Mail.... Snail, thank you!

I made the usual trip to the mailbox few minutes ago.  Opening the box in anticipation I always try to guess what it will be.  I always put the mail in catagories: Good mail, junk mail, and bills.  I'm sure you may do the same thing.  Each day, I play a game in my head.  What will it be today?  Today was a GOOD MAIL day!  I got 2 pieces of mail.  That's all!  No junk mail, no bills!!  One was pay-stub (YIIPPPEEEE!  I can pay the bills!!) and the next one was the best piece of mail!  It must have a different catagory.  I think I will call it 'Supreme' Mail. 

You are now asking yourself, what exactly makes this mail supreme?  I'll tell you!  It is from a pen-pal.  A friend that lives thousands of miles away from me.  This person cares enough to write about life, feelings, needs and then put it in an envelope and then, a few days later, I get it!

Today, I read my pen-pal's letter while outside.  I couldn't wait! I read it once, by the street.  Another time, about half-way up the drive, and the last time, leaning against the car.  I became so relaxed from the writings of my friend, I began to notice the musical sounds of nature all around me... the crickets, the birds.  It gives a new meaning to the words 'snail mail.'  Slow, yes... but well worth the wait! 

Purple Bloom

I went to bed while chatting on the phone with one of my very favorite people in the whole world!  What a wonderful way to end the day! 

And then I woke up this morning... got up, and then, the electricity went out.   For an hour. 

I walked outside and the humidity slapped me in the face.  Hard.  And then, I saw it.  The most perfect, beautiful bloom of the whole year.  And that was made me smile.... 

Procrastination

Procrastination:  to put things off until you can't put them off any longer. 

I am a procrastinator.  I hate it.  Why after all these past weeks have I neglected to do something so simple, yet, here it is due this afternoon and I just now finished with only a matter of hours to spare??  I bet if I didn't have to drive 35 miles to turn it in, I would have waited even longer!   

I tell myself it is because I work best under pressure.  Is that true?  Does anyone know the real reason?  Please, don't give me answers such as lazy.  Bored with the assignment?  Yes, probably....   OK.. Tell me what happens to you?  Do you just get right in there and do an assignment?  OR are you a procrastinator as well??

Hungry

Box with the voice of a twelve year old girl:  Can I take your order?

Me: I want a #1 an.....

Box: Cheese on that?

Me: No, only mustard and onion an.....

Box: Cheese??

Me: NO.  An...

Box: What to drink?

Me: Cherry Limeade an....

Box: #1 with mustard and onion with a cherry limeade... anything else?

Me:  No fries, tator tots. 

Box: Oh.  Is that all?

Me:  yes.

Box: That's $4.53.  Pull up.

Waiting, waiting, waiting my turn...... and girl comes out with a bag.

Girl:  Santa Fe Chicken Salad?

Humity, hair and Mobile

Last Monday I drove to Mobile for a conference.  Mobile is located only a mere 339 miles from my house.  Yes, count them.  I did, twice.

Mobile absorbs the most common north/south highway in this part of the country, Hwy. 65.  I'm not really sure where it begins, but it is around Chicago somewhere.  Alabama is home to about 352 miles of this highway. 

The south side of Mobile is set on Mobile Bay.  Not really the gulf as many people think.  It has been there for many years and has buildings that have survived hurricanes, tropical storms and humidity for a couple hundred years. 

Note referring to the survival of humidity:  Yes, Mobile has survived.  My hair did not.  I started off the week thinking it would be better than I ever imagined.  I finished the week by looking as if I had stuck my finger in an electrical socket!  NO KIDDING! 

Let's talk hair for a few minutes.  Mine.  It has grown down just past my shoulders.  Now, close your eyes and imagine it going everywhere it wants to go!  This is where people with limp, straight hair have an advantage.  Mine isn't limp, or straight.  It has curl and body and does whatever it wants to do!  I will admit this: While I was there, I had thoughts of finding a barber and having my head shaved.  No, really......   But, I didn't and now, I'm glad.  This is an issue men don't usually go through and now we know why.  They use barbers! 

John Hockenberry

Reading the Sunday newspaper has always been one of my favorite things to read.  Inside the paper you will always find lots of ads, various local inserts, the comics and one of my favorites, the Parade.  It's a magazine that includes more ads, but usually the cover story is one of interest.  This week, the cover story is about John Hockenberry. 

Mr. Hockenberry has been on my list of favorite people for many years.  I've seen him on television, heard him on the radio and read a book or two by him.  He is someone for which I have great admiration.  Why?  He has pulled himself out of a rather tragic circumstance that occurred as a teenager, only to make great strides  in a career and family life (probably not in that order..).  You see, Mr. Hockenberry is a paraplegic. Yet, he has traveled overseas to countries that were in the midst of turmoil and reported stories without or very little harm to himself.  This isn't why I admire him so.  It is due to taking a tragic circumstance, and not wallowing in self-pity.  Oh, I'm sure he had plenty of self-pity!  But, he didn't allow himself to become mired in it for the rest of his life. 

I have often wondered if I were in the same situation what type of person I would become. I don't think I can answer that until I have rolled in another person's trail!

Sunshine!

Finally, a bloom!!  The first sunflower of the year!  I love sunflowers.  The yellow of the petals with the core that stands out!  A bit of sunshine in my own yard.