50% off...

Had to run into Walmart on the 4th and as I grabbed my needed items, the manager comes on over the loud speaker and proclaims that for the next few minutes, lounge chairs would be reduced from $55 down to $15. I had been waiting for the markdowns to start but thought I had at least 3 weeks to go. Today, Target's outdoor furniture was all marked down 50% and there was little left. In less than 10 days after summer officially starts, we are already in the 50% summer markdown and on to fall. The school supplies are already out, looks like have about a month to refill my pens and paper before the Halloween candy is out.

No wonder we are obsessed in our lives. We are a 50% world, living on the edge all the time. Summer is for thinking, dreaming, enjoying the warm sun. There is no time for Thanksgiving centerpieces and Christmas decorations. It is up to oneself to protect brain from this kind of overload. While I did cruise the school section just to see... I did not buy anything. Will I hold firm? Would like to say I would but I am under no illusion as to my weaknesses. I made myself a promise to use my powers for good and am trying desperately to stick to it, for myself if for no other reason. To prove a point. I do this often, part of the fun of living in Me Land.

So I am going to enjoy my $15 lounge chair, prop my feet up, grab my iPad and live summer like no body's business. I might not have all the answers but I have the ones I need for right now and that my friend, is huge...

looking up...

We humans spend a lot of time, looking up. For many reasons and most of them are related.

We look up at the skies to see things we never see on the ground. Maybe if the things that we were looking up were on the ground, we wouldn't be too interested but is Something we never know. We look up for a reason. It is not our default. Something draws us away from our normal and comfortable stance of looking ahead or down. There is a promise of Something way bigger than us, something that is off scale and needs to be, up high. Whether you are religious or not, looking up has that kind of quality. It is one that for a brief moment, we give it our full attention and expecting a reward for said attention. It may come in the form of an affirmation, either visual or perhaps, just an emotional response. We are giving ourselves up to Something higher than what we normally see. Something that commands we stop what we are doing and look up instead. Never miss an opportunity to look up. Another thing common to us all, we hate to miss anything...

4th of July...

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty; it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more. John Adams.

Can not think of any place I would be on the 4th of July. The older lady at Walmart who was in front of me had her whole 4th of July, right there. There was some deli chicken nuggets, bottle of white milk, one ear of shucked corn and a 25' hose. I made up a Story about all her purchases and it made her smile. Even if you don't have a family around, or a big shindig to go too, you can celebrate the wonderous nature of America's birthday. For as young as we are, we sure know how to throw a party, imagine we always will.

summer reading...

There are few things that explain summer more than summer reading. It has a different pace than winter reading. It is slow, and outdooresy. The words hang over you like the heat, slow and steady.

I have a few books that I purposely read on in the summer. Madeleine Engle's, The Summer of the Great Grandmother, is one of my favorites. This year, Barbara Robinson's, The Worst/Best School Year Ever, is my new favorite. Telling another Story of the now famous Herdman's family, from the The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, The Story of a sister and brother family who are all familiar to us, in some way or another.

Ralph, Imogene, Leroy, Claude, Ollie and Gladys - were the worst kids in the history of the world... I know them because they use to live next door to my daughter's family. They were the spiting image of the Herdsmans children. You could never convince me that this book was not a biography.

In Real Life, we would be appalled. Who could let their kids grow up and purposefully become, hoodlums? It happens all the time. We laugh at the antics of the Herdmans.

There were right there in the Woodrow Wilson School, all six of them, spread out, one to a class, because the only teacher who could have put up with two of them at once would have to be Miss King Kong. My father said he bet that was in the teachers contracts along with sick leave and medical benefits: only one Herdsman at a time.

Something magical about summer reading. Any other time of the year, it would not be as funny. It would not ring, so true and those chuckles that escape my lips, would never be. I spent many summers at the library, soaking up everything Nancy drew, that I could. Summer leands itself to a complete change of lifestyle. Even after all these years, the art of summer comes back to me, just like riding a bike - you never forget. The same applies to fall and buying new underwear but that is for a different season.

Grab yourself a book, pull up a chair and see if it isn't magical. Read something you have never read or a familiar one. Makes no difference, the reward is in the way you see it...

social media...

Twitter is someone at a bar who has a funny joke to tell you. Facebook is a relative that wants you to watch a slide show of their vacation. Matt Thompson via Bob and Tom.

Could not have described it better. There are many that would disagree with me and believe me, Facebook has been very good to me. Not unlike church, I have made some great friendships and even found long, lost relatives. Enough to stay loyal, for a time.

Remember My Space? Never go into it but it is the grandfather of social media. Maybe it is not fair to compare Twitter and Facebook. Maybe they really are apples and oranges but the thing is, we can only eat so much fruit. Unless someone wants to develop a 12 step program for those who binge on edible reproductive body of a seed plant.

Twitter clicks all the boxes for me. Latest news, a good Story and whatever the lastest thing Jerry Seinfeld is doing. If something personal happens, someone will let me know. Then why do I still have a Facebook account? Good question. Maybe loyalty, always hoping for it to kick it up a notch but remember...would you expect an apple to do a citrus job?

Maybe I will watch the 20 year olds and see what they do. AFter all, they are the future. Come to think of it, I don't see many of them on either platform. Will social media as we know it go by the way of cable TV. These 20 somethings won't pay for TV. Some have Netflix or Hulu Plus but most watch from the portable devices and don't have to see the latest episode of Downton Abbey, as it is happening. They are way better at delaying gratification that we are. Look out Cable TV, you make have to rethink your, Are you ready for some football marketing?The worse part, they will do be doing the same thing for their kids.

What will social media look like in 5 years, 10 years? Whatever its form, SM is here to stay. We are more and more mobile everyday. Move over AA, there is a new kid in town...

one year anniversary...

Tomorrow marks the first anniversary of retirement. It has been quite a year, health issues along with learning a new way, has felt at times, like we have been paddling just to stay afloat. Health issues are better, and learning how to spend more time together is getting to be a adventure. We refer to everyday as being on vacation, believe it or not - that has been a life saver. We laugh as much as we can, at our own expense is the best but keeping one eye on the proverbial clock, we know that each day is a gift.

We will celebrate tomorrow spending the day with our girl and grandbabies. Can think of no better way to mark the occasion. Whatever the day brings, we will be thankful for this year and for all the days to come. This last year has been a year of trial and error, and more trial and error. Thinking we have got it down, lets get ready to rubble...

Statues in the park...

I hate poetry.
I love Billy Collins.

Anything with his name, I will read. He makes it real without all that rhyming going on. Dr Suess is about all I can handle and, in small amounts. Billly Collins is the Real Deal, there is no turning away evern when it is hard and hurts. Something to learn, something to beleive in and something to be thankful for.

Anytime something teaches you something that you felt was worth your time, you tend to pay attention. Over and over again. Statues in the Park is a wonderful piece and it doesn't hurt that it comes from the book, The Trouble With Poetry.

Statues in the Park

I thought of you today
When I stopped before an equestrian statue
in the middle of a public space.

you who had once instructed me
in the code of these noble poses.

A horse rearing up with two legs raised,
you told me, meant the rider had died in battle.

If only one leg is lifted,
the man had elsewhere succumbed to his wounds;

and if four legs were touching the ground,
as they were in this case-
bronze hooves affixed to a stone base-
it meant that the man on the horse,

this one staring intently
over the closed movie threatre across the street,
had died of a cause other than war....

The poem doesn't end there but goes on to talk about others who have died in battle yet no statues for them. The statues of the sickly, the suicides, the murdered and the drowned. And, he ends it like this.

And there was I.
up on a rosy-gray block of granite
near a cluster of shade trees in the local park,
my name and dates pressed into a plaque,

down on my knees, eyes lifted,
praying to the passing clouds,
forever begging for just one more day.

progressive...

There are things in our lives that are progressive. That means that it is marching on, like it or not. There are also some progressives that can be held in check and some that, no matter what, we have no control over.

Some diseases are progressive. Parkinson's, MS and diabetes. In fairness to diabetes, it is agreed upon that with change, the disease can be held in check, sometimes even elimated but for most, it is a lifelong struggle at best. Obesity was offically changed to a disease last week. One is no longer obese, now, one has obesity. This is going to bankrupt insurance companies. Expect big changes in the workplace. Alcoholism is also progressive, just like drugs and food, it takes more and more to keep an acceptable level of being. Wonder why it takes 6 brownies instead of two to make the voices in your head...stop. Same disease, different symptoms.

The one we all share and can relate to is age. No human has ever beat it. Money cannot assure that the cancer won't spread, and spread quickly. Some of us are given many years, years to become parents and grandparents. To see the world change, for better and worse. Some are given shorter terms. Lives cut short, very little progession in their lives. Some never make it out the hospital doors. I always imagine they may see themselves as lucky.

We went bike riding last night with our kids and grandkids. Beauty and the Beast kept up pretty well for 3 or 4 miles and then we had to stop and sat at a picnic table while they continued on. It is hard to admit that you can't keep up but it needed to be done. We could have continued on and tried to kill ourselves to keep up but, somehow we have made peace with doing what we can do and being semi-ok with that. When they came back, we were ready to head back and finish our ride. It was a great night for biking, no matter how far you went.

With all things progressive, there are consequences. We do the best with what we are given and as the kids say, You get what you get and don't throw a fit. Whatever progressives are in your life right now, learn to make peace with. Give them due respect. It may be the smartest thing you ever do....

summer 2013...

School got out the end of May. Even though it is not officially summer then, we all think it is and act accordingly. Summer only started Friday and already there has been a week of VBS, swim lessons, tutoring and just finished a week of horseback riding lessons.

Morgan took to this like a fish to water. I imagine I will be visiting her on her big ranch in Ada County in the not so far future. Since she is not allowed to date until she is 30, she will need extra help with the animals and will not venture far. The boys are also liking being out and being told, You are the boss...make sure your horse knows that. What kid wouldn't like being the boss?

As I reflect on what the rest of this summer will look like, I can't help but thinking about last summer. I was sick, the sickest I have ever been. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. It was a dark time for me personally. I will never forget. Someone I know is going through a dark time this summer. I told them my Story and told them not to give up hope. While their memory of this time will always be difficult, I hope they can share their Story next summer with someone going through the same thing.

We almost have a year of retirement behind us. DH says it is still tough, just living with me should be a reward, all its self. Planning a big trip next year so think we will lay low this year. I feel better and that is fun enough for me. We have had a lot of adjustments this year and I think we have weathered this, pretty well.

So Summer 2013, bring it! Different mindset, different year, time to renew and party on!!!!

documentation...

last Saturday was family picture day. It a day that the sooner and better you smile, the quicker this whole thing will go. They are now at the age where they are more able to control themselves and smile for a few sconds. 381 shots later, it looks like we will be doing this again in a few weeks.

Not because of the closed eyes, of which there were many or the eyes looking around. It has to do with someone getting their bangs cut a few hours before Picture Time. You should also know that we had to stop at the same salon to have the bangs, fixed. That alone, tells the whole Story.

With multiple locations and the getting in and out of the car, there has to be some downtime. I love taking photos of them as a family and as much as mommy wants a canvas on her big living room wall with everyone smiling, down by the river..this is the one I would choose.

Really, the haircut is all you can see?

His charm just kept oozing out the whole time. Miss M was cuteness galore and Keaton's face just loves the camera. Despite the rough start, it was a great time.

Look forward to doing it again in a few weeks. Canvas worthy is the name of the game but these photos, the uncanvas worthy will always make me happy as all photos should do. Love you buddy!

Fathers Day...

Growing up in my house, parents were in two catagories, evil and the lesser of evil. My father was the lesser and understand that the lesser evil is still, evil. I can not relate to all the mushy stories about fathers and love and trust and caregiving. Not until that is, I look at my favorite son-in-law. I don't know how any child could go wrong with the love I see him lavish on my grandchildren.

When they were little, he went to every doctor appointment and has missed very few since all three kids were born. He is strict when he has to be, encouraging every day and shows his love everywhere. They might grumble and complain about the rules, now that they are older but not a one of them would deny that his love, surrounds him. The idea of God being a father figure, must have been easy for them to grasp. It was much tougher for me. I had no reference point and the ones I had were, unspeakable. I really thought that every day went on dates with underwear in a paper bag, in case they got lucky. My mormal wasn't and it took many, more years for me to grow up and see what a real father looks like.

Wherever this Fathers Day takes you, I hope it is a good one. Good memories, good Stories and if they are still around, a call or a visit. If not, look around and see if there are fathers out there that could bring the concept of God to you, firsthand. That is my Fathers Day wish for each of us...

beliefs...

We all have core and secondary beliefs. I would guess that core beliefs make up 25% of our belief system with secondary ones, picking up the rest. In both belief systems, there is change. Obviously more in the 75%, where the ins and outs of everyday life are played out. What is relevant one day, is no longer the next day. Even the core beliefs see change. Different seasons of life, changes you never saw coming, tragedy and surprises, can shake a core belief, forever.

We may be creatures of habit but those habits can be fluid. You may never pick up a drink in your life but still be an alcoholic. Addiction is addiction, some are just more politically correct than others. The thing about beliefs is we make choices from minute to minute, based on those beliefs.

I have added to my core beliefs, many times. I have also eliminated some. Some beliefs come with age, some with circumstance and the older you get, the more they change. Here is small sampling of what is going on in my head, today

It is not exercise if you don't sweat.

Living in denial is not for the faint of heart, the cost is very real.

When you make a choice for a lifetime, you must burn your ships. If you don't, you will, you will climb back on board.

man's best friend...

These two are pretty good buddies. They spent a week alone together a few weeks ago when the rest of us went to the Oregon coast. Banjo has spent a bit of time with us and it seems to suit him. Everytime we go to his house, hwe are greeted like royalty. Before we can drop a purse, or take off a jacket, he is all over us to give im a little love. He does firmly believe he should get attention before Freckles, Freckles or Blondie get any kind of a greeting.

He has no qualms about being your best friend if you are eating Something that hints of meat. Whatever you have is better than what is in his bowl, is his theory and if begging is what it takes, he has no shame. Likewise, when it is time to go outside, you are not left unclear as to what is going on and what is needed, RIGHT NOW!

He is our fourth grandchild. He loves Brandi, will lay at the door for hours waiting for her to come home. Saturday, at the yard sale, he was able to fall asleep in her arms, just like that. I have never seen anything like it. He feels so comfortable with her, it is a wonderful thing to behold.

While he loves my girl, he has a bit more love to share with the rest of us and poppa gets to have some one on one time with man's best friend, without the work, The perfect relationship...

yard sale, 2013 style...

It was a good day for a yard sale. With Ozzie keeping watch, we managed to unload quite a few treasures that we had been holding on to. Treasures that we, at some point inour lives, could not live without. Brandi had a great idea on how to market the Legos, $4 a bag, you choose. We had a father and son team that spent a good half hour in the blazing sun, going through all three containers. We thought they were crazy to sit and sift through all those pieces but it was obvious theny were on some kind of mission.

We had Sam or was it Phil?, he talked about himself in the third person and explained that he was into buttons and pins. Kind of creeped you out but we just went on. There were the offers that had no basis in reality and some good old fashioned, haggling. The old men who just wanted to talk,and the never before seen neighbor who lived a block over, that way. As it always is, a yard sale reminds you that life is not simple, and that every transaction whether human or financial, is an experience. We don't see the value of many things equally, nor do we agree on what is fair. It is a great place to practice manners, please, thank you and have a good day.

Some people want their new belongings put in a bag, some do not. When something is sold by the bag, there is always, always, someone who instead of buying 2 bags, insists on overfilling the one bag and pretending like no one will notice. And for those who speak of themselves in the third person, there are no words. Thank you again, Yard Sale, good lessons, good times...

one on one...

We all have times that we are better than we think. The times you think you were pretty good, probably wouldn't pass the mustard test. It is those time you are unaware but are present. I am most comfortable being, one on one. I like the idea of sharing with someone and being shared.

I can give you my full attention, the most I have in any given Moment.
I will laugh with you, I will cry with you.
I will thank God for you.

None of us are islands, onto ourselves, Some need more island, some need to get out more. Even my workout time is done on the island. because I have been forced by outdated machines, I am no longer in my little corner on the treadmill, by myself. I have to get out among the English, people on either side of me, and it is testing me Big Time. I had to ask at the desk today when the replacement machines would be in. They don't know, they have been ordered. I know they will not be there tomorrow, I will have to go to the mainland to get my sweat on.

One on One, when our time together was done, I would give you a big hug because I have been blessed by you sharing your time with me. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate the view from your side of the island. The older I get, the more I understand...there is much to see and by sharing, we all get to see just a bit more, get that one little piece of the Puzzle that might allude us otherwise. Thank you and much love from Island zalaine...

family...

Had a wonderful visit with Uncle Dean last week. First road trip of retirement, the 6 hour drive was breathtakingly beautiful. It is really a miracle that we made it, or that we found my uncle.

I had looked for him for several years. The phone number I had was no longer in service. I knew he had a heart attack a while back so put the two together and figured he was gone. Had heard from a long lost not relative that his wife had died, all the signs pointed to, I was too late.

For many and various reasons, have not had any contact with my father's side fo the family for many years, at least 25 since my father's death. I had searched Facebook before with little success but I tried and ried again, and about a month ago, they all popped up. Cousins, aunts and uncles, all in one place. So I knew my uncle was still alive, it was just a matter of time before I got his number and we were on our way.

We just stayed a day, he wanted us to stay longer but he had fishing and we had Keaton's graduation from middle school. We happily talked the day away and then dinner and then more talk. My cousin and her daughter and husband who live next door visited until the wee hours. We all were tired, hit the hay, day done. In the morning we visited a bit more and headed home.

You would think it would be difficult to catch up on 25 years yet it didn't go that way. I filled in blanks for him and he gave me some answers I had been looking for. He was only 8 when I was born and I spent alot of time living with my grandparents and uncle when I was a child. I told him I was sorry if I was a pain, he said I wasn't. He said I had brushed shoulders with Frank Sinatra as had he. He was in junior high and it made as big an impressions on him as it did me. He told me about his experience with Danny Thomas, wow.

As I have reflected back on the visit, of this I am sure. Being a Daniels has and always be a part of my DNA. We are natural Storytellers and comedians. We have big attitudes and most of what everybody does, hits us the wrong way. We would like to beat up more people than we do, and religion is such a part of our Story, not because we all believe but because we don't.

Thanks for the hospitality, Uncle Dean! Good luck on your next bass tournament, may God bless you real good...

draw...

Whether you consider yourself artistic or not, we all draw. We do it with our lives. Seriously, today I experienced it during the singing time at church.

Pastor Sam weaved the music together and it fell right into place. by the last stance of the last song, you could see it. If you understand that God loves you and you take that to heart, believe it... you will never feel alone. Will it change the cirmstances of your life? Will it hedge all bets about Bad Thinks happening to you? No, but you will never walk alone. That is the promise.

We draw pictures everyday with our lives to those around us. To those we are around alot, they will see more. A stranger may only have one shot at you and you may blow it. It may be a bad day, legit or not but make no mistake, you will draw a picture for them to take home and remember and if they ever run into you again, your drawing will come up for immediate recall for them, just as it has been for us and all the them out there whose drawings have crossed our paths.

Whatever your medium is, on any given day, you draw a legacy for all to see. Your words, actions,even your attention suggest a page, rich in detail.

What did you draw today? What did it say to you? What do you think it did for those around you? Whether scribble or prose, today's drawing reflects you and where your head is. Hope you drew an accurate account and left some good stuff behind, even if it only said, SOS...

exaggerate...

I can't imagine any of us like being associated with exaggeration but it is part of the human experience. Anyone who says it isn't part of their lives is lying, another thing that we all have in common.

We use exaggeration for many different reasons and results. To feel better about ourselves, to make ourselves look better in our own eyes as well as those around us. We use the Big E when we tell Stories because we think our Stories will be more interesting if the fish weighs 50 lbs instead of 3 lbs, 4 oz. When telling Stories of girl and guy behavior, exaggeration is a given, believe only 50% and you will be much closer to the truth.

If exaggaeration is about more.... Like the one old woman said to the other, I already told you more than I know, What is it called when it goes the other way? Imagine telling someone you weigh100 lbs more than you do? Then they would think you were tiny for your weight Or shorter, or not as bright. I may be on to something here. Accentuate the negative.

At times, there is a fine line between exaggeration and truth. When I say spending an hour every Sunday with my grandson in church is like heaven on earth to me, I am serious, yet someone else may think I am embellishing plight. In this case, I am not. I am very aware of every moment and the more days I have behind me than in from of me, I realize it more and more.

Exaggaration or truth,

I now weigh what it says on my drivers licence.

I have bumped into Frank Sinatra.

If I have ever told you I love you, it is as true today as the day I said it, no matter what...All truth. You look marvelous darlin, never better...All the Big E.

Pomp and Circumstance...

The year just isn't complete without a few things. High school graduation is one of them. One needs to hear Pomp and Circumstance once a year, to remember how far we have come. In a perfect world, a wedding, the birth of a newborn baby, and a Thanksgiving or Christmas, would round up the top five events that one has in their lives to let them, remember.

I am so with the graduates on that first note of P&C. I remember my high school graduation. Not a great time in my life, a bit tough but didn't know that it would get tougher in a few short months. It is the one time in your life when anything seems possible, mainly because you are too starry-eyed to see the Big Picture as seen by one with a fully developed brain. The Big Picture of a 17 yr old graduate still thinks that there is room for one more Superman, and that being Spiderman... is not all that impossible. That being Miss Anything is possible, even probable. It is not any generations fault, magical thinking is still the default of that age.

The turning of the tassels, the tears in the eyes of parents. As I sat there listening to the speeches, my mind kept saying, over and over... we invented the iPod, Ipad, even the internet. What are you going to do? And I can't wait to see, what they come up with. Congrats Class of 2013, now go find your Impossible...

yesterday...

Last Manly Men concert. It was a fitting tribute to the Beatles and the MM, of which mine is heading to high school. I don't know much about jr high boys but what I know, I love. This boy is ready to leave the boyhood antics of jr high and move on to the glories of high school. He will do well. The basics are a part of him. Manners, done. There is no one kinder than this young man. He is starting for find his way, guitar and working behind the scenes in the drama department may bring him closer to finding out what he wants to do with his life. Many know early, where and what yet this generation will have to find their way, like we all have.

Manly Men, as you take the next step, make it count. There is so much available to you. Life moves faster and faster, I can only imagine what you will come up with. To my MM, I am so proud of you. Go find your self and if you need us, you know where to find us. Love nana and poppa...

day in, day out...

The plain fact is that you graduating seniors do not yet have any clue what "day in day out" really means. There happen to be whole, large parts of adult American life that nobody talks about in commencement speeches. One such part involves boredom, routine and petty frustration. The parents and older folks here will know all too well what I'm talking about.

By way of example, let's say it's an average adult day, and you get up in the morning, go to your challenging, white-collar, college-graduate job, and you work hard for eight or ten hours, and at the end of the day you're tired and somewhat stressed and all you want is to go home and have a good supper and maybe unwind for an hour, and then hit the sack early because, of course, you have to get up the next day and do it all again. But then you remember there's no food at home. You haven't had time to shop this week because of your challenging job, and so now after work you have to get in your car and drive to the supermarket. It's the end of the work day and the traffic is apt to be: very bad. So getting to the store takes way longer than it should, and when you finally get there, the supermarket is very crowded, because of course it's the time of day when all the other people with jobs also try to squeeze in some grocery shopping. And the store is hideously lit and infused with soul-killing muzak or corporate pop and it's pretty much the last place you want to be but you can't just get in and quickly out; you have to wander all over the huge, over-lit store's confusing aisles to find the stuff you want and you have to manoeuvre your junky cart through all these other tired, hurried people with carts (et cetera, et cetera, cutting stuff out because this is a long ceremony) and eventually you get all your supper supplies, except now it turns out there aren't enough check-out lanes open even though it's the end-of-the-day rush. So the checkout line is incredibly long, which is stupid and infuriating. But you can't take your frustration out on the frantic lady working the register, who is overworked at a job whose daily tedium and meaninglessness surpasses the imagination of any of us here at a prestigious college... This is water. David Foster Wallace...

I write a commencement speech every year. one that I would give if ever asked. Seems a bit pompous yet I think, I have something to bring to the graduating class of any year. This year I discovered, This Is Water by David Foster Wallace. It says everything I would say only better. Maybe no time in history has a generation seemed out of tune yet, maybe they are smarter than we think. We have watched the Millennists grow up and have and are waiting for them to step up and rule the world and the simple fact is they aren't or at least not like we thought they would be. It must looks different to them, because we sure does to us. We brought the music to a place where no one could have imagined. We brought the iPad. Truthfully, I envy you. What you will bring to the party, I can't even imagine. Bring it good, Graduates. Bring it good...

26 minutes...

The past few days, we have seem some terrible weather. In Texas, lives and property were devestated. One news account said people were warned with sirens for 26 minutes, to get what they were getting and get out.

What would you grab if you had 26 minutes? In talking about this to my girl she ssaid she would take nothing, grab her family and get out. I admire that, nothing is valuable enough to her to risk any part of losing her family. Given warning, taking heed. Her mother, on the other hand, is a bit shallow. I started going through my escape plan, what would get thown in old trunks and then into the two cars. Trying to remember the different plans I have dicussed with myselves. Photos, hard drive backups, and every mobile device we own, was the first round of thinking. After that, it is all subject to change

As I sit here today, trying to decide, I imagine it would be a bit different if it were the Real Thing. Forgetting, panicking and starting to grab whatever was in front of me would probably be more like it. AFter getting to a safe location and able to go throuhg what I had grabbed, would probably be scratching my head, What were you thinking? Do you grab the big camera? How about the the lens in the other bag? Yet, here I sit looking at yellow dishes and fake plants that were on the book case right by my bed. What about the books? Did you grab any that are no longer in print? While digital is the way to go, there is just Something about the ZD Memoral Library that was to go to the kids. What about the kids boxes that you have been saving with photos and school programs? What about the necklace tree?

By now, I imagine that 15 or so minutes are gone. The cars may or may not be full. The real truth is you may or may not, have 26 minutes to get out of harm's way. Time to go, time to let go...

being Real...

Every year the dictionary people add a few new words that have become popular and part of everyday culture. We are nothing if not ever changing and because of that, I think it is time to use that same thinking and take some words, away. Words and phrases that don't work and should not be uttered. Phrases like, It's good for you, could go first.
Has this changed anybody's mind? I would dare say, it has not. If anything put, It's good for you, out there and it is a sure death sentence. We are a nation where food, drugs, cheating, stealing and hundreds more, are winning. We are not motivated by what is good for us. Look at the bible. You don't have to go too far before you get to the ugly stuff.
Adam, Eve...eat anything you want just stay away from that tree. Look how that turned out. Let's use our words for good and not for evil. Let's find a way to help and not hurt. It's also time, to get Real and then, it will all come together

fear and intolerance...

XXXXX X XXXX, 18, of Nampa, Attended Columbia High. Killed by hate and intolerance. Sisters, XXXXXXX XXXXXXX, & XXXXXXXXXX XXXX; parents, XXXX & XXXXXX XXXX. Will always live in our hearts. Arrangements pending.
Idaho Press Tribune.

The instant you find out you are pregnant, a silent fear is born. Deep within, no eye or ear can see or hear. Pretty sure we are not aware of it for a while, then it is there, for your to feel, avoid, and leanr ot live with.

No parent should have to bury a child, we all say. It is that fear born long ago, come true. When our babies are young the fears are different. As they grow, the fears change and so do we. If you are the praying kind, you do, with all your heart. Yet you are fully aware that is rains on the just as well as on the unjust. That is what the fear reminds you of, the coulds.

This obituary is one from one town. This young lady committed suicide. By the tone of the death notice, it is clear where the parents and family place the blame. You could argue against their statement. Using the same logic as gun control, guns don't kill people, people kill people. I know this is a delicate situation. I have not walked in their particular shoes, yet have lost one parent to suicide, the other to suicide by alcoholism. At her age, I know the thoughts. While our circumstances were undoubtly different, the thought process is the same. Why was she successful and not me? We will never know. Being young comes with a set of troubles all its own. The secret is to understand that and see it through. It does get better, I am living proof.

Hate and intolerance have always been around. Always. The only thing that has changed is us and the choices we make to hate. It will always be around and there will always be tragic times for families, just like this one. May God bless us and have mercy on us all...

imagination...

He taped his shoes onto his foot for a very good reason. The same reason he excels at Hallway Swimming. We are so proud!

No, I really mean it. While many, many things teenage boys do may seem to beg the questions, why... This seems prefectly normal and shows quite a bit of imagination. He is our creative boy. He spent time yesterday showing us how to build a Duck tape wallet, which I am now the proud owner of. His mind wanders, loves music and he is free spirit. While these conditions are not perfect for parents raising a child, my responsibilites as a nana, are a bit more flexible.

There is no better time to have an imagination than summer. He will do well. Oh, there will be times of boredom or being too hot or both. He will smart off, and go in his room. Those will be the times that we grab some Duck tape and make Something. Something that I will make him come up with. It may even wow him and, the taped flip flops? Playing basketball and needed flip flops to hold tight. Flip flop tennis shoes, who knew?

seeing...

I love this annual event. Taking paper coffee cups and making spectacular pieces of art. it is about the seeing of what is, what to share with the rest of us, those of us, who can't see, either by not taking the time or seeing the value.

The detail in these pieces is just short of perfection. I never could have imagined coffee cup art before this series came into my sphere of seeing but now, it lead me in different areas. What else is possible if only I can see it? What am I missing? Where could my seeing, take me if I am able to go?

The detail in these works of art, lead me to seeing light. Light as it falls on a couch, the kind of light you can't see unless you are aware of its existence. We are creatures of habit and seeing does not come naturally. It is a muscle that we must exercise to get it to work right. It will respond but only if asked to, it will not work extra hard to get your attention. We must do our part to gleem, to see what is right in front of us. You would think it wouldn't be hard but it is tougher than we think...

Happy Mother's Day...

Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant says in a court filing that he never gave his mother permission to sell mementos from his high school days and early professional basketball career. Bryant is in a court battle over whether hundreds of items can be auctioned off. Pamela Bryant says her son told her the memorabilia was hers. She arranged earlier this year to auction it off through Berlin, N.J.-based Goldin Auctions and received a $450,000 advance.
ESPN

This little 5x7 card was a little extra Something, something that came with my photo order this week. Everyone who placed an order during this MD promo received one of these. For some, it will mean the world. For some, it will bring tears. For others, it will bring pain. For some, it will mean, nothing.

Mother's and Father's Day invoke strong emotion in most of us. We each have our own experience which is unique to only us. While some wouldn't have their childhood, any other way...for some, there is no celebration unless it is a, Thank God and Greyhound you are gone, Moment. Yes, I belong in the second group.

If you got dealt one of these cards, and can use it - by all means do. If you received one and need to, throw it out and don't beat yourself up. Now or any other Mothers Day. Ever.

If you are not a Mother and feel left out, celebrate with a friend or a neighbor or not at all but don't feel bad. You know someone who is a good mother, maybe to a two-legged darling or maybe, a four legged one. You probably have seen the love of a mother and child, even if strangers and, it made you smile. Maybe your favorite book is one of love the way everyone who is human, craves. NO matter how old you are, to have a safe place to fall... is an wish one never gets over.

With one frantic 911 call on Monday evening, three women missing for years were found in a Cleveland house where they had been held against their will by three brothers, police in Ohio said.
"I’ve been kidnapped,” Berry, who disappeared a decade ago, told the dispatcher. “I’ve been missing for 10 years and I’m out here. I’m free now.
NBC.

Whatver this Sunday looks like to you, be in the Moment. It only last 24 hours and then the world is off to something else. If you have Something wonderful to celebrate like I do, be thankful. There are many women who would kill to be in your shoes. Happy Mother's Day to each of us...

two...

If there is a number better than 3 or 7, it would be two. Two makes the world go round. Two makes one's think they are less than. Remember, there were two in the Garden of Eden and look how that turned out. The power of two.

I imagine the conversation that went on between Adam and Eve. Probably much like some of the conversations I have with Mr D, now. Two makes one go outside of themselves, maybe for the first time. You learn to share, not always be right... ok, you may be right but now there is a second opinion involved.

Back to the garden, how would you imagine that after being told, eat anything you want, just leave this one alone. How would you go about starting to justify going to the one, you were warned about. Everything was perfect, were you bored? If there had of been only one, would the outcome have been the same? Did either of them play the I don't think we should, card? did the other one say, screw it, we are doing this?

One can get in trouble as easy if not easier than two. With two, you have a chance that some sense will be thrown in there and maybe, just maybe cooler heads will prevail. Yet even if you are part of a two, there are probably more times than not, that you find yourself as a one and have to make go it alone. Wherever you find yourself, do the best you can with what you have and live the Dream...

expert...

That is what her nametag said, expert.

The Apple store has climatized all of us to their genius description so having a retail giant follow suit, didn't seem like a stretch. But, there was no name, just expert, written in all lower case letters. In retrospect, that was the first clue.

She was cashiering on a busy Saturday afternoon. I noticed her tag and immmediately my mind expected some kind of upgrade in service. That was my first mistake. Then she charged me double for an item that is commonly sold in pairs. She didn't have a clue, is what her face said when I pointed out her error. I started to wonder when the expert was going to kick in. It never did.

She redid the transaction, smiled and our time together was complete. I felt robbed of some kind of expected experience because I was led to believe, that's is what was afforded to me. Putting a label on someone, doesn't make it so. It might make you relax, think you are good hands and that might make you expect more. If you are going to wear the label, make sure you are the Real Deal. We will find out if you are or aren't. We almost always do...

idle...

Maybe you have to be a teenager to really understand the concept of being idle. Maybe it is only with those few early teen years that doing nothing is the one time in your life that nothing is truly made into an art form.

It is most certainly the time where listening to your music via earphones is at its highest concentration. You turn out the Real world and enter the one of your chosing. Tend to think this is where the first ideas of grown up hood, begin. The what ifs are not refrained or bound by money or talent. Anything is possible as long as the music never dies. One can dream, plan, plot and scheme. It is about the only time in life where that kind of behavior is tolerated, semi-accepted.

We are about to enter summer once again. Understand there are three weeks of school left. The warmth of the sun brings with thoughts of idleness with small bursts of response. We are each at its beck and call. No matter what season of life you are in, summer has its own agenda, its own rules.

There are some who are idle their whole lives. The dreamers who never got past the dream. Either too scared to try, or too lazy. Taking in correct doses, idle is part of the journey. When an overdose occurs, things tend to go south, quickly. Life is about taking what you need,and leaving some for someone else. It is never really ours no matter what kind of ownership we claim. Claiming doesn't make it so. You learned that in Idle 101. Review if necessary...

dream come true...

“...Being able to attend this event was the highlight of my life, this writer stated. I owe it all to my grandmother, a friend of the McClellin family, for including me in her invitation to the wedding! What ten year old BSU football fan would not jump at the chance to see his football heroes eating, laughing and having a good time in the Steuckle Sky Center?


This is part of an oral report that Gage did for school this week. Even almost a month out, this kid is still pretty excited about the wedding. For the bride and groom, it was a dream come true. They will never know that it was the same for a little boy. Someday, at Gage's wedding, I hope he remembers and has his picture taken with every little kid in the room that asks. You may wonder where my confidence comes from in this soontobe, someday NFL player. If you knew him, you would understand. Go BSU, Go Shea, Go Gage...

in the scheme of things...

I do realize there are much bigger issues in life.
I also realize that we focus much of our time, on those bigger issues.

This is not one of them.

Costco, Costco, Costco... how I love you and your food court so. From the fine chocolate yogurt, to the wonderful hotdogs and delightful ice cream bars.And your beverage bar, was one of the best. Not just because you used Coke products but the delicious mix of soda water to syrup. Having had a soda fountain in my home, I know of what I speak.

I overheard last week that Pepsi was coming in. Not just my Costco but corporate wide. I knew there was no turning back. Either Pepsi had an offer that Costco couldn't refuse and Coke would not match, or Coke stopped caring. Either way, It was Doomsday and I happened to walk in that morning. I got there just as the final handshake was being done.

I spoke the words I never thought I would say, Pepsi please.

Thought I would get it a shot, my shopping at Costco will not be brought down by one measly little drink, Sonic is only a few steps away.

I was not disappointed... It was swill water, as is my Diet Pepsi experience most everywhere else. New machines, new recipes, the magic is gone.

Life is all about change, some good and some bad. If I try a put a spiritual spin on this, not sure how God could turn this into good. It is like using your superpowers for the wrong team.

Some one had to be happy. Pepsi people will rejoice. There are those who share the same blood as me that are Pepsi people. My favorite SIL is one, I heart him so. Still do.

In the scheme of things, it is a little thing but when you add it all up, it is still a little thing. I get that. Way to grow up, Little Girl...

she, her, me...

This weekend proved to me, once again, how many strong woman are in my life. The woman who gave me this sign because she said, It screamed, you, is also, one. It can't all be me, some are related some are old friends, some share the same blood. Whatever is going on in our lives, at any given moment, is always paired with passion. Strong women are all about passion. Very few of us have any neutral territories in our lives. Even the barren ground has stakes with signs that state the intended use, Coming Soon!


It is like looking in a mirror. Gives you a great sense of yourself and how you come off to others. The worse part is if one is with a few or more of these ladies who are all being passionate at the same time. Just walk away.Especially if you are in the middle of a passion Moment of your own.

You have to remember to breath.
You have to remember, this too shall pass.
And most important of all, you have to remember, you are one of them...

the photographer...

My friend posted an article about if you are a guest at a wedding, please be careful about taking photos. The couple has spent good money for a photographer and videographer and you, Mr and Miss Guest, are in the way.

That train has long left the station. Been to a wedding recently? Everyone has a cellphone and has tweeted, FB or whatever their choice of intenet travel and it is everywhere. Got to say, have seen seen a bride or groom disappointed, to say nothing of mad? No and you won't. If the bride and groom feel that way, they need to give written instructions when guests are invited and that, is not going to happen.

There are even apps now that will link anyone's cell phone to any given wedding, and the bride and groom get a whole set of photos that the wedding photographer could never get. They are only one person.

I have shot weddings and know a bit about them. That said, I will never, ever be a first shooter at a wedding again. At the NFL wedding we just attended, I shot 336 photos, one of the first was my grandson and one of his football idols who came out of a photo booth, grabbed Gage, put on a feather thing and oversized glasses and told me to take a picture. What a night!

Talking to a friend's daughter yesterday and she attended a wedding where the bride and groom gave out prizes for the best Instagram photos during the wedding. It is a new world, my friends.

The photographer at this wedding, knew her stuff. She looked as relaxed as could be. She just kept shooting around all of us. Great respect for her, she had a bit of time after the ceremony to take pictures and a few at the reception but the rest, were on the run. If I was interested in doing wedding photography, I would learn to embrace the technology and figure out how to make it work. This is not going away, ever. Shooting in tandem with wedding guests is the new normal and I for one as a guest, am having a ball...

5AM...

Heard an interesting tidbit from my SIL the other day... It doesn't matter what time you go to bed, your body resets itself at 5am. Those who wake up before don't get that reset and have a shortened life expectancy. Apparently those who work the 12am shift have a shorted shelf life that those who work day shift.

I am an early riser. More accuartely an early waker - upper. With some help from my doc, it is a bit better now, but I still have to work for it. Most night/mornings, I just get up and start engaging my brain. News, FB, music and well before you know it, it is time for everyone else to get up. I already have 5 hours in under my belt.

Since this new information has come my way, I am trying to learn to stay asleep. This morning was a trial run and unexpectedly, it worked. What was different, what changed? only the inward resolve that try as you may, we aren't going to engage. We are staying in bed, awake if necessary. I went through a few of my rituals but the engagement kept creeping in. Finally, I went to my homeless shelter place. It is where I imagine I am homeless, sleeping on a mattress about 4 inches off the floor. I have a great line of sight under all the cots. I continue to listen to the noises around me, near and far. NO thinking about how I got here, that would be defeating the purpose but just taking it all in. This is a prayer for me, has been over the years. My father was homeless for a time, I iamgine what it must have been like for him.

I awoke a few minutes before the alarm was set to go off. It worked. To purpose to not engage my brain had allowed it to return to sleep. For me, this is a very big deal. 5am is still a wonderful time to be awake. The world is still, still in quiet and in the state of non-doing. While I will not always be successful at being asleep at 5am, I will try this again. Engagement is my default. I hit the florr running everyday. Want to be able to say that you can teach an old day new tricks and be, that dog...

crossing lines...

We each have lines in our lives that we won't cross. It has nothing to do with peer pressure but everything to do with how we are hard wired.

Not talking about obeying rules of a religion or an employer. Talking about the nevers in our lives. REgardless of what everyone else thinks or does, these are not in our sight of vision. Saying no when everyone else is saying yes. We can waver and move nevers from camp to camp but these are usually generational changes that come with age and a big does of, I was wrong. Accelerated from the inside out, not the other way around.

Sometimes we hear of someone's line and think, Really? That is where you draw the line? Remember this isn't about right or wrong, necessarily but by an inward push/pull. I remember when my dad and who would become my stepmother, moved in together. I was horribly embarrassed and lied, saying they were married. When they got married, I had to make up another Story. I was not raised in a house with rules and certainly none having to do with being married, yet that was a deal breaker for me and made up a Story, to make it ok.

Know your lines, understand them.
If they change, change with them.
If it feels wrong, don't start now.
Stand your ground.
If you are wrong, and proven wrong, let yourself off the hook.
Life is too short to not listen to that still, small voice...

manipulation, the good and the bad...

If you sense you're being manipulated, walk away. Don't try to change a manipulator. They'll do it till it stops working.Donald Miller.

If this is news to you, you are about to learn a powerful tool in your life. If you are unclear about when and who has maniputated you, get smart quickly. The thing is, it is always the same MO( method of operation). Once you understand it, it is like a bike - you never forget.

I learned it early growing up. It was part of the Daniels 1.0 guide to learning how to survive and learn it fast. Whether from family or friends, it always starts the same way. The only difference is how you finish it. Keep giving in and they will keep coming back. Refuse to play along and they will find someone new, it is just the nature of the beast but it will not be your problem any more. Would like to say I learned all this overnight, but sadly, I did not.

Remeber the children's story, the Emperor's New Clothes? Subtle and non-existant. Because he couldn't face the truth, he went along with the tailor. Where did it get him? Butt naked, sublte enough for you?

And yet, when my grandchildren do it, and make no mistake, yours do or will also, it is a wonderful thing. They already walk around with your heart, and you have a great opportunity to guide them or just abandon yourself to them, and give them whatever you can. It is the best kind of manipulation because you own it. That is the difference between us and the king. Own it now, own it often and don't let anyone lead you. Lead yourself, pull up your Big Girl panties and be able to lay your head down at night, knowing you did your best. That is all that is ever asked of any of us...

vegan sneakers...

They put their logo on pencil cases and sweatpants. They partnered with Macbeth Footwear, run by Blink 182's Tom DeLonge, to sell vegan sneakers...Time

Vegan sneakers. I must be getting old.

It takes a lot of effort to keep up with what the younger generations are doing and even more, to understand them. Yet I see it everyday. The world is changing, some for the good, some for the not so good.

Keaton passed me in shoe size last year. A few months ago, he surged past me in height. I knew the day was coming but wan't ready for it yet. Much like the vegan sneakers, it has not Real to me yet very Real to the world. Maybe not but it seems like these days are changing faster than any other. What's old is new again. Retro is back big time, makes me with I still had those orange and yellow flowered sheets from the 70's. Could get a pretty penny on Ebay for them now and my orange toilet, don't get me started. yes it was in the living room and yes, it was a planter.

I love the app where you aim your phone at a song while it is playing and it tells you who is singing it. Now, that is putting technology to good use. I stay as current as Twitter allows me. The last few years I have learned more on social media than any other medium. No longer having to wait for anything, nothing says immediate gratification as well as Google. Instant information available 24/7, 365, all for the taking.

Now, if only I could use to slow my grandson from becoming a man. I did see that there are people working on keeping kids little and not growing up. Maybe him growing up isn't so bad but every other week! Keep up Sister, run the race, you can do it...

first responders...

I have said before, I don't believe in heroes. I believe that people do ordinary things in herotic ways.

When you are making a choice as to your life's work, you know the risks of said work. You may choose work where you can help. That is in your nature, risks, be damned. If you choose to be a policeman, firefighter, the military, a doctor or nurse, you know trauma will always be involved. The rest of us become stockbrokers and car salesmans, for reasons all their own.

Even me, the glass half-empty girl, believes that when in a fight or flight situation, most of us are not only willing to help but by instinct, will jump in. Nothing extraordinary, just doing what is needed in the Moment. It comes as naturally as breathing. Those are the Moments that are heralded as herotic, yet are instinct-based.

If I did believe in heros, it would look must different thatn the standard definition. My hero would be flawed severely. There might even be some madness involved. To me, being a hero would be going against what might come naturally and able to forgive themself and try again. The absense of flaws, is not possible in any of us. We have good and bad, we are black and white. Some of us are a big more unbalanced and some, are just off the charts and should not even be asked to participate into this conversation.

Tested out my thoughts on the guy in the grocery right behind me this morning. He said that people called him that when he came back with two bullet holes from WW2. He also said all he was trying to do was get home, get married and have a family. He blames the Rocky movies for the elevation of heros these days.

I appreciate and honor all those who hear the cry for help and run in that direction. We can feel good about what we do. Sometimes, you may find yourself in a battle you didn't sign up for. Imagine that you would kick being a human into high gear and do your best. That is all we ever ask, just do your best. The thing is, it looks different on each one of us and that is Sometimes, hard to remember...

RIP Brennan Manning...

My phone whistled, and the text from my friend said, Brennan Manning has died. I started to cry. It was not just because of losing a trusted mentor. I knew he had been ill with alsohol related brain disorder brought on by his chronic alcoholism. Yes, one who taught me about the love of Jesus because he knew it personally.

The last time I saw him, I already knew. One does not forget that smell. I walked up to him after a series of lectures and I smelled him, long before I got to his table. That smell that you instinctively know. The smell you knew forget. The smell of the habitual intake of alcohol. The smell that last long after the last drink which may have been an hour ago or much longer. I knew before he came clean with his struggle. I nver said anything to anyone. I was in christian shock. How could someone talk about the love of God and have an issue as deadly as the sin of drink? How little I knew then, now I know.

It may not be drink for your and me.
It may be brownies, or shopping or the internet.
We all struggle and those that say they don't, are lying.

Yet, the last couple of weeks have been filled with more than a few deaths. One was very close, and the news of Brennan's death... started the tears and it would be a while before I could contain them. Still feeling a bit weepy, yet I know how his body had given up on him a long time ago and the greatest gift he could get was, death. No more pain, either physical or emotional. He is now with his Abba. All these years of talking about Him, now it is time to experience it first hand.

Richard Francis Xavier Manning, we wish you peace. RIP, we will miss you...

why here, why me?

One of the recurring thoughts in my life is why was I born here?

Why the United States of America? Why not Russia or China or India? I won't know that answer to that in this lifetime. Maybe never, but it doesn't stop me from asking. When you read of the countries who would give their eye teeth for clean drinking water. Forget about big screen TVs and iPad, a full belly would delight them. A delight that I am not capable of understanding.

If I lived in Sri Lanka or England or france, would I be envious or feel like a dodged a bullet at not being born in the USA? I always think every other country would kill to move their familes here but that is not altogether, true. We are a legend in our own minds. There are days, I am ashamed at our behavior or lack of. We have the resources, the intellect and the stamina to make more good choices than bad yet that doesn't seem to be the way it goes.

In the space of 1 hours on Thursday, there were five threat made to 4 local schools. By that evening, three business had also been targeted. Friday, it happened at Keaton's middle school. His text said he had been outside, standing, waiting. He said the admin moved the kids away from the building, with no explanation. Less than an hour later, they got the all clear.

You can not go a day without hearing about a shooting. Schools, mall, movie theaters. It is changing the way we think, and the way we do business. Will admit, have been thinking about taking a concealed weapon class and buying a gun. Never, ever thought I would consider this. Never thought about having to protect myself or my loved ones in this way. Never.

The older I get, while I still feel fortunate to live in this great country, I can see the flaws and fess up. Eyes wide open and with Newtown, firmly in my mind, a waving flag - still gets to me. Pray for our nation, pray for each other. We are in uncharted territory. We are truly learning to live in the Moment. God bless us all...

normal day...

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you and bless you as you leave. Let me not pass you by in hopes of a perfect tomorrow. Mary Jean Iron.

It doesn't get any easier than this.
It doesn't get any harder than this.

How can that be? Easiest and hardest? Make sense, please.

Depends.
Are you going to a wedding or a funeral?
Are you home alone or in a meeting in a crowded room?
Can you focus on right where you are or is your mind, off and running?

If we wait for the perfect time to_____ (insert wish list here).
It will never happen.

If we ignore it ______ (insert issue here)
We think it will go away.
It doesn't.
It never will.

Mormal day, let me be aware of the treasure that you are.
Let me learn from you.
Love you.
Bless you are you leave.
Let me not pass you by in hopes of a perfect tomorrow.

Could it real be this uncomplicated?
What do we bring to the table that makes it seem almost impossible at times?

Going to focus a bit more this week, see if I can't make this a daily prayer. The perfect time is now and I am jsut the girl to give it a go...

eight...

Today she is eight. How did that happen?

The easy answer is one day at a time. Days still feel like hours to her. She is still at the age where anything is not only possible but life is going to go on, forever. She has no defined concept of time. If she is in want, it is dire and if she is not, life is good. Maybe not a bad way to live. maybe I could learn something.

She doesn't know that yesterday 5 local school had bomb and personal injury threats within one hour's time. Or that her mommy got a text while we were all having her Birthday Lunch that his school had been evacuated and would stand outside for over an half hour before returning to their buildings. She does not not where Newtown is and what occured there. Today she is in birthday bliss and no one can make her shake it off, as it should be.

Happy Birthday Miss M! I hope you have many more carefree birthdays! It is your day and we are following your lead. Sometimes Real Life is overrated. Don't let the bad guys get you down. Define yourself but the good in your life, not the bad. Thank you for being the best, I love you to infinity and beyond...XO nana.

Wow...

We talked about the Wow factor in bookclub the other night. Help, Thanks, Wow is one of my favorite right now and Annie Lamott makes me smile. Someone asked if the Wow factor lessens as we age. Most of us thought it did not. I agree.

When you are young, you are pretty much your own Wow. You think nothing bad can happen and if it does, it won't affect you. Then comes career, family and kids. You still think you have a little Wow left but it is has grown a bit dull. A few more years, and you are running ragged with no Wow to be seen for miles. While the Wow changes, what is looks like and where you find it, aging gives you the time and clarity to not only see the Wow but look for it more, in places you never imagined.

For me now, Wow can be in the BIG or little things. It can come in an instant and be gone, just as fast. It can come in the form of a glance, or a face. It can be a person, place or thing. Yet no matter what form, it always, always points to the One, who made it. It reminds one that we are little fish in Huge pond, yet we are all loved deeply by the Fisherman. We are not privy to the same Wows, we see what we need to see. We are all given, and it is up to us to, allow ourselves those precious Moments.

I have had a great many Wow Moments, maybe more than my share. Praise Him for those Moments, those times when only a Wow would do. I am seeing them more and more, doesn't get much better than that...

I do...

There are two events that bring us into the Moment, in a real way, real fast. Weddings and funerals. I love them both.

Will save the whole funeral experience for another post but suffice it to say, I do love funerals. DH says I may be the only one. I am good with that.

A wedding will take you back to yours. Or your best friend's or your second cousin. even with all the culture changes, they follow a basic pattern. Get married, and party. The colors are different, there may or not be a tradional cake, and the music may be sweet and romantic or funky and loud. Dpending on how we are attached to said bride or groom, will set the tome for how many people we may know. There may be much catching up to do, or you may find yourself, alone.

We all adapt. At this wedding, I knew few people and was surprisingly, chatty. Made frieds with a sports agent and we were chatting I mentioned a blog post by Donald Miller last week about the twenty-something generation and he immediately, got on his phone and directed his attention to that post. One does experience different conversations in direct preportion to how well you know the crowd. You either find your way or stand aside. This wedding was all about football players. They were a joy to watch, like watching a bunch of jr boys except they were all huge and very, very well-dressed.

But just like my own wedding, there was a bride, groom, cake and people. Mine was much smaller which makes it tough to hide, like one of my DH's friend's and his wife who misread the invitation and showed up the night after the wedding. I do or did, indeed...

destination...

At his age, I had no idea of what I wanted to do when I grew up. He does and already has an agent.

He has grown up around the blue turf. He explained all about it to his new agent, Chase. Poppa explained the history of building the stadium and how they used buckets, not huge trucks in to dump concrete. Being a fossil sometimes, helps. I think Chase has Gage;s back now.

We are a mixed of bag of what we like, what we have been through and what we think. Not always in balanced preportions yet we mostly manage to find our way, eventually. Some get a headstart, others of us have to think fast on our feet. Either way, we are built to accomdate both schools of thought. Thank God.

You can take the boy out of the blue but you can never take the Blue out of the Boy...

6 degrees of seperation...

It is not often in this life that you get to go to a special event. It is not often you get to bring such joy, to one you love.

We had the wonderful opportunity of attending a wedding where the groom plays in the NFL and all his buddies are there too. A group of them sat in front of us at the wedding and were what I expected, still acting like little boys. So excited to see each other, high fiving and hugging... the whole nine yards.

At the reception, more trickled in. We sat with two football agents who are already geared up to sign Gage in a few years. Someone even got them so scream, Show me the MONEY! It was a magical night. Not often do you get to see your football heroes, dance the night away.

He has looked forward to this, for months. It did not disappoint. Still on Cloud 9, we will attempt to get through the day. Rock on little dude, rock on. Chase said he will be ready for you. Thank you Shea and Sam for a wonderful time and Congratulations, may God bless you both...

for/against...

For or against. It comes down to these two camps. Most of the time, we could give you an instant answer when asked on most any subject. Some, take more thought.

It is good to know what one stands for. It is not good, to define oneself but what you are against. Not good for you, not good in community.

Know where you stand. The old adage, if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything, has merit. Those who can never seem to pick a position, are asking for trouble. We each need a basic set of beliefs and then build on those, by what we are for, not against. Go ahead and be against Something but make sure, it does not define you. That it is not your motivater. That is a part, not a whole of who you are.

Today, it may be boys. Tomorrow, who knows. She made each of her brothers Easter cards where she shared what she loved about both of them. She is so for them, just not in her room, right now...

You did not make the iPhone. When the iPhone was being dreamed up, you were in kindergarten. You use the iPhone. And when you post a picture of your vacation, it doesn’t make you a genius, it makes Steve Jobs a genius. Steve Jobs is dead. And he died when he was your parent’s age. You’re alive. He can’t create something new, but you can. The ball is in your court.Donald Miller.

Never thought about the Steve Jobs thing. Apple is now the boss of us and run by 20 somethings but they haven't come up with many original ideas. The path has been set for them, laid out a couple of years ahead. Steve Jobs knew he was dying, others will not get that luxury. Each generation thinks their ideas are better, more hip and each have to some degree, been wrong. Donald Miller's prediction that much, more will be expected, sounds like Word to me.

We are people, humans and that basic nature will never change. You can doll it up or dress it in evil, whatever spin you are trying to create to prove your point but the bar can and has been set higher than at any other time. That doesn't change human behavior. Let's just pray that each generation uses it's powers for good.

You are not more entitled than any generation before you. Even if your parents paid for your education, and you have an iPhone(that your parent’s generation created) and can tell one-thousand people what you ate for lunch, you are not special. You are one in several billion people who God made, and you are equal to each of them, no matter how wealthy they were or how poor they were. In fact, with the tools you have been given, much more is expected of you than of any previous generation, and much more will be expected of your children.