Over The Rainbow...

I've always loved having my family around.

We're scattered about the country.

My brother, Michael , a niece, Julie and nephew, Brad, live in Arizona .

Two nieces, Laura and Kirsten live in Oregon.

I try to keep in touch with them more often.

My son, Paul is living with us now and Jen has recently become a Key Wester.

When Jen told me she was moving from her condo, my heart sank.

She and I are close and we really enjoy doing things together.

I trust Jen with her judgment and hope her new path

will be happier.

As much as everyone means and has meant so much to me,

their lives are important.

It's not easy to know which direction to take, but one has to

trust one's feelings and believe in God's plan for us.

Life in the fast lane...

Tom and I were walking out of a natural foods store yesterday and noticed customer suggestions posted on a bulletin board by the door.

Many of the posts were compliments about the friendliness of the staff; some customers suggested products they'd like the store to carry.

One post caught my eye.
One woman vehemently complained that the store had run out of organic sunflower seeds, and was told by a manager the item would be restocked on Friday.
At least a 4-day wait.
She was angry that she had to wait that long.
Everyone seems to buy it, so why can't the store keep the item stocked, she ranted on.

We could only think she'll probably need an extra therapist session this week.
Her personal organizer is probably filled with important things to do for the week: get teeth whitened, hair foiled, manicure and pedicure, tickets for the Phil.
Nothing wrong with all of that, of course.
Poor woman, more than anything, needs a dose of coping skills.
Heaven help her if her schedule gets thrown off.

Some people think the world revolves around them.
They're used to an organized life, all neat and tidy.
How would these individuals cope if life threw them a curve ball?

Some things don't always work out the way you plan or hope they do.
I've certainly found that out, but have learned to make adjustments over the years.

Growing up in the late 40's I learned so much about coping and sacrifice from my parents. We had few possessions.
My brother and I relied on our own creativity.
I developed a love for writing,art, books.
Thank God for the library.
I had an appreciation of what I did have, and realize today, all the misfortune of the past has made my brother and I grateful for our lives today.

Down the Yellow Brick Road...

Where have all the years gone, and so quickly?
These thoughts cross my mind every once in awhile,
especially now as I've had my 62nd birthday.
If I could, would I go back to an earlier time, back
to my teen years or my college days?

If I'd had a way of foretelling the future, I may
have done a few things differently, change my
direction a bit, but then again...
If I'd fallen in love at 19 with the handsome Italian
fella living next door, who I felt was in love with me
at the time , I'd no doubt have a houseful of kids.
But, I might also be divorced—since that was his
status a few years ago, and still might be.


If I'd been more motivated to finish college and
get a degree, I'd be teaching English Comp right now.
When I'd moved to San Francisco in 1970, I was working
at a local store. From the entrance I heard,
“Nancy, what on God's earth are you doing working here?”
My jaw dropped.

It was my former college professor, Jean Wilkinson,
who'd had very high aspirations for me.
She'd kept many of the works I'd written, and thought
I would've pursued a writing career, at the very least.
Presently, I'm still writing: short stories and romantic poetry,
as well as this blog.

If I'd followed my parents to Oregon instead of moving to
the Bay Area, I would've never met my husband, a handsome
airline captain,and had our two children.
Nor would I have had the opportunity to meet Charlton Heston
or Bing Crosby who were customers of mine one day.

We now live in South West Florida, which has changed the
direction of my life. I'm a freelance photographer, living a dream
I've always had--sequestered in the back of my mind.
I'm an artist, too.

Life is often convoluted.
You're never sure what each day is going to bring.
Ah, to be a kid again...?
Not a chance.

Some Enchanted Evening

Marriage is like a thrill ride at Disney World.
You enter it with happiness, a degree of fear, and with great expectations.
What lies ahead is reality of the ride.

Living on a shoestring many years ago, I planned our wedding, managing to spend a total of $300.00—dress, flowers,and a prime rib dinner for 28 close friends and family.
Today's couples spend, on the average, $20,000 for the wedding of their dreams.

Despite the romance a marriage conveys—much the result of Hollywood movies, television, magazines and advertising, one soon realizes, upon entering the institution of marriage, that it's a fine meal of sorts.
It needs spices, sauce, sugar, and some time to bubble and simmer.
Keep romance revved up.
Be ingenious—write your spouse a poem or a love letter, surprise her/him with candy, a card you've made..a long kiss.

As for everyday life, I have to say my husband kicks in with housework, especially the vacuuming. What a guy..I don't expect it. It's a romantic gesture, I guess.
Tom's a man of schedules. Everything, including eating is at a specific time.
Me, I'm spontaneous and flexible as a stick of gum.
Want to go to lunch or a movie at 4:00, I'm there!

We are polar opposites, but the main ingredients to our thirty-seven years together have been love, compromise, and respect.
Each of us contribute personality attributes and qualities to the marriage.
Some are quirky, that goes without saying.

Yes, marriage is the reality that you do find cereal crumbs in your shorts, or an edge of toothpaste stuck to the corner of your mouth..