Ding Dong! Church Ladies Calling

OK I dropped everything to write this short blog.

This morning, awaiting my prescriptions in hellpaingoddammit mode, a knock at the door, well, light battering might describe it. I get up, yell, "I'm coming", and open the door. There are two middle-aged women in very 70s suburban winter dress. One says, "Oh I see you have trouble and you came to the door." The other launches right into the salespitch, "We just wanted to spread some neighborly cheer in these sad and troubled times...blah blah blagh." Dramatic pause. "These are such hard times." Both of their banana-curled blonde heads dip in a nod to mark something or other. The shorter one holds up a book, a stormcloud sunset shot with infotainment faith font in white, saying something comforting and threatening in a very white-people-only way. "I'm not Christian, thanks," I say, and make to close the door. "Well, maybe you'd just like to have this book and give it some thought." I laugh. "I'd like to go sit down," I say. Then both start chattering. I raise my hand and wave and close the door to their bye-byes.

I thought I was safe here.

Bizzy Backson

I'm very busy, friends are changing careers, starting biz, needing my eyes and brains, Plus I'm writing up a storm in the book I'm putting together so I'm just too bizzy to blog.

Not complaining- it's a lifesaver to be needed and really makes you think you haven't been thru whatever you've been thru for nothing. And maybe we'll all help each other out of the rut. In any event, it's good work and my way of volunteering since I can't leave the house.

But I wanted to giva a rec for San Fran Herbs. They're a great company with way reasonable prices and I've dealt with them for over 20 years with not a problem. If you're needing an herb, look em up:
http://www.sfherb.com/store/botanical-herbs-bulk,category.asp

February's coming- find comedy!
xxx

This Winter Snows

Earlier it came this season
Than in many of recent remembrance.
Not deeper, certainly colder,
It stays white.
Around here we take it in stride,
For the most part.
The chronic madness
in grocery stores
Goes on.
"Gonna snow!
Gotta have a chicken!"
Still, it joyfully swirls to earth in the lamplight.

Snow is Nature's way of telling you
That beauty can kill.

Last Words for 2009

Just a couple of things I want to record for myself, since I don't think many peep read this anyway.

In 2010 I want to sing again in public. It'll be 15 years and I miss it. I even know what song. So I guess it's time.

In 2010 I want to finish at least one of the books I'm writing.

In 2010 I'm letting things go. Things, people, everything. What stays or comes back, fine. What doesn't, finis. Life's short & there's a lot to get done. Was it Kesey who said, "You're either on the bus or off the bus"? I've spent a lot of my life on other people's buses. No more. Things are much clearer when you're older, and motives exposed.

So I guess that's the redux/peroro.
Here's to future days.

The Gratitudes for 2009

As fucked up as life can be with all its situations, there is still and always much to be thankful about this past year.



Starting with the beginning, thank Gods and all good things that we got rid of Georgie Bush. Even if Obama can't get anything done, we are not having that hateful little idiot representing us to the world.

Probably showing my age and hokiness here, but I'm simply thrilled that the world has Susan Boyle. Here's a woman who had lived 2/3rds of a lifetime, not a physical stunner, who'd lived all her life quietly, keeping a hope and honing an incredible talent. She got one opportunity to step out- and floored the world. Better than any Cinderella story. Her story is uplifting in a world of spirit-squashing. We got lucky when she stepped on that stage.

I could be wrong, often am, but something changed this year. Pinning it to a time, I'd say sometime around Samhain. Something elusive to describe, an energy, really. A phoenix energy. A lot of good has birthed and continues to be born, in the ashes of the last ten years. People became fired up in all that's happened, in many ways. There's more social consciousness now than I've seen since the 60s, and as much opposition to social progress as ever. There's a spiritual revival of many facets. And none of it is easy, nor peaceful. We live in a more violent world than it was, in some ways. But many stout hearts are emerging, too. The truly good and well-meaning are beginning to shine their lights. I'm not alone in feeling the shift in November, others have noted it to me before I said it. Things will get better.

This year brought a broader view to good old ecology, to tending our planet, to pointing up the unsustainable, toward localness and a different approach to local economies, too.

Goodness often comes with sacrifice and fighting; we just need to be unafraid. There's an amazing amount of good people in the world, given a chance. This year has uncovered some gems of humanity.

Speaking of good people, I'm gobsmacked at the amount of good people in my life. And every year I get to collect more while deepening the bonds with old pals. I'm a lucky old broad.

With all the health problems in my family, we remainders are all still here to see the holidays. And hopefully we'll all be here for next year's holidays.

Everyone I care about has a warm bed to sleep in, food to eat, drinkable water and clothes on their back. As far as I know, anyway. I think I'd know if not.

We've all made it through another year, most of us better, or at least deeper souls, for having lived it.

So here's to all the good that came of 2009, and all the good that will come of 2010.

If you're reading this, I probably love you, and I should tell you more often. That's my only new New Year Resolution. The old one, to have more fun, remains.

Find the zen in 2010!

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