Beauty

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I don't know who said that, but it's become part of literate history. And, I suppose, it's true. Beauty can be seen all around us, if we can but see it. There is beauty in the saddest of moments, as well as beauty in the most joyful of moments. There is beauty to be seen in the stillness of a picture, and beauty to be beheld in the chaos of movement. It's everywhere we care to look. As human beings we have the unique ability to perceive beauty with our minds and hearts just by looking upon the world outside ourselves. Life, all life, is a miracle. An incredible gift that is too often wasted, and unappreciated. No matter how bad things are, I feel it is important to open our eyes, and see the wonder that is all around us. I just read in a collection of stories by an author I like, that all good thoughts are the hope of the world. I think that seeing the beauty in the world is more than just a good thought. Maybe, it's turning hope, into belief. Human beings are truly amazing. We have an incredible capacity for compassion, love, insight, not to mention intelligence. And yet, we barely use them. To paraphrase a movie line, we are the dumbest intelligent species I know. But considering what humans are doing to animals, I guess I'm glad I am a human, more or less. At least I'm not a Republican or a Yankees fan. I'd never be able to live that down.
Anyway, the point is, it's important for our own wellbeing to be able to see the beauty in the world. It's not always easy, but then, what is?

Hello, Is Anyone There?

So here I am, once again, stuck at home. But I do have air conditioning, and that, right now, is a good thing. So tell me, is anyone reading this any longer? It would be nice to know. You don't call, you don't send me flowers anymore...And if there are people actually reading this, what would any of you like me to write, or write more, about? For English learners, are there language questions or problems you would like to know more about, like idioms, or slang? Let me know. Get involved. Feel free to make any comment you want to. Tell me a story. But don't send flowers. That was a joke. If you have to send anything, send money. (Just kidding).
Remember, I won't be in the Library until this Friday. But check back here on Thursday to make sure. If no one is reading this, let me know.

Health Update & A Word...

First, I am starting my second round of antibiotics. My doctor tells me he thinks I should be able to continue my much missed (by me, at least) conversation groups at the Library on Friday, but not before. I will post updates here, both in case I don't start to get better before the end of the week, as well as to let you know if I will definitely be at the Library on Friday. Enough of that...
In reading the newspaper and/or watching the news on television, it struck me how brave we must be to live in this world, how much courage it takes. For most of us, life is far from easy. The economy is in bad shape, we have huge environmental problems such as the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as global warming, which is causing dramatic changes in the weather patterns around the world. Then of course, we have our daily tasks and problems we have to deal with, such as going to work, training for or starting a new job, paying the bills, feeding ourselves and our families, taking care of our children. I may not have a family, but I have to take care of Edgar, and he's one tough boss.
So how do we deal with all the problems in the world and, of course, our own. Well first, I believe a sense of humor is extremely (very very) important. After that, I think we have to focus on doing something about those things we can do something about, and not worry about the rest. We have to allow ourselves to feel good about the things we can do, and be proud of ourselves for doing them. Worrying about things we can do nothing about is a waste of time and energy. Life is going to throw problems and minor, as well major, emergencies at all of us in the course of time. Someone once said, dying is easy, it's living that's hard. So, yes, it takes courage sometimes to get out of bed in the morning, to go on an interview for a job, to learn a new language in a new country, to ask for help when you need it, and to be able to laugh when faced with great adversity (forces against you). In fact, we must try to face everything in life with courage if we want to live the best lives we can. Remember, life is short. No one lives forever. It is good to plan ahead for the future, but don't forget to live, and laugh, today.

My Apologies

Sorry, folks, for not giving you much of interest lately. Being sick is quite a distraction. Whatever this virus/infection, or whatever, happens to be, it seems to be refusing to leave my lungs in an easy manner. So, it's back to the doctor's office today. I hate to think I need to take more time away from the Library, but it is possible. I will get my doctor's opinion (as well as more medication), and keep you informed. Until later, be well, enjoy life, & stay out of trouble...

Going Stir Crazy

The toughest part of being sick is staying home and resting. I know I shouldn't complain, but after two weeks at home recovering from surgery, and now another week trying to get over this chest cold, I am literally going completely out of my mind. So, if you see me acting strangely, maybe talking to people who aren't there (as in imaginary people), don't worry. I'm sure it's just a passing mental condition. Since I have never behaved in exactly a normal manner, this really shouldn't be anything too unusual. Just do your best to ignore me, and go on your way. I'll be fine. If I could only remember what I'm supposed to do now...

Cold Reality (Yes, It is a Pun)

Well, sad to say, but my return to the Library will be postponed for another week because of the cold/flu virus that has settled into my lungs. Under medical advice, I will rest for another week. Right now I cannot talk without coughing, and laughing causes a whole lotta' (lots of) coughing. It's also kind of painful. Anyway, not to worry. Today I am a little bit better than yesterday, so by next week I should be doing fine.
So, I am planning my return to the Library on Wednesday June 30th of next week. I will, of course, post updates here, and I do have a couple of things I'd like to blog about, but I don't quite feel up to it at this moment. All I can say is, stay out of trouble, and don't take any wooden nickels (another expression).

Not a Little Cold, Uh Uh

I thought I was getting off lightly, but this cold has grown. I now have a great deal of trouble trying to talk without having a cough rip through my chest. I will live, I'm pretty sure. Living, however, at the moment is not very pleasant. But no one promised me a rose garden (an expression). Ah well. I still hope to get to the Library Wednesday, but I will keep you updated. If I am still having a lot of trouble tomorow evening, I will write it here, although I probably won't make the final decision until Wednesday morning. Until later, be well, and Goodnite!

A Summertime Cold

Hello one and all. Summer colds are never fun, but I got off lightly this time. I caught it early and got to the doctor right away. Whatever this particular virus, or whatever, happens to be, a lot of people have caught it, and it can be quite nasty (in this case, nasty describes it much better than just bad). So as I said, I am quite lucky. Other people have gotten a much worse case of it than I, and for those of you who have, you definitely have my unreserved sympathy. In the meantime, I am drinking lots of lemon ginger herbal tea with honey, sucking on Hall's cough drops, and taking Tylenols. Edgar was in a rather agitated state all morning. He just wouldn't settle down until after he took a short nap on my foot. Now he is preening (what birds do to clean and groom their feathers) on my arm while I am trying to type this. Not matter that it makes it more difficult for me. After all, he is the King. I am finishing up a wonderful book, and probably will start another one this afternoon. For those of you who are not sick, I hope you get a chance to enjoy the beautiful day out there. Something I won't be able to do, as I am stuck inside.
Edgar has interrupted my typing twice, now, for headrubs. I have spoiled him rotten, and created a little feathered monster. Ah, well. No one is perfect. Most definitely not I.
May the course of the day see you all safely through...

Summer Not My Best Time of Year

First, let me assure you, I have every intention of returning to the Library this coming Wednesday. That being said, physically this has not been a good week for me. I am recovering nicely from hernia surgery, and at the follow-up appointment with the surgeon I was told everything looks good and I will be able to start jogging and exercising again in about 2 weeks. Earlier this week I had to see my family doctor about my left foot which had been giving me some trouble for a while now, and had become a bit painful. So I found out I have plantar fasciitis, which is a medical term in Latin which means the connective tissue running through the bottom of my left foot is inflammed. It is not serious, but I have to do a lot of stretches, as well as icing and massaging my foot. The inflammation will break up eventually, but it won't be a pain free experience and could take a few months. Finally, I had to go back to my family doctor today because I picked up some kind of cold or flu virus which is traveling into my lungs. So now I am on antibiotics, which will prevent it from becoming something really nasty, but I will still have to suffer through the usual cold symptoms, i.e. runny nose, stuffy head, sore throat, coughing, etc. Not to worry. I do have plenty of lemon ginger herbal tea, and of course, lots of honey to put in it. So there's my medical update. If I could only teach Edgar to make tea and cook, life would be wonderful. And, as my great-uncle Barnaby used to say, If bullfrogs could fly, they wouldn't bump their ass'.
So don't worry about me. I have plenty to read, food to eat, tea to drink, and a very noisy bird for company. I hope everyone is doing well, and I look forward to seeing some, if not most, of you next week.

I will be back in the Library Wednesday 6/23/10

I will take my doctor's advice, and I will take one more week of rest. So I will return to the Library a week from today on the 23rd.
Yesterday, I drove for the first time since surgery, and ran a lot of errands. I bought a floor lamp and light bulbs as well as a couple of other things at Walmart. I went to Lords and Ladies in the Crystal Mall, which is where I have to go to buy my Aveda shampoo. Then I went to pick up my contacts at my eye doctor's office, and then went to an appointment with my family doctor. After that I went to the supermarket, and then went home. I was completely exhausted. It was good, however, to be out on my own on what turned out to be a beautiful day.
So I will spend another week without seeing all my wonderful friends at the Library, but it will give me someting to look forward to next week. Until then, Aloha!

The Magnificent King Edgar the Bald

The King at Breakfast

There is not a lot of upside to be stuck at home recovering from surgery. I have had plenty to do since I was given a Sudoku set (a very nice one, too), and of course I have lots to read. But it was still nice to have three beautiful women come visit me, even if they all are married. But who gets all the attention? Edgar, of course. And he loved it. I'm just not as cute as he is, unfortunately. Even now he knows I'm writing about him, so he is whistling at me. He's gotten even more spoiled since I've been forced to stay home so much recently. He won't be so happy tomorrow when I will drive for the first time since my surgery to go do errands and go to a doctor's appointment. But he will adjust.
There really is very little pain now, although some definite discomfort. I just don't like the idea of being cut open and having something put in me. I am very squeamish and have difficulty even thinking about it. At least it's over, and maybe in a few months I won't even remember it. Uh huh. Sure I won't. I'll forget it as soon as pigs can fly. Anyway, thank you for all your kind thoughts, they are much appreciated. And more thanks for those of you who came bearing gifts. You know who you are. Muchas gracias, or for those who know pinyin, xie xie.
After all the attention Edgar received, he truly does believe he is King now, and I but his humble servant.

Trouble Can Be Troubling

Big trouble, little trouble, bad trouble, there are all kinds of trouble. But I have never heard of good trouble. Well, there are some men who think a beautiful woman is good trouble. I will speak no names, you know who you are. How do we define trouble? It's usually complicated. At the least, it complicates our lives. It is an inconvenience that is usually time consuming (eats up our time), almost always costs us money one way or another, and can be very painful either physically, mentally or emotionally. It is also almost always unfair. Some people never seem to have any trouble, and, in fact, appear to be extremely lucky. Other people always seem to either be getting into trouble, or have trouble befalling them (getting into trouble usually implies doing something to make it happen; befalling means the person did nothing to deserve it). And it really doesn't matter how good or upstanding a person you are. Trouble will still find you. Sometimes it seems that good people have more trouble than bad people. I suppose, as they say, how you handle trouble shows what kind of a person you are. But one thing is for sure, trouble is always waiting for us. A friend of mine said there is no life without struggle. Maybe we can also say, there is no life without trouble. Can I get an Amen, brothers and sisters?

English, like Life, can be baffling...

Well, I am still alive, although I am not completely happy about that. I stopped my pain medication because I don't believe the pain is bad enough for me to use it. But my mood is not as good as it was on the pain medication. I will feel much better soon, but probably not today. So I will keep Edgar company, and continue to be a couch cowboy. Being human does have its problems, and there are time I wouldn't mind switching places with Edgar, but as an old saying (expression) goes, Better the devil you know than one you don't. Think about that. Can you make sense out of it?
Well, back to my couch, and my own little feathered devil...

Running On Empty (another song)

Yikes. My gas tank is empty, and I'm not talking about my car. My excursion (trip) into the world outside my front door yesterday has taken all my reserve energy. So today, it seems, I will be spending the day at home with Edgar, whether I want to or not. He will be quite happy about that. I want you all to have a marvelous day, and think about what these words could possibly have in common: befuddled, flabbergasted, stumped, clueless, brainlocked, puzzled, overwhelmed, amazed, and astonished. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Cheers! as our British friends say...

It was a wonderful lunch with very good friends. There is much to be said in favor of the Chinese dim sum style of eating. The sharing of food could easily represent the sharing of life. It was good to be out in the world where I was fortunate enough to see other friends as well. So, yes, I am not completely healed, and I still need my pain medication, but it was an excellent day to get out into the world. I can honestly say that a little pain and discomfort was well worth it. After all, it is important to enjoy and appreciate life, when and while we can.

Monday, Monday...(The name of an old song)

Still alive, and trying not to laugh too much.
I tried to go without a pain pill this morning, but I only lasted about 45 minutes before taking one. I can hear the voice of my doctor saying, "Don't be an idiot, take the pain medication." So I guess I'll keep taking it for now. Well, it seems a couple of friends want to take me out to lunch today. This will be my first trip outside since coming back from the hospital. Don't worry, they are picking me up since I can't drive. It seemed easier to say yes than to spend half an hour trying to say I couldn't go. But, really, I don't think it will be too much of a problem, and it will be a nice change of scenery. I will take my pain pills with me, and they can always drive me to the emergency room if I need it. Just kidding! I hope...
It's a beautiful day to get outside for a little while, and to eat some Chinese food. I just have to remember to try not to laugh too much. And that is a bit difficult.
So, until later, stay out of trouble...

I am a Couch Cowboy...

Just a quick update...Yes, now that the wonderful medication from surgery has worn off, moving around, including sitting in a chair is not very comfortable, or pain free, which is why I will be trying to spend as much time as possible on the couch. I do have pain medication but it is not as good as what they gave me at the hospital. That's actually a good thing, because that medication made me feel like I could do anything and not feel any, or very little, pain. So I would have gotten into all kinds of trouble. Which actually I did. On the way home from the hospital I was feeling so good that I had my Mother stop at the supermarket and I went in and picked up a few things. Talk about being an idiot. So when I woke and had to get out of bed at about 3 am this morning, it took a very painful 30 minutes to get my feet down to the floor without yelling all the curse (bad)words I know. Wow. Please remind not to have to have this surgery again. But the worst news is that laughing really hurts. But at least I am breathing, and that doesn't hurt. At least not at the moment. Ahh...time to go back to the couch. Hasta luego, my friends.

Ok, it was the medication...

Yup, the pain has arrived. But the pain medication is keeping it at bay (not letting it get too bad). So far, however, it still is not as bad as I thought it would be, but I have a feeling tomorrow will be a bit more unpleasant. But don't worry! I may scream like a little girl, but I will survive...

Still Alive!

Hello my beautiful and handsome friends. I have survived surgery, and right now I feel great. Of course, this might be due to the pain medication they gave me. But the surgery went very well, and I awoke in the recovery room at the hospital at 1:00 pm. I will try to post more later. At the moment I feel very little pain, but I am a bit tired. Be well, and Enoy!