Giving Thanks

Our lives have not always been easy. We struggled financially for many years. We failed each other many times, but we always got up and made things right. There were many times when it would have been easy to give up, to quit, but we refused. We were never satisfied with failure or with doing things half-assed.

So today I’m thankful for a certain willful stubbornness. A refusal to accept the status quo. Studly and I are living proof that if you work hard and treat others as you wish to be treated that there’s a good chance you’ll do okay in this world. No, we aren’t wealthy. But we are comfortable. We won’t have a fortune to leave our kids. But we have a whole lot of love to leave them. And stubbornness.

Here’s hoping that this Thanksgiving Day allows each of my readers to take a moment to think on all the really good things in their lives. I’m thankful for each of you.

Thanks, people!

Laughter and Love

The market on love
Has been cornered
By those of us
Who know that
Sometimes the clouds threaten
And the sky goes sunless
Day upon day
And all that holds the storm at bay
Are the winds swept aloft
By shared laughter.

So what if we can’t live
On love alone?
Honestly we never even tried.
Some days we might have
Forgotten to remember, though
The importance of just looking
Into a smile and seeing
The world we’ve created
From no more than a pair
Of long ago I do’s
.

IMG_0078.JPG

Happy birthday Studly!

Turkey Brawling 101

This cracked me up. Hope you enjoy, too.

rachelwhims's avatarBecause BECAUSE is not an answer!

I am so thankful for my loving and generous family, and for my amazing, caring friends. I thank God for my  health and for my home and for my jazzy little mini van. For some strange reason, I have been blessed beyond words and I am grateful.

Now, with all that being said, let’s talk about the shit that we’re not going to mention on Thanksgiving.

I think we all know someone whose gonna say something stupid or insulting or hurtful, on this most gluttonous of days. And I guess without pointing fingers, this is my way of giving that certain family member a little heads up…a little nod in the don’t-be-a-jerk-direction. Too bad they don’t actually read my blog, but if they did…well, they probably wouldn’t be talking to me anyway. But don’t let that get in the way of you doing your own nodding.  Feel free to hit…

View original post 596 more words

Old Married Couples’ Club

Married folks tend to learn each other’s tics and tendencies over time. I’ve made note of some of the things that we just do because we’ve been yoked together for so long. Some of it isn’t all that pretty, but some of it is just right. I guess you’ll have to decide which is which.

Crack each other up with just the right facial expression.

Fart and/or belch freely, then apologize sincerely before farting and/or belching again.

Steal each other’s portion of the blanket.

Hold hands unselfconsciously.

Snore unabashedly.

Find each other’s lips on the first try in the darkest of rooms.

Know exactly where to scratch when their partner has an itch.

Finish each other’s sentences. Sometimes correctly.

Elaborate on one another’s stories.

Watch a program they don’t want to watch because their partner wants to watch it.

Understand the “look” and adjust as needed.

Commiserate with one another’s angst, even if it doesn’t seem like a big deal to you.

Be the bright spot when the other’s is dim.

Anticipate the other’s needs, such as bringing home a new bottle of wine without being asked.

Refrain from making a joke at the other’s expense.

Gladly be the butt of a joke when necessary.

IMG_1633.JPG

IMG_0063.JPG

Left and Found

I like best the things that are
Left for others to find by chance
Like half a walnut shell
Discarded by a scavenging squirrel
Or a crimson leaf
Dropped by the maple out back
A shell abandoned by the sea
Or a splash of snow sparkling on
New blades of grass
Days after a spring melt.

These left things
Make me wonder
Who? When? Why?
And keep me searching
For more.

IMG_0092.JPG

Roaming

I cannot get enough of this neighborhood. We moved into our home in March, so this is my first autumn in the ‘hood.

These photos were taken on Veteran’s Day. The flags were everywhere. Way to go Lake Yvette!

IMG_0029.JPG

IMG_0028.JPG

IMG_1883.JPG

This noble guy and his twin brother guard the driveway of one of the homes near ours. Makes me wonder if we need lions, as well.

IMG_0031.JPG

IMG_0032.JPG

I loved the colors on this tree.

IMG_0035.JPG

And this woodpile and shed reminded me of a cabin in the woods.

IMG_0036.JPG

Trees! What is it about trees? They speak a language all their own. I’m working really hard to learn it.

IMG_0043.JPG

IMG_0038.JPG

IMG_0033.JPG

Peace, People!

I Got This

IMG_0904.JPG

I don’t do yoga, but I’ve got the pants
I have no rhythm, but I love to dance
Don’t play guitar, but I collect picks
Can’t play drums, but I’ve got the sticks.
I don’t fish at all, but I have a pole
I have the right shoes, but I never bowl.

You just never know what life might demand
So it’s prudent to keep this stuff close at hand.

Across the Lake

At full dark the lights on the house across the lake come on,
Their reflection tracing a path across the still water.
If I were a little less substantial
I could trip across the shining pathway sending little ripples as I go.

Unfortunately, I am made of flesh and blood and bone,
And would sink like a stone on the journey.
Or maybe an alligator would feast on me.
And the fish could feast on the leftovers until only my teeth remain.
I’m not sure what good those would be
unless one wanted to make a gruesome necklace.

IMG_0900.JPG

Writing Wrongs

You said you want to meat me by the stares.
But I don’t no you that weigh or that well.
Don’t weight for me two long
I mite bee lost or confused.

You say yule give me your awl.
Butt I just want your hart, deer
And maybe your sole.
I just don’t want to loose ewe.

Our communication seams fatigued
Wee don’t always reed each other
In a way that nourishes or defends
But I like what I sea when ewe come around.

IMG_1864.JPG