Poetry, poetry you try my patience,
My heart protests at your pitiful rhyme
Poetry, poetry will the works flow
Will I write a piece with enough time
Poetry, poetry nothing is calming
Nerves are enbalming my mind as I type
Poetry, poetry I hate to write you
After I'm finished it's nothing but hype
Poetry, poetry where is the rythm
the ryhme and the reason for writing this crap
Poetry, poetry if it wasn't for this class
I'd never write you, it'd be a mishap
Just a few thoughts I've had about writing a Chant Poem. I'm not a poet, but unfortunately it is the last section in my creative writing class. Please feel free to post a comment. Thanks for reading. More drivel and nonsense to come, I'm sure.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Write, Write, Write
Earlier this year I began taking an on-line creative writing class. I wanted something productive to do with my extra time. I thought it would give me a creative outlet and a chance for self-expression that I just don't get in my normal day-to-day life. I hoped to complete the class by now, but life has a way of taking the best laid plans and screwing them up.
I've started several novels. I've written essays and short stories. I also started this blog. My highschool english teacher would be so proud of me. Now if I could just finish what I started. So in light of my recent procrastination, here I am at my keyboard typing this out. It is in defiance of the time restraints my life imposes. I want to write. I love to write. But my time seems to slip away and is gobbled up by other obligations.
By writing I've learned so much about myself, good and bad. I've made some new friends and lost a few old ones along the way. Not everyone understands my art, the drive to put the words on paper, the little piece of myself inserted into each letter typed. Some easily discredit the effort it takes, are unsupportive or basically uninterested in my hobby. I mean each of us are truly selfish creatures and really want it to be all about us. It's not enough to rejoice in another's success. In the words of the great poet, Alain Whyte, "We hate it when our friends become successful." That's another thing I learned by writing. I've learned the depths of love and forgiveness, the true ties that bind us to one another, the joy of laughter and the pain of loss. Writing has opened up new doorways and new vistas. My future doesn't seem so pre-determined now. Writing has given me a new outlook on the future.
So as next year approaches and another year slips away. I guess my goals, my resolutions for next year are simple: write, write, write.
I've started several novels. I've written essays and short stories. I also started this blog. My highschool english teacher would be so proud of me. Now if I could just finish what I started. So in light of my recent procrastination, here I am at my keyboard typing this out. It is in defiance of the time restraints my life imposes. I want to write. I love to write. But my time seems to slip away and is gobbled up by other obligations.
By writing I've learned so much about myself, good and bad. I've made some new friends and lost a few old ones along the way. Not everyone understands my art, the drive to put the words on paper, the little piece of myself inserted into each letter typed. Some easily discredit the effort it takes, are unsupportive or basically uninterested in my hobby. I mean each of us are truly selfish creatures and really want it to be all about us. It's not enough to rejoice in another's success. In the words of the great poet, Alain Whyte, "We hate it when our friends become successful." That's another thing I learned by writing. I've learned the depths of love and forgiveness, the true ties that bind us to one another, the joy of laughter and the pain of loss. Writing has opened up new doorways and new vistas. My future doesn't seem so pre-determined now. Writing has given me a new outlook on the future.
So as next year approaches and another year slips away. I guess my goals, my resolutions for next year are simple: write, write, write.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Married and Dating-Trips Down the Aisle
This week’s episode of Married and Dating features an unexpected trip down the aisle, new dining adventures and a double feature. Read on for the juicy details!
Here we are folks, the big holiday weekend. Hope you’ve all been having fun. My ever loyal hubby has been really sick. Yes, he caught it from me, but not without a full disclosure of my illness in advance. I will not take the blame for his current state, even if I have been making a lot of comfort foods this week to cheer him up. He is pretty happy about being off work, so the cookies I made were just icing on the cake so to speak.
Because of the extra time off, we had planned a date day. What is a date day? Why it’s a date that starts early in the day and ends in the evening. Nana had offered to watch the offspring for the day. Yipee!!!
Granted I thought my sweetie would cancel, but he stubbornly manned up and took me out. For those following our adventures, remember that I was sick last time and he promised me we could do whatever I wanted this time. (Flashback to the November Beer Edition for details of this promise.) It was my pick and I wanted to see a movie.
We got an early start on Friday. I always make a little extra effort on our dates to put aside my normal mom gear (sweats and sneakers) and actually try to resemble a woman, a sexy woman, a woman you’d actually like to be seen out with in public, a woman that isn’t picking baby food off her shirt or wearing the same wrinkled outfit from two days ago. Yes, folks I fixed my hair, wore my contacts and did my makeup. I also wore a new outfit, Levi’s that actually look good on me and weren’t ripped, a white v-neck sweater, my favorite silver hoop earrings given to me by Sarah F., and my favorite new shoes, red platform sandals, made from the softest, buttery leather available. I’m short, so heels are a must for me when we are going out. My favorite male even gave me a compliment, so the date was starting out just fine.
We dropped the kids off and made it to our first movie, an action packed epic end of the world piece. We found out that Ultra Star Cinemas in our area does a half priced movie for the first showing of the day and all day on Tuesdays. That is a good deal folks! While I bought the tickets, hubby ran across to the store and bought some M&M’s, because really what’s a movie without snacks, but who can afford $3 M&M’s now-a-days? Then we went in and picked a seat in an old fashioned non-stadium theater.
At first I was worried, during the pre-show the sound was off and I thought it was not going be very good, since the theater is obviously older, but the second the actual pre-views started the Digital kicked in and it was perfect. We munched on our candy and settled in for a great action adventure film, after a few bites though, the whole side of my head starts aching. Now with this virus, I’ve been experiencing weird sinus pain and even tooth/jaw pain. So, I dig in my purse for an Aleve and stand up to go get some water hoping the shooting pains in my head will subside. I take two steps down the aisle and trip and fall, landing on my hands and knees. I’m freaking out, trying to collect my self esteem and scrape my body up off the floor. I try to stand and twist my ankle, then take another step and almost fall again. A collective gasp is heard from the mainly older crowd watching the movie with us. I think many of them were blaming my foot wear choice, or wondering if I'd been drinking, while others were remembering that time their Aunt Betty fell and was never the same again. Whatever the case, I’d made enough of a scene and managed to make my way up the incredibly long aisle to the back without another fall.
As I stumbled out of the theater and into the light, I wondered why I’d fallen. Now my knee was hurt too, I really needed that Aleve. So I shake it off, get the water, take my medication and head back to the theater. As I’m standing in the back, I realized the aisle lights on our side of the theater were not on. That’s why I fell, I had no depth perception and I couldn’t see how steep the incline was. If I had been really hurt, I would have made a big deal to the management, but by the end of the movie, my knee was fine. I did however, point out the broken lights and warn the manager who promptly called it in for repair.
My husband said it was like a scene out of some silly comedy, where the hot chick is walking down the sidewalk, the wind blowing the hair from her face, licking her perfect pouting lips and then she trips. Boom! I have lived that moment. Let me tell you, it was not as funny happening in real life as it is watching it on a screen.
After that, the rest of the date was anti-climatic. We had a great late lunch/early dinner at Bare Back, a New Zealand Burger place on ‘E’ downtown. Friday is all day happy hour and they do these $2 wheel spins. We tried it twice hoping for beer, (cause you guys know my Dave and his beer) we ended up getting shots instead. Oh well, it was happy hour. So I got a share a shot, take a shot of Vodka and Dave got a surfer on acid, not our normal drink choices, but hey for $2 whose complaining.
Then, we headed two blocks over to Horton Plaza to take in a teenaged romance movie. Found perfect parking and got perfect seats, that is until the whole high school soccer team showed up and sat in front of us. Talk about rude teenage girls, several had already seen the film and were quoting it verbatim, others were texting, the glow from their phones causing much distraction to their neighbors and still others were loudly talking during the whole show. All I could think is maybe we should have rented this one instead and saved our money.
This episode of married and dating will go down in infamy as the time I tried to look my best, but ended up looking like a fool. Oh well, that’s just how I roll.
Here we are folks, the big holiday weekend. Hope you’ve all been having fun. My ever loyal hubby has been really sick. Yes, he caught it from me, but not without a full disclosure of my illness in advance. I will not take the blame for his current state, even if I have been making a lot of comfort foods this week to cheer him up. He is pretty happy about being off work, so the cookies I made were just icing on the cake so to speak.
Because of the extra time off, we had planned a date day. What is a date day? Why it’s a date that starts early in the day and ends in the evening. Nana had offered to watch the offspring for the day. Yipee!!!
Granted I thought my sweetie would cancel, but he stubbornly manned up and took me out. For those following our adventures, remember that I was sick last time and he promised me we could do whatever I wanted this time. (Flashback to the November Beer Edition for details of this promise.) It was my pick and I wanted to see a movie.
We got an early start on Friday. I always make a little extra effort on our dates to put aside my normal mom gear (sweats and sneakers) and actually try to resemble a woman, a sexy woman, a woman you’d actually like to be seen out with in public, a woman that isn’t picking baby food off her shirt or wearing the same wrinkled outfit from two days ago. Yes, folks I fixed my hair, wore my contacts and did my makeup. I also wore a new outfit, Levi’s that actually look good on me and weren’t ripped, a white v-neck sweater, my favorite silver hoop earrings given to me by Sarah F., and my favorite new shoes, red platform sandals, made from the softest, buttery leather available. I’m short, so heels are a must for me when we are going out. My favorite male even gave me a compliment, so the date was starting out just fine.
We dropped the kids off and made it to our first movie, an action packed epic end of the world piece. We found out that Ultra Star Cinemas in our area does a half priced movie for the first showing of the day and all day on Tuesdays. That is a good deal folks! While I bought the tickets, hubby ran across to the store and bought some M&M’s, because really what’s a movie without snacks, but who can afford $3 M&M’s now-a-days? Then we went in and picked a seat in an old fashioned non-stadium theater.
At first I was worried, during the pre-show the sound was off and I thought it was not going be very good, since the theater is obviously older, but the second the actual pre-views started the Digital kicked in and it was perfect. We munched on our candy and settled in for a great action adventure film, after a few bites though, the whole side of my head starts aching. Now with this virus, I’ve been experiencing weird sinus pain and even tooth/jaw pain. So, I dig in my purse for an Aleve and stand up to go get some water hoping the shooting pains in my head will subside. I take two steps down the aisle and trip and fall, landing on my hands and knees. I’m freaking out, trying to collect my self esteem and scrape my body up off the floor. I try to stand and twist my ankle, then take another step and almost fall again. A collective gasp is heard from the mainly older crowd watching the movie with us. I think many of them were blaming my foot wear choice, or wondering if I'd been drinking, while others were remembering that time their Aunt Betty fell and was never the same again. Whatever the case, I’d made enough of a scene and managed to make my way up the incredibly long aisle to the back without another fall.
As I stumbled out of the theater and into the light, I wondered why I’d fallen. Now my knee was hurt too, I really needed that Aleve. So I shake it off, get the water, take my medication and head back to the theater. As I’m standing in the back, I realized the aisle lights on our side of the theater were not on. That’s why I fell, I had no depth perception and I couldn’t see how steep the incline was. If I had been really hurt, I would have made a big deal to the management, but by the end of the movie, my knee was fine. I did however, point out the broken lights and warn the manager who promptly called it in for repair.
My husband said it was like a scene out of some silly comedy, where the hot chick is walking down the sidewalk, the wind blowing the hair from her face, licking her perfect pouting lips and then she trips. Boom! I have lived that moment. Let me tell you, it was not as funny happening in real life as it is watching it on a screen.
After that, the rest of the date was anti-climatic. We had a great late lunch/early dinner at Bare Back, a New Zealand Burger place on ‘E’ downtown. Friday is all day happy hour and they do these $2 wheel spins. We tried it twice hoping for beer, (cause you guys know my Dave and his beer) we ended up getting shots instead. Oh well, it was happy hour. So I got a share a shot, take a shot of Vodka and Dave got a surfer on acid, not our normal drink choices, but hey for $2 whose complaining.
Then, we headed two blocks over to Horton Plaza to take in a teenaged romance movie. Found perfect parking and got perfect seats, that is until the whole high school soccer team showed up and sat in front of us. Talk about rude teenage girls, several had already seen the film and were quoting it verbatim, others were texting, the glow from their phones causing much distraction to their neighbors and still others were loudly talking during the whole show. All I could think is maybe we should have rented this one instead and saved our money.
This episode of married and dating will go down in infamy as the time I tried to look my best, but ended up looking like a fool. Oh well, that’s just how I roll.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Married and Dating-November's Beer Edition
What can I say? My adventures as a married mom dating her life partner continue. In this months installment, you will find a sick woman, a group of revelers and Paul Masson.
San Diego celebrated it's first annual San Diego Beer Week. My husband, who is a home brewer with big dreams, was so stinking excited. He planned to attend as many events as possible during the week. The San Diego Brewers Guild had over 250 events planned during the week. Dave picked four to go to. I think he would have picked more, but he didn't have the time or the money.
Of course I couldn't go with him to four outings in the same week. I mean really, who would watch the children? Plus, I'm a wine drinker, so beer, although great with pizza and chili, is not my cup of tea. Really, I will drink a beer with a meal once in awhile, but I can take it or leave it.
However, I didn't want my hubby attending all those events alone, so I agreed to be his DD (designated driver) and go to a vintage beer tasting on Thursday evening. He was so cute, like a puppy with a new bone. It was adorable seeing him so excited about something.
What is a vintage beer tasting, you ask? The word vintage means old. Now old beer may sound bad to most of you. But depending on the style of beer and how it was aged, it may actually taste better the older it is. In fact some brewers are now manufacturing beers with the intent to age them, much like a fine wine.
Joey, the owner of South Bay Drugs in Imperial Beach, was hosting this event at La Bella Pizza in Chula Vista. South Bay Drugs is actually very famous for it's unique and unusual beer offerings. Joey is quite the expert when it comes to micro-brews. His event was limited to 50 participants and it sold out completely. The DD's got in free and got to eat free pizza.
We hired a sitter (Thanks LaMicha!) We were really looking forward to spending some time together. Our event was on Thursday evening, by Tuesday evening I have a sore throat. Now two of my kids and my mom have all been sick. I was hoping I was not coming down with anything. By Wednesday night, I felt like crap. I told my husband, "The only thing worse than feeling like crap is looking like crap!" I was not going to cancel on him. He'd already bought his ticket. I was going even if it killed me.
Thursday dawns and I have no voice. My normal Minnie Mouse voice sounds like a smoker of 60 years and I have a horrible cough. But I'm determined to muscle through the day. I try to nap. I take Day Quil and I hope and pray for the best. I clean up, dress up and hope to fake my way through date night. I pick up the sitter and we're off.
We get to the tasting event and Dave is like a kid in a candy store. At first there are no seats so we just stand in a corner while he sips his first beer sample. The restaurant had double booked the area and the first event hadn't cleared out yet. Finally, they left after entertaining all of us with their fight song (local football team.) Then the grown ups took over and spread out. It was a really nice group. Everyone was friendly and laid back. Many were table hopping and spreading the beer cheer. People had brought unusual beers from around the world to share with the group. Joey and his band of merry men and women shared tidbits about the various beers and gave additional samples out to finish up any leftover bottles.
The pizza was great but salty. Eventually I asked Dave to get me a drink from the bar downstairs. I figured one glass of wine early in the evening would not cause a driving issue later. So being a beer guy, Dave asks the bartender for a white wine. One sip in and I ask, "what is this?" He answers "I don't know." I didn't see the bottle she poured it from. It could even be from a box." I shudder. Box wine, yuck! I say in my best wine snob voice "This is the Coor's Light of wines." I knew if I made a beer reference he'd understand how truly awful it was. But it's not like the restaurant had a wine list. The choices were white, red or pink.
So suffering from a severe cold, drinking nasty wine and eating greasy pizza...while my honey is having a marvelous time drinking great old vintage beers with other beer dudes and dudettes. As far as date nights go, it wasn't my best. But like I told my hubby, the important thing for me is spending time with him.
Eventually though, my cold got the best of me and I insisted we take our leave. Dave was fine. I'd soldiered up and done my spousal duty and won a few wifely bonus points. He even promised as we left that on our next date night, he'd do something just for me. As we wandered out of the restaurant, we walked through the bar. The bartender was pouring someone a glass of Paul Masson wine. The Coor's light of wines....my wine, was a Paul Masson. Nope, that sealed it as officially my worst date night ever.
P.S. Joey and his group did a fine job in hosting this event. We would attend again next year. I think if I had not been sick, things would have been better. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. Until next month...happy dating the one you love!
San Diego celebrated it's first annual San Diego Beer Week. My husband, who is a home brewer with big dreams, was so stinking excited. He planned to attend as many events as possible during the week. The San Diego Brewers Guild had over 250 events planned during the week. Dave picked four to go to. I think he would have picked more, but he didn't have the time or the money.
Of course I couldn't go with him to four outings in the same week. I mean really, who would watch the children? Plus, I'm a wine drinker, so beer, although great with pizza and chili, is not my cup of tea. Really, I will drink a beer with a meal once in awhile, but I can take it or leave it.
However, I didn't want my hubby attending all those events alone, so I agreed to be his DD (designated driver) and go to a vintage beer tasting on Thursday evening. He was so cute, like a puppy with a new bone. It was adorable seeing him so excited about something.
What is a vintage beer tasting, you ask? The word vintage means old. Now old beer may sound bad to most of you. But depending on the style of beer and how it was aged, it may actually taste better the older it is. In fact some brewers are now manufacturing beers with the intent to age them, much like a fine wine.
Joey, the owner of South Bay Drugs in Imperial Beach, was hosting this event at La Bella Pizza in Chula Vista. South Bay Drugs is actually very famous for it's unique and unusual beer offerings. Joey is quite the expert when it comes to micro-brews. His event was limited to 50 participants and it sold out completely. The DD's got in free and got to eat free pizza.
We hired a sitter (Thanks LaMicha!) We were really looking forward to spending some time together. Our event was on Thursday evening, by Tuesday evening I have a sore throat. Now two of my kids and my mom have all been sick. I was hoping I was not coming down with anything. By Wednesday night, I felt like crap. I told my husband, "The only thing worse than feeling like crap is looking like crap!" I was not going to cancel on him. He'd already bought his ticket. I was going even if it killed me.
Thursday dawns and I have no voice. My normal Minnie Mouse voice sounds like a smoker of 60 years and I have a horrible cough. But I'm determined to muscle through the day. I try to nap. I take Day Quil and I hope and pray for the best. I clean up, dress up and hope to fake my way through date night. I pick up the sitter and we're off.
We get to the tasting event and Dave is like a kid in a candy store. At first there are no seats so we just stand in a corner while he sips his first beer sample. The restaurant had double booked the area and the first event hadn't cleared out yet. Finally, they left after entertaining all of us with their fight song (local football team.) Then the grown ups took over and spread out. It was a really nice group. Everyone was friendly and laid back. Many were table hopping and spreading the beer cheer. People had brought unusual beers from around the world to share with the group. Joey and his band of merry men and women shared tidbits about the various beers and gave additional samples out to finish up any leftover bottles.
The pizza was great but salty. Eventually I asked Dave to get me a drink from the bar downstairs. I figured one glass of wine early in the evening would not cause a driving issue later. So being a beer guy, Dave asks the bartender for a white wine. One sip in and I ask, "what is this?" He answers "I don't know." I didn't see the bottle she poured it from. It could even be from a box." I shudder. Box wine, yuck! I say in my best wine snob voice "This is the Coor's Light of wines." I knew if I made a beer reference he'd understand how truly awful it was. But it's not like the restaurant had a wine list. The choices were white, red or pink.
So suffering from a severe cold, drinking nasty wine and eating greasy pizza...while my honey is having a marvelous time drinking great old vintage beers with other beer dudes and dudettes. As far as date nights go, it wasn't my best. But like I told my hubby, the important thing for me is spending time with him.
Eventually though, my cold got the best of me and I insisted we take our leave. Dave was fine. I'd soldiered up and done my spousal duty and won a few wifely bonus points. He even promised as we left that on our next date night, he'd do something just for me. As we wandered out of the restaurant, we walked through the bar. The bartender was pouring someone a glass of Paul Masson wine. The Coor's light of wines....my wine, was a Paul Masson. Nope, that sealed it as officially my worst date night ever.
P.S. Joey and his group did a fine job in hosting this event. We would attend again next year. I think if I had not been sick, things would have been better. Oh well, you win some, you lose some. Until next month...happy dating the one you love!
Coffee
I'm one of those people who doesn't just enjoy a cup of coffee, I need coffee. The smell, texture, aroma and the feel of the warm cup in my hands, comforts and inspires me at the same time. I wake up just to drink that first cup. It is the sweetest best moment of the day, the half sip of caffienated love warming my lips, throat and belly as it makes it's way into my system.
Coffee figures predominantly in many of my memories. When I was a baby, my grandma would put just a little in my milk bottle with sugar and cream. I remember those bottles. When I was studying all night during Pioneer School, coffee made it possible to pull an all-nighter and still be awake during the classes the next day. When hubby and I opened our wedding presents, our friends had bought us a Krups coffee maker/cappucino machine. We wore it out! When my friends wanted to hang out, we went to the coffeehouse nearby to listen to music and play games. One of my previous employers used Starbuck's as a reward, giving me gift cards or showing up with my favorite drink to say thanks. Recently, my sister-in-law gave me a coffee maker as an anniversary gift. Coffee has always been a big part of my life.
When it comes to coffee, my preferences are pretty clear: dark strong coffee, slightly sweetened with cream. If the cream is flavored it must be French Vanilla. One of my old co-workers called my morning cup of coffee "Cake." I call it yummy!
I'm a creature of habit and drink out of the same cup everyday. It actually holds one and a half cups of joe. It features the painting of "Scream" by E. Munch. I'm a pretty happy person, so the contradiction of the angst on the cup to my morning sunshine is humorous to me. I'm a morning person, but coffee makes every morning better.
Who knows what future memories I will have while drinking a cup of freshly brewed coffee. So many family celebrations and mornings with my kids lay ahead. But I do know one thing:
"Life is too short to drink bad coffee, cheap beer and awful wine."
Coffee figures predominantly in many of my memories. When I was a baby, my grandma would put just a little in my milk bottle with sugar and cream. I remember those bottles. When I was studying all night during Pioneer School, coffee made it possible to pull an all-nighter and still be awake during the classes the next day. When hubby and I opened our wedding presents, our friends had bought us a Krups coffee maker/cappucino machine. We wore it out! When my friends wanted to hang out, we went to the coffeehouse nearby to listen to music and play games. One of my previous employers used Starbuck's as a reward, giving me gift cards or showing up with my favorite drink to say thanks. Recently, my sister-in-law gave me a coffee maker as an anniversary gift. Coffee has always been a big part of my life.
When it comes to coffee, my preferences are pretty clear: dark strong coffee, slightly sweetened with cream. If the cream is flavored it must be French Vanilla. One of my old co-workers called my morning cup of coffee "Cake." I call it yummy!
I'm a creature of habit and drink out of the same cup everyday. It actually holds one and a half cups of joe. It features the painting of "Scream" by E. Munch. I'm a pretty happy person, so the contradiction of the angst on the cup to my morning sunshine is humorous to me. I'm a morning person, but coffee makes every morning better.
Who knows what future memories I will have while drinking a cup of freshly brewed coffee. So many family celebrations and mornings with my kids lay ahead. But I do know one thing:
"Life is too short to drink bad coffee, cheap beer and awful wine."
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Smokey-The Wonder Cat
Here is a family tale from many years ago. It may sound familiar, but in this case it's true. It's about home, hearth, love and a wonderful cat named Smokey. This story is for anyone who ever loved and lost a pet.
My husband and his family owned a grey and white long-haired cat named Smokey. They had Smokey forever. He was actually quite old when this incident occured. Some of the facts may be a little confused, you'd have to ask my mother-in-law to get the whole story, but this is how I remember hearing it and I'd like to share this tail, I mean tale with you.
Dave, my significant other, was still in elementary school at the time of this event. His whole life he'd had three siblings, Jeff, Cherie and Smokey. The cat was family and indeed it was often treated as Dave's older brother. Everyone loved Smokey, he was easygoing, lovable and friendly, even to small children. One of my favorite baby pictures of my husband is him in his pajamas holding a fluffy and tolerant Smokey in his chubby little arms.
The neighbors had been packing for an extended vacation. Their garage door had been hanging open all morning as they got the old 1970's sedan loaded up. The man walked over to tell Dave's folks goodbye and then they were off to destinations unknown. A hush fell over the neighborhood after all of the earlier activity.
Later that night as the Swader family settled in, they realized their beloved pet had not returned home for dinner. In fact, they began to worry that maybe Smokey had gotten locked in the neighbors garage while they were packing their car. Dave's dad went over to their house and listened to hear any strange meowing noises. But it was perfectly silent. Maybe Smokey was just wandering the neighborhood, they thought.
But when Smokey still had not returned the next day, the whole family started preparing for the worst. He was pretty old and maybe he'd gotten hurt or left to die in peace. After a very long week, the Swader's felt that they had seen the last of their precious family member. Each was dealing with the loss in their own way. It was hard on all of them and an air of sadness settled over their happy home.
The next week, the neighbors returned home. The man immediately sought out Dave's dad who was working in the garage. "Bob" he said with a heavy sad voice, "Smokey somehow got into our trunk while we were packing. We didn't hear him meow or know he was there until we stopped for a bathroom break. We opened the trunk to get something and out popped your cat. We tried to catch him, but he ran off and we couldn't find him. I'm so sorry." The neighbor and his family were all very sad to bear such bad news.
So at last the Swader's had some closure. They knew their cat was out there, but he was a city cat and more than likely did not survive in the woods, so near the interstate. They all made peace with the fact that Smokey was gone forever. They even talked about getting a new kitten once everyone was ready.
A couple of months later, Dave's mom was working in the kitchen when she heard a faint meow at the glass sliding door. Looking out the window, she had the shock of her life. There sat a much skinnier and very dirty Smokey. Somehow he'd survived the 300 mile trek back home, back to his family. How he survived or even knew which direction to travel in, they never knew. But Smokey, the wonder cat, not only survived the dangerous trip home but he lived to the ripe old age of 22 before finally leaving his loving family forever.
Take a moment to hug your family pet today and marvel at God's wonderful creations. There is nothing like a pet to make a house a home.
My husband and his family owned a grey and white long-haired cat named Smokey. They had Smokey forever. He was actually quite old when this incident occured. Some of the facts may be a little confused, you'd have to ask my mother-in-law to get the whole story, but this is how I remember hearing it and I'd like to share this tail, I mean tale with you.
Dave, my significant other, was still in elementary school at the time of this event. His whole life he'd had three siblings, Jeff, Cherie and Smokey. The cat was family and indeed it was often treated as Dave's older brother. Everyone loved Smokey, he was easygoing, lovable and friendly, even to small children. One of my favorite baby pictures of my husband is him in his pajamas holding a fluffy and tolerant Smokey in his chubby little arms.
The neighbors had been packing for an extended vacation. Their garage door had been hanging open all morning as they got the old 1970's sedan loaded up. The man walked over to tell Dave's folks goodbye and then they were off to destinations unknown. A hush fell over the neighborhood after all of the earlier activity.
Later that night as the Swader family settled in, they realized their beloved pet had not returned home for dinner. In fact, they began to worry that maybe Smokey had gotten locked in the neighbors garage while they were packing their car. Dave's dad went over to their house and listened to hear any strange meowing noises. But it was perfectly silent. Maybe Smokey was just wandering the neighborhood, they thought.
But when Smokey still had not returned the next day, the whole family started preparing for the worst. He was pretty old and maybe he'd gotten hurt or left to die in peace. After a very long week, the Swader's felt that they had seen the last of their precious family member. Each was dealing with the loss in their own way. It was hard on all of them and an air of sadness settled over their happy home.
The next week, the neighbors returned home. The man immediately sought out Dave's dad who was working in the garage. "Bob" he said with a heavy sad voice, "Smokey somehow got into our trunk while we were packing. We didn't hear him meow or know he was there until we stopped for a bathroom break. We opened the trunk to get something and out popped your cat. We tried to catch him, but he ran off and we couldn't find him. I'm so sorry." The neighbor and his family were all very sad to bear such bad news.
So at last the Swader's had some closure. They knew their cat was out there, but he was a city cat and more than likely did not survive in the woods, so near the interstate. They all made peace with the fact that Smokey was gone forever. They even talked about getting a new kitten once everyone was ready.
A couple of months later, Dave's mom was working in the kitchen when she heard a faint meow at the glass sliding door. Looking out the window, she had the shock of her life. There sat a much skinnier and very dirty Smokey. Somehow he'd survived the 300 mile trek back home, back to his family. How he survived or even knew which direction to travel in, they never knew. But Smokey, the wonder cat, not only survived the dangerous trip home but he lived to the ripe old age of 22 before finally leaving his loving family forever.
Take a moment to hug your family pet today and marvel at God's wonderful creations. There is nothing like a pet to make a house a home.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Another Installment of Married and Dating
This weeks installment of married and dating includes interpetive dance, silly questions, impersonations of impersonators and finishes with a wonderful performance by the hubbies...but I'll save that for later.
The week after our Vegas trip, my manly man helped some friends move, cause that's how we roll. We try to help our friends when they need us. So to thank us for our assistance, we were invited to a grown up dinner party. No kids, just nine adults, eating, drinking, laughing and having a great time.
First came the proverbial chit-chat. "How was your trip to Napa?" "Our friends keep asking us to move to Alaska." "The neighbors are driving me crazy." "Are you settled in yet?" "Would you like to see my photos?" And the ever popular "Mac vs. PC" conversations. Not one comment was made about Legos, Star Wars, or Dora. It was refreshing for the four full-time parents in the group.
Then the appetizer's were served. Yummo (to quote Rachel Ray)! Incredibly large green olives, stuffed with garlic and wrapped in bacon, broiled until crispy on the outside were served on little skewers along with cheese spread and crackers. Delicious.
This was followed by a wonderful chicken basil penne, salad and breadsticks. During which our host pulled out his impersonation of Billy Crystal doing an impersonation of Sammy Davis, Jr. It was hysterical and actually quite good coming from a tall, white, non-Jewish guy.
Once we stopped rolling on the floor with laughter, our hosts cleared the dishes and we proceeded to play a fierce game of Apples to Apples, in which we all argue about why our card should be picked over another players. It was loud, really loud, earsplitting loud and totally rowdy. The winning card was for the word "Fantastic" one of the options was "rainbows" which are pretty and very nice, but since I was the judge that round I had no choice but to pick "Underwear." Oh I know many of you may be confused as to my pick, but ladies face it, life without Spanx and Wonder Bras would never be the same. In my opinion, the advances in underwear is fantastic. We look better, feel better, walk taller and prouder, feel our sexiest in brand new underwear. Nothing makes a woman feel more womanly than the slide of lace, satin or pretty printed cotton, in a rainbow of colors, in all varieties....underwear is fantastic.
Dessert was served and who doesn't love a parfait? A huge hit with the whole group, I've personally never seen nine cleaner dessert dishes in my life. If my tongue was longer I would have licked my glass clean, but alas I possess a short and stunted tongue.
Then we tried another game. To be honest, I don't even know it's name, we were totally breaking all the rules by playing in teams, men vs. women, instead of individually. We had to guess the other teams answer to the choices and then there were these challenge squares, which proved to be very interesting. There was the normal bickering among spouses, the psychological manuvering of people who've been married forever and can practically read each others thoughts, and the girls were kicking the guys butts. That is until we landed on our first challenge square.
The guys picked a challenge, thinking we'd be squeamish and balk at it, they really don't understand women very well, do they? Three of the ladies in the group are moms, who can do anything. Never, ever think you can break a mom. Men as a rule underestimate women, even though we're "Awesome."
So what was the challenge, you ask? We had to perform an interpetive dance of a cat chasing a mouse. Piece of cake, we all started channeling our inner feline and pawing and meowing and basically chasing Rey around the room (she was our designated mouse.) The men were forced to concede our superiority at interpetive dance. Come on guys, pick something a little harder next time.
But as the saying goes, payback's a b**** well you know what I'm thinking. It was the guys turn for a challenge and Rey and her mom picked a good one, with music and all. The remaining three guys, had to get on their hands and knees and bounce their posteriors to the beat of the music. After much protest and a brief wrestling match over a video camera, the guys agreed and assumed their postitions on the carpet. As Michael Jackson blared from the stereo, the guys started bouncing their butts up and down to the beat. It was the funniest moment of the night, at least for the ladies. I think the ladies officially won, but the guys get an "A" for effort. Oh to have taped it and posted it on You Tube? Maybe next time.
Until next date night, have a good one and keep on dating the one you love!
The week after our Vegas trip, my manly man helped some friends move, cause that's how we roll. We try to help our friends when they need us. So to thank us for our assistance, we were invited to a grown up dinner party. No kids, just nine adults, eating, drinking, laughing and having a great time.
First came the proverbial chit-chat. "How was your trip to Napa?" "Our friends keep asking us to move to Alaska." "The neighbors are driving me crazy." "Are you settled in yet?" "Would you like to see my photos?" And the ever popular "Mac vs. PC" conversations. Not one comment was made about Legos, Star Wars, or Dora. It was refreshing for the four full-time parents in the group.
Then the appetizer's were served. Yummo (to quote Rachel Ray)! Incredibly large green olives, stuffed with garlic and wrapped in bacon, broiled until crispy on the outside were served on little skewers along with cheese spread and crackers. Delicious.
This was followed by a wonderful chicken basil penne, salad and breadsticks. During which our host pulled out his impersonation of Billy Crystal doing an impersonation of Sammy Davis, Jr. It was hysterical and actually quite good coming from a tall, white, non-Jewish guy.
Once we stopped rolling on the floor with laughter, our hosts cleared the dishes and we proceeded to play a fierce game of Apples to Apples, in which we all argue about why our card should be picked over another players. It was loud, really loud, earsplitting loud and totally rowdy. The winning card was for the word "Fantastic" one of the options was "rainbows" which are pretty and very nice, but since I was the judge that round I had no choice but to pick "Underwear." Oh I know many of you may be confused as to my pick, but ladies face it, life without Spanx and Wonder Bras would never be the same. In my opinion, the advances in underwear is fantastic. We look better, feel better, walk taller and prouder, feel our sexiest in brand new underwear. Nothing makes a woman feel more womanly than the slide of lace, satin or pretty printed cotton, in a rainbow of colors, in all varieties....underwear is fantastic.
Dessert was served and who doesn't love a parfait? A huge hit with the whole group, I've personally never seen nine cleaner dessert dishes in my life. If my tongue was longer I would have licked my glass clean, but alas I possess a short and stunted tongue.
Then we tried another game. To be honest, I don't even know it's name, we were totally breaking all the rules by playing in teams, men vs. women, instead of individually. We had to guess the other teams answer to the choices and then there were these challenge squares, which proved to be very interesting. There was the normal bickering among spouses, the psychological manuvering of people who've been married forever and can practically read each others thoughts, and the girls were kicking the guys butts. That is until we landed on our first challenge square.
The guys picked a challenge, thinking we'd be squeamish and balk at it, they really don't understand women very well, do they? Three of the ladies in the group are moms, who can do anything. Never, ever think you can break a mom. Men as a rule underestimate women, even though we're "Awesome."
So what was the challenge, you ask? We had to perform an interpetive dance of a cat chasing a mouse. Piece of cake, we all started channeling our inner feline and pawing and meowing and basically chasing Rey around the room (she was our designated mouse.) The men were forced to concede our superiority at interpetive dance. Come on guys, pick something a little harder next time.
But as the saying goes, payback's a b**** well you know what I'm thinking. It was the guys turn for a challenge and Rey and her mom picked a good one, with music and all. The remaining three guys, had to get on their hands and knees and bounce their posteriors to the beat of the music. After much protest and a brief wrestling match over a video camera, the guys agreed and assumed their postitions on the carpet. As Michael Jackson blared from the stereo, the guys started bouncing their butts up and down to the beat. It was the funniest moment of the night, at least for the ladies. I think the ladies officially won, but the guys get an "A" for effort. Oh to have taped it and posted it on You Tube? Maybe next time.
Until next date night, have a good one and keep on dating the one you love!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)