Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Basking, young reader and not that

- Smiling up at neighbors congregating on Marion's balcony and basking in their cheery hellos.

- At the end of book group discussion, the host's 6-year-old comes in from her t-ball game and runs to get her book about a fluffy bunny so she can be in on the discussion, too.

- From Mr C's sign:

EAT MORE
MEATLOAF
OR
WE WILL
TAKE BACK
THE SUN

Monday, March 30, 2009

Cherry blossoms, special lady and delightful read

Photo by Jesse Milton

- The cherry trees, so incredibly beautiful this year, now shedding their blossoms because of all the rain the last few days. Lawns and cars are covered in the blossoms, looking like snow.

- Sally's 80th birthday party was well-attended and a highlight was the crowd singing the Georgia Tech "Ramblin' Wreck" fight song in her honor. She is a retired history professor and die-hard Jackets fan.

- Book club tonight - remembering I was supposed to read a Newbery medal winning book (we have an children's educator among our group,) I hurriedly picked up "Sarah, Plain and Tall" by Patricia MacLachlan. It was a quick half hour read, but wonderfully descriptive of a family living on the prairie in need of a wife and mother to care for them. Sarah, answering an ad, comes from her beloved Maine. The children are fearful that she is so homesick she will leave to go back, but though she misses her home, she tells them, "the truth of it is I would miss you more."

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Candygram! Becca's party, thank you for the music

- My hairdresser found this shark's head somewhere - he thinks it came from a parade float. (Always an adventure going over to his house.) It reminds me of the Land Shark from Saturday Night Live.

- Attending a bridal shower at which the only person I know is the bride-to-be, but finding common ground with all the other women. The young lady sitting next to me will be attending my first alma mater Georgia College and State University in the fall. I give her a tip on a part-time docent job and where the best bakery in Georgia can be found.

- Stopping by my volunteer organization in the late afternoon and finding Bettye in her office blasting Abba music. And more fun music in the form of Jannie's video of she and her friends playing her ukelele song. Thank you for the music!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Beads, roller girls and yum

- The kids at my church had a table set up a couple of weeks ago for making prayer beads or "worry" beads. I put together this little strand and brought it to work finding that they are great to fiddle with when I am on the phone.

- My friend's daughter-in-law is in the Atlanta Roller Girls. Yes - roller derby is alive and well in Atlanta. The sports guy on the news this morning interviewed one of them, "The Merchant of Menace," who just likes to be called Menace.

- Yummy veggie enchiladas at Los Hermanos with friend Leisa. Me gusto!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Octane, experience and good samaritan

- Meeting a potential client at this very cool place, Octane, on Marietta Street where we were the only ones without tattoos. Visible ones anyway.

- Receiving a (very nice) rejection letter from the Presbytery for a grant proposal I had submitted on behalf of my church, but turning it into a positive when I realize that now I have written proof of grant writing experience.

- A woman at the pharmacy frantically digging through her purse for her debit card when another woman walks in with it in her hand. She found it in the parking lot.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Attitude adjustment, delight and silence

- An invitation to a weekend "Attitude Adjustment Outing" made me smile, which was part of the invitation: "bring some pot-luck and a smiling face." Here’s what’s on the menu so far:

· Low Country Shrimp Boil
· Beer-butt Chicken
· Okra, Tomatoes & Rice
· PBR

- Watching the delightful film “Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day," an uncomplicated light comedy. You have to love a film with a character named Dylesia.

- Making time for silence each day.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Stage, treat and pot of gold


- This guy who works for a tax preparation service near my office. I purposefully go that way because I enjoy his energy as he dances while standing in a shopping cart and enthusiastically directs traffic into the shopping center. (The second photo is blurred because I was laughing.)

- A vendor comes to the office and drops off a box of Dunkin’ Doughnuts. When I walk by, a co-worker has the box open giving them a bemused look. I ask, “I need a doughnut, don’t you?” “Yes – I think I do,” she says. We both select a chocolate one before she whisks the box back to the guys in the plant.

- Looking forward to the happy drawing that I get on my Accounts Receivable Aging Report at work from our accounting clerk. When I have no accounts that are more than 45 days past due, I get a drawing. Today it is a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. The pot of gold has a $ coming out it.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Easter treat, Bach and chickadees

- Treating myself to a Cadbury CRÈME EGG always makes me think of my sister in Virginia. She loves them, too.

- Letting the stress of the week go while letting music wash over me. The Bach concert from a phenomenal organ master was especially wonderful because it was free.

- Some chickadees keep going in and out of the bluebird box on my deck. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they build a nest in it like they did a few years ago. Someone had to tell me that you are supposed to take out the nest and clean the box after the babies leave the nest, so that is why they did not use it again the next time. It is clean now though.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Much happiness, much of a muchness and love

- Spicy Szechuan Shrimp takeout from Main Moon made for a delicious dinner after the gym. My fortune: The coming month shall bring you much happiness.

- Speaking of much - enjoying the language of George Orwell's diaries very much. They are published in real time as they happened 70 years ago to the day. He was living in a villa near Marrakech at the time and it is fascinating to read his reactions to seeing the Foreign Legion marching by as well as other infantry. "Seeing them on the march en masse, I do not now think (as I did before) that the Senegalese infantry are superior to the Arabs. They look much of a muchness." Much of a muchness. Great language. I have the diaries linked to the right.

- I absolutely love it when someone is unabashedly in love and not too cool to say so. Mike Nizza has a new column at The Atlantic Food Channel called Made for Julie. He writes of preparing Friday night dinner for his girlfriend Julie who every week makes her way to New York from Washington DC for the weekend. "At the very same moment, we're rushing toward the same place -- my dinner table -- while fighting the pandemonium around us." Her reaction to his dinner: "...she was smiling. That's all that mattered." The Atlantic Food Channel - I could read it all day. Also linked to the right.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Vernal equinox, adapting and pop-up brewery

Photo by David Emery

- Enjoying that today is the Vernal Equinox and the first day of spring. A newspaper article has an interview with astronomer Randy Attwood and asks, "Does the fact that the equinox occurred at 7:44 a.m. have any significance?" Attwood: "It's the exact time when the sun is directly over the equator, but it's not like you can go outside at that time and notice anything. It's like one of those really useless sports statistics, like the number of goalies who have red hair." I always think of it as the day that one can balance a raw egg on end, but apparently that is an urban myth.

- Watching the two Cardinals who have been hanging out in my backyard observing all the comings and goings. They come back every year to build their nest. The condominium complex landscapers cut down their favorite tree, but they have adapted and are working on another nest in a new spot.

- Always looking forward to seeing the Sweetwater Pale Ale brewery emerge like something out of pop-up book while driving down I-85 south in the dark. There is a spot in which the road dips just enough so you catch a glimpse of the brightly colored building with its 420 painted in huge letters.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Spirit, life is a gift and Think

Friend Kathleen sent the following "forward" and wanted me to pass it on. I usually do not send forwards, but after reading it, I wanted to post it here. Kathleen was in a boating accident (not caused by her) which resulted in permanent brain injuries that have affected her life greatly. She speaks to groups about driving under the influence and I am very proud of her for that and for her positive spirit. Read on for her forward...

- SEALED IN THE BOOK OF LIFE

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She
hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always
there for her. She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see
the world, I will marry you.'

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages
came off, she was able to see everything, including her
boyfriend.

He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?' The
girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The
sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected
that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life
led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left in tears and days later wrote a note to her
saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before
they were yours, they were mine.'

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes.
Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who
was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift

Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't
speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone
who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone
who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went
too early to heaven.

Before whining about the distance you drive Think of someone who
walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the
unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on
your face and think: you're alive and still around.

I PRAY
THIS MOVES AROUND
THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE....

Love, Kathleen

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Green, reunion and wish upon a star

- Attending a "green" paper function at a fancy place with a beautiful name, Villa Christina. The food was fabulous - vegetarian "sushi", pizza, artichoke dip and a nod to St. Patrick's Day with Reuben sandwiches.

- Running into an old friend, the nicest man in the world, Bruce T., and having an ecstatic reunion. We immediately ask each other about family and pets, an old habit.

- A burly co-worker singing "Somewhere over the rainbow" while walking down the hallway, and later hearing him whistling the tune.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Dancing, creativity and gonna have to try that meatloaf sometime

- Watching that crazy show "Dancing with the Stars" and wondering how they get people to do that...such as the rodeo star who is married to the singer Jewel. Last week he was all embarrassed and afraid of what his rodeo friends thought of him, but this week he got into it and looked as if he was having fun. And Steve Wozniak clearly loves being there - just watch it...

- A co-worker proudly displaying the beautiful "photo album" quilt her sister made for her. It features photographs representative of her life and special occasions.

- From Mr C's sign:

Meatloaf
$6.99
Resistance
Is Futile

Monday, March 16, 2009

Rainy days, uplifted and generosity

Rising by Bob Trammell

- A rainy rainy weekend - perfect for catching up on DVR'd programs. A Craig Ferguson marathon provided rolicking laughter.

- Feeling uplifted by the guest minister at church who wowed everyone by standing anywhere but behind the pulpit during his sermon.

- The mail brings an invitation to a special lady's 80th birthday party. And all she wants is a birthday note and a non-perishable food item for the local food pantry.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Special holiday, chocolate and yum

- Today is, of course, Friday the 13th, but also National Open Your Umbrella Inside Day. The link has other "zany" holidays. I totally missed National Napping Day on March 2.

- Listening to the BBC news at lunchtime and hearing that a doctor in Scotland has proposed taxing chocolate since he thinks it contributes to obesity and has lost its status as a special treat. So hearing that made me think I needed a special treat and stopped to buy chocolate. I wouldn't have thought of it otherwise.

- A fun dinner with friend Leisa at a favorite Thai restaurant where the Basil Spring Rolls were freshly made and served with yummy peanut sauce.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Ridin' music, happy event and sandal weather

- Listening to student-run WRAS-fm on the way to work every morning gives me a few different new songs to listen to in the half hour drive. This morning, a rather sultry sounding woman singing a song with "soup du jour" as the recurrent theme. Yesterday, a twangy country music song, about which the student DJ said after, "Yee-aahh, that was some ridin' music."

- Smiling when I receive Becca's wedding invitation in the mail with "Aunt Lynn" written on the inside envelope. She is niece Abby's best friend and I have known her since she was a little girl.

- The spring-like weather this week, bringing sandals out of the closet for many. And leaving the gym, my preferred nail technician, Lisa, flags me down when she sees me getting in my car. She knows my fingers and toes need attention.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Vacation, city lights and in touch

- My printer at home coming back to life after a brief vacation away.

- The full moon perfectly framed by the street lights alongside I-85 South, with the skyline of Atlanta just ahead.

- A comforting voice that I do not hear often enough because of our schedules - friend Tereza called.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Mr C's, a bargain and really?

- Mr C's (a neighborhood bar and grill near my office) has daily food specials, but only the meatloaf seems to inspire wackiness on the street sign out front.

- From Mr C's sign:
FREE
LIFE COACHING
WITH EVERY
MEATLOAF
PURCHASE
$6.99

- From last week:
MEATLOAF
$6.99
ENOUGH TO FEED
FOURTEEN
CHILDREN*

* A tribute (I think) to the woman who recently gave birth to octuplets and already had six children.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Tunes, old favorite and state by state

- Loading up my iPod with energetic music to accompany walks at the mountain.

- Allowing three days to pass before opening the box of Girl Scout cookies. Thin Mints - an old favorite. I will take the other box to my committee meeting tonight.

- Enjoying the book, "State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America." It is a very different portrait than expected and highly recommended. Just finished: the section on Louisiana by Joshua Clark, who spent time in the lower ninth ward of New Orleans with spirit searchers looking for ghosts.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Sister, fancy southern food and the Fox

- Arriving home from work to the scent of shampoo and soap floating from the back of the house. My sister is here.

- A wonderful pre-theater dinner at South City Kitchen in Midtown Atlanta with half of the Fun Girls and Jo (who is an honorary Fun Girl now.) My favorite thing from the appetizers: Bacon-Pimento Cheese Fritters with spicy tomato cream. YUM.

- Delighting in taking Jo to her first visit to The Fabulous Fox theatre. Designed in the late 1920s, the most magical thing for me has always been the "sky" (ceiling) full of flickering stars and magically drifting clouds. After watching "A Chorus Line" we wanted to kick our legs up like the dancers.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Memory, welcome and rose white

- A man who carries the faint scent of pipe tobacco brings back a memory. When I share this with him, he apologizes profusely for being a smoker. No, no, I say, you remind me of the scent of my father when I was a little girl. He used to smoke a pipe back then.

- Readying my home for a rare visit from my sister and since she will arrive there before I do this afternoon, making it welcoming for her by leaving the living room lamp on, plantation shutters open to let in sunlight, a book about the theater we will go to tonight, fizzy water in the refrigerator and a kitty who loves her Aunt Jo.

- Here is what I learned this week about wall paint: You cannot assume that it will stay liquid forever. The man at Sears got a kick out of my paint that had turned solid, but happily for me, they still have Rose White.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Downtime, learning the lesson and creative outlet

- Attending a lecture "Downtime: The Sacred Art of Stopping" by the wonderful Barbara Brown Taylor. The lecture addressed how we are all SO busy that we may not have noticed how this "too-muchness" eats away at relationships, creativity, health, focus and soul. She spoke about different spiritual traditions having different names for downtime, but all being in agreement that it is essential.

- At the beginning of her talk, my mind is still clicking in the background, Should I have promised that print job for Friday? I just spent too much money at dinner, I need to remember to buy paint on Wednesday, What did my neighbor mean when she said that? I hope Susan found her ticket at will-call, etc. etc. But as I begin to really listen, I relax and reflect upon what she was saying. And this is one of the reasons I write this blog. It really just started out as journaling, but 3BTing is a creative outlet for me. (Thank you, Whitney and Clare.) I do like to write, but am fiddling around in my head with other things I might do to feed my soul.

- Later, when she was signing my book, Barbara exclaimed with delight that I was wearing one of her Mahjong necklaces. (That is one of her creative outlets - making jewelry that is sold out of a gallery in Clarksville, Georgia.) She said she had been conflicted about whether the piece was upside down or not, but decided that it was OK one way or another, because I would be looking down at it when I wore it. Another fine example of letting things go...

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Ab imo pectore, guilty pleasure and virtuosity

- Enjoying the look of Annis's blog, Ab Imo Pectore (translated: "From the bottom of my heart") even though I cannot read Norwegian. (I found the translation on a piece of jewelry seen on Etsy.)

- The guilty pleasure of having someone in to clean my house today. He is out of work and likes to clean. I work and do not enjoy cleaning, so it works out for both of us.

- Vowing to make the Spicy Cabbage and Chicken Stir-fry seen on Clotilde's blog. She was wrestling with what to do with a head of cabbage purchased in a "fit of virtuosity." I agree that cruciferous vegetables are good for you, so will try this during the weekend and report back.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Coming in like a lion, snow day and worth the wait


- Some time during the church service the rain turns to snow. Travis, who is from Texas (which probably sees snow less than North Georgia), announces it to the people sitting around him when the service is over. There is a rush to the windows. When I walk in the door at home from outside, there is snow in my hair.

- I've said it before - Atlantans are silly about snow. We love it, but hate the effect it has on our travel. A news report tells about the flight cancellations at Hartfield-Jackson. The reporter hears a group of students from Missouri, standed at the airport and trying to get home, saying they cannot understand why.

- The weather for next weekend? Highs in the low '70s. My ivy, which has gamely survived the winter, will know that it was worth the wait.