Sunday Connect

Got my Praise on today. That was a good thing. Pastor Rickie Rush, of Inspiring Body of Christ Church, spoke of re-connecting. How love isn't so much a feeling as it is a choice. Made me think about Bear.

Why? Well, Bear was the last man I spoke serious "let's get married" with. At that time, tho--Bear announced we could move back to Iowa, live off 30 grand between us, and write to our hearts content. Live like Bohemians, he said. Honestly, my Dad was in the last few months of his life, and Bear knew how close my Dad and I were. In addition, Bear was also from the Midwest--yet, I knew the "let's get married" thing wasn't gonna happen. I recall asking him if he was drunk or high. :) What I'm getting at is the choice of love--I think we both made a choice in that area. So today, just like clock work--as the hundreds, of folks came into the church, Bear and I ran into each other.

He was talking to someone, so I just extended my hand to shake his, as I walked into the sanctuary. Well, Bear took my hand and pulled me towards him. I had one foot off the floor, because it took me by surprise, as Bear pulled me into a bearhug. In way, it was a re-connect, even tho we'd both made choices elsewhere.

A chum of mine had suggested writing a story of a past relationship that's hard to put down. The one with Bear would be a prime candidate. However, I have a couple stories just screaming to get out. And as the late, great E Lynn Harris said, if we don't write what's eating us up, it'll mess up our life! I do believe that!

The story with Bear--not sure I'd make the choice of a happy ending or not. Dependes on the degree of re-connect.

Stay tuned.

Sunday Moments

Had a couple 'a-ha' moments over the weekend.

First was the untimely passing of my favorite author, E. Lynn Harris at age 54. In 1991, he self published his first novel, while he lived and worked here in Dallas. The rest is history. When even E Lynn would make a book signing stop in Dallas--I was there. He's joked at one signing how he hated the fact he couldn't buy Orange Crush soda in where lived--it may have been Atlanta or New York--I can't remember which. Nonetheless, I found a six bottle carton of Orange Crush and took it to E Lynn's signing the next day. He may not have known my name, but he knew I was the Orange Crush Girl.

Last saw E Lynn was Summer 2008. Informed E Lynn his writing style was the most I wanted to emulate--because it made me turn the pages. After E Lynn thanked me, he asked, "So is your own writing doing?" He stared right though me--no excuse was good enough. There still isn't a good enough excuse. How IS my writing? A-ha moment indeed.

When you speak with someone once loved with all your heart. Spoke marriage once upon a time. Today was the first time we spoke--through our mouths and not text messages. Like receiving a root canal without numbing of the gums. It proved that season is so long gone. Yet another season could always sprout--just takes two to plant and water the seed. A-ha moment indeed.

And weight loss. I'd blogged I'd lost 70 pounds and kept it off for quite while. Then house hunt/purchase and job topsy turvy-ness happened first quarter of 2008 and became my excuse for alot of Tombstone pizzas. I tried to psyche myself out by not putting all my weight on the scale. But I knew. Two months ago, I finally joined the senior rec center in town and got back to how I was fed in the hospital, before and after my open heart surgery. Given alot of food, but lost weight. Fruits and veggies at every meal. Sometimes a couple helpings of both--different items tho. So I knew I ate alot, yet what I ate was good for me--and finally, FINALLY my scale some change. Still a ways to go--however I can tell a difference when I look in the mirror. The exercise helped. No more snacking M & M's when I'm bored. Just a few spoonfuls of Blue Bell ice cream instead of the whole pint--at one sitting. Now I have better nights' sleep, not so much bone creaking--feel better all around. Next month, I'll sign up for aerobics at the center. Is a handful of strawberries as much fun as a handful of onion rings? Of course not--but if you plan just right--you can have both! That's an 'a-ha' moment in itself!

So on this Sunday--gotta do a few more resume send outs, so I can veg the rest of the night.

He didn't bring me this far to leave me. I am blessed.

Sunday's SunBlock and Other Stuff

As Sunday tries to cool itself down from a temp of 106 or 107--depends on who you listen to- I ponder about the day:

When did I become the 'older' person in a group? Praised in my church home today, then out to lunch with church chums. Six of them who ranged from 26-35. I am not in their demographic. That was evident. I listened. I laughed. I wanted to just hold em hostage until they all turned 40. What they spoke of, I'd been there, done that--a few times, plus have the t-shirt.

Brave about Sonic's Strawberry Limeade. Had a Mocha Java Chiller as a back up. The strawberry Limeade..not bad...not bad at all. There was zip to it. The Sprite wasn't flat. Good. I saved it for later, since ...the Mocha Java Chiller screamed my name. Will get it again-the strawberry limeade, I mean, the Java Chiller is a given.

Being a writer. Friday night I told E Lynn Harris how I procrastinate about my own writing, even tho his style is one I closest want to emulate. Listened to him during his book signing stop-to realize your passion. How if you don't write that story, it'll mess your life. All if just hit. I reminded him I was the one that brought him bottles of Orange Crush during his prior Dallas stops. Nice he remembered.

Movie Man. We hung out Saturday. I drove us around in my Orange Julius car. The first time I did the driving. He's hauled me around everywhere. Especially when I recuperated from surgery. Yesterday, we went to a Barnes & Nobles, where two years ago, on my birthday, we sat in the parking lot while I gave myself my daily IV. Yesterday, in that parking lot was a much better experience. Ya know, I asked him if I scared him with my driving...come to think of it, the guy gave me NO answer. Hmm.

Aaron McCargo. First episode of his new show today. Not bad. His food is stuff I would eat.

Gene Simmons Family Jewels. A guilty pleasure.

Pre-season football. A test of patience....a HUGE test of patience to wait for the REAL sports season to commence. Just a little over a month to go! Then all those first down and 10s will mean something!

Another day inches towards its end. I had the privilege to be part of it.

I am blessed.

Timing is Everything...

My chum Maria and I planned to play racquetball after work today. Even her idea. I reserved the court. My stuff was in my car. By the by, Movie Man taught us both. When Maria and I battle, we see how far we’ve come. The amount of sweat is our gauge. We’re still surprised we hit the ball and more strong about it. Are we a match for Movie Man? Uh..no. However, Movie Man does say I react more to his fast serves than the slower ones. He thinks I have more time to think on the slow serves--which a lot of times, mess me up. The faster one (which I actually prefer, because of the delusion of my degree of skill and strength) I react and seem to have good attack. Anyway, at about 2 pm, Maria says she wound up leaving her clothes at home. She lived too far away from work to go and get them—so we made a plan to play on our usual Tuesday, even tho the last usual Tuesday was about two weeks ago.

Since my plans were changed, I headed to a thrift store. I’m not certain when they became a love of mine. Sure, I think they may be more ‘junk’ than store, yet there’s treasures to be found. A solid wood dining table is waiting for me…somewhere. Wood stands the test of time—like me. Just don’t want to pay a fortune. Sand even stain it, I will. Folks who have known me since before I even knew how to drive, would gasp.

“You?” they would ask, “The one who slept until noon and then wondered why everybody else got up so early?”

Yes. Me. Time changes things. On the table treasure hunt, seen some, yet not THE one. The adventure continues.

Now, in for this Thursday. Trash curbside for tomorrow’s pick up. Birds have their food and a fresh bath to splash in. Cats have their clean conditions and kibble to munch. Salad and crunchy, cold watermelon will tingle my taste buds. The new book, Just Too Good To Be True, by E Lynn Harris patiently waits for me to turns its pages. Gotta finish it by—oh-soon-because E Lynn Harris will be in Dallas Friday night for a book signing. And wouldn’t you know-I just bought the book last night.

Stay tuned.