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No longer on the river and, again, an empty nester. Back to living on Fleming Island and making some more friends!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Thoughts assorted in nature

Last night while resting my weary bones, the three of us, Joanne, Lynn, and I, watched a movie called "The Other Boleyn Sister". Well, what a story THAT turned out to be! Not being a student of this era, I shall assume what we saw on the screen was historically accurate, to a point. Joanne has read the book which she says was about 3" thick so the screenwriters had lots of work to do to reduce the book to 2 hours. Like the Harry Potter books Justin is always upset about having been abridged in the movies. The movie was quite good, well done, but such a tragic way these women, and all the people of the time, were forced to live!
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My blogging friend, Jami, in Amarillo, went people watching at the local mall with her husband, which she later wrote about in her blog. The questions she asked were the type you'd think about when viewing what she did: "You DO know you are not at home, right???" So-called people were seen out in the mall on a Sunday afternoon in their pajama pants, tank top-style undershirts, hair every which way, and even sporting fuzzy slippers. I agree, just what is the "point" of looking like you had to run out for a can of formula or diapers in the middle of the night, when it's the middle of the afternoon?????????? As I said to Jami in a comment, "All the world's a stage"---this whole thing is nothing but an act, an attention-getter. Like Pete's dad would do, try saying something to the offenders about their attire, because that is really what they want, to be noticed!
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Friday night after work Joanne was at a 'healthy' cosmetic shop which sells 'organic' make-up. The store was quite busy and only one clerk was trying to take care of all these women looking for make-up assistance. Joanne was glad to see a busy store and struck up a conversation with the beautifully adorned person next to her at the counter while they waited their turns. The 'woman' had French manicured nails, long blond hair, lovely skin, high-heeled shoes, nice clothes.......................but it was actually a MAN!!!! Now, Joanne is quite the cosmopolitan person and yet she was totally blown away having this close encounter with cross dresser! 3" inches of organic cosmetics won't change the fact that you, sir, are a man!!!!
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"I hate teenagers!" This profundity came from Justin after he attended an office CHRISTmas party with his friend, Jesse, Friday night. Jesse's brother had a friend at the party, too, a teenager, which is what prompted Justin's declaration. I said something about the 'double lives' teenagers have, making nice for their parents while having secret corners in their existence where they act out. Justin said "No, it's not double lives", of course, but then sort of backed me up with saying, "If a teenager is smiling, they are looking to get into trouble!". These type of flat statements are just the type he dislikes his other roommate for making but it seems Justin can get away with it. "Hate" is a strong word, perhaps substituting "irritate" or "annoy" would be more accurate.
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A new face/voice will be added to the Fox News Channel in January, Glenn Beck. He used to be on, ahem, CNN, but lost his job during the elections because of his conservative attitude. It didn't mesh with the liberal bias of the management. He has a book out right now, a best seller called "The Christmas Sweater" which I'd like to read some day. Unless there is a movie coming out soon..............Anyway, he did a segment on the F&F program this a.m. where he discussed the "sissification" of our society. What does that mean? People have to be so overly careful when dealing with people because no one ever wants to have their feelings hurt, have toes stepped on, stand up for their views, experience failure.......Glenn made the remark about having two kinds of people in the world: failures and losers. We are all failures in one way or another, but keep trying and trying to succeed. Losers are the type of folks who feel like their lot in life is not their fault, not being the ones to take lemons and make lemonade. Interesting food for thought, don't you think? It gives me the picture of the 'humans' floating around in their spineless shapes in the movie "Wall-E". No personality, no drive or ambition, no desire for anything other than what is given to them. Whether today's discussion changes anything or not, it was good to consider and sort of remember the way it used to be!
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My poor friend, Twila, who has been ailing for weeks, ever since our church's yard sale, has heard from the orthopedist that she needs a new hip. This is great news because the old hip is giving her a terrible fit!!! Many many folks have shared their success stories with Twila which gives her confidence that she'll be a new girl after its over. Dates and times are yet to be determined but hopefully it won't be too long because she is some kinda miserable right now. We will rally the troops to help her out, though her son does live in the same home with her. Certainly there will be some therapy and recuperation time at home and no one minds going to help a friend, especially when she lives at the lake!
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Lynn and I are off to St. Augustine, going to see "Nights of Lights" as well as bum around the outlet mall and St. George Street. We found a deal on a bed and breakfast, splitting the costs, so we can each take a turn in the hot tub the room provides. The prospect of soaking away the aches from yesterday's long walks is quite appealing. I only wish the weather were nicer for Lynn's enjoyment, but at least we are not in the "zeroes", as my brother-in-law, David, would say. Maybe Lynn and I will get to hear the song, "Dominic the Donkey" again when we're in The Oldest City!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The river is a mirror this morning

This photo does not properly delineate the reflection from the actual, guess you had to be here!
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While my printer is making more newsletters to include with my CHRISTmas cards, I am gazing across the river at trees, both those on the shore and those reflected in the water. Waking a bit early this morning after some disturbing dreams about getting my paperwork together for Court, I couldn't help but be drawn into the scenery outside my windows. It was a view begging to be painted, or at least, photographed! In order to not wake my household, I tippy-toed out to the river room with camera in hand, slid the doors open quietly and snapped three shots. As I stood there a few moments, my eyes were searching for any signs of life such as raccoons or waterfowl, but it was too early for them to be out and about, I guess. When Joanne got up she saw kingfishers and other shore life but I didn't see that. She was excited about the magnificence of the view this a.m. and I told her I knew it, because I took pictures! It wasn't only me going ga ga over the quiet, reflective river!

It was Linda who pointed at that the palm trees, the trio, are "reflective" of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, ever-present in our lives!