A First

This is the first year in 25 years that I have been off for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. And New Years.  I was pretty much the proverbial Grinch at holiday time.  The hospital was usually jammed, the surgery schedule packed, and we were typically short-staffed with employees out sick or on PTO.   I was usually not very merry.  Not this year!!  I get all the fun and none of the headaches!! And people ask me if I miss working!! HA!!

I've missed the sound and smell of rain.

It is raining, pouring buckets, not just a shower but a steady soaking rain.  It's been a long time since I've heard that sound and smelled the scent of wet earth and plants.  I've often thought that the smell was the prayer of thanks that the plants were sending heavenward.  (Rationalists tell me it's ozone but I don't have to believe them.)  The sound of this kind of rain is so calming, soothing.  We had a house once with cala lillies near the windows and the sound of rain on those broad leaves put me to sleep every time.  I know that the east and northeast has had more than enough rain this year but here on the Texas Gulf Coast, it has been a long dry year.  Showers of blessings indeed!

Post Thanksgiving Clean Up

This morning I cleaned out the refrigerator.  I made up dinners from the leftover turkey, dressing, and corn and labeled them and put them in the freezer.  I still had dressing left over so I froze a good sized container of that.  With the very last of the turkey and gravy, I mixed up one last dinner for Daisy.  (Doggies have to have Thanksgiving leftovers too.)

Now it is time to get out the Christmas stuff.

I AM NOT A CONSUMER!!

I was listening to the Diane Rehm Show this morning on NPR and got so aggravated that I just shut it off.  Most days I really enjoy her program but today’s show just rubbed me the wrong way.  The entire hour was on the importance of Black Friday , Independent Saturday, Green Monday shopping.  The constant reference to “the consumer” was like pouring alcohol on a skinned knee.  I shouted at the radio “I AM NOT A CONSUMER!!”  I am a human, a woman, a citizen but NOT A CONSUMER!!  I am not some kind of advertising activated consumption machine!!   I like items that last and I like to mend and repair things that just need a patch and then are good to go.  In my opinion, one of the big drivers getting us in the current financial fiasco is people buying too much stuff, too much house, too many toys.  A lot of people wouldn’t be in such bad shape if they’d ignored all the advertising hype, stayed out of debt, and saved their money.  All the crap trashes the environment in its production, transportation, and finally in the landfill.  Frankly, it is disgusting and I am embarrassed by the feeding frenzy. And finally, I AM NOT A CONSUMER!!

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson.  Biographies are usually more interesting to me about the person’s early life and my interest tends to wane as they pass into adulthood.  However, this book was so well written and so interesting all the way through that I couldn’t put it down.  I am so conflicted about Steve Jobs—I want to say what an egomaniac he was and how mean he was and that just because you are a genius, you really aren’t the center of the universe.  But I have a hard time saying those critical things because…I am writing this on my i-pad.  Would anyone else have revolutionized communication the way he did?  I doubt it.  Could he have been other than what and how he was.  No way. He really was special.

The Washington Budget Fiasco

I suggest that we put Congress on a contract basis.  We hire them as independent contractors (no benefits) to make a budget and they get paid only when the budget is completed, passed, and signed.  If they aren't able to perform, they don't get paid and we outsource it to India.  OK, we just fire them and try again in 2012.

My Vacation Manifesto

My husband and I have been married for 43 years and I love him dearly. But (you knew there was a "but" coming) we have vastly different ideas on what a vacation is.  His idea of a vacation is to head off in a vague direction of what to see and what to do, a hotel is a place to spend minimum time--shower, sleep, dump stuff off--no need for reservations, any place will do.  He likes to walk and see where it leads him--sidewalks, swamps, seashores--you never know what you'll find. Grab a sausage biscuit at McD's, fine for breakfast, Diet Cokes and peanuts for snacks, no problem. (And he wonders why he comes home from trips bloated, constipated, and grouchy...)

This is a fine idea for some people but it is not my idea of a vacation.  For many years I tried to be a good sport and go along & get along.  It was possible when we were young and mobile but I am now 64 and can't walk.  So in preparation for our next vacation, I have issued My Vacation Manifesto.  So here it is:

My Vacation Manifesto

1.   I have a destination with a hotel reservation at the end.
2.   I don’t stay in crappy motels.  I stay at Marriott, Hyatt, or similar quality. The hotel room must be equipped with handicapped  accessible toilet and shower with bath seat.
3.   I get 2 hours alone time daily.
4.   I eat breakfast at the hotel each morning and evening meal at a nice restaurant.