March blows

I thought it was supposed to be April showers bring May flowers. But here we are on the last day a March and boy has it been a wet one. 24 total days of precipitation with over 10 inches of rain. But it's ok with me, I'm not one to curse the weather.

And as the worm turns.... In the news this week, Apple vs. Apple. This whole matter is just rotten to the core. And yes, one bad apple does spoil the whole bunch, girl. Apple computer should just admit that they've not honored the spirit of the '91 agreement, regardless of the letter of the law (which they've most likely breached as well). Steve Jobs should get his pen and checkbook warmed up because I don't think Apple Computers stands a chance in hell, much less merry ol' England, birthplace of those darling Fab Four. And yes, even though this missive is being processed on one of those cute little Mini Macs, my emotional sentiment in favour of the Beatles and Apple Corps goes way, way back. Besides, if George Harrison can pay $1,599,987 in settlement for the infringement judgement of My Sweet Lord/He's So Fine, and take it in his inevitable stride, Jobs should be man enough to do the same.

In much happier news California condors appear to be making a comeback. But sadly, Hal, the Central Park coyote did not fare as well. I will never be assured that our interference with this wild creature did not hasten his demise. Perhaps he was already weakened by some natural occurance when he found himself too close to our urban society, but it is so sad to realise how the imbalance of man vs nature is becoming. Wildlife infrenges on us far less they we infringe upon wildlife.

This little tidbit went under the radar for the most part. Thanks to Susie Bright for bringing this to my attention. Seems the Homeland Security got a hard-on for internet users at the public library in Bethesda Maryland (birthplace of yours truly). Thank goodness for the truly patriotic librarian who sent them packing.

I used to want to be a librarian. Was all geared up for taking library science in college. Someone discouraged me by telling me that libarians don't make much money. Like I was going to be some huge mega-millionaire like Steve Jobs? Anyway, I'd like to think I'd have been as courageous as the librarian in the story showed herself to be. Or even, possibly, that I'd be the sexy librarian portrayed here. The world needs more sexy and smart librarians.

Hope you all have a great weekend. I'm outta here. Going to warm my rain soaked brains and body by curling up in front of a fire with my latest book from the library, Temptation by Jude Deveraux about a turn-of-the-century woman activist who travels to Scotland. Whoa...look out.

I Should Be A Romance Novelist

You Should Be a Romance Novelist

You see the world as it should be, and this goes double for all matters of the heart. You can find the romance in any situation, and you would make a talented romance story writer... And while you may be a traditional romantic, you're just as likely to be drawn to quirky or dark love stories. As long as it deals with infatuation, heartbreak, and soulmates - you could write it.

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Spring?

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month. ~Henry Van Dyke (1852–1933)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

May you have:
A world of wishes at your command.
God and His angels close to hand.
Friends and family their love impart,
and Irish blessings in your heart!

**~** **~** **~** **~** **~** **~**

May you always walk in sunshine.
May you never want for more.
May Irish angels rest their wings
right beside your door.

**~** **~** **~** **~** **~** **~** **~** **~** **~**

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.

**~** **~** **~** **~** **~** **~** **~** **~** **~**

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand
For more Irish Proverbs.

Grace

I began the week with a thought in mind, one of those late night stream of consciousness things that seem to come from nowhere and give my dear husband pause and cause to wonder, “what brought this on?” The thought of gratitude and of being aware of the many things one has to be grateful for. A life fully lived, despite the dimming twilight of once youthful exuberance and abilities. The glorious gift of spending your days and nights with the one you love. The appreciation of life’s simple pleasures, a warm bed, a sturdy home, a table lovingly spread with the day’s meal and the presence of our dear ones. Recalling memories of tending fragrant summer gardens and of warm fireside wintry evenings. Gratitude is an attitude and a state of grace. That must be why they come from the same Latin root word “gratus”.

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

We teach our children to say “thank you” before they have even mastered the most basic tenets of human speech. We offer thanks by saying grace before meals. In this way, we count our blessings, and praise God. In fact, when we are grateful we could say we reside in the very heart of God. One cannot be both simultaneously grateful and despondent. You might even say that gratitude is a cure for depression.

Some further perspectives on gratitude are here.





Light a Candle here.








In keeping with this notion of gratitude, I achieved a milestone this week that not many do in today’s work world of outsourcing, layoffs and resume shopping. I had my ten-year anniversary at my place of employment. In a show of appreciation of my longevity, my employers treated my husband and I to a lovely lunch at the local bistro along with a card of thanks and a very generous monetary gratuity (there’s that root word again). With all of the bad things one might say about having to work for a living, I really do have it pretty good.

In closing, I would like to express my gratitude to one whom I have never met but has included me in her prayers. Thank you Julie D.

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~ Marcel Proust

Hormones

Thanks to the Happy Catholic for this one.

The Hormone Hostage knows that there are days in the month when all a man has to do is open his mouth and he takes his very life into his own hands. This is a handy guide that should be as common as a driver's license in the wallet of every husband or boyfriend.

DANGEROUS: What's for dinner?
SAFER: Can I help you with dinner?
SAFEST: Where would you like to go for dinner?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: Are you wearing that?
SAFER: Gee, you look good in brown.
SAFEST: WOW! Look at you!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: What are you so worked up about?
SAFER: What did I do ! wrong?
SAFEST: Here's fifty dollars.
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: Should you be eating that?
SAFER: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
SAFEST: Can I get you a glass of wine with that?
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some chocolate.

DANGEROUS: What did you do all day?
SAFER: I hope you didn't overdo it today.
SAFEST: I've always loved you in that robe!
ULTRASAFE: Here, have some more chocolate.

Daffodils for David

Today is St. David's Day.

St. David is the patron saint of Wales. March 1st is celebrated in Wales as St. David's Day. This is the most important day in the Welsh calendar and the day on which expatriates around the world remember their roots. It is a day for Welsh people to celebrate their culture and identity.

St. David is represented by daffodils, leeks and doves.


St. David was an early crusader for Christianity in Wales and is supposed to have died on March 1st, 589. His remains were buried at what is now the Cathedral of St. David's in Pembrokeshire, west Wales.

Ni allaf ddweud ai gwir ydyw neu beidio, Rwy'n adrodd y chwedl fel y clywais i hi. (Translation: 'I cannot tell how the truth may be, I tell the tale as 'twas said to me.")

Cymru (pronounced Cumry) means Wales.

I am proud to be Welsh.

Barry Bonds is a joke

I don’t usually comment on sports, much less sports so-called celebrities. But seeing the headline this morning that Barry Bonds impersonated Paula Abdul, just makes me cringe.

I recall about two weeks ago, the last time he was in the news, he was threatening to retire from baseball saying comments like “The game (isn't) fun anymore. I'm tired of all of the crap going on.” “Maybe then everybody can just forget about me.” “It's just that right now I am not proud to be a baseball player." “Who cares? Does it mean anything? Is it going to cost me in endorsements? Whoop-de-doo. I never had any endorsements, anyways. I don't base my life on that. I go to work like every other American."

Can this guy be this delusional? Apparently so. If he truly thinks he goes to work like every other American, I’d like to trade one day of his $18 million salary for one day of my yearly take home pay.

Barry, rest assured you are forgotten. Now, if only I could bleach my eyes of the visual of you in that gawd-awful get up.