Literary, literally
I was browsing through bookmarks yesterday and was surprised to find my ‘Letter to my Sixteen-Year-Old Self’ was still on the front page of the Simon and Schuster site. I realize this is because nothing else has been posted since they posted mine, but gotta admit – I still like seeing it…
©dearmebooks.com
Me: so uh, I’ve been wondering… could I act all crazy like some Hollywood dude is doing right now and get my writing noticed?
Voice of reality: *clearing throat* uhhh, no Bon – see, you have to be famous beforehand for that to work.
For sheer sheen entertainment purposes, I thought I’d share a copy of Charlie’s most recent tweet. I’ll have to say I’ve been enjoying the literary stance he’s taking…
Happy Friday, everyone!! 🙂
Sir and Ma’am… please and thank you.
It seems like the days are few and far between now when we hear these words used.
Have you ever been present when someone actually takes offense to being called sir or ma’am? Sometimes a person reacts so strongly that they make you feel like you did something wrong. In my experience, most have been female. A while back I heard a woman react horribly to a young lad for simply being courteous. “I’ll have you know I am not old enough to be a ma’am, young man!” she retorted. The boy looked crushed and didn’t know what to say to her. I’ll never forget how hard it was to resist kicking her teeth in at that very moment. With one swipe of her sharp tongue, she successfully crapped on ten years of respectful upbringing. At the very least, she planted doubt in the method.
I call a female ma’am. I’ll call a gentleman sir. It’s not just a southern thing. Sometimes they’re older than me – sometimes they’re younger. I don’t and won’t ever consider it a slam. You see, to me it’s not about age at all – just plain old respect.
How about the kids today? Okay, not all, just most. At least the ones in my city, USA. GIMMIE!!!! NOW!!!! Hey kid… a please will likely get you that lollipop you’re screaming so loudly for in Cracker Barrel. And not if but when your parent gives in and buys you that thing you’re screaming for – how about a thank you? And whatever happened to excuse me? Excuse me’s come more in the form of an eye-roll nowadays. Yeah, you get my drift – all these words are grossly underused. Sadly enough, manners are simply becoming a thing of the past.
Come to think of it, I think we just might benefit from a Sir/Ma’am/Please/Thank You/Excuse Me University. Starting at Pre-K.
Yes sir. Errr, ma’am…
Newness arrives again
Spring has sprung in the metro Carolinas. Ready or not – here it comes! Although admittedly wary, for weeks now I’ve been stoked with thoughts of an early Spring. Now that the trees are blooming, I’m in ecstatic-mode!
Pink blossoms outside Belk this weekend...
I’m not unrealistic about the frost getting the blooms, and have actually resolved myself to the fact they probably will. But I’ll enjoy it while they last and hey, at least there’s no forecast of frost for the next 10 days!! To boot, in my mind this late-February bloom-pop signals an extra-long Summer! Whoo-hoo!!
Bradford Pear outside my work entrance... already!!
As Time Goes By
I have no idea where time is going. It’s flying by so quickly and I feel I’m getting nothing done – not the things that are really tops on my to-do list, anyway.
I want to get started on some brochure work I promised a friend for her side business. I miss writing!! I want to spend more time with my family. I want to catch up on the few blogs I follow. I seriously need to get a grip on my time management skills. And I need to start packing to move. Hey Bon… would you like some cheese with that whine?
I haven’t mushed and gushed about romance for awhile and boy do I feel the need… so if this topic isn’t for you then this is quite possibly your stopping point. When exactly did I start believing that my Prince actually did exist? I can’t say exactly. All I can say now is that he does. In him, I have found everything and more that I thought never existed in a soulmate. I have happened upon a treasure – one that I want to expose to the entire world. Sometimes I find myself feeling paranoid that something is going to ruin what could only be described as my fairy tale love affair. I worry about car accidents, deadly diseases and crime. I know I shouldn’t, the Lord takes care of everything in His way – but I worry just the same. I mentioned this to my daughter, and you know what her response was? ‘Mom, that’s an actual condition associated with an anxiety disorder. It’s not that uncommon and if it’s really bothering you, there’s help for it‘.
That’s my little psychology major.
So, play it once, Sam, for old times sake…
Finality
An end result can hit you in the face with the same impact as a thrown brick, even if it’s something that’s been coming on for a while. Especially if it’s been coming on for a while, since the inevitable seems to lay dormant even more so.
The emotions of a mirrored past are thick – but flow swiftly, and justly. Even so, they lie bare and open to the focus of others. We often feel the need to either avert, hide or thwart these emotions (thanks, human nature). Therefore, once we’re faced with the reality of finality, BAM!! there goes that brick to the cheek.
Where and when one door closes, another has usually already opened – or is waiting to. This ever-wise quote has provided comfort to many, myself included. I do hope it provides that same comfort to those who might read this.
The finalities in life aren’t always as we might perceive them. Just as a brook or waterfall continually recycles itself… finality may also serve as a means to better yourself as an individual. To protect and heighten your own standards. The chance now exists to persuade your own self of going that extra mile. To further yourself in a way you never thought possible… to perhaps exceed your own expectations.
For you.
Don’t forget to name your posts
The day is bright and springlike outside. No fires in the fireplace this weekend, more like shorts, tank tops and flips! The trees and flowers are starting to bud… but there will surely be some frost to come to snap us all back into reality. Even so, I’m gonna ride this sprint of Spring for all it’s worth. Besides, I still have a few more poundages to lose before it finally does get here!
Later today we’re going to see K’s mom for her birthday and get a bite of dinner. I absolutely adore her, and we’ve actually got a lot in common. She, too, embarked upon a new life not so very long ago – and she’s managing that new life quite well.
Tomorrow ushers in the beginning of the prize of the South… NASCAR season. I don’t follow it like I used to, gosh we used to be at those races about every time the gates were open. Unfortunately I most enjoy napping in front of a race now. The Daytona 500 though… well, ya just can’t miss that one. And Dale Earnhardt, what can I say about him. Doesn’t seem like ten years have passed since he lost his life at this track. Now there’s an icon that’ll never be matched…
Springlike, yes. Sunday afternoon… yeah that sounds good too. Enjoy this new one from Rascal Flatts’ most recent album – and everyone enjoy each other… and the days ahead.
Boxton Love
Oh how I’ve missed my doggie lovin’. For years now, I’ve so yearned to have a dog again – I still have frequent dreams about my past furbabies. Everyone else’s dogs love the fact I’m still without, however – since they get extras whenever I’m around.
In fact, that’s what they refer to me as whenever I enter the room… The Extra. “Hey, Buddy!! Here comes The Extra!! Are YOU ready to RUMMMMM-BLLLLLE…???”
It seems as though I’ve always had a dog in my life, and I miss having one terribly. Just by pure happenstance, a certain picture got passed before me yesterday. I thought of nothing else all day long – this sweet little face that belonged to a Boston/Boxer Mix was like a slide that remained fixed in my blinders the entire day. The little pink ears and pads, his curious but loving eyes, the wrinkles on his kissable little head, and that strawberry character mark on those (yes, kissable again) characteristically boxer lips.
He’s a rescue, and he’s 3 years old – house-trained, all shots, good health, calm, friendly, good with kids, and has been described as a ‘social butterfly’ at the dog park. All 35 lbs of him. The original owners surrendered him due to finances, which is sad. Unfortunately we’re hearing of this more and more often.
I talked to the ‘rescuers’ this morning – good people. I won’t be able to meet him until Monday or Tuesday of next week since they’re going to the mountains this weekend. A good home is all anyone can ask for when it comes to our furbabies! The picture of this little boy has really stolen my heart like no other has the past few years… and this is the first dog I’ve actually called on. The only thing I’m concerned with is the possibility of him not getting along with Camille – of course that’s mandatory.
Is this not the most irresistible little boy you’ve ever seen??
I can’t wait to meet him.
(Just look at that little character mark….)
Survivor 22 – Nicaragua
The new season of Survivor is premiering on CBS tonight – I can’t wait!! The show simply never gets old to me. This season is set in Nicaragua and promises to be the most grueling season of earth, wind and fire that we’ve ever had the pleasure of witnessing in any of the past eleven years.
Haters, be gone. Tonight I will have my undisturbed 60 minutes of unparalleled HD reality bliss… bring it!!
©CBS Survivor
To Thine Own Self Be True
After about a years worth of failed attempts to reach me through texts, I received an innocent enough email from an old acquaintance. It’d been over two years since I’d even seen the guy, and it’s not like a real friendship or anything ever existed. I did what I thought was the right thing – I politely replied back, informed him I no longer had that phone number, and saw no point for further contact between us. I wished him the best, and gave my regards.
The next morning, he had sent an email apologizing twice for ‘bothering me’ – that he’d gotten married, and ‘was going to tell me so if the conversation arose’.
If the conversation arose? WTF does that mean?
Thing is, I found out after the few times I’d seen him years ago that he already had a girlfriend on the side. Recalling that memory got me thinking – if he’s married now… why on earth is he still contacting numbers that reside within his back pocket? I’m just asking…
I would so hate to find out my husband was contacting other women. I know sometimes there are extenuating circumstances, like maybe where a friendship is involved, etc. – but trust me when I say this is not one of those times.
Dude… do the right thing and throw away all those old numbers. You don’t need ’em anymore…
Ode to Six Years
Today marks my six-year anniversary with my current employer. Ironically enough, that particular day in history also fell on a Monday! I am ever grateful for my career. It’s something that I’ve been blessed with never having to be without… a job.
Prior to my current employment, I had been with a company for 11.5 years. For all intents and purposes, it was the company I’d intended on retiring from. As it happened, a series of unfortunate events beyond my control made it necessary for me to seek employment elsewhere. I never could’ve hoped to find a job as good as the one I have now – nor can I say enough good about the group of people I work with.
And so I’ll say it again, because it bears repeating over and over – timing really is everything.
‘de Main Event
The sun has finally shown it’s beautiful face, and the weather is balmy. No need to even leave the house, we have all we need here. A big crock-pot full of my world famous chili has been cooking on the counter since this morning – and tonight’s main event: Superbowl Sunday. I’ve always found it hilarious that the Monday after the Superbowl is the most called-in day at work. Knowing this, I personally would have to drag my half-dead self in no matter how I felt!
Hope everyone has an awesome Sunday and enjoys the main event, the what’s-sure-to-be a kickass halftime show and those commercials too! 🙂
10K
It’s gonna happen to this little blog soon… the 10,000th hit since it started back in late 2009. It doesn’t seem possible, really, that anything I write could be interesting enough for that many people to come by and read – even if it is over the course of time. In any case, I am very humbled by the numbers. If you happen to be customer number 10K, sorry – no happy prize for you. All I can offer is a big smile and a thumbs up! 😀
I’ve had a lot of thoughts running rampant in my head over the past couple of months. Come May of this year, I will have resided at my little condo for three years – my little ‘treehouse in the sky’ as I have referred to so often. Well, I’ve decided I won’t be renewing my lease this year. Just recently, Keith and I decided to make the big jump to combine households at his residence. Needless to say, it’s something we’ve both considered for a long while now. You all know how I feel about timing, that it’s everything… and we both feel more sure than ever that the time is finally right…
Over the next several months, I’ll be busy cleaning out, packing and getting some other affairs in order. It’s amazing what all you can accumulate in three short years. I’m glad to have the extended time to do so, and not have to cram everything into a month’s time, or shorter.
Oh, and have I mentioned how very excited I am?? I mean I’m seriously off-the-charts happy…
No Shadow… Spring is Near!!
It’s not gonna be difficult for me to find a subject for me to hop on today…
It’s Groundhog Day, and for the first time in a long awaited while Punxsutawney Phil is not afraid… that’s right folks, NO SHADOW!! Know what that means?
Spring is near!! Spring is near!! Oh gosh… Spring is near!!
The story of Groundhog Day begins with Candlemas, an early Christian holiday where candles were blessed and distributed. Celebrators of the holiday eventually declared clear skies on Candlemas meant a longer winter. The Roman legions, during the conquest of the northern country, brought this tradition to the Germans, who concluded that if the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, a hedgehog would cast a shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of bad weather or “Second Winter.” German immigrants brought the tradition to Pennsylvania, but how did Punxsutawney Phil emerge?
In 1887, a spirited group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney dubbed themselves “The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.” One member was an editor of Punxsutawney’s newspaper. Using his ink, he proclaimed Punxsutawney Phil, the local groundhog, to be the one and only weather prognosticating groundhog. He issued this proclamation on Candlemas, and yes, Groundhog Day. Phil’s fame spread, and newspapers from around the globe began to report his Gobbler’s Knob prediction. Info from http://www.visitpa.com/groundhog-day
In related news, February 2nd is exactly the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It is the winter midpoint or ‘cross-quarter’ day. The coldest, bleakest part of our winter season is now officially half over!
Spring is near!! Spring is near!! Oh gosh… Spring is near!
Visit the official Groundhog Day site: http://www.groundhog.org/
Work it out
Having been sunny and highs hitting the mid-60’s, what a beautiful weekend it was. We went hiking for a bit yesterday at a local mountain/state park near Keith’s house – it was just the perfect day for it. With the amount of trailing we’ve done in the past year, I’ve decided that I might just be in need of some hiking gear. At the very least, a walking pole with which to steady myself. 🙂
My outdoorsy stud-muffin...
After the hike, I was completely spent. As soon as we got back, I promptly collapsed on the couch and went out like a light for two hours. This is not like me… I’ve seriously got to work on my endurance. With this said, I have been challenged:
The Jillian Michaels challenge for the week...
I really like the thought of a healthy new recipe under 500 cals per serving. Now, to burn 300 cals (or more) per day? I can only accomplish that one way, Jillian – Ima have to double-up on my workouts this week. I’ll be sure to let ya know how that goes for me.
It’s the Little Things… that get discontinued
It really is the little things in life that I appreciate the most and seem to please me to no end. Bear with me on this for just a minute.
When I find something I really like, I stick with it. No use fixing something that’s not broken, I always say – take for instance my anti-bac. For years now, I’ve been an avid user of the ‘waterless’ smell-good foaming pump anti-bac by Bath and Body Works. (Note empty bottle to right.) This little 3″ smell-good pump generally lasts me around six months, for which I generally have backups on-hand when the time comes to replace.
Except this time.
So off I go to hit the local Bath and Body Works store on the way home from work… with the addition of my custom BBW Bon-Blinders so I may leave the store with only the anti-bac and nothing else additional.
Now where oh where is my foaming anti-bac? I noticed the newfangled little pocket gel-pacs that require lots of shaking, squeezing and patience to get anything out of… but not my easy little one-squirt smell-good pump. To my dismay, the saleslady informed me they were discontinued, then even proceeded to knock the ‘old’ product by saying ‘they leaked’. I told her in all my years of using, one had never leaked on me. So go knock on my product with someone else, lady.
I went home, checked their website and ended up ordering a slew of them online. Gotta love that online ordering! Mind you, I will have more than several ‘backups’ on hand once they arrive… all lined up in a smell-good rainbow-colored array.
It’s the law of Bon, I swear… if I like something, it will be discontinued. My favorite brand of Clinique foundation fell victim just last month. Prior to that, my favorite Lean Cuisine meal.
Hey Bon, would you like some cheese with that whine??
Happy Birthday Mom
Today is my Mama’s birthday. We’ll all meet up tonight for dinner at the steak house on the lake (which is where she chose). There the views are excellent and the food is delicious.
Photo © http://www.tbonesonthelake.com
It doesn’t seem that long ago when I had to tilt my head up to look at her, not very long at all. Even though she might not know it, she was always my best friend even back then. We did everything together – listened to eight-tracks, cooked oven-doughnuts and pizzas, watched our televisions shows and jumped the ocean waves together. We share the same apparent love for the sea, as we used to float alongside each other for hours on end.
Of course those teenage years came when I rebelled, and turned into what could have possibly been her worst nightmare. I’ve often wished I could reverse time and rethink some of my actions, but this is just not meant to be. In my most rebellious of years, she actually met and married her soulmate – who I’m convinced God sent to her at the most needed time in her life.
Timing. It really is everything.
Today, she’s still my best friend. As was her mother was her best friend. As I hope I will be my own daughter’s best friend. Life is an ongoing circle, always. May we always be appreciative of what we have at the given time.
Happy Birthday, Mama!
My Girl
I am forever thankful for the one child God blessed me with. I find myself contemplating it from time to time, and I simply cannot imagine what my life would have been like without her in it.
From the age of three months, she’s always loved to laugh more than anything else. I can say with 100% certainty that she gets this from her mama – and although that trait seemed to get me in trouble more times than not, she has managed it well.
Even as a young girl, her maturity level always surpassed that of her peers. Her tenderness and caring nature was apparent from the beginning, too. If someone was hurt or injured, she wouldn’t rest until she knew the situation was rectified – even if she was forcefully removed.
A real one-track mind, hers has been said to be. I guess that can be a hindrance at times, but not necessarily a bad thing. I believe that one-track mind was the source of her strong will that has endured from childhood throughout adulthood, which her pawpaw endearingly referred to her as the “Philadelphia Lawyer”. This most befitting term has yet to be matched.
I have often marvelled at her intelligence. It’s not just what you’re born with, ya know – it’s what you do with it. While she watched friends either dropping out of college or opting for other routes in life, she continued to work hard and give the extra mile knowing it would greatly impact her future. From the very beginning, I’ve asked three things of her…
1. Love God. 2. Get a good education so you never have to depend on anyone to keep you up in life. 3. Learn to drive a stick-shift, an emergency situation may warrant you knowing how one day. So far, she’s completed all but number three. 🙂
She’ll be twenty-three in March. Let me now revisit her maturity level, which even today, especially today – exists in full-force. Although she’s fresh out of college, she’s holding her own with her first apartment and a wonderful start to her career. She sees where and what she wants to be in life, and makes it happen. Would that I were that strong when I was her age! She worries about her own parents so much that it’s almost if the roles were actually reversed, and gives good solemn advice that I’ve never found any wrong in yet. Sometimes I see her taking on too much in this area, for her worries are often many. How I do wish I could take some of this weight off of her shoulders at times.
I could, of course, go on. But that’s my bright shining star – always full of surprises, excitement, fun, beauty, ambition, love and compassion, and will spout out an honest answer to anyone regardless of the consequences. I can’t imagine being any more proud of her than I am at this moment… though I’m quite sure the day will come when I am.
(Note the cactus to the rear in photo to immediate right… ouch…)
That’s my little comedienne.
Wayside
I guess I need to see a doctor about getting on a regular sleep-aid or something. Insomnia drives me crazy some nights, where I’m up for hours just lying there. During these times my brain goes into a sort of activity overload where I’m thinking of anything, everything, and all things in-between. I’ll even ‘create’ scenarios rectifying other scenarios – as crazy as I know this sounds. My best friend and I have discussed this and I take solace in the fact that she does it too, so there’s probably more than the two of us out there.
Sometimes I hate dreams… sometimes I love them. Last night I just desperately wanted to escape it. I’m convinced the dream I woke from is what initiated the insomnia last night and into this morning. I abhor such dreams, because they represent my deepest and darkest fear – our own homeland security.
All but a few fragments of our Pentagon had been destroyed by terrorists. To no one’s surprise, the weapon used for the destruction was two planes. For some reason I was just learning of the attack the following day, and people were shocked I didn’t know. In describing it to me, I got a play-by-play ‘visual’ of the attack by others – in other words, it was like they put me back in time for it and I witnessed from above what the officials did and how they reacted.
Apparently they had five minutes knowledge that the planes were coming. I was positioned in a birds-eye view from overhead and watched them go into action – desperately moving delicate equipment, all containing material of a most sensitive nature. Our nation’s STUFF. To see these people, roughly one hundred, take that kind of action was unbelievable. I know it was a dream, and this isn’t how it would really transpire – but they were all moving so fast and in sync, it was nothing short of amazing. There was so much equipment that I kept thinking ‘no way will they ever get it all done’. I watched what resembled worker ants move at light speed until I saw a huge flash of light and the disintegration was apparent. In my dream, there were over one hundred lives lost. Our nation’s internet protocol immediately went into lockdown so there was no way of accessing anything online. The entire country was in complete chaos. The dream ended there.
It’s no wonder that I was up for hours after this dream. This dream won’t come as any shock to those who know me, who know how I feel about 9/11 and that it’s pretty much fallen by the wayside in terms of remembrance. It’s not fallen by the wayside for me, and never will. There is not one single day I don’t think about that most fateful day in our nation’s history. Not one day. I’ve said it many times before, I’d rather have nightmares about that day every night of my life than to let it fade even slightly from my memory. And I still mean that.
A day in the life
Drifting
I open my eyes
unspoken dreams, unbridled pain
Where do I begin again
if it’s not here.
Embracing the newness
of honesty and truth
Wondering when exactly
this lifetime shifted.
Can I reach any further
is it possible
Or have I gone beyond
my intended destination?
Comes full circle, it seems
though lost in translation
a vagabond who searches
Still.
~BM, 2011
Time in a bottle
Have you ever thought about the old saying ‘actions speak louder than words’? I’ve thought about it quite a bit lately. It points out the fact that while people may say one thing, their actions may be saying something quite different – and throughout time, a persons actions tend to give a better indication of their true nature.
Reflecting back on prior lessons learned, I know that we can usually relate this to relationships. Sometimes you feel so very certain about your future or how someone else feels about you, and then something crystal clear is presented. It may be something you’ve ignored for a while, perhaps even grown accustomed to throughout time. It could have been a question that was raised before, only to be brushed back under the rug.
Just like time itself.
Life of Bon 
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