Category: loves

the little things

The little things can be big things in life. There’s an old joke that goes something like this:

How much dirt is there in a hole 3ft wide by 3ft long by 3ft deep?

Yo, there’s no dirt in a hole.

Trying hard to understand life with all the implications and unknowable outcomes can fry even the largest of brains. Think of the missing dirt as a life that’s been lived. As there’s no dirt in the hole, since it’s already been dug, the obvious retort would be “well, fill it back up then…” or “dig another one”. And that brings us to today’s post.

I used to get tired. I mean really tired. So tired I would fall asleep next to my girl while watching a blockbuster movie. I know, some of you are saying “what movie? It would depend on the movie CarlJ…” Really? (use to be me saying that…LOL) Fast forward to now, or yesterday evening to be exact, I was enjoying some scrumptious homemade chili, a game of imagineIFF and some great company. As the evening progressed and most had left the building, I remained as the Last of the Mohicans. We talked for a bit, all while deciding which show/movie to watch on Roku.

Life can be complicated. So can picking out a show to watch. Over time it became apparent that no show was forthcoming or could compete with the intense discussions we were having:

“Do you really think that Marty Mcfly went back to the future in a Delorean?”

“Of course, but without the Delorean, time travel is impossible” I would say.

While the above dialog is fictional, the conversation moved around from topic to table, earth to sun, life to love. Because of the emotional impact of our words, the air was thick and syrupy. Breathing became difficult. Being the smartest person in Santa Clarita I said “How about a walk and talk?” (I am walking a fine line with the walk and talk statement. The smartest person is of course factual…)

By now, time, always the achiever, moved progressively onward. “CarlJ, it’s almost 1:30am” I was told. And here’s the kicker. I wasn’t tired. In. The. Least. Why you quietly ask? (well you didn’t , so I asked for you, before you could say you weren’t interested – as I’m very sensitive and it would hurt my feelings. A preemptive strike in a way…smile)

But even the best of evenings must come to an close. Time teaches us these truths. But wait! I still wasn’t tired. I would normally fall asleep without even knowing it! I’m not narcoleptic, just good at falling asleep. My body was changing. With all my focus on health the last few years, my internal clocks have been reset. Although if we had watched a show, I most probably would still be there, snoring away, while the neighbors called the cops about a bear attack in the house next to them. Eek! I am very loud now and then…

Upon arriving home, my newest member of the family, (I will post pictures later) was barking and chewing my arm in delight.

“Where were you? I needed a snack. The other dogs won’t play wiff me. The cat is aloof, I don’t even know what the word “ALUFF” means. Is it a cat bark? Like “Meow, Aluff!”

My mind was racing from the evenings discussions into the wee hours of the night. Sleep was not to come for quite some time.

The moral of this diatribe? Don’t change your diet and get healthy if you want to sleep at a decent hour…

the paradox of warm chills

The current weather forecast is something like: “Lows in the mid 30’s with highs hitting around 60”. You would think that it’s not the best weather for a quick hike on a mountain trail. And you would be wrong. Hold on there, them’s fightin’ words fer sure! Sometimes the cold spurs you on, keeping the blood from freezing or getting frostbite etc.

And you can always wear a few pairs of socks, a double jacket, warm pants and simple toasty gloves with a hat to match that keeps your head warm. Keeping the sun to your right on the way forward, to your left on the return, can also help to prevent icicles from forming and slowing you down.

But what if, just what if there was something more than sun, more than the warmth of a cozy mountain parka? More than gloves and a hat? And what if this “something” could warm you from the inside out? What if that warmth put out more therms than a toasty fireplace on a frosty winters eve? Is there such a something?

There is. And you would see this from miles away. It’s almost supernatural with the way it makes you forget it’s cold. Powerful beyond your wildest thoughts and dreams. Warmer than the surface of a star. Something so simple and true, the darkest evening wouldn’t stand a chance. Just what is this amazing and incredible “something”?

The beautiful smile of another person.

puppy day!

Today. Is. Puppy. day. Yay!.

All these questions I have! Will I feed her good? Will I take care of her when she’s sick? Will I teach her not to buy anything from door to door salespeople and not to turn on my computer and email her cousins or shop amazon for biscuits? I have more questions than answers at the moment.

Personal questions: am I taking on too much responsibility, given that I may no longer be a California resident soon? Can I integrate her safely with my existing entourage of geriatric critters? And most importantly, does she like watching the updated Netflix series, “Lost in Space”?

I sit while drinking a special coffee blend, eating a piece of sourdough toast with sauerkraut on top (among other toppings as well) while savoring a ChoZero bar, thinking, “why”?

Have I lost my mind? Does the sun rise or the earth spin? Will Walmart ever carry ChoZero? Do cannibals use toothpicks after eating their best friends? Long ago I would have thrown caution to the wind and jumped right into a new member of the family. Instead, being the cautious worry toad that I am, I spent about 60 seconds before jumping in while I contemplated the above meanderings.

With all the worry and doubts I have about this, the frantic pacing back and forth, to and fro, with my mind racing faster than a formula one speedster, I realize something huge. Something I said in an earlier post. That something clears all the cobwebs and doubts from my confused and cluttered brain. The answer is because…

…because I have faith.

words to live by

“If you let your love of life shine brightly, you may light the way for someone who sits in the dark”.

Sent to me by my friend Carolyn. She comes up with some great one liners that girl. And she’s right. I have seen my love of life infect others. In a good way. And sometimes, it can be hard to always be cheerful. I try to be for the most part. Whenever I hear a good song or watch a great story unfold in a book or movie, the emotional impact can be overwhelming. And that’s just the way I like it…

Page 2 of 2

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén