Whatever your Holiday of choice: I wish you love, warmth, and joy.
I may have taken liberties with the word "fans" in my heading. You, in fact, may not be a fan of my blog. That's okay. Just as long as you are reading it.
There are some things in life that just tickle me. Not my fancy, mind you, just me. Something makes me smile and feel all gooey inside. Some places just naturally have that effect on people. Pet Stores and Flower Shops come to mind. If you watch the people coming out of those places you'll probably see a smile on their face. Check your own face when leaving such hot spots.
For the last few years a phenomenon has been taking place that provides the same type of feelings. It's called by various names but probably the most familiar is "Flash Mobs."
Flash Mobs are productions set up in a large public place (train stations are great for them). The hundred or more participants have trained and rehearsed their performances. The venue is well aware of the upcoming event. The best of them surprise the "real" crowd. Look at their faces: bewildered, smiling, and mouth agape.
I would so love to be somewhere when a good "Flash Mob" takes place. Not too likely though, since I'm usually home looking out my windows. But, by looking out my computer window I feel drawn into them. As if I were really there. I feel I'm a part of it all. And so, I recommend them to you. Especially those who aren't so much "out" siders as "in" siders (you know who you are).
So, here is my Holiday Gift to you and you and you and...
If you were to ask me what my favorite thing to do is...I would say DANCING!
Probably very few of you have seen me dance. Matter of fact, I really can't dance anymore. That is to say, I can't dance physically anymore. But, believe you me, I do dance and often. It's just that no one sees me.
October is my blog's birth month. Started it in October of 2009.
Probably never thought I would still be blogging after a year. If you go back to the first few blogs I wrote, you'll read about someone who had no idea why or what they were doing. I still don't.
But, this I do know. People are reading my posts. People are enjoying them. People have smiled while reading them. And people have written back to me.
My age is a secret. Only my husband, my mother, sister and brother know for sure when I was born. But, I am old enough to have memories. Yup. I have lived long enough to have memories, stories and lessons to remember. One of these days, I will trip up and remember something that is older than I am. And, that's when other people will know.
This may be one of those memories.
Pink and charcoal gray were very popular colors at one time. Felt skirts with loads of crinolines underneath. Collars of blouses turned up in the back. Hair styles called "D A's." I had little bells on my "gym" shoe laces for basketball games in High School.
I never got bullied. But, I never fit in. I felt I wasn't pretty enough for the boys to like me. I wasn't smart enough to be in the "egghead" group, but I was too smart for the popular group. My collar was turned up and I identified with the "hoodies." But, I really didn't fit in there either.
"It gets better" is the new campaign for kids that are bullied. And it does. Once I got out of High School and into College everything changed for the better.
And then came last October 2009. Little did I know at the time I would find an other, newer format to use what creativity I had. And, that was to write. Write short posts on something called a "blog." And I found it because my health had deteriorated. I had taken an early retirement when all my sick, personal, and vacation days were used up at work. I had always worked at a job. Always. I decided to volunteer. Learned how to edit videos for local television.
And then another health blow: Fibromyalgia. It's a disease that hurts somewhere or everywhere. Movement causes pain. So I choose my activities very carefully. I enjoy being on my computer. I stay inside most of the time. I enjoy looking out my windows. And, I love blogging. I could focus on all the things I'm missing. I prefer to enjoy what I can do.
So the following is in honor of my blog's birthday. Be forewarned that while you are listening, I just might be dancing the "stroll."
Join me.
The Tune Weavers - Happy Happy Birthday Baby (Checker records) on 78 rpm! From 1958.
If you have read my blogs before, you know I enjoy watching the birds out my window.
One day, I could see by our tree that the wind was exceptionally strong. And, I might add, exceptionally strong means very strong. The wind here in the country is normally strong on a daily basis.
Anyway, as I noticed the wind I also noticed the feeder birds were having some difficulty staying on the feeder. And, then it happened. One of the wee finches hanging on to the top of the feeder for dear life decided to fly off.
As I watched I started to giggle. She was flapping her wings with all her might. But, she wasn't going anywhere. Flying in place. She was, after all, flying directly into the wind. She did not give up. Finally, she didn't stop flapping, but rather veered a degree or two (it didn't take much) to the left and managed to get to our Linden tree. A life lesson the lucky of us learn.
Since I hadn't the time to tape her, I tried to look for something similar on YouTube so I could show you how it looked. Unfortunately I couldn't.
Now, being in the same position as the wee finch...heading in one direction and not getting anywhere...I veered a little and look what I found.
This is a video for a game called "Angry Birds." A game I happen to have the free version on my iPod.
And then I found this delightful Pixar animated film.
I watched the Pixar video the morning before my doctor's appointment. Enjoying it thoroughly.
Once I was in the examining room I took out my iPod and started playing "Angry Birds." I don't usually do this, but it was in my head.
When the doctor comes in we usually shake hands. This time, because of the iPod, my response wasn't as quick. He looked at the iPod. I told him I had been playing a game about angry birds. His eyes opened wide and looked at the iPod screen.
He said "Birds?"
"Yes."
"Have you seen the Pixar movie about birds?"
"Ummm"
"It has all these birds on a wire and a big bird comes and..."
"Oh, you mean....."
"Yes!"
"I just watched it this morning!"
"This morning?" Looking at me with even wider eyes. "How is that?" "This morning?" Laughter and amazement on both our parts. "We should play the lottery!"
And, so we continued to talk about animated films and birds and my blood pressure went down. It was all good. My doctor and I don't agree on somethings, but I do love him and his quirky ways. He'll usually say something like "Sharon, you are a crazy woman!" sometime during our visit.
We almost always laugh together about life.
Below is a video of our dog Copper watching the Pixar film. Well... okay, it's not Copper, but it looks like him.
And remember:
When your direction is being blocked veer a degree or two and it just might be enough to get you where you want to be...
Cardinal in The Shadow of the Linden Tree photo by Sharon
House Sparrow on Fence photo by Sharon
Mourning Dove on Fence photo by Sharon
There is so much life on our patio. The butterfly is beautiful. The butterfly previous to the photo was a bright yellow. He danced merrily between the cone flowers and other wild flowers. He danced so merrily that I could not capture a photo of him. I'm ok 'cus I saw him. But, I apologize to you.
The house sparrow is a beauty. In my Peterson Field Guide it is noted that these are city sparrow and are usually covered with soot. No soot on this dear one. I have other pictures of him that I will share later. At first I had thought him to be a Chipper Sparrow, but with a close up shot I was better able to identify him.
I think the photo of the cardinal is a figment of my imagination.
The house finches have truly taken root here. Sometimes there are four to seven of them on the one feeder, while three or four wait on the fence or on top of the feeder. Most are babies and the parents are still occasionally feeding them.
If someone comes out of the house, they all fly into the linden tree with a big swoosh. Once in a while I can look deeply into the leaves and see one or two sitting there.
I look out my window, see the birds, twitter with excitement and then tweet. So much better than FaceBook.
I've taken the plunge, so to speak. Since many of my usual activities are inactive due to fibromyalgia, I decided to look at other aspects of my life that I could pursue. The picture of my newly received certificate is something I picked up along the way this week.
Yes I am an ordained minister of a church that has only two, but the best two, tenets I've seen lately:
1. Freedom of Religion 2. Do that which is right
While I am now able to perform marriage ceremonies, my only wish is to be able to listen to others and if asked give advice....with my tongue planted firmly in my cheek.
Oh, and I've joined this organization which encourages truth, discussion without hostility, and non-racist political views, as opposed to the tea party.
I do love my espressos!
This picture shows the "tender points" of fibromyalgia. And, yes they are tender and hurt. But, the wonderful thing about this disease is that it can actually hurt from your head to your toes and back again. It can harm any part of your body it chooses. And to all the people who for years have said to women "it's all in your head" - well, yes, it is. It's the brain not working correctly. Pain receptors that signal pain to the brain and then other receptors that send it back are broken. Signaling pain where it shouldn't be or more extremely than it is.
It's really difficult to explain to people who don't have it just how it feels. Sometimes nothing hurts and then I turn and reach for something and it feels like someone shoved a dagger into my arm. Currently my skin hurts on my arms and chest - kinda like prickly sunburn.
Not complaining, mind you. Just explaining.
And now, for something completely different:
I was telling the Chief that I noticed if I walked like a penguin, it didn't hurt so much. I looked it up and it's fascinating reading, but you can look it up yourself. Instead, here is a video of what I look like walking:
And here I am after I've fallen.
And here I am in a happier mood.
And may your life be a Happy Dance at least once in a while! Enjoy each step while you can. (Just some ministry advice for you).
Yesterday (OMG another Beatles song. Just have to hum it to yourself) was not a good day for me.
I tried to get my old palm z22 up and running. I've been using the calendar only on this computer, not the hand held device. Now this calendar has my life on it. Dates, numbers, anniversaries, you know? Anytime someone in my family needs some info they call me. And, I have it. Oops. Not anymore.
It had all appointments for myself and the Chief, and Molly and the kids. It's all gone. I felt lost yesterday. I didn't know who I was or where I was going. Deep, deep funk. What to do, what to do? Didn't have a clue so I went to bed.
This morning I woke up, went to the bathroom, took my hundreds of pills, noted that one needed to be refilled, grabbed the bottle and exited the bathroom.
Husband and dog were still in bed. Copper, the dog, woke up and was sooo happy to see me. He made me happy. As I went over to the Chief, the husband, I started singing/humming "Tea for Two." I gave him a kiss on the forehead and proceeded to perform: humming and singing and tap dancing. Okay, I was tap dancing in my head, but the pill bottle made a good tapping rhythm section so I looked and sounded like I was dancing. Both the Chief and the dog seemed to enjoy it. When I finished, the Chief said: "Does that mean you want tea instead of coffee?"
I have no idea why that song was in my head. Nor do I know why I sang and danced. Sometimes these things just come over me. I can't resist. Besides, we all have fun. If not now, when?
So, there I was all giddy as I approached the office. And then it hit me. Dear God, I don't have my calendar! I had completely forgotten it. No... what I think I did was let go of it. That is why I woke up happy. The calendar was gone and I can't do anything about it. I will of course start a new one, but the old is gone, gone, gone.
On a different note, sometimes I get "down" about my blog. Questioning myself, is it any good, has it any value, do people enjoy reading it?
I seldom get feedback. I know the Chief enjoys it. And I certainly, for the most part, like doing it. I do not, in anyway, think of myself as creative, or artistic, or humorous, or anything else other than curious. Well, I think I do know when something looks "right." My biggest character fault is that I try to be perfect, well practically perfect in every way. And, of course I fail at that. I'm always imperfect.
So, to help my perception of self a little, I would like to copy here one or two comments I've received either via my blog or email.
"I really enjoyed your blog, Sharon. You impress me with your writing. I do believe it is your gifted talent. I also enjoy looking out the window. It is sometimes what gives me a boost for the day. I enjoy sunrise looking out our back windows. Recent sunrise has been almost orange in color - a fall treat! I do not know how this works, but you can teach me. I think it could be so enjoyable." K
"I enjoy reading your blog, Sharon. It's evident what pleasure you get from looking out your window and reporting the birds and daily happenings in the house. I've added creative writing and photography to your many talents observed over the years. Enjoy the day." Carol
"Lots of great photos in your blog. Hadn't looked at it since your first notice. You must continue with your writing. I do have positive thoughts going "your way" my dear. Know you are needed in so many ways in this community." MKJ
"Thanks Sharon.....what a wonderful blog!! The adoption of the dogs was so interesting to see. The story of the Cardinals was something I didn't know. Thanks for sharing....." Dorine
"Wishing to emphasize my admiration for your literary talent. You are able to make even the most ordinary things replete with interest and meaning. I am proud of you." Shirlee
"Good writing but it was kind of scary, in view of the recent Haitian earthquake....." Kay
Oh, my goodness...I had better write more. And thanks to all for hanging in there with me. ♥
Dancing is one of my favorite things. Since my childhood, I've loved it. Would be hard for you to know that if I didn't write this blog.
As a young child I was able to take dancing lessons. Ballet, specifically. I hated it because I'm not a very good speller. Especially words in French. So what the heck does that have to do with dancing?!
My ballet instructor would begin the class by having us write on the floor, in chalk, various dance steps in French. Once you spelled the word correctly you could proceed to the dancing part. While others in my class danced their little hearts away, I sat on the floor with chalk dust all over my leotard.
I came to hate the class so much that even at around age six or so, I would go off to my lessons, waving and smiling back at my mother, only to never get there. I would return later telling her "I had fun. Love ballet." Once in a while I would go to class. But always with the same results.
And then came our "performance recital" for the parents. OMG! If I remember correctly my mother came to see me dance with the group. I, of course, was mortified. I didn't know the steps let alone the routine. More afraid of telling anyone the truth, I did perform. Watching other's movements, I tried to imitate but was a few seconds off. Afterward, I finally had to tell my mother. So much for dance lessons. Although I think if I had taken "tap"...
But I did love to dance. I used to watch all the old B movies on TV with Fred and Ginger. Even in black and white the dancing was like a dream sequence. My whole self would move...dipping, swaying and twirling. I was "in heaven."
As a latch key kid, I would get home and turn on music. With no one there, I could be in my own world and dance and dance and dance. I would, like Fred, jump onto things with my arms up above my head. From chair to chair. Chair to couch. Couch to floor. Twirling. Stepping. I would get so dizzy. Magical. I was in a place untouched by the real world. So all into myself and my dreams. I still have that place. But, now, I have shared it with you.
When I was a teenager the "first" real dance craze was the "twist." And boy, did I. Twist, swing, mashed potatoes...all those.
Later on, I learned to Square Dance. My folks had Square Dance friends and they would invite me to join in. Loved it.
While in college I took a Modern Dance class. Loved it. Then I took a Folk Dance class. I loved it, too. And now we come to why I attached the above Scottish Fling video. I learned that fling in the Folk class and performed it as a solo for my final. Got an A+.
And, I didn't have to spell anything! Ain't life grand?
