Annual Spring Shares

When I was a kid with brothers, cousins, and a great-aunt.  

Me, when my kids were kids. 

I have had a song in my head for weeks.  I heard it years ago in a TV program. And other than the hook I cannot remember anything more except that it is haunting, about longing, and for me, grief.  

I'm sure I jotted down a note when I heard it because it hit me hard; with the intent to look into it further toward adding it to a collection. 

My recent, not-too-furious search uncovered many songs with a similar theme and hook (or title). None of the samples I played resembled the song of my memory.   

At this point, I am not sure I can trust my memory.  I do trust the emotion dredged up by said memory. 

I won't keep looking for that song.  I shall spend time with songs I already have in the collection, songs that take me away from longing and grief, songs that lighten my heart and give me ideas of moving my feel.  

It is just an idea for I am a bit of a klutz and certainly don't want an 'oops, I've fallen' scenario. 

Happy Spring

Photograph and Memory

 

This is my third grade class.  I left this school after third grade so most of the folks pictured I never saw again.  This class photo is but one of two I have throughout my years in elementary school.  The other is a photo from kindergarten.  I'm sure (mostly) that there were photos taken but I don't have them.  they were either lost in one of our many moves or...   

It is also possible that I missed class photos as I transferred to a lot of schools.  Spending half a year in one and finishing in another.  I may have mentioned that by the time I was in 8th grade, I'd attended eight elementary schools.  

While I did spend the 4 years in a single high school; I didn't make friends easily and didn't really feel comfortable in school until my senior year.  

I was mildly excited to put all those years behind me.  

Except they were never behind me.  Or, at least, not for a long, long, time.  

So Much Time

 It was not, is is not ever the intent to stay away for so long.  Every day a topic wiggles its way into my head, the first sentence wrangles a way out of my fingertips and then . . .  

. . . as they say, "crickets." 

The G assistant machine alerts that my birthday is just around the corner which reminds me that I am needing to stop and think a little bit about simple things that used to come oh so effortlessly.  

Spelling, in particular.  

Part of my work entails writing notes.  The clinic managers prefer that I not use abbreviations so I spell out words while trying to be succinct for I can't spend forever writing notes.  The notes are not the work; they are work, but not THE work. 

Often it is the fast typing that causes typos but sometimes, every so often, I have to ponder just a tad at just how many i/s are in r e s p o n s i b i l i t y.  

While I've always enjoyed word and memory games I find myself glomming on to every opportunity to challenge myself in those arenas.  

Or to challenge myself, period. 

Any no offense to the G assistant, I am acutely aware of the date of my birth.  Now.  

Take gentle care.  

  

 

    

  

  

Mom, Memory, and Me

Not my Kitchen 

My birthday a few weeks ago kicked up all sorts of memories of my mom (a big fan of birthdays and birthday cakes) as you might imagine. And just a few days later the FB "On This Day" feature kicked up this status: 

My mom asked, "so, what does avocado taste like? Describe the taste to me." I was struck to come up with anything that she might have eaten that would resemble even remotely avocado. She's never even had guacamole. One of her docs suggested incorporating them into her diet. She is, well,  resistant

That, from August 9, 2012. Some days later, after much describing and cajoling, I shared mango (another doctor suggestion) and avocado with my mom. As an aside: my mom was not what one would call a culinary adventure seeker. If one could call mango, avocado, (and fresh pineapple--another step we'd taken recently) culinary adventures. Mango received raved reviews. Avocado did not, though she did try, in the short time (mom died 2/18/2013) to add avocado to her diet.   

I mention all of this because, well, it has been on my mind. But, especially because I am in the midst of my own dietary adjustments. For me, it isn't so much about adding things like mango or avocado but about subtracting things like fried and less than healthy snack foods. 

Well, adding water. I could drink more water. 

My doctor and other clinic personnel were the only people other than myself know the following: 

HT: 5.6 1/2  WT. 263.2 LBS Pre-hypertensive Pre-diabetic      I lay bare these truths as I have been tiptoeing around this issue for the last few years.   

No more.  

                                                           

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Same Ole Love

Album: Rapture: Release Date: March 20, 1986 

From beginning to end, 365 days a year . . .  

Despite the fact that I'd given birth to my second child only a few months before, I was far from a "happy in love" station (in the romantic sense). Life was, in a word, turbulent. It became less so over the years but right when this song / album came out I was dreaming of a past that never really was and for a future I hoped to secure. Same ole . . but, new.  

Anita Baker roller skating. Swoon.