radical ramblings and thoughts of a southern girl
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Posted May 20, 2012 05:42 PM
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“People encounter God under shady oak trees, on riverbanks, at the tops of mountains, and in long stretches of barren wilderness. God shows up in whirlwinds, starry skies, burning bushes, and perfect strangers. When people want to know more about God, the son of God tells them to pay attention to the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, to women kneading bread and workers lining up for their pay. Whoever wrote this stuff believed that people could learn as much about the ways of God from paying attention to the world as they could from paying attention to scripture. What is true is what happens, even if what happens is not always right. People can learn as much about the ways of God from business deals gone bad or sparrows falling to the ground as they can from reciting the books of the Bible in order. They can learn as much from a love affair or a wildflower as they can from knowing the Ten Commandments by heart.”
― Barbara Brown Taylor, An Altar in the World: A Geography of
I entered through the sacred doors, walked down the long aisle I'd walked before.. I scanned for just the right spot so I could leave if I decided. Ghosts rose up from the hallways of intellectual history, swirled around and met me in a mixture of grace and mercy and love.
I sat and watched and listened and YOU came in sacred waves that rushed over me crashing for a moment and then rolling back out to give me just enough space and time to allow hope and faith to flip the switch that I thought was broken. Grace and mercy flowed.
I was surprised... surprised in a delightful kind of way at the way the bush sizzled and sparked.. surprised that my tainted lenses still allowed me to see the glimmers of sacred encounter.
I still don't understand. Still can't explain... but for a brief moment in time in a sanctuary of color and note, you moved over, floated me up where hope met my hurt and love bathed my wounds from days long gonewith a mystical balm of healing.
for a sanctuary Sunday of sacredness... I am thankful.
Hope your Sunday was good!!!
hugs and blessings to all of you....
The radical rambler...
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Posted May 18, 2012 05:27 AM
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Instead we live by the informal notion, which we call the Popcorn Theory. It goes like this: "You can't help everyone. But you can try to help the hot ones who pop right up in front of your face." The Popcorn Theory is about noticing others. It starts with recognizing a fellow soul by the roadside as kindred, even if he doesn't seem to belong in your gated community....It's about acknowledging that person's potential and value. It's about seeing him [or her] instead of looking past him. Like popcorn, you don't know which kernel is gonna pop---But the hot ones just show up. It's not hard to spot them. In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving Leigh Ann and Sean Tuohy with Sally Jenkins
It is true you know---every day--each one of us comes across Popcorn moments. Sometimes if we are aware, we recognize them and in some fashion either small or large, we are changed by the encounter with untapped potential. I know myself---I've missed some pretty hot popcorn moments before by being all caught up in my thinking head, by being aggravated by something someone else said or did, by not staying grounded and centered. My real goal is to recognize them, to see the swell of the hot kernel, wait for just the right moment to do the shake (surely some of you are old enough to remember what it was like to pop the kernels on the stove) and then wait as the shell breaks open, the fluffy interior begins to unfold and suddenly right before my eyes--- energy God energy explodes as the heat of encounter generates just enough potential for IT to happen.
IT being that thing that moment that second when we look deep inside someone else and just for a moment a brief unfolding of our self actualizes then we get it and as they pop crack open fluff out guess what so do we.
As we begin our day, our weekend---yes it is Friday--whoo hoo this moment may we all commit to watch for them notice them encounter them and savor the wonder and then just stand back and watch the delectable flash of the
POP!!!!
Have a fabulous weekend!!! Hugs and Blessings
The Radical Rambler
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Posted May 16, 2012 06:58 PM
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When time comes for us to again rejoin the infinite stream of waterflowing to and from the great timeless ocean, our little droplet of soulful water will once again flow with the endless stream.- William E. Marks, The Holy Order Of Water
The breeze is blowing, it is cool like the first taste of ice-cream on a hot Summer day. The leaves are dancing in their own jazz like fashion, moving and swaying as the mystical wind comes underneath them and lifts them up. I have never understood the Wind--and believe me I have tried--- I don't understand it anymore than I understand God and while this scientific mind of mine has wrestled with the ultimate question "where do either of them come from" I realize once again.... I will never comprehend the mystical wonder of our world, of the wind, or the nature of the "Thing"--the Creative Energy of the Universe--otherwise known as God. It just 'is what it is' and we either accept that we humans just can't understand it all---or we drive ourselves mad trying to fathom the impossible. Tonight I surrender to the impossible--IT IS!
The birds are singing their goodnight hymn, and the rumble of the neighbors lawn mower moves the smell of freshly mown grass across my deck. The sun, she is going down, shining on my legs that are propped up on the table, warming my spirit if you will--soon the sky will change colors and after awhile, her light will fade as she says hello to the moon.
IT moves through me the way the wind lifts the leaves pulling me upward, moving me, stirring something inside.. I don't know what it is yet but I will listen.
The symphony continues as I savor it, the sweet sounds mixing and swirling and moving, atoms bumping into each other, jostling, jumping across nerve synapses entertaining my ears awakening my senses.
A calmness falls over me and the muscles of my body begin to feel tired.
But before I turn in tonight, I wonder? Did I help anyone today? Did you? Did I promote more positive than negative? Did you? Did I smile to the one who needed a smile? Did you? Did my hug matter?
I strive everyday to live a bit fuller, by offering the world something .... As i perused the blogs tonight, I came upon this link
at kindness girl, the place where kindness matters.
She has come up with a new innovative way to change the world a sticker at a time.
I wonder what might happen, if the next time we heard that "God Whisper in our Ear" and acted. Reached across the hallway and shook a hand, gave a smile, offered cookies to the widow man across the street how it might change us and how it could change the world, Kindness matters, it changes us, moves us out of our self and breaks open the barriers that keep us contained and imprisoned.
Why not give it a try...order a few..... and see how it changes others and how it just might change you....
The Sun rays shine, the wind, it swirls, the tiny drops of water that fell from the sky yesterday, have left the leaves and headed to the sky, and the cycle it continues we and only we can take the chance to do something different and change the world, one sticker, one smile, one fragment of hope at a time.
Listen to your God whisper---what does it say?
yes...the space is for you to answer the question--- what does it say?
What holds you back? Go on be brave as the afternoon session of Sacred worship ends, do it.... show a little kindness and change the world.
hugs...go on hug me back!!!!
The Radical Rambler
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Posted May 14, 2012 02:35 PM
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Well, yes, ma'am, I do... I mean, I got everything I need right here with me. I got air in my lungs, a few blank sheets of paper. I mean, I love waking up in the morning not knowing what's gonna happen or, who I'm gonna meet, where I'm gonna wind up. Just the other night I was sleeping under a bridge and now here I am on the grandest ship in the world having champagne with you fine people. I figure life's a gift and I don't intend on wasting it. You don't know what hand you're gonna get dealt next. You learn to take life as it comes at you... to make each day count. Jack from The Titanic
I was away for a couple of days last week. No, I did not have some kind of fantastic vacation nor did I go on a Sabbatical Retreat. I've been in the hospital. Seems some of my "medication" got mixed up and made me unable to think. I feel as if I have lost the last three weeks because my world was so foggy. After two weeks of trying to tweek things at home, it became apparent that it was not happening. So reluctantly, my doctor and I decided that it was time for an admission. While in the hospital, one of my roommates had to use a c-pap machine to help her breath during her sleep. In order to utilize this, a sitter had to come into our room and sit in the dark near the machine while we slept. I must admit it was a bit awkward, but being in the hospital is not meant to be "fun", now is it? Just as I dozed off, in walked a large-boned round dark chocolate woman. She had a turban wrapped around her head, deep wise eyes, gentle smile and a peace about her that was tangible. Once everyone was settled and I stuck my earplugs into my ears, the sound of the machine lulled me off into "lala" land. Upon waking, I sat with my feet on the side of the bed and looked at her. As my roommate began to wake up, both of us grumbled about being in the hospital and how we did not like it and then she spoke in her heavy African accent gentle words of wisdom, I will not forget. "Ladies, there are people who did not wake up this morning, there are people who cannot get out of bed, some did not open their eyes. Take a moment and put your feet on the floor and praise God that you are alive. God will not give you more than you can carry and when it gets heavy, God will help you carry it. You arose from your sleep. Put your feet on the floor and praise God." I thought to myself, "now that will preach" I may have even said it aloud and I found myself staring at her deep into the dark pools of her ancient eyes. I thought for a moment and the Oprah in me could not help myself. "Ms. L" where do you get that peace. Where does that come from. She simply said, "God". I prodded her a bit and said, "I know you must have a story." and I knew I really wanted to hear it so I waited. She caught her breath and then Ms. L began her story. "I come from Africa. There my country was in a civil war. My husband and I sent our children forward to the next country to escape, then we walked. We walked and walked and walked for months to get to safety. We walked over dead body upon dead body, some dying from starvation, others from the hands of those participating in the civil war---so many bodies. We arrive to the next country and civil war begins there. We immigrate to America in hopes of a better life for our children. We arrived in Detroit and then to New York and finally to Chicago--from there we moved to Kentucky. We arrived here to rent a small apartment with five children. A person I thought was my friend rented us a large home because she said it was too big for her. We paid a deposit and first month rent and continued to pay rent for three months. One day, we arrived home to find an eviction notice on the front door--turns out my friend was taking our money and never owned the home. We had one day to find a place. We moved into a small place and I went to put something in the bedroom close to the attic. I opened the door and the roof fell in on me--breaking several bones in my back and leg---I was in the hospital for two months. I got nothing out of the insurance for the accident. Now I could be bitter or angry or mad but what good does it do. I can walk without a crooked leg or limp, I can move around and I can work. Everyday my feet hit the floor I praise God. So if you think you have it bad ladies just remember that somewhere, someone did not wake up this morning. Place your feet on the floor and Praise God because your eyes opened, you can breath, because you are alive. You have alot to be thankful for....."
I sat and said, "hum--in my head--which in radical rambler terms means---wow--that is really something to think about." I somehow wonder if it really was Ms. L who came to visit us there. For some reason...some strange reason, I have a hint that I spent the evening in the presence of God in the shape of a large African woman......and for that I am thankful.
so when my feet hit the floor this morning.. I did just what she said I took a breath in deep and I thanked God for people who love me, for my eyes opening up, for health and a job and a home."
Did your feet touch the floor today? If so, just do it--come on you don't even have to say it aloud---say thank you tothe Creative Energy of the Universe deep inside your soul and live it well.
Happy Monday,
hugs,
the radical rambler
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Posted May 13, 2012 08:34 AM
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"My love for you is a journey;
Starting at forever, And ending at never." < br />- anonymous quotation
Motherhood--- I never quite understood what it was all about... nor did I appreciate the wonderful mother and father I had been given in a ways that I should have.... but those two minutes when it happened, when off-color son and off-color daughter arrived into our off color world I suddenly got a glimmer of what love was really about-- now don't get me wrong---i was already madly in love with Big Daddy---but that moment when those two off color things--thing one and thing two---were placed in my arms, I realized it... I had began a journey of love that would never end.... and while I did have the thought... "what the hell am I supposed to do now..." the moment our eyes met-- off color son and off color daughters at different times of course--one year apart-- my heart swelled and skipped a beat and suddenly I understood motherhood and my mother and her mother and the incredible connection that bound our hearts together. Staring into their blue eyes, the world stopped and Creative Love from above wove around and through and enfolded us... and without rhyme or reason... without even understanding how it could happen, we were connected by blood and crazy genetics and by a bond so deep and strong I promise you it will never be broken. I stared deeper and it unfolded... an understanding of grace that I never knew before grace in the sense of what the Creative Universe gives each of us without us even knowing... and I realized "there is nothing" absolutely nothing that will ever ever make me stop loving you... I began a journey... an unending journey of faith, grace, hope and love... that circles around in mystical love swirls and I am all the better for in the world as a person for becoming a mother to the off color children. Thank you for making me laugh, teaching me to see the world differently, opening my heart wider and deeper, and providing me hope that our world will get better with the next generation. I love you... dear off color son and off color daughter in ways you will never understand.. until that moment... that moment.... my grandchildren are placed into your arms (be assured I do not want you to experience it anytime soon) but when it happens you like me will begin a journey that will never end--- it starts at forever and ends with never!
Thank you for being our children Big Daddy's and mine. I love you!!!
and Happy Mothers Day to the One who Loved me-- my mama!!
The Radical Rambler
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Posted May 12, 2012 04:46 PM
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Our Mother Who Art in the kitchen cooking us up hallowed may we see all that is
Your kingdom here delivered into our hands Your will in children and trees leafing out on earth as if it were Heaven.George Ella Lyon I convince myself that you are just a figment of my imagination then I walk out into the world and everywhere I look... There you are.
You are in the blue shades of the sky splashed with cotton candy clouds, in the tiny strands of grass spiking their way up through the dry cracked earth. You are in the smell of the pine needles that have fallen on the sidewalk that crush under my feet, You... You are there in the colors that splash everywhere in shades and styles and designs that none of us here could have ever thought up. I see you in filaments and feathers and other finery of this fantastic earth. I realize I do not understand you, can't fathom your existence, most days, feel like I can't even connect with you anymore... but yet you come splash over me baptize me in the morning air with fresh sprinkles from above, wipe the sleep from my drowsy eyes and you claim me once again and for that dear Mother who birthed me into existence I say thank you.
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Posted May 9, 2012 06:29 AM
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“It is precisely because we resist the darkness in ourselves that we miss the depths of the loveliness, beauty, brilliance, creativity, and joy that lie at our core.” < /div> ~ Thomas Moore, Dark Nights of the Soul. My long night of the soul continues. when will it end? how will it end? I look to the sky wondering if IT really cared, knew about me, connected to me or reached out to me. I gazed, stared and < div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"> looking back into my eyes was < div style="background-color: white; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 1.7em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"> pure unfiltered untapped love rays that flowed from the spring of Creative Energy and began at the start of time. Just for me Heartstrings from Heaven played just for me and I felt hope! May God lead me to the light once again where I'll remember this incredible gift in the sky whose rays embraced me just when I needed IT most. Thankful for a bit of love from above. Blessings to all of you..
The radical rambler
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Posted May 8, 2012 06:07 PM
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TALK DOESN'T MAKE RICE ANCIENT CHINESE PROVERB
Yesterday one of off-color daughter's friends--who I call Raquel turned sixteen. One of her favorite things is to be posted on my blog--so of course I wanted to make her happy. She cracks me up, anytime I have my camera, she is constantly jumping in the picture to make sure she has a chance of making the blog. One night when she came to visit, she was planning to eat supper with us. She went into the kitchen and stared at the pot on the stove. Her first question was, "Why is there rice in a pot?" Seems Raquel's family owns two rice cookers and they have steamed rice at every meal---she has some Asian blood running through her--- She then wanted to know, "Where our rice cookers were?" She attempted to eat my buttered rice, but I did notice Raquel--- you threw the most of it in the dog bowl----now that was not nice!!!! I know lots of your secrets---ones you tell in the car to off color daughter and the ones I've overheard without you knowing--- so admit it girl--- My rice is better than yours!!! If you do---I promise not to tell those secrets to your mama!!!!
Wishing you lots of happiness, safe driving, lots of A's, and really good rice for the next year! Keep hanging with the off color girls and one day if your really really lucky you might just be "sexy hot" just like us!!!!
Happy Birthday Asia!!!!!
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Posted May 8, 2012 04:36 AM
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All of life is a coming home. Salesmen, secretaries, coal miners, beekeepers, sword swallowers, all of us. All the restless hearts of the world, all trying to find a way home. It's hard to describe what I felt like then. Picture yourself walking for days in the driving snow; you don't even know you're walking in circles. The heaviness of your legs in the drifts, your shouts disappearing into the wind. How small you can feel, and how far away home can be. Home. The dictionary defines it as both a place of origin and a goal or destination. And the storm? The storm was all in my mind. Or as the poet Dante put it: In the middle of the journey of my life, I found myself in a dark wood, for I had lost the right path. Eventually I would find the right path, but in the most unlikely place. Hunter Patch Adams from the movie Patch Adams
I find that I am in the midst of a driving snow like Patch Adams describes, only difference I know I've been walking, walking in circles, endless circles, round and round I go, moving back and forth and meeting in the middle all at the same place at the same time. I don't understand the haze, feel as if I have lost a piece of myself along the way, feel the missing--long for it to return---that piece of me perhaps it resides somewhere along this circling labyrinth, I keep looking, hoping, searching for that something that seems disconnected, at sorts, "out of body" perhaps that little something that makes me uniquely me....where did it go?
I've been here before and I know that eventually the storm will settle and like a snow globe shaken, eventually all the little falling specks will settle and I will be able to see clearly again.
My feet know the drill, one in front of the other, and I trust that they will keep me moving in the right direction. I don't like this part of the journey at all, don't like the haze, the snow-blindness, I have never liked feeling "out of sorts" "unable to think" "disassociated--like an out of body alien experience--but not" and so like the little catapiller above, I will keep moving along, feeling my way stopping to rest when tired and then try and move forward trusting that my "feelers" or that the Mystical Energy of the Universe will beckon me and pull me and lead me down the right path to myself back home.
Eventually every storm passes, the snow settles and melts and the sun warms the frozen earth. I keep hoping that the pattern continues.... and one day soon... really soon.. sooner than later... the warmth will open me back up again to experience and participate in the world arriving right back where I started to the place I'm looking for ----- Home---and Me.
have a great tuesday, hugs and blessings,
the radical rambler
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Posted May 7, 2012 06:27 AM
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Heather: Horton! We've all got our own little clovers with worlds on them!
Jessica: Mine is called Jessica-Land and everyone worships Queen Jessica because Jessica is so beautiful!
Katie: In my world, everyone's a pony nad they all eat rainbows-and poop butterflies! from Horton Hears a Who
I hate to admit it, but it is true even though I try to keep my eyes open to the worlds of others, I have my own little clover with my own little world sitting right there on top and my life revolves around this abode. The off-color world is a fun place to live people say what they mean and mean what they say. We laugh and joke argue and scream occasionally and < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> live bound together by our off-color slang and even though there are times we do not even like each other we are always encapsulated with a mysterious band of connective love. It holds us together and < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> makes life worth living and splashes our world with adventure, spontaneity and wonder.
I've spent my whole life looking for ways to change the world, make it better, and < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">while all of that is good and allI realize at the end of the day I live on an off-color clover where life is good except when they all get on my nerves and < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">laughter keeps us floatingup toward the sky and love, ah love, nourishes us, gives us hope, enfolds us and < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">keeps us growing.
I still want to change the world, still have that intuitive desire to spread goodness, help others have a piece of the pie, but < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">for this Monday hazy headed morning,I am thankful for < /div> a tiny little world atop an off-color clover called"off-color universe" where people say whatever they want and < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Big Daddy and off-color daughter color the walls with off color sayings and < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">laughterpulls us up lifts us up to hope and < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">colors our world.Sexy Hot mama... is there to make the place look sexy hot and < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the off color sonis there to attract the honey bees for sweetness and give us all something to poke fun at...... and < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">togetherwe rule in our off color kind of way.
Come on over and visit sometime... we have this little world our own little world called off color paradise and < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">though---- off color----it is a great place to live and grow and be!!!
Thankful for my world atop my clover today--- Happy Monday...
The radical rambler
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Posted May 5, 2012 09:50 PM
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When you think things are bad, when you feel sour and blue, when you start to get mad... You should do what I do! Just tell yourself, Duckie, you're really quite lucky! Some people are much more...Oh, ever so much more...Oh, muchly much-much more unlucky than you! < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You. < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Dr. Seuss
It was a no-good very bad week at the "off color" household. Aside from losing our dear bad ass Cecil dog, it seemed that if we had not bad luck we'd have no luck at all. I have been off work for a couple of days due to issues related to a medication change. My world has been foggy and spinney and not too much fun. Off color daughter had about the same kind of week as well.... She had to go to a specialist appointment where they continue to try and uncover her "mysterious" illness that she has been dealing with for over two years. Following her doctors appointment, we made her go take her driving permit, since she keeps saying she doesn't want to drive. I told her that is not an option because it means I will continue to be her taxi cab----cab service is soon to shut down. So Big Daddy took her down to the DMV so she could take the test. I knew it might be a bad sign when she said, "one of the questions says small vehicles are not allowed on the road---what the heck is a small vehicle--like a Prius, or a motorbike or does that mean like a lawnmower?" About a half hour after they leave her doctors appointment, the phone in my office rings, and I hear off color daughter scream in an excited voice, "Guess who passed their drivers permit test?" I excitedly say back, "who?" and in a way only "off color" daughter could say, I hear, "the boy in front of me in line." whaw whah... I get home and go down to my bedroom to change for the gym and this odor... the odor that could only be a sneak bathroom break from the Cecil Devil Dog from hell. I started looking and sure enough, right beside the door leading outside, right beside my favorite house shoes was a big stinky pile of Cecil doggy poop. I yell for off color daughter to come clean my carpet. She goes down and in a few minutes, I hear her scream, seems she dropped her i-phone right in the middle of a pile of Cecil dog poo.... The next day we lost Cecil and then I have been off work again due to medication issues-- which means my Crazy meds have not been working correctly.
It has been a no-good very bad week at the off color household and yet I still hold a glimmer that life will get better, the valley will lead to a mountain, the storm will end with a rainbow and life can and will move forward even if it doesn't feel like it is possible.
Mothers somewhere watch as their children die due to lack of water and food. People are losing their homes, their jobs, their cars. Right now, people stand at bedsides saying goodbyes, weep at gravesides, crumble to the ground and feel that life will end.... and I look and perhaps our week might look like a good week to some. Yes it was a bad week a very bad week, but life life moves forward, darkness can and hopefully will fade and the LIGHT will reflect the colors of life the petals of hope, Grace mixes in and we move forward and fall into Hope.... and the reality is there are so much much more unluckier than me......
Have a good weekend--- may color splash across your palate and light warm your heart. hugs and blessings.
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Posted May 3, 2012 05:29 AM
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A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water log stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if your rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary ? < em>John Grogin “In a dog's life, some plaster would fall, some cushions would open, some rugs would shred. Like any relationship, this one had its costs. They were costs we came to accept and balance against the joy and amusement and protection and companionship he gave us.”
― John Grogan, Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog
You know how we're always saying what a pain you are, you're the world's worst dog, don't believe it, don't believe it for one minute because you know we couldn't find a better dog, I love you, more than anything, you're a great dog, I love you.
Our dear fat Cecil Dog from the gates of Hell got lose for the last time last night. < div style="text-align: center;"> He took off running and ran right into the path of a car. Immediately this fun loving silly no good very bad dog who we loved was goneand let's just say everyone in the "off color" household is sad.
From the time we got him at the Humane Society with his non classic disclaimer"obedience training suggested"to< /div> the many times he caused us to walk the neighborhood looking for him after one of his great escapes he brought us laughter and joy and lots of wonderful sayings in the off color family.
All of you have read about them.... we buried him yesterday with his favorite pieces of stuffed monkey, his bone and a pair of worn out Tom's shoes from off color daughter I think he actually wore the bottom off of them making her walk him, he had the sweetest face but was oh so devilish.
When I picked him up, I thanked him for the love, the laughter,and for being such mischievous dog that made us laugh and brought the off color family so much joy.
no more secret poop found under the bed, no more scratches on the bedroom door,no more chewed up tv remotes, glasses, hairbrushes,< /div>underwear, no more little dog begging....
For all the joy he brought, I offer up a prayer to the universe of
Thanksgiving, for time with Cecil
the off color devil dog from the gates of hell...
He was loved and he loved us and that made him one special dog
The radical Rambler
And to the lady in the black car who stopped and asked about him as I was getting him up, thank you for stopping, for asking,and for hugging a sad stranger. It warmed my sad heart.
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Posted May 1, 2012 05:37 AM
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"Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining.”
Judge Judy Sheindlin
Sunday I was out enjoying the sunshine, walking and thinking and taking photographs dressed in my lovely tie-dyed t-shirt and black spandex workout shorts. Yes, I will say it for you---I was looking sex hot---even if I am the only one in the off-color household that will admit it. I also had on my pink breast cancer awareness hat to cover up my hair that had not been brushed even though it was aleady late in the afternoon. It was a great day, sun was shining, cool breeze blowing and I walked. I enjoyed the sound of birds singing their afternoon worship songs to the Creative Power--- Newly spouted leaves swayed to the gentle breeze, dancing a Holy dance of sorts----- The smell of fresh cut grass mingled with the scent of Honeysuckle that was growing along the pathway and I walked allowing the rhythm of my gait to become a meditative prayer of sorts, clearing my head of its' constant chatter and opening me up to the wonder of pure Holy Awe that is mixed among the common elements that I walk around seeing every day. I walked down an old road, past trees that reached way up in the sky and thought of all who had enjoyed their shade, I stepped over railroad tracks where many have crossed over time. At the corner of the railroad tracks, there stood a small white cross with blue flowers swaying in the gentle breeze and I stopped for just a moment and whispered a prayer of healing into the Universe realizing the hidden symbolism and meaning behind the placement---someone--somewhere---some mom had lost a boy---right here on this very spot where I stood. I breathed in a deep breath---a Holy breath and offered my homage to and for someone I did not know. I passed fallen bird feather---a red ordination gift for a Sunday stroll---that awakened my spiritual soul offering healing hope. I worshipped, strolled, hummed, got lost, hummed some more, worshipped and stood and suddenly in the midst of my extraordinary walking time, I was startled and then laughed out loud. "Don't Pee on Me" and I said in my mind-- "or on me either" Cecil--have been out sneaking a hike on some neighbors new flowers? I know I've seen you do it before--or worse--take a poop. Have any of you ever seen a dog who backs up and poops on things? well---Cecil the dog from the gates of hell--can and will surprise you with his surprising giftedness. I don't think it was Cecil and Big Daddy has not been walking, so I breathed a sigh of relief and then began to ponder the written phrase... "Don't Pee on Me"...
We've all had it happen... let others spoil our day, mess up our intentions, allow the thoughts and expectations of another cloud the possibility of wonderful expectations... some days we even expect it... expect somebody to do it, allow it to happen and some days we spoil it for someone else.
I really don't know where I am going with this post... I thought the nerve someone had to write it and put it in front of their home was pretty impressive and sad in a sense. The sign does indicate that someone had indeed done the bad deed or else there would be no need for a sign that invited someone to laugh out loud. Then as quickly as I laughed I thought about it. Why do we allow it? How does it happen?
After thinking my mind quickly went back to a book that has been on my shelf for fifteen years---and finally just the other day--I decided it was time to read it. It is entitled, "A Toltec Wisdom book, THE FOUR AGREEMENTS." I have found the take away messages bulleted by the writer to be full of ancient wisdom that is relevant to our modern perceptions and translations about how to live the best life possible by YOU. It is written by Don Miguel Ruiz and I liked the quick wisdom so much I'm going to share it here:
1. Be Impeccable with Your Word: Say what you mean and mean what you say. Tell the Truth--even when it might seem best to lie. Honor the truth where you stand and don't take someones truth for it may not be the same as yours. 2. Don't take anything personally. "Nothing other people do is because of you. It's because of themselves. All people live in their own mind; they are in a completely different world from the one we live in. When we take something personally, we make assumptions that they know what is in our world, and we try to impose our world on their world." page 48. 3. Don't make Assumptions 4. Always do your Best The writer said something to the effect--doing your best is not always the same from one day to the next---just do your best on a given day knowing that many factor play into what your best might be.
I will add a fifth one---"Don't pee on anyone or anything"--- it's just not nice. Live fully, Openly, Honestly,
and pee at home in your own bathroom so that person in my neighborhood who felt compelled to put this sign in their front yard can concentrate on the beauty of flowers.
Have a wonderful day... Enjoy it and live it... live it like it is the last savor it... laugh and love and play.
Have a wonderful Tuesday!!!
Blessings and Hugs...
The Radical Rambler
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Posted Apr 30, 2012 05:22 AM
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it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.” CS Lewis
It is comfortable you know, all balled up and warm, within the confines of our own comfortable boundaries, our own little home, our own little space, not bothered by anyone, anything, just incubating over time and space ready to hatch out, break forth, spread our wings, but fear keeps us confined.
true, balled up inside our space, we feel safe, guarded, at ease, but confined there even a bit uncomfortable at time, legs need to stretch and we never learn to spread our wings, their muscles twitch with anticipation just waiting for the moment when we will safe enough just to stretch, strong enough to try and flap them a bit, anticipate the first full stretch and feeling the exhilaration of the first lift off.... but holed up, hunkered down inside an egg, safe, none of that happens.
As we begin our week, may we all muster up a bit of courage, peck our way out of our protective encasing given to us, may we experience the light flood into the darkness, let our eyes get used to it, let the warmth dry our wet newly exposed feathers, let our muscles take over spread our wings and go out into the world as a fully hatched individual.
Go on, spread your wings......
Happy Monday and < div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Hugs,
Go on.....fly... Radical Rambler
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Posted Apr 25, 2012 07:55 PM
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"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you are because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain't you. You're better than that!"
- Movie Quote from 'Rocky Balboa'
Every once in a blue moon, while walking the path we humans encounter obstacles, bumps along the path that trip us unexpectedly, cause us to fall down and skin our knees, we rise up, look forward and try again, knowing for damn sure that sooner or later another bump will rise up along the path and the falling down, skinning the knee process begins once again.
The clock continues it's tock to match the ticks, life moves forward pulling us with it, the sun shines, rain comes to an end, we climb from the darkness of the valley to the top of a mountain and head back down again, when suddenly, without rhyme or reason or cause, it happens to us all we come to an obstacle placed on the path by someone else, or something else, and we can't find a way around it, can't move it out of the way because it is too big and too heavy, too bulky to master alone, we don't have materials to climb over, and the ground is too hard to burrow under in some sneaky kind of way. The only option left is to put forth a foot, get down on our knees and start the long hard journey of going through it.
It "ain't no" fun at all actually it sucks up every ounce of energy makes us muster up strength when we think we have none left and invites us to evaluate our path... do we want to live here in a spot selected by someone we don't even know or do we take care of us and make the decision to keep on going, dig our heels in, trust that when the light is out, our instincts are strong enough guide us... we get dirty, sweat out every ounce of fluid inside and yet if we trust in who we are who created us who guides us and keep on going... no matter how hard...
eventually we get through it... get to the other side and continue on the journey called life.
We will get through it... if and only if.. we keep going.
Have a great night, blessings and hugs,
The Radical Rambler
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Posted Apr 21, 2012 08:42 PM
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"Families are like fudge-- mostly sweet with a few nuts."
I have a unique family. We have lots of fun, but truth is you never ever know what might happen next. With big daddy and off color daughter, one never knows what one will say or how off color it might be. Off color son has been busy turning seventeen and his sister turned sixteen (no she doesn't want to get her drivers liscence but we are going to make her--big daddy made her drive the other day she didn't know the difference between the gas and the brake---off color son said.....I was behind them...it was scary. Off color son has finished his basketball seasons but is already practicing for the next...he might be short but he is sneaky--he can steal from the biggest man on the court---and can shoot a mean 3-point shot or drive up the center amongst the big men.
Here you will find some highlights of the past few weeks to catch you up on all the off color tales.....
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A Sunday afternoon hiking trip with big daddy and his crooked stick.....looking sexy hot with his new water pack...although it did take him quite awhile to learn how to suck the water up through the hose....but finally he mastered the technique with a bit of help from his sexy hot mama......
ooo...la...la......look at those muscles!!! My favorite 'goddess' from the African exhibit at the Cincinnati Art Museum. I took off color daughter and two of her off color friends there and we spent the day. The highlight of the ride was getting lost and driving past a barber shop with the name Lil nappy hair Barber.... we would have taken a picture but we were really lost and trying to find the street sign to get us to the museum. off-color daughter's friends--Katie and Dru---tagged along. We enjoyed the exhibits by Nick Cave and the African art. I also enjoyed listening to them talk about everything and everyone. K. taught us all that "when you gotta go...you gotta go....even if it means to go behind a tree in a parking garage in a plastic cup. ...way to go Katie. D. was the quietest passenger in the car. It was a very enjoyable trip except for the constant rain all day long.
Off Color daughter in Leather and Lace. She is almost as sexy hot as her mama.... almost. Norman (Noah) was not her date...I made them pretend for just a moment...though they do look cute together. That is their fake couple hug.
Basketball season ended for off color son....he is intense as you can see....short but talented. He scored 35 points in one of his games this season....not bad for a short white boy....and not bad for a boy with some of my coordination genes.
The pics below are from "off color daughter's birthday celebration"
Hannah tard...otherwise known as the dog whisperer...the only person I know who brings her dog to a party at the park....way to go Hannah tard!!!
the crew plays some basketball....Olive and Norman play off color daughter stands and watches andher friend "Raquel" spent her time trying to be in every picture and begging me to put her on my blog....here you go Raquel welch...
Katie came as a incognito movie star.... orange eyeshadow and all... she is quite funny..... A tree climbing contest...looks like Olive has you beaten Norman... Norman...are you standing on a trash can???? Vegetarians unite.... Cesar and off color daughter.... guard the table keeping the carnivores away.
That gets us partially up to date... it has been a busy month...but one filled with lots of fun.. The off color family is really sweet... but a bit nutty too.. makes life worth living..
Hope you've enjoyed a mini-update of off color family tales.. you never know what will be in the next post...that is for sure....
Happy night...
the radical rambler
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