Well, as I quickly discovered, it's more difficult to faithfully journal on a blog than I had imagined. After my initial "burst" of inspiration last month, I have found many reasons for not sitting down and writing. This past month, there have certainly been things to write about. Even though I am an "empty nester", my days are filled with observations, emotions, and events of life worthy of taking note. The question remains however, these things that have become so important to me are they noteworthy in themselves, or just meaningful to me as I continue my "countdown". One of my tasks this summer has been to choose a book for the woman's group I am fascilitating beginning mid-September. In response to my "countdown", a quote from my book choice. "I found out, everybody's different, the same kind of different as me. We're all just folks walkin' down the road God done set in front of us. The truth about it is, whether we is rich or poor or somethin' in between, the earth ain't no final restin' place. So in a way, we is all homeless....just workin' our way toward home....

I have discovered, beyond a doubt, pollution is everywhere! In returning to my blogspot, after a month hiatus, imagine my surprise at finding out that the search engines for "fishngrits' can link you to a porn site... is nothing sacred, not even good old catfish, grits, and sweetea! (Not that green stuff, ya'll youngsters call sweetea now) Good old tea, steeped in sugar syrup. Richard does have a Birthday coming up, very soon. A sign of the times, at least our time, is that his present this year, our present really, is a treadmill. I am moving out the recliner chair, and in comes the "autowalker". It's time. We purchased new suits last week, and he is one size away from the big and tall store, big being the operative word here. God Bless him, his little "ass" is still as cute as a button, but the apple arrives well before he does. He says the sunlight is bouncing off his belly... Labor Day is coming this weekend and we will be parked in front of the TV for some football. We should climb half dome with our friends, nope, not a chance. Maybe next year... "Be God's" jdh

The last two days have been those wonderful gray kind of "sweater weather" days. I just know that my flowers are really enjoying the moisture bonanza provided by this July oddity. The cloudy skies have made it a great opportunity to catch up on reading, crocheting, and snuggling with the dogs on the couch while watching old movies on TCM. Incredibly boring as it sounds, I don't feel the least bit guilty. I think of how my daughters' days revolve around the children and schedules, and I don't miss the exhaustion! I did go to a great ethnic grocery today in the shopping center where West Coast Dance once thrived. A flood of memories came tumbling out, the hours a week at the studio, the drives back and forth, usually with our dog, Bobby in the back of the van, her head out the window, the smell of sweaty little bodies, and dirty socks, great times, wonderful friendships, and many "dancing" memories. Tomorrow I will watch the news, and think about the headlines today, "The U.S. Sues Arizona". Tomorrow, I will reflect on what those bizarre headlines mean to me and my children and grands, but today was a fine day for watching old movies, talking to the kids, listening to my birds outside....Tomorrow I will think about my role in the politics of fear....for now, I will sleep on it.

I have just returned from a three day Christian Woodstock in Northern Cal. It has become a tradition of sorts. Our first trip to Spirit West Coast music festival was when our oldest grandson, Monty, was about three. My memories of that RV adventure, were hot days eating bags of ice, quilts on the grass watching jumbotrons from a distance, lots of Great music, lots of mediocre food, Monty continuously climbing on Uncle Jeff's head... this year was quite different. Blankets and more blankets at night, a ten year old Monty standing right in front of the stage (with earplugs supplied by bammaw) for most of the three days, sleeping toddler, sleeping baby, non sleeping toddler, non sleeping baby... Great food, prepared by Paw Paw... and lots of Music and Message. It was such a joy to see Monty's delight in his body language, Singing, and Swinging to the music, hanging out in the mosh pit with his newfound "buds"...Monty has a special spirituality, a hunger and desire that usually comes much later. To my very special SWC Buddy, I Thank-You for being such a great "groupie" with your bammaw. Kutless Rules, and Third Day Rocks.....

I just took a cake over to our good friends, Ginger and Jeff. Like any southern lady knows, sometimes cake is the only logical answer in an entirely illogical world. They lost their little Aussie mix angel, Lucy this past week. I had the pleasure of meeting her only once. She was headstrong, territorial, protective, and inquisitive. Definitely an angel with a tilted halo! She had two devoted friends in Jeff and Ginger, who worked with her so that she could be the very best Lucy possible. Those of us who have lost a beloved doggy friend know the pain. Jeff and Ging, I am so sorry. Have some cake, and know that you are loved.... "Be God's." jdh

Inspired by Amanda's Travel Blog, and Erin's Beek musings, it's time to challenge myself into this technological adventure. fishngrits comes from my Southern roots, a tongue in cheek attempt to meld southern hospitality, with reflections about my spirituality, life at this midlife junction, and hopefully some wisdom gained from the school of life... "Be God's" jdh