If today is Halloween, then tomorrow is .... NOVEMBER!
What the what!?
2012 is just about history. Sigh. It doesn't make sense that we already are at the end of a year that just started.
Age, you know, compounds the speed of time. The older we get the faster time flies. We blink, and presto, our children are adults. We blink, and presto, we have grandchildren. We blink, and presto.... (fill in the blank).
When we turned 40, we figure we have lived half our life. Midway. That's not so bad. There's still a balance of time left on the clock.
At 50, the balance tips against us: we are on the downside of life, we know that. We become more aware of the ticking of the clock. Fifty is the age we begin to calculate the remaining years we have left: 20? maybe 30 if we stop eating badly? maybe 35 if we start working out every day? Tick, tock.
This next year Paul and I hit 60. It's downhill.... wait a minute.
Truth: I am not that freaked out about 60. I think maybe Paul is more so, but he is playing racquetball almost every day now and just got a tattoo. I just spent the weekend in Rhode Island and then drove to Austin for the following weekend. Did the train and subway thing all by myself! Oh yes I did. We have lots of plans for just the coming week.
Aging is liberating in so many ways. We have chosen which life lessons to follow at this point. We love the family we have made and are grateful every day for what we have.
It's still true about time passing more quickly as you age! That I wish I could change. But my life and where I am at? I wouldn't change a thing!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
Unbelievable
I didn't think it would be possible. After all these years. Didn't see it coming.
I am now a cat .... liker.
Spent a long weekend with son John in Providence, which meant spending a long weekend with his cats George and Fred. The bonding was a process for all 3 of us.
At first we observed each other. At times John insisted that I pet and play with them. I didn't really think they were into it either. By the end of the second day, however, Geroge was wanting to sit on my lap and Fred hung out close by, often on the same couch where I was sitting.
Day three we were chums. We played with toys, Fred fist bumped with me, George followed me everywhere. John claims George would follow me into the kitchen because she thought she would get fed. Still, she sat on my lap too and I know she loves me.
I wonder if Mika and Baxter would like a kitty? Oh well. This weekend I go to Leander to see Jenny and Michael and they have a cat!
I am now a cat .... liker.
Spent a long weekend with son John in Providence, which meant spending a long weekend with his cats George and Fred. The bonding was a process for all 3 of us.
At first we observed each other. At times John insisted that I pet and play with them. I didn't really think they were into it either. By the end of the second day, however, Geroge was wanting to sit on my lap and Fred hung out close by, often on the same couch where I was sitting.
Day three we were chums. We played with toys, Fred fist bumped with me, George followed me everywhere. John claims George would follow me into the kitchen because she thought she would get fed. Still, she sat on my lap too and I know she loves me.
I wonder if Mika and Baxter would like a kitty? Oh well. This weekend I go to Leander to see Jenny and Michael and they have a cat!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Jumpy as spit on a hot skillet
This week the wait may be over. Likely tomorrow. Our son John will find out the results of the bar exam he took ... IN JULY! I fully believe the long wait is built in to for the benefit of someone's demented sense of humor.
We all are so nervous. So, in Texas slang, how nervous are we?
As nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room fulla rockers.
As nervous as a porcupine in a balloon factory.
Jumpy as spit on a hot skillet.
Shakin like a skinny dog tryin to pass a peach pit.
Sweatin like a turkey on the day before Thanksgiving.
We are proud of you John. We have your back no matter the results. That's a given. You have chosen a difficult path, but as we used to tell you when you were little: you can't get lard unless you boil the hog.
We all are so nervous. So, in Texas slang, how nervous are we?
As nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room fulla rockers.
As nervous as a porcupine in a balloon factory.
Jumpy as spit on a hot skillet.
Shakin like a skinny dog tryin to pass a peach pit.
Sweatin like a turkey on the day before Thanksgiving.
We are proud of you John. We have your back no matter the results. That's a given. You have chosen a difficult path, but as we used to tell you when you were little: you can't get lard unless you boil the hog.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Goodbye, Tex
Yesterday we had to say goodbye to our dearest Tex. She was only 9 years old but had been sick for awhile. We just didn't know how really sick she was until an unforgiving cancer tumor was discovered in her lung. It was all too apparent her struggle to stay alive was becoming unbearable, even though she didn't complain. Our wonderful vet Dr. Riley and his staff at the Animal Hospital in Arlington gently guided us through the difficult process of putting her down.
Tex was our granddog. She first was adopted by Andrea in her junior year of college. Andrea raised her the first 2 years, Paul and I had the last 7 years. She really became my dog. Followed me everywhere. We had a special bond that dates to her first years. I would visit Andrea at college and spend most of my time hanging with Tex. One visit, the temperature had dipped below freezing and Andrea's apartment didn't have heat. After Andrea left for school/work, Tex and I headed for the nearest motel - and heat! When Andrea finally realized she couldn't care for a dog, I was the one who "rescued" Tex.
We are heartsick right now, but also grateful for the time we had with this special little dog.
Thank you Tex for your loyalty and companionship. We won't foget you!
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose
Yesterday was a losing day. First the Texas Rangers, leading their division from day 1, lost to the A's on the LAST day of regular season, giving Oakland the division title. Ugh.
Despite coming in second, post-season play continues for the Rangers. Shake it off Josh Hamilton.
Then the first of three presidential debates occurred last night. The president's performance was awful. Just awful. Mitt Romney showed up and appeared presidential. He took one shot after another, landing critical blows. The president? He wasn't even close. Maybe he landed one little slap.
Despite losing the first debate (badly), the campaign continues, including two more debates (which could be good or bad). Shake it off Mr. President.
Despite coming in second, post-season play continues for the Rangers. Shake it off Josh Hamilton.
Then the first of three presidential debates occurred last night. The president's performance was awful. Just awful. Mitt Romney showed up and appeared presidential. He took one shot after another, landing critical blows. The president? He wasn't even close. Maybe he landed one little slap.
Despite losing the first debate (badly), the campaign continues, including two more debates (which could be good or bad). Shake it off Mr. President.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Ahhhh, October
October could possibly be the best month of the year. Cool but not cold temps, Halloween, harvest, kids in school, baseball ending, football getting going, holidays around the corner and just a general feeling of order in the universe.
I even like saying "October." Maybe it's my inner German relishing the guttural beginning of the word: Auch- toe-ber. Actually is was just recently that I discovered my German ancestry. I was able to trace my mother's maternal side of the family back to 1700s Germany. I had always assumed the Shirey's hailed from Ireland. Nope. Germany.
October comes from the Latin "octo" meaning eight, as in the eighth month, according to Wikipedia. The same source also reports October is Black History Month in the UK, a month with 31 days. Here and in Canada Black History Month is February, the shortest month of the year. Hmmmm.... just saying.
Take a look at some other October highlights:
National Pork Month
Clergy Appreciation Month
Pregnancy Loss and Infant Loss Awareness Month
Filipino American History Month
National Arts & Humanities Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender History Month
National Cyber Security Awareness Month
Dwarfism Awareness Month
Auto Battery Safety Month
So, on your way to your annual mammogram (men get breast cancer, too), call your gay pastor to invite him or her to share a pork dish at your favorite Filipino restaurant. Explain you are on a committee planning an arts fair and plan to include artwork by children living in violent homes. After lunch, drop your computer off with the Geek Squad before getting your car battery checked, preferably by a little person.
Happy October everyone!!
I even like saying "October." Maybe it's my inner German relishing the guttural beginning of the word: Auch- toe-ber. Actually is was just recently that I discovered my German ancestry. I was able to trace my mother's maternal side of the family back to 1700s Germany. I had always assumed the Shirey's hailed from Ireland. Nope. Germany.
October comes from the Latin "octo" meaning eight, as in the eighth month, according to Wikipedia. The same source also reports October is Black History Month in the UK, a month with 31 days. Here and in Canada Black History Month is February, the shortest month of the year. Hmmmm.... just saying.
Take a look at some other October highlights:
So, on your way to your annual mammogram (men get breast cancer, too), call your gay pastor to invite him or her to share a pork dish at your favorite Filipino restaurant. Explain you are on a committee planning an arts fair and plan to include artwork by children living in violent homes. After lunch, drop your computer off with the Geek Squad before getting your car battery checked, preferably by a little person.
Happy October everyone!!
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