Everything's okay.

My brother-in-law played this for us this summer (because he is always up to something interesting and has a way of livening up a place) and lately it has been popping into my mind now and then.

I'm not a Hank Williams fan really and to be completely honest, I can't stand songs that contain speaking.

But somehow this chorus resonates. A reminder of resilience and hope in hard times. A prodding to remember that this is not the end of the story. (Silly as it may seem.)




We’re still a-livin’ and we’re prayin’ for better days
So - after all, ever’thing’s in purty good shape.

Enquiring minds want to know:

With the predominance of skinny jeans, are men having to consider underwear lines these days?

And do you think you're out of the honeymoon stage when you discuss plantar warts...and not "generally speaking"?

And do you think it's socially unacceptable to unzip my boots--full disclosure: NOT WEARING SOCKS! EEK!--when hiding in my cubicle?

And do you find it an ethical issue when determining whether or not to give aid to Pakistan versus Haiti?

And how do you make sense of the world around you? ...or do you?



Do tell.

Jumbled.

Sitting across from my beautiful mom, soaking up time with the one person most like me in the world, really seeing her in new ways and as I watch my dear friends raising their first little ones, I find myself picturing her and my father as nervous young parents just figuring it out and I love pausing in that daydream (even when it gets me all choked up and misty-eyed) and I just find myself feeling incredibly thankful and just wanting to tell both her and them...hey, you over there, the one with the bleary eyes and frazzled nerves, yeah, you...you're doing a really good job.

***

Dashing around the corner, running late (as usual) in a hurryhurryhurry! and screeching on the brakes for the old couple approaching. Though such a sight pulls at my heart strings, they aren't quite as endearing when shuffling sloooooooooowly and though totally unaware, taking up the entire hallway. All such impatient thoughts completely and utterly dissolve as I watch Grandpa come to a halt while staring, puzzled, off to the right...and Grandma (just a step or so behind) comes up on his left and taps his arm, smiling. "Well, there you are!" he chuckled, beaming down at her as I melted all over that linoleum hallway.

***
Feeling an ache of it's not FAIR! Where are You?! How could You?! for the pain and broken hearts of those that surround me. She says with a wobbly voice, I am not brave, but her chin is still up (and her eyes full of tears) and she hurts and we all hurt with them and you can see it in his glance that they are grieving, searching, hoping, waiting. And we wait with them. And pray for peace.

***


And that, I suppose, is what they call life.

Why I love today:

1. Watched the end of When Harry Met Sally. Gets me EVERY TIME! (And makes getting up before the birds a smidge more bearable).

2. Sun on my shoulders as I walked to work...the perfect date!

3. Caramel macchiato (non-fat, no whip).

4. A night in with my b-f-f...and a weekend of festivities ahead.

5. This delightful discovery. How fun!




Happy weekend, everyone! Get out there and enjoy yourselves.

Noted.

Image cred.

Loving:

1. That my husband is really nice about me learning the art of the domestic--even when it includes flat cookies and washing clothes...with FABRIC SOFTENER (drat drat DRAT!!!). Maybe I made up for it with Boston Cream Pie cupcakes? Eh?

2. That I saw the girl from the laundromat last night at liquor store (don't judge me!). And she was wearing the same things she wore this weekend. When she washed her clothes. Thus, I'm pretty sure it was an outfit re-wear. And this made me smile secretly to myself and think we should so be friends.

3. The idea of being crafty but can't quite muster up the gumption to make it a reality.

4. That I get to talk to someone about wedding planning and say "It will be awesome! It will all come together! Don't worry about it!" and totally mean it...and totally NOT be jealous to not be her. (I know double negative police. Get over it.)

5. This in theory...but who could honestly fall asleep while swaying so high WITHOUT RAILINGS? Plus, there would be bugs.

photo cred.

Why don't you start living your life in...?

From here.

"Listen, Jake," he leaned forward on the bar. "Don't you
ever get the feeling that all your life is going by
and you're not taking advantage of it? Do you realize
you've lived nearly half the time you have to live already?"

"Yes, every once in a while."

"Do you know that in about thirty-five years more
we'll be dead?"

"What the hell, Robert," I said. "What the hell."

"I'm serious."

"It's one thing I don't worry about," I said.

"You ought to."

"I've had plenty to worry about one time or other.
I'm through worrying."

"Well, I want to go to South America."

"Listen, Robert, going to another country doesn't make
any difference. I've tried all that. You can't get away
from yourself by moving from one place to another.
There's nothing to that."

"But you've never been to South America."

"South America hell! If you went there the way you feel
now it would be exactly the same. This is a good town.
Why don't you start living your life in Paris?"