged, now, and so not in the mood to negotiate ~ anything! ~) So even though I went to my graduation and all seemed OK, A-OK, I was one of the first to take a little peek inside the binder and therefore one of the first to "freak" a tiny bit over seeing it "blank". I did have a brief twinge... which went quickly a way when I got the official document in the mail a couple weeks later! Whew! :D

Journal Jar Question ... this one I'm making up because of the graduation season:

What do you, HONESTLY, remember about your High School Graduation? [and if you didn't graduate with your class what do you remember most about your life / experiences at that time?]

Hope everyone of you is having a wonderful, blessed week................ I "know" I am! [Big smiles, just for you!]

Smile because it happened

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." ~ Dr. Seuss

That's the graduating moto for the senior class of McCook High School ~ 2005.

I'll be writting that on cakes covered with strawberry and chocolate butter cream, right along with whatever frillies also come to mind during the creative process. Duty calls in many forms and fashions. Helping people celebrate milestones in their lives? This is one of my favorites... almost like therapy for me, especially when they just say, "Decorate however you want ~ this is the basic ideas, we were thinking of, but you do what you do so well!" Sweet! Light-up your "Butter Cream" Yankee Candles & travel along with me if you'd like...

Journal Jar

I have a journal jar.
It is clear, glass, on the biggish side, and has a lid to it.
It also has a bunch of colored paper (strips) inside of it.
Each strip has a question or a directive on it.
The original purpose of this jar was to help me remember stuff so I could write something of personal worth down in my journal.
The instructions said that by the end of the year [this was like 5 years ago, people! LOL!]...
I would have a nice asortment of facts and stories about myself and my family detailed out in the journal.
(Still smiling over the fact that I thought I "might" actually do that!)
I put it together and I put it on a shelf!

Then... I read an article from a Doctor's waiting room magazine...
(finally did something about that troublesome 3rd eye of mine, folks! <-just kidding!)
... [article] was talking about getting kids to say more than "fine" and "ok" to you when you've got 'em at the breakfast or diner table. Somebody out there in magazine land had a jar which sounded a lot like mine...! And they were getting some good out of it to boot! Hummmm....

It was the holiday season and I was expecting a house full of jolly relatives.
I decided to pair-up my voice activated tape recorder with the journal jar and present it to the throng some where after diner and before desserts.
It was a big hit!

My brother-in-law has (& certain members of his family for that matter) been working on a reputation for "inappropriate" repressed memory, coming up during family get togethers. One time he actually remembered burning down an entire laundry mat when he was a kid!
(I've heard the tale a couple of times now that he's finally remembered he did it... it really was a tragic accident and a valuable lesson on why children should not play with incendiary devices, like their Mommie's cigarettes and zippo lighters.) Then there was "The Shoplifting Incident" with his mother story, he came up with this one out of the wild blue yonder as well...this was a time that she tried to swipe something and then tried to put it off on the kids! (I believe alcohol was a factor in there somewhere)... While this is certainly NOT GOOD, hence, a trauma deep enough to repress an entire memory... and we really should not laugh out loud at such tragedy, this poor man happened to marry into a family that cannot "help" but laugh at such off the chart dysfunction!
I was just thinking that if my sister is the crowned "Queen of Panic" perhaps I should dub my dear brother in law the King of R.E.M. (Repressed Early-childhood Memories)!? I must admit, they're a good match...lot of love in their home.

Anyways... I was just thinking that on days when I don't have much time to blog... I can reach into my jar and get a clue, post it and either answer it then and there or make a vow to follow up with in 24 hours.

So here goes.... 1st question out of the journal jar:

"WHAT DO YOU THINK BRINGS GOOD OR BAD LUCK?"

There it is.

I'll answer it by 8:10 tomorrow night.

Mean while y'all feel free to comment yourselves ~ or Heheheee....

detail some budding "repressed memory" for the rest of us to squeal over!

Love YOU people.... Cheerios 2 U all!

Hitchhiker's Guide

Just came from the theater.
Loved it.
Get a chance to see it on the BIG SCREEN if you can.
This is one of those movies, that begs to be seen that way!

There's an official site on the web: HITCH HIKER'S <-( Click here )

Friday...

Friday night... nothing much to do but hang around... think I might...

:) Been a very long time since I heard that old song. Seems like nothing "conjures up" or brings the spirit [which ever one you're looking for] like music does. I'm half tempted to trot over there to my phonograph... dust off that vinyl LP and see if I can give 'er a spin. Sad thing is, last time I tried the turntable, it had a bit of a drag to it... shoulda been more diligent in switching over my collection to cassettes and now I guess I'd be looking at - what mp3 twinges?

Where the heck does the time go??? I was happy to finally focus in and get some stuff accomplished here today. Always feel so much better going into a weekend if the household has been swept and zoned and given a bit of polish - if possible. Hard, sometimes when EVERYTHING depends on you... then again, if you need something, why HEY!, it's in the last spot you had it... thats a benefit I dearly love. Stuff staying put. Seems like there were problems with that in years past when I was co-habitating with family, friends, roommates. Certain items just travel around a household of their own volition I think... like scissors, finger nail clippers, tweezers, your favorite writing pen... the remote controls for like everything... etc... there was a space in time when I would find my good water/drinking glasses outside folks! But, well ~ those were the "party" years... and my claim here is: "I DID NOT know it was a bad thing to invite people home - to your house, after the bar closed down..." My family just weren't big partiers... so I had figure a bunch of this stuff out on my own. Lame. I know but that's my story & I'm stickin' to that one!

I've been approached a couple of times here, lately, people wondering if I was gonna get a roommate - or if I would entertain the thought. .. .. and I can't help but entertain "certain-thoughts" sometimes, people... but I'm hedging on the roomie thing just now. I've had some dang good ones in the past (Alekx ~ for instance) and then some not so good... (you know who you are! Run up da bills and then runout on the rent... most likely with that Tommy Bolin LP I've been missing!!! Damn you! <- teasing. Actually think I "lost" that at the end of an art class I was supplying the tunes to once upon a time ago...) It might help with my COLE <-(Cost of living expenses) but there's always trade offs... gotta start shutting the bathroom door EVERYtime... can't just saunter around in the nude whenever you wanna... never know if "someone else" is gonna use up the ingredient you bought special - just for the pot luck dish you was fixin' on making and then not tell you about it until the situation's gone "critical"... !? Hate that.

Love my Peace & Quite. Hard to give up solitude when you've gotten REALLY comfortable in it. I realize some never do... there's people 'out there' that feel like they have to have someone ~ or they will surely DIE. I guess those folks wouldn't have any idea of what I'm talking about or feeling. .. ... it's not isolation that I'm talking about, I think isolation is a bad, bad deal. . . it's sweet solitude... I've heard a saying one time that basically said that "it is in solitude that we are least alone"... ok. You think that's screwed up. I heard you LOL. FINE! Be that way... but I must confess I understood that to be a truth. And, now, as I'm writing this... I'm wondering if one can achieve "solitude" with two? Hummm. Got something to think about over my weekend... along with principals of good stewardship...(giving a talk to some young women next Wednesday) and the gifts of the spirit which will be the Sunday School lesson coming up. Hope everyone is poised to have a wonderful week's end!!!! Love to all who pass this way & cheerios2U!

Tag sale!

I Have Been Tagged !

I have been tagged by Opie
The object of this exercise is simple. Pick five from the list and complete the phrase. Feel free to add additional occupations after you’ve done yours. Pass it on to others. (You just can NOT pass it back to me… tag backs are strictly prohibited!!!)
Silly? Yeah. Fun? Of course!

The List:If I could be a scientist
If I could be a farmer
If I could be a musician
If I could be a doctor
If I could be a painter
If I could be a gardener
If I could be a missionary
If I could be a chef
If I could be an architect
If I could be a linguist
If I could be a psychologist
If I could be a librarian
If I could be an athlete
If I could be a lawyer
If I could be an innkeeper
If I could be a professor
If I could be a writer
If I could be a llama-ride (by Ogre)
If I could be a bonnie pirate (By Teach)
If I could be a servicemember By Jeremy)
If I could be a business owner (By Blue 944)
If I could be an actor(By Blue 944)
If I could be an agent (By KelBel)
If I could be video game designer(By KelBel)
If I could be a comic book artist(By Stoli)
If I could be a hooker(By Pollo Loco)
If I could be a crack addict(by Elizabeth)
If I could be a porn star(by Elizabeth)
If I could be a mime(by Garrison)
If I could be a domestic engineer (by Rick)
If I could be a chimney sweep (by laine)
If I could be a masseuse (by laine)
If I could be a taxi driver (by Brian)
If I could be a priest (by Brian)
If I could be the Sherrif Of Nottingham (Karen)
If I could be a dancer (Karen)
If I could be Santa Claus (Karen)
If I could be on a reality TV show (Dawn)
If I could be a magician (Dawn)
If I could be a railroader (Dorko)
If I could be an Artist (Dorko)
If I could be a Trainer (Dorko)

Opie’s answers!:
1. If I could be a scientist:I would make a Sodium Pentothal Patch for Bush !
2. If I could be a farmer:I'd grow vegetables and fruit that contain Sodium Pentothal and send them to the White House for Bush to eat!
3. If I could be a doctor:I'd give Bush a shot of Sodium Pentothal!
4. If I could be a chef:I would get a job at the White House cooking for Bush and put Sodium Pentothal in his food!
5. If I could be a psychologist:I would hypnotize Bush and give him a shot of Sodium Pentothal!
Now, my turn to tag 3 people. I tag...hmmm....who shall it be....aaahhh yes.. I know.
[Opie Outlaw tagged: 1. Dorko 2. Burfica 3. Libby]


MY RESPONSES:

I’m a little tired tonight so I’m cheating.
I am, …or have been, …at some point … (hummm …maybe still am…?) ~ all 5 of those listed below:

1. If I could be an artist ~ I’d wrap you all up in a bow and call it “good�.

2. If I could be a masseuse ~ I’d bring you to the edge of a sweet sleep ~ every time you asked me to! I’d have soft, supple hands that smell great ALL the time (from the lotions & potions I’d use). I’d work on you accordingly… matching my skills to your body’s condition. Surely, there’d be selected music to set a pace and tone. I’d ask you to talk to me, to relax for me, as I went about the business of stimulation and release. . . however, once I laid my hands upon you and began walking them over you, through the rub, slides, and kneads – your body would want… you’d fall silent. You always do – and I’d be left as the one softly talking you through. And trust me, dear one, I would never, no – never, break that bond of touch, until after the massage was fully delivered.

3. If I could be a railroader ~ I’d either be driving that train or …damnit! I’d be retired by NOW!!!

4. If I could be an innkeeper ~ I’d have at least one room “open� every Christmas Eve… I’d try like hell, NOT to get locked out, on to my guests’ balconies with them any more! I’d have a HOT pool boy and a COOL maid-staff, every room would be super insulated, clean and have a walk-in shower. And yes. There’s a kick-in’ continental breakfast each & every morning!

5. If I could be a trainer ~(we’d go “hands-on� a.s.a.p.!) and… I’d steady the weight of my responsibility with a genuine love for my charge. I’d look for playful ways to engage & edify them, to key their interest & talents with enthusiasm, sharpened insights and incremental challenges- I’d strive to carefully build each in knowledge, confidence and esteem… showing them, wherever possible, how to turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones. I would help them to build their wings. I’d check for increase ~(in understanding, in quality, in motion, in strength, and in desire) and if sufficient, – I’d thank them, bless them and send them on their way… and this would be MY joy… to see them stand and all obtain!

Now, my turn to tag 3 people. I’m tagging:
1. Gama
2. Alekx
3. Lillee

Exercises for Poets

Exercises for Poets

“Portrait of another poem. Look around the class, find somebody you like and, if they're interested, go away with them for a week. Go someplace quiet, without TV, radio, telephone or computer, and interview each other about the most intimate and profound thoughts and feelings about everything that really matters. You will know that it really matters when you feel yourself unable to speak of it. At the end of the week, go to a secluded grove or hotel room and either write a verse portrait of the other person or conceive a new person. Small grants available, due nine months from now. �Andrei Codrescu
Aug. 20, 2002

I've noticed lately that a lot of Bloggers are a talking about Love & Lust...

[is that a "spring-twitter-pated" thing? Or am I just the new kid on the block?]

I've always felt that Lust, (has it's merits) - but rarely lasts and leaves an icky residue. One could get to feeling ravaged at every turn & on levels you never thought you were barganing with, for and on.

On the other hand I know Love. I know it as something 'chosen'... yeah, that's right. There is no 'fall' as 'Love' is something you choose... and done right, it never ends. . . mostly because you never want it to.

April, sweet April - fickel and full of surprise - has drawn closed and taken with her the banner of "National Poetry Month".

If you'd like a look at s'more Poetic thoughts (I got the above quote from NPR) click the post title & it'll help you to turn the page...