The Week Between Christmas and New Years

      The decorations are packed up, and the lights are out, the holiday is over. Yet all my people are still home!
      We are all caught in the week between.
      The canvas of the house, has changed, its clean and uncluttered. We all look around, to see what is missing, or what is there to do. It is an empty feeling, I need a gift to unwrap!!
       Of course that is a joke, I want for nothing. I just have a burst of energy and everything has been done.
     January is coming, with nothing to speak of.
     A few last football games, a sympathy card to write, painting to start and finish, a wedding to plan for, visit to Boston. My days are full, its just this crazy weird week.
    My people, whom are home, look to me for food and entertainment.
    They often forget, I too am on holiday.
    Wheat thins are a good lunch food, and we do not have to go to a movie, daily.
    I went to the gym early this morning, just to shake off some of the funk.
    I think New Years should happen, December 27, this pause between holidays, is not good.
    Its like a lull in the story, we need to turn the page.
    2015 has a nice sound to it. The year sounds strong, 2015! Just say it a few times, its strong!
    I think and hope it holds beautiful things for all.
    Health, happiness, few heartaches, spring and summer soon, good music and wonderful travels, I wish for these all for mine and yours.
     I think we may still be in the month of December?
     I may just keep typing until January is here, this week between, has got to go.
     Happy New Year, in my world!!! Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy, 2015 is here, I feel so much better.
     ( Is it still December? Don't tell me?)
     

Surround Yourself With The Best

  This few days before Christmas day, can sink the unsinkable.
  Especially if your heart is not in repair.
  AND when the weather is hung over in haze.
  Sweet lord, I need to count my blessings.

  My Christmas trees have not caused me to have tree claustrophobia. Christmas decorations can take up space and energy. This time of year, I need air to breathe. My trees, are delightful. This is huge, I may leave them up until the day after Christmas!!! They have surrounded me in light, and memories, so precious.

 My dinner ( maybe it was brunch??) with "The Girls" was a reminder of how lucky I have been, my entire life, to be surrounded by smart, funny, loving women. In school, in work, in different states and neighborhoods, I have the best group of girls, that have made me into the woman I am today.  From my mother and aunties, cousins and coworkers, I salute you. I can not begin to find the words to express, the power of good women in your life.

 When my babies were growing up, I would tell them, who you hang with is HUGE! Be particular, who you share your stories with, and hold on to the good ones. My mom would say, " If you lay with dogs.....you get fleas!" same meaning I guess, different time.

Friends, men and women, so important. If you are reading my blog, most probably, I love you, for being a part of my stories. You never know who or how you touch another.

Last for this page, I feel so blessed to love music, all kinds. Queen Emma had on praise music this morn, she was still wrapping a few gifts. Of course I knew all the songs, being from the south, bible-belt, snake preaching, praise songs!! ( well, maybe not in the Episcopal church but.....) I did go to VBS and Jesus camp! Thank you Mr. Cripp and Mrs Yell Dell, for having me in choir, this tone deaf young girl.

While making up my bed, and puttering, I like to turn on MTV, VH1, whatever music videos are on at the time, it is good to stay current! ( another life lesson!) Today I was so thrilled to hear Ed Sheeran's new song and video! I shouted " Merry Christmas to me!" so beautiful, young , sexy and a voice from angels!!! I did not even feel the need to meditate, or pray for I had been to the altar of good music. Then we had Housiers, ( I think that is how you spell it!) Take Me To Church,( I think its Hozier!!) anyhow, you are welcome! go check out these tunes, and surround yourself with all the things that make you happy.

Now Bill is coming to wrap, my space is closing up, so I will leave you with these almost Christmas thoughts.
People, music and Christmas Trees, I am surrounded by the best.
          THANK YOU

Note: The last picture is of a stranger, but she was so cute, and had a nice haircut and we wanted to be her friend. We spoke to her on their way out of the restaurant, and explained why we ( OK, me) took her picture, because she was so beautiful!! She was thrilled beyond measure. Share the love!

Details, Details, Details

    After much reflection on my lack of wrapping skills, (truthfully minimal reflection) I have decided that I love to receive a package, that is also lovely to look at on the outside!!( dear god, a long sentence)
    Just this week something was delivered to me ( love packages coming UPS!) in a brown box. No frills or bows, just to me, from Felix Doolittle ! I held it to my chest, thanking the stars above for this man.
    I hope you, the reader, are aware of his talents. I know that in the past seven or eight years of my blog, you know that I love this man. But most of all, I love his attention to details, and how he wraps the package.
    First he is a watercolor artist, who designs paper. Mailing labels, personal stationery, paper weights, the list is not long, it is just long enough.
     A pretty penny will be spent, its art, for heavens sake! Maybe twice a year, I have to order something.
     AND you know my style, one for you, one for me. His work is always a gift to myself. He soothes my heart. When you open your simple writing paper, it comes in its on personal box, as if you were Hemingway.

   This year, I ordered some small note cards with the very long gone typewriter on the cover. I also wrote a note, ( I always do!!) thanking Felix, and his store for making me so happy.

                                        

   This is the note, I found, when I opened my box.. This company is my favorite for so many reasons.

  These are my precious note cards, perfect and wrapped to perfection. ( do you now how hard it is to do watercolor this small?) ( go on his website, and scan all his choices, its like walking in a museum)
 I ordered something else, and it came wrapped! How did they know, I was so bad at wrapping, and that it was a gift?

They did not know, the attention to detail, comes with each item. Its as if, the gift was going to a king or queen. How did they know, it was! We are all royalty in some manner. Loved, respected, honored by many, so your gift should reflect that thought. AND..the lesson to me, is maybe I had better learn to wrap a present with some more love involved. OR.....pay my, number one, daughter to do it for me! Love sometimes comes with a price, I took her on a mommy/daughter date after she wrapped my gifts with perfection ( a little anal folding and matching stripes!) I bought things with love, had the good sense to find someone who wraps well, and rewarded her for being talented in this area.
   Thank you Mr. Felix Doolittle and company, for paying attention, being particular, and intricate. It means much to the person on the giving and receiving end. AND..if you are ever looking for a good employee, my number one daughter, has the talent!
Note...to daughter in law, queen Emily, please take me to see his shop in January!!
Merry Christmas almost.

Christmas Gifts, Not Wrapped

  My mother use to make her own bows. I think she may have made the wrapping paper? It would not surprise me. I do remember her making beautiful ice candles, and tulle trees, and so much more.(Note it was all done with no wine!) ( But the cigs were burning in every ashtray!) I think bragging about your mom is great, but to follow in those footsteps not so easy. So I gave up that ghost, about twelve, maybe earlier!!
   I would prefer to give you, your gift in the bag it came in. No bows, no paper, just the thought. The perfect wrapped present, skipped to my Lou, over me. AND I feel no shame.
  I give great gifts, I spend time and research on all my people. I have an artists eye, and an amazing memory. If you even mention something that you like, I will probably make it for you, or find it and buy it in any month. So often, I will say, "Oh this looks like___________! just add your name)
  Will it be wrapped nice, never! It annoys me, to cut and fold, and tape.
  I love a good bag, and lots of tissue. I can stuff a bag!
  There is never any ribbon in my house, no bows to be made.
  I will not make any ice candles, or tulle trees ( but I would like to have one mom!)
  I love to decorate in my style, and its very different. Unique would be an appropriate word. I have a basket with glasses, that look like Christmas to me. That works!
 I take cards and prints that I have found throughout the year, and frame them. Some for me, and some for you! I frame everything, its so much fun.
  Also if I really like something, I will probably buy two. I like the gifts I give! Most likely you will see me with that very bracelet that you are receiving! That sheet music that I play on the piano, you may have it framed one day! Especially if you ever told me, you love "Moon River" as much as I do. I take many photos and if you want them painted, one day you will get that very painting. I love to share, sounds like a quote from the Elf movie!!!
  I love to share my gift giving talents, and let you know my weakness, gift wrapping! Lack of wrapping, is more like it.
  I will also not be making cut out cookies, that is just a fact!! I hung all of mom's old cookie cutters on my tree, better use of them. I remember biting into those silver balls, and most of the sprinkles came off on the floor. My memories are of mom working too hard, to be perfect. I think she enjoyed some of it, I hope so. I just was not going to have any part of perfect. I would ask the kids, "Do you want cookies, what kind!" and they would say "Chocolate chips, or Jeannine's fudge!" OK, "done." no silver balls, and if you want sprinkles, just put some in a spoon and eat it! Use it to make a picture, that's it ! " Lets draw and color!"
 We are all so different, and learn so much from each other, and its all right!
 My mom makes the best of many things, and so do I, that is what Christmas is about.
 Loving the pretty bows, and the not so beautiful package.
 Learning from each other, and laughing about it.
 And listening to my children laugh, " We know which presents you wrapped mom!"
 Merry Almost Christmas, I need to go wrap a few gifts! I bought back to back tape, so things are already not looking so good!! or they are!! Perception, HO, HO, HO!

Baby It's Cold Outside

     Honestly its not that cold, but it feels cold, and that my dear is all that matters.
  

                                           
   Plus its so dark, and that makes me feel colder, I think I feel a flake!!!!
   Winter is trying to get me, but I am prepared.
   Being prepared and particular, are two "Ps" that I hold high.
   I have made sure that I walk somewhere, sometime, even in this blizzard of thoughts.
   I keep at least seven books on my Kindle at all times, charged and warm to the touch!
   Reading Yes Please by Amy Poehler, and hooting with laughter, on this winter week.

  You have to feed your curiosity, during these bleak days. Its a job, like any other. You get up, dress up and show up. Daily I find so much to leap for joy about, even with this frozen breath beating down on me.

  Today the antique store, was filled with Christmas delight, and the man taking the money, was oh so talkative. He starts by saying, " I know I have told you this before, but I love your purse!" ( I have only been in this store twice) Its Christmas so, I spoke through my singing of carols, " Thanks, I do too, its one of my favorites."  Then "the man" ( I don't what to call him) ( An antique Elf) said, " In fact I like all that you have on, well I just like you!" Honestly, it was just a Christmas miracle of some weird adoration, and I said, " Thank you so much........." then he interrupted me....man talking, " Did I tell you I lost my wallet over Thanksgiving break!!"  OK Lord, hear we go, " Oh that is horrible, sorry ...." man talking...." My Neiman Marcus card, I have got to get a new one, Oh and I hope you have a Merry Christmas, I love your purse!"
( Please older women, wrapping each of my little red glasses that I found, hurry)
 I left with a smile, and worn out, this cold weather and too much conversation, I needed a nap.

 Second wonderful thing, NAPS! In the winter I can take a good nap, with the animals. In the summer, its too nice to waste time on a nap. Winter naps, with the Christmas tree on, the dog and the cat with me, phone turned off, a quiet house, what a perfect piece of time.

I have a minute of me time, right now, after supper to write, and my family considers it work! Because I have taught them well! So they are in there on little spots.

I think this cold night in December, is not so bad.

I feel a certain calmness, I do hope its not the cold, slowing down my heart rate!
No I think it is a peace, that only winter can bring.
Baby Its Cold Outside, and I feel warm.

( Please note, I have on many layers!!)
( Read Amy P's book, what a jewel)

Six Boxes Of Christmas Cards

   And pictures, address labels, stamps galore, are waiting for me.
   An old address book, that Jane Anders made me one Christmas, and if you closely Debbie C. you were living in New Jersey. Pieces of the past, present and future. The old Rolodex file stills comes out for the holidays, a relative folder, and teacher folder, neighbors near and far. Doctors that I have worked for and doctors that I have seen. ( Bill thinks that sending old shrinks of mine a card, is a tad off!) ( and he wonders why I had to see the shrink?) ( one precious doctor, said he would pay me to come to his office!, he loved my stories! so I left that day and gave him my bill!) Dr. B still sends me, semi naked pictures of he and his wife, with a poinsettia placed correctly from the islands. I have a lot of friends around the world, and they are the most interesting people.
  I never tire of hearing from people, and in this age of knowing each others business, I have so many other ways to visit.

  I do still enjoy snail mail, and a signature, so Christmas cards are still coming from my house.
  My table is strewn with all my gear, and I decided to write a blog. ( Sometimes things overwhelm me, and I have to push the pause button) ( another reason for Season Greetings to my doctor friends!) Clicking away on the keyboard, and putting my thoughts down, help center me. Then I will return, do five cards, and fly away to something else. Do another five or ten, and in a couple of weeks, they will be on their way.
 I think I enjoy the whole process, of touching them, writing personal letters, picking out who gets my crazy Bill Murray pictures! Murray Christmas, again! love him.

  I buy new pens to write with, and think about each person, how they have touched my life in a special way.
  This year is a little different because, my Hart is getting married and I have to make an address list for the bride to be. She needs to be able to read my writing, and that is a horror story. So I have written all of them down, for my Bill to type, for her. For the"save the date" cards, and invitations. So this year, it is a bigger project, but a happy one.
  (my neck is starting to twitch just thinking about things!)
 So I think I will leave you with your thoughts, and go tend to mine.
Please send me your address via this site, or message me, or email me, or text me. Would love to send cards to everyone.
 Tis the Season, Murray Christmas!

A Clean Beaver Always Finds More Wood

   Most often people just put up Christmas decorations, but I have to clean.
   Not a little cleaning, put all framed photos away, bring out all the framed Christmas photos. Find and clean, all the Christmas dishes, linens, polish furniture, baseboards, the list is long. I also have to complete the job in one day, and collapse, singing Oh Come All Ye Faithful ! ( Bill reminds me, that I am like my mom and dad!) ( which I think is a complement, because I only gathered all their good genes!) My family are Clean Beavers!!!
  I bet you didn't know where I was going with this title.
 While doing my winter cleaning (yes, I have a housekeeper, but.....only I can really clean)(  my mother!!!yikes!!) I pulled out a drawer with crap written all over it. The drawer was Emma's in the kitchen, I transferred my control, and let her go to it. Throw out, purge, make room in the manger!!! I will tie it all up in ribbons and Baby Jesus to get things done. After a spell, she said, " Some of this is your stuff!" So I held out my hands, and this jewel of a piece of advertisement dropped in my lap!!!
 A Clean Beaver Always Finds More Wood, I love that sentence, but what is the marketing tool? I scan down, and its Playtex clean wipes! Called fresh and sexy! What in the world crazy is this? I come from a clean beaver family, but I was not thinking of finding more wood!!! I was thinking that with all the swimming, beavers are clean animals, so I tore this out, to use in the future! I never read the fine print, not even sure if I ever called my private parts!! a beaver!! I howled with laughter and I said out loud, " There is a blog in this!" and "Emma, don't throw anything away, there could be diamonds in that trash pile!" she kept shredding!
 I have folders of good material, and you know, MY notes!! but when one from long ago, jumps out at you, and you can tie it to Christmas, those are few and far between!
  This clean beaver, has finished with the Christmas decorations, with my cards left to do.
  There are still Thanksgiving leftovers to pick at, and football games to view.
  The weather is crisp and sunny, beautiful Saturday noonish.
  Hope I made you smile, and encouraged you to clean!

From Pumpkin to Pine

  I had a moment of semi-clarity this morn, when after my bath, dressed and groomed, I smelled a house full of pumpkin. Pumpkin candles lit all over my house, to usher in the blessings of the feast. Then while riding the Bi-Polar express, I thought in less then 24 hours I would smell pine. We only have three, maybe four weeks, to get our 'Ho" in order.
  I thought of the Cox family saying their sweet good-byes to their momma, my future daughter-in-law saying, "YES" to the dress, while making my shopping list.
 My Boston bunch so far away, and New Hampshire crew even more in the distant.
 My brothers, my parents, relatives and friends, not near, yet with me, in so many ways.
 The holidays, after the loss of our Ward, will never be the same. Never is a long time, and with all the candles lit in the world, that remains. I know he is sitting next to me, as I type. Maybe twirling his hair, as a little boy, or making a lego village. I hope he knows about Hart getting married, so he can be with us for the hoopla. I hope he knows, that Emma is still the queen, and doing good things. Your older brothers are just the same, Keith's sick sense of humor, that we adore, Kelly works hard, and still enjoys movies, like we Barons do. Brian's ADD still in tack, trying to raise boys and keeping his wicked personality. He is such a good father, and husband to the "The Emily of Boston", they are a hot mess of fun. Dad is older and wiser, and we still make each other laugh. We work hard each day. Hope you are enjoying all your mom's painting? Its good, right? So happy that you had this talent, where ever you land, I hope that your art is all around. You have the palette of the universe, keep painting my precious child.
 I still smell you around, but honestly the pumpkin smell is a little overpowering right now!
 Yes, I still light up the house, someone has to!
 So thankful to be a mom to these wonderful children, and Uma to the best boys on the planet, Adrian and Finn. Blessed  beyond reason, in this season, where pumpkin to pine, surround the memories of love.
 Now let me go crank up this cooking, and decorating.
( I seriously may leave the lights up forever!!)
Happy Thanksgiving( You are welcome for the picture of our toilet!!, Honestly I don't know why I added that picture, for Thanksgiving, but it made me laugh!)

I Don't Even Think It's Winter

   The news from Buffalo, New York is grim. Some fifty or a million inches of snow is expected to blanket that fair city. The home of the hubs. He is just giddy over this polar demon. It reminds him of days gone by, where they used the porch as the freezer. Snow up to the window sills, snow igloos, shoveling and more shoveling. I remind him, I shovel "sunshine" ( thank you Saul ) I cover my eyes during the news, the snow horror will give be nightmares. Dr. B continues to share the pictures off the internet, of the snow drifts. I remind him that crazy people live in Buffalo, you are lucky I saved you. Just this morning, I asked him, if he was wrapped up warm enough, and he shrugged , " This is nothing!"
  He is as usual, so right. I feel like the national guard should be called to rescue these people from this place of no return. This Florida girl, thinks this cold spell, we in Georgia are under, is something!!
  Last night, my Bill, likes to update me on current affairs. He knows even if the TV is on, I most probably have not paid attention. I get bits and pieces, and I damn sure knew who People magazine voted for most sexiest man alive! Snow levels in the tundra of Buffalo, not so much. He also wanted to update me on Charles Manson. It was early evening, so I assume, he thought this man could no longer freak me out.
" Bonnie, did you hear Charles Manson is getting married?" hubs
" Hush, I don't need to hear his name, or the crazy child that wants to be his wife! but thank you for the information!" said I.
" I put Charles Manson and Snow in the same category, the need not to know!They are both horrible things, that cause me to itch with hives!" I wish the news people would realize that he does not deserve any air time, he is a vulture looking creature, who is evil. And snow, let the people who are living in the local area, have all the news, so they can make a good decision to get the heck out of there. There are many places that are not habitable, maybe Buffalo is on that list? I know it produced a very great person in Bill, at least Grace and Ralph did. AND....I have spent the last 34 years getting him farther down south. Key West is still my plan, with a good AC unit, for the doctor to chill in.
  I pray for all the people who are cold, I pray without ceasing, that no one is cold. I have to be honest, I pray daily to be able to sing! with no luck! Each and Every day, I pray to sing, and I do believe in the power of prayer, just sometimes it snows! and it snows hard! I have to remember its his plan not mine.
AND...he or she...knows our prayers before we ask, so if you are listening...and I believe you are...please help all these cold people, and let me sing really good for one day!! Like Barbra or Aretha or Joni Mitchell, or Marvin Gay.
 Amen, and Namaste

Sponge Worthy

   Being a child of 1952, the 60's were my years.
   I think they were the most remarkable times to grow up. Maybe each generation thinks that. I can only write what I know to be true, my truth.
   I know that the space race, was a huge part of my upbringing. We lived in Florida, we think that the space program was ours to have. Again, maybe Houston felt the same way? Cape Canaveral, The Right Stuff, watching flight after flight of unimaginable rockets go into orbit. It was fantastic, out of this world, enjoyable.
  SO...when I heard somebody was landing a gadget on a comet, my ears perked up." How is this possible?" my next question to myself, was " How are YOU BONNIE, asking that question!" 
  Then I heard, it has been ten years in reaching this comet! The adult child that I occasionally tend to be thought(maybe out loud), " Wonder how much this cost, when people are still starving all over the world!"
    Let me back up..
This is all happening at about 5am, over coffee with the hubs.
Our eyes are just slits, not yet looking darling.
Now back to children starving. I grew up in the 60's, I did inhale, and I care about all people. I'm a bleeding heart liberal, bra burner female activist, civil rights supporter, Aids caregiver, tree hugging special human! I believe you feed people before you shoot rockets off! You heal people with modern medicine before you catch a comet, but I believe in research and science. I should have stopped with a question, but I like being married to a very smart Dr. Bill, and I was not all awake, so I asked, " What kind of information could a comet tell us? Ebola is eating people alive, people are sick and starving all over the place, that is crazy!" (run on sentence, have to use, when ranting)
So at 5:03 Dr. Baron said, " Well the molecular....."
That is all I heard, " Stop Bill, people don't just spew molecular around in conversation, and this sponge is not worthy of such information!"
Note..he is still talking through my stop, " we may need to live in other solar systems.....it is crucial ...the comet carries organisms from..."
I ask him, " Did you ever watch Lost In Space, or My Favorite Martian?"
So we sit and laugh, two different peas in a pod.
I had to know, so I continued, " You do believe in feeding people and Doctors without Borders, right?"
He spoke, " Of course, you will handle that end of the spectrum!"
Again we laugh.
Our morning chat, taught me, that education is the most important thing.
And second, compassion has to work with the educated, side by side. Either one by itself, lacks the ability to work. Each day we have to just soak up the knowledge, and filter the crazy.
You have to be sponge worthy( thank you Elaine from Seinfeld) every second of every day.
Life is full of mystery, amazing stuff you can learn from a comet, and a child from the 60's.
Enjoy

Did You Look Under My Bed?

   As I sit in front of my writing tablet, well....that was a little Jane Austin.
   As I sit in front of my computer, notes on the side, my mind wanders.
   I need to write this personal blog, and sometimes it is just difficult.
   I need to always look under my bed, to this day, monsters?
   The monsters are so real in your youth, they are big and a putrid color of green. Why they reside in closets and under the bed , remains a mystery to me.
   You would think, or like to think, that as we age, the monsters go away. That is so far from the truth.
   I have a friend whose young son, has been diagnosed with cancer, and is in the fight for his life. The monster lives in his liver and colon, and his parents are afraid.
   My brothers have monsters close to home, that I wish were gone, when we turn on the lights. It scares me.
   This week, I woke Bill up, telling him of another nightmare I was having about my son Ward. I had marks in the palm of my hands from my fingernails, gripping so hard. I could not save him in life or in dreams. The monster of grief, never leaves me.
    Yet, peace also lives with me.
     It just seems, that some weeks, monsters win, and I have to get busy.
     Prayer, meditation, good thoughts sent out into the universe, good deeds, and a extra Prozac thrown in.   
     ( firm believer in medicine and work!) ( Prayer is work! believe me!)
    The weather and the holidays, grease the tube of melancholy, so I crank up the music. ( thank you Perlotta, for my Chanukah, Thanksgiving, Christmas gifts. Bette and Barbra, saved me!)
     Thank goodness for Egg Nog Light, its out now, and I love it. Thank whomever decided to put the word light on the outside of the carton, it makes me feel better.( Paleo people, I know its probably the devil, but I need some joy juice!)
      So excited for Christmas Carols, and smells of Thanksgiving. See.....that monster doesn't look so bad anymore. My cousin Jeannine use to say, " I just like all the combination of Thanksgiving food, on my plate."
Sometimes it is all about the combination, and cousins.
     So enjoyable to hear from cousin Mel this week, to rant with each other. Only cousins can just let it spill out!!! Good, Bad and Crazy all at one time. Our tongues were just a wagging.
     She has her monsters, just like we all do. Sometimes it helps to share.
   Now how do I wrap up this entry?
    In a blanket, my favorite one, one dog and a cat, good book, happy family and  a big sigh..I hope the monsters stay away for the night, sleep tight.( and while you are looking under your bed, you are on your knees
    
  

Extraordinary

 I have such an affection for this word.
 No one should ever feel ordinary.
 Extraordinary, with a cup of awesome!
  Life is at its best, can and is a struggle to survive. But.......that is not enough
  To survive, exist on this planet, is for moss.
 We humans, have evolved, I hope to see the remarkable. To see it, even in the moss! ( I have to tell my extraordinary yardman, leave my moss alone, I love it!)
  We are responsible for our extra!
  Our extraordinary in the ordinary, that is our story.
  This Sunday morning, while eating goat cheese and wheat thins for breakfast, I had to close my eyes and just be so thankful. Wheat thins make me think of my mom, and goat cheese, reminds me of the farmers market, when it was warm. Warm air, and mom, my extra.
  AND... a post I came across, (where I don't know?) ( I read all the time, you know that)
  10 Ways to Live an Extraordinary Life by Courtney Carver. I think she may have a blog also, guessing, bemorewithless, is listed above the article, could be something! Extra!
  The list
   1. Pay Attention *    ( * means I do this, could not find a check mark?)
   2. Be grateful *
   3. Stop comparing * ( so useless, never have done it)
   4. Let go (hard...work in progress, thanks to Frozen)
   5. Make space ( ?? throw stuff away?? clear our my head??)
   6. Admire small miracles *
   7.Slow down * ( not hard, I like slow)
   8.Write it down * ( all the time)
   9. Act like a tourist ( This is my favorite, I have never thought of this before. I will adopt this attitude right now. I love this number 9! Think how excited you are when seeing something grand for the first time. Your life should take your breath away! Where is my passport?? I will take it to the grocery store!)
   10. Be Extraordinary* (of course!)
 Now that is a good list. Most of it, we know, but do we practice it.

 Unplug ( how do you do that!)
 Realize that you are the one holding on, with a tight grip.
 Try to recall that first tomato of the summer
 A friends bellowing laughter.
 Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine

 Examine how you treat yourself and others. You are wonderful, the best. Treat others just as special.
 Paint a picture, write a story, cook a good meal, visit someone in a nursing home, live, live, live with utter abandon.
  Find the extra, or make some extra of your own! ( I just wanted to try the underline button, key)
  Atlanta is beautiful today, so let me go explore it.
  Sunday thoughts with a little Extra!!!!!!!!

"Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home."-Anna Quindlen

I know, a long title, for a short blog.
  We needed to touch base, on a little reading I have been doing. How? I ask myself that very same question, but I can find a minute or sixty, to read.
  The real quandary, is to find it in the mix of chaos.My specialty!
  So as I sit here listening to the hum of the washer, and wait for the furnace man, let me tell you about a couple or three books.
   We Are Not Ourselves by Matthew Thoma, took me forever and a day, to get through. I would not say it was a bad book, I stayed with it but......it was like a bad date. I knew I wanted to leave, and could not just get up and go. It was written nicely, but I did not care about these people at all. For example, a highlight-in the other hand a cigarette whose elongated ash worm would cling to the end as if working up the nerve to leap. That is a great dance of words, but I wanted to sit down! These characters bored the living daylight out of me, yet like relatives, I felt the need to stay . She would breathe his baby smell and wonder how she could ever have lived without it-mothers all over the world know this smell, I did not care about this mother, or her mother or her son, or her husband. She chewed her rage-I like that, but where is her rage coming from? Bad parents? A husband with dementia? She wanted a new home, that would fix everything? I did not get this book, but was fascinated that I would not leave it alone. Maybe I should read it again? I think not.
  Just about to finish Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Women Tells What She's"Learned."-by Lena Dunham
     One, how can she be so young and write a book?
     Two, she is an old soul, with bi-polar problems, she can write a book!
      I love this book, for its utter strangeness. Her honesty is crazy awesome. I enjoy reading about girls and all our stories, in all decades. Women go through so much more than male humans, I think.
     We are very interesting people, fragile and strong. Ambitious and bitchy, fearful and withdrawn, we are mermaids and presidents, all at one time.
     If you do not like the TV series Girls, I would probably skip this book.
     I happen to love it, and I love this book and this mixed up child, who still seeks Joy!
     Highlights are too many, but......
     The way my parents talk to me in a higher register then they talk to my sister, as if I'm a government worker that's snapped -that is brilliant

 Service man just came, I have to run, dogs barking..but....I will find time to read, I hope you do too.

Murray, Murray, Murray

  I wish there were words to explain my fascination with the world and all that resides in it! So much inspiration in every room of my brain, supplied by so many. Dead or alive, human or not! It could be a piece of furniture that requires me to look a little too long, touch when it clearly says, "Do Not Touch!" ( quilts of Gees Bend! had to!, table in Frank Lloyd Wrights house, had to!)(floor in Anne Franks house, painting in the Louvre, flowers in peoples yard!) Often I take photos instead, or just a mental picture. Books, people, animals, perfume, hardwood floors! I love so much, it just flows out of me.
  Yesterday was no exception. Dr. B and I went to an Arts Festival, that was heaven. Lucy the Lab, in tow. Bill and the dog, parked and barked at the food court, while I lingered at each booth, talking with the artist about their ideas and creative juices. I bought earrings, a pillow, and a photograph with ease. Holding my finds to my heart as we left. I love creative people.
 So it is no surprise that upon returning home, I suggested to The Em, only daughter, that we continue the day with a movie. So we grabbed a granola bar and headed out to see St. Vincent with Bill Murray. I love Bill Murray from years gone by, and when I love you, its over. I love you for life!(unless something horrible happens, and even then I will try to spin it in your favor!) ( I try to remind people to not tell me anything bad about the people I love!) ( You either have to ease into a bad story, or just omit!)
 The movie was magical, Bill Murray fascinates me. Em and I sat through the credits, and she kept looking at me, like...its time to go mom! I want to visit with him more, watch his crazy antics, listen to the music he is listening to, he is a grand creature, whom I love. The screen, went blank and Em said, " Its time mom!" ( it was a little snotty sounding!)
  I cannot explain to this young child of mine, about early SNL days, or How many times I sat through Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day with the boys. Cadyshack is a classic, we know all the words to these movies, and 44 more. I recently watched my other Bill ( not the hubs!) play Roosevelt, and I was lost in the character. He was Roosevelt. Moonrise Kingdom, I will not name them all, he is a genius. This new film, another gem. I think he may be like this character in St.Vincent, harsh habits with a big heart.
  Left the movie, and checked our phones, like the addicts that we are, and found out my son Hart had become engaged. What a day, the sun was shinning in October, so I was happy to begin with, and then look what followed. All the things that I love, came my way.
  I think that is how you have to start your day. Loving the day, before it begins! Your feet hit the floor, early! and its beautiful. Throw out love all over the place, and it comes back to you. Karma, God, Nature, its all love.
 Its contagious, can you tell its coming your way, right now. Its a beautiful day, make it Murray! (Merry!) if you are Lost in Translation!!!!!

Lucy And The Toddler

  This week, I had the pleasure of watching Lady, or as I call her The Toddler! My son's new lab puppy, needed to spend the day with me .
  I have been blessed to bestow upon my children, the love of animals, and now it may come back to bite me!
 Our dog Lucy is grown, and enjoying her midlife with me being retired. We both move slow, and do whatever we decide to do. She knows my schedule, and follows it to perfection.
 Now here comes the toddler, acting her age, up and down and all around. We spent hours outside playing. I should say the dogs did, I was just the hovering mom watching. Checking the gates, so the toddler could not slip through. What is she eating in the yard !! Taking pictures to send to my son, Hart, to let him know her feelings are fine, and she is enjoying her time in mom's retirement village.
 Hart told me she sleeps all day, really?? It is around two o'clock and she is still moving. See.. when she laid down, Lucy would bark, and it was play time again. Then Lucy would rest, more like lapse into a coma, and Lady would cry and it was playtime again.
 This puppy is a puppy!, shoes had to be put away, all the baby gates where in place, she didn't understand mom's blogging time, painting time, reading time, or need to take a bath time! I was on her schedule, as it should be.
  Emma came home, and took over. Then Bill strolled in, to play with the toddler and Lucy. Getting later..Hart comes home, and Lady was not so attentive. I told him, its normal. People and Animals love our house, and my hospitality. I have spoiled this dog, just like I have you. I think they may mention this phase in The Lion King! the full circle of life!
  Hart took his toddler home, and we all "fell out", bones ached, and the house looked like a tornado had skipped through. A good time was had by all.
  Hart text me a few minutes into his arrival at his house, " Lady loves coming to your house!"
  Mom/me texting back " I know but.....she is your toddler, whom I can love and send home!"
  Hart-" Don't forget she is staying with you next week for four days, while we go to a wedding in Boston!"
  Me- " I remember, maybe by then I will have her trained to know my nap time!"
  Hart-"She sleeps all the time"
  Me- " Not at the fun house for dogs and people! Look forward to seeing that sweet angel dog, Lady, The Toddler and My Lucy! ( I will have to make sure I have extra meds!)
 October is full of sunshine and mischief, I love every minute.....I think I hear barking!!! Gotta go!!!!
 

Just Past Enigma

    We try and take the backwoods roads when taking a car trip. You usually find something to take a picture of, or stir up a story. Going home, to Jacksonville, a million times in my life, would seem routine. It never is.
You see we are just North of Enigma!! We wander off the highway around Tifton, and lolly-gag our way to Mom and Dads. The roads are flat as pancakes, and oozing with swamp water. Creeks and rivers, and funny names. I find it all to be beautiful. There is a church on each side of the road, mile after mile. There are dollar stores next to filling stations, next to graveyards! The cotton fields, pecan groves and road kill are asking you to stop and take a look. My husband, being from New York, listens to all my stories and pulls off the side of the road, at the mere mention of STOP! Moss filled trees, whisper to me, cows and horses know me by name.
    This trip was no different, I searched for this screen door in Waycross and found a church. The sky was dark and stormy, and I feared no good could come of me stopping. How long could it take to click away a few photos of an old church. It was a beautiful building, empty and full at the same time. We stopped, I ran, touching, feeling, smelling and clicking this church building of long ago. I returned to the car, thrilled yet still looking for that one screen door. I saw it later as we passed it, the rain was too hard to pull over. Next time, it is always a wonderful thought, to know you will return home.
    My parents are older, and slower but still full of life. My brothers are still my brothers! I think they save up all the gasses they have for me, its special!! I saw old neighbors whom I love, and cousins I adore.
   My town, and my family inspire me.
   My husband and children, are also my inspiration.
   A friend this week, had sent me a surprise package, with some Rudolph Nureyev things. Knowing how much I have loved him and the ballet my entire life. How wonderful to return home, and have someone from my old home send me a gift, for just because! She said, " I knew you would like this!"
   Friends from long ago, make me a better person
   Glad to be home, with a treasure of memories
   You can home again, mine is right past Enigma! ( I just love the name of that town!) (wonder who lives there??) ( road trip!)

O Hushed October Morning Mild

  This begins the poem, October by Robert Frost.
   Poetry is another one of my great loves, I share with you some lines from this jewel.
   O hushed October morning mild,
   The leaves have ripened to the fall;
   Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,
   Should waste them all.
   and it continues, read it slow and lingering, this October.
   Think outside the box, of People magazine and CNN and explore the great poets.
      John Keats wrote in the poem titled To Autumn, Seasons of mist and mellow fruitfulness,
                                                                                   Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun


  You all know by now, my soul works hard, in this hushed season of warm colors.
   This October has been delightful in temperature, but heavy in my heart.
   A friends child has had the diagnosis of cancer, another friend's husband decided to leave this earth too soon. My neighbor of long ago, called this week, to let me know her sister had died, and a young boy had hung himself. She needed a listening ear, and that is all I had. The world is in turmoil, upside down crazy, Ebola, hatred, wars and yet I see hope around me all day, everyday.
   October you are testing me, with your pumpkin smells and vibrant orange and yellows, however....I see winters reach, and I will be ready.
   You shall become my close bosom-friend, and this journey of falling leaves, we will walk.
    Tomorrow I go to the doctor, with My Emma, she has suffered this week with kidney stones. We will get up early ( Baron Household!) and head out into the traffic, to seek some guidance from a new doctor. ( I hope he likes October!) We travel full of hope, for answers and no more questions!
    Tuesday we made a run to the ER, with the queen, in agony and in afternoon traffic. Being of sound mind, is not a strong suit of mind, so I was in panic mode and Bill was driving in the emergency lane that was full of pot holes!) Emma screaming, and puking in a garbage bag.We were near the hospital, but I did not see the light at the end of the tunnel, so I called the ER. They listened and passed me onto the triage nurse. I explained my problem, and I asked for help." DO you want the ambulance to meet you?" she asked. " We are one mile from the hospital, I don't think that will work, but.....she is going numb and I need to do something!" " Well.........you are almost here!" " Thank you, that has helped so much.......just talk me down off the ledge", " Get ready, because I'm walking straight in!",( no stopping to collect 200 dollars,Monopoly people)  They were nice and helpful, until I was freezing, but that is a whole other blog. Emma looked over at me and said, " I know this is going in your blog!" " Well, maybe??" said your loving mother.
  October you are full of mischief, gloom and rotting leaves, be kind to me and my friends.
  I think I just heard a RAVEN fly over out house!!!
 

They're GR-R-REAT

     This week I was wishing for some Frosted Flakes.
      Let me go back a little.
      I love cereal, I think it is almost the perfect food. However grape nuts, bran flakes, flax seed granola are more like the variety that I choose from now. My father thinks it is horse food, so I grew up with that thought in my head! We still had our share, of Rice Krispies, and Cheerios. My brothers enjoyed more of the fun cereals later on down the road, Fruity Pebbles, Cap'n Crunch. In fact my mom would pick out the raisins, in Raisin Bran for my brother Benjie. I asked her one day, why she didn't just buy bran flakes? ( You know I was always asking questions!) She said, " He likes Raisin Bran cereal!" " OKAY!" not sure if that was an answer, but we did eat cereal, and I still do.
     So My Bill was at the store, and I asked him to pick up Frosted Flakes, if they still made it. I remember it being so sweet, and I was excited to eat something from my youth! Bring back some fun memories. I looked at the label on the box, as we do at this age! and saw that it was not horrible. I took out a cute bowl ( which makes anything taste better!) and poured Almond Milk over my flakes. ( Yes we are all now on Almond Milk!) Hart, precious son, calls it "old hippie food" isn't he special. Took a huge bite, with flakes falling out and milk dripping!! I was stunned! Where is the sugar? Who the heck, took the sugar out of Frosted Flakes? I know sugar is the devil, but a good dose of evil every now and then?? I wanted white sugar, sickening sweet Frosted Flakes and I tasted corn flakes. I ate another bowl, today to see if my taste buds were just off. It just was not the same. I looked at the cover, and Tony was smiling, saying, "They're G-R-REAT!" but...we baby boomers are trying to be healthy. If Tony looks a little thin.
   So I just threw away the contents of my youth, why bother? I would love a vanilla coke from Doc Browns pharmacy store, but its been gone forever.
   Maybe some penny candy, a good fire-ball to suck on for hours?
   Tony Tiger, we were friends and now I'm stuck with grape nuts, which is like horse food! ( OK, daddy you were right!)
    Egg whites, turkey bacon, gone are the days of Nestle Quick!
    We have all turned into Foodies, ( now that has got to be a hippie word!) ( I think we may have inhaled)
    This week I had the privilege of dinning with my girlfriends at Osteria Mattone in downtown Roswell, Georgia. We sat outside in a warm October evening , and it was heaven. It was food, that you did not want to swallow, the flavors were so strong and soft and .... help me, I can not find the words!!  The vegetables were straight out of the ground fresh, homemade pasta with cracked pepper and no sauce, no sauce!! caused your heart to skip a beat. The sliced tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, all things dripping in olive oil, it was mouth feast.  Our conversations ranged from Bill Clinton, and why did that hussy save that dress to baby shower ideas.
     Tastes are so important, presentation of food, the people whom you are supping with, even the sugar that has been omitted from your past. Good memories past, present and in the future, They're GR-R-REAT!

It's Not Always Tidy......

     or convenient, or ever-lasting.
         I think this snippet of a sentence was referring to love. How powerful love can be, but comes with a full baggage of stuff. Yours, mine and ours!
        I have written before, about all my loves. ( Well, maybe not all, in detail!) ( Sue knows the real details!)(and they are vault worthy!) I love, have a passion for all  kinds of love, for many things. Songs,smells, foods, people, love, love, love. It comes easy to me. ( no I'm not easy, but I did come up in the glory days of birth control pills!) ( another blog)
     This week I have loved a few things sooooo much, that I had to put pen to paper.
     Finished up 13 hours of the Roosevelt family saga on PBS.( not sure if it was on this channel, but you can find it) I love history. Like a high fever, I get delirious about our American history. This series was beyond anything I have seen , of late. I was a tad obsessed about dentistry , with Miss Eleanor looking so bad. I had to stop the program several times. ( Bill stopped it, because I would not stop talking about poor Eleanor) They had money, did they not have dentist back in the day, or people to help her look better? Just some thoughts. I love her, as she was, but.....did any of her girlfriends say, " Girl, you look awful!"
  I was, not surprised by FDR's need for attention, he had women in several different houses. Old flames, and cousins rubbing his crippled legs, what is with these men in power. OR should I  rephrase that, " What is wrong with women, do flock to these men of power! They are not leaving their wives!"
  Yes he did wonderful things for our country, I love some of him, I know love is not tidy.
   TR was pretty much crazy. He would be on medication today, or in Betty Ford. ( Do they still have Betty Ford places?) However, he had his moments of greatness also, I love bits and pieces of him too. Love sometimes is not convenient. I think I left the series, wishing that I loved a president like the people did, in earlier days. They LOVED their Presidents. I like mine, I want to be passionate about my party, again. I want to respect Congress, both sides. I'm not feeling the love.
    The last thing, maybe, that I want to leave you with, is the best line ever said.
    If you watch the TV show Scandal, you will understand. It too, is about Presidents!
    The poor presidents wife, who is in a bad place, said to her cheating husband, the President, " Just to let you know, I have not shaved in a long time! ( she pointed to her private parts!) It is like 1976, down there!!!!" I screamed with love for her!! The best spoken word, I have heard in ages!!
    Love is where you look for it! Its all around us, keep looking.
    I love my family, this week!(Ha!) I love my animals, my art class, Pebbles cereal, Christmas cards picked out early, Love, Love, Love, its all we need.
   If you are reading my blog, feel the love coming your way

.....If I Were A Bird

 I would fly about the earth
seeking the successive autumns.
                    George Elliot

Oh but I am not a winged creature, nor do I wish to be. 
I remain, a girl of summer, and know what comes after fall.
    Today is fantastic in Atlanta. Mornings are too cool, beyond crisp but the afternoon is divine. Maybe it will hit 79 degrees today, sun is shinning and I am holding strong for these last days of September.
   The windows are open, my inhaler is within reach, and my sleeves are long on my shirt. 
    There is change is the air, and so many people feeling glad for this season.
    I shall not let my melancholy reach out and touch all you Fall Freaks!
    Enjoy your hayrides, and apple picking. Pull out the pumpkin decorations, with a witch or two. 
    I will join in on the fun, and count the days until June. Maybe if I am lucky May will be hot as blazes, and pull me out of the winter funk, that has yet to appear.
    I have learned how to adapt, living up North! North Georgia has seasons, I need to fly south for the winter. Maybe I am more like the birds then I realized.
   Miami, Key West, I need a winter nest.
   I am a bird!!!!

Mama, Where Is He?

    Mama never calls late at night, unless someone has died.
    Or I should say texts! Yes, she is hooked up, line and sinker.
    Last night, I get a random text, it goes as follows:
    M-Did you see Kenny Rogers?
    B(that is me)- Where?
    B-On a commercial?
    B- Dancing is sucking. ( I thought she may be watching!)
    M- Dancing with the stars, he is in the audience. Ready for the casket.
    B-No, I will look, damn ( Joan Rivers, Robin Williams, now Kenny!)
    B- At the beginning, or right now?
    M- Never in my life, why is he there!
    M- Camera keeps going to him. Dresses in very bright colors, Probably 150 lbs.
    B-Lord, I will look for him.
   ( Bill run it back, so I can find Kenny, mom says he is not long for this earth!)
   Many texts go by.........
    M-He has a green coat on.
    B-MOM, that is Tommy Chong, he is going to dance.
    M-Now Dad is wondering if it is really him. Are you sure? Does he look like Kenny Rogers?
  ( Now, crying, laughing so hard)
    M- I was ready to go to his funeral!
    B- We just had Kenny in the coffin!
    M- I love Kenny Rogers.
    B- Me too, now stop it! I have been searching for him an hour!
    M- Who is Tommy Chong anyway?
    B- an old hippie, comedian. ( that is enough info!)
    B-Bye
    B-Mom this is my blog for tomorrow, thanks!

 Mom and I texting, is crazy in itself. The things we find to chat about, are worth their weight in gold!
I love that my parents care about everything and everybody! and keep me in the crazy loop!!
 I forgot to ask your consent to publish our stuff mom, but I did tell you thanks!
Number one daughter, researching Kenny Rogers right now, to make sure we didn't miss something!