Lynda Grace An Hour Away

 I really don’t have much of a green thumb.   But I do like plants around.  The ones I care for are pretty self sufficient, requiring little care and attention. The Christmas cactus, the philodendron, the ivy, and spider plants all get treated equally with a bi-weekly watering, every other Monday.  I don’t talk to them or interact, really, in any other way.  I am their foster mother, providing only the most basic of nurturing. Last year, on April 4,  I bought an orchid.  The smallest one I could find.  It was, of course, perfectly in bloom.  I welcomed it into our home and promised that I would take very good care of it.  I read the instructions on the tag.  I looked for a perch that would get just the right amount of light.  It apparently did not like to be in direct light, but rather it preferred a space which would provide, instead, a more constant light. I fussed over it and whispered "good morning" and "good night"...

First of all I am awake at an ungodly hour this morning because of thatdog .   Thatdog  is the dog who has recently decided that he needs to bark at 1:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m., 4:30 a.m. etc.  and will keep barking until I finally get up. This has been going on for the past several months. It doesn't happen every day, but at least about 3 times a week.   Ross and I take turns getting up and letting him out, because we think that is why he is barking.  Well, actually, the way it really goes is, we each try and wait the other one out to see who will finally get tired of listening to the barking and get up to let him out, because we think that is why he is barking. If you were a lurker in our bedroom, what you would hear in the middle of the night might sound something like this: Bark, bark, bark, bark, bark - that would be thatdog , just in case you wondered. Then, it might be, "RICO!" "NO BARKING!"  That would be me. " What's the matter puppy, huh?" ...

It’s not easy.  Although the times of tears are no longer daily, the waves of overwhelming sadness grab at me when I am still. This past weekend Bella came for a visit.  On Saturday we took her to an auction.  She didn’t know what that was. Ross told her what to expect. Before the auction started, Bella and I looked under all of the tables and in all of the boxes.  We were searching for the American Girl doll that was advertised.  We finally found her.  She was in a box lot marked K. The hall was crowded and we had gotten there late.  Bella reminded me that I told her that if we didn’t get there early we wouldn’t get a seat. We had to stand all the way in the back. Bella was very patient for the first hour. By that time, though, she was getting tired of standing.  So was I.  Then one of the auction workers came around with more chairs and we were able to sit. Bella had to sit on her knees so that she could see. After hour number t...

Nothing, I've got nothing new to say.  I have a bunch of thoughts, for sure, but nothing new.  Really, when I stop and think about it, whatever I might have to say has been said before,  most likely by me.  I know this to be true, because I have gone back to some past posts and found that I have repeated myself a couple or three times. Perhaps I will start to write my posts in cliches.  Really, think about it, cliches say it all. Ha! Cliche Site Let me give it a whirl and jump in with both feet. As plain as the nose on your face, I'm at the end of my rope. My stomach is tied up in knots.  I'm not going to beat around the bush.  I'm waiting with baited breath for the ink to dry, the other shoe to drop, and the dust to settle.  I'm like a lost dog in the high woods. I'm having a bad hair day, day after day. I could go on and on with this half baked idea but there is no rhyme or reason. Okay enough is enough.   That's what happen...

I am participating in BlogHer’s NaBloPoMo for the month of January. Today’s writing prompt question is : "If you could be given the option to never sleep and also never be tired, would you take it if it meant you'd also never dream again?” This is an interesting question.  Coincidentally, I have recently been wishing that I didn’t have to sleep.  I have also wondered why we were designed to require such necessary specific periods of unconsciousness.   The reason I have been pondering what it would be like to never sleep is because I simply need more time.  Oh, the list of what I would do with all of those extra hours, (which would eventually add up to extra years) is long.  Concerning   dreaming, it’s apparent that   u nconscious dreams are ones that are  written, produced and directed by anonymous forces.   I suggest that day dreams are more peaceful and satisfying.  ...

I resumed two activities today that I had stopped doing about 6 months to a year ago. First, this morning I started exercising again at Curves. For those not familiar with Curves, here is how it works. It is a circuit based program which consists of hydraulic resistance machines.  Women move from one machine to the next with aerobic exercise in between, such as jogging in place.  Because it is a 30 minute workout, the program provides the opportunity for exercise for beginners and for women with tight schedules to get a workout. The workout routine at Curves was also obviously designed to encourage socialization.  The machines are set up in a circle with the exercisers facing each other as they move around the circuit.  There are usually what I like to call “the topics of the day”.  I am a quiet observer of these conversations and rarely participate. That’s not to say that I don’t have an opinion, I do, but I keep it to myself.  I can’t honestly say tha...

We took advantage of the brilliantly sunny and warm day with a visit to the beaches in Ocean City and Strathmere.  Both of these beaches are located in Cape May County.  It was a beautiful day on the Jersey coast today, don’t you agree? Gazebo on 58th Street located on the south end of Ocean City Island Swing Set at 58th St. Tribute to The Shell King on Strathmere Beach Bella’s Treasures I swear I heard the angels singing. He said, “Beautiful day, huh?” I said, “Yes, yes it is.” Colorful Winter on The Beach THE COAT I told him to say cheese and he did. Sterling Silver Nearly Sunset Early Dinner Lobster House Cape May

I am participating in BlogHer’s NaBloPoMo for the month of January. Today’s writing prompt question is:  “ At what time of day do you feel the most  energetic and productive?" I am most definitely a morning person.  A very early morning person.   It has always been my favorite time of day.  I ’m not saying that I spring out of bed singing “Oh what a beautiful morning … ”. No, I am not that kind of sickeningly cheery morning person.   I am more of a peace and quiet, don ’t talk to me until I have had my tea, kind of morning person.   But once my a.m. ritual has been completed, especially if I have followed through with a workout, I am most productive.  Take today, for instance.  I got up at my usual time of 6:00 a.m.  By 9:30 a.m. I had let the dog out, put the kettle on, had my tea, started a load of laundry, completed my 40 minute work out at Curves, came home, put in the seco...

I am participating in BlogHer’s NaBloPoMo for the month of January. Today’s writing prompt question is: “What is your favorite way to recharge when you feel drained of energy?” I don’t know if this is my favorite way to re-charge but it is one that always works for me.  Plain and simple it is exercise.  Something I haven’t been very diligent about lately.  Actually, the treadmill has been idle for over a month. My routine had been brisk walking for 45 to 60 minutes, maintaining my heart rate at between 128-139, four to 5 days a week. When I am on that regiment, I feel physically stronger.  My joint aches and pains are reduced. My emotional state stabilizes and I am more mentally alert.  My level of energy increases and I don’t have that sluggish, dull feeling. In fact, I’m pretty sure I don’t misplace my keys or phone as frequently. The times I find myself rushing into another room, and then wondering why I...

Hi Ma. Doing ok. You can hear it my voice?  You're right.  I know.  I can't fool you.   No, I'm not doing so ok, today. I know what you mean, I still can't believe it either. Yea, I agree.  I know how special he was to you. Why? Why him?  That is a question I ask myself every day. Yes, it is a nice day out today.  But, I don't want to move out of my hibernation chair.  The mindless repetition of knit one, purl one and stockinette keeps me sane. Besides it feels safe here. I know, I know life goes on.  But I'm afraid, Ma.  I'm afraid he will get left behind. It's the feeling I used to get when I was out shopping with the kids.  I was always looking around to make sure they were in my sight.   My heart would literally stop when they would wander off.   I just don't want him to get lost in the shuffle of life going on?  That's why I have to keep him right here, with me. You know what I mean? Remembe...

In this post I will be finishing up some old business  with the final installment of the story of the (now) four coats, the last entries from Anna’s diary, some “for the record" entries of my own along with a few pics of our beloved LBI. After I brought the “ Mackage Down Coat with Genuine Fox and Rabbit Fur  (in   black) home, I would occasionally take it out of it’s luxurious Nordstrom’s garment bag and try it on.   Each time I would do so, I would stand in front of the mirror and ask the age old question that women all over the world  ask their significant other, “Do you think this makes me look too fat-short-old? ” Ross:  “Well remember it is a puffy coat, after all.   “ Hmm, as you can see, he, like men all over the world, has had a lot of experience dodging that question. For a variety of reasons, which will sound long winded and uninteresting, I am choosing not to go into detail, but will cut to the chase and s...