Thanksgiving

Today is a time for families  and friends to gather and celebrate with lots of food.  Like any holiday it can be stressful if all the work and entertaining falls to mainly one person.    I hope that everyone has a happy or contented holiday this year.  For those that work today, I have worked many a holiday, don’t forget to make a holiday on another day.  

It is a time for traditions, football, Christmas movies, and preparation for Christmas shopping.  I like listening to and catching glimpses of the Macy’s Parade as I make whatever preparations I am doing in the kitchen.  And I like to take it easy when I can.

I was thinking about Thanksgiving and I thought what can I share than hasn’t been shared before?  I decided there really wasn’t anything new and maybe that is the point, holidays repeat.  Holidays are there so that every year we can take a break, celebrate, reconnect with others and consider  holiday purpose.  So the meaning must need repeating as much as the break.  I see giving thanks for blessings as part appreciation and positive attitude.   May we all find a lot to be Thankful for this year and in the years to come.

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Aging

I am getting older. I know that we all are aging every day after our birth; that the only alternative is death; but after a certain age I don't like it anymore. I moved up a year the end of last month. My mom has her birthday tomorrow. While I know that aging is unavoidable certain ages are more desirable than others. People look forward to 18, and then 21; 29 and 39 people always assume you are lying when you say your age. Some ages are more mile stones than others. Two years ago I turned 43 and my mom turned 86. So for me this was a time of evaluation. I don’t think I could have dealt with a new born then and a toddler now. Her history gives me a window into the future. Ages when you expected to achieve a goal or reaching the age when a loved one died can be mile stones. I plan that 45 is going to be a renewal, a new beginning. I hope I can help 88 be a good year for my mom. As we all head toward that 100 year marker; what are some of the milestones in your life?

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Moving

I love amusement parks like Disney World and its related parks. I love the rides and the shops. I don’t even mind standing in line. Unfortunately the emotional roller coasters of real life are not fun and have far more loops and twists. In this virtual theme park of MOVING my family has completed the house hunt exhibit, the hurry up and wait line, and the purchase is a process not a decision ride. That ride made us want to leave the whole park a few times.


Looking at homes for fun with no intent of packing and moving is a lot of fun. Unfortunately when you know you must pack your belongings and transport them across town or across the country even looking at homes isn’t fun. Now the daunting task of packing is before us. I brought home our first batch of boxes. Next we just fill them and many more, and then take them to their new home. It sounds so much easier than the heavy wearing process I know is before us. I have heard people talk of quick packing and moving and would love to know their secrets. (Hire their army.) I also want to know why most of my moves have occurred in the heat of the summer. Moving is the nightmare that combines all my weaknesses into one interminable horror roller coaster: home repair, home decoration, heavy lifting, reorganization, and the list goes on. I will vomit now to practice.

The crowning glory of this is I probably won’t even loose an ounce let alone a pound  after lugging a house full of belongings across Mesa. I hope I am wrong. I hope that is the silver lining: twenty five pounds of fat burned off moving in triple digit weather. I have no idea how pioneers moved cross country using a sad little wagon that didn’t look like it could hold food and bedding for a family let alone tools and furniture. But that is another article entirely. I am thankful my move will involve motorized, air conditioned vans. If anyone has tips on how to navigate the labyrinth ahead and say we are still sane after MOVING feel free to share.  (This is a repost of my blog on http://anwafounder.blogspot.com/)
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Eclipse the Movie

Saturday July 3 I took my mom and went to see Eclipse.  I really enjoyed it.  They did a great job with the movie.  I think a mark of a good story is that you get involved with it:  feel the same emotions, root for the same characters even though you have read it or seen it before and know the outcome.  With the Twilight books and movies I get involved again.  Great adaptation to movie.  A fun movie.

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Independence Day

Happy Independence Day!

When I think of the Fourth,  I think of flying the flag, eating hot dogs or hamburgers and watermelon followed by patriotic music accompanying fireworks.   But I also think of the movie 1776.  No matter what day I watch it, I get patriotic warm fuzzies.  So, I made sure to watch it today.  I am grateful for all the people dead and living that made our country great.  But, I am  especially grateful to our founding fathers, and veterans for the sacrifices that made America free.  Thank you.
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Pet Envy

I envy a lot of things about my pets:  their athleticism, grace, coordination, not to mention their better sensory equipment and of course their wonderful tails.  But lately my envy has focused primarily on their lovely coats.  I envy how they are always ready for any occasion; whether black tie or blue jeans.  I love how when they take a bath they also wash all their clothes. Talk about a reduction in laundry.  Further I hate clothes shopping so I appreciate that clothing purchases would be optional .  Believe me I would love to have just one always appropriate outfit that always fit. (weight gain or hopefully weight loss)  I know all the fashionistas would be aghast at such a thought.  While the whole clothing industry and their many dependant businesses such as retail stores and advertising would be in a panic in case there were other eccentrics that would be able to opt out of the system and put their sales in a tailspin.  Does anyone else wish they had a lovely coat like one of their pets?

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Book Review of Jagumaterra a Science-Fiction Parable

I recently had the opportunity to read Regan Brianne Jensen’s exciting, debut novel Jagumaterra a Science-Fiction Parable. How could I not love a book where the characters have tails? Not only do they have tails but they have a variety of fur colors like dark blue and violet, maroon, fuchsia, and olive. I also found yellow blood and bird like government toadies, helpful robots, and a variety of architecture including specially gown tree homes with elevators. All this is in just the first few pages.


The intrigue also begins on the first page. A king is murdered. The evil usurper controls the kingdom. The heir to the throne doesn’t know their heritage. This is an epic tale where teenagers whose biggest worry had been the upcoming history test are thrust suddenly into life or death choices. Questions of friendship, trust, bravery, and loyalty must be faced. Alliances must be forged and battles fought while dealing with grief and attraction, maybe even love. Their lives and the fate of the world hang in the balance.

Regan Jensen transports the reader to a fully formed world complete with history, legends, politics, traditions, similes, and an ancient language. She artfully allows the reader to enter the world observe, discover and explore. Except of course, who has time to explore when friends need rescuing and worlds need saving? I am already waiting for the sequel.

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