Momentous Occasions

There are two very special things happening in my life right now. Last week my youngest son turned 21 and next Saturday my middle son will graduate from college. Where did the time go?

From this

















To this...all in the blink of an eye...or so it seems.

If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

I found this in one of our newsletters today. If only...

If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise over again,
I'd finger paint more and point the finger less
I'd do less correcting and more connecting
I'd take my eyes off my watch and watch with my eyes
I would care to know less and know to care more
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites
I'd stop playing serious and seriously play
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars
I'd do more hugging and less tugging
I would be firm less often and affirm much more
I'd build self-esteem first and the house later
I'd teach less about the love of power and more about the power of love

-Original author unknown

All good things must come to an end...

and so must the visit with Lost Love. He will be leaving tomorrow. Before returning home he's taking a little trip to Rio (as in de Janeiro) for some R & R. Hope he doesn't OD on the "dental floss" (inside joke)! I can't imagine what it would be like to just say, "I think I'll just fly down to Rio next week and stay for a week or so." It just boggles my mind that you could have that kind of freedom.
Anyway, I've really enjoyed seeing him during this visit. I can only hope this isn't the last time and that "Lost Love" doesn't become lost again. My days have been a little brighter and I've had a bit more spring in my step...something I'm not used to. It's been really nice. And so, Lost Love, I bid you adieu...until we meet again.

Sappy poetry alert #3

Lament
by Jamie Marie from A Beggar's Rose

If I could turn back the hands of time
And have the love that once was mine
I’d hold it safe within my heart
And we’d never have been apart

This life of sorrow I’d not have known
No sad, long days spent alone
No lonely nights while tears did flow
I didn’t then, but now I know

I let true love slip through my hands
The hurt is deep. I cannot stand
To think of what my foolishness cost
And of the sweet love I have lost

Now in my dreams your face I see
I long for what now cannot be
There is no longer a place for us
Only for me in my loneliness

Saga of Lost Love Continues

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to again have dinner with my lost love last night. More roses (I do LOVE roses) and a huge GORGEOUS plush rabbit (I'm a fool for stuffed animals). Think I'll call him Herman. After dinner we talked for nearly 5 hours. He's had such an interesting life...traveling around the world and having so many experiences. If I hadn't had the responsibility of keeping a home and raising my children (not that I would trade my kids for ANYTHING on this earth) maybe my life could have been a little less boring. Guess I'll never know. All-in-all an absolutely lovely evening. Can't wait to do it again.

Sappy poetry alert #2

Your Eyes Called My Name
by Jamie Marie from Fly With Me

I thought I could keep myself out of love’s reach
With a wall built around me that love couldn’t breach
I’d never lose control of my heart. I was much too sane
So I never saw it coming when your eyes called my name

The first time we met the attraction was so strong
I should have sensed then what was going on
Though you never spoke; I heard just the same
Each time our gaze met, your eyes called my name

I tried to walk away from you, to leave you behind
I had too many plans; other things on my mind
I didn’t want the distraction or to play this game
But I stopped and turned around; your eyes called my name

My pulse began to quicken and my thoughts began to spin
My mind cried out to run; my heart would not give in
You put your arms around me; I knew there I’d remain
Each time I tried to turn away, your eyes called my name

You eyes, the color of umber, held my firmly in their grasp
Though I tried to fight it, love was here at last
Each night I lie beside you; my thoughts always the same
I’m so glad my heart listened when your eyes called my name

Sad day...

I just learned of the passing of one of my favorite singers, Gene Pitney. I was such a huge fan of his. In fact, I just recently purchased one of the albums he recorded with George Jones during the 60's. Such a great singer. What a terrible loss. This picture was taken at one of his concerts that I attended in 1967. May he rest in peace.

Sappy poetry alert #1

Alone…
by Jamie Marie from A Beggar's Rose

My heart is like a windswept plain
Don’t know why or how I came here
To be so alone, to feel this pain
To have my heart filled with fear

There was a time I had it all
Love, youth and time
Now life’s gone from spring to fall
I'm no longer in my prime

I wasted time, I wasted youth
I threw away true love
Now in my twilight I see the truth
All the things that I let go of

I can’t go back, it’s too late for me now
My life has changed too much
Some things the fates will not allow
I weep for the loss of love’s touch

Did I mention I write sappy poetry?

Well, I do. It's just stuff that means something to me. I don't expect to win any awards or accolades (oh, that's funny). I could probably be the poet laureate of the local trailer park but that's about it. It's all pretty sappy but, hey, it rhymes! Well, most of the time! I have compiled the poems into 2 "books"...Fly With Me and A Beggar's Rose. Each poem will be credited to Jamie Marie who is, of course, my alter ego. The poems came about as a thought or word which my fevered little brain just couldn't quite let go of so, I built a poem around that thought. I can't imagine that anyone would want to, but if you should (you probably need to seek medical attention immediately), I ask that you don't use any of it without my permission. That would make me angry..."you wouldn't like me when I'm angry" to quote the Hulk. Anyway, I've made the momentous decision to offer myself up for ridicule and post some of it here on occasion. You've been warned!

Uh...excuse me?

This has to be one of, if not the most, strange things I have ever heard of. Men who willing traveled across the country to be castrated in a sadomasochistic "dungeon." What???!!! I never ceased to be amazed by the people who populate this world. I just don't understand.