06/30/2022

Today ends my ale fast . . . 

as I tend to think of it!

Each year, I abstain from drinks

the months of January, May and

September. This year though, 

I chose June as my mid month.

It's been interesting . . . I find 

I haven't missed the drinking 

at all, it's the social side I miss. 

You know, you get together w/

family, friends, neighbors . . .

and per se, alcohol is involved.

Wine, beer, shots, mixed drinks,

all fun and games at parties. Alas,

there are times when those delish

cocktails overtake the common 

sense of the partaker. Methinks we

all strive to avoid that catastrophe.

So today, I intend to spend some

time seriously thinking about just

how I resume holding my infamous

margs in hand! I so pray I have the 

good sense to be careful, sensible . . . 

even abstain several days a week!

ever so thirsty

so what you having darling
throw caution windward

06/29/2022

Color me awaiting July . . .

Sooooo can hardly wait!

And of course, there's always 

our 4th of July celebrations. 

I'm looking skyward even as 

we speak!

July means so many things

to so many people. Birthdays 

ahoy . . . my guy, my bro, my 

dad! And what celebrations 

await!

Then, there's the heat, as little 

clothing as possible, followed

by being burned excessively!

Certainly awakens a thirst for

that ice cold brewski!

My fave may be July moons; 

the 13th - full Thunder Moon, 

and the 28th - the new moon. 

I so love my moons . . . Notice

there're all mine; must mean

I'm loony tunes!

For me though, July is a fave

because of the warmth. I so

suffer during the cold, dark,

months. I feel quite healed in

the heat of summer! If I had

my way, summer would last

twice as long as winter.

Just think, only two more 

days . . .

pray bring on the heat

long awaiting my summer

will it never come

06/28/2022

Just color me content . . .

Good night's sleep, awaking

to fresh banana bread made

by a friend, the cool of the

morning . . . 

We seem to be ever seeking 

the thrills offered in heights 

unknown. Heaven forbid we 

should be sated with those 

small joys that surround us. 

And yes, it is easy to forget 

the importance of those little 

things that make up a perfect 

day. I fear we live in a society 

ever seeking the orgasmic high 

rather than that sweet road of 

getting there!

This new me, the me that's 

facing those latter years of life, 

longs to learn this secret ere 

I die . . .

pray do share with me

how may i learn what needs be

so longing to know

06/27/2022

Neither of us like to shop . . .

Methinks, better give thanks 

for that whilst I'm still alive! 

Alas, can't get down on my 

knees any more!

'Tis the whole, once a month,

shop 'til you drop regime that

threatens to kill me! I'd come

home and drink up, but I have

to find places for all those gros!

I so admire people who run by

the grocery store on their way

home from wherever! On my

side of the fence, have to go on

the least busy day, at the least

busy hour, and still pray it will

be quick and dirty!

"Oh my God! They've changed

things around since I was last

here! Where the hell did they 

put my fave salad dressing!! 

Damn, looks like they're out of

those little purple potatoes!!!"

Maybe, I'm at that place where

I should have my gros delivered!

Not sure they service half way to

kingdom come!

okay rants over

ive heard oldsters are grouchy

am i one of them

06/26/2022

I find myself in this mood . . .

Spring ending in June, Summer

beginning in July . . . Whatever's

going to happen next?

I promised myself I would enjoy

every single moment of this up-

coming season and yet I feel antsy!

What will July bring? I know for

certain the sun is coming, perhaps

to stay awhile. I know all about

summer parties, evening suppers,

meeting with friends and the odd

FAC. 

I also know I'll be helping my guy

get ready for his own birthday. I

do appreciate the process, enjoy it

even.

The actual day brings family to our

door, conversations much longed

for . . . the old catching up gambit!

It well may be the biggest event of

the summer, but it's not the entire

season. I enjoy the dreaming up of

ideas, the planning and the execution.

So dreaming it is . . . and already 

about three ideas come to mind!

Can hardly wait . . . and yes, I have

full intention to kiss and tell!!!

tis coming coming

love me some new beginnings

feeling inspired

06/25/2022

A weekend with family . . .  and

I find myself unexpectedly moved!

One appreciates relatives, honors 

them, loves them from afar . . . 

but on those rare occasions when

a get together is planned and works

out . . . 'tis perfection indeed.

I find myself looking at things from

a slightly different perspective. Aha

moments, precious understandings 

and the resulting chuckles or tears,

are gifts indeed; make no mistake!

I recognize that vast geographical

distances play a role in families.

We tend to have greater familial 

type relationships with close friends 

who live nearby as this is indeed

practical.

I wonder if harking back to days 

of yesteryear with phone calls, cards

and letters wouldn't bring a greater

closeness?!

Methinks a concerted effort may be

what is needed. An effort to stay in

touch as well as making a point to

reunite from time to time.

I do recognize the importance of this.

And, I wish to follow my own advice.

My family is worth staying in touch.

Honoring them is important. And,

I love them . . .

pray come sit with me

let's have a little look see

shall we go forward

06/24/2022

I know one good way of getting

rid of the shakes . . . work my 

ass off in the yard. Summer is 

not only coming, it's here!

I swear, I could simply live out

doors during these warm months.

There is something so invigorating

about Summer!!! 

I find myself getting up at o' dark

thirty, wishing the sun would hurry

and get up as well, all so I can be 

outside.

I have to laugh at myself, I don't

seem to mind the bug bites and

sunburn, just get me out there 

already.

Sooooo, bring it all on . . . the

heat, the work, the visits of fam

and friends, the cool drinks and

picnic foods . . . I'm in for the

duration!

love me some summer

come on over lets party

make up for lost time

06/23/2022

There are times when I am so

absolutely overwhelmed with

what I would call apprehension!

I do not understand it!

All afternoon, I've been sporting

this angst. Frankly, it's more than

a bit unnerving. I ask myself, 

"What's this all about? How can

I get over it? How can I let it go?"

Can't help but wonder if it has 

something to do with me treating

myself to coffee today . . . my

once a month treat.

Might it be because I'm trying to

get ready for a family reunion this

weekend? I would have to admit

this takes some planning . . . 

Taking a peek at the map, packing

up, looking over food and drinks.

Thinking about a hostess gift.

The heat . . . which I've anxiously

awaited for the entirety of Winter

and Spring?! The cold nights? 

When will the two get on the same

page already?!

Methinks a good night's rest might

help mitigate this entire episode . . . 

Sooooo pray these jitters will all be

behind me on the morrow!

Do other people sometimes deal 

with this sort of thing?! Damn it 

all to hell, anyway!!!

lets quell the willies

bring on some serenity 

just calm yourself down

06/22/2022

'Tis the morning of the day after

and I'm just not quite ready to say

goodbye!

Still, I do love that we're in the 2nd

day of summer, that second day in

a six week period . . . and I intend

to enjoy every single day of it!

Thinking here . . . just how am I

going to celebrate these hot climate 

days . . . let me think! 

The first thing that comes to mind is 

getting my ass outside for a change. 

I rather loathe just how used I get to 

staying indoors over the winter and 

early spring!

Next, I want to see if my legs still

work . . . maybe the odd walk or two,

just as long as they are no longer

than to the mailbox!!! Right?!

Not to forget that I have this sweet

little basket sitting at the ready just

waiting for a picnic to happen!!! I've

been hankering after a picnic for so

long, I'm not certain what one even

looks like at this point!

I find my calendar filling up . . . seems

to me that I'm going to soon lay eyes

on fam and friends. It's been a long

couple of years or so with that dreaded

plague on our hands.

Damn! It's summer time and the livin'

is easy . . . Thank you Louie Armstrong!

And, I want to live it every single day!

To hell with just existing . . .

06/21/2022 - Summer Solstice

"Midsummer, the Summer

Solstice, also known as Litha,

arrives when the powers of

nature reach their highest

point. The earth is awash in

the fertility of the Goddess

and God". ~Scott Cunningham

 

I am ever so enamored with 

any and everything that has to 

do with the warmth of summer.

I feel like dancing!

Today is the longest day of the

year. Methinks 'tis all about

celebrating hot . . . summer

heat, body heat, that slow fire

that burns between lovers and

makes friendship what it is.

Alas from here, the days begin

to shorten as they approach fall

and winter. But, I am determined

not to dwell on that. I wish to

relish each and every day of sun

and warmth. I have a feeling that

this summer is to be the summer

of all summers.

Let's stroll through the upcoming

summer evenings with family and

friends . . . gatherings, cookouts, 

parties, sharing a pitcher or a few

bottles.

Mr. Summer will bid his adieu soon

enough. We have six weeks in which 

to revel in the joys of this delightful 

season.

Let's not waste a single moment . . .

long awaited sun

pray do not depart too soon

sol man come to moi

06/20/2022

I am loving the anticipation

of today! 'Tis the eve of our

Summer Solstice, otherwise

known as Litha. Not to forget,

the longest day of the year.

Awaking early, divining the

gifts the day may bring . . .

ever so delicious. A day of

warmth, means some time

spent outside.

Another delight, a colleague

of yesteryear is joining me. 

A time to catch up, share a bit 

of food, spend the afternoon in

learning. Frankly, joy beyond 

expectation.

I wish to enjoy every single

moment of the day, cherish

them and recall them upon

demand. Precious memories

can sustain; make no mistake!

And, to think 'tis only the eve

and the morrow awaits . . .

anticipation

summer a long time coming

delights awaiting

06/19/2022

You know, you spend your 

whole life on some kind of 

sleep schedule . . .

Obviously, parents downright 

beg, pray, promise the universe

anything, in hopes their babies

can sleep. Alas, no rest for the 

wicked!

Then, from the time children 

enter pre-school until they are

actually retired from the work

force about 60 years later, sleep 

is pretty much ordained by God

and the alarm clock.

At last, retirement comes along 

to party and messes with every-

thing! You actually get to sleep

in, stay up late if you so wish,

take a nap or not! And all of a 

sudden, about 65 years of sleep

habits are blown to bits.

Anything from all nighters to

all dayers, now govern the latter

part of our lives . . . and sleep

pays the price.

Not sure that it matters at all.

Still, part of me wishes this 

had all happened when I was

a partying teenager rather than

a sleep deprived oldster!

It's about 1:00 in the morning;

anyone want to come on over 

for whatevers?! Let's see, we

could play cards, have chat

and drinks, throw a pizza in 

the oven or even dance in the 

moonlight!

Hey, we're retired and sure as

hell NOT sleeping!!! Let's do

this!

06/18/2022

Spiritual

The quality of being concerned

with the human spirit or soul as

opposed to material or physical

things.

I so love and enjoy spiritual

observances . . . glorious days 

that remind us of a life worth 

living. I find them utterly up-

lifting. For days afterwards, 

I still revel in them . . .

May Day, First days of Spring, 

Summer, Fall, Winter, spiced

in between with Halloween,

and Yule . . .

Looking at these celebrations

in depth, I see that a pause in

our daily endeavors makes 

them even more special. 

One of the things we fail to 

do in our modern day lives is

to pause . . . It takes a pause

to live in the present, to enjoy

the moment, to appreciate the

offerings that life has to give 

us. 

In essence, I want to live

rather than exist, love rather

than like, and celebrate rather

than simply limp through the

days as they present themselves.

Pray, I rise to the occasions as

they present themselves . . .

Let's enjoy Litha, first day of 

summer!