Early Morning Musings

Today is Veterans Day 2014, and a big deal in this patriotic small town where I currently hang my hat (or scarf.) My youngest daughter had to be at work by seven this morning, and since I am her transportation, I was up at five and out of the shower and dressed half an hour later. I went outside to take the chickens some scraps from the kitchen and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the early morning sky.

The egg shaped brightness of the moon, was reflecting off the dew that lay on the leaves of my mother's bottlebrush tree. The effect was stunning and had me throwing my head back to observe the other lights in that inky darkness. I have a greater understanding of that old saying "it is always darkest just before dawn."

I did not stay out long ; I was in my tank top and it was a bit chilly. I made my girl some breakfast and when I next looked out light was changing and the landscape of this twenty acres was beginning to be revealed. As I was driving the several miles up to the only Publix in this county, I had to apply the brakes rather quickly to avoid ruining the front-end of my Toyota van. Two, four-legged shadows on my left suddenly were making their way across the country road, in to the stand of six year old pines on my right. As the does crossed in front of my headlights they slowed and I got a good impression of the graceful long slim legs, and rounded rumps that they possessed. Perhaps they will make it through this year's hunting season; If I had been going any faster they would not be alive now, and I would certainly not be writing about our encounter.

The rest of the trip to town was uneventful. I had a bit of conversation with my daughter, though to be fair, it was mostly me talking and a nod or shake of the head from the passenger seat.  The "highway"129  was empty, no headlights in either direction on a main traffic route, that on any other Tuesday in November would have a stream of halogen for miles. On the way back to my parents home, I noticed, as I looked east, toward Jacksonville, that there were multiple airplanes backlit by the rising sun; the pattern of their contrails looked like disappearing white punctuation on the soft blue expanse above the trees.

It was a lovely early morning. By nine, the folks participating in the parade will be making their way to the library to prepare for the mile long journey of waving and smiling at the neighbors and business people lining the route. The quiet will be replaced by the clamor of  marching bands, the loud discussions of  nearly deaf men, and the laughing of the little children and women watching over it all.

My life here in Live Oak is so different than the one in Jacksonville, but blessed all the same by the Creator God who formed me and watches out for me and leads me when I follow.

Until Later ~ Rita Darlene

Sunday Sunset

It was a glorious sunset this evening. The temperature was lovely, no bugs biting, quiet except for the crickets rubbing their legs together. I miss the easy trips across Jacksonville to visit a friend. The midnight excursions to take brownies to my adopted family are not really possible out here in the woods, but there is a peacefulness that I enjoy.

Relaxation

So many times I think I just need some time to relax my mind and body. The God I know built that time in to each week. Genesis 2:2-3 Happy Sabbath y'all!

This looks like an amazing way to be clean, refreshed and relaxed!

Makes me want to head for the mountains.

Until Later ~ Rita Darlene

Friends, Foes and Followers

The mid-term elections are over in these United States and those of us who choose to watch television, as a form of entertainment, can finally be free of the mudslinging commercials for a few months at least. Now, my evenings seem to be bombarded by attorneys trying to get my attention so that they can represent me as I sue one of the automotive companies due to malfunctioning something or other.

I do watch a bit of television, but it seems that the shows I like get cancelled or lose the extremely talented writers that got me hooked on the show. I am saddened when a well written law drama suddenly becomes a night time soap opera.

Lately, I have begun to think that I am wasting my life sitting in front of a television. I need to get my big butt up off the couch and live. I will be looking for some dance lessons that will work with my obligations of time.

Speaking of time obligations, I have been living with my parents since September, when my mom was discharged from the rehab center where she was recovering from her latest stroke. I have been cooking and cleaning and doing my folks laundry. Sometimes I am also the chauffer. As my mom progresses in her recovery, I have more free time to take care of myself and plan a future. I see a future with no television. I have seen more ridiculous shows in these few weeks than in the previous few years.

It is funny, in a sad way, to see people making decisions based on what their minds are fed from TV. I have heard all sorts of slanderous mutterings repeated, especially about our current president. I think the little guy Napoleon Bonaparte said it well ...
  “Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.”

My words are cathartic for me and not meant to hurt or maim anyone. Until Later ~ Rita Darlene

Peace Piece

I love people. I enjoy meeting folks and talking with them about their lives. I seem to have at least a few things in common with most of the individuals I have spoken with over the years. Perhaps it has been a fluke, a matter of time and chance, or just fortuitous geography, but I find that I like most human beings.

It is rare for me to meet someone that I do not find attractive in some way. I am not blind, so many times the attraction is physical; I am a sucker for a great smile. I also am not deaf, so sometimes the attraction is a beautiful voice, or the words being spoken. Sincerity and intelligence are very attractive to me. I am also drawn to people that have a quick wit. Compassionate people are gems in our self absorbed society, but I try to keep my distance so they do not look at me too closely.

Am I alone in this idea that human beings can find things to like about each other. Are we so busy disliking each other's choice of music or salad dressing, political stance, religious preference, and /or life partner that we forget that we really have more in common than we have differences.

Peace begins within. Acknowledging that finding common ground is not so hard, is not the same as actually doing it. I challenge us to go make a friend of that person over there, yes the one that does not seem likeable.

Until Later,
Rita Darlene