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......."