Wanted: Dead or Alive

Yesterday, I went to the Y to swim laps. Before I left the house, I packed a bag with all I'd need to swim, shower, do a little something with my hair and throw on a touch of makeup. I jumped in my truck and five minutes later I was parked and heading for the pool.

I picked out a locker and undressed down to my underwear. I started to pull stuff out of my bag, when it dawned on me that I'd forgotten one thing. I had my swim goggles, swim cap, lap counter, and shower sandals. I had shampoo, body wash, facial cleanser and washcloth. (The Y provides towels). I had my curling iron and makeup bag. Do you know what I forgot? Hint: It's critical in most social situations involving swimming activities. I nearly beat my head against my locker when I realized I was lacking a swimsuit.

Actually, I wasn't all that surprised. I'd just mentioned to Lon at breakfast, that I often can't see the forest for the trees. Although upset with myself, I maintained my composure and began reaching for my clothes to get dressed. I glanced down and realized I wasn't up a creek without a paddle after all. For comfort purposes, I'd donned a black sports bra (those underwire bras are killers) when I dressed that morning and my briefs were a black, brown and tan leopard print. Hmm, I thought. Maybe, just maybe, I can get away with wearing them. Who will know? The walk from the locker room door to the pool is only six to eight feet. I took a peek in a mirror and decided to go for it.

I put my swim cap and goggles on, slipped my lap counter on my right index finger and headed for the pool. The first door had a sign ~ Please don't wear sports bras, underwear, shorts, or cut-offs in the pool, swimsuits only~ Oh ----! I started talking to myself. This looks like a 2-piece swimsuit, sort of. What about that old sign ~ Shower before entering the pool~ I'd been breaking that rule for years! Why should I conform to this new one?

At the final door to the pool, I faced another sign, just like the other one. I scoffed at it and pulled the door open, mumbling to myself: give me a break, I'm getting old, I forget things. I made a mad dash for the edge of the pool and slipped into the water in less than four seconds. Phew! So far, so good. I looked at the lifeguard and she looked at me. She didn't blow her whistle or accost me in any way. Phew! I relaxed and smiled on the inside; I'd pulled it off. I set to task, swimming from one end of the pool to the other, back and forth, back and forth, clicking my lap counter at each turn.

I stopped when my lap counter reached 36. I caught my breath and looked toward the lifeguard. She wasn't looking my way. Quicker than scat, I scooted out of the pool and back into the locker room. Mission accomplished. As I showered, my thoughts wandered: I'm so crafty, devious and smart...there's a bank next door...with my goggles and swim cap on...and my curling iron as a weapon...maybe I...

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That's when I heard a door slam shut and heavy footsteps coming my way. I bowed my head and prayed for mercy. As the footfalls drew near, I finally had the nerve to look up. An over weight female staff member placed a pile of towels on the counter, turned around and walked away.

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I reckon my conscience is telling me to mend my wicked ways, or at least, obey the signs at the Y.

Right Party, Wrong House

Have you ever been invited to a party and when you walked into the house, realized you were at the right party but in the wrong house?

My husband, my son and I were invited to a Packer/Bear party at our nephew's home a couple of years ago. Our nephew and his wife had a new home and we'd only been there once before. We drove down their street and came to a house approximately where we remembered Al and JoLynn lived. There were several cars in the driveway and in front of the house. Lon and I figured this must be it.

We parked and walked up the driveway and sidewalk to the porch. A few people were standing just inside the door with drinks in their hands, so instead of knocking, we just walked right in. I didn't recognize anyone, but I wasn't alarmed because JoLynn has a large family and I wasn't familiar with all of her brothers, sisters and in- laws at that time. I just assumed these folks were her family.

We said hello and in return we were greeted with smiles and hellos as well. I did notice a glimmer of uncertainty in their faces but didn't think too much of it. The television was on with the pregame show blaring. I started to walk further inside, looking for Al or JoLynn. About that time, Lon realized we'd really blown it. He caught me before I took another step. "I think we're in the wrong house," he whispered to me. "You're kidding," I whispered back. Meanwhile, our son, who was standing behind us, glared at me and if looks could kill, it would have been all over for me.

I'll never forget the graciousness of the folks whose party we had barged in on. They were having a Packer/Bear party too. We did get that part right! I think they would have welcomed us into their living room and offered us a drink if Lon hadn't recognized our error. We all had a good laugh when Lon explained our mistake and we fumbled our way back out the door, embarrassed but none the worse for wear.

By the time we got out to our truck, the driveway next door was filling up with cars and we recognized Lon's brother. Aha. So that's where we were supposed to be. Once we were all settled in at Al and JoLynn's, we caused quite an uproar when we told the story of our most recent faux pas.

(I don't know what reminded me of this incident, but something wrenched it loose from my memory today and I thought it might be entertaining for you).

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Today's photo delivers to your eyes peonies that Lon picked this afternoon from our bushes in the backyard. Their scent is amazing, but unfortunately computer technology hasn't advanced to the point where I can download it for your enjoyment. Maybe next year.)

That's My Friend, Sarah

Almost three years ago, I was paging through the local shopping news when I came across a list of online classes available through our area technical college. The Beginning Writer's Workshop (available along with many other classes on http://www.ed2go.com/) intrigued me and I enrolled in the six-week session scheduled to begin on September 20th. I'd been tempted to take a writing class several times over the years, but never did until I discovered I could do it all at home on my computer.

I assumed the class would be small and made up of local residents. Wrong. The class numbered over 300 and we came together online from all over the United States, including Alaska, and as far away as Australia. One woman did some of her assignments on her laptop in a cafe perched in a huge oak tree on the island of Trinidad in the West Indies. Her husband was working on the island at that time.

I had the time of my life during those six weeks. We posted our assignments in a discussion area and then commented on each other's writing. The group of aspiring writers in that particular session of the workshop couldn't have been a more gregarious bunch. Many of us became good friends and continue to hang out through our blogs or writing websites.

One of the writers I met was Sarah. Sarah has always had something to say about my writing, starting way back in 2006. No matter what I wrote, Sarah thought it was fantastic and she lavished me with praise. I could do no wrong. She made me feel as though what I wrote was something I should be proud of. She made me believe in myself.

After a few weeks, I discovered that Sarah presently lives with her husband only ten miles north of where I live and that she grew up less than half a mile from here. Sarah is much younger than I am so she and I didn't grow up together. It's mind-boggling that we should come to know each other and become friends under these unusual circumstances. Sarah and her husband and Lon and I have gotten together on several occasions and our friendship has grown.

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If you read the comments on my blogs, you will almost always see something supportive and encouraging written and posted by someone with the name, Sarah. That's my Sarah. I'm not so sure I'd still be writing if not for her.

(In the photo are the backup files of my memories of the aforementioned classes. The cases hold printouts of the lessons, copies of all of the 500 word final assignments submitted by those who completed the class, and miscellaneous printouts of the great discussions and fun we had in the discussion area).

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In the past three years, I've been encouraged to keep writing by friends and relatives. I won't mention each and everyone right now, but you know who you are and that I appreciate you. My Aunt Babe always likes to read my blogs and anything else she can get her hands on that I've written. You've seen her name in the comment boxes. Another fellow classmate from 2006, who goes by the nickname, Gullible or Gully, and lives in Alaska , is still a close online friend. A very likable fellow who goes by the nickname, Walk, keeps us all in stitches with his sense of humor and warms us with his kindnesses. He, Gully and I have fun goofing around in the Ann Linquist Writes website. By the way, Ann Linquist was and still is the instructor in the BWW online class.

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Sarah's blogs are: http://www.dayspringsarah.blogspot.com/ and http://www.fadedhighways.blogspot.com/.

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Gullible's blog is: http://www.gullible-gulliblestravels.blogspot.com/.

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Walk's blog is: http://www.wayfarerwalk.blogspot.com/.

Too Much To Do, Too Little Time

I've been going in many different directions lately. Whereas, in the recent past, this blog was where I came every chance I got, I've been spending my time going in a few additional directions.

I'm reading three different books at the same time. The first one is THE BONE MAN OF BENARES: A Lunatic Trip Through Love and the World by Terry Tarnoff. I came across it in a blog. The author, Terry, is the husband of a friend of a friend of mine. The second book is SILVERLEAF LODGE by T.R. Baker and the third is GIVE THE LADY A RIDE (not yet published) by Linda Yezak. I met both Troy and Linda on the Christian Writers website and agreed to read their books.

Normally, I read one book at a time. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I've taken on all three at once and fortunately, so far, I'm managing to keep them straight. I read a chapter or two in one book and then go on to the next book and do the same. It's kind of insane but I feel the need to show my support to both Troy and Linda simultaneously, which I've been doing after each reading.

In addition to my reading, everyday, I always read the new posts to blogs written by my blogging friends as they show up and then I send them each a comment; I read and respond to personal e-mails and check on activities going on in CW. I've posted some questions in CW; I've posted a smidgen of my writing on CW; and I've posted my opinions on other writers' submissions in CW. Lots of e-mails come in to me related to my questions, posts and opinions.

I'm hoping things will settle down soon so I can resume a more relaxed state-of-mind. Of course, I've taken on all of these extra tasks voluntarily and any pressure on myself is self-induced. That's my personality. If I find that I enjoy something, I multiply it by ten and then hang on for dear life as I crash into walls, spin in circles and go crazy in the flurry of my activities.

I'm not looking for sympathy, just a chance to tell it like it is. Thank God, I balance my mental stresses with physical activities. I went for a run this afternoon and came back home feeling rejuvenated and ready to face the rest of the day.

I'm in the habit of posting at least one photo with my daily posts so off I go to come up with today's selection. I'm back. I found one that seems appropriate. That's my leg as I rush from one activity to another, too fast for the photographer. (Actually this was taken by my husband at the very end of the biathlon earlier this month. Unfortunately, I was just WAY too fast for him. Don't I wish!)

Someday soon, I hope to have something more interesting for you to read. All of the above is of great interest to me, but from your perspective, I don't know. Until then, just look at the pictures.

Me and My Laptop

I'm using my laptop computer for the very first time, on my lap. Until this evening, I was enjoying the fact that I could "compute" somewhere other than the extra bedroom where our desktop PC is located. I had setup camp on our pub table in the kitchen and had been content to use it there.

This evening, I downloaded a book sent to me via e-mail written by and sent to me by an author I met in ChristianWriters.com. If I was going to be reading the first couple of chapters, I decided it was time to take a comfortable seat in the living room.

Sitting in this easy chair with the laptop on my legs and my legs on an ottoman works great for both reading and other laptop functions. Lon's watching Jared play ball this evening so the TV isn't on next door in the family room. I'm easily distracted so I'll probably have to use the recliner in the bedroom for comfy laptop use when Lon's got the TV on.

That's the earth-shattering news update from Shaddy for today. I hope your day has been at least half as thrilling as mine.

Our Retreat

My husband, Lon, has his own painting and decorating business and, fortunately for me, he enjoys using his skills on our home.

Lon has always dreamed of having a cabin on a lake, but eventually we came up with a better idea. We decided to transform our home into a cabin and to forfeit the part about the lake. If we made everything too perfect, we'd never leave home and we're still a bit too young to retire.

I've posted pictures taken of our living room. The mural, reprinted from Terry Redlin's "An Evening With Friends" painting, covers the north wall of our living room. Lon covered the other walls in the room with pine boards to complete the log home look.

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We enjoy the coziness we've created with the wallcoverings and furnishings.

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(The pub table where I sit when I'm writing on my laptop is in the background in one of the pictures.)

In Memory

Lon and I visited the cemetery this afternoon. Although Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service, it is also a day to remember others who are no longer with us.

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I love this statue which is in the center of the cemetery where my parents are buried. The inscription reads: COME UNTO ME ALL YE THAT LABOR AND HEAVY LADEN AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.

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I find comfort in that Mom and Dad are buried not far from the statue and near Jesus' extended right hand.