Life reimagined

The end of the year.  A day of eating and playing and friends.  A day to look back and look forward.  Looking back, I play the "what if" game.  What if I had never walked into the wrong room and discovered debate?  What if I had never listened to Miss Loosewheel and not taken the ed block just in case?  What if I hadn't been fired from my first job?  What if I hadn't been unlucky in love...the first time? What if I hadn't developed the amazing friendships I have?  And god forbid, what if I hadn't been lucky in love the second time?  Can't imagine.  Looking forward, I play the "can't wait" game.  Can't wait to see what comes next.  Can't wait to enjoy the time with friends.  Can't wait to see new places and experience new things.  Can't wait for my coffee this morning...so will quit playing games and simply say...I can't imagine a better life!  Happy New Year...with all my love!

A very good day...so far

It started well.  Early, but well.  Plans and documents have been created for the high tea on Saturday.  Puzzles and coffee were consumed.  Then, throwing all caution to the wind, and with no regard for the weather gods, we jumped into the car and left town...realizing the capriciousness of such an event during this time of the year.  We were to meet our godchild for lunch in Brookings.  We did.  No problem on the road.  No problem in finding the place (in the Market Galleria).  No problem with the place.  Great food, pleasant service, great ambiance.  Following lunch, we toured Aquatec..a company for whom she does PR...and then headed home.  When my eyes were open, I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the snow drifts along the fences.  They swirled.  They peaked.  And where they peaked, the sun glistened on the tops.  It was the most beautiful shade of pure white.  Made even more beautiful by the fact they had been formed BEFORE we were on the road.  It made the enjoyment much easier.  Once home, we did a little grocery shopping and I just returned from a brisk (okay, colder than...well...I'll leave those comparisons to your imagination.  I was, after all, a crude young man!) 2 mile walk and now, since I am old, we are preparing for an early supper.  Tomorrow is friends and games.  Another very good day!  Hope yours was as good, and you remember to love and that you are!

Powdered sugar

Or if you prefer, confectioners' sugar.  To my knowledge, a topic on which I have not opined.  Oh, not because I don't think of it often.  No!  There are days it is on the top of my mind and the tip of my tongue.  If it weren't for this little bit of white gold, there would be no cream cheese frosting for the carrot cake.  There will be no drizzle of pure decadence on the scones.  There would be no lemon glaze for the lemon bars.  Life in the universe would change drastically without this commodity.  And yet, to have never written about it?  Absurd.  And those are just its useful features.  What about the absolute way it has to spill over everything simply when you open the bag?  What about the fact that it can seep into the tiniest of crevices, eschewing any and all cleaning techniques.  What about the fact that no matter how many layers of plastic I use to keep it fresh, it somehow still manages to clump, requiring sifting every time it is used?  Freud would probably refer to my attraction to this substance as a love/hate relationship.  Hmmm.  I wonder if Freud ever wrote about powdered sugar?  I have too much time on my hands.  And you are loved!

It must be love

My connection to football.  Equipment manager.  Eighth grade.  Since then, my connection has been my wife.  That's probably true with baseball, soccer, racquet ball (ask her how she lost the bottoms of her two front teeth!) and Texas Broom Hockey!  She is the epitome of a fan.  If you bounce it, throw it, or hit it, she will follow it.  And oh, the things that I have learned over the years.  I know where each team is located.  I am familiar with the names.  I've visited the arenas.  And in truth, it has never hurt!  Oh, osmosis stops way before getting excited about these events.  But I will go.  And I will watch people.  And I will truly hope her teams win.  That makes her happy.  And that makes me happy!  In case you're wondering, her Vikings beat the Bears today.  I know because I checked out espn.com.  A painless way to discover whether the ribs in the oven are celebratory or conciliatory.  They are the former.  And you are loved!

I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille

Sometimes, things in the universe coalesce into one perfect experience.  In the almost 17 years Rocci has been a member of our family, it has been amazingly difficult to capture her in graphic form.  Something about a black puppy.  For some reason today, as I was looking at the picture I had just taken of our orchid, blooming happily in the sun

I noticed that Rocci was intent on my activities.  A quick switch from view to shoot, a lucky juxtaposition of fate and a little help from a workshop I took this summer, and the result was clear.  Ms. Rocci was ready for her closeup!  It's hard to believe the love an animal can generate.  And not only that, the orchid was pretty, too!  May the universe bless you with experiences to enjoy and remember, and know you are loved!

The year in review

As we approach the new year, it seems only fair to look back at 2014 through the eyes of memory.  We laughed.  A lot.  We cried.  A little.  We traveled.  A lot.  We rested.  A little.  We enjoyed a lot.  We were bothered.  A little.  We ate.  A lot.  We fasted.  Darn little.  We played.  A lot.  We worked.  A little.  We learned a lot. We regretted.  A little.  We made new friends.  We lost good friends.  In short, like the 64 years that preceded it, we were amazingly blessed.  And it's not a view through rose colored glasses.  It is, instead a choice.  In each instance, the parallels could have been reversed.  But attitude is everything, and attitude is a choice.  So as 2015 nears, I will strive to remember to make it good.  And I will remember with great love those that continue to make life the amazing miracle it is.  I will remember you!

And let it begin...

with me!  Peace and love!