IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer.)
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it. Live it and never give it back. Stop sweating the small stuff.
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

A Little Help Please?

Well today is February 2, so the calendar says. Groundhogs across the United States were unwilling participants in that annual tradition of Groundhogs Day. According to my source, Punxsutawney Phil poo'ed all over the smartly dressed gentleman who was elected to draw (pull unwillingly) him out of his den. The results were not surprising. Phil saw his shadow and so there will be 6 more weeks of winter.

Okay now here is where the confusion starts for me. 6 more weeks of winter...hmmm...well doesn't winter last until the vernal equinox which usually occurs on or around March 21? That one day of the year when day and night are nearly the same length and the sun crosses the celestial equator moving northward and signifies the start of spring? Well according to my calendar that is just over 6 weeks away. So doesn't Phil always have to see his shadow to make a create prediction? And what kind of prediction is that anyway - predicting fact?

Well for argument's sake let's say he is predicting the end of winter like weather not just the end of the winter season. So let's say Phil seeing his shadow is an indication that we are in for 6 more weeks of winter weather. Winter weather? Now doesn't that sound like we have had winter weather before this date? That his prediction is a continuation of an existing condition? See now I am really confused. We have lacked winterlike weather all winter, how on earth can we expect 6 more weeks of it? Wouldn't it still be springlike, as it has been almost all winter?

Well of course this prediction would have to be northern hemisphere specific. Whether or not he is predicting the end of the winter season or the end of winter weather it concerns only the northern half of the world. Anyway I digress....it would appear that poor Punxsutawney Phil was pulled from his den for really no reason, unless I just missed the point entirely. So which is it? In the event that he sees/doesn't see his shadow, we will have/not have 6 more weeks of winter/winterlike weather? Anyone out there care to clarify this for me? Perhaps those smartly dressed Inner Circle dignitaries should put those top hats and tuxs to better use. Let poor Phil sleep...just leave his food at the door and kindly, quietly leave already.

Oh and don't even get me started on pondering Phil's residence...Gobbler's Knob? Gobbler's Knob of all names? Did you know that they have even gone so far as to specifically locate the distinquished groundhog's residence?
GPS Coordinates
Gobbler's Knob is located at the following coordinates (these readings were taken with a GPS unit placed on the stump on the stage at Gobbler's Knob):
N40.93027 W78.95772 (hddd.ddddd°)
N40 55.816 W78 57.463 (hddd°mm.mmm')

This all is making me tired. Someone quickly clear this up for me so I can rest easier. Well unless you are in the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club...

Have you ever noticed?

Coquelicots Rouges

Zeina El Fakhri

Have you ever noticed that the more time passes the more difficult it is to come back to somethings?

My blog is of course what I have in mind. I never intended to allow such a gap of time to pass since my last post. But once more than a week had past and I still could not seem to get anything posted I began to think that I might never have another thing to say worth posting. Not that what I have said in the past is worth much. But that is how it is when more and more time passes, isn't it? Saying things becomes more and more difficult.

So although I still feel as if I have nothing of value to say, I am back anyway. Lucky you, eh? Whoever you are that might stumble across this. There is always the option to leave before I start again. Just a word of caution, although I do hope you will stay.

"A read friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." - Walter Winchell