Word Mire

Word Mire

there is too much

written

that only scratches the surface of it

like the cats claws picking

shredding cashmere as if it were

an old rug

too many words

written

that only pretend passion

like roadside clay jars

imitating ancient Greek

vases

there are so many words

written

that define verbosely beauty

 sprayed out like tobacco spit

dried on the edges of a saloon

cuspidor

there are too many words

written

that I must wade through

fighting mundane currents

insipid tidal pools spawning

muck

there are too many words

written

around those few gems, crystals

that find their way through the morass

and glisten delicate hues of

you

there are too many words

written

that must be read

and I have lost

the time

the patience

the heart

to read my way to you
now

Christmas Day Wish

"If I could lay before you the dearest gift this morning, it would be a time of no beginning and no end. It would be life filled with good health,  and peace and inner joy that can only come from the spirit.

You would quietly refine your thoughts and words so that you never draw anything to you but the finest. You would rest deeply and breath in sweet peace. You would know the tremendous difference between the physical and the spiritual - turning from anger and frustration to a safe haven of love.

You would always be the most loyal friend - not to me but to yourself. All the issues of life rise out of the heart - so this is a gift from heart to heart."

-from  "A Cherokee Feast of Days, II."

I have expressed my heart to you. I have nothing to take back. - Chief Joseph (Nez Perce)

Finding Christmas in Volunteering

The ringing is incessant and then becomes a silent part of the constant din of noise – cars starting and driving off, and people hurrying by, captured in constant conversation about the last or next shopping destination. And there I stand, most of the times in the cold – always ringing the little brass bell.

I volunteer through my Rotary Club to ring the Salvation Army bell each year. Each year I hesitate to sign up for a couple of hours of standing in the cold. Each year I think of hundreds of other things I could be doing instead, and each year I sign-up to ring that little bell.

It happens to me every year. Somehow, as people walk by – a variety of faces, ages, economic classes – I see them acknowledge the bell and the bucket and what it represents: the presence of charity in our world. And as slowly and steadily breath brings life into my lungs, each time I speak to the passersby “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas” I feel that elusive spirit of Christmas enter into my spirit and I know that beneath and behind all of the trappings of the holiday, people know , need and seek the blessing of Charity.

The ringing of that bell is when I find Christmas, every year and this year, on December 17th, I will did it again. Merry Christmas!

Santa is Doing WHAT!?

Several years ago (I won't divulge how many because I'm not sure if the 'never talk about a woman's age applies to her, yet) my daughter spent a semester studying abroad in Spain (Yes, I believe she was studying). The Christmas that followed her return she presented us with an inappropriate , weird, ...unusual gift.

The photos below show the small Santa figurine, and yes - he is doing what you think he is doing. She claimed that these figures were all the rage in Spain and to her credit, I did find this link (which dates back to about that time).

Kids.

Redneck Ornaments - Two Dixie Cups and a String

Continuing on the Homemade Ornament theme, I also remember what you can make with two Dixie cups and a string.

Make a small hole in the bottom of two paper Dixie cups. Thread a piece of colored yarn through the cups to connect them (tie a knot on each end of the yarn to keep it from pulling through). Then, cover each cup with tin-foil and you now have “Silver Bells” to place on the tree – or on your ears while you run around the house singing Christmas songs – not that I have personally done anything like that – I’m just saying, you could.

Dog Meets Christmas Tree...

From last year…

My wife heard a crunching sound coming from the living room and after investigating caught her dog, Sunnie, (note when he is bad he is her dog) making a snack out of one of the ornaments. Sunnie was chewing on a low hanging Gingerbread Man Ornament – now a one legged Ginger Bread Man ornament. My wife rescued the ornament and re-hung it higher on the tree – leaving the recent Gingerbread Man amputee for others to see and wonder about.

I guess that Ginger Bread Man didn’t “run, run, run as fast as you can” – fast enough…

Christmas Toy Hammer Time

Social Media Me

Twitter

tweets #scream

RTs mark my mind

@slapping my humor

taunting my @attention

Facebook!

look what @she said

funny pictures

another #page to #Like

that should be on LinkedIn, too

LinkedIn!

a mention of my @business

my expertise must be seen

Plz RT!

my domain claimed, reiterate

duplicate, repurpose content

again, repeat

#retweetupdatepost

then

there is no room

nothing left for

reflection

resting

in the arms of con-tem-plation

no room for

being still

stillness, in this place - now

creative

i'm starved

(HEY! i should #tweetPostUpdate that...)

In from the Sea

In defiance of the cold and snow...

In From the Sea

When the wind blows in from the sea you can hear the

crackle of palm fronds breaking free from the heat

hiss of sea oats defiantly bowing inland

whisper of sand celebrating its lofty release from gravity

sputter of foam cascading skyward cut from wave caps

chime of delicate shells dancing across dunes

When the wind blows in from the sea you can hear

The prayers of ancient mariners reaching home

Still Learning.

She said proudly, "I'm 58 years old and still figuring shit out."

I've said it. You've said it. "You learn something new every day." Today was the day my wife learned the meaning of Frigidaire. For those of you that don't know, Frigidaire is a brand of appliances that started in 1913 with the introduction of one of the first 'modern' electric refrigerators. By the 1960's Frigidaire became synonymous with refrigerator in much the same way Band-Aid is known for adhesive bandages. You would ask someone to bring you a coke from the Frigidaire. Most of us spoke of it as Frig-a-dare. The company grew to offer much more than refrigerators and the brand is known - then and now- as a manufacturer of electrical appliances. There is Kenmore, Maytag and Frigidaire.

Today awareness happened simply. My wife was letting the dogs out to do their evening doggie things and said playfully, "Out you go boys. Enjoy the frigid air." Then it hit her. The company was aptly named, for what else does one want from a refrigerator other than frigid air.

She said proudly, "I'm 58 years old and still figuring shit out."  

Yes she is.

Ollie's Bakeries - Local Destination - Enjoy Fresh Baked Goodies

Local Destination - Enjoy Fresh Baked Goodies

I sometimes get stuck in a rut, yes - it's true. I frequent the same restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes'. Every now and then some innocent and unsuspecting soul drags me kicking and screaming to some place new by offering to meet me there...

Sometimes this is a good thing. Case in point is Ollie's Bakery. If you like fresh baked goods in a much more European tradition than you can get any other place around here - and if you want to meet some great people - drop by. Be sure and tell Nancy "HELLO!"

Two locations: Winston-Salem and Greensboro. Have fun and you are welcome. You will thank me...you will.

Viscosity - About a word and a poem

Viscosity is one of those wonderful words that sounds and speaks much like it means to me. It doesn't flip off the tongue. It requires more effort, more intent to pronounce viscosity.

Depression always makes me think of trying to move through life dressed in a wet, wool blanket. Every effort is increased and life has an unrelenting cool dampness about it. You can't just try harder and get through. It accompanies you when you move and when you give up.

Those times when life is tuned less intensely, but still something resists you are well described as moments of high viscosity. Some relationships are viscous.

Our Viscosity

Viscous interactions

Entwined emotions

Caught

I would want to leave

I would desire relief

Released

Such effort defines

Our togetherness

Lost

Disconnected Communication

Recumbent desires and cumbersome guilt affords us little in the way of meaning. You shouldn't look at me that way, if you don't want my delicate demands. I can't say what ferment swells and requisitions our future from clasped hands. Nor do I dare impart a wish to want more than fanciful moments, minuscule ticks off our kindness. Your seemly essence troubles us.

Is that enough?

Hello?

Why won't you listen to me this morning?

Why I like Google's Web Browser - Chrome

Chrome is Google's web browser. It has been out for some time now and I've been using it about 3 years. I like Chrome. Why? Well how nice of you to ask... Here are 7 things I like about Google Chrome.

1. Chrome has a radically cool logo. Let's just face it, this is a logo worthy of T-Shirt real-estate.

.
2. Chrome uses gears which is a cool technology used to make cars  go and, apparently, make browsers more secure with the ability to "run faster and jump higher" (can you guess the ad reference?) while running complex web based apps.

3. Chrome follows me everywhere I go (like a cute puppy) and remembers  my bookmarks and settings on every  computer I use. It's magic that happens when you use the iGoogle login feature and settings.

4. Chrome is taunting the Microsoft Giant and making headway in the industry (see link). Go little Chrome go!

5. Chrome has more personalities than Sybil (historical reference to a popular book/film from the 70s) and can switch designs and layouts with my mood (not that I'm moody or anything).

6. Chrome is perpetually new (insert fountain of youth reference here) issuing  regular updates and fixes.

7. Chrome is open source and what is not to like about open source software?

So, if you're ready for some fresh browser fun, try Google's Chrome.

Wait... there's 8. Chrome just sounds like something you would want more of... Chrome on your car, Chrome for your grill...

Christmas Gift Idea - Local Cookies!

Still undecided about that holiday gift (or more likely - haven't given it a thought)? Too cool for Cat Humor (see below)?

Well - what about a sweet and local treat?! Best thing, you don't even have to leave your computer. Drop in on my friends at Big Boss Baking and tour their spread of cookies, whoppie pies and granola. I've tasted. I'm hooked.

These goodies are made right here in the Triad and literally are HOME Made (they make them at their home...yes really!)

This stuff should come with a warning label! YUM!

Christmas Gift Ideas - Cat Book

Need a Christmas gift idea? Have a cat lover in your life? Who doesn't? (If you don't have a cat lover in your life then you must pay indulgences to @Lucy_Cat. It's a fact).

My friend and local (ok. she lives in Madison - but it's almost local) author, Dena Harris, has a new book (Who Moved My Mouse: A Self Help Book for Cats Who Don't Need Any)out just in time for your holiday giving.

Your mission is two fold:

1. Go buy the book.
2. Read Dena's latest blog post and tell her I said "HI!" (no i'm not getting paid for this, but only because I can't figure out how).

Wait...ok.. 3

3. Like her book on Facebook.

Go shop. It's Christmas time.