Randomness

The Gray

It occurred to me the other day, that I spend most of my life in the gray zone. It’s as though I can never really make up my mind about a million different things. Doesn’t that make me a bit wishy-washy? And if it does, I need to correct the situation because I have a hard time with that myself; people who leave me wondering about their true feeling, beliefs, ideas, points of view. It’s not that we need to agree – not at all. It’s just the desire to know people honestly. I’d rather spend time with people I completely disagree with than with someone I’ve never scratched the surface with. At least we know where we stand in each others eyes and can respect that . And why dance around, why hold back? All we have to lose is a friendship that was never really there to start with. It was just a pretense. I guess it’s an age thing, but by this stage in life I hardly see the purpose of wasting time in the gray. For example; I have been on a half-diet plan for at least fifteen years. It’s a kind-of, sort-of, if it fits…

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Randomness

Second Time Around

Sad to say, but there were many things I was looking forward to not having to do after the kids grew up, such as standing out in the wind and pounding rain watching softball or football, or whatever it was. And as much as we all pretended to love squeezing one more thing into frantic holiday schedules by attending yet another holiday kids concert, we couldn’t wait to put the video camera down and go home. And remember those painful ballet performances and piano recitals? All the nerves we took on because our kids were so nervous? How we were so excited and scared for them we almost thew up ourselves? Oh, and what about the obligatory pumpkin farm that was a must-go-to this time of year. Anybody miss traipsing around with the kids in mud up to our knees with wet frozen fingers and runny snotty noses? Well, I have to admit I miss every last bit of it. It’s what makes grand-parenting so great. We raise our kids, take a good long break, realize we kind of miss it all, and then get to revisit the past through our grandkids. It’s the best! No guilt attached if we…

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Randomness

Rethinking It

It’s that time of year again, the one where the world gets in the way and ruins everything; the ever so revered Holiday Season. It’s no wonder so many have a tough time handling life from the end of October until January 2nd; there is so much pressure from so many directions and the persistent messages are conflicting. Retailers and media hyp join forces and collide with sanity and common sense. After all, what’s the purpose and meaning of it anyway? Given the opportunity, the retailer-media team will psych the entire country into believing there is no excuse for being dressed like a normal person on October 31st., a feast to beat all feasts must be prepared and served to an army on November 28th, and credit cards should be charged up enough to rival the national debt or no one is going to have a happy Christmas. To top it off, New Years Eve is to be celebrated with all that glitters, stretch limos, and champagne that flows flows flows! Yet, we must not drink and drive, so figure that one out. Obviously, we are expected to stay in a nice hotel close by the party and take a…

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Randomness

Once a Baby, Always a Baby

Let’s face it; we’re all just a bunch of babies. This has become apparent as I spend more time with my seventeen month old grandson. He and I want the same things. Come to think of it, it’s possible we all want the same things we did when we were that age. I’m envious he has me to take care of him the way I do. I wish I still had someone following me around, waiting on me hand and foot. It would be great to have a devoted relative insist I’m the cutest thing ever to walk the face of God’s green earth not to mention fixing my favorite foods and filling my bottle all day long. And I’d love having someone see to it that I’m properly entertained and spending my time in a safe, healthy, and stimulating environment every waking moment of my life. And imagine how it would feel to have everyone in the room cheer over the simplest thing you did, like smile. Just think how all that positive energy would make us feel! Not only that, but let’s talk about my favorite thing; naps. Imagine the luxury of a mandatory two hour nap every…

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Randomness

Our Baby Turns Thirty!

  On the twenty first of September, our youngest turns thirty. As in years old. Which means her father and I are  “getting up there.” We don’t really mind as long as our health remains good. Yet it’s tough to look at the baby in the family and realize she isn’t twelve any more. Twelve was where we all stopped counting. Her older brother and sister insisted every birthday from twelve on was a repeat. She was bound to be twelve forever in their eyes, and I must admit, in the eyes of her parents as well. I guess we just didn’t want her to grow up. “She can’t get a driver’s license,” her brother insisted. “She’s only twelve!”  She flashed him a look that said don’t be so ridiculous and drove off. “She can’t order a drink,” her sister groaned, yet she shook her head in disgust and ordered a glass of wine. “She can’t have a baby,” her father and I gasped. “She IS the baby!” Yet, at thirty years old, our baby is soon to be a mother. So, this Saturday, we will celebrate her birthday in Seattle by doing a little shopping for her and for…

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Randomness

Just a bunch of kids

  Last Wednesday night, the Key Arena was host to The Eagles in Concert, and to use an old cliche, it was a blast from the past. Imagine a sold out crowd of people in their fifties and sixties, a sea of silver hair and balding heads, being transformed into the bunch of kids they used to be. Gone were our aches and pains, our wrinkles and crinkles.  Somehow, the second our rock and roll hero’s stepped on stage, we were young again, every one of us, and it was magical. It’s been said there is a child dwelling deep in the heart of every human being, regardless of how old, and I believe it’s important to take a trip down memory lane once in a while to bring that child to the surface once again. It reminds us of who we really are, just a bunch of kids all grown up, who still need to persevere and hold tight to dreams, old and new. The Eagles were a good testimony to the benefits of chasing the rainbow. After a fourteen year time out, they regrouped and went back to work, reminding everyone of every age that it is never…

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Randomness

Skagit Flats Marathon

    “Just think,” my neighbor encouraged, “over a thousand people’s worth of positive energy!” I was sold. That right there was the line that set me over the top. I’d never considered doing a half marathon (certainly never a whole one!) yet I was sold. Let’s face it, this is the end of a sad/happy weekend. End of summer, start of fall. Storing away of the boats, crab pots, swim suits. The dark days of winter looming. So, the idea of being swallowed up in a thousand people’s worth of positive energy was a no brain-er. Of course I’ll join you! I can do a half marathon, easy. I filled out the registration form on-line, proudly admitting that no, I’ve never entered a marathon before, therefore never have completed one either. No, I’d never done a half marathon, never entered one, never completed one. No. No races for me. I proudly entered my fifty nine years of age and total lack of experience. Yet, everyone has to start somewhere, right? So, this Sunday I will be joining friends bright and early in Burlington, Washington, for the Skagit Flats Marathon 36th annual and Half-Marathon. I’m not even nervous.  I’ve been…

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Randomness

Bag Lady

I was walking around West Seattle the other day with my little grandson. He was securely strapped into his Radio Flyer grandma-powered tricycle; his favorite mode of transportation and one we take everywhere even through the front door of the local grocery store. It has this wonderful long handle on the back of the tricycle that allows me to steer and push while he snacks on Cheerios and tries to pull things off the shelves. I was careful that day, as I always am, to do the double check before leaving the house.  I’m terrified I’ll leave without keys to get back in, or without my cell phone or money or whatever. Being responsible for a sixteen month old causes me to be conscientious at all times and I’m finding it’s not as easy as it used to be. Let’s face it, I’m getting old and my memory isn’t what it was a few years back. Yet, as long as I do the double check I’m usually okay. Have you noticed how nothing ever stays the same? Not even the leaving-the-house list? Well, there’s a new item on the list that we simply cannot leave home without, especially in this…

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Randomness

The Great Disconnect

  Maybe it’s the time of year, or maybe it’s all in my head, but I’m feeling an uncomfortable disconnect from life as it’s always been. Seasonal changes stir up a mild dose of this every year, especially it seems, between summer and fall. Summer is so brazenly out there.  It’s the throw yourself outdoors and roll in it every chance you get, season. Summer is full of traditions like back yard barbeques and trips to the lake and being whipped around on a tube behind a wave-runner going thirty miles an hour. It’s a tough season to follow. Then fall arrives and those tucked away, wonderful warm sweaters start looking good and the closet sends all the flip-flops packing to make room for loafers and leather boots. Gather up all those soft flimsy cottons and stash them away. That’s right – let em’ go. Disconnect. There are blue jeans and fleece jackets to cling to now.Wool socks and driving gloves and knitted caps. Yet the disconnect I’m noticing isn’t just the ever changing seasons, the letting go of one year for another. It’s more personal; like letting go of life as it’s been for life as it soon may…

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Randomness

Here’s an Idea…

Having celebrated our thirty ninth wedding anniversary last Saturday evening, my husband and I spent some time reflecting on the institution of marriage. We came to one unarguable conclusion: marriage isn’t for wimps. It isn’t for people of indecision, for those who never complete a project, and not at all for those who value themselves above anyone else. Nor is marriage for attention hoarders, freedom seekers, or any other form of selfishness one can come up with. The institution of marriage proclaims a union for all seasons, under all reasonable circumstance, far beyond the quibbles of doubters and nay-Sayers.  Marriage out-rightly defies the attitude of quitters. Those who float down the white carpet runner and pass under the bedazzled  flower and foliage arbor bravely proclaim their love for all the world to see and brazenly deem it worthy of a lifetime. Aren’t they sweet, we think as we smile at one another remembering the time when we were in their shoes.  Aren’t they naive, we dare not say. Don’t get too wrapped up in the glamor of today, I want to warn them. By this time tomorrow it will be nothing more than a memory and all you’re left with…

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