Down from Cloud Nine March 26,2014

     It was great fun flying up to that Cloud Nine!  We planned for days to get to that fluffy white cushion.
It was fabulous getting in the car and heading to appointment with adventure.  We, my friend, Kathy and I, looked forward to a day out and some good down to earth laughter.  We had worked together for 14 years.  We had talked, laughed, complained, cried and grieved together.  Then we walked out of the school and went our separate ways.  We had formed a friendship that would remain even in the outstretch of real life.  We text, phoned, and emailed.  Sometimes, we need to hear a voice we trust, and it is there.  Sometimes, we need to hear a deep seated belly laugh over a naughty little thought!  Sometimes, we need to share a worry, a fear, or a secret.  This is our day.  I look forward to it for months.
     I'm so excited that when I get out of the car, I accidentally hit something, and the car goes in panic mode, and the horn goes berserk.  I'm pushing everything on the remote and we are laughing so hard.  Bingo! I hit the right thing and we are off to the manicure parlor!  I had a gift certificate from my granddaughter, Sarah-the very first beauty shop job!  We searched for the right shade and tried to laugh quietly as we blundered around the bottles.  It was a wonderful experience.  I loved being pampered and feeling beautiful afterward...at least my nails!
     Next, we are off to the Mexican restaurant.  Being conservative as we are, we split a meal, and it was just the right amount for each of us.  We talked more and laughed more and paid the tip!  We had saved up a lot of conversation.  Off again!  The next stop was flower shopping, and afterward, we headed to the movies.
      We settled into our spot next to the bars in front of us and propped our feet up!  In the darkness of the theater, surrounded by people, we relaxed, ate nuts, candy and watched God is not Dead.  It was a good movie that suited our beliefs.  It gave us a sense of urgency about the society around us.  The evils of darkness are sucking our young from the roots of their religion, and it is time for the church and Christians to awake and do something.
    On leaving the theater we had a chance meeting with an old friend that we taught with years ago.  That was a pleasant happenstance.
     On the way home we have more talk and laughter.  Way too soon it was over.  I get back in my car and head home.  It  was a wonderful day and that must sustain me for a few more months.  I look forward to another day on Cloud Nine.

From Book to Movie March 20, 2014

     I've realized now what a masterful, power-filled experience reading holds over me.  I didn't understand what was happening emotionally.  I've been producing cinematography in my memory.  The camera's are rolling and everything is being filmed with intricate details.  I see the winsome smile-joining the sparkling eyes. I see the breeze ruffle the lock of hair out of place.  I see the fear in the face as a woman feels the hand slap her face- and the unbridled words pierce her heart. I see profound hatred creating turmoil in the soul.  It's all there.  Most of all I see the eyes that speak when words are silent...tears that flow unbidden and uncontrolled.  I see the love that emerges from the windows of the soul.  All captured on the film in my mind.
     When I go to the movies filled with the knowledge of the pages of the book,  I leave with a little sadness.  There is no way in one and a half to two hours  that the studio can include all the events.
     I know now that the book has become part of me...my thoughts, my experiences, and my conversations. I have lived the story.
     The movie may be excellent, but it will never be complete for me, the reader, for part of it lives in me.

Dreams March 19, 2014

Everyone should have a dream.  Something that they want and are willing to work toward.  I have seen people work for years to accomplish that satisfied feeling.  What I say is ... forever be adding to the dreams you began.  There is a sense of wonder about "getting there", but you will find that that is also another feeling you will find.  That is a sense of loss.  Once you have attained it all, there is no purpose in your life.  No one seems to need you and  nothing left to do.  You sleep, you eat and go to Walmart, etc.  Then at night when you sit down, you wonder what is my life worth now?  What am I doing here?  Where am I going?  I know that there are only a few years left, but I hate for those to be empty years of no value.

Has Spring arrived? March 18,2014

Sunshine!!!  We still have the cold North Wind, but at least the sunshine warms our souls.  After weeks of snow, freezing rains, cloudy days and miserable days, the sun finally appears.  I hope the sun is here to stay.  This winter has been very hard.  Last week , my kitty of nearly 20 years died.  It was very hard on me.  I held him and petted and loved him and he looked at me with his big trusting eyes and started purring.  He was just too old and too sick to get well and the end had come.  I can feel the ache in my heart, but know that he is free now.
   Last night as I lie in bed in the dim darkness of coming dawn, the winds howled and blew in the lost memories of time.  Every haunting piece of unhappiness raided my peace.  It tossed fragments that scattered through the torrents.  I tossed and turned and tried to shake away the sadness.  The unmarked territory of our unexplored psychic has crevices filled with damning knowledge that we do not want the world to know. We can never escape it, never destroy it.  It is there to wear away our sanity.  I leave the bed and seek out light for the light takes away the nightmares until another day.

Dear Father, Thank you for loving me when I was unlovable.  Thank you for holding me close when my heart was breaking.  Thank you for protecting me when I traveled dangerous paths without asking your guidance.  Thank you, for leading me back to paths of righteousness.  Thank you for your  divine forgiveness.