Life's Simple

I was at a gathering not too long ago, when my niece asked a random question.
What's my favorite sound ?

At that moment, I thought 'what IS my favorite sound ?' and my answer to her question was "hmmmmmm."
I told her I would tell her as soon as I figured it out.
I went home thinking 'what is my favorite sound ??'

&  then it hit  me.
DUH !
My favorite sound is a child's belly laugh !
So easy.
I called my niece.
She was happy to hear my answer & DUH ! of course that was my answer !

I experienced my favorite sound a few days ago.
I was playing with my 10 month old grandson.
Some silly thing I was doing brought his little heart joy.
The belly laugh out of that boy was priceless.
I didn't know I was a comedian but, he thought I was a hoot.

Yep.
For me, there is no better sound in the whole wide world than a child's belly laugh.

As I was flying home on that big, ol jet plane yesterday, I was thinking of my grandson's laugh.
Which, led my mind to think of all of my other favorite things.
& that's when I realized I had experienced my five favorite senses, in a matter of a few days.

As I was taking a walk a day or two before, I got a wonderful whiff of fresh cut grass.
oooo weee I love that smell.

I had made my mom's spaghetti sauce for dinner and although I've made it quite a few times, it never tastes as good as Mom's.
But, this time, it came pretty darn close.
YaY.
That's my favorite taste.

On a short bus ride to meet up with my daughter, I met a nice young lady.
Talking to her made both the bus trip and sitting in the bus station a very pleasant experience.
As we said our goodbyes, we shared a 'we just met but, that doesn't matter' hug.
Yep.
Favorite touch.

And finally, as I was traveling home, I saw the sunrise from an airplane window.
oooooh yeah.
What a sight.

This morning, I am sitting in my kitchen looking at my big, bald, beautiful tree.
I'm waiting for yet another sunrise.

The weather people tell me a foot of snow is headed my way.
That means shoveling snow is in my near future.
Yahooooooo !
I am seriously going to explode with happy.

Life's simple pleasures.
They really are the best.

:)

I Am My Feelings

Keep Doing

I've been writing these words of mine for a long time now.
What started in high school with cheesy love poems, advanced to "One More Chance' in my early twenties.

Then, life got busy.
I tucked my notebook of words in a safe place, to wait for the idle days.
But, that voice in my head that would continually urged me to 'Keep Doing' kept whispering, "Keep Doing".

Somewhere in 1999, I wrote my first story, "Smile"
& through the years, other stories and poems trickled out.

Along with my words though, came the rejections.
Lots of rejections.

Time after time, I would send stories to book publishers, confident that THIS time I would be published.
Sometimes, I would receive a very cold, informal "thanks but, no thanks" form letter.
Other times, I'd receive a kind, personalized note, informing me my stories were good, just not the right fit for that particular publisher.

I guess some would say a rejection is still a rejection no matter how kind
& honestly, at first, I thought the same way.
But, after awhile, those rejections fueled me.
And, like the steady pounding of a drum, the voice in my head kept repeating, "Keep Doing".
So, I continued.

All along, I knew in my heart there was someone, somewhere, that would feel about my words the way I feel about my words.
& I was right.
I call you my "Loyals".
You fuel me now.

& so, finally
after a very long road of rejections, not quitting and constantly being propped up by my very loyal Loyals,  I am proud to announce, I have reached an awesome milestone.

I am officially a self published ebook author.

I have taken my stories: Smile, Teardrop, Nicey, Shy, Bubbles, Love, Collin & the Big, Bald Tree
and compiled them into an ebook titled "I Am My Feelings".
I am published through Smashwords.com.
and
I have an audiobook of the same name, due out soon.

This may sound a bit self centered  but, I am so proud of me.
You know why ?
Because I kept going.
There were plenty and I mean PLENTY of times, that I could have, should have, really, really wanted to quit.
But, there was always someone, something, some sign pushing me along.
& my lovely voice that kept on singing, "Keep Doing".

To everyone who took the time to offer me even the smallest bit of encouragement, I offer you my heartfelt thanks.
I would absolutely not be here without you.

& to those who think big dreams are just not possible.
I want you to know they are very, very possible.
The secret is in the 'Keep Doing'.

:)

I Am My Feelings

My Something

As a child, I used to sit in church and wonder what the heck I was doing there.

Sure, I knew all the prayers and church routines.
I recited and practiced them daily.
But, it just never felt 'right' to me.
I always felt like I was missing something.

I can remember sitting in church thinking, wondering ...
Where's Jesus ?
Shouldn't He be here ?
Somewhere ?
But, I just could not find Him there.

Through my teens, twenties and thirties I faithfully continued going to church.
& through it all, I kept waiting and hoping for that 'something' to arrive.

Well ...
That something I was searching for did arrive one day.
& hit me like a ton of bricks.
But, I wasn't in church.

My something was right there.

RIGHT. THERE.

Right where it had been all along.

I finally woke up.
I finally took notice of my something.
& once I noticed, I was changed.

I sometimes feel guilty that I stopped going to church regularly.
Then I think, why ?!?

My 'church' is Everywhere.
It's on my walks.
It's in my room.
It's with my family.
It's in a song.
It's every sunrise and sunset ...

It's Everything.
It's Everybody.

Once I discovered that little secret I have looked at life with a new set of eyeballs.
& I gotta tell you ...

It's wonderful.

:)

Red Jacket Guy

I first spotted him at Bus Destination # 2.
He had a red worded jacket on and I liked the words on that jacket.
He sat a few seats away from me
&
He was a talker.

I could tell that fact right away, as I heard him strike up a conversation with a woman who sat near me.
I didn't pay much attention to him and his talking though.
I just thought he was a friendly.
& I am very ok with friendlys.

I saw that jacket again, a few hundred miles and a bus stop later.
I thought, 'oh, there's that talky guy with the red lettered jacket'.
Up to that point, I had not realized he was on our bus.

This time, he sat himself down next to a young man.
I looked away but, five minutes later I happened to look back.
Red Jacket and his new friend were yucking it up about something or another.
New buddies.
For sure.

We got back on the bus.
Mr Talky grabbed a seat directly behind me.
A young lady sat in the other seat.
She didn't sound very thrilled when she said, "No, I don't mind if you sit here".
But, a conversation soon began.
At first, Ms Young Lady gave short answers to Red Jacket Guy's wondering questions.
After a not so very long while though, they were yappin like two long lost pals.

'New friends' I thought, as I put my music in my ears.
How nice.

Along came another stop.
& as we exited the bus, I glanced over and saw Red Jacket and Ms Young Lady parting ways.
They looked as though they had known each other for years.

This particular stop was going to be a long one.
We had 3 & 1/2 hours to kill.
ugh.
What to do ?
What to do ?

I decided I would stare into space.
Maybe even do some people watching.
& so ...
I did..

Mr Talky was one of the first people I noticed.
But, wait ... what ?!? ...  he wasn't talking.
He was just sitting there staring into space like me.
There were other people around him but, unfortunately , no one was feeling the chat.
Red Jacket Guy looked uncomfortable and very out of place.
It was weird.

Slowly, finally it was time to re-board.
As husband and I entered our shiny new bus and found a couple of cozy seats Red Jacket shimmied his way on over to us.
"Mind if I sit here?" he asked as he sat down across the aisle.
"Not at all" we replied.

ready ... set ... GO !

The conversation began.
& continued.
& continued some more.
& probably would still be happening had we not reached our destination.

And what a conversation it was ...!...
Entertaining would be an understatement.
Seems Red Jacket Guy had lived the life
& then some.
And we heard all about it
& then some.

Eventually, we came to our final stop and had to go our separate ways.
"Nice to meet you !" and "It's been fun !" were exchanged as we shook hands and walked away.

Before we made it to the door, I gave one final glance to our newly discovered best friend.
He had found himself an elderly gentleman and was striking up yet another conversation.
I smiled and turned away.

A second or so later I heard footsteps running up behind me.
"Hey! Guess how old that guy is ?!?" Red Jacket excitedly asked.
"Uhhh .. 70 maybe ... I don't know ...75 ?" I replied.
"He's 86 !! and he was a Merchant Marine !" he exclaimed.

With that, he happily trotted back to Mr 86 Year Old.
They were laughing like lifelong friends as we walked out the door.

Goodbye Mr Talky Red Jacket Guy.
I will be thinking about you and your awesome communication skills for a very, very long time.


:)

  

Don't Speak

My daughter once said she is an introverted traveler.
She puts her music in her ears, closes her eyes and hopes no one wants to converse.

I replied to daughter that if I'm sitting there and someone offers up a conversation I have no problem yappin back.
I enjoy it....!.. I sure do !
Fun.

AND THEN...
I traveled on a bus for two days.

Let it be known that I am officially, surprisingly, an introverted traveler.
I might even be a double introvert.

Quite honestly, I didn't want to talk to anyone, even the guy who was traveling with me.
All I wanted to do was stare out the window and lose myself in my thoughts and scenery.

aaaaahhhhhh ....
peace and quiet.

When I wasn't lost in my window trance I took notice of the happenings around me.
There were quite a few extroverted travelers out and about !
Chatty people who would strike up a lively conversation with anyone, anytime, anywhere.

3:30 in the morning ?
Didn't matter.
If there was another extroverted traveler in the place, they found each other.

Very interesting.
Very amusing.
&
I have to admit ...
I am a bit envious of that extroverted bunch.

Hopping around from person to person.
Telling them your story, listening to theirs.
How fun is that ?!?

Two of the extroverted travelers eventually made their way over to husband and me.
You can't help but notice familiar faces and after a day on the bus, we all had a familiar face.
At first I thought,  oooooooooh nooooooooo the talkers are wanting to talk.
But, after a bit, I joined in.

WoW.

The stories they told.
Interesting stuff indeed.

I'd like to thank those fellow travelers of mine.
I'm glad you made your way over and pulled me out of my trance.
You made that bus a fascinating ride with your uninhibited chatter
& I really enjoyed !

But, speaking as a newly anointed introverted traveler ...
Be careful out there.

We introverts are introverted for a reason.
&
if we really, really don't want to talk ...?

oh boy.

:)

Fess Up No Fess

I hate to start your day this way but, there will be no Fess Up Friday.

Oh now, I know it's heartbreaking.

But, you'll get over it.

I have a legit reason for not fessin.

I have a story I need to tell instead.

So see ?
It all works out.
&
here it is ...

The plan was for Dad to drop us off at Denny's.

That's where the bus would pick us up.

We were headed for Florida.

Husband has always wanted to take a Greyhound bus trip to somewhere.

I agreed to this adventurous excursion because he usually misses all the beautiful scenery when we drive because he does most of the driving.
& plane trips ...?
Even though I love clouds, not much scenery up there.

So anyways, the online bus instructions informed us to arrive at Denny's one hour before the scheduled departure.

Ok.

We will and we did.

We soon figured out though, there was really no need to be at that Greyhound pickup so early.

No need at all.

Instead of just leaving us and our suitcases at Denny's for that hour, my nicest of nice Dad decided to park the car and wait it out with us.

The three of us sat in Dad's warm car and enjoyed some good yappin time.

We were parked at Point A.

It seemed a reasonable spot.
When the bus stops at Point A, we will have a short walk with our suitcases.
Sweet.

Eventually, the bus arrived, right on schedule.

But, Mr Bus Guy decided to park that big ol bus at Point B instead of our strategically planned Point A.
rats.

Ok.

No worries.

It took a bit of maneuvering but, we ventured over to Point B.
YaY.
The bus is here, we are ready to go, let's go !

And so, Dad, husband and I exited the car, all opening and closing our doors in unison.

!!!!!!!!!! WAIT !!!!!!!!!

We cannot figure out how it happened but, it happened.

Yes.

The keys, suitcases and all the good stuff were sitting in the still running, locked car.

GULP.

Ok then.

What to do ?

Well, we began by saying hello to the puzzled bus guy.
We informed him of our predicament.

Thanks but, no thanks, bus guy.

We have to get these keys and all our goods out of our still running car.

Bye Bye !

Luckily, we knew there was a layover at Bus Destination # 2,  two hours south of where we stood.

We decided to call AAA, get the car unlocked, and make a southern run..

Dad didn't mind.

We didn't mind.

Let's do it.

As we were waiting on our savior from AAA, we all decided we needed a Denny's breakfast.

Yum.

Now.

In all this fussing and worrying about what to do next, I had the most wonderful conversation with an employee of Denny's.

She had witnessed our dilemma and wondered  if she could help in any way.

You know that 'I think I've met you before' feeling ?

Yep.

I felt it.

This lady was kind, helpful and very interesting !

She made our unexpected stay at Denny's so very enjoyable.

After a short while, along came the AAA man.

With a big smile and a very cool device, he had that car door opened in no time at all.

YaY!

Long story short

(or long story longer)

We made it to Bus Destination # 2 with plenty of time to spare.
And now, we are sitting in Florida.

My point to this morning's rambles …?...

Sometimes the best laid plans don't happen the ever so careful way they are planned.

Sometimes, there are bumps in the road.

Sometimes, those bumps are small.

Sometimes, those bumps are monstrous.

Either way, whatever it is ...

Don't worry

Don't stress.

Your best bet is to just jump in and go with the flow.

Just go with the flow.

If you trust that everything will turn out the way it's supposed to turn out , by golly, things usually turn out just fine.

Everything, and I mean
Every. Thing.
happens for a reason.

So just go with it.

Along the way you just might meet some very kind people who make those bumps in your road worth the trip.

:)

Say Cheese

I have a mini obsession with cameras.
Don't know why.
I figure it must be a previous life thing.

I love them.

I have a box filled with old, wonderful cameras in my closet.
I just can't throw them out.
My plan is to put my cameras in my antique room.
If I ever have an antique room.

So, you figure if I have a thing for cameras, I must have a thing for photos too.
I do.
I have many, many, photos.
At last count, there are thirty photo albums pleasantly stacked in a corner of my room.
Sitting right there, next to my collection of record albums.

The books date back to 1977 or thereabouts.
That's a good chunk of my life.
Eek.

Good news though ...!
The photos are in chronological order.

Back when those albums were brand new, I would write the name of each person, mark the date, and place each picture ever so nicely in it's orderly spot.
How tidy of me.

It's because I love chronological order.

When the digital camera entered my life it really messed me up.
No longer could I just take my roll of film to the store and have the store people handle it.

Nooooooo.

Mr Digital Camera Guy had to make life complicated for my non technological brain.
Thanks, guy.
Thanks a lot.

My chronological, orderly, named and dated photo collection came to an abrupt stop.
I just didn't 'get' digital.
I could not compute.
& it breaks my heart just thinking about it.

I want my roll of film back, please.
Please.

I do have random pictures of birthday parties and other important events tucked away in an album or two.
Thanks to an occasional kind soul who would walk me through the digital printing process.
The majority of my photos, though, are hanging around in computer land.
Wandering aimlessly.
Wondering where the heck are their photo albums ?!?

Picture taking is just no fun anymore....!....
Life isn't life until you experience flashbulb eyes.

Dot. Dot. Dot.

If I ever own a camera shop, I'm bringing back film and flashbulbs.
& I'm naming my shop 'Chronological Order'.

You're welcome to join me there.
Anytime.

I'll show you my treasured box of  'I'll never throw these away' cameras.
& I'll tell you all about my antique room.

If I ever have an antique room.

:)

Fess Up My Way

I type with one finger.
Yep.
It's true.
I used to type the way average people type.
But now, I prefer using my right index finger.
I'm faster that way.
So ... that's the way I do it.

I write all my stories, poems and daily blogs on paper first.
Yep.
It's true.
Paper then laptop.
Why ?
Cause I love a good pen.
& there's nothing like a spiral notebook.
Being able to scribble, cross out, doodle and all that other good pen and paper stuff brings joy to my heart.
So ... that's the way I do it.

I cut our acre of grass with a push mower.
Yep.
It's true.
I cannot describe the glee I feel when my music, my loyal lawn mower and I get down to business.
I will never, ever use a rider.
Nope.
I love the walk.
So ... that's the way I do it.

I shovel snow with a snow shovel.
Yep.
It's true.
A snow blower ...?
Don't even bother to ask.
I'll pick my snow shovel's upper arm exercise every single time.
It may take forever but, it brings back warm memories and makes me feel happy.
So ... that's the way I do it.

I was dishes in the sink instead of using the dishwasher.
Yep.
It's true.
I suppose the dishwasher still works ...?
I don't know.
Haven't used it in years.
I don't remember why I got into the habit of sink over dishwasher.
It's just what I like to do.
So ... that's the way I do it.

If there is a longer, more 'difficult' road to get somewhere I will be on it.
For sure.
And I don't mind.
At. All.
It's just the way I am.
So ... that's the way I'll do it.

I am shunner of the simple way.

Yep.
It's true.

Fess !
Fess !

:)

A Friend with a Message

Ever have one of those half awake half asleep dreams ?
A dream that seems so real when you're experiencing it but, disappears when you wake up...?

I had one of those the night before last.

I had fallen asleep on the couch
& I dreamt I was lying on my couch talking to a friend.
I was on my side, leaning on my elbow, looking at him.
He was on his side, leaning on his elbow, looking at me.
My couch isn't that wide so my friend was kind of hanging in the air.
He and I were very deep in conversation.
btw ...
This friend I was talking to looked an awful lot like Jesus.

When I woke up, I remembered my dream and thought 'how wonderful !'
& I wished I could remember what my friend who looked like Jesus and I had talked about but, the conversation was gone.
Evaporated.

As my yesterday continued, it turned into a very unusual day.
In the morning, I was pleasantly phone call reunited with a friend I hadn't talked to in twenty years.
In the afternoon, I received an update on a family member's cancer diagnosis.
& the evening brought news of  the sudden, unexpected death of a much too young family friend.

All last night and into this morning, I've been thinking about my dream
my phone call
the cancer diagnosis
a sudden death.

I can't be certain but, I think there's a message in there somewhere ....

Whatever you're putting off till tomorrow ...
Do it NOW
Today.
You'll be very happy you did.

No matter what your journey is ... whether you think it's fair or unfair ..
You have to trust it.
Trust is the key.

&
Live each day to it's fullest.
Celebrate each and every day like it's your last because, one day, it will be.

I hope I got it right, dream friend.

:)

 

Promises ! Promises

Dear 2015

I never seem to keep resolutions so this time, I'm calling them promises.
 & this year,  I promise you I will ....


1.  Get things done.
     It's true.
     My sidetracking days are over.

2.  Be ok with and get better at self promotion.
     It's a toughie but, I must.
     I must !

3. Strum Mandy on my guitar.
     It WILL happen.

4.  Find my publisher and my music writer.
     I know that person is out there and we meet one day.
     & if we don't...

5.  Become my own publisher and learn to write my own music.
      Oh, yes I can.

6.  Stop depending on others to help me figure out technology.
     I'll try.
     I'll really, really try.

7.  Don't be afraid to speak up.
     Yep.
      This year, if I'm thinking it, I'm saying it.
      eek.

8.  Keep walking.
     YaY !
     I will.

9.  Eliminate or at least regulate the consumption of chips, chocolate and peanut
     butter in my life.
     Think portion control.
     OUCH.

10. Thank my loyal readers more often.
      They need to know how very much I appreciate them.
      Thank You Loyals ! I do ! !

      &
      finally, most importantly
   
      Be sure to make you, 2015, the best year ever.
      You will be.

      I promise.

      Love,
      Me

      :)