Fifteen Years

Hello there. Writing a quick thank you. WordPress informed me that I had been blogging for fifteen years! So thank you for following my words while I share my thoughts, observations, inanities and opinions!

A lot has changed in fifteen years. So, so, so much. But that’s life. Ever changing. It’s not supposed to be stagnant. Or fair. If life was fair socks would never have their own designated drawer. Am I right?

I actually reread an old blog posting of mine from 2009. It was about some quiz people were taking called “Top 5 Things I Hate That Everyone Else Seems To Like.” Hate is a pretty strong word so I used “Strongly Dislike.” I was curious to see how I had grown. Evolved. Am I ever changing?

Nope. No growth in that category. I’m here to tell you my dislikes haven’t changed one little minute. Those five things are still things that do not appeal to me. But, and I have to say this, they are just things. Except Justin Timberlake. He is not a thing.

I am still not a fan of Uggs or Justin Timberlike. And that poor boy has never done a darn thing to me. I want to like him. But I am not there yet. I guess some things don’t change. I also don’t like honey because it’s sticky. So you can see where my head is at any given moment.

But have I grown as a person? Since 2009? Yes, I have. One could even argue not for the better. 🙂 But I have made changes.

Most recent change has to do with the loss of my beloved parents. Besides grief the reality is that there ain’t nobody left between me and God. So, there’s that truth bomb. What do I do with that and how do I live the best life-not my best life? I found that as a person advocates, navigates health care, oversees legal matters, dismantles a childhood home, experiences the death process etc. a whole lot of “unasked for” learning takes place. I’ve prioritized, planned, executed and been more decisive than my Libra self ever thought possible. I try to share my experience. I am applying what I have learned to my own life. But honestly, I’ve just learned to be more self aware. How does that learning translate into actual change?

What can I let go of now? Do I want to engage in this or that? How can I better prepare? Is it necessary to climb on the drama roller coasters with others? What is truly important as I move forward? How can I do my part in the world?

These questions and my honest answers are what brings me some solace while I continue my journey toward change and evolution.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!

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Honey Don’t

I think it’s important to know what you like. And what you don’t.

Yesterday there was a bottle of honey on my kitchen counter. Not mine. I went to move it and my fingers got all sticky. And stayed sticky.

And the one thought that was reinforced (once again!) is that I really don’t like honey. It’s okay for Winnie the Pooh and Yogi Bear. But not for me. I am not a big fan of honey laden desserts. Or honey in my tea. The taste is not enough for me to get past the stickiness. I cannot stand stickiness of any kind. Public toilet floor or my dining table.

Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against the producing bees. They are working their little wings off every minute and get very high marks from me in the hard work category.

It’s just like rose gardening. Sure, they are beautiful and sometimes sweet-smelling. But they are thorny. And I just don’t like hurting myself.  I’ve planted the bushes before and end up spewing vitriol every time a thorn causes a pull in my shirt or scratches my skin. Please just pass me the bright yellow tulips. And not bougainvillea!

The rest of the world likes Justin Timberlake. I never have and I don’t even have a good reason why. Someone once asked me if it was because he tore Janet Jackson’s shirt during the Superbowl. Nope, that wasn’t it. I didn’t like him long before that wardrobe malfunction.  It might be that Britney Spears was never the same after her romance with him. But I am not sure. I wouldn’t want to hurt his feelings but I can’t force myself to like him either.

These are just a few examples prompted by the honey on my counter. And while I will have honey in the house for guests and those that like it that doesn’t mean I will ever go near it. But I have in the past. Because I have a garden doesn’t mean I have to buy rose bushes. Although I have in the past. There are a lot of flowers and plants to choose from so I’m really not limited. Because I have a television doesn’t mean I have to watch reruns of Justin Timberlake in “The Mickey Mouse Club.” Although I have in the past. Ok, just kidding on that one.

I just know what I like. And what I don’t. And I just need to remember that.

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