Fleetingly Carol

Even at the tender age of 10, my son had a need for organization. I never had a problem with his room being uncluttered. Notice, dear Reader, I did not use the word 'clean' because this child didn't understand that dirt and dust was clutter, too, just of a smaller ilk. My son loved to arrange my cabinets. In fact, I believe it was he (although he has not claimed it even to this day) who alphabetized my spices and my canned goods. We once lived in an apartment that was well-appointed with all of the latest in European accroutrements. It was a small kitchen, but the storage was amazing! Everything had its place and it was easy to keep everything in its place, which pleased my son very much. Now, this child is not the only child I have and so, therefore, I have a very strict rule about yelling within the confines of our abode. I have watched otherwise sane adults go tottering down hallways after being summoned by a tiny disembodied voice. I decided in my pre-child days tha

Today was an awesome day! It started out when my oh, so nice boss (you remember, the one who doesn't care if we are late every once in a while?) let me off for the afternoon so I could go and visit Aunt Mildred. You see, I was so busy cleaning out my closets this weekend, that I didn't have time to visit. Oh, I can hear you now, dear Reader! Clean closets? Leave poor Aunt Mildred by herself while you clean closets? Well, hush, yes, that's exactly what I did! But, there were what you would call 'extenuating' circumstances. No one calls the cleaning done in the fall as 'Fall Cleaning' the way they call it 'Spring Cleaning'. But that's what I was doing. I was putting away summer clothes and bringing out the fall clothes, sweaters and things like that. And this was the only Saturday available. In my defense, I found a whole trash bag full of clothes that I was able to bring down to the Goodwill Store. It was a win win situation! Peering through A

Don't you just love technology? I mean, I can write this blog for anyone and everyone to read! It wasn't that long ago that to have someone read your words, you had to go through a publisher, which, by the way, is still the smartest way to do it. But blogs, social networks, tweets, and texting has made us all so much more connected with one another. But, I have to say, the new preferred way of communicating, texting, seems to be beyond my ability to master. Oh, don't get me wrong, I can do it, but I can't do it with finesse. Take the other day, for instance . . . I decided it would be nice to have breakfast at The Broke Yolk Grill, but Old Man was working and I didn't want to go by myself, so I texted a young friend who I thought might be awake early on a Saturday morning. But, I wasn't sure. That is the beauty of text messages. I could text a message to her. If she were awake, she would respond, if not, it wouldn't wake her. My texts, by necessity, mu

Aunt Mildred is doing well. Thanks to all of you who have enquired about her health after her stroke some weeks ago. Old Man and I have been trying to see her every evening we are able. Sometimes, though, Old Man is just too weary to visit very long. You know, he works very hard and very long hours. But, he insists on visiting Aunt Mildred after a long shift, and I know it has nothing to do with me reminding him that Aunt Mildred is 88 years old and has just had a stroke. He insists because that's just the way he is. Seeing Aunt Mildred every evening possible makes it almost impossible to keep up with normal household chores. Old Man is very good at pitching in. I know I don't have to ask him every time, but I know it makes him feel better when I do. Take the other night, for instance. He went to see Aunt Mildred after a long day at work. It is very tiring to sit in the cold air conditioning day in and day out, with nothing to do but type on a computer. There we sat in he

Giggle. No, really giggle. Out loud. Wasn't that fun! I love to giggle. Now, if someone is in the room with you, start giggling and see if that other person doesn't begin to giggle, too. Go ahead, I'll wait.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Are you giggling? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . There now! Don't you feel better? I do thank you. I was giggling just thinking about you, Dear Reader, laughing. Laughter is very infectious. And, I think the most infectious laughter is that of a small child giggling. I was in a store just window shopping the other day, but please don't tell Old Man. He'll think I bought something expensive. Which I did, but he doesn't have to know. Anyway, while I was browsing the shelves in this department store, I happened upon a b

I just don't know how to start this blog out tonight. I am so sorely put out, I don't know what to think. I have recently posted that my 'road rage' has gotten better. And it has, really. But tonight, it was so bad, it would have made a preacher cuss! I mean it. But, come to think of it, it wasn't nearly as bad as a day I drove home from work on a hot July day after having a physically strenuous day. The temperatures had reached 103 degrees with 90% humidity and by 5:00 p.m., it hadn't cooled off very much. To make matters worse, I drove a pickup truck that had no air conditioning and the driver's window was stuck in the closed position. The only bit of air available came from the passenger side window. I had to drive at a minimum of 45 mph for the truck to lose its oven properties and I could survive inside. When the kids were teenagers and I drove them from this activity to that activity, I would tell them that when they got their driver's license th

Hello again. It's been six whole days since I've posted anything. I have been leaving work and going to a town 30 minutes away to see Aunt Mildred who had a stroke about 3 weeks ago. Aunt Mildred is only 88 years old. And I am happy to report that she is out of the hospital and in her own home! Family and friends (including Old Man and myself) have been working out times to stay with Aunt Mildred. She is still a little weak in the legs and we want to make certain that she won't fall. So, Aunt Mildred happily has been taking the place of the keyboard and computer screen. Aunt Mildred is a totally Southern Country Woman. I have learned so much about living and giving from her, but sometimes I feel as though I need an interpreter - even though I've lived in the south my entire life. My Daughter and Almost-Daughter-in-law gave me a lesson in Southernisms recently. A couple of months ago, Old Man and I were treated to dinner by Daughter and Fiance (fancy name for 'bo