This Brain of Mine is a Very Busy Place!!!

I have to tell you -- I am tired. On top of everyday living (family, job, friends, unforeseeables like water in our basement last week, etc etc) I have a total of eight --that's right -- EIGHT books that live in my head wanting, DEMANDING to be brought to life in written form. And, believe me, I would LOVE to do just that because the story lines and characters which make up their worlds are overwhelming mine!! I'll be waiting on a customer and an idea for a subplot POPS up....or I am cruising up I-71 and BAM a conversation between two characters grabs my attention. Constantly I am scrambling for a pen to scribble notes on any piece of paper within reach. There are currently three children themed books based on the bedtime stories I created every night and four adult (no, not Mature rated) oriented and one HUGE richly layered, grand-scaled epic that is really pretty darned exciting. Today I just wanted to introduce you to my crazy mental world and tomorrow I will tease you with a small peak into the kingdom where choosing sides is inevitable, the inhabitants colorful, the adventure gripping and the risks worth taking for the future of all.

My Favorite Things #3 & #4: Chicago and Flying

Chicago and flying. Can't wait to experience both next week. Been to the town countless times. Each opportunity leads to new discoveries. The hum, the museums, the neighborhoods, the energy, the flow of this city lures me to return time and time again. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT.
The Art Institute is pure magic. A must stop for this girl EVERY time. Each gallery absorbs my senses. I saunter past priceless masterpieces, lingering to capture a glimpse of the artist's soul revealed through the clues their creation whispers. Many, many hours have witnessed my passion for the treasures housed within those walls.
I truly appreciate the engineering feat constructed from an elongated, metal tube with two long, nearly flat appendages and some massive whirly-gigs that easily transports me anywhere, saving hours on the road and creating personal catch-up space. Instead of having to pay attention to traffic, I get to relax and immerse myself in the last few issues of Smithsonian that have been collecting in a stack at home, waiting for my attention. But, best of all, I am the passenger hoping to claim a window seat during each opportunity for sky passage. I cannot tell you how I look forward to the immeasurable delight the view from that small , transparent square bestows on my spirit. The majestic canvas created by the incredible tapestry of colorful landscape patterns flowing beneath this observer is a visual experience freely given, sharing a rare panorama of the innate beauty of the greatest country on earth to any and all who accept the gift.

In High School....for Life

What is it about those four years that continues to intrude into our consciousness throughout the rest of our lives? They nudge us. They push their way in and bother us. They let us relive our triumphs and mull over the regrets. Next year our class should have a reunion. My first thought: What should I wear? (something cute, sassy, trendy, fun -- you know -- want to make the girls wish they look as good as me...and the guys wish they had dated me!!) Second: My hair? (Styled up or down? Make sure the blond highlights look just right.) Third: How's the figure? (hit the gym harder and eat less -- shrink that stomach. Going for the jealousy factor here.) Fourth: WHY am I even worried about these people I haven't seen in YEARS??!?
It is that age-old answer: BECAUSE. Because each and every one of us wants to make the **splash** we didn't make in high school. Because you want to make that guy you had a crush notice you now. Because you want to show them all to notice that you have changed. Because you want them to realize they should have selected you as Homecoming queen (not what's-her-name).
So WATCH OUT , classmates! Come next summer this chick is showin' up and lookin' good. (And, yep, you are gonna kick yourself cuz you SHOULD have asked me out!!)

Sounds of Silence

The title of that famous song by Simon and Garfunkle kept coming to mind last night when I went to bed. Numerous EXTREMELY LOUD, seemingly electronically-charged particles were zipping through my brain in some sort of cosmic orbital dance as soon as I lay down. The pitch-level was astounding. It took over 40 minutes (yes, I checked the clock periodically) for the "disturbance" to quiet enough for me to fall asleep. I kept thinking of what comparison I could use to convey accurately the very sound and intensity of this cacophony so that you could "feel" this phenomenon as I did.
First, being beside a fast speed train encountering the consistent whining buzz of the wheels as they were skimming across the track ties, shining silver body flashing past me came to mind. Then the humming of highly tuned car engines as a constant stream of vehicles whizzed on either side of an invisible me positioned between the lanes of 315 during morning rush hour seemed an equal analogy. And, concentrating more, the vision of someone standing on a runaway in front of huge, rotating propeller blades of an airliner, immersed in the thundering rush of the whirling winds struck me as appropriate as well.
This is not the first time I have heard this overwhelming, albeit annoying, raucous. My brain obviously was not ready to slumber when the rest of my body was and let me know it in no uncertain terms. Next time I'll read...or write a blog entry(!) to work off some of that bubbling, kinetic steam.

My Favorite Things #2: Chocolate

Anyone who knows me well can tell you about my passion for chocolate. Not only do I always have a supply of it near at hand but I have also discovered, through years of thorough and painstakingly detailed experimentation, how to savor this temptation with the most prolonged and savoring of techniques.
Let's say you have a Hershey Kiss to enjoy. Unwrap the foil and put the whole thing in your mouth. No, don't start munching!! Flip the Kiss upside down so that the flat bottom is clinging to the roof of your mouth. Apply some suction to keep it in place. Now take your tongue and rub it back and forth across the tip. Take your time. Don't be hasty. As you wear it down notice how you are experiencing a fabulous, full chocolate rush. Try it!!
The best kept chocolate secret I know is my MOST FAVORITE chocolate indulgence of all -- the TRIPLE MINT from Wittich's Candies in Circleville,OH (google: Wittich). These are, without question, one of the most incredible confections on the planet. Absolutely habit-forming. When you are nano-seconds from putting one of these in your mouth, I can tell you your taste buds will be screaming,"HURRY UP!! AAAAHHH!!". And when you bite down, every single nerve ending in your jaw will EXPLODE with pure joy. Trust me. Eating one of these (or two) is a life altering experience. Therein lies the birth of one of my favorite sayings..."It makes my teeth hurt". (Perfect for a blog title, don't ya think?!)

Why Don't People Walk in Straight Lines?

Has this phenomenon captured your attention as well? I notice this the most in the grocery store parking lot. I'll be in my car driving slowly down one of the lanes trying to find a parking place. Inevitably a shopper will take off with their cart and cuts across right in front of my bumper! Do they scoot straight across which would be shorter and quicker? Oh,no. The path is always at an angle so I sit there having to wait longer for them to reach their destination. Why is that? Or they have gotten out of their vehicle and are walking towards the entrance. Once again they shoot off from the parking area across the two-way lane of driving traffic at a 45 degree angle stopping traffic with absolutely no thought for their safety, totally in their own little world, assuming the drivers forced to sit there are happy (Mmm..don't think so) to wait for them to saunter at their own pace towards their goal.
**(I should have been a sociologist. Betcha I could have applied for a federal grant for thousands of dollars to study this very thing!!!!)

Illustrations "say" it all.

I have a passion for beautifully illustrated children's books. I found that when the pictures tell a story on their own, the written words are more lively, vibrant. After hundreds of trips to the library and combing the shelves in the local bookstores, I have built a family collection that brings smiles just anticipating what is tucked between the bindings. Go to your favorite community book spots and browse between the covers of some of my favorites. I hope you're as amazed as I was when I discovered these "eye treasures". Enjoy.
Tom Thumb - Richard Jesse Walton 1989/Harcourt Brace
The Mitten - Jan Brett (any of hers are wonderful!) 1990/GP Putnam's Sons
Sleeping Beauty - Kinuko Y. Craft 2002/Raincoast Books
Tuesday* - David Weisner 1991/Clarion Books
Ship of Dreams - Dean Morrissey Mill Pond Press/Abrams
Bear and Mrs Duck - Elizabeth Winthrop 1991/Holiday Books

*has very few words thus allows you and the little person opportunities for wonderful conversations

Tiger Woods and the 2008 US Open

Were you as frustrated by the commentators for this tournament led by Johnny Miller as I was?? I cannot tell you how many times I wanted to push that whole bunch right over the side of one of those oceanside cliffs. They were mouthy, condescending, critical, AND pretentious. HEY! Guess what guys?? Your obnoxious behavior was pathetic and spoke volumes of your seemingly obvious envy for one golfer in particular.
It is so easy for some to sit in front of a camera or stroll the course carrying a microphone. Who among us can seriously belittle the game of Tiger Woods. Seriously. This man is truly amazing. Talk about a role model for all ages.
Let's examine his pro's and con's to make sure that I am being impartial about this sports figure.
PRO'S: plays injured, focused, honed his talents, practices, determined, gives back to the community, good father, good husband, professional, diplomatic, well spoken, businessman, great sense of humor, respectful, loves his mother, misses his father, intelligent, gentleman, humble.... Ok, I'll stop now.
CON'S: wins too much?? usually wears black and red on the final day?? Hmmm....guess that's all I can think of....
(Pssst! What's on your list?)

My Favorite Things: #1 Attached Garages

Didn't expect that one, did ya? I consider that feature a pure luxury. We lived in two apartments and one house with detached garages before we moved to this address. I was so tired of being rain soaked, snowed on, just plain inconvenienced. (Plus I caught fingers between two panels as the door descended one morning....not pretty. Lots of pain. A stream of very unladylike language. A necessary trip to the hospital.)
But now in this house if I need a map from the glove compartment or to plop a can in the recycle bin or the stack of work I left on the seat to do that evening, I can just run out and grab it. And you really want to know the VERY BEST PART?!? I can be in my skivvies !! Total privacy. LOVE IT. Doesn't take much, does it, to make this girl happy?! What brings a smile to your face?
Can't wait to share more...."Tune in" tomorrow!

Heaven

I have two profoundly different mental pictures when I ponder what this incredible place must be like. Visualize this: A vast celestial space the color of the darkest sapphire. To your left is a large angel chorus poised, floating en masse singing praises that are so incredible beautiful in a language only those chosen admittance to this glorious realm comprehend. You must understand it is absolutely soundless in this place except for this reverent, hushed continuous music. To the right is Our Father. The pulsating brilliance of the blinding blend of white and yellow light surrounding Him is excruciating. All those who are in His presence must bow their heads and hold up their hands to cover their eyes from His intense glory. You can actually feel the heat generated from His radiant magnificence on your skin.
Then there is the second concept. Imagine a city newsroom. Say one in New York City. Tumultuous constant motion because of all the activity with folks running in and out, scurrying to follow all of the erupting events they need to cover 24/7. Energy exploding in this space as they scurry to investigate and report on this constant flow of information. Now change those human news staffers into angels. Can you hear their voices as they announce,"This just in!!! Drought in Spain!!!" or "Just received a prayer from Mrs. Smith in Dayton needing guidance in her relationship with her teenage daughter!!" or "Shooter in Texas!!" or "Prayer of thanks from the family in Cleveland for the successful kidney transplant!!" on and on and on. And the Lord sits at His desk watching all the commotion, calmly dispatching angels to thousands of locales around the globe, knowing every activity, thought, prayer will be taken care of. And yes, He occasionally rests His chin in His hand, rolling His eyes and shaking His head, thinking, "Humans......."

Endora, Cleopatra and the Duchess of Windsor

I know what you're thinking. What the heck do these three women have in common??? (Hear that lilting Sesame Street tune skimming through your mind...."which of these things belong together?"...) I would be more than happy to answer that question for you!

Eyeliner. Yep. Eyeliner. In my humble, but accurate, opinion one of the greatest inventions of all time. Why, you ask? Let me enlighten you. I know you'll agree.

First, let's examine Endora. Agnes Moorehead played that fabulous character. Her eyeliner was applied so that when she would raise her eyebrow while delivering an insulting comment to "Darwood" (in her dripping, condescending tone) that upswept line of black accentuated the disdain for her son-in-law in a totally nonverbal fashion. (C'mon. You know you've wanted to intimidate someone at some point in your life with just one look. Yea, you have.) Loved it.

Then there was Elizabeth Taylor. Whether she was playing the femme fatale in film or on the stage or whether she was marrying her sixth (or was it seventh??) husband, eyeliner was always her best friend. Picture her in her role as Cleopatra opposite Richard Burton. Sexy, sassy, feminine. I'm telling you the eyeliner is what put her over the top. Men fell at her feet. (And she has the jewels to prove it,too.) Right??!?

Last,but not least, is the Duchess. Now there was a determined woman. Check out photos of her and the Duke on their wedding day in 1937. Whoa. Must have been her personality that won him over. Not so much the face. But flash forward to the late 60's. Yep, she discovered the miracle of eyeliner and it was worth a double take. No longer did the camera lens capture a woman who needed a makeover. Sophisticated, sharp, lovely.

So there are my examples and I believe I have proven my theoretical hypothesis beyond a shadow of a doubt. Without eyeliner this world would be a very different place.

So Here We Are....

Hey! Thanks for joining me. Ever have that little voice inside yourself talk to you? I know you do. Do you listen? And if you listen, do you act on the message? Sometimes "yes" and sometimes "no" is what I'm sure just went through your mind.
Me, too. If it is a reminder of something-I-should-have-done kind of thing I either write it on my list, take care of the "whatever" immediately or just plain forget about it again. Like making a doctor appointment or cleaning the lovely build-up off the shower door or sending the RSVP card back for the next wedding.
But when the those thoughts that enter your consciousness about a friend you haven't spoken to in a while, the relative who lives out of town, an older neighbor who lives alone or someone recovering from an illness or perhaps the loss of a loved one I have found from past experience that you should NEVER wait to react. Those messages are sent and felt in your heart for a reason. Make that call , write that note, send that email. Putting in on the to-do list will cause regret later that you don't want to deal with. That inner urgency is telling you that now is the moment to act. It only takes 10 minutes. But it will make the difference in the rest of someone's life.

Good Morning, All!

Life is seen from different perspectives as one "moves" along their personal timeline on the planet. At 18 looking down that imagined continuum of years that stretch w-a-y ahead until it disappeared into the distant future, seemed to be so very long. I couldn't see the end thus there was no end. Did you have that forever feeling in your soul as well? I had youth on my side which enhances that boldness of eternity, infinity.
I now have slid along those years and as reality goes I have more behind me than in front of me. Some days that simple fact bugs the heck out of me. I feel too human. Too tied to this definite life. Too mad to think of not being here. Darn it!! I don't want to leave. You know, I have a lot to do and I am clinging to every day like a mad woman!
But then I shake myself and remember I am here to be me. Just me. Not a stone monument that is crafted to stand the test of hundreds of years. A permanent fixture. I am part of the tide of humanity that keeps our civilization evolving. Improving. Loving. Colorful. Surprising. And that tide changes with the different lives swept into its bold current.
Truth be told: I want to be here as long as the good Lord is willing. I love waking up every morning, right here. I have shared that with Him and with His blessing I will keep doing just that, blending my energy with all of yours....with the promise of tomorrows flowing towards that unseen future.