I'm Finding My Voice

"Women, when they are old enough to have done with the business of being women, and can let loose their strength, must be the most powerful creatures in the whole world.”

I'm (almost) 50 and I am finally finding my voice.

Nowadays, I find myself in all-male world. I'm the only woman in my department at work. I'm the only female in my two night classes.

I'm more accepted in my classes--that may be because I'm old enough to be the mother of most of my classmates! They're entertaining and wonderfully objective. Conversation flows easily. When they speak to me, I can tell they want to hear what I have to say. They're younger.

My male colleagues at work have predetermined notions regarding females. I believe it may be possibly because of their long-standing membership in the dreaded "good old boy network."
Plus--they're old farts and resistant to new ideas...

Like a woman in the mix.

One Single Moment Can Change Your Life

This Bell Hornet seems to have fully realized his dilemma. Lured by the sugar water concoction he is now trapped in the bee catcher.

It looks as if he was too consumed by thoughts of pleasure to consider possible repercussions for his actions. It's amazing no matter how small the creatures, the thought processes and actions mimic human behavior!

Some were quick-witted and managed an escape.

Afterwards they seemed worn out from the adventure--
and slightly intoxicated by the sugary water.

Survivors now had common ground.

The hornets reminded me of a cat washing after dinner
as they began cleaning their face and legs
in an effort to put the whole ordeal behind them.

I Guess Things Are Tough All Over

JB found my friend, the spider, UNDER the deck. I guess she didn't care for all the attention she was getting outside the kitchen.

This video might help explain things better.




I really had no idea...

Worth Repeating

Blueberry Banana Cake

3 eggs
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sour cream
1 ripe banana, mashed
2 cups flour
1 cup blueberries
1 Tbsp lemon zest

Combine all wet ingredients in large bowl. Add flour and mix until combined. Fold in the blueberries and lemon zest, being careful not to overmix. Bake in greased 8" pan at 350 for 30 minutes.
Let cool in pan and remove.
To fill bundt pan, I doubled the recipe and baked 45 minutes.

Friday--Woohoo

I'ma staunch Democrat. If you have a problem with that--quit reading now. I don't need the grief, nor do you.

I read Bill Clinton's book. He's a bit wordy, I'll agree--but what he has to say is worthwhile.
His step-father was an alcoholic that created all sorts of challenges throughout his life. But when his stepfather's life ended, Bil's true compassionate nature shone thorough when he said he realized how much pain his step father must have suffered throughout his life.

I understand anyone who has or has had a family member who is an alcoholic might disagree. Give it time and you may see things differently. Life is not so cut and dry.

I had an uncle that I took to at an early age. Being the liberal minded individual that I am, I sought him out initially because he was an outcast from the rest of the family. I remember him giving me all the change in his pocket--sometimes in excess of 5 dollars! I remember him getting perturbed because I called his hand at cheating at cards. I remember him trying to be so mean in an attempt to run me off.

What comes to mind is that movie about the Walmart baby--what is the name of it? Where the heart is? It has Natalie Portman in the starring role.

There's one point in the movie where Stockard Channing is being questioned by the police about the missing baby, and she explains that alcoholics are not going to hurt anyone--they are just content to hurt themselves.

So true--or has been my experience. Sad, but true.

Addiction in any form is so vicious. It dissolves families and attempts to suck the very life out any relationship.

I am reminded of what Momo has always told me--Don't let the sonofabitches win...

Sleep Is The New Sex

I long for long, deep uninterrupted sleep.

I've taken to putting a few drops of this marvelous herbal cure called Rescue Remedy on my tongue every night before I retire. It calms all the thoughts banging around in my head and helps me fall asleep more quickly.

Life is just too full of interruptions.

The days are too long and the nights too short.

I'm trudging through work all day and then class. The way I figure it, I have two hours at home--awake--in the morning followed by two hours --awake, in the evening.

And of course, weekends are for catching up on homework, doing laundry and grocery shopping. Am I crazy or is everyone's life this busy?

I'm three weeks into this schedule, so there's only nine more to go.

I had a goal to finish one degree by year's end, but now realize I will spill over into spring.

Since my parents are in their 70s and still kicking, I know that I still have time to accomplish all the things I would like to accomplish.

But in the meantime--I must keep moving...

Better Than An Alarm Clock

When Miss Lina decides it's time to get up, she crawls under the covers and drapes herself across me. If all that movement doesn't wake me, she nuzzles me continually.

So much for sleeping in....

All Things Must Pass

The last time I saw my spider friend was 48 hours ago. I think she has moved on. I'm thinking she has grown tired of all the attention and the flash from my camera.

I read up a bit about the Orb spider. From what I understand, patience is not her strong suit. It seems that sometimes the female Orb spider will kill the male if he fumbles (or is not quite as skilled as she would like) during foreplay. She has a zero tolerance.

My oldest daughter's response-- when I shared this with her-- was "Right on... "

This next generation has zero tolerance in so many relationship areas... and I am so proud. My generation still has a bit of that bite-your-tongue-and-just-ignore-it going on.

But, I have learned to pick my battles. And I have learned "he who walks away from a fight, lives to fight another day."

So are you fighting... or picking your battles?