The power of music

For years, the desk top computer in the basement has sat, speakerless.  Of course, for the last few years, there has been a set of speakers sitting in a different corner.  Today, as I was cleaning, I decided to marry the two.  Voila.  Noise from the computer.  I then went on search and destroy to determine what noise might accompany my fit of cleaning.  First choice--"Hooked on Classics."  A true oldie but goodie, it provided the impetus for vigorous cleaning.  Okay, that's a bold faced lie.  There was nothing vigorous going on, but it did improve the ambiance as I swore at things that should be in a different location.  (Never mind that I was the one who had put them in their current position.).  It was then time to attack my kitchen (and that is not an overstatement of verb!).  Second choice of music?  The Beamer Brothers' "Honolulu City Lights".  Great CD.  Great memories of a two week stay over 30 years ago.  A friend who was a doctor in the service couldn't find room in the BOQ, so he HAD to rent a home in Milalani Town with four bedrooms and a pool.  Now seriously, what kind of friends would we have been had we not helped him fill a bedroom for two weeks?  It was a magical time.  In fact, when life gets to that point where fun is illusive, I quite frequently take a short trip back to the island, siting by the pool as Ratso cleaned the bottom and the Macha Showers drifted through.  Memories beget memories, and I morphed into several trips we would take with the same young gentleman in the following years.  He was a former student of Cath's, and he and his debate partner of time gone by became amazing traveling companions and better friends.  The doc never married.  The lawyer did, and our foursome became a fivesome of laughter and love and memories.  So many memories.  Of late, the doc has become amazingly busy and involved in providing positive experiences for cancer survivors.  His time for travel takes him a different direction.  We don't see much of him any more, and that's sad.  But believe it or not, this story has a point.  Back to music.  The last track on Honolulu City Lights is "Only Good Times", and the lyrics tug at my heart and my mind.

We were friends who rode the waves
Time we spent in our younger days
Was all in fun, Oh the good times that we had.

We were young and it was fine
To feel your spirit as it climbs
There no regrets, only good times.

We were friends in our younger days
Although we went our separate ways
You were my friend, you never turned away

Who can say what life will do,
Life is kind to just a few
There's no regrets, only good times.

In time we will grow We will change
Just as free as the wind and the waves

Live your life the way you choose
Find the ones who laugh with you
Like the sea will find it's way to shore

As the sun sinks from the sky
Live your life and you will find

There's no regret, only good times,
only good times....

Laissez les bons temps rouler! and know always you are loved!

technological expertise

My lovely bride sits upstairs, working with two of her friends on a budget for an organization for which she serves as treasurer.  She has worked on this budget for two days, frustrated at times, bemused at times, and downright upset at times.  Just as she was on the cusp of completion, she realized that in her tumultuous workings, she had thrown away a form she needed to complete the task.  Enter the technological expert, little Billy.  For 20 some years I taught students to manipulate manuscripts using all sorts of techniques.  Falling back on that expertise, I solved her problem for her.  Thankfully, she had a copy of last year's form.  Using delete and cut and paste, I was able to produce for her a document that could be used this year.  It's all in the skill set.

Ain't technology grand?  Know you are loved!

Emerson on gifts

Had a wonderful lunch today with our aunt and some of her relatives on the other side.  Great conversation.  Great stories.  And an amazing discussion on gifts.  When I was in college taking the clep Freshman English test, we had to write an essay to get out of regular English, and the basis for the essay was Emerson's treatise on gifts.  Now, that was just a few years ago, but I still remember the impact of that essay.  In essence, Emerson maintains that giving a gift is not a precedent for receiving a gift.  One does not give in the hope of getting.  One gives for several reasons.  Magnanimity.  Need.  Pleasure.  But the joy is in the giving!  All too often, people will receive a mitzvah (I have no idea whether that is spelled correctly, but I'll give it a try) and immediately wonder what to do in return.  Emerson says, say thank you.  Relish in the good deed or gift, and allow the giver the joy of giving!  Today, Chad, a young man much wiser than his years, was one of the diners.  We were discussing this very thing and he elucidated my point eloquently.  He and a friend were out together and his friend gave him a gift.  Quite to point, Chad thanked him.  The next time they were out to eat, Chad was going to pick up the check.  The young guest asked why, and Chad's reply was because of the gift he had received earlier.  The gentleman then responded, "That's not necessary.  Please don't step on my blessing."  Truly, it is better to give than to receive, for both are blessed.  The next time you are the giftee, instead of wondering what to do in return, allow the giver the joy of the event.  Thank them.  And then, to mix messages completely, pay it forward.  Do something nice to the next person you meet.  Blessings!  And love from me!

AABB

The doc says more fiber..I'll eat it, I hope
But thank god it's over, my colon, his scope.
The drugs that they give one, amazingly fast
Effects should wear off soon..on me they do last.

But every procedure when finished it is
Means gratification--it's pizza and fizz!
It's like that quite often--when bad things are done
The stomach's rewarded, the taste buds have fun.

So let's shift to weather.  It's now about time.
It's all about putting my thoughts down in rhyme.
To shovel? Anathema.  Enough with the snow!
Thank god for equipment.  Don't shovel, just blow!

Am so looking forward to spring...let it come
My fingers are frigid, my feet they are numb
Complaining won't change it, I know it is true
Regardless of weather, I'll always love you!

Secrets

There are some things that are best kept to oneself.  Believe it or not, I really do believe that.  Considering there are few aspects that I have not shared in this forum, you may be asking yourself, "What?  What is he keeping from us?  What?"  Suffice it to say, a little mystery in a relationship may add value!  And this would be it!  But don't worry.  It'll be our little secret!  But it is NO secret that you are loved!

Tick Tock

I believe it was our first measurable purchase.  We had saved all the money that we had received for gifts and purchased a fine mantle clock.  Chimed every quarter hour.  Pealed the hours.  It was good.  Then, it wasn't.  Some thirty years later, it started being less accurate.  It started being a bit fussy.  And then, in the last year, it kind of started not starting.  After checking with a local jeweler, he suggested a clock repairman in Ortonville.  Road trip.  Met Craig.  Great guy.  Explained what was probably wrong.  Not fixable with any reliability or longevity.  Simply needed to replace the entire movement.  Okay.  Bit the bullet, and the clock now waits for his expertise.  Of course, since it hasn't worked for a year, we probably won't miss its absence.  On our way home, we stopped to see good friends.  He's fighting a hideous disease.  She's doing everything she can.  It truly struck home: how so very valuable this thing called time is.  Relish it.  Celebrate it.  Use it wisely to spread good.  And always, always, always tell the people you love that you do.  Tick tock.

The basement kitchen

No doubt, if you are an avid reader, you have heard mention of the basement kitchen.  It is a god send.  Mainly because when I don't want to clean it up, I don't, because no one is going to see it.  If time is of the essence, it sometimes accumulates dishes.  Such was the discovery today.  Pie dishes.  Bread dishes.  Dish dishes.  With deviant fervor, I attack.  Now understand, I believe in multi-tasking, so whilst I am fervently dismantling the mess in the kitchen, I likewise am doing laundry.  It's a good combination.  I can ascertain the level of my slovenliness by the number of loads I can finish before the dishes are done and put away.  This was a two and a half load cleaning.  Not my worst.  Certainly not my best.  But the feeling of satisfaction in completing two tasks is amazing!  And people complain about the frigid air precluding any desire to be outside.  Life is good, and you are loved!