Nothing could be finer

Sitting here this morning with a cup of 10W 40 weight folgers, and am increasingly intrigued by their commercials for the newest strength of their product - Black Silk.  I wonder if it gives an extra boost.  If so, it's mine.

It has been a strange week, all over the place with ups and downs.  I am pleased to report it ended on the up side.  A couple of weeks ago, I applied for part-time work with the local hospital (a real hospital) as a patient care secretary on weekend nights.  No, I haven't interviewed, but I got an email from them asking me to complete the rest of the application, so it means I made it through the initial screening process.  They view me as a serious contender for the position, and that means a lot to me.  I wasn't sure any facility outside of DOC would give me serious consideration. 

It's ok if I don't get the job, but I would really, really like to have it.  One of the things I miss from my old job is being in the thick of things, working with the nurses and being involved, albeit indirectly, with patient care.  That is so satisfying.

And I got some news from Durham this week.  There will be another grandchild in September - my daughter is pregnant! 

Life really is a roller coaster.  And I always did like the thrill of it.  Y'all have a great week.  If I haven't made it by your journals, I'll get there!

are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

I read this in on online community I belong to and wanted to share it here:

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life, and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it, and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first pot, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft. She then asked her to take the egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to smell and sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she smelled and tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What's the point, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity- boiling water-but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When trials and adversity knock on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a passive heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside, am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or, am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you become better and change the situation around you.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level?

How do you handle adversity?
Like the CARROT, the EGG, OR the COFFEE BEAN?

midlife hair crisis

I have a question for women everywhere, but before asking, must give some backstory.

I'm 49 years old and have worn my hair short since hitting my 20's.  Bless Dorothy Hamill for making a flattering style popular - it suited me to a "T" (whatever that means).  Well, now my hair is a bit longer than normal and is turning gray.  It looks a bit frosted, but the majority is dark, still has the natural wave and is bouncy and all that.  The older I get, the more I would like to have a softer style - hence the growth.  I can put it in a ponytail, wear a hair band, etc, but it's still a long way from being long.  Well, the other day a friend and I were discussing our ages.  When I told her mine, she said - well, i suppose you'll be getting your hair cut soon to go with your age.

Age?  So tell me, someone, where this law is written that a mature woman must wear a severe/short hairstyle?  What's wrong with something to soften the lines?  I'm not trying to be 20 again; shoulder-length seems perfectly acceptable to me.

good morning

Mom is settled in at home and assumed/resumed her role as queen/matriarch.  She's pleased with hospice services.  She called me at work one morning last week and told me - "and the lady came in and said, 'honey, don't you try to make up the bed.  that's MY job!"

She was excited that they sent someone to do light housekeeping while we were at work, and she knows the nurse, already, so she's comfortable with both women.  And she is excited that someone might come out to help her put a jigsaw puzzle together, although she isn't sure she wants that.  She's a fussy woman, and wants things done her way.  "I don't know if I want someone to come in and mess up my puzzles.."

Fussy she is, indeed.  I was making her dinner on Tuesday night - she asked for 1 egg scrambled, 2 strips of bacon, crispy, 1/2 english muffin with jam and 1 cup of tea with 2 ice cubes and 2 packs of splenda. 

I began preparing her dinner.  WAIT! she said, as I prepared to microwave the bacon.  That's too many paper towels!  I had 2 of those to prevent splatter.  I picked up a pan to scramble the egg.  WAIT! she said.  There's another pan that might work better.  I split the english muffin and popped it in the toaster.  WAIT! she said.  I want it lightly toasted.  What's the toaster setting?

It's poignant.  You never realize or appreciate the freedom and strength we are granted in our ability to cook, clean or simply move from room to room.  It's hard for her to give up and let someone else use her stove, cook her bacon and accidentally let 3 ice cubes fall from the icemaker into the cup.  For her or anyone, it's relinquishing dignity by inches and degrees.  And we know this, and give her as much control as she wants. 

 Fold the towel like this.  Just a light spritz will work on that.  You only have to turn the covers down this far...

But she's doing well and manages to keep her sense of humor.

Ginger Tea

I'm having a cup of Twinnings lemon ginger tea tonight - leaves a nice little tingle on the tongue.  The last two weeks were so busy, it's nice to have a chance to unwind a little..

Mom came home from the hospital on Friday.  Her doctor gave her the choice of nursing home or hospice care, and she opted for hospice.  She seems at peace with it...the rest of us are still grappling with the idea that her time is so limited.  We have put that aside, though, to make sure she and dad have the quality of life they deserve.

I probably won't be around as much to write or comment, but I'll check in on y'all when I can.

 

Mason Garrett

I'm showing off baby pictures this morning.  This is my grandson, Mason.  Pay no attention to the 2005 in the corner there - something must be wrong with the camera's settings.