I have breakfast often with my Oldies at Panera Bread Bakery and Cafe. It's their new favorite place for breakfast. I fussed a tiny bit when we switched restaurants because I like eggs for breakfast. Panera's now has a couple of egg dishes but not eggs per se. All of the millions of people who eat at Panera's know this and either abide by this rule or sneak in their own boiled egg in a baggie as I do sometimes.
But my Oldie surprised me on my first Saturday morning back in Florida by ordering and getting fried eggs at Panera's. Nobody else can do this. Just him.
He's done this at other restaurants, like ordering (and getting) grits in the afternoon or mashed potatoes for breakfast.
What's this about? I think it's about power - and I understand it.
He's losing strength and power every day. He was once the vice president of a great company. Now he doesn't even remember what he did for a living. But he was a decision maker and power broker in his realm - and he's still at it in his much smaller realm.
I wish I could order a nice buttery fried egg at Panera's but I'm just not empowered in that way.
***
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Making History
I've been pretty much glued to the TV the last few days. (Yes, I finally upgraded my cable.)
History was made last night when an African American was nominated for president of the United States.
John McCain did a very cool thing by presenting an ad congratulating Barrack Obama on that accomplishment.
Now today McCain has chosen Sarah Palin as his running mate. Who? I never heard of her! But in the next 24 hours we'll all know everything there is to know about her. She will instantly become one of the most famous people on the planet.
It's all exciting and entertaining and history making.
I'm glad I live here.
***
History was made last night when an African American was nominated for president of the United States.
John McCain did a very cool thing by presenting an ad congratulating Barrack Obama on that accomplishment.
Now today McCain has chosen Sarah Palin as his running mate. Who? I never heard of her! But in the next 24 hours we'll all know everything there is to know about her. She will instantly become one of the most famous people on the planet.
It's all exciting and entertaining and history making.
I'm glad I live here.
***
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Esther
I was reminded today of the book of Esther in the Bible. What a cool story.
This king gets drunk and tries to get his wife, Queen Vasti, to come and entertain him and his buddies but she says "No way" so she gets bounced and he looks for a new queen.
Of course he does this by having a beauty contest.
This really good Jewish guy named Mordecai decides that his niece, Esther, should try out for the job so that she'll be on the inside and will be able to influence the King not to persecute the Jews.
Esther's not happy about it but she gives her all for the team - and gets chosen.
In the meantime an evil villain named Haman starts hatching these crazy diabolical plots to get Esther and her uncle killed.
In the end it's all a reversal of fortune. All of the bad things that Haman wanted to happen to Mordecai - actually happen to Haman.
In one part of the story when Esther is scared and unsure that she can confront the King her uncle says, ...if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)
Good words for all of us who've been in similar positions.
On a lighter note, when I lived in South Florida and Jews celebrated Purim, a Jewish holiday mentioned in the book of Esther, the Jewish bakeries featured a treat made from dried apricots call "Haman's Ears."
***
This king gets drunk and tries to get his wife, Queen Vasti, to come and entertain him and his buddies but she says "No way" so she gets bounced and he looks for a new queen.
Of course he does this by having a beauty contest.
This really good Jewish guy named Mordecai decides that his niece, Esther, should try out for the job so that she'll be on the inside and will be able to influence the King not to persecute the Jews.
Esther's not happy about it but she gives her all for the team - and gets chosen.
In the meantime an evil villain named Haman starts hatching these crazy diabolical plots to get Esther and her uncle killed.
In the end it's all a reversal of fortune. All of the bad things that Haman wanted to happen to Mordecai - actually happen to Haman.
In one part of the story when Esther is scared and unsure that she can confront the King her uncle says, ...if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14)
Good words for all of us who've been in similar positions.
On a lighter note, when I lived in South Florida and Jews celebrated Purim, a Jewish holiday mentioned in the book of Esther, the Jewish bakeries featured a treat made from dried apricots call "Haman's Ears."
***
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Ultimate Questions
It seems my friends and I are falling apart and in constant need of repair.
Today my brother is having some extremely uncomfortable surgery.
Tomorrow my close friend is having a heart cath.
They're both going to be fine but it is reminding me today of how fragile life is.
In 1922 Carl Sandburg wrote one of my favorite poems. He asks a long sighted question and gets a short sighted answer.
Omaha
I am riding on a limited express,
one of the crack trains of the nation.
Hurtling across the prairie into blue haze and dark air go
fifteen all-steel coaches holding a thousand people.
(all the coaches shall be scrap and rust and all the men and women laughing shall pass to ashes,)
I ask a man in the smoker where he is going and he answers
"Omaha."
***
Today my brother is having some extremely uncomfortable surgery.
Tomorrow my close friend is having a heart cath.
They're both going to be fine but it is reminding me today of how fragile life is.
In 1922 Carl Sandburg wrote one of my favorite poems. He asks a long sighted question and gets a short sighted answer.
Omaha
I am riding on a limited express,
one of the crack trains of the nation.
Hurtling across the prairie into blue haze and dark air go
fifteen all-steel coaches holding a thousand people.
(all the coaches shall be scrap and rust and all the men and women laughing shall pass to ashes,)
I ask a man in the smoker where he is going and he answers
"Omaha."
***
Sunday, August 24, 2008
My Ongoing Exploding Pens
One of my favorite descriptions of insanity goes something like this:
Doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.
This morning in church I got out my little notebook to jot down something the minister said but when I uncapped my pen ink flew all over my hands.
This has happened several times since I got off the plane on Wednesday. Not only that, it's happened many times in the past. I love Roller Ball pens. But they explode on airplanes. End of story.
But it's not.
Last Saturday on my plane ride from Minnesota to Georgia I got bumped up to first class because a family wanted to sit together. Not a big deal for me since it was only a two hour trip.
Except, I'm usually fascinated with first class passengers, wondering what their stories are and why they pay so much more for a short flight. The young man next to me was good looking, well built and impeccably dressed. I liked his magazines and almost asked to borrow one but then I uncapped my pen to outline a book I was reading - and it exploded all over the pages and my hands.
So that was the end of me trying to be cool in first class. You might think that it would have been the end of the exploding Roller Ball pens as well. But it wasn't.
And probably won't be.
***
Doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.
This morning in church I got out my little notebook to jot down something the minister said but when I uncapped my pen ink flew all over my hands.
This has happened several times since I got off the plane on Wednesday. Not only that, it's happened many times in the past. I love Roller Ball pens. But they explode on airplanes. End of story.
But it's not.
Last Saturday on my plane ride from Minnesota to Georgia I got bumped up to first class because a family wanted to sit together. Not a big deal for me since it was only a two hour trip.
Except, I'm usually fascinated with first class passengers, wondering what their stories are and why they pay so much more for a short flight. The young man next to me was good looking, well built and impeccably dressed. I liked his magazines and almost asked to borrow one but then I uncapped my pen to outline a book I was reading - and it exploded all over the pages and my hands.
So that was the end of me trying to be cool in first class. You might think that it would have been the end of the exploding Roller Ball pens as well. But it wasn't.
And probably won't be.
***
Friday, August 22, 2008
Random Thoughts and Helpful Hints
I flew home on Wednesday after spending almost three months with my Boyfriend and five days with my kids and little grandkids in Georgia. It was so good.
Hint # 1 - Kids Change Fast.
Here's a first, instead of my reading books at night, the eight year old is reading chapter books on his own - so he read to ME every night.
The four year old rattled off the names of the first 25 presidents. When the two year old started shouting out "James Polk" I said, "Wait a minute, you're not even old enough to talk!
I thought my flight to Florida would be cancelled because of Tropical Storm Fay. But no problem. And that was good because I wasn't feeling so hot and really wanted to get home before my daughter noticed.
Hint # 2 - AAA and the Trickle Charge
Lots to do after being away from home for three months. First my car wouldn't start -but the AAA guy was great and told me about something called a Trickle Charge that I can buy at Walmart or Target that hooks up to my car battery so that it will never
again die of neglect.
Hint # 3 - Walk In Clinics
Despite Tropical Storm Fay whipping up and down and over and about central Florida I ventured out yesterday morning to the Little Clinic located in my grocery store to get tested for strep throat. I love these clinics that have popped up in various convenient places all over the country. If you have insurance, you're covered. If you don't have insurance it's much cheaper than either the E.R. or your doctor's office. And no waiting. I was in an out in 15 minutes. Good news: No strep! Bad news: No meds! (I'm on tea and Tylenol.)
Hint # 4 - Be Prepared
Last night the power was out for several hours but, fortunately, I had my battery operated fan, flashlights, radio and hurricane phone. This is just one of those old fashioned Princess phones that does not require electricity. You may be thinking to yourself that you would just use your cell phone but where would you charge it up - especially if your car battery was dead?
Hint # 5 - Cut the Cable
Prior to leaving town I downgraded my cable from "standard" to "basic." This saved me about $150. I haven't called the cable company to re up. I'm kind of enjoying getting to know these channels I never watch. OK, four of them are Spanish and two are shopping networks but I did see a nostalgic Jack Benny program with guest star Lawrence Welk on PBS. Doubt that I would have watched that if my 100 channels were available.
Hint # 6 - Radio Shack Still Rules
Tropical Storm Fay blew out my surge protector for my computer phone line. I've always bought them at Comp USA but when I got there today they didn't have one. They said they'd never had one. Turns out that Comp USA recently went out of business and they were replaced by a new computer company that is named COMP USA!
I then traveled to Radio Shack. They had one.
Hint # 7 - Don't Spend So Much Time Worrying About the Oldies
After three days of trying to call my Oldies I finally got him to pick up the phone. I wasn't too worried that they were lost in Tropical Storm Fay because (1) they go out to eat three times a day even in hurricanes and (2) they sometimes don't answer the phone even when they're home.
But I loved hearing my Oldies' voice and the three of us are having breakfast tomorrow. I told him I'd pick them up and he said "You know that I drive!." That was right after he told me that he'd had "head" surgery while I was away but I learned later today that it was in the dermatologist's office and all was benign.
Hint # 8 - Sometimes It Pays to Use Tough Love
When I last talked with my Boyfriend in Minnesota he was enjoying himself watching the Olympics on his TV that (you and) I made him buy.
***
Hint # 1 - Kids Change Fast.
Here's a first, instead of my reading books at night, the eight year old is reading chapter books on his own - so he read to ME every night.
The four year old rattled off the names of the first 25 presidents. When the two year old started shouting out "James Polk" I said, "Wait a minute, you're not even old enough to talk!
I thought my flight to Florida would be cancelled because of Tropical Storm Fay. But no problem. And that was good because I wasn't feeling so hot and really wanted to get home before my daughter noticed.
Hint # 2 - AAA and the Trickle Charge
Lots to do after being away from home for three months. First my car wouldn't start -but the AAA guy was great and told me about something called a Trickle Charge that I can buy at Walmart or Target that hooks up to my car battery so that it will never
again die of neglect.
Hint # 3 - Walk In Clinics
Despite Tropical Storm Fay whipping up and down and over and about central Florida I ventured out yesterday morning to the Little Clinic located in my grocery store to get tested for strep throat. I love these clinics that have popped up in various convenient places all over the country. If you have insurance, you're covered. If you don't have insurance it's much cheaper than either the E.R. or your doctor's office. And no waiting. I was in an out in 15 minutes. Good news: No strep! Bad news: No meds! (I'm on tea and Tylenol.)
Hint # 4 - Be Prepared
Last night the power was out for several hours but, fortunately, I had my battery operated fan, flashlights, radio and hurricane phone. This is just one of those old fashioned Princess phones that does not require electricity. You may be thinking to yourself that you would just use your cell phone but where would you charge it up - especially if your car battery was dead?
Hint # 5 - Cut the Cable
Prior to leaving town I downgraded my cable from "standard" to "basic." This saved me about $150. I haven't called the cable company to re up. I'm kind of enjoying getting to know these channels I never watch. OK, four of them are Spanish and two are shopping networks but I did see a nostalgic Jack Benny program with guest star Lawrence Welk on PBS. Doubt that I would have watched that if my 100 channels were available.
Hint # 6 - Radio Shack Still Rules
Tropical Storm Fay blew out my surge protector for my computer phone line. I've always bought them at Comp USA but when I got there today they didn't have one. They said they'd never had one. Turns out that Comp USA recently went out of business and they were replaced by a new computer company that is named COMP USA!
I then traveled to Radio Shack. They had one.
Hint # 7 - Don't Spend So Much Time Worrying About the Oldies
After three days of trying to call my Oldies I finally got him to pick up the phone. I wasn't too worried that they were lost in Tropical Storm Fay because (1) they go out to eat three times a day even in hurricanes and (2) they sometimes don't answer the phone even when they're home.
But I loved hearing my Oldies' voice and the three of us are having breakfast tomorrow. I told him I'd pick them up and he said "You know that I drive!." That was right after he told me that he'd had "head" surgery while I was away but I learned later today that it was in the dermatologist's office and all was benign.
Hint # 8 - Sometimes It Pays to Use Tough Love
When I last talked with my Boyfriend in Minnesota he was enjoying himself watching the Olympics on his TV that (you and) I made him buy.
***
Friday, August 15, 2008
Goin' Home
Tomorrow is a travel day. The first leg of my trip home.
What a summer it's been. So many adventures. So many experiences with different people.
My Boyfriend will come to Florida in a few weeks. In the meantime I have (too many) projects lined up.
If I've counted right, I've read about a dozen books since arriving in Minnesota. Some of them were books that stretched me, some were just fun psychological thrillers. I've learned to love the "Prey" books by John Sanford. The protagonist is a Minnesota lawman named Lucus Davenport. Don't mess with him.
A serious theology book that I'm just finishing up is "Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White" by Adam Hamilton. I can't wait to discuss it.
I'll leave you with a quote from another of my favorite authors.
From "Red Fish, Blue Fish" by Dr. Seuss:
Today is gone. Today was fun
Tomorrow is another one.
Every day, from here to there
Funny things are everywhere.
***
What a summer it's been. So many adventures. So many experiences with different people.
My Boyfriend will come to Florida in a few weeks. In the meantime I have (too many) projects lined up.
If I've counted right, I've read about a dozen books since arriving in Minnesota. Some of them were books that stretched me, some were just fun psychological thrillers. I've learned to love the "Prey" books by John Sanford. The protagonist is a Minnesota lawman named Lucus Davenport. Don't mess with him.
A serious theology book that I'm just finishing up is "Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White" by Adam Hamilton. I can't wait to discuss it.
I'll leave you with a quote from another of my favorite authors.
From "Red Fish, Blue Fish" by Dr. Seuss:
Today is gone. Today was fun
Tomorrow is another one.
Every day, from here to there
Funny things are everywhere.
***
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