At least the day ended well....

It's been one of those days. Actually it was rocking along pretty good until the storms blew in. I was on the desktop computer when the rain started. Soon a full-blown thunderstorm was doing its thing -- bright flashes of lightning, window rattling thunder claps, blowing rain. All of a sudden, BAM! There was a loud noise and the power went out. No problem, I thought as I settled down with my Kindle.

Then....son #3 texted to remind me of the North Carolina Hurricanes hockey playoff game. (I had to watch, and I had to wear red.) Then....A. texted to ask me if we were going back to the coast this Christmas. ?? I don't know where that came from, but....I have to admit that it sounds like a good idea to me. :) I thought about getting my laptop and searching to see what was available, but decided to control myself, not make a snap decision, and do some more reading instead. As soon as I got caught up in my book (again), J called to tell me he was just down the road but because of a downed power line traffic wasn't moving. Oh, I said, so that's why the power's out. He cursed because he'd had a long day and was hungry and if I'd told him about it sooner he could have stopped and picked up something to eat. (Oh, well.)

I hang up the phone and get back to my book (again). After reading about three pages, J pulls up in the driveway. That was quick, I told him as he walked in the door. How about tomato sandwiches, I ask. Nope, he says. Get you shoes on and we'll go grab something to eat and then go to a movie. (Sounded good to me.) We ended up a Chili's -- grilled salmon for J and chicken quesadillas for me. Margarita's were two for one. (Big smile!) Before we could leave, the bad, bad server forced us to order the molten chocolate cake. (So good!) Then we went to the new Star Trek movie. I'm not a big fan but I liked it. It was comfortable and familiar, like an old friend. J was a little disappointed. He thought all the homages were a bit cheap and would have like to see a more original plot. It's all in your perspective, I guess.

As we drove down the street to the house, we noticed the lights were on. Hoo ray! We walked in and all the clocks were flashing. I hate that. Hate it! I figured the hockey game was over. (Smile!) I texted son #3 and asked him who won. He texted back that it was in just going into overtime and his dad and I should watch it. And....we were wearing red weren't we? So we turned the game on and even though I'm not a hockey fan, the 12 minute ot went fast and the Hurricanes won. I decided to start up the computer and start looking at what's available for Christmas and check out some beading sites. The computer started up fine, but not the moniter. I think it's fried. I'll think about that tomorrow. The laptop's working fine for now.

Anyone have a netbook computer? I'm thinking about getting one for son #1's birthday. He needs/wants one, but considering his lifestyle, I don't want to spend much money. He would use it to write (in addition to surf the net). I hear pros and cons about the efficiency of writing on a netbook. Some say the smaller keyboard is a real pain. Some say it's fine. I just don't know. I want something that would be useful to him -- not a nuisance. I guess I should just ask him how he feels about netbooks. Duh!

Mother's Day revisited....

I hope every mom had a good day. Even if you're in a place where it's difficult, I hope that at some point during the day you were able to muster up some hope and maybe a couple of good memories. Sometimes it takes sheer determination to navigate this mom-thing.

In one way or another, I heard from all four of my off spring so it was a good day for me. A very good day. J. really surprised me. His presents were thoughtful and appropriate. (I'm not trying to start anything here. I'm just saying....) We also had a good shawarma meal and a hearty red wine to go with it. My North Carolina kids sent me the neatest blanket. It's a cable knit and super soft. They saw if on Grey's Anatomy (I think). My daughter had gotten one and really likes it so I guess every roommate's mom received one, too. My Oregon child ended my day in a way I would expect from him. He called while we were out eating but called back around 10:30 pm (he has no regard for the time diff). Something was wrong with the connection so I didn't get to actually talk to him -- I just heard him saying, "Can you hear me? Can you hear me? Can you hear me?" As he was yelling this, it sounded like a dozen voices in the background screaming -- HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! He likes to bring lots of other peple into whatever he does. So, I know he's alive and kickin'. Yes. It was a very good day.

Not really worth a post, but....

Not much going on around here. It's getting hotter by the day. We haven't had the new windows installed yet. :) :) :) :) (ask me if i care!)

The picture above? That's the building Mark Twain called the ugliest building on the Mississippi. That was my view a couple of weeks ago as I sat listening to Bobby Blue Bland (79 yo and still going pretty strong),as the sun set over the Mississippi River. I wanted to get a picture of the sunset over the river and the bridge but it didn't work out. Oh, well. Take my work for it -- it was nice.

Here are some oddities about Baton Rouge: We have the old state capitol (the one in the picture), and the new state capitol. We have the old Mississippi river bridge, and the new Mississippi river bridge. We also refer to things as being located in....the old Sears building, the old Maison Blanche, the old this and the old that. It's interesting how cities work. Makes it hard for outsiders and newcomers to learn their way around. Oh...lest I forget. We now also have the old Alex Box stadium where our very own Tigers used to play baseball, but, as of this year, they compete in the new Alex Box stadium. I hear it's nice but....I don't do baseball. Too easy to get hit by errant balls (not to mention the heat).

Last Monday I started taking some online courses from Virtual University. Son #3 and I used them when we were homeschooling. I'm taking courses on: Numerology, Reincarnation, Meditation (which I've never been able to still my mind long enough to do), and the Bhagavad Gita. I'm enjoying all the reading but, I must admit that I skim much of the material to find general ideas that make sense to me. One idea that I've really been impressed with, and plan on trying to put into action is this -- act, with no attachment to, or expectation of, outcome. (Now, those are my words so I hope I'm not distorting the Gita's meaning.)

The idea is not a new one to me, but it is one that I am going to practice more in my life. I'm one who thinks they must do everything well and not disappoint anyone. Before doing anything, I put all these expectations on myself. I'm going to try and not do that anymore. Maybe then I'll be more relaxed and able to meditate? We'll see.

Does anyone else have a Kindle? If so, have you accessorized it or is it still nekkid? Have you named it? When I broke down and bought my Kindle, I never thought about things like that. I just wanted to read. Well....I've been introduced to all these lovely (and pricey!) cases, skins, bags.... So far, I've held off taking the accessory plung (actually, I lie -- last night I ordered a Borsa Bella travel bag, and there's a beautiful Oberon cover I covet), and....I have realized that there are some online sites that I need to stay away from, far, far, away. And naming electronic toys!!?? Never! But....alas, meet Gizmo, my very own Kindle, sitting here anxiously awaiting her/his new BB travel bag. (So sad!)

Okay, I've gone on and on about nothing (which is not unusual), so I'll close now. Oh! One last thing. If you're looking for a good book, check out The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I'm reading it now and find it charming and informative. Now, I know there could be situations where it has to be, but....in general, how could anyone want to live with the effects of war? Try surviving a hurricane and you'll get a slight taste of what it's probably like. Not fun.

Ummm....

Click here for something interesting.


What do you think about that?