In the Wee Still Hours of the Afternoon - Along the Back Roads

In all your born days, you've never experienced such a moment as this. Oris George sitting still in his chair, reckoning the day away, while the spinning wheel sits off to the side of the fire waiting. The stories we could tell...

Danielle Simone, Don Buck, Patsy Reed, and I twittered over the setting, arranging, placing, adjusting and detailing the cards in Oris George's collection until they sparkled and shone in the glaring light of the lamp. Through the haze of smoke from the burning fire, we worked our fingers to the bone, un-nourished and underfed, the lot of us for nearly four grueling hours of laborous tending to perfect the display.

There he sat, smug on his throne, chastizing Danielle for fuzzy pictures, smirking at Patsy as she worried over hostess duties, and lamblasting Don for not being off at the salt mines pining away his day. Little did he know, I was taking notes. I'll remember his course behavior, and his portly manner, and that haughty attitude until my dying day.

Honestly, there was NO pleasing the man, he wanted the cards turned this way and that, tilted just a little, no back just a tad. Can we light them up better, and finally, when the day was done and we'd worried ourselves sick over the placement of each mule sketched card, he suggested we get the heck out of his house and don't come back until next week in time for writer's meeting. The audacity of that man is beyond me. I can't imagine how such a man could consider for a moment that he deserves a life of fame.

Then, at the last moment, as he shoved us out the door, he saved the day with two quarters tossed out in my direction. I was so pleased to have made a penance for the day. Can you imagine? Now, I can feed my children, keep a roof over our heads, and put a quart of gasoline in the car.

I feel blessed to know a man of such prominance and demeanor!

Thinking Thin Thursday - almost on Saturday

I just heard about this Thinking Thin on Thursday thing. Actually, considering my friend Danielle kick started a new diet this Thursday, I figured it would be a worthy effort. Definitely a good comment to make.

We've both been life dieters, trying to keep the food off by not eating (it doesn't work), you always eat. So, we've tried exercise... The walk to the refrigerator works off about 2% of the calories we get each day. Then there's that other 98% we don't work off while we're sitting on our backsides typing into the computer. Ahem... Do you think... Nah!

I have skinny fingers! Doesn't that count?

So, perhaps... If this thinking thin thing gets around and everybody is thinking thin, we can get rid of the pounds because we're all thinking them out into the stratosphere and giving them to those hungry folks on the foodless planet. I wonder how far out on the Information Highway, the foodless planet exists?

I've seriously considered mounting a desktop of sorts on the front of the treadmill so I can walk and type at the same time, then I'd have to get a bigger screen.

But, the plan is... We drink plenty of water, watch the caloric intake and exercise more. I walked further today than I have other days this week. I drank two glasses more water. And I ate almost 30% less calories than yesterday. I'm good! My goal is a longer walk tomorrow and more exercise, 30% less calories again (that should be where I want to be for the whole three week diet) and add two more glasses of water.

Thinking Thin Thursday will come on Thursday next week. (I heard about it a day late!)

Walking the Trail - Hiking Your Way Through Life

Sometimes my feet hurt. The hike along nature's trails gets to be too danged much to follow and I just want to set it out and ride. But migration doesn't happen that way. We're seriously on our own in the natural migration of life that co-exists with power strategies, growing up, growing old, and challenging ourselves to be the best we can be.

When my friend Danielle Simone suggested I look at her Trails of Nature blog, I thought she'd probably lost her nuts and pickled her brains. I'm not a dinosaur nut, nor am I truly interested in geology (although I took a class once) but the paleontology thing that I took her to be writing didn't appeal to me on ANY level. Seriously, I've heard Tom Betz chatter on about the paleontology tooth thing, and seen some of his dinosaur fossils, even listened as he talked about combining paleontology and writing (he tells great stories and I absolutely adore watching him tell them), but do I want to read a whole blog about pre-historic creatures that weren't potty trained? No, thank you!

Then I remembered that Danielle can write tall tales about a used up old Toyota and make it sound like a delicate southern belle with sexy tail-lights. Okay, I'm in. Let me check out this blog.

Her post about Butterflies and migration drew me into the blog, and this was only her second post. Life gets in the way and I'm off to not only read her blog, but write a review of the darned thing... Sheesh! What will they think of to occupy my time next? But it's a terrific stop along the walking trail I choose to take through life. I'm gonna dare say, you'll enjoy a stop along the Trails of Nature too.

If you, like the rest of the humanoid type population, are hiking your way through life looking for sustenance, inspiration and some other tangible act of nature to remind you how big and wonderful the universe can be, take a detour past the Trails of Nature blog and see what you can find to sustain your perspective as you climb the mountains of existence. You just might find a Monarch Butterfly on your shoulder to guide you (or angel wings fluttering in the distance) and a caring tender heart to share your path.

Older Women are Beautiful Lovers

Listening to the radio occasionally bites. Like this morning. I've enjoyed the day so far, good things have happened, most of them created good feelings about who I am, and then this song bops across the radio waves.

"Older Women, are beautiful lovers" ahem.

And the song wanders on across the air waves with me thinking about the words. It hasn't been but a couple of days since one of my favorite guys (he's a great friend, who tends to call me when he's a bit over the edge) called me in a mild stupor to tell me what a great person I am, how lovely I am, and that I'd be a wonderful lover. I smiled and enjoyed the praise all the while knowing that he'd be sober in the morning. What a lovely guy!

I'm sure other single women get the same kinds of phone calls from friends. You get them, smile and appreciate the compliments and know that come daylight, they'll have forgotten the phone call, and you'll be having breakfast alone, and if you're smart, you'll be sleeping alone too. But, how are you supposed to fend off those phone calls and the men who randomly come with them, when you really are lonely and you'd like to have someone who believes you're lovely ALL the time?

Ladies, being single isn't all it's cracked up to be, never has been, but... being married to the wrong guy reeks! Don't settle. There's more to life than busting your buns for a man who doesn't really love you, doesn't really like you, and refuses to pay attention to you unless he wants something from you. Find a man who truly loves you and is willing to be everything you need him to be. If you're going to risk the farm, the future, and your net worth for this guy, he'd seriously better be worth your effort.

Once you realize how content you are with yourself. The right guy will come along. It's okay to be single until he does come along. Chin up! You're okay and you'll have a great life, even if you're single.

Social Media - Get To Know Me

Janeen tagged me, and I'm answering here instead of on a social media, so I can link back to my blog.

Here are the rules - post this list on your profile (in Notes or on your blog) replacing my answers with yours.

Tag 25 people to do the same thing....or not.

If I tagged YOU, it's because I think you're funny, and would enjoy your responses.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
a couple of relatives and some friends, but I never was sure whom. I guess one of them would have been Janet and the other Dorine?



2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Yesterday, my son tried to stand up and was having difficulty because of the chicken poks. He's better today.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
I love it, it's got a script sort of eloquence, locked in the passage of time, and it feels good when I hold a pen. I have favorite pens too.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Oscar Meyer Ham with tomatoes, onion, lettuce and cheese on rye with mustard (and mayo) . Well, lunch meat becomes a sandwich, right?

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Four wonderful children and a granddaughter who lights up my world.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Definitely yes. I've always enjoyed my own company. I don't mind being alone, and I love having time to just enjoy nature with myself.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Randomly, it's something I don't appreciate much, but it does occasionally grab me by the throat and force its way through my lips.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes, and most other body parts, plus a few wraps of surgical steel.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
If I must jump, I want a bungee. But, I've never been convinced there's a logical reason to jump.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Corn Pops - my granddaughter and I love to share breakfast! Does anyone else remember that they used to be called Sugar Pops?



11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
What shoes? I generally go barefoot so much I forget I have them... I LOVE working from home.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Cherry Vanilla Nut. I can't get enough of it. It's been a while since I've had it though.

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
I like people who are real. I often meet people who try to give themselves a boost by overtaking the world by storm. They lack confidence in themselves, although they should not, and so in order to feel better they put others down.

15. RED OR PINK...
Passionate deep rich reds and forever pinks. I can't get enough of either color.

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I can be judgmental about some things.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Ty

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?
Sure, I think it's awesome.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Blue pants and gray shoes.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
The furnace blower and the computer clicking away as I type. Peaceful.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Saffron Yellow



23. FAVORITE SMELLS
Lilacs, the first smell of the heater coming on (yup, that dusty fresh smell of winter), and a fireplace.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My niece.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Janeen from Your Impact Matters

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Ice skating!!!

27. HAIR COLOR
Dark auburn. It just fits me perfectly. That natural color of gray doesn't do a thing for me!

28. EYE COLOR?
something between hazel and brown, with some blue-green lights.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Nope - glasses for long distance sometimes.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Greek Pasta - It's absolutely my favorite dinner meal.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Neither - I don't do scary, thriller or horror. I can event enough of that stuff during tax season.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Catch that Kid - through maybe two or three scenes. I'm so not a movie person... I can't sit long enough, there's too much to get done.

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
pink and blue

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Both, I love snow in winter, but I absolutely adore summer green yards.

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs --- all kinds. Tender passionate kisses, the kind that curl your toes.

36. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Editing again, "Escape from the Farmer Maffia" last time, I send out the manuscript this week.

37. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
http://ezinearticles.com and on my coffee cup, and on my jacket. I love ezinearticles.com

Sandwich Generation - Home School Solutions

If you're stuck between a rock and a hard place (okay, this guy isn't stuck, he's just there) with kids who need your attention and parents who require your time, you can feel squeezed. There's got to be a solution to the time crunch of life in the sandwich.

As a single mom, I feel the time crunch even heavier than some of my married friends (at least according to them). I've always wondered how they do it with two sets of parents to do for, take care of, and manage with children still at home.

I have one set of parents and two children still at home, two grown and a granddaughter. My life seems to never stop. Even when I do lie down at night, I feel the pull of work left undone. Those hours between bedtime and daylight when I'm supposed to be sleeping are often filled up with concerns about how I can get one more thing done than I have time for the next day. Sometimes, I wonder how I can be in two places at once, then I realize I can't be in one place. Something has to give.

The struggle to maintain a life and live in the sandwich gets to be too much. Generations cover you up and overwhelm your day, even when life is going normal. By home schooling my children, I've learned that there are times when I can do more than one thing, using time to teach as part of my work time. While I'm working at a writing project, I can instruct my children or help them with research. Often a research project for them becomes a writing project for me. I give them an assignment and write my project, while they're researching theirs. (That may be why some of my writing projects seem a bit on the outside of normal.)

As a single Mom, I must carry it all. There isn't any one to pick up what I drop, so I have to carry the load. At least that's the thought that crosses my mind on those nights when sleep doesn't come and I've left work undone.

Would it be easier if I wasn't home schooling my children? When this question came up during a conversation a few weeks back, I realized that my children often share part of the load. By participating in our lives 100% of the time, they often carry part of the load. Not necessarily work, worry or stress, but their education is based on our lives, so we're not rushing off to a basketball game in the middle of math class, but rather math class is part of our experience of life, the basketball game is free time. Attending a basketball game can be family fun or even playing basketball can be an afternoon out. Home schooling makes education a part of the life you live, rather than education being what you do in life.

The solution is to get involved in the life around you. Whether it's older parents, children, college age adults or toddlers, do whatever you choose to do with gusto and dedication. Give it all you've got, joyfully, and experience the moments, each and every moment.

Take time to feel the joy!

Charger - The Power to Override Injustice

South of my hometown there's a mountain we call Two Buttes (you can see the bumps on the horizon in the picture - that's it) and it rises up out of the prairie like a sentinel to time. The pioneers pointed their wagons toward the mountain for several days, knowing it would lead them westward, watching it rise out like a phoenix on the sunset side of the horizon. Skirting the mountain to the south, they trailed the Butte Creek Valley that gouged a channel through the land. On the north, the mesa rose up out from the valley floor and if you were far enough north, the Arkansas River ran wide and strong.

As a child, I remember thinking nothing was bigger than Two Buttes. I'd been to the Rocky Mountains, and there were just more mountains in a different shape, they didn't seem bigger.

I remember hearing Granddad talk about Uncle Bill driving in the Rockies. No matter which way he was going, he drove on the mountain side of the narrow canyon roads. Even Uncle Bill could navigate Two Buttes. Two Buttes Mountain was the biggest thing on the prairie. No roads crossed the mountain, and I'd actually be surprised to find out Uncle Bill bothered to climb the mountain. He tended to do the necessary rather than the flamboyant.

The mountain rising out of the prairie seemed superfluous to me as a child. There was no obvious reason for the mountain. I'd often asked if there was any reason why the mountain was there, or what purpose it served, but there was never an answer. Below, the river runs through a valley cut through the land, but on the prairie, the mountain reigns supreme.

Life on the prairie wraps around the concept of living big. You can't live small on the prairie, you have to exist on a higher greater plane. The mountain stands as a sentinel, as do the wind chargers that have more recently grown out of the mesa. Standards of modern technology suck power from rivers of wind that scorch life from the Buffalo Grass and harden and crack the land.

Independently a windmill can draw water from the earth and provide power for a battery too light up a home for one family, in mass the towering giant generators can bring power to wide bands of country side. Homesteaders relied on windmills to draw water from deep in the ground. Now cities draw power from vast cartwheeling giants that hover over the plains, miniaturizing the mountain that previously reigned.

The wind carries more power than the mountain, in this scenario. No matter how big the mountain, the wind generates power and brings sanctions against the prairie, scolding those who live there for not thinking big enough, revering those who understand the thought of going outside the concept of raising cattle to feed their families and grow wealth. Greater resources have none, compared to these winds of time, towers in the sun that dance supreme over the grasses and beasts of the prairies.

Technology isn't always a pretty or pleasant option, but it seems to be the modern option. Injustice surrounds us, and the power to override injustice resides in the source, the power supply of the future. Those who are big enough to give you anything are big enough to take everything away.