Great Ball of Fire!

Okay!  Enough with the heat already!  I used to think those movies that had people incinerating on the spot were exaggerating....but that sort of thing almost happened to me the other day when I snuck outside pre dawn to let the chickens out of their coop.  I figured that I would be safe considering the fact that it was 6:30 a.m. and the temps were only in the mid 90s.  Well they were!...almost.  The air simply burns.  So what if there is a breeze....it does not help because the “breeze” feels like the whoosh of heat you get when you open the oven door.  Because of all of the sweating that’s going on I’m having to wash a lot of clothing that I would otherwise merely “recycle.”  I have to refill the birdbath daily because a)the birds have declared it the best watering hole in the county, and b)the sun sucks up whatever is left at the end of the day.  On more than one occasion I have actually, physically been stuck to my car’s seat. ‘Tis the season of less clothing, but unfortunately, ‘tis also the season to either wear SPF 100 (yes, there is a 100...I know...I own it), or stay indoors.  So go jump in the lake you winey woman ... I would...if there was any water left to jump in.  Right now I am reminded of the Bugs Bunny cartoon...the one where he jumps up and then dives straight down into what should be an oasis of beautifully cool and refreshing water....only he ends up eating sand.  Ehhhhh.....what’s up with this heat, Doc?!

Let Me Out!!!

Sometimes our vision gets a little distorted and we have to stop right where we are and look at things differently. Just the other day the winds picked up and began to churn all of the dust that has been blanketing our area of the hill country for so long now. I happened to be in my car at the time and could hear the pelting of the dust particles as they peppered my door. I was instantly blinded by a chalky haze and thought immediately of the days of the dust bowl. While the winds cooled things down a bit the rain never came. Without an outlet the clouds were forced to travel on until the conditions were just right for a downpour. While nearby yards received some wet and welcome relief we were left to wait and wonder when? In much the same way my creativity has been brewing for a while now. I suppose I hadn't found an outlet yet because I had always been waiting for the 'perfect conditions' to present themselves. What I have coming to realize is that when dealing with one's creativeness the only conditions are the ones we place upon ourselves. And that is why I have been posting to this site...for it is my outlet.

Those Lazy Days of Summer

Last night I stayed up late (until 12:00 a.m.) thus calling for the need to sleep in (until 9:30 a.m.) thus resulting in the need for a nap (at 5:00 p.m.). As you can see I am simply worn out! This not working routine has me exhausted! It has me wondering how in the heck do I do it all when I am working?? Wow! I am fearful that if I had tons of money and did not go to work I would sleep just enough to feel rested enough to feel like sleeping again. But this ultimately has me realizing that I would no longer have bags underneath my eyes which means I would not have to apply concealer which means I would not even begin to know how to exist without the need to conceal, cover up, and create a "natural" look. And so, I am resigned to the fact that no matter how much I catch up on my sleep during these glorious summer months off I will ultimately end up looking like I thrive on all-nighters when back at work. Nevertheless the chance to be a relaxed and lounging soul has me feeling completely content. Plus...since I am wide awake now at 8:30 p.m. I must treat myself to a glass or two or four of wine so that I can partake in falling asleep for the second time today.

Now, lest you think I stayed horizontal all day long I must divulge that I did, in fact, do a little light cleaning and straightening....that is until it pooped me out and I had to retire to the couch for some History Channel viewing (one must stay educated). With the temperature over 100 degrees one can't blame me for wanting nothing more than to keep myself hydrated and rested...heat stroke is not something one should take lightly.

In Between

I am still computer-less. This means that I am frantically typing away on a borrowed computer at the public library. So far this summer has me killing scorpions on a daily basis and, maybe it's the drought, but I am starting to feel the urge to clean. It better rain soon! There is so much I want to say but being disconnected, literally, from my home computer has me all out of whack. The words just aren't flowing. Everything seems so disjointed and erratic. Come to think of it...that is how life can be sometimes. It seems that people and nature are dehydrated. We are starting to wither and droop. We are all in need of some sustenance that can't be bought. We are digging into reserves that are drying up. Even still we press on. Despite the scorching heat of the 100+ degree temperatures we keep growing because we know that we must. We are grateful for breezes and shade. We enjoy visiting with the strangers we meet inside air conditioned shops. We double up on outdoor duties and activities trying to cram them all in utilizing the "coolness" of the dawn and dusk hours that bookend our days. Deep down we all know that the rains will come. We all know that we will eventually curse the flooding that is sure to follow. But it is the time in between the drought and the flood that we must live our lives...finding our own sense of balance between want and plenty.

May the Force Be With You

Can it really be that I have not written in over two weeks? There must be some good reason for this...uh...yup...there definitely is. On Memorial Day my family and I came home from an overnight stay at the lake. We were all worn out and ready for a good night's sleep before having to report to school/work in the morning. At approximately 12:20 a.m. a loud crash of thunder/lightning jolted me awake. My husband sat up and declared that our house had been struck by lightning. You know, sometimes it really does feel like that when lightning strikes so close the windows of your house actually rattle; except that this time it was actually true. Our chimney was struck near its top on its south side. Thick and heavy blocks of limestone were strewn out and across our backyard. While we were fortunate that a hole was not created in our roof and extra blessed that a fire had not started, there was still the not so small aftermath of fried electronics to be dealt with. Case in point: my computer was most definitely affected and as a result I have been unable to write or download any of my pictures. I am praying that everything is able to be recovered. Since this happend the last week of school I have been extra busy and distracted. I hate to post without a picture, but I have decided that something is better than nothing at all. Thus I am sitting in a public library frantically typing away whilst the "Time Remaining" clock at the top of my screen counts down--rapidly!) We went without a television for a little over a week. Our satelite source was lost so we could only watch dvds. I suppose that is fine if you actually have a collection of them...as for us...we had to go to a galaxy far far away...again, and again, and again. While our chimney was definitely struck by "The Force"- "The Force" was definitely not with us. Our clothes dryer no longer shuts off...this means that the first night since the strike that I decided to wash a load of clothes I did so at my normal washing time...bedtime. I transferred the clothes to the dryer a little after 9:30 at night and went on to bed. The next morning the clothes were still tumbling around. Now I have to set the kitchen timer every time I dry clothes. I know...I know...things could be worse. Nevertheless it's the being out of touch with my computer that has me feeling the most upset.
The TV repair man was suppose to call me between 8:00 and 10:00 to let me know when he was going to come out to my house...it is 12:32 and I have not heard from the guy...you don't think there is a magnetic forcefield hovering near my front gate that is keeping him from entering do you? And so begins my summer "vacation."

Where Water Once Was

Have you ever wondered what the bottom of a lake looks like? I'm sure many of you have experienced the creepy gross feeling of that mushy mucky mossy gunk squishing between your toes. Some of you have probably even brushed past an errant branch reaching upwards from its hold on the bottom. But how many of you have ever been able to walk where you once skiied? Just yesterday I went walking where water once was. All of the watches, cell phones, caps, car keys, and sunglasses had already been scavenged by those pesky early birds, but I was able to stumble across multiple empty cans and bottles, lake shells, fragments of rope, a trebble hook, a fish head skull, a snake in a log, several cow patties, and an umbrella. While none of these "finds" were worthy of taking home I did find the umbrella a true picture of irony as we are in the middle of a brutal drought that has the lake at extremely low levels. As I took this picture the sky was darkening and rain was beginning to fall.

The Two Hour Delay That Made My Day

I felt human this morning! School was delayed for two hours so the kids and I were able to wake up with the sun and mull around the house with the Today Show on in the background. I actually cooked us breakfast (okay... it was cinnamon rolls...but it involved the oven)! We were able to take our time and we even managed to get to school/work early. It was simply glorious!

After I got to work it seemed the everybody else's morning was just as wonderful. Everyone commented on how nice it was to have that little bit of extra time in the morning. The atmosphere was a pleasant one. I just can't imagine if every day started off like this one did.

All day long people wore a smile...coughs and sneezes be darned. Yes, the side effects of hot and cold days, and windy and drizzly days, combined with over 700 noses...all crammed inside one building day after day...well...let's just say a big "Thank You" to the tissue companies of the world...and let's give an even bigger Shout Out to the antibacterial soap manufacturers of the world while we're at it!!!

I guess what I am getting at is this: despite a day spent with watery eyes, itchy eyes, burning eyes, and tired eyes; despite a day spent clutching wads of damp tissues and applying Zovirax to a fever blister; despite a day where Vaseline lived in a smeared smudge between the bottom of my nose and the top of my lip...I was happy. I was happy because I had a little bit of a morning to call my own...enough time before work to actually make my bed...and when I return home late tonight the sight of my made up bed will complete the circle of my day. Just thinking about it makes me happy all over again.

Just Add Fire

I have concrete flooring inside a house made out of stone. This combo makes for some chilly down time in the winter. This mixture also prompts us to make roaring fires...which I thoroughly love. There is something enticing about having fire in your house. I have always loved the flicker of light set off by candles and I burn numerous candles as often as I can...mainly so that I can see the dancing amber shadows illuminated throughout my house. It gives me the sense that there is something "alive" and that I have company. When a fire is burning you get the cracks and pops that go along with it...more hints that something "alive" is in the house with you. All of us gravitate toward its heat, sitting on the hearth as we eat a snack or watch a show. There are marshmallows to burn and papers to ignite; there are logs to add and ashes to shovel. All of these things tend to happen without thought. While a fire must be maintained it is not like washing the dishes...you seem to get more out of it. I am grateful that there are always large stacks of cut wood that mysteriously appear at my back door. I never have to wield a chain saw. In a pinch I have been seen gathering kindling in flannel pjs stuffed into cowboy boots, but other than that I have a husband and a son who gladly do the gathering.

Oh The Weather Outside

What a gorgeous day we had yesterday---the temps were in the upper 70s!! It's days like these that have me seriously contemplating running away to the equator to live out the rest of my days! When I was much younger and oh so much dumber I thought it all wrong to spend Christmas on the beach??!!! WHAT were "those people" thinking?! NOW I know! Even though the weather was delightful I managed to stay inside nestled in the crook of my chair-then my bed-then my couch-reading the day away...it was glorious!!! My family played outside, and for that I am extremely grateful...for their sake as well as my sanity!! At one point in the afternoon all of the boys loaded up in the jeep and drove down to the creek. The younger boys went swimming! The day after Christmas!! My kids had a great day as their cousins had their cousins over from out of town so there were plenty of kids around! At one point I made myself get OUT so I grabbed my book, a Coke, and sat out on the porch with Roo and Snickers. I was so glad that I did because everytime I sit in nature I become so inspired. The air was crisp and the breeze was pleasant. It was as if all was well in the world. As I type these words the sky is turning a dark, steely, grey and the wind is picking up. Days like these are welcome too because they force my home into cozy mode; candles burning, lights twinkling, hot tea brewing. (Okay...before I finished that last sentence it became seriously dark and blustery....maybe we'll get a genuine storm soon!).

To Be or Not To Be...

As luck would have it (my luck at least) there was never really any precipitation last night therefore no need to cancel school. Even so I turned on the TV early this morning before I did anything else- just in case. There wasn’t even so much as a ticker dragging itself across the bottom of the screen. I wore a sweat suit to work anyway.

Just the other night it snowed and caught everyone off guard. The poor weather people didn’t even have a chance to preempt all of the favorite television shows. The news stations did not have the chance to come up with a dire warning slogan such as “THE GREAT POLAR BLAST OF ’08!” And so, instead, I learned that many people simply enjoyed the moment…the surprise…the gift.

Not willing to let that stop them a mere 6 nights later the weather stations were quick to issue a “Winter Weather Advisory” for our area. This got everyone, including me, to go ahead and grab that extra gallon of milk after work and build a roaring fire. This also got my hopes up with the mere thought of, if nothing else, a two hour delay come morning. Turns out the only delay was the icy conditions.

All of our high tech devises and ability to forecast are really nice to have, and, granted, have saved many lives, but there is something to be said about the joy of a few pleasant surprises in life.

Weird Weather Friends

Earlier I wrote about how unseasonably warm it has been and then-WHAM!-it starts to snow on the very day the temperatures were in the low to mid 70's! The wind was whirring and the flurries were twirling...it had me grinning from ear to ear as if this were the best moment in my life...and in some ways I guess you could say that it was. I have decided that best moments can happen anytime and every day. I have decided not to let the fear of lack of sleep or the worries of unfinished tasks deprive me of my today.

This afternoon I enjoyed an impromtu visit with a friend. We shared stories and merlot. We laughed and we ate. And then it snowed. I choose to see this unpredicted visit of majestic snowflakes as a symbol of all that is creative. I choose to embrace the wonder of new friendships that feel like old friends. I believe that when things fall into place the way they are meant to we are blessed by the one of a kind moments that take our breath away.

A Bird in the Bag Is Worth More Than a Warm One In The Freezer

I have two best friends. One of them meets me for after hour book signings with famous people...the other invites me up to her lake cabin where we fling dead birds into plastic bags and chip away at a frosty freezer.

Allow me to explain:

In preparation for another girls' weekend at the lake cabin, Dana and I decided that it would be wise if we visited the cabin just to check things out before we arrive next weekend. Good thing we did because our first mission was to inspect the wood burning stove. Inside we found some leftover newspaper ashes, the metal tools we would need, and a dead cardinal. Our speculations ran wild with images of bird suicide and bird pranks gone bad. After putting many layers of plastic bags between her skin and the lifeless bird, Dana mournfully dumped the bird into a used Dick's Sporting Goods plastic bag. Since there is no such thing as trash pick up out at the lake Dana had no choice but to haul her bagged bird back into S.A. with her (While driving away I had Pet Semetary visuals flooding my thoughts).

It was significantly cooler inside the cabin than it was outside...so much so that I was secretly starting to have doubts about pulling an all-nighter here. I lived in an uninsulated house without heat (or air conditioning) for over 20 years and was painfully reminded of just how miserable it was. The very thought of having to sleep in three layers of clothes, a ski parka, ear muffs, a scarf, and woolen socks-underneath an electric blanket underneath a down comforter...not really tops on my list any longer. But there was a side of me that wanted to prove (to whom I have absolutely no idea!!!???) that us three women could survive a weekend in the cold. (Of course I had delusions of us sitting around the wood stove, wearing cute ,wintery socks and flannel pajamas, all sipping hot chocolate, looking fabulous, and laughing the night away).

Unfortunately I have come to accept the truth that scenarios like the one I painted above never happen to me. My real scenarios tend to have dead birds and frostbite in them (though not necessarily in that order). And so, speaking of frostbite, Dana spent the good part of an hour chipping away at the frosty freezer. While it looked pretty inside...very much like the gateway to Narnia, it did nothing to warm up the room. It did, however, make an excellent cooler!

After convincing ourselves that we'll only shower before we come to the cabin and after we leave the cabin we started to believe that we could handle anything. We made lists of items we'll need to bring. Items such as:

*a fire extinguisher

*electric blankets

*coffee

*ear muffs

*food

That should just about cover it! Stay tuned to learn just how next weekend turns out.

Falling for My Friends

Today being the first day of fall I took it upon myself to call one of my best friends to wish her a "Happy 1st Day of Fall!" Before I could shout out the words she spit them out to me as her initial greeting. Loving all things fall, my friend's voice was laced with giddiness. She thrives on brown and orange and celebrates her wedding anniversary during this delightful season. I think of her every time the seasons change. While I don't want to associate my friend with a pumpkin I will say this: she would be the first to change the word into plumpkin as she is the queen of self-deprecation.

There is nothing like good friends to make you smile. Who else can you call at 6:45 IN THE MORNING and share a few laughs with...knowing full well that they are not only up but en route the same as you? I love my girlfriends--I love them because we know so much about each other's lives and we never have to apologize for anything. We go way back...as far back as fall nights underneath the Friday Night Lights of our high school youth.

With the anticipation of crisper leaves and blustery days I can't help but to be anxious for a little nip in the air. I want to melt some queso and pop a cork. I want to sit with my girlfriends and giggle and snort. I want to listen and hug and listen some more. Our lives are busy and they are full, but thank God they are intertwined. Each of us have been a part of the other's lives since we were in elementary school and I am a better person because of my girlfriends. While we no longer meet on the playground to crush grub worms or make rock houses, we do call, text, and email whenever we can. We know and appreciate each other's schedules and complicated lives. And so, on this the first day of fall, I want you two to know that you are the best part about the ending of summer. I fall for you every year.

Weather or Not

With the first hint of a rainy day I immediately turned on my amber lights and thought about lighting candles. The only thing stopping me was the fear that should we actually be in the path of an actual tornado the candle might tip over and catch the entire house on fire (never mind the fact that a tornado would more than likely pick up my house, candle and all, and drop it off in munchkin land). After receiving the warning call from a friend that we were under a tornado warning, I immediately set to work dragging a twin mattress into my bathroom closet along with my clock radio, by way of extention cord, wind up flashlight, three pillows, and Roo's dog bed. My kids and I had radar on the computer screen, News 4 on the t.v., and cell phones at the ready. I had already called my husband, mother, and sister. Should I stow some granola bars and bottled water into my closet? I was in adreneline mode. I was prepared to lay on top of my kids and protect them from flying glass.

Needless to say, (and thank goodness at that) the sky never got that steely grey color and I never heard a train. We got less than an inch of rain when it was all said and done. The wind never picked up and we received better satellite reception than on good weather days. But it got me thinking about the important things in life...like my journals. I couldn't help it...my first thought went not to the safety of my children, but to my hope chest that houses a lifetime of memories. At first I irrationally thought, "that hope chest is way too heavy to move," and then my next thought was, "tornadoes move entire houses you idiot!" That's right...I was worried about my writings. Whereas, on the other hand, my daughter had packed a purse full of MONEY (but only her 20s and higher...not those measely ones). My son was only fixated on the actual reds, yellows, and greens of the radar screen. My husband was at work. I kept close tabs on where Roo was at any given time.

I can't imagine being in a true emergency situation. I can't imagine losing everything you hold dear. My daughter was worried about her cousin's almost-completed home. My sister was worried about our parents. My friend was worried about me. I was worried about whether to put a mattress over us in the bathroom or the closet.

By late afternoon, after the immediate threat was over, I lost myself in a serious game of Star Wars Monopoly with my daughter. My son spent some time in the chicken coop. My husband came home as early as he could. I called my friends and grew excited as we made plans for an overnight girls' weekend at the lake.
Rain or shine life goes on...it's up to us to weather it out.