Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Holiday Postlude


It's now the 5th Day of Christmas - yes, that's the 5 Golden Rings day in the Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It's not just a song, but one of our family traditions.

In our family, December 25 is the first day of Christmas, not the end of the season. We count down to January 6th, the Epiphany - the day the wise men found the baby Jesus and gave him gifts. This is also called, "Little Christmas."


We also do not put up Christmas decorations until December 22 (or there about depending on when it works out, but never before December 20th!)

On January 6th, we celebrate "Little Christmas" with a grand dinner out and exchanging small gifts to symbolize the gold, Frankincense and myrrh brought by the wise men for Jesus. We also burn Frankincense and myrrh and inscribe the sign of the magi over our front door threshold. This sign stays there all year to remind us to also seek the Messiah daily.


Monday, December 13, 2010

Holiday Prelude


Christmas is nearly here and we are once again painting.

It is now becoming our annual practice to spruce up the old abode in anticipation of the approaching yuletide celebration. But, alas the holiday seems to be coming faster than the project is nearing completion - once again. We went through this last year too.

I'm not complaining! Things are looking great.

I just wonder what compels otherwise normal adults to put ourselves through this exercise.

So, in a mere 12 days it will be Christmas - today we have the place covered in drop clothes, paint cans and painting paraphernalia fill the open spaces of my entry way and living room.

Let the transformation continue!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Summer Life Lessons - Number 1

Been away for the summer, toying with other venues for my creative dabbling. Now bored with those and back here on KISSimple because I have something to say.

I learned a couple life lessons over the summer and am committing them on virtual paper, here and now.

Lesson 1: You can't take responsibility for other people's destiny.

I've tried, especially for my children, it doesn't work. I state this sadly because I sincerely wish I could channel my energies and inflict a positive directional modification here and there. Advice just doesn't seem to be enough. This doesn't mean I've given up. Oh no! I just realize you can try and then must wait to see if that advice seeps in. If not, say a prayer and watch for the next learning opportunity. Not all my efforts have been motherly. I've endeavored to help co-workers who seem destined for failure, hoping to aid them in overcoming whatever issue blocks the sweet taste of success.

I know this sounds very self-serving and conceited. Perhaps. Truthfully, I'm writing this because a recent event could have been blissfully celebrated, but instead is mourned because someone didn't pay attention to an email invitation they received. My part was to help that person with their application. I continuously asked had they heard anything yet. No was always the answer. Finally, I made them go through their summer email blockage and there were several attempts to reach them. This really made me angry, until I realized how little this opportunity meant to them even though I think it was one of those scarce gifts. It became about me, not about helping them.

Now, that's conceited - even if I was right, it really doesn't matter. This is not my choice because it is not my life. It's hard to watch people appear to sabotage their chances, but who knows what true opportunities are around the bend for them -- ones that they might not see had they gone down the path I thought was best for them.

Hence, my having learned you cannot make people willingly go down a path they did not choose.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Bless the Fathers

A father is a special person to have in your life.

My own father is now deceased, but I think of him often and always miss having him in my life. My dad was bigger than life. He was a unique person who either brought you tremendous happiness or great aggravation. There wasn't much middle ground with Dad. And, he liked it that way. He lived his life on his own terms and he wanted to have as much fun as he could.

Family was very important to my father. He kept in touch with his sister who still lives in Brooklyn and we made trips up to visit frequently. And, I was Daddy's girl. I could do no wrong in Daddy's eyes. Nobody else has ever loved me so much that I could bring anything -- good and bad -- to them knowing I wouldn't be judged in the process of figuring out what to do next.

I hope I too have imparted this complete love to my own children and that they too know I am always here for them no matter the circumstances.

This is the most important thing I learned from my father.

It's that simple, simple.

Thanks, Dad. Rest in peace.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Adeu, Dear Ivy


At Christmas 2008, my family presented me with a baby African Pygmy Hedgehog, whom I named Ivy. I didn't know anything about hedgehogs, so I turned to the Internet and quickly came up to speed. One thing we did was build Ivy a playpen environment where she had lot's of room to explore, run, and tunnel. But, after awhile, Ivy abruptly stopped doing all these things.

It turned out Ivy had developed WHS -- Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome, a fatal degenerative neurological disease similar to human MS. The symptoms start at the animal's rear legs with progressive paralysis up to the head. I'll spare the gory details, but Ivy soon required hospice care of hand-feeding, massages, rotation to minimize developing bed sores, etc.

While it was time consuming to provide this level of care, as long as Ivy wasn't in pain I (and my other family members) were willing to do this for her.

Ivy died last night.

I'm glad that I didn't have her euthanized because I felt she deserved the right to live as long as she could make it with our care. She lived 6 months in this progressively worsening condition.

I'm so sad that this sweet animal had to go through this horrible, progressive disease. I don't think she was in pain. Now her ordeal is over. I'll miss her. I grow very attached to her during the daily hand-feeding and cleaning and massages. This was not a good existence.

Shame on breeders and pet stores for allowing this genetic condition to be passed to future generations (and to the pet owners who are unprepared to deal with the extensive care required.)

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Happy Memorial Day?

I've always been confused when people say "Happy" Memorial Day.

This is a national day of remembrance for those who laid down their lives to keep us free. While this weekend is the official start of the summer season, that shouldn't trump solemnly reflecting on the sacrifices these brave souls made for the good of the country.

Guess I'm a party pooper. And, probably an old foggie too.

I am not an overly patriotic person, but I do have respect for people's acts of courage and dedication to the ideals of Mom, home and apple pie. I was taught to stand and cover my heart when the American flag passes in a parade. I served in the color guard at camp and school. I know that showing proper respect in handling our country's flag connotes respect for the country. These symbolic gestures made me believe our country was worth respecting as I grew up.

Today, I see flags left flying in front of houses, never brought inside when it rains or at dusk according to the flag honor guard code. Further, tattered flags are to be taken out of service and replaced by new flags. If flown at night, "Old Glory" should be lighted and properly displayed in a respectful manner. Just throwing a flag up on your garage wall isn't good enough... at least it didn't used to be.

So, I am confused by all the tattered patriotism and Memorial Day parties. I will be going to the military cemetery today to put flowers on graves and to thank my father for serving in the Navy, of which he was so proud.

I know friends who will be riding in Rolling Thunder on the National Mall in DC, and I want to say "thanks" to them for keeping this tradition going and reminding us all that our freedom comes at a steep price.

Saying "thank you" doesn't go far enough when I think of all the young people who are current serving and giving up their personal freedom for a few years to ensure the rest of us have freedom for a long time.

Tomorrow when I see my 88 year old father-in-law, I'm going to thank him for serving in the Pacific during WWII. He's never told us much about that experience, but after seeing HBO's mini-series recently, I realize just what he had to go through and I'm very grateful that he survived.

I am not questioning other people's patriotism - never! I'm just looking through my own lenses which were shaped by my own upbringing. Patriotism is something you do, not talk about. That's how I was raised.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Traveling Home

In the hassle associated with traveling for business, there are pleasant surprises along the way. Today, I discovered that a coworker, whom I recently met on this trip, is a published writer. We had a nice conversation about writing, inspiration and also did a little commiserating about the employer. This bit of human comradeship has made my day. I was feeling disconnected coming from this three-day meeting, and I admit suffering from a bit of self-pity for having so few office friends -- accentuated by a limited number of dinner invitations over the course of the week. Then unexpectedly my seat mate on the plane turns out to be a fantastic person with similar interests. A small thing that means a great deal. I'm now returning home with a smile on my face. What a good Friday!

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Saturday Ramblings

Nothing special to write about today, just feel like putting down stream-of-conscious thoughts - you've been warned...

Change. Sometimes change is self-initiated and sometimes it just happens without warning. Not all change is good, but it's always a door opening to new opportunities. How one deals with it is what ultimately determines how things turn out. Our family is facing change as our elderly parents now need help. They don't admit this and not surprisingly, they do not welcome this change. I see this as an opportunity to leave behind daily chores and concerns of running a household. A chance to enjoy life instead of having to deal with it. Easy for me to say. Hard for them to see. I pray for patience to help everyone get through this with dignity intact.

Respect. Once fundamental to our society, now sorely lacking. Begins with self-respect, which are foundations of honor and integrity. Seems these personal attributes have been dis-guarded as old fashion, remnants of by-gone eras. In my lifetime I've seen this complete shift away from personal responsibility to social welfare. Can you see the cracks in our American foundation? Nobody accepts accountability for their actions. Nobody listens or respects authority. Nobody cares about our society enough to contribute. I listen to political rantings on TV and talk radio - it's shocking how uneducated and gullible people have become. It's embarrassing. And, it's very dangerous.

Taxes. If you don't want to pay taxes, but still want to get services, you are dreaming! How do the roads get repaired of winter potholes? Tax money. Who pays the police and firemen? Tax money. 2 simple examples that I daily rejoice I have available to me. People should stop complaining and grow up. If you want to live in a country with lot's of services for it's people, you must contribute your fair share. Also, IRS doesn't make the tax laws -- that would be done by Congress. So, if you don't like the way taxes are today, vote in the next elections. Don't fly a plane into the IRS offices and kill innocent people who are just doing their job.

Life is good and it can be simple. Just start thinking and stop drinking someone else's Kool-Aid. It's that simple, simple.

Monday, March 22, 2010

You Should be Ashamed of Yourself

All politics aside, the behavior of some Representatives last night during the healthcare reform bill vote was appalling. Texas Republican Rep. Randy Neugebauer acknowledged Monday that he was the lawmaker who shouted "baby killer" during a floor speech by Rep. Bart Stupak. What was this man thinking? Oh, yeah, he wasn't thinking. He was emotional and reactive. That's exactly the type person I want in Congress representing me during these important, groundbreaking and historical law-making sessions. Not really!

Don't forget that Congressman Wilson shouted “You lie!” during Obama’s September address to a joint session of Congress on healthcare. Another prime example of emotional outbursts that embarrass the country.

Is this junior high school or the United States House of Representatives? These are only a couple examples of the less-than-stellar behavior exhibited on the floor of Congress. Whether or not a person agrees with the motion being discussed, I would expect our leaders to act with dignity and to command respect -- respect for themselves and for the country. As it turns out, those who have sunk to acting like school children in public debates are the same people who es-pound their devote love for America.

If you love this country, act like you mean it and show some respect for the office you hold. Its really quite simple, simple.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Spring!

I've been quiet for way too long!

It's work that's to blame. Much too much work to do and not enough time to do what I want... like write here.

Much as taken place in these quiet months. Tragically, my pet hedgehog, Ivy, has developed WHS -- Wobby Hedgehog Syndrome. Funny name for a deadly version of MS. I am giving her hospice care and must be doing okay because she's still here.

The winter holidays came and went, but not as usual. My husband and I undertook painting the inside of our house in preparation and just made it before relatives arrived on Christmas Eve. Whew. But, everything looked really good, so it was well worth the trouble of building-disassembling-building-disassembling repeatedly the two story scaffolding.

Spring break is about to end for my college freshman and junior, who both spent it in Florida.

My childhood hero and Pastor passed away and was buried today. He had a massive turnout and a beautiful day for his send-off.

And, it's the first day of Spring!

I'm inspired again and going to make time for my passion - Kissimple.