Nature's miracle

As the flakes began to fall, I settled in for a long night. It was going to be a big one. There was nothing to do, but wait. And watch.

Some cursed the white falling from the skies. I chose to appreciate the wonder of winter as it piled up on my car and against my sliding glass doors, ensuring I wouldn't get out easily or any time soon.

After almost 24 hours of being at Mother Nature's mercy, the plowmen allowed me to venture out. Slowly. Surely. One block at a time. No more than 20 mph, most often 10 or less. I got to the store. I took the long way home, which took longer than usual. But I didn't mind. After more than a day of gray, the sun had made a late-afternoon appearance. The clouds parted as it set and the sky filled with hues of purple and orange, the likes of which I haven't seen in a long, long time.

You can curse the trouble when it comes or you can observe and not judge, move through and experience, knowing something good will soon appear again on the other side. If you're willing. If you let it happen. It's only natural.

Random Thoughts Thursday

A "cough cough sniff sniff sniff" edition

* Thank you, whoever shared your cold germs. I'm enjoying its visit in my sinuses.

* Please pass the tissues. And the RI-Co-LAAAAAAAAA.

* Chuckle passing a car wash the afternoon after a snow shower: "Yes, we're open. Salt eat cars."

* Dear Mother Nature, please keep the foot of snow they're saying we're going to get this weekend. Yesterday's 2 inches was lovely. The 2 feet in December was paralyzing, but pretty. Really, I'm good with snow for a long time. Thanks.

* Get it while it's hot! An article about a Delaware artist in The News Journal.

* I'm going to get tea whilst it's hot. Maybe that will help my sinuses. Sniff.

Nerd alert

Call me Hermoine.

A session was left off the schedule for a class I took. When asked if we wanted it put back on the schedule, most of the class voted no and the teacher said he'd get all the information in the remaining sessions.

I objected.

Teacher and I talked. I explained that the course should include all sessions and an administrative mistake shouldn't keep us from getting all we're entitled to. Plus, it's easier to learn material in the proper time. Missing one session makes that more difficult. He explained that he'd take that into account when teaching and testing.

"You know, I've never had a discussion like this," he said. "Most students want less time in class, not more."

"I know," I said. "I want more homework, too."

This is not a test

We will return to our regularly scheduled blogging this Sunday! WOO!

Merry Christmas

Christmastown has come to my place! Rudolph and friends are all set up, and lit up, for the holidays! And there are reindeer everywhere..... I even bought antlers with bells on them so I can be an honorary one for Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

10

He wasn't here physically when I: earned my bachelor's degree; reached my goal of getting a full-time job in journalism after school; watched the world unravel on Sept. 11; bought 2 new cars; moved three times; picked myself up and dusted myself off to start all over again; attempted only once the famous fried chicken recipe that no one can seem to duplicate; used my inherited Spidey-sense of direction more times than I can count; or started performing high kicks out to the sides of my shopping cart, to accompany my singing, like he did.

But some part of him is always there: when I flip through the recipe book of things he always cooked and computer-made pages he created; when I pump gas and don't spill any on the side of my car like I did the first time he made me do it after getting my license; in the moments I have to do something that makes me nervous and I remember his calm demeanor and "you can do it" attitude towards me; when I look in the mirror and see that same little bump on my left ear and his eyes looking back at me.

3,650 days. Things fade in the rearview mirror. But they'll never disappear.

Peek-A-Boo

Those are my parents on a New Orleans, La. corner in August 1999. Visit me again Sunday for a special Dad post.

Random Thoughts Thursday

A thankful edition

* Thank you, "The Dark Knight," for being an awesome makes-you-think-a-bit flick. I'm becoming a fan of The Batman, as he's called in that movie, which I can't pass by when I'm channel surfing.

* Thank you, raindrops, for holding off whilst I walked around town today.

* Thank you, fellow walkers, who smiled back at me.

* Thank you, endorphins from walking, for the pick me up.

* Thank you, coffee shop chain, for raising prices of my tea, which will make it oh so much easier to stop getting it.

* Thank you, national magazine, for the personal rejection letter, which, as writers know, is more inspiring than a form letter. I will try to query you with another idea!

* Thank you, Jimmy Fallon, for writing thank you notes each week on your Late Night show. I just realized, even though I've done posts like this before, that this reminds me of that comedy segment you do.

* Thank you, Drew Barrymore, just for being you.

* Thank you, hoagie shop, for making good sammiches with romaine lettuce. Mmmm.

* Thank you, fingers, for making the song I'm learning on the piano actually sound like it's supposed to.

* Thank you, Nick at Nite, for "Roseanne" reruns from the really good years of that funny show.

* Thank you, sun, for setting so early. I do enjoy this time of year and the darkness coming early.

* Thank you, universe, for your awesomeness.

* And thank you, hair, for finally behaving after about a year of your rebellion. I *heart* you.

Slow

A slower pace. It's not a race.

My leisurely drive today brought me face to face with:

the last tree in the park holding on to its leaves, all crimson, the likes of which I'm not sure I've ever seen;

cotton candy pink clouds in the sky at sunset;

a quick red fox, complete with fluffy tail, lollygagging across the road, his eyes glistening as he gazed toward my headlights;

a hug from a friend I wouldn't have run into if I hadn't dawdled around the town square to see the snowflake lights one more time.

Stop. Look around.

Or you'll never know what you're missing.