It was the best of times....

[CLICK BUTTON TO JOIN]




MAN OF WAR
Jellyfish Sting is very excruciating, but not lethal

This one was washed ashore, soon to perish
since it has no means of propulsion, it glides
along the currents and oftentimes found on
the beaches.

I thought its air bladder created a great shadow.





- - -<><><>- - -






First off, I and Bud broke down and succumbed to the 21st century. We've only had camera phones, and cellphones only...no land lines. Now for our New Year's gift to each other we went and done it!! Yep, we got'er done!!! Bought two smart phones, and I tellya, learning all this stuff and being able to peruse the internet with a cellphone is making me giddy with delight. LOL...but I must admit, so far the 'back key' on the keyboard is my favorite! [insert a snort here] Summarizing the year 2010 this week....I think of the opening lines of Dickens' "Tale of Two Cities" ...It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

I've tried to be the optimist....well, I've LEARNED to be more optimistic, let me put it that way. Oh ya, I used to catastrophize all the time, wondering about this and about that and the what if this happened to us...even before it happened, or had a chance to happen. I must admit it really put a lot of stress on my life, living with myself and my eternal/internal thoughts and fright of things I could not foresee. So, now, many years later, I think I've finally come to terms that I can't keep life from happening and the whys and ifs are no longer a burden. Personally, it has helped me a lot to accept things I cannot change. I also must admit I do not see why others are always so negative when all around us, there are others who are worse off than we are. So, for 2010, I feel there were no 'worst times'. And I thank my lucky stars. Granted, I don't like some things [like opening my mailbox this past week to find a jury summons! LOL], but I deal or have dealt with it to my best ability. Of course, I have also learned to find a silver lining...to look at the bright side of things I don't like. For instance, sure, I can be unhappy about many things that have happened to us in the past, and as you know, I oftentimes rant about politics and certain political strifes, be it local or country or world wide in the past year, but for me personally, I've had a most contented year. Both of my adult kids are doing well and getting a chance for their dreams...Erik has dropped away from the financial system of his career and has become a full-time professor at a college in Houston while Irene, our daughter, is furthering her ministry and religious counselorship for abusive lifestyles of others; of those inflicted... she had first hand experience in that kind of situation and now she will commit her life to helping others. On Christmas Day, when Irene called us, I talked to both the boys also. Our oldest grandson became a "man" this year; he's now 21 and still has a love interest, the same sweet gal, Shawna. Dillon, our youngest grandson, is in high school and doing well. Oh he let me in on a secret, just between the two of us; he likes dark haired girls and big boobs...hehehehe!! But, his main interest today is Civil War in school. He loves the history. I guess that comes along with the territory...his grandfather, uncles, mother and distant relation were all 'into history'. We, as a family, have been blessed having jobs and steady means of financial stability. Healthwise, we have been only inflicted with flu, everything with my heart seems 'healed', tho I realize I have a heart condition. I don't dwell on it. Bud is stubborn enough to stay healthy. LOL...I'm thankful. As for the rest of my 'immediate family'...nieces, nephews, brothers and sister, they all seem well and happy. I've also learned to keep my interests low key. I've found that I like to drive around the many miles of coast and go birdwatching...just to find species of the feathered friends I never knew existed. I'm more or less a contented 'home body'. I just don't feel the need to go far across the continent to find happiness. 2010 has been a quiet, very peaceful year and I hope 2011 is the same. I've learned that Scarlett O'Hara had the right idea...."Tomorrow IS another day".

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ME...happy new year to all!! And as Tiny Tim from another Dickens' character said...."God Bless us, everyone".