08/13/2022

What is it about candles?

Got a call from my cohort in 

crime yesterday. She then

proceeds to tell me a fun story 

about candles. 

Seems she was driving along

minding her own business, 

when she spied a box by the

side of the road. As it was

marked free, she stopped to

take a look-see. 

A box of candles . . . how fun,

especially as she burns them 

every day. Different sizes, 

different colors, some new, 

some used. In the joy of her 

find, I started musing about 

candles.

In my own life, I burn candles

for any reason I can come up

with. But, who needs a reason

anyway?!

There's nothing quite like being

in front of my fireplace with 

five or six candles adding to the 

romance of the moment. I like 

to fall asleep at night with a

couple of votives burning by 

my bedside.

I would swear that eating at

the table demands several

candles to add to the mood. 

And speaking of moods . . .

good or bad, candles can only 

enhance the moment. 

Think I'll light one now . . .

let the candles burn

tis soothing all my heartbreak

balm in gilead 

08/12/2022 - J. D. Bristow, Master Gunnery Sergeant

I found myself thinking about

you the other day, as we both

taught at Adams City. I was

there 23 years; 'twould have

to admit, I simply loved it.

You were ever so great for our

kids. I think I'd explain it by

saying you gave them a glimpse

into a different kind of life than

they'd ever known.

You also offered a different kind

of structure, discipline not linked

to bad behavior. As we shared

some of the same students, they

would often come into the class

room talking about you, They

would speak to the rigor of your

classes, as well as their training,

uniforms and performances. 

Methinks they secretly loved it

all!

I'd have to say, we too were given 

a gift. Teaching in said community,

getting to know the families of

our students, sharing their lives

for just a little while . . . all good!

Treat yourself to a 'look back' from

time to time. You deserve it! Hail

fellow well met!

08/11/2022

I swear, I'm going to get that

bear if it's the last thing I do!

Sooooo love watching him walk

through my yard, just sauntering

along, minding his own business.

Or, would that be mine?!

Still, from time to time, he seems 

to feel the need to spew my trash

all over kingdom come. And, you

don't get three guesses as to who

gets to clean it all up!

Methinks, he's sitting somewhere

on the side having a great fit of 

the giggles! What kills me is that

I have it supremely tied down w/

bungie cords. He just pushes the

lid asunder and wreaks havoc!

Had to run to town and whilst

parking the pickup, saw more

bags up the hill. Not being able

to navigate the height, my poor

guy had to hike up and get the

trash. 

Damn him; he's one busy little

beaver . . . not so little either!

naughty little guy

pick up your toys already

you are so grounded

08/10/2022

There we were, standing there,

receiving our new teach instruction.

She had taught umpteen years in

Canada as I had in Mexico.

Neither of us knew anyone . . . 

and it's not everyday that you go 

to a new country, a new teaching

assignment, even though you're

a seasoned teacher.

Methinks we were given a gift 

of the Universe, coming home 

as it were and finding a most 

wondrous teaching position. 

Know this: I loved teaching and 

sharing in Commerce City, CO, 

for 23 years; make no mistake!!!

Still, she, Art . . . me, Lang Arts, 

in both languages . . . Spanish and

English. What a duo! I look at us

lo these 33 years later and have to 

give thanks to the universe for an 

amazing friendship I would never 

have had otherwise.

Today, we shared a lunch, chat and

remembrances . . . what a gift! I have 

to wonder, though, how many of us 

are gifted with friendships such as 

this?!

I bow to the Universe for its gifts. 

Pray I ever be grateful!!!

you so touched my soul

gift ever to be given

pray stay in my life

08/09/2022

Monday morning coming down . . .

I'm absolutely certain Johnny Cash

meant Monday, not Sunday.

We had such a wonderful few days

with the kids. And then, a day of

travel and tats. I cannot reiterate

enough just how much I enjoy a 

good restful Monday!

Sleep in . . . ice cream in bed . . .

a couple of good murder mysteries.

Wasn't I just saying how phenom

glorious Mondays can be! Methinks

celebrating Monday on Tuesday is a

rather good idea. I might just need

an additional Monday in the week.

I've had this true conversion . . .

Growing up, I always had a hard 

time with Mondays. Most likely,

it had something to do with crazy

weekends and needing to recoup.

Now that I'm about a 100 years

old and retired, I love Mondays.

My nature would be to plan the

hell out of all my upcoming 

Mondays. I sooooo need to learn

to let things happen rather than

simply planning them to death.

So today Tuesday, my second

Monday of the week, I'm going

to simply let the day unfold and

enjoy it . . .

loving me mondays

tuesday morning coming down

have another one

08/08/2022

It's been several years actually

getting the tats I want . . . the

first was for my 40th birthday.

My daughter held my hand the

entire time. My latest, today at

72, my guy sat there without

holding my hand. Naughty boy!

Originally, I had two depicting

my beliefs, but I wanted cats!

Thirteen wild cats, each of a 

different species. Today, I got

my thirteenth gato salvaje.

I've used the same tattoo artist

over the years. I loved how he

asked me on my way out today

if I was in for a few more. Of

course I responded, two more

I do want one on each forearm

honoring our Lunar Lady and 

Mr. Sun.

Takes a bit of time, not only to

save up the shekels, but to psyche

oneself up to deal with the pain.

Still, you're left with something

you've wanted for a long time 

and something you quite love.

Such fun and loving it!

skin is for decor 

ever so much space for art

loving me my tats

08/07/2022

Out of the mouths of babes . . .

Methinks everyone gets a kick

out of the grandkids, but I was

landed in Hystericsville this time!

Our little guy comes out to the

travel trailer, knocks on the door

and says, "Gramma, can I come

in?" I tell him to hold on as I

need to watch out for those pesky

incoming flies.

He comes in, sits down and right

away focuses on the TV. "Hey

gramma,"is your TV really old?"

Of course, I admit to this and I

will say, I'm damn curious to

see where this is going.

"Well gramma, why don't you

buy a new one?" I explain that

I just don't have the money to

do so. He pauses, Obviously,

he's thinking about all this, 

takes his time . . . and then, he

looks up at me and grins. "Well,

maybe my mom could buy you

a new one!"

Frankly, I didn't see it coming

and I fear it was a damn struggle

not to die laughing on the spot.

But, I was a good gran and told

him I thought we were good for

the time being. He gets up to go,

turns and says, "Well, think about

it, gramma."

I swear that kid puts a smile on

my face every time I see him. 

We won the lotto with our eight;

make no mistake.

08/06/2022

Every once in a while, one 

is given the gift of a day . . .

It wasn't planned as such, 

but everyone had something 

specific they needed to get 

done. I found myself on my 

own; crossword puzzle time!

Delish!

'Twas then that my daughter

from another mother walked

over with her coffee and ciggie

in hand and gave me the best

gift ever! A day of sharing and

conversation. Wow! Just wow!

I would be the first to admit it;

I love conversations of depth.

It's not a plane one can live on

each and every moment. Life

must be lived. Things need to

be accomplished. Taking care

of business takes up a lot of

time.

Still, every now and then, an

opportunity presents itself in

which real talk can take place.

Comparing belief systems, 

taking a look at the current

political situation, telling tales

out of school . . . all good. 

And I like that whole feeling

of walking away, knowing we

never put anyone down, said

anything inappropriate, just

really and truly conversed.

Can't help but wonder if real

conversation, emphasis on the

word real, isn't part of what's

missing in our today's world.

Something to think about . . .

lets talk it over

pray come sit with me awhile

the comfort of words

08/05/2022

Guess if you can't laugh at

yourself, who can you laugh at?

Didn't feel like washing dishes

last night, probably tired partying.

Rather glad these birthdays are

over already!!!

So, I put hot water in the dish tub

and added my usual 3 streams of

dish soap . . . only to realize I'd

added coffee creamer instead. 

I'd like to ask what this world is 

coming to, but, I fear just might 

be my own aging.  Still, I intend 

to blame it on my own sleepy head 

as I really hadn't woken up yet!

I also entertain the idea that these

silly happenings can be good

learning lessons. It's up to us to

implement them! So, what am I

to learn from my own craziness?

Methinks, paying attention to 

business might be a good start. 

I fear, I tend to live more in my 

head than in real life. If these 

wake up calls didn't happen from 

time to time, I would not get it!

So, here's me listening up Universe!

What is it you'd like to tell me?

What would you like me to know?

find myself longing

such wisdom of the ages

will i ever know

08/04/2022

In my dream, a few of us

were sitting around what

appeared to be a conference

table of some sort. Those

of us who were visiting,

didn't know each other.

Obviously, we were assailed

with a myriad of feelings . . .

curiosity, fear of the unknown,

wonder. "What was this and

how did we get here. And,

who the hell were these sages?"

The sages, as I seemed to 

think of them, continued

their quiet conversation as

if we weren't even there. A

young boy, apparently braver

than the rest of us, spoke up.

"What's the deal? Why are we

here?" The elder seemed startled 

at the interruption, but answered. 

"You are each here because of 

the queries you've made in your 

dreams."

"You will stay a while, journey 

in pairs, and seek the answers 

you are searching for." By now, 

we're all open mouthed! And 

you'll never guess who I was 

paired with?! The young teen, 

obviously . . .

Alas, I awoke at this point. Still,

methinks there's a message in

there. Sooooo hope I'm paying

attention! Wow! Just W O W !!!

find myself longing

such wisdom of the ages

will i ever know

08/03/2022

All Quiet on the Western Front

~Erich Maria Remarque

Maybe too quiet . . . 

I chose, quite happily I might 

add, to experience cabin life. 

I had no idea what I was getting 

us into; it's been most interesting.

Interesting in that there's been

so much to do, repair, fix up,

make livable . . . my guy has 

been a champ and an absolute 

godsend all the way. 

I feel so fortunate that friends

drop by from time to time. 

Methinks I might just curl up 

and die without this human 

contact. 

During the summer, we each

host a celebration. My man 

throws a fab family b-day do.

A few days later, my sisters

join me for Lughnasadh, the

beginning of harvest season.

And now, the lull in the afters.

There is a certain amount of

joy remembering, processing.

In the silence, we hear the pond,

the birds chirping or singing.

Funny how I'm able to exclude

those ghastly traffic noises.

Still, can't help but ask myself,

"Now what?" Obviously, these

mysteries will sort themselves

out, but I'd be lying if I didn't 

admit to being curious!

Can't help but wonder, will you

be one of my summer surprises?

08/02/2022

Comings and goings . . .

So love me the anticipation

of the long awaited arrival

of a good friend.

There's the whole planning

element, the getting ready,

and finally . . . the actual day!

The hours of waiting on said

day, are the longest hours in

the history of mankind . . .

I swear it!

Spying her from afar, seeing

she has arrived safely, that

first glorious hug! Wondrous!

And then comes the catching

up, tripping over each other's

words in the eagerness of

getting a word in edgewise. 

Each day is enjoyed, treasured.

And how quickly they pass.

Unbelievable! And finally, time

is up. Which is as it should be.

I so get it. Still . . .

Load the car, get to the station.

Encounter a horrific accident on

the way with over a dozen police

cars and emergency vehicles.  And 

yet, no matter how badly you feel 

for those involved, your worry is 

all about the fear that you'll miss 

the scheduled time of departure.

Somehow you make it; praise the

gods! And then . . . that last good

bye hug and watch her walk away.

Tears on the way home and the

exhaustion that emotional sorrow

brings . . .

Ah, such is friendship of the ages!

08/01/2022

Today marks the birth of

my paternal grandmother,

Elsie Castner . . . one of

my greatest sheros of all

times!

One of the things I have

loved about getting older

is the recognition of those

who have come before me.

Obviously, I would not be

here were it not for my

grandmother. Having said

that, nor my great gran,

nor my great great gran.

We are all here because of

those who have gone before.

Methinks we don't tend to

pay attention to that rather

amazing fact.

And frankly, now that I'm

about a hundred years old,

I find I am more and more

interested in where I came

from. Ancestors? Traits?

Commonalities? 

I can't help but wonder . . .

What does what I learn, find

out, bring to the table? Hints

of whom I take after? Why 

do I perhaps act the way I do?

Certain interests, proclivities?

I have learned that I seem to

take after my father and his

side of the family more than 

I do my mother's. Not certain

it even matters, but I so want

to find out!

pray sit beside me

tell me a story grandma

may i hear your words