Thanksgiving

- We helped Mama decorate their Christmas tree with all the treasured ornaments from travels, the White House, etc. But there didn't seem to be an angel for the top, so Amanda unearthed this angel from 1968 or so. She appears to be giving the peace sign, but Mama says that she used to hold a candle that has broken off. Amanda was delighted with the "hippie" angel and it gave the tree just the right amount of quirkiness.

- Loved seeing the family in Macon on Thanksgiving day. Uncle Orbin occupied himself with telling all the ladies how pretty they are and how they "look sweet."

- Mama and Daddy were giggling in the kitchen over the coffee pot breaking down when Mama said, "just like us, huh?"

Fun in shops

I haven't posted in a little while - a little down, I guess, over being unemployed. But a good job is coming - I feel certain.

- My favorite Thai restaurant had this sign posted on the door today. The internet says the King of Thailand's birthday is December 5. Maybe it's more convenient to close on Sunday than Wednesday.

- The Family Dollar store near my house has the most happy employee working the register. I stopped to buy one small item and listened in line as he rapsodized about everyones' purchases (even to the point of how soft the Charmin bathroom tissue was going to feel for the man buying it.) After I paid he said, "See you tomorrow!"

- Two little girls in Publix stood in front of the birthday cake case and excitedly burst into the Happy Birthday song.

Sophie's rules during unemployment

- Rule #1: She lets me sleep as late as I want, but the minute there is any sign of life (turning over in bed, heavy sigh) I better get up and get her food.

- Rule #2: Any time I come in the door from being gone, she should get some kind of special treat.

- Rule #3: No more veternarian.

(Note - I need to get a job soon. Now I'm writing too much about my cat! But I do appreciate her letting me sleep in and she has been a trooper.)

For all other calls, please press Zero

- I do not feel the same kind of separation anxiety I felt when I left BellSouth five years ago. However, I am still feeling twinges of anger toward my most recent employer for abruptly "downsizing" my job. The Title of this post is the message they have replaced my name with. (Yes - I called there after hours to check.) This seems sort of ironic, as if I am now Zero to them. But I am so relieved to be away from there - albeit unemployed and close to being broke - that I sort of don't care either.

- I will be OK and am so grateful for the peace and the outreach I am receiving from others.

Who moved my cheese?

- At the grocery store, it struck me funny that this cheese had the slogan "Seriously Sharp." Hopefully I gave someone else a chuckle when I photographed the cheese with my camera phone.

- I have wonderful family and friends. I feel as if my misfortune in losing my job has brought me closer to everyone.

- We sing the First song of Isiah as a Benediction Response at my church most Sundays. It runs through my head sometimes when I worry about the future too much, "Surely it is God who saves me: I will trust in Him and not be afraid, For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense and He will be my Savior." And I feel immediately at peace.

Blessings of the day

- I started out the day a little sad about being unemployed. So I went for a walk around Stone Mountain. Normally I am here in the late afternoon, but walking in the morning gives me a chance to smile at passing moms with carriages, dog walkers and today an "older" couple holding hands.

- After the walk, I felt exhilarated and left for my mock interview session and got lots of good advice from the interviewer.

- When I got home, I got a good lead from a new neighbor I met at the mailbox, Elizabeth sent a couple of Emory University options and Pam from church left a message to call her.

Special girls and spiritual lessons

- They breezed into town for different reasons, but I got to see both Abby and Amanda yesterday. Abby and I went to see Paula Deen at the Civic Center along with her friend Becca. Amanda and her friend Kimmy came to take Kathleen away from Shepherd Spinal Center for the night as a treat. It was fun having lunch with all the girls later. And I met up with Amanda, Kimmy and Kathleen at a sports bar last night to watch the Gator game, but the cigarette smoke in there ran me off.

- It was good to get family hugs. How lucky I am to have nieces that want me to hang out with them. And they are so cute with their long hair that smells like shampoo and their pretty frocks.

- Last night I prepared to be the Liturgist at church today. From all accounts I did very well - I will not mind doing it again now. And there were spiritual lessons for me that hit right home.

New directions

- This is one of those signs that tells how many miles Tommy's Store in Hayesville, NC is to New York City, Louisville, Kentucky, Paris, France, etc. It reminds me of how many directions life can take.

- My life took a new direction when I lost my job on August 31. It was devastating at first to be "downsized", but now I realize I have an opportunity to find a job that I really would like to work at every day.

- Julia Child said, "Use all your senses, all the time... Take pains with the work; do it carefully. Relish the details. Enjoy your hunger. And remember why you are there."

Faithful friends

- Sleeping on the sofa last night, I covered myself with a pink throw. When I tossed it aside, Sophie burrowed and burrowed into it looking like a kitty emerging from a cocoon.

- Having a big change forced upon me makes me thankful how many people care about me.

- That's it for today - I really just wanted to post the cute picture of Sophie. :)

Butterflies, kisses and chirps

- A little difficult to see, but there was a butterfly on my butterfly bush!

- I got a smile and little kiss from baby Bella at church.

- There is an insistently chirping chickadee on my deck. He seems to be looking at himself in the reflection in the door glass, sitting on the back of chair and looking in, chirping and chirping. Sophie has been quite entertained by it.

Lucky dog

Things that made me smile today...

- Jo improvised this float for Lucky so he could join them in the pool. She said, "Isn't my granddog the cutest ever?" I think he is.

- The version of the song "Roxanne" arranged as tango music, from the movie Moulin Rouge, set as background music for a YouTube video featuring two men from the show "Heroes." Probably not the best use of my time, but thought it very funny anyway!

- A woman cried with happiness and then thanked me ecstatically when I called to tell her that her son's case has been approved.

Lovely people

Three things that made me happy today (and yesterday):

- Seeing Amanda's happiness with her new job, her house in town and her new car (pictured above). She is the "baby" of the family and it is difficult to accept that she is actually an adult now.

- Enjoying my sister's company while we hung out during Amanda's training class. I thought it was touching that Amanda wanted her mama to come with her to Atlanta. It was a bonus for me and Jo got to sleep in a bit while I worked yesterday morning. She said she felt treated like a queen because I left her a pot of coffee and a bowl of sliced strawberries for her cereal.

- The genteel looking elderly man who I see walking every morning on my way to work had stopped this morning to talk to a neighbor lady and had removed the baseball cap he is always wearing.

Monday's done

- The polish on my toes is called "Kangarooby." The nail attendants held a conversation entirely in Vietnamese with lots of hilarity.

- Having the leg and foot massage was a little slice of heaven.

- A man at the grocery store gave the three bouquets of flowers he was purchasing a bemused smile.

One week ago today

- One week ago today I awoke to the sounds of Washington, DC stirring. There were helicopter noises and emergency vehicles. My sister and her husband and I had spent the night of July 4th with friends and I slept on the couch downstairs. The men left for work silently around 7am. A few minutes later the two perky gals pictured above clattered down the stairs and wanted to know if I would like to go for coffee at Starbucks.

- Never one to rush in the morning, I nevertheless quickly got myself together to go with them. Kathy's dog Utah lead the way along the neighborhood walking path that leads to coffee. It was fun sitting with the girls outside watching commuters come and go and not having to work ourselves that day.

- Later we went to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and got caught in a rain storm under a tent that had Irish linens. The red haired young man manning the tent explained that he was "a bit of a dog's body" for the family owned company that makes the linens. Apparently "dog's body" means you are the bottom of the totem pole, if you will. He certainly should be promoted for his ability to entertain and show fabric amid a soaking rain shower.

The beauty of life

My friend Vernon took this photo at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and calls it "Medusa in the City." At night the gardens take on a mystical quality.

After dinner tonight there were several women in the restaurant parking lot saying goodbye. It was clear they had just had a lovely time. When I returned from my short errand at the grocery store, three of the women were holding hands and praying together.

The guard at work makes every afternoon better just by smiling his huge smile and asking me about my day as if he is genuinely interested. I actually think he is interested. He is from Ethiopia and in our line of work I have learned that citizens of Ethiopia are wonderful, proud people.

Little journey

New home

- Brenda and Buck have moved to their new home in the Shenandoah Valley. It is an "active adult" community and indeed seemed very much like that. Neighbors sat with each other on porches visiting. Really lovely people.

- You can barely see Buddy standing beside Brenda in the photo above. He is just the best dog. On Sunday I was in the downstairs bathroom and he kept me company outside the door. He came in and nudged my leg to let me know he was leaving to go back upstairs.

- I sat next to a man on the plane who raises Shelties. Before take-off he was concerned about a dog in a carrier sitting out on the tarmac. The dog seemed a little worried, but was rescued by an airport employee and toted off somewhere.

None the worse for wear

- This card from Joanne is just - so Joanne. She does make me laugh until I tinkle in my panties!

- Reading Carla's blog about her adventures in Turkey is just the best part of my day.

- This has been a difficult week, but I am so lucky to have my loving little Sophie to greet me when I come home. She had retreated to her haven - the cat carrier - to sleep. When she heard me pecking on the computer she came in to watch.

Madly reading

- I spent much of Saturday madly finishing A Thread of Grace since I am leading the book discussion tonight. Not a burden at all - it is a wonderful read. Finally went to the Mercer University library to read since I was so distracted at home. The stained glass in the vaulted ceiling is prettier than shown in the photo - pale green and gold. I found a comfy chair and read away.

- This was my regular study spot when I was attending GSU since it was so much closer to my house than my urban university. I especially like downstairs where it is very quiet and really cold in the summer. Students would come down the stairs and turn around to leave because it is so cold. There are comfy chairs and the all-glass back wall overlooks a view of woods.

- Just being there reminded me of studying for my favorite film and sociology classes. But much time was spent studying Spanish there as well. (Got out of that one with an A and a B - go figure on the A.)

A thread of grace

- A beautiful morning on the back porch spent reading, drinking coffee and watching the world wake up.

- Last evening Barb and I went to a wonderful place called the Gypsy Camp which sells treasures found around the world. They are only open now and then. I got an old trophy from Hyde Park High School awarded in 1954 to G. Hock. The nature of the accomplishment is not clear, but will be fun to figure out when people come over.

- The book I am reading, A Thread of Grace, is beautifully written. Looking forward to book club tomorrow night where we will discuss it. Usually a little more attention is given to the food, wine and socializing. I love getting together with those gals...

Mama bird

- It is difficult to see her, but mama Cardinal chose a low to the ground tree in a heavily traveled spot for her nest. When we get close, she zooms over to cover her babies. The other morning I could see their mouths open receiving food.

- Carla's blog has put me in mind of Turkish food. I have discovered that Cafe Istanbul near my house serves it. Duh! Stands to reason...

- Looking forward to going to the Gypsy Camp store tomorrow with Barb. She always makes me laugh.

Almost paradise

- The weekend just wasn't long enough. But I did get some backporch time with my parents reporting that I kept nodding off over my book.

- Hearing that my dad had a little accident today, but is OK gave me an instant rush of relief. He had a bit of a fall and joked to me on the phone that his hair cushioned the blow to his head.

- At Publix, a man was pushing his little boy in the shopping cart and practicing a phrase in Spanish and then English. "Yo quiero esta en Tucker." And then having the little boy repeat it. Then - "Ahora en Ingles!" - "I live in Tucker." The little boy tired of the practicing and grew fretfull, but brightened as he spotted the candy at the checkout aisle.

Another reason to move...

- On the way to the mountain house to see Mom and Dad, I ran into this traffic while trying to leave Atlanta. We crawled for miles. I call this photograph, "Another reason to move."

- Finally making my way there, I rallied Mama up and took her out shopping. She patted my leg at one point and said, "This is nice."

- Daddy was the Chicken Foot king again! And he should of been since it was Fathers Day weekend.

A nice day

Things that made me happy today:

- Wishing my father a happy 81st birthday (actually yesterday) and looking forward to seeing them in the mountains this weekend. The photo was taken last year on his 80th birthday celebration doing the thing he loves most!

- Reading Carla's blog about her difficulty in learning the Turkish language and belly laughing at the stream of Comments from family and friends ending with an inside family joke from her father.

- Commiserating with Vito about the plethora of cookies that appear on the kitchen table at work periodically. We studied them and decided they might not be worthy of the calories since they do not contain chocolate.

A weekend with no travel

Sophie in the sunshine...

- When I woke yesterday morning, I could hear the soft snore of my kitty somewhere on the bedroom floor. Later she seemed struck that I was staying home with her on a Saturday, having spent the last four without me, and kept me in sight most of the day.

- I told Jo on an email that I quite happily had no plans for Saturday other than buying lightbulbs at Publix. She said, "You never know, you might meet Mr. Right on the lightbulb aisle!" But, alas - I did not. :)

- And it has been a nice, quiet weekend. My kitty found a patch of sunshine on the kitchen floor both mornings and moved with it until it went away. I wonder if she does that every day?

A lovely time

The Greatest Generation

- This weekend was my second cousin David's wedding to lovely Jenny and the best part about it was being with my family.

- I retrieved Abby from the airport Friday and we met her friend Becca at a restaurant in midtown. Becca is an childhood friend of Abby's and calls me Aunt Lynn. I told her a funny memory of her: When they were in high school, I went to one of the football games in their tiny community so I could see Abby cheerlead and hear her sing the National Anthem. Jo and I took Abby and Becca to a drop-off point on a rural road leading up to the football field. I watched, puzzled, as the girls climbed into the back of pick-up trucks. Becca explained to me tongue-in-cheek, "It's a hillybilly parade." And they rode onto the field on the trucks, bursting through a banner. Becca still has a quirky sense of humor. It was fun sitting with them at dinner - all adults now.

- Back to the wedding - lovely wedding, big-money reception at a country club on the water. Great band, wine flowing, fabulous food and everyone in their wedding finery. But loving the most, the outdoor breakfast this morning with the children romping and the adults table hopping. Family paparazzi busily making certain no moment went uncaptured.

- Jo and Amanda followed Abby and me back to Atlanta and we went to Virginia Highlands Summerfest - lots of browsing in shops and booths. We had lunch at the Vortex, a sort of off beat place with a biker and pale-tattooed people following, and had a cholesterol clogging burger that was totally worth it. It was bittersweet dropping Abby off at the airport. I told her to come back anytime - she was a most excellent house guest and travel companion.

Name calling

Traveling Flowers

- A pleasant time spent this evening with young friends needing help with their immigration papers. Got to gaze at the cute baby and left with a lovely bouquet of hydrangeas and roses from the garden.

- Heading to the mountain house tomorrow. The river is calling my name.

- Walking out to pack the car, I walked up behind my neighbor who looks just like Einstein. Marian is an elderly Southern gentlemen who might have stepped right out of a movie. When I called his name, he turned and said, "I thought is that Lynn or an ANGEL!" Chivalry is definitely not dead. :)

Pensacola

- Driving to Pensacola, I listened to a book on CD called "Shem Creek." It was an easy listen with a beachy feel and got me in the mood for the coast.

- Abby's roommate Lindsay has a snow white cat named Jackson, who has one green eye and one blue eye. He liked me very much - apparently unusual for him in that he is most often stand-offish with visitors. Abby said, "I think Aunt Lynn and Jackson must have known one each other in another life."

- I was really taken with Pensacola. I like the idea of a laid-back artsy life and wearing shorts all the time. Actually I think it was being with Jo and Abby that was the biggest draw. I teared up on the trip home when Abby called to make sure I had found the highway OK.

Peaceful moments

- On Sunday, my father and I were waiting on my mother and sister to finish getting ready for church. Daddy decided that he should wash Mama's glasses because she had mentioned they were dirty. In the car, on the way, she noticed and thanked him with a smile.

- My father's giddiness that he was, once again, the big winner of the Chicken Foot marathon.

- Having a peaceful day at work today because Carolyn is back from Costa Rica.

Random thoughts

- I love listening to NPR while I work. Usually the music is classical, but right now they are playing a show tune, "My Defenses are Down" from Annie Get Your Gun. Lois Reitzes on NPR says that it is Irving Berlin's birthday. The notion that I could be at the filing cabinet and one of the guys would suddenly burst into song is hugely amusing to me.

- Catching up on taped shows - I was watching Survivor and thinking how silly that guy looked with the immunity necklace on. And then I thought maybe I am silly for watching that. This is probably the last time. (Oh - who am I kidding?)

- Looking forward to seeing my family today in Milledgeville. My father is going to get rid of my dead electronic equipment for me, because I never know what to do with these things in the city.

A challenging week

- A challenging week. My co-worker Tereza, who was the most bright spot in my work day, has left the firm for a wonderful new position. I brought her some chocolate candy done up in a gift bag, finding that Terri had done exactly the same thing. We know our girl loves candy.

- My Great Aunt Virginia passed away a couple of weeks ago. They waited to have a memorial service until my Uncle Pope's ashes could be brought from Florida. My cousin Sybil wanted to have them interred together at a Veteran's cemetary in Canton. I made the hour drive there yesterday and felt a peaceful moment as seven of us gathered under a pavillion in the foothills of the mountains with a light breeze blowing remembering two lovely people.

- Last night at circle, Susan ended the gathering having each circle member say something positive about the other. Not a challenge at all! It made everyone leave with a smile.

Smiles and validation

- Realizing yesterday how I grew as a moderator between the Presbyterian Women's luncheon in September and the Spring luncheon. A lovely lady on the coordinating team told me that I had brought such a different dynamic to the meetings that it made her look forward to coming to them. We never know what kind of impact we have to others' lives.

- Linda gave me the most fun item to keep in my office at work. I had told her of my constant need to put hand sanitizer on my hands since I am shaking hands with so many clients throughout the day. It is a Purell Pal Desk Holder. It holds a bottle of Purell with a pump dispenser. It has blue plastic hands and feet and makes me smile every time I look at it. Linda says that was her intention.

- Saturday was Cinco de Mayo. It made me smile when I stopped by Sam's Club to purchase items for the PW luncheon and saw that the employees were all wearing sombreros in honor of the day. They are a mostly international crowd with barely any Hispanic employees at all. Most seemed delighted to be wearing the colorful hats. Then at the bell concert at church last night the ringers pulled out sombreros for a latin flavored number. On the last song "Yellow Submarine," they pulled on yellow slickers and rain hats - Ed donned a captain's hat with his slicker.

More treasure

- More armoire loading and I found a smooth river rock that I picked up at Loch Loman. I began singing "the bonny banks of Loch Loman" to my kitty and she turned around and left!

- In the bottom of a cup I found a fortune cookie message that reads, "Stop searching forever, happiness is just next to you." I am dropping it into a little pottery vase that Barbara G gave me for placing wishes or prayers.

- The cup has lettering on the side that reads " HOOSIERS Most Valuable Player." There was a class that someone from BellSouth personnel came and taught to the district managers around the mid-90's. It involved watching the movie "Hoosiers" and taking a test on how scenarios in the film related to personnel issues that we could or would potentially deal with. I came in first and have always kept the cup on my desk to hold pens and pencils. My secret competitive spirit still remembers the flush of pleasure I found in besting 30 co-workers.

Buried treasure

- I unloaded my office armoire so that it could be pulled out to install the long-needed DSL. Of course the telephone jack was behind the armoire! It gave me an opportunity to dust all the nooks and crannies and to rediscover forgotten things.

- One treasured item that had gotten buried in the back was an old telephone insulator that had been made into a pen holder. The pen has long since dried up, but this is a treasure that I will always keep. Sometime in the late '70s I worked in a personnel office at BellSouth that had retirees coming in and out. One very taciturn elderly man had a hobby of collecting the telephone insulators and turning them into pen holders. He usually sold them at craft shows. On my last day there before transferring to another BellSouth office, he came in, quickly handed me a brown paper bag and walked out. Inside was one of his pen holders. It is a blue one - quite lovely. Now I have moved it to a place of honor on Grandaddy's desk.

- I wish I could remember his name and there is no one to ask. But I can visualize him quite clearly and cherish the memory of someone who liked me enough to give me a treasure.

Growing old together

- Steven gave me a handicapped ramp for Sophie. It props perfectly on the rail that goes around the bed. But (heavy sigh) she refuses to walk up it. It amused me this morning when Steven and I (both childless adults) had a discussion about how to get Sophie to WANT to go up the ramp to the bed. He suggests treats and tuna (both forbidden, of course.)

- So I put my book down last night and got out of the bed to collect my kitty who will not walk up her new ramp. She stood under the bed peering out - not sure if I wanted to lovingly cuddle her or put flea medicine on her. I finally nabbed her, fetched her up onto the bed and she settled down around my feet.

- In the middle of the night a siren awakened me. I figured it to be around 3 AM. Sophie woke up, too. When I turned over, she rearranged herself and licked my hand which had emerged from the covers.

Quiet weekend

- Watching "The Last King of Scotland" made me grateful that I live in the land of the free.

- It was lovely seeing so many former church members return for the 40th anniversary celebration and service. Since I am a recent addition I did not know many of them, but they had an Eastminster look about them.

- I am back on my healthy eating plan today. A little too much fun with eating has been going on!

Busy week

- Tuesday dinner at South City Kitchen and then All Shook Up at the Fox with the Fun Girls was, well, fun! Jeanne's later email to the newest Fun Girl: "Kay, I'd like to say that we're not always as crazy as we were Tuesday night, but it would be a lie."

- The best thing about being part of the Fun Girls is that we always pull together in a crisis. It is lovely to see one of them feel so much better after her year-long personal crisis.

- Last evening at Steven and Ronnie's after touring the new house, kitty Matthew crawled into my arms and went to sleep. Pure peace. Later at dinner - Steven gave friendly tips to our green waiter on better ways to serve.

Smiles and peace

- Receiving a glowing thank you note from Susan made my day.

- I have been going to the Kaiser pharmacy for so long that they recognize me now. It's wonderful in a city with so many people to have a smiling lady summon me forward with, "How are you doin'?"

- It was delicious this morning at 6 am to give my hungry kitty her breakfast and climb back into bed to sleep some more.

Cheers

- Having the coordinating team for dinner was a lot of work, but I enjoyed it. It made me feel so good that everyone loved my salad. I like to use whatever I have on hand - this time it was field greens, Asian pears, pecans and reggiano parmesan with a lemony olive oil Dijon dressing.

- There is a nest in one of the trees next to my building. The mama Cardinal covers her eggs and is so trusting of us walking back and forth close by.

- One of the clients sends the most cheery emails. He always brightens my day. I admire him for taking a few months to hit the road in the US and then Africa on his motorcycle. I think it gave him a more than positive outlook on life.

Cleo, Sophie, Twiggy and Lucy

- Cleo loved her brown pet bed - it was cushy and fit perfectly into an oval basket. When she died it stayed put for a while, but made me sad to see her white fur still on it. So with a heavy heart one day I zipped off the cover and washed it, put it all back in the basket thinking Sophie might like it. But she has never wanted anything to do with it.

- So I decided it was kind of in the way and asked neighbor Rhonda if she would like it for Twiggy, her tortoiseshell cat. She was delighted with it, but insisted I should keep it for a future pet. N0 - I said. It really makes me miss Cleo so much. And so she accepted it with pleasure.

- This morning an envelope labeled "Sophie Maxwell" fell out of the crack in my door when I opened it. The card inside has an orange tabby cat on the front. It reads, "Dear Sophie, I really like the pillow bed that your mom gave me. I sleep on it during the day in my special corner. I really like the color because I am camoflauged from that dog. Thank you very much. Your friend, Twiggy."

A peaceful day

- There was a baby baptism yesterday at the 11am service and the baby's mother asked that I be there. When I leaned forward to smile at baby Lila Kate, she put her hand on my face and smiled back.

- Manuvering through people and carts at the DeKalb Farmer's Market. I remember when it was in a MUCH smaller space and actual farmers were there hawking their goods.

- Polishing my grandmother's silverware last night made me reflect on the irony that my no-nonsense Nannie G would have chosen a pattern called "Her Majesty."

Thankful

- Thankfully I came to my senses and declined the job offer. It never felt right and I feel great relief.

- Programming the new coffee maker to cut on in the morning was eluding me. Having figured it out last night, it was a treat to wake up to the smell of coffee brewing this morning.

- There is blessed quiet here today and I am getting a lot done.

More weekend

- I drove up to the Flannery O'Connor farm on Saturday past trees and shrubs up a long winding driveway. The house is unassuming and was open, but I didn't go in this time. I wanted to see the Iris beds since the director of the foundation had spoken of them. They probably peaked last weekend - they were waning, but there were a lot of them. A little horse behind a fence watched with interest as I turned around to leave.

- My food lady's grandson died. There was a memorial service in a park. When everyone released their balloon, there was total silence.

- The gas station in Eatonton had a couple of chickens roaming around among the cars. The locals did not seem to take notice. An employee told me they visit from the farm next door. Then she pointed to the food warmer behind her and said with a smile, "You know, we have fresh chicken!"

Easter

- The Easter bunny left Dove chocolate under my pillow Saturday night.

- Mama went all out on the food this weekend - her Dressing was so good. It made me happy to see her interested in entertaining; talking about recipes in Cooking Light, etc.

- Kim signed off her email this morning with "Jesus is on the loose! Hallelujah!!!"

Frocks and big hair

- Tim and Maxi went shopping for clothes and props for their lawn jockey - which has turned into quite a Pangborn Road attraction. When I leave, he is wearing an Easter frock with matching hat.

- It is so fun to talk over old times with Tim while he is cutting my hair. We have been together for more than 20 years now. He gave me big hair for old times sake and then I was off to Good Friday service.

- Looking forward to seeing my family in Milledgeville later today. No colorful Easter frock for me - it is supposed to be 25 degrees tomorrow.

The Curves mascot

- Just before Christmas the young ladies who work at Curves arrived to open up one morning finding that someone had left a wooden cat facing the front door. Heather will not touch it thinking it has a voodoo curse on it. But Debbie and Michelle have had great fun with it. During Christmas it sat on a shelf wearing a little Santa hat and garlands around its neck. Now it is all decorated for Spring with an Easter egg necklace and a flower garland on its head.

- Everyone seems upset by the cold snap, but I am excited about one last fire in the fireplace.

- I like emailing back and forth with Kim all day. It's like chatting with a friend while working.

Thoughtful Sis

- I was talking to Jo by cellphone when I picked up my mail and saw that there was a package from her. I exclaimed, "It's a package from you! What is it?" She replied, "An Easter present!" Me: "Oooooh!" Her: "OK - why don't you open that later when we're off the phone. (Laughing) I hate to think you'll be disappointed now when you open it." Me: "I don't care - I LOVE unexpected surprises in the mail!"

- It was a weather radio. A few weeks ago their weather radio alerted them to an impending tornado in their area and they were able to get to safety. Happily - it missed them. Jo decided her whole family should have one and sent one to Mom and Dad, too.

- The card was funny - I don't remember the punchline, but it was seasonal characters at a cocktail party. Santa was talking to the Easter bunny who was drinking a glass of red wine. That was funny in itself.

Monsoons

- Leisa finished her workout and was ready to leave, but stayed and walked around with me for half of mine. It made it go so much faster! She wanted to do something fun, so I told her she should rent "Monsoon Wedding."

- Dinner with Barbara D. was nice. She is one of the few people I can tell how I really feel about things.

- I am thankful for all the rain and especially that it was washed the pollen off my car (for now.)

Piedmont Avenue

- I passed a house yesterday afternoon that had a myriad of flowering shrubs, trees and flowers in all colors. It reminded me of my grandparents' backyard in Macon. It was a glorious mass of color in the Spring - with no particular organization. There was a huge pecan tree in the middle of it all. A little house all the way in the back had a series of tenants - the last one, Mrs. Pettigrew, was a sweet elderly lady who was always home and up for a visit from children.

- It makes me sad to think of the backyard in a way - some family members report that Piedmont Avenue has become a "bad" neighborhood with crack houses, etc. My grandparents' house is abandoned with the front porch caved in and holes in the roof. I like to imagine though that the yard persists with its blooms year after year long after its loving caretakers have gone.

- I wonder if it could have imagined that the children who played on its soft green grass would be scattered all over in various circumstances now. The memory of the sun dappled lawn and the ice cream churn humming lives on for me anyway.

Sweetness and delight

- It was so good to see our unsighted volunteer Martha yesterday at the reading service. She said it was OK if I petted Rosetta - her canine assistant. Rosetta was lying on her side dozing, but did reach out her paw to me upon being petted.

- Having lost a few pounds, I was delighted this morning to pull out a three quarter length shirt this morning and finding it fits perfectly.

- Xavier emailed this morning wanting my help. Although I no longer work on his case, it makes me feel so good that he always still wants me to help him.

Hair and not enough sleep

- I keep seeing men with alarmingly elaborate toupees. There were TWO men in line at the post office yesterday with longish hair incorporating toupees. I wonder if they might look better bald. I know that might be a difficult concept to digest though. I don't suppose I would like being bald either.

- There is a young man who is always walking to school every morning who has hair sticking up in a couple of places - as if he rolled out of bed and left for school. The mother in me wants to smooth it down.

- My kitty did her nocturnal wandering around at 3:30 am - intermittently meowing to get my attention. I ended up getting up and fetching her onto the bed. Then when the alarm went off she stayed in the bed - all snug and sleepy. I do not know what to do about that, but I do like it when she curls up next to my feet.

Escapades

- My kitty has been coming out of the bathroom when I get home in the afternoon. She must be lying on the bathroom rug because she smells so good - like the Shower to Shower that escapes when I sprinkle it on in the morning.

- She stayed right with me yesterday when the scary looking winged bug was buzzing around the sliding glass door. I captured it with a Tupperware cup against the glass but couldn't think how to get it to stay in the cup while I clapped something over it - it kept escaping. I yelled out, "Oh no - now it's p*ssed off!" and she just kept looking at me with equanimity.

- The song "Love Shack" was playing at Curves when I left. I sang it all the way home.

Treasure

- Having a lovely dinner Friday evening at a neighborhood eatery with a happy din. Clearly the clientele there are regulars - the wait staff called most of them by name.

- You could write your name in the pollen, but it sure is a wonderful sign of Spring to see the leaves popping out so quickly.

- Little Paige gave me one of her pictures, explaining that the pink and blue figures are butterflies. She autographed it apologizing that the n's in my name are touching. I thanked her for the treasure and posted it on my refrigerator when I got home.

TGIF!

- The cherry blossoms are a lovely shade of light pink in the morning, but white in the afternoon.

- I have come to enjoy the positive spin on the day that the guard puts forth every morning as he opens the door for me. This morning: "It's a wonderful FRIDAY morning!"

- The purple polish on my toenails looks so pretty in the morning sunlight. Inside it looks kind of brown - which has a more bohemian look. :)

Friendships

- The Fun Girls pulling up to pick me up for Sweet Charity - all in a lather that they are late. We had a delightful evening.

- My kitty let me hold her for 10 minutes when I got home.

- An email from Leisa checking in makes me feel lucky to have such a thoughtful friend.

March weekend part 4

- Ronnie wanted me to jitterbug with him during "Don't Be Cruel." I reluctantly agreed knowing I am a dorky dancer. But somehow he is so good that he makes me look as if I know what I am doing. He says I am an excellent follower! How about that?

- Laughing with the gang at Taco Mac while having a yummy late-night salad.

- Ending the weekend at the Presbyterian Women annual gathering. It is so powerful being in the company of so many women of faith. The sleeping boy in the pew in front of us got handed off to another mother while his mother helped serve.

March weekend part 3

- Stopping at Tommy's Store on the way out, the woman with the cool hat offers me a sample of a Creme Drop. Telling her I never turn down chocolate, I pop it in my mouth and savor the cool sweetness.

- Seeing my friends' delighted faces when I walked in for Don's Elvis impersonation concert.

- Giving Don a hug and realizing sparkles from his Elvis costume were all over my sweater. I am still finding sparkles!

March weekend part 2

- A wonderful belated birthday dinner at Enrico's with the folks - it was fun introducing them to a new place.

- Lying awake hearing Daddy's snoring, the river rushing by, the sound of tiny animal feet on the grass outside.

- Going home with new pajama pants with daisies on them!

March weekend part 1

- I have so much on my mind lately that on my way to visit Mom and Dad in the mountains, I had to make myself stop and think how lovely it was to be on mountain roads, listening to a book on CD and looking forward to sweet hugs.

- Daddy's roar of laughter when I told him of seeing "seven or eight EAGLES!" in the pasture on the way to the river road. "Those weren't EAGLES, they were VULTURES!" he said, laughing more. I am happy to have furnished him with a good story. :) (I suppose God made vultures to round out bird life, but they are certainly not the most pleasant birds. And they definitely have an eagle-like wing span.)

- Watching Mom and Dad's ritual of putting drops in each other's eyes.

Happy noise

- Barbara and I talk on our cellphones sometimes while we are both driving to work. This morning she answered, as always, "Hi Lynn!" Hearing clattering in the background, I answered, "Where are you?" "Las Vegas!" she replied. Instantly mortified that I had called her at 5:15am Vegas time, she said, "Oh it's OK - I've been up all night anyway." :)

- One of the construction workers banging away next door - I guess remodeling an office - singing loudly in Spanish.

- Sitting on the deck last night talking to Mom and Dad while a bird chirped happily in a tree nearby. When he answered the phone, I said, "What are y'all doing?" He said, "Sitting here looking at your pretty Mama."

Signs of Spring

- The ethereal branches of trees with tiny purple flowers hanging over Briarcliff Road this morning.

- The baby in her stroller at the bus stop all done up in Easter egg pink.

- Tereza's visiting Korean student standing in her back yard yesterday, lifting his face to the sky and saying, "It smells like freedom here!"

A week to remember

- Coming up upon cars stopped in either direction in the office park next door for four geese moseying across the road - taking their time. All the drivers have huge smiles on their faces.

- Sitting among old and new friends last night at Pat's seminar.

- The excitement and nervousness about my new opportunity. A week I'll remember.

....

- I wonder if Scooter Libby will want to use his use his nickname in prison. Oh my - this is supposed to be a positive blog! But still wondering....

- Coming home to a clean house after a lovely dinner with Leisa. It's a marvel to me that Colin can clean so fast in two hours. I take a more lackadaisical approach to cleaning and it takes me all day! Well worth the money....

- Stopping by a untried coffee house in Tucker last night to read. There are Christian references around and it seems to be run by peaceful people. There were many foreign nationals from the same country (Ethiopia maybe?) having quiet conversation in a beautiful rhythmic language. A lady was leaving and she and the owner exchanged cheek touching embraces. Three cheek touches that seemed like a much-used ritual....

Tuesday

- Leisa is going out of her way to make sure a dead kitty by the side of the road is getting a proper burial.

- Finding a link to a recipe in Clare's Three Beautiful Things blog. She speaks of watching Toad in the Hole rise in the oven. My favorite childhood breakfast was Egg in a Frame which is sometimes call Toad in the Hole. So I downloaded the UK version and will get Brenda to make it with me someday. It's all full of sausages (which peek through dough), so we'll have it without the vegetarians in the family.

- Having a quiet, peaceful day to work without interruption while listening to beautiful music and anticipating my clean house after Colin's visit tonight.

Came in like a lion

- I am thankful that all my family survived tornadoes in closets and hallways in different states while I peacefully slept unaware.

- Woke up this morning to find my Sophie purring and snuggling against my foot.

- The morning in the aftermath of a storm was so beautiful in my drive through the neighborhoods on the way to work. The young lady walking to school who usually doesn't care so much about her appearance was wearing nice jeans and a red jacket today. She looked nice.

Happy things

- Loved hearing Simon's happy voice announcing he is "our newest citizen." Love his British accent.

- One of Rhonda's daffodils has popped out of ground. Makes me wonder - where are its friends?

- Lois Reitzes just announced that it is 62 degrees and I can see the sun peeking through David's window across the hall. Followed by Garrison Keillor's gentle voice.

Love of reading

- Passing Henderson Mill Elementary School on the way to work this morning, I read on the marquis that Dr. Seuss's Cat in the Hat is 50 years old this week! It instantly reminded me of first grade in which I loved reading so much that I ripped through the "reading" books and was placed in a group by myself. I got to read "Are you my Mother?" and "The Cat in the Hat."

- I have always wondered how the self-esteem of the kids who were in the reading group called "the bulldozers" was affected. I was originally in "the jets." Did this make them end up in menial jobs?

- My family read to me all the time. One of my favorite photographs is of me sitting in my daddy's lap while he was reading one of my books to me. I remember carrying books to everyone and asking them to read - so Brenda taught me to read. That's why I was rolling my eyes at the Dick and Jane books on the first day of school. Too easy.

Miracles

- The Presbytery of Greater Atlanta met at our church yesterday. I worked registration and helped out with lunch - it was wonderful to be around so many dedicated and Holy people at once. And another opportunity presented itself to me. Prayers work miracles.

- Jo has worked a miracle with the folks. I pray that they can move where they'll be safe and happy.

- This morning I became a First Friend and sat with Carol at church right at the spot in which Whitney wrote in her blog about God Is Love being scrawled across the hymnal.

Girls just want to have fun

- The pink jellybeans from baby Isabella's shower surfaced in my purse. I gave them to Peggy at the eye doctor's office because she is so sweet.

- An unexpected offer came yesterday. An answer to my prayer?

- Girls' Night Out at the antique mall with Barb. I bought a bejeweled bird charm to hang from the rear view mirror of my car so I can spot it easily.

Sisterhood

- Loved Spamalot and explaining Monty Python to one of the Fun Girls was a funny experience in itself. Also loved the toast by recently divorced Joanne, "To Sisterhood!"

- Sitting with other women waiting for mammograms this morning - I was taken with the different ways we all fastened the paper cape around us. I heard the magic words, "You're good to go!" and made my way through the rain.

- Ash Wednesday service found me sitting among cherished friends. One of them whispered, "Good night, Sister" in my ear as we left in silence.

Vacuuming and mowing

- Today's AJC has a story that says women should exercise 30 minutes every day. I told two co-workers that I am lucky if I do 30 minutes three times a week. They rhapsodized about opportunities for unconventional exercise. Tereza loves to vacuum - making grids on the carpet and then going the other way to erase the grid pattern. Teri loves mowing and can't wait for warm weather so she can mow.

- One of the perks of my job is the pod coffee machine we have here and all the different kinds of coffee to choose from. Today I chose Italian Roast - it is lovely, smoky and rich.

- Looking forward to Spamalot with the Fun Girls tonight. And an untried restaurant before - Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant.

Lovely things

- On the way to work this morning, I smiled at trees trying to bud in 28 degree weather. They are probably wondering why the weather doesn't settle down. The wild(?) geese in the office complex next door were all companionably situated on the grass - most likely waiting for the lady in the red t-shirt to come feed them.

- My friend found peace in making the Chicken Tetrazzini recipe I gave her - which was passed down from Jo's much loved mother-in-law.

- On the way home I passed a home with a grand statue of an eagle in the front yard. The house next door had an iron claw footed bathtub in a flower bed with a sculpture of Sacagawea next to it!