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.

Here I am...

I have been planning this day for years...just didn't acknowledge the voice inside urging me to take the plunge until today. OK, so I'm a little slow. But I am a fast learner and will embrace this space to express myself without boring you. In fact I hope you will read my blog as an anticipated part of your every day.
I've been told that I should share my humor. Do stand-up in small clubs. That is a bit far fetched. Others have shared that my positive attitude is a welcomed part of their world. I appreciate the opinion that what I have to say has some merit --whether it be from a unique perspective or just plainspoken truth--and will share some with you regularly just for my personal sanity.
Please join me on my journey of experiences, common sense, life advice and blessings that are intregral threads weaving the tapestry of my life.
So are you ready to ride along with me? I can guarantee that we will share laughs, shake our heads at what life offers along the path, learn from others while giving to them in return, and when all is finished just be thankful for the gifts gleaned during the incredible experience.