Leaking the Truth

With a recent water leak under our home that hit the bedroom floor causing damage to the floorboards underneath, life has been out of sorts. We are displaced, living out of a guest bedroom temporarily.  Imagine two single beds in a smaller room with a chest of drawers, a large dog cage between the beds, a desk and a nightstand.  You probably guessed correctly there is scarcely any floor space left! All of this is the new norm until reparations are complete.  It is only when things are in an upheaval that we truly realize that none of the stuff we are surrounded with matters all that much. 

Suddenly, we are downsizing what we are wearing based on which drawer we can reach into the easiest and finding this works well. In fact, it is a lot less stressful than having many options!  Never is there a time when we go to bed saying we didn’t spend quality time together because, with a room shut off and another room housing all the bedroom furniture, we are in close proximity in our home a great deal of the time.

As we move things around to shuffle what we need to access, the question keeps popping up, where did this come from?  Do we need this followed by can we get rid of it? Life is much simpler with less.

As you watch your TV mounted on your wall in the bedroom, know that we are watching one sitting atop of our dog’s cage.   Don’t feel badly for us for we are having a memorable time just hanging out in close proximity without the showiness of dressed up decor.  Though it will be a welcome relief when the bedroom restoration work is done and we can move out of this dorm room, we have learned that less can truly be more!

Birthday Puppy

My husband says everyone loves babies and puppy dogs.  I think he’s right. What a shame they grow up to be dogs and teenagers and can learn to talk back or rather, bark back! Often I have heard that at two years, dogs quit being puppies.  Kinda odd how people throw out definitive timelines like that.  Do you know you are ineligible for the Newlywed Game after 2 years?  Yeah, like everything is figured out by then and you know everything about the other person already!  People are not like dogs, they surprise you more. Dogs are there for you when the rest of the world is too busy with stuff.

My puppy turns two this month. Minus the first 8 weeks she was with the breeder, all that time she has been with us.  And it has been a whirlwind of fun and love for the most part. Of all the dogs I have owned, this is easily the best one, behavior-wise and listens the best. Oh, that does not mean all the time or she wouldn’t be a dog now would she?

As she celebrates in a few days turning 2, the memories of Tessie grabbing shoes, accidents (though few!) and running from bath time come easily to mind.  They now are replaced by adult dog behavior, the list of nots, things she does not do:

• Not getting in the refrigerator when the door is open
• Not grabbing clothes when drawers are left ajar
• Not joining me in the shower if the door is open accidentally
• Not counter-serving to see if there is something better up there than in the dog bowl
• Not biting during playtime

And yet why do I find myself somewhat missing them, or at least the sight of a tiny puppy verses the long-legged creature I now have?  With hair in her eyes that always wear a sad expression no matter how happy she is, well, Tess is a mess.  Grooming her myself, every 4-5 weeks and that hair of hers still gets ahead of me constantly needing cut, trimmed, brushed or just overall groomed! As a puppy, her hair didn’t grow as fast and there wasn’t as much there to manage.

Now I find myself remembering the day we brought her home to our home to make it her home, you follow? She was loving but whimpering something she only does now when her feelings are hurt. It’s all relative too because hurt, in her mind is, “I’m on the leash, there is a potential new best friend over there, four legged or two, and I need to be free to greet them my exuberant way!”

So in the end, I suppose with Tessie turning two, many will consider her non-puppy.  With her quirky personality and classic labradoodle looks, she is something special.  As she hops on my lap still convinced she is small enough to sit there though I feel pinned down, I lovingly hold her and will continually call her ‘puppy’  well beyond this month!

Tessie

Pour Me Another Cup!

Writing and coffee go hand in hand to me. Am I alone?  Apparently not, I found out quickly in doing some research.  As Samuel Carlton in Why Coffee Remains the Lifeblood of Writers Everywhere points out (Medium. Com, Sept. 26, 2018) “It’s not just the caffeine it’s the extended stimulation.”  He goes on in his article to give various reasons why coffee seems a hallmark to writers’ toolbox. To quote T.S. Elliot, playwright, essayist “I have measured out my life in coffee spoons.”  Famous writers throughout the ages are known for frequenting coffee shops and then writing with a pen in hand and a coffee cup close by the other one.

I was curious, with all the writers in America, how much coffee is consumed?  400 Million Cups a day which ranks America as the leading consumer of coffee in the world. (e-importz.com/coffee-statistics, 2019) There are greater than 150 Million daily drinkers according to Importz.com.  We are a nation of coffee drinkers for sure!

Now it starts to make sense, you might be thinking, why there are so many coffee chains all over the place.  64% of Americans drink the stuff!  But you might be surprised to learn that 79% still brew at home. (Foodandwine.com, March 19, 2018, Elizabeth Sherman) However, with such a large number of drinkers, coffee shops still have a large market share.

I would surmise that many writers are working from home and brewing their own as I am. That said, I need to refresh my cup!

Young Protestor - Stay Engaged!

I turned on the tube and saw children of all ages marching for Climate Change.  I hope the spirit of getting involved in government and policies covers over to all areas and not just to this one issue.  I believe climate change is supremely important but I also feel the underlying fact remains young people need to be engaged in issues that affect their future and our government.

As a nation, we did not encourage participation in policy making with young people enough in the past. Look at this situation of no term limits. We have congressional candidates literally sitting on their hands in seats doing nothing for the American people but taking up space getting reelected on name recognition.   Young people must become aware of this and demand change. The movers and shakers are the ones that need to be in government, no matter the age.  Non-participators need to be pushed out. Inactivity in government should not be a choice. In business, stagnancy is going backwards. In a highly competitive international world complacent representatives hurt us all from growth opportunities.

May the protestors of today use their enthusiasm for climate to spearhead participation in all areas of government. Our nation was founded on the backs of relatively young men and women and it just may be their backs again that can unify it.

Things a Mother Should Say to a Daughter

I had a very open relationship with my children and talked very frankly. Below are things I think should not go unsaid between a mother and a daughter. I covered this pretty well with mine. I hope you agree with my list!

Christina Lynn Glasmeier-Lewis

 

1. Your beauty inside is more important than the outside
2. Never let someone else define you
3. Always keep your eyes and ears open to God
4. Be diligent with your goals you have set for yourself if you are truly passionate about achieving them.  Worthwhile achievements seldom come easily.
5. Each child you bear will not come with a cookie cutter instruction book so do not expect to ace parenting. Do the best you can do and trust your instincts. God gave them to you, not somebody else.
6. Sex does not equate to love. Know the difference between a one night stand and a lover & friend that's committed for life.
7. Boys can be rude but girls can be flat out mean, at any age. Know it and expect it so you aren’t caught off guard. Don’t take it to heart. Just be selective with your inner circle of friends. Less is more.
8. Society will try to tell you what makes a woman. You need to decide that for yourself and not be held back by labels and everyone else’s expectations or you will always fall short or satisfy everyone but you.
9. It’s okay to cry. Tears are cathartic and can be healing, at any age.
10. Be forgiving of others. Grudges create hate in the heart. This will hurt you more.
11. Do not fear using your voice. It was given to you for a reason.
12. There is no such thing as too much education. Never stop learning new things.
13. Be happy in whatever you choice to do, in your choices. Being happy and positive is healthy.
14. Be self-accepting and have self-love. Without them, you can't truly reach your potential or love someone else unconditionally. 
15. I will always love you for you.

Darlin'

There are notes from darling and darling notes from darlin’. Both hit me in the heart. My husband’s notes are few and far between because men are like that. Short on words but big on actions. But granddaughters, they put their feelings right out there to their grandmas and my Ava is no exception! Priceless are her notes.

As I look through my keepsake collections, one thing that keeps reappearing are some of the notes throughout the years from Ava. Her well-crafted messages with heartfelt statements in her own handwriting are beautiful pieces of literature to me. Each with a special memory attached.

They started from the day she could write and the first few are barely legible but to me it is a strong reminder the bond between us was already concrete in its foundation.  As soon as Ava could express I love you, I heard it verbally and then later, in writing as if to solidify it. She wanted to be certain, when she wasn’t near me, I never forgot it.

The messages from my granddaughter are on coloring pages, painted pictures, birthday

cards, handmade pictures and even scraps of paper. One of my all-time favorites is the one she left at our home in Florida on her last visit.  She wrote it on a cute notepad I keep for decoration in the bedroom she and her brother slept in while they visited. I came back home, after driving her back to Tennessee, to find the note in the bedroom  telling me she was sorry she had to leave now with a sad face drawn. She said she missed me already and that she would hurry back and loved me very much. And then it is followed by all those stars and exclamation points kids are notorious for putting on the end of everything for added emphasis. She hasn't been back to visit since but the note is here and perhaps that is all that matters.  That piece of Ava is priceless! Just darling from sweet precious one-of-a-kind Ava.

May you find the short sweet notes written in love from a spouse, grandchildren or a friend a great reminder to you of how you are bringing sunshine to someone’s life and more importantly, the blessing they bring to yours!!!⭐⭐⭐!!!🌟🌟🌟

America I Can Talk Freely

I was told recently that nothing political should be posted on my blog. Well that is hard to do when I am so political by nature. If my blog is about me I would be leaving a huge part of myself out of my blog by never saying anything political on it so here it goes….again. I am into politics but I am open-minded. I care about all people; I have my views but believe my views aren’t the only ones that matter.

So much is going on these days that it is hard to determine who is your friend and who is not. Untrue, nothing has really changed in that regard. Your true friends are still there, society has that wrong and wants you confused.. Just because our views differ on a few things be it religion, parenting or politics doesn't mean the friendship isn't any good. This is being different, something we are called to be; uniquely human. Some of my close friends have varying views from mine but in most areas we agree.  And yes, in politics, it is not always the same stance across the board on all policies.  There does have to be a commonality on enough areas to bond,  obviously. What matters most is the quality of the relationship, like it always does with any relationship.

Similar politics doesn’t mitigate a great friendship either!  That may be the only thing you have in common with someone and the qualities you value in every other regard may differ sharply.  Don’t get so hung up on politics that you aren’t able to step back and see the big picture.  It's hypocritical to not allow for the very differences you are championing in your political views. If you value people than, by definition, you should value those with other views besides yours if their value system mirrors your core system of beliefs. 

My blog is an expression of many of my views on a wide range of topics and I attempt to be relatable to many but I am sure I leave some behind. This is not by choice but it is impossible to please every reader. So with that said I have to say a few things on politics and if I offend a few, I can’t apologize for my opinions.  Everyone has them and has a right to them, including you to yours:

• Gun violence has gotten out of control in America and something must be done
• Both parties in the political spectrum simply must stop taking money from pharmaceutical companies and the healthcare industry. Check their campaign funding and find out where their campaign dollars are originating from then write them and publicize your findings.
• Research what you hear and read. Do not take the news or what others tell you verbatim. Repeating it doesn’t make it true.
• Recognize there are channels that are biased, on both sides of the political spectrum. This is called ‘ratings war” and translated that means advertising dollars. It is not about you or I, it is about making money.
• Be an informed voter. Don’t be someone who complains and doesn’t stay educated. Your civic duty is not to be a blind voter.
• Insist on solutions and not just banter on problems. We can change things with effort and action.

America was a dream that men and women died for to turn it into a reality. I write about it because I think their deaths mean something. That is why I stay concerned about politics; because I think I owe them that, even if it means taking a few potshots now and then. It is easier than taking bullets.  And I believe America is worth standing up for. Do you?

One Moment in Time

If you spin your wheels

Constantly reviewing the past

Your life today

Will be a shallow forecast.

Life will have little depth,

As you retrace steps you have walked before.

Second guessing the choices you made,

Tearing yourself apart at the core.

The light of day can break through,

If given a chance,

But it won’t slip in

If you’re living in a trance.

Yesterdays are yesteryears

The present is where you are meant to reside.

Let the sun hit your shoulders,

Stretch your arms wide and step outside.

Forgive yourself and those that forsake you

For any errors of choice made,

Take the lessons and move on,

Let bad memories fade.

Life is made up of various moments,

All diverse and unique,

In the universe of our lifetime,

Each one is quite petite.

Pulled together,

     Is our lifetime

Moments grouped together

                                     On a timeline.

Don’t miss out on the joy of experiencing the 'now'

    We all need to thrive to feel alive. 

                   What is right in front of you this moment...

Is all that really matters......for it will never come again.

Embrace it .................

.

Beach Time

The beauty of the beach was all around her. The seagulls dove quickly and deftly on the crest of an ocean wave. While the woman dug her toes deeper into the wet sand, having stopped walking for a moment, she soaked in the smell of salt air. Gazing down the shoreline at this early hour, she saw the athleticism of a jogger on full display.

There were no signs of children now at the wee hours of the day. Nor was anyone in the ocean besides a lone avid swimmer further out in the waves with his masterful strokes conditioning for what must be a future race.  Her eyes glazed over watching him battle nothing but the elements and his own self driven motives, his passion. 

The peace of the morning was invigorating and refreshing; she inhaled it deeply and let it become part of her being. As she raised her arms to the sky, palms stretched outward she let all the tension of her life absolve with that one stretch and one deep cleansing breathe originating from the diaphragm moving its way slowly upward.

She turned, kicked her feet into the rising tide water feeling the coolness on her toes, laughing as if a child once again in love with the ocean.  The peace of the morning was invigorating and refreshing. She let these moments become part of her being, inhaling it and committing it to her deepest memory banks.  

Passing by condos on her one side and the ocean on the other side, she saw chairs with various colored umbrellas, marking locations for each condominium complex. It was a

seascape much like looking out at the ocean where colorful sails can sometimes be seen. Umbrellas of red, green, and shades of blues. These empty chairs were ready and waiting for rent for the non-sun-bathers who want a prime seat for ocean viewing while vacationing. The one thing that draws everyone to the beach, the vision that drew her here this early, the beauty of the ocean.. Some say it’s magical.

Her foot almost grazes a sandcastle as she gazes down and admires its details. Memories come flooding back of her moments as a parent with her children sitting with sand in the seat of her bathing suit with no care in the world trying to build the biggest and best sand towers to the delight of her kids. Buckets of water were carried, years later by her grandchildren to create wet sand to help pound the walls of the fortress. And, at the same time, the littlest one was hunting for prized shells to place on the outside to add décor to the final creation.

With a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye, she looked with admiring eyes at the one

before her. What a masterpiece she saw made with as much love and attention to detail as all the ones she had created. It was apparent someone had joy in their heart when they created this vision in the sand and left it here for those who passed by to enjoy its creation. She walked away reflecting on the memories of castles that had been washed away with the sand and passage of time but never far from the mind.

She was drawn to the water, to walk into the ocean now. The coolness of the salt water further up her body, hitting her knees then her waist, refreshing her from the heat of the walk, the glare of the

sun that had warmed her body. She saw glimpses of schools of fish fluttering by barely visible.  Sure signs of God’s masterpiece, designed with care. She breathed deeply again, stretched again throwing her arms backwards saying aloud “This is peace.  This is serenity.”  She stood there for what seemed like an eternity, then, slowly turned to the shoreline to head home with a slight smile.

To take the beauty of the beach with her only required her carrying the treasured moments in her mind. Perhaps that is why she took the time to soak them up. Then, they would be etched in her memory forever….. the morning ocean walk.

The Face of Silent Anger

The room was dark

The air was still

The man sat there stoic

With his body motionless.

His eyes were squinted

With furrowed brows drawn

His body was tense

Nothing made sense.

His life had blessings

Many bestowed on him

Yet here he sat with anger

A hate already on the brim.

Not a tear was shed,

Not a voice did he make,

He just sat there in contemplation

Considering the course of action to take.

Maybe one day he’s find his happiness

A joy he longed for

Maybe one day his emotions will be joyful

And he’ll find God wants his spirit to soar.

Until that day

He will stay in this place

Unreachable to many

with a stoic face.