Travel Review

Saturday AM hit the road in fog. Road conditions on I75 south- not too bad. A little lackluster across Alligator Alley - spotted only a few gators - but then, it's winter.
Road condition in Miami - not bad at all - for a change. A pit stop at the mall in Kendall. Great lunch at an Italian place and we ate outside with the dog. The parking lot was scary - angry people looking for a place to park. Lots of horn honking and a few space fights? Whatever - get a life. One man stood in an empty spot saving it.
Thr Ramada Inn in Florida City - not bad for the price. Right next door an outlet mall and found a GREAT divers warehouse. Bought a shorty wetsuit for 30 bucks. The hotel room coulda shoulda been a little cleaner but for a one night stand it was okay. And I have seen a lot of bad hotels. Will check out their breakfast (free) in a few and head on down to Key West. Can't wait to get in the water and try out my new wetsuit.

Returning to the sea

The old year is coming to an end as the New Year is ready to descend upon us all. Some will celebrate with fireworks; some will let the New Year slip in quietly. I have my list ready for the New Year. My QUESTS, my dreams, my inspirations swirl inside my half-empty head.
I will sit at the edge of the earth or more precisely the edge of Florida and watch the sun rise and set. Mile marker 0 will be my destination and my beginning. I will watch the waves crash against the rocky beach and toss out to sea all my broken promises and missed opportunities. I will laugh and cry. I will dream and parts inside will die. I will reach out my hand and pull it back for lack of failure.
The sea will whisper to me her lullaby and it will repair my shattered soul. My tears will become one with the salty sea and my sadness will be washed away with the tide. My smile and contentment will shine along with the sun and the blue sky.
The New Year will begin and I will be swept away with hopes and desire.
The sea she calls to me – soothes me and protects me – sets me free – and inspires me.

Pillow Talk

Once upon a time in a land not too far away (actually it happened right here and now) (well, actually not right here and now, it was the day before yesterday) there lived a man who had a pillow. It was not your average pillow and I suspect not your average man. I guess the word 'average' is not very descriptive or accurate. We all know men are not average. Well, at least not seen in their own pretty blue eyes.

Apparently this man was secure enough in his manhood that he could have a pillow - like this one. It was a red satin heart shaped pillow filled with those tiny little beads that you hope never come out of that cute little red satin pillow and make messes all over the house. They cling and stick to anything and everything like chocolate to the tongue and they multiply like wild rabbits. So that describes the pillow. Describing the man is much more difficult.

The little red satin heart shaped pillow accompanied the man to bed every night and traveled around the country and back again. Once it was left at an in-laws house and it had to be overnighted back to him. Another time it was left unoticed for days at a friends house and the man searched relentlessly for the much loved item. Another time, another trip it was left in the trunk of the car overnight. Once it was left out in the rain and the dog used it for a cushion or perhaps a fire hydrant?

The little red satin heart shaped pillow began to show its age. Repairs were made on the soft squishy pillow. White thread sewing up a small tear near the curve. Grey duct tape covering the large chunk missing from the dog episode. The red satin sheen long gone and the cloth was wearing thin in certain spots.

The dutiful wife suggested another, nicer, better smelling pillow as a replacement. But the man would never even consider relinquishing his little red satin heart shaped pillow. He hugged it closer when these comments were made. It seemed he and the little pillow were mates.

Sadly, just two days ago the little red satin heart shaped pillow was left at a motel along the interstate. It's return is not likely. So the man must go on without the little red satin heart shaped pillow that has been by his side for all these years. He must tuffen up and face the consequences of the little lost pillow.

And the dutiful wife will search out a new pillow similar to the old one - looking and smelling much better and present it to the man. And they will live happily ever after in a land where pillows give a man character and obsessions.

See me Feel me

The sea
She calls to me

With her elegant melodies
and hypnotic healing powers
She tugs at my heartstrings
Rejuvenates my body
Electrifies my soul
Mellows my weary mind
Soothes my harsh thoughts
Inspires my enthusiasm
Her glow descends upon me
flooding me with rapture
Brightens my spirit
Charges my batteries
Calms my fears
Heightens my dreams
Dries my tears
Renews my hopes

And the sea she sets me free
while holding me close to reality

War, Terrorists and Freedom

SIGN IN A STORE WINDOW

"WE WOULD RATHER
DO BUSINESS WITH
1000 ALQAEDA TERRORISTS

THAN WITH ONE SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER!"



This sign was prominently displayed in the window of a business in Philadelphia . You are probably outraged at the thought of such an inflammatory statement. However, we are a society which holds Freedoom of Speech as perhaps our greatest liberty.

And after all, it is just a sign. You may ask what kind of business would dare post such a sign.



Answer:
A Funeral Home(Who said morticians had no sense of humor?) You gotta love it!!!

God Bless America

Cheers

The holidays are descending rapidly upon us. There is joy, happiness, stress, sorrow and many hardships. The Christmas season pretends to be a time of uplifting harmony and joy. For many this is just not so.
Home foreclosures, bankruptcies, illnesses, unemployment, loss of loved ones and depression touch so many lives. Christmas is also a lonely time for those apart from their family and loved ones. The suicide rate is extremely high during the holidays.
My thoughts are for everyone to look to the bright future and find peace and renewal. You may feel like you have very little but remember there are always others that have much less than what you have.
Think positive thoughts and they will multiply like mosquitoes in summer. Think of others and not your own issues. Focus on the positive. Take one day at a time.
Be kind and thoughtful to all and especially to yourself. Smile on the outside and it will trickle down to the inside.

Check out this website and buy this great inspiring book.
http://www.amazon.com/Acquired-Hope-Advanced-Recovery-Empowerment/dp/1419658522/sr=11-1/qid=1168267856/ref=sr_11_1/002-3026846-1543205


Holiday cheer and happiness!!!!!

Shake, Rattle and Panic

I thought it would be a good time to tackle the car mess and try for some type of organization. Get everything in order and sparkly clean before the holidays. I removed piles of stuff from the glove compartment: tossed out the 4 pairs of scratched sunglasses, a years worth of napkins from fast food restaurants, two packs of ketchup, gas receipts that were three years old and dehydrated lemon drops. I sorted all of the DVD’s and placed them in a storage container in alphabetical order. Purchased bright blue seat covers for the front seats and matching floor mats.
I placed all the coins in the coin holder for toll roads. Maps were folded and placed in the side door pockets. I even bought a new compact road atlas and trashed the old taped one the size of a small suitcase. I cleaned mirrors, windows, dashboard and all the cup holders. I purchased these cute eyeglass holders that attach to the visors and clipped the good sunglasses on them. It keeps them out of the way at an easy reach and perhaps no more scratches. You could go over this baby with a white glove and only be a little dirty. I was proud.
Monday morning rolls around – all too soon and off to work I go. Traffic is extremely heavy and the roads are crammed with crazy drivers. I sing along with the Plain White T’s on my new CD. I am thankful all the windows are rolled up. Then, I hear the noise. I turn off the CD and ignore the wild commuters. I slow and listen intently. The noise is vibrating from the hood or the front of the car. My heart pounds with the thumping noise. I don’t know which one is pounding the loudest?
My mind slightly mush wonders if the left front wheel is ready to go flying off crossing two lanes and rolling to a dead stop in the median. Perhaps the engine bolts have come loose and the engine will drop right out in the middle of the road in rush hour traffic. I wish I listened to that salesman and added AAA coverage. Someone beeps at my snails pace. I step slightly on the gas. The fool passes and flips me off.
The noise intensifies. Now I believe it is emanating from the wipers. I’m doing 60 miles an hour what if they come undone? They could become a lethal weapon, especially for that guy in the right hand lane riding the motorcycle with no helmet. What should I do? I’m in the center lane and no one will let me over. Panic sets in. My heart races like a Lippizan stallion.
The car is not that old. Wouldn’t you think it would not fall apart on a Monday in rush hour traffic? I could be stranded for hours. I’ll be late for work. I might get fired. My panic is near hysteria. I’m on the verge of hyperventilating. Someone may need to call 911. Will anyone stop to help me? Do I want anyone to stop and help me? They could be serial killers or car-jackers. My breathing becomes ragged.
The early morning sun glares through my side window almost blinding me adding to my rising anxiety. My trembling hand reaches up and grabs the sun visor and flips it to the side. Quiet fills the space within the car. I push the visor back against the windshield and the noise erupts again. I flip it up and see the metal sunglasses clipped to the new eyeglass holder. I watch the metal glasses vibrate against the clip holder. I sigh with overwhelming relief. I reach over to the shiny clean cup holder and grab for my coffee. Whoops. I missed. My coffee with two creams no sugar slowly drips down the pretty new seat cover.

WD 40

WD-40 USES:I had a neighbor who had bought a new pickup. I got up very early one Sunday morning and saw that someone had spray painted red all around the sides of this beige truck (for some unknown reason). I went over, woke him up, and told him the bad news. He was very upset and was trying to figure out what to do--probably nothing until Monday morning, since nothing was open. Another neighbor came out and told him to get his WD-40 and clean it off It removed the unwanted paint beautifully and did not harm his paint job that was on the truck. I'm impressed! WD-40--who knew? Water Displacement #40.
The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego RocketChemical Company. Its name comes from the project that was to find a" water displacement" compound. They were successful with the fortieth formulation, thus WD-40. The Corvair Company bought it in bulk to protect their atlas missile parts. Ken East (one of the original founders) says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you. When you read the "shower door" part, try it. It's the first thing that has ever cleaned that spotty shower door. If yours is plastic, it works just as well as glass. It's a miracle! Then try it on your stovetop... Voila! It's now shinie r than it's ever been. You'll be amazed. Here are some of the uses:

1) Protects silver from tarnishing.
2) Removes road tar and grime from cars.
3) Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.
4) Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making itslippery.
5) Keeps flies off cows.
6) Restores and cleans chalkboards.
7) Removes lipstick stains.
8) Loosens stubborn zippers.
9) Untangles jewelry chains.
10) Removes stains from stainless steel sinks.
11) Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.
12) Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.
13) Removes tomato stains from clothing.
14) Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.
15) Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.
16) Keeps scissors working smoothly.
17) Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.
18) Removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem toharm the finish, and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get themoff. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot ofmarks.
19) Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removedquickly! Use WD-40!
20) Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fastslide.
21) Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease ofhandling on riding mowers.
22) Rids kids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.
23) Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes themeasier to open.
24) Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.
25) Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles,as well as vinyl bumpers.
26) Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.
27) Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.
28) Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons, andbicycles for easy handling.
29) Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps themrunning smoot hly.
30) Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and othertools.
31) Removes splattered grease on stove.
32) Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.
33) Lubricates prosthetic limbs.
34) Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell).
35) Removes all traces of duct tape.
36) Folks even spray it on their arms, hands, and knees torelieve arthritis pain.
37) Florida's favorite use is: "cleans and removes love bugsfrom grills and bumpers."
38) The favorite use in the state of New York WD-40 protects theStatue of Liberty from the elements.
39) WD-40 attracts fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or luresand you will be catching the big one in no time. Also, it's a lotcheaper than the chemical attractants that are made for just thatpurpose. Keep in mind though, using some chemical laced baits or luresfor fishing are not allowed in somestates.
40) Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting awayimmediately and stops the itch.
41) WD-40 is great for removing crayon from walls. Spray on themark and wipe with a clean rag.
42) Also, if you've discovered that your teenage daughter haswashed and dried a tube of lipstick with a load of laundry, saturate thelipstick spots with WD-40 and re-wash. Presto! Lipstick is gone!
43) If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it woulddisplace the moisture and allow the car to start.
44) Keep a can of WD-40 in the kitchen, it is good for ovenburns or any other type of burn. It takes the burned feeling awa y andheals with NO scarring.

MEME

If you’re not a blogger, you may be wondering.... What’s a meme? A meme is a social networking technique to connect, to share information, meet friends and pass long great information to friends that you know. Ever heard of that 6 person rule, that you are always no more than 6 people away from anyone...watch how the tagging can come back to you.The meme and it’s rules are passed around from blogger to blogger by tagging each other.
Here are the rules when you get tagged:
The Rules:
1) Link to your tagger, and post these rules on your blog
2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird
3) Tag 6 people at the end of your post by links to their blogs
4) Let them know they’re tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

So here are 7 facts about me:

1. I am a middle child
2. I love the sound and serenity of the ocean
3. I love chocolate
4. My soul mate inspires me
5. I have 3 turtles, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 7 koi, 6 goldfish
6. My sign is Gemini
7. I hate snakes

tagged -

www.AbundantAttitude.com

http://sitebaker.com

http://www.myparkphotos.com/Browse/?object=member&member_id=2463

http://www.myparkphotos.com/Browse/?object=photos&member_id=322&how=1

http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/gallery.asp?mem=43864

http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/gallery.asp?mem=62005

e-mail

Very Interesting............... This is what Oxi clean is... did you know that???? 3% peroxide This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana "I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide, or they would lose thousands of dollars." 1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe) No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash. (Small print says mouth wash and gargle right on the bottle) 2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of "Peroxide" to keep them free of germs. 3. Clean your counters, table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters. 4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria. 5. I had fungus on my feet for years - until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry. 6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine, but was healed by soaking in peroxide. 7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will. 8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinuses. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow your nose into a tissue. 9. If you h ave a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly. 10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it's not a drastic change. 11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections. 12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

Luminaries

It hasn’t rained in my area of Florida for over a month. The grass is brown the flowers are all shriveled. I don’t water because it’s too expensive. So I thought I would add color for the holidays. During my Candlelight walking home tour I noticed everyone had really cute luminaries. They were bright and when lit very colorful.

I purchased the plain white bags, the expensive ones. The brown bags are just not acceptable. I poured in the fresh kitty litter and placed a vanilla scented tea lite inside. I chose vanilla for the fragrance and they cost more. I lined my walkway and my driveway. They looked elegant. My plan was to light them for the first time on Friday evening when we returned from a party.
We have finally broken the – no rain – record. The downpour began just as we were leaving the party to drive home. Since we live an hour away I was sure it was not raining at my house. Wrong!!!
I stepped out of the car to see my precious luminaries. Clumps of white fiber lay scattered along my walks and driveway. Kitty litter flowed along the edge of the grass while an army of little silver cups huddled by the mailbox. Little round dollops of wax stamped with tire tracks adorned the curve of the cul de sac.
My grass was a bit greener and it sure smelled like vanilla. The luminary project is one of many holiday memories I will cherish.

Wishes

I wish for health, wealth, happiness and blogs with many views.
World peace or whirled peas
Inter peace or enter please
Lower taxes – higher pay
No pollution
Clean floors
More rain
Green grass
No sandspurs
A cure for cancer
Achievable goals
Mysteries solved
More responsibility
Free from responsibility
A body free from aches and pains
An internet that never goes down
Songs in my heart
Music for my soul
A constant ocean breeze
Glorious sunsets and sunrises
To win at Freecell
Persistent patience
Prosperity in my heart

Job Description

An e-mail I received from my old boss.

PARENT - Job Description If it had been presented this way, I don't believe any of us would have done it!!!! POSITION TITLES: Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop JOB DESCRIPTION Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required. RESPONSIBILITIES The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated , at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility. POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis. WAGES AND COMPENSATION Get this! You pay them, offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more. BENEFITS While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Candlelight Tour of Homes

Yesterday I went on a Candlelight Tour of Homes in a very unique neighborhood in Florida. The homes were built around 1900. The architectural styles were diverse, elegant and quaint. The houses ranged from Craftsman to Queen Anne Victorian. The neighborhood is known as “The Old Northeast.”

The houses were wonderfully restored cared for and some had undergone fantastic high tech renovations. These grand homes have views of the waterfront; sit between brick streets and back alleys. Old oak trees draped with Spanish moss, huge clay pots spurting water and wrap around friendly porches welcome all.

Sidewalks were lined with luminary candles adding ambiance to the tour. Tranquility and perfection greeted you as you walked through the homes and the magnificent yards. Alluring outside sitting areas pulled you back in time where life passed at a slower pace.

Inside these elegant homes I saw no laundry baskets, no newspapers left on the coffee table, a weeks worth of junk mail perched on the kitchen island. The bathroom sinks were void of wads of toothpaste crusted to the rim. Actually I didn’t even see a toothbrush or an old ceramic toothbrush holder. I made a mental note of my own bathroom: a towel drying across the side of the tub, a shampoo bottle open and dripping green liquid down the side of my shower. Where was the most needed bathroom item? The big ugly black plunger was nowhere in sight.

I went home with wonderful ideas and great memories. This was my first Candlelight Tour of Homes in the “Old Northeast “neighborhood and hopefully not my last. Sadly, I have come to the realization – even if I owned one of these elegant homes – mine would not be on the tour. I wouldn’t know where to hide the plunger, the kitty litter box; the dog food dish and all my JUNK STUFF that I enjoy piled high everywhere.

Hikers Brigade

Yesterday I went for a hike in one of Florida’s wonderful state parks. Florida’s state parks are diverse, romantic and spectacular. I love them. So, off I go on my hike with hubby and relatives (not from Florida). We wanted to share the awesome beauty of our state.
We head off down a path we have never traveled before. Soon, very soon we end up in a ‘restricted area’? Okay – backtrack. We find another path and that dead-ends in a field of palmettos. Okay – backtrack. Yet another path appears and off we go.
This path takes us into the deep dark swamp land. That black mud doesn't look like quicksand. The feel of black, mucky, yucky mud flowing rapidly over the tops of my new white New Balance sneakers really is an inspiration. Then ever so slowly the black, mucky, yucky, sticky, smelly mud seeps down toward my toes encased in new white sport socks.

Okay - backtrack. Where is that path we usually take? Nothing looks familiar. Is that a good sign or a bad sign? I see a well traveled path.
“Let’s take that,” I say. Off we go into the inner jungles of Florida. Soon, very soon the well traveled path becomes overgrown. The tangle trees make a canopy blocking out the sun and any available light. Poison ivy is everywhere. Sandspurs fly through the air and attack my once white socks. I hear rustling in the underbrush. Do I scream? Is it Bigfoot? Is there a Bigfoot in Florida? There must be I just don’t know what we call him?

The rustling noise comes closer and I see the underbrush moving. Panic sets in. We did not leave an itinerary. No one on this earth knows where we are. Except for Bigfoot and I think he’s hungry. I am frozen to the ground. The brush flattens right before my terrified stiff body. Out crawls a small tortoise and prances right by me. My heart beats regular once again. We trudge on into the wilds of Florida.

Something soft and sticky smacks me in the face. I reach up and wipe away the mess. The thin stringy, sticky mass clings to my face and fingers. Out of the corner of my eye I see a slight movement, it’s big and hairy. A Bigfoot baby for real. A scream is clogged in my throat. Hubby says, “Look at that big spider.”

Second on my frighten me to death list is spiders. Darkness surrounds me and my world slips away. I dream that we have made a great impression on our family not from Florida.

Green and Guilt

Last week I had to rent a car to travel across the state for a seminar. It was one of those green ones. No, not the color of the car but the new buzz word – green -, it means environmentally conscious. The reason I rented a vehicle was because my gas-guzzling mammoth SUV is permanently parked in my two car garage.

The last time I took her for a spin I received numerous evil looks from others. So intimidation worked quite well on me. I felt guilty for driving my gas-guzzling bus. I should not have to feel this way. I earned the money to buy this behemoth and I work hard to get a weekly paycheck to pay for the gas. So why should these holier than thou freaks give me a rough time? Anyway, I buckled and parked her.

So she sits in my two car garage gathering dust. In the here and now I am riding my bike to work. Now, that is being GREEN. Although on cool mornings my bike is covered with dew. My bike is parked outside because there is no room in the garage. My deed restricted neighborhood does not allow any out buildings in one’s yard. It seems like they are against me being GREEN.

Another possible reason she is parked inside this two car space could be the fact that I have lost the garage door opener. When I parked her in the garage it was so tight that I had to climb out of the sunroof. I believe they are now called a moon roof or a sky roof. I really wish they wouldn’t change terms like that without letting me know. I like things to stay the same, like names of objects, where to leave the remotes and the low gas prices. Sameness makes me feel secure in my confusing world of fantasy.

So she almost touches the walls inside the garage so I can’t even reach the garage door button on the inside wall. Getting her out I will probably need an engineer or at least one of those home organizer’s that have their own T.V. shows. So at this point I believe I must be adding to the green of the world by not using my gas-guzzling lovely SUV. I see others on the roads driving their beast of burdens and they don’t seem guilty. Why do I?

Denta

You pack the sand into turrets and dig a moat surrounding the sculpture. Shells, twigs and a little seaweed are added for bling. You stand back proud of your accomplishment. You have created a one of a kind sand castle, unique and lovely. Then out of nowhere leaps a rogue wave and washes your dream castle out to sea. All the hard work and love you have pored into your project gone in an instant. You stand there helpless and sad, with a heavy heart. Could you have done something different? Perhaps built it farther away from the surf or put in a deeper moat?

Does peanut butter stick to the roof of your mouth leaving you speechless? A rip in the side of your new leather jacket leaves you fuming. The neighbors barking dog renders you into a sleepless night. The rain pours down on your wedding day to complicate the plans. The last two slices of bread burnt to a crisp in the inefficient toaster. You find yourself out of gas on a dark country road. The world seems against you and tries to dampen your enthusiasm. Sadness, despair and repercussions fill the space inside you. Then your thoughts drift to that special one that brings brightness to the darkness where you reside.

You rebuild that perfect sandcastle in the exact same spot as the previous one. You add shells and bits of scraps washed on shore by the waves. Your sculpture reaches to new heights and beauty. You dig a deep moat and place tunnels though out the structure. Reinforcement is added. You stand back to admire your creativity and wait for that wave. The wave will come. And you are helpless. In your heart you know you did the best.

When we become overwhelmed by sadness and despair and our structure is weakened and washed out to see: we suffer in silence. Darkness and gloom beat at our sensibility. Souls are shattered. Hearts are split apart. The waves have taken the turrets the shells and the seaweed but never our dreams. We still love the sea and all she gives and takes.