Good Luck

Monday morning as I tried to get a quick breakfast, I reached into the oven to grab something out and burned my elbow on the oven door...still a bit sleepy and not thinking about what I was doing. Then at work, I slammed a file drawer shut on my little finger and broke it. Later that afternoon I was sitting at my desk while on a lengthy conference call, I leaned back in my chair and the back snapped off and I tumbled to the floor. Aside from a few new bruises and a slightly sore back everything is okay.

As I moaned about this on my Facebook page, my sister reminded me that with my luck it could have been worse and so my spirits lifted.

Summer's End

There are only a couple of weeks left of the official summer but all the signs are here of its demise. The trees have started to dress in their fall colors and this morning as I had my coffee on the deck I watched a flock of geese rise from the lake and begin their days trek further south. This evening I expect to see another flock descend for their nights rest and as the days progress the size of the flocks will grown larger. I love to watch them as they take flight and marvel at the coordinated air show but at the same time their flight is a reminder that soon I will be shivering in the cold...I wish that I could simply take flight and follow them.

The Kennedy Legacy

Tonight I watched CNN's coverage of the Ted Kennedy Memorial. I laughed and I wept. My start in politic began in 1967 out in California as a volunteer for his brother. I was home on a visit June 5, 1968 and was awakened by my father with the news of the death of Robert. I thought that would be the end of the Kennedy political greats, I was wrong. History will, if truthful, grant Ted equal status with his brothers.

Sample from most recent work..first draft

The highlanders worked hard over the next months, completing the construction and began the planting of crops. This was accompanied by great ceremony. Before the first plow moved across the field, a sheath of grain that had made the journey across the sea was given to the team pulling the plow. Earth from the first furrow was rubbed over the neck and shoulders of the horses. Bread, cheese and a glass of whisky were given to the plowman, who drank then filled the cup again and poured it over the bridle, saying, “ G’wee speed the labour”. After the blessing no further work was done on that day, a supper and dance followed as was the custom.

During the supper a ring was hidden in the brose and whoever found it would be the next to wed. There was much laughter when the ring was found by Ian Baillie. The towering Scotsman blushed as he was teased by the women. There were few unmarried women among the settlers. Most of them women who had been widowed on the crossing or girls to young to be thinking of marriage yet. Ian had loved one woman and she had married his brother. When she died shortly after her husband’s death, it was more for her than his brother that Ian took on the task of raising the two boys. Though he was often stern with them , he loved them as if they were his own sons.

When the meal was finished, the musician brought out their instruments and the familiar sounds of Scotland filled the air. Dancers whirled about in abandonment. Robert watched as young Anne McIntosh parroted the steps of her parents, whirling about with more enthusiasm that expertise. With a smile, Robert walked over to her and executing a smart bow asked,” May I have this dance, my Lady?” and taking the young girl by the had led her into the dance while her brothers doubled over with laughter at the sight of their little sister with the tall highlander. When the dance was over, Robert again bowed and thanked her for the dance. With a shy smile Anne raced over to where her parents stood and pulled at her father’s hand to get his attention and then announced, “I’m going to marry Robert.”

Her father looked at his daughter and then across the gathering to where Robert Baillie stood with his Uncle. “ Aye Annie you couldn’t find a finer young man but you are only ten and the young man might not want to wait for you to grow up.”

“ I’ll make him wait!” was the reply and Anne skipped off to join her brothers.

Ebay Vultures

Today I was in a toy store and observed what some would call greed, some call enterprise, and some would simply consider it crazy. Two men came in and proceeded to load their shopping carts with zhu zhu hamsters. Now if you are not familiar with these creatures, they are plush toys with AI and come with all sorts of little extras just like a live hamster might require. The promotion of the toy has resulted in fantastic sales, much like the early Cabbage Patch Doll hysteria. Stores that get them in stock, sell out within hours and I am sure that eBay will have many reselling of this item as the profiteers seek to get something from the parent who just has to get the latest fad for their child.

Now I have had the opportunity to play with these and with some of the other AI toys and they are great. Missing is the actual interaction and learning experience that a child would get from the real thing but for many the draw is the fun without the fuss. But would I pay beyond the regular cost just to ensure that I get one at this time? No, I would not because I know that as with most fads they will soon come down in price, the lines of people jocking to get the most recent versions will disappear and if the toy is still one that I simply must have then I am sure that I can find it and at a reasonable price. So for me...no profiteers will get any of my money for these cute little guys...

Dating or Not

Yesterday I had a set-up date for lunch. It was not exactly a blind date since we had talked to each other regarding work for months. However, my boss asked me to have lunch with him and a client and then just before our seating, excused himself for an important business call and then back to the office.

"So how did you like him?" he asked me upon my return to the office. "I figured you two would hit it off."

Well, yes..good looking, talented, funny, single guy..what was there not to like but while we enjoyed our lunch conversation and I assume it was mutual, there was not the chemistry one would hope to find with a potential "date". I keep comparing guys to an ex ( let me clarify, not my ex-husband but a former love)..and really must get over that.

Summer In The City

One of the things that I like the most about where I am living is the wide variety of summer events. There are outdoor concerts, ranging from the back porch concerts, opera in the park, to symphony concerts on the square. There are art fairs and food festivals almost every weekend and within a short drive from here is the wonderful American Players Theater.

The city is situated on an isthmus between four lakes that offer swimming, boating, fishing, or just plain restful reflection. The city is a college town and as such the population fluctuates between the school year heavy with student "citizens" and the less frantic summer population of locals. Even with the absence of the major student population, the campus area bustles with activity in the summer.

All too soon summer will end and most activities will move indoors except for those for the winter hardy souls, of which I am not. It is during those long, cold, dark days that I find myself questioning my reasons for living here. I pull out some of my photos from the summer and remember...and hold on to that memory until springs rolls around...which Mother Nature might delay but eventually gives to us once more as the prelude of what is to come.

Weather or not...

The last week has been one of weather extremes, from temperatures in the 90's during the day to falling to the upper 40's at night, bright sunny days to frenetic thunderstorms. So far we have not had any tornadoes in the immediate area but the beauty and power of Mother Nature has been shown in the brilliant display of lightening and thunder with strong winds. Call me crazy (and some do) I love a good storm. I like watching it approach and enjoy the electric feel in the air. If I have the free time I like to grab the camera and see what I can capture of its wonder.

I have a collection of wind chimes on my front porch and they add their melodies to that of Mother Nature..it is wonderful. (So far none of my neighbors have complained, fingers crossed)

1+1+1+ good late night eating

I was up late last night doing some re-write and got the munchies..there was nothing in the house that met my craving so I decided to make some easy peanut butter cookies. They are quick to make and only require 3 ingredients: 1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup sugar, and 1 egg. Mix, form into walnut size balls, place on parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake at 350 for about 8-10 minutes. Cool and enjoy. Only one problem with the 1+1+1 and that is you can't eat just 1!

Simply Chillin'

If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.

Google Warning

Today I received a gravely worded warning from Google. There are ads places along the side of this blog and recently they all seemed to center around the topic of sexual abuse. I was curious as to whether or not these were legitimate sites or something less than desirable to be related to my writings so I clicked on the links. Imagine my surprise to find that according to Google that is a big no-no. I guess I will just have to trust that they will monitor those sites as well as they monitor my keyboard activities and those of other household members! A little scary....

MJ

Today was the memorial service for Michael Jackson and despite everything that has been said and written about him, the service brought home the genius of his music and the feelings that he generated in those who were close to him.

I, for one, think of him as the Peter Pan that was his favorite character, a boy who never grew up. And I give him the benefit of doubt when it comes to the negative stories...innocent until proven guilty...and hope that we can all remember the best of him.

Independence Day

When I was a child, this day was greatly anticipated. We would have a picnic, sometimes just in our own yard and other times we would pack up the car and go to a nearby lake. Afterwards we would go in to town and watch the fireworks display and listen to the local school band performance. I still enjoy the day but with moderation...no big picnic and fireworks are limited to those on the telly or those that I can see and hear in the distant parks that surround me.

Do Over

Did you ever wish that you could have a "do over" of some event in your life? I thought about that with the end of my marriage...what if I could do it over, knowing what I know now, would I do so? My first reaction was that I would not have taken the relationship to that level but then I started remembering the good things about the marriage, namely three wonderful children.

One of my daughters wrote an essay for school about a person that she admired and I was pleased to find out that I was the subject of that essay. However, in the essay she lamented, for my sake, the life that I had given up in order to marry her father. I had to remind her that if I had made a different choice then she would not be here and because of that I thought it was one of the best choices I had made.

King of Pop

Michael Jackson dead at age 50..too young..but not a surprise. I found myself going back and listening to some of his music that I had not listened to in years. And with that reaffirmed in my mind that he really was a musical genius and deserved the title King of Pop.

Those whose posts are flying off keyboards and dwell on the bizarre aspects of his life would do well to remember what he created in the world of entertainment. He never failed to deliver with his music. His appearance changes, while strange, were his choice (or due to medical reasons as some of have suggested) and the allegations made against him remained just that "allegations" and in this country we proclaim that a person is innocent until proven guilty. It is time that we did more than just pay lip service to that ideal of justice.

My personal opinion is that while misguided, his actions were those of a young man who did not make the social jump to adulthood but remained the "Peter Pan' and could be himself when around children. As for the parents who settled out of court, as a mother myself, if I truly believed that someone had molested my child, money would not buy my silence, so my belief in their allegations is just not there.

And so I hope that he can find peace in Neverland.

Celtic Music

Maybe it is a result of my heritage but every time I hear music performed by a Celtic group I feel homesick. This one is not exactly Celtic in nature but it does give me that same feeling.

Summer Time and the livings easy..

or so the song claims. Yesterday it was in the 90's and very humid. It felt like you were wading through the air and I thought it was a miserable day. Oh foolish me! Today it is 110 and all I want to do is stay inside with the AC blasting. A few months ago I was complaining about the cold and now this..I wish Mother Nature could just come up with a compromise with Old Man Winter and they could work together to give me the perfect day.

Window Shopping

..that is I am looking at windows but also for the house in which they sit. During this real estate surfing I have quickly noted that certain terms used by Realtor are in no way defined as we might think. Take for instance the word "cute". When used in real estate lingo it could mean anything from a small but charming abode to a postage stamp size dwelling or even one that has features that are beyond description. The pepto pink house is described as cute because the realtor was at a loss for any other terms to describe what had to be a Mary Kay/Barbie nightmare house.
Ideal for young family means "don't expect much" from this listing. Won't last long means it is overpriced and the owner really wants to unload it.

Executive means that it is pricey and has more space than anyone really needs in a home. Investment property tends to mean that you will need to do a lot before you will see any return on your money.

Raise Your Glass

Research has found that beer hydrates the body better than water. According to Science magazine, researchers at Granada University in Spain tested 25 students who ran on a treadmill at a high temperature until they were exhausted. After the workout, half the subjects drank water while the other half were given two pints of lager.The researchers found that the beer drinkers had better motor skills and ability to concentrate. The study suggests that the sugar, salt and bubbles found in beer help the body to absorb fluids.

So crack open a cold one and toast this wonderful piece of news.

Relationships

I don't need a man. But I'm happier with one. I like to have someone I can touch and squeeze and kiss. But I don't fold up and die if I don't have a man around.
Cher

Like Cher, I don't feel the need to have a man in my life. I was married and even then did not want to have the other party involved in every aspect of my life. And now the only thing that I really miss is ....well..nothing. It is sad to say about a relationship but I what I miss the most is the friend that I had prior to the marriage vows being said. Marriage ended that relationship and what replaced it was never as good.

Now I date. It is nice to have someone to go to events with you and to take part in lively conversations, someone to convince you to try something new, and with the right person that physical comfort. However, I don't need the have that person with me at all times and I think my relationships are better because of that time alone.

Online Search For Love

The other night, a co-worker went on a blind date with a man that she "met" via an online match service. Everyone had given her advise, meet in a public place, have someone you know at that same place just in case, etc. She followed the advise, meeting at a local restaurant with two friends eating at the same place. The next day we were all eager to hear how the date had gone from her perspective. He was not as good looking as his online photo had indicated (no surprise there as photoshop can do amazing things and who doesn't want to look their best) but what really surprised her was how mild-mannered he was in person. Not her type she said but still a nice guy who just did not know how to be himself around women. "I felt more manly than him." but she still thought that she could be friends with him as he wasn't a jerk and that was what she had feared the most.

Despite the somewhat disappointing date, she plans to continue using online means to try and find someone with whom she will find that magic chemistry that we all hope to find.

Pink is for girls?

Suddenly the folks on Madison Avenue have decided that all little girls are made of sugar and spice, want to be princesses and wear nothing but pastels, preferably pink. Toy stores are filled with special editions of toys with the only difference being the color pink. There is a pink Monopoly, a pink Ouija board, pink Sit & Spins, etc. Then there are the long aisles of princess paraphernalia.

My girls enjoyed the stereotypical girl toys like dolls, dress up clothes, etc but they did it with a twist. The girls wore their frilly dresses but often carried swords or bow and arrow and went off on quest. Their dolls were part of these scenarios. They had a Barbie who was given the nickname of "Scarface Barbie"( a result of the head coming off and splitting then being super glued back together resulting in the "scar") and was as tough as GI Joe.

Avon Calling

Cafe Press

http://www.cafepress.com/Alyn2004

Fun With Photos

I have found that even the worst of my old photos can be made interesting by some careful and fun editing like this one. The style is a good fit for the "me" of the time.

MM

"I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can't handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don't deserve me at my best." Marilyn Monroe

I found this wonderful quote and can really relate to what she was saying. True friends, those who profess to love us, should be able to standby when we are at our worst. They may not enjoy being around us during some of the out of control times but they should be able to understand and be waiting for us on the other side.

Kisses

"According to U.S. statistics, an American woman would kiss an average of 80 men before she gets married."

I found this little bit of trivia on a site and found myself wondering if I lost count somewhere along the line because I can't for the life of me remember this many!

Where Did The Years go?

The cute little guy on the left is now "grown up" and a writer of Sci-fantasy. The ghoulish photo was from his birthday celebration, which happens to fall on Halloween. To his mother, however, he remains the cherubic child of my heart.

Oh, Sure, the British are better

25/05/2009 - 10:10:39
A new poll has found that Irish people spend almost 9.5 hours moaning each week.

The figure adds up to more than 20 days a year.

Bad weather tops the list of daily groans, followed by tiredness, traffic and work.

The poll found that only British people moan more than the Irish.

Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/eykfcwkfsnmh/#ixzz0Gkm8Jm7v&B

Thoughts on Life from great minds

In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on. Robert Frost


All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. Ralph Waldo Emerson


All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. Henry Ellis

Any idiot can face a crisis - it's day to day living that wears you out. Anton Chekhov

Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact. William James

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. Buddha

Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first. Mark Twain

Memorial Day

When I was a kid (many,many years ago) Memorial Day was always the 30th of May. Then some bureaucrat decided to propose that the date be moved to a "floating" date to allow government employees to enjoy a 3-day weekend to start off the summer. Other holidays have been treated the same way and it seems as if the meaning behind the holiday no longer matters as long as folks can get a long weekend.

In addition to everything else that is on my schedule, I have once more started with Avon. The funds, as in the past, earmarked for vacations, entertainment, etc. And this year it will go to help fund my son on his bike ride across the country. He is planning on riding from Madison, Wisconsin to Portland, Oregon with stops along the way with friends from school and from the web. He is looking for sponsorship as well as folks who are interested in riding along with him for a few miles.

So Avon Calling...

How to describe myself...that has always been a question that I dreaded, whether it be during a job interview or simply friends asking the question. For me, the answer to that question would depend upon the current frame of mind. There are days when I still think of myself as the shy, somewhat nerdy high school girl who chameleon like was able to blend with the group of people I was with at the time. Then there was the college years and the personality changed to a surprisingly sophisticated co-ed. After college I went through a few years of rebellion before settling into the role of career woman and mother. And now, years later the person is once more changing as I find myself a single woman once more.