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Showing posts from May 20, 2011

Magical Moment 476, "The Best Advice Ever"

Yesterday, I sat on the couch, clutching a tissue as Oprah dished out her final pieces of life advice on her last show. Feeling inspired, I went to my computer to endow my own wisdom upon whoever wants to read it... So here it is. My 10 best pieces of life advice: 1. Jump out of an airplane Don't go out of your way to do it or anything, but if someone walks up to you and says, "Hey, I'm gonna jump out of an airplane now. Why don't you join me?" And you don't have a pressing obligation any time soon, then just do it. It'll be fine and you'll forever be glad you did when it's over. Plus, you'll have bragging rights for life. I still brag about jumping out of airplanes. See? I'm doing it right now. 2. Don't let your laundry pile up It took me 28 years and an apartment with no washer and dryer to figure this one out. See, the more laundry you let gather, the more you have to wash at one time. Remember that feeling in pre-school when you

Magical Moment 475, "Senior-ity Rules"

Well, today I discovered where every senior citizen in northern New Jersey is at 11:00 am on a Wednesday. The grocery store. I've always connected really well with older people. Probably because we have the same taste in music and movies. And bedtime. I used to play piano for nursing homes and retirement communities in college (something I would really like to get back into), and always felt very at home and grateful to be there. So it really,  really  bothers me when I see people make rude comments to, or about seniors. Today I saw several instances of honking, eye rolling, and general impatience and disrespect at the Food Lion, and began to think about society's relationship with senior citizens. And well, this is how I think it  should  be. Let me put it this way. In the military, whenever I was in the presence of a high-ranking officer or NCO, I pretty much made sure I had my act together. Not that I knew anything about them. I didn't know if they were a  good  leade

Magical Moment 474, "Meant To Be"

Sometimes I see, or hear of a moment between couples and immediately know that those 2 are "meant to be." Here are just a few examples. -My dad's name is Ricky after the 50's singer Ricky Nelson. Ricky Nelson sings a famous song called "Hello Mary Lou." In the song he sings about her "big brown eyes." My dad married a woman named Mary Louise, with big brown eyes. You can't make that up.  -I have a friend who is notorious for his corny jokes and ill-timed humor. The first time I met his wife, she told a story and in the middle paused and looked at her husband, "I know you want to make a joke here, so go ahead." He cracked the not-so-funny joke, and then she proceeded with her story. That's when I knew they were perfect for each other. She let him be just what he is and loved him for it. -My Grandpa used to select one rose from his garden every season to bring to my Grandma. His explanation was, " One rose means one true lov

Magical Moment 473, "Where Has the Compassion Gone?"

I've been wanting to write about this subject for a long time now, but never felt the right words until recently. I try not to get on my soap box too much in my blog, but like today, I have a few exceptions: ~~ I was just wondering, where has the compassion gone? I don’t know if it’s because I’m simply noticing different things as I get older, or if it’s because I was raised in Nebraska, a land as different as night and day than New York City, or if it’s because the world really is losing its empathy for others. But I just can’t help but wonder, where has the compassion gone? Since the world did not end as Harold Camping predicted, I have heard more ridiculing comments than I can count, “What a bunch of dumb-asses.” But here is a group of people that believed something so fervently that they literally bet their life on it. You rarely see faith like that in the world. One of the first things I thought at 6:01 pm on May 21 st , 2011, was how badly their faith must be shaken right n

Magical Moment 472, "Honor Grad's Homecoming"

After a month away with the Army Reserves, Eddie will finally return home today from his psychological operations training. I am proud to report that he earned the highest score in every activity, making him the class's honor graduate. Since we both left active duty a year and a half ago, there have only been a few reminders of the difficult life that comes with being full time military. Conquering these challenges is a crucial ingredient to what makes a good soldier. So, it's no surprise to me that Eddie once again excelled, in the military and in life. Exceeds the Standard

Magical Moment 471, "A Silly Prophecy, Or Useful Reminder"

One day, a few months ago, I was expecting company. My mother's father who I had very little contact with my entire life was making a special trip from Philadelphia to New Jersey to see me. We were never close, I barely knew him, but it was a big deal that he would take a few precious hours out of his life to travel and see his estranged granddaughter. So, I cleaned the house. Rid it of the intolerable animal hair that he is notoriously allergic to. And I made a pot roast. Some might say an act of God that I cooked. I sat outside on the front porch with my dog, scanning up and down the road, waiting for his rental car's arrival. He was right on time. We ate pot roast. Chatted a bit. And then he left and I've not heard from him since. I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but according to some pastor, Jesus will return Saturday around 6 pm. That's a handy little piece of information to have. I've seen it for the last few months on billboards and on the side of bus

Magical Moment 470, "Pioneer's Park"

During my quick trip home to Nebraska, we spent an afternoon at Pioneer's Park for a family picnic. Unfortunately, the record high heat, made it a  short  afternoon. The kids got overheated and the playground equipment scorched their little legs and feet. But before we packed up the fried chicken and headed home, we made a few mandatory stops. Pioneer's park staples if you will... The perfect picture of Nebraska. Open prairie, muddy little pond, wildlife. We love the elk. Though, the boys lovingly call them "reindeer." Regina (sister), Ethan, Beth, Zach, Mary (mom), Erica (sister) Another family had a day out as well. Glad they enjoy stale hot dog buns.  See those pillars waaaay over there? That's where I got married. Sorry Eddie. Too hot to walk over. Zoom will have to due for today. Here's a close up of them from nearly 4 years ago. *photo by  Frank Ekeler Normally, there are buffalo out here, but they must have been hiding from the sun. I never re