Too much of a good thing.............

Today was another beautiful, sunny day in the Southwest, and I am sick to death of it! Honestly, this is January and I am just having a hard time adjusting to the spring like weather. Last count it has been five months without any decent precipitation. I have to confess that I have been watching the news around the country with envy. The alarmed broadcaster speaks every few days of another blizzard. Pictures of icy roads, snowed in cars and buildings do not bring the sympathy and concern that are warranted. Instead, my children and I are glued to the screen practically salivating at a foreign land of white powdery snow. We know nothing of the shoveling, bundling, skidding, freezing, or power outages. All we see is snow, wonderful snow! Our weatherman is treated with contempt and scorn when he happily announces that we are in for "another beautiful sunny day!" There follows witty banter about how lucky we are to live in a place with so much sun! Humph! I'm thinking I might gather the children round the fireplace tonight and perform a snow dance. Google probably has some great ideas!

Standing upon shoulders............

A few weeks ago, I was privileged to watch my daughter soar. She sang the National Anthem at a volleyball game. A few day prior, she had hopped into the car and informed me that she would be singing. I asked if she was ready to do something like that ( I honestly wasn't sure and I didn't want her to fail). Her confidence was unshakable. I couldn't have been more pleased. She sang for anyone and everyone in the family to prepare. The night arrived and I was nervous, as was she. There were words of encouragement and a prayer was spoken. I was in constant communication with my Father in Heaven. "Please let her remember the words," I pleaded over and over. I didn't want her to join the legions of botched memories on Youtube for her first time out. The time arrived, and she took the microphone. Staring hard at the flag, I held my breath.......... and it happened. She took flight and soared. I love those moments. Moments where an individual, standing upon the shoulders of those who have gone before, takes an enormous leap. Individuals such as mothers, fathers, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends; people that have counselled, dried tears, listened, cried, worried, and cheered. During the singing, my mom watched me as I stood there and cried tears of relief, pride, and gratitude. It was a sweet moment. How many times have I stood upon her shoulders, preparing to take my own leap? It is humbling. When moments of greatness occur, I look around. Hidden among the crowd, off to the side, or even watching down from Heaven are individuals with tears streaming down their faces and footprints upon their shoulders.

Glories run wild..........

I admit, with enthusiasm, that I am not a neat orderly person. Never have been. I have tried, trust me on this. I have friends and family members (my dear Mother), who take great pleasure in organizing. They become giddy at the thought of tackling a wayward closet. Me? Well, I can honestly say that I just don't understand the entire thought process that goes into the organizing of one's closet or anything else for that matter. I tend to be a 'grouper.' I stack things, pile things, and then will continue to relocate them until they are out of sight. I might add that it does drive the neater people of my family a bit crazy. My garden is a perfect example of two ideas run amuk. Every year I plan out and plant in semi neat rows. My tomatoes, pumpkins, cantaloupes, squash, and flowers are all planted. One year I stepped way over my boundaries and created four areas instead of one big group. The husband was most impressed. Yet, every year the garden takes on a life of its own. I love it. I weed and harvest, but very soon, it takes on a wild quality that is just beautiful to behold. I believe that there are pumpkins everywhere, and brilliant blue morning glories are shrouding the dying sunflowers. Ruby red cherry tomatoes peek out begging to be picked. It is my own personal little world of chaotic beauty, and I am happy.

What's in a wink?

The 'boy' winked at my teenager this week. She has been floating ever since. Apparently this was no ordinary wink, nor was he trying to clear his eye of a stray eyelash. This particular wink was smooth, suave, exquisitely executed, and perfectly timed. I imagine her stomach still flips when she runs through it in her mind. How wonderful that things never change. Life moves pretty fast, and we seem to grow up so quickly these days. Yet, that flirtatious dance still exists. Ok, there are many people who light speed the process, but it is still there. I remember those moments, many more tender and intimate than physically touching someone. When was the last time I gazed into the eyes of my loved one? It's been awhile, quite awhile. I should try it, I wonder if his eyes are still blue.? Watching the teenager and the 'boy' has been fun for me. Right now they revel in stolen glances. A hug brings blushes. Creativity has been enhanced as they try to figure out where they can casually 'bump' into the other during the weekends. She has been very open with all of us, and her enthusiasm is catchy. Just the other day, I caught my boy practicing his 'wink' in front of the mirror. That's right ladies... watch out!

Ramblings concerning heat........... or rantings!

I will just say it...... I am 'done' with summer. Oh yes I am! I am tired of ninety plus degree weather and I am highly put out with Mother Nature. My summer clothes are worn out, the pool will not hold chlorine, the kids have to wear socks to school, and I spend entirely too much time in the car. A car, I might add, that takes eternities to cool down. So, as with every year, I have begun to research real estate in the mountains. And this year, I am serious. All dreams start somewhere and mine have always begun and ended in the mountains. It will be marvelous. My children will be happy, all the time. They will be so busy exploring that video games and cell phones will cease to be relevant. They will run around the small quaint town and get into adorable scrapes. I will always be around because my beautiful shop will be just around the corner. It will house rare antiques and beautiful aprons crafted by yours truly. I will wear long flowing skirts and in the winter will wear beautifully knitted sweaters with my adorable, yet functional boots. MMMMM. The husband will be doing something manly. Stoking a fire or clearing a patch of land for our humble two story cabin with huge windows to watch the morning sun rise slowly over the evergreen pines *Sigh* Okay, so I was going to go on and list a few negatives about the cool crisp air of the mountains. I don't believe I will today. It is just to hot, and honestly, I need every bit of imagination I have to survive the end of September in the desert. So this is where we part ways. I hope you are cool where you reside at this moment. I am. My son has just finished tying cans to a dog's tail and is chasing him around the mountainside. The little girls are chasing butterflies and making dandy lion chains in the meadow behind my store. I am inside with all of the windows and doors open, breathing in the sweet air of the clouds. Yes, I think I even smell rain. Yes, with my eyes closed, I am cool.

Coming and goings...........

" Life is full of meetings and partings, that is the way of it." Wise words from a little green frog named Kermit, in his role of the humble Bob Cratchit. I couldn't help but think of them today as I sent my five year old off to kindergarten. Parting with my 'velcro' child was tender this morning. I watched her walk, with her hand holding tightly to her teacher, with a great amount of emotion. I was proud of her. She is a shy girl and I knew that leaving me took strength. I was nervous. Did I prepare her enough? Would she make friends? Does she remember where the bathrooms are located? Would she remember to go? I was sad. How swiftly time passes. I wanted to grab her and run away to 'Neverland', live with the faires, and never grow up! Yet, I was thankful. Blessing after blessing rushed through my mind. Grateful for those moments I took to cuddle. Grateful for the laughter and secret snickers we had shared. Grateful for memories created.

Sitting in my car, drying my tears I was reminded of another saying....... "The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again." I had to smile. Yes, I am looking forward to that meeting at the bus stop. Keeping my fingers crossed for a happy excited face and a mouth smiling in aticipation as she waits for me to ask......."So tell me.... how was your first day!?"

Throwing boulders..............

Admittedly I am not a huge fan of Tiger Woods, never have been, even in his heyday. That's why I find it slightly amusing that I am coming to his defence. I know, I know, he is a horrid man, he cheated repeatedly and with great enthusiasm on his wife. He let his sponsors down, and destroyed his reputation among his followers. Scum, stupidity at it's finest, idiot, woman hater, *#^@!, and so on. Yet, I pause. Words keeps bobbing up to the surface of my mind: repentance, forgiveness, repentance, forgiveness. Radio, TV, newspapers, and water cooler gossip have all weighed in on the Tiger issue. Many with glee and satisfaction; for you see, a hero, seemingly indestructible, had fallen. Many taking issue that his 'apology' was not sincere enough for their liking. Others go into great detail about what they would do to "their man" if he followed Tiger's example. The jokes have been nonstop. What has been missing is the ability or idea that he truly can repent and become better. I have no idea what can be found in the deepest parts of his heart and mind, and I feel like it is none of my business. I do know there is hurt there, deep hurt. Hurt that is not reserved, isolated, or owned by Tiger himself. Those closest, as usually is the case, suffer too. Men have stated openly over microphones that he is no longer a hero. I beg to differ. He still has a chance. A chance to show that we have the ability to better ourselves. Each of us are human, and because of that we are prone to make mistakes, big and small. Strong men and women, in my experience, are those on bended knee before their Maker. They come, in deep humility, with a broken heart and contrite spirit. Knowing that they have done wrong, ready to accept the consequences and praying for forgiveness and direction. I hope Tiger makes it through this, I really do. I hope that as he wades through this trial, caused by his own selfish and prideful actions, he learns. I hope he learns that actions have consequences. I hope he learns that there is a Father in Heaven, that he is loved, and he can find peace. I hope he learns that if he keeps moving forward he will be strengthened with wisdom and filled with tenderness for those around him. I don't envy him, it will be a long long journey; a hard soul wrenching journey. In the end, if he succeeds and gives all that he has, he becomes a hero once again. And when it is all said and done, those are the heroes we admire.