Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Musings’ Category

Memory Lane

Posted in Family, Musings, tagged , , , , on September 22, 2011| Leave a Comment »

If you ask me why, I couldn’t give you any good reason I’m feeling particularly nostalgic today.

But I am.

And then I ran across this photo and it made it worse.

My brother Kim is dressed up and ready to go somewhere (if  I have my facts straight, it was his high school graduation.) My brother Doug got stuck holding me and my sister Shelley looks happy for whatever adventure lies ahead.

I love this photo for a variety of reasons.

• It is one of the few photos in existence that shows me with my three siblings. Doug married a year later and started his own family.

• I was cute then (I outgrew that stage pretty quickly).

• My two brothers aren’t paying any attention to the camera because they are both looking at me like I might spontaneously combust at any given moment.

• My sister and I are both looking at someone. That someone probably being my mom who was obviously doing a good job of making me smile.

• When I tell people I was an accidental afterthought to my parents’ first three kids, this clearly illustrates my point. Not everyone brings home a newborn when you already have three kids  who are 19. 17 and 14.

• You have to love the 1970s processing that makes Doug and Kim look like Oompa Loompas while Shelley looks ghost-like.

Sometimes, taking a little walk down memory lane is a good thing.

She Who Loves Old Family Photos

Read Full Post »

Respect

Posted in Musings, tagged , on September 19, 2011| Leave a Comment »

I attended a funeral Saturday that was heart-wrenching and emotional. One that makes you want to run home and gather your loved ones close and never let go.

There were, what I would guess to be, several hundred people in attendance. Most behaved as you would expect people to behave when at a funeral – somber, quiet, respectful. Then there were a few that really had me shaking my head.

I realize society’s rules on what is acceptable funeral (and wedding) attire has relaxed greatly, but I think there is a point where a line should be drawn.

There is nothing respectful in showing up to a funeral service in filthy jeans and slippers or flip flops and shorts. And some might be quick to assume these were young people.  Some yes, but not all of the offenders.

What happened to the days where people literally put on their “Sunday best” when attending functions such as weddings or funerals? Quiet honestly, I miss it. That laid-back anything-goes attitude just doesn’t always fly. Sometimes it goes over as well as a lead balloon.

The other thing I noticed that was completely lacking in respect was the behavior of drivers as the long line of cars snaked their way across town to the cemetery for graveside services. Most cars coming toward us pulled over and respectfully waited for the funeral procession to pass. Then there were  those who ignored what was going on, zipping past the multitude of cars pulled over on the side of the road. The offenders were all ages, so blame can’t be put on any one age group for not knowing better. I think it was more of a problem of people being so wrapped up in themselves, they pay no attention to anything else going on around them, or they don’t really care.

If you are one of the few who show respect in social settings, my hat is off to you. I sincerely hope dressing, acting, talking and being respectful isn’t something that will entirely disappear. Maybe if  few more people set a good example, others will follow.

She Who Cheers on the  Respectful

Read Full Post »

Reason #337 Why I Love Captain Cavedweller

Posted in Captain Cavedweller, tagged , , on September 14, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Saturday was Captain Cavedweller’s birthday, as I mentioned in my post Monday.

His mom and sister came to visit and we piled in the car and went to a parade. The combination of it being hot, having to walk several blocks to watch the parade and there being three girls to spur each other on, we decided to leave our purses in the car and go fetch them after the parade when we took our chairs back.

By the time the parade was over and we were all a little more than toasty, Captain Cavedweller volunteered to pack the chairs back to the car while we women-folk went into the cool of the stores and shopped to our heart’s content. Sounded like a great plan to us. Right up until we remembered our purses were in the car.

So as CC turned to walk away, I called after him “Don’t forget to bring our purses with you.”

Shooting me a glare, it was one of those priceless moment when he would really like to pretend he’s never met me before. We agreed to meet in front of a store across the street in a few minutes.

We got busy gawking and talking and the next thing I knew, several moments had gone by. Like 10 more than we said it would take for us to meet him. Hurrying across the street, there he patiently waited with handbags dangling from his big hands. He never mentioned us keeping him waiting, especially with the girlish purses. He just handed them over and said “what’s next?”

I know some guys would rather die than be seen carrying or even momentarily holding a purse for their wife or girlfriend. In fact, I know a few guys who absolutely refuse.

Captain Cavedweller, who is comfortable in his own skin and confident in who he is, has never been bothered by it. At least if he is, he doesn’t show it.

And no, it hasn’t robbed him of his man card to hold my purse on occasion. I don’t overuse the privilege and he knows the times he is asked to touch my purse will be few and far between.

But I do have to say, his willingness to not just hold our purses but carry them for several blocks through throngs of people made me realize once again, he’s quite a guy.

She Who Really Appreciates Captain Cavedweller

Read Full Post »

I Love A Parade

Posted in Captain Cavedweller, Musings, tagged , , , on September 12, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Saturday was Captain Cavedweller’s birthday. In honor of the auspicious occasion, a parade was thrown and much to-do was made.

Not really.

But we did got to a parade.

Captain Cavedweller’s mom and sister came for the weekend to help celebrate his birthday. So early Saturday morning we piled in the car, drove an hour and set up our chairs in anticipation of watching the parade.

Despite the fact we thought we might be fried like eggs on the hot pavement due to the warm temperatures, it was a lot of fun.

There is just something about a parade, especially when the community comes out in force to support it. Much candy was thrown, bands marched, floats floated, and horses …. well, they did what horses generally do on a long parade route.

There were cute little girls in pink-themed wagons, a cowboy band playing everything from a trumpet to a drum via horseback  (The one with the drum must have a horse with the best temperament ever.), and old cars of every shape, style and make.

But I think my favorite part of the parade was the tribute the local firefighters gave to the victims of 9/11. It was heartfelt and touching and made more than one person teary-eyed.

It is in those sweet moments that I fully realize just how very proud I am to be an American.

She Who Is Saluting All Our Servicemen and Women and Sending Them a Big Thank You

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »