May 2011

Well, we were all supposed to be "raptured" yesterday. I'm still here and all my favorite folks are still here, as are all my favorite dogs. Guess, maybe, they had it all wrong. This prediction was supposedly based on mathematical predictions from the Bible. I was never any good at math, so like me maybe they just did the math wrong.

The same folks predicting this "end of the world" scenario also got it wrong back in the 90's. I do hope that he/she doesn't try again. I guess, though, as long as there are fools, someone will take advantage and offer to be the bigger fool.

I did like all the anti-rapture stuff on the internet. Some of it was just to funny.

So now we move on the end of world scenario of the Mayans. I tend to think that they just couldn't (again with the math) figure out what came after 2012, or they ran out of space on the rock calendar they were using to keep time.

There have always been predictions of the end of the earth and it certainly won't end with this silliness.

Seems to me the more likely scenario is that we will be our own demise. Our minds and beliefs are narrow. Until we can see the "big" picture we are surely doomed.

So here we go on to 2012 and the hope that the Mayans were just as bad at math as I am.

May 15, 2011

Beautiful morning. The Endeavor Space Shuttle launched this morning. Usually, I can see it streak across the sky but I missed it this morning.

The Endeavor will resupply the Space Station and run physics experiments on the origins of the universe while in space.

I got to thinking about the space program and how my generation is the first to experience the wonders of space travel.

Sputnik was launched on Oct. 4, 1957. I was six and remember sitting on the trunk of our 1951 Ford watching it fly across the sky. My Dad was thrilled to see it. I thought it looked like a falling star and wondered if I should make a wish on it.

When I was a senior in high school, NASA landed astronauts on the moon. I remember watching it on television. It seemed miraculous that they really had gone to the moon.

Now the last of the shuttle missions has happened in my 60th year. I do wonder what will come next. I hope that we will never give up the exploration of space. I guess my Star Trek is showing. I really would like to know what is out there. I may never know, but hopefully my grandchildren or great-grandchildren will know.

May 9, 2011 Mother's Day

What a lovely day. Sun is shining and it is warm. It is Mother's Day, so I thought I would take this opportunity to write about Moms.

My Mom was a combination of strength, love, and humor. My Dad was a truck driver and on the road a lot. So it was up to Mom to raise three kids, keep everything going and try not to crack under the pressure. She was also the main caretaker for her mother. Not an easy task in any of it.

I would say that she was tough but I do believe that we all knew that she loved us.

Her humor was incredible. She would laugh at the littlest things and could laugh at herself as well. She also taught us three to laugh. One of her gifts to us. Carole, Jim, and I are always finding something to bring a smile and a laugh. And we certainly laugh at ourselves.

She taught us to be passionate about our beliefs. She was a woman who was not afraid to stand up for herself, her kids, or her beliefs.

A born Democrat, and successfully, made both of her daughters into strong Democrats. The son, got wrapped up in all the hate that the Republican party adheres to, so she lost her battle with that one. She wasn't one to back down when it came to politics or her beliefs.

She died at a very young age, 54. It seems incredible that she has been gone for nearly 40 years. I miss her, but I don't think she would have enjoyed becoming a very old woman. So, while death took her young, maybe that is the way she would have preferred to be remembered.

Now with kids and grandchildren of my own, I find that I compare myself to her. She knew that being a parent was not a popularity contest. I find that some that I know think parenthood is just that. It never works. So I have said to my boys and grands that, I am not in this to be popular. I am here to love them and that is the bottom line.

Oh, I've had my boys tell me they hated me. And my reply was always, "Well, I love you". They have pointed out that I was stupid, only to find out that this was not necessarily the case. Especially, when they had their own children. Amazing, how smart your own parents get once you have kids of your own.

But, I've had my boys' love and I know it. They have always proven it in little ways. A hug or a peck on the cheek. A phone call when they haven't talked to me in a while. The sparkle in their eyes when I can make them laugh. It is all there. Wrapped in two men's eyes. A sparkle that brings an untold warmth and love to my heart.

You will never know how much your Mom loves you until you have loved your own children. Sometimes it's to late to let Mom know that you learned this lesson. If your Mom is still with you, let her know everyday that you love her.

The Royal Wedding

I got up at 4:30a.m. to watch the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Cate Middleton. I usually get up about this time to go to the bathroom for the umpteenth time during the night. It was lovely. What was sad was that Prince William's mother was not there. I hated it for him. He looked every bit the Prince. Handsome in his military uniform.

It was a lovely wedding. Cate looked wonderful. Not over the top, just classic. She is a lovely girl.

I hope that the fates will be with them and they have a long and wonderful life together.

A few observances about the people attending the wedding. Queen Elizabeth looked regal in her yellow outfit, but Prince Phillip just looked old and grouchy. Prince Charles looked his dowdy self and Camilia just as bad. I really don't like that woman, and I don't think Charles should ever become king. I really don't like the man. But not being British I guess we have no say in the matter.

Weddings are odd celebrations. It is all to stressful and silly. My second wedding was wonderful. A warm beach at sunset with just a few family and friends. Perfect. My first wedding was just to stressful and silly. No, there won't be anymore for me.

Now, I will just wait on my Grandchildren. My granddaughters will be beautiful brides. They are truly wonderful girls and will grow into marvelous women. I just marvel at them. They are smart, funny, loving and caring girls. The grandsons are handsome and caring. They will make wonderful husbands. Their dad has set a good example for them.

April is almost over. May will soon bring warmer temperatures and lazy days. We will all be looking forward to summer.

All of us should take time to notice the world as it blooms to life.

April 20th, 2011

Another lovely day on tap here in Florida. It will be the perfect weather for Easter, warm and sunny.

The first Easter I remember was in a tiny little town in Illinois. I was fascinated with my Easter hat. It was a boater style with lace ruffles all around it and a navy blue ribbon that flowed down the back. I had a Navy blue spring coat and the essential white gloves. I do remember thinking that I was very pretty in my Easter outfit, but that the hat hurt my head. I think that was the last time I wore a hat. Ladies, just don't wear hats anymore.

Easter really doesn't hold that much fascination for me now. I find that it is a sad story with an OK happy ending. I really think the writers should have had a better ending. Now, I watch "Jesus Christ Superstar" and call it a good Easter. Although, I do love the "Peeps" candy and a chocolate bunny or two.

I've had the big Easter dinners and enjoyed having everyone here.. I remember dinners at Grandma Best's house. It was always fun. I do remember the year that Grandma asked my cousin Larry to say grace. Larry's response was "Bless the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. First to the table gets the most". I thought Grandma was going to fall out of her chair. It was hard to rattle Grandma, but this came the closest I've ever seen. Very funny!

While I do not subscribe to the Christian Faith, I do find it sad that some children today don't even know what Easter is celebrating according to that Faith. We should be aware of all Faith celebrations.

This year I will enjoy the company of Lyle Love-It and Lillie Belle. We will enjoy the day with a nice long nap and maybe a Peep for me and a dog bone for them.

I have looked at the comments on my last post. Seems to have upset some folks. I guess that is the way of the written word. Everyone has their critics. That is the first lesson one should learn in the world of publishing. Some of the critics will be fair and some will just be mean and ugly. Such is the nature of some people. "In life, think of mean people like sandpaper. They may scratch and hurt you, but in the end you come out smooth and polished and the mean person is just worn and ugly". I guess this is how I have to consider those critics.

Everyone, have a lovely and blessed Easter.

April

Well, another lovely day here. I saw a Bunny early this morning sprint across the yard. My Lyle Love-It missed it. He is not the most aware dog in the world.

Got an comment on the last bit of blog. Oh well, such is the life of the written word. I guess that is just the way it goes for commenting on life.

This month in 1951 found Gen. McArthur being fired. I do wish we could fire a bunch of the Military Advisors we have now. We are losing a lot in this made up war. Time gather all our toys and go home.

The book "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" was released in April of 1951. It is a lovely little book that all teen girls should read.

We tested two bombs in April of 1951. What a shame that we thought this would make us safer. We now know that it is not safer and that any energy derived from this process is really not safe. I keep waiting for Godzilla to emerge from the Pacific Ocean. While I feel bad for the Japanese people, you think they would have known that Nuclear energy is a bad thing. We already proved that to them. So I guess in the end we are to blame for all this mess.

In April of 1961 Bob Dylan debuted at a club in Greenwich Village. Hard to fathom that he is still around making music. A true poet of our times.

Well, Lyle is knocking on the door. He needs something. Maybe he will sing to me or at the very least give me that look of love. At the end, I guess a dogs love is as good as any. At least I don't have to worry about my thoughts to him. He loves me unconditionally.

April 6

The sun is shining after a few days of clouds and rain. It will be a lovely weekend. So, here are my thoughts on this lovely morning.

In light of all the craziness about the Federal Budget, I looked to find out what "tan Man" John Baynor makes in a salary. Holy crap, $223,500. No, wonder he doesn't want to tax the rich. Now this is just his salary, it doesn't take in to account all the other little under the table deals he has going on. Harry Reid employs 332 folks. What's the deal with that? It takes all these folks for one little old man to keep his poop in a group. Good grief! And we wonder why we are in such a mess. I say "clean your own damn house first" then come after the public.

Also, I looked to see what was happening in April of 1951. Julius and Ethel Rosenburg were sentenced to death for allegedly spying. I truly think that they were set up.

The Federal debt was 255.3 billion dollars. But then, we had just come out of WWII, and we were now going into Korea for the first of many "police" actions. Right, and we all know how well those have worked for us.

Unemployment was 5.3 percent. I wonder if that included any of the women who now were back home after the war effort didn't need them anymore.

Yul Brynner stepped into the Broadway production of the "King and I". One of my favorites. I would have danced across the world with him. An amazing performance and an incredibly sexy man.

Oh, and Libya gained its independence in Dec. of 1951. Ha, again, we all know were that one went. We installed a puppet Dictator and that has come back to bite us in the butt. Ahhhh, Karma!