When one door closes, another opens;but we often look so long and so regretfully
upon the closed door that we do not see
the one which has opened for us. – Alexander Graham Bell
August, 2012
31
Aug 12
On Closing Doors
When one door closes, another opens;but we often look so long and so regretfully
upon the closed door that we do not see
the one which has opened for us. – Alexander Graham Bell
28
Aug 12
The Narcissism Survivor’s Tool Box
Braced against the sheer, shaley side of a ravine, holding the handle bar of his bike, he yelled, “Dad! Dad, I need help here. I’m about to lose my bike! Dad! Help!” He was torn between letting his bike fall to the 15 foot pool at the base of the ravine, or worse, falling with his bike.
He was able to reach his water bottle. After taking a sip, he tried to yell again, but he couldn’t get his dad’s attention. He would have to hang on longer.
He waited, balanced on the brink, wondering why he’d agreed to go on another one of these all-day adventures.
The adventures had gotten better now that he was older, but he still ended up with an upset stomach from the exposure and risk that his dad took for granted.
24
Aug 12
On Being The Windshield
Sometimes your the windshield,
Sometimes your the bug. -The Bug Lyrics
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Sometimes your the bug. -The Bug Lyrics
Mary Chapin Carpenter
A month ago, we told Mark that his scheduled visits weren’t working for us.
He had been the one to print the calendars and assign the visit days and hours per visit. He delivered the calendars sometimes two months in advance and, in most cases, refused to be flexible saying, “The calendar was printed two months ago. The kids know the schedule. There will be no changes or cancellations.”
Life doesn’t work that way – especially with curious, creative, active young people.
Cousins come to town and want to spend every waking – heck, even the sleeping – moment with cousins they see only once a year.
Friends call with invites to fish or solve mysteries or paint or golf or just hang out all day without plans. Continue reading →
20
Aug 12
On French Braids, Golf Swings and Life
“I braid your hair almost every morning. How come today I can’t remember how to do this? It’s like my fingers checked out and they aren’t listening to my brain.”
I started over from the top. This time I quit thinking about it. I let my fingers do the work and thought about something else. I watched as my hands worked together – pulling in new strands and overlapping them.
“Hand me a ponytail holder. It’s done.”
Jenny laughed and asked, “How did you remember what to do?”
“I quit thinking about what to do and let my fingers do what they do every morning. I got my brain out of the way. I’ve been telling Will that he ought to do the same thing with his golf swing. He needs to quit thinking about it and just swing.” Continue reading →
15
Aug 12
Surviving Nicely – 3
The third anniversary of this blog quietly came and went.
__________
I harvested pales of fresh raspberries and discussed freezer jam recipes.
I collected rocks with Jen and counted the different types of butterflies that landed on the wildflowers beside the cabin. We lost track of the count when we spied two frogs in a rain puddle.
I took pictures of a grinning Will and the trout he was catching. Continue reading →
10
Aug 12
On Getting Out of Their Way
“Is it okay if I make a cake from scratch?”
“Yeah, honey, that’s okay. Are you okay if I work on this mess?”
“Sure! Then I can have the kitchen to myself.”
She asked a couple questions, pulled out the canisters and remembered to keep the dry ingredients separate from the wet.
“How much flour should I add?” Continue reading →
8
Aug 12
On Communication
The single biggest problem with communication
is the illusion that it has taken place. – George Bernard Shaw
is the illusion that it has taken place. – George Bernard Shaw
4
Aug 12
On Old Wounds and Changing Bandages
“Can I see you when I get out that way?”
She replied to his email – the one she shouldn’t have opened – with, “As friends.”
He didn’t like that answer. (Do guys ever like that answer?)
He waited to call, hoping she’d make the first move.
She didn’t. Continue reading →
