A Breezy Life

A Breezy Life

Who hasn’t dreamed of a treehouse?  A place to escape to when daily living seems a drudge, when Life seems to be closing in on you, when you need to feel free?

I like to go on Pinterest and look at the tree house pins.  Of course they’re not to be a part of my future.  At my age and with my knees it would be a real trial to ascend to the heavens and enjoy the wind as it sways and lets you feel you are resting in a hammock.  Of course I’d rather not be there when the wind swells to a full-blown storm, letting the house wrench and lurch  with force and drama.  I am not a modern-day John Muir who enjoyed climbing a tree in a tornado to experience the forces of nature.

I’m also a realist.  There are those who spend a ton of money to make a treehouse livable.  I dare not contemplate the cost of a treehouse complete with bathroom and kitchen facilities.  And I’m sure insurance would be ridiculous.  The company would surely insist on a rider concerning injuries from wind movement and falling out of the tree.  Medical emergencies could be difficult to manage in the event you have to use the services of first responders for any reason.

But still I can dream while lost in a fantasy world of youth, adventure, and just plain fun as I contemplate the relaxation of studying the stars at night from my perch or watching the clouds float by while resting on my surrounding deck.

Where is your imaginary resting spot?

Is Longevity In Your Future?

I've been reading a lot lately about the outlook for an individual to live a long time.  Some things make sense, others make you think.

There appears to be a consensus the you are more likely to have a long life if you eat healthy and stay active.  That would appear to be a no-brainer.  Other traits include being conscientious, optimistic, happy, and socially connected.  That also makes sense.  Being extroverted was mentioned in one article, as well as a sense of spirituality.

Another study looked at men born in 1887 and who lived to be 100.  This was possible as they were able to study longevity records and find men lived to be 100, then cross-referenced to the beginning of the draft in 1917.  The men were all 30 at the time and had at least 4 children.

Why would the number of children make any difference?  The article mentioned that this may have provided a means for care as the parent aged.  It could be, but kids can be a two-edged sword.  They can be a source of great joy, and they can be a thorn in your side as you progress through life. 

My thoughts on this?  Now if you are a happy, optimistic man who likes to laugh and enjoy life, you may very well raise your kids to have these same traits.  The others could very well lead you to an early grave, and you wouldn't live to the age they were interested in.

Another interesting factor, the men who lived the longest were mostly farmers.  I can see how they could come to that conclusion.  There were a lot of farmers in 1917.  Farmers had a physically active and hard working life.  Today we have fewer farmers than were around then.  There are more diverse jobs available, and a lot of farms have now been converted to corporate farms.  Would today's population show the same results on longevity?

One major thought on my mind:  What about the women?  Obviously it would be difficult task to find a group of women available for a study with the same parameters as the one for men.  But it would be interesting to find out how a matched study of the gals would compare.

In the meantime I'll muddle through the best I can.  I'll laugh and be happy, at least most of the time.  I'll try to stay active and surround myself with family and friends.  If I make it to be 100, maybe I'll come back and let you know if I was successful in the task.  However, I do have quite a few years left to make it to that milestone, so I make no promises.

And I do hope you are successful in living a life of joy to a ripe old age.

What 10 Creative People Tell You About the Storms of Life

In life, there is no Yellow Brick Road.  We all have to endure times of trouble and strife.  Sometimes it can help to know what others have to say and how they get through these hard times without losing hope.

Ralph Waldo Emerson - poet, philosopher, essayist.  Born 1803 and died 1822.
     The wise man in a storm prays to God not for safety from danger, but deliverance from pain.

Morris West - Australian novelist.  Born 1916, died 1999.
     If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you'll never enjoy the sunshine.

Mark Twain - writer, humorist, adventurer.  Born 1835, died 1910.
     Life does not consist mainly, or even largely, of facts or happenings.  It consists mainly of the storms of thoughts that's forever flowing through one's head.

Vincent van Gogh - Dutch painter.  Born 1855, died 1890.
     There is peace even in the storm.

Epicurus - Greek philosopher.  Born 342 BC.
     Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.

Amelia Barr - English author and teacher.  She was born 1831 and died 1851.
     It is only in sorrow bad weather masters us; in joy we face the storm and defy it.

Charles Kettering - inventor and business man, he held 186 patents.  Born 1867, died 1958.
     No one would have crossed the ocean if he could have gotten off the ship in the storm.

Louisa May Alcott - American author. Born 1831, died 1888.
     I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.

Golda Meir - Israeli Prime Minister.  Born 1898, died 1978.
     Old age is like flying a plane through a storm.  Once you're aboard, there's nothing you can do.

Vivian Greene - modern author, artist, speaker. 
     Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.  It's about learning to dance in the rain.

No Flies On Him

Flies have been around probably since the beginning of time, or at least since the existence of life on this earth.  And I'm sure even the earliest of homo sapiens have been aggravated more than once with their presence.  And they didn't have rolled up newspapers to get rid of the pesky critters.

In 1900 Robert Montgomery received Patent No. 640,790 for invention of the Fly-Killer, a "cheap device of unusual elasticity and durability."  It was made of wire netting, "preferably oblong," attached to a handle. He did not specify the material to be used in the making of the handle.  After all, the netting was the important part as it reduced wind drag, allowing the user to apply a "whip-like" swing.

In 1903 he sold his patent to John Bennett.  The designation of "Fly Swatter" for the apparatus was made in 1905 by Dr. Samuel J. Crumbine of the Kansas City Board of Health.  He was attending a ball game in Topeka, but his attention was focused on a major health issue.  How could they reduce the spread of Typhoid Fever by flies?

It was the bottom of the eighth inning and the score was tied.  Topeka had a man on third.  The fans began screaming at the batter, yelling "Sacrifice Fly!" and then "Swat the ball."  Inspiration struck the good doctor.  A few days later he wrote an article about the situation for The Fly Bulletin with the headline:  Swat The Fly!  And thus, a new phrase came into common use.

Over the years there were adaptations to the common fly swatter.  In 1913 jazz bands were everywhere as folks loved to dance to that sound.  One problem was that the drums were too loud.  There were no sound systems that are now everywhere, and the drums would overpower the other instruments. 

At that time there was a fly swatter with metal brushes and an expandable handle .  One night there was a bright drummer decided to give that a try during a set.  He loved the quieter sound, and soon it was copied by many others.  Their new brushes allowed them to create new and innovative sounds and soon every drummer incorporated them into his set.

Don't you love the creative spirit of people?

Distorted Life's Journey

It can happen to anybody.  You start off with a plan.  It may even be well defined and clear in your mind.  Then something happens.  You don't know how or why it happens, but all of a sudden your vision becomes distorted or a bit blurred.  You seem to have lost your way.  Do you quit, or do you find a way to go on?

It isn't always easy to go on.  How do you do it?  All I know is, you just have to come to the understanding that you can either stand still or move.  And to me, movement is always the better course.  But how can you move when things are so bleak?  A few suggestions I have found helpful:

     1)  Step back and take time to reflect on what may have happened.
     2)  If you have taken an emotional blow, give yourself time to get past it.  But not so much time you find it easier to be totally inactive.
     3)  Remember that you can't change others, you can only work on yourself.  So focus on what you need to do to help yourself go on.
      4)  Spend a little time on your Attitude of Gratitude journal.  It's always nice to reflect of the blessings you have rather than the things you feel are lacking in your life.
     5)  Rethink your goals.  Is it possible you've missed a step or tried to take a giant step when it's time for baby steps for a particularly difficult phase?
     6)  Pick a date and plant yourself in the right place to get yourself going again.

I like a quote attributed to Oliver Wendell Holmes:
     Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.

What about you?  What have you found helpful to get yourself looking forward to what can be rather than to what has faded into a distant past? 

What's Your Attitude?

I am eternally a dedicated optimist.  Oh, there are times I have my down periods, but they fortunately never last too long.  So when I decided to do a papier mache project in the form of my initial, I decided the completed form must denote an attitude.

This "K" came to mind when I momentarily had a thought of Steven Urkel, the character on the TV show Family Matters played so very well by Jaleel White.  To try to capture that attitude, I made it with a slightly backward bent with one foot projected forward while the other was placed to the side.

I put teal paint in the papier mache pulp and inserted a design of puzzle pieces.  When dried I wiped the piece with a thin layer of more teal paint  over the top of the piece, followed by polyurethane to make it water repellent.  The finished form stands about 20 inches tall.

To tie this in with my attitude I'll include a few quotes I like.

     The world is full of cactus, but we don't have to sit on it.  -  Will Foley

     I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.  -  Mahatma Gandhi

     Become a possibilitarian.  No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are,  raise
     your sights and see possibilities - always see them, for they are always there.  -
                                                                                                     Norman Vincent Peale

Those Falling Leaves

Just a few days ago, this bush was thick with bright crimson leaves as autumn was exhibiting its full glory all around town.  Today was a crisp fall day with a brisk wind which made for a delightful day to be out and about.  It also continued to send leaves swirling across yards.  Of course the leaves have been falling for several days now, but today just put them into overdrive.  It won't be long until there will be only bare limbs displayed everywhere.

This reminds me of a quote by George Cooper.  While he mentions October, it fits today just as well.  He wrote:

               October gave a party, the leaves by hundreds came -
               The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples, and leaves of every name. 
               The Sunshine spread a carpet, and everything was grand,
               Miss Weather led the dancing, Professor Wind the band,.

Enjoy the fall, for winter will soon arrive.  We then will have to wait and suffer through the cold and bitter time until we again can get out and enjoy the beautiful days of Spring.

Achy Little Piggies

                    There was a time I suppose
                    When I had pretty little toes --
                    Those stubby nubbins at the end of the feet
                    That let you dance to your special beat.
                    They knew their place and they kept it
                    Till they started acting decrepit

                         There came a time deep in the night
                         I slept, my eyes shut tight
                         But those little traitors (to call their right name)
                         Put all decency to shame.
                         For stabs of pain in my big toe
                         And swelling red skin did quickly show

                    Peace was gone now from my slumber
                    Those little piggies had my number.
                    To touch the sheet would make me shout
                    You know the rest - I had gout.
                    A vicious disorder I declare
                    It makes me squawk:  This just ain't fair!!!



Have you suffered some disorder you had to deal with?  Plesase share.

The Allure of Sleepy Hollow

                                                          Sleepy Hollow Access
                                                              Lake Maumelle

It's the brink of October and fall is in the air.  With the hint of Halloween lingering close by, the changing of the colors in the trees, the shorter days of autumn, it is easy to remember Washington Irving's story:  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Arkansas is 1260 miles from Tarrytown, New York, which is where Irving and his family moved in 1798 to escape an epidemic of yellow fever.  Autumn there is no doubt cooler than here.  But even here we enjoy hearing a good ghost story every now and then.  Irving tapped into portion of the brain we all secretly wonder about.

People are intrigued by this story, even down to today.  Published in 1819 it still captures the imagination of so many of us on those closed in dark days of fall.  This interest is evident in many places around the country, and yes, even here in Arkansas.

Sleepy Hollow Access is a park approximately 30 miles west of Little Rock.  As seen on a beautiful day it is a peaceful place giving access to Lake Maumelle.  The lake is very popular with the local fishermen.  My husband and I once camped there overnight, oh so many years ago.  We had fun, but when you awake on a cool morning and the fog has rolled in off the water and the visibility is almost nil with civilization not so close by, you can almost imagine what Irving's character, Ichabod Crane, experienced on that fateful night when he rode out to meet the Headless Horseman.

I don't know who suggested the name for this park, but I like it.  And I enjoy stopping by every now and then for a quiet peaceful reverie.  If you're ever in the area, look it up.  See if you are captured by the beautiful trees and quiet river.

Trashy Days

It's almost a daily ritual.  We bring sacks and sacks of stuff into our house to use in every part of our lives.  And everything that comes in must, at some point and in some way, go out.

Where does all that garbage go?  Ever since man appeared on this earth, we have had a problem of trash disposal.  Of course, I doubt it bothered early man as much as it does our modern world.  For one thing, there were a lot less people then.  And, for another, they didn't have the means to accumulate as much stuff.

I hadn't given it a lot of thought, to tell you the truth.  Oh, I do my share of recycling and trying to reuse as much as possible.  But I recently heard of a place I'd like to visit.  It's the Trash Museum in Hartford, Connecticut.  (They even have a Facebook page, if you'd like to check them out.)

It's managed by the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, and is geared to educate the public about the importance of proper disposal and recycling.  You can watch the process of sorting from a mezzanine area as they discuss problems and solutions to waste. 

They also have a 12'x36' mural by Ted Esselstyn of Higganum, depicting trash disposal from prehistoric times up to modern days.  And there is a gift shop with a line of souvenirs related to their themes.

Museums of various kinds attract my attention.  I love to visit them, wherever I go, whenever I get the chance.  If I ever make it up to that part of the country, I'll have to check them out.

A Little Life Music

Sometimes something happens and I have no choice but to put the situation to music.  So there is truth to some of this ditty, but there is also imagination working into the song.  I envisioned the thing set to a light-hearted march.  I do hope you enjoy.


                       PROPOSITION MRS. K

          I was walking down the street, enjoying the sun
          Having a good time, looking for fun
          When a man walked up, stopped me on the street
          Called me by my name and he looked so sweet

              Cho:  I've got a proposition for you, Mrs. K
                        Would you like to make some money today?
                        It could be fun, it could be swell,
                        Take your time and think it over well.

          Well my blood's not blue and madam's not my name
          But I'm always ready for a new game
          So I listened to what the man had to say
          Cause money talks and I can use some today.
          He put thoughts of jewelry inside my head,
          A life of luxury on a silken bed
          With diamonds and a jacket of mink
          It might be fun, now what do you think?

               Repeat chorus

          He pointed to a shop on the street
          Said I sell shoes to put upon your feet
          You look like you could sell a shoe or two
          I need some help, yes, you might do.
          Well, I dropped my jaw and my ego hit the floor
          And I'm not walking a so tall any more.
          I thought he saw me as a sexy turtle-dove
          But he wanted me to work and not to love.

               Cho:  He had a proposition for this Mrs. K
                         He wanted me to sell some shoes today.
                         Now that's not fun and it's sure not swell
                         I thought it over, and I can tell him -

                         Well!!!

Continued Legal Contemplations

When I was looking over all these laws it did make me wonder about the folks who decided to introduce them into their state legislative bodies, and about those who agreed with the need for these particular items being enacted.

Massachusetts      -  No gorilla is allowed in the back seat of any car.  (Oh, yeah.  This
                                 had to be a consistent threat to the population.)
Michigan             -   It is illegal for a man to scowl at his wife on Sunday.  (Now this
                                 could actually lead to a more civil home life for those who indulge
                                 in the behavior.  But was there so many scowlers in the state that
                                 it was necessary to stop it legally?)
Minnesota            -   A person may not cross state lines with a duck atop his head.  (So
                                 many things one could say about this, but I'll just take a pass and
                                 let it speak for itself.)
Mississippi           -   In Tylertown it is unlawful to shave in the center of Main Street.
                                  (I would think it would also be inconvenient as well.  You'd have
                                  to assemble all the necessities with a little water as well.  It just
                                  couldn't be worth all the trouble.)
Missouri               -   It is illegal to install bathtubs with the four legs resembling animal
                                  paws.  (Was there a fear that in the middle of the night the legs
                                  would become alive with a porcelain body and chase the home's
                                  inhabitants around the premises?  Who knows?)
Montana               -   Wives of the state, beware.  It is a felony for you to open your
                                  husband's mail.  (Does this apply if he is on a business trip and
                                  asks her to do so?)
Nebraska              -   It is illegal to go whale fishing.  (Okay, Nebraska is slap dab in the
                                  middle of the 48 contiguous United States.  Not an ocean anywhere
                                  for many a mile.  Just how many opportunities will you have to
                                  actually break this law?  Hmmm.)
Nevada                 -   It is illegal to drive a camel on the highway.  (There probably aren't
                                  too many camels in the state now.  If my history is correct there were
                                  camels introduced in some few desert states in the hopes of better
                                  transportation.  I doubt many still exist, but then I could be wrong.)
New Hampshire   -   You are not allowed to tap your feet, nod your head, or in any way
                                 keep time to the music in taverns, restaurants or cafes.  (Whoa!  Not
                                 a place prone to elicit good time feelings, wouldn't you say?)
New Jersey          -   A man is breaking the law if he insists on knitting during fishing
                                 season.  (Somehow I just don't get the connection between these
                                 two activities.)

The nice thing about looking at all these laws is the realization that all states have something on the books that we would find just plain odd.  Not one can claim superiority in clear thinking.  Wouldn't you like to sit down and have a chat with the folks who bring these up for consideration?  And there is more to come.

You've Got to Stay Legal

It's always fun to look at what folks have felt necessary to legislate all across the country and over many years.  And unfortunately many of these laws stay on the books for what seems like forever.  I looked at laws in 10 states earlier.  Today, let's look at the next ten in alphabetical order.

Hawaii          -  You can not own a mongoose without a permit.
Idaho            -  You may not fish from a camel's back in the state.  And in the state capitol of
                         Boise you may not fish from a giraffe's back.  (Neither of these animals are
                         native to the state, so I would think you wouldn't see them just everywhere.
                         What would incline one to think of them as fishing platforms?)
Illinois          -  It is illegal to cut the tail off a horse.
Indiana         -  Baths may not be taken between the months of October and March.
Iowa             -  A man with a moustache may never kiss a woman in public.
Kansas         -  If two trains meet on the same track, neither shall proceed until the other has
                        passed.  (This same law was enacted in several other states with almost the
                        exact same wording.)
Kentucky     -  It is illegal to remarry the same man four times.  (No mention about a man's
                        ability to remarry the same woman multiple times.)
Louisiana    -  In New Orleans you can not tie an alligator to a fire hydrant (something I'm
                       sure the firemen are proud about).
Maine          -  You need a permit to have a pig scramble.
Maryland     -  It is illegal to take a lion to the movies.

There you have it.  Now you know how to behave in a legal fashion in a few more of our states.  So have fun, but take care and stay out of jail.

10 Laws in 10 States

I really enjoy Bill Engvall's comedy.  He's the guy that came up with the "Here's your sign" bits of comedic wisdom.  States are like his musings.  The laws (like his signs) came about because of perceived problems with the behavior of the citizenry.  Or Mother Nature.  A little research came up with the following:

Alabama        -  One may not have an ice cream cone in the back pocket at any time.
Alaska           -  A person may not carry a concealed slingshot if that person has not
                         received the appropriate license.
Arizona         -  Donkeys cannot sleep in bathtubs.
Arkansas       -  The Arkansas River can rise no higher than the Main Street Bridge in
                         Little Rock.
California      - It is illegal to eat oranges in the bathtub.
Colorado       -  In Denver it is illegal to loan your vacuum cleaner to your neighbor.
Connecticut  -  In order for a pickle to be officially a pickle, it must bounce.
Delaware      -  It is illegal for anyone to fly over any body of water unless one is
                         carrying sufficient supplies of food and water.
Florida         -  If an elephant is left tied to a parking meter the parking fee has to be
                         paid just as if it would for a vehicle.
Georgia        -  Donkeys may not be kept in the bathtub.  This is a stricter law than
                        the one written in Arizona.  And this state is more lenient than Alabama
                        in that in Georgia you may not have ice cream in your back pocket on
                        Sundays.

What strange creatures we humans be.  Sometimes you just have to scratch your head and wonder, "What was going on that it seemed reasonable to come up with these laws?"  We may never know, and some of these may at some point be removed from the books.  But somehow, it seems it is easier to just leave them alone and keep on making new ones as we progress through life.

Attitude of Gratitude

There are times in my life when I find it very helpful to list the things that have gone right, the take time to thank God for getting me through a difficult period, and to focus on the positive.  Today I looked back at one such list.  Some thoughts are fleeting, some are revisited periodically, and some I have moved past.  I thought I'd list just a few.

DECEMBER 2012:

 1.     Falling stars in the night sky.
 2.     Memories of roller skating when I was a kid.
 3.     Every time something makes me laugh.
 4.     Sitting on the swing under the magnolia tree.
 5.     A phone call from a friend.
 6.     Getting to try something new to me.
 7.     The aroma of a hot cup of coffee.
 8.     The smell of the earth after a good rain.
 9.     The ability to get a good daily newspaper.
10.     The Lord's Prayer.

Just reviewing this list makes me feel better.  Maybe I should do this continue the exercise in my daily life.

Do you journal?  Do you keep a Gratitude Journal?  I hope it gives you pleasure and peace.