Pondering

I was chatting with a friend today.  I hadn’t really thought about it but as it turns out she is an “old” friend.  Time wise, not age wise.  I’ve known her for nearly twenty years.  I remember her son as a cute kid from back before he learned to drive.  He’s a grown man now, with a family of his own and has been for literally years and years and years.  (I wonder if he’d let me borrow his daughter since my little girls are all grown up now?)  Any way, it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long since she wandered into work as a temp, intending to stay a short time and ended up staying for what seemed like forever at the time.  Thanks to her, I have some very good memories of that job.

And then this evening I got back in touch with someone I knew in my teens.  I puppy sat for her back before I could drive.  Back before I was petrified of dogs though her collie was such a sweetie I doubt I’d be afraid of him even now.  Back before Reading became a place that was too unsafe to even consider leaving a country girl and a foreign friend the same age on their own.  Her house then is two blocks from where I live now.  The same block I mentioned a few weeks ago where the guy was shot to death.  Funny, how things change.  But then I realized it’s been 35 years since I house sat for her.  And 35 years since an adult took interest and gave me the courage to be myself which, as a teenager who didn’t really fit in, is saying a lot.

I haven’t really spoken with the second friend mentioned in the entire time I knew the first.  No reason and no real point to it.  I’m not old.  Or I don’t really consider myself to be.  But perhaps I am..  What is old?  Oh I know.  It’s all relative.  And attitude.  Yes, I’m rambling but as the title of this implies, I’ve been pondering today.  Some days it seems time is flying by so fast that it’s overwhelming.  Does it speed up as you age because you know more and start to understand there are things you want to do that you’ll never get to so at some point you have to choose between them?  Do you regret what you know you’ll miss out on or celebrate what you don’t?  Or both?

Life is too short, no matter how long you live.  Cherish the important people in it.  Always.  Say thank you to those who influence you, in big ways and in small.  Laugh, cry and everything in between.  As I said, I’m pondering…

Last Night

I went to breakfast last night with some old friends. Yes, I said last night and breakfast. Just because they happen to label it breakfast I see no reason why it should only be eaten in the morning. Perhaps menu makers should call that stuff Eggs and Things for people who like that food but can’t get passed the thought of having breakfast after 11:00.

Anyway, we met up at the Fifth Street Diner in Temple, PA. Do you know it? You should. It’s nummy! And cool vintage! I got there first and, since I had my camera, wandered the parking lot, taking pictures to go with this ramble. It only took about three minutes before a slightly concerned woman came out and approached me to see what I was up to. She identified herself as Megan, the owner and, as soon as I explained, couldn’t have
been more pleasant.

When I went in she turned me over to an equally pleasant waitress who was there with a smile instantly when needed but knew how to fade into the background. I had a few moments to observe as I waited for my friends and it seemed as if the majority of the staff shared that ability. I don’t know about you but that’s something I really admire. It’s a true talent.

The menu is huge! If I hadn’t already known what I was having it would have been a struggle choosing since so many things sounded tempting. The cakes I passed on the way in were too much to resist. What? Just because I had eggs doesn’t mean they couldn’t be followed by something sweet. Oreo layer cake. Need I say more?

We ended up staying way longer than most people do and the staff was very pleasant about it. This again is not something you find everywhere. Yes, if you’re ever in the area I recommend you stop in. You can believe I’ll be going back. Care to join me?

Last Night

I went out and about. The bar was amazingly empty for a Friday so I wandered over. The plan was to do a little writing on Beau’s next tale, have a Guinness or two and order dinner to go.

I ended seated beside someone I worked with eons ago, half involved in his conversation, half happily scribbling away. Or I was until his wife texted a request food and he responded with the offer of food for sex. She then wanted to know what food he was bringing to which he wondered what food would garner him which acts. I’m not sure how it turned out because the people he was waiting for arrived and they moved to the other end of the bar where there was room for all of them. I do know that when he left, he had a pile of containers so I’m guessing a good time was had by all at his house once he got home.

I also bumped into a little girl I hadn’t seen in ages. She’s someone I met when she was maybe two. We’ve had very inspired conversations with over the years and yesterday was no exception. She’s now all grown up and as amazing as I always knew she would be. What fun we had catching up!

Isn’t it funny how things work out sometimes? I was only going out for a little while and if I’d left when planned I would have missed her. She wasn’t intending to go out at all but changed her mind at the last minute. I’m glad the universe intervened.

Happy weekend!

An Anniversary

Today holds memories for so many of us. In addition to what you’d expect however, I am very grateful for the day. Why? Because my friend, Lisa is now 9 years cancer free. And the world is a better place for her being in it.

Lisa is a survivor in the best sense of the word. Throughout her ordeal, her spirit never waivered. She decided right on day one, yes, I was there when she got the call from her doctor, that she would beat it and she did, gloriously. She was determined to remain positive and she accomplished that like no one else I know.

Her sense of humor remained in tact. So much so that she bolstered others as they learned of what she was going through. Most anyone else would have been annoyed by the endless questions I asked her every step of the way but not Lisa. Some, we laughed over as intended. Some, she answered herself and some, she took along to her next appointment because they were things she wanted to know about too and hadn’t asked yet.

Lisa’s got the biggest heart imaginable. She’s the kind of person who helps anyone who needs it if she can. Even though we don’t see each other as often as we used to I know I could still call her any time day or night and she’d come to my rescue.

So today and every day, be thankful for your friends. Let them know how grateful you are that they are a part of your life. Also, don’t mourn for those who were lost. Honor them by celebrating their lives instead. Isn’t that what you’d prefer people do for you?

Celebrate!

My Penguins won the Stanley Cup last night. Come dance in the street with me!

What made it even better is a few minutes after the game I heard from an old friend who no longer lives in the area. Years ago I talked her into going to a Pens/Flyers game in Philadelphia. Naturally I wore something Penguin related, bold considering we were in enemy territory. As I recall there was some good-natured teasing that went on with some of those around us and I think I may have worried B a bit when the Pens scored but we had fun. We must have. She’s still talking to me even though she got out of Reading a long time ago. Thanks for the memories, B. It’s always wonderful to hear from you.

Today, while I was out and about, in my Penguins shirt of course, I stopped in to see J, my Flyers fan friend. Yes, I admit it. I went specifically to misbehave. I’m sure he expected it as I would have expected him to had his Flyers won the cup.

What did you do today?

My Day

I went to visit my great aunt today. It was a very bittersweet day. She’s 92 and still a true sweetheart but she’s definitely beginning to fail. Her body, not her mind. It’s as sharp as ever. This time she had a tremendous amount of trouble getting up out of chairs and the car. She mentioned that there are few places she goes these days because it’s just too much walking.

That makes me very sad. My great aunt is the only family member who’s ever told me she’s proud of me. Even today, she said it again. The anthologies I have stories in with Total-E-Bound are finally in print so I sent them to her. She only had them for two days but already read both my tales. She also wanted to know all about what else is going on with my writing. We were waiting for a table at Olive Garden when she brought it up and the other family members that were with us actually moved away when she asked. Now I’m sure, if I pressed them, they’d say it was purely coincidental that they chose that particular moment to drift off but I have my doubts.

My great aunt is down another friend since I saw her last so we exchange a few memories. This friend was a fellow teacher who she’d known for 70 years. She was around my entire life and she was one, like my great aunt who was always happy to see me and declared me wonderful, merely for showing up. Years ago, when I had a day off and met the ladies for lunch, she appeared with the prettiest pair of ruby and diamond earrings for me. She had gotten them as a gift only they were for pierced ears which she didn’t have. With all the females she knew, I was the one she chose to pass them on to. This woman couldn’t cook to save her own life. She roasted a chicken once but used drink stirrers as skewers. Naturally they melted long before the chicken was cooked but even so, she ate it anyway. And then there was the time she came to school and asked my great aunt if she could still eat a slice of ham that had grass growing on it. And she was forgetful. Not just towards the end. She’d always been that way. When arranging a lunch with her my great aunt would have to confirm it at least six times or the woman would go somewhere else and then call later, wondering where she was and why she hadn’t shown up.

For years, I heard a new story about what this woman was up to just about every time I called my great aunt. I think I’m going to miss her almost as much as the locals do. And now I have to worry that my great aunt has one less contemporary to hang out with. As I said, it was a bittersweet day.

Enjoy the people in your life while you have them.

Funny How the Universe Works

You may recall my friend, Eva May, and I ventured into the city at the beginning of the month. While there, I recounted a trip I'd made years ago with another friend and her son, T, to visit the Statue of Liberty. It was a glorious day. A Tuesday or Wednesday as I recall and we had the place amost to ourselves. We walked straight to the top, no waiting, looked around without being rushed, and had plenty of time to enjoy the rest of our day. This outing took place 18 years ago. I'm guessing it's been 15 since I last saw T.

One morning last week I was checking emails and came across one listing various details about myself challenging me to connect the dots and determine who sent it. Yep, it was from T. Do you think I summoned him by speaking of him with Eva May? I wish I'd known I have this ability. I'd have done it years ago.

I first met T when he was a cute, gawky eight-year-old kid. His mom and I were friends. He lived with his dad where he went to school so he and his sister would visit during summer vacations. I was in college and we spent a lot of time hanging out at my mom's pool. I remember the first year he had this yellow ball he floated around with tucked under his chin the whole time.

T was a non-kid kid if that makes any sense. He was a kid in a lot of ways but he wasn't. His mind was way too advanced for that. Got him into lots of trouble over the years too. At one point I offered to spend some time talking to him but was told in no uncertain terms by my friend to butt out. After all, I had no children of my own so how could I possibly help? Hm, perhaps because I'd also been a kid who didn't always fit the mold? Sorry, T. I did try to protect you. I sure wanted to and I would have if I could have. Bet you didn't know about that, did you?

One year, among other things, T got a bag of sweatsocks for Christmas. He knew I got terrible migraines and gave me one to tie around my head to keep it from exploding, sweetheart that he was. Guess what, T? I still have it. Yep, your sock is still making me feel better after all this time. And I still have the blue and white painting you did when you tried your hand at being an artist.

When T turned 16 and got his license I let him drive my precious little blue car and me to dinner with his family. What he didn't know was at that time I didn't let anyone else drive my car. See T, it was as big a deal for me as it was for you.

Anyway, back to that trip to the Statue of Liberty. You challenged me for details. We had Dove bars on Ellis Island and then we went to the Manhattan Chess Club where you had a game with one of the members. I admit I didn't know much about chess at the time, still don't but I did know about reading people. The man you played wasn't humoring you with that game. Yes, he won but it was a real game that required thought on his part.

I'm so glad you're back, T. In the few conversations we've had I can see traces of the cute, little boy you were and the funny, sarcastic (and hot!) teenager you grew into. I'm looking forward to getting to know the man you've become.

Good So Far

Today has started out very well indeed. The Bound Brits Anthology is finally available at Amazon US. I was so pleased I ordered copies to be sent to both my great aunt and my mother. I'm not telling them. I prefer to leave it a surprise. My aunt will be thrilled...my mom, your guess is as good as mine.

Also, in even bigger news, my goddess of an editor accepted my new book, Drake's Rules, for Cerridwen Press. How awesome is that! I haven't written the blurb yet but I'll post it once I do. This is just the sweetest book. It made me sigh repeatedly as I was writing it. It also made me chuckle because there's a scene-stealing six-year-old who says exactly what she's thinking.

Last night, I was chatting with Anny Cook and her Frog Friends on the Ellora's Cave yahoo group and the excerpts I posted seemed well-received. Want to see the sweet one? I'll take that as a yes. Keep in mind this is unedited.

“Daddy, the bread’s gone. Can we get ice cream now?” Christy bounced on her toes in front of them.
“Megan?” Drake deferred to her since it was meant to be a thank you for her kindness.
“Fine by me.” She hopped off the bench. “Lead the way. And for future reference, I consider ice cream to be a staple, consumable any time, day or night.”
“What’s that mean?” Christy chose to hold Megan’s hand instead of Drake’s.
“That means,” Drake responded as he clasped Megan’s other hand, “That we’re going to keep an eye on her so she isn’t a bad influence on you.”
“Daddy,” Christy sighed. “Talk kid English.”
“It means that I don’t always eat the way I should, honey.” Megan caught his amused expression and looked relieved that she hadn’t offended him. “I eat sweets instead of real food sometimes even though I know I shouldn’t.”
“Ooh, that’s bad.” Christy’s eyes were huge. “Daddy says we have to eat all sorts of stuff so we don’t get sick.”
“Your daddy is right,” Megan assured her.
At the small ice cream parlor, they sat at one of the tables outside while Christy devoured her cone. Drake was having trouble not staring at Megan’s tongue as she licked the chocolate sprinkles from her ice cream until Christy stopped eating, mid-cone.
“Daddy said about Mommy and Jimmy,” she stated to Megan.
“Yes,” Megan confirmed.
“He gets sad when he says about them. Uncle Adam says it’s ‘kay ‘cause they can’t be with us ever now and Daddy misses them. Uncle Adam says they had to go be angels ‘cause they’re very special. He says that Mommy and Jimmy are in my heart forever and if I get scared or lonesome I can talk to them there and they’ll help me,” she paused to ponder Megan. “Did Mommy make you find me? I was talking to her in my heart and then you came.”
“I don’t know,” Megan answered truthfully.
“But Uncle Adam said she’d take care of me from where angels are.”
Drake had to swallow several times before he could speak. “Christy, there’s no way to know if Mommy sent Megan or not. Angels help without letting us know. But even Uncle Adam will tell you that sometimes things just happen the way they do without involving angels. Do you believe Mommy sent Megan to keep you company?”
She chewed on her lip before nodding. “Yeah. I think Mommy sent her to make you happy too, like when I was little.”
Drake ignored the ice cream smeared on her cheeks and hugged Christy tightly. “Maybe she did,” he whispered, his voice unsteady as he watched Megan’s reaction over her head. “I love you, Christy.”
“I love you, Daddy. Always and forever.”
“Yep, always and forever.”

I told you it was sweet!

Hm, what else? Oh I know. A few weeks back you may remember I was feeling nostalgic and wrote a letter. The end result of that was an email today from a friend I used to hang out with at the music festivals I went to in high school. Last time I heard from him was at least 15 years ago so now I'm sitting here smiling.

Soon I'm off to a picnic for Neeley's sister's birthday. And, believe it or not, I'm taking a guest. I haven't warned them I'm bringing him so they're not going to have the inquisition planned out. I'm sure it'll occur anyway. I must admit I feel slightly guilty, springing my friends on him our first outing but not too much since he didn't hesitate one bit when I invited him. Hm, a courageous man, how about that!

Tour de France Update -

Winner Stage 14, July 19 - Freire, Spain

Overall Leader - Cadel Evans, Australia