Laughter

I love to laugh, especially the kind of laughter where you can't stop and tears may run down your face. Sometimes a movie can evoke do this. I remember going to see Ruthless People with a friend and at a certain point of the movie, the entire audience burst out laughing. Fun! A different movie, Steel Magnolias, was a very sad movie. And I wouldn't have believed that the writers could have scripted a cemetery scene that could cause outright laughter. But it did!
And then there is the laughter when something in real life occurs and everyone begins to laugh and you say to the person, "We're not laughing AT you, we're laughing WITH you...you just haven't started yet! Especially true when it is you yourself that causes the mirth and merriment. Things are often funnier in hindsight, as evidenced by the statement, "Someday, you will look back at this and laugh!"
So, here's one of those stories, from real life...my life...and quite embarrassing at the time!

There was an afterschool faculty meeting where the staff was being instructed in how to be more effective at 'test writing'. It was held in the school library which was the last room in the main hallway. Then, you had to turn left, where there was a choice of two wings- grades 4-5 in one wing and 6th grade in the other.
The timing would work out perfectly for me, as I was to pick my mother up at the airport at about 5:30 PM. That is...in theory. My mom[Flo] had a history of crummy air port experiences involving cancelled flights, delays, having to literally run to a gate because of a flight change, etc. She had been known to voice her, "You know...I'm too old for this sh**!"
So, after the kids had been dismissed, and as I am walking to the meeting, there was an announcement that I was to report to the office because I had a phone call. It was my brother relating the latest saga of all that had gone wrong with Flo's flight[again!!], and the new info so that I could revise the 'airport run'. This conversation, while absolutely unavoidable and necessary, took about 5-10 minutes and I'm supposed to be in a meeting in the library...with everyone else in the building. So, as I left the office, I began to run down the hallway to enter the last room on the right which, by the way, was half- glass from about waist high upward to the ceiling. And as if watching myself in slow motion, the top half of my body got running faster than the bottom half of my body and I sailed right past the library door on my knees!! As I sailed quickly toward that concrete wall[ a definite stopping point],I could hear heads turning and gasps of,"Oh my God!".
"What's ?...Who?...Are you alright?"
Imagine ,for a moment, how I probably felt. Sail by that library door on your knees in front of the entire faculty and a guest speaker!!
The only good thing about it was that it happened so fast that some people were totally unaware before it was already over and thus didn't get to see the visual image!!
Well, is it funny in hindsight?...Have I looked back upon it and laughed at it?
Oh yes! Of course! If you can't laugh at yourself, then you've got your knickers in too tight a knot!!
Ever happen to you?

Who's Lucy? ...and ... Where is Rose?

On Thursday, we ventured out for haircuts and a perm. I got a haircut, Flo got a cut and perm, and Lucy got a haircut. We are all gorgeous, again! Who's Lucy, you may ask?
I met Lucy when I signed up to volunteer at Meals on Wheels. With eyes of brown, curly grey hair, and a great big smile, Lucy is 85 years old and a sweetheart. Her 2 daughters live out of town, and our friendship kind of fell into place. Lucy doesn't drive, and I told her I would be happy to take her anywhere she'd like to go. We have been to the grocery store, hair salon, restaurant, and to the movies. Lucy hadn't been to a movie in many, many years and we had a great time. So, the next time we went to the movies, I called Lucy along with 6-7 retired friends to meet at the theater for the 1 o'clock matinee. My friend Debbie's mom was visiting from Colorado[and Debbie had to work] and my mother was also in town[pre-stroke]. Flo and I picked up Debbie's mom,then Lucy,and then headed to the movies to meet the other friends who could make it.
Our local movie theater shows matinees on Wednesdays and everyday when school is on vacation. School had just resumed the day before, but the newspaper listed a matinee on this particular Thursday. There were a couple of friends in their cars, and 5-6 people waiting by the front door. As the 3 of us walked up to the door, we realized that it was locked and yet posted on the door was the schedule with the 1 o'clock matinee listed! What was going on? Where was the person to unlock the door? We decided to wait 5-10 minutes to see if the manager would appear to open the theater. Since I had organized this little outing, and my friends didn't know Lucy or Debbie's mom, I began by saying," This is Debbie's mom, and this is Lucy," and the rest of the people introduced themselves...
"Laurie, Nancy, Rose, Sue," ...and we went around the group. We hung out for the 5-10 minutes talking about how we all were certain that they said there was a matinee, isn't retirement great, and other general chit-chat. We finally gave up hope and since we were already out...what do you want to do?
"Let's go to Kosta's and get something to eat...lunch, dessert, just coffee, whatever!!
OK!!
So we all pile into our prospective cars and proceed to the restaurant. We get a large table and the movie goers file in, sit down, scan the menu, start to talk...
Not everyone arrives and I ask,
"Where's Rose?"
Laurie says, "Who's Rose?"
I said, "Rose...at the movie theater...who was standing next to you!"
Laurie says, " Rose. I don't know Rose. I thought she was with you!"
I said, "I thought she was with you.
"Nu-uhh!"
We were all hysterical laughing!! We couldn't believe that the 'Rose' from the movie group was a stranger, because everyone was thinking that Rose someone else's friend.!!
Well, Rose appeared to be a very friendly, retired-type, movie watcher...and we were all just waiting for that nonexistent matinee to begin.
So, we still don't know WHO or WHERE Rose is...
Maybe we'll run into her again, and we can ask her..."Where've you been?"

Formally known as 'the bad cat'...

This is Scout! She is catching some rays on a hot summer day.
I have decided that what is said about 'birth order' for people[that it may affect your life based upon your position of first born, middle child, only child, or the baby], is also true for cats.
Scout is now an 'only cat' since June 27th, and I have noticed some changes in her behavior. She is more visible and overtly more affectionate. I have always understood Scout better than others, and the recipient of her leg hugs.
When there were two cats...Wease was such a phenomonal companion. She was a striking calico, pretty mellow, and wasn't afraid of strangers be it animal or people. And she could be counted on to be sociable. She would let you rub her belly and it was ok. .. For good reason, she was referred to as 'the good cat' to my mom because I knew that Wease was a safe lapmate.

Scout, a black/grey/white striped cat, walks to.. her drumbeat is the one to be acknowledged [unless you are a stranger and then she hides]. She 'talks' at various times of the day and will converse with you if you answer her. When it is time to eat, she will let you know by scratching the braided rug in the living room until I feed her. She and the dog will eat each other's food...not sure if they both like the taste of each other's food, or they are both trying to starve the other!! I used to think she was a dog in a cat's body because she would chase a plastic water bottle cap, retrieve it, and drop it at your feet so that it could be thrown again!!But, if you get in her space and she feels the need to defend herself, she will take a swat at you. She commands respect on her terms, and for many reasons, she was referred to as 'the bad cat.'
But now, she is the only cat. And she doesn't seem to be as bad. I see definite changes in her - she wants more contact and appears to be more sociable.
Is it because she no longer walks in the shadow of the WonderCat...or does she no longer have to live up to her former 'bad cat' image? ...
Since she is now 'the cat.'

And a second generation brings forth a third generation

Who knows where the time goes? [A Judy Collins song]
And if you could see into the future, would you want to?
Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

Anyway, another friend of mine who I met through teaching stopped over today with her daughter and her first GRANDCHILD! And the baby is a grandson - smiling, toothless, with eyes the windows to a beautiful soul.
I can remember back 30 years[ did I say 30 years?]when we were in our twenties, and babies began to join the families. Diane...music teacher/singer with a voice extraordinaire... was pregnant with her first child, and during prep time you could find her sleeping[I mean resting] on the nurse's 'sick kid' cot. That first trimester can really drain the energy out of you and especially if your chosen profession is nonstop herding[ I mean teaching] kids for seven hours a day.
I personally found that a daily ice cream cone could restore the energy needed to get you to the end of the day. I welcomed a ten pound bouncing boy, and she brought forth a rosy, pink little girl. And so, we [along with other friends and their 'lil chillin']kinda watched together as the kids grew up and celebrated life's small[picnics, ballgames, X Files, Les Mis tickets] achievements and also the milestones[ birthdays, graduations, career choices, weddings].
Diane's daughter is a teacher, and now a mother.
They stopped over and Mom[baby whisperer extraordinaire] got to hold him.
I wondered if while holding him, was she momentarily transported back through time to when she held her son.
And so, I say again...'Who knows where the time goes?

What goes a'round' comes a'round'!

A fellow retired teacher and friend of mine brings Holy Communion to my mom every Monday. She is one of two people whose names I have to spell [when not present]because of the dog's reaction. If I say her name, Grace immediately jumps up and starts to look out the front window for her, probably because of the obvious mutual attraction that exists. This would be directly related to the face licking, occasional walking, and direct sharing of food that happens when a bagel is being enjoyed during one of those Holy Communion visits.
That being said, this wonderful interaction has been interrupted for a short span due to our friend's necessary knee replacement. Mom is missing the regular visits and Gracie[the dog] is definitely missing the visits of the friend whose face she loves to kiss.
I brought Gracie for a short visit because I knew that the dog would bring a huge smile...to my friend and to the dog, too!
When I walked in carrying the most spirited dog with the biggest brown eyes east of the Mississippi, guess who got the preferred reception!! Right! The dog!!
It reminded me of a time some 26 years ago when my 3 year old son and I decided to surprise my [out of state] mother with a visit, and guess to whom she threw her arms out to first...right! the very cute 3 year old with the big Hershey chocolate brown eyes!! Oh well, I can deal with it!
On to Visit #2: We were ready. Assisting us was Mom's caregiver [and friend] who is the other person whose name must be spelled in front of Grace.
I had purchased Necco wafers[round quarter-sized candy], picked out a white one,and handed it to Mom. It was a surprise visit, and even more so when Mom handed her the white Necco wafer and said,"Piece of candy!" It was a definitely a fun moment with lots of laughter. And especially when the Godiva chocolates were shared. So you can see the good things that can happen when...one good turn deserves another.
Never underestimate the power of kindness.

The Best Little Birdhouse in Texas-I mean NY!!

I have many, many birdhouses presently on my property as well as some that have fallen apart and are gone. Probably about 4 years ago, I bought a bluebird house and nailed it to a telephone pole. It's painted brown and has yellow flowers stencilled on each side. Someone warned me that the birds aren't going to use this house because it was painted and wouldn't 'smell' right to them. I planted clematis at its base and put a wooden trellis with a couple of hearts carved out leading up to the house for the climbing plant to latch onto.
Well...let me tell you that it has had the highest occupancy of all nesting sites -both past and present houses. It is a proverbial bird factory- not bluebirds but that doesn't matter. There are non stop residents and they don't seem to care that it hasn't even been cleaned out. New twigs and straw are angled into the opening, and the next thing you hear are the peeps from within. Next you see their little beaks at the opening and the parents are providing breakfast! And very soon, little birds appear at the regular birdfeeders, and new birds are moving into The Bird Motel. What is the major attraction of this house?
I wonder if they have cable and phone service from the lines that bring these services to my house!!
Whatever! It is very entertaining to watch their activities and so far no birds have dive-bombed at my head when I am right there in their faces. They must sense that I won't ruffle their feathers, or they know that I am too big to move in and take over.
In any case, I'll bet it's the move-in condition of the house...and the fact that they don't even have to do any painting!!

Go Ahead: Make My Day!!

It really wasn't really that big of a deal...except to Flo[my 96 year old mom]. And I made her so very happy by...

I occasionally channel surf during commercial breaks and found myself stopping at the QVC Shopping site. They were advertising Rockport leather sandals, and it definitely caught Mom's attention. Since her stroke, she has been in sneakers and crocs most of the time.
"I used to have sandals like that...at my house."
I knew the exact pair she was thinking about and said, "You still do!! I can put my hands on them right now if you'd like."
"You can?" Really??
Now, these shoes were from her house[ that we had to wrap up and move her out of in a short amount of time], stored in boxes in my brother's garage, brought to my house in Central NY, to my garage, and then upstairs in the spare room[for the winter].
So, up the stairs I go, and not only did I locate the navy blue sandals, but also her favorite blue/white gingham shorts and matching shirt. First I must relate that Mom doesn't wear shorts, but these are knee length, and loved so much that when the waistband wore out...she had it replaced!![Have you ever hung onto an article of clothing because you absolutely loved it for some reason?]
I come down the stairs with her favorite navy blue sandals and the shorts set.
You would have thought that I did the impossible, and her face was the picture of happiness and awe.

We put the shoes on her feet, and all was well with the world!
Well, then we had to go out.
We went to get a hot dog and an ice cream cone, and since the hot dog needed time to cook, we got the ice cream first and ate it while we waited for the hot dog.
"In 96 years- I have never done this before today! Eat dessert first!!"
"There is a saying: Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first," I told her.
"You are amazing!"
We finished eating, and went for a little ride[the whole time she is looking at those navy blue sandals on her feet.]
When you put that all together- and what have you got? Bippity-boppity-boo!
Nope, just the realization that sometimes it doesn't take a lot to make someone's day.
I do believe that I may have achieved 'Walk on Water' status!!

Code What??

As Estelle Geddy used to say in 'Golden Girls' "Picture it!!"

It's a Friday afternoon and I'm doing my volunteering at the reception desk in the One Day Surgery Waiting Room. Things are relatively normal [whatever that is] and I was finishing up putting patient's stickers on charts for Monday's roster. People check in for their procedure, and I occasionally get a phone call from the inside desk to bring someone to a room[either as a patient or a visitor to a patient.]
I am aware of the usual activity in the hallway and the occasional paging of someone over the loud speaker PA System.

Happy that I am not involved or responsible for anything important, I hear the announcement: "CODE GREY 2 WEST....CODE GREY 2 WEST".
I look at the paper attached to the desk that lists all of the codes and what they mean. There are about 12 codes for things like emergency carts, fire, child abduction, etc.
I look at the chart for Code Grey and it says: 'Security Issue'. I really don't think very much about it. A couple of minutes go by and I hear the same authoratative voice slowly say: "CODE SILVER 2 WEST...CODE SILVER 2 WEST".
Hmmm...what's a code silver I ask myself, and I look at the list...and it says:
"Hostage Situation"...WHAT??? HOSTAGE SITUATION?? REALLY???
My mind begins quickly trying to assess what the h*** is going on and how close am I on the first floor to 2nd floor west?...west...WEST??I have always been directionally challenged!!!
Before I had a chance to hyperventilate, and about 12 seconds later, the same authoratative voice said slowly: "This is a drill."
WH-H-EW!!Thank ya, Jesus!!
I go back to the nurses' station and say,"Did you hear that?"
"Oh yeah, we knew it was a drill. They've been practicing different situations all day. Didn't you see the SWAT Teams outside when you came in?"
Well, I did see a whole bunch of uniformed people to the right of the Emergency Room door when I came in at 11:00, but I really didn't give it a whole lot of thought. I always see ambulances, hospital security people, etc.
"Oh...o-okay...would you call...the operator...for a CODE BLUE 'cause I think I'm f-f-feeling a l-l-little light..headed!!!Whew!
All in a day's work...I mean volunteering.

A light-hearted story

I felt the need to share a light hearted story....'cause laughing is therapy.

I taught 5th grade Social Studies [among other subjects] for a number of years. The curriculum focused on the Western Hemisphere in relation to the political, social, cultural, historical, and geographical aspects of the area. So, we began in Canada and kept traveling south thru the USA, Mexico, Central America, South America, and then north again to some islands [Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic, etc.]. In New York State, there was a 6th grade statewide Social Studies Test composed of 2 parts: 50 multiple choice questions and a choice of 2 essay topics to write a fact-based essay. [the scarier part of the test...kind of a sink or swim exercise].

In order to help prepare the students for those essay questions [in 6th grade], we began modeling the 5th grade unit tests in the likeness [format] of the NYS test. We wanted them to be able to focus on the topic and how to write to the topic instead of being scared of the process. It was quite a process to get the kids to pick one topic, create notes, a topic sentence followed by supporting details, and a concluding sentence to wrap it up. The grading process for these was very time consuming because each one needed comments on the 'good aspects' and the 'how to improve on this' concept.
That background info being said, I'm happy to say that the kids were plugging along and beginning to get the hang of it. They were organizing their data and really trying to put the words to paper. Not the easiest task...There's the Social Studies part and the Writing process put together...Lions, and tigers, and bears...oh my!!

Okay, I'm reading, commenting, reading, commenting, reading, commenting on the 50 essays that were in front of me. I get to Donald's essay and I'm really pleased that he has advanced to writing more supporting details, as this was challenging to him. Donald's family farmed and he was one of many children. Every single kid in that family was delightful: a pleasant mood, a hard worker, and a great kid. So, I wasn't surprised that Donald chose the essay on The Great Plains and how their economy was built strongly on farming. I'm reading along, and it is really good. He's got a good topic sentence, and is relating the farming details in which he has some definite experience. It went something like this:
Farmers raise dairy cows and many things go into this. The cows have to be let out of the barn to graze during the day, and it is very important that they have enough water at all times. Milking the cows is an all the time process and it's necessary to keep the cows eating every day. Along with grazing, the farmer brings out oats and hay to the cows, and the cows say, "Yep! Yep! Delicious!!"

It was so real, and very unexpected, and so funny!!
To this day, whenever I hear anyone say 'Yep', I think to myself...Yep! Yep! Delicious!!
I did conference with him about a Social Studies essay being factual without opinion, but I must add my opinion that his essay was priceless!!And it made my heart smile. Yep! Yep!

What the heck?? Who pays his salary?

What the heck is going on? I heard on the radio that Rush Limbaugh has renewed his contract for 8 more years for $400 million dollars. He received a signing bonus of $100 million dollars!!
I don't care what political party you[ the general public] are leaning toward, or whether you like his radio program or not. No one [in my humble opinion] is deserving of that kind of compensation for anything!! I used to get miffed about sports players who got paid big bucks for playing sports. I know it's their job, and it creates many, many more jobs.
And then there's the CEO Club of people who get bonuses or severance packages larger than Fort Knox can accomodate...

But to get paid $4oo million dollars to generate negative, inflammatory discussion...
Police officers, fire and rescue people, medical people who save lives and/or conduct research to make the world a better place...people in service to our country...all of their salaries are a mere blip on the bar graph of $400 million dollars....a meager sliver in the pie chart of whatever!!!
Well, we all know that money doesn't buy happiness.
Maybe there's a huge, gigantic, massive, extravagant series of donations to many charities in Rush Limbaugh's future plans...
the amount of good that could be set rolling....sharing...what a concept...
I don't think I'll hold my breath waiting for that breaking news to be aired...I mean...shared.

Hard to put into words...

On the eve of this fourth of July [which is all about freedom and independence], I can't help but think about the men and women overseas, and the families who are anxiously awaiting their safe return. It boggles my mind...and I just can't put it into words. So, as the country is celebrating, let us also say a prayer for those service people and their families.

Reframing your thoughts.

"If you don't get everything that you want, think of the things that you don't get that you don't want."

Oscar Wilde

"When one door closes, another opens, but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."

Alexander Graham Bell

" If you can walk you can dance. If you can speak you can sing."

Zimbabwean Proverb

"This too shall pass." William Shakespeare

A thought or two...What do you think?

Procrastination-Prone and..Organizationally- Challenged!!

Well...Neat people don't make the exciting discoveries that I do!

In searching for my planner that is the size of a magazine with a HUGE paper clip on the top...[ can you believe that?] , I happened upon the therapy putty for my mom. It's been missing for months. I even tried to buy new stuff and couldn't find it. So, while in the midst of searching for something else....Voila!! There was the elusive putty. Sometimes it is the small things that are cause 'the dance of joy' or a serious 'wahoo' backflip!

I did find my planner, I've paid some bills, and I've planted most of the plants that were still awaiting a home. I seem to keep buying additional flowers because they are so beautiful. But they don't dive into the soil by themselves!!

I administered the dog's monthly flea and heartworm medicine,

I kid sat for a very good friend's 2 grandkids while she was in the doctor's office, and I delivered my [stored]copy of an AARP receipt to a man who had changed insurance companies and couldn't find his receipt....I knew exactly where I had stored mine from 5 months ago. I seem to be on a roll!

I think I'll go through my clothes and get together a bag or two that I will send along to others .

Well....maybe tomorrow!