Hi from Sea

The First Day of the vacation is getting to the cruise ship. Here I am riding on the bus from Orlando, Florida, to the docks in Cape Canaveral.

The most famous ships at the Cape are the space shuttles, but there are some really big cruise liners there too it turns out. That's the space port in the background as I wave goodbye to land.

Once I found my way to my cabin. I'm a single occupant in a double sized room. The cabin steward shaped the towels into a little animal.

Yes, that is the "new" me - sans forty pounds and several inches of hair. What do you think? Do you think anyone will even recognize me?

Vacation

Time for a vacation! Am taking a short trip on a cruise ship. Will say "Hi!" from the Bahamas.

Wishcasting Wednesday

Jamie asks "What do you wish to acknowledge yourself for?"

I want to acknowledge myself for facing adversity and becoming a better person because of it. I'm ok. I've made it through this. Things are never going to be the same again, they're going to be better.

When I first moved into the place I live now, I found a bedraggled, old Rose of Sharon in the alleyway. I trimmed back the weeds and the overgrowth so the light to get to it. Look at it now. This is how I feel too.

Put on your dancing shoes!

The lights are ready, the music begins ... may I have this dance?

Dance!

Still can't believe it. I'm dancing. Just beginning, but the studio has a program especially for absolute beginning foot-crushers like me. It's actually a lot of fun. My instructor says that pretty soon I'll be good enough to dance without injuring anyone's toes. Can't wait for that :-)

Smile & Move

An email arrived today with a link that said "Smile and Move" video, so I clicked on it. A very pleasant surprise popped up.



The website says that "Smile & Move gives you a simple (and fun) way to remind yourself and others of the core fundamentals that lead to better work, better relationships, and better results -- a message that reinforces what we know we need to do."

So I printed two of the posters and hung them in my cubicle at work. The first poster is "Smile, be Happy". It has five points:

Wake up.
Show others you care by giving attention to their needs.
Be thankful.
The opportunity to serve is a gift... not an entitlement.
Be approachable.
We're at each other's service, and contact is where it starts.
Complain less.
We've got work to do.
Smile. Really.
It's where pleasantness begins.


The second poster is "Move, do Something". It has four points:

Start early & go long.
Get lost in your service to others.
Exceed expectations.
Dismiss mediocrity. Expect more from yourself.
Have a sense of urgency.
Predict and pre-sweat the details for others.
Be resourceful & resilient.
Service is about giving someone what they need... no matter what.

The reaction around the office was immediate. They saw the word move and leapt to a conclusion.

"You're leaving?"

I should've known. After all, no one really reads posted signs in the Evil Corporation. That's why signs like "Flush twice. it's a long way to the cafeteria" are merely ironic statements of fact, and others like "Real Men flush" have already missed the mark (pun intended).

Since no one in my immediate office reads this blog, I'll tell you that I have been looking for another job. It's true. It's just not the reason I hung up the "smile and move" posters. It's OK by me if they think I'm off interviewing when I leave work because it means they won't be asking me questions about signing up for a dance lessons. Yep, you heard that right. It's real dancing -and not the kind I normally do to mock Republicans. I hope the instructors have steel-toed shoes coz they're gonna need 'em :-)

Wishcast Wednesday

Jamie asks "What do you wish to remember?" When times get difficult, I wish to remember that Hope still exists and blooms even in the toughest places. I went for a walk and let off some stress. Along the way, I found this little wild flower blooming in the oddest of places today. I am thankful for this little swatch of color.



I am also thankful for my friend Bindi's very kind words today.

Thank You

Thank all you very much for your support and encouragement. It has meant so very much to me this last month. I appreciate it more than I can ever say.

Miss Sunshine and I have split. She's doing fine. We still talk, but what we had is over. I'm doing well also, but still trying to sort through everything. I know that Time moves on and heals all wounds. I have to borrow pieces of two poems to say what I can't.

Time is engraved on the pale green faces
Of the floating lotus leaves.
Our hearts are a sea, a lake,
Finally a little pond, where
Spider webs interlock over the round leaves,
and below them our longing
Is only a single drop of dew.

Sometimes, suddenly the old story overcomes us.
Time triumphs then,
And lets down its hair --
Shadowy black,
trailing like a willow.

The old melancholy
Comes from the land of longing.
The colors of the sunset thicken.
The shadows grow fast on the water.
The memories of long love
gather like drifting snow,
poignant as the mandarin ducks
that float side by side in sleep.


If Life were fair, we wouldn't lose the love of our life and our best friend at the same time. But, there are somethings that just are the way they are. I promised Sunshine that I would love her as long as she would let me. And I did. I also promised her that I would still love her after that, but wouldn't tell her. So, now it's time to honor that promise too.

Skeeter

PS. To the girl who made a special point to leave her phone number on my desk at work this afternoon. I know you read this blog. I appreciate your trying to cheer me up, but please! For the love of God, the hole in my chest where my heart used to be really does need to heal and close enough so that the wind doesn't whistle through me when I walk. After a few months or so, when I've had time to hit the bottom of this and make what Christopher Sherwell of the Financial Times named "the Dead Cat Bounce", I'll be happy to talk to you about you, your sister, your cousin or even your evil twin.

Dance Me Again

I love you, Sunshine.



I miss you.

Happy Solstice!

The Summer Solstice happened today at 12:45 am my local time. Hope everyone has a happy Summer, and for those fathers out there - Happy Father's Day.

Wishcasting Wednesday

Jamie asks Who or what do you wish to play with?

This is easy. I wish for peace in Sunshine's life.

I wish I could play with ... my guitar.

Sleeping With Bread

The examen, based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, helps a person hold onto what spiritually nourishes them by looking at what is giving them consolation in their life or causing him desolation. It allows someone to express his gratitude to God for the good stuff and turn to him for solace for the bad stuff. It is quite simple. You simply ask yourself, in the last day/week/month what gave me consolation and what caused me desolation.

So, without further ado ...

The Good.

The wind that comes sweeping down the plain. Here in Oklahoma it's never very far away from one's mind. The good is like this ...

These are the blades of the giant windmills that turn wind into electricity. You see a lot of these things travelling north to places all over the Great Plains were wind is plentiful, bird traffic is small, and the money and jobs that energy production translates into is considered a God-send.

The good is also like this ...

and the Bad like this ...


We had a tornado right here in Norman yesterday. It was a small one and touched down on the east side of town. It is very rare for tornadoes to touch down inside the city limits of Norman, but it does happen. This tornado didn't do very much damage, but none of them go without leaving a calling card.

I'm so thankful that my house wasn't damaged by the twister, but it's one of those things. I hope it's not tempting Fate to be so. Most people carry around a certain sense of foreboding when it comes to tornadoes. Everyone who has lived here for any length of time has a storm story. Who determines whose stories begin with the pronoun "I" and whose doesn't? I promise you, that "Who" is not pure, dumb Luck.

Wishcasting Wednesday

What do you wish for your body?

I wish that I had as much balance as this little image. I love the sweeping "S" curve of this yard from the flowers up the stairs to the bush up to the explosion of leafy green to the left behind.

Balance. It's good thing.

Wordless Wednesday

I love you Sunshine.

Home at Last

One of the intersting things about being "gone" for awhile is finding a surprise when you return. My surprise was a little "deflating" ...

Before

During

After

Anyone need a nail? Seems that I've got one to spare.

Sleeping With Bread

The examen, based on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, helps a person hold onto what spiritually nourishes them by looking at what is giving them consolation in their life or causing him desolation. It allows someone to express his gratitude to God for the good stuff and turn to him for solace for the bad stuff. It is quite simple. You simply ask yourself, in the last day/week/month what gave me consolation and what caused me desolation.

So, without further ado ...

The Good.

A Momma Robin dropped these three bundles of joy into a unused nest over the crook of a gutter's downspout.

They're a little messy and a little noisy, but I'm glad they're here munching on the creepy crawlies from the lawn.

The Bad.

The economy really needs a turn around. Was talking with one of my brothers who lives in Kansas. He just survived another round of layoffs. Really need this economy to turn around and show some signs of life.

The Church Brew Works, Pittsburgh, PA

If you are ever in Pittsburgh, PA, you really need to count The Church Brew Works as one of the Steel City's "Must See" places.

The building that gives this place its name really is, or was once anyway, a functioning Catholic Church. The church building is a historical site and is as beautiful as it is rock solid.

It's hard to describe how impressive this place really is. It starts with the walk up to the building.

That continues all the way up to the front door.

The first thing I noticed when I pulled the door open was the malty smell of a beer being brewed. The light was perfect and streamed through the big purple, blue and red stained glass windows.

The Church Brew Works
3525 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
412-688-8200 fax 412-688-8201 cbw1996@comcast.net

Hours of Operation
Monday thru Thursday 11:30 AM to 11:45 PM
Friday & Saturday 11:30 AM to 1:00 AM
Sunday 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM

OK, the beers are really, really good. With the word brew in the name, would you expect less?

Dinner and the Museum

Well, I've been here in Pittsburgh for a week now. Went to restaurants in the evening an have explored the town. Finally went to the Carnegie Museum, and really enjoyed it, but somewhere along the way ... something started me thinking about my social life ...

I really miss my Sunshine. Yes, we talk. We text. We see her in everything ...

But, it's just not the same. How? Well, for starters, she defies gravity ...

But, not THAT much ... Except during THAT "special" time ...

So, I kept looking around the place and found HER ...

Perfect. She's beautiful. Who's that little guy hanging upside down from her hands? Well, that would be ME, dear ones, after she finds out that I had perogies ...

And cheese fries ...

For dinner!

The Noblesse Oblige Award

Many, many thanks to Pamela for presenting me with the Noblesse Oblige Award.



Details of Noblesse Award:

The recipient of this award is recognized for the following:

- The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervade amongst different cultures and beliefs.

- Their Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage, and offers solutions

- There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Cultures, Sciences and Beliefs

- The Blog is refreshing and creative

- The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking.

The Blogger who receives this award will need to perform the following:

- Create a post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award

- The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post

- Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older posts as support

- The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions

- Blogger must display the Award at any location at their Blog.

OK, what has this blog achieved so far? This blog began as an exercise in a writing class. I've changed as time's gone by and so has this blog. I'm only passionate about a few things and that's what I write about. My favorite topic is the love of my life, Miss Sunshine. Food thrills me and a pint of suds makes me happy. I take work very seriously, and have no sympathy for the knuckle-draggers who manage our beloved Evil Corporation. Cite specific examples ... well, of the last five postings, one is about a trip I'm taking to Pittsburgh for the Evil Corporation, and four are about my Sunshine.

I'd like to pass this award along to some people who have made me smile. I hope that they will enjoy receiving this award as much as I have.

Leni Qinan - an interesting writer living in an interesting place at an interesting time.
Technonana - I really appreciate all your kindness Sharon. Thanks.
Amber Star - my neighbor south of the Red River.
Sharilyn - for miracles big and small.
and Grass and her Gugu - for exactly the same reason.

Pittsburgh, PA!

Got called away on business to Pittsburgh, PA, for a while. Will try to post again real soon.

Thanks & best wishes,

Skeeter

Birthday Presents

My birthday was a whole lot of fun. Miss Sunshine made it really, really great.

We went to the world famous Cattleman's Restaurant ... had Long Island Iced Tea in hurricane glasses ...


And some yummy lunch ...

And then my very first pedicure ...


And a pair of new tires ...


Thank you Baby. Your love and companionship are the greatest gifts I've ever been given. I love you more every single day.

PS. How old am I? Here's a hint ...

A Birthday Wish

What am I wishing for on my birthday? Sunshine and a smile!

Suits and Pants

This is my favorite suit jacket. It fits me perfectly and it's so comfortable. When I bought it all those years ago, it came with a pair of pants that matched perfectly and fit like they were tailor-made for me.


The problem is that when I needed to wear my suit, I discovered (to my horror) that a seam in the trousers had worn out and split. It wasn't repairable!

So I went to the store where I bought the suit and hoped to find a matching pair of pants for the suit. Several hours later and many visits to other stores, no such luck. Time for a new suit. This time I bought a suit and two pairs of pants. You know, just in case five or ten years later ... Evil Fate strikes again.

So my question is this: What do I with a suit jacket that has no matching trousers?

Thanks,

Skeeter

PS. You may have guessed this already, but I don't wear suits very often.

A Beautiful Service

Yesterday we held the service honoring Sunshine's Mom. She had a large circle of people who loved her very much. So many friends, coworkers and acquaintances came to pay their respects. People filled the church all the way up to the balcony, and there were so many flowers.

Thank you all for your kindness and support.


You should have let me carry you across that red Oklahoma mud. The most beautiful woman in the world deserves some extra attention every once in awile, especially when her eyes are misty. I love you Miss Sunshine.