Flowers and Cookie Crumbs

I am impressed with all of you who love flowers, plants and trees and are consistently "name-dropping" as you write about this one or that one...  like..  you really know what you're talking about! I learn from you.  But then, that knowledge generally dissolves somewhere inside my brain and I can be enlightened all over again when you write once again about the same. 

However.

I now know what a hydrangea is when I see one.  Mostly because over a half-a-dozen of the bushes are planted in front of my office.  Last year they were lush and gorgeous and just about everyone who came into my office commented on their beauty and asked what we had done to have had our bushes produce such a lovely display of flowers.  I proudly announced that we did nothing.  Just watched them grow.  

And so this year I expected more of the same.  But the flowers were few.  

The largest and oldest of the bushes produced one single flower.

The beauty and strength of that one flower amazes me.

It doesn't seem to care that it is alone.  But rather, it revels in the attention.  Each time I pass the business front, I focus on that one flower.  

Storms whip it fiercely to and fro, but it stands strong.  The sun beats down hard threatening a sure death, but it stands strong.  When I think it has lived just as long as it can possibly live, it still stands strong.  

But eventually it will die.  Leaving behind a legacy of beauty that had been beheld by many.

Stand strong, beautiful one.  Your life is what you make it.  Do not allow the disappointment of others    surrounding your world to weaken you. You are unique.  You are loved.  And when the bitter winds return and snow pelts against where you once lived, you will be remembered.  And you will be missed.

Gracie says:  

  Flowers mean nothing to me.  What good is it if all you can do is look at it?  I like human touch.  A hug.  A smile.  A game of tug-of-war. Cookie crumbs that make it to the floor. Now that's what I'm talking about!  

Terror by Telemarketing Part Two

I got an emergency call this morning.  My Microsoft key had expired and some pretty horrible stuff was about to happen to my computer if I did not follow instruction on how to save my computer. Seriously?  

 Click.

Then there's the one where the IRS calls and says I am in trouble with them for not paying my taxes.

Click.

Another is a computerized voice asking:  "Is Harry there?"  

This one is a guaranteed call at least one a week.

Click.

"You and a guest have won an all expense paid trip to the Bahamas!"

Click.

"Yes, I need to speak to the business owner."

"I am the business owner."

"We can save you 40% on your electric bill/ phone bill/ trash bill, etc..."

"Not interested"

"Oh, so you don't want to save money?"

"Nope"

Click.

"You have been picked!!  We have chosen to install a complete security system in your home..."

Click.

"Is John there?"

"I'm sorry you have the wrong number"

"Oh, well that's okay...  you will do..."

Click.

"Is Felicia Stevens there?"

"I have told you over and over and over and over again..  for the past FIVE years!  Felicia Stevens does not live here!  This is a business line.  Please, please, please remove this number from your calling list!"

"Okay, we will remove the number."

They don't.

Then there's the foreign accent that is barely understandable but that calls from Windows stating that your computer is about to crash and they need to get into it to fix it.  Just follow a couple of steps and let them log on and they will save the day!!  

"Gee... that's funny..  I don't even own a computer!"

Click.

Do you ever get tired of all the manipulative, aggravating, dishonest phone calls?  I just want to scream into the phone "Okay, you have reached the telemarketing police and you are under arrest.  My guys will be there to pick you up momentarily."   

It's the machines that I hate more than anything.  They don't even care if you hang up on them.


Gracie, girl.... how about a kiss?

Yea.  Okay.  Whatever.  But just my ear.  I refuse to let that filthy mouth of yours touch mine.  That is, unless you have cookie crumbs lingering ...  then I may reconsider.

What Love Is

Call me sentimental.  Or... just someone who enjoys reminiscing.     But here I go again.....

As Gary and I prepare to celebrate fourteen years as a married couple, (SEPT 14) I thought I'd share a highlight or two. ...   a blast from the past. 

The day we went to the courthouse to get our marriage license:

Downstairs in the church after we were married.  It's the cake that drew me to this following picture, really.  That cake.  Whatever did I do with all that cake!  I want that cake NOW!

It does not seem like we have been married fourteen years, but yet...  it seems like we've known each other forever.  Is that possible?  We have had a multitude of ups and downs and yet we stuck it out through some pretty rough and rocky road (and I don't mean the ice cream, either)!

I was recently asked what I feel love truly is.  I answered that I do not believe in love at first sight, though seeing my knight in shining armor for the first time was magical.   I think that you do not fall into love.  But rather that you grow into love.

Love is taking deep breaths and staying quiet when you want to lash out and prove that you are right.  Love is not holding a grudge.   Love is doing without and giving to someone else.  Love is forgiving quickly and erasing thoughts of getting even.  Love is listening.  Love is consideration.  Love is recognizing all the good inside of a person and letting them know they are appreciated.   Love does not see the gray hair, wrinkles, or extra pounds.  Love sees the heart.  Love is surviving the storm and staying put.  Holding on.  Praying through it.  Love is not giving up.    And none of that, my friends, can be achieved at first sight.

It's sad that many of us have to suffer loss upon learning the meaning of true love, but often it is the case.

And.  Speaking of love.  What greater love do we have than that of our pets?  Oh Gracie, You are so precious to me and I will love you always.

"That's just great.  Now can you put me down and go get me a hamburger?  I'm starving."