REFRESHING

It is so nice to see a young person, who knows what is involved in holding a job. They know how to dress appropriately. They realise they are to work and NOT talk on the phone to friends and family, or surf the Internet on job time. The arrive promptly and are ready to work at the time work is to begin and they don't slip out early. Sadly, they are in the minority. It is amazing the number of college graduates, who don't have a work ethic. And once adults decide to add children to their family, hopefully they are mature enough to know they should arrange child care. The refrain is "But you just don't understand!' That is certainly correct, I don't. Immature slackers would be quick tell one and all to mind their own business if any suggestions were made, but the rest of the work force is expected to put up with their poor work habits and poor child care decisions, and not say a word.

HISTORY

It is often said that "History repeats itself". But no one seems to pay attention, and we continue to make the same poor choices, over and over again.

Everyone has a favorite era. For some it is the WILD WEST, for others, the Civil War, or perhaps the gold rush to Californai or the Yukon. For those of us interested in family history, it is which ever time period our ancestor lived in-the ancestor we are currently researching.

My family are participants in cowboy action shooting, so their main interest is in the attire, firearms, and activities of the early American West. Cowboy hats and boots are required costume for all events.

We also enjoy living history presentations. Our local museum hosts a 2 day event each summer, as does a near by histori site, Fort Phil Kearny. We have toured Colonial Williamsburg, Va several times, as well as Mystic Seaport, Sturbridge Village,

FRIENDSHIP

What a precious part of our life: our friends! My friend is slipping away with Alzheimer's. For nearly 40 years, we have shared good times and bad. She was a loving spouse, a caring Mother, a good cook, and an excellent seamstress. She was competent at whatever task was at hand.

She no longer drives, nor cooks. Her dear huband cares for her and their home. Her memories of childhood are cystal clear, but yesterday and last year have disappeared. She no longer writes me letters, so I call her several times each month.

FRIENDSHIP

Such a special bond, between people, friendship is like a plant in our garden. It needs the sunny rays of a bright and sincere smile. It is there to be watered by shared tears, when life becomes painful and heartbreaking. And like the old lilac bushes, it becomes stout and strong after years of enjoyment. Time does not necessarily determine the strength of these unions. New friends and old friends share our lives, each to their own involvement. Like a garden, these relationships need to be tended. Letters, phone calls, emails, visits, thoughts, and prayers, all are part and parcel of the nuturing needed. To have a friend, it is said you need to be a friend. And this cannot be planned or expected, most just happen.

December ?

Where has the summer gone? And the Autumn? The days fly by and we seem to accomplish less and less. We sat on the patio and enjoyed our yard and the quiet as often as possible. Now we look outside and watch the snowflakes as they drift down! We enjoy the change of seasons, and the cadence it seems to bring to our lives. But each year the fear of icy patches and falls and the chance of broken bones is a greater worry. So we tread carefully!

We have a few colored lights over the gate to our yard and the pinecone wreath is up on the fence. The candles will be lit in our windows tomorrow. We have a few decorations in place and the cards and stamps are laying on the desk. We do little shopping and no baking or goody making, so we are almost done! Hooray! Need to have a few dinner guests and the month will be filled.

The Holidays are bittersweet, with so many memories of family gathrerings and good food and visits. And once we have all become older, not the starry eyed anticipation of our younger years. Life goes on. We purchase ornaments for the little ones in our circle of friends and always a creche scence or two. Several years ago I was given a simple sterling silver pin-a creche scence-it is lovely and I wear it every day of December. Last year I was able to purchase two of them and have passed them on to friends.

If the weather is nice and roads are clear, we plan to slip away for a few days.
So we plot and plan and that is part of the joy of travel, to plan and anticipate.
We have experienced some wonderful trips and enjoyed seeing so much of this wonderful country. We don't get in a hurry and stop at any wide spot in the road thst beckons. And at this stage of our life, not sure how many more trips we will get to make, so makes each one just that much more of a pleasure.

MORE CHOICES

Seems we get so caught up in our busy lives, we seldom take time to really look at and appreciate our bounty. Listen to the talk of diets and exercise, it is evident that very few of our associates have every been truly hungry. Yet they don't acknowledge how abundant their choice of food and drink is. Shopping has become a source of recreation, instead of an exercise of necessity. Our closets are full, our cupboards overflow, our garages are so filled that many times the cars must be parked outside. There are complaints about the price of gas, yet people drive everywhere, even when they could be walking. Most of us could benefit from the exercise and save money as well. One of the current themes is how to get organized and clear the clutter. Perhaps the first step would to be to STOP buying. Educational opportunities are everywhere and affordable. Every possible type of recreation is within reach. Music or sports, whether active or passive participation, it is there within reach. With a bit of planning, we can ensure that our lives and property are as safe as possible. CHOICES! Instead of complaining, perhaps we should be very still and look around us to see what and where our choices have placed us. If we don't like what we see, there is no one to blame but ourselves!

TIME

Time moves on. We make a choice every day, every minute about how we will use OUR time on Earth. On the news last night they spoke of a blood test that will "perhaps" tell you how soon you may die. They ask people if they would take the test. Shouldn't we all live every day as if it is our last. Never to soon to do what you want to do. Never put off making amends for our offenses. Take every opportunity to tell our friends and family how much we love them. Take a walk and enjoy our beautiful area. Talk to a child and see the world fresh and new through their eyes. Visit an elderly friend or an ill neighbor. Never put off to tomorrow what we want to do TODAY. Eat your dessert first. Write a note or a long letter to someone, whether they live across the country or across town. Read a good book. Get down on your knees and say a prayer. Send flowers to someone. Bake bread or cookies and share with others. Sit quietly and just think! Turn off the TV, the cell phone, and walk through your home or yard. Once the moment is past we can never recapture it. Make wise choices of how your time is spent, so you never will say " I wish I had...!" Do it NOW!