My Boy's a Blogger

My little guy has decided to start his own blog!

He plans to write the blog from the puppy's point of view and, somehow, that seems right . . . boys and dogs, especially puppies, seem to have quite a lot in common.

If you can spare a moment now that then, he would be thrilled if you'd stop by and say hi:  A Puppy's Life.

Thanks! 

What's the Kindest Thing a Stranger Has Done?

 

1. What's the nicest thing a complete stranger ever did for you? 

An older woman, a stranger, once approached me in a store and said, "I feel a little funny saying this, but feel I must. . . You are really beautiful.  Really a beauty.  Such a pretty, pretty girl."  I was so taken aback, I'm not sure I said even a word.  I don't think I am beautiful, and I'm not accustomed to that kind of commentary from anyone (other than my sweet husband, God love him).  But I had just been through a devastating time in my life, a time when I was shaken to my core and felt as if I wasn't worth the dirt I walked on.  Whatever moved that woman to do that for me that day, it picked my spirit out of the trash and gave me something to smile about again. 




2. What one thing always speaks deeply to you, to your spirit, no matter your mood or what else is going on in your life?

Perhaps it sounds schmaltzy, but when I hug my son tightly and kiss his cheek, my soul recharges. 




3. How many jobs have you held in your life? How many of those were part of your chosen career field?

I've had six jobs total.  Two were in the dentistry field which, at the time, was the career path I was on.  Two were in the legal field, including having my own small practice, my ultimate career of choice. 




4. Of those jobs, how many did you leave voluntarily?

Of the six jobs, I left five voluntarily, but I was never fired or asked to leave.  One job required full-time hours when I could only spare part-time hours. 


5. How did you discover Saturday 9? How long have you played? (Thank you for joining in!)

On a different blog.  I think I have participated, on occasion since last fall.



6. What's the worst beverage you've ever tasted?

Room temperature milk, uck.

7. Is there anything in life you are "certain" about? Firm in your beliefs? Strong in your convictions?

I have found that the older I get, the less sure I am of anything . . . except that my husband loves me.



8. How did you come up with the title of your blog's posts?

I knew that I would never be able to have one of those always-cheerful, the-sun's-always-shining blogs, so I needed a title that would signify that.  I've always loved the novel title, "Of Mice and Men."  Beginning a title with a preposition seems to suggest that the reader is going places; I like that.




9. Would you consider yourself a good cook?

When I have the time, the interest, and the focus.  My natural tendency is not to be, but when I apply myself I can be.


If you want to play along, or merely read more replies, pop over to Crazy Sam's Saturday 9.

Happy Saturday!

Meet My New Boyfriend

Once our eyes met, I knew I would belong to him forever . . .

A Boston Terrier, he's my gent in a tux.

 
He's 6 months old.

He follows me everywhere . . .

He smells like gingerbread, somehow. . .

His name is Abbott . . .

And I love him madly.

P.S.  Hi Sophie!

A Little Sunshine

After being pretty down about the harshness of life yesterday, I thought I owed a little cheer today.


Look what a child can do for even the most cynical and tired . . . 







Lovely.

When They Hurt

I remember when my son was learning to walk. I was relating to my mother how difficult it is to watch him fall, flinching every time. I hated to see him hurt, even if it was only a momentary jostle. My mother empathized and then added, "If you think you it's hard to take when he deals with that kind of hurt . . . just wait until someone hurts his feelings. That is excruciating."

I know what she meant now.

My son is, of course, extraordinary. He is perfect in every way. To set your eyes upon him is to feed your soul with joy and contentment. At least that's how I see him.

But I also know that my son is a bit different around his peers. He is quite reserved. And, being mostly a nature-nick, he is a bit out of the loop with many of his compulsive-gaming classmates.

That is not to say that he has no friends. He does. He has a small circle of friends. He's more into the scout crowd than the sports crowd which is a considerably bigger and more raucous group.

Imagine our joy when a new boy joined the class last year. A very polite boy, very science minded, very studious. He and my son became fast friends. An answer to my prayers.

Imagine our anguish when this same boy simply decided one day that he no longer wanted to be my son's friend. No reason given. He just dropped him. We even inquired with the boy's parents about there perhaps being more to the story. No. They were no more helpful than the boy. And now, the worst of all -- if you're 10, anyway -- he did not invite him, despite inviting nearly everyone else, to his birthday party.

My son, who is usually quite reserved and stoic when it comes to displays of emotion, is notably sad and hurt.

Being a proper mama-tiger, I, of course, am incensed. How could someone treat my boy this way? I thought it was teenage girls who did this sort of thing? Isn't this supposed to be one of the advantages of being a boy, simple friendships? And after all our coaching and cajoling to our son about being more outgoing, trusting his friends enough to really be himself. This was his first "best friend." I am crushed for him.

Thanks for listening.

Approaching Normal

Is it getting too late to say, "Happy new year?"

Every year, I think I go a little overboard wishing everyone I see for the first time in the new year a happy one.  I seem to have an almost superstitious compulsion to collect as many "happy new year"-s as possible, hoping that each one will feather my new year's nest and make for an even more wonderful year.  So, if I haven't wished you one yet:  Happy New Year!

The reason for my tardiness in this regard is a nasty, nasty cold I came down with on 12/29 and only just yesterday (1/9) began feeling human again.  Yikes!  My advice to you, dear readers:  If you feel yourself coming down with a cold right now, take it seriously -- run, don't walk, to drink your fluids and buck up those vitamins.  It is a bad one.  People around here have been being laid up for at least a week with it and the symptoms run the gambit, leaving none of the classic bad-winter-cold symptoms unsounded.

Finally, I have turned the corner.  I got out yesterday -- dressed, make-upped, even shoes on.  It felt wonderful.  In my celebration of life yesterday -- a.k.a. leaving the house for the first time in more than 10 days -- I took my family out for pancakes, the first non-saltine or broth food in almost a week.  Do you realize how delicious pancakes are?  Heaven.  Too good, really, to be eaten so casually . . . not that I let that stop me.  I had a nice little stack.

Then, off to the movies.  The King's Speech.  Wonderful film.  The performances of Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush were just magnificent.  Geoffrey Rush's nonverbal performance in this movie is breathtaking and, on occasion, heartbreaking.  Really, a beautiful movie.  Well worth the time and the ticket price -- a rare thing these days.

  

Now that I'm back among the living, I have much to catch up on.  Never have I been happier to do laundry!

Have a great day,